How to Build a Business That Lasts for Decades

What does it really take to build a business that lasts for decades? Building an agency or service-based business is not just about landing the first client. It is about hiring the right people, delivering consistently, earning trust, surviving hard seasons, and making decisions that protect the company long after the excitement of launch wears off. In this episode of the Fervent Four Show, Tony Cortinas, president and cofounder of Marathon Consulting, shares what he has learned from building a Hampton Roads technology consulting company that has lasted 20 years. The conversation covers Marathon's early leap of faith, the story behind the company's name, the discipline it took to grow without sacrificing quality, and why people, culture, and client relationships have remained central to the company's success. Marathon Consulting was also named to the first group of 20 companies selected for the IHR200, Innovate Hampton Roads' curated list of the 200 most important privately owned, growth-scalable businesses in the region. https://marathonus.com/  Watch the full conversation to hear what building a lasting business really looks like, and why endurance may be one of the most underrated forms of business success. Learn more about the Fervent Four Show: https://www.innovate757.org/ferventfour/ (0:00) Building relationships, starting the business, and launching before the Great Recession   (2:04) Managing time between company building and client work   (2:43) History and background of Metro Information Services and Keene   (4:52) Phased approach to launching the company   (7:04) Initial funding and relationship with Town Bank   (7:29) Company growth and employee numbers   (10:17) Origin of the Marathon name and logo   (13:49) Community involvement and support   (18:06) Influence of Metro and Keene on company culture   (19:26) Multi-step interview process and hiring standards   (22:13) Key qualities sought in potential hires   (23:48) Transitioning from client-facing roles and rewriting old systems   (25:32) The impact of AI and automation on consulting   (29:57) Predictions on AI's effect on jobs and consulting   (32:50) Evolution of Marathon Consulting's partnership structure   (38:28) Opening an office in Richmond: Challenges and strategies   (44:47) Future plans for geographic expansion and service offerings   (46:37) Overcoming growth plateaus and breaking through employee milestones   (48:27) Scaling challenges with growing teams   (49:35) Transition from small to large team dynamics   (50:10) The importance of food in company culture   (51:34) Returning to the office post-pandemic   (52:10) Reflecting on two decades of business growth   (53:18) Employee retention and long-term staff   (54:16) Future branding and company milestones   (55:16) Episode wrap-up and final thoughts