This episode of The Bottleneck Podcast explores what it really takes to build a billion-dollar brand. Ben Francis MBE, founder and CEO of Gymshark, joins Rory Sutherland and Elfried Samba to discuss how obsessive focus, community, and self-awareness turned a side project into one of the UK’s most successful global companies.
Together they unpack the real story behind Gymshark’s rise — from sewing T-shirts at his nan’s dining table to leading a worldwide fitness brand — and reveal why staying close to the customer, thinking like a 19-year-old entrepreneur, and protecting startup energy remain at the heart of Ben’s philosophy.
Follow Rory:
Instagram: @rorysutherland_clips
Tiktok: @Rorysutherlandclips
X: @rorysutherland
Linkedin: in/rorysutherland/
Follow Elfried:
Instagram: elfriedsamba
Linkedin: in/elfriedsamba/
https://www.butterflyeffect.xyz/
Follow Ben:
Instagram: @benfrancis
TikTok: @benfrancis
LinkedIn: in/gymshark/
YouTube: @BenFrancis
A @Sassy+ original podcast series
