In this powerful episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Sam Shvarzblat, a contractor and entrepreneur who has lived both realities—being the boss and walking away from being the boss. Sam built a construction company from scratch in his early 20s, scaled it to multiple large projects, battled cash-flow pressure, burnout, family expectations, and eventually made the toughest decision an entrepreneur can make: closing his own company.

This conversation is brutally honest. Sam opens up about the identity crisis founders face, the ego tied to “being your own boss,” how cash flow really works behind the scenes in construction, and why moving his family to a new community changed everything. Whether you're an entrepreneur, contractor, or someone who’s ever wondered if stepping away is failure or growth—this episode will hit home.

This is a raw masterclass in humility, rebuilding, and what it really takes to balance business, family, faith, and your own well-being.

💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:

◼️ Sam’s early journey into construction and why he skipped working for others ◼️ The harsh truth about being a young business owner in the trades ◼️ Why most contractors struggle with cash flow—and how to fix it ◼️ The “friends & family discount” myth ◼️ The realities of managing 10+ simultaneous construction projects ◼️ Burnout, identity, and the moment Sam knew he had to step away ◼️ Moving from Lakewood to Monsey: lifestyle, community, and values ◼️ Economic slowdown, stalled projects, and clients pulling deposits ◼️ What it feels like to shut down your own company ◼️ How Sam rebuilt his life, career, and sense of direction ◼️ What every new entrepreneur should understand before starting

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 When the Dream of Being Your Own Boss Starts to Crack

2:19 Why I Refused to Become a Copy-Paste Contractor

6:19 Friends, Family & the Truth About ‘Discount Work’

7:06 Why Friends Should Pay MORE—Not Less

8:26 At My Peak: Running 10 Projects with a Tiny Team

10:25 The Cash-Flow Trap That Destroys Most Contractors

13:10 The Question I Never Wanted to Answer: Why I Closed My Company

16:46 The Commute That Broke Me: 4:30 AM Drives & Endless Inspections

17:55 When Clients Pump the Brakes & the Economy Turns on You

26:56 The Identity Shift of Going from a Boss to an Employee

34:49 Being an Employee vs Doing Your Own Thing

37:35 The Biggest Lessons I’ve Learned in These Chapters of My Life

🔗 Connect with Sam Shvarzblat: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samshvarzblat/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samshvarz/

🔗 Connect with Tuli Kraus: X (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

This episode is sponsored by Blackbird Recruiting. Tired of sifting through unqualified résumés? Let Blackbird Recruiting find you top talent so you can focus on growing your business. Visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this insightful episode of the What It Takes podcast, we sit down with Morris Isaacson, the Chief Marketing Officer of Empeon, whose career spans more than two decades across brand strategy, digital marketing, and high-growth tech leadership. Morris has led marketing for iconic global brands like Polaroid, played a key role in a $1.1B IPO, and built data-driven marketing engines inside fast-scaling organizations.

He breaks down the real evolution of modern marketing—from the creativity-first “Mad Men” era to the analytics, attribution, and performance-driven landscape companies operate in today. This episode is packed with career lessons, leadership insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at how top CMOs build brands that grow revenue, teams, and long-term impact.

This is a masterclass in building a valuable career, leading high-performance teams, and staying ahead in one of the fastest-changing industries in the world.

💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:

◼️ Morris’s unconventional start: From psychology major to entertainment marketing◼️ Why marketing has shifted from art to science◼️ How to prove your value and win budget from data-driven CFOs◼️ The Polaroid comeback: Rebranding a nostalgic icon◼️ How to build a marketing team from zero◼️ The real ROI of trade shows — and how to execute them right◼️ Aligning sales and marketing for accurate pipeline data◼️ Career compensation: When your salary finally reflects your value◼️ What Morris looks for when hiring modern marketing talent◼️ The one skill that will make you irreplaceable today◼️ Final advice: Why doing what you love leads to a fulfilling career

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction & Podcast Purpose1:11 Guest Introduction: Morris Isaacson, CMO of Empeon2:18 The Unforgettable First Job Interview5:27 Early Career: From IDT to Yeshiva University9:21 The Polaroid Turnaround Story11:29 Building & Managing Marketing Teams16:35 The Evolution of Marketing: Data vs. Creativity19:08 Mastering Trade Shows & Proving ROI32:20 Career Advice: Compensation, Mistakes, and Hiring40:01 Final Thoughts: The 22-Year Career Reflection

🔗 Connect with Morris Isaacson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misaacson/

🔗 Connect with Tuli Kraus: X (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

This episode is sponsored by Blackbird Recruiting. Tired of sifting through unqualified résumés? Let Blackbird Recruiting find you top talent so you can focus on building your business. Visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

How does faith rewire your entire career? In this powerful episode of the What It Takes podcast, we sit down with Mrs. Esther Bergman, the CFO of Chai Lifeline, who oversees a massive $45 million budget dedicated to helping families with critically ill children.

Esther takes us on her incredible journey from a Spanish-speaking immigrant taking a job as a store greeter to becoming the financial leader of one of the most impactful non-profits. She pulls back the curtain on her unique philosophy that you don't work for your boss—you work for God—and shares how this mindset opened doors no résumé ever could. She reveals how a prayer for fish in Costa Rica was directly answered, the time she saved a $100M organization from collapse, and why she schedules her “depression” for 5 AM.

This is a raw, inspiring, and deeply spiritual conversation about the power of showing up, the true meaning of money, and how to lead with compassion—even when you have to let someone go.

💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:

◼️ Esther’s journey from Costa Rica to CFO without a finance degree

◼️ The Costa Rica “Fish Market Miracle” and talking to God in everyday life

◼️ Her grandmother’s powerful lesson: “Money is like fire”

◼️ The brutal cash flow crisis that threatened to shut down a $100M organization

◼️ How to transition from an individual contributor to a leader who builds other leaders

◼️ The art of firing someone with kindness and a prayer for their future

◼️ Why being multi-talented can be a curse for your career

◼️ The $15 million secret behind Chai Lifeline’s volunteer force

◼️ How to make a lateral career move that sets you up for long-term success

◼️ Her advice for anyone wanting to build a meaningful career in finance or non-profit

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Meet Esther Bergman: The CFO Who Works for God

1:04 The Costa Rica Fish Market Miracle

7:50 Immigrant Story: First Job as a Store Greeter in Brooklyn

10:53 The Kleinfeld Bridal Breakthrough

22:56 Switching from Customer Service to Finance

34:51 How to Fire Someone with Compassion

38:25 The $45M Budget of Chai Lifeline & The $15M Secret

43:02 The Crisis: A $100M Organization Frozen by Fraud

44:37 The Brilliant Idea That Saved the Company

50:50 Final Advice: How to Build a Career with Purpose

🔗 Connect with Esther Bergman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-bergman-87579117/

🔗 Connect with Tuli Kraus

X (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

This episode is sponsored by Blackbird Recruiting. Tired of sifting through unqualified resumes? Let Blackbird Recruiting find you top talent so you can focus on building your business. Visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

The Brutal Truth About Being A Creative Director | How a Borough Park Kid Landed HBO, Polaroid, and Brother ft. Sam Ash

How data and storytelling can build a career? In this episode of the What It Takes podcast, we sit down with Sam Ash (not the music store!), a marketing powerhouse and the unconventional creative mind behind iconic campaigns for HBO, Brother, Polaroid, and countless brands in the frum world.

Sam takes us on a hilarious and insightful journey from his Borough Park Yeshiva days to the top of the advertising world, pulling back the curtain on how he launched the Brother P-Touch, made Paint fascinating, and why he never wears the same "professional" face twice. He shares profound lessons on faith, family, and why today's consumers don't want to think, they want to feel.

This is a raw, funny, and deeply authentic conversation about the power of a great idea, the importance of knowing your "why," and what Jewish marketing is missing.

💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:

◼️ Sam’s journey from a Yeshiva kid in Borough Park to a sought-after creative director

◼️ The hilarious story of launching the Brother P-Touch and the "aha" moment that created a new product category

◼️ His philosophy that you're not selling the drill, you're selling the hole! Why benefits always beat features

◼️ The challenge of balancing a demanding creative career with family life and faith

◼️ Why the frum community is the last great bastion of print advertising and how to use it effectively

◼️ His unexpected encounter with John Ratzenberger (Cliff from "Cheers") and the life lesson about money and family

◼️ How to "niche yourself" to break into a creative career

◼️ The problem with AI, SEO, and why they can't replace true talent and insight

◼️ What most Jewish marketing is missing and the agencies that are getting it right

◼️ His advice for business owners on how to choose the right creative agency

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 Meet Sam Ash: The Unconventional Creative

3:09 From Borough Park to Big Brands: A Yeshiva Kid's Origin Story

5:07 The Brother P-Touch Launch: Selling the Hole, Not the Drill

22:45 Faith in the Workplace: Wearing a Kippah in Corporate America

27:16 The John Ratzenberger Story: A $150,000 Lesson on Priorities

35:48 How to Break Into a Creative Career: Niche Yourself

41:29 The State of Jewish Marketing: The Last Bastion of Print

43:10 Sam's Final Advice: How to Pick the Right Creative Agency

🔗 Connect with Sam Ash

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samash180/

🔗 Connect with Tuli Kraus

X (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

#WhatItTakesPodcast #Marketing #Advertising #BrandStrategy #CreativeDirector #Entrepreneurship #JewishBusiness #Startup #CareerAdvice

Episode made possible by Blackbird Recruiting. Check em out Blackbirdrecruiting.com

After building a tech business and working with giants like Google and Microsoft, Hillel Fuld SHUT IT ALL DOWN after October 7th. He now commands one of the most powerful pro-Israel voices online, reaching BILLIONS of impressions. In this bombshell conversation, he exposes the uncomfortable truths about Zionism, the open miracles happening in Israel, and why he believes there is "zero justification" for any Jew to live outside their homeland today.

Hillel Fuld is a leading Israeli tech strategist and a powerhouse advocate for Israel, with a massive following across social media platforms.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:

◼️ The shocking reason Israel is being "decimated" in the PR war—and what they're doing wrong

◼️ How Zionism is as core to Judaism as Shabbat, and the Gemara that proves it

◼️ The modern-day "gun to your head" argument for why Jews must leave now

◼️ Debunking the biggest Aliyah myths: salaries, language, and quality of life

◼️ Incredible, open miracles from the war that prove divine intervention

◼️ How the Israeli job market really works (it's not about your resume)

◼️ The one thing that still drives him crazy about living in Israel after 30 years

_______________________________________________________________________

00:00 Introduction & Banter

00:31 The Accidental Tech Guru: Hillel's Origin Story

03:10 The Game-Changing Assistant & Business Transformation

04:55 The October 7th Pivot: Shutting Down for Israel

07:48 Why Israel is Losing the PR War

10:25 Defining Zionism & The Core of Jewish Identity

14:24 The Modern-Day "Gun to Your Head" Argument

16:53 Addressing the "I'll Go When Mashiach Comes" Viewpoint

21:54 The "Open Miracles" of the Israel-Hamas War

23:58 A Personal Story of Divine Intervention: The Australian Visa

29:08 Israel as a Practical Paradise: Debunking Aliyah Myths

32:13 How the Israeli Job Market Really Works

41:56 What Actually Drives Him Crazy About Israel

48:35 The Flip Side: The Magic of Israeli Community

51:22 Final Plea: Make a Plan

_______________________________________________________________________

CONNECT WITH HILLEL:

X (Twitter): https://x.com/hilzfuld

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilzfuld/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HillelFuld/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilzfuld/

What If Everything You Knew About Hiring Was Wrong? featuring Aaron KleinHow to build an all-star team without the sky-high costs? In this episode, we crack the code on hiring amazing talent from around the world.Tuli Kraus chats with Aaron Klein from Real Hires, who spills all the secrets on finding incredible offshore remote talent, from executive assistants and bookkeepers to tech whizzes.We explored which countries are best for specific roles, how to avoid common hiring mistakes, and the mindset shift that turns a remote hire from a cost into your best investment. If you're thinking about hiring remotely but nervous about how to make it actually work. This conversation is your game plan.💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:◼️ Transitioning from Outsourcing Problems to a Direct-Hire Remote Model◼️ Categorizing Remote Roles into Three Distinct Responsibility Tiers◼️ Matching Country-Specific Talent Strengths to Specific Job Functions◼️ Humanizing Remote Work to Build Loyalty and Increase Productivity◼️ Shifting the Focus from Employee Presence to Measurable Output◼️ The Critical Difference Between Delegating Tasks and Delegating Responsibilities◼️ Accessing a Global Talent Pool for a Better Return on Investment◼️ Avoiding the Impulsive "Shiny Penny" Approach to Hiring Remote Talent◼️ Why the Highest-Level Operational Roles Often Need to Be Local◼️ Building a Multi-Country Sourcing Strategy to Avoid Talent Shortages⏱️ Timestamps00:00 The Betrayal That Started It All5:34 From Employee to Boss: The Ultimate Power Move7:38 The Secret Global Talent Map13:27 The Shocking "Lunch Break" Mass Exodus19:50 The Big Lie About Remote Work24:56 The "Bystander Effect" is Killing Your ROI40:31 How to Build a Cult (Culture) Remotely51:55 We Hired a NASA Engineer & a Fox News Booker58:29 The TRUTH About the "Return to Office" Order1:03:23 How to Find Us & Steal Our Talent🔗 Connect with Aaron Klein Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realhires/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronklein-rh/🔗 Connect with Tuli KrausX (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

The Car Industry Secrets | How China Is Beating Everyone at Making Cars ft. Rob FarmerHow a car goes from a simple sketch to a vehicle on the road or how a massive company like Nissan decides what to build next? In this episode, we sit down with Rob Farmer, a former top executive at Nissan, to pull back the curtain on the auto industry. From managing a global team of 50 to navigating the massive shifts caused by electric vehicles and AI, Rob shares incredible insider stories.He told us how market research is being revolutionized, why some cars get discontinued, and what it really takes to build a leadership career in a multi-billion-dollar corporation.💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:◼️ The 5-year process of building a car and why companies are desperate to cut that time in half◼️ Managing a global team of 50 people across four countries and the challenges of modern hiring◼️ Why you can’t just poach talent from Tesla or China and the creative partnerships Nissan used to upskill its workforce◼️ How AI is creating “synthetic customers” to replace focus groups and get 80% of the insights for 20% of the cost◼️ The one simple AI tool that saved Rob hours each week and why “unlearning” is the most important career skill◼️ A behind-the-scenes look at Nissan’s billion-dollar marketing budget and how they track what’s working◼️ The surprising story behind the Nissan Arya and why its interior space defies expectations◼️ How and why car companies “kill” a model from the Titan truck to the quirky Cube◼️ The future of the auto market: the coming split between “blue state” and “red state” car lineups◼️ Practical career advice on promotions, salary expectations, and balancing ambition with family life⏱️ Timestamps00:00 This Is What a Top Executive's Day Actually Looks Like2:59 You Can't Just Hire the Talent You Need Anymore7:46 AI Won't Steal Your Job, But Someone Using It Will10:44 I Saved Hours a Week With This Simple AI Hack12:02 We Replaced Focus Groups With AI Personalities17:01 How We Tracked a Billion-Dollar Marketing Budget21:37 The "Too Small" Car That Surprised Everyone27:34 From a Simple Idea to a Car on the Road44:45 Here's the Career Advice I Wish I Knew Sooner50:50 These Are the Discontinued Cars I Still Miss🔗 Connect with Rob FarmerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-farmer-1522992/ Website: https://www.rob-farmer.com/🔗 Connect with Tuli KrausX (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

A Story of Faith & Building a Torah Community from Scratch with Yoni RodanskyWhat it takes to build a Torah community from the ground up? In this episode, we sit down with Yoni Rodansky, a Five Towns native who, along with a wave of other young families, is building a vibrant Jewish community in Louisville, Kentucky.He shares the incredible story of how they went from no daily minyan to a booming community, pulled off a $700,000 fundraising campaign, and used a clever viral marketing stunt that brought in 23 serious family inquiries in just four weeks.This is a raw look at the miracles, the hustle, and the real-life appeal of being a builder in a place where your presence truly matters.

💡 In This Episode, We Discuss:

◼️ How a kid from the Five Towns ended up as a community builder in Louisville, Kentucky

◼️ The powerful lesson that “the yetzer hara can’t stop you, he can only make you want to give up”

◼️ The clever recruitment event (with free sushi and babysitting) that first got his wife on board

◼️ Why Louisville’s established infrastructure like its Eruv and affordable housing makes it a hidden gem

◼️ The wild miracles of launching with no money and still making payroll every single month

◼️ How they raised $700,000 for a community outside the major Jewish hubs and what resonated with donors

◼️ The $10,000 raffle marketing stunt that went viral and brought in 23 family leads in just one month

◼️ What kind of family thrives in Louisville (hint: it’s for builders, not just consumers)

◼️ The real talk on making a living, with plenty of job opportunities and a low cost of living

◼️ The incredible growth they’re seeing, with six families already scheduled to come for Shabbos⏱️

Timestamps00:00 Welcome to the Jewish Frontier in Louisville, Kentucky1:04 How a Five Towns Kid Ended Up in Kentucky2:04 The Pioneering Rabbis Who Planted the First Seeds3:18 How Tampa Built a Community Overnight4:07 The One Truth About Overcoming Any Challenge5:08 The Clever Trick That Got Wives On Board8:23 Why Louisville is the Secret Gem for Jewish Life12:02 We Launched With No Money and Witnessed Miracles17:29 How We Raised $700,000 on a Leap of Faith21:14 Our Viral Marketing Stunt That Brought 23 Families28:31

Is Louisville Your Next Home? Here's How to Know

🔗 Connect with Yoni RodanskyLinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoni-rudansky-15a029339/

🔗 Connect with Tuli KrausX (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKraus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/