Ben Francis - One Of The Youngest Self-Made Billionaires In The World

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Good morning! It's Tuesday, June 13th - Today, we dive into the story of Ben Francis, the founder of Gymshark, who went from being a Pizza Hut delivery driver to amassing a $1.2 billion fortune by 30. Here’s how he carved out a billion-dollar business in the most competitive market in the world.

THE FEATURE

His Pizza Hut Salary Funded This Billion-Dollar Business

Ben Francis has just joined the billionaire club at the tender age of 30. Starting from his parents' garage to opening a brick-and-mortar store, Gymshark has become an athleisure giant!

What's Gymshark?

Ben Francis is the founder of Gymshark - an innovative fitness apparel and accessories brand founded in 2012. The brand thrives through its website, partnerships with fitness influencers on TikTok and Instagram, and recently opened a store.

The Numbers:

• 2020: Valued at $1.45 billion

• 2021: Revenue grew by 78% to $608 million, net income doubled to $68 million.

• 2023: Ben Francis's 70% stake in Gymshark is now worth $1.2 billion.

The Story:

• Ben Francis started Gymshark in 2012 at the age of 19 with £1,000 in savings.

• He started the company in his parents' garage and worked out of there for the first few years.

• Gymshark initially sold fitness supplements, but Francis pivoted to apparel in 2013.

• The company's apparel quickly became popular among fitness enthusiasts, and Gymshark's sales grew rapidly.

• In 2016, Gymshark raised $100 million in funding from a group of investors.

• In 2020, he sold a 21% stake to private equity firm General Atlantic, valuing the company at $1.45 billion.

• The company now has over 5 million customers in over 120 countries.

• Gymshark generates over £400 million in annual revenue.

• Ben Francis is now one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the world.

The How:

• Harnessing an Influencer Army: Gymshark’s meteoric rise can be credited to its clever use of an extensive network of influencers. By partnering with fitness enthusiasts and professionals on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Gymshark created a passionate community. This community, in turn, contributed to virality and rapid sales growth, making Gymshark a formidable player in the athleisure market.

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