She Bought a 60-Year-Old HR Firm: A Self-Funded Acquisition Story with Marci LaRouech

In this episode of the M&A Launchpad Podcast, hosts Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa sit down with Marci LaRouech, CEO and owner of Seay HR, to unpack her path from two decades in HR outsourcing to buying a 60-year-old HR consulting firm. Marci shares how she narrowed her search, why she chose a self-funded acquisition, what she actually bought (a book of fractional HR clients and a strong team), and how she modernized operations while keeping the business stable for long-tenured clients.  In this podcast episode, we discuss:  How Marci discovered entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) through the PEO world and mentors in Hawaii  Why she chose a self-funded search (and what she was aiming for: ~$250K–$1M in SDE)  How her deal came together through a warm intro—and closed fast after months of reps  What she bought: an asset sale, a sticky book of business, and a seasoned team delivering fractional HR  Post-close approach: “do no harm,” stabilize first, then upgrade contracts, pricing, and client experience  Modernization moves: monday.com as a CRM, better tracking, an HR hotline, and AI-powered research tools  PEO valuation multiples (as she saw them in 2023–2024) and why that market didn’t fit her goals  The emotional side of ownership: responsibility, pressure, and why she loves being back in the seat    Guest Contact Info:  Email: [email protected]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mLaRouech/    Additional Resources:  Join us at the M&A Launchpad Conference on May 2, 2026 in Houston. Use code: LAUNCH for $150 off. Get details: https://malaunchpad.com  Contact Casey Minshew and Feras Moussa: [email protected]. Explore more: https://www.equity-launchpad.com  M&A Launchpad Conference – Upcoming in October 2025 Date and Location TBD  About The M&A Launchpad: The M&A Launchpad provides insights into acquiring, investing in, and selling profitable businesses in the lower to middle market. Whether you are a business owner, investor, or aspiring entrepreneur, we will provide you with the knowledge, guidance, and capital to navigate the world of mergers and acquisitions. The M&A Launchpad presents a series of weekly podcast episodes and hosts an annual M&A Launchpad Conference tailored to the M&A community. Connect with M&A Launchpad: 🎧 Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mW6i4ooujqC7eOPWmguU7 🎧 Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m-a-launchpad/id1740382586 🎟️ Attend Upcoming M&A Launchpad Conference: http://malaunchpad.com/