The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Gymshark CEO: How I Built A $1.5 Billion Business At 19: Ben Francis

Dec 27, 2021

Ben Francis, the founder and CEO of Gymshark, started his billion-dollar fitness brand at just 19. He opens up about overcoming his introversion and mastering public speaking to lead his growing company. Francis reflects on the challenges of startup life, the vital role of teamwork, and the delicate balance between personal growth and business demands. He also discusses the importance of resilience in facing scrutiny and how luck played a role in Gymshark's success. His ambitious vision for a global fitness impact is truly inspiring.

01:37:53

Episode guests

Ben Francis

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Foundations of Entrepreneurial Spirit

11min

Navigating Startup Dynamics

23min

Valuing Challenge and Growth

8min

The Power of Public Speaking and Effective Business Systems

3min

The Role of Luck and Opportunity in Building a Successful Business

2min

CEOs in the Spotlight

15min

Navigating Mental Health in Business Leadership

10min

Gymshark's Vision for Global Impact

11min

10.

The Heart of Entrepreneurship

9min

11.

Maximizing Time: Navigating Young Success and Inspiring Growth

3min

Ben Francis has achieved incredible success it is easy to forget how young he still is. Founding Gymshark, a leading gym wear brand, when he was still in his teens, the company is now worth over $1.5 billion.

But it hasn’t always been easy for Ben. He is naturally shy and introverted, and public speaking is something that didn’t come naturally to him. Naturally resilient and sure of his mission, Ben had to learn how to transmit these feelings within himself to leading a top team. It took a lot of work and dedication, but through time and effort Ben was able to overcome his fears and inspire those around him.

Ben has gone from earning £5 an hour at Pizza Hut to pay his way through university to running one of the most exciting and fastest growing companies in the country. It was an absolute pleasure to sit down with him and hear his wisdom, and I know that you’ll think exactly the same way.

Follow Ben:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/benfrancis

Twitter - https://twitter.com/BenFrancis1992

Follow me:

https://beacons.ai/diaryofaceo

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