Michael D. Kurtz in

Michael D. Kurtz

Enthusiast · DISC type i
Pizzaiolo at Paulie Gee's
📍 Brooklyn, New York, United States

Michael D. Kurtz is the founder of Mikes Hot Honey, a brand born from his unique background as a pizzaiolo, music supervisor, and world traveler. He holds a degree in Musicology and Ethnomusicology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His career is a blend of his passions for food, music, and exploration.

Outside of his business, Michael has a deep interest in global cultures, having traveled to over 30 countries and studied in Brazil, which inspired his product. He is passionate about pizza culture, starting as an apprentice at Paulie Gees in Brooklyn, where his hot honey first gained popularity.

His business idea sparked when he discovered chili-infused honey at a small pizzeria while studying abroad in Brazil.

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Experience
8 Years
Current Role
Pizzaiolo
Job Level
Leadership
Location
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Personality Overview

How Michael shows up

Optimistic
Non-Confrontational
Consensus Focused

They prefer to build relationships rather than staying totally transactional. They tend to be agreeable by nature, so take their promises with a pinch of salt.
 Unlike D or C types, they are convinced more by stories and testimonials.

Priorities

Topics Michael cares about

Food Entrepreneurship
Successfully grew Mike's Hot Honey from a personal recipe made in a pizzeria kitchen into a nationally recognized brand available in thousands of stores.
Pizza Culture
His journey began as a pizza apprentice at Paulie Gee's in Brooklyn, where his hot honey was first introduced and became a key ingredient on their menu.
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Career

Work history

8-2010 - 12-2013
Pizzaiolo
Paulie Gee's
5-2010 - 12-2013
Music Supervisor
HHW
2010
Founder
Mike's Hot Honey
2009 - 2010
Music Supervisor
Caipirinha Productions
1-2008 - 12-2008
Co-Founder/World Traveler
LongJaunt
In the press

Media appearances

The Rise of Mike's Hot Honey. Featured in Apple Podcasts
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The Sweet Sting of Success: How Mike's Hot Honey .... Featured in Apple Podcasts
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Education
9-2002 - 2005
Musicology and Ethnomusicology
University of Massachusetts Amherst
2003 - 2004
Music History
Universidade Católica do Salvador
2003 - 2004
Portuguese Language and Literature
Universidade Federal da Bahia
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

i

Influence (I)

Influence (I) reflects the degree to which a person prefers to work by influencing or persuading others. Those scoring high tend to be people oriented, motivated by social recognition and building relationships.

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