9. Gymshark Started As Dropshipping Protein Supplements
Whilst at University in the UK in 2012 Ben Francis decided to start a fitness-themed website after some initial success creating health-based apps for the iPhone.
He started the site whilst balancing time between his studies and working part-time at his local Pizza Hut. Life was busy for the teenager, but more importantly, he was strapped for cash at the time and needed a way to make money online.
He decided to take a risk and put up for sale a number of protein supplements that he didn’t actually have in stock.
Once a customer had purchased, he used the money to buy the product from a wholesaler for cheaper.
It was dropshipping at its finest.
It took a while to get his first order but once the website was up and running the young Francis was hooked and didn’t stop learning about websites and driving traffic to them.
It was during this time he took a gamble and instead of selling supplements he saw an opportunity in the gym community for a unique brand of gym wear.
He set out with his sewing machine to produce his vision and as orders came in the company expanded quickly.
Using the “Influencer” model of marketing the company’s product popularity skyrocketed as they have just announced a billion-dollar valuation.