Taking chances, selling groceries and building luxury condo towers w/ billionaire John Catsimatidis

March 27, 2025

John Catsimatidis has garnered a net worth of $4.5 billion through grit, guts and guile. Raised in a tight-knit Greek-American family, Catsimatidis learned how to hustle and get along with just about anyone while growing up in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. He’s now CEO of Red Apple Group, a conglomerate that includes oil refining, the Gristedes grocery chain in New York City and, notably, The Residences at 400 Central, a luxury condo project in downtown St. Petersburg. On this episode, Catsimatidis, with his sometimes brash and frank approach, talks about his origin story, his mentors and his key lessons in business — and life.

3 Takeaways

(09:50) Have fun working through challenges
(10:40) We are all lions in our own den
(11:15) Hire people that are smarter than you

Timestamps

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!
(00:30) Introducing John Catsimatidis, CEO of Red Apple Group
(02:45) Growing up in NYC
(04:10) Getting into the grocery business and owning grocery stores
(08:05) Discovering St. Pete
(08:50) Residences at 400 Central
(10:25) Common mistakes of start up companies
(11:15) What makes a good leader?
(12:00) Mentors
(14:25) Recovering from setbacks
(15:20) Other projects in Florida

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders and much more.