John Terzian: The King of LA Nightlife and Building The h.wood Group from Scratch | E156

John Terzian is the co-founder of The h.wood Group, one of the most influential hospitality companies in the world, known for creating iconic venues like The Nice Guy, Delilah, Bootsy Bellows, and Shore Bar. But before he built an empire in nightlife and dining, John’s path was anything but conventional. From working as a DJ assistant to getting banned from the Queen Mary for throwing an out-of-control college party, John’s journey is filled with unforgettable twists, relentless hustle, and big risks. A former USC walk-on quarterback and Pepperdine law school grad who never passed the bar, John chose to follow his passion for creating experiences over traditional career paths. In this episode, he opens up about growing up in L.A., being harassed by corrupt cops, dealing with failure, and how grit, creativity, and real relationships helped him build a global brand from the ground up.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and John's Childhood
10:45 – USC Football, Recruiting, and the Roots of H.Wood’s Culture
20:55 – Nightclubs, Celebrities, and the Birth of The h.wood Group
35:30 – The Tea Room and Getting Shut Down by Corrupt Cops
47:40 – Moving Back Home and Starting Over
53:17 – Bootsy Bellows, Katy Perry, and the Breakthrough Moment

Resources:
The h.wood Group Website
The h.wood Group Instagram
John's Instagram
The h.wood Group Media Instagram

Coaching and Staying Connected:

1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn