From Collapse to Kosher Empire: How One Founder's Failure Sparked a $200+ Rental Revolution

The Journey from Failure to Success

Yossi Schtroks, founder of Kvation, shares his raw entrepreneurial journey—from the painful collapse of his first company to building the "Airbnb of the kosher world." In an exclusive interview, he reveals how mentorship, mindset shifts, and community support transformed failure into a thriving business.

The Collapse That Changed Everything

Schtroks' first venture, Zazion, started in 2019 and grew to three full-time employees before collapsing during industry-wide B2B tech downturns. "I had to face reality," he recalls. "We didn't have the cash reserves to ride the waves." This painful failure coincided with personal milestones—expecting his first child—creating the ultimate crossroads: take a job or try entrepreneurship again.

The Turning Point: Embracing Mentorship

With his wife Shaindy's encouragement, Schtroks chose to rebuild. "I knew this time, I needed to do things right," he explains. The key realization? Grit alone isn't enough. After years of trying to figure everything out independently, he finally admitted: "I needed guidance."

His approach to finding mentors was unconventional but effective:

• Seek people who've been in your shoes, not necessarily paid consultants
• Build relationships with multiple mentors for different expertise areas
• Don't be afraid to ask—most successful people are eager to help

One mentor, Yehuda Berg from CHYE (Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs), helped him access funding and develop business plans. "The moment he heard I was asking for mentorship—not money—his face lit up," Schtroks remembers.

Building Kvation: The Kosher Vacation Revolution

Kvation.com was born from personal frustration. "My wife and I couldn't find kosher apartments in our preferred neighborhood," Schtroks explains. The platform now features over 200 kosher rentals across New York, Israel, Mexico, and other destinations.

Key features that set Kvation apart:

• Direct booking with owners
• Clear proximity to local shuls
• Transparent pricing from the start
• No back-and-forth emails about availability or costs

Mindset Evolution: From Failure to Fuel

"Setbacks can be painful," Schtroks admits, "but your biggest mistake can become the springboard for your next big success." His experience with Zazion pushed him to develop Kvation with more focus and energy than ever before.

Stress management strategies that work:

• Using pressure to enhance focus
• Taking walks to clear his head
• Increasing spiritual practices like daily davening with a minyan

"I've seen a direct correlation between being careful with spiritual practices and increased business success," he notes.

The Power of Community Support

Schtroks discovered that Jewish businesspeople are eager to help fellow entrepreneurs. "The highest form of tzedakah is helping someone become independent," he explains. Through programs like CHYE, he accessed mentorship that transformed his approach to business.

Yehuda Berg, his CHYE consultant, has mentored 2,000-3,000 entrepreneurs over 25 years. "Watching someone go from just an idea to a successful business is incredibly satisfying," Berg shares.

Final Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

1. Surround yourself with successful people—mindset develops through the right influences
2. Don't fear asking for help—mentorship often starts with one phone call
3. Learn from every mistake—each one teaches something valuable
4. Balance spiritual and business growth—success comes from both dimensions

As Schtroks concludes: "It's a beautiful thing when successful people help those just starting out—it surely brings nachas to Hashem."

Kvation continues to grow, filling a crucial need in the Jewish community while demonstrating how failure, when approached with the right mindset and support, can lead to remarkable success.