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Jared Epstein started as a club promoter working the velvet ropes of Meatpacking and ended up transforming the entire neighborhood. 

Now the President of Aurora Capital Associates, Jared has shaped some of the city's most iconic blocks, bringing in high-end retail, restoring historic buildings, and saying no to short-term profits in favor of long-term value.

In this episode, we unpack how he built a retail empire from the ground up, why he still thinks like a hustler, and how emotional intelligence became his unfair advantage in real estate. Jared shares the highs and lows of balancing soul and strategy, the bold tenant decisions that defied market logic, and the deeply personal relationships that fuel his deals.

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Connect with us on LinkedIn
Brian Whelan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/
Mitchel Flaherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/

(00:00) Intro
(01:18) Why Emotional Intelligence Wins in Real Estate
(03:09) Life as a Club Promoter
(06:14) Jared’s Connection to the Meatpacking District
(09:31) How Retail Rents Skyrocketed to $500/ft
(12:24) Turning Down Banks and Cannabis Shops
(14:06) Why Controlling 30-40% of a Neighborhood Changes Everything
(16:17) From First Deal to 30+ Joint Ventures with the Gottlieb Estate
(20:03) How Jared Turns Difficult Landlords into Partners
(26:56) Inside Jared’s Partnership with Bobby Cayre
(32:52) Is There Another Meatpacking? (Williamsburg to Greenpoint)
(34:21) Jared’s Love for Coach Prime and Mentorship
(36:03) The Impact of Jared’s Father and Family Values
(39:13) What Jared Would Tell His Younger Self