Rob Dyrdek on Designing a Desirable Life The Serial Entrepreneur and founder of Dyrdek Machine discusses running a multidimensional business, designing a desirable future, and pursuing goals by taking action.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Key Takeaways

  • Multidimensional Business - Rob Dyrdek believed in his ultra-popular show, Ridiculousness. Even with the hard work he put into growing it, he had no idea he would surpass his goal by almost 400%. Selling it at $190 million illuminated the value of exploring multidimensional aspects of operation. He believes that all businesses, restaurants included, should also follow suit.
  • Design a Pathway for the Future You Desire - Rob Dyrdek has done a lot for a long time. However, despite his high visibility and seemingly increasing riches, he wasn't happy and, according to him, was merely breaking even. That's when Dyrdek had to step back and redesign how he operated and learn the nuances of business.
  • Take The Action! - Rob Dyrdek's fearlessness has transcended skateboarding and business. His best advice for anybody trying to do anything is to do it. Take action. Design your life to meet your goals, and actively pursue them.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Rob Dyrdek Manufactures Amazing by optimizing his life at every step.

The serial entrepreneur and founder of Dyrdek Machine can sum up his success with one phrase: "I put myself in a position to get lucky."

Rob Dyrdek's pivot in focus caused him to set forth on a path to share his story with others to help them also focus on their priorities and learn balance.

"You've got to decide what you actually love to do and what you want the future to become, and then design a pathway to get there." says Rob Dyrdek to Restaurant Influencers host Shawn Walchef of CaliBBQ Media.

That realization came after Dyrdek had already created wildly successful TV shows, such as Rob & Big, and the ever-popular Ridiculousness series. Though the latter had seen unprecedented success on MTV (conquering much of their programming schedule), Rob Dyrdek says he dedicated an exorbitant amount of time to his work while merely breaking even.

"Despite having all of this stuff and it was breaking even based off of my athlete (ability) and talent." explains Dyrdek of his awakening. "And so it just changed me and made me realize not only am I not the entrepreneur that I thought that I was, but I don't even fully understand business like I thought I did. And I also just wasn't happy."

Rob Dyrdek took this new knowledge and began to create the life he felt most desirable by creating the Dyrdek Machine and optimizing every minute of his day. Now, Ridiculousness, one of his flagship products and MTV's most prominent shows of all time, runs on high octane.

Once burned out by shooting 60 shows a year, Dyrdek has created such production efficiency, he has increased that output to 250 shows last year. But it doesn't stop there. He has plans to shoot an astounding 336 shows per year for the next five years.

How?

"It's the most highly optimized, automated machine you can even imagine," says Rob Dyrdek about his Ridiculousness empire.

He adheres to optimization in business with the idea of growth in all areas of life. More productivity equates to less time needed to do so, which creates more time for family. That's a priority for Dyrdek.

Balance is a key part of the entire Dyrdek organization. However, none of this is possible for any business owner or human being without Dyrdek's most potent piece of advice.

"Take the action," Rob Dyrdek advises. "You know that there is a better future for yourself, but you've got to decide what that better future looks like. Whether that's creating content for your restaurant, whatever it is…

"Decide what that better future is, and then build the plan backwards from there to today."

***

ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS:

Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants. Learn more about Toast.

Restaurant Influencers is also supported by AtmosphereTV - TV to Enhance Your Business. Try AtmosphereTV.

Shawn P. Walchef

Founder of Cali BBQ Media

“Be the show, not the commercial.”

Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn Walchef helps brands and leaders leverage the new Business Creator Economy with strategic Smartphone Storytelling and Digital Hospitality.

His Cali BBQ restaurant company has generated more than $35 million since opening in 2008. They operate numerous locations in San Diego and beyond.

Shawn’s weekly video series Restaurant Influencers (published by Entrepreneur Media and produced by Cali BBQ Media) has been seen by over 25 million people.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

More from Restaurant Influencers

What It's Like Putting on a Restaurant Show for 55,000 People

How a Spot on 'The Montel Williams Show' Sparked a Restaurant Power Brand for This Miami Chef

A Loyal Customer Asked Him to Cater One Event. Now, He Runs More Than 1,000 a Year.

This 'Chopped' Champ Beat Cancer 6 Times, Lost Nearly 200 Pounds and Found Power in Presence

Buying / Investing in Business

Former Zillow Execs Target $1.3T Market

Co-ownership is creating big opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Side Hustle

She Quit Her Job at Trader Joe's After Starting a Side Hustle With $800 — Then She and Her Brother Grew the Business to $20 Million

Jaime Holm and Matt Hannula teamed up to build a business in an industry that "didn't exist" yet.

Business News

'The Worst Time of My Life': $100 Million Deli Fraudster Sentenced to Prison

North Carolina businessman Peter Coker Sr. faces prison time and massive fines for his part in a scheme to defraud investors.

Business News

Nissan Is Doubling Its Initial Layoff Announcement, Cutting 20,000 Jobs: 'A Wake-Up Call'

The automaker is dealing with slowing sales and a recent failed merger with Honda.

Business News

Microsoft Is Laying Off Over 6,000 Employees, About 3% of Its Workforce. Here's Why.

The company said the cuts will affect all divisions and locations, with a focus on managers.