Yo, I’ll be real. This is the first time I’ve even tried training for a marathon, and I’m excited to be running the NYCMarathon with Mastercard at the Priceless Start, who knows running a small business is a-lot like running a marathon. Grinding toward a distant finish line? That’s nothing new. Overseeing a social media channel, an eatery, or running a race—it’s all about playing the long game. And whether it’s a shot of espresso or whiskey, Cliff’s place— cafejoah & hiddentigernyc once fatbuddhabar —has fueled my hustle for over a decade.

This East Village fixture, has been home to hip-hop, Asian American nightlife, and countless milestones that shaped who I am. I met my wife here, celebrated here, and watched this place push through the toughest times. There was the flood, the gut renovation, the pandemic, and a long-winded journey to reclaim its liquor license. It’s clawing its way back toward profit, facing many challenges in a nightlife scene that’s shifted. But it hasn’t given...