Nothing beats hard work
In this episode, we're joined by Paul Richardson, who transitioned from the waste management industry to becoming a pivotal figure in the rapid expansion of the fitness apparel brand Gymshark.
Paul discusses his initial ventures, including his experiences with Birmingham City football and All Saints, before recounting a significant meeting on a rainy London day that eventually led to a fruitful collaboration with Gymshark.
The episode explores themes such as the art of identifying and nurturing hardworking individuals, teaching resilience, and the delicate balance of running a family business.
Paul shares insights on entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and the importance of maintaining relationships and strategic thinking for long-term success. Additionally, he provides a glimpse into his current passions, like Energym and Kick X, and his aspirations for legacy and environmental contributions.
Throughout the conversation, Paul's approach to partnerships, his criteria for business investments, and his wisdom on business and personal growth are highlighted.
The episode ends with Paul's mantra for success: "Work hard, dream big, stay humble," which encapsulates his philosophy on both life and business.
Three Takeaways
1. Importance of Perseverance and Hard Work
Paul underlines the necessity of hard graft as a cornerstone of success. Recounting his early business days, he shares how working seven days a week when rivals didn't, gave him an edge. This additional effort gave him a head start over time. He also discusses resilience or the capability to overcome hurdles. Paul believes in fostering resilience by setting strong examples and striking a balance between shielding and letting individuals experience near-failures.
2. Strategic Vision and a 'Helicopter View'
Paul underscores the need for a strategic outlook, or a 'helicopter view', to foresee potential challenges and opportunities. He suggests that leaders should demonstrate commercial maturity to offer guidance without getting caught up in the details. His leadership approach involves trusting others' expertise while providing strategic insights. He also stresses the role of physical spaces in mirroring company culture and promoting employee wellbeing.
3. Relationships and Fairness in Business
Paul highlights the significance of fairness and long-term relationships in business. He believes transactions should aim for mutual benefit, paving the way for future collaboration. He emphasises building relationships and the importance of fairness during deals, which can lead to future support. Paul suggests investing in people often supersedes the product, and when considering collaborations or investments, traits like passion, perseverance, resilience, and risk-taking are crucial.
If you have any follow up questions for Paul, guest suggestions of feedback for the show please email the host Adam on adam@thegrowth.foundation.
The Right Way to Grow is brought to you in partnership with our friends over at Bloomreach and Verse.
