Right About Now - Legendary Business Advice - Diversify to Maximize Opportunities with Chris Hansen - a Think Billions Experience Guest

Episode Date: November 15, 2022

In today’s episode, The Radcast is on the road at “The Castle” in Palm Desert California, the home of Billion Dollar Brand builder Howard Panes as part of the Think Billions Experience series.Ryan welcomes Chris Hansen, the Founder of Takeavaycay.com and Chief Marketing Officer of the Genesis Reference Laboratories to The Radcast show. Ryan talks with Chris about his amazing journey in creating his big break in starting diverse businesses and how he’s helped make people feel good and look great, and by leveraging  a big opportunity from the pandemic.Key points from this episode: Chris and his partners took a chance and bought a bankrupted lab in Tampa and it paid off big. (01:50) He has been working to diversify his business ventures by adding new fields of expertise. He branched into CBD wellness space and built Takeavaycay.com - an online resource for physicians looking at alternative medicines other than medication or surgery. In addition, he built a medical aesthetics studio called The Refinery in Florida. He also built a boating business, and an animal cremation business and ashes turned into lab grown diamonds. Lastly, a Jewelry line. (04:01) Chris shares his reasons and strategies behind going wide first instead of going deep in building new companies one after the other successfully. (11:30) Chris shares his biggest learning in his entrepreneurial journey. (15:50) And more… This episode is packed with great advice and we know you will get a ton of value from the Think Billions Experience Guest lineup. The Think Billions Experience was developed by Howard Panes who assembled a group of the most notable multi-million and billion-dollar brand builders in the business, making the Think Billions Experience one of the highest net worth events of 2022. Learn more about future events at https://events.thinkbillions.com/ or follow Howard on Instagram - https://instagram.com/howardpanesTo keep up with Chris, follow him on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-hansen-00242682/ or Instagram - https://instagram.com/chrisbrobyhansenIf you enjoyed this episode of The Radcast, Like, Share, and leave us a review! If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, join Ryan’s newsletter https://ryanalford.com/newsletter/ to get Ferrari level advice daily for FREE.  Learn how to build a 7 figure business from your personal brand by signing up for a FREE introduction to personal branding https://ryanalford.com/personalbranding.  Learn more by visiting our website at www.ryanisright.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel  www.youtube.com/@RightAboutNowwithRyanAlford. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The hardest part of the ending is starting again. You're listening to the Radcast. If it's radical, we cover it. Here's your host, Ryan Alford. Hey guys, what's up? Welcome to the latest edition of the Radcast. We're still here at the Think Billions event. My man Chris Hansen's joining me.

Serial entrepreneur. He's a pretty fucking good dude, if you ask me. Good to have you, Chris. Appreciate that. Thanks for having me, Ryan. Yeah, man. It's fun. This setting, man, and I keep telling this for people when we're talking on this show here at this event,

you got to watch this episode. Sometimes, you know, you can get away with just listening, but you got to see this background. No, it's unbelievable. Your show's great normally, but this is a whole other energy and vibe we're putting out today. I know. I can't recreate this vibe in the studio. No, no. But I look forward to chop it up with you.

Thanks, shout out to Howie P for throwing a great bet here at $8. Howie P. Yeah, unbelievable castle. He wasn't kidding, was he? Oh, no. I feel like I'm in Morocco right now. I know. And I like it.

Yes, I get used to this. Get a little spoiled. But Chris, man, I know you got your hands in a ton of things. I always like to highlight interesting people here on the show and talk about entrepreneurial journeys. Absolutely. There's a lot of interest out there in that. And I know our audience digs hearing people's stories and how they got started and got your hands in so many things. I know we've got some, you're watching any of the videos,

we've got some samples on the table, we'll get to that. But Chris, it's just, I know we could talk like anyone about, for an hour, probably about somebody's background. Let's give everybody the Clif's Notes version of your background. Yeah, so I live in Tampa, you know, where my main business is located down in Florida. I've got a medical testing laboratory. It's called Genesis Reference Labs.

So me and my partners, You know, we all met as sales guys for a real big corporate medical company out in Houston, actually. And, you know, we always had that itch to kind of break off on our own. So in 2018, we had, you know, put some money to the side, started saving together. And we bought a lab out of bankruptcy in 2018 down in Orlando. Obviously, we didn't know COVID was going to happen. You know, the world was shocked just as we were. really good for us.

We were, you know, scaling, growing, building our business, you know, doing what we could do. And then COVID hit. And we really went all in on that. It was really make or break for us. But we just said, this is it. Let's throw everything we got at it. We're either going to blow it up or bust it out. Go big or go home.

Go bigger, go home, man. Yeah. So we went all in on it. And it was really good for us. You know, we were happy that we were. We could help in that time, obviously. But it was wild, but it was a journey. It was long days, long nights, you know, making international phone calls,

out of hours the day, trying to get supplies. It was just, it was chaotic. But that was really our big come-up, you know. Like I said, we had pushed years before that. We'd been in the business. But we caught our big break. You know, we've been together about eight years now. So it was grateful.

us. So after that, you know, we've got a great executive team, great management team. We really scaled the business. You know, we started with seven employees. We've got 127 employees now. Solid team, good people, hardworking people. How many locations? So we've got three locations. We have a lab. The main labs in Orlando. We've got one in Texas, and we've got one in Colorado. Okay. So, you know, we got the right team in place, which kind of freed up my schedule. My partners, you know let me off my leash per se yeah and uh they said let's let's go diversifying it some other things and i've always been you know kind of curious always looking for the next big thing so we

branched out into uh you know we just opened a medical aesthetic studio down in clearwater florida called the refinery so anyone down in clear water get your botox or some laser treatments come on down nice um and then we branched into the CBD uh wellness space so we've got this company vacay. vacay.usa on Instagram. You can find us. TakeaVay.com. Take a vacay.com?

Yep. I like it. V-A-Y-C-A-Y. Okay. And the vision behind that was, you know, we work with physicians all over the country. CBD obviously gained a lot of popularity, but there was still a lot of doctors not really educated on it

or unsure about it. So I saw it as an opportunity to kind of educate our doctors, give them something else they can, you know, provide their patients within the practice. Also, an emerging industry where I really wanted to try to bring like a whole wellness supplement line into it with incorporating, you know, natural herbs, asherganda, lemon balm, camomile. We're not just focused on the cannabinoids. You know, I think there's a future and alternative, right, medicine, holistic. I think people are a lot more open to that now.

And then we also are in the boating business. So we run boat charters. I mean, we're covering the gambit here, brother. Hey, you are the serial entrepreneur. We're trying to, got to be diversified now. Yeah, you are, man. All right. So down in Sarasota.

Sarasota. And Annemarie Island. So anyone down there? I've never spent a nice area. Oh, beautiful. CST Key? You ever heard of it? Yeah, I've heard of that.

I've never been, you know. Beautiful. It's been rated number one beach years, years, years. The sand looks like flower. It's beautiful. I'll look for the end by that. I know. I know Greenville's pretty, but, you know.

We don't have any white sand. No, you got the lake life. Come on down. Yeah, yeah. I'll show the boat down. Get some sun and salt. You're welcome any time, dude. Come on down.

So we run, you know, day charters, fishing charters, stuff like that. you know that's it's a cool business you know great perk of it obviously go out on your boats and then the newest thing that we we branched into is actually the animal cremation business real curveball there so you know my partner's approached me that and I was like sure guys it's a little weird because we're all dog lovers you know but you know there's a need there for that so really Our goal there was to try to make a little bit more humane. So we've got the crematory. And then we also have a plot of land

where you can, you know, we'll plant a tree in memory of your animal. Nice. And then we're incorporating that into a dog park. So you can, you know, go, you know, pay your respects to maybe your old furry friend and bring your new pup out for a play date, whatnot. So riding off the crematory,

we got into the lab ground diamond space, which, so that company is MyLegacyDiamonds.com. We just launched that. And the concept there is we can take, you know, the ashes of your animal or even loved one and infuse that into a lab-grown diamond. So, love it. Yeah, man, it's wild.

We can even take the hair of your kid or your grandmother. There doesn't need to be death involved. It can be a living memorial diamond. Yeah. It's all doom and gloom over here, you know. Diamonds are forever. The heavens are forever. That's what I say.

I go, you know what? Your DNA is in that stone. If Earth disappears tomorrow, you'll be floating in space and you still exist somewhere out there. Your DNA is still floating around. So that's been going real well. You know, it's definitely a niche business. It's something different. Typically the response I get from people is a little bit of, you know, shock.

But they're like, you know what? I got my dog's ass. ashes on my house. I don't do that. Yeah. So yeah, man. And now we're branching into, we've got a jewelry line we're coming out with it called Diabri diamonds. And that's

going to be your standard, you know, engagement rings, tennis bracelets. And really the goal there is, you know, the diamond business has been, you know, very controlled. Yeah. You call it a monopoly. Yeah. For a long, long time. Dirty even. Very dirty

business. You know, if you've never seen it, I recommend everyone watch blood diamonds. the irony of clarity with diamonds and how dirty the industry is. Yeah, it's an industry that it needed to be shaken up a bit, and that's what we're trying to do. I think nowadays people are a lot more conscious with their purchasing and the type of things that they're going to invest their money in and they believe in.

So, you know, if we can provide an equal or superior product that you can feel good about, you know, a lab grown diamond, you've got none of the environmental impact of the mining which is horrible for the earth you have none of this unfortunately child slavery that goes on from the mining of these diamonds where you know the people that are doing the most work to benefit off these um excuse me doing the most work are not benefiting off of it you know they're living in poverty barely barely getting by so you know if we can do something that that makes people feel good look good it's a win-win and obviously the price point to is a lot more appealing.

It's about a third of the price of a natural earth diamond, but if you look at it on a molecular level, there's no difference. Yeah. Is, what are the, they have names.

They don't have like different names for those kind of manufactured diamonds, or they just branded names? Like, are they like, someone's coming up with brand names for different ones, but I think I've heard of a couple of and I can't recall what they're called,

you know. So there are some large companies. Okay. You know, that sell. And honestly, but it's not, so there's not, A manufactured diamond is just called a manufactured diamond.

Right. Or lab grown. There's no universal name for it other than how it's made. No. Yeah. No. I wish there was. Yeah.

Well, hey, that's what we need to work on. I know we're going to talk about. Yeah, yeah. You're my marketing guy here, right? I believe me, I want something sexier than lab grown. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I think I was wishful thinking. Like I was trying to manifest that someone had done this because I think we got to do it.

I think you're on point, which proves that we need something else because it's not sexy. It's not doing justice to it. It kind of, it sounds interesting, but it kind of cheapens it a little bit. Unnecessarily. I agree. When everything you described that's so true with the mindset today with sustainability and wanting to do right and like all that's right, Labgrown. No.

You call it a conflict-free, conflict-free diamond. Yes. conscious diamond, you know. Oh, we're, we'll get there. Yeah, we'll get there. We'll get the juices for it. So, okay, I want to give some value

to like people listening. You guys are obviously, and I think I know, I think I know the answer because we've talked about it, but for our audience, you're going wide with the, with the,

instead of like, deep on one or two things, I mean, you guys, in theory, because I imagine, you could have gone deeper on one or two of the things you named.

But y'all are starting new ones on top of new ones when you obviously are being successful in each one of those. But what's the strategy there? We're big believers in diversification. You know, I think times are different than they used to be. I think growing up, you're told you get a 401K, you get a good safe corporate job with a big name company. And I think maybe for, you know, my parents' generation that worked. but I don't think that that going forward is going to get you the life that most people want. You know, so I think, and I also look at, you know, I remember 2008 in seeing my own, you know,

my parents are business owners, they're in the furniture business, and I saw 2008 in the real estate crash and how it affected their business. And I think that really instilled in me, you know, I remember, you know, my mom cutting coupons and whatnot. You know, it's not like I ever starved or anything like that, but I saw the emotional distress. And that, I think, just really impacted me where I don't ever want to be in this position. I don't ever want to have to rely on other people to a degree. But also, you know, I want businesses that, regardless if we're in a booming economy or a bust economy,

some are bringing in cash flow, you know, which is why I always loved medicine. I wanted to be a doctor. Chemistry, I didn't speak that language. So, you know, quickly we did myself out of that process. And, you know, the next best thing was, all right, well, I'll be in medical sales. So, you know, luckily, you know, met a great mentor who gave me a shot with his lab that I worked for at the time. And I always knew medicine, you know, it was hammered into me.

I feel like when I was young, you know, doctor or lawyer. People are always going to get divorced. They're always needing to see a doctor. So I always knew healthcare was a solid choice. You know, and with our success, you know, you get afforded the ability to to kind of pursue the things that you're passionate about and you want to do. So, you know, growing up in Florida, my partners and I were always on the water, wakeboarding, fishing, surfing, whatever it might be.

So, you know, when the opportunity kind of presented itself, you know, with the boating business, you know, it was a no-brainer. We knew that we all love this. so inevitably it's going to work. You know, we're passionate about this. It's part of our lifestyle. So, you know, however, you know, I get that that's going to be up and down. Yep.

You know, that is not an economy-safe business. Right. But when it's booming, it's booming. Yeah. And I, you know, I know you're a boat owner yourself. What were talking about earlier? What was the acronym you used for a boat? Oh, yeah.

Break out another thousand. Yeah, yeah, no doubt. It's not the cost of the boat. Kind of like Howie P's house here. Right. It's expensive purchase. Yeah. But it's the maintenance. The gift that keeps on giving.

Yeah, it keeps on giving. So, you know, but yeah, man, I think it's also just having a wide interest. I'm curious. I like to learn. You know, I certainly didn't ever think I'd be in the diamond business, if you would ask me two years ago. But I see that that is that not only is that something I'm intrigued by and obviously there's massive value. but that was something I really did see. Like, this is an industry that hasn't been shaken up.

Like, this needs a change. And I think, you know, we're at a point in time where people are ready to receive that change. People are open to it. So some of it is just timing, you know, and just culture where, you know, you kind of just sit back and watch and observe and you can kind of see where, at least I do this,

you see little snapshots of where things, are going if you're really paying attention and observant to it uh talk what's the hardest part about being an entrepreneur for you like what what's give us let's give some value again like you know i'm sure i mean you know we're both entrepreneurs i mean we could you know everybody takes their lashes but like what's either like the biggest thing you've learned like the overarching that surprised you or you know this uh what comes to mind that's a great question that's a great question I mean, like, is it, I mean, are you, do you struggle with looking back, or are you always focus forward?

I'm pretty forward thinking. Yeah. Seems that way. I mean, obviously, you know, like you said, you take a few licks along the way. Yeah. There's certain things that, no matter how much you study, prepare for, you know, shit's can happen. Yeah.

You're going to take some hits. So I think the ability to be flexible and not. let that break you. It's really, it's a, it's a battle with yourself. Obviously, I've got a great team. You know, my partners and I were, we're like brothers. You know, they're my best friends and my partners. I trust them.

And we're all different. We each have our own different genius, you know? Yeah. If it comes to bookkeeping and finance, I'm not your guy. If it comes to ops and having to kind of lay down the law, not really my thing either, you know? Yeah. Um, so we've got a good balance, but I think the hardest part is balance in general of life,

you know, taking time to still take a step back, enjoy life. It's easy to say, oh, I'll go on a vacation or something. I'll keep putting it off. Like, it's really difficult when you're in it. You're so driven to get to your goal. And everyone says, don't be in a rush to get to the finish line. Enjoy the journey. Yeah.

And I'm now looking back on. you know our different projects it was the most fun and when you're in the trenches man yeah like when you look back at that it's just like dude how the hell that we get here well you know it's but that's the beauty of it you know it's um that's what keeps you going to those moments when you look back and you're like damn dude like how do we make that happen we push to do this so um but it's just finding that balance in life you know at times staying motivated um but you just keep trucking, you know, and I'm a firm believer that things work out how they should, you know, God has been good to me as long as I keep pushing and putting the action and doing

the right thing. It's like, no matter what trials, tribulations, I look back, I've always made it through. So I remind myself that all the time. Yeah. I don't think people reflect on that enough, you know, like the blessing of getting on the other side of things. And like, you know, like, It's not that we take it for granted, not everyone takes it for granted, but I don't know that we get still in the moment and like appreciate it. You're right. And it's a terrible thing that we don't do that more. Man, I agree 100%.

And I feel like, because I, you know, I go through ups and downs all the time, you know. And, you know, it's actually I've gotten more into, you know, meditation and really trying to do other things. Lately I've been big on these Nordic sanas, the ice. plunges and the sauna stuff, just trying to kind of settle my mind, look for, look for clarity, look for the answers within instead of constantly asking opinions. Like most times if you sit and let yourself just kind of process, solutions will come to or at least some clarity. Yes.

And I'm a big believer in my gut, my intuition. But I've got to be tapped in to really trust that. I've got to take a step back. But when I, those moments I'm stressing, I got to remind myself. And it was actually even a couple weeks ago. And I don't even know what I was stressed about, right? Like you said. And when you're in it, you're like, oh, God, man.

And then. Charged up. And you know, you know, I'm good. But you don't take the time to think, well, I was feeling like this. And now I'm fine. And then when that next situation happens, you don't think, well, I'm going through that one. So I'll be good on this.

So it's a work. It's really a mental battle more than anything. anything. Yeah. As we close out here, Chris, there's this spirit about you that's just really calming and very, is that nature or nurtured? Have you always been that way or have you become this way? Because there's just kind of this really good spirit about you.

You know, like that's the energy. I appreciate that. Yeah. It's like, just like, I don't know. I want to say it's always been there, but I didn't realize it. Yeah. You know, obviously looking back, I remember, like, in the seventh grade, my teacher picked me to go to some leadership camp.

And it was things like that that in the time, like, oh, cool, going to this thing, whatever, go hang out the guys. But I look, when I really think back, I'm like, all right, it seems to me that there was things people noticed in me before I noticed in myself. Yeah. But I'm a firm believer in energy and positivity. And it's funny you say that because it's, It really, I, you know, when I was working corporate, it's, you don't get that feedback.

People, people are, you know, when they're coaching you, they're going by a guideline almost. It's less feel, it's structured. Like, this is how we train our people. But I've realized the more I've interacted with more entrepreneurs, you know, that's important. People pick up on that. And I think when you get to the point where you can choose who you want to work with, that's huge. I believe in that, too. is I, if I have a good energy from you or a good vibe, I love that.

Yeah. That to me is something deeper that can't be explained, and that tells me, all right, this person is someone that I want to continue to, I'm interested. I want to learn more about. Yeah, I talk to a lot of people, and I don't say that to every person. I appreciate that, man. It's definitely one of your strengths. Thank you.

Cool, man, Chris, everybody to keep up with you as we close out here. I know you mentioned a couple, but let's plug all of it. Yeah. You know, Genesis Reference Labs is the medical lab. So if you're a doctor or, you know, looking for some good lab testing, look us up. vacay.usa, takea vacay.com. Go get yourself some sleep gummies, some Delta 8, CVG gummies. And be on the lookout in the next couple months for Diabri Diamonds. If you need an engaging ring for your girl, we got you covered. There we go. Chris really enjoyed it. Look forward to getting notes. you better and making some hay with some diamonds.

Absolutely. Hey guys, you know where to find me. I'm at Ryan Offering on all the platforms. You can find us at the radcast.com. Search for Chris Hansen. You'll find all the highlight clips from today from beautiful Palm Desert. We'll see you next time, the Radcast.