Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Thompson.
Hi Drew, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
O wow, where do I begin? The quick version is, I feel fortunate to have lived several lives in this lifetime, if that makes sense. Professionally, my first career was baseball. I signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2005 after being drafted in the 2nd round out of Jupiter High School. Growing up around the game, it’s all I really knew and/or wanted for myself. It was my “gift”, it’s what I thrived at, it was my passion, and I thought it was my purpose. Boy was I wrong. A back injury a year later would flip my world upside down. Without getting into the unnecessary details, the injury and the adversity that would follow reshaped my life, my outlook, what I prioritized, what I would go on to pursue – and why. What felt like the end, was genuinely just the beginning…
I then returned home to Jupiter, Florida after spending 6 years trying to rehabilitate my body, and mind. Now with a new appreciation of health, a new version of wealth, and a new goal. To work for myself, to create a new concept & culture, but most importantly, to help people. I just didn’t know what that would look like at the time.
Fast forward a year or two and in comes 3 Natives. My first business venture. Now, a franchise with over 50+ locations, and a concept I am no longer involved with, that started with humble roots. It was an opportunity to fill a void within the community. It’s hard to imagine now, but back then in 2013 or 2014, no one knew what acai bowls or cold-pressed juices were in the area. The only smoothie spots were Jamba and Tropical, clearly lacking any integrity or true intention, aside from monetization. I tried an acai bowl for the first time with a couple of “friends” and the light bulb went off. This is it! Not only an opportunity to bring health-conscious food & beverage options to the community, but more excitingly, and opportunity to create a culture around it. Build the business, prioritize the people. The customers, the staff, the distributors, the sales rep, the list goes on. To do things right. Respecting and honoring each and every individual that would come in contact with the brand, rather than simply seeing them as numbers and tools in order to monetize – which is sadly how the majority of the industry is operated. It was also an opportunity for a massive creative outlet. Long story longer, it would become an immediate success, and would create a ripple effect none of us were truly prepared for. “Success”. One really fun fact that no one really knows is at the time, even Sambazon (one of the biggest players in the acai game) was reaching out to US picking OUR brains, because no one was doing things the way we were at the time. Across the country. I never truly processed how unique that was until years later while reflecting on things. Even with more adversity that would shortly follow, what a FUN experience that I feel blessed to have been a part of.
After 1 year of operations, my business partners and I were no longer on the same wavelength, and I would remove myself from operations, and go on to do my own thing a few miles down the road. Enter Rock Steady. A similar concept, leaning heavier into my beliefs, with the same team from 3 Natives, minus 1. The loyalty from the team members at that time, which were quite literally friends & family, will hold a place in my heart forever. After 10 years of serving our community, getting through Covid, the US-1 bridge closing for 2 years, and more challenges and fallouts that are often involved in the world of business – our time would come to an end. Another chapter closed. A new landlord purchased the plaza, had plans to bring in a Whole Foods, doubled the rent, and forced us out. RIP Rock Steady/Soul Rebel.
Through my business experience and life in general, I have been faced with a consistent theme of impermanence. All things come to an end at some point. The good and the bad. However, I feel a lot of what has been “taken” from me was due to a lack of listening to the signs. A lack of awareness. Forcing things, breaking down barriers, when I may had been meant to pivot. Drive and determination are both positive attributes, however they can become detrimental when married with a stubbornness to achieve our goals.
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 has been the furthest thing from a smooth road! Some of the struggles have been mentioned, but truly from start to finish, was quite literally 2 decades of struggle. With baseball and the injury, I struggled with feeling like a victim, rather than realizing these things were happening for me, not against me. The early days of business I struggled with imposter syndrome, as I had no experience and/or degree in the field. Learning along the way. There were the internal struggles of not seeing eye to eye with my business partners. the struggles of day to day operations, the struggles of increasing cost of goods, the struggles of working with friends and family, the struggle of being an introvert in a position of dealing with hundreds of people daily, the struggles of wanting to take care of the team financially more than I was able, the struggles of opening and closing more locations, the struggles of holding on to the past while fearing the future, the struggles of loss of team members, the struggles of never feeling like enough. The list goes on. However, I believe it comes with the territory. Not only in business, but in life. Especially a life well-lived. We all struggle. The important part is how we handle and learn from said struggles. It’s all an opportunity. It’s all a gift.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I know many won’t see it this way, but I believe more than anything I am a creative. Moreover, I believe we are all creatives or creators. Be it art, an idea, a conversation, a thought, a poem, a concept, a business, a career, a family, the list goes on. We are almost ALWAYS creating something. I just so happened to create a short lived baseball career and a few businesses to this point. With plans to continue creating until I take my final breath in this body. Currently I am in the midst of a career change. I would like to believe I specialize in a number of things, but a few being bringing ideas to life, prioritizing people over profits, staying true to my purpose and beliefs, leading by example, and NOT chasing trends. Most importantly, I don’t know that “specialize” is the word – but I am heavily focused on mental health, mental performance, and nervous system regulation. As far as what I am known for, funny enough I believe there is literally no way to truly know. As every individual I have ever come in contact with likely has a different outlook on me, what I have accomplished, or what I truly stand for. Based off of circumstances that are out of my control.
I am genuinely most proud of the growth. Of doing the inner work for over two decades. Facing my own internal demons head on, for the betterment of myself and all of those around me. Learning so much along the way, more times than not the hard way. It’s less to do with what I have achieved, and much more about who I have become in the process.
What sets me apart from most is my pure intention. The burning desire to live a life of purpose and service. To impact any and everyone I can in a positive manner, in any way possible.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I have been blessed my entire life. So there is no way to narrow it down to a single favorite childhood memory. With that being said, growing up and going to the ballpark with my father every day in San Francisco was filled with positive core memories. That and honestly being in the presence of my mother. I didn’t realize it at the time, but her energy and endless amount of unconditional love she poured into myself and my siblings is by far my biggest blessing, that I am forever grateful for. Brenda Thompson is a Saint.
Pricing:
- What price are you willing to pay? For fulfillment, for inner peace, for joy, for chasing your dreams? Regardless of the price, I can promise it will be worth the pursuit.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @dthompson_6
