From Pizza Delivery to a Billion-Dollar Brand. How Ben Francis Built Gymshark in His Parents’ Garage
- lnjweipi27
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
The Power of Vision: The Ben Francis Story.
At just 19, Ben Francis was delivering pizzas by night and writing code by day. What started as a side hustle stitching gym wear in his bedroom is now Gymshark, one of the most recognizable fitness apparel brands globally, valued at over $1.4 billion.
Born in Birmingham, UK, Ben was no business prodigy from the start. He was a student, fitness enthusiast, and self-taught coder who wanted better gym wear, something that looked good, felt right, and empowered movement. Not finding what he wanted, he made it himself.
He started small—printing logos on gym vests in his garage with a £1,000 sewing machine and screen printer. Every product was hand-packed with care, every social media post crafted with intention, and every customer treated like gold. That authenticity helped Gymshark go viral on social media, especially among influencers and the growing online fitness community.
By tapping into Instagram early, Gymshark pioneered influencer marketing before it became a trend. Fitness influencers wearing Gymshark gear gave the brand cool credibility and helped build a movement, not just a business.
But it wasn’t just social media. Ben understood what many founders miss: consistency, community, and culture. Gymshark didn’t just sell clothes it sold the fitness lifestyle, body positivity, and the message that strength comes in many shapes and sizes.
In 2015, he made a bold move stepping down as CEO to let experienced professionals scale the company while he focused on product and vision. It was a masterclass in humility and leadership. By 2021, Ben returned as CEO with even greater clarity.
Lessons from Ben Francis’ Journey
Start Where You Are: No funding? No problem. Ben started with a sewing machine and a dream. Start with what you have, and build from there.
Own Your Community: He knew his audience deeply, young gym-goers who wanted style and performance. Gymshark didn’t just sell to them, it built with them.
Stay Humble, Stay Learning: Recognizing he wasn’t ready to lead a global company, Ben stepped aside and learned from the best before returning stronger. That humility is rare in business.
Be Obsessed with Quality: Every Gymshark item was tested, refined, and worn by Ben himself. The obsession with product excellence made the brand stand out.
Lead with Passion: Francis’s love for fitness, design, and digital media fueled the brand. Passion wasn’t a side ingredient; it was the core.
Today, Ben Francis isn’t just a fitness CEO he’s a symbol of grit, growth, and modern entrepreneurship. His story teaches us that we don’t need a perfect plan we need purpose, patience, and persistence.
From garage to global empire, Ben’s legacy isn’t just about leggings and tank tops. It’s about believing in an idea enough to sew it into reality.
What’s one idea or passion you’ve been sitting on that could be your Gymshark moment?
Read more stories at www.lulumagazine.net.
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