Closed Door Meeting with Fruition Lab
This week I am excited to share an interview that I had with Jeff Tatarchuk the co-founder and CEO of Fruition Lab. Yes, I know we are doing a story about ourselves, but hang in there we thought it was important to give you the back story on how Fruition Lab got its start.
Tell me the story of how Fruition Lab got started?
Fruition started when a friend approached me about how to start a business, he heard I had recently started a thrift store and wanted to launch an idea he had been rolling around. I walked him through the process and within twelve months he was doing six figures with his wedding and DJ business.
He wanted me to take a piece of his business, I didn't, even though I’m kicking myself now for not taking some. I told him the joy I get out of helping him launch his business was all I needed. After that experience I was relaxing on my beat up pink recliner and the name Fruition came into my head. The root of the word means enjoyment and I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life helping launch and grow other entrepreneurs businesses.
Even though there are magazines, podcasts, and conferences to help entrepreneurs launch their businesses I noticed that there wasn’t a lot of content for faith driven entrepreneurs. When I started talking to people in the faith community they didn’t know how to get started or even where to go to get the resources they needed to launch their ideas. Thats where Fruition Lab comes in we exist to educate, inspire, and connect faith driven entrepreneurs.
How can I get involved in Fruition Lab?
First thing to do is join our network. You are the most valuable part of Fruition Lab. You have experiences, resources, and contacts that no one else has and the world needs to hear your perspective. If you sign up for our newsletter you can stay in the loop on the latest happenings.
Next we are planning multiple events this year. Our annual conference and pitch competition will be in the Los Angeles area Nov 4-5, but check the calendar on our website since we are planning local meetups and events at several universities.
We are currently looking for partners to help fund the training and growth of the next generation of entrepreneurs. If you are interested you can donate on our website.
Also if you are interested in getting involved in Fruition Lab just send an email to taylor@fruitionlab.org
I know a lot of people have been burned by religious organizations in the past. It sounds like you are trying to do something different can you explain what Fruition is not?
That’s an interesting question. Fruition Lab is not an exclusive club for perfect people. We are a safe place for entrepreneurs, creatives, founders, and dreamers to come together and share successes and failures.
No one really benefits by putting on a facade and telling the world that everything is okay. We want Fruition to be a place where you can be vulnerable but that vulnerability will not get taken advantage of it will be respected.
We don’t believe things can’t work. We believe the impossible is possible. That is the edge that faith gives you it allows you to believe that with God’s help you can accomplish things greater than yourself. We want to grow and nurture that mindset and allow people to reach their highest God given potential.
What are you most proud of about Fruition Lab?
I am most proud of the people within our network. The opportunities and relationships that are forming that would have never happened if it wasn’t for Fruition Lab. When I look through the previous speakers from our events, it makes me proud that we have been able to bring them together to share their stories and inspire others to take the leap and follow their dreams.
If you could change one thing about Fruition Lab what would it be?
I wish we started this sooner. But the saying is true, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and the second best time is right now.
How do you spend your day?
I spend my day with some combination of planning, reading, fundraising, traveling, speaking, or in meetings. It ends up being a little bit of everything. In the end whatever it takes to deliver the best products for our Fruition Lab network. In the beginning stages of building out Fruition Lab it was very hard to establish a set schedule since most of what we do happens all over the US. One thing that has helped is time blocking. After reading book The One Thing it helped me to implement time blocking into my schedule which has been very helpful to increase my productivity.
What do you do when you are not at work?
Not at work?! I feel like I am always at work, especially since we don’t have an office yet and because most of what we do is about building relationships. But when I do get some time to shut off my phone… I spend time with my wife and family. We spend a lot of time in LA at the beach and I’m most likely surfing.
What keeps you up at night?
The thought that there are people who have ideas that could solve major problems in our world that don’t have access to the right resources to make it happen.
What have you learned this year that was a surprise?
That I like fundraising. I used to think it was awkward to ask for money. But I have found it enjoyable to help people with the capacity to give find opportunities to connect their resources with their passions to help them make a lasting impact.
What is your finish line?
The finish line to me looks like a thriving global ecosystem of problem solvers and entrepreneurs building successful businesses and those same people utilizing their resources and experiences to re-invest it in the next generation.
What are your must read books?
Zero to One People Over Profit The E-myth Revisited How to Win at the Sport of Business Start Something That Matters
What is a quote or Bible verse that has inspired you? 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." NIV
This verse keeps me going at the times when I feel like I’m not qualified or capable of doing something.
This interview was conducted with Taylor Paris and Jeff Tatarchuk on April 9, 2018
Jeff is the co-founder and CEO of Fruition Lab. and can be reached at jeff@fruitionlab.org
Taylor Paris is a co-founder of Fruition Lab and an entrepreneur. His current ventures include real estate and software as a service.
If you would like to have your company featured email taylor@fruitionlab.org
