Christos Cotsakos - a personal history

His first memory of making money was in the New Jersey neighborhood where he grew up. 'My brother loves to tell this story,' says Cotsakos leaning into me as if we're co-conspirators.

'I was in elementary school and we were very poor growing up and I was always looking at new and different ways to try and make money to help the family.

'Back in the '60s when you went and bought comic books, on the back you could order Christmas cards. In those days it was pretty trusting - they actually sent you the cards before you sent them the money. Could you imagine trying to do that today? I don't think so!

'And so I looked at it and thought what a great way to work: if I order a box of 12 at a buck and a quarter ...

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