In this debut episode of the new For All the Marbles series, sponsored by Marblism, Bart sits down with Doug Baarman—Senior Vice President of ConferenceDirect and founder of Team Baarman. Doug shares his journey from corporate leadership at Marriott International to becoming an entrepreneur. This conversation dives into the why behind his leap, the playbook he’s built to help others succeed, and the mindset required to build a fulfilling business—and life.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

1. Do It for the Right Reasons

• Doug left corporate not to chase money but to build a better lifestyle for his family.
• A strong personal “why” provides the fuel to get through uncertainty, long nights, and hard choices.

2. Entrepreneurship Is About Structure, Not Just Passion

• Doug admits he “jumped out of the airplane without a parachute”, but later developed a playbook to guide others.
• His blueprint focuses on:
• Covering basic expenses first
• Reaching income replacement level
• Scaling strategically with support

3. Mindset Over Perks

• Transitioning from corporate luxury (black cars, first-class travel, five-star treatment) to scrappy startup mode requires humility and clarity of purpose.
• If you’re in it for perks, it won’t last.

4. Surround Yourself with Support

• Success requires partners, family support, mentors, accountability buddies, and people who believe in your mission.

• Entrepreneurs may start alone but thrive when they build the right circle.

5. Learn Relentlessly

• Doug constantly listens to podcasts, calls industry peers, and learns from others.
• “Why wouldn’t I learn from those who went down the road before me?”

6. Activity Drives Outcomes

• Many entrepreneurs fail not from lack of talent but lack of action.
• Doug emphasizes outreach, storytelling, and sharing your value openly—even casually at a coffee shop.
• “If people don’t know what you do, they can’t work with you.”

7. Ego Down, Curiosity Up

• Hire people smarter than you.
• Keep your ego in check and your willingness to learn high.

Memorable Quotes

• “I wasn’t chasing money. I was chasing a lifestyle.” – DougBaarman
• “If you’re mad at your boss, that’s not a good reason to become an entrepreneur.” – Doug Baarman
• “It’s simple, but it’s not easy. You just have to do the work.” – Doug Baarman
• “If people don’t know what you do, they can’t hire you.” –Bart Berkey

• “Entrepreneurs don’t do it alone. They have a support team.” – Doug Baarman

Why It Matters / How to Use It

• For aspiring entrepreneurs: Don’t leap without knowing your why. Lifestyle and purpose beat chasing dollars.
• For leaders transitioning from corporate: Be prepared to start small, do more with less, and find joy in the hustle.
• For growing teams: Build structure early. A clear playbook accelerates trust and scalability.
• For everyone: Share what you do with the world—confidence, not arrogance, builds opportunities.

For everyone: Share what you do with the world—confidence, not arrogance, builds opportunities.