Stories
The Visionaries
Meet the people who inspire us, whether they’re launching a groundbreaking product, redefining the future with new concepts, or searching for ways to improve lives.
Ken & Jim Giddon
Posted on June 09, 2019
As Father’s Day approaches, who better to feature in our Visionaries series than the owners of a successful family business? Ken and Jim Giddon are the brothers behind Rothmans, the independent menswear boutique that operates in NYC, Scarsdale, and Bronxville. In addition to being proud dads (Ken is father to 26-year-old twins Kyle and Amanda, plus 21-year-old Will; Jim has 18-year-old Alexandra and 17-year-old Brooke), the brothers successfully reinvented their grandfather’s discount store, which first opened in 1926 on Union Square from a pushcart on the Lower East Side.
Read more about Ken & Jim GiddonZach Groffsky & Taylor Lane
Posted on May 19, 2019
With the launch of HELMM, Zach Groffsky and Taylor Lane have transformed how men buy and wear deodorant. From the stylish applicator and subscription refills that use less plastic, to deodorants scented with fragrances crafted by a world-renowned French perfumer. We met them to talk about the path to launching their brand.
Read more about Zach Groffsky & Taylor LaneSean & Brad Greiner
Posted on May 05, 2019
The co-founders of Open Air Homes, a high-end rental company based in Southern California, are all about attention to detail, whether it’s the design of their properties, the locally created artwork on the walls, or the eco-friendly touches. Here, the brothers tell us what led to their passion for design and hospitality.
Read more about Sean & Brad GreinerSteve Spangler
Posted on April 21, 2019
Steve Spangler’s approach to science has a wow factor that mesmerizes kids and adults alike. With a regular slot on the Ellen Show and a syndicated series, the STEM educator is also a best-selling author, and an inductee to the National Speaker Hall of Fame. He talked to us about making science fun and why he avoids wearing a lab coat on TV.
Read more about Steve SpanglerRonny Sage
Posted on April 07, 2019
Ronny Sage is the founder and CEO of ShoppingGives, which arrived in the nonprofit sector in 2016 as a new way to donate, paralleling an increasing shift to online shopping. Ronny saw an opportunity to rethink donating in a more meaningful way, with customers picking a charity to support, and the brand they purchase from donating a percentage from the sale. We met him to discuss the concept of a giving economy.
Read more about Ronny SageNicole Loher
Posted on March 24, 2019
Nicole Loher is a digital strategist who has worked for Microsoft, Warby Parker, NARS Cosmetics, and Christian Louboutin. She also teaches social media strategy and digital marketing at New York University. That would seem like more than enough, yet she’s also a wellness influencer, writes a regular advice column, Part-Time Athlete, for The/Thirty, and finds time to train as a triathlete. Nicole’s next goal is her first half Ironman in June.
Read more about Nicole LoherAlfonso Cobo
Posted on February 10, 2019
If your Instagram stories get you a load of compliments, chances are you’re using a template from the Unfold app. When CEO and co-founder of Unfold, Alfonso Cobo, joined forces with Andy McCune, founder of the social media travel platform Earth, they took Unfold to the next level. Current users number 15 million since they launched in January 2018, while average daily downloads hit 70,000. Unfold is now also an official Instagram and Facebook partner.
Read more about Alfonso CoboVic & Bobby Rallo
Posted on January 20, 2019
Vic and Bobby Rallo grew up with the constant aroma of simmering garlic in the air from their father’s fresh San Marzano tomato sauce. They still have memories of the floating clouds of flour as their father and Uncle Sal made pizzas for Rallo’s Pizzeria e Forno in Newark. Little wonder the brothers were drawn to the restaurant business, it’s practically in their DNA.
Read more about Vic & Bobby RalloFrederick Joseph
Posted on January 06, 2019
Frederick Joseph is a big fan of the late Stan Lee, the creator of many of Marvel’s most enduring superheroes. Some might consider Frederick a bit of a superhero in his own right. Just ask one of the kids who saw the Black Panther movie on the big screen thanks to the Black Panther Challenge, which Frederick created, and which raised $1 million to send 73,000 children worldwide to see the movie. Notably, it’s the largest GoFundMe campaign to date.
Read more about Frederick JosephThe Visionaries: Igee Okafor
Posted on December 16, 2018
Igee Okafor lives and breathes fashion. As a child in Nigeria, he’d always note what the adults around him were wearing at social gatherings, and started to develop his own personal style as a creative outlet. Today, he’s made a career out of his precocious eye for fashion, as a New York-based style aficionado he writes a popular lifestyle blog with a focus on menswear and culture, and has collaborated with the likes of Mr. Porter, GQ, and Timex.
Read more about The Visionaries: Igee OkaforThe Visionaries: Thomas Le
Posted on December 09, 2018
Thomas Le, the founder of Oliverlane bourbon whiskey, isn’t afraid to mess with tradition. And considering Kentucky’s first commercial distillery dates back to 1783, few things get more traditional. In 2014, Thomas used his savings to buy barrels of bourbon, which served as the foundation of Oliverlane, a light, modern take on whiskey without the burn.
Read more about The Visionaries: Thomas LeThe Visionaries: Alex Lieberman
Posted on December 01, 2018
Alex Lieberman was all set for a career on Wall Street, but a chance discovery inspired him to choose a different path. The Morning Brew, his daily newsletter that provides a fix of business news in an upbeat, five-minute read, has garnered a loyal following since it was launched in 2015.
Read more about The Visionaries: Alex LiebermanPosted on November 15, 2018
The Visionaries: Nicholas Ferroni
If you are lucky enough to have had a teacher who inspired you, someone who helped get you on the right track, and whose name you still recall, you might recognize similar traits in Nicholas Ferroni, an educator of 16 years whose profession is clearly his calling.
Read more about The Visionaries: Nicholas FerroniThe Visionaries: Martin Abcede
Posted on November 02, 2018
Walk along Mulberry Street in NYC and you might spot a calm, green space in the Nolita bustle—a cozy coffee shop festooned with plants. Aptly named Urban Backyard, it’s the brainchild of Martin Abcede and his wife Cindy Lin-Abcede, who serve sustainability alongside their Colombe Coffee.
Read more about The Visionaries: Martin AbcedePosted on October 23, 2018
The Visionaries: Robert Lee
Finding a solution to food insecurity is a cause that runs deep for Robert Lee, co-founder and CEO of Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, a non-profit committed to addressing the disparity between hunger and food waste.
Read more about The Visionaries: Robert LeePosted on October 19, 2018
The Visionaries: Cody & Julian Levine
Brothers Cody and Julian Levine want to change the way you take care of your teeth, with the added benefit of helping others along the way. In partnership with the musician Lenny Kravitz, the Levine brothers have launched Twice, a premium toothpaste set geared to get you brushing day and night (believe it or not, studies suggest 35% of American don’t clean their teeth twice a day).
Read more about The Visionaries: Cody & Julian LevineHow to Dress Well
Posted on October 04, 2019
We all know guys who always dress well. Whether it’s at the office or on a night out, they’re consistently the most stylishly attired at every occasion, and they seem to do it so effortlessly. While it’s true that some people just have great personal style, it doesn’t mean that dressing well is beyond your reach if it doesn’t come naturally. Like most things in life, if you work at it and follow some basic rules, you too can become one of the best-dressed men in the room.
Read more about How to Dress WellWhat to Wear to a Wedding
Posted on September 16, 2019
An invite to a wedding should evoke happy feelings, right? But some guys feel less than celebratory about the demands of pulling together the right outfit for the occasion. If you’ve rsvp’d your acceptance, but feel a little unsure about what to wear, keep reading and we’ll help you dress like a good wedding guest.
Read more about What to Wear to a WeddingWhat to Wear to an Interview
Posted on July 02, 2019
You’ve just scored an interview for your dream job. Well done you! But just because you’ve got the right credentials and experience doesn’t mean it’s a shoe in. It would be a shame to blow the interview by not looking the part. Whether it’s a formal interview or a casual chat, read on to find out how to dress for success.
Read more about What to Wear to an Interview