Rishon is, first and foremost, an entrepreneur. It’s what he studied — graduating from the Wharton School of Business with a degree in entrepreneurial management in 1994.
It’s what he’s lived and it’s what he loves. For more than 20 years, he’s harnessed that spirit to create and lead successful organizations based in tech, entertainment, and the nonprofit sphere
— finding new solutions to long-standing and emerging challenges.
Rishon has a keen business sense that drives him to find the best talent and make a lasting impact.
He began his career in concert promotion — first at Nederlander Concerts and then Delsener/Slater Enterprises, which later became Live Nation.
Brick Wall Management
When Rishon left the live music world to see things from a fresh perspective, he co-founded Brick Wall Management with close childhood friend Michael Solomon in 1995.
What started as a music management company that managed, marketed, and shaped the careers of musicians like John Mayer, Citizen Cope, and Vanessa Carlton, now includes a consulting business that touches nearly every angle of the arts.
In 2007, Brick Wall expanded its roster to include award-winning and chart-topping songwriters, producers, and directors like Marshall Altman, Michael Counts, Jarett Bellucci, and Adam Landry. Entertainment consulting clients include Young & Rubicam, The Rock Boat, Jon Landau Management, Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Natalie Merchant, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Human, The Clive Davis School of Recorded Music at New York University, Miramax, and more.
Brick Wall helped produce John Mayer’s music film, Any Given Thursday, which was certified gold. It also produced TV specials for its clients, including Operatic Heat for PBS. Collectively, Brick Wall’s roster has earned more than 12 Grammy Award nominations and four wins, multiple Emmy Award nominations and two wins, and more than 10 million albums sold, resulting in multiple platinum and gold records.
10x Management
In 2012, Rishon co-founded 10x Management with Michael, as well as a third partner who exited the company in early 2016. By bringing decades of experience managing musicians, directors, and other creative entities to the technology sector, 10x has created an entirely new concept in that sphere. Regarded as the first talent agency for tech professionals, 10x has rocketed to the forefront of the tech industry, carving out its place as a trusted and exclusive resource for companies seeking the best and most coveted freelance tech experts.
10x’s story — rock star managers who now manage the new rock stars — has been heralded by several national media outlets, putting Rishon at the center of the conversation about the tech talent shortage, and what the future of this work holds. Based on that, he was asked to present at TEDx in the fall of 2015 and published an article in Harvard Business Review in early 2016. In addition, Rishon has presented at SXSW, NYU, and for the Wharton Alumni Association.
10x has been featured in The New Yorker and The Economist, and Rishon frequently appears on Bloomberg Television, BBC, and other television networks.
Nonprofit Work
Rishon thrives on doing good and improving people’s lives. He helps administer The Kristen Ann Carr Fund for cancer research, and serves on Musicians On Call’s advisory board.
Entrepreneurial Endeavors
● In 2015, Rishon and Michael became strategic advisors and investors in TestNotice, a highly successful web platform that assists drug courts and testing centers manage their programs while increasing compliance and improving user experience on both sides of the marketplace.
● In 2010, Rishon and Michael partnered with Bruce Springsteen to create the first-ever official app for Springsteen fans.
● In 2013, Rishon and Michael partnered with filmmaker Josh Franer to produce a short film that educates kids and parents about child sex abuse. My Body Belongs to Me, which has been viewed more than 300,000 times, is now one of the most successful and useful educational tools in its field.
In The Media / Public
Rishon and his companies have been widely featured in publications and across media. Select outlets include: The New Yorker, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, CNN, Bloomberg, BusinessWeek, Fast Company, MSNBC, ABC, Nightline, The Today Show, Wired, TechCrunch, Mashable, Huffington Post, The Guardian, The Economist and Inc.
Personal
He spent many years coaching his kids’ sports teams to victory (or otherwise) — arguably his greatest achievements to date.