{"id":1409,"date":"2025-07-11T11:40:06","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T11:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/1409\/"},"modified":"2025-07-11T11:40:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T11:40:06","slug":"mentor-helps-crown-heights-entrepreneurs-get-real","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/1409\/","title":{"rendered":"Mentor Helps Crown Heights Entrepreneurs Get Real"},"content":{"rendered":"

COLlive interview: R’ Kasriel Shemtov of Crown Heights is guiding the next generation of business owners about cash flow, conflict, and the first thing to do when in trouble. Full Story<\/a> <\/p>\n

By Libby Herz \u2013 COLlive<\/p>\n

Kasriel Shemtov brings over 40 years of experience across manufacturing, production, sales, import, conflict resolution, and property management. Today, he serves as a senior mentor at L8 at Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs (CHYE<\/a>), where he is dedicated to guiding young entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

In this exclusive interview, Kasriel shares practical advice he regularly gives to help entrepreneurs succeed in business.<\/p>\n

Q: Could you start by telling us about your background and how you came to mentor young entrepreneurs?<\/p>\n

Kasriel: I started out working in manufacturing. Eventually, we sold to a large, publicly traded firm. During that time, I worked in a few different departments, from the production floor to HR, and later on the corporate side.<\/p>\n

After that, I joined an importing business. We became the largest manufacturer and importer of automotive first aid kits in the U.S. Over the years, we expanded into other areas such as real estate, medical facilities, and more.<\/p>\n

Throughout my career, I picked up a wide range of skills: streamlining operations, managing people, resolving conflicts, and navigating international supply chains. After four decades in business, I felt it was time to give back, so I joined CHYE to mentor young entrepreneurs and help them avoid the mistakes I\u2019ve seen over the years, and share the lessons I\u2019ve learned.<\/p>\n

Q: What\u2019s the most common challenge you see young entrepreneurs facing when they come to your nonprofit?<\/p>\n

Kasriel: Many young entrepreneurs start with passion and great ideas, but they often dive in without fully considering aspects like cash flow management, partnership conflicts, or how to scale sustainably. They might have an excellent product, but the practical side of running a business, like handling HR issues or negotiating fair deals, can quickly overwhelm them. When I meet with them, it\u2019s sometimes the first time they truly examine their financials line by line. I ask questions like, \u201cHow many customers do you have? What are your rent and payroll expenses?\u201d Often, that\u2019s when they realize their business isn\u2019t profitable yet. It\u2019s tough to face, but this kind of clear-eyed honesty is essential for turning things around. My role isn\u2019t just to give advice; it\u2019s to help them gain clarity, think strategically, and build a stable foundation.<\/p>\n

Q: Can you share an example of how you\u2019ve helped a young entrepreneur overcome a specific challenge?<\/p>\n

Kasriel: Definitely. I recently met with a business owner who was really excited, but he couldn\u2019t understand why things weren\u2019t adding up. I asked him a few basic financial questions: \u201cHow many customers do you have? What\u2019s your average sale? What\u2019s your rent and payroll?\u201d As we went through the numbers, I could see the realization hit \u2014 he wasn\u2019t making money. His hands literally started shaking.<\/p>\n

This is someone who had an accountant, but no one ever walked him through the fundamentals in a clear, honest way. People avoid that level of transparency because it\u2019s uncomfortable, but it\u2019s essential. I helped him restructure his pricing. He might lose a few customers, but he\u2019ll finally be profitable.<\/p>\n

A lot of business owners just need someone to calmly walk them through the fog, not with theory, but with practical, real-world clarity. That\u2019s what I try to do.<\/p>\n

Q: Conflict resolution seems to be a big part of your work. What\u2019s your approach to handling HR or partner disputes?<\/p>\n

Kasriel: Most conflicts boil down to miscommunication or not having clear agreements from the start. I tell people to get everything on paper, such as partnership agreements and exit strategies. That way, you avoid a lot of headaches later. When things go sideways, I listen to everyone without interrupting. Just being heard often helps people calm down and see the issue clearly. Then I help break the problem into smaller pieces and focus on what everyone really wants.<\/p>\n

For HR, clear policies and open communication are the best way to stop issues before they blow up. With partners, it\u2019s about realigning roles and making sure everyone feels respected and valued. After all these years, I\u2019ve learned that resolving conflicts isn\u2019t just about rules or contracts\u2014it\u2019s about mixing empathy with experience and practical steps.<\/p>\n

Q: Partnerships are critical for growth. How do you guide young entrepreneurs in negotiating successful partnerships?<\/p>\n

Kasriel: Partnerships can make or break a business. The most important step is having a well-drafted partnership agreement right from the start. That\u2019s not just about preventing conflicts \u2014 it\u2019s about being clear on what everyone expects, so you\u2019re all aligned.<\/p>\n

Before making any deal, you have to understand your own goals, your strengths, and your limits. Then, take the time to learn about your partner\u2019s situation \u2014 what they want, what they need. I\u2019ve seen many partnerships struggle because people just jump in without that preparation.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re negotiating, don\u2019t just think about what you\u2019re getting; think about how both sides can come out stronger. A good partnership has an exit strategy and clear roles written down so nobody gets blindsided later.<\/p>\n

In my experience, especially from working in import and sales, the deals that last are the ones where both parties feel valued and secure. Putting everything on paper doesn\u2019t sound exciting, but it saves you a lot of headaches down the road.<\/p>\n

Q: Efficiency is another area of your expertise. What advice do you give startups looking to optimize their operations?<\/p>\n

Kasriel: Efficiency means doing more with less, but first, you have to understand exactly what you\u2019re doing. I tell entrepreneurs to map out everything from how they make their product to how they sell it to running their office. Then find the slow spots or places where you\u2019re spending too much. I worked with a manufacturing startup once that was losing money because its supply chain was a mess. We reorganized their ordering and automated some simple tasks, and that saved them thousands. Always track your numbers. That\u2019s customers, expenses, and profits. One young entrepreneur realized that he didn\u2019t know how many customers paid late or how much rent he was paying. That\u2019s where things start to fall apart. Know your numbers, and you\u2019ll be able to make smarter decisions.<\/p>\n

Q: You\u2019ve worked with companies in crisis. What\u2019s the first step you recommend when a business is in trouble?<\/p>\n

Kasriel: First, you have to stay calm. When a business is struggling\u2014whether it\u2019s money problems or operational issues\u2014the key is to get a clear picture. I tell people to look closely at everything: cash flow, debts, contracts, and even how the team is working together. Sometimes, you need to step back like a guest coming in fresh to see what others miss. Then, you prioritize the most urgent problems.<\/p>\n

For example, I worked with a company that was losing money because it had too many employees for what the business could handle. We restructured the team, renegotiated some vendor deals, and that gave them the breathing room they needed to get back on track. It\u2019s not about quick fixes\u2014it\u2019s about honest, clear-eyed assessment and practical steps.<\/p>\n

Q: Do you see parallels between managing real estate and running a business?<\/p>\n

Kasriel: Definitely. Both need you to think ahead and pay attention to the little things. With property, you\u2019re juggling tenant requests, fixing things before they break, and making sure the place keeps its value over time. Business is very similar. You\u2019re balancing your team\u2019s needs, watching expenses, and planning for growth.<\/p>\n

With both, the key is not waiting for problems to blow up. Whether it\u2019s a leaky pipe or a slow sales month, catch it early. I tell entrepreneurs: treat your business like a building you own. Take care of it, invest in it, and don\u2019t let small cracks turn into big headaches.<\/p>\n

Q: What\u2019s the most rewarding part of mentoring young entrepreneurs?<\/p>\n

Kasriel: There\u2019s nothing like watching someone go from overwhelmed to confident with a solid plan in hand. When a founder walks in stressed and leaves fired up and focused, that\u2019s what makes this work worthwhile. I\u2019ve seen entrepreneurs I\u2019ve mentored grow their businesses, create jobs, and even start mentoring others. Knowing I helped get them there \u2014 that\u2019s what keeps me motivated every day.<\/p>\n

Q: Any final advice for young entrepreneurs reading this?<\/p>\n

Kasriel: Absolutely. First thing: never stop learning. Whether it\u2019s through mentors, books, or just paying attention, stay curious. The business world changes fast, and you have to keep up. Second, build resilience. Setbacks happen\u2014guaranteed. But don\u2019t let them shake you. Use them as lessons, not roadblocks. And third, surround yourself with people who both challenge you and support you. It\u2019s not just about having yes-men; you need honest feedback and real encouragement.<\/p>\n

Look, entrepreneurship isn\u2019t easy. It\u2019s a rollercoaster. But with the right guidance and mindset, it can be incredibly rewarding. And if you ever find yourself stuck or in crisis, don\u2019t wait. There are resources like CHYE, ready to help you get back on track. You\u2019re not alone in this.<\/p>\n

Q: Thank you, Kasriel, for sharing your wisdom. How can our readers connect with your nonprofit or learn more about your work?<\/p>\n

Kasriel: My pleasure. I\u2019d encourage anyone interested to visit our nonprofit\u2019s website or reach out directly to learn about our mentorship programs. We\u2019re always looking to support driven entrepreneurs who want to take their businesses to the next level.<\/p>\n

For more resources or to connect with mentors like Kasriel Shemtov, visit https:\/\/www.level8.org\/nyc<\/a><\/p>\n

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