The From Hustle to Harmony Movement
The Kemp Mobley Story
Picture this: I’m the baby of a Brady-Bunch-sized family (minus two), where everyone’s name starts with ‘C’ except mine—talk about being singled out!
My dad, the original entrepreneur of our clan, ran drugstores before diving into the staffing industry. Little did I know I’d be following in his footsteps, but with a twist that would make any business valuation expert’s heart sing.
After bouncing around jobs like a pinball—from motorcycle mechanic to lifeguard (yes, Baywatch dreams included)—I landed back in the family business. And boy, did I pick the perfect time!
The 2008 recession hit like a bad hangover, and there I was, inheriting a business that was more of a fixer-upper than a turnkey operation. Think “Extreme Makeover: Business Edition.”
Here’s where it gets good: Instead of just keeping the lights on, I went full Gordon Ramsay on the business (minus the screaming). We transformed from having just 50 temporary workers to becoming the staffing equivalent of a Fortune 500 talent pipeline.
How?
By treating the business like a prized sports car—every part documented, maintained, and ready to purr.
The secret sauce?
Building a business that ran better when I was mountain biking than when I was micromanaging every paper clip order. We went from 30 clients to over 100, with profit margins that would make Warren Buffett raise an eyebrow.
Pro tip: When your business runs itself, buyers notice. And they’re willing to pay premium prices for companies that don’t come with the dreaded “but-everything-depends-on-the-owner” asterisk.
Fast forward through a plot twist worthy of a Netflix series—COVID delayed my exit (because why not add some drama?), and my franchisor decided to peace out just as I was ready to pass the torch to my son.
But here’s the kicker: When we sold in May 2024, the buyers were practically drooling over our systems and documentation. The very things I worked hard to develop, which allowed us to achieve a culture of relentless execution. The buyers said they’d never seen anything like it, and trust me, that’s the kind of compliment that shows up in the final price tag.
Today, I help other business owners turn their companies into gold mines.
Let’s face it—whether you’re planning to sell to the highest bidder or pass it on to your kids, a business that prints money without you is the ultimate mic drop.
And my son? He stayed with the company post-sale, proving that sometimes the best succession plan is the one you didn’t plan for.
Remember: In business, like in comedy, timing is everything. But unlike comedy, in business, the best punchline is a hefty valuation.
So start building your business like you're planning to sell it tomorrow—even if you're not. Because when you do, you'll be laughing all the way to the bank.
