ETA Insider Podcast · 2026-03-27 · 24 min
In this episode, Mark Hoffman, MBA ’91, owner of Larson Packaging Company, sits down to explore his decades-long journey as a self-funded business owner. Mark shares the realities of moving from consulting to entrepreneurship, describes the challenges and triumphs of growing a packaging company from the ground up, and reflects on the personal rewards, identity, and wealth that come from committing to a “boring” business over the long haul. Mark’s perspective offers actionable advice for anyone considering a self-funded search or looking to build a meaningful legacy in a small business.
A Decade of ETA Insider: The Things They Don't Put in the Syllabus60 / 100AI, Seller Integrity, and Smarter ETA DealsSplit Roles, Shared Vision: Making Partnerships Work in ETABuilding Trust and Curiosity as an OperatorMilitary Leadership Meets Small Business Ownership