Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fitness and supplements but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Stuart Kam, Founder of ATH, located in Honolulu, HI, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

ATH is a niche sports supplement brand that focuses on building the best-tasting clean supplements. When we first started in 2012, there weren't a lot of brands that focused on quality, all-natural ingredients that actually tasted good. We figured that if we could create supplements that taste good while also being healthy, we'd have a winner.

Founded in Honolulu, Hawaii, our background comes from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Surfing, Lifting, and MMA. We grew up doing these sports; it was a way of life for us. Naturally, our customers are primarily from these under-represented sports.

Tell us about yourself

When I first returned to the islands after a short professional baseball stint, I was able to refocus on my first passion Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I couldn't find many options for clean sports supplements focused on athletes like us, so I started mixing my protein shakes, cutting out all of the fillers. After tasting the difference, a few training partners caught wind and wanted to buy protein shakes from me.

Our company comes from such a passionate background that what motivates me is building a tribe of like-minded individuals. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is about building self-confidence through capability, which resonates throughout our company. We're a very do-it-yourself and scrappy company.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our biggest accomplishment has been the ability to grow a grassroots company from the ground up to a seven-plus figure company. We've taken zero outside funding, allowing us to be authentic to our core values and helping us create truly better products.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Every day is a challenge. There are new fires that need to be put out daily. Anyone else that tells you otherwise is lying to you. But if you want it bad enough, you'll learn to become a better problem solver. Business is about solving problems.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

This may surprise you, but I'd say is DON'T DO IT. Ok, that's a click-bait way of getting your attention. What I would say is to intern first at a start-up. The key is to find a start-up, don't find a big corporation. Find a company that is in the beginning phases. Tell them you'll work for free for a year or two -- they'll jump over the free labor. And for those two years, I'd work my butt off, soaking up everything to start my own business. NOTHING can replace experience; there's only one way to learn: by doing.

My second tip would be to learn how to teach yourself things. Learn how to do things yourself because when you're first starting, you probably won't have the money to hire a professional.

My final tip would be to take it slow and focus on profitability. Cash is KING. I see a lot of early-stage entrepreneurs working in this business instead of ON their business. Start a company that you think can be profitable that aligns with your passions. Don't build a business that is solely a passion business just because you "love" doing it. Your love will quickly fade once you are missing payments.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Entrepreneurship is the single greatest way to control your own destiny. If you truly want it, learn how to run your own business and go for it.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.athsport.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athsport.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athsport.co/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/athsport_co
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stu-kam/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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