Ray Tawil is the founder of PREPT by Ray T, a hospitality business based out of Brooklyn specializing in high-end catering, events, and food delivery.

In this episode, Ray opens up about what it's really like to run a hospitality company–and it's not what you think.

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SPONSORS:

• Yazdi Entertainment, New York's premiere event production company. https://www.instagram.com/yazdi_entertainment/

[email protected] or (646) 765-5643

• Kosher Media, the #1 advertising network for Jewish communities worldwide: https://koshermedia.com

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🎙️ Momentum brings you the stories, advice, and wisdom of business visionaries, designed to inspire and guide you on your path to success.Be sure to subscribe on all platforms:

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GEAR:

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• Clip-on Mics: https://amzn.to/3H52iwo

• Mic Stands: https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL

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• Tripods: https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI

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(0:00) Coming up...

(1:29) Ray T's catering/cooking accomplishments

(1:54) Starting a BBQing business at age 12

(3:42) Working at a restaurant

(4:24) Going to the #1 culinary school in the country

(6:35) State-of-the-art equipment in college

(7:48) What's culinary school like as a religious jew?

(9:51) Dealing with the prohibition of mixing meat and milk

(10:28) Were you concerned you wouldn't make money as a chef?

(12:30) What motivated you to start a business at 12 years old?

(13:54) Being different

(15:47) "Love what you do"

(17:30) Studying in culinary school for 4 years instead of 2

(18:50) Why pursue a 2nd degree in food science?

(20:14) Ray's parents' nuanced approach to education

(20:31) Yazdi Entertainment

(21:31) Expanding his business after college

(23:11) How to grow past the 1-man-band stage

(24:27) What it's really like to grow a business: skipping parties, sleepless nights

(26:18) "I was 2 weeks away from closing my doors"

(28:01) Being goal-oriented

(28:34) Turning himself into a high-line brand

(30:14) How do you scale a brand that requires YOU?

(32:28) Ray T's daily routine

(34:28) The 3 arms of Ray T's business

(35:49) Catering an event with Donald Trump

(41:54) Kosher Media

(42:41) Getting into catering trips (i.e. Passover, vacations)

(45:50) BBQing his 1st trip

(48:55) Opening up about how his business almost went bankrupt

(49:52) Ray T's marketing

(50:41) Increasing customer awareness through marketing

(51:24) The origins of "ooh ooh ooh"

(52:35) The moment he realized he may have to shut down the business

(55:28) Balancing business and family

(57:10) Work-life balance on vacation

(58:34) Advice to teenagers reluctant to pursue their passion

(1:00:00) Should people chase their passion?

(1:01:40) Momentum Moment

(1:03:29) Takeaway #1: say yes now, figure it out later

(1:04:09) Takeaway #2: be smart about following your passion

(1:04:31) Takeaway #3: diversify your income streams

(1:04:50) Outro