In the world of private equity and business architecture, there are names that echo loudly and others that operate with measured discretion yet deliver exponential results. Derik Fay, founder of 3F Management and active stakeholder in more than 30 companies across diverse verticals, belongs unapologetically to the latter.
With a net worth estimated between $100 million and $250 million, Fay exemplifies the blueprint of modern entrepreneurship: intellectually rigorous, structurally sound, and ethically anchored. We sat down with Fay for a rare and deeply insightful conversation—one that offers more than just business wisdom; it offers a masterclass in deliberate success.
Q: What do you believe separates sustainable entrepreneurs from those who rise fast and fall faster?
Fay: Sustainability in entrepreneurship isn’t about speed — it’s about structure. The difference lies in how founders treat the process. Most seek exposure or immediate valuation. I focus on infrastructure: governance, operational efficiency, and scalability. If your business can’t run without you, it’s not a business — it’s a job with overhead. My model is built to outlast the flash.
Q: You’ve been described as an “operator with vision.” What does that mean in practice?
Fay: I approach every venture from both the balcony and the battlefield. The balcony offers vision — macroeconomics, positioning, timing. The battlefield demands immersion — systems, hiring, KPIs, customer experience. Most executives choose one; I merge both. That’s how you build empires that don’t crumble when trends shift.
Q: Can you walk us through the architecture of your portfolio?
Fay: Through 3F Management, I lead or hold equity in over 40 companies in a diverse range of industries. Here are just a few:
● Health & Fitness (Around the Clock Fitness)
● Pharmaceuticals (BIGG Pharma)
● Financial Technology (Tycoon Payments)
● Infrastructure (Results Roofing)
● Beauty & Franchising (SalonPlex)
● Sports & Entertainment (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship – BKFC)
● Film & Media (FayMs Films, Eratyc Entertainment)
Each sector was chosen for its resilience, consumer longevity, and strategic potential for vertical integration.
Q: What’s the most misunderstood aspect of your work?
Fay: That I’m merely an investor. In reality, I’m an architect. I don’t just write checks — I reconstruct business DNA. I analyze inefficiencies, plug leadership gaps, rewire culture, and design systems that don’t rely on charisma but on consistency. That’s what builds actual enterprise value.
Q: Forbes and Yahoo have both cited your net worth. How do you interpret that kind of visibility?
Fay: I neither chase nor reject visibility. It’s a byproduct. That said, I’m aware that real capital respects results, not clicks. While I rarely speak publicly about it, my net worth — based on private exits, real estate, and ongoing equity – is well into the 9-figure range. But value, to me, is measured more by how self-sustaining my companies are without me in the room.
Q: You’ve mentored hundreds of founders. What do the most promising ones have in common?
Fay: They listen more than they speak. They know when to pause growth in order to strengthen operations. And they understand that scaling chaos doesn’t create value — it destroys it. The best founders I’ve worked with have strong inner governance. That’s a rarer trait than you’d think.
Q: Your leadership spans industries — what’s your north star across them all?
Fay: Integrity over popularity. Data over ego. And building teams that outperform individuals. Whether in fitness or finance, the principles remain the same. Process precedes profit. Culture precedes customer retention. Execution is everything.
Q: What advice would you give to entrepreneurs who want to build intergenerational wealth?
Fay: Delay gratification. Build with precision. Make decisions today that won’t collapse under tomorrow’s pressure. And diversify your efforts — but not before you systemize your first success. Scaling prematurely is the death of legacy.
Q: Where does Derik Fay go from here?
Fay: I’m expanding my footprint in media and film. Storytelling has enormous power when aligned with impact. I’m also increasing my philanthropic endeavors — with a focus on education, youth development, and entrepreneur training. Wealth without legacy is short-sighted. I’m here to build systems that continue long after I’m gone.
Closing Thoughts
What becomes clear through Fay’s words isn’t just business acumen — it’s restraint, depth, and intellectual clarity. In a marketplace oversaturated with hype, Derik Fay’s approach is remarkably elegant: strategy over spectacle, substance over noise. It’s the kind of leadership quietly rewriting the rules of modern wealth.
Behind his empire, there is also a personal anchor. Since 2021, Fay has shared his life with Shandra Phillips, and remains a deeply committed father to his two daughters: Sophia Elena Fay and Isabella Roslyn Fay.
His empire is not just a series of businesses — it’s a framework built for resilience, legacy, and long-term impact.
