Stephen Jemal, a first-generation American born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, was the youngest of ten children. From an early age, he worked alongside his father and mentor in their family discount store in Spanish Harlem. By sixteen, he had already launched four successful electronics and music specialty stores. This early entrepreneurial experience and his work with his father laid the groundwork for his landmark creation: the well-known electronics chain Nobody Beats the Wiz. Stephen furthered his education by attending Pace University, which supported his growing business acumen.
Stephen has demonstrated a strong commitment to business innovation and leadership throughout his career. As the founder and visionary behind PASHA, he developed a unique residential project targeting professionals who seek reasonably priced yet luxurious housing in Manhattan. PASHA caters to six-figure earners, business travelers, and international visitors by providing reasonably priced amenity-rich apartments. Additionally, the project offers flexible office spaces and workstations branded as “WorkWell,” exclusively available to residents. Stephen also serves as President and CEO of JemRock Organization LLC, a company he operates alongside his sons. Together, they aim to grow PASHA into a global brand, assembling a team of local experts and leveraging advanced construction technologies, including AI-generated, laser-driven prefabricated methods, to expedite and economize their projects.
Jemal's entry into the business world began with the opening of Nobody Beats the Wiz in 1976 on Fulton Street in Brooklyn. Under his leadership, the company expanded to 110 stores across six states, employing 6,000 people and achieving sales exceeding $2.5 billion. Recognizing the importance of efficiency, he established an in-house construction and prefabricated fixture manufacturing company to manage the build-out of his stores and shopping centers. This venture employed hundreds of tradespeople and allowed him to gain hands-on experience in every aspect of construction, from planning to completion. Stephen further expanded into residential and commercial development, dedicating himself to understanding complex zoning regulations and real estate development processes.
After selling Nobody Beats the Wiz to a prominent media and entertainment family, Stephen S Jemal shifted his focus to real estate development, founding SSJ Development in 1997. His early success included winning a competitive development contract for Southpoint on Roosevelt Island, surpassing numerous national competitors. Over the next decade and a half, he acquired underutilized waterfront properties throughout the New York metropolitan area, launching significant development projects. This period enhanced his expertise in city zoning and broadened his network of professional contacts, skills he now channels into the growth of PASHA alongside his sons.
