INTERVIEW: U.S. based Entrepreneur, Zane Forte talks FreshOutt Da Box, U.S. Army, Love for Shoes, Sponsoring a Basketball Team and more…

Born Christopher Zane Forte’, 31 years ago on January of 1986, Zane was raised by a military mother (U.S. Army) and and a soul cooking father. After 3 successful years as a team leader for a thriving marketing group, Zane decided to join the U.S. Army, and served as an Airborne Paratrooper Cook. 6 years, and 1 deployment passed.

Not willing to go back to a civilian lifestyle, Zane came up with a bright idea to make living from something he loved. Shoes!!! And so, FreshOutt Da Box was born.

Now FreshOutt Da Militay…, Zane and FreshOutt Da Box are now in the United States.

Today Zane, Now 31 is still working hard at his business, finding more and more ways to outreach his brand while giving back to his community. FreshOutt Da Box now the sponsors a 6th Grade boys basketball team, giving young boys who parents can’t afford for there child to play sports an opportunity.

According to Zane Forte…“A man is not judged by his success, but his Journey to Glory”

Good business and Good deeds are the principals Zane Forte’ likes to live by. The rest of life will fall in it’s proper place. Check out my exclusive interview with him below:

Hey Zane! Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello, I’m Christopher Zane Forte’(31). My older sister Ayesha and I were raised by my military mother Master Sergeant Gloria Forte’(US Army) and there soul cooking father Chef LP Forte’. After 3 successful years as a team leader for a thriving marketing group, at 23 year old I decided to join the US Army.

Talk me through an average day in the life of you?
The best thing about entrepreneurship is not having anymore average days. Some days I’m processing orders and marketing items available for purchase, other days I’m on stage at music concerts or traveling state to state promoting the company.

What institution(s) did you attend and what did you study?
I attended Ball State University as well as Ivy Tech Bloomington, Indiana. At both institutions I studied business management.

At the age 23 you decided to join the U.S. Army. What was the experience like?
It was a life altering experience, but one I am still grateful for. We are a band of brothers and sisters, and I still keep them in my prayers.

Tell us more about “FreshOutt Da Box”, what is the company all about and what projects are you guys involved in?
FreshOutt Da Box is an international reseller of shoes and apparel. We sell our products to customers worldwide. Other projects we are working on include the expansion of a 12 year old boys basketball team, we cover their shoes, uniforms, and tournament cost. FreshOutt Da Box has also begun collaborating with the Royal Kings Footwear brand and opened AutoPilots Media group as we now manage and promote musical talents.

You walked away from a promising career at a medical facilities company to focus on your own company, why?
As much as I enjoyed the food service field, it wasn’t my first love,It still felt like work. Now, I’m engaged all day, every day with my business and it never feels like a job. It’s something I love to do.

Zane’s wife Werry Forte with Jeremiah Phillips

How’s the business climate for start-ups in the United States?
I originated my business while still living in Germany. As the company has grown, introducing the company to the United States market can be a challenge, there customers take time to adapt to an alternative place to buy products outside from the malls and boutiques. My advice is to focus on your target audience, and only promote to them. Why waste your time, money, and energy promotion your product to people that aren’t interested or can’t afford your product?

Your company “FreshOutt Da Box” is now the sponsors of a 6th Grade boys basketball team. What was the reason and why did you decide to do so?
I have 3 sons, sports are a way to teach them teamwork and leadership. I decided to start a team to give other kids the chance to stop playing video games and really learn the game of basketball.

Given your passion for doing business, what will you say keeps you motivated/inspired to stay dedicated to what you love?
I love knowledge, but I receive it but living it. I encourage all young adults to go to school, but I’ve learned business by being around business and businessmen. Every time I meet another CEO or Director I tried to absorb as much from them, and see what positive actions they have taken I can apply to my businesses.

You are a young entrepreneurial minded guy. How do you balance your personal and professional life?
I definitely spend a lot on the road, especially being in entertainment as well as sales. I have a great relationship with my wife, she is my foundation and my biggest supporter, so lucky she understands my movements and cherish all the time we spend together.

You were raised by a military mother and Chef father, will you say that as groomed you to the man that you are today?
I absolutely blame all my success and future success to my parents. My father passed away when I was 19, but he definitely instilled a lot into me before he passed. My mother tells me all the time how proud he would be of me. She had my sister and I disciplined at an early age, and we didn’t really play video games growing up, school and sports were our focus. I want to have my sons the same way.

How often do you go to the gym and how many hours do you spend while you there?
I like to do short intense workouts 3 times a week. They would consist of 30 minutes of free weight and machine lifting, then ill jog 2 miles. I’m now a disabled veteran and have sustained injuries, so I try to stay fix but not try to injure myself.

What’s your 3 Dos and Don’t when it comes to being an entrepreneur?

Dos:

1. Make a realistic plan, no matter how long it takes to make it make sense. Follow the course, build your roadmap and don’t deviate once u see the plan form before your eyes. Be humble, and keep your circle small as possible.

2. Be open to opportunities outside of your business. Some opportunities can be cross marketed.

3. Stay positive. There will be struggles you will experience that may cause you to consider giving up. You must be positive and understand if your well planned and executed, it will workout to your favor.

Don’t:

1. Don’t tell everyone your business. They can’t stop what they can’t see.

2. Don’t mix family and homeboys with your business. Discounts are OK, but partnerships may not be a good idea.

3. Don’t forget where you came from. When u start seeing success remember to stay humble and focused on the goal.

What would you say is the main misconception the public have about self-made guys?
We are all scam artists… When they see young success, especially as a minority, people feel you had to be dishonest to get there. That’s further from the truth. Good business and great customer service is what we at FreshOutt Da Box stand for.

What aspect surprised you the most once you started your own company?
How different people started to act around me. Everyone gotta get a discount.

Which brands, clients, companies, have you worked with?
We deal with all the top designers, I definitely suggest everyone to check out everything we have to order. We won’t disappoint.

What is the favourite part of your job?
Meet new people all the time. I love networking.

What has been one of the most memorable jobs to work on?
Definitely traveling the world marketing my company, one time while in Germany I use to drive all over to country just to deliver kicks.

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet?
I would love to find a great Corporate sponsor along with FreshOutt Da Box to help build elite basketball teams across the country where kids can learn and excel, and parents won’t need to worry about all the financial burdens or summer basketball programs.

Tell us two things people don’t know about you?
1. I love Taco Bell.
2. I enjoy listening to Hall and Oats.

What do you consider your biggest professional success so far?
When people stopped calling me Zane and started calling me FreshOutt Da Box when I walked into clubs and concerts. That was a surreal experience the first few times.

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet?
I want to work with the NBA or NCAA to work on camps to help more youth kids play organized sports.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Changing the U.S. markets perception of online shopping. It’s something that we are constantly working to change. Great images and affordable pricing for most budgets. That’s how we change the perception.

You are very active on social media. Do you think its important to be online and if so why?
FreshOutt Da Box tries to stay very active on there social media outlets. If you are a company and you don’t have an online presence. Your dead before you started.

You now live in Indiana after moving from Germany via Ohio. How is that working out for you?
Indiana is great for the basketball program but international sales is a better target for my business. As success grows we will continue to grow our U.S. presence.

What are your must visit travel destinations?
1. Thailand
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Africa top to bottom

Name 6 things we should take seriously about our style choices?
1. How it fits.
2. How comfy it feels.
3. How it makes your confidence feels.
4. How original or apart from the crowd it is.
5. How affordable can I get it?
6. You want to look like a million dollars without paying a thousand.

How would you describe your style?
Versatile. I try to adapt to all my surroundings, and use a bit of my style into all fashion markets.

What style genre appeals to you the most?
Casual and urban.

Name your 5 must have accessories/essentials?
1. A good book to read
2. A nice watch
3. A clean shirt to wear
4. A designer belt
5. And some kicks FreshOutt Da Box

What are your favorite fashion trends?
Now that it’s summer I’m very excited for the return of personal sports jerseys being worn now.

What is your favorite dish?
My wife makes a wonderful Thai dish called Meat Salad. It’s very spicy, but very delicious.

What songs are currently on your playlist?
Curren$y is my favorite artist and an inspiration for my business. Many of his songs I can relate to, almost feels like the playlist to my life. I remember nights listening to his songs for motivation, and it also keeps me humbled and aware or future situations.

Apart from business, family, what other projects are you currently working on?
I’m like a machine that works of networking, business and family it too priority for me, so I don’t leave much time other then projects that become apart of the business.

Seeing you’re doing your dreams, what advice can you give others to pursue their dreams?
Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself, but also know the correct time to take the leap.

Any specific plans for the future?
Continue to invest in our current business then go out and invest in others like me.

Any final words?
At FreshOutt Da Box we understand trying something new is scary. We only display images from products directly from our inventory. All pictures we taken from multiple angles .

Where can we follow you online and on social media?
Follow FreshOutt Da Box:
Facebook: FreshOutt Da Box
Instagram: @freshouttdabox
Website: shop.freshouttdabox .com