In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, host Tuli Kraus sits down with Dr. Jonathan Donath — chiropractor, entrepreneur, and founder of Daily Giving — to talk about building a successful practice from scratch, starting a nonprofit with zero experience, and why giving tzedakah every single day might be the greatest business decision you ever make.

Dr. Jonathan Donath runs a thriving chiropractic practice in White Plains, New York, where he specializes in severe neck and back conditions, helping patients avoid surgery through hands-on, drug-free treatment. But outside the office, he's the president and CEO of Daily Giving — a non-profit that has distributed over $29 million to more than 100 Jewish organizations worldwide, funded entirely by people giving just $1 a day.

What started as an epiphany in a shul parking lot after watching a YouTube video about a near-death experience turned into a global platform with 24,000 givers across 51 countries — distributing over $24,000 every single day to orphans, widows, cancer patients, poverty relief, kiruv, Torah, and more.

In this conversation, Dr. Donath opens up about what it's really like to run two full-time operations simultaneously, the business mistakes he made early on, why he almost gave up in the first few months of Daily Giving, and the mindset shift around maaser that he wishes someone had told him at 21.

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, nonprofit building, chiropractic as a career, the power of giving, or simply building something that actually matters — this episode will leave you inspired, challenged, and probably ready to sign up for something.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

◼️ How Dr. Donath chose chiropractic over traditional medicine—and built a practice from zero

◼️ The real salary numbers behind owning vs. working in chiropractic

◼️ Why going out-of-network was the best decision he ever made

◼️ The near-death experience video that sparked the idea for Daily Giving

◼️ How he grew from 100 signups to 24,000 givers across 51 countries

◼️ The operational reality of running an $8.8M/year nonprofit with a small team

◼️ Why every dollar donated goes directly to tzedakah—with overhead funded separately

◼️ The maaser habit he wishes he’d started at age 21

◼️ How he hires, the personality tests he uses, and why warmth can’t be trained

◼️ The mindset of “failure is not an option”—and what it actually costs you to believe it

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 From Minneapolis to White Plains — The Road to Chiropractic10:13 Building the Business — Overhead, Patients & the Golden Handcuff Trap26:51 The Near-Death Experience Video That Changed Everything36:29 What Daily Giving Actually Is — How $1/Day Moves Millions49:42 From 100 Signups to 24,000 Givers Across 51 Countries1:04:27 Hiring, Personality Tests & Building Teams That Work1:08:07 Maaser, Mindset & the Cheat Code to a Better Life

🔗 Connect with Dr. Jonathan DonathInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdonath/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjonathandonath/

🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

United Refuah

United Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.

https://unitedrefuahhs.org/

Blackbird Recruiting

Hiring the wrong person is expensive — not just financially, but culturally.

Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.

If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Benjamin Heinemann — CEO of BP Print Group, founder of the BP Weekly, and one of the most quietly inspiring business leaders you've never heard of. With over 100 employees, clients across the US, Canada, Israel, and Australia, and 37 years of building from the ground up, Rabbi Heinemann has one simple answer for how it all happened: Hashem.

What started as a young kollel guy hanging a sign in a coffee room turned into a full-scale printing empire. We talk about the real story behind building a business with emunah at the center — the tough hires, the COVID payroll decisions nobody said thank you for, the backwards journal that changed his davening forever, and the Mincha minyan that literally made his neighbor's best month in business.

This episode isn't just about printing. It's about what it really takes to build something lasting — with integrity, gratitude, and your eyes wide open to everything Hashem is doing around you.

If you're an entrepreneur, a business owner, or someone who wants to bring more meaning into how they work and lead — this conversation will stay with you.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

◼️ How a kollel guy with a computer became a 100+ employee CEO ◼️ The print shop takeover that happened in under a year ◼️ Starting a Mincha minyan at work — and watching business take off ◼️ The “backwards journal” story that rewired his entire approach to davening ◼️ Why the money you have is literally your personal mun ◼️ The maaser system he’s used since day one — and why it always works ◼️ What actually makes a great employee (hint: it’s not their salary ask) ◼️ The COVID raise he gave that nobody said thank you for ◼️ Why most job ads are a complete waste of money ◼️ How BP Weekly grew from 1,200 families to 18,000+ ◼️ Stop selling price — sell your differentiator ◼️ Is printing dying? His bold, honest take on the future ◼️ AI, Kodak, and why you have to think futuristic or get left behind

Chapters:

0:00 Intro & Guest Welcome

2:05 How It All Started

4:49 Taking Over Joe’s Print Shop

8:38 Opening His Own Shop

10:45 Bringing Hashem Into the Business

18:02 The Backwards Journal Story

32:27 Maiser, Money & The Mun

39:35 What Makes a Great Employee

44:11 The COVID Raise & Recruiting

53:27 The BP Weekly Origin Story

1:00:35 Sell Your Differentiator, Not Your Price

1:12:03 Closing Story & Final Thoughts

🔗 Connect with Rabbi Benjamin HeinemannLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-heinemann-a02a6a18Instagram (BP Print Group): https://www.instagram.com/bpprintgroup/

🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

🎙 Sponsored by:

Dabbl

Dabbl is an all-in-one platform where kids and teens can explore a wide range of lessons—from music, art, and cooking to photography, wilderness skills, and money management—without the hassle of commuting or expensive one-on-one classes. For just $25 a month, learners get access to all courses designed to bring them off-screen into real-life skills. Listeners can use code TK-20 for 20% off at

https://justdabbl.com/

United Refuah

United Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.

https://unitedrefuahhs.org/

Blackbird Recruiting

Hiring the wrong person is expensive — not just financially, but culturally.

Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.

If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Eli Weber, CEO of Weber Media and host of the Podsitivity Podcast, to talk about building a social media business from scratch, the mindset behind entrepreneurship, and how content can turn into real revenue.

Eli Weber is the founder of Weber Media, a social media marketing company that helps businesses maximize the potential of social media, content creation, and personal branding to generate real profits. What started as helping a musician manage social media accounts eventually turned into a growing agency managing multiple brands and business profiles.

Before entrepreneurship, Eli worked in construction management, overseeing hundreds of workers and long commutes every day. But he quickly realized that a traditional job wasn’t fulfilling the life he wanted to build. That realization pushed him to explore online business, social media marketing, and digital entrepreneurship, eventually launching Weber Media.

In this conversation, Eli shares how he landed his first client, what he learned about the Instagram algorithm, LinkedIn growth, and modern social media strategy, and why social media today is no longer just about followers — it’s about interest-based content that platforms distribute to the right audience.

We also dive into the mindset required to build a business: staying positive, taking responsibility for outcomes, handling rejection, and learning not to take every client decision personally.

If you're interested in entrepreneurship, building a social media agency, content marketing, personal branding, or starting an online business, this episode is packed with insights that will help you think differently about opportunity and growth.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

◼️ How Eli Weber built a social media marketing business from scratch◼️ The mindset shift that pushed him toward entrepreneurship◼️ His early career managing construction teams◼️ Landing the first paying client for Weber Media◼️ How the Instagram and LinkedIn algorithms work today◼️ Why social media is now “interest media” instead of follower media◼️ The difference between branding, marketing, and advertising◼️ The emotional challenges of running a business◼️ Why anyone can start a side hustle or online business today◼️ How content creation can generate real business opportunities

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 The Positivity Principle4:26 From Hardhat to Hustle — The Construction Years25:25 What Social Media Actually Is (And What It Isn't)28:16 The Business of Storytelling — Real Clients, Real Results42:05 Building a Team, Setting Boundaries, and Getting Out of Your Own Way47:28 Trust the Process — Lessons, Mindset & What He'd Do Differently

🔗 Connect with Eli WeberFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellin.web/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eli-weber1

🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

🎙 Sponsored by:

Dabbl

Dabbl is an all-in-one platform where kids and teens can explore a wide range of lessons—from music, art, and cooking to photography, wilderness skills, and money management—without the hassle of commuting or expensive one-on-one classes. For just $25 a month, learners get access to all courses designed to bring them off-screen into real-life skills. Listeners can use code TK-20 for 20% off at

https://justdabbl.com/

United Refuah

United Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.

https://unitedrefuahhs.org/

Blackbird Recruiting

Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.

If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Raps — the Rabbi of Social Media — who has built a community of 2M+ followers by bringing Torah, confidence, and unapologetic Jewish identity to the digital world.

What started as simply sharing thoughts online turned into a global platform. We talk about what really happens when a Rabbi goes viral — the backlash, the hate, the pressure, and the responsibility that comes with millions of people watching. Rabbi Raps opens up about confronting antisemitism head-on, staying authentic in an algorithm-driven world, and why purpose always matters more than popularity.

From Torah to TikTok, from raising proud Jewish kids to having real conversations about the Noahide movement, this episode goes far beyond social media strategy. It’s about courage. Identity. Leadership. And what it truly takes to show up boldly when the world would rather you stay quiet.

If you’re building something online — or trying to lead with more confidence in your own life — this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

◼️ How Rabbi Raps built 2M+ followers without chasing trends◼️ The viral moment that changed everything◼️ Dealing with hate, backlash, and public criticism◼️ Faith vs. algorithms — and staying real online◼️ Addressing antisemitism on a massive platform◼️ The responsibility that comes with influence◼️ Raising confident Jewish kids in today’s climate◼️ The Noahide movement and global Torah conversations◼️ The emotional cost of visibility◼️ Why purpose beats popularity every time◼️ The future of Jewish leadership in the digital age

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 From Atlantic City to Rabbi Raps

1:53 From Shlichus to Running a Community

10:08 Building Shuls & Community Growth

15:13 When Social Media Changed Everything

17:02 Going Viral, Algorithms & Menorah Moments

18:46 Humans for Noah & The 7 Laws

23:34 Hate, Authenticity & Finding Your Voice

27:43 Raising Confident Jewish Kids

34:05 Purpose, Tafkid & Showing Up Online

38:35 Confidence, Cameras & Fear of Being Seen

🔗 Connect with Rabbi RapsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiraps/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbiraps?lang=en

🔗 Connect with the Host - Tuli KrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

🎙 Sponsored by:

Dabbl

Dabbl is an all-in-one platform where kids and teens can explore a wide range of lessons—from music, art, and cooking to photography, wilderness skills, and money management—without the hassle of commuting or expensive one-on-one classes. For just $25 a month, learners get access to all courses designed to bring them off-screen into real-life skills. Listeners can use code TK-20 for 20% off at

https://justdabbl.com/

United Refuah

United Refuah offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance through a health share program, with a monthly cost of just $500. For the first 10 listeners, use code Blackbird to get the third month free.

https://unitedrefuahhs.org/

Blackbird Recruiting

Hiring the wrong person is expensive — not just financially, but culturally.

Blackbird Recruiting helps growing companies hire people who actually perform, so you can spend less time filtering résumés and more time building your business.

If you’re serious about scaling with the right team, visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Rabbi Nachman Seltzer—a prolific Jewish author, Torah educator, and former music director who has quietly built a decades-long career at the intersection of faith, creativity, and impact.

Rabbi Seltzer shares his journey from writing his first book by hand on a bus at 23 to publishing over 56 books, including Torah works that sold 70,000+ copies worldwide. He opens up about the realities of the publishing world, why novels rarely sell, how biographies and Torah books create lasting influence, and what most aspiring writers misunderstand about success.

The conversation also explores his unexpected exit from the Jewish music and choir world, how industry shifts forced hard decisions, and why knowing when to quit can be just as important as knowing how to start. From turning ancient Torah texts into modern movements to offering grounded advice for writers, creators, and those considering Aliyah, this episode is a masterclass in long-term thinking, creative discipline, and purpose-driven work.

Whether you’re a writer, educator, creator, or someone navigating career pivots through faith and practicality, this episode delivers lessons that only come from 25 years of doing the work.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

◼️ Writing his first book at 23—and why it was written entirely on a bus

◼️ How a single real-life story became a bestselling Jewish novel

◼️ The business reality of publishing: royalties, advances, and distribution

◼️ Why most novels fail—and what actually sells in Jewish publishing

◼️ Turning an out-of-print Torah sefer into a global learning movement

◼️ How storytelling makes Torah accessible to thousands worldwide

◼️ Why passion isn’t enough—and how market awareness shapes success

◼️ Leaving a thriving music and choir career at the right time

◼️ How the Jewish music industry changed—and why CDs ended the model

◼️ Balancing faith, creativity, family, and parnassah

◼️ Advice for writers, creators, and those considering Aliyah

◼️ Why longevity matters more than trends in any creative career

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 From Shabbos Table to a Global Torah Movement

2:56 Writing a First Novel by Hand (And Getting Published)

12:01 The Sefer That Sparked a Worldwide Learning Revolution

21:32 Choirs, Creativity & Walking Away From Music

27:16 Writing for Impact, Not Sales

🔗 Connect with Rabbi Nachman Seltzer

LinkedIn: https://il.linkedin.com/in/rabbi-nachman-seltzer-a719849

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B086K3HW5P

🔗 Connect with the Host

Tuli Kraus

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

🎙 Sponsored by Blackbird Recruiting

Tired of sorting through unqualified résumés?

Blackbird Recruiting helps you hire people who actually perform—so you can focus on growing your business.

Learn more at blackbirdrecruiting.com

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Abe Breuer, CEO of John To Go—a self-made entrepreneur who built a multi-million-dollar empire in an essential but often overlooked industry and achieved a successful private equity exit.

Abe breaks down his 20-year journey from selling his first computer company as a teenager to scaling a portable sanitation business into a $50M national leader. He shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship: the partner who quit during the first brutal winter, near-death cash flow moments, and the unconventional employee strategy that turned a secretary into a $280k-a-year partner.

This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, operational scaling, and leadership mindset. Whether you’re starting a service business, struggling to scale, or curious about exits and life after selling, this episode delivers hard-earned lessons you won’t find in textbooks.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

◼️ How Abe built his first company at 16 and sold it for $25k◼️ The “walk between the drops” philosophy learned from his parents◼️ Scaling revenue to $50M without losing control◼️ The partner who walked away—and the brother who stayed to build a legacy◼️ Managing ADHD as a superpower using pen, paper, and ruthless systems◼️ Why Abe never gives raises—and the bonus system that creates extreme loyalty◼️ The New Yorker article that changed everything and attracted private equity◼️ The harsh reality of scaling too fast and running out of cash◼️ Selling the business: identity loss, regret, and what comes next◼️ His current venture in the challenging world of assisted living (ALFs)

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 Intro – Meeting in the Shul & the Founder of John To Go10:11 Early Hustle – Selling a Computer Company at 1616:11 First Major Bet – Buying a 24-Unit Building with $400k20:20 The Birth of John To Go – A Partner, a Stick Shift Truck & the First Winter23:02 The Pivot – Bringing His Brother in as the Right Partner32:20 Scaling Secrets – From $400k to $50M in Revenue39:45 The New Yorker Call That Changed Everything

57:32 The $280k Employee – A Bonus System That Creates Partners1:04:14 Life After the Exit – Identity, Travel & Starting Over1:07:37 Final Advice – Would He Do It All Again?

🔗 Connect with Abe BreuerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/breuerabe/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abe-breuer-a339725/

🔗 Connect with Tuli KrausX (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

Sponsored by Blackbird Recruiting. Tired of sorting through unqualified résumés? Blackbird Recruiting helps you hire top talent—so you can focus on growing your business.Visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Hershy Goldstein, CEO and Co-Founder of FRIDAY—a SaaS founder who went from unemployment to building a thriving tech startup serving over 1,200 customers.

Hershy breaks down his journey from leaving a secure career to bootstrapping and scaling a profitable, remote-first business. He shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship: the moments he almost shut everything down, the pressure of scaling fast, and the leadership decisions that come with being the one in charge.

This conversation is a masterclass in career decisions, startup growth, and building a sustainable business. Whether you’re considering leaving a corporate job, building a startup, or leading a remote team, this episode delivers insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

◼️ How Hershy turned unemployment into a SaaS startup success story ◼️ The pivotal moment that almost ended the company ◼️ Scaling to 1,200 customers without investors or venture capital ◼️ Building a fully remote team across multiple states ◼️ Recognizing when to leave a secure career to pursue entrepreneurship ◼️ Handling founder burnout and mental pressure while growing a company ◼️ How to identify, retain, and lead high-performing employees ◼️ Lessons from the accidental product pivots that saved the business ◼️ Hershy’s non-negotiable advice for first-time founders

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 Intro - The $250k Question

11:54 The Breakthrough: Conquering Imposter Syndrome at Fingercheck

19:24 The 9-Year Grind: From Support to Manager to $250k

22:30 The Coaching Epiphany: Discovering a Hidden Superpower

37:19 The Final Straw: Why I Quit My Cushy Job

42:09 The Wilderness: Depression, COVID, and Consulting

54:10 Startup Nightmare: The Week Our Bank Vanished

1:02:55 Founder Truths: Surrender, Hiring, & The Fear of Content

1:20:38 Final Advice: Should You Leave Your Safe Job?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershey-goldstein/Website: https://fridayapp.com/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

Sponsored by Blackbird RecruitingTired of sorting through unqualified résumés? Blackbird Recruiting helps you hire top talent—so you can focus on growing your business.Visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.

In this episode of the What It Takes Podcast, we sit down with Avi Singer, Founder and CEO of Showd.me - a leader who hacked the corporate ladder from day one and later built a multi-million-dollar SaaS company without raising a single dollar of venture capital.

Avi breaks down his journey from a $65k entry-level role at DoubleClick (later acquired by Google) to bootstrapping and scaling a profitable, remote-first business. He shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship: the moments he nearly quit, the pressure of making payroll, and the tough leadership decisions that come with being the one in charge.

This conversation is a masterclass in strategic career planning, sustainable company building, and rejecting Silicon Valley hype in favor of real, durable success. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, building a startup, or trying to lead a team that actually cares, this episode delivers insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

💡 In This Episode, We Cover:

◼️ How Avi leveraged an Ivy League degree to land his first $65k job◼️ Adopting a “future VP” mindset from day one in corporate life◼️ Why he tells 99% of people not to start a tech startup◼️ The accidental pivot from a “nice-to-have” to a true “must-have” product◼️ Building a 50-person remote team across 13 states—with no office◼️ The hardest CEO skill: knowing when to walk away from easy money◼️ How to identify, promote, and retain rockstar employees—and when to let go◼️ The servant-leadership philosophy that creates real loyalty◼️ Navigating founder identity crises and near burnout◼️ Why most software companies fail—and how to avoid the same traps◼️ Avi’s non-negotiable advice for first-time founders

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 From Columbia to Corporate: Hacking the $65k Start

11:45 The Terminal Degree: Planning Your Career Like a Chess Game

14:27 Why I Left a $250k+ VP Job to Start From Scratch

21:42 The Pivot That Saved the Business

30:12 Hiring (and Firing) for a Team That Runs Without You

34:50 Building a Remote Culture That Actually Works

53:48 The Vacation Test: How to Know You’re a Good Leader

1:03:03 From Unicorn Dreams to Building a Real Business

🔗 Connect with Avi Singer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avisinger/Website: https://www.showd.me/

🔗 Connect with Tuli KrausX (Twitter): https://x.com/TuliKrausInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbird.recruiting/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuli-kraus/

Sponsored by Blackbird Recruiting. Tired of sorting through unqualified résumés? Blackbird Recruiting helps you hire top talent—so you can focus on growing your business. Visit blackbirdrecruiting.com to learn more.