Louis Ferrante Interview

1. In your book Mob Rules: What the Mafia can teach the legitimate businessman you talk about the importance of sniffing out opportunity. What is the best opportunity that you spotted and took advantage to?

There were many and most dealt with human relationships. Knowing I was a reliable guy who would never break my word, many people who had great opportunities fall into their laps but didn’t know what to do with them would bring them to me. So keeping your word and always delivering on your promises was like a magnet for opportunities.

2. Can you tell us an activity, business or service where the Mafia did a better job handling it than the Government or a legit company?

Garbage, unions, and casinos. In New York, the mobsters who controlled the garbage industry lived in the same neighborhoods they cleaned so they took special pride in what they did. When the Mob was pushed out, large conglomerates who didn’t care as much for the neighborhoods took over. And people from the communities have complained that the Mob did a better job. As for unions, there’s recorded data taken by law enforcement that proves top real estate developers prefer to deal with mobsters who keep their word, as opposed to mercurial union leaders who change their minds every day. As for casinos, when the Mob controlled Las Vegas, common people were treated with much more hospitality than they are today, and the quality of food for common people was better.

3. In 2011 you spoke at The Economist’s Ideas Economy: Human Potential Summit in New York City. Do you have any ideas about how the current economy can be improved?

We live in an age in which people spend most of their money as opposed to earlier generations which tended to save. Thus, I believe lower taxes would leave more money for people to spend. In my country, we have too many hand-outs for people who don’t need them. I believe we should assist the poor and unemployed but create better controls to weed out people who take advantage of assistance or simply choose not to work since the government gives them more to stay at home. Lastly, we should promote reading and education more than we currently do.

4. Nowadays, tech advances are helping many companies stay afloat. What would have changed in your activities as a Mafia man if, back in the day, you would have had the Internet, mobile Apps, social media, etc?

For one, I can say that many mobsters today do use the Internet to commit crimes. Nowadays, a mobster can commit a fraud without even leaving his home. They also create off-shore gambling websites that allow them to open up a casino while sitting in front of their television. I’m glad I wasn’t a mobster in this day and age or I would’ve been sent to prison for even more crimes.

5. Reading your book we realize how important verbal skills and communication are for almost every aspect of life. What’s the best sales pitch that you’ve ever heard or used?

“I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.”

6. What is the best legit business idea applied to the Mafia that you have ever seen? 

The corporate structure is the same and very effective.

7. And vice versa, an idea or way of doing things from the Mafia that can be applied to a legit business.

The sit-down is a means the Mafia uses to settle disputes between its members since they understand that peace=profit. Managers in corporations can use the same method to settle disputes between co-workers.

8. What do you think about banks?

I was a loan shark and in many cases, I gave out better loans than banks do today. Moreover, if someone couldn’t pay me, I listened to the reasons why and if they were valid, I understood and gave the person a break. Banks will never do this. Lastly, I never once gave a loan out to someone who I knew couldn’t pay it. Banks did this repeatedly, causing the crisis we’re still in.

9. You’ve received the Reading Hero Award. What’s is your all-time favorite book? Why?

I have many favorites, much too many to list. But in the category of autobiography, I would say Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom. Mandela’s valiant struggle and the sacrifices he made for his country are an example of humankind heroics at its best. In the category of fiction, I would say Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Hugo’s characters were remarkably real. I related to all of them, especially Jean Valjean, a convict trying to make good on a lost life. Hugo also brilliantly pointed out the power of natural justice and the lessons I learned from that book have never left me.

10. What role plays spirituality in your current life?

I developed a strong faith in God in my prison cell and it has gotten me through my hardest struggles. My fear of God keeps me in line and motivates me to help as many people as I possibly can, hoping to make up for all the bad I have done.

11. If you could travel back in time and give just one advice to a 20-year-old Louis Ferrante, what would you tell to your younger self?

You don’t have all the answers! And listen carefully to good advice.

12. In this last question, we are asking you if you can rate these concepts from 1 to 5, depending on what do you think its their relevance when running any kind of business.

               Modesty  - Honor – Trust - Street smarts  - Networking - Patience

I’d have to say that all of these traits combined will contribute to success, and all of them are of equal importance. They seem to form the rungs on a ladder and without one or two of these rungs, it would be difficult to climb to the top.

13. Thanks again for your time Louis. We hope you have enjoyed the interview.

Thank you for your interest. The questions were very smart and insightful. I wish you the very best.








Dear blog readers, don't miss Louis' new show Inside the Gangster's Code on Discovery Channel.