Loading
Benjamin Osbrach started his risk advisory and compliance company in 2010 with $2,000 in his bank account, zero clients and a non-compete from his prior firm.
Although he was starting from scratch, Osbrach says he built the appearance of a much larger and more mature enterprise, so much so when he showed up onsite at his first client with one other person, they were shocked and said, “Is it really just you guys?”
It took several months to win that first client. But halfway through his first year in business, Osbrach started to bring on employees. For the next few years, he grew revenue 100% each year — up until his company merged with business advisory services leader Skoda Minotti, in August 2013. Today, Osbrach is a partner leading 330 employees across four major offices at Skoda Minotti and continues to experience 30-40% revenue growth annually. The company boasts more than 300 clients in 40 states.
One key lesson he has learned? Osbrach says in order to grow, you have to evolve. “You have to stay ultra focused,” he says. “It’s easy to have success and lean back. But you have to treat every customer the same in creating quality and value. We’ve had to reinvent ourselves every year to do that.”
Responsible for more than 100 various audits ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500s, Osbrach says not everyone is good at consulting. “You don’t only need to listen; you need to hear and understand [a client’s] needs,” Osbrach notes. "Not everyone gets that — listening and hearing are two different things."
Although he’s proud of his accomplishments in business — his primary being able to maintain what he believes is a great work culture — he also notes that he has managed to find time to maintain his scratch handicap on the golf course. Osbrach, who played golf for the University of Central Florida and now plays at Palma Ceia in Tampa, says his college days gave him a leg up: “It’s basically cheating.”
ON THE RECORD: Benjamin Osbrach
Employer: Skoda Minotti
Title: Partner
Birthplace: Gainesville
Years on the Gulf Coast: 15
Marital status/children: Married with two children
Alma mater/degree: Bachelor of Science in finance
Where is the best place to network? Golf course
What's the best business lesson you've ever learned? Learning how to listen to people and figure out their biggest problems
What's your top tip for being productive? Being organized
What's the weirdest job you've ever had? Going undercover to find certification instructors cheating or allowing cheating on exams.
What community group or organization are you most involved with? Synapse
If you could have a side hustle, what would it be? Real estate investor
What's your favorite off-hours activity? Golfing
What's your favorite board game or video game? Chess
What's the top item on your bucket list? Playing at the Augusta National Golf Club
Where is your happy place? On my boat
What's your favorite podcast? "Risky Business"
Who/what is your favorite musical artist/band? Coldplay
Who would play you in a movie about your life? Ben Affleck
What was your first album/tape cassette/CD? Snoop Dogg
What was your first concert? Aerosmith
What's one song that will get you out on the dance floor? Any song my wife likes and drags me out to the floor
What's your favorite karaoke song? "Sweet Caroline" — Neil Diamond
What instrument/role would you play in a band? Saxophone
Please describe yourself in three words. Determined, passionate and caring
Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning business news.
Join thousands of executives who rely on us for insights spanning Tampa Bay to Naples.
