'Succeeding by never giving up.'

Charles was a Manhattan Banker, not happy with his life, after nearly 10 years he made the choice to get out. Setting up several nightclubs and lounges, his own vodka brand, and now turned destination distillery experience owner.

Creator of Star Vodka, a long journey of research which took him to Moscow to learn how they do it - and a desire to 'do it better'.

The Hudson House New York is the first of its kind in the region. Hosting a craft distillery, event venue and boutique hotel and restaurant. From zoning challenges this is a story of grit, perseverance and relentless passion to not 'do things just to do them', but to do them in the best possible way. A story of right place, right time, the tenacity in building a community and finding the right people to believe in your vision.

Ross and Charles talk about grit, perseverance, passion, belief, pressure on children, sport, finance, making money, Wall Street, money not making you happy, taking big risks, curiosity, giving up on wealth, stress, selfish people, learning from failure, being scared, quitting without a plan, being stuck in a job, regaining confidence, being in the moment, working with celebrities, wanting to be different and standing out. The pair also discuss blind faith, the vodka industry, finding the truth, Russian vodka distilleries, craft distilling, marketing spirits, creating, crazy ideas, opening your mind, great stories, giving up, society pressures, reinventing business, growing young people, cherishing good people, feeling of belonging, proof of concept, investing in people and keeping work interesting.

Timecodes:

• 00:41 Charles' Background
• 02:11 Charles's childhood and pressures growing up
• 05:22 Moving from a sports career to banking
• 16:32 Getting out of banking
• 18:18 Founding Star Vodka and its story
• 36:30 Uncovering the Hudson Valley
• 38:31 People being too honest and being ridiculed
• 42:54 Rallying a great team
• 48:22 Charles' advice for finding great people
• 55:23 The last time Charles did something for the first time

Connect with Charles

• LinkedIn
• Website

Charles@thehudsonhouseny.com

Connect with Ross:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Moonshot Innovation