Owner, Jerry Kaniuk & Associates

What one factor is most important to success?

Honesty, integrity and hard work. Integrity more than honesty. The world is round, no matter what business you’re in, people will remember if you did right by or you did wrong by them. You come across same people in your own business circle. No matter how much money you have, if integrity is not there, it can be harder and harder to be successful. You integrity and your name is the only thing of any value that goes to your children

What do you look for in an employee?

Willingness to work hard, intelligence, attitude. Their demeanor, their view of life. Are they just disgruntled people doing it because it’s just a job and that’s their lot in life, or are they people that view life as something to be enjoyed and working is part of enjoying life and being successful?

What’s the best way to save money?

Don’t spend it. Watch your expenses and make sure you have something to save. It’s really a function of how you spend your money.

What’s the best way to spend money?

Don’t copy somebody else just for the sake of copying somebody else. Live your own life and know what is important to you. Don’t spend money on what your friends or your colleagues spend their money on.

What’s your greatest pleasure?

My grandchildren. And my children.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

My routine is something that I decide every day as my mood strikes me. I lead a very unconventional life. There are no strict rules and there’s no structure to my day. I work 12-15 hours a day on a schedule that I decide works for me.

How do you deal with stress?

I don’t have any. I ignore it. I’m going to give you a street answer, it’s a little bit general. I just put my hand up my ass and move forward with my life. I don’t let things derail my satisfaction with living and accomplishing things. I refuse to take unimportant things seriously.

What one lesson do you hope to pass on to your children?

Be proud of who you are and enjoy your life.

How do you bounce back from adversity?

Move forward, don’t look back. Learn from the past, but don’t let the past put you in, serve as an albatross on your future. Don’t pity yourself because of the past.

What’s your favorite thing about Queens?

It’s diversity. The fact that it’s in the real world and it’s diverse. I think you have the opportunity to be a part of the whole world and not just live in your own ghetto, as fancy or as poor as it may be. Ghetto usually connotes slum, but I’m not using it in that sense, I mean don’t be restricted to your own group.

After graduating from Queens College, Kaniuk went to work for a medium-sized accounting firm. He worked there until 1980, when he and several associates started their own company. In 1990, he formed Jerry Kaniuk & Associates, and has worked for himself ever since. He practices in New York and Florida.