Gooood Morning!
Have you ever seen a product/ brand and had thoughts like this?
WOW.
THAT is something special.
Something unique.
Something that’s changing the world.
Somewhere where I would dream about working.
A mission that I would move halfway around the world to be a part of.
What was that moment for you?
I’ve had that moment, and that’ll be the topic of the blog today: a successful entrepreneurial team that I deeply admire and respect.
Also, I’m putting in a new little segment at the end of each section from now on labelled “Something Small”, in appreciation of all the little things in life that can bring a smile to our faces.
Are they successful?
Well, last year the company I am talking about pulled in $175 Million USD… and they’re barely getting started.
The company in question is an American health and fitness/ supplement company called 1st Phorm. The CEO of the company, Andy Frisella, has a top rated business podcast called the MFCEO Project, one that I’ve been listening to for the past couple of years. I can say that this podcast is the sole reason that I am writing this email right now, and the reason that I am in this Entrepreneurship course at Macleay.
Frisella has been entrepreneurial since his childhood, selling lightbulbs, sport cards snow cones while he was still in school. 20 years ago he opened his first supplement store called “Supplement Superstores”, at 19 years old. His best friend and himself really started from the bottom, maxing out their credit cards, literally sleeping in their store on a stained, stinking mattress, and working multiple jobs to keep the store alive.
They kept at it though, and after Supplement Superstores grew, Andy recognised an opening in the market for premium price, super high-quality protein and health products, as all the brands they were stocking focused on cost cutting, hunting for ways to lower their prices. This led to a decrease in product quality, an opportunity that Andy leapt on. The rest is history
Based in St Louis, Missouri, a reason that I admire Andy and his team so much is due to their authenticity and pure focus on providing customer value. Andy’s motto has always been to provide such a good produce and experience that it makes the customer stop and think:
Holy Shit. That was amazing. I need to tell as many people as I can.
Their levels of customer service and care are off the charts- there’s a video on YouTube where a vlogger purposely documented a call he made to show this, he called to ask for advice on where to get his car repaired and how to source spare parts. The 1st Phorm employee (who works in the FITNESS industry), researched all the local mechanics and prices for spare parts, directing the vlogger into the best location and deal that would suit his situation.
This utmost dedication to the customer is something that draws me, as well as the culture that Andy has created at his company. Quite simply, I view Andy as the greatest leader, communicator and vision creator that I have ever seen or heard. He understands that leaders need to do three things:
1. Live the standards that they set for their workplace
2. Keep every single employee accountable to those standards
3. Develop the skills and abilities of the employees until they are able to operate just as well (if not better) than if you were there.
The company does things differently. Andy often talks about how most of his best friends are in his company- they are like a family, brothers. Every day the employees at 1st Phorm HQ workout together in the carpark. They help each other move houses, they go to the gym together. That’s the sort of culture I dream of working in one day or creating.
Check out this video to see just what I mean:
So what aspects/ capabilities do I admire the most in Andy and his team?
1. Accountability- he often says in his podcast that if he sees you doing a crappy job, he will make sure you know it. I love his attitude towards telling people the straight cold truth- we shouldn’t be offended by it or be scared to give it because its actually HELPING the person that needs it. Isn’t it a kinder action to correct them and put them closer to the path to success rather than acting kind and turning an eye, letting them or us go further down the wrong path?
2. Commitment to Customer value. Andy overpromises, and overdelivers.
3. His ability to paint his vision and create a common mission.
4. His dedication to self-development and self-improvement- look up his 75HARD challenge.
5. His Authenticity to himself, his values and his mission.
More than a business man, Andy is a mentor to millions of young men and women out there. If I tried to explain his messages I would just butcher them up, so I’ve included a couple of links to some of his Instagram posts to truly give you a little glimpse into what sort of man, leader and mentor Andy has been for me and millions of others. The man is a master or social media. Please Please Please read the captions.
Alrighty, hopefully you’ve not got an understanding of why I have so much respect for Andy’s entrepreneurial achievements. Sorry for all the words, it’s something I am quite passionate about.
Have a fantastic week, I hope you take some time to digest some of the things Andy has talked about. I pray he is inspiring to you as he is to me.
See you next time. Until then, keep moving forward.
Misha
Something Small
Those days when the weather is f***ing terrible
The wind is disgusting
Rain is spitting
And you arrive home
Suddenly the chaos is behind you, you’re safe inside
That first moment in hot shower or in front of a heater
Feeling heat and comfort flush your skin
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