EVER WANTED TO QUIT GYMSHARK? HOW WE SCALED SO QUICKLY | IN DEPTH Q&A

Gymshark Careers:
uk.gymshark.co...
Questions and time stamps below, so you can skip to anything you're particularly interested in! :)
0:43 How did you start to scale from no employees to your first few? Who were they and what were their initial roles in helping you start the brand?
1:37 What’s one piece of advice you’d give yourself at the beginning of starting the business knowing what you know now?
2:44 Have you ever considered setting up physical stores?
4:14 Are there plans on expanding GSHQ outside from where it is, in the US for example?
4:55 How did you design GSHQ? Does it look like you imagined it would?
5:55 When you were just starting out, what was your biggest set back and how did you overcome it?
7:17 Would you ever in future consider small class visits / tours to GSHQ?
8:25 How did you manage to work on all aspects of the business? Did you get help or did you multitask?
9:28 What’s your work schedule like & how do you manage your time?
10:02 How have you personally dealt with the quick growth of Gymshark?
11:56 Do you have any tips for young entrepreneurs?
12:34 How much did it cost to make GSHQ?
13:13 Do you need a degree to work at Gymshark?
13:46 How has your role in the business changed as Gymshark has grown so quickly? What are the challenges that growth brings?
15:22 Have you ever wanted to quit?
15:35 What did you study at university?
15:57 Can we buy a be a visionary t shirt?
16:10 If you started Gymshark today, do you think it would have been so successful?

[@BenFrancis]

Thanks for watching! Any requests please comment below - loved recording this video and hearing all your questions :D

[@davilairis]

Ben Francis are you planning to have more stores in the United states (Chicago)?

[@AA-nj2ni]

How did you deal with being an introvert and trying to sell your products to different suppliers/events. As an introvert i find it extremely uncomfortable to go around selling stuff.

[@mouadnv9091]

thanks man is there is any remote jobs for foreign people

[@truesource8765]

I know in the beginning you sold supplements on the site - has Gymshark ever considered making it's own supplement line?

[@MrDavidgonz]

if you live in venezuela could you create some gymshark?

[@babusgabriel]

I would really like to see the story behind the naming of the brand.

[@SebMarks]

U SHOULD DEFO START A PODCAST

[@LRRVintage]

This ^. Please seriously consider a startup company podcast

[@IrvingNolasco]

Bro Gymshark is becoming a houses hold name in Texas keep it up man!!!

[@BenFrancis]

Thanks for the support man!

[@IrvingNolasco]

Ben Francis 💪🏻

[@jamesg1501]

Sound man, very mature and sensible...introverts are a gift to the crazy pisshead filled world

[@MrSplcrazy]

He's no introvert

[@Josh-gw4ys]

james higgon You can tell he is the way he speaks

[@justafrenchkidtryingtospea9462]

james higgon He said it himself dude..

[@BG-qf7kc]

If he is an introvert, then I fall in a whole another spectrum xD

[@MomVsWorld]

You inspire me so much Ben. This whole year I'm attempting to find out who i want to become and where the direction of my life is heading. Thank you for being so true to yourself and open/honest w/ us to get an idea of what really goes on behind the scenes. Love you and Robin btw (:

[@oligilpin]

check out "lewismocker.com/mastermind" - if you want to find your purpose, there is a great course on that there. Changed my life forever. Go for it if you truly mean it :)

[@MomVsWorld]

Thank you, ill check that out right now ! Much love.

[@oligilpin]

Glad to help!

[@BradyandJayde]

100% applying for that junior videographer job. Your company is one of the most innovative I've seen in recent times and love the vision you share. Hope one day I can be a part of it! Cheers.

[@AA-nj2ni]

These videos are really useful. Very inspiring. Appreciate the in depth honesty. Thanks.

[@JoeAllenCarnivore]

I love this Channel! It blows my mind but inspires me at the same time! Much love from the U.S. Ben!

[@BenFrancis]

Thanks a lot, Joe! :D

[@laurenpotter7486]

Thank you so much for sharing the behind the scenes of this business. Since I came across Gymshark for the first time I have been fascinated. You guys are changing the game and being able to see what millennial built companies can accomplish, and then document on KZbin (brilliant), and just the level of branding and creativity in all sides of the business, it is exceptional. Thanks again for sharing, thrilled to watch Gymshark grow.

[@taylorjackson3691]

I love how passion Ben is... just watching this video you can tell as soon he wakes up soon he gun ready to go.

[@darktray1010]

*Great insight! Amazing how all this has grown from back in the day with you Lewis and Craney*

[@mechimansilla]

wow such a hard working person, I admire you so much Ben! Working and studying those hours and getting to where you are now, WOW. this shows EVERYTHING is possible if you believe in yourself and work hard

[@MyALLE1]

Really cool video, you inspired me and so many other people and you should be really proud by yourself! Gymshark is the future of clothing! Thank you from Sweden

[@abikhan]

Great content Ben! Really inspiring for upcoming entrepreneurs and fitness influencers to build a strong brand and to never give up

[@TheMasacure1234]

Before you actual furnish your newer HQ's -- when you actually build them. Maybe a cool thing to do would be like a treasure hunt throughout the new building. Would give people both a tour of the building and maybe a cool strategy for selling apparel .

[@emelivictoria4415]

Such an inspiration 💛 How do you choose your athletes when there are so many to choose from?

[@Cody.messner]

This is the video I was waiting for 😊 excited to watch this .

[@BenFrancis]

Cheers Cody!

[@Cody.messner]

hoping to follow in your foot steps soon and start a huge fitness movement :) super impressed with how far you have come in such a short time, being so young. Keep up the great work.

[@connormccairns4499]

I started my business around a year and a half ago! Good marketing is obviously key to the growth of a business but which would you recommend? And would you spend a lot on it or a small amount! Thanks again, keep on smashing it!!!

[@michaeljordan1379]

Fantastic video - I've loved following your journey ever since your first video, keep up the brilliant work - Gymshark is amazing!

[@NickVA]

Love your videos Ben! Keep making them brotha!

[@jamiecreates]

Excellent Q&A Ben. You provide an amazing insight to everything Gymshark. 👍🏼

[@THEHIITCOMPANY]

Amazing Ben, going to watch this with the HIITSTEP team :)

[@chriswindleydigitalsalesexpert]

Great videos Ben !! Cared and shared. Fabulous Midlands story :-)

[@DrAdnan]

How do you balance your personal life and work life?

[@tmgnot1999]

Hey Ben, First of all: keep up your effort on letting the world know whats going on in your entrepreneurial life - that shit really motivates people and inspires (me) a looot! You showed several times how your company grew in the first months/ years and how you managed all that. A key factor (correct me if im wrong) for your growth were - and still are - the athlets/ ambassadors as a representation of your brand and the lifestyle gymshark tries to deliver to the customer. My Question: How did you do this? What was your approach? I dont think you had the budget to just pay the athletes and because of the pretty limited amount of clothes I cant image you just gave your stuff away for free to everbody on social media. Also: how did you select the athletes? Personal preferences or did you look out for any important factors? I am asking all these question, because a friend and I started a small green fashion company (actually inspired by your story) and we're struggling on how to catch publicity. I can only image how much you probably have to do but it would be an honor if you could answer my question(s) and maybe even take a look at our stuff (ig: lytd_fashion / web: www.lytd.com) 💕 Because I really want to know your input on this issue i will post this whole stuff on several of your social media accounts , hope you dont get annoyed by that.👀 Florian from Germany

[@karimdahbi9991]

Legend!!! Very inspiring and humble person

[@rosheenegalon2127]

THIS IS DEADLY BEN!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼 xoxo

[@jamesschneider6136]

Great video brother! Keep killing it!

[@Gates2Aion]

it's so easy to make money these days I'm not going to tell you how to do it, but just think about what you have around you and what your good at , what are your weakness and what can you use that you don't have that others do to make you grow rich. take massive risk and chances and it will come.

[@Caleb-ck2qi]

Hey Ben I met you in Houston I was the guy 6'7" tall with the bandages on my hand because I competed in a street activity your team had to bipass the line. I wondered would you ever cross brand into a sport like basketball and utilize an athlete with the same ideals that your brand currently expresses. I have played basketball all over the world, won a championship title for team USA in the Atlas Chinese World Tournament in summer 2016 and lead the country of morocco in scoring in 2017. I would love in any way to be a part of change and inspiration through fitness and sport and I was excited in episode 2 of #lifthouston you guys used me in one of your clips. Id love to hear back from your team and would graciously receive any advice you'd have on the matter. What you guys do is incredible!

[@kjellc]

thank you for answering, you are really an inspiration to me🙏

[@luramirez]

How did you figure out your pricing? Was it cost, or value based? Or since other method?

[@shannonwolfe3670]

Phenomenal success story

[@hywelevans3587]

Got to love the KZbin captions 😂😂 #JimShark

[@jameshorner7883]

Top bloke Ben.

[@LRRVintage]

Super informative. Thank you so much for sharing this knowledge. Gained my subscription for sure

[@gerchik10]

Have you ever done any collaborations with artists or creatives? Would love to see some capsule collections or even participate in creating one.

[@petramrsnik3288]

Good luck in the future!! 🦈

[@H2theAzard]

Love these videos Ben

[@Imnathgriff]

Is Lewis still an owner in Gymshark?? I haven't seen ben talk about him or Lewis talk about GymShark for so long?

[@prabhjotsinghify]

Awesome video Ben. Was wondering when was the point that you started bringing in investors? How big was Gymshark then?

[@anm4752]

what are your favourite entrepreneurial, self-help, and financial books

[@manjitbhaker1745]

Amazing success from some pure hard graft, hard work pays, well done and congrats!!! I am interested to know how the business scaled from you to the senior guys and the size it is now? Was that a natural progression, a bit of luck with maybe being approached, or did you go looking to scale it? Thanks

[@ReedProductions2903]

When he made the design and product at home who then produced the product for him a factory in China?

[@StreetWorkout]

great video, thnx!

[@vonti_]

Good Video question what made you choose this business Over others options

[@luramirez]

In the early days do you believe it is better sell out or have left over inventory?

[@grandmasterlucien]

Mad respect mate.

[@Giladbriggs2222]

Ben , if I want to start my own small clothing brand , how do I get the best material for the clothes ?

[@ThisisFerrariKhan]

the million dollar question no one wants to answer. That's the real question we NEED answered. A$AP.

[@zaidsaifi2559]

@@ThisisFerrariKhan Start with POD

[@Debonair73]

At what point in Gymshark did you guys bring on outside investors or venture capital investors?

[@BenFrancis]

Gymshark has not taken on investors :)

[@petraspetraitis3380]

Sunau niekor neskunam.Padarisem versla pazadu❤🙌

[@ryanlowry3777]

How do you decide who your athletes are, Steve Cook , David laid etc

[@sitruc1002]

Hi Ben. I have been watching your videos from the start. It is so cool to watch the growth of you and your company. In this video at marker 12:18 it looks like you are wearing the Ozone Zip Up. Do you still sell the color you are wearing as I don't see it on the site and want to buy one? Your videos remind me of why I have so enjoyed being a business owner. Thanks and look forward to the next video.

[@moosealba3]

I know I’m late to ask a question on this video but, are you ever going to invest in setting up a team or headquarters in Los Angles? And how would we be able to apply for staff positions for that location ahead of time?

[@IamGaryRichardson]

May be a strange question but after watching a few of your videos I'm wondering , you say in the very early days you were sewing your garments and sending them out yourself. How did you learn to sew and how did that come about? Apologies if that sounds like a trivial question but after hearing some of your story I just wondered were the sewing came from?

[@jamal1493]

So dope man !

[@patthehammer13]

Hey Ben your link on your youtube page to your instagram profile is broken. You set the wrong link. And thanks for the wisdom in this video! AMAZING!!!

[@kristigervais3506]

How did you find a manufacturer? What would tips would you give when choosing one!? Thanks:)

[@nooredeengalil644]

How useful was your degree in creating Gymshark and bringing it to where it is today?

[@sashakey]

Ben, we are looking forward to Gymshark in Russia.

[@SpunkyJT-tn4wc]

one of the main reasons why I'm scared to start a business is because of the trademarking situations. even you had trouble at the start.

[@Michel.97]

Hey 👋🏼 any ideas how to marketise a start up apparel business in 2018? Efficiently, economically and steady? Any ideas? 💡

[@Y0ungK1ppur]

How much of the company do you actually own? Can we invest in it?

[@josephpgn7720]

Nice work !

[@Cruzboy]

physical stores would be great, I'd like to try your stuff but don't like buying clothes online without having tried them on first

[@Cruzboy]

a warehouse event in Sydney please! :-D

[@muhdrifqi8889]

man ,would be a dream to work here at the building as a engineering after graduation

[@Keeratipong]

You speak super fast. I am not used to your accent. Even though I mostly watch english language on youtube, I will have to pay more attention to your speaking with auto translate subtitle turn on and replay several time at some parts of the video. However, i really love to learn more about you and gym shark.

[@Keeratipong]

i did slow down at some interval and it helps

[@thetj6618]

I wanted to know how do you pay the gymshark athletes , is it a monthly payment or some percentage of the profit from their collection with gymshark ?? #askben #gymshark #q&a

[@milos7727]

Hi Ben, can gymshark ship to serbia i know so many people who want gymshark clothes.

[@Intrebaripentrudumnezeu]

well done !

[@evanmccann1733]

I'm in the researching end of starting up my own clothing brand. Does anyone have any tips that Ben hasnt given us in his videos or just any form of support they could offer. It's always hard to start as I dont expect to blow up like gymshark but also dont want it to flop.

[@ev6481]

did you do it?

[@MissCJG1]

You talk so fast, lol.. And I'm from Scotland 😂 Awesome video 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Jack-fb3kn]

Your a legend

[@StayColdApparel]

Trust Your Gut. was definately a good one

[@Libunaop]

Humble

[@nasahmadi5000]

regarding physical stores, really smart to see if people would come to see Gymshark outside of expos. However, do you not account for the huge turns outs to these meets being the Insta/youtube athletes influencers that these people want to see. Obviously your team has thought about this but how can you be sure people are coming for the product and not athletes??

[@crossroads670]

Nas Ahm - a lot of people buy the product when they come too. I think it’s a brand association with the athletes that makes Gymshark so successful.

[@chrishobkirk5154]

What happened between you and lewis morgan?

[@anderskrigslund]

I wrote you an email regarding university project collaboration. I hope you get to see it! Great and insightful video as usual!

[@b2bt696]

Are the toilets in Gymshark unisex?

[@preet2840]

at 5:26 he is not wearing his safety glasses coz he is the owner of the building..lol

[@petraspetraitis3380]

Nors ameriko giveni padesio tau.

[@tt-qh3kj]

7th

[@timothyXsims]

When is gymshark gonna come back with the boxers and the good thick bold logo t shirts. They use to have waaaay better products then now. Been having the same bs for like 8 months and a few releases . Sus

[@ruhelullah3728]

if you spent millions on your offices why did you mug me off for £40?

[@harrysawit7645]

Ruhel ullah ???

[@stopsallmelb]

Ruhel ullah ahah ahah ahah ahah this guy

[@stepupmybody7784]

Question about branding: when you started, how did you come about choosing the name Gymshark and the (amazing) logo? Thanks.

[@MariusPlatt]

Loving all the videos Ben- they're always really interesting and motivational!

[@Ghvxddf]

Ben would it be possible for me to meet you and ask a few questions in regards to my own business? Would you consider doing seminars for young people to learn?

[@instantfoot1984]

Hi Ben ! I am a French student in Paris in a business school I and would love to do an internship in your company ! 😍 Is there any way I could transfer you my CV directly or whatsoever, because it would be a really great experience for me, and I am really motivated and willing to work very hard ! I already applied in your careers but I've got no response :/

[@tonyhumphreys809]

Incredible young man and truly is a visionary 👍🏻

[@sportslab3881]

Ben love from India. You hve changed the vision and thought process how we youngsters see or dream the way we wanna create things. Thank you for such motivation and the way youve taken things. Ur journey has pushed me in a big way.

[@differentsides6172]

How did gymshark manage to stay competitive in terms of pricing but also maintain margins in the early years??

[@AB19911000]

Great video! Can I ask, if you’ve been unsuccessful applying for a role at GSHQ, would you discourage applying for a role in the future?

[@benasgrigisas7162]

Amazing, inspiring! I was at the Gymshark pop up in Dublin, atmosphere and athletes were incredible, love the brand, love the image and excited to see what the future holds for you and the company! All the best Ben and Gymshark team.

[@saifalijaved94]

would you say it harder for an introvert like yourself to succeed in business?

[@alexgribben7531]

How does he have so low subs ?

[@TaylorSwiftGleek]

He is so well spoken and inspiring 😃

[@JoeGray]

videos like this are so helpful to people like myself who are chasing their dreams! keep them coming Ben. I truly believe the way the company is going it will only be a short matter of time before you surpass companies such as Nike. GYMSHARK IS UNSTOPPABLE

[@DonMaguireFitness]

Cool insight Ben! Plenty to take from this as a smaller KZbinr & someone trying to build their brand & starting to work full time as a PT whilst competing!

[@Charles011]

What A Legend