Marc Elkman Founder Empire Development
Locality Bank podcast episode featuring Marc Elkman, founder of Empire Development.
The discussion tracks his journey from bootstrapping a meal prep empire to leading high-end luxury real estate developments in South Florida.
Early Life and the “Competitive Blueprint”
Marc grew up in Fort Lauderdale, heavily influenced by his mother, a professional athlete who played in the LPGA for 20 years. This background instilled a deep sense of discipline and competitiveness early on. By age 10, he was already working with a personal trainer and following a strict fitness regimen 01:21 Opens in a new window . He later translated this “sports structure” directly into his business ventures, noting that competing in business is essentially the same as competing in sports 01:59 Opens in a new window .
The Rise of Fresh Meal Plan
After graduating from FAU in 2011, Marc identified a massive opportunity in the health food space while working as a personal trainer at the Polo Club in Boca Raton.
- The Partnership: He partnered with the club’s head chef, who was looking to escape the demanding country club lifestyle.
- The Growth: They launched with just $20,000 in seed money and used equipment. Within three years, the company hit $18 million in sales and was ranked 70th on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies 06:36 Opens in a new window .
- Marketing Strategy: Marc focused on “ground and pound” marketing, partnering with burgeoning fitness brands like Orange Theory, CrossFit, and the Miami Dolphins 08:54 Opens in a new window .
Overcoming Logistical Hurdles
Marc describes his first business as “Uber Eats before Uber Eats,” which came with significant logistical challenges. Delivering 3,000 to 4,000 bags of perishable food overnight required custom-built software since no CRM existed for that niche at the time 12:00 Opens in a new window . Despite the difficulty, he credits this “hardest space” for making his current real estate ventures feel manageable 12:42 Opens in a new window .
About Marc Elkman:
Marc Elkman Empire Development
The Pivot to Luxury Real Estate
In 2016, Marc sold his meal plan business to a private equity group. His entry into real estate began personally when he built his own dream home in East Boca Raton and realized the massive demand for new, high-end construction 13:01 Opens in a new window .
- Empire Development: He founded Empire Development, which currently manages over $100 million in luxury waterfront projects 15:25 Opens in a new window .
- The Team: A unique aspect of his firm is that it is staffed by his childhood friends, including experts in design, project management, and finance 16:07 Opens in a new window .
- Banking Philosophy: Marc prefers working with community banks over large institutions, citing the value of personal attention and long-term relationship building 17:30 Opens in a new window .
Words of Wisdom for Entrepreneurs
Marc emphasizes three core pillars for success:
- Start Early: He urges young graduates to take risks while they have fewer dependencies. “Right now is the time to fail,” he notes, because you can always get back up 04:19 Opens in a new window .
- Follow Your Passion: Deep expertise in a field you love provides a significant competitive advantage over the average person 10:25 Opens in a new window .
- Health is Wealth: Marc maintains that physical health is the foundation of all success. “A healthy man wants everything; a sick man only wants to be healthy” 22:43 Opens in a new window .
Future Outlook
While he is currently focused on hitting the “bullseye” in the East Boca luxury market, Marc sees potential in expanding into larger community developments, mixed-use spaces, and hospitality projects 27:06 Opens in a new window .