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.

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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

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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

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(25:38) The feeling that New York no longer represents the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

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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

__________

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

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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

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

June Aboksis was kicked out of school and told she’d be “nothing in life.” Then she went on to build Junee, the largest modest-wear clothing brand in the world, with stores across NY, NJ, and Israel.

In this episode, June opens up about how she turned rejection and hustle into a global empire.

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

Check out Rachel Ostroy on Momentum: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2rRU3W2PZsN6dhifv2PLQ9?si=5933745eae574845

🎙️ 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 here and on these platforms:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMomentumPodApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/momentum/id1762657981Instagram: http://instagram.com/momentumpodcast_

(0:00) Coming up…(2:41) June’s early days as a misfit child(4:36) “I felt dumb as a child”(6:38) Going to public school after getting kicked out of Yeshivah elementary school(7:40) Dropping out of school at age 16 to work(9:10) Working for her dad in retail(10:42) Learning about her learning disabilities later in life(11:03) Finessing the Board of Education for her kids(13:41) Working in the apparel business: “I was a gangster”(14:24) Street smarts and confidence(16:55) Selling pajamas to help out her husband(20:36) Opening the first store(22:49) Why June opened a store(25:16) How June’s husband jump-started her business(27:36) How did you build a premium brand image?(29:46) Making customers feel good(30:36) Growing from 1 store to worldwide (Brooklyn, Lakewood, Israel, and more)(31:32) Expanding the business to wholesale(33:07) Losing her right-hand-employee: “I felt betrayed”(34:42) When June’s sidekick decided to go out on her own(39:22) Family-work balance – working 20-hour days while raising 6 kids(41:35) Expanding into new verticals (wholesale, retail, ecom)(42:48) June’s current schedule: working at the store during busy season(43:47) Starting a new line because “I was bored”(45:05) Why June’s company gives charity(46:38) Junee’s is “always there to help”(47:32) Donating towards disaster relief in Texas(48:39) The #1 mistake young entrepreneurs make(49:43) Don’t be arrogant(50:28) The traits young people NEED in order to succeed(51:42) Is “follow your passion” good advice?(52:17) Momentum Moment(54:13) What it’s like to open a store in Jerusalem(54:52) Closing thoughts: June’s nonchalant approach to business(56:21) Outro and key takeaways

Jack Aini is the founder of Aini & Associates, a thriving law firm in New York. He served as President of SBH (Sephardic Biker Holim) and is currently President of his shul, SLC (Sephardic Lebanese Congregation).

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

Partner with Kosher Media, the premiere advertising network for Jewish communities worldwide: https://koshermedia.com

Check out Erwin Dweck on Momentum

(0:00) Coming up…

(1:53) Intro to Jack and his law firm

(3:11) Growing up in the retail business

(4:44) Being scared to try, in case he might fail

(7:12) Deciding to go to law school over a game

(10:47) Graduating law school: an entrepreneur becoming a professional

(12:36) Not knowing what he wanted to do after law school

(14:02) Starting at Cadwalader after graduating

(16:32) Working 2 all-nighters IN A ROW

(21:02) Failing a personality test

(25:58) Getting recruited to Wells Fargo

(27:39) The struggles of being an Orthodox Jew in big law

(28:35) Getting rebuked for taking off for Jewish holidays

(31:56) How to stick to your values

(34:36) The Arabic call that started Jack’s business

(37:53) When his “moonlight business” surpassed his day job

(41:14) The fear behind quitting a steady job with 4 kids at home

(42:08) The entrepreneurship grind: late nights

(43:30) Sleeping 4-5 hours per night

(44:10) What type of law are you in?

(44:58) Hitting a growth ceiling at Wells Fargo

(48:32) Jack’s charitable activities (Sephardic Bikur Holim, Sephardic Lebanese Congregation)

(49:12) What inspires you to get involved?

(50:30) Getting involved in SBH

(52:22) Becoming President of Sephardic Lebanese Congregation

(52:51) The #1 lesson: build a TOP TIER TEAM

(54:26) How do you make time to give back when you run a thriving business?

(56:30) SBH wedding story

(59:13) You don’t have the time, you MAKE the time.

(1:01:15) Should people follow their passion?

(1:03:48) Getting confused for a pro tennis player

(1:05:40) Being chosen for campus recruitment

(1:08:50) Momentum Moment

(1:11:28) Outro

In this special episode, Marshall Mizrahi (my 3rd-ever guest) interviews me (Victor Braca, aka your host) about my journey starting and growing Momentum.

I open up about how my “cute side project” changed my life, how I went from idea to execution in just 5 days, and some of the funniest stories from my time hosting Momentum. Plus, Marshall puts me on the spot with a challenge to match memorable quotes to the guests who said them.

Enjoy!

Check out Marshall’s interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/24rwBJKDZPPbQnyRhazJ4f?si=5ed486b728954100

(0:00) Coming up…

(1:25) Intro: putting Victor in the hot seat

(3:11) Getting to know Victor Braca

(4:15) Why did you start a podcast?

(7:29) Cold calling his first guest

(9:13) Publishing his first episode

(11:04) Working on Episode #2

(12:36) Why Victor chose Marshall as the 3rd guest

(14:43) The pivotal episode: Joe Cayre

(15:31) Nervously approaching Joe Cayre

(18:14) Losing all of his notes before his biggest interview

(21:31) Momentum viewership stats

(24:38) The #1 thing: start before you're ready

(26:08) Being too embarrassed to show his face online

(27:02) Cold emailing 10,000 people for an internship

(28:57) How many people have asked you to come on the podcast?

(29:52) Which guest surprised you the most?

(32:06) Marshall quizzes Victor with random guest quotes

(32:40) Quote #1

(33:09) Quote #2

(34:40) Quote #3

(35:38) Quote #4

(35:55) Quote #5

(36:38) Quote #6

(37:50) Quote #7

(39:06) Quote #8

(40:00) Quote #9

(41:14) What if nobody watches this episode?

(42:11) Quote #10

(43:29) Discussing the meaning of success

(48:24) Key takeaways

(49:48) Reflecting on Season 1 of Momentum

Avi Akiva has closed over 3,500 commercial real estate leases and transacted hundreds of millions of dollars worth of real estate. All before turning 30!

Avi is Partner and Executive VP at TriState Commercial Realty, where he leads the sales team, which he helped grow to over 60 agents.

Explore smarter insurance solutions for your real estate portfolio: https://www.elicohenagency.com

Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://amzn.to/44aJ5B3

Impact Players by Liz Wiseman: https://amzn.to/4laAx3Y

(0:00) Coming up…

(1:57) Intro to Avi Akiva

(4:11) Growing up as a 1st generation American

(6:07) Starting to work at 13 years old

(8:53) Learning the art of sales as a high school student

(11:10) Sales is not a zero-sum game

(13:14) Pivoting from medicine to real estate after high school

(14:43) Closing a deal in his first month

(15:36) "'I just made $10k in 2 weeks'”

(17:21) Working full-time while in college

(18:07) Motivating himself to work 18-hour days

(19:44) Working as a real estate broker during college

(21:00) Getting lucky / God’s hand in business

(22:38) Incremental improvements over time

(24:58) Facing a career shift when he had a family to feed

(27:08) "'It took me 8 months to make that decision'”

(29:15) 1st day at TriState Realty - what was it like?

(32:10) What set you apart to become the 21-year-old company VP?

(36:40) Growing the business to a 60-agent team

(38:02) Impact Players: doing the job that needs to be done

(39:18) How do you hire A+ players?

(43:25) Training his team to close hundreds of leases per year

(45:20) Avi’s unique advice for young adults

(47:53) Enjoy the journey

(49:35) Biggest failure of his career

(52:31) How to capitalize on being young while networking

(53:43) How can young people make connections?

(57:09) Avi’s unique approach to giving back

(59:23) Opening a shul to inspire young guys to love prayer

(1:02:07) Momentum Moment

(1:04:26) Closing thoughts: give the credit to others

(1:05:47) Outro

Jack Ezon built 2 of the world’s largest luxury travel companies. Most recently, he founded Embark Beyond, a $250M+ business with over 300+ employees that plans unbelievable getaways around the world.

In this episode, Jack opens up about quitting big-law to chase his passion, renting out private islands for $40 MILLION parties, and how he launched a travel business just 6 months before COVID.

Brought to you by Goldburd McCone LLP, the very best that tax law has to offer: https://www.goldburdlaw.com

Check out the Faks Brothers on Momentum: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1m1HCaHe0w4JoZne17EOCK?si=g-w3h6IUSjS_q00CKkIi_g

(0:00) Coming up…(1:56) How do you describe what you do?(2:47) Growing up and struggling in school(4:21) How community service taught Jack fundamental lessons(5:46) Incorporating travel into community service(6:50) Stuck in a big-law career that he hated(7:55) Launching a FAILED tech startup in 1999(11:15) Struggling to network in law school(14:02) Getting into travel consulting after his failed startup(16:42) Becoming a travel agent BY ACCIDENT(18:59) Reputation is everything(19:46) Building a business from $0 to $400 MILLION(21:31) Starting his own travel business 6 months before COVID(22:59) Turning COVID into an opportunity to grow(23:45) Developing relationships with the press(26:24) Sleeping 3 hour nights when growing the business(28:09) Coolest destinations/events ($40M wedding, renting out private islands, private concerts)(29:29) The $200k mistake when trying to expand the business(31:35) Struggling to network at event conferences: “it was humbling”(34:28) Exclusive trips that exploded Embark’s business(35:49) Hanging out with the CEO of Dior and Hermes / incorporating luxury brands into travel(37:41) Clienteling - making people feel special(40:38) Should people follow their passion?(41:27) Qualities noticed in A+ players(42:29) Scaling a service business(44:06) Giving back to the community(45:03) True happiness is not enjoyment, it’s fulfillment: reflecting on community values(48:20) Momentum Moment(49:32) Closing thoughts(50:47) Outro

Simon and Morris Faks are 2 of the top DJs in New York. They’ve performed for thousands of people, worked with celebrities like Marshmello and Alesso, and played sets all over the world—from France to Morocco to Italy.

Pitch your business idea today: https://pitch-place.com

Follow Simon and Morris on Instagram:

https://instagram.com/faksproductions

https://instagram.com/djsimonfaks

Check out Yaakov Shwekey on Momentum

__

(0:00) Coming up…

(2:40) Who are Simon and Morris Faks?

(3:14) Immigrating to America at age 16

(4:20) "I couldn't read and write"

(5:53) Buying DJ equipment for fun

(8:30) Grinding to establish themselves as the go-to DJs

(10:03) 20-hour days: working full time and DJing on the side

(11:26) Introducing party lighting to their experience

(12:10) Going all-in on DJing

(13:01) Did you have to deal with competetion?

(15:17) Working 72 hours straight

(17:57) Building up a premium brand image

(18:50) Nightmare scenarios: equipment failures, power outages, and explosions

(23:51) Working with Justin Bieber, Marshmello, Alesso, and more celebrities

(25:50) Work-life balance (or lack thereof)

(28:22) Coolest events and destinations (Anguilla, Paris, Rome, Saint-Tropez, Casablanca…)

(29:28) Shipping their own equipment across the world to Anguilla

(30:31) DJing in Game of Thrones, 11 days of 3 parties a day

(31:25) Performing with Alesso in the center of a mountain

(31:48) DJing with Marshmello

(32:29) Do you take requests?

(33:48) The sacrifice DJs need to make: “it’s a hard business.”

(38:47) Bringing on more DJs to expand their operation

(39:31) Getting into music production?

(40:11) Learning the back end / admin work

(41:12) Being honorable in business

(42:38) Why you need a good attitude in the service business

(43:53) Should people follow their passion?

(46:22) What's it like being business partners with your brother?

(48:27) Donating their services to underprivileged families

(50:12) Momentum Moment

(51:29) Closing thoughts

(53:51) Outro

Erwin Dweck is a partner at Milbank LLP, where he leads the firm’s real estate practice and serves on the Global Executive Committee—a select group of just seven partners entrusted with shaping the firm’s strategy and steering its global operations alongside their legal work.

His work reflects not only the practice of law, but the business workings behind a firm with over $2 BILLION in revenue and 2,000 employees.

Book your free Pivot & Prosper strategy call with Jeff Sitt: www.jeffsitt.com
Explore smarter insurance solutions for your real estate portfolio: www.elicohenagency.com

So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport: https://amzn.to/4jjS48r

Our Crowd by Steven Birmingham: https://amzn.to/4kAWU2d

The Grandees by Steven Birmingham: https://amzn.to/4dvoueO

(00:00) Coming up…

(02:16) Who is Erwin Dweck?

(03:33) Erwin’s role at Milbank

(04:36) Leading a $3.9 BILLION deal

(06:19) “I just wanted to be able to pay my bills”

(09:55) Transactional law vs litigation

(12:46) Erwin’s first jobs at big law firms

(15:33) Taking his first entrepreneurial leap

(17:05) Entrepreneurship inside a big law firm

(19:32) Why every successful lawyer needs to be entrepreneurial

(23:02) Being elected to Milbank’s elite Global Executive Committee

(24:32) Why you need work-life IMBALANCE

(29:05) Sponsor - Jeff Sitt Consulting

(30:04) Sponsor - Eli Cohen Insurance Agency

(30:51) Characteristics you need to succeed in big law

(33:40) Traits noticed in A-players

(36:33) The BIGGEST mistake young people make

(39:19) Turning setbacks into billion dollar opportunities

(43:03) Learning how to manage people

(43:43) “I wish I made more time for my family”

(44:59) Why you should NOT follow your passion

(49:38) Observing Shabbat as a lawyer

(52:41) How has faith guided you in business?

(54:21) Why is giving back important to you?

(57:47) The ripple effect of kindness

(59:13) How can young adults network effectively?

(1:00:40) Ask and you shall receive

(1:03:51) Erwin’s all-time favorite books

(1:07:33) Erwin’s favorite podcasts

(1:08:17) Momentum Moment

(1:10:46) Closing thoughts

(1:11:12) Outro