In this episode of The What It Takes Podcast, host Tuli Kraus sits down with Moshe Hecht, entrepreneur, startup operator, and Co-Founder of Hatch AI, who previously helped build Charidy into one of the world's leading fundraising platforms that has facilitated nearly $5 billion in charitable giving.This isn't just a conversation about AI or fundraising. It's about what it actually takes to build meaningful companies, lead high-performing teams, create products people genuinely need, and navigate the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, and purpose.Moshe shares his journey from helping scale one of the largest nonprofit fundraising platforms to leaving a successful company and starting over with Hatch AI, a platform using artificial intelligence to help nonprofits identify better donors, build smarter fundraising campaigns, and make data-driven decisions.Whether you're a startup founder, nonprofit leader, fundraiser, entrepreneur, or simply curious about how AI is reshaping entire industries, this episode is packed with practical insights on leadership, innovation, fundraising strategy, hiring, and building companies that create real impact.How Moshe Hecht helped scale Charidy into one of the world's largest fundraising platformsWhy he left a successful company to build Hatch AI from the ground upHow AI is transforming nonprofit fundraising and donor engagementThe future of fundraising campaigns powered by artificial intelligenceHow nonprofits can use donor intelligence instead of relying on guessworkBuilding startup products that solve real customer problemsLeadership lessons from growing fast-moving technology companiesHiring, culture, and building high-performing teamsThe importance of purpose when building a businessWhy founders should embrace uncertainty instead of chasing certaintyLessons learned from scaling startups and launching new venturesHow AI will reshape the future of nonprofits and philanthropyMoshe shares years of startup and fundraising experience, including:Great fundraising starts with understanding people, not just asking for donationsAI should enhance human relationships, not replace themThe best startups solve painful, real-world problemsHiring the right people is one of a founder's biggest competitive advantagesBuilding systems creates long-term growth instead of chasing short-term winsPurpose-driven companies attract stronger teams and customersInnovation happens when you're willing to leave comfort behindTechnology is changing fundraising faster than most organizations realize00:00 Welcome & What Is a Fabrengen11:11 Singer to Shliach — Moishe's Path Through Yeshiva, Ukraine & Smicha17:32 Selling Ads, Joining Charity & the Early Bootstrap Years21:25 Scaling Charity: Competitors, Challenges & Finding Your ICP34:05 Growing the Team: Initiative, Listening to Customers & When to Fire47:59 Leaving Charity & Launching Hatch.ai1:09:10 What Makes Hatch Different, Daily Giving & the Hecht Family LegacyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moshe-hecht-109a4514/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moshehecht/?hl=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/Hiring the wrong person is expensive—not just financially, but culturally.Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire exceptional talent so founders can spend less time recruiting and more time building world-class businesses.💡 In This Episode, We Cover:🧠 Key Business & Fundraising Lessons from Moshe Hecht:⏱️ Chapters🔗 Connect with Moshe Hecht🔗 Connect with the Host — Tuli Kraus About Blackbird Recruiting

In this episode of The What It Takes Podcast, host Tuli Kraus sits down with Seth Farbman, entrepreneur, former securities lawyer, and founder of multiple successful companies including SEC filing services, stock transfer operations, and modern LinkedIn marketing agency Share Media.This is not a typical “startup success story.” It’s a raw, behind-the-scenes conversation about building companies from a basement startup to multi-exit businesses, making millions, losing millions on failed ventures, and learning what actually drives long-term success in business: people, persistence, and purpose.Seth shares how he went from practicing law in Manhattan to building four companies with his long-time partner, how a chance conversation over Pesach led to a business that scaled to thousands of clients, and how he later transitioned into helping CEOs and public companies grow through LinkedIn marketing and strategic visibility.If you're an entrepreneur, founder, salesperson, or anyone trying to grow in your career or business, this episode breaks down real-world lessons you won’t get in business school.How Seth Farbman transitioned from securities lawyer to serial entrepreneurThe Pesach conversation that led to building a multimillion-dollar company from a basementWhat it takes to scale a business to 5,000+ customers and 100+ employeesWhy hiring the right people matters more than strategy or productThe emotional reality of selling a company (and losing identity after exit)Earnouts, acquisitions, and what really happens after you “sell” your businessLessons from failed ventures like apparel brands and startup experimentsWhy not every great idea is a profitable businessHow LinkedIn became a powerful growth engine for CEOs and public companiesWhat separates top-performing employees from average onesSales mindset: why fear kills deals and relationships build revenueHow persistence (like a candidate showing up 4 times) can change your lifeSeth breaks down 30+ years of experience in business and shares brutally honest insights:You don’t build companies to sell them — exits often come unexpectedlyThe real value of a business is in relationships, not just revenueEmployees who take initiative outperform those who just “do their job”Introverts can win in business by leading with value firstMost business failures come from building without real market validationPurpose and momentum matter more than comfort or certainty0:00 The Real Reason Behind Visibility, Clients, and LinkedIn Growth 8:05 From a Basement SEC Filing Company to Two Buyouts 14:24 Purpose, Daymond John, and Finding the Recruiting Niche  20:07 Law School, Marriage, and Becoming a Reluctant Schmoozer 27:08 The Persistence That Got Hired Four Times 33:00 Hat Flops, Weight-Loss Gimmicks, and a Thousand Public Companies LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethfarbman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sethfarbmanstock/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/Hiring the wrong person is expensive — not just financially, but culturally.Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, host Tuli Kraus sits down with Shai Stern — entrepreneur, investor, and advisor — to talk about building multiple companies from scratch, what separates great employees from mediocre ones, and what 30 years in business actually teaches you about people, sales, and showing up.Shai Stern didn't come from money. He grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, dropped out of YU, got married young, and needed parnassah fast. What followed was four companies built with his partner Seth Farman — starting with a conversation over vintage seltzer on Pesach — that spanned SEC filings, business formations, background checks, and payment processing. He sold them all. And then started again.Along the way, Shai learned things no business school teaches: how to close your first client when your father's chavrusa thinks you're a fool, how to handle a valued employee who gets poached, why firing people is one of the hardest things he's never gotten good at, and what makes someone like Michelle — his chief of staff for 13-plus years — genuinely irreplaceable.He's also brutally honest about what he got wrong. Waiting too long to let people go. Trusting people who weren't honest. Letting ambition outrun organizational discipline. This episode is one of the most real, wisdom-packed conversations we've had on this podcast — and it applies whether you're a W-2 employee trying to level up or a founder building something from nothing.If you're trying to figure out what it actually takes to grow in your career or your business, this one is for you.◼️ How Shai went from a W-2 employee to building four companies with one partner and zero partnership agreements◼️ The Pesach conversation over vintage seltzer that launched Vintage Filings◼️ What his father taught him about learning before work — and why it stuck for 30 years◼️ The first client rejection that drove him harder than any yes ever could◼️ How he expanded a business to all 50 states in under 60 days using Chabad◼️ What makes Michelle McClosky the best hire he ever made — and what made his worst hire so painful◼️ How COVID nearly destroyed V-Check Global and what saved it◼️ The right way to ask for a raise, handle rejection, and set yourself up for a yes◼️ What separates salespeople who crush it from those who plateau◼️ Why fear has no place in sales — and how to actually get it out of your system.Chapters:0:00 Teaneck to Teaneck: Shai's Background, Family & Early Influences7:58 The Pesach Handshake: How Vintage Filings Was Born Over Seltzer15:02 Getting the First Client: Rejection, Persistence & Humble Confidence23:03 Selling Vintage Filings, Building V-Corp & Expanding to All 50 States With Chabad28:30 V-Check Global, COVID & What Happens When Your Business Falls Off a Cliff40:17 Best Hire, Worst Hire & What Loyalty Actually Looks Like in Business55:14 How to Ask for a Raise, Handle Rejection & Make Yourself More Valuable1:09:08 Sales Without Fear: What 30 Years Taught Shai About Relationships & ParnassahConnect with Shai SternLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaistern1 Phone: 917-579-3107 Email: [email protected] Website: gotavi.coInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/Hiring the wrong person is expensive — not just financially, but culturally.Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.💡 In This Episode, We Cover:⏱️ Chapters🔗 Connect with Shai Stern🔗 Connect with the Host — Tuli KrausBlackbird Recruiting

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, host Tuli Kraus sits down with Aaron Zutler, sales veteran, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Pop Insanity, to talk about learning to sell from the ground up, cracking the big box retail code, and how a popcorn machine that couldn’t be returned ended up becoming a nationwide brand.Aaron Zutler spent years in the trenches selling small electronics, keyboards, webcams, and peripherals, into some of the toughest buyers in retail: Best Buy, Walmart, and Target-level accounts who eat vendors for breakfast. He learned how to negotiate, how to read a room, and how to get a “yes” from people whose entire job is to say “no.”Then, almost by accident, he got introduced to a keyboard player making insane popcorn in his kitchen. That introduction, and one non-refundable popcorn machine, led to Pop Insanity, a gourmet kosher popcorn brand that landed on Oprah’s Favorite Things list, got featured on Good Morning America, and eventually earned a starring role on Marcus Lemonis’ show The Fixer.In this conversation, Aaron breaks down what it actually took, sleeping on a blow-up mattress in Muncie, borrowing money while making two weddings, building a brand with no marketing budget, and staying calm when the website crashed in the middle of Q4 holiday season.He also gets real about partnerships, hiring, what separates employees who rise from those who stay stuck, and why customer service matters just as much as the product.If you’re an employee trying to level up, a founder figuring out how to build something from scratch, or someone quietly wondering if your skills could one day work for you, this episode is exactly what you need.💡 In This Episode, We Cover:◼️ How Aaron stumbled into sales and why he says it’s the most valuable skill you can have ◼️ The insider breakdown of selling into big box retail (open to buy, end caps, markdown money and more) ◼️ The non-refundable popcorn machine that accidentally started a business ◼️ What the early days of Pop Insanity actually looked like, blow-up mattresses and all ◼️ How Oprah’s team found them at a gift show in Atlanta and what happened next ◼️ Getting on Good Morning America and landing Marcus Lemonis’ The Fixer ◼️ How COVID shifted their entire business model in their favor ◼️ The three things Aaron says you absolutely need in a business partner ◼️ What separates employees who grow fast from those who stay stuck ◼️ Why honesty, initiative, and mavatar (flexibility) matter more than any resume⏱️ Chapters:0:00 From Office Work to Closeouts: How Aaron Accidentally Got Into Sales7:45 The Art of Selling: Aggression, Etiquette & What Actually Works21:26 The Popcorn Machine That Started It All: The Origin Story of Pop Insanity29:10 Sleeping in Muncie: Building Pop Insanity From Zero39:41 Oprah’s Favorite Things: Getting Discovered at a Gift Show in Atlanta47:24 The Fixer & The Website Crash Heard Round the Warehouse52:17 COVID, Hiring & What It Actually Takes to Grow Inside a Company🔗 Connect with Aaron ZutlerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-zutler🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/United RefuahUnited Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.https://unitedrefuahhs.org/Blackbird RecruitingHiring the wrong person is expensive — not just financially, but culturally.Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, host Tuli Kraus sits down with Dr. Jonathan Donath — chiropractor, entrepreneur, and founder of Daily Giving — to talk about building a successful practice from scratch, starting a nonprofit with zero experience, and why giving tzedakah every single day might be the greatest business decision you ever make.Dr. Jonathan Donath runs a thriving chiropractic practice in White Plains, New York, where he specializes in severe neck and back conditions, helping patients avoid surgery through hands-on, drug-free treatment. But outside the office, he's the president and CEO of Daily Giving — a non-profit that has distributed over $29 million to more than 100 Jewish organizations worldwide, funded entirely by people giving just $1 a day.What started as an epiphany in a shul parking lot after watching a YouTube video about a near-death experience turned into a global platform with 24,000 givers across 51 countries — distributing over $24,000 every single day to orphans, widows, cancer patients, poverty relief, kiruv, Torah, and more.In this conversation, Dr. Donath opens up about what it's really like to run two full-time operations simultaneously, the business mistakes he made early on, why he almost gave up in the first few months of Daily Giving, and the mindset shift around maaser that he wishes someone had told him at 21.If you're interested in entrepreneurship, nonprofit building, chiropractic as a career, the power of giving, or simply building something that actually matters — this episode will leave you inspired, challenged, and probably ready to sign up for something.💡 In This Episode, We Cover:◼️ How Dr. Donath chose chiropractic over traditional medicine—and built a practice from zero◼️ The real salary numbers behind owning vs. working in chiropractic◼️ Why going out-of-network was the best decision he ever made◼️ The near-death experience video that sparked the idea for Daily Giving◼️ How he grew from 100 signups to 24,000 givers across 51 countries◼️ The operational reality of running an $8.8M/year nonprofit with a small team◼️ Why every dollar donated goes directly to tzedakah—with overhead funded separately◼️ The maaser habit he wishes he’d started at age 21◼️ How he hires, the personality tests he uses, and why warmth can’t be trained◼️ The mindset of “failure is not an option”—and what it actually costs you to believe it⏱️ Chapters:0:00 From Minneapolis to White Plains — The Road to Chiropractic10:13 Building the Business — Overhead, Patients & the Golden Handcuff Trap26:51 The Near-Death Experience Video That Changed Everything36:29 What Daily Giving Actually Is — How $1/Day Moves Millions49:42 From 100 Signups to 24,000 Givers Across 51 Countries1:04:27 Hiring, Personality Tests & Building Teams That Work1:08:07 Maaser, Mindset & the Cheat Code to a Better Life🔗 Connect with Dr. Jonathan DonathInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdonath/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjonathandonath/🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/United RefuahUnited Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.https://unitedrefuahhs.org/Blackbird RecruitingHiring the wrong person is expensive — not just financially, but culturally.Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Benjamin Heinemann — CEO of BP Print Group, founder of the BP Weekly, and one of the most quietly inspiring business leaders you've never heard of. With over 100 employees, clients across the US, Canada, Israel, and Australia, and 37 years of building from the ground up, Rabbi Heinemann has one simple answer for how it all happened: Hashem.What started as a young kollel guy hanging a sign in a coffee room turned into a full-scale printing empire. We talk about the real story behind building a business with emunah at the center — the tough hires, the COVID payroll decisions nobody said thank you for, the backwards journal that changed his davening forever, and the Mincha minyan that literally made his neighbor's best month in business.This episode isn't just about printing. It's about what it really takes to build something lasting — with integrity, gratitude, and your eyes wide open to everything Hashem is doing around you.If you're an entrepreneur, a business owner, or someone who wants to bring more meaning into how they work and lead — this conversation will stay with you.💡 In This Episode, We Cover:◼️ How a kollel guy with a computer became a 100+ employee CEO ◼️ The print shop takeover that happened in under a year ◼️ Starting a Mincha minyan at work — and watching business take off ◼️ The “backwards journal” story that rewired his entire approach to davening ◼️ Why the money you have is literally your personal mun ◼️ The maaser system he’s used since day one — and why it always works ◼️ What actually makes a great employee (hint: it’s not their salary ask) ◼️ The COVID raise he gave that nobody said thank you for ◼️ Why most job ads are a complete waste of money ◼️ How BP Weekly grew from 1,200 families to 18,000+ ◼️ Stop selling price — sell your differentiator ◼️ Is printing dying? His bold, honest take on the future ◼️ AI, Kodak, and why you have to think futuristic or get left behindChapters:0:00 Intro & Guest Welcome2:05 How It All Started4:49 Taking Over Joe’s Print Shop8:38 Opening His Own Shop10:45 Bringing Hashem Into the Business18:02 The Backwards Journal Story32:27 Maiser, Money & The Mun39:35 What Makes a Great Employee44:11 The COVID Raise & Recruiting53:27 The BP Weekly Origin Story1:00:35 Sell Your Differentiator, Not Your Price1:12:03 Closing Story & Final Thoughts🔗 Connect with Rabbi Benjamin HeinemannLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-heinemann-a02a6a18Instagram (BP Print Group): https://www.instagram.com/bpprintgroup/🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/🎙 Sponsored by:DabblDabbl is an all-in-one platform where kids and teens can explore a wide range of lessons—from music, art, and cooking to photography, wilderness skills, and money management—without the hassle of commuting or expensive one-on-one classes. For just $25 a month, learners get access to all courses designed to bring them off-screen into real-life skills. Listeners can use code TK-20 for 20% off athttps://justdabbl.com/United RefuahUnited Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.https://unitedrefuahhs.org/Blackbird RecruitingHiring the wrong person is expensive — not just financially, but culturally.Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Eli Weber, CEO of Weber Media and host of the Podsitivity Podcast, to talk about building a social media business from scratch, the mindset behind entrepreneurship, and how content can turn into real revenue.Eli Weber is the founder of Weber Media, a social media marketing company that helps businesses maximize the potential of social media, content creation, and personal branding to generate real profits. What started as helping a musician manage social media accounts eventually turned into a growing agency managing multiple brands and business profiles.Before entrepreneurship, Eli worked in construction management, overseeing hundreds of workers and long commutes every day. But he quickly realized that a traditional job wasn’t fulfilling the life he wanted to build. That realization pushed him to explore online business, social media marketing, and digital entrepreneurship, eventually launching Weber Media.In this conversation, Eli shares how he landed his first client, what he learned about the Instagram algorithm, LinkedIn growth, and modern social media strategy, and why social media today is no longer just about followers — it’s about interest-based content that platforms distribute to the right audience.We also dive into the mindset required to build a business: staying positive, taking responsibility for outcomes, handling rejection, and learning not to take every client decision personally.If you're interested in entrepreneurship, building a social media agency, content marketing, personal branding, or starting an online business, this episode is packed with insights that will help you think differently about opportunity and growth.💡 In This Episode, We Cover:◼️ How Eli Weber built a social media marketing business from scratch◼️ The mindset shift that pushed him toward entrepreneurship◼️ His early career managing construction teams◼️ Landing the first paying client for Weber Media◼️ How the Instagram and LinkedIn algorithms work today◼️ Why social media is now “interest media” instead of follower media◼️ The difference between branding, marketing, and advertising◼️ The emotional challenges of running a business◼️ Why anyone can start a side hustle or online business today◼️ How content creation can generate real business opportunities⏱️ Chapters:0:00 The Positivity Principle4:26 From Hardhat to Hustle — The Construction Years25:25 What Social Media Actually Is (And What It Isn't)28:16 The Business of Storytelling — Real Clients, Real Results42:05 Building a Team, Setting Boundaries, and Getting Out of Your Own Way47:28 Trust the Process — Lessons, Mindset & What He'd Do Differently🔗 Connect with Eli WeberFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ellin.web/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-weber1🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/🎙 Sponsored by:DabblDabbl is an all-in-one platform where kids and teens can explore a wide range of lessons—from music, art, and cooking to photography, wilderness skills, and money management—without the hassle of commuting or expensive one-on-one classes. For just $25 a month, learners get access to all courses designed to bring them off-screen into real-life skills. Listeners can use code TK-20 for 20% off athttps://justdabbl.com/United RefuahUnited Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.https://unitedrefuahhs.org/Blackbird RecruitingBlackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Raps — the Rabbi of Social Media — who has built a community of 2M+ followers by bringing Torah, confidence, and unapologetic Jewish identity to the digital world.What started as simply sharing thoughts online turned into a global platform. We talk about what really happens when a Rabbi goes viral — the backlash, the hate, the pressure, and the responsibility that comes with millions of people watching. Rabbi Raps opens up about confronting antisemitism head-on, staying authentic in an algorithm-driven world, and why purpose always matters more than popularity.From Torah to TikTok, from raising proud Jewish kids to having real conversations about the Noahide movement, this episode goes far beyond social media strategy. It’s about courage. Identity. Leadership. And what it truly takes to show up boldly when the world would rather you stay quiet.If you’re building something online — or trying to lead with more confidence in your own life — this conversation will challenge and inspire you.💡 In This Episode, We Cover:◼️ How Rabbi Raps built 2M+ followers without chasing trends◼️ The viral moment that changed everything◼️ Dealing with hate, backlash, and public criticism◼️ Faith vs. algorithms — and staying real online◼️ Addressing antisemitism on a massive platform◼️ The responsibility that comes with influence◼️ Raising confident Jewish kids in today’s climate◼️ The Noahide movement and global Torah conversations◼️ The emotional cost of visibility◼️ Why purpose beats popularity every time◼️ The future of Jewish leadership in the digital age⏱️ Chapters:0:00 From Atlantic City to Rabbi Raps1:53 From Shlichus to Running a Community10:08 Building Shuls & Community Growth15:13 When Social Media Changed Everything17:02 Going Viral, Algorithms & Menorah Moments18:46 Humans for Noah & The 7 Laws23:34 Hate, Authenticity & Finding Your Voice27:43 Raising Confident Jewish Kids34:05 Purpose, Tafkid & Showing Up Online38:35 Confidence, Cameras & Fear of Being Seen🔗 Connect with Rabbi RapsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiraps/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbiraps?lang=en🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/🎙 Sponsored by:DabblDabbl is an all-in-one platform where kids and teens can explore a wide range of lessons—from music, art, and cooking to photography, wilderness skills, and money management—without the hassle of commuting or expensive one-on-one classes. For just $25 a month, learners get access to all courses designed to bring them off-screen into real-life skills. Listeners can use code TK-20 for 20% off athttps://justdabbl.com/United RefuahUnited Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.https://unitedrefuahhs.org/Blackbird RecruitingHiring the wrong person is expensive — not just financially, but culturally.Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Nachman Seltzer—a prolific Jewish author, Torah educator, and former music director who has quietly built a decades-long career at the intersection of faith, creativity, and impact.Rabbi Seltzer shares his journey from writing his first book by hand on a bus at 23 to publishing over 56 books, including Torah works that sold 70,000+ copies worldwide. He opens up about the realities of the publishing world, why novels rarely sell, how biographies and Torah books create lasting influence, and what most aspiring writers misunderstand about success.The conversation also explores his unexpected exit from the Jewish music and choir world, how industry shifts forced hard decisions, and why knowing when to quit can be just as important as knowing how to start. From turning ancient Torah texts into modern movements to offering grounded advice for writers, creators, and those considering Aliyah, this episode is a masterclass in long-term thinking, creative discipline, and purpose-driven work.Whether you’re a writer, educator, creator, or someone navigating career pivots through faith and practicality, this episode delivers lessons that only come from 25 years of doing the work.💡 In This Episode, We Cover:◼️ Writing his first book at 23—and why it was written entirely on a bus◼️ How a single real-life story became a bestselling Jewish novel◼️ The business reality of publishing: royalties, advances, and distribution◼️ Why most novels fail—and what actually sells in Jewish publishing◼️ Turning an out-of-print Torah sefer into a global learning movement◼️ How storytelling makes Torah accessible to thousands worldwide◼️ Why passion isn’t enough—and how market awareness shapes success◼️ Leaving a thriving music and choir career at the right time◼️ How the Jewish music industry changed—and why CDs ended the model◼️ Balancing faith, creativity, family, and parnassah◼️ Advice for writers, creators, and those considering Aliyah◼️ Why longevity matters more than trends in any creative career⏱️ Chapters:0:00 From Shabbos Table to a Global Torah Movement2:56 Writing a First Novel by Hand (And Getting Published)12:01 The Sefer That Sparked a Worldwide Learning Revolution21:32 Choirs, Creativity & Walking Away From Music27:16 Writing for Impact, Not Sales🔗 Connect with Rabbi Nachman SeltzerLinkedIn: https://il.linkedin.com/in/rabbi-nachman-seltzer-a719849Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B086K3HW5P🔗 Connect with the HostTuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/🎙 Sponsored by Blackbird RecruitingTired of sorting through unqualified résumés?Blackbird Recruiting helps you hire people who actually perform—so you can focus on growing your business.Learn more at blackbirdrecruiting.com

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Abe Breuer, CEO of John To Go—a self-made entrepreneur who built a multi-million-dollar empire in an essential but often overlooked industry and achieved a successful private equity exit.Abe breaks down his 20-year journey from selling his first computer company as a teenager to scaling a portable sanitation business into a $50M national leader. He shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship: the partner who quit during the first brutal winter, near-death cash flow moments, and the unconventional employee strategy that turned a secretary into a $280k-a-year partner.This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, operational scaling, and leadership mindset. Whether you’re starting a service business, struggling to scale, or curious about exits and life after selling, this episode delivers hard-earned lessons you won’t find in textbooks.💡 In This Episode, We Cover:◼️ How Abe built his first company at 16 and sold it for $25k◼️ The “walk between the drops” philosophy learned from his parents◼️ Scaling revenue to $50M without losing control◼️ The partner who walked away—and the brother who stayed to build a legacy◼️ Managing ADHD as a superpower using pen, paper, and ruthless systems◼️ Why Abe never gives raises—and the bonus system that creates extreme loyalty◼️ The New Yorker article that changed everything and attracted private equity◼️ The harsh reality of scaling too fast and running out of cash◼️ Selling the business: identity loss, regret, and what comes next◼️ His current venture in the challenging world of assisted living (ALFs)⏱️ Chapters:0:00 Intro – Meeting in the Shul & the Founder of John To Go10:11 Early Hustle – Selling a Computer Company at 1616:11 First Major Bet – Buying a 24-Unit Building with $400k20:20 The Birth of John To Go – A Partner, a Stick Shift Truck & the First Winter23:02 The Pivot – Bringing His Brother in as the Right Partner32:20 Scaling Secrets – From $400k to $50M in Revenue39:45 The New Yorker Call That Changed Everything57:32 The $280k Employee – A Bonus System That Creates Partners1:04:14 Life After the Exit – Identity, Travel & Starting Over1:07:37 Final Advice – Would He Do It All Again?🔗 Connect with Abe BreuerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/breuerabe/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abe-breuer-a339725/🔗 Connect with Tuli KrausX (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/Sponsored by Blackbird Recruiting. Tired of sorting through unqualified résumés? Blackbird Recruiting helps you hire top talent—so you can focus on growing your business.Visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.