The Phat Startup founders, Anthony Frasier and James Lopez, have spent the last year focused on taking their company to the next level. They are seeing the benefits of diving in and learning as they go, working tirelessly to achieve their dreams and helping others to do the same. But during their down time, the determined pair makes time for what keeps them balanced.
“Considering I have two kids, I always put out this hashtag, #presenceoverpresents, and to me, being able to hang out with my kids is better than me being able to buy them gifts,” said Lopez, a father of two, a 7-year-old and a 1-year-old. “For me to stay grounded, I just stick to my family.”
It’s The Phat Startup and family for the 34-year-old dad. Lopez has fun playing baseball or watching the Ultimate Fighting Championship with his eldest son, and has already introduced him to technology. His 1-year-old is already getting a taste of entrepreneurship, too, as Lopez juggles meetings and playtime with the young tot.
On the flip side, Frasier used to turn to video games for balance but hasn’t had much time to do so. Instead, he’s more into improving himself and striving to achieve balance spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. (He subscribes to James Altucher’s daily practice.)
“I see myself a little bit happier, I’m breathing a bit easier,” he said.
Although the two live somewhat opposite lives, Frasier, a twenty-something single, and Lopez, a married, family man, they vibe on many things: hip-hop, Business and, last, but certainly not least, books.
“We were prepared. We got a little lucky, but we were always ready to go.”
Similar to their response on which hip-hop track best defined their journey, asking the well-read treps for just one book recommendation wasn’t happening—they had numerous suggestions.
Lopez lists Alexis Ohanian’s Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed and Gary Vaynerchuk’s Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World as current favorites, while Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money—That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not! is his timeless classic. “I think that was a big book for me and people in my culture,” said Lopez. “If you’re a minority and haven’t read Rich Dad, Poor Dad you better get up on that.”
Frasier’s long list includes Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power, Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi with Tahl Raz and Smart or Lucky? How Technology Leaders Turn Chance Into Success by Judith Hurwitz. He’s really intrigued by the last book, introducing the question: Was The Phat Startup smart or lucky?
“We were prepared,” said Frasier, after pausing on the question. “We got a little lucky, but we were always ready to go.”
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'I'm A Business, Man' It’s just another day for ThePhat Startup founders Anthony Frasier and James Lopez. Today is a littledifferent, though, because it’s the day before their panel at South bySouthwest (SXSW), and the duo is handling business from the Austin Convention Center. They’re not alone. Theirbusiness has expanded to include Jesal Trivedi, who handles marketing alongsideLopez, and Jahde Eve, second in command when it comes to business development.
