DJ Irie

Let's get it, man. Let's get to the money. DJ Irie, listen, thank you so much for such a kind intro. I appreciate that, man. And listen, when family calls, family shows up, right? So we're here. Listen, I'm a kid that just loved music, right? And music has taken me on such an incredible journey. I started out collecting records. I had an opportunity to DJ an event.

Let's get it, man. Let's get to the money. DJ Irie, listen, thank you so much for such a kind intro. I appreciate that, man. And listen, when family calls, family shows up, right? So we're here. Listen, I'm a kid that just loved music, right? And music has taken me on such an incredible journey. I started out collecting records. I had an opportunity to DJ an event.

This is like literally like my senior year of high school, right? Ended up working out because everybody was drunk, right? And it ended up being the general manager of Planet Hollywood that I did the event for. And he was really impressed by what I was doing. Ended up giving me an opportunity at Planet Hollywood. This is when Planet Hollywood was like the wildest thing ever. The Vegas casino?

This is like literally like my senior year of high school, right? Ended up working out because everybody was drunk, right? And it ended up being the general manager of Planet Hollywood that I did the event for. And he was really impressed by what I was doing. Ended up giving me an opportunity at Planet Hollywood. This is when Planet Hollywood was like the wildest thing ever. The Vegas casino?

No, no, no, in Miami. Oh, the restaurant. The restaurant. Yeah, okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That was one of my first opportunities. And then from there, I went to the skating rink. And the next thing you know, I'm on the radio. Yep. I get a call from the Miami Heat. Hey, we need to talk. Right?

No, no, no, in Miami. Oh, the restaurant. The restaurant. Yeah, okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That was one of my first opportunities. And then from there, I went to the skating rink. And the next thing you know, I'm on the radio. Yep. I get a call from the Miami Heat. Hey, we need to talk. Right?

And in 1999, 2000, I was the first official DJ, not just of the Miami Heat, but any professional sports franchise. No way. You know that? It didn't exist before that. This is the 1999, 2000 season when this happened. They had just moved from the Miami Arena to the American Airlines Arena. And the marketing team was like, hey, let's do something really cool and different.

And in 1999, 2000, I was the first official DJ, not just of the Miami Heat, but any professional sports franchise. No way. You know that? It didn't exist before that. This is the 1999, 2000 season when this happened. They had just moved from the Miami Arena to the American Airlines Arena. And the marketing team was like, hey, let's do something really cool and different.

And they came up with the idea of having an official DJ. And, you know, start asking around town and ended up, hey, I think Irie's the guy that we should start this with. And the funny thing about it was when Keep It Real goes wrong, well, all this went wrong. I said no at first.

And they came up with the idea of having an official DJ. And, you know, start asking around town and ended up, hey, I think Irie's the guy that we should start this with. And the funny thing about it was when Keep It Real goes wrong, well, all this went wrong. I said no at first.

Yeah, I'm an idiot. Hello, Miami Heat, man. This guy needs to be committed, right? Yeah, I thought, I didn't think it was really on brand for me at the time, right? Because understanding who their season ticket holders were, which is really what they focus on. I was like, these aren't the folks that are listening to my radio show. They're not the folks that are coming to my nightclub events. And

Yeah, I'm an idiot. Hello, Miami Heat, man. This guy needs to be committed, right? Yeah, I thought, I didn't think it was really on brand for me at the time, right? Because understanding who their season ticket holders were, which is really what they focus on. I was like, these aren't the folks that are listening to my radio show. They're not the folks that are coming to my nightclub events. And

Then I woke up and said, hey, this is an incredible opportunity.

Then I woke up and said, hey, this is an incredible opportunity.

Yeah. I was like, there's something here. And thank God I did. Three championship rings later. Wow. And just the most incredible experience of my life. So that worked out really well. And then here we are today. I started the Ivy Foundation. um, started Irie Weekend, um, which is on its 19th year. 19th year. 19th year. Sorry, I said 10 to 15 years. 19 years. 19 years.

Yeah. I was like, there's something here. And thank God I did. Three championship rings later. Wow. And just the most incredible experience of my life. So that worked out really well. And then here we are today. I started the Ivy Foundation. um, started Irie Weekend, um, which is on its 19th year. 19th year. 19th year. Sorry, I said 10 to 15 years. 19 years. 19 years.

That is, that is definitely, uh, something, you know, um, 19th year of Irie Weekend, um, uh, artist related, um, which is our, uh, events and talent acquisition, uh, firm. And, um, and yeah, and of course Irie Music Corp, which, you know, handles my appearances and, you know, traveling, uh, All over the world. All over the planet. And yeah, and we're here.

That is, that is definitely, uh, something, you know, um, 19th year of Irie Weekend, um, uh, artist related, um, which is our, uh, events and talent acquisition, uh, firm. And, um, and yeah, and of course Irie Music Corp, which, you know, handles my appearances and, you know, traveling, uh, All over the world. All over the planet. And yeah, and we're here.

This is the most important place to be is right here, right now.

This is the most important place to be is right here, right now.

It's a lot different now. Well, first of all, I don't put too much time and energy and focus into just regular nightclub nights anymore. The focus is really a lot more on private events and corporate. The cool thing with that is clubs are great. Don't get me wrong. That's where I started. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for all the support I got from nightclubs.

It's a lot different now. Well, first of all, I don't put too much time and energy and focus into just regular nightclub nights anymore. The focus is really a lot more on private events and corporate. The cool thing with that is clubs are great. Don't get me wrong. That's where I started. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for all the support I got from nightclubs.

But from where I am now in my career and in my life, it's more than just going out and playing some songs, right? You know, the relationships and what we're looking to create, you know, opportunity and business-wise is a lot bigger, right, than just an event. And that magic happens in the private events world and in the corporate events world, right?

But from where I am now in my career and in my life, it's more than just going out and playing some songs, right? You know, the relationships and what we're looking to create, you know, opportunity and business-wise is a lot bigger, right, than just an event. And that magic happens in the private events world and in the corporate events world, right?

So that's the first thing is the nature of the event, right? You know, second thing is, because I don't ever want to just show up, play some music and leave, you know? Great, even for a good amount of money, that's cool, because money's important, right?

So that's the first thing is the nature of the event, right? You know, second thing is, because I don't ever want to just show up, play some music and leave, you know? Great, even for a good amount of money, that's cool, because money's important, right?

But that same amount of time, I'd rather put that into something where I can create a relationship that can create a much bigger opportunity, right? Whether it be on the event side, whether it be on the talent side, whether it be on brand side, there's always... another opportunity to come out of an event.

But that same amount of time, I'd rather put that into something where I can create a relationship that can create a much bigger opportunity, right? Whether it be on the event side, whether it be on the talent side, whether it be on brand side, there's always... another opportunity to come out of an event.

If you look at it as a platform and springboard rather than just, you know, hey, I'm going to go and play a couple songs, get a check and leave.

If you look at it as a platform and springboard rather than just, you know, hey, I'm going to go and play a couple songs, get a check and leave.

Sure. Yeah.

Sure. Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I'll tell you exactly how and I'll give you an example because there's really, listen, when it comes to the motivation behind doing this, a lot of you have different motivations, right? But there's only one motivation that you will literally excel, right? And be embraced, because people understand authenticity, right?

I'll tell you exactly how and I'll give you an example because there's really, listen, when it comes to the motivation behind doing this, a lot of you have different motivations, right? But there's only one motivation that you will literally excel, right? And be embraced, because people understand authenticity, right?

And I think the best example I could probably give you, and it's very near and dear to me because I taught him how to DJ, is Shaq. I can't tell you, listen, I don't have enough fingers on two of my hands to tell you how many celebrities I've personally had conversations with that they wanna become DJs. Really? Yeah, yeah, man, man.

And I think the best example I could probably give you, and it's very near and dear to me because I taught him how to DJ, is Shaq. I can't tell you, listen, I don't have enough fingers on two of my hands to tell you how many celebrities I've personally had conversations with that they wanna become DJs. Really? Yeah, yeah, man, man.

But I wanna focus on Shaq for a minute because Shaq, when he first came to Miami, This was 2004 or five, right? Shaq comes to Miami. We had known each other before, right? Just, you know, being around the scene. But he called me and he's like, hey man, come by the house. He just bought his house in Starling. Come by the house, I wanna build out a studio, right?

But I wanna focus on Shaq for a minute because Shaq, when he first came to Miami, This was 2004 or five, right? Shaq comes to Miami. We had known each other before, right? Just, you know, being around the scene. But he called me and he's like, hey man, come by the house. He just bought his house in Starling. Come by the house, I wanna build out a studio, right?

And I thought he just wanted, you know, cause he was always rapping, right? So he's like, cool, I'll come help you out. So I go over there and he's like, no, no, no. Like a DJ studio, I wanna learn how to DJ. I was like, what? He goes, yo, I really, really love it. I wanna learn how to DJ. I said, all right, cool. So we put the equipment in, and you know what?

And I thought he just wanted, you know, cause he was always rapping, right? So he's like, cool, I'll come help you out. So I go over there and he's like, no, no, no. Like a DJ studio, I wanna learn how to DJ. I was like, what? He goes, yo, I really, really love it. I wanna learn how to DJ. I said, all right, cool. So we put the equipment in, and you know what?

He would go out and do an away game, get back to Miami at two o'clock in the morning. He's calling me up, hey man, meet me at the house. And he's ready, he's putting the time in, he's putting the time in, putting the time in, putting it in, putting it in. He didn't want to fake the funk. He didn't want to just have the look. He wanted to truly, truly understand it.

He would go out and do an away game, get back to Miami at two o'clock in the morning. He's calling me up, hey man, meet me at the house. And he's ready, he's putting the time in, he's putting the time in, putting the time in, putting it in, putting it in. He didn't want to fake the funk. He didn't want to just have the look. He wanted to truly, truly understand it.

And the dude put in countless, countless, countless hours. And it shows because you see where he's at today. And that's when he told me, he says, hey, man, I want to play what I want to play, right? And I want to travel the world. I want to tour. I want to really, really, really do this. And if you don't have that level of passion for it, it doesn't matter what your name is.

And the dude put in countless, countless, countless hours. And it shows because you see where he's at today. And that's when he told me, he says, hey, man, I want to play what I want to play, right? And I want to travel the world. I want to tour. I want to really, really, really do this. And if you don't have that level of passion for it, it doesn't matter what your name is.

Yeah, you might get a gig here or there, but you're never going to truly excel. Shaq has excelled at it. DJ Diesel is a thing. For sure. DJ Diesel is a hard ticket act. For sure. That's not easy. It's not easy, right? It's not easy moving thousands of tickets, you know, especially as a DJ, and he's doing it. And he's not doing it because of, you know, his past, you know, doing dunks, right?

Yeah, you might get a gig here or there, but you're never going to truly excel. Shaq has excelled at it. DJ Diesel is a thing. For sure. DJ Diesel is a hard ticket act. For sure. That's not easy. It's not easy, right? It's not easy moving thousands of tickets, you know, especially as a DJ, and he's doing it. And he's not doing it because of, you know, his past, you know, doing dunks, right?

Or NBA championships. They do it because they love what he's playing, right? And how he's playing it. And he's developed that, you know, he's honed that over years, right? So if you don't have that approach, honestly, you can forget about excelling.

Or NBA championships. They do it because they love what he's playing, right? And how he's playing it. And he's developed that, you know, he's honed that over years, right? So if you don't have that approach, honestly, you can forget about excelling.

It's very simple. When you're out doing that date for free, and you also have a call to do something else, and you're getting five bucks for it, now you know you're onto something, right? Because it's your time, right? It's your time, and you have to put a value on your time, right? So you're right. All those dates we did for free, that wasn't for free. That was you investing in yourself, right?

It's very simple. When you're out doing that date for free, and you also have a call to do something else, and you're getting five bucks for it, now you know you're onto something, right? Because it's your time, right? It's your time, and you have to put a value on your time, right? So you're right. All those dates we did for free, that wasn't for free. That was you investing in yourself, right?

That was an investment. Investments, when done correctly, guess what? Yield a return, right? So now you start getting that call. Hey, I want you for this date. Oh, you know what? I have some on there. Well, shoot, will you consider my offer? I want to pay you $2,000. Yep. there was your return. Maybe I'll do this instead, right? And that's what it is.

That was an investment. Investments, when done correctly, guess what? Yield a return, right? So now you start getting that call. Hey, I want you for this date. Oh, you know what? I have some on there. Well, shoot, will you consider my offer? I want to pay you $2,000. Yep. there was your return. Maybe I'll do this instead, right? And that's what it is.

You get out there, you get your name out there, you get people to start hearing your style, you get people to get a taste of what you can do and start creating that demand, right? And creating that demand will yield that return.

You get out there, you get your name out there, you get people to start hearing your style, you get people to get a taste of what you can do and start creating that demand, right? And creating that demand will yield that return.

Honestly, you know why? Because it's not easy, right? It's not easy, and it's necessary. The thought process behind doing it in the first place was – I was getting calls constantly, Dan Marino, hey man, we're having something for the kids, would love for you to come out, they'd love to see you, if you can be a part of it. Absolutely, let's do it, right?

Honestly, you know why? Because it's not easy, right? It's not easy, and it's necessary. The thought process behind doing it in the first place was – I was getting calls constantly, Dan Marino, hey man, we're having something for the kids, would love for you to come out, they'd love to see you, if you can be a part of it. Absolutely, let's do it, right?

Udonis Haslam, hey man, we have something going on, let's do it. Alonzo, hey, let's do it. Shaq would call, right? All these amazing, you know, Dwayne, you know, and I would always try to be there. You know, the Special Olympics, you know, big brothers, big sisters, make a wish, we're all, hey, we're having something. As long as it was physically possible for me to be there,

Udonis Haslam, hey man, we have something going on, let's do it. Alonzo, hey, let's do it. Shaq would call, right? All these amazing, you know, Dwayne, you know, and I would always try to be there. You know, the Special Olympics, you know, big brothers, big sisters, make a wish, we're all, hey, we're having something. As long as it was physically possible for me to be there,

I felt it incumbent upon myself to do it as my form of giving back. And moving around and seeing what's going on in my community, I started noticing areas where like, well, I don't think this is getting enough attention, right? I don't think this area is getting any kind of visibility, right? And I think this is important.

I felt it incumbent upon myself to do it as my form of giving back. And moving around and seeing what's going on in my community, I started noticing areas where like, well, I don't think this is getting enough attention, right? I don't think this area is getting any kind of visibility, right? And I think this is important.

And I was like, well, I'm not one to be like, well, hey, someone should do something. Right. I'll do it. Right. And how do I gather the resources to start focusing on things that I believe are important in society? And that is OK, well, shoot, maybe I should. make some calls and see if they'll come and support me. Right.

And I was like, well, I'm not one to be like, well, hey, someone should do something. Right. I'll do it. Right. And how do I gather the resources to start focusing on things that I believe are important in society? And that is OK, well, shoot, maybe I should. make some calls and see if they'll come and support me. Right.

And the most amazing thing about it was when I figured out what I wanted to do, I started making some calls and it was absolutely Of course, I'll be there. What else can I do? And it was just overwhelming. And that's how we got it off the ground. And year after year to see, to me success is how many kids can we help? How many scholarships can we send out? How many kids can we get cars?

And the most amazing thing about it was when I figured out what I wanted to do, I started making some calls and it was absolutely Of course, I'll be there. What else can I do? And it was just overwhelming. And that's how we got it off the ground. And year after year to see, to me success is how many kids can we help? How many scholarships can we send out? How many kids can we get cars?

How many things can we do to support them to be successful in their endeavors and get them out of their situation? And as long as we can do that and convert these lives and put them on a path to success, this hard work is worth doing. And we're going to continue doing it.

How many things can we do to support them to be successful in their endeavors and get them out of their situation? And as long as we can do that and convert these lives and put them on a path to success, this hard work is worth doing. And we're going to continue doing it.

I'm thrilled with that, man.

I'm thrilled with that, man.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know what? It's a great question, right? And it's funny. I was talking to... A friend of mine, just the other day, I won't say who he is, but he's worth about six billion, right? And he's a really, really good friend of mine. And we go on vacations together. He lends me his yacht. It's unreal, you know? And I'm like, you know what's funny? He called me. This was like two days ago.

You know what? It's a great question, right? And it's funny. I was talking to... A friend of mine, just the other day, I won't say who he is, but he's worth about six billion, right? And he's a really, really good friend of mine. And we go on vacations together. He lends me his yacht. It's unreal, you know? And I'm like, you know what's funny? He called me. This was like two days ago.

He was telling me about a situation. He wanted to get my advice on something. He was talking about a situation of someone who I know as well, and he kind of gave me the rundown. And I was like, damn. This is kind of a messed up situation because it was a really close friendship that kind of went over money. And I was like, wow. Never once... Listen, I've been... Dan, listen, man, I'm blessed.

He was telling me about a situation. He wanted to get my advice on something. He was talking about a situation of someone who I know as well, and he kind of gave me the rundown. And I was like, damn. This is kind of a messed up situation because it was a really close friendship that kind of went over money. And I was like, wow. Never once... Listen, I've been... Dan, listen, man, I'm blessed.

Super, super, super, super blessed, right? But dude, I've had tough times, right? And I'm sure a lot of people out there have had tough times, right? You know what else is funny? In my tough times, and don't get me wrong, if I was in a situation where I couldn't put food in my family's mouths, I would do whatever I had to do to do that, right?

Super, super, super, super blessed, right? But dude, I've had tough times, right? And I'm sure a lot of people out there have had tough times, right? You know what else is funny? In my tough times, and don't get me wrong, if I was in a situation where I couldn't put food in my family's mouths, I would do whatever I had to do to do that, right?

But I've never been in a situation where I didn't have to worry about where my next meal is going to come from, right? But it would have been really, really, really tough

But I've never been in a situation where I didn't have to worry about where my next meal is going to come from, right? But it would have been really, really, really tough

convenient for me to pick up the phone and call my billionaire friend and say hey man i need x amount you know can you help me right and honestly you know what they probably would they probably would but you know what i still wouldn't right i still i still and this this is me talking for me sure right one thing i never want you know one of my wealthy you know friends you know to think is that

convenient for me to pick up the phone and call my billionaire friend and say hey man i need x amount you know can you help me right and honestly you know what they probably would they probably would but you know what i still wouldn't right i still i still and this this is me talking for me sure right one thing i never want you know one of my wealthy you know friends you know to think is that

He's around because he needs something, right? And I know if I really, really needed it, I could. But it opened my eyes, hearing that situation, right? It's like, they're people, right? Whether they be famous or, but they're still people, right? And they wanna be valued as a person, first and foremost, right?

He's around because he needs something, right? And I know if I really, really needed it, I could. But it opened my eyes, hearing that situation, right? It's like, they're people, right? Whether they be famous or, but they're still people, right? And they wanna be valued as a person, first and foremost, right?

And you know what, if I didn't mention, oh, hey, man, I'm going through a tough time, whatever, they'd be the first ones to be like, hey, Got you. What you need. You know what I mean? I got you. But for me, it's more important that we're buds. Right? We're buds. I got you. We can talk about anything. We hang. We have fun. You know? One thing I'm never going to be is your dependent. Right?

And you know what, if I didn't mention, oh, hey, man, I'm going through a tough time, whatever, they'd be the first ones to be like, hey, Got you. What you need. You know what I mean? I got you. But for me, it's more important that we're buds. Right? We're buds. I got you. We can talk about anything. We hang. We have fun. You know? One thing I'm never going to be is your dependent. Right?

Never going to be. Maybe some other people around you might need that. But me, I work for mine. I figure it out. And they respect that. You know what I mean? They respect that. They respect that. And even for me and other people that I see around me, and I know certain things, I respect that. And if you stand for that, that's something that will carry you a long ways in that kind of circle.

Never going to be. Maybe some other people around you might need that. But me, I work for mine. I figure it out. And they respect that. You know what I mean? They respect that. They respect that. And even for me and other people that I see around me, and I know certain things, I respect that. And if you stand for that, that's something that will carry you a long ways in that kind of circle.

Don't ever be in that circle as someone that looks at, okay, what can I get? They got it, so I can ask for it. Don't ever, ever, ever be that way, ever.

Don't ever be in that circle as someone that looks at, okay, what can I get? They got it, so I can ask for it. Don't ever, ever, ever be that way, ever.

Wow. Wow.

Wow. Wow.

Right.

Right.

Yep.

Yep.

He wants life. And he wants experiences. And guess what? That's what you can bring to the table. A lot of times people don't realize, you know, you have to understand how different people fit into your life. Right? And what is of value to them. Experiences are what they're valued. Absolutely.

He wants life. And he wants experiences. And guess what? That's what you can bring to the table. A lot of times people don't realize, you know, you have to understand how different people fit into your life. Right? And what is of value to them. Experiences are what they're valued. Absolutely.

Absolutely. Absolutely. And I bet you that's made, that has enriched his life more than money ever could.

Absolutely. Absolutely. And I bet you that's made, that has enriched his life more than money ever could.

Listen, some of these folks, they don't even know what that is. It's just they automatically, whoever they're with, expects them to handle it. You know what I mean?

Listen, some of these folks, they don't even know what that is. It's just they automatically, whoever they're with, expects them to handle it. You know what I mean?

Like, wait, what? But that's the person I want to be, right? When it comes to being in those circles. And I think that's why... I've become, you know, I mean, I know we become family and stuff, but you, they look at you differently, you know? And, and, and, and here's the thing about it too, that is like, you know, for me, I love music.

Like, wait, what? But that's the person I want to be, right? When it comes to being in those circles. And I think that's why... I've become, you know, I mean, I know we become family and stuff, but you, they look at you differently, you know? And, and, and, and here's the thing about it too, that is like, you know, for me, I love music.

Music is my business, but I, I, I'm a businessman, you know, I, I operate a number of companies. Right. And. But first and foremost, I'm a DJ. And I'm a DJ that has entered this world of music, right? And I've created other opportunities. But here's the thing about it. When I go in these circles, A lot of times people look at me and be, oh, that's the DJ, right?

Music is my business, but I, I, I'm a businessman, you know, I, I operate a number of companies. Right. And. But first and foremost, I'm a DJ. And I'm a DJ that has entered this world of music, right? And I've created other opportunities. But here's the thing about it. When I go in these circles, A lot of times people look at me and be, oh, that's the DJ, right?

That's the talent, that's the entertainment. And that's all they'll see, right? And I know, I have bigger aspirations in terms of what I want to talk about, right? And the opportunities I want to explore, right? How do you change that perception? How do you change that conversation? Right. And it is a it's a process. Right.

That's the talent, that's the entertainment. And that's all they'll see, right? And I know, I have bigger aspirations in terms of what I want to talk about, right? And the opportunities I want to explore, right? How do you change that perception? How do you change that conversation? Right. And it is a it's a process. Right.

And one thing I'm most proud of is that, you know, a lot of these folks are talking about that, you know, gone on to be incredibly successful and multibillionaires. You know, I may have met them because I was hired to perform an event. But a year, two year, three years later. We're business partners.

And one thing I'm most proud of is that, you know, a lot of these folks are talking about that, you know, gone on to be incredibly successful and multibillionaires. You know, I may have met them because I was hired to perform an event. But a year, two year, three years later. We're business partners.

right for sure we're business partners i've been given an opportunity to invest in a project that they're doing they may have gotten involved in something that i'm doing but i've over time been able to change that perception and change that conversation right and that is so important and that's that's for me but there's other people out there that are in different fields that maybe get into you know introduced into a situation

right for sure we're business partners i've been given an opportunity to invest in a project that they're doing they may have gotten involved in something that i'm doing but i've over time been able to change that perception and change that conversation right and that is so important and that's that's for me but there's other people out there that are in different fields that maybe get into you know introduced into a situation

being viewed as one thing does not mean you have to stay in that position, right? Use your knowledge, your intellect, and, you know, put it out there, your aspirations. And, you know, people will be receptive to that. And next thing you know, you're in different rooms having different conversations than you ever even dreamt about.

being viewed as one thing does not mean you have to stay in that position, right? Use your knowledge, your intellect, and, you know, put it out there, your aspirations. And, you know, people will be receptive to that. And next thing you know, you're in different rooms having different conversations than you ever even dreamt about.

You've got Tucker Madera all over the place.

You've got Tucker Madera all over the place.

Yep, yep. So here's the thing, Matt. It's one thing to just have a great concept. It's another thing to really understand your market, right? And understand what drives your market. And at the end of the day, not only do you understand the makeup of your market, but you have to, have to, have to, have to be dialed into people. Because it really comes down to people, right?

Yep, yep. So here's the thing, Matt. It's one thing to just have a great concept. It's another thing to really understand your market, right? And understand what drives your market. And at the end of the day, not only do you understand the makeup of your market, but you have to, have to, have to, have to be dialed into people. Because it really comes down to people, right?

And if you really look at these different operators that have really gotten a super great hold on their respective cities, right? If you dissect what's going on, not only you'll find great concepts, right? You'll find great customer service, whatever, but you will find people

And if you really look at these different operators that have really gotten a super great hold on their respective cities, right? If you dissect what's going on, not only you'll find great concepts, right? You'll find great customer service, whatever, but you will find people

that have been a part of these organizations that, you know what, if you strip away everything else and put them on their own, they'll be doing their thing. You understand what I'm saying? So if you really look at it, you have all of these kind of micro-leaders that are incredible in their own right, but now they're part of this bigger operation.

that have been a part of these organizations that, you know what, if you strip away everything else and put them on their own, they'll be doing their thing. You understand what I'm saying? So if you really look at it, you have all of these kind of micro-leaders that are incredible in their own right, but now they're part of this bigger operation.

But you put it all together and it works. Right. And it works, right? And you might have, you know, somebody go off and either go to another market or go out and somebody else is ready to come up, right? Because you take a, let's look at Miami, right? Yep. There's a young promoter out there right now making a name for himself, right?

But you put it all together and it works. Right. And it works, right? And you might have, you know, somebody go off and either go to another market or go out and somebody else is ready to come up, right? Because you take a, let's look at Miami, right? Yep. There's a young promoter out there right now making a name for himself, right?

There's a young operator out there making a name for himself, you know? Matter of fact, you know what? There's a guy, I'll call him out, a guy named Chris Cuomo, right? I met Chris. He was working with a guy named Chef B at Nayara. Chris was an incredible restaurant operator. I mean, incredible. The guy just gets it, right? Gutman tapped him. and said, hey, man, I need you over here.

There's a young operator out there making a name for himself, you know? Matter of fact, you know what? There's a guy, I'll call him out, a guy named Chris Cuomo, right? I met Chris. He was working with a guy named Chef B at Nayara. Chris was an incredible restaurant operator. I mean, incredible. The guy just gets it, right? Gutman tapped him. and said, hey, man, I need you over here.

Time to come to the big leagues. Right? And you know what? And he's been a superstar. Sure. A superstar. You see Dave, one day he pulled over and said, hey, man, what's Chris meant to the business? Right? And he'll tell you he's been a huge part of the business. Right? So understanding when it comes to leadership, one thing great about Dave, he understands talent. For sure. Right?

Time to come to the big leagues. Right? And you know what? And he's been a superstar. Sure. A superstar. You see Dave, one day he pulled over and said, hey, man, what's Chris meant to the business? Right? And he'll tell you he's been a huge part of the business. Right? So understanding when it comes to leadership, one thing great about Dave, he understands talent. For sure. Right?

Nurtures that talent and puts him in a position to win. Yep. That's the key. And in my opinion, and of course, having great concepts, that's super important. But you identify that superstar talent, and you put them in a position to win, give them the resources to win, you'll be around 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years. 100%.

Nurtures that talent and puts him in a position to win. Yep. That's the key. And in my opinion, and of course, having great concepts, that's super important. But you identify that superstar talent, and you put them in a position to win, give them the resources to win, you'll be around 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years. 100%.