.png)
The Authentic Podcast with Brandon Young Yen
Welcome to The Authentic Podcast with Brandon Young Yen
Tune in to listen as I interview people within my community and those who are authentically themselves or who have even found themselves through their life!
we ask our guests their experiences on being themselves and how that has helped them in their career or life! sit down and chill and have a good listen!
The Authentic Podcast with Brandon Young Yen
#6 Ben Hatch: Building Crumble's Empire: How Ben Hatch Helped Transform a Cookie Company
Ben Hatch shares his journey from delivery driver to research and development team member at Crumble Cookies, revealing how he helped grow their social media presence from 15,000 to 2.3 million followers through authentic content creation.
• Started at Crumble Cookies in December 2017 as a delivery driver just three months after the company opened
• Worked his way up through management positions and helped open dozens of locations nationwide
• Created social media content that resonated with younger audiences while maintaining brand values
• Now works on the Research and Development team creating new cookie recipes and on the External Content team
• Has delivered cookies to celebrities like Guy Fieri and created special treats for the Kardashians
• Believes in taking risks and seizing opportunities rather than living with regret
• Emphasizes the importance of company culture as the "fourth C" alongside cookie quality, cleanliness, and customer service
• Uses a simple iPhone to create authentic content that connects with audiences better than overly-produced material
• Values positivity and believes putting out good energy will always return to you
Follow us on all listening platforms - Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and iHeartRadio. Wherever you find your podcasts, come listen to the Authentic Podcast where we drop gems with amazing people from our community.
no-transcript, sorry. Whatever platforms you can update with us guys, go ahead, follow us. You know, that's where we get updates for our episodes. Also, we're on all listening platforms, guys. We are on Apple Podcasts, spotify, we are on Amazon Music, google Podcasts, iheartradio. So, wherever you guys are trying to find your podcast guys, there's no excuse for you to come listen to the authentic podcast guys, where we can drop gems with people around the community, people who are in our community but also who share that same drive, who are driven towards their stories and then what they can share with us for these amazing gems that we have to share. But let's get into it Without further ado. Let's get our red carpet. Warm welcome to our exciting guest, ben Hatch. What's up, brother? What's?
Speaker 2:happening. Hey, what's good? I appreciate it for you having me on.
Speaker 1:No, bro, we're excited for having you on. We're excited for you to have the time to come in and be on this podcast with us.
Speaker 2:bro, We'll start with a quick introduction. Tell us your name, where you're from, um, and then what is your favorite food. That's our iceberg question. So my name is benjamin timote hatch uh. Born and raised in california. Born in san jose, but I grew up in stockton, so shout out 209 yes, sir, yes sir but then after that so shout out 209, yes sir, yes sir. But then after that we stayed there till I was like 13 14.
Speaker 1:Then we moved to utah. I fly when you move to utah eventually especially when you're lds.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying. Like everyone makes the move, bro. Now big facts.
Speaker 2:It's like always in there, like some part of their life you know what I'm saying so, finished all my high school out here, graduated, did the whole mission thing, and then I don't just sit out here because my mom's from salt lake, my dad's from logan, so utah's home. You know, I'm saying so wherever fam is, that's where home is, so I like it. And as far as favorite food, bro, I'm not gonna lie, it's got its basic answer, but it's in and out for sure, bro. In and out.
Speaker 1:Yes, sir um is there like your, what's your go-to order in and out? Or is it just like the basic number two or something?
Speaker 2:I have it down, dude. I have it like down to a science, let's go. So I get four double meats, no onion, no tomato, uh, only spread, and lettuce cut in half two things. Or fries, a chocolate milkshake and then like a medium drink, when they they actually give you like little milks too yeah, yeah so that's like just to finish it off dang bro am I had to?
Speaker 1:I haven't. Like I heard people say flying dutchman everything, and then you know the onion buns everything. But I need to try that, bro.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, it's like, if I'm doing like a cheat meal, I'll that's like my go-to, you know I'm saying this is like I can eat a ton of it and not feel like fat after no yeah, I bet, bro, um cool guys, um guys, please let me know like um ben is super uh I feel like super successful, driven person here. Um, he's done a lot of great things um very, very business mind, orientated, entrepreneurial mindset as well. But also he's um also gonna get married later on this year, so that's pretty big, big ups. But congrats, bro, appreciate it. Um, but yeah, let's start off because everyone kind of knows you from. I'm also going to get married a little bit on this year, so that's pretty big ups. But congrats, bro, appreciate it. But yeah, let's start off, because everyone kind of knows you from Ben from Crumble right, and that's kind of your name.
Speaker 1:Everyone's like oh, it's Ben from Crumble, so just talk to us about that, bro. Where did that start? Because I know you worked with them for almost 10 years now. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I hit eight years this December, Dang that's crazy and the crazy thing is like the company turns eight. This like three months before that, in September. So I joined the squad in December of 2017. Crumbles opened and started in September 2017.
Speaker 1:Dang. Yeah, bro, just talk to us quick about your history with them and like what kind of got you associated with them and then what you're doing right now.
Speaker 2:Okay, big bet. So originally Cromwell was like a second job, like I was working full-time at MoBetas actually. Oh, really I was working at the corporate office as a trainer, so I'd go to like different MoBetas help train crews and stuff like that, and I was with them for like two years. But I love staying busy. I hate like not doing anything, so I feel like I'm wasting time yeah if I'm sitting around playing video games, I'm like oh, I could like do something yeah, exactly like I could buy, like a second job making money.
Speaker 2:I could rather like be productive you know, what I'm saying, especially like I was probably like 18, 19 at that point. So I was like nah, I'm broke right now. I'm trying to get my money up, so I need a second job.
Speaker 2:So found crumble on Facebook jobs when Facebook still had Facebook job postings and stuff yeah and the starting position was for like a delivery driver which is crazy to start from the delivery driver and now I'm like where I'm at now but started as a delivery driver, learned how to bake, but it felt more like like hanging out with friends and stuff, you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 1:So, like, the environment was super cool.
Speaker 2:Exactly, yeah, and like it was way better than like, oh, like, I'm not trying. I mean I love McDonald's, don't get me wrong. It's like, oh, like, coming home smelling like sugar and like all that good baked, baked stuff. Yeah it's like I coming home smell like fries but just works my way up through like the different management levels and stuff like shift lead, assistant manager managers and to the point where the owners of the Location I was working at, the original grumble.
Speaker 2:the first one, mm the original uh, Grumble, the first one, they're like yo, like you're good at your job, we're going to like take you. Like I told him, I always wanted more and more and more.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And they like got to the point where it's like yo like come out with us, help us open my head. I'm like this is like a little like trial run. You know what I'm saying. So I put like my blood, sweat and tears into all of that and after that they're like I like you checked it off the list, like we're gonna keep having you come out with us.
Speaker 2:So I probably opened up like two or three dozen different locations and stuff it's like a trainer, while still working at like my normal store and stuff too, and then I kind of like started getting to like social media like a little bit, yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, actually, like let me go back to like how my my name, ben from crumble came to be so like the girls at my store. They'd always like like whenever like they'd answer the phone and stuff, they'd be all like you know like hey this is like ali from crumble, or this and that and then I was like oh, like.
Speaker 2:so whenever I'd introduce myself to people on the phone or customers, like hey, like I'm ben from crumble, what kind of gets you? And then, like I just consistently just kept saying that, so they like kind of made fun of me. So I was like I like my, my old instagram handle is just like king dot benjamin. I was like, whatever I was from Ben from Crumble and then it just kind of like stuck a little bit. Like originally it started as like a joke and then it kind of grew into more to like what is today. Like people probably know me more as Ben from Crumble. Like they don't even know my last name. Or like that brown kid with the tattoos yes, it's either that or like the brown kid that works at the cookie place or one of those things.
Speaker 1:I don't know. That's super cool, bro. I think it's super awesome, like how, um, especially like you, working your way up, and like, um, how it's just go back and talk to us about, like, how you're feeling when, like you, the opportunity arose for, like the owners to come to, hey, let's open some sites. And then now opening like 12 locations, bro, like, how, how, like, how has that been? How has that experience been for you? And like, what was your mindset back then when you first started to like now where you're at right now?
Speaker 2:So after the first location I actually got sick after opening up my first day. Oh really, because back in the day you'd be there from like am to like 2 am, so it'd be like 18 hours of straight working and stuff and at that time like I didn't know how to like pace myself and stuff so I was just like guns, a blazing just 100, like working hard and stuff.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying. But I kept drinking like energy drinks. The other day, I think I drank like like like seven or eight of them, bro. So I was like jacked up on caffeine, everything. I was like zooming around, getting everything done, like everything was like flawless. But then I had to go to like the er the next day because I had too much caffeine in my system so they had to put me on like an IV. They said like dude, the only way for you to get it out is like you just have to let it pass. Did you have like what like eight or nine in one day? Was it like in one day? Yeah, yeah, I crashed my first one at 6 am.
Speaker 1:It was like every two hours or.
Speaker 2:Dude. It went from like Monster to like Bang Energy. It was like I had like the whole spread, Bro. That's probably like was it like almost 5,000 plus bags of caffeine, bro? Yeah, I think like your body's like max, you're going to take like 400 in a day. But I was like wired. I was on one. The lines were like are out the door. I don't know if you've ever seen Crumble.
Speaker 2:I'll have to show you a video. Most of the time there's a non-stop line, from when we open doors to even when we close, cut off the line. There's still a line of 15 people.
Speaker 1:Days are probably hella long.
Speaker 2:Super, super long After that, experience my bosses. They made fun of me after that they're like dude, you need to chill out. So I learned my lesson from that. But it's going into, like learning about what I gained from opening different locations and stuff. It's like I know it's gonna be a grind. I have to pace myself but also like get stuff done but at the same time like make sure you're taking care of yourself too.
Speaker 1:You know what? I'm saying because that's like a lot of like what like your first, like you get the location going to the new location, finding like a good team, training everything, making sure everything's as smooth. Because I feel like, especially like Crumble's, one of the biggest franchise, cooking franchise right now and it's booming right. Oh yeah, and the thing is like with a lot of locations who try to boom too quick. A lot of them kind of, you know, go too quick or like they don't do it with enough quality.
Speaker 2:Yeah, like they scale too much, exactly.
Speaker 1:So they scale too much to the point where, like kind of actually losing money, but like also the training has to be consistent, because you want to be, because sometimes you train and then you leave and then the quality of the workers doesn't go as well as you guys hope it would be. So, like, how do you like gauge that and do that to the best of your ability where, like you guys because I don't think you guys lose consistency, bro, like I don't think you guys I feel like you guys like what you said before you build a good team. And then you said before, like you feel like the environment was really cool when you first started working there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I'm like and he just want to like emulate that yeah.
Speaker 1:So does that culture have a big impact on, like, how you guys grow like exponentially?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so like crumble we used to have, like these three, call it the three C's of crumble. So it was like cookie quality, cleansing this and customer service. But my fourth C. They ended up adding the fourth C later, but I I came up with this way before. Shout out to Ben that actually put the 4C guys Like low key, low key. But the 4C was culture, culture.
Speaker 2:It's like that's what will like make it or break it. Like management your employees, whether you get along with them or not, because, I mean, everyone's going to be different and, like every location we opened up, like there was like no two were the same. You know what I'm saying? Just because, like, depending on like where you were in the States, like if you're here in Utah, here in Colorado, like in Chicago, like in New York, wherever it might be, like the culture is going to be different.
Speaker 1:You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:Same with like the people out there like they might vibe different here in Utah, for like it's a a little bit harder to connect, but you want to find ways to connect with the crew. That way, like you gotta gain their trust. You know what I'm saying. So I feel like once you like have that down, then it becomes like a little bit easier to like gain their trust and kind of move on to help like the store succeed, like sales revenue, like all that kind of stuff like which is like main goal, but like it starts with like from the bottom up. You know I'm saying so what would?
Speaker 1:what was like?
Speaker 2:probably like the hottest location you've ever opened oh to beyond, like the hardest location we had was probably in Reno, nevada, all places kind of a random spots like little mini Vegas, you know, yeah, but I think to date so it's like one of the busiest openings like crumble has ever had. But we had like the dream team too. But also, like when you go in open stores, the second thing is like depending like a lot of it depends on like who you bring with you. So we had like our whole squad. So, uh, the owners that I worked for, their son is actually the ceo and, uh, founder of crumble as well, uh, the hemsleys, yeah, so shout out to them.
Speaker 1:Oh, they're a fam bro like they took me under their wing.
Speaker 2:They're like, oh like I got adopted again into another white family, so we do know exactly but um, but their whole fam came. They have four kids, but all four of their kids they had locations, so they brought their spouses but they also brought like their top dogs, to like their top managers, like two or three of them. So there's probably like a squad of like 16 to like 20 of us opening up one store, which is like a lot for like 16 to like 20 of us opening up one store, which is like a lot, for like one store usually used to be like two to five people, but we have
Speaker 1:a squad of like 20 but what was the reason for, like the increase of numbers?
Speaker 2:um, some of them like collabed on, like opening the store. I think they're like like split it, like a few different ways and stuff so like they all had like parts of like ownership, if that makes sense.
Speaker 2:So they all had like some responsibility to like help open it. But they also thought like this location would do like really well and like it kicked her butt. Like I'm not even gonna lie like these are people who've been here like since the beginning too. Like all the managers had time under the belt, all their siblings and a lot of the family members had time under the belt, like we kept up with everything. But like we were just like going, going, going, like, yeah, from, like I said, from 6 am to like 2, 3 am in the morning, straight cookies, bro. Just like mixing, baking, uh I don't know like decorating, getting them ready for the customers. Just like non, like nonstop.
Speaker 1:I bet how long does the line last? How long does it last? Yeah, when we guys open up a store.
Speaker 2:Dude, sometimes we'll get to a location and there'll be like 100 people outside waiting before we even open, and we'll even open for like another hour and a half.
Speaker 1:I'm all like when we see that we're like oh, it's going to just order like one or two cookies right?
Speaker 2:No, dude. Well, like, one cookie is like five bucks. So I'm like shoot, if I'm going to spend this money, I'm going to buy it like a dozen, that's right, bro, I'm already here. I might as well just like drop a bag.
Speaker 1:You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:But that's probably like the hardest location, just because, like most of the time, it took like a physical soul, just because you're working 24 7, but I feel like like going back to like your squad and like the crew. That's there. You can't really like show them, like you can't like really break down in front of them, things like that, just because, like if you're like a leader or in that position, like if they see you stressed out, they're gonna get stressed out too so, like for me, I always try keep like.
Speaker 2:Oh, some people might say like I'm not super emotional, always try to keep, like I don't know. Some people might say like I'm not super emotional, but like I keep it like all in, but when I do need to express myself, I will you?
Speaker 2:know what I'm saying. So I'd rather just like be chill and like easygoing. So, even if it's like hectic, craziness and everything A to Z, fires everywhere and stuff, I'm ben like what are we doing? Like oh, let's do this, this and this, and like I won't be freaking out. But like ben, like how are you like staying chill? Like they asked me? Then you get I'm like I'm killing it, like we're doing great. They're like how do you have like such a great attitude? I'm like, is this easier to have like a good attitude?
Speaker 2:just because like people will like vibe off of that and stuff versus like um, if you're like I don't know, frustrated or mad or whatever might be, like flustered, then like they'll realize that. Then like, thank you for our leaders. Like that we're not in a good position.
Speaker 1:You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:So just keep like a positive attitude.
Speaker 1:It's probably like especially when you're in that leadership position. Right, right, like you don't want to stress out you know the people that you're working with because like that culture again right, like everything affects everything, yeah, but I guess, well, that just shows like like follow-up to my next question, like what would you say separates you guys from the other cookie places here and Utah, especially like once you're getting famous, like also like I'll practice a bit later but like crumble versus cookie over so dirty dough right, like I know, yeah those are like lots of just ended, like what like last, last year, right?
Speaker 2:yeah like just talk to us about that and then like how, uh, we, can you know we'll go up after that yeah, so you want me to start with like, the, the whole, like yeah, that's the rivalry between yeah, just the rivalry, and then we can go yeah so, to be honest, I've I think rivalry and competition is good, it's good for business, like I kind of view it as like like nike, like I love nike checks over stripes. I'm not. I'm not shout out drake, but like nike has really great shoes, adidas has really good shoes, underarm has great cleats the rest of the shoes are trash. I don't really like them you know what?
Speaker 2:I'm saying but like they're like the same category, you know athletic wear brand, so that's kind of how I view like crumble. It's like crumble might be like there's crumble, dirty dough, that chip, a bunch of other like dessert kind of companies I'm like but was there like a certain reason why?
Speaker 1:because I know, like, like I know, it was specifically like Dirty Dough right where you guys were fighting the lawsuit against and where you guys just settled recently, like was there just a big reason why, like they were, because I feel like they were kind of blowing up a little bit too right and for me I'm like, I believe, like, because Crumble's at that level like it doesn't really matter, unless, like they actually did something that like kind of triggered, like you know, the ceos and everything you know that's fair.
Speaker 2:I think it was. I think it was something over like recipes or like shoot. I don't even know. I'm not gonna lie to be honest like a lot of it was like kept not under wraps, but it was like more of like the big dogs are taking care of it and they're kind of like oh, like, this is kind of like where we're at with everything and stuff like that, if that makes sense yeah, yeah but as far as I know, like companies like sue each other every day, like it's not like like a taboo kind of thing.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying? Like people get sued left and right and like and same thing. Like am I even like, like we've been. It's happened to us too.
Speaker 2:I'm not sure like when or where, but like I know it has happened before too with like smaller little things. But I don't like if we did go after like when we did go after him, we don't just go after him for like no reason you know what I'm saying. That'll be a reason why yeah, so, if anything, that's my answer. It's kind of like short no, yeah, but that's. That's kind of like all I know about yeah but I guess, when it comes back to like the rivalry and stuff, like that like I kind of view crumble, kind of like on this little tier by itself.
Speaker 1:This is like like apple or something I think it is too at that point, because right now, like, even though in utah we have there's derrydell, there's crave, insomnia and we got chip, yeah, and then there's crumble and like, obviously you know crumbles a different tier, you know, I mean um, but I guess following up that, like what would you say, separates you guys from the other places, apart from the culture that you guys have?
Speaker 2:I probably say cookie quality and branding and marketing. I feel like we, that's where I think, bottom note on it, you guys for sure got the marketing down bro.
Speaker 1:It's tough too, Especially like when you guys switch up the different recipes or create new things or come up with, bro.
Speaker 2:It's insane Like 52 weeks in a year, cookies every week and desserts, yeah, yeah because you play a part of that too right in the, the marketing aspect, and like also like with the cookies and recipes and stuff yeah, so right now my role at crumble hq is I'm on the research and development team, so we're the ones that like will make the new recipes, tweak old recipes and try to come innovate like new things if and then I'm also on the external content team. So like any, it sounds weird, like do my job super. Like it sounds really weird, but it's like it's so random, so like I hope I can make rest r&d and stuff. But then like any um, like picture video, anything that crumble puts out, like with their desserts, whether it's like a cake, a cookie, uh, whatever it might be like I'm on a team of um three. So maddie and emma they're my girls, bro they're but we're like the three that like make every, like all the content that goes up. So anytime you see, like a billboard anything, yeah, like that's sick.
Speaker 2:Gift cards we're the ones that like design it and help um perfect, like baking it, like make it like picture perfect.
Speaker 1:It's kind of weird. No, I guess, I guess it's really cool.
Speaker 2:I say like the branding, the marketing.
Speaker 1:It's probably like talk to us about that, bro. Like because and because part of it, I remember you made a video for them and they're like oh, this is super cool, like, and then that kind of like did that kind of open a little bit more doors for you to like it to where you're at right now?
Speaker 2:yeah, dude, so my first video I made with me my cousin and then some of my uh homies up in logan. Yeah, just, I'm like oh, dang, like, let's say, crumbles, like rated pg, like family friendly, uh, catered towards, like family, moms, grandmas, dads, whatever might be like really family friendly.
Speaker 2:So like I think that's why it kind of like resonated with, uh, the culture out here in utah. That's why I think it blew up like a little bit towards the beginning. But I made a video because I'm like dang, like this is dope, but I want to cater to more than just like soccer moms. You know what I'm saying, yeah, yeah. So in my head I'm like okay, like how can I keep like crumbles, like values, standards and like align myself with them, but make it like pg-13?
Speaker 2:so like a little bit more edgier, um, but still like, keep it toward like the main cause of like yeah trying to get down to. You know, like the same, like main route yeah so I came up with like this video idea.
Speaker 2:It literally is like a minute of me spinning around on this little turntable flipping the box, holding say, like we deliver sign and stuff like that, and I posted it and I dm to a ton of my friends. I'm like yo like, if you can repost it, share it, tag crumble, whatever it might be. Like that'd be dope. I was just doing it for me because I'm like yeah I'm like dang, this whole cookie thing is dope.
Speaker 2:So I'm like, let's make it dope, let's make it dope. I'm saying like let's put like a little flavor and like spice into it yeah so I got around um. I think the original video had like 20 000 views or maybe it's like 15 or something like that, but I was just off like instagram, like 2019 yeah, that's way before yeah, so this like way before.
Speaker 2:But like shouts, like word of mouth, bro, the homies definitely helped like, but I got shared around enough where, like it got the attention of some people at crumble HQ so they sent me a DM like yo, like who are you? So I was like, oh yo, like I work for a Sawyer's parents at the Logan store.
Speaker 2:I've been they like took me out and uh, had me like in like some photos and like video stuff for like crumbles, like second, third birthday or something like that. But I was like I need to drop another video, so I dropped a second one and then, after I did the job, that second one. They're like yo, like we remember how you like start helping us to do like different social media stuff and things like that.
Speaker 2:So fast forward to like 2020, 2021. This is back or no, it was 2020. So TikTok had just become a big thing Before it was like I think, branded as like Musically or something like that, Musically before that yeah.
Speaker 2:So like shout out to everyone that knows what Musically was before, what TikTok is now Like Musically, like musically walk, like so so tiktok could run. You know that's right, but um, so they reached out to me that yo been like crumbles already on like facebook, twitter, instagram, obviously like we're gonna try to get into tiktok so at that time it sounds like a lot of followers, but for tiktok it wasn't that many.
Speaker 2:But yeah, we started off at like maybe 15 or 20 000 followers on tiktok when they asked me to help like run parts and stuff and I'm like what do you want me to do? Like well, we need something kind of like edgy. Maybe it's like how to like develop recipe or like not develop, but like maybe it's behind the scene stuff of like making cookies, things like that.
Speaker 2:So I had like a lot of free range but like, oh, but you gotta keep it within like these parameters yeah yeah, so within like a count, within one full calendar year maybe like, and then some maybe like two-ish year, one year and a half or something me and two other videographers we helped grow it from that 15k up to like 2.3 million bro. So like and like, I credit myself to this too.
Speaker 2:I'm not gonna lie, like I don't like I don't put myself on a high horse or anything like that, but like every video that I would help produce and stuff and make I was just filming with my iphone because, like using like really nice cameras and stuff, like obviously you want like picture crystal clear stuff. But when I was using my iphone, because I started with the camera first, I'm like damn, this looks like too too corporatey, too like too professional so I'm like tiktok is like an organic kind of like natural thing. Like the most random, like low quality videos go viral.
Speaker 1:You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:So I was like I'm still using my phone just because, like I always have it on me and then I'll use that small enough and easy enough just to edit.
Speaker 2:So every video that I edited on and videoed on was just my iphone. For the first like year, um, but our first video that went viral it got like one, 1.5 million views or something like. It was out of the blue. It got like 200,000 likes and stuff. It was kind of crazy. It was just me pouring sprinkles on a cookie and just breaking it open and stuff. I'm like oh, there's something here.
Speaker 2:A lot of my other friends they try to emulate it and stuff with their nice cameras and things like that, they would get good views, but anytime I would post'd get like millions or like hundreds of thousands dude, like it was, it was kind of crazy, and it was like all organic too, like we didn't pay for yeah, yeah, no paid traffic or anything.
Speaker 2:No paid, yeah, it was all it was all just because people just wanted to like see the content and stuff. So like there's a few videos that got up there and I'm like, oh, this is dope, but I would just like try to see what people liked and stuff, what was going on in the culture.
Speaker 2:I think like, uh, you know, like dmx, like the rapper, so like he passed away, um, back in like 2022 or something like that so in one video I used uh, I used the instrumental of one of his songs or something, and like it just blew up Just because, oh shoot, like I was using this DMX beat or something I forgot what which song. I used it for, but like it's like small things, like that.
Speaker 1:Just being aware Of the culture and anything, and then Exactly, what's around and then Like what's going on. Implementing that so but yeah, it was cool.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, I forgot what the original question was. Oh, you're good bro. No, that was sick bro.
Speaker 1:I feel like I think that's super cool, how, like using your talent or something that you just vibe with and you wanted to make a change or make a difference. You know I like that and especially right now I think that's super cool. A job where it just it does both what you like. You know it's like what you said.
Speaker 2:It's kind of different you know what I mean you're doing a lot of things at once, so it's like it's super cool no, dude, it's super random, like like last week or two, two or three weeks ago, like we, I met like Benson Boone oh really yeah, we have a crumble cookie right now this week.
Speaker 2:I mean, I don't know when this pod is going to come out, but like he has his own benton coon, moon, moon beam, not moon beam ice cream cookie out so I made him like three weeks ago, so it's like that's random that's sick I helped make cookies for like the the kardashians and like the the jenniers and stuff and then like bro like, oh, like I delivered cookies to guy fieri too, like these are like, these are all like random things, yeah, so it's like I've traveled to like New York for that LA.
Speaker 1:Bro, that's so sick bro.
Speaker 2:Went to Chicago a few times, Like it's really random.
Speaker 1:Oh, that's so insane. So it's like so did you get to meet all those people when you dropped off the cookies?
Speaker 2:Guy Fieri did when you dropped off the cookies, guy Fury did Benson and I did the Kardashians. The Kardashians are like they're like tier A. You know what I'm saying. They're like A-list celebrities.
Speaker 1:I mean.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so we didn't get to meet them or anything like that, but like just saying, like I made a cookie that Kim's gonna eat.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah. Or like you know their show, or like would you just drop it off?
Speaker 2:or like yeah, I think it was just like a collab that we do so I think that's another big thing like why I think another reason why I think grumble's kind of like winning just because like those collaborations, yeah, like collapsing, like partnerships again.
Speaker 1:Bro, marketing bro, yeah, that's, that's tough dude. Our marketing team's crazy good same thing for our pr team too.
Speaker 2:There's like a whole squad of them, bro. Like most people have like one or two people like yeah, but we have like half a dozen, if not more so that's crazy, bro, freak, that's so cool.
Speaker 1:I think I'm just like thinking back. I'm like dang, that's. It's so cool to like, see, like in a position where, like you love what you do and then your passion pushes to what you want to do and then, um, that just goes to where it's just, when people follow what they want to do and how what they're passionate about, it just leads to other doors. Yeah, oh, exactly, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2:When those doors open, when I was kind of intimidated at the beginning, just because, like before going back to like, when I said, like the owners brought me to open up like the first Crumble or like the Crumble location, like the crumble location, yeah, my first crumble location I was gonna open. Like I kept bugging them about like, oh, like let me know, let me know when, when, like there's opportunity, and like you just kind of have to like in there, the door opened and I'm like I jumped on it and like I put 100 into it.
Speaker 2:You know, I'm saying I feel like that's like when a lot of people are just kind of like not scared. Like they might be scared, whatever it might be. Like they might be scared to take like that jump, just because, like it's in like territory where you might feel uncomfy, you don't know what's going to happen well, like how and how old were you at that time? Bro, I was like 18 or 19.
Speaker 1:That's what I'm saying bro, like you're 18 at that time, looking for opportunity and you jump on it like how many, how many other people do you know that were 18 and opening up freaking franchises like locations?
Speaker 2:oh, that's true, you know, I I mean, I was like a little kid that.
Speaker 1:That perspective, bro, is like like I'm thinking about, I'm like dang, like what?
Speaker 1:was I doing when I was 18 and so I'm over here like, bro, that's super cool, how, like you had the, you had the drive and passion to do that. Because, yeah, a lot of people nowadays like, um, they let the world dictate what they do and it's hard for them to be like, follow their passions despite what everyone tells them, despite what society tells them, and it's just, it just leads them to be a little bit more unhappy or feel a little bit longer before they finally make that jump, you know. So I think, follow up question on that but, like, what piece of advice could you give to like people to make that jump a little quicker, a little easier, like to, despite all the fears around them? Like how can they make that jump?
Speaker 2:like like for me. I was talking to my fiance about this. I keep like there's some things where she's like like right now she's trying to become like a tattoo artist and stuff like that. But she's been kind of like 50, 50 on it for like a little bit, yeah. But I just keep telling her like you just gotta do it. I'm just like, oh, like what if, like, no one like dms me for a tattoo? Or what if, like, I don't like this art? I'm like, well, you're not gonna know, unless if you do it like I'd rather like find out.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and like fail versus like just not doing it and not knowing. You know like I hate. That's the feeling I hate the most.
Speaker 2:Like I'd rather like just just do it, like you just gotta do it and like, if it works out, works out, if it doesn't, it doesn't. But then like, at least you know exactly. Like, just like. Not knowing is probably like the thing that gets me like the most you know. So that's why I'm like if there's opportunities, doors opening, you should try to take a shot at it. Maybe you know, if you can't do it a hundred percent, that's okay. But like, just do like a little bit of it, like a little bit's better than like none, none at all.
Speaker 1:You know I'm saying I like that bro, I like that a lot, I feel like for especially us polynesians, would you say, like it's a title for us to like make that jump as well yeah, I definitely think it is.
Speaker 2:I mean, I'm like first gen, born and raised in the states. Like my biological mom, she grew up in uh tonga and then moved to the states and was like, like my bio dad, I I never knew him you know, what I'm saying, but uh, the same thing with him too, like first gen, born and raised here.
Speaker 2:You know I'm saying so. I feel like it is harder just because I feel like we have expectations as like a culture. I feel like I have like a unique um perspective on it because I was adopted like right out of the womb, like my parents were there in the delivery room when I was adopted like right out of the womb Like my parents were there in the delivery room when I was like when my biological mom gave birth to me, Dang. So they've been mom and dad since day one.
Speaker 1:So, like I always knew, I was adopted just because, like my parents are white, I'm brown, I'm like, I know my colors, I know you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:I'm not colorblind but, like, I guess, going back my perspective because I was raised by a white family versus a normal traditional poly family, I've had to go back and connect with my Tongan roots and stuff. That's another reason why I got all these tattoos. I love them, but obviously I wasn't raised in the culture like a lot of the rest of our brothers and sisters were.
Speaker 2:I'm trying to do my best to like learn how the culture was yeah, so like coming from that perspective, I'm like having to learn how, like the culture is, and I feel like I've learned to. I'm still learning you know like I still don't know a lot. There's like a lot of traditional things like I don't know of like rights and wrongs or like I just don't know, you know yeah like, for example, like I took my, like I keep my shoes outside like I had no idea that was like a big poly thing.
Speaker 2:and so, like I went to like my, my cousin's house, like yeah, like take your shoes off and like, oh, shoot, but it's like stuff, like small things, like that, you know I'm saying, but like coming from like a bigger thing, like like I guess the original question, um, I definitely do think it's harder for, uh, I definitely do think it's harder for Polynesians in general just to take risks just because of, like, their family unit, which I'm not saying isn't important.
Speaker 2:But, like if there's like an opportunity or something like that, it's like, oh, like I could go to you know, like you've seen, Lilo and Stitch right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:I'm going to use that as an example, like Nani, like oh, she can go to school, or something like that but she's got to take care of her little below and stuff, but she feels like she needs to, which is true. If I had to do that with my little sister, I would too Exactly.
Speaker 1:I feel like it all comes down to the way, like surroundings as well, and situations Exactly, or even the household. I feel like, especially Paulies, that I do know that, like either Afakasi or have poly parents or even that have been in those situations they've, you know a lot of them are not afraid to take a little bit more risks, whereas, like I know that a lot of traditional households you know they are made to be molded into, like you know the culture, you know what you're supposed to do, and there's certain things where, like they don't want their kids to become right. Yeah, I feel like sometimes they can kind of put a lot of restriction on some, some kids, like what they want to do, which leads to the question oh, can I still follow my dreams, or would I get backlash for following my dreams?
Speaker 2:yeah, right, exactly. Yeah, I agree with that 100%. So that's kind of how I view it as well.
Speaker 1:Because I feel like, as parents, when you do grow up, you want nothing but what's best for the kids. So some of them love them so much they want them to be oh, do you do this, this, this? And a lot of them actually go leave the islands, like go to New Zealand, australia, america. Leave, you know, the islands, like go to new zealand, australia, america, to like for their kids to get higher education right, and then so I don't know.
Speaker 1:I feel like for for them they've already, or they'll already, be put into a position where they kind of already are unsure whether they think about what their parents wants for them or what they want for themselves.
Speaker 2:You know exactly yeah, I feel like there should be like a good balance.
Speaker 1:Exactly For both, I feel like communication.
Speaker 2:I mean, I feel like communication to anything is key, but it definitely is like scary. Like talking to your parents like yo like I want you to go to school and they're like no, I don't want to do that. You know what I'm saying? It's like what the heck? Like you're not going to go to go to college.
Speaker 1:I'm like nah no, yeah, bro, 100, but I don't know.
Speaker 2:I feel like today's world is changing, same thing with cultures and stuff, but like you definitely want to be respectful for like where we came from, give like a nod to them and stuff too. I feel like, as long as you're like wanting to put your family in like a better situation or better place I feel like if you are able to communicate that to like your elders and stuff, I feel like now it's like easier for them to understand versus like how it used to be you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 1:I like that too. I think that goes to our next following question for you, bro. We have a couple of authentic questions we want to ask you before we close up the episode. But this next one kind of resonates with what we just talked about. Um, but what brings you the most joy, even if it doesn't align with others expectations?
Speaker 2:probably that's a hard question what brings me the most joy, even if it doesn't align with others expectations? I probably probably say, just trying. That's kind of a basic answer for me to give. But it's just a root-based answer. If you don't try, don't give as much effort as you can to something.
Speaker 1:Even if you can't get it to the level someone else wants, at least you know you're giving it your all exactly I'm saying so like if I don't meet someone's expectations honestly that kind of kills me inside a little bit, but at least like I know I did like everything I could to my ability, but I can learn from me not meeting the expectation.
Speaker 2:Like said person had that one like. Okay, like I got to 75 percent of like what their expectation was. I did 100, I knew how to do, but there's 25 percent that they had that I did not reach. Like was that 25? Or whatever that percentage might be? Yeah, so that's when I'll like go back to the drawing book, whatever that might be, and come back to and work on that part. I like that that way. Like next time I can come back with it. I like that mindset.
Speaker 1:That's a good mindset to have. Our next question for you, bro, is what core values do you hold that?
Speaker 2:you rarely express openly, and why? Ooh, I feel like dang, that's a hard one. Because, I feel like I just be me all the time. You know what I'm saying. So I feel like I like to express being like, I guess, like being like a good person, like it's not like that hard to like, be nice, be pleasant to, to be around, have like a good attitude and stuff like that, if that makes sense you know it's like. I guess I'm kind of like twisting your question like oh, you're good yeah but, um, it's way easier to be like nice and be positive.
Speaker 2:You know I'm saying versus uh, just being negative or being down about something. I mean like I get it, it happens. But I feel like it kind of comes back to. I kind of like put it in the same category as like motivation, yeah, so like you're not going to be motivated all the time to do stuff. You know what I'm saying. But like being disciplined and just doing it anyways, even if you don't have enough motivation, it's kind of you won't be in the happiest situations all the time.
Speaker 2:You won't like. You might not want to be like a nice person today, but like, just do it. You know it'll be like less stressful and everything like it's.
Speaker 1:It makes life easier too it does, though I feel like there's people can have if you have, and being not a good person takes a lot more energy than being a good person. Yeah, no, exactly that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 2:Like, like like, why would you want to be sad and not like nice and stuff, like just being all angry? All the time, like then if you put that same energy into being happy, then like it's a better mood. You know, I agree with that. Like it takes way more energy to like, if you're putting energy into one thing, just flip it around and do the other.
Speaker 1:A hundred percent. In what moments do you feel the strongest urge to hide part of yourself?
Speaker 2:That's a good question. Can you run back that question real quick?
Speaker 1:Yeah. In what moments do you feel the strongest urge to hide part of yourself? In what moments do you feel the strongest urge to hide part of yourself?
Speaker 2:I probably say like I can't give any like situation off the top of my head, but I feel like when I'm not feeling like, 100% me, if that makes sense. I mean I've been still like everyone, you know.
Speaker 1:But sorry, I'm trying to blank on this question no, you're good, you're good, bro, you're good, you're good.
Speaker 2:But um.
Speaker 1:Because I feel like for me, like, um, I feel like for me sometimes, like when I'm with family and Like, especially like when you love your parents so much or you love your uncles or whatever like part of me hides the urge to like actually share what I'm feeling in terms of like what I actually think about the situation. Like sometimes and it's probably a bad skill, bro, but like I'm like I know what my parents want to hear and I know what they expect and I know and it can be for a lot of people as well like where to be, like teachers or whatever like and for me I kind of hide the urge to share what I really think.
Speaker 1:sometimes, yeah, I kind of choose such and that's I think, in your battles sometimes I'm saying like I battle myself in my mind where, like do I really share what I think, or what I or what am I? Am I thinking this? Or do I really believe I want to follow what they, what this says? You know what I mean.
Speaker 2:I feel like sometimes we all have like queued up answers. You know what I'm saying, exactly Like like you just know what you're going to say just because of um, or you know what your sponsor is, just based off of someone, what someone's going to ask yeah like kind of like you said like oh, like you know what your mom and dad want to hear versus like what you want to say in like some situations and stuff so I feel like that yeah, that happens with me with like friends and stuff like that sometimes.
Speaker 1:Yeah, exactly like when we go hang out friends. Sometimes I'm like uh we could go out and out late at night. But really I'm tired, I'm gonna go home.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's what I'm gonna do. Yeah, like you have that one friend, it's like he's finished the function. It's like 1 am. It's like all right what's the move?
Speaker 1:what's?
Speaker 2:the move like it's like 2 am, what the hell it's2 am I'm tired, bro.
Speaker 1:I gotta wake up next morning. Um. The next, uh, next question, bro, is what fears hold you back from living more authentically?
Speaker 2:I feel like the fears that hold me back. I feel like the only fear I have of not being authentic is like not trying to be authentic. You know what I'm saying. I think I feel like it kind of goes back to like that little thing I was trying to say about like motivation. If that makes sense, it's like as long as, like you're trying to be authentic, I mean sometimes you might be a hundred percent authentic, that's just you. Like it just comes off easy that day, but like when we wake up, the next morning maybe that 100 like job down a couple levels or something like that.
Speaker 2:As long as you're like trying your best to be authentic, I feel like that's what the most important thing is to do like the only thing that scares me is like, if I'm like woke up, I'm like not f this, I'm not gonna be authentic. Like that's my like, not trying to do it.
Speaker 1:I think that's like my biggest thing you know 100, bro, and it's, it's tough, especially living, living right now, and it's like knowing that you can get backlash for it with any thing decision you do. Yeah, and that's hard because, like, let's say um, and even like what you said, I think the not trying aspect of it, like at least I'm trying to be more, at least I'm trying to be myself more, just be like 1% better, 1% better.
Speaker 1:Whereas we have people who don't want to try at all because of what they think others might think of them the expectations. I feel like that's on to our next question is if you were to remove all external expectations, what decisions would you make differently?
Speaker 2:I feel like I'd be more outgoing, for sure I feel. I mean I'm glad I've been like talking, and opening up a lot on this pod right now, but usually I'm kind of like a listen. First talk after kind of person. I like to rid the room a lot, you know what I'm saying so, I felt like if the expectations weren't there, well, like I'd probably like share what's on my mind, or maybe like intervene not intervene, but like like jump in a little bit sooner or something like that, if I knew what they were like rep rep, maybe repercussions or something just based off like an idea or something that I might have said Exactly.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying so probably just be more open in that way that makes sense.
Speaker 1:What is a piece of advice that you could give yourself right now?
Speaker 2:Be happy. Yeah, two words, it's easy. Just be happy, be positive, be a good person. I mean, it doesn't take that much energy, like I said, like we were talking about before to be a nice, solid person. And like smile and stuff too. You know what I'm saying. That's right. If you like, just smile, say hi to someone, just do something positive. It's like I'd rather live like a happy life versus like complaining, being like annoyed or like whatever it might be.
Speaker 1:You know like I feel like energy, positive energy, and this is what I think about. A lot is like I feel like positive energy and how the law, like the rules of energy let's never create or destroy, it's just dispersed, right like exactly.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I feel like if you.
Speaker 1:If you output positive energy in some way or form, it will come back to you.
Speaker 2:I think that's what I think about a lot Like another thing on that, like I don't know how this is going to sound, but like I'm not lazy, but I feel like the lazy it's like if I put my energy into being positive and like happy and stuff, it's a lot easier.
Speaker 1:so it like I like doing that, what things like the easy, and our last question for you, ben, is what does authentic mean to you?
Speaker 2:Being authentic. I mean to me and probably like others that have, like, said this too, or you've asked this question. They probably say, like, just be yourself. But I'm going to quote my cousin on this Levani Damuni plays for the Utes Go Utes. But back in high school I think he was just joking around at the time but like I, kept this little quote from him for a while.
Speaker 2:It's like living right in front of my head, but it's like, if I don't do me, who will? So it's like you can only be you. Sometimes we might not wake up, us like I might not wake up me, but like if I don't do me that day, then like I'm not being me. You know what I mean. Sometimes we may not wake up us, like I might not wake up me, but like if I don't do me that day, then like I'm not being me.
Speaker 2:You know, I'm exactly so like that's what it means, like to me, like to be authentic, like just be you, but also like being respectful of others opinions, like, like, not my mom hates when I say it's like, oh, like you want to do this today, I don't care, do you want, want this? I don't. Like I say I don't care a lot just because, like, I really do care. But it's like now I'm chill with it, like let's just see how it goes.
Speaker 2:You know, I'm saying like me and like another person. We might not see how like the same, like values or something, but like we can agree to disagree exactly just leave it up like I don't care what they're exactly if I don't like that, like that's on me, but I'm not gonna like stop them, like oh you're wrong, or anything like that yeah, I'm saying so I'm like yeah, if I don't do me, who will?
Speaker 1:yeah, that's probably my biggest thing I like that, bro, ben appreciate you coming for this episode of podcast, for this podcast, bro. We appreciate you, bro, appreciate your words of wisdom, your gems, advice that you've given us today. Um, but yeah, man, thanks for coming on the podcast episode with us yeah, no, thanks for having me on, it's great no, yeah, um, guys, uh, there's a thing, a podcast episode here with ben.
Speaker 1:Uh, we'll put his, uh, we'll put his socials in the link below the description. Um, but yeah, we're excited for the episode and if you haven't already, guys, we're all social media platforms. We're on instagram, facebook. We're excited for the episode and if you, haven't already, guys, we're on social media platforms.
Speaker 1:We're on Instagram, facebook, we're also on YouTube, as well as we're on listening platforms. We're on Apple Podcasts, spotify, iheartradio wherever you're podcasting, guys, go ahead and tune in and listen to these gems that we have for you, guys, that you're able to take with yourself and, you know, go out and learn from them as well. But yeah, man, thanks for coming on. Is there anything you want to say before we head off?
Speaker 2:uh, no, it's, it's been good, it's been good and appreciate it. Much love to y'all bro appreciate you, bro.
Speaker 1:Um, yeah, and that's us guys. So next time we'll see you till the next episode, but we out, peace, peace.