Ray Tawil is the founder of PREPT by Ray T, a hospitality business based out of Brooklyn specializing in high-end catering, events, and food delivery. In this episode, Ray opens up about what it's really like to run a hospitality company–and it's not what you think.__________SPONSORS: • Yazdi Entertainment, New York's premiere event production company. https://www.instagram.com/yazdi_entertainment/[email protected] or (646) 765-5643• Kosher Media, the #1 advertising network for Jewish communities worldwide: https://koshermedia.com__________ABOUT MOMENTUM:🎙️ Momentum brings you the stories, advice, and wisdom of business visionaries, designed to inspire and guide you on your path to success.Be sure to subscribe on all platforms:YouTubeApple PodcastsSpotify__________GEAR:• Cameras: https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o• Podcast Mics: https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv• Clip-on Mics: https://amzn.to/3H52iwo• Mic Stands: https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL• Lights: https://amzn.to/45lA5up• Tripods: https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI__________(0:00) Coming up...(1:29) Ray T's catering/cooking accomplishments(1:54) Starting a BBQing business at age 12(3:42) Working at a restaurant(4:24) Going to the #1 culinary school in the country(6:35) State-of-the-art equipment in college(7:48) What's culinary school like as a religious jew?(9:51) Dealing with the prohibition of mixing meat and milk(10:28) Were you concerned you wouldn't make money as a chef?(12:30) What motivated you to start a business at 12 years old?(13:54) Being different(15:47) "Love what you do"(17:30) Studying in culinary school for 4 years instead of 2(18:50) Why pursue a 2nd degree in food science?(20:14) Ray's parents' nuanced approach to education (20:31) Yazdi Entertainment(21:31) Expanding his business after college(23:11) How to grow past the 1-man-band stage(24:27) What it's really like to grow a business: skipping parties, sleepless nights(26:18) "I was 2 weeks away from closing my doors"(28:01) Being goal-oriented(28:34) Turning himself into a high-line brand(30:14) How do you scale a brand that requires YOU?(32:28) Ray T's daily routine(34:28) The 3 arms of Ray T's business(35:49) Catering an event with Donald Trump(41:54) Kosher Media(42:41) Getting into catering trips (i.e. Passover, vacations)(45:50) BBQing his 1st trip(48:55) Opening up about how his business almost went bankrupt(49:52) Ray T's marketing(50:41) Increasing customer awareness through marketing(51:24) The origins of "ooh ooh ooh"(52:35) The moment he realized he may have to shut down the business(55:28) Balancing business and family(57:10) Work-life balance on vacation(58:34) Advice to teenagers reluctant to pursue their passion(1:00:00) Should people chase their passion?(1:01:40) Momentum Moment(1:03:29) Takeaway #1: say yes now, figure it out later(1:04:09) Takeaway #2: be smart about following your passion(1:04:31) Takeaway #3: diversify your income streams(1:04:50) Outro

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