My Experience as an MBA and Consultant at McKinsey

Last Updated on April 15, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

Former McKinsey & Company Business Analyst Starts Sublet Startup

Ezra Gershanok, a former business analyst at McKinsey & Company, recently made headlines after being pushed out of the prestigious consulting firm due to declining client demand and an excess of new hires. Despite expressing appreciation for his time at McKinsey, Gershanok shared frustrations with the work environment, including the pressure to meet performance goals and the political nature of the work.

Following his departure, Gershanok co-founded Ohana, a sublet startup aimed at addressing the struggles of subletting in New York City. Backed by executives from Zillow and Airbnb, Ohana has already saved New Yorkers over $238,000 in rent by providing an efficient way for hosts to sublease their properties.

Gershanok highlighted the challenges he faced at McKinsey, including the expectation of immediate tasks and feeling pressure to perform. He noted that as client demand decreased, McKinsey had over-hired, leading to increased pressure to cut down the workforce. Despite receiving positive feedback from clients and managers, Gershanok was pushed out by senior partners who marked down his performance.

However, Gershanok expressed his passion for his work with Ohana and shared his perspective on learning from his time at McKinsey. He emphasized the importance of overcoming challenges and using experiences to fuel growth and success in new ventures.

With the support of Zillow’s cofounder, Spencer Rascoff, and Airbnb’s former director of engineering, Surabhi Gupta, Ohana is poised for success in the competitive New York City real estate market. Despite the challenges he faced, Gershanok remains focused on building Ohana and making a positive impact in the industry.