---
title: The Farm | Business Growth and Sports Management Consulting, Charlotte NC
description: Charlotte consulting firm founded by serial entrepreneur and former Penn State player and coach Marcus Mills, son of Hall of Famer Sam Mills. Book a free consultation.
image: https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/hubfs/farm-site/images/marcus-mills-speaking.webp
---

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[The *Farm*](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/?hsLang=en)

[Services](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services?hsLang=en) [Insights](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/insights?hsLang=en) [About](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/about?hsLang=en) [Book a consultation](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/book?hsLang=en)

Charlotte, NC · Business and Sports Consulting

# Build the system. *Grow what lasts.*

The Farm helps business owners install the operating systems that let a company run without them in every decision, and helps organizations build real support for athletes on and off the field. Founded by Marcus Mills: serial entrepreneur, former Penn State football player and coach, and son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Sam Mills.

[Book a free consultation →](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/book?hsLang=en)[See how we help](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services?hsLang=en)

- Free first consultation
- Reply within one business day
- Based in Charlotte, working nationwide

- Serial entrepreneur
- Former Penn State football player
- Former assistant coach, Penn State and Temple
- Professional track coach, U.S. Olympic Trials

Who we help

## Two kinds of clients. *One belief.*

Lasting growth comes from the right systems and the right support, whether you lead a company or a program built around athletes.

Business Growth

### For owners who are the bottleneck

Your business grew because you did everything. Now every question runs through you. We install a simple operating system and coach you into the leader the next stage needs.

- [Business operating system installs](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services/business-operating-system?hsLang=en)
- [Operations audits and dashboards](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services/operations-audit-dashboards?hsLang=en)
- [CEO development](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services/ceo-development?hsLang=en)

[Business services →](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services#business)

Sports Management

### For organizations that serve athletes

Nonprofits, health organizations, athletic departments, and community agencies that want athletes supported as whole people, during competition and long after it ends.

- [Student athlete well being programs](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services/student-athlete-well-being?hsLang=en)
- [Health access and equity in sports](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services/student-athlete-well-being?hsLang=en)
- [Life after sports transition planning](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services/life-after-sports?hsLang=en)

[Sports consulting →](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services#sports)

The gap we close

Effort is rarely the problem. *The system is.* Owners burn out carrying a business on their back, and athletes are supported for a season instead of for life. Both are fixable.

How it works

## Simple to start. *Built to stick.*

The same way a good coaching staff works: scout it, build the game plan, then rep it until it holds up under pressure.

1. ### Book a free consultation
   
   Tell us where you are and where you want to be. No pitch deck, no pressure.
2. ### Get a clear game plan
   
   We map how work gets done today, find the real bottleneck, and recommend the right first move.
3. ### Build it together
   
   We install the system or program with your team and coach you through it until it runs on its own.

[Book a free consultation →](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/book?hsLang=en)

Not ready to talk yet?

## See where you stand *in three minutes*

Free self assessments with instant results and recommended first steps. No email required.

For business owners

### Business operating system scorecard

Twelve questions that show how much your company depends on you, and what to fix first.

[Take the scorecard →](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/scorecard?hsLang=en)

For sports organizations

### Athlete transition check

Ten questions that show how well your program prepares athletes for life after sports.

[Take the check →](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/athlete-transition-check?hsLang=en)

![Marcus Mills, founder of The Farm](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/hs-fs/hubfs/farm-site/images/marcus-mills.webp?width=560&height=504&name=marcus-mills.webp)

Meet the founder

## Marcus Mills

Marcus has spent his career building businesses and developing people. A serial entrepreneur, he has led products, programs, and projects across energy, oil and gas, software development, adult education, sports management, management consulting, and business masterminds.

On the field, he played football at Penn State, coached on the Penn State and Temple football staffs, coached track and field professionally to the U.S. Olympic Trials, and coaches high school football in Charlotte today. He grew up watching his father, Pro Football Hall of Famer Sam Mills, prove that preparation and persistence beat every label put on him.

[Read Marcus's story →](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/about?hsLang=en)

Insights

## Notes from *the field*

### [Business growth Five signs your business can't run without you The warning signs that an owner has become the bottleneck, and the first fix for each.](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/insights/signs-your-business-depends-on-you?hsLang=en)

### [Leadership What a football coaching staff can teach a leadership team Four coaching staff habits that make leadership teams faster and more accountable.](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/insights/coaching-staff-lessons-for-leadership-teams?hsLang=en)

### [Sports management Athletes need a plan for the day the game ends The five areas every athlete transition program should cover.](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/insights/athletes-need-a-plan-for-when-the-game-ends?hsLang=en)

[All insights →](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/insights?hsLang=en)

Questions

## Good to know

What happens on the free consultation?

We talk through your goals, what is working, and what is stuck. You leave with a clear view of your biggest opportunity and a recommended first step, whether or not we work together.

What is a business operating system?

It is the set of meetings, scorecards, roles, and processes that keep a company running consistently. We design one that fits how you already work, then install it with your team.

Do you only work with clients in Charlotte?

No. We are based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and work with clients anywhere in the United States, in person or virtually.

What kinds of sports organizations do you work with?

Nonprofits, health organizations, university athletic programs, and community service agencies focused on athlete well being, health access, equity in sports, and life after sports.

Free consultation

## Ready to build what lasts?

Book a free consultation and leave with a clear first step.

[Book a free consultation →](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/book?hsLang=en)

[The *Farm*](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/?hsLang=en)

Build the system. Grow what lasts.

Business growth and sports management consulting from Charlotte, North Carolina.

## Business growth

- [Business operating system](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services/business-operating-system?hsLang=en)
- [Operations audit and dashboards](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services/operations-audit-dashboards?hsLang=en)
- [CEO development](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services/ceo-development?hsLang=en)
- [Free operating system scorecard](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/scorecard?hsLang=en)

## Sports management

- [Student athlete well being](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services/student-athlete-well-being?hsLang=en)
- [Life after sports](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/services/life-after-sports?hsLang=en)
- [Free athlete transition check](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/athlete-transition-check?hsLang=en)

## The Farm

- [About Marcus](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/about?hsLang=en)
- [Insights](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/insights?hsLang=en)
- [Book a consultation](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/book?hsLang=en)
- [marcus@thefarmbusinessservices.com](mailto:marcus@thefarmbusinessservices.com)
- Charlotte, NC 28277

© The Farm Business Services. All rights reserved. [Start with a free consultation](https://www.thefarmbusinessservices.com/book?hsLang=en)

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