{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"How I Built This: From Sicily to Serial Entrepreneurship - The George Sortino Story","description":" In this How I Built This episode of The Elevate Your Business Podcast, Adam sits down with George Sortino \u2014 a Sicilian-born, American-made entrepreneur who built hotels, restaurants, bowling alleys, sports books, barbershops, and entertainment centers across Northern Ohio.   From arriving in the U.S. at age seven, to buying his first hotel with no money down, to creating Sortino\u2019s legendary Italian restaurant experience, George embodies the spirit of old-school entrepreneurship fueled by humility, grit, and a relentless commitment to people.   This episode is packed with \u201ccheat codes\u201d for business owners \u2014 including money management rules, leadership principles, customer service philosophy, and timeless lessons George learned from his father that shaped his life and legacy.     Episode Timestamps:   00:00 \u2013 George\u2019s upbringing: from Sicily to Sandusky 03:00 \u2013 His father\u2019s resourcefulness and early lessons in resilience 05:00 \u2013 The entrepreneurial spark rooted in family heritage 07:00 \u2013 First jobs, making $1 a day, and learning trades young 10:00 \u2013 How a simple conversation led to buying his first hotel 12:00 \u2013 The origin story of Sortino\u2019s Restaurant 14:00 \u2013 Creating the iconic \u201cpasta and wine at the table\u201d experience 16:00 \u2013 Early startup challenges, long hours, and labor of love 18:00 \u2013 Building multiple businesses: hotels, restaurants, bowling, and more 20:00 \u2013 Why relationships became his greatest advantage 23:00 \u2013 Selling Sortino\u2019s and expanding into Kalahari Resorts locations 25:00 \u2013 Balancing business ownership and family life 27:00 \u2013 His biggest regrets and proudest family moments 29:00 \u2013 The toughest periods as an owner and how he got through them 32:00 \u2013 His philosophy: \u201cProblems are opportunities\u201d 34:00 \u2013 A powerful story about integrity when no one is watching 36:00 \u2013 Money management rules every entrepreneur should follow 40:00 \u2013 His favorite business books and success philosophies 42:00 \u2013 Looking back: did he exceed his expectations? 46:00 \u2013 Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs 49:00 \u2013 Advice for business owners feeling stuck or plateaued     Key Takeaways:   \ud83d\udca1  Relationships are your real competitive advantage.\ud83d\udca1  Great service is doing the unexpected \u2014 especially when no one is watching.\ud83d\udca1  Cashflow discipline builds longevity; living below your means builds freedom.\ud83d\udca1  Problems aren\u2019t setbacks \u2014 they\u2019re pathways to profit.\ud83d\udca1  Work ethic matters, but humility and kindness matter more.\ud83d\udca1  Success doesn\u2019t happen by accident; it happens by design.     Key Quotes from George Sortino:   \ud83d\udde3  \u201cProblems become opportunities \u2014 that\u2019s how you build a business.\u201d\ud83d\udde3  \u201cThe eye of the owner fattens the horse.\u201d\ud83d\udde3  \u201cBetter to live one day like a lion than a hundred years like a sheep.\u201d\ud83d\udde3  \u201cThere\u2019s nothing more rewarding than relationships \u2014 that\u2019s what builds success.\u201d\ud83d\udde3  \u201cIf you don\u2019t manage your money, you will never manage your business.\u201d     Connect with Elevate &amp;amp; the Host:   Follow Elevate on Social Media:  Facebook:  https:\/\/facebook.com\/elevateandexit  Instagram:  https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/elevateandexit  Threads:  https:\/\/www.threads.com\/@elevateandexit  LinkedIn:  https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/elevateandexit  Twitter:  https:\/\/x.com\/ELEVATEandEXIT  TikTok:  https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@elevateexit2  YouTube:  https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@elevateyourbusinesspodcast  Email: info@elevateandexit.com Website:  www.elevateandexit.com   Connect with Adam Ko\u00f3s:  LinkedIn:  https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/adamkoos  Website:  https:\/\/www.libertaswealth.com   ","author_name":"The Elevate Your Business Podcast with Adam Koos","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/508073","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/39095980\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/39095980"}