260: B'ing Unique with Ben Clark of B-Unlimited

The Startup Junkies Podcast

Welcome to The Startup Junkie’s Podcast!

Ben Clark, CEO of B-Unlimited, joins our hosts, Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley, and Davis McEntire, to discuss how he created a people company that just so happens to sell t-shirts. Ben breaks down how making a bought-in team, along with well-curated values and a striving for excellence, has scaled this t-shirt company into an entire culture. From building trust and rapport with competitors, helping other struggling businesses during COVID, to the impact of technology, to even the NCAA licensing fiasco, we dive into just about everything!

Thanks for tuning in!

Shownotes:

(1:07) Introducing Ben Clark of B-Unlimited

(5:19) Big News for B

(8:19) Reaching Out To Competitors

(10:08) COVID and Uncertainty of University & Greek Life Retail

(12:02) Building Brand Loyalty

(16:01) Transitional Leadership

(26:22) Culture Creation and Talent Acquisition

(28:39) Science, Technology, and Earth Friendly Initiatives

(37:15) Impact of New NCAA Protocol

(44:27) 5 Years From Now

(44:27) Wrap Up

Links:

Jeff Amerine

Caleb Talley

Davis McEntire

Ben Clark

B-Unlimited

Quotes:

"Through COVID it really has caused me to reach out to all my competitors, which has been something really different than the past… I've just been able to talk to them and just kind of talk through what we're doing. It was good to know that you had someone there, even though they were competitor... that could help you and pick up the pieces." (8:19) - Ben Clark

From seeing another business fail, [it] actually helped me understand that I needed to make [us succeed]... and it's really more about systems, procedures, and automation." (16:45) - Ben Clark

"Our ethos is: be unique, be yourself, be unlimited and that's on our wall... we don't care how big we get. Culture costs money, it's an investment." (24:39) - Ben Clark

"You've got to find a community to help you navigate… Seek out good mentors and advice." (45:23) - Ben Clark

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