Business Class

Winning Las Vegas Strip Performer of the Year for '15, '16, and '17, Frankie has been one of the hottest tickets in Las Vegas for a while now.  With a career dating back to his teens, Frankie is known best as a Billboard chart topping singer that one year put out 10 full albums, and watching 6 of those go Ten on Billboard.  His energy and ensemble are unmatched in Las Vegas and you'll get to hear why. I joined Frankie off the strip where he is performing in an empty venue, but streaming live for over 150k fans per week, hoping that this will be one of the first concerts and venues to open to the public, post covid.  We talk about humble Bay Area beginnings and what life has been like during a pandemic for an artist that lives for his live events.... Spoiler alert, it's been pretty tough.  

Nehme has worked for three of the biggest names in Las Vegas; Steve Wynn, Sheldon Aldelson, and the Golden Nights.  He has found massive success in one of the most competitive marketing cities in the world.  He was also played in a big part in opening some of the biggest and most successful hotels in Macau, now considered the 'Vegas' of Asia.  Nehma takes us through some of his secrets about Vegas and how he worked his way through the ranks and what it takes to open something as successful as, say, the Encore Beach Club.  Marketing junkies, this one is for you!

This week on Business Class I talk with my friend and incredible Hip Hop artist Eclipse Darkness (aka Greggory Covington).  He is a former America's Got Talent star but has been practicing his craft since he was in grade school, as he will explain.  Eclipse was shot into the lime light with his modern tongue-twisting lyrics which very few rappers could even hope to emulate (think Twista style).  He got to talk about what drives him as an artist, how he got his big break, what keeps pushing him forward and he even spits a freestyle for us.  If you dig hip hop, you don't want to miss the special Covid Episode.  

This week on Business class My good friend Dee Murphy takes me through his incredible business pivot post pandemic and talks about how the work he has done in "building his social  community" played a vital role in his new businesses.   There are few people I respect more than Dee when it comes to business and in this episode you will learn why.  He has built and maintained a few big fashion brands that shockingly haven't taken a hit post pandemic, and has now pivoted into making masks and hand sanitized in a post covid world.  

Today I spent some quality time talking with a close business friend of mine talking about all things hospitality and Covid-19.  As the President and CEO of a luxury hotel brand, Michael has kept his finger on the pulse of hospitality through this crisis since the very beginning and has some very insightful things to say about our current state as well as how (and when) he believes that we will begin to come out of it, plus some hard facts that you probably aren't hearing on the news!  Michael is an absolute pillar in this industry and I was so grateful for his time and insight into this strange and uncertain situation.  

This week on Business Class, prepare to work up a mental AND physical sweat with the help of popular fitness and fashion personality, Tony Carvajal. Located in in Miami, Tony is not only a sought-after trainer, but an ambassador for the likes of Lululemon and Fashiononva Men. Tony came on Business Class to share tips on how to build up your personal brand, physical well-being, and how to make a change in your life to improve yourself — whether that’s eating habits, working out, or finding motivation. We also hear about how Tony's found success by strategic networking in the fitness and media world.  

This week on Business Class, we’re joined by an all-star in the venture capital industry, and close investment partner to entrepreneur, investor and media personality, Gary Vaynerchuk, Phil Toronto. Phil has supported Vaynerchuk in 100+ angel investments to date, as well as ran the $25 million fund, Vayner RSE, which has made hundreds of profitable investments of its own. Some of Toronto’s most significant investment wins like Resy, the restaurant reservation app that was recently acquired by American Express. Phil came on Business Class to discuss investment tips, how he landed his first gig alongside Vaynerchuk, and how to make sure you’re always investing strategically in yourself.

Ever dream of turning your passion for travel into a fully-fledged profession? Meet Darley Newman, the host, producer, and creator of Travels with Darley and Equitrekking, a travel show with an equestrian theme, that led to Darley to be nominated for an Emmy alongside Emmy-winning media moguls Ellen DeGeneres, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert. Darley offers captivating stories and resources for travelers interested in horseback riding vacations, adventure travel, and lots more. She’s also an award-winning author of travel books, and a popular resource for the latest and greatest in travel trends and activities around the world. On Business Class, Darley shares how she built a sustainable career out of her eclectic travels tastes, what to do in potentially dangerous destinations, and how she discovered a new kind of connection between travel and horseback riding. Season 8 of Travels with Darley debuts on PBS stations throughout the US from Tuesday, February 25th.  For more information visit www.darleycnewman.com.

This week on business class, we're fired up to host a rising star and fellow mover and shaker of the Las Vegas travel and lifestyle industry, the Deluxe Version Magazine publisher and media mainstay, Timothy Hancock. Back in 2013, Tim founded Deluxe Version Magazine, a luxury publication for style enthusiasts, world travelers, entertainment, health and wellness fanatics - all through a lens of high art, talent, taste, fashion and the finer things in life. This week, we're talking about what it takes to build a publication from the ground up, we give some BIG tips on how to meet people while you're traveling, and Tim, a native to Las Vegas tells us his favorite spots that are off the grid. Let's go!

This week on Business Class, we have the James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef and restaurateur, Dan Kluger. Dan's career has brought him everywhere from Danny Meyer's Union Square Cafe to Tom Colicchio's CORE Club, as well as most recently, his long-awaited first restaurant, Loring Place. Not only does Dan have some insane stories about the ever-changing beast that is the New York City restaurant scene, but also a ton of valuable tips about how to climb the ranks of your industry and get yourself a seat at the table. And yes, Dan actually does share some legit industry secrets about how to literally get yourself a seat at the table, a.k.a reservations at some of the world’s hottest restaurants. I enjoyed this one a lot. Check it out!

This week on Business Class, we have an entrepreneur and founder who's as fast on the road as he is cooking up crazy content. After finding his need for speed as a teen, Rob Ferretti started Super Speeders, a cult DVD series that he turned into one of YouTube's early and much-loved channels with a simple vision: Wild videos of people driving cars very fast. Rob's success online helped him discover that people are fascinated with exotic cars so much that they're willing to shell out big money to rent them for a short amount of time. This discovery led to Rob and his partner's founding of Gotham Dream Cars, a very successful global exotic car rental service. Rob came on the show to talk about goal setting, the challenges of content creation in a pre-YouTube world, why people pay big bucks to rent cars, and much more. Buckle up.

Italian royalty in the house! This week on Business Class we have Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo, who hails from one of the oldest families in Italy, and a historic estate that produces its own prosecco brand, Prosecco di Villa Tiepolo Passi. Gian Luca took over running the brand in recent years and is helping preserve their legacy while introducing them to a new audience. He also happens to be the husband of Hollywood actress Jessica Chastain! Gian Luca currently holds the title of PR director of events & entertainment at French fashion brand Moncler, and formally was the director of public relations at Armani. In our convo, he talks about how to keep old brands alive, his career in fashion, how to build teamwork in your company, his entry into Hollywood, and much more.

How do you turn a passion for brunch into a business? Jeremy Jacobowitz, the founder of the viral Brunch Boys Instagram account, made it a reality. After a stint assisting celebrity chef Bobby Flay behind the scenes, Jacobowitz learned the ins and outs of how to turn delicious food into internet-breaking content that both informs the mind and stimulates the appetite. It wasn’t long before he turned his growing side hustle into a full time job. Jeremy’s bottomless feed of brunch photos now entertains an audience of nearly half a million followers, and has established Brunch Boys as one of social media's top food accounts. He came on Business Class to take us through his deliciously entertaining story, sharing insight about the global brunch scene, how to photograph food for Instagram, and much more.

How do you break into the ever-crowded fashion industry with one really great idea? Ask Andres Izquieta, co-founder of FiveFour Group, the holding company of red-hot monthly subscription box, MenLo House. Along with fellow entrepreneur, Dee Murthy, Andres grew the company from a two store brick and mortar into an empire with hundreds of thousands of members and deals with some of the hottest brands on earth. Andres came on Business Class to talk about fashion trends, what’s hot in LA culture, WhatsApp, and how to get your brand noticed.   

PR executive Maha Gaber knows more than most about how to connect to consumers in different markets to get across a message, a brand, or an idea. Maha has a unique understanding of how to help companies strategize about making an impact through storytelling and strong messaging techniques.  As the former Head of Communication in the Middle East for Google, and a current advisor to executives like VaynerX founder, Gary Vaynerchuk, Maha helps instruct brands and people about how to leverage new trends in digital media to win over consumers. Maha also hosts SavvyTalk, a weekly podcast about communication strategies for businesses with a focus on the MENA (Middle East/North Africa) region. We caught up over some coffee to talk about tips for startups, the top places to travel in the Middle East, how to use PR to your advantage, and more.

This week on Business Class, we have one of the most successful entrepreneurs from Australia, the world-renowned business coach and speaker, Brad Sugars. As the author of 16 business books and counting, Brad is also the founder behind ActionCoach, a unique coaching platform that helps companies and individuals multiply their potential through simple yet powerful growth techniques.  Brad came on the podcast to talk about not if, but why, you need a coach, the eternal power of Apple, and how to multiply your revenue FAST. His straight-forward and impactful advice will make you wonder why you’ve never thought of this stuff before. Get into it. 

Your ego is NOT your amigo. Public speaker, author, and performance trainer Cy Wakeman has built a career on this message. She’s helped thousands of people shed their ego to become better co-workers and human beings. Cy’s work focuses on helping employees and companies learn how to ditch the drama of their lives and jobs to restore sanity and well-being into the workplace, as well in everyday life. My friend Cy came on Business Class for a deep and diverse conversation about her background, and provided a grab bag of insightful tips about how to work and live better with people, as well as with yourself. This stuff is valuable for ANYONE, so hit play and take it all in.

This week on Business Class, we welcome a fast-rising star in the fitness game, Rumble Boxing founder, Noah Neiman. In barely two years, Rumble has become one of the most talked about workout studios on Earth. They count investors like Justin Bieber and Slyvester Stallone, and a celebrity clientele that includes David Beckham, Kendall Jenner, and Kevin Hart.  After becoming one of the top trainers at Barry’s Bootcamp in NYC and amassing a viral Instagram following, plus a stint on Bravo’s WorkOut New York show, Noah founded Rumble with Eugene Remm from Flywheel.   With eight locations, the operation is currently valued at close to $100 million, and shows no sign of slowing down. Noah came on Business Class to discuss the company’s unique digital marketing, “trickle-down swaganomics,” and how he made it from the Harvard of Hustle to founding one of the hottest fitness gyms today. Listen to find out how this entrepreneur turned his passion into a profession, and went from Barry’s Bootcamp trainer, to founder of this fitness empire.

If you’ve never scrolled through Jessica Hirsch’s @cheatdayeats page on Instagram, you’re missing out. Jessica started “CheatDayEats” and “YourRoomService” on social media as a hobby while working as a full-time math teacher. Now, her job is to post about her indulgent experiences around the world with her 426k followers & fans.Jessica is doing some amazing things in the brand space by showcasing her mouth-watering videos and photos, and on this week’s episode, she tells all about how she began this dream-come-true business. Jessica’s viral success has allowed her to work with brands such as Sony, Samsung, Pepsi, Olive Garden, Godiva, American Express, IHOP, Dunkin' Donuts, and more. She came on Business Class to open up about her two great loves that are featured throughout her Instagram accounts: cheat day worthy food, and worldwide travel adventures. Along the way she drops knowledge on some of her favorite dishes, hotels, and restaurants, as well as shares wisdom on just how important it is to maintain balance in your brand, diet, lifestyle and while on the road. If you love the culture of food and how it intersects with entrepreneurship and motivation, get your utensils ready and dig on in. 

From founding the influential NYC music venue The Knitting Factory, to creating his hospitality empire City Winery, Michael Dorf knows how to create spaces that last. During a sweltering summer afternoon in New York City, I put on my hard hat and sat down with Michael at the construction site of his latest City Winery location for a career-spanning conversation. We touched on everything from his wild ride in the music business, to almost missing out on booking Prince, and how he’s still creating experiences that excite and entertain your senses. Listen to learn more than a thing or two about success from one of the most impressive hospitality professionals I’ve had the pleasure to get to know.

American businessman and CEO of RSE Ventures, Matt Higgins, bet big on himself when he dropped out of high-school at 16, got his GED, and decided to go straight to work.  Today, he runs one of the world’s top investment firms, and has a resume that includes being the youngest ever NY press security for the likes of Rudy Giuliani during the wake of 9/11, as well as a high-level executive for the NY Jets and Miami Dolphins. He also makes regular appearances a guest judge on Shark Tank.  A true rags to riches story that will inspire you all the way through, Matt came on Business Class to talk about building a bridge to your future self, what he looks for in investments, and what caused him to live every day like it’s his last.   

You couldn’t go far in the mid-80s without hearing the voice of Matt Goss. As one half of the British band Bros, along with his twin British brother Luke Goss, Matt found himself surrounded by screaming fans, hits records, sold-out arenas, and the pressures that come with fame. After becoming the youngest guys ever to sell-out Wembley Stadium in 1989, Bros broke up three years later. So what came next for Matt Goss?  Today, Matt enjoys his current status as “The New King of Vegas,” with a scorching hot residency at the Mirage at MGM Resorts, where he mixes his unparalleled style and showmanship with classic crooners and a whole lot of soul. He came on Business Class to tell us what the early days of the band were really like, life in Vegas, the influence of his mom, his complicated relationship with his brother Luke, and lots more. We also touch on one of my favorite topics, ego (more to come there from the nondrama queen Cy Wakeman in a future episode). Enjoy. 

Anna Victoria is disrupting the fitness industry in a whole new way. You might know her as the face and mind behind smash hit fitness apps like Fit Body and Fit Body guides, as well as a fitness celebrity who guides a million-strong community of followers on how to live their best and healthiest lives. But Anna’s journey hasn’t always been easy. Following health issues at a young age, she was moved to rethink her entire outlook, which inspired her to build a devoted following while acquiring all sorts of new knowledge. Today, Anna is a powerful voice in body positivity and wellness, and works not only to provide people with innovative workouts and health tips, but she's always down to get real on conversations others might steer clear of.  On this week’s episode of Business Class, Anna talks about how she broke into the industry during the early days of Instagram, and overcame the many challenges associated with getting fit. Anna goes deep as she talks about her passion for connecting with her community on a deeper level, and opens up about her current health struggles.  She’s a brilliant businesswoman and early social media pioneer. If you’re looking for a way to live and feel your best, regardless of how you look, this one’s for you. 

Do you ever wonder what it’s like to drive race cars 200+ miles per hour, for a living? I recently had the opportunity to spend the day at the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600. Before the race kicked off, I was granted some amazing behind-the-pit access and had the chance to meet a couple of professional drivers: 21-year old rookie William Byron and league veteran, Aric Almirola, a.k.a The Cuban Missile.   Did you know that NASCAR drivers spend nearly 40 weeks a year on the road each year, mostly living out of decked-out motor homes? I chatted with these drivers about more than just racing on the track. We also dive deep into what life is really like as a professional NASCAR driver. Tune in to hear about Will and Arics’s come-up stories, their favorite non-driving hobbies and travel destinations, family histories, crazy pre-race routines, and what it’s like to be fearless for a living. For them both, hesitation can mean serious danger. Take a listen and prepare to get closer to the track than you’ve ever been before. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines… and keep an eye on your heart rate. 

This week on Business Class, I sit down with marketing guru and investor Bonin Bough. Bonin has quietly been behind some of the most successful brand campaigns of the last decade. One of the youngest C-suite executives in Fortune 50 history, and former Chief Media & eCommerce Office at Mondelēz International (formerly Kraft Foods), Bonin spearheaded some of the first marketing programs across early iterations of Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. My conversation with dives deep into not only his innovative brand work, but how to creatively disrupt the marketing landscape to grab user attention. We chat about everything from creating viral tweet campaigns to remixing Oreos, to creating a TV show with LeBron James. We also chat about where consumers are focusing their attention right now, and why Bonin’s new book Text Me. A lot to unpack in this one for anyone interested in the future or marketing, and captivating consumer habits. Let’s get into it!   

Gratitude! Any successful person and leader will tell you that can’t be truly great if you’re not grateful. Hospitality and nightlife king Paul Evans has had an inspiring tale that all circles back to having appreciation and gratitude for your journey—however difficult it may be.  Before he was the Dubai-dwelling CEO of leading international hospitality group, Solution Leisure, Paul helped reshape the Egyptian nightlife and hotel scene amidst a political revolution. Along the way, Paul experienced a major health scare that nearly cost him his life, and put everything in perspective.  In 2019, Paul’s latest project is a marquee partnership with Atlantis in Dubai called The Wave House, and is a culmination of his journey through the industry. He came on Business Class to talk gratitude and reflection in your career, how to create unique hospitality experiences, and some of the hottest travel destinations popping off right now. 

New York-bred restaurateur and creative entrepreneur Michal Chernow has built a food empire from one simple concept: Meatballs. By identifying what consumers like, he figured out how to make it even better so that they can't live without it. But his secrets for success only begin there.Since his teenage years, Michael’s been working hard in the restaurant business. He sharpened his chops while working at the New York City Italian staple, Frank’s, where he and his partner had the million-dollar idea to sell meatballs to the late-night Lower East Side crowd. They now have six locations of The Meatball Shop across the city, and show no signs of slowing down.  Michael is not only the co-founder and co-owner of this hit restaurant venture, but he’s also launched the new seafood and sustainability-focused restaurant, Seamore’s.  A hospitality craftsman at heart with a flair for style, classic motorcycles and early-morning workouts, Michael’s innovative eateries are leading a new chapter of the New York culinary scene. He came on Business Class to talk about his background, how to lead passionate employees, and to give some exclusive tips on how to make it into the hearts and bellies of consumers. *Meatballs not included. 

Sara Dietschy! Rhymes with peachy. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard a thing or two about this incredible young star in the content game. If you haven’t, now is your chance.  Sara is a viral YouTuber and content creator based in New York City, whose videos about the intersection of technology and creativity have taken the internet by storm. She’s also a well-known podcast host, whose weekly show features candid conversations with some of the most exciting and disruptive personalities in art and business. Beyond that, Sara works regularly with some innovative brands like Adobe, using her tech expertise to show consumers how to get the most out of their products while crafting exciting and personal narratives.  During this Business Class convo, Sara shows us more than her down-to-earth personality and genuine humor, but she lets us in on her incredible come-up tale. Her journey from Texan audio technician to NYC-dwelling viral YouTube star is an inspiring story for anyone who’s interested in turning their passion into not only a profession, but a dream job. 

I hope you guys are hungry for episode four of Business Class because I have a real treat for you all this time around! Next up is the world-renowned Italian restaurateur, chef, and entrepreneur, Fabio Vivani.  You might recognize this guy from his time on Top Chef, where he was voted fan favorite before eventually getting his own gigs as a television host and on-air personality. Fabio knows more about the hard work and sacrifice that goes into making it than most. He started working at a local bakery in his home town of Florence, Italy at age 11 to help his family make ends meet, and by 30 was operating nearly ten restaurants and two nightclubs world-wide. Now he’s a certified legend in the food and hospitality scene. Fabio talks about how managing risk helped him cut his teeth to the grind in order to flourish in the business, as well as how to deal with what feels uncomfortable, and how to make your own limitations work to your advantage. Fabio’s not one to sugarcoat anything (except maybe a delicious dessert), so get ready to keep it real on this one! 

Celebrity trainer Lacey Stone's motto sums up her mission best: Help you be you. She has turned her passion for fitness into a multi-faceted career that touches on everything from health and wellness, to helping others shape their mindset and habits to live more fulfilled lives.  Lacey came on Business Class Podcast to talk about ways in which teamwork, positive mindset, learning from failure, and living ethically can help you get to where you want to go, both physically and mentally. For anyone looking to level up their lives, you'll surely find a lot of value and eye-opening insights in this one.  You might know Lacey from her appearances on Khloe Kardashian's fitness makeover show on E!, "Revenge Body," as well as her insanely popular Flywheel spin classes located in New York City and other select locales. As an entrepreneur, Lacey dominates the social space. With thousands of people turning to for fitness and life advice, she creates valuable content from her workouts in the virtual training space, maintains her always-popping Instagram feed, and gets featured across the media landscape.    I'm lucky enough to not only call Lacey a trainer, but also a friend, so this was a really fun one for me. Check it out and make sure to subscribe to Business Class, and leave a review if you love it. Thanks for listening! 

Episode Two here we go! Anyone interested in how someone’s life and career can be shaped by a city should know John Henry.  In this episode, learn about the keys to growing a successful start-up from the ground up with one of New York's finest entrepreneurs.  At 26 years old, John has already accomplished more than some people double his age. He’s currently the host of Viceland’s network show, Hustle, a series all about the power of the grind in 2019, as well as One37pm's business-minded current events show, Chop it Up.  Born and raised in Harlem, John sold his first $1 Million dollar business at an impressive 21 years old. Crazy. During my conversation with John, which took place over a drink in his stomping ground of Harlem, we went deep into his come up story to learn more about his inspiring journey from a New York City doorman, to a major star in the start-up scene. We also heard about his non-profit business accelerator, Cofound Harlem.  His was an exciting and multi-faceted conversation, be sure to play close attention to how and why John deeply values relationships, and the connections people have to their hometown, over just money. Check it out and make sure to subscribe to Business Class and leave a review if you’re feeling it. Thanks for listening!   

The very first episode of my Business Class podcast is here. No better way to kick off the show than by sitting down with the legendary CEO, investor, and all around bad*ss Andy Frisella.  Andy grew up on a gravel road in Missouri to humble beginnings, but with supportive parents who taught him the meaning of hard work and how to dream. As an entrepreneurial kid, he sold baseball cards, snow cones, and even lightbulbs to help learn the value of the hustle. That, and he fell in love with exotic sports cars, something I can relate to!  Nowadays, Andy isn’t only a sought after speaker and host of a popular podcast, The MFCEO Project, but he's a business man at his core. In addition to founding 5 other businesses, Andy is the CEO of one of the world’s leading nutritional supplement companies, 1st Phorm International. For anyone interested in exploring the core values of confidence, patience, success and how to evolve your skillset to crush your dreams, you need to hear this. Thanks for listening, don't forget to hit subscribe, and we'll see you next week!  

This is Faisal Sublaban, aka The Hotel Boss here. Have you ever wondered how to turn your passion into a profession? For me, it was travel. Here on my new podcast, Business Class, I am going to take you on an adventure alongside my weekly copilots (who double as business experts) as we go deep into their stories, and learn a thing or two about how to succeed in business.   Unlike your average entrepreneurship podcast, we will be learning from some of the most relevant figures in business, travel, hospitality and everything in between.   This is the only show about business and travel for the novice or expert. Everyone is welcome aboard. So fasten your seatbelts and get comfortable, because you’re flying Business Class.