The Art of Succession

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Welcome to The Art of Succession Podcast. Host Barrett Young, CPA talks with Angelo D’Amico, President at Canada Rubber Group Inc. & 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.

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