JOSH FELDMAN

What this episode covers

Josh Feldman joined his family business at a time when the company needed a serious makeover. Mentored by his father, Josh grew sales over 500% in three years and spearheaded the mainland expansion. Today, Tori Richard is the premier resort wear provider in Hawaii. Josh has given back to the community in a traditional manner. Due to his restrained time allowance, Tori Richard has donated close to one million dollars to charities. Some questions asked: Josh, welcome to our show. Most of us in Hawaii are familiar with the name Tori Richard for it’s classy resort wear. This is a family business correct? When did you join the company? What is your current position and role? What was the most challenging thing about getting started with the family business and how did you overcome it? How did you prove yourself? How was it working with family? Are any of your other family members involved in the business? Why aren’t your other siblings working with the business? Did you always plan on working with the family business? Any advice for others who have a family business? Should they also work with their family business? What are the 3 most important things you learned from working w/ your father? When you joined the company what were your goals? In 1994 you updated the line and reduced operating costs, how were you able to do that? You also became a leader in mainland sales, how were you able to increase your sales revenue by 500% in three years? You absolutely modernized the Tori Richard product, look and brand. What was your strategy when doing so? What are the biggest and most common mistakes you see business owners make managing their business? What are the most important laws to becoming successful? How do you manage your time between business and family, especially with travel? Does your wife work in the business also? Why or why not? What is the most important thing to teach your children? Are you preparing them to take over the business later? How do you make time to give back to the community? What was your biggest business challenge and how did you overcome it? What are the biggest mistakes people make? What’s your view on partnerships? Any last advice for business people? Tori Richard’s started off as a women’s resort wear company and a couple decades later, when you joined the company, expanded to a men’s collection. Do you see the company adding a children’s collection for family sets? Tori Richard, Ltd. Is also the current licensee for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, what are your plans with this? What can we look forward to in the future? What message would you like our listeners to receive from this discussion? BIO: Joshua Feldman is the President and CEO of Tori Richard, Ltd. a Hawaii based fine clothing manufacturer. He was born & raised fro most of his life in Hawaii. He is married with one child. Josh’s first job was as a newspaper delivery boy in Auckland, New Zealand. Education: 1991 Punahou School 1992 Carnegie-Mellon University 1995 University of California San Diego, Summa cum Laude, BA Political Science with minor in art Tori Richard, Ltd. 1993 Started new product division. 1994-1995 responsible for all product development with objective to update line and reduce operating costs. 1996 Took over mainland sales and grew company revenues 500% over next three years. 1997 Licensed product division established by Feldman. Current licensee for Harley-Davidson Motor Company. 1999 Vice President, sales & operations. 2000 Re-launched women’s division. 2003 Created retail division. Opened 4 flagship, high brand concept stores within 14 months. 2004 President. Brief Company History Born in Boston, Massachusetts,