Upbringing, Work Ethic, and Lessons from Construction

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 

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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/