Succession Stories EP203: Accidental Entrepreneurship, Jessica Kenyon - The Entrepreneur Gene Series

July 06, 2025•1 min read

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“The fundamental things are being incredibly optimistic, having the confidence to believe that not only is your idea a good idea, but that you can actually pull it off, and you have to have thick skin.” - Jessica Kenyon

Host Laurie Barkman interviews Jessica Kenyon, CEO of The Conafay Group. Jessica shares her thoughts on key entrepreneurial traits like optimism, confidence, and resilience.

The discussion covers her unconventional journey to leadership, having a background in archeology and a family of virologists, and how she transitioned into the government relations sector.

She also talks about the challenges of succession and leadership transition, emphasizing the importance of trusting your instincts and believing in your own decisions.

Watch the full YouTube Episode here:

Connect with Jessica Kenyon:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-kenyon-4557028-conafay/
Website: https://conafaygroup.com/

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Laurie Barkman

Laurie Barkman, founder of The Business Transition Sherpa®, helps business owners sell their business on their terms. A former CEO who led a $100M company through acquisition, she brings real-world experience to every transition conversation.

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