From Angel To Exit · 2026-04-22 · 42 min
What happens when a “bluebird” acquisition offer arrives - and you’re not ready? Laurie Barkman, Founder and CEO of Business Transition Sherpa, joins the show to unpack her journey from corporate marketing leader to CEO of a $100M division, and ultimately through a billion-dollar company sale that reshaped her career. Laurie shares how she stepped into a CEO role within a third-generation family business, navigating internal resistance, leadership alignment challenges, and operational complexity. Just 18 months into her tenure, an unexpected acquisition offer triggered a high-stakes M&A process. While maintaining business performance, Laurie and her executive team simultaneously supported due diligence and positioned the company for a successful sale. The conversation dives deep into what founders often overlook: exit readiness. Laurie explains how most entrepreneurs fail to plan proactively, relying instead on chance opportunities - what she calls the “bluebird effect.” The problem? Buyers act on their timeline, not yours.
51: How Founder-Led Companies Navigate Acquisitions Without Losing Top Talent59 / 10050: The Exit Readiness Mistake Most Founders Make Before Selling Their Business49: The Leadership Hiring Strategy That Helped Scale and Successfully Exit Twice with Carl Kutsmode48: What Jeff Corn Learned About Co-Founders, Exit Strategy, and Who You Are After the Deal46: Struggling to Maximize Exit Value? Master Buy-Side M&A Strategy for Higher Valuations