Today we’d like to introduce you to Malcolm Egun.
Hi Malcolm, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Being the product of two African immigrants from war-stricken countries (Liberia and Nigeria), I quickly understood the power of self-preservation at a very young age. With my parents escaping the mass genocide faced during those tumultuous times, I was fortunate enough to become a first-generation African residing in New Jersey, USA. As a child growing up in Newark, my education became my first hustle.
The city of Newark had its own challenges with crime and poverty, however I didn’t let that stop me. I managed to ignore the streets, equipped with a “scholar vision” that led me to winning a first-year scholarship to attend Penn State University. After graduating in 2011, I worked at prestigious corporations in industries such as Advertising, Tech and Finance (Wall Street). Throughout my young career, I was fortunate enough to rub elbows with renowned industry leaders. Having a strong passion for leveraging relationships, I was able to successfully network my way to the top. My approach was simply grounded with the ability to relate in diverse worlds (urban & suburban), thus further narrowing the “Achievement Gap” present in corporation America. Today, my current focus is drawn on creating careers for kids like me with dreams and aspirations to one day run their own corporations. I want to really show them that it can be done. From the raising of venture capital all the way to launching an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. And when it’s all said and done, I want to become a check-writer. I want to ensure that funding is received in the actual palms of minority founders who also utilized their “scholar vision” to escape the harsh realities of inner-city living.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was definitely not a linear road! Tons of detours, setbacks and zigzags. I went through many frustrations dealing with naysayers, doubters, and pessimists with an agenda to steer me off of my path. I’ve been scammed by job for hire contractors and consultants. I’ve had my dev team quit on me in the middle of production and even had my wife write me a letter pleading to pause my business and get a salaried job. Through it all, I’ve learned that success is logarithmic and exponential, meaning it requires a maximum level of effort for a long period of time before results start to kick in. The average timeline is ten years. I’m in year 4. Many people cannot stomach this delayed period of gratification.
We’ve been impressed with FROGSHOP, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are an eCommerce holdings company (portfolio of eCommerce stores) for fitness brands. We solicit fitness brands in diverse, niche categories to sell directly through us, helping them reach core audiences online. With our expertise in API integrations, we transform brick-and-mortar storefronts into eCommerce websites, fully automated and seamless in marketing. We utilize sales channels in all arenas online in order to enhance the distribution of listed products. To date, we have worked with over ten gym brands, currently partner with over 30 fitness suppliers, and have over 100+ fitness influencers in our online ecosystem.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, I see fitness eCommerce becoming the standard for product sales across the entire industry. The old days of shopping for physical fitness goods in store has become obsolete, where social engagement has overpowered the experiences of interpersonal interaction. Simply put, people prefer to engage online and spend their dollars by following the “influences” of social media experts (i.e., fitness influencers). And with eCommerce heading into a Trillion dollar industry in the next 10+ years, this consumer behavior must be met with adaptation from merchants in this space or else they will be left behind.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.frogshopfitness.com
- Instagram: @frogshop_io
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FROGSHOPTechnology/
- Twitter: @frogshop_io
- Other: https://www.frogshop.net
Image Credits:
BodyFly Fitness, Inc. York Barbell USA, Ltd. Powerhandz Rogue Fitness
