From HR Founder to Florida Freedom
Andrew Neitlich's Journey to Selling the Center for Executive Coaching
Go to Episode
75% of Businesses Fail to Sell - Why QoE Reports Matter
Go to Episode
Guest Introduction
Ralph Cimperman is Founder of Marathon HR, a human resource outsourcing and PEO serving SMBs (5-50 employees) with payroll, benefits, compliance, and workers comp. He achieved two exits: first HR firm in 2004, Marathon to PE-backed Venture PEO in Dec 2023.
Summary
In this episode of the Power Exit Podcast, John Marsh sits down with former client Ralph Cimperman—Founder of Marathon HR—to unpack his two successful business exits. They discuss 3-5 year prep timelines, documented processes, long-term advisors (accountant 20yrs, coach 3yrs), due diligence as "full-time job atop your job," earnouts, PE cultural fits, & Life 2.0 in Florida with golf and boating.
Ralph shares triggers (more yesterdays than tomorrows, wife's retirement, pandemic HR chaos, tech shifts), skipping "bird-in-hand" buyers for max value, client retention (first 10 → 5 after 19yrs), team transitions, and buyer mindset.
You’ll learn:
- 3-5yr timeline: document processes, build accountant/attorney/coach/advisor ties.
- Sale signals: life stage, HR demands, tech costs; hire advisor over DIY.
- Cumulative value in HR outsourcing/PEO: retention + team/culture for buyers like Venture.
- Due diligence prep eases "rigorous" scrutiny; earnouts need 3-5yr budgeting.
- Advisor team: long relationships (not Yellow Pages); think buyer POV every 90 days.
Be the First One to Know
Subscribe to the Marsh Creek Advisory newsletter for expert updates on strategy, valuation, and M&A.