Conversations with Chai

Ihram

I have some interesting conversations here with interesting people.

  1. 07/01/2025

    What It Really Takes to Build a Business in NYC — Culture, Profit & Doing It Right

    NYC nightlife is changing — fast. And not everyone’s built for it.In this episode, I sit down with Jacob Savocci, owner of The Morgan in Brooklyn, to talk about what it really takes to run a successful business in New York City — without selling your soul.From flipping a busted venue into a culture-first bar, to navigating greed, burnout, and building while raising a family — this is one of the realest convos we’ve had on the pod.🎯 Topics & Key Moments:2:50 – What The Morgan used to look like (rundown Rebel flashback)5:54 – The legends that have played there since7:08 – Is nightlife dead in New York? Saturation, burnout, & reality8:29 – People are drinking less — how do you build a nightlife biz now?8:50 – Why nightlife is dying (and why it’s on us to fix it)10:05 – Parties should be inclusive, not flex rooms10:37 – What NYC is actually about14:10 – The scammy side of nightlife no one talks about16:14 – "Fast money" always comes with a cost17:45 – Greed, shortcuts, and why most people fold19:15–20:52 – Self-fulfilling prophecy: most people don’t build anything real21:30 – Community vs. clout: NYC’s culture problem24:00 – Why men need to build something of their own24:42 – “99% of people wouldn’t do what I do”26:37 – How having a family changed Jacob’s risk tolerance28:39 – Providing security + the pressure to earn more31:10 – The ability to dream31:52 – Why you need to save a little so you can go for it32:32–34:10 – What happens when your back is against the wall35:42 – Self-doubt is part of the process36:10 – It doesn’t happen overnight38:58 – Jacob’s wedding story39:57 – How he shows love to people41:00 – Jacob on finding happiness43:39 – Social credit vs. building real value49:21 – Ownership, equity, and betting on yourself55:05 – “You don’t want everyone’s money”59:40 – You can change your reality1:14:31 – “F*** that noise” — Jacob’s last word on doing it right📍 Follow The Morgan: @themorganbk🎧 More episodes: @conversationswithchai💭 Hosted by Ihram Chowdhury: @lilbabyramram#NYCNightlife #BarBusiness #TheMorganBK #ConversationsWithChai #HospitalityCulture #Entrepreneurship #RealOnesOnly

    1h 16m

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

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I have some interesting conversations here with interesting people.