What does it take to step into a family business, honor its legacy, and still make it your own?

Marc Bernstein welcomes Karla Trotman, President & CEO of Electro Soft Incorporated, to share her remarkable story. From the company’s humble beginnings on her family’s kitchen table to becoming a trusted manufacturer for the defense, aviation, and transit industries, Karla has guided Electro Soft through challenges and growth with vision and grit.

Key Takeaways:

• How doubt can actually be a powerful leadership tool
• The difficult—but necessary—family conversations that shaped her path
• Taking the reins just before the pandemic, and how she pivoted to keep her team strong
• Why strategic planning, community, and adaptability are her keys to success

Along the way, Karla also shares insights from her book Dark, Dirty, Dangerous: Building the Vibrant Future of Manufacturing, and what winning EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award meant to her.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating leadership transitions, managing change, or simply looking for inspiration from a leader who embraces resilience and authenticity.

About Karla Trotman:

Karla Trotman is the President & CEO of Electro Soft, Inc., one of the largest independent electronics contract manufacturers in the Philadelphia Tri-State area, serving aviation, defense, and transit industries. She’s the author of “Dark Dirty Dangerous” and Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Greater Philadelphia Award winner.

Connect:

Website: electrosoftinc.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karlatrotman/
Instagram: instagram.com/karlatrotman
YouTube: youtube.com/user/electrosoftinc