Big Shot

It's cliché to say that you can see further when standing on the shoulders of giants. But it's also a mentality that has served some of the most successful entrepreneurs. No matter how brilliant the individual, great leaders know that building a world-class team can take a company from being a good idea to becoming a household name. And wise employees know that if they can find a leader who understands the value of a team, then the opportunity and upside can be unlimited. In this episode, you'll learn how four different founders approach building teams, the value of good partners, and how the best founders are obsessed with helping their employees reach their full potential.

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In This Episode, We Cover:

(00:00) Intro 

(03:15) Charles Bronfman’s partner formula 

(04:40) The importance of chemistry 

(05:30) How Issy Sharp made his first hire at the Four Seasons

(10:30) Building the cornerstone of the Four Seasons brand 

(12:55) Why Four Seasons employees can stay for free 

(13:35) Aldo Bensadoun’s day 1 message to employees 

(14:37) How Aldo built integrity into his hiring process 

(17:55) Jonathan Wener’s focus on making his employees wealthy 

(19:40) The difference between operating a company and building a culture

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Where To Find Big Shot: 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠  

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠   

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠  

Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠ 

David Segal: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠

Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

In today’s episode, we explore stories from our guests on how their parents and the previous generation profoundly impacted their lives. You’ll hear from Ed Sonshine, Jonathan Wener, Issy Sharp, Charles Bronfman, and Aldo Bensadoun about how they learned their relentless work ethic from their parents and the power of learning by example. It’s a great example of how each generation stands on the shoulders of the giants that came before them.

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In This Episode, We Cover:

(00:00) Welcome to Big Shot Shorts

(00:58) The power of the past generation

(04:22) Ed Sonshine on the two things his father taught him

(07:49) How Jonathan Wener learned his work ethic

(10:37) Issy Sharp on learning by example

(16:15) Charles Bronfman on learning to give back

(20:04) Aldo Bensadoun on treating others with love, respect, and integrity 

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Where To Find Big Shot: 

Website: ⁠https://www.bigshot.show/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠  

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠   

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠  

Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠ 

David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠

Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

In today’s episode, we dive into the concept of philanthropy and its importance for each of our season 1 guests. Tikkun Olam is a concept in Judaism that refers to various forms of action intended to repair and improve the world. You’ll hear this theme from each of today’s guests. Whether it is Issy Sharp explaining why he has helped raise $1 billion for the Terry Fox Run or Jonathan Wener saying that the best way to live a rich life is by giving back. We explore the importance of giving to the next generation and why we are truly put in this world to make it a better place.

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In This Episode, We Cover:

(00:00) Our second Big Shot Shorts episode

(03:40) Aldo Bensadoun: We are put on earth to fix the world

(08:03) The story of raising $1 billion for charity

(14:55) Ed Sonshine on the privilege money provides

(17:49) Charles Bronfman on philanthropy

(19:04) How to live a rich life through giving back

(25:43) Thanks for listening

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Where To Find Big Shot:

Website: https://www.bigshot.show/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠

Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠

David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠

Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

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Referenced:

Terry Fox Run: https://terryfox.org/

Reshaping The Future of Retail: https://www.mcgill.ca/bensadoun-school/

Mount Sinai: https://www.mountsinai.on.ca/

Defi Canderel: https://deficanderel.com/our-story

Looking for a masterclass on taking chances and winning big? This episode of Big Shot looks at the one trait shared by all the successful entrepreneurs and billionaires on the podcast -- chutzpah. It's one thing to say you can't fear failure. And it's something completely different to act in ways that seem crazy at the moment but turn out to be the perfect move. This episode shares the combined wisdom of Ed Sonshine, Charles Bronfman, Aldo Bensadoun, Jonathan Wener, Issy Sharp, and hosts Harley Finkelstein and David Segal. You'll learn how the best entrepreneurs approach risk differently than the rest, and that's a big reason why they succeed in ways others can't imagine.

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In This Episode, We Cover:

(00:00) Wow, what a first season of Big Shot

(04:02) Pitching Season 2

(05:15) Ed Sonshine on what chutzpah means to him

(06:19) Charles Bronfman on chutzpah

(07:05) Aldo Bensadoun shares his take

(12:02) Jonathan Wener on not taking no for an answer

(17:33) Issy Sharp on giving your best

(20:57) Harley and David on what chutzpah means to them

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Where To Find Big Shot:

Website: ⁠https://www.bigshot.show/

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠

Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠

David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick

⁠Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

We’re back today for part two with The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts founder, Issy Sharp. If you didn’t check out part 1, be sure to watch or listen. In this episode, we explore how Mcdonald's surprisingly had the biggest impact on the Four Seasons' approach to hospitality and led to Issy firing most of his executive team, why the Four Seasons changed their entire business model and don’t own any real estate, and how the death of his son helped inspire him to help the Terry Fox run to become the largest cancer charity event in Canada. Not to mention, he ends the episode by absolutely dropping a bomb that you just wouldn’t foresee coming. We can’t wait for you to watch today and let us know your comments by leaving a comment or a review. 

Big Shot Is Supported By Firebelly Tea

Founded by David Segal and Harley Finkelstein, Firebelly Tea was created to bring the benefits of a modern tea ritual to your life. Premium teas made with real ingredients – never any added flavorings – and smart, stylish tea accessories you'll love to use combine to help you energize, focus, rest, and digest. Because when you can taste the difference and feel the difference, you're more likely to make a difference. Big Shot listeners get 15% off – visit firebellytea.com/bigshot in the US or firebellytea.ca/bigshot in Canada.

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Where To Find Big Shot: 

Website: ⁠bigshot.show⁠ 

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠  

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠   

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠

Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠ 

David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠

Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

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In This Episode, We Cover:

(00:00) Welcome to Big Shot and part 2 with Issy Sharp

(00:25) Meet Firebelly Tea 

(04:34) Issy Sharp Introduction

(06:38) How Issy built the standard in hospitality

(13:04) How Mcdonald's had a huge impact on the Four Seasons

(15:48) When Issy fired his entire executive team

(19:50) How the Golden Rule transcended time

(22:58) Why the Four Seasons never own their real estate

(33:28) How Issy balances family and a multi-billion dollar company 

(42:50) Issy helped raise $850 million for the Terry Fox Run 

(50:24) What chutzpah means

(55:00) Why Big Shot exists

(58:16) You’ll never believe Issy’s most important piece of advice

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Referenced:

Terry Fox Run: https://terryfox.org/ 

Today we’re joined by none other than Isadore (Issy) Sharp, the founder of The Four Seasons. We’re talking about one, if not the most iconic luxury hotel brands in the world. His story is incredible. From growing up and working in construction. To how he met his wife that’s he’s still with over 70 years later. This episode was so damn good we had to split it into two parts. In part one, you’ll learn what Issy’s upbringing was like, why Issy has never felt fear, the most important concepts that made the Four Seasons successful, and arguably the best investment of all time. 

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Where To Find Big Shot: 

Website: ⁠bigshot.show⁠ 

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠  

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠   

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠  

Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠ 

David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠

Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

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In This Episode, We Cover:

(00:00) Welcome to Big Shot and meet our guest Issy Sharp

(05:45) Learn about Issy’s upbringing and the influence his parents had on him

(12:40) Why every Four Seasons design still goes through Issy to this day

(14:33) How Issy met his wife over 70 years ago and his ability to never have fear 

(22:50) How Issy had the chutzpah at even a young age

(24:25) The story of Issy’s first hotel project and how he built the Four Seasons

(30:00) Arguably the best investment of all time 

(33:15) Why it was named the Four Seasons

(37:05) The key concepts that made the Four Seasons so successful

(45:29) How the Inn on the Park was designed on the architect’s deathbed 

(51:59) How Issy got a $600k loan to take the Four Seasons to the next level

(55:25) Why London became the prototype and catalyst for the Four Seasons 

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Referenced:

ITT Corporation: https://www.britannica.com/topic/ITT-Corporation 

Ford Thunderbird: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Thunderbird_(second_generation) 

Tanenbaum Family: https://search.ontariojewisharchives.org/Permalink/accessions24895 

Inn on the Park: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inn_on_the_Park 

Peter Dickinson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Dickinson_(architect) 

WZMH Architects: https://www.wzmh.com/about/history/ 

Dorchester Hotel: https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/london/the-dorchester/ 

Ed Sonshine is one of those people you could speak with for hours and barely scratch the surface of his life. Born in Bergen-Belsen Displaced Persons Camp after World War II to two Holocaust survivors, he immigrated to Canada as a young child. After already becoming a very successful lawyer, he founded RioCan, which, at the time, was the first REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) in Canada. As of this recording, RioCan operates 193 properties, has over 33 million in leasable square feet, and an evaluation of $15 billion. In this episode of Big Shot, you’ll learn what it was like being born in Germany after the war, how Ed built a real estate empire while still being a family man, why he thinks the Jewish community is extremely self-reliant, and much more.

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Where To Find Big Shot: 

Website: ⁠bigshot.show⁠ 

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠  

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠   

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠  

Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠ 

David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠

Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

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In This Episode, We Cover:

(00:00) Welcome to Big Shot and meet our guest Ed Sunshine

(05:40) The early days of Ed’s life and being born in a displaced person’s camp

(10:18) Why Ed’s father was a smuggler after the war and never complained

(14:55) What made Ed want to be successful and change career paths

(19:12) When Ed got the idea to bring the first REIT to Canada

(24:38) What he learned from his father that had a profound impact on him 

(27:20) How Ed built a business empire while being a family man

(31:20) Why Ed finally got a cottage 

(36:40) How Ed defines success, financial security, and purpose

(42:15) Why the Jewish community is self-reliant

(50:51) How Ed defines chutzpah

(52:32) A story you need to hear about Ed’s father

(58:36) What worries Ed about the future 

(1:04:40) Ed’s biggest piece of advice to younger generations

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Referenced:

RioCan: https://www.riocan.com/ 

Bergen-Belsen Displaced Persons Camp: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/bergen-belsen-displaced-persons-camp 

An Empire Of Their Own: How the Jews Invented Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/Empire-Their-Own-Invented-Hollywood/dp/0385265573 

Jonathan Wener is proof that nice guys don't finish last. The founder of Canderel, which has developed over 80 million square feet throughout Canada, has a reputation for being one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. In this episode of Big Shot, you'll discover how his bold decisions at 25 turned a $10,000 loan into more than $15 billion, how he always used kindness to create opportunity, and how he approached objections and adversity in his career.

Where To Find Big Shot: 

Website: ⁠bigshot.show⁠ 

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠  

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠   

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠  

Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠ 

David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠

Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

In This Episode, We Cover:

(00:00) Welcome to Big Shot and our guest Jonathan Wener

(03:40) How Jonathan created $1M in value by 17

(09:05) Where Jonathan’s hard work ethic comes from

(11:45) How Jonathan bought the Student Union building and got the mayor’s attention

(14:38) Integrity over revenue

(20:30) Jonathan’s first deal with $5,000 in his bank account

(29:01) What made Jonathan quit his job overnight and start his own business

(36:17) A story around building a strong business relationship

(43:18) The incredible Royal Trust story

(52:00) The importance of giving back and philanthropy

(55:28) Jonathan’s most significant lessons in life

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Referenced:

Canderel: https://canderel.com/ 

Défi Canderel: https://deficanderel.com/ 

If you have ever wondered if you have what it takes to become an entrepreneur, then listening to Aldo Bensadoun's story could be a life-changing experience. Entrepreneurship is a natural calling for some. For others, it's a destiny that seems to find them. In this episode, Aldo takes us on a journey from his humble beginnings to building a billion-dollar brand that may have never existed if it wasn't for one life-changing decision that turned a loyal employee into a trailblazing founder who still feels like he has something to prove.

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Where To Find Big Shot: 

Website: bigshot.show⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠

Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠

David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠

Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

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In This Episode, We Cover:

(00:00) Welcome to Big Shot and our guest Aldo Bensodaun

(03:10) Aldo’s upbringing 

(06:20) How Aldo sold encyclopedias door-to-door

(11:00) How Aldo ended up in retail after all

(14:45) Why Aldo eventually decided to start his own business 

(20:15) Aldo’s business model – be a capitalist and a fair person

(26:30) The key decisions in Aldo’s life

(27:20) Why Aldo stopped working with their biggest partner

(31:38) How Skechers was created on a napkin

(34:00) Cause marketing and Jewish heritage 

(34:98) What makes Jewish entrepreneurs so unique

(37:00) What Aldo wants you to learn from his life

(41:08) Aldo’s proudest accomplishment

(43:06) Why Aldo feels he still hasn’t made it 

(43:56) Would life have been different if Aldo had stayed with his former boss

(44:55) The ultimate discount setup

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Referenced:

Phi Epsilon Pi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phi_Epsilon_Pi

Le Château: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Ch%C3%A2teau

Dr. Martens: https://www.drmartens.com/us/en/ 

Robert Greenberg: https://about.skechers.com/executive-team/

Tikkun Olam: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikkun_olam

Some entrepreneurs don't just build businesses, they take bold risks that can shape a country or revitalize a religion. That's Charles Bronfman. On the first episode of Big Shot, hosted by Harley Finkelstein and David Segal, you'll learn about Bronfman’s incredible upbringing, lessons, and experiences that inspired many transformational initiatives. From watching his father build Seagram’s to bringing the Expos to Canada and founding Birthright Israel. Bronfman left a legacy in business, charity, and family with endless lessons for all.

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Where To Find Big Shot: 

Website: bigshot.show 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/  

Harley Finkelstein: https://twitter.com/harleyf 

David Segal: https://twitter.com/tea_maverick

Production and Marketing: ⁠https://penname.co/

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In This Episode, We Cover:

(00:00) Welcome to Big Shot. More about our first guest

(02:15) The catalyst behind Big Shot

(04:05) What is the meaning of chutzpah

(05:38) How Charles brought Major League Baseball to Canada

(10:02) The story of Charles telling his father, Sam, about bringing baseball to Canada 

(15:00) The incredible story of building Birthright Israel

(20:18) What makes Jews so unique when it comes to business and entrepreneurship 

(26:31) Charles Bronfman’s three biggest things to consider in your life

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Referenced:

Distilled: Distilled A Memoir of Family, Seagram, Baseball, and Philanthropy: https://www.amazon.com/Distilled-Memoir-Seagram-Baseball-Philanthropy/dp/144345396X 

Sam Bronfman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Bronfman 

Birthright Israel: https://www.birthrightisrael.com/ 

Seagram’s: https://www.seagramsescapes.com/