David GrutmanFounder & CEO

Every business has its own identity, but the common thread is always great food, great environments, and great vibes. At the end of the day, I consider myself to be in the fun business. People come to our venues because they want memorable experiences, and that focus drives every decision we make.

LIV was definitely the first time I made millions of dollars at a significant scale. But success can be dangerous if you start believing your own hype. One of my friends reminded me that I wasn't performing heart surgery, I was running a nightclub. That perspective has stayed with me ever since.

I had people around me who kept me grounded. One conversation in particular reminded me that while what I was doing was exciting, it wasn't life-or-death work. Staying humble is important because success can disappear very quickly if you lose perspective.

Absolutely. Early on, I got swept up in it. Eventually, I realized that I had spent years building my reputation and business, and I could lose it all if I wasn't careful. I made the decision to get sober because my life and business were more important than being part of the party.

There was a period during Miami Fashion Week when people close to me told me it was time to step away and focus on myself. I spent time working on my personal growth, got sober, got married, and started building businesses from a completely different perspective.

Komodo was one of the most challenging and rewarding things I've ever done. I had never opened a restaurant before and needed to raise $10 million. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and became the foundation for many of the hospitality brands we continue to expand today.

It taught me the importance of relationships and trust. Investors were taking a risk on me because I had no restaurant track record. Looking back, those early supporters played a major role in helping build what eventually became a much larger business.

The long game almost always wins. I remember people telling me I wasn't a restaurant guy when I launched Komodo. Years later, some of those same people wanted my restaurants in their properties. Building credibility takes time, but patience often creates the best opportunities.

Intellectual property is one of the most valuable assets a business can own. Revenue matters, but real wealth is often created when a brand is sold or expanded. If you're helping build a brand and creating value, you need to own part of that intellectual property whenever possible.

Early in my career, I gave away more equity because I needed support and capital. Today, I think much more carefully about ownership. If I'm contributing my brand, network, and expertise, I want to make sure I'm participating in the long-term value creation as well.

Fees create short-term income, but equity creates long-term wealth. Some of my best investments have generated returns that far exceeded what I could have earned through consulting fees or appearances. Ownership allows you to benefit from the full growth of a business.

Investing allows me to support great founders while creating opportunities for long-term growth. I often invest in companies whose products I already use in my businesses because I understand the value they bring and can help accelerate their growth through my network.

One of the most valuable things I can do is make introductions. I love connecting founders with people who can help them grow. Sometimes a single introduction can create partnerships, distribution opportunities, or relationships that significantly change the trajectory of a company.

Relationships create opportunities that money alone cannot buy. I've spent years building a network of entrepreneurs, investors, entertainers, and operators. When you can connect the right people together, value is created for everyone involved.

Don't focus only on income. Focus on ownership. Many people work hard for fees and salaries but miss opportunities to build equity. Real wealth is often created through ownership stakes in businesses and brands that continue growing long after the initial work is done.

Building new brands and expanding into new industries. Recently, I've become involved in media and production because I enjoy creating stories and experiences. I still love building businesses, but I also enjoy helping other people build theirs and creating opportunities together.