The Art of Succession

Leadership Succession Models for Founders to Scale Impact and Sell Without Chaos with Bob Labbe

This GPT has already supported hundreds of multi-generational businesses through complex transitions, and I’ve translated that experience into a free Custom GPT available on our website. Explore it here: https://bit.ly/art-of-succession-our-GPT [https://bit.ly/art-of-succession-our-GPT] ------------------------------------------------ Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession [https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession] ------------------------------------------------ Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/]. Host Barrett Young, CPA [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung], talks with Bob Labbe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-labbe-59800a398/], Owner and Partner at The Ultimate Drink Coaster Co. LLC [https://www.facebook.com/ultimatecoasterco], serial entrepreneur, engineer, and inventor, about his decades of experience building and selling multiple air pollution control companies. Bob shares how he partnered with longtime collaborator John Halligan to grow businesses from small startups into successful companies that served industries across North America. He reflects on lessons from entrepreneurship, leadership partnerships, and selling businesses, including the importance of solving real problems for customers. Today, Bob continues creating solutions through new inventions, including the Ultimate Drink Coaster, while sharing insights from his career and his book on improving golf putting through simple, practical methods. Bob shares his journey as an engineer and entrepreneur who built and sold several air pollution control companies over many decades. He talks about working closely with his longtime partner to grow small startups into successful businesses that served clients across North America. Bob explains how solving real problems for customers and building strong partnerships helped their companies grow and succeed. He also reflects on lessons from leadership, risk, and learning from missed opportunities along the way. Today, Bob continues to create new ideas as the Owner and Partner at The Ultimate Drink Coaster Co., LLC, while sharing his experience through inventions, writing, and conversations about business and problem-solving. Key Takeaways: * Bob’s journey building and selling multiple air pollution control companies. * How he and his partner grew startups into successful North American businesses. * Lessons on solving customer problems and offering full turnkey solutions. * The value of strong partnerships and learning from setbacks. * His work today is as Owner and Partner at The Ultimate Drink Coaster Co., LLC, creating new ideas and inventions. Here are a few quotes from the episode: * “I never found a drink coaster that worked, so I invented one.” - Bob Labbe * “Never put your eggs in one basket.” - Bob Labbe * “Think about the problem before giving your response.” - Bob Labbe Join Bob Labbe, Owner and Partner at The Ultimate Drink Coaster Co., LLC, as he shares lessons from building and selling multiple air pollution control companies. He explains how solving real problems helped grow successful businesses. Episode Highlights [00:00] - Teaser [02:02] - Host introduces Bob Labbe, serial entrepreneur & inventor [02:32] - Why Bob invented "The Ultimate Drink Coaster" (ruined silk tie story) [04:03] - From Georgia Tech engineer to first business (1972) [06:43] - Starting a third company at 60 after retirement got boring [09:05] - The secret to his 50+ year business partnership [12:46] - Losing a $7M contract & the lesson learned [16:38] - Taking the counter-risk: turnkey solutions vs. just equipment [20:07] - Former employees recruited him to start the third company [24:19] - The 2023 dinner party where a ruined tie sparked the coaster idea [28:48] - Selling to an employee to preserve his legacy [30:23] - Inventing "Putting by the Numbers" golf system [34:33] - Mission: help 30 million golfers improve [36:01] - Identity isn't your company; you're still a problem solver [37:49] - Leadership lesson: cogitate before you respond [41:48] - Shifting from running companies to being a spokesperson [46:50] - New role: sounding board for daughter & son-in-law [51:50] - Myth: entrepreneurs will make a lot of money [54:47] - Where to find Bob's book & coaster FOLLOW THE GUEST: * Bob Labbe - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-labbe-59800a398/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-labbe-59800a398/]  * Company Website (The Ultimate Drink Coaster Co. LLC): https://ultimatecoasterco.com/ [https://ultimatecoasterco.com/]   * Company Facebook (The Ultimate Drink Coaster Co. LLC): https://www.facebook.com/ultimatecoasterco [https://www.facebook.com/ultimatecoasterco] FOLLOW THE HOST: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung]  * Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/]  * Website: https://gwcpas.com/ [https://gwcpas.com/]  * Email: bey@gwcpas.com [bey@gwcpas.com]  FOLLOW THE PODCAST: * Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896]  * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@artofsuccession [https://youtube.com/@artofsuccession]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR [https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR?si=56f12163da1f407a]   * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/]  * Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast [https://gwcpas.com/podcast]

Succession Planning Secrets for CPAs to Buy into Partnerships with Confidence - Albert Butler CPA MBA

This GPT has already supported hundreds of multi-generational businesses through complex transitions, and I’ve translated that experience into a free Custom GPT available on our website. Explore it here: https://bit.ly/art-of-succession-our-GPT [https://bit.ly/art-of-succession-our-GPT] ------------------------------------------------ Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession [https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession] ------------------------------------------------ Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast. [https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/] Host Barrett Young, CPA, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung] talks with Albert Butler, CPA, MBA, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/butleralbert/] partner at a national CPA firm, about his journey through public accounting, industry leadership, and returning to the profession he first struggled to embrace. Albert shares how early lessons from his entrepreneurial parents shaped his approach to business, leadership, and mentorship. He reflects on building a career across Big Four firms, corporate roles, and eventually stepping into partnership while helping grow talent and serve clients. Today, Albert focuses on developing future leaders in accounting, sharing insights on entrepreneurship, legacy, and the mindset needed to build lasting success. Albert shares his journey from an uncertain start in accounting to becoming a partner at a national CPA firm after more than two decades in the profession. He talks about early career challenges in public accounting, time spent in corporate leadership roles, and why he ultimately returned to the profession to help business owners solve real problems. Albert explains how lessons from his entrepreneurial family shaped his views on leadership, mentorship, and building strong teams. Today, he focuses on growing future leaders in accounting, helping clients make better decisions, and sharing insights about entrepreneurship, legacy, and long term success. Key Takeaways: * Albert’s journey from early struggles in accounting to becoming a partner at a national CPA firm. * How experience in public accounting and corporate roles shaped his leadership approach. * Lessons on helping business owners solve problems through accounting and advisory work. * Insights on mentorship, developing talent, and building strong teams in the profession. * His focus today is on leadership, legacy, and growing the next generation of CPAs. Here are a few quotes from the episode: * “Accounting is the heartbeat of business.” - Albert Butler CPA, MBA * “One year in public accounting is five years in industry.” - Albert Butler CPA, MBA * “I don’t give jobs. I grow careers and legacy.” - Albert Butler CPA, MBA Join Albert Butler CPA, MBA, partner at a national CPA firm, as he shares lessons from his journey through public accounting, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurship. He explains how accounting helps business owners solve problems, make better decisions, and build lasting success. Episode Highlights [00:00] - Teaser [02:08] - Host introduces Albert Butler, CPA, MBA & firm partner [02:53] - Why Albert is excited to discuss succession & passing the torch [04:06] - "Hell no": Albert never wanted to be a partner initially [08:38] - The Intermediate Accounting textbook he keeps as a "trophy" [11:49] - Failing the CPA exam after his truck broke down (1999) [18:06] - Why he returned: helping "regular everyday people" [20:22] - "One year in public = five years in industry." [27:23] - Philosophy: "Accounting is the heartbeat of business" [33:00] - The 6-month interview process before buying into partnership [37:47] - Challenge of leading an Atlanta office for a multi-state firm [40:55] - Biggest surprise: extreme difficulty finding senior staff [45:56] - How Albert inspires staff: legacy over paycheck [51:16] - The five muscles of enterprise (accounting is the heartbeat) [59:32] - What he wants successors to remember: "lifting while I climb" [01:01:30] - Finding creativity in AI & its functional potential FOLLOW THE GUEST: * Albert Butler CPA, MBA - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/butleralbert/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/butleralbert/]  Grab your copy of "Life: Truth, Love, Loss, Success, and Failure" and take a journey through Albert’s most personal lessons. Available now on Amazon! 👍https://www.amazon.com/LIFE-Success-Failure-Quotes-Advice-ebook/dp/B0FKGJD7LD [https://www.amazon.com/LIFE-Success-Failure-Quotes-Advice-ebook/dp/B0FKGJD7LD]  FOLLOW THE HOST: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung]  * Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/]  * Website: https://gwcpas.com/ [https://gwcpas.com/]  * Email: bey@gwcpas.com [bey@gwcpas.com]  FOLLOW THE PODCAST: * Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896]  * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@artofsuccession [https://youtube.com/@artofsuccession]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR [https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR?si=56f12163da1f407a]   * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/]  * Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast [https://gwcpas.com/podcast]

Succession Planning for CPA Firm Leaders to Future-Proof a 125-Year Legacy - Rebekah Olson, CPA

This GPT has already supported hundreds of multi-generational businesses through complex transitions, and I’ve translated that experience into a free Custom GPT available on our website. Explore it here: https://bit.ly/art-of-succession-our-GPT [https://bit.ly/art-of-succession-our-GPT] ------------------------------------------------ Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession [https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession] ------------------------------------------------ Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast. Host Barrett Young, CPA [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung], talks with Rebekah Olson, CPA [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekahbolson/], Chief Executive Officer of the Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA) [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekahbolson/], about her journey from public accounting into leading a long-standing professional organization. Rebekah shares how she discovered her passion for developing people, transitioned into association work, and eventually stepped into the CEO role after years of growth within the organization. She reflects on lessons in leadership, succession, and guiding a 125-year-old organization through change. Today, she focuses on building community, supporting the next generation of CPAs, and helping the profession adapt and thrive in a changing world. Rebekah shares her journey from public accounting to leading a statewide CPA association after discovering her passion for developing people and supporting the profession. She talks about stepping away from firm work, finding her place within the association, and growing through roles focused on education, membership, and leadership. Rebekah explains how those experiences prepared her to become CEO and guide a long-standing organization through change. She shows how self-awareness, mentorship, and adaptability can shape a path to leadership. Her story highlights the value of community, intentional growth, and helping professionals succeed together. Key Takeaways: * Rebekah’s path from public accounting into leading a statewide CPA association. * How she grew within the organization through roles in learning, membership, and development. * Lessons from stepping into the leadership of a long-standing member-based organization. * Why community, inclusion, and mentorship are critical for future leaders. * She now focuses on connecting professionals and supporting the next generation of CPAs. Here are a few quotes from the episode: * “It’s not that I couldn’t do the work, I just approached it differently.” - Rebekah Olson, CPA * “I feel like I was made for this role, but I did not know that until I was in it.” - Rebekah Olson, CPA * “If we are creating relationships and connecting people, then we are succeeding.” - Rebekah Olson, CPA Join Rebekah Olson, CPA, CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs, as she shares lessons from stepping into the leadership of a long-standing professional organization. Hear how she grew from public accounting into association leadership, why she focuses on building strong community connections, and how her journey prepared her to guide a 125-year-old organization. Learn how Rebekah now supports CPAs, connects professionals, and helps shape the future of the profession. Episode Highlights [00:00] - Teaser [02:23] - Host Barrett introduces guest Rebekah Olson, CPA [02:58] - Stepping into a 120-year-old organization [04:08] - Steering a cruise ship with a fixed North Star [06:00] - From child entrepreneur to accounting major [08:36] - Leadership assessment: "spirited vs. systematic." [10:32] - Career coach suggests trade association work [15:19] - Rising from membership manager to director [19:12] - Host: Rebekah earned the CEO role, wasn't handed it [22:24] - Career path like Lombard Street's switchbacks [26:59] - What attracted her: the people and community [29:50] - Two keys to enabling next-gen success [37:52] - The lost middle generation is hard to engage [44:57] - Hiring outsiders to challenge her thinking [49:58] - Leading for the next 125 years, not her own tenure [53:28] - Blocks Tuesday mornings for big-picture thinking [56:39] - Visioning happens in community, not alone [01:00:38] - Her superpower: connecting people to people [01:03:01] - Lightning round starts [01:05:45] - Where to find Rebekah and MACPA Follow The Guest Rebekah Olson, CPA: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekahbolson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekahbolson/]  Follow The Guest’s Company, Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA): * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maryland-association-of-cpas/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/maryland-association-of-cpas/]  * Website: https://macpa.org/ [https://macpa.org/]  FOLLOW THE HOST: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung]  * Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/]  * Website: https://gwcpas.com/ [https://gwcpas.com/]  * Email: bey@gwcpas.com [bey@gwcpas.com] FOLLOW THE PODCAST: * Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896]  * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@artofsuccession [https://youtube.com/@artofsuccession]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR [https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR?si=56f12163da1f407a]   * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/]  * Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast [https://gwcpas.com/podcast]

Succession Strategies for First-Time Business Buyers to Exit Profitably with Jennifer Fizer

This GPT has already supported hundreds of multi-generational businesses through complex transitions, and I’ve translated that experience into a free Custom GPT available on our website. Explore it here: https://bit.ly/art-of-succession-our-GPT [https://bit.ly/art-of-succession-our-GPT] ------------------------------------------------ Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession [https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession] ------------------------------------------------ Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast]. Host Barrett Young, CPA [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung], talks with Jennifer Fizer [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-fizer-73354631/], CEO and Fractional CFO at MKB CFO and Bookkeeping [https://www.linkedin.com/company/mkbcfo/] and Host of The Financial Operator Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-financial-operator/id1578877075], about her journey from working early jobs after the 2008 recession to becoming a business owner through acquisitions. Jennifer shares how she bought and turned around a struggling coffee shop, later sold it, and eventually acquired the fractional CFO firm she once worked with as a contractor. She reflects on lessons from buying and selling businesses, learning new industries quickly, and helping companies manage their finances with confidence. Today, she helps service and trade businesses improve cash flow, understand their numbers, and build stronger financial systems for long-term success. Jennifer shares her journey from early career struggles after the 2008 recession to becoming a business owner through acquisitions. She talks about buying a struggling coffee shop with little money, learning how to turn it around, and later selling the business after several years of growth. Jennifer explains how those experiences helped her step into the world of fractional CFO services and eventually purchase the firm she worked with as a contractor. She shows how resilience, practical problem-solving, and learning new skills can shape a path to ownership. Her story highlights the value of persistence, adaptability, and helping business owners understand their finances with confidence. Key Takeaways: * Jennifer’s path from low-paying jobs after the 2008 recession to business ownership. * How she bought, improved, and later sold a struggling coffee shop. * Lessons from acquiring businesses without prior industry experience. * Why profitable businesses and clear improvement plans matter in acquisitions. * How she now helps owners manage cash flow and understand their numbers. Here are a few quotes from the episode: * “I can figure it out. I no longer believe I need money or expertise to buy a business.” - Jennifer Fizer * “Deals are not always deals. You will either pay with time or you will pay with money.” - Jennifer Fizer * “If you cannot see ways to improve a business in the first 90 days, you may not be the right person to run it.” - Jennifer Fizer Join Jennifer Fizer, CEO and Fractional CFO at MKB CFO and Bookkeeping, as she shares lessons from buying, running, and selling small businesses. Hear how she turned around a struggling coffee shop, why she believes entrepreneurs can learn any industry, and how her path led her to acquire a fractional CFO firm. Learn how Jennifer now helps business owners understand their finances, improve cash flow, and build stronger businesses. Episode Highlights [00:00:00] - Teaser [00:02:04] - Host introduces guest Jennifer Fizer [00:02:36] - How Dave Ramsey sparked Jennifer's entrepreneurship [00:05:00] - From tree trimmer to accounting degree [00:08:00] - Learning tough lessons as a farm CFO [00:09:57] - Buying first business (coffee shop) for "basically free." [00:12:13] - Navigating personal loss while running a business [00:15:43] - Why "deals" aren't always deals [00:18:35] - Quick wins that turned the coffee shop around [00:21:02] - Working at a fractional CFO firm & learning the model [00:23:32] - Selling the coffee shop after a viral Facebook post [00:25:57] - Seller side lessons & the value of an appraisal [00:33:00] - Getting the unexpected offer to buy MKB [00:36:00] - Why Mills sold & why Jennifer said yes immediately [00:39:51] - Transitioning clients, name, & staff [00:43:12] - The emotional rollercoaster of ownership [00:47:30] - Growth plans & using past experience [00:50:42] - How past struggles make her a better CFO [00:52:13] - Advice: "Just pick something and go do it" [00:55:10] - Lightning round begins [01:02:34] - Where to find Jennifer & MKB Follow The Guest Jennifer Fizer: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-fizer-73354631/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-fizer-73354631/]  Follow The Guest’s Company MKB CFO & Bookkeeping: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mkbcfo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/mkbcfo/]  * Website: https://mkbcfo.com [https://mkbcfo.com]  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkb_cfo/ [https://www.instagram.com/mkb_cfo/]  * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mkbcfo [https://www.facebook.com/mkbcfo]  * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mkbcfo [https://www.youtube.com/@mkbcfo]  Follow Guest’s The Financial Operator Podcast: * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qqGaz3u4RnPjUGsaXHfNZ?si=208ceef8efa54509 [https://open.spotify.com/show/3qqGaz3u4RnPjUGsaXHfNZ?si=208ceef8efa54509]  * Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-financial-operator/id1578877075 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-financial-operator/id1578877075]  FOLLOW THE HOST: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung]  * Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/]  * Website: https://gwcpas.com/ [https://gwcpas.com/]  * Email: bey@gwcpas.com [bey@gwcpas.com]  FOLLOW THE PODCAST: * Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896]  * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@artofsuccession [https://youtube.com/@artofsuccession]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR [https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR?si=56f12163da1f407a]   * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/]  * Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast [https://gwcpas.com/podcast]

How Business Owners Can Avoid Selling Out and Protect Their Legacy with Angelo D’Amico

This GPT has already supported hundreds of multi-generational businesses through complex transitions, and I’ve translated that experience into a free Custom GPT available on our website. Explore it here: https://bit.ly/art-of-succession-ourGPT [https://bit.ly/art-of-succession-ourGPT]  ------------------------------------------------ Want to be a guest on our podcast? Apply and share your expertise with our audience at https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession [https://www.podmatch.com/member/artofsuccession] ------------------------------------------------ Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast [https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/]. Host Barrett Young, CPA [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung] talks with Angelo D’Amico [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-d-amico-37099120/], President at Canada Rubber Group Inc. [https://www.linkedin.com/company/canada-rubber-group-inc-/] & Stable Marketing Inc. [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stable-marketing-inc/], about his path from management consulting into business ownership and leadership. Angelo shares how years of advising manufacturing companies prepared him to step into a sixty-person organization and guide its leadership transition. He explains why a principles-first approach helped him earn trust, learn from experienced employees, and make durable decisions. Today, he focuses on strengthening company culture, improving profitability, and leading the business with consistent values and long-term thinking. Angelo shares his journey from management consulting to leading a manufacturing company. He talks about working with many manufacturers and learning how strategy, operations, and culture shape long-term success. Angelo explains how listening first helped him earn trust when he joined a team with decades of experience. He shows why leaders should focus on clear principles instead of trying to know everything. His story highlights the value of humility, strong values, and making decisions that support people and the company over time. Key Takeaways: * Angelo’s move from management consulting to leadership at Canada Rubber Group. * How consulting across many manufacturers shaped his business strategy perspective. * Why listening first helped him earn trust from a team with long experience. * How a principles-first approach guides leadership decisions and company culture. * Why long-term thinking and consistent values support durable business growth. Here are a few quotes from the episode: * “People trust the person who makes decisions in their best interest.” - Angelo D'Amico * “If you go in trying to be the one who knows everything, you will lose trust.” - Angelo D'Amico * “Principles help you make decisions that still make sense years later.” - Angelo D'Amico Join Angelo D'Amico as he shares lessons from consulting, leadership, and business ownership. Hear how listening first helped him earn trust, why values guide strong leadership, and how to step into an established company. Learn how Angelo now focuses on principled decisions, a stronger culture, and long-term success for his team and company. Episode Highlights [00:00:00] - Teaser [00:01:58] - Introducing guest Angelo D'Amico [00:03:43] - Angelo’s background: Economics & consulting [00:04:38] - How consulting work led to the CEO role [00:05:26] - 8 years of building trust with the client [00:08:29] - Adapting consulting to market needs (2008/2009) [00:11:38] - Company size & second-generation ownership [00:13:21] - Ownership makeup & the VC buyout option [00:15:56] - The 2.5-year process & Angelo’s initial refusal [00:17:51] - The second offer & role of the advisory team [00:20:48] - Choosing internal succession over VC for values [00:22:27] - The challenge of finding a trusted successor [00:24:13] - Weighing the risk of the owner vs. the president role [00:27:28] - Angelo’s doubts: Stepping in as an outsider [00:28:47] - Applying "The First 90 Days" approach [00:32:24] - Earning trust by listening, not prescribing [00:36:24] - A misstep: Top-down process change [00:39:37] - Learning from failure & finding his voice [00:45:43] - Honoring legacy vs. forging a new path [00:51:37] - Developing personal & company principles [00:53:06] - Final advice: Be confident, listen, be durable [00:57:02] - Unpacking consistency & humility in leadership [00:59:16] - Sources of creativity: Philosophy & writing [01:00:30] - What’s next: ERP, branding, & personal growth [01:01:58] - Where to find Angelo D'Amico FOLLOW THE GUEST: * Angelo D’Amico - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-d-amico-37099120/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-d-amico-37099120/]  * Company LinkedIn (Canada Rubber Group Inc.): https://www.linkedin.com/company/canada-rubber-group-inc-/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/canada-rubber-group-inc-/]  * Company Website (Stable Marketing Inc.): https://www.linkedin.com/company/stable-marketing-inc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stable-marketing-inc/]  FOLLOW THE HOST: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettyoung]  * Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/gwcpa/]  * Website: https://gwcpas.com/ [https://gwcpas.com/]  * Email: bey@gwcpas.com [bey@gwcpas.com]  FOLLOW THE PODCAST: * Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-succession/id1742796896]  * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@artofsuccession [https://youtube.com/@artofsuccession]  * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR [https://open.spotify.com/show/7uhogBxFKWAAetAbD8TVQR?si=56f12163da1f407a]   * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-of-succession-podcast/] Website: https://gwcpas.com/podcast [https://gwcpas.com/podcast]