Rising Stars: Meet Matt Karstetter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Karstetter.

Hi Matt, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In the middle of the night about 4 years ago, I was lying in bed, unable to sleep, brainstorming about new product ideas/needs that I could develop and sell on Amazon.

I had never sold anything on Amazon up to this point, but I really wanted to. I knew I needed a product that would be easy to deal with, had a low shipping cost, and something that I could sell at the front desk of my gyms, (The Foundation 24 Hr Gyms).

I was also interested in cannabis and industrial hemp, more specifically as a textile. What I came up with were hemp lifting straps. This allowed me to pair my passion for bodybuilding and fitness with a simple product that was not generally available at that time.

I then set out to source quality hemp for these straps and while I knew that hemp was really strong, I quickly learned hemp is not necessarily soft or comfortable on the skin. After a bit of trial and error, it was clear that I must find a way to make these straps not just strong, but comfortable.

Eventually, I found a ribbon company with an old school loom that agreed to spin my straps fiber by fiber into an extremely strong yet soft hemp lifting strap that we sell today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Compared to most business startups or product launches rather, I would say it’s been a fairly easy road. Nowadays, shipping and logistics seem to be the biggest hurdle we encounter.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I own and am involved with many businesses at this point in my life. Fresh out of college, at Kanas State University, I got my Class A General Contractors license and started Alliance Developments LLC. A few years later I was spending most of my time on job sites or in the gym training for upcoming bodybuilding competitions.

In an effort to excel at both, I purchased a tract of land in Manhattan, KS, and built an industrial warehouse building. This building housed my construction company Alliance Developments in the office space and shortly after my first gym, The Foundation Sports Training Facility, in the warehouse portion.

Flashforward to 2022, I still own Alliance Developments, however, it is used primarily to build my TF gyms, which I now have three locations with 2 more in the works. I also have a few small businesses like Gym Hemp, Call Sign Strength Equipment, and Faith In Iron Apparel. Additionally, my wife and I are also licensed real estate agents and have short-term rental properties.

I love business and I try to make all my businesses complement each other and work synergistically when possible. What I am known for is my relentless work ethic behind the scenes. I do not always know exactly how things will come together at the start, but I always get the job done.

What I am most proud of is the positive impact myself, my wife and my businesses are able to make on people. What we provide benefits everyone involved, all the while honoring God who has made it possible.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
IG: @matt_karstetter and FB: matt.karstetter.1.

TFGYMS.COM

GYMHEMP.COM

FAITHINIRON.COM

Contact Info:

• Website: gymhemp.com