We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elie Y. Katz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Elie Y. , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience is really the backbone of any successful endeavor. That inner strength allows you to bounce back from setbacks, learn from mistakes, and keep pushing forward despite adversity. For me, it’s about having a clear vision of what you want to achieve and a deep-seated belief in your ability to get there. It’s about embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and never giving up on your dreams, no matter how tough things get. I strongly believe that growth opportunities are within every challenge.
Of course, resilience isn’t just about willpower. It’s also about adaptability and resourcefulness, adjusting your approach when needed, and finding creative solutions to overcome obstacles. And perhaps most importantly, it’s about surrounding yourself with a strong support system – family, friends, mentors – who believe in you and lift you up when you need it most.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience is really the backbone of any successful endeavor. That inner strength allows you to bounce back from setbacks, learn from mistakes, and keep pushing forward despite adversity. For me, it’s about having a clear vision of what you want to achieve and a deep-seated belief in your ability to get there. It’s about embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and never giving up on your dreams, no matter how tough things get. I strongly believe that growth opportunities are within every challenge.
Of course, resilience isn’t just about willpower. It’s also about adaptability and resourcefulness, adjusting your approach when needed, and finding creative solutions to overcome obstacles. And perhaps most importantly, it’s about surrounding yourself with a strong support system – family, friends, mentors – who believe in you and lift you up when you need it most.
Where do you get your work ethic from?
My work ethic has been ingrained in me from a very young age. Growing up, I was always surrounded by hard-working individuals who instilled in me the value of dedication, perseverance, and striving for excellence.
As an owner of a few retail businesses, I am acutely aware of retailers’ challenges and carry empathy into all areas of my work. A work ethic is more than a commitment to provide excellent service. It’s about honesty and transparency. It’s about awareness of the needs of others; our internal team, our retailer customers, and even potential customers.
I also believe that my experiences in the business world, particularly working with independent retailers at NRS, have further solidified my work ethic. Seeing firsthand the passion, commitment, and sheer determination these entrepreneurs pour into their businesses daily is incredibly inspiring. It’s a constant reminder that success requires dedication, resilience, and a willingness to put in the effort.
How did you develop your confidence and self-esteem?
My confidence and self-esteem have been shaped by a combination of experiences, but a significant factor has been building businesses and exploring various entrepreneurial ventures. Each time I took the leap to start something new, whether with National Retail Solutions (NRS Plus) or other ventures, it required me to step outside my comfort zone, face my fears, and believe in my abilities.
Every success, every hurdle overcome, and every lesson learned along the way has contributed to a growing sense of self-assurance. There’s something incredibly empowering about taking an idea, turning it into reality, and seeing it flourish. It reinforces your belief in yourself and your ability to achieve your goals. It’s powerfully empowering to confront challenges (which invariably pop up in start-up environments) and successfully maneuver through them to a positive outcome.
Entrepreneurship is rarely a smooth journey. There are setbacks, challenges, and moments of doubt. But navigating those obstacles, learning from mistakes, and persevering through difficult times ultimately builds resilience and strengthens your self-belief. It’s a continuous cycle of pushing boundaries, taking risks, and proving that you’re capable of more than you initially thought. I’m a big believer in taking calculated, educated risks.
Where does your generosity come from?
My generosity stems from a deep-seated belief in giving back and supporting others. I’ve always felt a strong sense of responsibility to use my resources and platform to impact the world positively.
One of the core motivations behind founding National Retail Solutions was to empower independent retailers. I saw firsthand how these small businesses, often the backbone of their communities, struggled to compete with large corporations. Providing them with the tools and technology to level the playing field and thrive felt essential. That desire to help others succeed is a major driving force behind my generosity.
This commitment extends beyond the business realm. Through NRS Cares, our philanthropic arm, we’re dedicated to uplifting underserved communities. We do this through a variety of initiatives, including:
Charitable events: We organize and participate in events that raise funds and awareness for important causes.
Educational programs: We support programs that provide educational opportunities and resources to those in need.
Partnerships with like-minded organizations: We collaborate with other organizations that share our values and are working to make a difference in the world.
Ultimately, I believe that we all have a responsibility to help those less fortunate and to contribute to creating a more just and equitable society. Generosity is not just about giving money; it’s about giving time, sharing knowledge, and supporting those who need it most.
How did you overcome imposter syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is something I think many entrepreneurs face. That feeling of self-doubt can be tough, even when you’re succeeding. Overcoming it has been a journey for me. It started with recognizing those feelings and consciously focusing on my accomplishments instead. Talking to other entrepreneurs and mentors who understood what I was going through was also incredibly valuable. They helped normalize the experience and offered great advice.
Most importantly, I learned to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, not as proof of my inadequacy. It’s an ongoing process, but I’m definitely feeling more confident in my own skin these days. People sometimes ask me if I have a clone because I’m doing a lot, juggling work, family, community service, and more. I find it amusing because making a difference in the world and getting things done is just my modus operandi.
Being the only one in the room: how have you learned to be effective/successful even when you are the only one in the room that looks like you?
It’s definitely been a journey. Early on, I’ll admit, there were times when I felt the weight of being different, of standing out in a room. But I learned to embrace that uniqueness. I realized that my perspective and my experiences had value. It allowed me to bring something different to the table, offer fresh ideas, and challenge conventional thinking. As president and CEO of NRS, I try to imbue my employees with my “think outside the box” approach. And I encourage our team to leverage their strengths within their respective roles – we uncover many potential and soft skills!
I also learned the importance of building genuine connections. Focusing on shared goals and values, rather than perceived differences helped foster strong relationships and collaborations. And honestly, confidence played a big role. Believing in myself, my abilities, and the value I bring helped me overcome any feelings of self-doubt and command respect, regardless of who else was in the room.
Where does your optimism come from?
My optimism is fueled by witnessing the incredible success of the retailers I’ve helped along the way. Seeing those small businesses thrive, knowing I played a part in their growth, that’s incredibly rewarding. It reinforces my belief in the power of entrepreneurship, the resilience of the human spirit, and the possibility of achieving great things even in the face of challenges. Their success stories are a constant source of inspiration and remind me that we can make a real difference in the world.
How did you find your purpose?
My sense of purpose has been a journey that started early on. Growing up in Teaneck, NJ, I was always drawn to the energy and dynamism of the business world. I was fascinated by how businesses operated, how they connected with the community, and how they could contribute to the local economy. I was actively involved as an Ambulance Corp volunteer within my local community, with a calling from early on to assist others.
Even as a teenager, I was already dabbling in entrepreneurship, exploring different ventures and learning valuable lessons along the way. For example, I was one of the only civilians permitted in the police locker room, where I’d visit weekly to restock the vending machines I operated there. PS: I was also the only school-age kid I know who hired a driver to take me around to visit my customers and manage my business ventures!
Over time, my purpose crystallized around empowering other entrepreneurs, particularly independent retailers. As a business owner, I had experienced firsthand the challenges they faced competing with larger corporations, and I felt a strong calling to help level the playing field. That ultimately led me to found National Retail Solutions (NRS), with a mission of helping brick-and-mortar stores compete and succeed.
My purpose is deeply intertwined with my commitment to Teaneck and the broader community. It fosters economic growth, supports local businesses, and contributes to a thriving and vibrant society. It’s about using my skills and resources to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Growing up, I was always surrounded by hard-working individuals who instilled in me the value of dedication, perseverance, and striving for excellence.
As an owner of a few retail businesses, I am acutely aware of retailers’ challenges and carry empathy into all areas of my work. A work ethic is more than a commitment to provide excellent service. It’s about honesty and transparency. It’s about awareness of the needs of others; our internal team, our retailer customers, and even potential customers.
I also believe that my experiences in the business world, particularly working with independent retailers at NRS, have further solidified my work ethic. Seeing firsthand the passion, commitment, and sheer determination these entrepreneurs pour into their businesses daily is incredibly inspiring. It’s a constant reminder that success requires dedication, resilience, and a willingness to put in the effort.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I leverage the power of “deep work” blocks. I schedule dedicated time in my day for focused work, eliminating all distractions – no emails, no calls, no meetings. This allows me to fully immerse myself in a task, leading to greater productivity and more creative solutions. It’s like hitting a mental reset button, clearing the noise to make space for deeper thinking.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nrsplus.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalretailsolutions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalRetailSolutions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katz07666/
- Twitter: https://x.com/nrsplus
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NationalRetailSolutions
Image Credits
Photo by National Retail Solutions (NRS)
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