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 launching his first business at age 20, to experiencing devastating loss and failure in 2008, and ultimately building a new life helping others find freedom through ownership of their story.

This conversation is raw, real, and filled with insights about:

• How failure can be the best teacher
• Why vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s strength
• The importance of planning your exit long before you’re ready to leave
• And why owning your brokenness makes you a better leader

Whether you're facing a crossroads or just looking to lead more authentically, Brian’s story will challenge and inspire you to embrace your past — and shape your future — with courage.

💬 Quote of the Episode:

"Shame keeps entrepreneurs from talking about their real struggles. But hiding failure hurts more than it helps."

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

• Brian Marshall’s Website: https://optimumperformanceplatform.com/
• Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarshall/
• Brian’s email: bmarshall@yourtgp.com

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

This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

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More Resources:

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

“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 strategic value of customer reviews. They also discuss the significant impact of AI across industries and the practicality of ‘good enough’ solutions in business operations. Greg also reflects on key entrepreneurial advice, long-term investment strategies, and maintaining physical health.

Takeaways:

~Cultivate optimism, risk-taking, and a bit of delusional belief in your business. These traits can help overcome challenges and setbacks.

~Explore and implement AI tools to improve efficiency in tasks such as SEO, content creation, and customer support. AI is transforming industries and being an early adopter can provide a competitive edge.

~Regularly review your finances to ensure healthy cash flow. Balance your spending, avoid overextending with debt, and build a financial buffer.

~Spend time on important tasks that drive the business forward. This includes strategic planning, marketing, and customer relationship management.

Connect with Greg Silvano:

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

Website: https://buyist.com/

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

The Entrepreneur Gene is a Succession Stories series sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

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More Resources:

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

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 organizations that thrive beyond their tenure — not just structurally, but emotionally and culturally.

Mark shares insights from his own journey leading a firm through succession planning after personal loss, and later transitioning out of his own role. He reveals the critical importance of emotional intelligence, peer-based advising, and intentional development of future leaders.

This conversation is essential for entrepreneurs, executives, and advisors who want to ensure their business doesn’t just survive — it continues to grow and reflect its original values long after the current leaders move on.

💬 Quote of the Episode:

"Firm with process and soft with people."

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Mark Vincent: https://linktr.ee/marklvincent

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

📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

More Resources:

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

“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

• Remind entrepreneurs that obstacles are part of the journey and staying tenacious will help them overcome hurdles.
• Adaptability is important. Be open to pivoting strategies when necessary while maintaining a commitment to the end goal.
• Encourage viewing failures as learning opportunities that contribute to growth and development.
• Highlight stories or examples where persistence has led to success, reinforcing the idea that persistence is crucial in entrepreneurship.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-abbett-7128ab1/
• Website: https://tailoredmarketing.com/

📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

Get your business unstuck so you can grow, scale, and exit while enjoying the journey.

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

More Resources:

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

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 your brand, increase your company’s value, and create lasting impact.

This special episode marks the 5-year anniversary of Succession Stories - launched in 2020 - during the height of the pandemic.

Paul shares how stories are hardwired into our brains and how a powerful “Capital S Story” can define why someone would buy from you, work with you, invest in you, or partner with you—especially during times of transition like succession planning or selling your business.

This conversation is essential for founders, entrepreneurs, and business advisors who want to move beyond transactional storytelling and craft a narrative that truly resonates.

"Stories are not just how we communicate—they're how we think, how we process, and how we decide."

• Paul Furiga’s Book : https://www.wordwriteagency.com/find-your-capital-s-story

• Word Write Agency : www.wordwriteagency.com

• Storylines Live Podcast : https://www.wordwriteagency.com/storylineslive

• Connect with Paul Furiga on LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/paulfuriga/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

• 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

“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

• Build a strong network, meet people, and seek diverse viewpoints to broaden your understanding and opportunities.
• Focus on improving client experiences and meeting their business objectives, such as reducing costs or enhancing operational efficiency.
• Prioritize self-discovery and personal growth alongside professional ambitions.
• Explore new interests and activities that contribute to your overall development and well-being.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesbuscarino/
• Website: https://theclarientgroup.com/

📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

Get your business unstuck so you can grow, scale, and exit while enjoying the journey.

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

More Resources:

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

“Every entrepreneur sees that in trial, there's treasure.” - Dean Minuto

• Frequently ask important questions like "What works?", "Why does it work?", and "How can I apply it to my situation?" to guide your learning and actions.
• Emphasize the importance of being curious and having a test-and-learn mindset. This involves continuously seeking knowledge, adapting, and improving.
• Treat necessary skills like selling, presenting, or cold-calling as muscles that need regular exercise. Dedicate time to practice and improve these skills consistently.
• Constantly work on self-improvement, whether it’s through reading, attending workshops, or other educational opportunities. Personal growth often translates to business growth.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanminuto/
• Website: https://yescalate.com/about/
• Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/One-Page-Sales-Coach-New-Revised/dp/1475174349/ref=asc_df_1475174349/

📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

Get your business unstuck so you can grow, scale, and exit while enjoying the journey.

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

More Resources:

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

“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

• Hire skilled individuals and trust them with responsibilities. Delegating tasks empowers your team and allows you to focus on strategic aspects of the business.
• Stay curious and continuously seek knowledge. Engage with emerging technologies like AI to boost productivity and innovation.
• View challenges as opportunities for growth. Maintain a positive approach to problem-solving and encourage your team to do the same.
• Explore and integrate AI tools to streamline tasks and enhance efficiency. Use technology to free up time for more strategic and creative work.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanquinn01/
• Website: https://circlesstudio.com/
• Susan’s Podcast: https://circlesstudio.com/insights/podcast/

📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

Get your business unstuck so you can grow, scale, and exit while enjoying the journey.

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

More Resources:

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