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2. How many nightclubs did you own? Which ones? Talk about this time in your life.
I have owned and operated about 6 nightclubs in all, starting from my 18th birthday (back in the olden-days you could have a liquor license when you were 18?). They were wide and varied in size, scope, vibe - everything.
My first place was a real live Disco in 77?, 78? and 79?. Lighted dance floor, puffy sleeves, gold neck chains - the whole thing. It was like ?Boogie Nights? and ?Saturday Night Fever? combined, with a twist of ?Blow? for you lovers of movie analogies?.
I owned a couple of other Disco-like places, a Pool Hall and then ?Billy Bob?s Texas - The World?s Largest Honky Tonk? in the mid-80?s?
Then a place in NYC and then to LA in the mid to late 90?s.
The LA Club was by far my favorite, although it was a huge pain in the ass ? legally; we did not have a dance permit, but that is a day long story for another time. But I met a lot of the people that later followed me to Paycom, like Keith Hill, who was my Manager and Johnny V (who I actually followed to Paycom) who was the Assistant Manager at the LA spot. It was a Hip Hop club; I think one of the first in LA We had every sports, music and gangster celebrity you could imaging through there. It was nuts, but a lot of fun and I met some incredible people that are my good, close friends today still.
I loved the club business. Shaliza wants me to open another. If Tony Morgan would do one with me I would be all over it again. Nobody, anywhere, has a better ear for music and understands what people want in their entertainment experience, imho.
The service business, which is what I am in now and was in then, taught me a lot. Put me in a room with a bunch of drunks, music and lights and I feel at home; thus my love for this business. hahaha61514;
More answers to follow?.
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