How Derek Went From $0 To +$100M With Supplements | More Plates More Dates

Who is Derek from More Plates More Dates?

Derek is the creator behind the popular YouTube channel More Plates More Dates. Known for his extensive knowledge in bodybuilding, fitness, and health supplementation, he has built a substantial following.

Background:

• Began as an amateur bodybuilder
• Transitioned into providing fitness and life advice
• Gained recognition for his detailed analysis of celebrity fitness routines and supplement use

YouTube Channel:

• Focuses on fitness, science, and health
• Known for high-quality, well-researched content
• Has grown to nearly 2 million subscribers

Through his channel and entrepreneurial ventures, Derek has positioned himself as a trusted figure in the fitness community.

What Businesses Does Derek Run?

Derek operates several successful businesses that stem from his expertise in fitness and health. Here's a breakdown:

• Gorilla Mind:

  • Specializes in pre-workout supplements and cognitive enhancers
  • Known for its high-quality, potent formulations
  • Generates significant revenue, reportedly between $6-$8 million a month

• Marek Health:

  • Focuses on hormone optimization and preventive medicine
  • Provides telemedicine services for hormone replacement therapy and other health diagnostics
  • Highly regarded for its trusted medical oversight and high service quality

• Intelligent Elephant:

  • Offers hair loss prevention products
  • Developed from Derek's long-standing interest in this niche
  • Has excellent profit margins and a dedicated customer base

Together, these businesses showcase Derek’s ability to leverage his fitness knowledge and online presence into thriving commercial ventures.

How did Derek start his supplement business?

Derek began his supplement business journey by leveraging the trust and community he built through his More Plates More Dates YouTube channel. Initially, he engaged in affiliate marketing by recommending products he personally used and believed in. This approach helped him build credibility and a loyal audience.

However, Derek saw an opportunity to create his own formulas and products, which led to the birth of Gorilla Mind. He invested significant time and effort into product formulation, ensuring each supplement met high-quality standards. Despite initial challenges, including the complexities of supply chain management and manufacturing, his deep knowledge in fitness and health supplements provided a solid foundation for success.

By continually providing valuable and trustworthy information through his channel, Derek was able to turn his YouTube following into loyal customers, propelling Gorilla Mind to generate impressive revenue figures.

What are Derek's business goals?

Derek from More Plates More Dates has ambitious business goals, aiming to build billion-dollar companies. Here are the primary objectives he focuses on:

• Scaling Current Businesses: Derek is determined to elevate both Gorilla Mind and Marek Health into billion-dollar enterprises. He believes in the immense potential of these companies and consistently works towards expanding their market presence.

• Maintaining Quality: Despite aggressive growth targets, he emphasizes maintaining high standards in product formulation and service quality. This commitment helps sustain customer trust and loyalty.

• Global Expansion: Derek plans to expand his businesses globally. By tapping into international markets, he aims to increase revenue streams and brand recognition.

• Retail Presence: Significant efforts are being made to increase the retail presence of Gorilla Mind products. This includes pushing into mainstream retail channels and widening product availability.

• Innovative Product Development: Continuously working on new product formulations is vital for Derek. He aims to stay ahead of competitors by offering innovative and scientifically-backed supplements.

Derek's approach to achieving these goals includes leveraging his online presence, collaborating with trusted experts, and continually adapting to the evolving market landscape.

How does Derek manage multiple businesses?

Derek employs a well-structured management strategy to oversee his various ventures, ensuring each operates smoothly. His core team and business partners play crucial roles in this setup.

Core Team Structure: Derek coordinates with high-level C-suite executives and specialized teams to handle distinct aspects of each business. While he focuses on marketing, content creation, and product formulation, his partners manage other essential operations.

Business Partners: He collaborates closely with Chris, his partner at Gorilla Mind, who takes care of fulfillment, warehouse management, and legal affairs from their Idaho-based headquarters. Chris also assists in vetting C-suite executives, ensuring competent leadership across divisions.

Division of Responsibilities: In addition to Gorilla Mind, Marek Health benefits from another partner who handles the intricate aspects of medical licensing and compliance. This division of labor allows Derek to concentrate on marketing and influencer collaborations.

A Coordinated Effort: Each business employs 50 to 100 people, with internal sub-teams specializing in areas like retail, supply chain, and financial oversight. This organizational structure enables Derek to maintain high-quality standards while scaling operations.

Derek's strategic delegation of tasks and his capability to leverage specialized partners and teams make managing multiple businesses both efficient and effective.

What is Derek's investment strategy?

Derek's investment strategy is multifaceted, incorporating lessons learned from past experiences and a cautious approach to managing his wealth. Initially, he utilized wealth management services from big banks but soon discovered inefficiencies. These managers often underperformed compared to a basic index fund, yet charged substantial management fees. Consequently, he decided to liquidate these holdings and take a more hands-on approach.

Key Elements of Derek's Investment Strategy

1. Avoiding Wealth Management Firms:

   • Realized that many wealth management firms charge high fees despite underperforming.
   • Liquidated these investments to prevent further losses.

2. Angel Investing:

   • Participates in angel investments, though sparingly.
   • Some notable investments include companies like Media Kits, founded by Kieran, a mutual connection.

3. Current Assets:

   • Currently, Derek has a large portion of his assets in cash.
   • Also holds a significant amount of cryptocurrency, though it's not his primary focus.

Future Plans

Derek is continuously educating himself on better ways to optimize his wealth. Given the complex tax planning requirements in Canada, he's cautious about diving into intricate investment vehicles without a full understanding. This approach ensures that even if opportunities arise, he's prepared to make informed decisions.

For more insights on financial strategies and risk management, you might find the article on Jason Fried's financial strategies interesting.

How does Derek source his food?

Derek prioritizes high-quality food to support his fitness and health goals. His approach to sourcing food involves a combination of local butchers and premium grocery stores.

• Local Butchers:

  • Purchases bison and liver from local butchers
  • Prefers bison for its lean, nutrient-dense properties despite its higher cost
  • Finds this approach ensures fresher and more trustworthy meat sources

• Premium Grocery Stores:

  • Buys most other food products from high-end grocery stores
  • Aims for the best available quality, considering the limitations in Canada on food sourcing
  • Considers the nutritional value and quality over cost when selecting items

Derek's commitment to sourcing the best foods reflects his dedication to maintaining peak physical health and fitness.