Rising Star carves path to success with sneakers

“On paper, I shouldn’t be successful. Statistically, I wasn’t supposed to be standing here tonight,” said Josh Weinberg, this year’s Ichikowitz Family Foundation Rising Star Award winner on accepting his award.

“I was a kid with learning disabilities. The one who didn’t fit in. Who didn’t follow the traditional path. But here’s the thing, life doesn’t happen on paper. It happens when you dream, disrupt, and refuse to accept the limits. And tonight, I stand here not because I followed a path, but because I had to create my own.”

Weinberg dedicated his award to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes, the ones who see things differently. This is because, he said, “You can’t ignore them because they’ve changed the world.”

Speaking directly to other young people like himself in the audience, Weinberg said, “I know what it feels like to be on the outside looking in. But remember, you’re not defined by your struggles. You’re defined by how far you’re willing to chase your dreams and how hard you’re willing to dream.”

“Being different isn’t a disadvantage, it’s your superpower,” he said.

“I’d be remiss not to mention the incredible strength of our people. Their pain is our pain. Right now, our brothers and sisters are being held hostage. We pray every day for their safe return,” said Weinberg, “This award isn’t just about personal success, it reflects the perseverance and resilience that defines us tonight. That spirit is stronger than ever.”

Indeed, Weinberg has been able to establish himself as a titan of business despite the difficulties he dealt with at school and his attention deficit disorder.

Weinberg found his passion for entrepreneurship at the age of 10 when he started selling old cellphones to anyone in his area.

At 12 years old, he found a love for sneakers, and the entrepreneur bug bit. Weinberg would work tirelessly to get the most exclusive sneakers so he could eventually resell them and establish himself as South Africa’s leading sneaker reseller.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Weinberg experienced a massive spike in business when people were captivated by the Michael Jordan documentary The Last Dance on Netflix. As a result, many were looking for Air Jordan sneakers, of which Weinberg was one of the only people in the country who had access to stock.

“There was nowhere else you could get Jordans,” he said, “So I was in the right place at the right time, and had the right product.”

Weinberg then went on to partner with major retail locations and one of the largest sneaker marketplaces in the world – StockX in Detroit in the United States.

However, his entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop at sneakers. He also started importing Don Julio Tequila when there was a nationwide shortage.

He has since started importing Ocho Tequila, and with that, Weinberg brought out Keinemusik – one of the largest DJ groups – to perform in South Africa in 2023. “We tapped into a whole other market that we hadn’t tapped into previously. I still had the love for sneakers, but it wasn’t done,” he said.

Weinberg partnered with designer Tristan Du Plessis and opened Soul Gallery, a sanctuary of high-end streetwear, in Sandton City in November. “It’s a full new retail luxury experience, something we’ve never had before,” he said.

Weinberg said none of his successes would have been achieved without the support he received from his parents.

“My mom in particular has been my rock,” he said, “Her boundless love, patience, and unwavering belief in me kept me going through my toughest times. She taught me the power of standing out, not fitting in, and that I never needed anyone’s approval but my own. Even when I doubted myself, mom never did.”

Weinberg said the journey of his entrepreneurial spirit has been a testament to Hashem’s greatest blessing. “Every obstacle, every triumph has been part of a purpose far greater than I could ever imagine,” he said.