Ben Francis, born in the United Kingdom, is the Founder and majority shareholder of the brand Gymshark. Before Gymshark, Ben had two brainchildren, “Fat loss abs guide”, and iPhysique. These did not launch as well as his third idea however, but were his start into the fitness industry. Ben Francis actually began Gymshark as a supplement selling site, drop shipping various supplements. He started this while working at pizza hut, though quickly left. This company has obviously grown to be so much more than supplement sales in his garage. He started working with his sewing machine to create clothing, then realized what he could do with that skill. Since then, Gymshark has grown to be a massive clothing company, from less than $700 per day to around 128 million dollars annually. Gymsharks success has been enough to put him on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list, which is quite impressive. The Gymshark, clothing brand has been wildly popular recently, with the help of other important people supporting the brand as well. Young people are drawn to the brand, as they see their fitness role models dressing themselves in it. From fitness tiktokers to Chris Bumstead (2x Classic Mr. Olympia), it is no hardship to see why. By sponsorship, influence, hard work, and pivoting, Ben Francis built Gymshark to arguably be the most iconic fitness brand on the market.
Comments
millennialentrepreneurs.com
Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved
I think this article is very interesting and packed with enlightening information. I have only recently taken an interest in Gymshark, so this article caught my attention as soon as I saw it. I really only knew Gymshark for their shorts, but to learn there is so much more than that is really cool.
I’m really impressed at how quickly he was able to create an icon in the clothing industry. The clothing industry is massive and very well established, making it difficult to make yourself known as a clothing company.
It’s really cool to see that he built his idea mainly through pivoting. He didn’t just start his end idea, but began as a supplement selling site and moved to become a clothing brand.
The way that he used his other ideas to build up to his big breakthrough is a good example of the myth of sudden breakthroughs. It can take several years and failed attempts to land on an idea that is truly innovative and resonates with people. I also appreciate that he used skills he had in sewing and knowledge of the fitness world to create this idea.
Great post, Ben! It’s so cool to read about entrepreneurs who recognize a strong passion and pursue it to better the world around them!
This is a very interesting and inspiring post. The Gymshark brand has had impressive growth over the past five years. His ability to pivot from supplements, which is a very populated space, to clothing made specifically for the gym is both smart and impressive. Lastly, having such great success on only his third business idea is highly impressive.
Its super cool to see the tangible way in which pivoting can be used to improve a brand and help it to thrive. I love that the key motivator (fitness) stayed the same and he changed his tactic to be able to best use the skills and abilities he had.
Its neat to know that he has tried other similar projects before this one. Its like he kept on trucking and never really gave up on the thing he wanted to do most. I bet he boomed during the pandemic with everyone trying new hobbies in the fitness department.