Hi, I'm Florian and This is My Story!👋🏼
My Journey to Online Entrepreneurship
Judging by my website’s name, you’ve likely guessed that I’m Florian (yes, I pride myself on my inventive naming skills). I’m originally from Germany, and currently, I call the vibrant city of Hamburg in the northern part of the country my home. Though I’ve planted roots here since 2020, I’ve been quite the globetrotter.
Back in 2009, my journey took me to the US for 3 years, and then in 2013, whisked me away to Dubai for another 7 years. And for those map enthusiasts among you, Dubai’s nestled in the United Arab Emirates. More adventures to share as we go along!
What Brough Me Around the World?
At the age of 21, I packed my bags and left Germany for the United States, lured by the promise of a full-ride basketball scholarship at a small school in Ohio. Basketball wasn’t just a game to me—it was my entire world, with dreams of going pro dancing in my eyes.
Standing at 6’4″, I wasn’t exactly the towering presence often associated with basketball stars, but I held my own. There I was, immersed in the thrilling life of a collegiate student-athlete, inching ever closer to my dream of turning professional, at least it seemed like it.
Okay, But What Happened Then?
As my college years unfolded, it dawned on me that perhaps the professional level might remain just out of my grasp. With my ‘all or nothing’ mindset, the only professional league I had eyes for was the NBA.
My academic path was carved in exercise science, a testament to my unwavering passion for sports and peak performance. But as the possibility of joining the pro league started to wane, my intrigue pivoted. Fitness beckoned, with the allure of personal training growing stronger by the day.
From NBA Aspirations to Hollywood's Go-To Personal Trainer?
The allure was undeniable. The more I thought about it, the more the vision of becoming a celebrity personal trainer captivated me. And where better to chase this new dream than the epicenter of stardom—Hollywood? Fueled by this ambition, I knew it was time to journey westward to Los Angeles.
But first, a hurdle: I needed a release from my current scholarship to scout for a suitable institution in California. While the task seemed daunting, my confidence never wavered. I was determined to complete my degree in LA, all the while laying the foundation for my reputation as a top-notch personal trainer.
The Burst of my American Dream
The summer of 2009 found me back in Germany, fervently hunting for a new scholarship and reaching out to potential coaches. But as the days of July dwindled, a looming realization hit: returning to the US might remain an elusive dream if I couldn’t secure a scholarship soon.
Broadening my horizons, I expanded my search to schools across various states, yet fortune seemed intangible. No institution was ready to offer me a full ride—covering all expenses. Despite this setback, my determination to pursue a career as a personal trainer remained unshaken. My journey continued as I sought other avenues to realize my ambition.
No Scholarships, Limited Options, Yet Unyielding Hope
Without a pathway back to the US, the urgency to secure employment took center stage. I navigated through a medley of summer stints: from event gigs at weddings to retail shifts at a men’s clothing store, even taking up duties washing dishes at a rooftop bar.
However, the drive to align work with my personal training aspirations was paramount. Fortune smiled a few weeks later when an opportunity arose at a boutique gym studio situated in south-west Germany, just an hour from Stuttgart. With two suitcases and a heart full of hope, I relocated and embraced a fresh start.
Dedication Around the Clock: From Sunrise to Sunset
Being one of the pioneer employees at the newly inaugurated gym translated to clocking in relentless hours, with weekends being no exception. But my passion for the job dulled the exhaustion. Excellence in my work didn’t go unnoticed; gym-goers soon began approaching me for private personal training sessions.
The vision of becoming the personal trainer I aspired to be was gradually crystallizing. In just a year, a singular client multiplied to seven. The income from these personal training sessions dwarfed my gym earnings—bringing in 10-12 times more. The momentum was palpable. Satisfied clients turned into my best promoters, continuously expanding my clientele through word-of-mouth referrals.
A Thriving Business, yet an Unsettled Heart
Even as my personal training venture in Germany flourished, there was a restlessness within. The allure of Hollywood and the ambition to become a celebrity trainer there never faded. One day, while driving back from a training seminar in Munich, I poured out my yearnings to my dad over the phone. His advice? Consider the Middle East, more precisely Dubai.
Intrigued, I searched on Google for “Dubai” the moment I reached home, and the allure was immediate. Eager to explore this new horizon, I got accepted to a personal trainer position at one of Dubai’s most luxurious hotels. To the surprise of many, I handed over my thriving clientele to a follow PT, packed my bags, and in 2013, I touched down in the United Arab Emirates, ready to build anew.
From Humble Beginnings to Palatial Heights
Dubai greeted me with more grit than glitter. My initial residence was a modest apartment nestled in an industrial and low quality district, where I waged a nightly battle against cockroach invasions. But the gym bore witness to my relentless determination, and it wasn’t long before my dedication bore fruit.
Within months, my schedule was packed, with over 20 clients relying on my expertise. A golden opportunity soon knocked: an invitation to train individuals at the majestic royal palace in Zabeel 2. This led to a coveted full-time position within its hallowed halls. As I marveled at the trajectory, I realized I was in an echelon possibly surpassing even Hollywood’s glitziest (Sorry, Leo and Kim!)
From pinching pennies, I transitioned to a world of opulence unimaginable to my past self. My new abode? None other than Dubai’s posh Downtown district, with a view of the iconic Burj Khalifa gracing my window.
The Game-Changing Book that Transformed my Life (and Business)
In 2015, amidst my thriving career, a book tumbled into my life that would recalibrate my entire perspective: Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad Poor Dad.” While I reveled in my success as a sought-after personal trainer in Dubai, the book illuminated a significant insight.
Despite my earnings, I was essentially tethered to the age-old paradigm of trading time for money. With a finite 24 hours each day and an upper limit to what I could charge per hour, I hit a ceiling on my earning potential. The epiphany was clear: I needed to scale beyond myself. Thus, my solo personal training venture evolved into an expansive agency.
While I spearheaded marketing and client acquisition, I onboarded a team of talented trainers to deliver the sessions. This new model enabled me to leverage multiple hours simultaneously. Rather than earnings from a single session, I was now multiplying my income, thanks to my team’s collective efforts.
How I Stumbled Into E-Commerce
After a workout session with a client one day, my fingers idly scrolled through my Instagram feed when a particular video caught my attention—a guy selling products via Amazon. Prior to this, the realm of online monetization was an enigma to me, albeit one that piqued my curiosity. Intrigued, I delved deeper, immersing myself in research.
The more I learned, the clearer it became: the boundless scalability of an online enterprise beckoned. Despite my lack of experience in this digital domain, I couldn’t resist the pull. And so, as 2018 drew to a close, I stared my first Amazon FBA online business.
Then Corona Killed my Personal Training Business
2020 ushered in the unanticipated: the onslaught of the Corona pandemic. Almost overnight, Dubai’s bustling life came to an abrupt halt. With training sessions and in-person activities becoming untenable, the once-prosperous revenue from my PT business plummeted to a stark zero.
However, as the world grappled with the pandemic, the e-commerce sector experienced an unparalleled surge. Recognizing the tides of change, I felt a renewed fervor to delve deep into the digital realm. From e-commerce to SEO, from affiliate marketing to every nuance of online business, my thirst for knowledge grew boundless.
Seizing the moment, I relocated to Germany later that year, aligning myself with a startup immersed in the Amazon ecosystem. It was a conscious step towards understanding the intricacies of this burgeoning industry.
Why I Started this Blog?
After my return to Germany, I immersed myself in the dynamic world of Amazon. Juggling roles as a consultant for multiple firms and orchestrating the challenges of my own Amazon FBA enterprise, the years have been a whirlwind of learning and growth.
By 2023, my personal Amazon brand celebrated a milestone: a staggering $1.3 million in revenue up until this point. But beyond these numbers lies a deeper purpose. This blog is not just a testament to my journey but a beacon for others seeking to navigate the digital waters. Whether you’re ensnared in the monotony of a 9-5 grind, yearning for freedom, or simply looking to supplement your income through a profitable online venture, my aim is to light your path.
My aspiration is twofold: to inspire and to equip. By sharing both my successes and mistakes, I want this platform to be the guide I once wished for when I embarked on my own digital odyssey.