The Think Small Podcast
How Thinking 3 Years Ahead Built a $300M Company (Eugene Holtzman, Founder & CEO, Mitchell Martin Inc.)
In this episode of the Think Small Podcast, Gene Holtzman, Founder and CEO of Mitchell Martin, shares the remarkable journey from working in social services to building one of the nation's largest privately held staffing firms. After beginning his career helping unemployed individuals through government-funded workforce programs, Gene found himself at a crossroads when federal funding disappeared in the early 1980s. Rather than abandon his passion for helping people, he transitioned into the staffing industry, eventually launching Mitchell Martin in 1984. Over the next four decades, the company grew into a $300 million business serving many of the world's largest financial institutions while navigating economic downturns, the dot-com crash, 9/11, the financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Gene explains why he never measured success solely by revenue, choosing instead to build a company centered on long-term relationships, employee loyalty, and a culture that encourages experimentation, innovation, and calculated risk-taking. The conversation also explores Gene's unconventional approach to succession planning and leadership. Instead of selling the business to private equity or a large staffing competitor, he chose to transition 40% ownership to employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), creating long-term wealth opportunities while preserving the company's independence and culture. Gene discusses why he believes business leaders should constantly think several years ahead, embrace failure as part of innovation, and use emerging technologies like AI to empower employees rather than replace them. He also reflects on the importance of differentiating a business in crowded markets, maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset even at scale, and building organizations designed to outlast their founders. For entrepreneurs considering their own growth strategy or eventual exit, Gene offers valuable insights into leadership, employee ownership, and creating a business that thrives for generations. Connect: Website: https://www.mitchellmartin.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geneholtzman/
