Ari Meisel

Ari Meisel (25) started his first business when he was 12 years old and hasn't stopped since then. Through his real esate company, Arise Development, he has created a $6 million portfolio of properties. Recently he started his fifth company, LEED Pro to provide green building and sustainable design consulting to projects of all shapes and sizes from homes to schools to offices. Furthermore, he has been featured in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal and recently sign a publishing deal for a green building book.

More about Ari

Biggest obstacle overcome...

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease 3 years ago. I was in constant pain and it affected my work. I was in complete denial for a while but then I took the bull by the horns, took a position on the board of the Crohn’s and colitis foundation of America and now I help others. It’s a young person’s disease and something many people have to deal with , but it can be overcome.

Biggest business mistake...

Partnering with my best friend in my third company, the company did fine, the friendship did not.

Biggest vice...

Sour candy of any kind

Biggest advice for others...

Know your business from the bottom up, try to experience every job related to your work even if it’s sweeping the floors. You need to understand all aspects of what you do. When I do a construction project, I do everything from lay brick to dig ditches, it’s all part of the learning process.

What I do for fun...

Golf, rock climbing, and travel