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- Fides Entrepreneurship: Christmas Party and talk with Rob Kaczmark just around the corner!
Fides Entrepreneurship: Christmas Party and talk with Rob Kaczmark just around the corner!
Luca Zocche
November 25, 2025
It’s strange to think about it now, but in early October of last year Fides didn’t exist.
There was no monthly dinner, no talks, no community, no mission.
There was only me, working on two unrelated ideas: a credit card tied to aerospace investments and an aviation podcast.
Fides wasn’t even a blip in the sky.
Then something unexpected happened.
After the 7PM Mass at Old St. Patrick’s, I was talking with a friend about Ken Langone one of America’s most successful businessmen, but also someone who quietly attends Mass at the Cathedral every morning at 7:30AM.
I told him how much it moved me to see a man with such wealth still begin his day at the altar.
But when I said it, he laughed.
Not maliciously, just… almost confused.
As if success and faith were mutually exclusive.
As if the unspoken thought was: “If I had that kind of money, I wouldn’t be in church.”
And in that moment something in me shifted.
We needed spaces where faith and business weren’t at odds — where they strengthened each other.
Spaces where people could see that success doesn’t pull you away from God; it can draw you closer to Him.
A second moment confirmed it.
At the same event, I spoke with my friend Michel, an orthodontist who had once run his own business.
He told me he would sometimes treat patients for free simply because they couldn’t pay — and because of his faith and his family’s tradition of medical generosity.
That conversation lit a spark.
We decided to try one small gathering.
No venue, no money, no plan — so we used my apartment.
A friend bought some wine. Another pitched in a little cash.
Honestly, we expected 6 or 7 people.
Twenty showed up. One flew in from Lisbon.
And I realized something was happening.
As we settled in, Michel began telling his story.
Then he paused mid-sentence and asked:
“Wait… is everyone here Catholic?”
Everyone stared. I answered yes.
He breathed out relieved and continued.
That moment has stayed with me all year.
Because it showed me something simple and beautiful:
People want a place where they can speak openly about how faith shaped their business without fear, without judgment, without pretending.
Then came some graces.
November’s fireside chat with Mike Espiritu.
December with Monika Elling.
Then January with Daniel Catone, where more than 100 people signed up.
We had been praying for clarity.
It felt like an answer.
It wasn’t easy.
There were months when we had no venue, no funding, no sponsors, the natural friction that occurs in any mission-driven effort, and no good news.
There were nights I wondered if we would even survive.
But somehow through grace, through people’s generosity, and donors who went out on a limb to support us more than 400 people have now walked through the doors of Fides.
And this entire year feels, in many ways, like life has come full circle:
from some truly difficult times, to something I thank God for every single day.
This celebration is for:
• the people who supported us from the beginning,
• the speakers who shared vulnerable stories,
• the young founders who found hope in dealing and confronting challenges
• the faith and prayer that held everything together.
At this event, you’ll hear some of those voices as they share a few words not only about the role these stories played in their life but also the impact the audience had on the speakers.
Let us not forget to put Christ back at the center of Christmas as we celebrate the arrival of Jesus.
As we look ahead, we hope you’ll continue building this with us not just as attendees, but as people who carry this mission into your workplaces, families, and future companies.
We wish you a happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas, and hope that you’re able to celebrate with us.
Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving!
Upcoming events
Thursday December 4th 2025 at 19:00
Our December Speaker is Rob Kaczmark, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Spirit Juice Studios, an Emmy Award-winning creative firm dedicated to spreading the Gospel through media.
Rob’s story is one of faith, creativity, and conviction. From his roots in youth ministry and BMX culture (punk rock, tattoos, ect) to building one of the most recognized Catholic media production company in the country, which has worked with Jonathan Roumie, Hallow, Bishop Baron and Mark Wahlberg.
During COVID, when churches were closed, Rob and his team livestreamed daily Masses from their in-office chapel, offering hope to thousands. His short films like The Veil Removed to launching a Catholic kids’ channel on YouTube continue to shape how Catholics experience and share their faith.
“A small little video, a livestream Mass or Divine Mercy hits the right person at the right time… Sometimes even just the appearance of someone on camera praying that looks a little different can bring someone in.”
Rob will share:
How his creative journey led to founding Spirit Juice Studios
Why incorporating a chapel into his office and offering mass there changed his company’s culture
How media can be used to plant seeds of faith in unexpected places
This Talk will take place at The Catholic Center at NYU in Lower Manhattan*.
We are deeply thankful to the support of Father Cassian and his team for making this possible!
Sign up here to confirm your attendance. *Location subject to change.
If you are an NYU Student or work for the university please reach out to us to get a free ticket, at [email protected] .
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Founded in 2005, Roots Run Deep was very kind to sponsor us with some of their Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
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We cannot thank enough Monte’s for sponsoring our Nov 13th event!
Monte's Trattoria is an Italian institution in New York City, boasting a rich and storied history that spans over a century. Established in the early 20th century, the trattoria has become a symbol of Italian-American culture and cuisine in the heart of New York.
The Catholic Center at NYU is the center of Catholic university life for students in New York City. The ministry supports Catholic students in their academic and career goals while also helping them grow in their Catholic faith and foster a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Their ultimate goal is making professional catholics
Edizioni Padre Pio da Pietrelcina is the official Capuchin publishing house in San Giovanni Rotondo, created to preserve and spread the authentic life and spirituality of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
It publishes his letters, official biographies, and other spiritual works while also offering religious articles. Working closely with Voce di Padre Pio, Tele Radio Padre Pio, and Padre Pio TV, it forms part of a broader Capuchin mission to communicate Gospel values and continue Padre Pio’s legacy of faith, charity, and evangelization through modern media.
If you are interested in becoming one of our sponsors please reach out to us at [email protected]