Robert Fish: The Power of Growth

HHannah Nadi

July 5, 2024

The Interconnectedness of Business and Personal Development


Both business and personal development are interconnected, supporting and enhancing one another in a continuous cycle of progress. In the same way, an enterprise aims to broaden its customer base, provide innovative services, and boost revenue, its employees also need to pursue personal development to make meaningful contributions to its success. This could include broadening one's horizons in terms of knowledge, growing as a leader, cultivating emotional intelligence, or improving problem-solving skills. As people develop personally, they also bring fresh viewpoints, energy, and originality to their work, which stimulates innovation, teamwork, and productivity inside the company.

From Punk Rock to Business Leader


In an interview with Chaz Cervino- LeapBrands President and CGO, Fish elaborated on his journey in the business world. It started with singing in punk rock bands at the age of 15, which led to over a decade of touring and releasing records. Fish emphasized how difficult these accomplishments were to achieve as there was no roadmap for how to put out records and book tours. Bands, record labels, and venues were made up of kids of similar ages with no business experience and little to no financial resources. With no internet or social media, success was based on making connections and networking via handwritten letters to others worldwide who shared an interest in similar ideas and music. Starting from scratch, with no resources or experience, putting out music and touring required conviction, a strong work ethic, a willingness to work collectively to solve problems, learn from mistakes, and take calculated risks to succeed.

Rising Through the Ranks


When it came time to stop touring, Fish turned to a company with a huge artistic employee base, Kinko's. During a 15-year career with Kinko's, which became FedEx Office after being acquired by FedEx, Fish went from a part-time cashier in NYC to various leadership roles throughout the US. Fish found that while, on the surface, playing in a punk band was very different than running a business, it was also wildly similar. Both require the same attributes: conviction, work ethic, a willingness to work collectively to solve problems, to learn from mistakes, and to take calculated risks in order to continue to improve and grow. Next, Fish went to Massage Envy Franchising, where he was the VP of National Operations before joining forces with Trivest as the CEO of PCRK Group. There, he grew the portfolio of Massage Envy franchise locations from 28 to 95 locations across 11 states. This led Fish to his current role as CEO of EWC Growth, in partnership with North Castle Partners, a franchisee portfolio of European Wax Center franchise locations that is now at 50 locations and growing.

The Value of Diverse Teams


"People being robots does not make people or a company successful if you have diverse teams in terms of backgrounds, experiences, the way they think and talk- it's hard not being successful," is Fish's response when asked about what makes a business develop and advance. Two of the most important qualities that Fish treasures are honesty and perseverance. Honesty is vital for Fish, as he requires a team that is not afraid to address failures or opportunities that they face individually or as an organization. He is also not afraid to ask for and put into action input he receives from all levels of the organization. It isn't about who has the best idea, but finding the best solution for the organization's employees and customers. The quality of perseverance is a trait he found in single mothers he hired in various roles throughout his career. For them, failure was not an option, and there was an undeniable drive to overcome the stereotypes and obstacles they faced. The things we aspire for don't manifest overnight; it takes hard work and perseverance. The key is being better today than you were yesterday, both individually and collectively.

The Advantages of Rising from the Bottom


Rising from the bottom to the top gives people a special combination of abilities, insights, and experiences that can support successful leadership and sustained success as a CEO. Starting at the bottom of the hierarchy of employees and working your way up to CEO is the biggest career accomplishment anyone can achieve. Fish's direct experience offers invaluable insights into defining a vision and breaking it down by role so everyone understands their role in helping that vision come to life. Rising through the ranks demonstrates a strong work ethic, commitment, and a readiness to learn and develop- qualities that are highly valued in leadership roles.