Irwin D. Simon: A Journey from “Unemployable” to Global Success
Canadian native Irwin D. Simon has created an incredible life and career for himself by fusing entrepreneurship with a strong belief in environmental sustainability and charitable giving. He first traveled to the Hamptons in 1983, when he met Daryl, his future wife. As he considers their partnership, Simon acknowledges, “It took me nine years to propose to her.” The couple, who now share four children, have made the Hamptons their home.
After spending many years in Sagaponack, Simon bought his first Hamptons property in 1988. In 2011, the family relocated to their present Bridgehampton residence. Simon likes the calmer off-season even with the summertime attraction of the Hamptons. “The best time in the Hamptons is in the winter. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” he says. The couple’s Bridgehampton property includes farmland where they grow cucumbers, tomatoes, and eggplants, reflecting Simon’s belief in clean living and environmental stewardship.
The dedication to sustainability has had a significant impact on Simon’s professional life. Simon’s journey changed in 1993 after he began working at Haagen-Dazs and was informed that he was “unemployable.” His entrepreneurial path began at this point and culminated in the founding of the Hain Celestial Group in the Hamptons. With nearly $3 billion in net sales, the business became a worldwide force in the organic and natural goods sector under his direction. Up until 2018, when he felt it was time for a new challenge, Simon was employed at Hain Celestial.
At Tilray Brands, Inc., a multinational lifestyle and consumer packaged products company, Simon now holds the positions of Chairman and CEO. Tilray operates in more than 20 countries and offers a varied range of products, including drinks, health items, and cannabis. Tilray, the largest federally authorized cannabis market in the world, has emerged as Canada’s top medicinal and adult-use cannabis firm under Simon’s direction. Tilray is also the largest producer of hemp foods in North America, the best supplier of medicinal cannabis in Europe, and the fifth-biggest craft brewer in the US.
Founded in Montauk, Montauk Brewing has grown to be a cherished local brand. Its addition to Tilray’s portfolio is consistent with Simon’s focus on quality and the welfare of the consumer. Thinking back on how he went from being considered “unemployable” to running a multinational corporation, Simon says, “Not bad for a previously ‘unemployable’ guy.”
A fundamental tenet of Simon’s business strategy is creating products that benefit customers. “I wanted to change the way the world grows food,” he says, highlighting the lack of knowledge among Americans about current agricultural practices. Simon advocates for greater awareness of genetically modified foods, hydrogenated fats, and the fight against obesity. “We as Americans are not educated about (genetically modified) and hydrogenated food, or how to fight obesity,” he explains.
With five billion square feet of growing space globally, Tilray has a significant global presence. Simon is a fervent supporter of cannabis’ medical advantages, especially those of THC, the psychoactive ingredient with analgesic and pain-killing effects. He says that cannabis might possibly lessen epilepsy symptoms. “You have to work with good people who all have the same goals,” he says, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in business.
From Haagen-Dazs to Tilray: The Evolution of a Visionary Entrepreneur
Simon is bullish about the prospect of more progressive cannabis regulations in the US, such as in Canada and Europe. Tilray will be prepared to take the lead at that point. In Simon’s eyes, Tilray would eventually add THC to its whiskey instead of alcohol to provide customers a high without the hangover. Simon mentions, “You can’t just throw things against the wall and see what sticks when it comes to business. You depend on science, medicine, and research. There is a market out there. We are getting away from the mindset that people who use cannabis will commit crimes.”
