Samuel Krost is the founder of KROST, a mission-driven fashion brand now sold in Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Saks, and around the world.

In this episode, Samuel opens up about scaling his label into a multimillion-dollar business, the lessons he learned from getting caught inside the infamous Fyre Festival, and how his network and philanthropy have shaped the future of KROST.

Enjoy!

__________

Check out Sol Betesh on Momentum

__________

SPONSORS:

• Advanced Solar Solutions: Go Solar before December 31 to qualify for federal solar incentives! 347-455-8430 or advancedsolarny.com
• Midwood Wine: our community’s #1 wine shop @ 1433 Coney Island Avenue (Avenue J & K). WhatsApp (718) 338-7054
• Kosher Media: the premiere advertising network across Jewish communities worldwide. koshermedia.com

__________

ABOUT MOMENTUM:

🎙️ 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:

YouTube

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Instagram

__________

GEAR:

• Cameras: https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o

• Podcast Mics: https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv

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

• Mic Stands: https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL

• Lights: https://amzn.to/45lA5up

• Tripods: https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI

__________

(00:00) Coming up…

(03:05) Growing up in a family of doctors

(04:57) Living on a different path

(05:34) The pre-college days

(06:14) Bio, chem, burnout

(07:17) Dropping out of pre-med

(09:33) Switching to NYU Sports Management

(10:53) Discovering a passion for fashion

(11:55) Advanced Solar Solutions

(13:06) Internship at Onia

(15:59) Samuel's journey at Onia

(17:21) Getting a call from Andrew Rosen: CEO of Helmut Lang

(18:54) It's all about who you know

(20:38) The student/work life grind

(22:30) Working as much as possible while in college

(25:24) Ja Rule calls with an opportunity

(28:50) Building relationships with Bella/Gigi Hadid, Selena Gomez, and other celebrities

(31:17) Fyre Media before Fyre Festival

(34:06) Absorbing knowledge at Fyre

(37:44) The Fyre Festival

(42:24) Fyre Festival up in flames

(46:55) The aftermath of the festival

(49:33) Getting a call from the FBI

(51:19) Bouncing back from an all-time-low point

(53:07) An offer to replicate Fyre

(54:30) 3rd guest joins the pod

(55:10) Founding a fashion brand

(57:01) Setting yourself apart / unfair advantages

(58:41) COVID and social impact while launching KROST

(59:51) Driven by DNA to give back

(01:00:57) How Samuel runs his business

(01:02:40) Collaborating with FILA

(01:03:45) Kosher Media

(01:04:33) Choosing the direction for Krost to go in

(01:06:01) Momentum Moment - doubling down / leading his team

(01:08:19) The brand evolving with Samuel

(01:09:15) Principles for effectively leading a team

(01:12:05) Where to find KROST apparel

(01:12:49) Expanding into Paris

(01:14:02) The key to Samuel's success

(01:14:45) Advice for starting a fashion company

(01:16:30) Follow your passion? Or chase the money?

(01:19:27) The #1 characteristic of standout employees: work ethic

(01:21:29) Life is about what you can do for others

(01:23:42) Want to stand out? Master AI

(01:25:37) Closing Remarks

Abie J. Cohen is the founder and managing partner of Centre Street Partners, an NYC–based venture capital firm that’s backed dozens of startups with their latest $60M fund.

In this episode, Abie breaks down how venture capital really works, why he bets on people over ideas, and what thousands of startup pitches have taught him about success.

Enjoy!

__________

Check out Ezra Dweck on Momentum

Abie’s meditation recommendations:

• Waking Up by Sam Harris
• Transcendental Meditation

__________

SPONSORS:

• Kosher Media: the #1 advertising network across Jewish communities worldwide. https://koshermedia.com
• Life Vault Films: Capture the story of your loved one, forever. Order your film today by emailing [email protected]

__________

ABOUT MOMENTUM:

🎙️ 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:

YouTube

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Instagram

__________

GEAR:

• Cameras: https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o

• Podcast Mics: https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv

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

• Mic Stands: https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL

• Lights: https://amzn.to/45lA5up

• Tripods: https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI

__________

(00:00) Coming up…

(01:39) Introduction to Abie: investing in people

(02:26) Investing In People Vs Companies

(03:38) How do you feel out an individual?

(04:37) Not classifying himself as an entrepreneur

(05:25) Working at UBS for 13 years

(06:28) Pursuing finance at NYU Stern

(08:02) What Sales & Trading used to look like

(10:11) Rotating through UBS’s training program

(12:33) Interesting learning experiences

(14:17) Dating / getting married while working at UBS

(16:42) Switching to wealth management

(19:26) Building out his client list

(20:35) What does a wealth manager actually do?

(22:53) Deciding whether to stay or leave UBS

(25:04) Starting his own practice at UBS

(26:12) The partnership structure Abie had with UBS

(27:40) Running a solo operation at UBS

(28:18) How COVID affected Abie’s wealth management business

(30:02) Working from his bedroom during COVID

(31:16) Gravitating towards entrepreneurs/founders over high-net-worth individuals

(34:20) Conducting due diligence as an angel investor

(36:53) Going all in on Centre Street Partners

(38:04) Leaving UBS after 13 years

(38:59) Working on his VC company from home

(40:50) The depths Of VC funding

(42:40) Removing emotions from deals

(43:47) How many funds have you raised so far?

(45:59) How did you raise tens of millions of dollars?

(47:33) Timeline of fundraising, making investments, closing the fund, etc.

(49:13) Can someone be retroactively part of an already existing fund?

(52:23) Idea vs individual vs execution

(54:09) Shifting from startups to cash cow businesses

(54:56) A hybrid venture capital/private equity asset class

(56:28) Starting an official company and finding a business partner

(01:03:31) Making only 100 investments after hearing 5,000 pitches

(01:04:48) The power dynamic between VCs and startups

(01:07:48) Hard skills that every founder needs

(01:09:33) Does college matter?

(01:10:11) The Thiel Fellowship

(01:12:25) The type of founders Abie invests in

(01:13:28) Advice to reach Abie’s position

(01:15:32) Should people Follow Their Passion?

(01:16:52) Finding fulfillment in being a mentor

(01:20:35) Abie’s secret weapon: meditation

(01:24:05) Momentum Moment

(01:25:27) Outro and 3 key takeaways

David Dweck is the founder and owner of Camp Allsport, a premier summer camp in New Jersey. Each summer, he employs a staff of over 230, welcomes more than 850 campers, and manages a waitlist of 400.

In this episode, David opens up about his journey - from getting fired from his first camp counselor job to building a business that brings in millions of dollars while working just two months a year.

Enjoy!

__________

Check out Abie Rosow on Momentum

__________

SPONSORS:

• ​Kosher Media: the #1 advertising network across Jewish communities worldwide. ⁠https://koshermedia.com⁠
• Life Vault Films: Capture the story of your loved one, forever. Order your film today by emailing [email protected]

__________

ABOUT MOMENTUM:

🎙️ 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:

⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠

__________

GEAR:

• Cameras: ⁠https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o⁠

• Podcast Mics: ⁠https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv⁠

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

• Mic Stands: ⁠https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL⁠

• Lights: ⁠https://amzn.to/45lA5up⁠

• Tripods: ⁠https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI⁠

__________

(00:00) Start

(01:46) Getting fired from his first camp job

(03:17) Elementary school days

(04:35) Giving sports lessons to younger kids

(06:16) Why he worked as a 15 year old

(08:18) Going to college / pursuing masters in social work

(09:36) College term paper

(10:14) Realizing he could do this himself

(11:39) Putting together the marketing report

(12:46) Presenting his idea to the school board

(14:45) Why didn’t you give up?

(16:40) Developing his passion for social work

(18:06) What was your end goal when working in community institutions?

(21:04) The inception of Camp Allsport

(22:44) Finally launching the camp with a breakthrough ad

(25:11) “The phone was ringing off the hook”

(28:37) What set you apart as a newbie?

(30:57) Day 1 of running a camp

(32:22) Hiring counselors/staff members

(34:06) Losing money for the first 3 years

(36:20) Working during the year after the first summer

(38:17) Getting fired from 3 jobs in 2008

(41:40) Expanding from 150 to 350 campers

(42:51) Running Sunday programs during the winter

(44:44) Camp Allsport hitting critical mass

(45:36) Growth plateauing

(48:10) Expanding into new camp grounds

(53:42) COVID changing the game

(1:00:46) Losing $1M in revenue

(1:02:32) Planning on moving to Israel - but he had no business

(1:06:42) Camp Allsport by the numbers

(1:07:08) Complacency

(1:07:42) The secret to making a living working 2 months per year

(1:09:28) Why didn’t you start another business in the winter?

(1:12:04) Pursue your passion or chase a lucrative career?

(1:17:07) Passions outside of work: Israel, Zionism, reading books

(1:21:38) Momentum Moment

(1:24:57) Outro and key takeaways

Cookie Falack is a serial entrepreneur who is best known as the founder of Cookie's Kids, the largest children's department store in America.

• A 3PL (third-party logistics) company that serves clients nationwide
• Real estate investments across the country
• Genesis, and Israeli-focused fund that backs companies improving humanity
• And, most recently, a partnership on cutting-edge photonic chips used for AI and Quantum Computing

Enjoy!

__________

Check out Joe Shamie on Momentum

__________

SPONSORS:

• ​Kosher Media: the #1 advertising network across Jewish communities worldwide. ⁠https://koshermedia.com⁠
• Life Vault Films: Capture the story of your loved one, forever. Order your film today by emailing [email protected]

• Jeff Sitt: Book your free Pivot and Prosper Strategy Call today at https://jeffsitt.com
  

__________

ABOUT MOMENTUM:

🎙️ 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:

⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠

__________

GEAR:

• Cameras: ⁠https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o⁠

• Podcast Mics: ⁠https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv⁠

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

• Mic Stands: ⁠https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL⁠

• Lights: ⁠https://amzn.to/45lA5up⁠

• Tripods: ⁠https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI⁠

__________

0:00 Coming up…

2:18 Intro to Cookie

3:48 His main business: Cookie’s Kids

5:25 E-commerce

7:03 Getting into 3PL - warehousing and logistics

8:54 Getting into Montana real estate

10:25 Connecting Montana real estate and photonic chips

14:30 Back to the beginning: working from age 14

16:38 College

17:31 Taking over the store

18:36 Driving his cousin to work and becoming his store manager

19:40 Opening his own store with a $15k investment

21:30 What it was like to open a store from scratch

24:15 Opening up the 2nd location

25:17 Gradual expansion

26:27 What was the vision?

27:33 Seizing opportunity

31:07 Being forced to close down retail locations

31:50 Period of intense failure

33:52 Did you ever consider going into real estate full time?

34:25 Being “too early” to the internet

36:23 Taking another shot at ecom

38:00 Domino effect

38:59 How do you expand your business into an entirely new industry?

40:03 Hiring vs promoting

41:20 Starting an Israeli humanitarian-focused fund

43:03 Have an open mind

45:01 Advice for hesitant young people

46:07 Negotiation tactics

48:11 Learn how to judge somebody’s character

49:27 Follow your passion?

50:43 The conflict of chasing money vs being an entrepreneur

51:58 Charity and giving back

52:47 Why go above and beyond?

54:17 Genesis’s charity requirement

54:37 Being at the forefront of the industry

55:21 Believing in God while putting in the work

57:14 Cookie’s name

58:57 Momentum Moment

Mordechai Salem is a hazzan (cantor) and wedding singer who’s led prayers in synagogues and performed at weddings and events around the world, from Brooklyn to Cabo to the south of France.

In this episode, he shares his journey from a 14-year-old hazzan in Israel to becoming the premier voice of our community, balancing family, faith, and a career that rarely leaves a free night.

__________

SPONSORS:

• ​Yazdi Entertainment, New York's premiere event production company. [email protected] or (646) 765-5643
• ​Kosher Media: the #1 advertising network across Jewish communities worldwide. https://koshermedia.com

__________

ABOUT MOMENTUM:

🎙️ 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:

⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠

__________

GEAR:

• Cameras: https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o

• Podcast Mics: https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv

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

• Mic Stands: https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL

• Lights: https://amzn.to/45lA5up

• Tripods: https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI

__________

(0:00) Coming up...

(2:16) Intro to Mordechai and growing up in Israel

(4:16) Performing in front of 2,000 people @ 14 years old

(6:49) Moving to America

(8:21) His first hazzanut gig

(9:57) Incorporating English tunes into the prayers

(12:27) Hopping around to different synagogues

(14:34) Turning cantoring into a career

(16:16) Mordechai's insanely busy schedule

(17:22) Career explosion

(18:02) Yazdi Entertainment

(18:56) Why not aim for the big leagues?

(19:49) Singing in front of 20,000 people

(20:48) Did you ever think your career could turn into this?

(21:55) Work-life balance difficulties

(25:46) Putting his music on Spotify and Apple Music

(27:49) Mordechai's most popular songs - private concert

(29:28) Do what you love

(30:35) Giving back

(33:27) Do you listen to your own music for fun?

(34:05) Kosher Media

(34:52) Is it difficult to be this busy?

(35:33) Preparing to sing

(36:51) Pioneering an entirely new genre

(37:33) Recording in the studio

(38:45) Working from 5-9 as opposed to 9-5

(39:21) High Holidays

(41:13) Singing for Donald Trump

(42:51) Momentum Moment

(44:35) Takeaway #1: find a way to do what you love

(45:25) Takeaway #2: blue ocean strategy

(45:52) Takeaway #3: know when to scale back

David Mizrahi is the founder of Salt Restaurant Group, the hospitality company behind five restaurants on the Jersey Shore in just five years - including the world-famous Salt Steakhouse.

David’s story is anything but traditional. He dropped out of high school, made millions in real estate as a teenager, and then shifted into hospitality, where he’s now redefining what a kosher dining experience can look like.

In this episode, we dive into his journey - from building businesses at 16, to scaling Salt into a powerhouse brand, to the sacrifices and lessons he’s learned along the way.

__________

SPONSORS:

• ​Yazdi Entertainment, New York's premiere event production company. [email protected] or (646) 765-5643
• ​Life Vault Films: Capture the story of your loved one, forever. Order your film today by emailing [email protected]

__________

ABOUT MOMENTUM:

🎙️ 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:

⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠

⁠⁠Spotify

__________

GEAR:

• Cameras: https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o

• Podcast Mics: https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv

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

• Mic Stands: https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL

• Lights: https://amzn.to/45lA5up

• Tripods: https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI

__________

(00:00) Coming up…

(02:37) Making $100k at 16 years old

(04:52) Why David worked at pizza/falafel shops

(05:30) Dropping out of high school

(07:07) If you could go back in time, would you drop out of high school?

(07:24) Making millions per year at 18 in the foreclosure business

(09:53) Why didn’t you stay in real estate?

(11:24) Selling his foreclosure company

(12:10) Has anybody ever doubted you?

(12:55) Buying his first restaurant and turning it profitable

(16:32) Yazdi Entertainment

(17:26) Uncovering hidden value

(18:35) David’s playbook for opening profitable restaurants

(19:58) Receiving a piece of devastating feedback

(21:34) Opening up a restaurant during COVID

(24:03) Why didn’t you delay the launch until after the pandemic?

(25:20) David’s arrangement with Kushner Companies

(28:16) Investing other people’s money

(29:26) 5 restaurants in 5 years: at what point are you expanding too quickly?

(30:16) Competing with yourself

(30:56) Did you ever feel like you spread yourself too thin?

(32:00) How do you manage 5 restaurants?

(33:38) Partnerships and exit strategies

(34:57) Doing business with family and friends

(35:55) Biggest failure: not seeing his wife or 1st child

(36:54) Living apart from his family when first opening Salt

(39:51) Life Vault Films

(41:08) Behind-the-scenes restaurant nightmares

(44:52) Tips to get into the restaurant business

(46:45) 1st step to take if you want to open a high-end steakhouse

(48:44) Serving as a firefighter

(50:19) Giving back through his restaurants

(51:32) What’s next for you?

(52:51) Franchising kosher restaurants

(54:31) Momentum Moment

(55:36) Life’s challenges and failures

(58:47) 3 key takeaways

René Rofé is the founder of René Rofé Lingerie, a global lingerie company whose can be found in retailers across the globe.

In this episode, Rene shares his unlikely path from engineering and investment banking to “peddling panties,” how a napkin sketch landed him a Victoria’s Secret order, and the persistence that turned a discount-store hustle into a decades-long success story.

__________

Check out June Aboksis on Momentum: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7vK8ksjJawxFBs1GzeMFxM?si=hqju752KTKCIOjwMosCqiA

__________

SPONSOR:

Discover how The Hedaya Capital Group's factoring services can help power your business's financials: https://hedayacapital.com

__________

ABOUT MOMENTUM:

🎙️ 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:

⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠

⁠⁠Spotify

__________

GEAR:

• Cameras: ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o⁠⁠
• Podcast Mics: ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv⁠⁠
• Clip-on Mics: ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3H52iwo⁠⁠
• Mic Stands: ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL⁠⁠
• Lights: ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/45lA5up⁠⁠
• Tripods: ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI⁠⁠

__________

0:00 Coming up

1:44 Growing up in Egypt

5:19 Settling in America

7:41 Coming to America via boat

9:02 School in the USA

12:18 Were you always an entrepreneur?

15:53 The grind of investment banking

18:18 Joining his father’s business

19:26 Starting his own business

20:33 Rene’s entrepreneurial drive

23:09 Starting International Intimates

24:25 How did you set yourself apart?

26:49 Starting an apparel business before e-commerce/internet

28:09 Hedaya Capital Group

29:08 How did you grow the business?

30:14 The most difficult thing: finding a factory

33:15 Failures

34:47 Selling to big box retailers

36:48 Rene’s big break: Victoria’s Secret

39:45 Focusing on discount goods

40:32 Breaking into Marshalls/TJ Maxx

41:27 Pros & cons of working with a partner

42:24 Negative experience going into business with a partner

47:01 Skills you need to succeed

50:16 Sell yourself

51:43 Giving back/charity

53:10 Serving on Hillel Yeshivah Board

55:40 “Is God testing me?”

56:29 Preferred version of charity

57:26 Momentum Moment

1:00:15 Selling and buying back his company

1:02:13 Outro and 3 key takeaways

In this special episode of Momentum, I sit down with NYC Mayor Eric Adams.

He opens up about his childhood: getting bullied as the "dumbest student," working the streets squeegeeing car windshields, and the 5-second moment that transformed his life.

We also got into his fight for NYC: public safety, affordability, and his plan to take down Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa.

__________

Check out Joey Shamie on Momentum

__________

SPONSOR:

Goldburd McCone LLP, the tax law experts you want in your corner: https://goldburdlaw.com

__________

ABOUT MOMENTUM:

🎙️ 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:

⁠YouTube⁠

⁠Apple Podcasts⁠

⁠Spotify

__________

GEAR:

• Cameras: ⁠https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o⁠

• Podcast Mics: ⁠https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv⁠

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

• Mic Stands: ⁠https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL⁠

• Lights: ⁠https://amzn.to/45lA5up⁠

• Tripods: ⁠https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI⁠

__________

(0:00) Coming up...

(2:04) The most impactful experience Mayor Adams has had

(5:21) Turning dyslexia into a strategic advantage

(8:05) From getting beaten by police to becoming an officer

(9:59) What made you think you could make a difference?

(11:34) "I'm not dumb, I'm dyslexic"

(13:03) The friction required to push policy forward as Mayor

(13:59) Mayor Adams's accomplishments

(15:21) Biggest regret/mistake as mayor

(16:54) NYC is not in its golden age

(20:06) Mayor Adams as the embodiment of the American

dream

(21:19) Mamdani's popularity is surging

(24:09) Eric Adams's campaign strategy

(25:38) The feeling that New York no longer represents the

American dream

(27:17) How does ur background in law enforcement offer a

pragmatic approach to safety?

(28:43) How do you deal with Curtis Sliwa?

(30:05) Has your campaign strategy shifted?

(31:00) Goldburd McCone LLP

(32:06) Cuomo said he will drop out if the city needs him to. Will you?

(34:25) Would you stay in the race if it guaranteed a Mamdani win?

(36:03) Why have you stayed in politics despite all that you've

been through?

(39:01) The indictment

(40:20) Fixing politicized prosecution?

(41:06) The importance of faith when leading NYC

(43:02) Mayor Adams's Momentum Moment

(45:03) Outro and 3 actionable takeaways

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.

__________

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

__________

ABOUT MOMENTUM:

🎙️ 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:

YouTube

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

__________

GEAR:

• Cameras: https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o

• Podcast Mics: https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv

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

• Mic Stands: https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL

• Lights: https://amzn.to/45lA5up

• Tripods: https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI

__________

(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

Haim Dabah is a serial entrepreneur who’s built and sold billion-dollar companies across fashion, venture capital, real estate, and healthcare.

In this episode, we break down the rise and fall of his billion-dollar brand Gitano, how he pioneered designer collaborations with mass retailers, and the mindset that’s kept him building ever since.

Help us build the Sephardic Mikveh of Gravesend: https://raisethon.com/gravesend

Book your free Pivot & Prosper strategy call with Jeff Sitt: https://jeffsitt.com

Check out Joe Shamie on Momentum: https://open.spotify.com/episode/08I7cEj8hFAjNS5ApHCWn5?si=gjSeTcwST0GctCBi96Bzog

00:00 Intro

02:14 Growing up in Israel

05:38 How the 6 Day War affected Haim’s childhood

06:40 Going to Yeshivah after moving to America

08:09 Haim’s 1st job in America

10:21 His father started a wholesale business

12:15 Stories of working with his father

14:05 Launching Gitano

14:43 “Gitano University”

16:12 “I wasn’t a good dad.”

16:36 Working With Walmart

16:51 Working for Sam Walton undercover

18:28 Sephardic Mikveh of Gravesend

19:20 Gitano’s wide-ranging wholesale approach

20:48 How Gitano set itself apart

21:37 Gitano’s unique selling points

22:42 Expanding Gitano’s product types

23:16 Challenges of surpassing $1 billion in sales

24:29 Haim’s thoughts about college

25:12 Company fails when Haim is 40 years old: what now?

26:09 Starting a new business: Regatta

28:46 Bringing Vera Wang to Kohl’s

29:44 Buying out his partner in Regatta

30:03 Selling Regatta to a $20B conglomerate

31:48 Having a boss for the first time in his life

33:48 Book a call with Jeff Sitt

34:50 Support the Morris I. Franco Cancer Center

35:44 The insane grind of building a company

36:22 Not dedicating enough time to his family

37:25 Beginning to prioritize family over work

39:08 Leaving the wholesale business after selling his company

41:03 Finding fulfillment in investing

41:48 How to identify great founders as an investor

43:26 Getting into industrial real estate

46:22 A unique approach to law

46:40 Launching Box Equities with his sons

49:51 Getting into the mental health space

51:00 Haim’s farm

53:31 Taking a PARTIAL step back from business

54:31 Haim’s philanthropic activities

55:22 Serving as president of PROPEL

56:44 Recapping Haim’s journey

57:56 Momentum Moment

1:00:06 Closing thoughts - success is the only option

1:01:38 Outro