My friend started a business
Supporting him is indescribably rewarding
My friend Chase Ingraham has had a great thing going for a while now. He discovered CrossFit several years ago, became a competitor at the Games level and highly respected coach at Dallas CrossFit Central, and is even a televised announcer for the CrossFit Games. As a Level 1 Instructor for CrossFit, he is flown around the country sharing his love of CrossFit and teaching others to become effective coaches themselves. For many, this would be not only enough but “success”.
Chase, or Captain America CrossFit as many know him, wanted more.
The Millenial generation is an interesting one — on one hand, more young people (<35) are starting businesses than ever before while on the other hand many have this sense of entitlement that opportunities, and prosperity, should just be handed to you. This generation was set back tremendously by a housing crisis that wiped out a significant amount of wealth along with the bleakest job market since the early 80's. Many young men and women are comfortable to set their lives to cruise control picking up a steady salary and living for the weekend; however, there is a growing contingent of young professionals that have decided that it is not worth putting their careers, and future, in anyone else’s hands. Look no further than the Young Entrepreneur Council to see the amazing companies this generation is starting on a daily basis.
“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” — Nassim Nicholas Taleb
For those that have decided to make their own way in the world, this is only about 5% of the battle.The idea, starting, the execution, and growth are topics for another post.
My perspective on all this changed dramatically when I conceived and launched Mizzen+Main last year. Before starting my own business, I had a great deal of respect for entrepreneurs and small business owners, but now know that I had no idea what it really took or meant to start or own your own business. Whether it is a local flower shop, a CrossFit affiliate, or the country’s best ice cream company (Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, for the record), starting and owning your own business is the hardest and most fulfilling thing in life outside of family.
Supporting my friends who have started their own businesses fuels me — with passion, gratitude, and further drive — in addition to fueling them.
Chase started CrossFit Big D here in Dallas in August, stepping away from the comforts of a decent salary and into 4 AM wakeups and never ending responsibilities and headaches.
I saw the pride on his face when he showed me the warehouse that would become his baby. I saw the grateful smile as friends showed up to wish him luck before starting or pick up a paintbrush to help get the place ready. I saw the tears as he thanked over a hundred people for coming on opening day. I saw the love as he thanked his parents for their lifelong encouragement of the pursuit of his dreams, and the love as he held his supportive girlfriend, Ashley, close, thanking her for putting up with the hard times to get this going (and trust me, there are no shortage of them).
Having now gone through so many of the similar moments myself, I had a profound appreciation for this I never would have grasped, which is why I am so thankful for the opportunity to support my friend as he builds his business. I plan to support him in many ways, but even if it was just being a paying member of his gym, I know it means the world to him.
No small act goes unnoticed in the support of entrepreneurs and business owners. None.
I will always strive to support fellow entrepreneurs and business owners. Whether it is buying a few workout shirts from my friend Jake at Compete Every Day or driving 35 minutes to have lunch at our friends’ restaurant Newk’s, I can see the gratitude extends far beyond any single transaction.
The personal reward I feel each day I go to Chase’s gym extends beyond the benefits I receive of being a member — from the excellent facilities to the top notch coaching — to something that is hard to put into words.
When a small business owner or entrepreneur thanks you for your support, know how much it truly does mean to them.You aren’t just handing over x dollars. You are validating everything they have ever worked for and believed in along with the sacrifices they have made.
