Built on Faith and Perseverance

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health supplements but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Charles Rucker, owner and founder of Ruck Nutrition, located in Murfreesboro, TN, USA.

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

Ruck Nutrition is a sports and nutrition company built on faith and perseverance. Our customers love our products because it doesn't matter where you are in your journey; our products are designed with you in mind. Whether you're just getting started on your new fitness lifestyle, looking to maintain, or are a professional athlete, we have something for everyone!

Tell us about yourself

I was a football player my whole life, and when my football career ended, I stepped into the bodybuilding world. I have been in the fitness industry for over 12 years and competing for 8. I had worked with many sports and nutrition companies throughout those years. I wanted to be able to promote products and supplements I actually believed in and took for myself. My motivation comes from helping others achieve their goals. Whether that be as a young entrepreneur that just needs the motivation to keep going or helping you reach your fitness goals. That's what drives me. Seeing those around me succeed is what motivates me.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Oh, where to start! Being a business owner comes with many highs and lows, so I'd say my biggest accomplishment is making it through each of the obstacles and coming out even stronger than where I started.

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

I'd say one of the hardest things about being a business owner is the financial ups and downs. You're not guaranteed a paycheck. One month could be the best month of the company's history, and the next could be the worst. Navigating through those ups and downs is tough. You also realize that people are your products. Anytime you're dealing with sales, you communicate with people, whether that be customers and clients or other company owners. And not everyone has the same opinion or thoughts, and you can't control that or even try. It will never be possible to make every single person happy and accept that. The pushback that comes with it teaches you a lot about yourself and how to preserver through that.

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

First tip. This is the first thing I tell any new entrepreneur. Be sure you are chasing a passion and not a paycheck. The first company that I started was a cleaning and remodeling company that actually did really well, but I absolutely hated it. I hate cleaning, period. As an entrepreneur, you have to remember that you're working way more than someone at a 9-5 job. It's so easy to get burned out if you don't absolutely love what you're doing.

Tip number two is building a great team. You may want to think that you can do it all on your own, but the real success and growth come from a dedicated and loyal group of people with the same vision. Some people are only with you for a season, and that's ok. There will be people who come and want to stay and see the bigger picture with you.

Number 3 would have to be about being a leader. As a leader, you have to be able to control your emotions when it comes to being an entrepreneur. You have to remember that you set the tone of your team's environment. If you're stressed out and on edge, your team will be stressed out. Show up the way you want your team to show up. On time, dressed to impress, and always the hardest worker in the room. As a leader, you have to be confident in your abilities and talents and trust the process, even on bad days. Believing in your team and yourself and trusting that it will all be worth it and it will all work out. One way or another.

Ruck Nutrition is more than just another brand. I’ll be honest with you. Being in the fitness industry for 12 years and modeling and competing for 8, I've seen many behind the scenes of a lot of different companies. The problem I had with that was promoting products and brands that I didn't believe in and, quite honestly, didn't take. After seeing all that I had, I decided to start a company with high-quality products with high-quality ingredients. I didn't want to be just another supplement company that cut corners when it came to ingredients to save a dollar.

We take our time with all of our products, and I personally test them out for months, sometimes even up to a year, before making them available to you. Performance and quality are two things I can stand behind for our brand. So you’re not just getting an A product when you get Ruck Nutrition. You get a product that took time, preparation, and science-tested ingredients in each container. This is more than just a supplement company. This is a way of life.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://rucknutrition.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3P7ZQo7
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcharlesrucker/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rucker1021
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesruckerrucknutrition/

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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