Larry Kagan

Larry Kagan has never been particularly good at accepting the words "It can't be done." An entrepreneur at heart, a natural leader, and someone whose enthusiasm is downright contagious, Larry has spent his career challenging conventional thinking, finding better ways to do things, and inspiring others to accomplish more than they ever thought possible.

Larry's journey into the payroll business began with a case of mistaken identity! Fresh out of Emory University in 1980, where he earned his undergraduate business degree, he answered a newspaper advertisement for a sales position. He thought he was interviewing with ADT, the burglar alarm company. It wasn't until he arrived for the interview that he discovered the company was actually ADP! Completely unprepared, Larry found himself in a large cafeteria and decided to sit with four employees he'd never met. He started asking questions, learning everything he could about the company before his interview. When the interviewer arrived, he assumed Larry already knew everyone. Larry got the job and went on to become ADP's top new-payroll salesperson nationwide in his very first year. It was an early lesson in a philosophy he still lives by: when you don't know something, find the right people, ask great questions, and figure it out!

Determined to build on that foundation, Larry went on to earn his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from New York University (NYU), combining a strong education from two prestigious universities with practical experience in sales, management, and entrepreneurship. His approach to business has always been grounded in both sound business principles and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking.

Years later, shortly after 9/11, Larry started Baron Payroll in his basement with zero clients and a big idea: build the kind of payroll company he believed business owners deserved. Starting completely from scratch, he built his client base one relationship at a time, earning trust, solving problems, and growing the business from the ground up. Today, Baron has grown into a thriving company with a talented team of professionals who share his passion for helping others. Larry's philosophy has always been to think bigger, challenge the status quo, and look for ways to make things ten times better, not just ten percent better.

But what Larry is most proud of isn't the company he's built. It's the people who make it special. He believes leadership means teaching, motivating, supporting, and sometimes challenging people to discover talents they never knew they had. Larry sets high expectations, but he's equally generous with his time, encouragement, and willingness to help. He's created a workplace culture where people genuinely enjoy one another, take pride in their accomplishments, and actually look forward to coming to work. While so many people experience the dreaded "Sunday night blues" — that sinking feeling when the weekend ends and Monday morning approaches — Larry believes work should be something people look forward to, not something they dread. At Baron Payroll, he's worked hard to create an environment where employees can actually enjoy Sunday evening knowing they're returning to a workplace they love on Monday.

Outside of Baron Payroll, Larry is a devoted husband to Ellen, proud father of three daughters, father-in-law to two sons-in-law, and grandfather of four. He's also a passionate cook, lifelong photographer, and enthusiastic hobbyist who rarely does anything halfway. His latest obsession? Model railroading — and he's taken it to an entirely different level! Larry collaborates with railroad professionals, model manufacturers, and fellow enthusiasts to create remarkably detailed miniature railroads that tell real stories.

One project especially close to his heart is a tribute railroad honoring Rick Corman, the visionary founder of R.J. Corman Railroad Group. Larry sees a kindred spirit in Corman — an entrepreneur who thought outside the box, overcame seemingly impossible obstacles, cared deeply about his employees, and refused to let anyone tell him something couldn't be accomplished. It's a philosophy Larry has embraced throughout his own life: dream big, surround yourself with great people, and find a way to make the impossible possible.

Larry is also the author of You Snooze, You Lose, a book dedicated to helping business owners recognize hidden employment and payroll risks before they become costly problems. He believes the greatest value Baron Payroll can provide isn't simply processing payroll — it's educating business owners, protecting what they've worked so hard to build, and helping them sleep better at night.

For Larry, success has never been just about building a bigger company. It's about building something extraordinary — a place where employees thrive, clients feel genuinely cared for, and everyone has an opportunity to win.

And if you tell Larry something can't be done, don't be surprised if he smiles, rolls up his sleeves, and finds a way to do it anyway.