In the fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment that is New York, we see businesses measuring success through profit, head count and reputation. While those elements are essential to driving your business forward, thinking about what lies behind those factors is key to ensuring your company makes an impact. In my years as the founder and CEO of Corr-Jensen Inc., I have found that fueling my company with passion and purpose, and instilling that message in my employees, has led to some of our biggest triumphs. Here I share six guiding principles that have allowed our company to be more than just another player in the sports nutrition industry.
1. Let what you love inspire your business ideas.
Fitness has always been my passion — both in practice and in study. After breaking my back in high school wrestling, I made the most of the downtime and dedicated myself to learning everything I could about exercise, nutrition and supplementation. After completing six years in the Army, I not only solidified my belief in the importance of exercise in daily life, but I saw how discipline, service and hard work are core values that transcend every facet of our lives.
It was when I combined my passion for health and fitness with hard work and serving others that Corr-Jensen was born. This passion formed the foundation and now the company has grown to embody these principles in everything we do.
2. Recognize the white space in your industry.
In my company’s world of sports and nutritional supplements, too much emphasis is placed on the products and not enough on the person using the product. By moving away from being a traditional “supplement company” to a “lifestyle brand” we shifted the customer to the center of every innovation and business decision, surrounding them with support and advice, providing the tools so that they can be the healthiest version of themselves. We also made sure that every employee — from the warehouse to the field team — acts from a place of humility, hard work and service to bring the most value to the lives of people.
3. Make more than money.
Something dramatic happens when people and companies shift their focus from getting all they can for themselves,…