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What happens when a lifelong passion collides with entrepreneurial drive? Faris, founder of the world's first swimming app for Apple Watch, takes us on his remarkable journey from childhood pool sessions to building a seven-figure business centered around his love for swimming.
Born to Syrian immigrants in America, Faris found freedom and control in the water from an early age. "I love the feeling of being weightless in the water and completely separated from the world," he explains. "You can't take your phone with you, no one can bother you, and you're just alone." This sanctuary became the foundation for both his athletic pursuits and eventual business venture.
The entrepreneurial path wasn't without significant challenges. Faris candidly shares his biggest regret—waiting a full year before implementing a subscription model: "We went a full year not making any money." This hard-learned lesson shaped his advice for aspiring founders: focus on profitability from day one. The COVID pandemic dealt another devastating blow when pools worldwide closed, threatening his swimming-centered business with extinction. Through perseverance and adaptation, he maintained his team despite burning through substantial resources, proving that "startups only die when founders give up."
Beyond business strategy, Faris offers profound insights on avoiding burnout, maintaining authenticity while building a personal brand, and the power of complementary partnerships. Despite struggling with reading as a child, he's published multiple successful books on swimming, including his latest, "How Not to Drown"—addressing the shocking reality that one in two people worldwide cannot swim. His story reminds us that our greatest challenges often reveal our most meaningful opportunities for impact.
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