Today we’d like to introduce you to Wasfi Samaan.
Hi Wasfi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I immigrated to the United States in 1980 at the age of 8. I started working with my brothers in our Country Store In Woodford County Kentucky at the age of 10. At the age of 16 I was operating our family grocery store on the weekends and after school. I was bullied as a kid until I started wrestling at the age of 14 . My senior year I went 34-2 and finished 3rd in the state. I went to the University of Kentucky and graduated with an accounting degree. I started my own practice after college and did accounting and taxes for over 20 businesses. My family was always buying destressed businesses and real estate and turning them around. We operated 6 gas stations at one point, a car lot, mechanic shop and banquet hall. In 1998 we purchased a distressed bowling alley in Nicholasville Kentucky and renovated. We added a full restaurant and a vibrant entertainment complex that we called JD Legends. In 2002 we did the same thing in Franklin Ohio. We started do small scale music in 2004 and eventually booked our first National Act Digital Underground. The rest is history. Each year we did more and more national concerts.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I over come many obstacles and challenges that started when I was bullied and overcame it with wrestling. I have had many challenging times in every recession and almost went bankrupt a few times. I was able to negotiate new terms and keep my businesses going. I have failed more than I succeeded but it only takes one win to overcome all losses. My biggest challenge came in 2020 when covid hit. I was forced to close JD Legends and incure thousands of dollars in losses every month. I decided to become a commercial realtor. Knowing being a realtor was not going to provide income right away. I decided to flip a house and film it then put it on youtube called flipping dayton. Once i started posting on youtube and facebook , people started calling me for work so i decided to start a renovation company. Covid was a blessing in the sky. It forced me to get out of my comfort zone and start a new carrer and multiple businesses including a Luxury Van Rental business called GTG Sprinters.
We’ve been impressed with JD Legends, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
JD Legends is a indoor/outdoor concert venue with outdoor capacity of 1700 and indoor capacity of 375. we have hosted over 1000 National Concerts from the names of Legends such as George Jones, Mearle Haggard, Jamey Johnson, Travis Tritt, Aaron Lewis, Bret Michaels , Clint Black and more. In addition we have 2 indoor bars , 12 bowling lanes and a 6000 sq ft game room.
What’s next?
My future plans is to get into musician management and grow my commercial real estate business and real estate protfolio.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jdlegends.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jdlegends
- Facebook: facebook.com/jdlegendsconcerts
- Youtube: youtube.com/jdlegendsconcerts
Screenshot
