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GQ South Africa

Ferhat Kacmaz and his entrepreneurial odyssey: conquering adversity and attaining success

The world of business is constantly evolving, and entrepreneurs are often seeking new ways to stand out and make their mark. For Ferhat Kacmaz, the CEO of FitBurn, that means disrupting the fitness industry with his innovative approach.

May 27, 2023

Kacmaz is a serial entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast with over two decades of experience in the field. He is well-known for introducing Electric Muscles Stimulation (EMS) to the Middle East and Germany. FitBurn, his latest venture, is the world's first AI-powered Burn-to-Earn fitness app, which has recently transitioned to the AI model. However, Ferhat Kacmaz's journey to success has been a rollercoaster ride. The 43-year-old German entrepreneur went from owning multiple businesses, including restaurants, nightclubs, and gyms, to sleeping in his car during a period of adversity so that he could keep his Dubai dream alive by not giving up at the most critical period of his entrepreneurial journey. From Whiz Kid to Small Business Owner Kacmaz was born in Bielefeld, Germany. Since his early days, he was inclined towards entrepreneurship. During his school days, Kacmaz bought and sold technology goods from the USA which were not available in Germany. It was then that he understood the significance of staying ahead of trends, which could give him an arbitrage advantage. Kacmaz completed his education in event management at Bielefeld university. He enrolled in Deutsche Fitness Academy in 2012, to pursue sports and fitness management and become a certified personal fitness trainer. From then on, he knew fitness was going to play a huge role in this life. In 1999, Kacmaz began his entrepreneurial journey by acquiring a restaurant and managing it for the next three years. Following this, Kacmaz ventured into the entertainment industry by establishing his event company, Desire Events. He was a trailblazer in the nightclub, concert, and event industry in Germany due to his innovative ideas, eventually leading to the establishment of his own nightclubs, "Diamonds" and "The Gallery Club" in Bielefeld. In addition, he is the founder of the highly successful "The Freaky Friday" night parties, which are huge music event parties in Germany. Discovering his Purpose: Going through Countless Setbacks and Adversity However, his venture into the nightlife scene in Germany was extremely stressful as he had to deal with unnecessary dangers such as dealing with the mafia. He had to pay protection money to ensure that his business was not disrupted. Running a nightclub was also a grueling and demanding affair for Kacmaz as he had to deal with many aspects that required long hours and significant effort. Time was beginning to be a luxury for him and he barely had much for himself. Over time, the mounting stress of running his businesses took a toll on Kacmaz's health, and he found himself living an unhealthy lifestyle, resulting in significant weight gain. Determined to make a change, Kacmaz began incorporating workouts into his routine by regularly hitting the gym. It was during one of these workouts that he stumbled upon EMS training, which would ultimately change the trajectory of his life and career. Getting into the Uber Competitive Fitness Industry Kacmaz's weight loss journey inspired him to explore the world of EMS training. After shedding 30 kg in six months, he obtained his own certification in EMS training and purchased his own machine for home use. Recognizing the potential impact of EMS training on the fitness industry, Kacmaz opened his two studios in Bielefeld to showcase this new technology to the public. Upon discovering that EMS was not yet introduced in Dubai and the entire Middle East region, Kacmaz saw an opportunity to bring this technology to the area before it became mainstream. He collaborated with some partners, raised some money, and brought his entire team to Dubai in 2012 where he planned on making his impactful debut in the world of fitness. At the beginning, everything looked optimistic as Kacmaz secured deals with top hotels, such as Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Group, and Fitness First. However, the process of obtaining a business license in Dubai eventually proved to be a setback, and they faced an entire year being delayed due to government complications. As a result of the delay, Kacmaz and his team depleted their funds and savings, causing his partners to return to Germany. Only one fitness trainer stayed with Kacmaz during this difficult time. By now, Kacmaz has invested all of his money and is struggling to make ends meet, to the point where he has to sleep in his car as he no longer has money left to pay rent. Despite the obstacles, Kacmaz persevered. He managed to survive this tough time until he finally obtained the business license in January 2013. After receiving the license, Kacmaz's journey to success in Dubai became easier as he began to establish a name for himself in the industry. Over time, Kacmaz expanded his business to encompass 25 branches and a franchise system across five Middle Eastern countries. He had finally entered the big leagues. Calculated Risks and Entrepreneurial Spirit: The Lessons That Helped Shape Ferhat Kacmaz's Career Throughout his journey, Kacmaz has learned many lessons that would allow him to be at his current stature. One of the most important lessons Kacmaz has learned is the importance of perseverance. When faced with obstacles and setbacks, it can be easy to give up and move on to something else. But Kacmaz believes that true success comes from pushing through the hard times and continuing to work towards your goals. He credits his success to his willingness to keep going even when things got tough. Another lesson that helped shape Ferhat Kacmaz's career is the entrepreneurial spirit. Kacmaz had a vision of creating a business that aligned with his passion for fitness and making a positive impact on people's lives. He took the initiative to research and learn about EMS training, even obtaining his own certification, and opened his own studios in Bielefeld. This entrepreneurial spirit allowed him to identify a gap in the Dubai fitness market and take a calculated risk by introducing EMS technology before it became mainstream. His willingness to take chances and think outside the box has been crucial to his success in the fiercely competitive fitness industry. Finally, another lesson Kacmaz has learned is the importance of taking risks. When he first invested in EMS devices, they were not yet popular and there was no guarantee that they would catch on. But Kacmaz was willing to take a chance, and it paid off. He believes that taking calculated risks is essential to entrepreneurship, as it can lead to breakthroughs and innovations that can change the world. Exploring the Power and Promise of AI Today, applying the same principles that he learned throughout his entrepreneurial life, Kacmaz believes that the next big force to be reckoned with in the world is the power of AI technology. Kazmaz sees AI as being part of the next big revolution in humanity that encompasses every single industry in the world, and even the fitness industry would not be left out. Kacmaz envisions AI as a major disruptive force in the upcoming transformation of the fitness industry. He believes that AI has the capability to revolutionize the conventional model of the fitness industry by providing customized workout plans and dietary guidance that cater to each user's unique requirements and choices. This is where Kacmaz's brainchild, FitBurn, comes into the picture. FitBurn: The Ultimate Synergy between Blockchain technology and Fitness Fit Burn is a unique app that combines fitness and blockchain technology. It allows users to earn money in the form of Caloriecoin ($CAL) by getting paid for every drop of sweat they shed during their workouts. Unlike other fitness programs that offer generic workout routines and nutritional advice, FitBurn uses AI to create personalized workout and nutrition plans based on individual users' needs and goals. Kacmaz believes that AI's personalized approach to fitness not only improves the effectiveness of workouts but also makes fitness more accessible and enjoyable. With real-time feedback and progress tracking, the app can adjust workouts and nutrition plans to help users achieve their fitness goals. FitBurn also offers a community-based experience where users can connect with others in their city, find workout partners, and recommend gyms. The app monitors heart rate to determine the ideal diet plan for each user based on their workout history. FitBurn's Exciting AI Transformation FitBurn is currently undergoing an exciting transformation through the integration of artificial intelligence. Recently, the company received a $5 million investment from several notable investors, allowing them to invest in research and development in AI to enhance the user's experience and provide a more personalized approach to exercise. With a dedicated AI team working alongside fitness and nutrition experts, FitBurn is on the cutting-edge of AI technology to power their platform. Kacmaz recognizes the intrinsic need for humans to get rewarded for their efforts, whether physical or mental, and believes that FitBurn's innovative approach can serve as a model for other industries seeking to bridge the gap between their niche and cryptocurrencies. As the digital financial world continues to gain momentum, concepts like FitBurn can play a significant role in a more digitally-driven and rewarding world. Kacmaz is thrilled to see the impact FitBurn will have on the world and is excited to witness its growth

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Coin Edition

Discussing AI’s role in fitness with FitBurn CEO Ferhat Kacmaz

Ferhat Kacmaz, Founder and CEO of FitBurn, discusses the current AI trend in fitness and FitBurn‘s recent transition into the AI model in this exclusive Coin Edition interview. Kacmaz is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and fitness enthusiast, widely recognized for introducing Electric Muscles Simulation (EMS) across the Middle East and Germany. Currently, he is focusing his efforts on FitBurn: the world’s first AI-powered Burn-to-Earn fitness app.

Coin Edition

Discussing AI’s role in fitness with FitBurn CEO Ferhat Kacmaz

Ferhat Kacmaz, Founder and CEO of FitBurn, discusses the current AI trend in fitness and FitBurn‘s recent transition into the AI model in this exclusive Coin Edition interview. Kacmaz is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and fitness enthusiast, widely recognized for introducing Electric Muscles Simulation (EMS) across the Middle East and Germany. Currently, he is focusing his efforts on FitBurn: the world’s first AI-powered Burn-to-Earn fitness app.

Coin Edition

Discussing AI’s role in fitness with FitBurn CEO Ferhat Kacmaz

The Enterprise World

Blockchain Meets Fitness: How Ferhat Kacmaz’s Burn to Earn Model is Transforming Health

Building Trust and Seamless Integration

The Enterprise World

Blockchain Meets Fitness: How Ferhat Kacmaz’s Burn to Earn Model is Transforming Health

Building Trust and Seamless Integration

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CRYPTO NEWS

FitBurn is rewarding fitness through a burn to earn model

Burn-to-Earn is Motivation to Keep Fit

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FitBurn is rewarding fitness through a burn to earn model

Burn-to-Earn is Motivation to Keep Fit

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FitBurn is rewarding fitness through a burn to earn model

Analytics Insight.

Ferhat Kacmaz: Aiming to Revolutionize the Fitness Industry Globally by Utilizing Blockchain

Aiming to Revolutionize the Fitness Industry Globally by Utilizing Blockchain

Analytics Insight.

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SACHWERT MAGAZIN

Sachwert meets Krypto

Ferhat Kacmaz und Tobias Rethaber im Interview über Chancen für Anleger

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SACHWERT MAGAZIN

Sachwert meets Krypto

Ferhat Kacmaz und Tobias Rethaber im Interview über Chancen für Anleger

Phiotographer looking at the camera

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THE NATIONAL NEWS

UAE Portrait of a Nation: Millionaire slept in car after business went under

Ferhat Kacmaz, who has run restaurants, nightclubs and gyms, almost lost everything in the pursuit of the Dubai dream

THE NATIONAL NEWS

UAE Portrait of a Nation: Millionaire slept in car after business went under

Ferhat Kacmaz, who has run restaurants, nightclubs and gyms, almost lost everything in the pursuit of the Dubai dream

THE NATIONAL NEWS

UAE Portrait of a Nation: Millionaire slept in car after business went under

GO DUBAI

Ferhat Kacmaz selected as judge of Queen of USSR Beauty Pageant in Dubai

Ferhat Kacmaz was selected as a valuable member of the jury as he previously ran an events agency and worked in the entertainment industry for years.

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Ferhat Kacmaz selected as judge of Queen of USSR Beauty Pageant in Dubai

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Dubai's beauty and fitness markets expected to grow exponentially in 2019

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HEALTH MAGAZINE

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ZAWYA

Fit in Time is revolutionizing the fitness industry in the UAE

EMS is a technology relatively new to the marketplace yet has been used by astronauts and athletes since more than a decade

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