I believe I learned all the essential business lessons by age 12, most of which came from my father, an independent milkman in Brooklyn. He believed you need to focus on giving customers what they want while still making money—simple sage advice. My first outside-of-the-family job was a paper route. Every day after school I delivered Newsday on time learning spending money that gave me independence and earned me recognition as an Honor Carrier. My first "acquisition" soon followed by purchasing a fellow carrier’s 100-client route located in three apartment buildings. It was a good deal at three times my weekly earnings. At my core, I’m an entrepreneur. I went from being the CEO of public companies to the CEO or Chairman of private companies I’ve acquired or invested in through personal private equity. I enjoy challenges—solving puzzles gets my juices flowing. Looking at a company’s situation within an industry, then determining how to make a consumer proposition more appealing and how best to communicate with customers is my sweet spot. Cost is an element, but I like to focus on business strategy: How do you grow revenue? How do you get more customers buying more stuff and shopping more often? You create value that way, and it’s more fun than just whacking costs! It is rewarding to rally an organization around a vision, see it succeed, and celebrate the team’s success. I've had the opportunity of doing that several times in my life. There are always bumps along the road, and I've had my share, but you learn, grow, and move on.We founded JAMCO Interests (JAMCO) to serve as an investment vehicle to acquire businesses, primarily restaurant franchises, needing an innovative approach to grow through operational improvements and marketing innovation. Identifying the right leadership team, placing them in roles that best match their skills, and coming together as a team is the organizational success formula that works for me. All the professionals who invest in JAMCO, whether they be Amici, Friendly’s, or Brix, are people who embody this vision, drive, problem-solving approach—and partner well with others!My succinct advice to those I mentor: “Pick a career you enjoy and are passionate about and focus on being the best you can be at the job at hand and the rest will take care of itself.” Beyond work, family is at the center. I’m grateful for the values and work ethic my family instilled in me early in life. This gratitude now extends to my wife Lisa, our children, and grandchildren.
