From Bouncer to Business Mogul: Derek's Journey to Building a $100 Million Empire

The Unlikely Path to Success

Derek's journey from bouncer to business mogul is nothing short of remarkable. What started as a simple blog about men's fitness has grown into a multi-million dollar empire spanning supplements, telemedicine, and men's self-care products. But how did it all begin?

From Bouncing to Blogging

Derek was working as a bouncer in downtown Vancouver when an injury forced him to take some time off. During his recovery, he started writing blog articles about men's fitness. Little did he know that this would be the catalyst for his future success.

"Basically getting punched in the face launched a $100 million empire," Derek jokes. It's an absurd origin story, but one that highlights how unexpected opportunities can arise from challenging situations.

Building an Online Presence

Derek's early content focused on basic fitness advice, like how to bulk without gaining fat. While this information wasn't necessarily groundbreaking, there was still room in the market for his unique perspective.

He explains: "The perception that it was saturated was probably not as real as it is now. So now super saturated, whereas back then you could still get millions of views on a basic 'here's how I do a tricep extension' video."

As Derek's following grew, he began to differentiate himself by discussing topics that weren't widely covered at the time, such as pharmacology and hormone use in fitness and bodybuilding.

The Rise to Fame

Derek's big break came when he started talking openly about transparency around hormone use and celebrity fitness transformations. This was a controversial topic that few were willing to address publicly.

"At the time it was kind of seen as a ballsy thing to call out," Derek recalls. "At the time you didn't know if you were going to get like sued, get like assassinated, who knows."

This willingness to tackle taboo subjects and provide in-depth, science-based information set Derek apart from other fitness influencers. It wasn't long before he caught the attention of major platforms and personalities.

The Joe Rogan Effect

In 2020, Derek was mentioned on the Joe Rogan podcast by MMA commentator Luke Thomas. This exposure introduced him to a much wider audience and eventually led to an invitation to appear on the show himself.

Derek's appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast was a significant milestone in his career. He strategically timed it to coincide with reaching one million subscribers on YouTube, using it as a reward for hitting this major goal.

Building a Business Empire

Unlike many influencers who rely solely on sponsorships and ad revenue, Derek has built several successful businesses around his online presence. His three primary ventures are:

1. Gorilla Mind: A dietary supplements company focusing on sports nutrition and cognitive enhancers.
2. Marek Health: A telemedicine company offering concierge-level preventative medicine services.
3. More Plates More Dates: A men's self-care line including hair loss prevention products, fragrances, and skincare.

These businesses have grown rapidly, with Derek estimating their cumulative gross revenue at over $100 million.

The Challenges of E-commerce

Running multiple e-commerce businesses comes with its own set of challenges. Derek discusses the capital-intensive nature of these ventures:

"To expand an e-com brand that has physical products with warehouse and fulfillment and exploding cans in transit and melting protein bars going across the country - there's a lot that goes into reinvestment."

Despite these challenges, Derek's businesses benefit from his large online following, which significantly reduces marketing costs compared to traditional e-commerce brands.

Managing Fame and Fortune

As Derek's online presence has grown, so too has his level of fame. He now finds himself being recognized regularly when out in public:

"If I leave the house and go to a restaurant, if I go to the gym, it's guaranteed essentially. If I go to a restaurant or just out with my girlfriend or whatever, typically one or two people in the span of... I guess it depends, but it'll at least once an outing typically."

While Derek appreciates the positive impact he's had on people's lives, he's aware that increasing fame can become overwhelming. He considers his current level of recognition to be in a "sweet spot" where he can still maintain a relatively normal life.

Financial Management

Despite the success of his businesses, Derek takes a conservative approach to personal finances. He reinvests most profits back into his companies and pays himself a relatively modest salary.

"I don't really pay myself a whole lot," Derek admits. "I'm rich on paper, and you're rich in terms of you're technically rich, you've got a bunch of money in the bank, but you don't access it essentially."

For his personal investments, Derek focuses on T-bills, S&P 500 index funds, and some minor angel investing and cryptocurrency holdings. He's cautious about wealth management services, having learned from experience that they often don't provide value commensurate with their fees.

Productivity and Personal Growth

As an entrepreneur juggling multiple businesses and content creation, Derek has developed several strategies to maintain productivity:

1. Using a timer to create a sense of urgency for tasks
2. Maintaining a detailed task list organized by time of day
3. Employing a "death clock" as a reminder of mortality and the importance of using time wisely

Derek also emphasizes the importance of sleep quality, recommending the Eight Sleep mattress for its temperature regulation features.

Looking to the Future

As Derek's businesses continue to grow, he's considering ways to expand his portfolio without overextending himself. He's open to acquiring businesses in areas where he has expertise and can add significant value.

However, he remains deeply involved in product development for his current ventures, particularly in formulating supplements for Gorilla Mind. This hands-on approach ensures quality but also limits his ability to scale rapidly.

"The problem is I am not able to segregate myself yet away from the product development process because I'm so... I'm the science guy for supplements or pharmacology or whatever," Derek explains. "People defer to me for like highly detailed, elaborate information on that stuff."

Lessons Learned and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Derek's journey offers several valuable lessons for those looking to build businesses around their personal brand:

1. Find your niche: Derek succeeded by providing in-depth information on topics that weren't widely covered.
2. Be transparent: His willingness to discuss controversial subjects set him apart from competitors.
3. Diversify revenue streams: Building businesses around his expertise allowed Derek to create multiple income sources.
4. Reinvest in growth: By keeping his personal expenses low and reinvesting profits, Derek has been able to rapidly scale his businesses.
5. Stay involved in key areas: Derek's hands-on approach to product development ensures quality and maintains his credibility with his audience.

Conclusion

Derek's transformation from bouncer to business mogul is a testament to the power of perseverance, expertise, and strategic thinking. By leveraging his knowledge and online following, he's built a multi-million dollar empire while maintaining his integrity and commitment to providing valuable information to his audience.

As he continues to navigate the challenges of growing his businesses and managing his increasing fame, Derek remains focused on creating high-quality products and content. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and content creators, showing that with dedication and the right approach, it's possible to turn a passion into a thriving business empire.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AmUnTGo2_U