Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Next Big Flex

Key Concepts:

• MSH Protein Bars: Protein bar company co-founded by Patrick Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, focused on brain health.
• Blaze Pizza: Fast-casual pizza chain in which Schwarzenegger invested early on.
• Better-for-You Brands: Companies focused on healthier alternatives, like Liquid IV, Lollipop, and Poppi.
• Entrepreneurship: Schwarzenegger's business ventures and investment strategies.
• Family Influence: The impact of Schwarzenegger's family background on his career.

Patrick Schwarzenegger's Business Ventures

• Early Investment in Blaze Pizza: At 15, Schwarzenegger interned for film producer John Davis and learned about Wetzel's Pretzels. Inspired by the Wetzels' new pizza venture, Blaze Pizza, Schwarzenegger secured a $50,000 loan from his parents to invest, joining investors like LeBron James. He opened two franchises in Los Angeles starting in 2014.
• Blaze Pizza Exit: In 2015, Schwarzenegger sold his shares of Blaze Pizza for at least $2 million, repaying his parents and reinvesting in other "Better for You" brands.
• Investments in Better-for-You Brands: Schwarzenegger invested in Liquid IV, Lollipop, and Poppi. Poppi was later sold for $2 billion.

MSH Protein Bars

• Founding and Mission: During the pandemic in 2020, Schwarzenegger and his mother, Maria Shriver, co-founded MSH, a protein bar company focused on brain health. Shriver's advocacy for Alzheimer's research, influenced by her father Sargent Shriver's battle with the disease, drove the company's mission.
• Ingredients and Benefits: MSH bars contain ingredients like citicoline, lion's mane mushrooms, and omega-3s, which are believed to improve cognition.
• Financial Investment: The duo has personally invested nearly $1 million in MSH.
• Supply Chain Challenges: Schwarzenegger notes the initial challenges with the supply chain during the company's launch. Quote: "But then it was also co when the supply chain was terrible everything that could have gone wrong went wrong otherwise their timing was perfect."
• Market Growth: The protein bar industry experienced a resurgence after 2020, reaching combined revenue of around $5 billion in 2024.
• Revenue and Future Plans: MSH had $4 million in sales in 2022, its first full year. In 2024, MSH is projected to generate over $20 million in revenue and is seeking additional funding to expand retail presence and achieve profitability.

Family Influence and Personal Identity

• Family Background: Schwarzenegger is the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, growing up in a world of Hollywood and political elites.
• Navigating His Father's Legacy: Schwarzenegger admits to considering changing his last name early in his career due to his father's fame. Quote: "There were times where I was like oh god these are big shoes to fill should I change my last name and have a stage name those things cross my mind but ultimately I'm very proud of my dad and the life that he's given me and the last name he's built and the brand he's built."
• Early Interest in Business: Schwarzenegger's interest in business was sparked at a young age, watching Shark Tank and investing in Apple stock at 15.

Conclusion:

Patrick Schwarzenegger has successfully transitioned from being known primarily as the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver to establishing himself as a successful actor and entrepreneur. His early investment in Blaze Pizza provided a foundation for future ventures, and his current focus on MSH Protein Bars reflects a commitment to both business and a cause related to brain health. Despite the challenges of navigating a famous family name, Schwarzenegger has carved out his own path in both the entertainment and business worlds.