We were lucky to catch up with Jean Fallacara recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jean, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?
The most fatal illusion is the settled point of view!
The story you are about to read explains how we spooked a giant: what schools won’t tell you about business strategy, reactivity, and the capacity to evolve quickly.
Our story starts in September 2014 with the launch of the Twincore a Ultra Low Temperature freezer designed for conservation of samples and biological specimens at -86C
With this, I like to say that we have reshaped the technology of the past to make better products. Some people would go so far as to say that we revolutionized the life Science industry. Let’s be humble, we are just moving forward; our industry is moving towards technologies, so should we.
At its launch, the Twincore Technology gained a lot of attention, especially from laboratory equipment distributors.
One of these was the leader in the domain, and, eventually after efforts and discussions, we came to a distribution agreement with them almost a year later.
Trainings, setup, meetings… the whole enchilada. They were all very enthusiastic about this new venture that was rolling along better than we had even planned.
Until…
A month later, driving my car,I received a call, thinking it was for my birthday but I was wrong. It was ”Doug,” the president of the Leading company, explaining to me how he had to let us go, or else they would not get the exclusive rights to distribute the major player in the Life Science Industry, a well-known Multi Billion dollars Japanese Manufacturer who pressured them to choose.. A small startup company or them, a giant corporation with facilities all over the world and hundreds of thousands of employees.
At this same time, as usual for big corporations, this major player severed ties with five of its independent representative groups. Some of these reps had worked for them for over 20 years!
At the time, the only thing crossing my mind was the shared feeling of rejection with these people that were kicked out in the same way we were.
I firmly believe that human relationships keep changing by the minute. Sometimes you have to let people go. This doesn’t mean it has to be the wrong way. You can keep a relationship and actually add some value to it.
No coincidence, since we live in a small world, Andy P, Vice President at the largest Cryoscience equipment manufacturer in the US called, the same day and asked me, ‘Jean, what are you going to do without them?'”
Sarcasm, or curiosity… doesn’t matter much, I replied, “First, I’m a positive thinker, and maybe this change is good news, but anyway, I would think about it over the weekend, having my favorite Siglo IV cigar and an amazing glass of Zacapa Centennial Rum with my wife.”
As Zig Ziglar says, sometimes you have to say ‘no’ to the good so you can say ‘yes’ to the best. In this case, I had no option, but I expected the ‘best’ to present itself at some point.
Sometimes in business, people will make you mad, disrespect you, and treat you badly. The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become.
A good business strategy does more than urge us forward toward a goal or vision; it also acknowledges the challenges we face and provides an approach to overcoming them.
I think that some companies, especially the ones where the Board of Directors is full of Wall Street players, say they have a strategy when they do not. Or instead, they have “bad strategy” because bad strategy ignores the power of choice and focus.
I think that business strategy is a way to pass through a difficulty, an approach to overcoming an obstacle, a response to a challenge. If the challenge is not defined, it is difficult or impossible to assess the quality of the strategy. And if you cannot assess the quality, you cannot reject a bad strategy or improve a good one.
My plan didn’t magically appear out of some strategic management tool. Instead, I just identified the critical issues in this considering not only MY situation but the one of the community around us.
The following Monday, I reached out to each of the Independent Reps that were dismissed and invited them to a conference call.
In less than a month, they became our greatest partners, opened up the doors to prestigious accounts and increased our company sales 127% the same year!
We like to think of this as a Victory. One made out of good business strategy, which almost always looks simple and obvious in retrospect.
You can wait for luck to send you opportunities, or you can make your own!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
A serial entrepreneur, scientist, motivational speaker, and maverick. That’s me in a nutshell.
Founder and mastermind behind Cyborggainz, the first Human Optimization arena in the world that incorporates functional neuroscience into sports and fitness. I was also the founder of Z-Sciences Corporation which was acquired by inTEST Corporation in 2021.
My book “Neuroscience Calisthenics: Hijack your Body Clock,” explores the fascinating connection between neuroscience and exercise.
A biotechnical engineer by training, still the owner and CEO of Biohacker’s Update Magazine, and holds several certifications in neuroscience, neuroplasticity, and neurobiology. I also recently graduated from MIT with a degree in VR-XR and A.I.
However, these accomplishments come second to what i considers my primary life purpose: making a positive impact in the world.
Like back in 2012, as an entrepreneur, I was trying to develop a lower cost Freezer with a particular technology- Money was the goal. But in June 2012, devastating news came to my attention; Harvard Medical lost 28 years of research on Autistic Brains after a failure of their Freezer and Millions of dollars. That was it! Forget the money! I shifted my mind and project and came up with a breakthrough technology name Twincore that guaranteed no other cold storage sample will ever be lost in scientific research.
I did not patent anything, came up with a higher cost, and got copied by a dozen manufacturers years later. And this is the beauty of free competition: If you don’t innovate, you’ll disappear!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Back in the 90’ with a warrior spirit, standing out with a shining example of resilience and unwavering determination I had a dream…. And a bit of money I made as a first to set up ISO9001 Quality system certification for a distribution company for France. Born in France, I always dreamt of making a name for in the business world. That was a great success, but it was not MY business.
With my heart full of ambition and my mind brimming with ideas, I decided to embark on an incredible journey to Canada.
Canada held endless possibilities for an entrepreneurial spirit.
I packed my bags, bid farewell to my loved ones, broke up with my Girlfriend, and set off on a courageous adventure across the Atlantic Ocean. Full of excitement and a touch of nervousness, I arrived in the land of maple syrup and breathtaking landscapes.
Just over 24, with a strong will and the desire to carve out my own path, I wasted no time in setting up my own business. Poured heart and soul into building a company from scratch, eager to make a mark. The early days were filled with sleepless nights, countless meetings, and relentless perseverance… and probably a lack of experience.
However, I faced each challenge head-on, fueled by a fire that burned brighter with every setback.
However, despite my best efforts, my business venture encountered unforeseen obstacles. Market conditions turned against us, and before I knew it, less than two years had passed, and I found myself facing bankruptcy. Lost everything, and could barely buy food or pay rent.
It was a crushing blow, a painful setback that would have broken the spirit of many others. But not Jean Fallacara.
Resilience coursed through my veins, and I refused to let failure define me. Instead of giving up, I chose to learn from my mistakes, transforming adversity into a powerful catalyst for growth. With a determined spirit, I dusted myself off, took a deep breath, and began crafting a new chapter in my entrepreneurial journey.
Armed with invaluable experience, but no fundings, I launched a new company.
I applied the lessons I had learned, combining them with some unwavering optimism and sheer determination.
Day by day, knocking at doors to find funding, and facing refusals, I poured my heart into this new venture, navigating the highs and lows with unwavering resilience.
One sure thing, I truly believed in my vision and refused to let anything stand in my way.
As the months flew by, my family helped me with $50,000, and in less than a few weeks, my new company started gaining momentum. The seeds we had planted began to bear fruit, and success slowly but surely started to materialize.
Tireless efforts paid off, and in less than three years, I accomplished what many thought impossible. My company flourished, attracting attention from investors and industry leaders alike.
Finally, the day came when I stood at the pinnacle of my success.
The company was sold for a staggering figure, reaching mid-8 figures.
It was a triumphant moment, a testament to the resilience and unwavering belief in Yourself.
I just had proven that setbacks were merely stepping stones to something greater, and that failure was never permanent unless you allowed it to be.
Today, I have a reputation of a strong mind, and a symbol of resilience, an embodiment of the power of perseverance that transposed in sports performances and Life Optimization.
I strive to inspire countless aspiring entrepreneurs, reminding them that success is not measured by how many times you fall but by how many times you rise.
My journey from bankruptcy to multimillion-dollar success stands as a shining example that with the right mindset, unyielding determination, and an indomitable spirit, anything is possible.
Embrace resilience, harness the power of your dreams, and let your unwavering determination propel you to incredible heights. Remember, the greatest success stories often arise from the ashes of failure.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Once upon a time, in the vibrant world of social media, I, Jean Fallacara, a passionate young man, found myself driven by an insatiable curiosity for neuroscience and calisthenics. I believed that the fusion of these seemingly disparate fields could unlock remarkable insights and benefits for those seeking to enhance their physical and mental well-being. And so, I embarked on a journey to build an audience on Instagram and share my knowledge with the world. I created an Instagram account called @CyborgGainz, which became my platform for blending neuroscience and calisthenics. I was convinced that the human brain held the key to achieving extraordinary physical feats and that exercising the mind was just as vital as exercising the body. Filled with boundless enthusiasm, I set out to educate my followers about the captivating connection between these two disciplines.
Drawing on my deep understanding of neuroscience, I crafted engaging posts that delved into the neurological mechanisms behind calisthenics. I explained how specific exercises activated different regions of the brain, enhancing cognitive functions such as focus, memory, and coordination. My goal was to make complex concepts accessible to fitness enthusiasts and neuroscience novices alike, captivating a diverse audience.
What truly set me apart was my unwavering authenticity. I shared my personal journey of exploration, documenting my triumphs and tribulations. This vulnerability resonated with my followers, creating an authentic connection that transformed @CyborgGainz into a supportive community. People began sharing their own stories, experiences, and questions, fostering a collaborative atmosphere where learning thrived.
To enrich my audience’s understanding further, I collaborated with experts in both neuroscience and calisthenics. I featured interviews with neuroscientists, who explained the profound effects of exercise on the brain. Additionally, I showcased professional calisthenics athletes, who demonstrated advanced techniques and shared their training routines. These collaborations expanded the breadth of knowledge I could offer, establishing me as a credible source at the intersection of neuroscience and calisthenics.
My passion and dedication were infectious. My audience grew steadily as people eagerly awaited my next post, hungry to learn more about the power of neuroscience in enhancing their calisthenics practice. Each passing day, @CyborgGainz became a hub of inspiration and motivation, encouraging individuals to surpass their limits and embrace a holistic approach to fitness.
Recognizing the impact I was making, I organized meet-ups and workshops, where I could connect with my followers in person. These gatherings allowed me to forge deeper connections, witness firsthand the transformations my teachings had sparked, and provide personalized guidance to individuals on their journey toward unlocking their full potential.
Through my innovative fusion of neuroscience and calisthenics, I had built an incredible platform that empowered people to sculpt not only their bodies but also their minds. My unwavering dedication, genuine passion, and ability to simplify complex ideas earned me the trust and admiration of thousands. Together, my growing community and I continued to explore uncharted territory where science and fitness intertwined, forever changing the way people approached their physical and mental well-being.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jeanfallacara.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyborggainz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jean.fallacara
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanfallacara
- Twitter: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvdgGvL30oXRmenQFixeUHA
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvdgGvL30oXRmenQFixeUHA
- Other: My Book: https://www.amazon.com/NEUROSCIENCE-CALISTHENICS-Hijack-your-Clock-ebook/dp/B08L6YXF99/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Image Credits
Credits: Alesia Biketova @miamicreator