Former McKinsey Business Analyst Shares Experience and Launches Sublet Startup Ohana

Former McKinsey Business Analyst Ezra Gershanok Shares His Experience and Success Story

Ezra Gershanok, a former Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company, recently shared his experience of being forced out of the firm due to declining client demand and excessive hiring. Despite the challenges he faced, Gershanok has now co-founded a successful sublet startup called Ohana, backed by industry giants like Zillow and Airbnb.

Gershanok reflected on his time at McKinsey, acknowledging the valuable lessons he learned and the high expectations that pushed him to excel. However, he also highlighted the frustrations he experienced, including the constant sense of urgency and the political nature of the work environment.

One of the major issues Gershanok faced was the firm’s over-hiring, which led to a decrease in workload and pressure to cut down the workforce. Despite receiving positive feedback from clients and managers, he was ultimately pushed out of the firm through a vague and unsettling process.

Recalling the moment he was informed of his departure, Gershanok described the lack of clarity and communication from senior management, making the experience even more challenging. He emphasized that it would have been easier if they had simply laid him off instead of prolonging the process.

Following his departure from McKinsey, Gershanok decided to pursue his passion for solving the problem of subletting by co-founding Ohana. The startup aims to provide an efficient platform for subleasing in NYC, helping hosts save money and facilitating seamless transactions.

Gershanok expressed his satisfaction with his current work at Ohana and highlighted the irony of McKinsey’s failure to practice what they preach in terms of right-sizing advice for their clients. He encouraged consultants facing similar challenges to reach out and share their experiences.

Overall, Gershanok’s journey from McKinsey to entrepreneurship serves as a testament to resilience and determination in the face of adversity. His success story is a reminder that setbacks can lead to new opportunities and growth in unexpected ways.