The Most Important Career You Can Have

30 Apr The Most Important Career You Can Have

In 2007, I was a math teacher, living in Little Neck, Queens, with a vision for changing the world, starting with getting active in Queens politics. At a Queens Democrats club, I met a man named Jack Friedman, who was kind enough to mentor me, even as I was a potential opponent of his in a City Council race.

He decided not to run for office, and he continued to mentor me. Eventually, he helped me decide not to run for office. He told me that I could change the world as an entrepreneur, and that if I was supposed to serve in public office, that day would come.

I chose to build a business then, and have been blessed beyond belief with it’s success. That success is due in great part to Jack, who became an early client of ours when we he ran the Queens Chamber of Commerce, and to an early, integral employee, who Jack referred me to – his incredible daughter Cara.

Jack, better known as “Mr. Queens”, helped many thousands of business owners and residents of Queens throughout his career. By many accounts, he mentored and taught hundreds of people, including me.

But Jack didn’t just teach me about business, or leadership, or the Mets, or Queens politics.

He taught me that we can all change the world each day, in our own ways. He taught me that being kind really matters. Most of all, he taught me that family is more important than anything.

Family is how you can you can change the world.

Family is the most important career you can have. 

Jack Friedman passed away today, and the world lost an amazing leader, mentor, father and friend. Jack left behind an incredible family in Queens and beyond.

I will miss you dearly.