In his senior year at Skidmore College, Gene Freidman intervened when two female students were being harassed at a bar. He took a beer bottle to the face. Surgeons used 400 stitches and barely saved his left eye.
Hospitalized for a month, the carefree, skirt-chasing kid from Queens emerged serious and driven. “It was time to grow up,” he says. He went to law school and returned to his native Russia to work in venture capital for billionaire Sam Zell. “I learned how money is made,” he says.
Apparently so. Back in New York, he transformed the modest taxi business begun by his father, a thermonuclear engineer who had emigrated in 1976 with his wife and 5-year-old Gene to escape Soviet anti-Semitism. Starting with 60 yellow cabs, Mr. Freidman now has more than 800—the city’s second-largest fleet. Revenues have exploded to $120 million, from $2.5 million in 1996.
Mr. Freidman took risks, snapping up hybrid and wheelchair-accessible cabs that others shunned. He’s expanded his holdings to real estate, buying 16 buildings across the city in recent years, and is bringing French clothing brand Arthur to Madison Avenue. (The venture sprang from a chance visit to a store in Cannes to buy a stuffed bear for his son, Dylan, 3.)
Mr. Freidman’s drive owes much to his humble beginnings. “The problem with being an immigrant,” he says, “is you wake up every morning in a panic that you’re going to lose everything.”
Rival fleet owner Ron Sherman says: “Our industry represents the American dream. You can work hard and with little money down, buy a medallion. What Gene’s done is take that to another level.”
Some of us Jews like to be BEHIND THE WHEEL of the taxicab. Not BEHIND THE DESK MAKING DEALS AND MANAGING SUBORDINATES.
Some of us like to enjoy life and not drive people to dinner, 12 hrs a day for tips…
Dear Mr. Freidman:
My story will be long so I hope you have the patience and time to read it. My company is Rhea Trans Corp Medallion Y89 and Y90 whom you have leased for me for several years now. I am writing to you because I have no choice because your agent Irene Pappas has yet to get back to me for the past several months. My dilemna is which I have explained to her, that I earned my share of the medallion through my divorce, in as much as I owned the company for the past 35 years. My ex-husband still has his name listed as a shareholder along with my father, Simon Kugelov, the other 50% shareholder because of a lien due to an accident that has been pending for over 6 years now. Now, I’m on a time line because my ex will be declaring bankruptcy and due to his name still being there my medallion will be taken away from me. That is my only source of income and livelihood. I have spoken to Anthony Fierro, Esq. who claims that he needs to discuss this matter with Irene. They have been discussiing this for the past two months. Now, I am desperate. I already have my home being forclosed and my medalion is my only source of income. How Irene, Anthony have not taken this serious, a) me being a customer for years b) my desperate situation, is beyond my comprehension. I call several times a day, her cell, your office #. I don’t even get the courtesy of a reply. I am told to call in an hour, then in the afternoon. I still have not spoken to Irene. It is not my style to complain, especially about people whose job could be on the line. But, I am talking to walls. I cannot people do business in this matter. Your staff this morning have been putting my calls on voice mail, without personally answering them , in order to avoid me. The only person who has been courteous and has worked with me is Desiree. She has gone above and beyond. But the only one I am told to talk to is Irene. I guess after this complaint she will do less for me. I am begging you, I can lose my medallion if I am not helped to transfer the shares out of my ex-husband’s name. Please, please help me get this done. I cannot afford to lose my medallion,
Monica Sapirstein
20 Wildflower Ct. Freehold, NJ 07728
732 245-8694
Monica, why would gene help you? He will ignore you an then buy the medallion after it is foreclosed.
Dear Mr. Freedman,
Hi how are you sir, my name is Alam I have a complaine about your Woodside Management dispatcher and the mechanic. I am sorry to say that Thay are Your driver blood sucker. As of today july 3rd 2012. I am one of your oldest Professional Driver since year of 2004. At the time dispatchr through me out from your taxi (5C95) I want to know what is the resion and what I do Thay say I done change the oil for last one month. Mechanic lous he report to mr mike I don’t change motor oil for one month. And he lie I change oil as of computer report and I have print report as well.
Oil change date every Saturday or Sunday. I change oil June 18th 2012 and June 29th 2012 is only 11 day that cab year 2008. Run more then 400.000 mils.engine is old.
Now the main point is why mechanic. Lous and dispatcher soubor Thay both together tell Mr Mike Is my fult. Thay all ready take $1000.00 dollars under the table some other driver to give that cab… Why .? And what I did how about my last 8 year I give for Woodside Management.. I am so abased about this matter. Mr Freedman you and only the you is lays hope for the your driver who drive your cab. Help them Thay need your help.and please say somthing you mechanic Lou’s and Dispaser soubor, Rana, Repon Thay killing driver in the Woodside. Thank you god will help you.. Very truly your cab Driver Alam..!
u better zip ur lip .
Even though ur branded ur services suck in California for timeliness. It appears to be the reputation amounst many other cabs.
Evginy- Maybe this company is way over ur head currently. Most CEOs see all comments of disatifaction not selected few from review site discreminition set by ur Mgt only to continually erode ur reputation sir…
Btw. As vocal to assist a company as I with team, did so. YC sucks.