John Terzian is the co-founder of The h.wood Group, one of the most influential hospitality companies in the world, known for creating iconic venues like The Nice Guy, Delilah, Bootsy Bellows, and Shore Bar. But before he built an empire in nightlife and dining, John’s path was anything but conventional. From working as a DJ assistant to getting banned from the Queen Mary for throwing an out-of-control college party, John’s journey is filled with unforgettable twists, relentless hustle, and big risks. A former USC walk-on quarterback and Pepperdine law school grad who never passed the bar, John chose to follow his passion for creating experiences over traditional career paths. In this episode, he opens up about growing up in L.A., being harassed by corrupt cops, dealing with failure, and how grit, creativity, and real relationships helped him build a global brand from the ground up.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Wild Nightlife Stories

12:00 – Delilah, Club Economics, and Keeping a Venue Cool

21:30 – OnlyFans, Gen Z, and the Decline of Club Culture

32:15 – The Chicken in the Nightclub and the 1MDB Scandal

45:00 – Brand Loyalty, Extreme Preparation, and Running the Long Game

56:30 – Media, Magic Johnson, and the Future of H.Wood

Resources:
The h.wood Group Website
The h.wood Group Instagram
John's Instagram
The h.wood Group Media Instagram

Listen to this episode on the go!
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310
🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6L