EP 96: The Succession Plan That Didn’t Stick: A Founder’s Return to the CEO Seat

from The Conscious Entrepreneur | Leadership, Self-Awareness & Mindset

by Alex Raymond

Published: Mon Jul 07 2025

Show Notes

A carefully planned CEO exit unraveled and what came next reshaped how one founder leads for good.

When Chris Schwalbach stepped away from the CEO seat at AVL Growth Partners, he had a clear plan, a strong successor, and years of preparation behind him. But even with all that in place, something didn’t sit right. The business started to wobble, and Chris found himself wondering if he’d made a mistake. What do you do when the leadership transition you spent years building starts to crack? How do you know when it’s time to step back in?

Joining Sarah Lockwood, Chris shares the real story behind his succession planning journey, from the slow handoff to the unexpected return, and what he learned about himself in the process. He talks openly about the shame he felt stepping back in, the inner work that helped him move through it, and the version of leadership he brings to the table now. If you’re thinking about founder exit planning or wrestling with what it means to let go, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what happens when plans shift and perspective deepens.

Episode Breakdown:

Chris Schwalbach’s CEO Exit and Return

Founding AVL Growth Partners and the Original Vision

Hitting Growth Ceilings and Planning a Leadership Transition

The Inner Journey: Failure, Trust, and Self-Doubt

Becoming CEO 2.0: Leading with Clarity and Confidence

Managing Team Expectations During a Leadership Transition

Reflecting on Progress: Using the Gap and the Gain

Personal Habits That Support Founder Mental Health

Lessons in Succession Planning and Self-Trust

Links

Conscious Entrepreneur Previous Episode with Chris Schwalbach: