Spotlight on New York Consultant Nathan Sudakoff

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I've known Nathan Sudakoff and his family for almost 10 years. The Reillys met the Sudakoffs in Punta Cana in the water basketball pool section of our resort, and our family friendship has extended through all the way to this day.

Living in Manhattan with his wife Pat, Sudakoff has always been a visionary business leader. Previously as the CFO for Acme Smoke Fish Corp and Marshall Smoked Fish Corp, Sudakoff knows a lot about how a business is run. But he has turned his work from fish to financial consulting for other businesses in the New York area.

I had the pleasure of talking to Sudakoff, and our conversation focussed on running a business, and dealing with potential clients. Living in a city far from home, and working constantly on trying to improve my sales techniques for my own business, I wanted to ask the most basic and fundamental questions about selling. His answers were brief, simple and best of all, easy to understand.

Brook Reilly: What was the transition like going from working with a company to being a consultant?

Nathan Sudakoff: It's tough as you need to find new clients.  You really can't do that while working for someone else especially in a tough economy.

BR: What tips do you have for someone who is trying to start their own business?

NS: Have a lot of money put away or do it young enough that money doesn't count.  It's all about the money.

BR: When it comes to selling or pitching a job to a potential client, what is the most important thing to do? In other words, what have you found to be successful when it comes to selling?

NS: Whatever you find out about them be careful about bringing it up. Ask questions and let them explain the things you already know about them.

BR: What is the your favorite restaurant in New York?

NS: I'd have to say Arturo's, great Italian food, or The Palm West Side.

Nathan Sudakoff will be contributing more on career and sales techniques for the Reilly Painting blog.