Artisan Cheese with Adam Moskowitz, founder of the Cheesemonger Invitational - 019

Adam Moskowitz is the wunderkind President of Larkin Cold Storage
and Columbia Cheese, and he founded the Cheesemonger
Invitational, an in-demand twice-a-year event that is considered
the Olympics of cheese skills, an celebrates what are to cheese
what sommeliers are to wine. The profits from the CMI, which Adam
hosts as his alter-ego, "Mr. Moo," go towards The Barnyard
Collective, an organization devoted to food education. Adam was
responsible for the introduction of Challerhocker cheese to the
U.S., just as his father was responsible for the introduction of
cave-aged Gruyere to the U.S. But Adam bought out his own
father's business long after Adam had pursued other
entrepreneurial and artistic endeavors, and, in a decade Adam has
grown various multi-million dollar revenue streams by focusing on
"small ponds," "big trees," and "not chasing butterflies." He has
been featured in the cover story of Cheese Connoisseur Magazine
and has appeared as a judge and expert on the Food Network.


Notes from the show:


"New York's Prince of Cheese" - Politico


His grandfather was one of the first importers of cheese in New
York. His father started up Larkin Cold Storage. Adam took over
10 years ago.


Adam considers himself a cheerleader.


Adam has always been entrepreneurial; in college, he launched a
valet company, and sold pot.


In his early 20s, Adam worked for Yahoo, and earned a lot of
money.


Adam used his earnings from Yahoo to launch his rap career as The
Beat Poet.


His father saw an entrepreneur, even more than an artist, when he
saw Adam at CBGB.


Adam worked at Essex Food Market to develop skills.


"Cheese is the perfect food."


He loves connecting to the land, to the animals, to families.


"I made a conscious decision early on to make choices that would
lead me not to have regret."


He has 5x earnings in 10 years.


He loves helping people: artisans, cheesemongers, connect supply
chain, employees.


"All life experiences are cumulative."


"I'm not going to regret that decision. I am simply going to make
another decision."


Still uses pen and paper for inventory.


Jiro Dreams of Sushi


The conundrum of the perfectionist.


Adam fires toxic customers.


The Importance of Being Dirty: Lessons from Mike Rowe


The Complete Counselor webinar on work-life balance: uncrossable
lines.


"Food is the great equalizer. Food has no social class. A great
piece of meat tastes the same--amazing--whether you're rich or
poor."


Life's Too Short for Miller Lite


"I'm a mission-driven entrepreneur."


Flavor: taste, aroma, trigeminal stimulation.


He owns Larkin Cold Storage, Columbia Cheese, and the
Cheesemonger Invitational.


Becoming a father reset Adam's notions of success.


Kids don't follow the entrepreneur's playbook.


"The return is giving."


On the horizon: curriculum and lexicon, empowering people with
words.


Adam is interested in content creation.


Latest favorite cheese: Wrangeback from Sweden.


Favorite bubbly: Cremant du Jura.


Beer: Fat Tire Amber Ale


Meats: Olympia Provisions, Herb Eckhouse Prosciutto, Smoking
Goose


Olympia Provisions is an example of an excellent product being
more important than its name.


"Let go of your food fear."


Michael Prywes is Managing Attorney of Prywes, PC. For
more information, visit www.NewYorkStartUpAttorneys.com