Diversify to Maximize Opportunities with Chris Hansen - a Think Billions Experience Guest

got some, you're watching the videos, got some samples on the table. We'll get to that. Chris, this is, I know we could talk like anyone about for an hour or probably about somebody's background. Yeah. Let's give everybody the Cliffs Notes version of your background. Yeah. So I live in Tampa, you know, where my name is. 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 it should 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 at a bankruptcy in 2018 down in Orlando. Obviously, we didn't know COVID was going to happen, you know, the world who 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 a 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 bigger, go home. Go bigger. Go home, man. Yes. So we went all in on it and it was really good for us. You know, we were happy that we could, we could help in that time, obviously.

But it was wild, but it was, it was a journey. It was long days, long nights, you know, making international phone calls hours a 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 called our big break, you know, we've been together about eight years now. So it was great for 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 and locations. Oh, 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, we got the right team in place, which kind of freed up my schedule, my partners, you know, let me off my leash, I could say, and they said, let's go diversify and it's some other things. And I've always been, you know, kind of curious, always looking for the next big things. We branched out into, you know, we just opened a medical aesthetic studio down in Clearwater Florida called the refinery. So anyone down in Clearwater, get your Botox or some laser treatments, come on down. And then we branched into the CBD wellness space, so we've got this company, VK, VK.USA on Instagram. You can find us. Take a VK.com. Yeah. Take a VK.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, a lot of doctors not really educated on it or what, you know, unsure about it. So I thought it was an opportunity to kind of educate our doctors, give them something else they can, 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, ash vagoned lemon balm, camomile, we're not just focused on the cannabinoids, you know, I think there's a future and alternative, right, medicine, holistics, I think people are a lot more open to that now. And then we also are in the boating business, so we run boat chargers.

Dead some sun and salt. You're welcome anytime. Yeah, come on down. So we run, you know, day chargers, fishing chargers, stuff like that. You know, that's, it's a cool business, you know, great park limit, 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. Yeah. So, you know, my partner is pushing me to 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, pay your respects to maybe your, your old for your friend, you know, bring your new pup out for a play day, what not. So riding off the crematory, we got into the lab-grown diamond space, which, so that company is my legacy diamonds.com, which is launch 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, yeah, man, it's wild. We can even take the, the hair of your kid or your grandmother, there doesn't need to be deaf involved. It can be a living memorial diamond.

It's all doom and gloom over here, you know. Diamonds are forever. Diamonds 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, 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 ashes in my house. I'll do that. Yeah. Yeah, man, and now we're, we're branching into, we've got a jewelry line we're coming out with 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 could call it a monopoly for a long, long time. Dirty even. Very dirty business. I've, you know, I've never seen it. I recommend everyone watch blood diamond. The irony of clarity with diamonds and how dirty the industry is. Yeah, it's an industry that needed to be shaken up a bit. And that's what we're trying to do. You know, I think nowadays people are a lot more conscious with the 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 a equal or superior product that you can feel good about, they're, you know, a lab growing diamond, you've got none of the environmental impact of the mining, which was horrible for the earth.

You have none of this unfortunately child slavery that goes on in the mining of these diamonds, where, you know, the people that are doing the most work to benefit off these. 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 or a diamond. But if you look at it on a molecular level, there's no difference. Yeah. Is what are the names? Don't have that 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 the different ones? But I think I've heard of a couple of them and I can't recall what they're called, you know.

So there are, there are some large companies. You know, that sell, and honestly move. It's not, so there's not a manufactured diamond. It's just called a manufactured diamond. Right. There's not like a, or a lab-grown. There's no universal name for it other than how it's made. No. No. Yeah. No. I wish there was. Yeah. Well, hey, but that's what we need to work on. You know, we're going to talk about it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You're my marketing guy right? I believe now I want something sexier than lab-grown. Yeah. That's what I'm saying. That's what I think I was, I think it 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.

I mean, you guys in theory, because I imagine you could have gone deeper on one or two of the things you named, but you're starting new ones on top of new ones when you, 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. Yeah. 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 and seeing my own, you know,

my, my parents were business owners during the furniture business. And I saw 2008 and 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, I, 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, but I don't ever want to be in this position. I don't ever want to have to rely on other people to degree. Yeah. But also, you know, I want businesses that, regardless if we're in a booming economy or a bust economy, some we're bringing in cash flow, you know. Which is why I, I always loved medicine.

I wanted to be a doctor, chemistry. I didn't speak that language. Yeah. So, you know, quickly we did myself out of that process. And, you know, the next face thing was, all right, well, being medical sales. So, you know, luckily, you know, met a great mentor to give me a shot with, with his lab that I worked for at the time. And I was new medicine, you know, it was hammered into me. I was a young, you know, doctor lawyer. People who are always going to need divorce, they're always going 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 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, weight, boarding, fishing, and 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 an old 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. 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 you talking about earlier? What was the acronym you used for a boat?

Oh, yeah. Break out another thousand. Yeah. No doubt. It's not the cost of the boat. It's kind of like how we piece house here. Right. It's expensive purchase. Yeah. But it's the maintenance. To give 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 hasn't been shaken up. Like this needs to 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 observing to it. What the hardest part about being an entrepreneur for you? Or like, what, what, 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 can, 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, what comes to mind? That's a great question. I mean, like, is it, I mean, are you? Do you, do you struggle with looking back? Are you always focused 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 going to 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 battle with yourself. Obviously, I've got a great team. You know, my partners and I were, were like brothers. You know, they're, they're my best friends and my partners.

I trust them. And we're all, 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. 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 when you're in the trenches, man. Yeah. Like when you look back at that, it's just like, dude, how the hell did we get here? But that's the beauty of it. Yeah. That's what keeps you going to those moments where you look back and you're like, damn, dude, like, how do we make that happen? We push through this. So, but it's just finding that balance in life, you know, at times, staying motivated. 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, the blessing of getting on the other side of things. And like, you know, it's not that we take it for great, 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 saunas, the ice plunges and the saunas 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 you 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. You know, 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 a, even a couple of weeks ago, and I don't even know what I was stressed about, right? Like you said, when you're in it, you're like, oh, God, man.

I want to say it's always been there, but I didn't realize it. Yeah. You know, obviously looking back, I remember looking seventh grade, my teacher picked me to go to some leadership camp. And there 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 were things people noticed in me before I noticed in myself. Yeah. But I'm, I'm a firm believer in energy and positivity. And, and it's fun. You say that because it really, I, you know, when I was working corporate, it's, you don't get that feedback. People, people are, you know, they're, when they're coaching,

they're going by a guideline almost. It's less feel, it's structured. That's how we train our people. But I realize 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. Now, 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, someone that I want to continue to, I'm interested. I want to learn more about. Yeah. I talked to a lot of people. And I don't say that to every person.

I appreciate it. Yeah. And it's definitely your, uh, one of your strengths. Thank you. Cool, man. Chris, we're probably keep up with you as we close out here. I know you mentioned a couple, but let's, uh, plug it all of it. Yeah. Um, you know, Genesis Reference Lab is the medical lab. So if you're a doctor or, uh, you know, looking for some good lab testing, look us up, um, vacate. USA, take a vacate.com. Go get yourself some sleep gummies, some, some Delta 8 CBG gummies. And, uh, and be on the lookout in the next couple of months for Diabry Diamonds. If you need an engagement ring for your girl, we got you covered. There we go. Yeah. Chris really enjoyed it. Look forward to getting to know you better and make it some hay with some diamonds.