Succession Stories

201: Sewing for Space with Aleksandra Bogunovic - The Entrepreneur Gene

Jun 30, 2025

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...

200: Why Start Exit Planning Now! Jim Carlisle

Jun 19, 2025

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...

199: Challenges, Choices, and Chapters, Julie Broad - The Entrepreneur Gene

Jun 18, 2025

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...

198: Why Hiding Failure Hurts More Than It Helps - Brian Marshall

Jun 10, 2025

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...

197: Delusional Optimism - Gregory Silvano - The Entrepreneur Gene

Jun 8, 2025

“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...