206: Lions and Tigers and Entrepreneurs, Oh My! Brea Starmer - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
Release Date: 07/16/2025
221: How to Finance a Business Transition or Acquisition, David Miller
Succession Stories
What does it take to finance a business transition or acquisition? In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with David Miller, Executive Vice President at Enterprise Bank, to demystify lending for business owners — from SBA loans to insider buyouts. David shares how banks assess deals, why management continuity matters most, and how entrepreneurs can become “bankable” when it’s time to grow or exit. 💬 Quote from David Miller: “Don’t think you can’t buy a business just because you’re not personally wealthy. If you have the right skillset and knowledge of the industry, there...
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220: Steep Learning Curves, Brandon Stanchock - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
Succession Stories
Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Brandon Stanchock, CEO of SWF Industrial Inc. Brandon discusses his journey to take the helm of a family business. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, employee development, and implementing innovative collaboration strategies in the industrial sector. The conversation also highlights Brandon's commitment to providing support for employees and internal promotion programs. Brandon shares how his personal interests in travel, gaming, and podcasting align with his broader mission to help people reach their full potential both inside and outside the workplace....
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219: Find Passion, Don’t Just Chase The Dollar, Larry Whiteside Jr - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
Succession Stories
Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Larry Whiteside Jr., an expert in information security, risk management, and entrepreneurship. Larry discusses his journey from cybersecurity to becoming the Co-Owner of Lifesaver Pool Fence of Tampa and Co-Founder of Confide. Larry emphasizes the importance of passion, operational efficiency, and overcoming challenges in business. They delve into key trends in cybersecurity, focusing on AI and automation’s growing influence. The conversation also highlights Larry’s commitment to promoting diversity in the cybersecurity field and how his military...
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218: The Maverick Mind of an Entrepreneur, Travis Howerton - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
Succession Stories
“ Treat people well, work hard, have a plan.” Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Travis Howerton, a technology and security expert with over 25 years of experience. Travis shares his journey from federal service and the nuclear weapons program to becoming the Co-Founder and CEO of RegScale. They discuss the entrepreneurial gene, personality assessments in team dynamics, and the challenges of scaling a business. Travis emphasizes the importance of empathy, hard work, and strategic planning. He also highlights the potential of automation and AI in the compliance industry. Travis discusses his...
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217: Nurturing Legacies, Corey Perlman - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
Succession Stories
“ Don't be a jack of all social media sites, master of none.” Host Laurie Barkman interviews digital marketing expert Corey Perlman of Impact Social. They discuss Corey's entrepreneurial journey influenced by his parents' careers, the evolving landscape of digital marketing, and the role and potential of AI in the industry. Corey shares insights on building and managing successful teams, the importance of focusing on key social media platforms, and the power of video content. Additionally, he touches on his passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and his involvement in the Nurturing Fathers...
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216: The Sockfluencers: Spreading Happiness, John and Mark X. Cronin - The Entrepreneur Gene
Succession Stories
“We’re in the business of making people happy!” John and Mark X. Cronin are father-son co-founders of John’s Crazy Socks. Host Laurie Barkman talks with John and Mark about the inspiring story of their unique business model, inclusion, and commitment to spreading happiness. Over half of their employees have differing abilities. The discussion covers innovative approaches to customer satisfaction, success metrics, notable initiatives like the Unity Sock, and their role as advocates for people with disabilities. The episode also touches on their engaging community activities such...
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215: All In On Accountability, Molly McGrath - The Entrepreneur Gene
Succession Stories
What’s the most important value to have when you’re running your own business? According to Molly McGrath, Founder of Hiring and Empowering Solutions, it’s accountability. Listen in as Host Laurie Barkman talks with Molly about her unique perspective on the entrepreneur gene - a desire for control and freedom, stemming from an anti-authoritarian mindset. Molly highlights the importance of teaching employees to be intrapreneurs, involving them in decision-making processes, and implementing incentive-based compensation models. The episode also emphasizes the significance of...
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214: Genetically Entrepreneur, Jim Haviland - The Entrepreneur Gene
Succession Stories
What does six generations of entrepreneurship get you? Find out as Host Laurie Barkman talks with Jim Haviland, Business Operating System Coach at Impact Architects and Chief Operating Officer at CallPlease. Jim shares his insights on building and exiting organizations, the entrepreneurial gene, and the importance of exit planning. He discusses the significance of having a clear purpose, the necessity of mentors and operating systems, and offers advice on long-term planning for entrepreneurs. Tune in for valuable lessons and inspiration for both budding and experienced entrepreneurs....
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213: Balancing Business and Identity, Jennifer Bisceglie - The Entrepreneur Gene
Succession Stories
“ It's really hard out there. Other people will beat you up. You don't have to do it to yourself.” - Jennifer Bisceglie This week on The Entrepreneur Gene - a featured series of Succession Stories - Host Laurie Barkman talks with Jennifer Bisceglie, Founder and Executive Vice Chair of Interos. Jennifer discusses the concept of identity for owners- as part of the business and outside of your company. She shares the challenges of managing a business that heavily relies on U.S. federal contracts and navigating rapid administrative changes. Jennifer also talks about the impacts of AI on...
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212: Embracing Smart Risks, Casey Cheshire - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
Succession Stories
“ The flip of one-to-one communication to a one-to-few communication is going to become priceless. It's all about connection.” - Casey Cheshire What kinds of risks are the ones worth taking when it comes to entrepreneurship? Casey Cheshire, CEO of Ringmaster Conversational Marketing, believes smart risks are the key to success. Host Laurie Barkman talks with Casey about the importance of risk tolerance, learning from failures, and the need for smart risk-taking in business. They also explore the future of marketing with the advent of AI and the significance of maintaining human...
info_outline“Simply treating people with respect, with dignity and agency, has been really counterculture and I hope that that becomes a more infectious and attractive way to work.” - Brea Starmer
Host Laurie Barkman interviews Brea Starmer, Founder and CEO of Lions and Tigers. Brea shares her experience of turning a layoff into a successful business, her passion for empowering careers for women and mothers, and the unique approach of intrapreneurship. The discussion covers Brea's personal journey, the challenges she faced, the importance of values in business, and the exciting future of the industry.
Takeaways:
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Hire support staff early on, such as operations and HR personnel, to allow you to focus on strategic areas like business development and leadership.
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Recognize the different stages of your business and life. Sometimes you’ll be optimized for growth and wealth, while at other times, the focus may shift to health and personal well-being.
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Maintain an active presence on professional networks such as LinkedIn to share your journey, connect with other entrepreneurs, and attract potential clients and employees.
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Concentrate on tasks that only you can do and delegate others. This ensures you are working on the most impactful areas of the business.
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_________________________________________________________________Connect with Brea Starmer:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breastarmer/
Website: https://lionsandtigers.com/