Jimmy Weil joins Host Todd S. Rich on declarations. for a wide-ranging conversation about his upbringing in the Bronx, the lessons he learned on the streets and basketball courts, and the decades he spent building, scaling, and ultimately selling a national paint and coatings company. Jimmy reflects on inheriting a struggling family business, transforming it through niche products and strategic acquisitions, and navigating both near-failure moments and breakout wins. He also shares why he continued building and investing after selling to Benjamin Moore, how he evaluates entrepreneurs today, and why relationships, humor, and resilience have shaped every chapter of his life.

They discuss:
 • Growing up with limited resources, early independence, and learning to read people
 • Building Insl-x by focusing on specialty coatings and smart acquisitions
 • The challenges and breakthroughs of scaling into a national manufacturer
 • Selling the business to Benjamin Moore and deciding not to stay on
 • Active ownership in gas stations, convenience stores, insurance, and cyber businesses
 • How street smarts, teamwork, and persistence have guided his decisions
 • The role of humor, philanthropy, and family throughout his career

Links:

Podcast Website: https://www.declarationpartners.com/podcast/

Host Todd S. Rich on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-s-rich-6a091333/

Declaration Partners - https://www.declarationpartners.com/

David & Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell: https://a.co/d/e3naSyi

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:57) - Jimmy's early life and family background
(00:05:24) - Lessons from the streets and basketball
(00:09:12) - From law school to paint business
(00:12:19) - Scaling challenges and innovations
(00:25:38) - Reflecting on the decision to leave Berkshire Hathaway
(00:27:10) - Venturing into gas stations and convenience stores
(00:30:40) - Investing in insurance and other diverse businesses
(00:33:40) - Lessons from the streets of the Bronx
(00:41:42) - The importance of humor and relationships in business
(00:43:39) - Philanthropy and giving back
(00:45:49) - Balancing work, family, and mentorship
(00:47:07) - Closing thoughts and advice for entrepreneurs
(00:50:45) - Podcast disclaimer and legal information