George Karavias of Dream Hospitality Group: The Relentless Hustle and Resilience That Powers New York Nightlife

As part of our interview series called “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A Founder”, I had the pleasure of interviewing George Karavias.

George Karavias, the dynamic founder of Dream Hospitality Group (DHG), has become a prominent figure in the nightlife and entertainment industry. Starting in the hospitality business almost 20 years ago with a vision to dominate the industry, George is now a celebrity nightlife powerhouse who has shaped the landscape of New York’s nightlife and beyond. His longevity in a post-pandemic world and the ever-changing scene of New York City nightlife is a testament to his resilience, adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

I started working with my father in the construction industry when I was 14, although it wasn’t my passion; I did it for the family business. I’ve always been a hustler and wanted to work for myself. I got into the business when I was 16, thanks to a family friend who owned a nightclub in Queens. I began as a promoter and eventually managed promotions at the club. The rest is history. This November marks 20 years in the business.

Can you tell us a story about the hard times that you faced when you first started your journey?

Starting out young in this business, I faced a lot of challenges. Many people didn’t take me seriously, and I encountered resistance from those who didn’t want me hosting my own parties or working at venues due to my age. Despite these setbacks, and despite experiencing failures and financial losses, I remained determined to achieve my goals.

Where did you get the drive to continue even though things were so hard?

My motivation comes from a constant desire to improve. Competition drives me, especially knowing that someone else might be doing it better. I often remind myself, “If I don’t do it now, somebody else will.” While starting at a young age had its disadvantages, it also gave me an edge, thanks to my youthful drive and hunger for success. My family is another source of motivation. My wife and kids push me to be better, and I want to ensure that my children don’t have to experience a hard life.

So, how are things going today? How did grit and resilience lead to your eventual success?

Everything is going well, but the industry isn’t what it used to be. There has been a decline in the hospitality world over the past year, yet we remain hopeful for the future. We have a strong presence in the nightlife and restaurant scene in New York, but it is heavily effected by the economy. Hospitality is often seen as an “extra” or a “want,” not a “need.” People don’t need to go to a restaurant or nightclub, but if you offer a good product, they will come.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

We used to book artists who weren’t as popular as we anticipated, resulting in financial losses. Now, we’ve learned to approach artists and talent as they’re rising in popularity to stay ahead of the trends rather than waiting for them to become well-known.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

We offer a wide variety of entertainment, ranging from hip-hop and house music to Latin music and Afrobeats, catering to all different genres. Our restaurants also reflect this diversity, featuring Asian, Greek, and Italian cuisine. We strive to cater to different demographics and audiences, which helps broaden our reach.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

In this business, you must hustle. Don’t waste time worrying about what others think; just keep moving forward. Focus on yourself and your business.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

My partner, Mario Costantini, has been an integral part of my journey for over 10 years. Together, we have established multiple businesses, including USA Teens, Off Campus Presents, and Dream Hospitality. He has been a great partner and a significant help in growing our business to where it is today.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

Overall, we employ many members of our community and provide people with a great night out — an escape. We care deeply about excellent customer service. Ensuring everyone has a fantastic time and experience is crucial because repeat business is one of the most important factors in hospitality.

More specifically, our business, USA Teens, offers fun parties for high school students. We’ve been organizing teen nights for almost 18 years. There is no alcohol, and we take kids off the streets, offering them a safe option and opportunities. As the kids grow, they can become promoters to gain marketing experience. Some even go on to become DJs who play at our venues or managers, hosts, waitress in our nightclubs and restaurants.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I started leading my company” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

1 . The hospitality business is stressful, but it’s worth it. I love everything about it, but like any business, it comes with its headaches. Sometimes, artists show up late, requiring you to entertain a crowd longer than expected, or they may not show up at all, and you must ensure everyone still has a great time.

2 . It’s also incredibly time-consuming. There’s no off switch; hospitality is a 24-hour business. Between booking, managing teams, customer service, and events that go all night, the demands are constant.

3 . Building the right connections, network, and relationships is crucial, especially when booking talent, to avoid getting burned. Be smart, know your worth, and don’t overpay.

4 . Let competition motivate you, but don’t focus on it. Stay in your lane and stay focused. Pay attention to trends.

5 . Take note of negative feedback, but don’t let it drag you down. Especially in the restaurant industry, reviews are constantly being posted, and they can make or break a business, so use this to your advantage.

Can you share a few ideas or stories from your experience about how to successfully ride the emotional highs & lows of being a founder”?

I try not to show my stress or aggravation to my staff or employees. Even when things aren’t going well, it’s important to maintain a positive front for them. If things are stressful, you can’t put that burden on your team members. You need to stay focused and be a leader. Everyone looks to you for advice, so you must remain strong and always be positive.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Giving back to the community is incredibly important to us, which is why we’re launching a division called “Dream Cares.” We’ll be organizing various charity events, including using our restaurants to provide meals to the homeless and supporting youth programs that help young people facing challenging circumstances. Additionally, we’re developing a program for youth who lack opportunities or connections, offering them internships to help set them on a path to success.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

@georgeknyc on Instagram and https://www.dreamhospitalitygroup.com/

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!

About the Interviewer: Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA was born nearly blind, crippled with club feet, partially deaf, and left-handed. He overcame all of these obstacles to become a successful civil trial lawyer. In 2000, he abandoned his law practice to become a peacemaker. His calling is to serve humanity, and he executes his calling at many levels. He is an award-winning author, teacher, and trainer. He is a highly experienced mediator. Doug’s work carries him from international work to helping people resolve deep interpersonal and ideological conflicts. Doug teaches his innovative de-escalation skill that calms any angry person in 90 seconds or less. With Laurel Kaufer, Doug founded Prison of Peace in 2009. The Prison of Peace project trains life and long terms incarcerated people to be powerful peacemakers and mediators. He has been deeply moved by inmates who have learned and applied deep, empathic listening skills, leadership skills, and problem-solving skills to reduce violence in their prison communities. Their dedication to learning, improving, and serving their communities motivates him to expand the principles of Prison of Peace so that every human wanting to learn the skills of peace may do so. Doug’s awards include California Lawyer Magazine Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year, Purpose Prize Fellow, International Academy of Mediators Syd Leezak Award of Excellence, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals Neutral of the Year. His four books have won a number of awards and commendations. Doug’s podcast, Listen With Leaders, is now accepting guests. Click on this link to learn more and apply.