Succession Stories

"Entrepreneurship is in everyone. It just gets expressed in different ways." Luke Williams Show host Laurie Barkman welcomes Luke Williams, Founder/CEO of IdeaSkills and Clinical Associate Professor of Innovation and Design at NYU Stern School of Business.  They discuss whether entrepreneurship can be taught and delve into the importance of fostering innovative mindsets within established companie...

"Simply treating people with respect, with dignity and agency, has been really counterculture and I hope that that becomes a more infectious and attractive way to work." - Brea Starmer Host Laurie Barkman interviews Brea Starmer, Founder and CEO of Lions and Tigers. Brea shares her experience of turning a layoff into a successful business, her passion for empowering careers for women and mothers,...

"The really great exciting thing about entrepreneurship is even if you don't know from a young age that's the route you want to go, it's never too late to get there." - Jaclyn Beatty Show host Laurie Barkman interviews Jaclyn Beatty, a seasoned sales professional and Owner/Principal Consultant of Geared for Growth at Sales Xceleration. Jaclyn shares her non-traditional journey to entrepreneurship,...

"I'm guilty of having always had the feeling of being proud, but not satisfied with my accomplishments. Once I get to one goal, I'm ready to move on to the next." - Harry Haywood Host Laurie Barkman chats with Harry Haywood, President of HBS Solutions Inc. Harry shares insights on the importance of resilience, creativity, and overcoming criticism. With over 15 years of experience, he discusses the...

"The fundamental things are being incredibly optimistic, having the confidence to believe that not only is your idea a good idea, but that you can actually pull it off, and you have to have thick skin." - Jessica Kenyon Host Laurie Barkman interviews Jessica Kenyon, CEO of The Conafay Group. Jessica shares her thoughts on key entrepreneurial traits like optimism, confidence, and resilience. The di...

"Have the confidence to say, "I believe in my mission and my purpose, and no matter what is in front of me, I will overcome those obstacles." - Dr. Harry Cohen Host Laurie Barkman interviews Harry Cohen, President and CEO of Sunny Owl Productions and author of "Be the Sun, Not the Salt." Learn the essential traits that differentiate entrepreneurs— like the ability to tolerate risk and navigate amb...

Welcome to The Entrepreneur Gene! Host Laurie Barkman dives into the fascinating world of aerospace with Aleksandra Bogunovic, CEO of AeroThreads. Aleks turned her passion for sewing and fabrication into a thriving business that creates thermal blankets for spacecraft with materials that literally go to space! In this episode, we explore: Importance of grit in business. Aleks' journey from working...

You might have a buyer lined up — but that doesn't mean your exit is guaranteed. In this episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Jim Carlisle , mergers and acquisitions attorney and chair of the National Growth and Exit Planning Group at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. With decades of experience guiding business owners through transitions, Jim shares insider insights into why even...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Julie Broad, President of Book Launchers, to discuss the entrepreneurial mindset, key decisions, and challenges in business growth. Julie shares her journey from growing up in a highway-side motel in Alberta, Canada to becoming a successful entrepreneur, author, and real estate investor. She offers insights on the importa...

What happens when an entrepreneur faces massive failure — and how does that become their greatest asset?  In this powerful episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Brian Marshall, a leadership coach and business advisor who has spent over 40 years guiding entrepreneurs through personal and professional transformation. Brian shares his own deeply personal journey — from lau...

"It's not just part of your personality to be a successful entrepreneur. It takes a lot more than just being a risk-taking delusional optimist." Laurie Barkman interviews Gregory Silvano, CEO of Buyist. Greg shares his entrepreneurial journey to founding his own companies, emphasizing resilience, optimism, and pure delusion. They discuss navigating risks, cash flow management in startups, and the...

What happens when an entire executive team retires at once? How do you ensure leadership continuity, preserve company culture, and protect long-term value? In this episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Mark L. Vincent, founder of Design Group International and expert in process consulting and leadership transitions. Together, they explore how leaders can build organizat...

"There's going to be times where people are going to doubt you and they might be envious of your success, but I think if you're tenacious and you believe in yourself, that'll get you a long way." - Taylor Abbett Host Laurie Barkman interviews Taylor Abbett, Co-Founder of JARVIS XR and President of Tailored Marketing Inc. They explore key aspects of entrepreneurial growth, specifically the importan...

What makes your business memorable? What sets it apart—not just in the marketplace, but in the minds of customers, employees, investors, and potential buyers? Laurie Barkman sits down with Paul Furiga, founder and chief storyteller at Word Write Agency and author of Finding Your Capital S Story. Together, they explore how storytelling isn't just entertainment—it's a strategic tool that can elevate...

"As one takes the journey, you start to make decisions that when collected become the components that are foundational to being an entrepreneur." - Charlie Buscarino Host Laurie Barkman interviews Charlie Buscarino, the Founder and CEO of The Clarient Group. Charlie shares his path from construction to entrepreneurship. They discuss the innovations in smart building technology and the importance o...

"Every entrepreneur sees that in trial, there's treasure." - Dean Minuto Host Laurie Barkman interviews Dean Minuto, President of YESCALATE. Dean shares his insights on entrepreneurship and the development of crucial skills necessary for success. The discussion emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to learn in business and Dean elaborates on building muscle in entrepreneurship th...

"I always knew I wanted to do something where I was the person deciding my own destiny, but it's not for everyone." - Susan Quinn Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Susan Quinn, CEO and President of Circle S Studio. The conversation first explores whether entrepreneurial traits are inherited or nurtured. Susan shares her family's history of business ownership, her journey to founding her own consulting...

What does it take to build stronger teams and more effective leaders? For Ken Bogard and Grace Gavin, it begins with a commitment to honesty. Laurie Barkman sits down with Ken and Grace—co-founders of Know Honesty and authors of the new book by the same name—for a compelling conversation about the role of open communication in business success. Dedicated to enhancing professional lives and simplif...

"You don't want to be in the role of telling people what to do, but it's encouraging people to do what you think is right, but also being open to learn from them." - Bill Spohn In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman welcomes Bill Spohn, President and CEO of Tru Tech Tools, to discuss the characteristics of the entrepreneurial mindset, the intersection of engineering and entr...

Do you have the conviction to pursue your big idea? In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman interviews Pallavi Golla, a serial entrepreneur and professional EOS implementer at EOS Worldwide. They discuss the concept of the entrepreneurial gene, the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial skills, and overcoming challenges in business. Pallavi shares her journey of building and...

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Nick Hutchison, CEO and Founder of BookThinkers. They discuss Nick's entrepreneurial journey, how books changed his life, and his rebellious nature that drove him to create successful businesses. Nick shares key decisions and challenges in scaling BookThinkers, emphasizing the importance of systems and strategic growth. T...

Is your "Fourth Quarter" of life filled with purpose—or just pressure? Executive coach Scott Couchenour helps leaders over 50 design a future they won't regret. In this episode of Succession Stories , host Laurie Barkman talks with Scott about his journey from burnout to breakthrough, and how he now guides others through mid-life reinvention with intention and clarity. Perfect for business owners...

Welcome to our new sub-show on Succession Stories...The Entrepreneur Gene! In this 1st episode, Host Laurie Barkman interviews David Newman, entrepreneur, author, and sales and marketing expert. David shares his insight into the idea of an entrepreneurial gene, discussing key traits such as being a maverick and a risk-taker. He reflects on his journey from a struggling entrepreneur to a successful...

Cheers to 5 years of Succession Stories! On our anniversary, we are excited to introduce our new feature series, The Entrepreneur Gene! A bonus for Succession Stories Podcast listeners! Listen weekly as show host Laurie Barkman talks with founders and CEOs exploring the rewards and challenges of the entrepreneurial path. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!   This Show is Sponsored b...

Ghislain Gouraige , Partner at NewEdge Wealth, helps ultra-high-net-worth families and entrepreneurs navigate business transitions. Ghislain joins host  Laurie Barkman to recap the firm's 2025 Onward Conference held at Carnegie Mellon University and valuable insights to help you prepare before a sale: Success factors to prepare personally and financially How to maximize business value Understandin...