People often ask me what it was like growing up in Jackie Mason’s family. I usually smile before answering, because it was more than celebrity—it was tradition, identity, and legacy rolled into one.

One lesson that stuck with me from watching Jackie rise, fall, and rise again in his career is that passion alone is never enough. You need grit. Jackie was once banned from the Ed Sullivan Show because of a misunderstood hand gesture. His career took a nosedive. But he came back—through small clubs, relentless work, and sheer determination—until he reached Broadway and television again.

That story fuels me, even in my world of biotech and boardrooms. I’ve seen setbacks. I’ve made comebacks. And every time I push through, I remember Jackie—and I remind myself:

“Perseverance, your name is Jackie Mason.”