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