Mar 2, 2025

The ESOP Advantage: Wealth, Legacy & Business Transitions

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are one of the best-kept secrets in business succession planning. In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with Dan Zugell, Senior Vice President at Business Transition Advisors and a nationally recognized expert in ESOPs, to explore how these plans create financial value, enhance employee engagement, and offer unique transition options for business owners.

Dan shares insights on the financial benefits of ESOPs—like tax advantages and wealth creation—as well as the often-overlooked social impact of employee ownership, including reduced turnover and stronger workplace culture. He also debunks common misconceptions, such as the idea that ESOPs require 100% ownership transfer or that they lack exit opportunities.

If you’re a business owner considering succession strategies, or simply curious about how ESOPs can transform a company’s future, this episode is for you!

🎧 Tune in now to learn from one of the leading voices in ESOP planning.

This Show is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

100 percent of owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Are you?

Learn what every entrepreneur needs to know about making your business more scalable and sellable!

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book

____________________________________

Connect with Laurie Barkman: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/

Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/

Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

Course: https://btsherpa.com/course

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

 

Connect with Dan Zugel:

Website:  ESOPs & Succession Strategies | Business Transition Advisors

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-the-esop-man-zugell-a364b87/

 

For all episodes visit: https://successionstories.com

📣 Leave a Review on Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

 

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

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.”

 

Browse More Episodes

Guiding Entrepreneurs Through Business Exits

Guiding Entrepreneurs Through Business Exits

Ghislain Gouraige, Partner at NewEdge Wealth and Certified Exit Planning Advisor® (CEPA®), brings over 30 years of experience helping ultra-high-net-worth families and entrepreneurs navigate business transitions. In this episode, he joins host Laurie Barkman to share valuable insights on preparing...

Listen
The Cash Flow Factor: The Secret to a High-Value Exit

The Cash Flow Factor: The Secret to a High-Value Exit

Businesses are valued based on their ability to generate cash flows, and they are sold based on the expectation that they will generate future profits. The more cash flow a business can generate and secure, the more it will be worth. In The Business Transition Handbook, I emphasize that strong...

Listen
The ESOP Advantage: Wealth, Legacy & Business Transitions

The ESOP Advantage: Wealth, Legacy & Business Transitions

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are one of the best-kept secrets in business succession planning. In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with Dan Zugell, Senior Vice President at Business Transition Advisors and a nationally recognized expert in ESOPs, to explore how these plans create...

Listen
Your Business is Not Your Baby: How to Build a Sellable Company

Your Business is Not Your Baby: How to Build a Sellable Company

Is your business truly valuable—or just another job you’ve created for yourself? In this episode of Succession Stories, Laurie Barkman speaks with Justin Goodbread, award-winning exit planner, best-selling author, and serial entrepreneur who has built and sold six businesses. Justin shares how he...

Listen
Built to Last: Family Business Leadership

Built to Last: Family Business Leadership

Join Matthew Powell, CEO of Century Companies and a fourth-generation family business leader, along with host Laurie Barkman, as they explore the art of building sustainable, multi-generational enterprises. In a world of short-term exits, Matthew champions a different path—creating lasting value...

Listen