Jun 12, 2023

Insights from The Business Transition Sherpa, The Real Business Podcast

Real Business Podcast MassMutual Laurie Barkman Guest

In this episode, MassMutual‘s Brian Trzcinski welcomes Laurie Barkman, aka “The Business Transition Sherpa” to discuss some key topics from her book The Business Transition Handbook. Hear Brian and Laurie discuss why business owners view “transition” as a negative term and how an owner’s mindset about transition–both positive and negative–can impact their business’s value, transferability, and future success.

28thCommAwards_SiteBugs_Final_SiteBug_AudioPodcasts_Gold

New Episodes Available Weekly On:

Get Succession Stories in Your Inbox Free

Case studies, examples, templates, and tools for business transition, plus notification of new episodes.

The Business Transition Handbook

Preparing owners to navigate the emotional and practical nature of the transition process so you can exit on your terms and avoid succession regrets.

“A game changer to help you win in your exit and in life.”

Learn More About the Book

Browse More Episodes

Future-Proof Your Business With Expert Success Strategies, Daniel Feiman

Daniel Feiman, is an internationally recognized leader in the areas of strategy, succession, and leadership development. He’s the Founder and Managing Director of Build It Backwards, a consulting and training firm working with small businesses and enterprises in over 30 countries including Apple...

Listen

Redefine Your Purpose: The Transformative Journey Beyond The Entrepreneurial Exit, Jerome Myers

In this insightful episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities that entrepreneurs face when transitioning from their businesses. Join us as we explore the power of identity, purpose, and self-discovery in the post-exit phase, with insights from guest Jerome Myers. Jerome...

Listen

How to Navigate the Emotional Minefield of Succession, Albert Ciuksza Jr.

Laurie Barkman interviews Albert Ciuksza to challenges faced by millennial successors as they take over from baby boomer predecessors. Listen in as they discuss Albert’s new book, “Succeeding” Stepping Up Without Stepping In It.” There’s a demographic shift, with...

Listen

Embracing Business Transition: The Journey to Your Next Chapter

What does transition mean to you? For each of us, it takes on a different significance depending on where we are in life. Transition is movement—it’s part of a process, a journey that leads us from one chapter to the next. As a business owner, this journey often involves navigating the...

Listen

How Two Brothers Took Startup Software Firm From Idea to Exit, Chris and David Sinkinson

Laurie Barkman interviews brothers and business partners, David and Chris Sinkinson, about their experience as co-founders of AppArmor, a bootstrapped SaaS business with a $40 million exit. They discuss the importance of understanding product-market fit, the role of unhappy customers in...

Listen

Why You Need a Transition Plan: Preparing for the Inevitable Exit

Listen

171: From Reluctant Successor to Innovation Leader, Karen Norheim

In this Succession Stories episode, – When the episode first aired in 2021, Karen emerged as a leader who, despite initial reluctance, embraced her role with a combination of curiosity and determination. Under her guidance, the company leaned into strategic growth and innovation, reaping the...

Listen

The Business Transition Handbook, Laurie Barkman on The Wayfinder Show

Laurie Barkman joins host Luis Hernandez for a compelling discussion on setting up businesses for successful exits and successions. Known as the ‘Business Transition Sherpa,’ Laurie shares her journey from founding and leading a $100 million revenue company to selling it to a Fortune...

Listen

170: Navigating Family Business Transitions, Maryann Bell

Laurie Barkman interviews Maryann Bell, a partner at Wingspan Legacy Partners, about the common myths and challenges facing next-generation successors in family businesses. Maryann shares insights on the importance of communication, education, and bringing in outside expertise to navigate the...

Listen

Knowing When to Sell: Signs It’s Time to Hand Over Your Business

Deciding when to sell your business is one of the most challenging decisions you’ll ever face. It’s a deeply personal choice, often fraught with emotions and financial implications. One practical way to gauge the right time to sell is to recognize when someone else is willing to invest...

Listen

View all Episodes