Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey by launching a lifestyle brand, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chris Fontana, the founder at Go Primal Apparel, based out of Long Island.
Tell us all about your business...
Go Primal is a Lifestyle Brand. It's the lifestyle that I used, and continue to use that helped me overcome the adversities I faced in life. I have lost 100lbs, was able to overcome depression and severe anxiety attacks, and ultimately beat my alcohol addiction. I want people to wear the confidence to push themselves everyday to be the best version of themselves.
What's your background and motivation to grow as a solopreneur?
I have battled adversities starting at a young at of 13 when I lost my father. I suffered in silence for years with depression, and severe panic attacks. I was very unhealthy and numbed myself with alcohol for a long time. I weighed 300lbs and absolutely hated everything about myself.
I finally came to the fork in the road, I had two choices...be miserable for the rest of my life, or suffer through bettering myself. I chose to suffer and better myself. I pushed through many days of panic attacks in the gym, many days of crying, many days thinking I cant do it.
I developed a mindset to keep going. I saw something I wanted and I wasn't going to stop until I got it. I decided to Go Primal and trust my instincts. We are born with the instinct to not give up, giving up is learned. I trained my mind everyday to trust myself, trust that I was going to get better, healthier, happier.
I found a "why" and I would never give up! Now 100lbs lighter, happy, healthy, and sober, I have a 2 year old Son and another Son on the way that I can experience everything I missed out on with my father.
My "why" is to be the best possible version of myself everyday for my family, to have my Sons look at me the way I looked at my Father.
As a small business owner, what does success ultimately mean to you?
Success ultimately means to be happy with what you do everyday, to make a positive difference in the people that support your business, and to ultimately support and provide for your family
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a solopreneur?
Being able to balance responsibilities and pressures with running your own business, and spending quality time with family
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a small business today?
Make sure you are passionate about your business, make short term and long term goals, trust your instincts and keep going no matter what
If there was one thing you could do repeatedly to help grow your business, what would it be?
Give inspirational talks about myself, my adversities, the origin of my brand and lifestyle to people who need help.
What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?
Make lists everyday of things I need to do for work and my everyday life. Keep it 50/50 with work and family life.
Who are some of your favorite entrepreneurs and best business resources/books?
Nick Bare-BPN Supplements, and Gary V are a few people that I follow on social media and have learned a lot from watching them
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
My goal is to promote my brand as a lifestyle that can help many people overcome any type of adversity in their lives and become the best possible version of themselves
Where can people find you online?
www.goprimalusa.com is my website detailing the origins of the Go Primal backstory & featuring all the Go Primal Apparel.
Instagram: @chrisfontanagp @go.primal.apparel
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share then email community@subkit.com, we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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