Big Shot

Mickey Drexler, a retail legend, transformed brands like The Gap and Old Navy. He shares insights from his humble Bronx beginnings and emphasizes the importance of people skills in hiring. Mickey discusses his unique decision-making style, valuing urgency over indecision, and reflects on his friendship with Steve Jobs. Listeners learn about the emotional aspects of fashion and Mickey's innovative approach to market research. His journey highlights resilience, the impact of mentorship, and a deep passion for retail.

In this special live episode of Big Shot, recorded at StartupFest, we are excited to welcome Heather Reisman, the trailblazing entrepreneur behind Indigo Books & Music. Heather's remarkable journey began as a single mother learning to code to support her children. Fueled by grit, a bit of luck, and a talent for connecting with extraordinary people, Heather built Indigo into Canada’s largest bookseller. However, Heather's ambitions extend beyond her role as founder and CEO. She is also a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and philanthropist, having contributed $100 million to the University of Toronto and supported various causes through her foundation, HSEG, which aids the education of lone soldiers after their service in the IDF. In today’s conversation, we talk about:  Heather’s childhood and how her working mother influenced her The importance of curiosity and how this value has served Heather in entrepreneurship Heather’s first startup, Paradigm Heather’s work at Cott and how she broke out of a mental funk after leaving Raising $25 million and founding Indigo Founding Kobo eReaders and selling to Rakuten for $315 million Heather’s life beyond work and plans for increasing Canada’s literacy — In This Episode We Cover: (05:08) Welcome Heather Reisman (05:35) What it was like growing up in the Reisman household (10:26) Heather’s experience working at her mother’s retail store (11:15) Heather’s early passion for books (12:44) Why Curiosity is the key to everything (14:00) Heather’s coding journey as a single mom (16:00) Why Heather quit her job after an undeserved demotion  (17:00) Heather’s time working at a consulting firm (19:00) Co-founding Paradigm  (19:56) Heather’s thoughts on change and why she left consulting (24:29) Why Heather left Cott  (26:55) Heather’s depression and the book that kickstarted the next chapter of her life (20:24) The Borders deal that never worked out (33:00) Raising $25 million and founding Indigo  (37:19) The story of acquiring Chapters  (39:45) Integrating Chapters (42:13) How the ‘New Coke” failure inspired Heather to keep Chapters and Indigo separate  (43:20) Why Heather founded an e-reader company called Kobo (48:47) Selling Kobo to Rakuten for $315 million  (50:19) The power of Heather’s Picks (52:13) Taking Indigo private (53:00) Heather’s literacy goals and the importance of curation (57:00) How Heather balances work and family life Where To Find Heather Reisman: X: https://x.com/heatherreisman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherreisman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hreisman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-reisman-3bab2319 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/heather-reisman-indigo 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

Bobbi Brown, a beauty industry icon and founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, shares her incredible journey from makeup artist to mogul. She reveals how sheer chutzpah and cold-calling landed her a Vogue cover. Bobbi discusses the development of her first lipstick and the pivotal moments that solidified her brand's foundation. Hear about her friendship with Leonard Lauder and the balance she struck between motherhood and business. With her new clean beauty brand, Jones Road, Bobbi emphasizes authenticity and resilience in the beauty world.

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