Marc Elkman South Fl Home Developer
The following response provides a detailed breakdown of Marc Elkman’s career, a summary of his recent “Built to Sell” interview, and a “Spotlight” article focusing on his entrepreneurial success.
I. Transcript Highlights: Built to Sell (Ep. 286)
In this interview with John Warrillow, Marc Elkman details the meteoric rise and subsequent sale of Fresh Meal Plan.
- The Bootstrapped Start: Marc and his partner, Chef Patrick Delaney, launched the company with just $20,000 ($10k each). They never had to reinvest, scaling a $20M business entirely through cash flow.
- Gym Distribution Model: Instead of expensive digital ads, Marc focused on “boots on the ground” marketing. He partnered with CrossFit and Orangetheory Fitness by offering gym owners a recurring residual commission (8–10%) for every member they signed up.
- The “Syndicate” Deal: In 2016, Marc sold a controlling interest to New Heights Capital, a syndicate of fitness-focused investors. He credits Orangetheory founder Dave Long for the introduction.
- The Learning Curve: Marc candidly discusses the “ugly” side of the deal, including retrading, where the buyer lowered the price three times during the process. He admits his “deal commitment” as a young CEO made him a “pushover” during negotiations, a mistake he advises other founders to avoid by hiring an M&A professional.
II. Research Profile: The Marc Elkman Journey
| Venture | Role | Key Achievements |
| Fresh Meal Plan | Co-Founder / CEO | Scaled from $0 to $20M in 3 years; #70 on Inc. 500. |
| Orangetheory Fitness | Multi-Unit Owner | Owned and successfully exited 10 locations in South Florida. |
| Empire Development | Founder / CEO | Built over $100M in real estate inventory in 24 months. |
| Philanthropy | Mentor | Active in Little League coaching and youth mentorship programs. |
Current Focus: Marc is currently leading Empire Development Group, headquartered in Boca Raton. While he has seen massive success in luxury waterfront development, he is currently involved in a high-profile legal dispute regarding a $12M property on Golden Harbour Drive. Elkman has vigorously denied all allegations of defects, characterizing the litigation as an attempt to damage his reputation, and is currently seeking to resolve the matter through binding arbitration.
III. Featured Spotlight
Marc Elkman: From Bootstrapper to Luxury Visionary
Marc Elkman’s career is a masterclass in the “Health is Wealth” philosophy. Starting with a singular focus on fitness, he turned a $20,000 investment into a meal-delivery powerhouse that redefined how the fitness industry handles nutrition. His “boots on the ground” approach—building relationships with local gym owners rather than hiding behind a screen—became a blueprint for successful organic growth.
About Marc Elkman:
Marc Elkman Empire Development
Today, as the head of Empire Development, Elkman has pivoted that same intensity toward the South Florida skyline. By self-capitalizing and leveraging community bank relationships, he has built a luxury inventory exceeding $100 million. Whether he is mentoring young interns in his Boca Raton office or designing high-end waterfront estates, Elkman remains a driven figure in the South Florida entrepreneurial landscape, consistently betting on himself and his local community.
“The time to take risk is when you’re young because you could fail and get back up… if you do fail, you got to keep trying because ultimately you will find success.” — Marc Elkman