Is Rick Caruso running for Mayor of Los Angeles again? In this explosive Part 2 interview on In Search of Excellence, host Randall Kaplan sits down with billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso to discuss the future of Los Angeles, his political aspirations, and the secrets behind his massive success.

Rick Caruso is the force behind The Grove, Palisades Village, and the Rosewood Miramar Beach. With a net worth of nearly $6 billion, he opens up about why money was never his motivation. Rick details the terrifying Palisades fire, revealing the "extreme preparation" and private firefighting team that saved his property when others burned.

We also dive deep into politics. Rick gives a candid critique of Mayor Karen Bass and former Mayor Eric Garcetti, explains why he believes the city was unprepared for the recent disasters, and discusses the disastrous impact of the "Mansion Tax" (ULA) on California real estate. Plus, he shares invaluable advice on integrity, "protecting your obituary," and the one rule he follows in business: "Don't do business with bad people".

Timestamps & Key Takeaways

00:00 - The Golden Rule of Business: Don't do business with bad people.
02:03 - When will Erewhon & Palisades Village reopen? (Fire recovery update) .
04:37 - The terrifying moment the fire started & evacuating the schools.
06:17 - How Rick saved his property using private firefighters & retardant.
09:34 - Who is to blame? Rick’s critique of the City & Mayor Bass’s preparedness.
12:54 - Why Rick ran for Mayor & his thoughts on losing to Karen Bass.
15:07 - Was Eric Garcetti a "weak mayor"?.
16:27 - The Big Question: Will Rick run for Mayor or Governor again?.
17:21 - The first 3 things Rick would do as Mayor (Crime, Homelessness, Housing Costs).
18:45 - The truth about the "Mansion Tax" (ULA) and why it’s hurting LA.
21:01 - Why money should never be your motivation for success.
22:49 - The power of extreme preparation & integrity.
27:44 - Best Advice: "Protect Your Obituary".
34:03 - The love of his life & final thoughts.


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In this episode of In Search of Excellence, Randall Kaplan sits down with Rick Caruso, the billionaire real estate developer and former Los Angeles Mayoral candidate who revolutionized the retail industry. From the iconic Grove to the Rosewood Miramar Beach, Caruso’s properties attract more visitors annually than Disneyland. But his journey wasn't a straight line to success. Rick opens up about his father’s legal troubles and prison time, the power of resilience, and why he believes "shit work" is essential for young entrepreneurs. We also dive deep into his controversial but effective views on solving homelessness in Los Angeles and the specific business strategies that allow his properties to outperform the national average by 3x.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro: Why doesn't a billionaire solve homelessness?
01:42 - Rick’s family roots & the rubber band on his money clip
03:59 - Dealing with his father’s legal trouble and prison sentence
07:23 - The "Dollar Rent A Car" comeback story
10:49 - Rick’s plan to fix the homeless crisis in LA
14:40 - Why you need to do the "shit work" to succeed
17:37 - Is college necessary today? (USC & Marshall School)
22:34 - Rick’s first real estate deal: The Midvale Duplex
24:05 - The "Parking Lot Strategy" and 100% financing
31:43 - The vision behind The Grove & the famous trolley
35:39 - The art of Cold Calling & Networking
38:17 - Why Caruso properties earn 3x the national average
41:34 - Building the Rosewood Miramar Beach & defying NIMBYs

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About the Guest
Rick Caruso is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Caruso, one of the largest and most admired privately held real estate and hospitality companies in the United States. A visionary developer, Rick is known for creating community-centric destinations like The Grove, The Americana at Brand, and Palisades Village that have redefined the retail experience. He served as the President of the Los Angeles Police Commission and the President of the USC Board of Trustees, and in 2022, he ran for Mayor of Los Angeles.

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Follow Randall!
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LinkedIn: @randallkaplan
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Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
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1-on-1 Coaching: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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World-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow (Botched, The Swan, RHOC) joins Randall Kaplan on In Search of Excellence to talk about fame, the realities and risks of plastic surgery, Brazilian Butt Lift dangers, choosing the right surgeon, pricing myths, breast implants (Motiva), AI in surgery, GLP-1s (Ozempic/Mounjaro) for longevity, and the mindset of extreme preparation that fueled his success. If you care about healthspan, aesthetics, safety, and high performance, this episode is packed with “can’t-Google-this” wisdom from the most recognized plastic surgeon on TV.

What You’ll Learn:
•The double-edged sword of fame: why reality-TV notoriety is “hypnotic—and dangerous,” and how it changed Terry’s practice overnight.
•Behind The Swan & Botched: from a wild casting journey to the pitch that became Botched (and why “It’s a scalpel, not a magic wand” still matters).
•The hardest saves: a jaw-dropping case involving illegal facial injections and how Terry engineered a safe, creative fix.
•Safety over trends: the real risk profile of BBLs (fat embolism), why Terry won’t do them, and smart alternatives.
•How to choose a great surgeon: the 3 non-negotiables—board certification (ABPS/ABFPS), hospital privileges, and credible word-of-mouth—plus why “before/afters” can mislead.
•Pricing myths: why paying $40k–$80k+ for basic procedures (e.g., primary breast aug) doesn’t guarantee better results.
•Breast implants 101: capsular contracture reality, why some results feel “like coconuts,” and promising data on Motiva’s lower hardness rates.
•Celebrities & surgery: reputational risk calculus—and why Terry often says no.
•Family patients & objectivity: when he’ll operate (and when he won’t).
•AI in plastic surgery: why robot “hands” are still the bottleneck.
•GLP-1s & longevity: Terry’s board certification in Obesity Medicine, why micro-dosing GLP-1s may benefit metabolic health, and emerging indications.
•Extreme Preparation: the mental reps that saved trauma patients—and how he studied his way to a 94th-percentile board score.
•Housewives, fame traps, and kindness: cultural takes, life boundaries, and why kindness is a high-leverage success habit.

Guest Bio — Dr. Terry Dubrow
Dr. Terry Dubrow is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, star of the hit TV show Botched, and a nationally recognized expert in complex reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. He trained at UCLA and completed advanced academic work at Yale, where he honed a research mindset that led to dozens of publications early in his career. Today, he practices in Newport Beach, CA, while educating millions on surgical safety, outcomes, and ethics.

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/coaching

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Follow Randall!
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LinkedIn: @randallkaplan
TikTok: @randall_kaplan
Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
Website: https://www.randa

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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