Laurie Barkman is the founder and CEO of SmallDotBig LLC, a strategy advisory firm for business owners to maximize the value of their company anticipating a future ownership transition. Additionally, she is a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, an M&A​ ​firm representing companies on the buy-side or sell-side of transactions. During her 25+ year career, Laurie has created value through digital transformation at companies ranging from large enterprises to startups, including American Eagle Outfitters, Ingersoll-Rand, Topanga Partners, MediaSite, JazzHR, Burns White, and The Art Institutes. As host of the Succession Stories Podcast, Laurie curates conversations with next-generation entrepreneurs. You can find her show wherever you listen to podcasts.

Laurie has joined me to discuss the idea of business acquisitions from both the seller’s and the buyer’s perspectives. She tells us how you can identify the risks in your business that potential buyers might see and how emotions can impact the ability to sell your business. She talks about the importance of not having your business revolve around yourself but building it in such a way that it can exist independently, and the nuance between being a business owner and owning a business. We also touch on ways in which you can build an attractive business from the start, growing organically vs growing through acquisitions, and the information and factors behind getting an accurate value estimation for your business.



“If you want to build a business that one day will thrive without you, then you will set the course now.” - Laurie Barkman



This week on SmallBizChat Podcast:
Why are some businesses seemingly unsellable?
Where are the risks in your business?
How to prepare for a business transition
The best way to transition your business to your family or children
How to keep emotion out of the selling process
Figuring out what your business is worth
Strategies for growing value in your business
Common pitfalls of mergers and acquisitions



Relevant Resources:
Succession Stories Podcast on Smalldotbig.com





Connect with Laurie Barkman:
SmallDotBig Website
Laurie Barkman on Linkedin
Laurie Barkman on YouTube
Laurie Barkman on Twitter
SmallDotBig Facebook page



Become Your Own Boss Book GIVEAWAY!

The 2020 pandemic has been so hard on America’s small businesses - and America in general. If you’re ready to start your dream business, then look no further!

I’m currently giving away 1,000 free copies of my best-selling book: Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. This book has helped over 100,000 people like you to start, build, and grow their small businesses… and now it’s your time to shine.

All you have to do to get your hands on a free copy is head over to www.beginmybiz.com/freeoffer to sign up for your free offer. You only pay shipping.





Let’s End Small Business Failure - Together!

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the SmallBizChat Podcast - the show on a mission to improve small business success. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating and review. Help us spread the word and end small business failure by sharing your favorite episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media. Visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube for more great content, tips, and strategies to improve your small business.

Laurie Barkman is the founder and CEO of <a href="https://www.smalldotbig.com/">SmallDotBig LLC</a>, a strategy advisory firm for business owners to maximize the value of their company anticipating a future ownership transition. Additionally, she is a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, an M&amp;A​ ​firm representing companies on the buy-side or sell-side of transactions. During her 25+ year career, Laurie has created value through digital transformation at companies ranging from large enterprises to startups, including American Eagle Outfitters, Ingersoll-Rand, Topanga Partners, MediaSite, JazzHR, Burns White, and The Art Institutes. As host of the <a href="https://smalldotbig.com/succession-stories-podcast/">Succession Stories Podcast</a>, Laurie curates conversations with next-generation entrepreneurs. You can find her show wherever you listen to podcasts.
Laurie has joined me to discuss the idea of business acquisitions from both the seller’s and the buyer’s perspectives. She tells us how you can identify the risks in your business that potential buyers might see and how emotions can impact the ability to sell your business. She talks about the importance of not having your business revolve around yourself but building it in such a way that it can exist independently, and the nuance between being a business owner and owning a business. We also touch on ways in which you can build an attractive business from the start, growing organically vs growing through acquisitions, and the information and factors behind getting an accurate value estimation for your business.
 
“If you want to build a business that one day will thrive without you, then you will set the course now.” - Laurie Barkman
 
This week on SmallBizChat Podcast:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why are some businesses seemingly unsellable?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Where are the risks in your business?</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to prepare for a business transition</li>
<li aria-level="1">The best way to transition your business to your family or children</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to keep emotion out of the selling process</li>
<li aria-level="1">Figuring out what your business is worth</li>
<li aria-level="1">Strategies for growing value in your business</li>
<li aria-level="1">Common pitfalls of mergers and acquisitions</li>
</ul>
 
Relevant Resources:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://smalldotbig.com/succession-stories-podcast/">Succession Stories Podcast on Smalldotbig.com</a></li>
</ul>
 
Connect with Laurie Barkman:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://smalldotbig.com/">SmallDotBig Website</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/">Laurie Barkman on Linkedin</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrCRoEBQhh-SP1BDwnhMZA/featured">Laurie Barkman on YouTube</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://twitter.com/lauriebarkman?lang=en">Laurie Barkman on Twitter</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SmallDotBig">SmallDotBig Facebook page</a></li>
</ul>
 
Become Your Own Boss Book GIVEAWAY!
The 2020 pandemic has been so hard on America’s small businesses - and America in general. If you’re ready to start your dream business, then look no further!
I’m currently giving away 1,000 free copies of my best-selling book: Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. This book has helped over 100,000 people like you to start, build, and grow their small businesses… and now it’s your time to shine.
All you have to do to get your hands on a free copy is head over to <a href="http://www.beginmybiz.com/freeoffer">www.beginmybiz.com/freeoffer</a> to sign up for your free offer. You only pay shipping.
 
Let’s End Small Business Failure - Together!
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of the SmallBizChat Podcast - the show on a mission to improve small business success. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bizchat-podcast-podcast/id1478923954">Apple Podcasts</a>, subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating and review. Help us spread the word and end small business failure by sharing your favorite episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media. Visit our <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/">website </a>or follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/smallbizlady">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/smallbizlady">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindaemerson/">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/smallbizlady/">Instagram</a>, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/melindaemerson">YouTube </a>for more great content, tips, and strategies to improve your small business.

Melinda F. Emerson, SmallBizLady, is America’s #1 Small Business Expert. She has been a thriving entrepreneur for nearly 20 years and is an internationally known keynote speaker and expert on small business development and social media marketing. She publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com. Her small business advice is widely read reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. A pioneer in social media marketing, she is the creator and host of #Smallbizchat, the longest running live chat on Twitter for small business owners. Forbes magazine named her the #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter.

Melinda F. Emerson, SmallBizLady, is America&rsquo;s #1 Small Business Expert. She has been a thriving entrepreneur for nearly 20 years and is an internationally known keynote speaker and expert on small business development and social media marketing. She publishes a resource blog&nbsp;<a href="http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1520300757352000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHFXr56HNzQeIZfM3QAFV_yFBNxFw" data-wpel-link="external">www.succeedasyourownboss.com</a>. Her small business advice is widely read reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. A pioneer in social media marketing, she is the creator and host of #Smallbizchat, the longest running live chat on Twitter for small business owners.&nbsp;Forbes magazine named her the #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter.

The Small BizChat

Melinda F. Emerson, “SmallBizLady” is America’s #1 Small Business Expert. She is an internationally renowned keynote speaker on small business development, social media and content marketing. Melinda is also the president of the Quintessence Group, an award-winning marketing consulting firm based in Philadelphia, PA, serving Fortune 500 brands who target small business market. LinkedIn named her a Top Voice for 2019 in Small Business and Entrepreneurship. In addition to being a former NY Times columnist, she is frequently quoted by media organizations including The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, MSNBC, CNBC, and Fox News.

She is the host of #Smallbizchat LIVE and The SmallBizChat Podcast. A prolific writer, Melinda has published more than 5000 articles on her blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com. Her small business advice is widely read reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, 2nd Edition and her latest book is Fix Your Business, a 90 Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business.

Melinda F. Emerson, &ldquo;SmallBizLady&rdquo; is America&rsquo;s #1 Small Business Expert. She&nbsp;is an internationally renowned keynote speaker on small business development, social media and content marketing. Melinda is also the president of the Quintessence Group, an award-winning marketing consulting firm based in Philadelphia, PA, serving Fortune 500 brands who target small business market. LinkedIn named her a Top Voice for 2019 in Small Business and Entrepreneurship.&nbsp;In addition to being a former NY Times columnist, she is frequently quoted by media organizations including The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, MSNBC, CNBC, and Fox News.
She is the host of #Smallbizchat LIVE and The SmallBizChat Podcast. A prolific writer, Melinda has published more than 5000 articles on her blog&nbsp;<a href="http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com/" data-stringify-link="http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com" data-sk="tooltip_parent">www.succeedasyourownboss.com</a>. Her small business advice is widely read reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She is the bestselling author of&nbsp;Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months,&nbsp;2nd Edition&nbsp;and her latest book is&nbsp;Fix Your Business, a 90 Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business.

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