Podcast

A Founder's Life:

Balancing Entrepreneurship, Family, Health, & Fun​

Podcast

A Founder's Life:

Balancing Entrepreneurship, Family, Health, & Fun​

Building a Life You Don’t Need to Retire From | Marc Sanderson | A Founder’s Life S7 E3

Many entrepreneurs spend decades building a successful business, only to realize they never built the life they actually wanted.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Marc Sanderson, CEO and Co-Founder of INNERGY, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, work-life integration, and why success is ultimately measured by far more than revenue.

Marc shares the incredible journey from acquiring a small cabinet company in the late 1990s to building custom ERP software that eventually evolved into INNERGY, now serving more than 1,800 woodworking and manufacturing businesses across North America. Along the way, he also led the transition of his original company to 100% employee ownership—creating a lasting legacy beyond himself.

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Guest Info

Marc Sanderson is the CEO and Co-Founder of INNERGY, a leading ERP software company serving the architectural woodworking and manufacturing industries. Under his leadership, INNERGY has grown from an internal software solution into a rapidly expanding SaaS platform supporting more than 1,800 businesses across North America. Before founding INNERGY, Marc co-owned Wilkie Sanderson, a successful architectural woodworking company that he helped grow before transitioning it to 100% employee ownership, creating a lasting legacy for its team.

With an MBA and nearly three decades of entrepreneurial experience, Marc is passionate about helping businesses scale through better systems, stronger leadership, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Beyond business, he is a three-time cancer survivor, a devoted husband of more than 36 years, a father of three, and an active performer in community theater. His philosophy centers on intentionally balancing work, family, health, and personal fulfillment, believing that true success comes from building a life you never feel the need to retire from.

About this Episode

Many entrepreneurs spend decades building a successful business, only to realize they never built the life they actually wanted.

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Marc Sanderson, CEO and Co-Founder of INNERGY, to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, work-life integration, and why success is ultimately measured by far more than revenue.

Marc shares the incredible journey from acquiring a small cabinet company in the late 1990s to building custom ERP software that eventually evolved into INNERGY, now serving more than 1,800 woodworking and manufacturing businesses across North America. Along the way, he also led the transition of his original company to 100% employee ownership—creating a lasting legacy beyond himself.

Highlights

  • Early Career: Acquired a small cabinet company after business school and built custom software to solve industry problems.
  • Entrepreneurial Pivot: Turned an internal ERP system into INNERGY, now serving more than 1,800 woodworking and manufacturing businesses.
  • Business Legacy: Transitioned his original company to 100% employee ownership, creating a lasting legacy for employees.
  • Personal Challenge: Overcame cancer three separate times, reshaping his perspective on health, resilience, and leadership.
  • Leadership Philosophy: Success comes from intentionally balancing work, family, health, and fun—not sacrificing one for another.
  • Family First: Married for over 36 years, Marc believes investing in your marriage after the kids leave home is essential.
  • Personal Growth: Community theater became his way of recharging, proving that investing in yourself makes you a better leader.
  • Biggest Lesson: Build a life you don’t need to retire from by regularly investing in every area that matters.

Resources

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Marc Sanderson

Website: https://innergy.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcsanderson/

 

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