He Lost Tens of Millions - Then Built a Billion-Dollar Electronics Empire

Avi Houllou is the founder of iBuy, a multi-billion dollar global electronics distribution powerhouse with offices in NJ and Miami. In this episode, Avi and I sit back down for a follow-up conversation over dinner. Avi gets real about losing tens of millions of dollars, refusing to file for bankruptcy, rebuilding from zero, and the mindset that’s carried him through loss, leadership, and life’s hardest moments. Enjoy! __________ Check out Joey Shamie, Co-President of Delta Children, on Momentum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY_1fK8kZ80 __________ SPONSORS: • Yazdi Entertainment: New York's Premiere Event Production Company. [email protected] or (646) 765-5643 • The Hedaya Capital Group: Your Trusted Financial Services Partner. Visit https://HedayaCapital.com or [email protected] • Jeff Sitt Consulting: Book Your Free Pivot and Prosper Strategy Call Today! Visit https://JeffSitt.com • Real Property Captive: Own Your Insurance. Recapture Your Premiums. Visit https://RealPropertyCaptive.com Special thank you to Salt Steakhouse for the amazing meal! Visit SaltGourmetMarket.com to order. __________ ABOUT MOMENTUM: 🎙️ Momentum brings you the stories, advice, and wisdom of business visionaries, designed to inspire and guide you on your path to success. Be sure to subscribe on all platforms: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMomentumPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1jOPoArXfY3OU5uv4BpA3h?si=0311640b82154d1b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/momentum/id1762657981 Instagram: http://instagram.com/momentumpodcast_ __________ GEAR (please use my affiliate links to make me rich!) • Cameras: https://amzn.to/3UuwW5o • Podcast Mics: https://amzn.to/3J5QWsv • Clip-on Mics: https://amzn.to/3H52iwo • Mic Stands: https://amzn.to/4kZj4uL • Lights: https://amzn.to/45lA5up • Tripods: https://amzn.to/4lHHQAI __________ (0:00) Coming up... (3:14) Humble beginnings (5:37) Losing tens of millions on a business deal (8:55) Ad: Yazdi Entertainment (9:55) Building back after a huge loss (13:07) Losing tens of millions was a blessing (17:50) Getting hacked by a Russian cybercrime group in Q4 2025 (19:59) You never see the bigger picture (21:13) How do you motivate your employees? (22:19) Hardest part of leadership (23:33) Does money still motivate you? (24:30) Ad: Hedaya Capital Group (26:08) Do you need to "love what you do"? (27:46) Profit over sales (29:32) Consistency and hard work (31:49) Working 20 hours a day, even as a multi-millionaire (34:38) Selling candy in elementary school (36:13) How can parents instill a desire in children? (38:54) How to stay focused while diversifying your income (40:10) Almost becoming a Rabbi (41:52) Ad: Jeff Sitt Consulting (42:48) Advice to young people struggling with their identity (44:57) When should people get married? (46:19) great clip (50:16) If it all went to 0, how would you start over? (51:11) Go for singles, not home runs (53:49) I'm the hardest worker I know (54:34) Ad: Real Property Captive (55:41) The tragic loss of Avi's wife, Naomi (1:02:48) Coping with the passing of his wife (1:06:57) Why do you donate tens of millions? (1:08:45) Avi asks me: what inspires me? (1:10:26) Taking risks and chasing dreams when you're young (1:13:32) Thinking about my career (1:16:05) Outro and 3 key takeaways