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The Sunday Series (89), with Mark Brodinsky

December 6, 2015 By markbrodinsky 1 Comment

You might not know exactly how it happens, but you will always know why. After all if you find your why and mix it with your passion, your purpose and unrelenting persistence then you’ve found the right recipe, then anything is possible.

People who are truly living this grand adventure we call life can easily start one place, end up somewhere else – and love every minute of it, especially when they know they are changing other lives along the way. Bring joy to the journey and we all win.

Everyone has a story.

I am Mark Brodinsky and this is The Sunday Series.


The Sunday Series (89): The Perfect Fit

veeral and family

No matter how big you get, you always start small.

“I grew up in a small town”, says Veeral Rathod. “Both my mom and dad are physicians and I still remember being out and about almost anywhere, at the grocery store, at the Walmart, and all the time someone would come up to one of them and say ‘Dr. Rathod you took care of me in the hospital, or you saved my life, or you saved my mom or dad’s life’. I remember craving that connection that often times you don’t get in your job. You think my job is where I can earn money to take care of me and my family – but take it deeper – where the income comes from something which inspires you and motivates you every day…then that’s a powerful feeling.”

It’s exactly that feeling, the desire for that personal connection which has been the driver for Veeral Rathod each day for the past eight years he has helped to build the multi-million dollar direct-to-door custom men’s clothier, J. Hilburn. Recognize a need, fulfill it. Turn that need into a desire which makes other people feel good about themselves and can literally have a direct impact on the trajectory of their lives. Look good, feel good, live well. At it’s core, this is the concept which defines J. Hilburn: a personally tailored wardrobe of clothing for men and a perfectly fitted life opportunity for the stylists who help bring Veeral Rathod’s vision to life every day.  A vision which last year produced more than $50 million in revenue for J. Hilburn.

hilburn man walking

The man who dove headfirst into investment banking right out of college – decided he had some other ideas and passions, inspired not only by his parents, but also by the pure energy, vitality, and feelings of innovation and disruption fostered by the start-ups he visited and helped to nurture during those early days of his career. It was during this time Veeral met his J. Hilburn co-founder, Hill Davis. The two men always had a strong sense of style and after business trips to London and Europe they were truly inspired. Veeral says he was impressed by how the European men loved tailored clothing, how they presented themselves, how they dressed like true gentlemen. “I like dressing well”, says Veeral. “You feel good when you are dressed well, everyone looks at you a little differently. People like how you show attention to detail and you also derive a strong sense of confidence when you care about how you look.”

hilburn man hilburn man again

So J. Hilburn was created to solve the three biggest problems for men when it comes to fashion:

It’s hard for men to find clothes that fit well.
Most men don’t know what to wear, or how to wear it if they find it
And men don’t have the time, or like to take the time to shop for clothes.

Veeral says the goal has been to get the apparel that’s the same as the high-quality fashion stores, where the clothes fit really well, then use a direct sales model to build the brand. “It’s the practical application to build our brand”, says Veeral. “Made to measure suits, custom shirts, personalization across all categories. It’s why we go direct to consumer, create a client relationship and help the man educate himself about getting better and looking better.”

Help others get what they want, you will in turn get what you want. Speak to Veeral for only a few minutes and you can hear the conviction in his voice and in his mission for J. Hilburn. “I can sum it up in this statement”, says Veeral. “It’s not a tag line, but our north star, our goal, our mission, our vision – to inspire a more personal style of life. What does that mean? We’re all in a world where we want to express our individuality, to do something meaningful to us as individuals, we don’t all want to be the same. So as we develop our story and brand story, how do we help men express their individuality? How do we give our personal stylists a greater sense of purpose in life?

hilburn stylist

Veeral tells the story of one stylist from Dallas who is very involved in her religious group and has been going on mission trips. He said she uses J. Hilburn to help support her family with income, but uses a lot of the money she earns to fund her mission trips, then comes back and shares those stories with everyone. These life experiences, the depth of these relationships inspire Veeral not only for his company, but in his personal life as well.

The foundation of a meaningful life is to build the right relationships, the right connections, be human, show appreciation…to simply care. Another J. Hilburn stylist, Laura McAndrew in Maryland, says after a chance meeting with the J. Hilburn CEO at the Dallas Headquarters she saw him again, months later at a meeting in Virginia. Laura says, “out of the 3,500 stylists who work for J. Hilburn I thought there was no way Veeral would remember my name, but I was wrong.  He came right up to me at the meeting and said, ‘Hi Laura. I’m glad you could be here.’ I think saying he made me feel important is an understatement.” (https://lauramcandrew.jhilburn.com/)

laura mcandrew

As Veeral says himself, “relationships drive the world. When I think about relationships, what they are really all about is that most people love to talk about themselves, but a key differentiator between those who just connect and those who truly build relationships is you let other people talk about themselves and you talk less. Get to know these people at a deeper level.”

It’s this philosophy which goes to the heart of the J. Hilburn brand and the concept of getting the client what he wants. Listen, give personal attention, respond to the need, fill the void and then make the man feel great about himself. Veeral says it can be the smallest touch: “When you put your J. Hilburn shirt on in the morning, we’ve monogrammed your initials into the collar of your shirt, you see your name on that shirt, not some designer or store name. It makes it unique, it makes it personal.”  And it’s this brand experience and more importantly this emotional experience that Veeral looks for as the key component, the driver for the J. Hilburn stylists, to make sure they are informed about the products and passionate about the opportunity to help their client.

veeral and daughter

The feeling of building something, a company you truly care about and a company that cares is what drives Veeral each and every day.

So how can you do what Veeral is doing, building and growing a multi-million dollar company? How can any of us take an idea, a purpose, a passion and make dream a reality? Veeral Rathod has some thoughts: “You hear a lot of advice to follow your dreams and personally I believe this has a lot of merit. And as I peel it back I think this – if you do something you are inspired or passionate about and put your heart and your drive into it, it helps push you through the tough times. You have to be smart about the commercial opportunity as well, be realistic about the intersection of passion and your expectations. What that means to me, it doesn’t have to have economic value – and this is huge – that is my litmus test in building J. Hilburn. My takeaway from this experience is I am doing what I am excited about, I love clothing and style and love to build stories around fashion, it becomes a deeper emotional opportunity for myself, the stylists and the clients.”

The experience, even when you love it, of being the CEO of a multi-million dollar company does not come with out its share of stress. Veeral says he handles his tight schedule with making sure he spends his spare time focused on exercise, which allows him to “blow off a little steam, plus exercise is in your control, we all know biochemistry, it just makes you feel better”, says Veeral. And the focus and the wonder of his growing family. “We have two little girls now and when you see them smile at you or hear them talk, it makes the big stresses of life seem a lot less important.”

veeral and baby

In the end, whether you are the CEO of a multi-million dollar business, or the person simply trying to make a living day-to-day, we all want to make a contribution. At the end of the day, you must think about how you want to be remembered. Veeral says the definition of his time here on earth is simple and it goes back to the story of his parents being doctors and the connections they formed with their patients saving lives: “I reflect back on my upbringing. If I can offer someone the opportunity to provide a better life then that’s the right way to be remembered.”

veeral in nice suit

Until next time, thanks for taking the time

Mark

Mark Brodinsky, Author, Blogger, Speaker, Speech Writer, Emmy Winner, USHEALTH Advisors
(http://www.prweb.com/releases/markbrodinsky/072015/prweb12862708.htm)

Author: The #1 Amazon Best Seller: It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story
(http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Brodinsky/e/B00FI6R3U6)

The Podcast: (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sunday-series-courage-inspiration/id1028611459)

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Comments

  1. Patricia J. Storey says

    December 6, 2015 at 11:26 am

    Good Read

    Reply

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Mark Brodinsky
Emmy Award Winner, 1996

Ever thought about writing a book? check this out!

Blog Reviews

Love seeing new blogs hit the ground running like this one (by a dad no less), but I also urge anyone vaguely interested in blogging to stay tuned, I am. Good luck on your journey – glad that I am along for the ride.

Rachel Blaufeld

Great blog Mark! I always appreciate reading what you have to say. You are very gifted and talented and hopefully someday you’ll not just blog, but write a book.

 Stephen Koncurat

I’m definitely along for the ride. We’ve all seen how much damage the written word can inflict. More positive writers are needed. And I love how you are using your personal experiences – those with your wife and children – and your gift of writing to open eyes and to inspire others.

Victoria Endicott

Absolutely beautifully written! The girls in your life must be very proud of you. Thanks for sharing Mark, I look forward to reading more!

Gina Glick Jolson

Very shortly this site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s pleasant posts.

Leila Galloway

Absolutely beautiful! Are you at all thinking of penning a book? You’ve got a fan base out there that really thinks you should Mark. You write so eloquently. Glad that I got onto this site.

Marilyn Lefkowitz

Mark, You are truly a gifted writer and obviously, a special father and husband . Always a delight to read your words.

I’m speechless…beautiful words flow from your heart just like a gentle waterfall into a tranquil stream… thank you so much for the friend request I was blessed the day I clicked confirm.

Lynne Turner Dorsey

From your first writing in 4th grade entitled “People” which was published in the school newspaper, you have always been able to write. Never more so than when you started “Caringbridge” and now your blog, everyone who reads says what a wonderful writer you are. Our DREAM for you is to become an author and encourage people every day. You are by the far the best and we hope and pray you reach your dream.

Bonnie Brodinsky

I know you always thank us for reading but I would like to say thanks for writing.

Stuart Abell

Great piece. You are an inspiration!

Rob Commodari

Mark I just wanted to let you know that you are succeeding in your “ultimate goal”. I have gained so much from your blogs. I look forward to reading them for the special lift that they give me. Thank you.

Amy F.

I love waking up and starting my day with my coffee and your blog! It a great way to start my day with positive uplifting thoughts!! It puts me in a positive frame of mind throughout the day and allows me to reflect on my personal life, make changes, and grow !!!

Gayle Blank

You are quite talented Mark. Thanks for sharing!

Cynthia

I always look forward to your Blog Mark. Thanks for sharing and as you always do, make it a great / remarkable Day!

Chuck Connolly

Thanks for your Blog Mark. It is fun, encouraging and a nice break from a day full of ups and downs.

Jackie Hetrick

With my busy schedule, there is (sadly) little time for reading. But I have two must-reads every time I come across them, the sports section and your blogs. Keep inspiring and following your dream!

Ed Nemec

Mark, you are a truly remarkable individual. You do speak from your heart, I can’t wait to read your book. You are an incredible writer.

Debbie Press

Mark, I am glad I clicked on your post this morning, which lead me to your writing, your goal.
Would like to connect. This speaks to me.

Aileen Braverman

I can’t wait to read the book. I have followed all the blogs and feel so good that I know u guys. You make me cry but you make me laugh too. All the very best to you!

Beverlee Rendelman

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WOW!!! It Takes 2 is a must read for anyone who has known someone diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening disease. This is the real story of a family lead by an incredible woman, Debbie Brodinsky, who took radical steps to beat the breast cancer beast. The story is told by her husband, Mark Brodinsky, through journal entries he kept starting with diagnosis through one year cancer free. This author's unique ability to pour his heart out onto the page draws you in from the beginning and holds you until the very end.

Thanks to Mark and Debbie Brodinsky for this gift...I have a new perspective on what it means to be a breast cancer survivor. You are a hero, Debbie Brodinsky!

TeeBThree
September 25, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book gives a heartfelt, in depth description of what it is like to go through breast cancer with the one you love. It is beautifully written and I felt as though I was living it with them! I highly recommend this book!

Jgs17
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

In It Takes 2, Mark Brodinsky windows us into his world where his wife, the cancer patient, is not the only victim. Part journal, part roadmap, It Takes 2 goes to the real humanity of facing the mortality of one's better half. Mark's candid perspective, love, and fierce intention resonate with hope in a story which is about much more than cancer. Mark himself is perhaps the most heroic character for the way he appreciates this life and so many of us in it...as he says, "thanks for caring."

Réné Pallace
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

It Takes Two: A Spouse's Story by Mark Brodinsky should be read by every person who is experiencing serious illness or injury or by a loved one of someone who is experiencing either of those situations. The book is an eloquent testament to the power of love and the healing energy derived from the belief that things will get better. There is not one word of "poor me" from the author or his wife who suffered breast cancer and the radical surgery she elected to have to beat the cancer. Rather, the book is a celebration of the courage displayed by them both in seeing it through.

The book also encourages readers to speak and write down their true feelings and be validated in them. John Mackovic writing in the Palm Springs, CA Desert Sun on November 2, 2013 quoted author and artist Doe Zantamata who said, " To be happy, you don't have to do anything new. You just have to remember how to believe again...Believe everything good is possible. Believe in your dreams. Believe in people. Believe in love. But most of all...believe in yourself." The author, his wife, their family and extended family and friends never stopped believing in his wife's recovery, and I think, in themselves. Read this book and believe.

Paul A. Riecks
November 4, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read for anyone with a family member with breast cancer. It takes you through the spouse's perspective from diagnosis to recovery. Mark journaled his wife's journey and put all of his emotions out there. It is beautifully written and inspiring to anyone going through breast cancer. Thank you, Mark for sharing Debbie's story.

Jmu1109
October 23, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

A friend recommended this book. This was a great perspective of a man standing beside his partner and passing along to the reader fear, hope, useful information and a broader story than his own. I loved Vinnie the tattoo artist. This is a great book. Thanks for sharing, Mark and "thanks for caring"

Blahsan

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read. What sets this book apart from other books about surviving breast cancer is that it is told by the husband and his point of view, not from the survivor. At times sad, at times poignant but even through the worst of it you can always feel the love he has for his wife, her strength and the strength of their extended family and friends. The posts that are included from their friends and family lets you really into the heart and strength of the family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through this, whether you are the person or the caregiver. I also recommend this book to anyone who has a friend that has been or is currently going through their fight now. It was an eye opener for me.

L. Bogash
Seven Valleys, PA

ittakes2_reviews_2

There isn't a shortage of books about breast cancer, but most are written from the perspective of the person who has battled cancer or a physician or other expert. What an enlightening experience to read about breast cancer from a husband and caregiver's perspective! Not only does the author give us insight into his wife's experience and emotions, but he openly shares and reveals his love, compassion, support, and, yes, sometimes anger at the disease as he stands by his wife's side during their journey to beat the beast. Your story may not be the same, but I guarantee if you have a loved one battling cancer, you won't go wrong reading It Takes 2.

 PattiM
September 25, 2013

 

ittakes2_reviews_2

From the moment I opened this book I never stopped reading. Mark invites the reader to come along on this journey that his family went through. I cried, laughed and learned so much. This book will give comfort and knowledge to those going through similar situations. Most importantly, Mark and his family never give up. They get knocked down and get right back up. They fought cancer together and with their strength, determination and will to prevail... They do!

 Jenny Schloss 

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How Do You Keep The Music Playing?: It’s Just About… Life

Sometimes life will stop and teach you a lesson, sometimes it stops your heart. There’s been something I’ve been thinking about for most of this week and was going to post this over at the caringbridge.org website on my wife Debbie’s page, (search debbiebrodinsky @ caringbridge.org), then decided it didn’t belong there, because it’s not […]

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