Enhanced Performance Nutrition in mid-2020 as a direct response to the founder’s frustrations with the supplement industry. Today—not far removed from its first birthday—the company boasts an impressive 50,000 followers on Instagram and has shipped tens of thousands of products to loyal customers throughout the country.
I have one question: how?
The supplement and sport nutrition industries are notoriously tricky to navigate as a newcomer. Big players like GNC, Amazon, and Vitacost generate roughly 42% of industry revenue, leaving thousands of companies just like EPN to fight over the remaining profits. Yet, somehow EPN has found a way to come out on top.
As I’ve looked into the company, I’ve begun to trace EPN’s success back to three company traits:
- An innovative business model.
- A lineup of high-quality products.
- A commitment to its Athlete Sponsorship Program.
In this article, I’m going to be focusing on this last trait. My goal is to find out what people really think of Enhanced Performance Nutrition’s sponsorship program and whether it’s a good opportunity for up-and-coming athletes.
To get some answers, our team chatted with a bunch of current EPN athletes along with the company’s sponsorship director. Here’s a summary of what we learned.
Pro’s Of EPN’s Sponsorship Program
Let’s start with the good stuff:
1. Supportive Community
One of the main things EPN Athletes love about the Athlete Program is the incredibly supportive community. Tons of the athletes we talked to could not say enough good things about the support they’d received from the company’s sponsorship department.
One powerlifter we spoke to had this to say:
“Becoming sponsored by Enhanced Performance Nutrition was actually my first time repping a brand, and I honestly had no idea what I was doing at first. The EPN team has been great about answering my questions and giving me advice when I need. They’ve made the whole experience great! My online following has grown very quickly since our partnership.”
2. Free Products and Discounts
The products and discounts that come along with EPN’s Sponsorship Program were a clear highlight for many of the members we spoke to.
EPN Athletes can take advantage of a huge range of products including pre-workouts, protein powders, and even powdered greens. In addition to at-cost prices on all these quality products, athletes also receive regular shipments of free EPN supplements to enjoy.
3. Earning Potential
One of the most impressive aspects of Enhanced Performance Nutrition’s Athlete Program is the fact that their athletes were actually earning money by promoting their products. A lot of people are skeptical when they hear this, but it’s true. A few of the athletes we spoke to were receiving regular weekly bonus pay, and others were getting strictly commission payouts.
Athletes are given a personalized referral code that tracks all sales referred from them during their time in the program. Every Friday, EPN Athletes are paid an impressive 25% of the revenue they’ve generated, along with a $100 bonus for every few products sold. We were also told that veteran athletes are paid according to their agreed-upon wage, with or without a set number of referrals.
4. Saving Potential
If you’re a fan of the products, then the Athlete Program’s unique membership system can save you money when it comes to restocking your personal supply. Sponsored Athletes are also included in the membership system EPN has to offer. This gives them the ability to buy supplements at-cost price. According to the company’s sponsorship director, the membership system has already saved athletes around $400,000.
5. Not Tied Down
A few of the athletes we spoke to were also pleased with the lack of hurdles and fine print there was when starting the process. They also mentioned they were not tied down via contract, which gave some peace of mind. If you want out for any reason, just cancel your membership!
Con’s Of EPN’s Sponsorship Program
Alrighty, let’s switch gears now. Here are some of the “not-so-great” things our team learned about the Athlete Program during our investigation:
1. Few Niche Products
One of the main complaints we heard from EPN Athletes was that the company’s product lineup was a bit… limited. They have the basics covered, but haven’t fleshed out their stock with a lot of the niche products you might be able to find at larger retailers.
While this is something that’s clearly on people’s minds, most agreed that it was likely a symptom of the company’s age. Many athletes reported conversations where company management had been open about their desire to expand EPN’s product lineup. A few athletes had even received rough roadmaps that left them feeling optimistic. The company’s director let us know that a full plant-based lineup of products, and more bodybuilding specific products were currently in the works.
2. International Shipping Costs
Nobody likes paying hefty shipping fees. That much immediately became clear in our conversations with EPN Athletes. While domestic shipping is currently affordable, international shipping can get pricey.
While this is obviously an area for improvement, the good news is that EPN Athletes and company management seem to be on the same page with their desire for change. All new companies (and EPN is definitely new) need time to streamline their distribution networks, and both parties seem optimistic that shipping costs will come down in due course.
3. Hard Earned Payouts
The last critique we heard from a few EPN Sponsored Athlete’s relates to the actual structure of the Athlete Program. As I mentioned earlier, the Athlete Program pays EPN Athletes a portion of the revenue they generate through affiliate sales, and additional performance bonuses. While most Athlete’s appreciated the uncapped earning potential, some disliked the fact that there’s no “guaranteed income” right off the bat.
While I do understand this complaint, I think the people making it may not be aware of the fact that this is how essentially all athlete programs work. At the end of the day, EPN is a business after all. The money coming in needs to be greater than the money going out. Basic economics, right? Therefore, athletes need to prove themselves before being granted set wages, which we learned was not out of reach.
The Verdict
Overall, the athletes we spoke with had overwhelmingly good things to say about Enhanced Performance Nutrition’s Sponsored Athlete Program. At worst, athletes will save a ton of money on overpriced sports supplements, and have the opportunity to grow their own personal brand and online presence. At best, well, the sky’s the limit.
As a result, I’m happy to report that EPN’s Sponsorship Program might just be the opportunity that so many up-and-coming athletes have been looking for.
To learn more about the program (or to submit an application), check out EPN’s Athlete Program page.
