Big Shot

In this episode of Big Shot, we sit down with the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of G-III Apparel Group, Morris Goldfarb. Morris took over running his father’s company at the age of 24. His journey is deeply rooted in the inspiring legacy of his father, Aron Goldfarb, a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to the U.S. and founded G-III in 1956. Morris has transformed the company from a small women's leather outerwear business into a global fashion powerhouse, managing brands like DKNY, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger. In our conversation today, talk about: The emotional impact of being the son of a Holocaust survivor Morris’s strategies for growing the family business and taking it public The setbacks G-III faced in 1995 and how Morris was able to successfully pivot the business Brand acquisitions and licensing that became the bread and butter of G-III Morris’s life outside work, including family and philanthropic accomplishments And much more! — In This Episode We Cover:  (01:50) Morris’s childhood in Israel and New York  (04:42) Morris’s dad, Aron Goldfarb’s memoir about the Holocaust, Maybe You Will Survive (08:54) How Morris was affected by the Holocaust survival stories of his family and friends (10:20) Aron Goldfarb’s clothing business and why he wanted Morris to get a city job (12:36) How Morris took over the family business at the age of 24 (14:30) Morris’s ambition and early years expanding G&N Sportswear (16:05) Morris’s consulting and building factories in South Korea (19:59) G-III’s journey to going public  (22:40) Why Morris had to pivot the business in 1995 and move towards licensing  (31:50) The current state of G-III (32:52) How Morris fought nepotism working at his father’s company (34:17) Acquisitions that grew G-III (38:18) An explanation of how licensing works at G-III (40:18) The pitfalls of direct to consumer businesses  (42:26) Morris’s thoughts on licensing vs. owning brands (43:24) Morris’s partnership with Carl Banks  (46:30) Morris’s family life and what it’s like working with his son (50:53) Why G-III is not a great fit for most emerging brands (52:50) What made Morris finally feel like he’d made it (54:29) What chutzpah means to Morris (54:55) Morris’s philosophy on giving back and why he built a Jewish cemetery in Poland (59:18) Why Jews have made so many contributions to business, science, and academia  — Where to find Morris Goldfarb: Website: https://ir.giii.com/management/morris-goldfarb Where To Find Big Shot:  Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bigshot.show/⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠   TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠⁠⁠⁠   Harley Finkelstein: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠⁠⁠⁠  David Segal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠⁠⁠⁠ Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://penname.co⁠

Ron Shaich, founder of Panera Bread, shares his journey from a humble convenience store to a $7.5 billion empire. He discusses creating the 'Fast Casual' category, his first college store, IPO lessons, and the power of adaptability. Ron's stock success, leftist family background, and entrepreneurial insights are also highlighted.

Wall Street titan Leon Cooperman, who inspired Warren Buffett and made billions, shares insights on success, humble living, philanthropy, and political views. From Bronx upbringing to quitting dental school for finance, to giving back and never learning to live rich, Leon's journey is a mix of hard work, intuition, and generosity.

In this episode of Big Shot, we sit down with another legendary real estate developer, Larry Silverstein. Best known for the 99-year lease he signed for the World Trade Center, just six weeks before 9/11, Larry’s story is one of persistence and strategic partnerships—and a whole lot of chutzpah. He shares with us today how he leveraged partnerships, refurbished properties on a shoestring budget and built a business that today is valued at over $10 billion. As with many successful Jewish entrepreneurs, family is at the center of it all, and Larry speaks with extreme gratitude about his children and wife Klara. You won’t want to miss hearing about how Larry very narrowly missed being at ground zero during 9/11, and how his wife supported his efforts in rebuilding the World Trade Center.  If you'd like to apply to be an executive producer, please complete the form here https://shorturl.at/xLQUW In This Episode We Cover:  (03:19) How Larry got established in real estate with no money (09:59) Why Larry turned down a 100k profit on his first contract  (12:51) How Larry leveraged investors to land million-dollar properties (14:22) The low-budget, resourceful way Larry’s team refurbished buildings (16:31) How Larry collaborated with competitors in purchasing 711 Fifth Avenue (24:42) Coca-Cola’s purchase of 711 Fifth Avenue (26:43) Why Larry worked with partners (27:33) The beginning of Larry’s journey toward buying the World Trade Center (35:22) How Silverstein Properties built their own electric plant  (45:28) The drama of signing Salomon Brothers  (52:44) Larry’s accident and acquiring the World Trade Center (58:45) Why Larry was absent from the building on 9/11  (1:00:20) How Larry decided to rebuild the World Trade Center (1:04:21) When Larry knew he made it (1:06:28) Larry’s philanthropic efforts paying the tuition of medical school students — Referenced:  Harry Helmsley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Helmsley 711 Fifth Avenue Purchased from Columbia Pictures: https://www.nytimes.com/1978/04/23/archives/realty-news-fifth-avenue-third-avenue-executives-named.html George Kaufman’s obituary: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/26/obituaries/george-s-kaufman-who-revived-astoria-studios-dies-at-89.html Peter Feinberg obituary: https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/15/obituaries/peter-i-feinberg-79-real-estate-developer.html Port Authority to lease World Trade Center to Silverstein Properties: https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority/en/press-room/press-release-archives/2001_press_releases/port_authority_toleaseworldtradecentertosilversteinpropertiesinc.html World Trade Center history: https://www.911memorial.org/learn/resources/digital-exhibitions/world-trade-center-history Ed Koch: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Koch Salomon Brothers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salomon_Brothers Mortimer Zuckerman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortimer_Zuckerman Salomon Will Move to the World Trade Center: https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/29/nyregion/salomon-will-move-to-trade-center.html The Collapse of Drexel Burnham Lambert: https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/14/business/the-collapse-of-drexel-burnham-lambert-key-events-for-drexel-burnham-lambert.html NYU School of Medicine Offers Full-Tuition Scholarships to All New & Current Medical Students: https://nyulangone.org/news/nyu-school-medicine-offers-full-tuition-scholarships-all-new-current-medical-students — Where to find Larry Silverstein:  Silverstein Properties: https://www.silversteinproperties.com/ The Rising: The Twenty-Year Battle to Rebuild the World Trade Center: https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Twenty-Year-Battle-Rebuild-Center/dp/0525658963 Where To Find Big Shot:  Website: ⁠https://www.bigshot.show/ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠    Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠   Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠  David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠ Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

Business mogul Peter May shares insights from his career managing over $7 billion, starting at KPMG, founding Triarc Companies with Nelson Peltz, and later Trian Partners. He discusses the importance of education, adding value in business, and the origins of Home Depot. Peter's commitment to philanthropy, dedication to making a difference, and imparting wisdom applicable to all aspects of life shine through in this engaging podcast.

Explore the journey of David Rubenstein from advisor to President Jimmy Carter to co-founding The Carlyle Group. Learn about his struggles post-election, the growth strategy of Carlyle, and his dedication to philanthropy through the Giving Pledge. Discover insights on raising wealthy children, the importance of education in Jewish culture, and the power of resilience in Jewish entrepreneurship.

We’re back with Season 2 of Big Shot! In this episode of Big Shot, we're joined by Fran Weissler, a seven-time Tony award-winning producer and one-half of the dynamic duo behind Chicago, the longest-running American musical. Fran's journey epitomizes Jewish chutzpah, marked by bold choices—from leaving her first marriage to making decisive moves in her Broadway career. Today, Fran shares with us stories from her journey, including breaking into Broadway at the age of 50 and producing Othello with a star-studded cast featuring James Earl Jones and Christopher Plummer. We also talk about her successful marriage and business partnership of 55 years, how Fran navigated challenges working with chauvinists and demanding actors, and how she finally started to slow down a little bit at the age of 90.  — In This Episode We Cover:  (02:35) Fran’s childhood and life before Broadway (07:04) Why Fran decided to end her first marriage (08:59) How Fran met Barry and got started in theater (15:02) The early days of NAMCO producing plays for Catholic schools (19:00) Fran’s first Broadway show, Othello, with James Earl Jones (21:52) How Fran got Christopher Plummer to play Iago (31:34) What it was like to win a Tony for Othello (33:33) How firing Peter Coe accelerated Fran’s career as a producer  (45:30) Fran’s chutzpah (48:20) How Fran and Barry balance each other out as a team  (51:14) How Fran handled working with the chauvinist Anthony Quinn  (1:00:15) A compromise made with Kathleen Turner (1:03:26) The Queen of Broadway: Fran’s identity separate from Barry (1:05:28) Fran and Barry’s rare, beautiful marriage (1:09:32) How Fran and Barry revived Chicago and made the longest-running American show (1:19:11) Fran’s advice for aspiring producers — Referenced:  NAMCO: https://www.namcousa.com/ Othello at the Winter Garden Theater (1982): https://playbill.com/productions/othellobroadway-winter-garden-theatre-1982 James Earl Jones: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000469/ Christopher Plummer: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001626/ Lucy Kroll: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Kroll Stratford Festival: https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/ Lou Pitt: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1018725/ Zoe Caldwell: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0129807/ Robert Whitehead: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0925723/ Medea 1982 playbill: https://playbill.com/production/medea-cort-theatre-vault-0000003496 Chicago: https://chicagothemusical.com/ Phantom of the Opera: https://us.thephantomoftheopera.com/ When Kathleen Turner Brought Maggie the Cat Back to Broadway: https://playbill.com/article/when-kathleen-turner-brought-maggie-the-cat-back-to-broadway Zorba the Greek 1983 playbill with Anthony Quinn: https://playbill.com/production/zorba-broadway-theatre-vault-0000012262 Encores: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encores The economics of Broadway shows: https://thehustle.co/the-economics-of-broadway-shows/ — Where to find Fran Weissler:  Website: https://www.namcousa.com/ Where To Find Big Shot:  Website: ⁠https://www.bigshot.show/ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠    Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠   Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠  David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠ Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

When you sit down with iconic entrepreneurs for two to three hours, it's hard to include every story in an episode. But that doesn't mean every story isn't worth telling. On this episode of Big Shot shorts, you'll hear some wild tales that didn't make it into individual episodes of season 1. You'll learn how Ed Sonshine anticipated the 2008 crash, what Aldo Bensadoun did to break into America when so many others failed, how Charles Bronfman shaped Canadian pride, and Jonathan Wener's wild story about acquiring a massive art collection. These are the stories that, once you hear them, you'll want to retell to others. — In This Episode, We Cover: (00:20) Harley and David have an epiphany about their Canadian upbringing (01:50) Every Canadian retailer fails, except for one (02:10) Why this bonus episode was necessary (03:10) Jonathan Wener's family collection of 140 paintings (05:55) How Ed Sonshine anticipated the 2008 housing crash (10:00) How passing up on a round of golf was one of Ed Sonshine's best decisions (17:45) How Charles Bronfman was behind Drake's start (18:30) Why Charles Bronfman created Heritage Minutes (22:25) How Aldo Bensadoun succeed in America when so many others failed (28:25)The only lawsuit Jonathan Wener faced in 52 years — Where To Find Big Shot:  Website: ⁠https://www.bigshot.show/ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠    Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠   Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠  David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠ Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

One of the hardest parts of being an entrepreneur is the stress and anxiety of never having enough time. When ambition flows through your veins, it’s difficult to balance your desire to build something great with your love for your family, friends, and other interests. Being an entrepreneur requires sacrifice — but how do you do that without giving up what matters most? On this episode of Big Shot Shorts, Issy Sharp, Charles Bronfman, and Ed Sonshine reveal their regrets, rules, and recommendations for creating happiness and harmony in work and life.  — In This Episode, We Cover: (01:00) Work-life balance is not a 50-50 equation (02:00) Why entrepreneurs struggle so much with finding time for everything (02:48) How consistency can help reduce stress and anxiety (03:30) David Segal’s family ritual (06:00) The most important source of support for entrepreneurs (08:00) Issy Sharp’s lessons from decades of a happy marriage (09:25) Issy Sharp’s regrets about building the Four Seasons (13:05) Charles Bronfman’s lessons on raising a family with ambition and purpose (19:00) Why it’s important to “never look back” (22:00) Ed Sonshine’s 3 rules for family happiness  — Where To Find Big Shot:  Website: ⁠https://www.bigshot.show/ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠    Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠   Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠  David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠ Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co

Did you know that less than .2 percent of the world is Jewish? And yet, more than 20 percent of all Noble Prize winners are Jewish. What explains the high likelihood of success? On this episode of Big Shot shorts, Harley Finkelstein and David Segal explore the history of Jewish entrepreneurship with legends Charles Bronfman, Aldo Bensadoun, and Ed Sonshine. Their competitive advantage? They had everything to lose, giving them no choice but to find a way to win.   — In This Episode, We Cover: (00:25) The tidal wave analogy (03:30) Why are so many Jews successful? (05:15) Entrepreneurs by necessity (06:55) The curious relationship between anti-semitism and Jewish entrepreneurship (10:00) The surprisingly small number of Jews in the world (11:35) The Jewish career path (16:50) Why Ed Sonshine is worried for future entrepreneurs (18:40) It’s tough to make diamonds without pressure — Where To Find Big Shot:  Website: ⁠https://www.bigshot.show/ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@bigshotpodcast⁠   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigshotshow⁠    Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigshotshow/⁠   Harley Finkelstein: ⁠https://twitter.com/harleyf⁠  David Segal: ⁠https://twitter.com/tea_maverick⁠ Production and Marketing: ⁠⁠https://penname.co