1 - Craft, Conviction, and New York Grit: From Corporate Law to Custom Menswear, with Michael Andrews, CEO, Michael Andrews Bespoke

4 - From NYPD to Founder: Lessons in Risk, Leadership, and Growth with John Rafferty

On this episode of The New York Leader with George Janson, you’ll hear what it really takes to lead under pressure, build trust in high-stakes environments, and reinvent yourself after one career unexpectedly ends. George sits down with John Rafferty, former NYPD lieutenant and founder of Sunstates Security, one of New York’s leading security and concierge companies. From working anti-crime units in Brooklyn and surviving life-threatening encounters on the force, to building a company with more than a thousand employees, John shares the mindset, discipline, and leadership principles that shaped every stage of his journey. In this conversation, John opens up about the emotional reality of leaving the NYPD at just 34 years old after an injury forced his retirement — and how that setback became the foundation for an entirely new chapter in business. He shares the difficult lessons of entrepreneurship, including costly mistakes, learning how to scale a company without a roadmap, and why surrounding yourself with people smarter than you is essential for long-term success. The discussion also dives deep into leadership culture, customer service, and accountability. John explains why great leadership starts with leading from the front, how small details can define an organization’s reputation, and why empathy and communication matter just as much as operational excellence. He also reveals how staying calm in stressful situations, making non-emotional decisions, and treating employees with dignity helped him build lasting relationships with both clients and staff. Beyond business, the episode explores John’s deep commitment to service and giving back through organizations like, where he and his family actively support first responders, veterans, and families in need. If you’re building a business, managing teams, navigating career transitions, or looking to become a stronger leader in demanding environments, this episode delivers practical wisdom, powerful perspective, and real-world lessons from someone who has led both on the streets of New York and in the boardroom. Listen now to hear John Rafferty’s insights on leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, and building a culture people believe in. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to The New York Leader 00:04:29 Why John Joined the NYPD 00:07:25 Lessons From 9/11 & Life-Threatening Encounters 00:10:07 Building Teams & Developing Future Leaders 00:12:01 Transitioning From NYPD to Entrepreneurship 00:16:13 Networking, Relationships & Helping Others First 00:21:43 Building Culture & Customer Service Standards 00:24:29 Why Small Details Matter in Leadership 00:26:55 Staying Calm in High-Pressure Situations 00:31:04 Selling a Business & Knowing When to Exit 00:34:00 Lessons Learned From His Father’s Work Ethic 00:35:10 Giving Back Through Tunnel to Towers 00:38:24 Favorite New York Restaurants, Movies & Landmarks 00:43:11 Final Thoughts & Where to Connect With John Rafferty If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The New York Leader so you never miss a conversation with top founders, CEOs, and innovators shaping New York City and beyond. Connect with George Janson! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgejanson/ Vistage: https://app.vistage.com/sites/s/chairs/0038000002I6BqgAAF/george-janson 🎯 Take Action & Connect with John Rafferty Inspired by John’s journey? Think about how you lead during pressure, uncertainty, or transition — and whether your team truly feels supported, challenged, and aligned with your vision. Connect with John Rafferty: Website: https://www.sunstatessecurity.com/watch-guard-24-7-joins-sunstates-security/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rafferty-wg247/ 💡 Action Tip: Identify one area in your business or leadership style where you can improve consistency, accountability, or communication this week. Small improvements in culture and leadership often create the biggest long-term impact.

3 - Art, Excellence, and Accountability with Jamie Reynolds, Managing Partner, Urban Art Projects

On this episode of The New York Leader with George Janson, you’ll discover what it truly takes to turn a bold creative vision into reality – at scale, under pressure, and in one of the most demanding business environments in the world. George sits down with Jamie Reynolds, Managing Director for North America at UAP, a global force behind some of the most ambitious public art installations you’ve likely seen – whether you realized it or not. From iconic city sculptures to the Oscar statuettes themselves, Jamie operates at the powerful intersection of art, engineering, and leadership. In this conversation, Jamie unpacks the reality of leading creatives—why raw talent alone isn’t enough, and how the best results come from combining imagination with structure, accountability, and honest conversations early in the process. He shares why many leaders fail by either overpromising or under-guiding, and how clarity around constraints can actually unlock better, more successful outcomes. The discussion also explores what it takes to build and lead diverse, high-performing teams. Jamie explains how empathy, culture, and understanding individual motivations are critical in environments where artists, engineers, and operators must collaborate seamlessly. He reveals how great leaders create alignment without stifling creativity — and why decision-making, even imperfect, is better than indecision. If you’re looking to better manage creative teams, execute complex projects, or lead with both vision and realism, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how world-class work actually gets done. Listen now to hear Jamie Reynolds Jamieson’s insights on leadership, creativity, and turning bold ideas into lasting impact. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to The New York Leader 00:01:25 From Architect to Leader / Choosing Collaboration Over Ego 00:04:00 Early Influence: Lessons from a Strong Working Mother 00:05:11 What UAP Really Does / Behind Large-Scale Public Art 00:13:26 How Long Projects Take / From Sketch to Reality 00:15:26 Making the Oscar Statuette / UAP’s Foundry Story 00:16:54 Leading Creatives vs Corporate / Creativity Exists Everywhere 00:19:12 Balancing Vision vs Budget / Importance of Honest Constraints 00:21:00 Measuring Performance in Creative Environments (KPIs Explained) 00:25:00 Leadership Evolution / Letting Go & Empowering Others 00:30:2 Leadership Mistakes & Building Trust Through Transparency 00:32:23 Leading a Global Team / Cultural Differences (US vs Australia) 00:36:10 What It Takes to Lead in New York / Empathy & Diversity 00:37:15 Final Thoughts & Where to Connect with UAP If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The New York Leader so you never miss a conversation with top founders, CEOs, and innovators shaping New York City and beyond. Connect with George Janson! Website: https://www.honestinsights.com/about-george-janson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gpj816 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.janson.9/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgejanson/ 🎯 Take Action & Connect with Jamie Reynolds Inspired by Jamie’s journey? Take a moment to reflect on how you balance vision, accountability, and culture as a leader. Connect with Jamie Reynolds: Website: www.uapcompany.com/about/people-and-culture [https://www.uapcompany.com/about/people-and-culture] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-r-82503427/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-r-82503427/] 💡 Action Tip: Think about one area in your business or leadership where you can lean into craft, accountability, or long-term thinking this week. Then, share your insights on social using #NYLeaderPodcast to join the conversation.

2 - Building a Culture That Wins with Mike Batiste, CEO, Five Eighty

On this episode of The New York Leader, Mike Batiste, CEO  at Five Eighty shares a candid and insightful look into what it takes to build a high-performing agency—and a resilient leadership mindset—in one of the most demanding markets in the world. Michael’s path to leadership wasn’t linear. From team sports to radio broadcasting to entering the mobile industry before apps even existed, each chapter shaped how he leads today. What emerges is a leadership style rooted in accountability, adaptability, and a willingness to evolve quickly in the face of constant change. In this conversation, Mike breaks down how modern brands cut through the noise in an increasingly crowded marketplace. He explains why the real measure of marketing success isn’t just sales—it’s repeat customers. When the right message reaches the right audience authentically, purchases don’t just happen once—they happen again and again. The discussion dives into what it takes to build strong teams in today’s hybrid and remote work environments. Mike shares how flexibility, transparency, and regular “stay interviews” with employees help maintain a culture where people feel trusted, valued, and motivated to perform at their best. If you want a candid look at how modern leaders build high-performing teams, navigate rapid change, and compete at the highest level—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Listen now to hear Mike Batiste’s insights on leadership, innovation, and building a culture that wins. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to The New York Leader / Meet Michael Batiste 00:04:16 Knowing When to Quit a Book (or Anything Not Serving You) 00:06:44 What 580 Does / Connecting Marketing, Sales & Commerce 00:07:43 Solving for Sales Velocity vs. Incrementality 00:09:00 Marketing Attribution Confusion (Taco Bell Case Study) 00:10:51 Measuring What Actually Works / Repeat Customers as Key Metric 00:14:56 Handling Pressure from Big Brand Clients 00:17:05 Why 580 Avoids the “Pitch Team vs Execution Team” Trap 00:20:14 Unconventional Career Path / Sports, DJ, and Mobile Industry 00:24:07 Leading with Clarity, Adaptability & Accountability 00:27:20 Adrenaline, Risk & Leadership Mindset 00:30:47 Building Culture in a Remote/Hybrid Company 00:32:08 “Stay Interviews” & Why Flexibility Retains Talent 00:34:20 Walking Meetings & Productivity in Remote Work 00:36:40 The Power of Peer Groups (Vistage Experience) 00:39:15 What Companies Get Wrong About AI 00:43:09 AI Hackathon Strategy / Turning Ideas into Execution 00:46:13 What It Takes to Lead in New York (Speed, Clarity, Resilience) 00:47:26 Final Thoughts / If You Can Build in New York, You Can Build Anywhere If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The New York Leader so you never miss a conversation with top founders, CEOs, and innovators shaping New York City and beyond. Connect with George Janson! Website: https://www.honestinsights.com/about-george-janson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gpj816 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.janson.9/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgejanson/ 🎯 Take Action & Connect with Mike Batiste Inspired by Mike’s journey? Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or leader navigating uncertainty, take a moment to reflect on your own standards, culture, and long-term vision. Connect with Mike Batiste: Website: https://agencyfiveeighty.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebatiste/ 💡 Action Tip: Think about one area in your business or leadership where you can lean into craft, accountability, or long-term thinking this week. Then, share your insights on social using #NYLeaderPodcast to join the conversation.

1 - Craft, Conviction, and New York Grit: From Corporate Law to Custom Menswear, with Michael Andrews, CEO, Michael Andrews Bespoke

On this episode of The New York Leader, Michael Andrews, founder and CEO of Michael Andrews Bespoke, shares a candid story of risk, reinvention, and building something enduring in one of the most competitive cities in the world. Before launching his company, Michael followed a path that looked secure on paper—engineering degree, consulting, a JD/MBA, and a career in corporate law. But security wasn’t the same as purpose. What followed was not an overnight success story, but years of late nights, financial strain, and hard lessons. In the early days, he worked full-time while funding a business that was losing money on every sale. Instead of walking away, he leaned into the steep learning curve, refined his systems, and built a company rooted in craftsmanship, accountability, and long-term relationships. Today, after more than two decades in business, Michael offers a deeply practical perspective on leadership shaped by pressure. He speaks openly about hiring for hospitality over credentials, leading through an 80% revenue drop during COVID, navigating tariffs that threatened his supply chain, and investing in technology and AI to protect precision at scale.  This conversation isn’t about suits. It’s about standards. It’s about leading with conviction in New York City, protecting your culture when it’s tested, and building a business designed to last—not just survive. For founders, CEOs, and leaders navigating uncertainty, this episode offers grounded insight and hard-earned wisdom that lingers long after the conversation ends. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Leadership Conversations 00:59 Michael Andrews: A Non-Linear Journey to Entrepreneurship 03:05 The Challenges of Leading a Custom Menswear Business 05:55 Recruiting from Hospitality: A Unique Strategy 08:56 Building a Lasting Company Culture 11:01 Navigating the Impact of COVID-19 12:51 Understanding Custom: Beyond Just Suits 13:54 Evolving Product Offerings in a Changing Market 15:54 Dressing Celebrities: A Peek Behind the Curtain 17:55 The Influence of Iconic Designers 20:10 Leveraging Technology in a Traditional Craft 22:07 The Future of AI in Custom Tailoring 22:50 Adapting to Tariffs and Manufacturing Challenges 25:09 Innovative Approaches to Wedding Attire 27:03 Protecting Core Values Amidst Growth 28:59 Creating an Exceptional In-Store Experience 32:07 Expanding Women's Offerings in Custom Tailoring 34:01 Leading in the Unique Landscape of New York City If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The New York Leader so you never miss a conversation with top founders, CEOs, and innovators shaping New York City and beyond. Connect with George Janson! Website: https://www.honestinsights.com/about-george-janson/ [https://www.honestinsights.com/about-george-janson/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gpj816 [https://www.instagram.com/gpj816] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.janson.9/ [https://www.facebook.com/george.janson.9/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgejanson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgejanson/] 🎯 Take Action & Connect with Michael Andrews Inspired by Michael’s journey? Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or leader navigating uncertainty, take a moment to reflect on your own standards, culture, and long-term vision. Connect with Michael Andrews: Website: https://www.michaelandrews.com/ [https://www.michaelandrews.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorCYh9e4jSIgPc5frw5SJIcaydg6sHpnnBwYVND_frRHPFZRWP4] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelandrewsbespoke/ [https://www.instagram.com/michaelandrewsbespoke/?hl=en] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelandrews3/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelandrews3/] 💡 Action Tip: Think about one area in your business or leadership where you can lean into craft, accountability, or long-term thinking this week. Then, share your insights on social using #NYLeaderPodcast to join the conversation.

Welcome to the New York Leader Podcast

Welcome to The New York Leader! This is your first stop for bold, authentic conversations with leaders shaping New York City and beyond. George Janson shares what the podcast is all about, why leadership matters, and what you can expect in upcoming episodes.