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Ian Schrager
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Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, both wearing suits and ties, stand arm-in-arm smiling behind a railing at Studio 54 nightclub in New York City.
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Ian Schrager

American entrepreneur
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Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, both wearing suits and ties, stand arm-in-arm smiling behind a railing at Studio 54 nightclub in New York City.
Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell, 1977 Studio 54's owners, Ian Schrager (left) and Steve Rubell, met as students at Syracuse University before opening their famous nightclub in 1977.

Ian Schrager is an American entrepreneur known for co-founding the iconic nightclub Studio 54 with Steve Rubell. An entrepreneur is defined as a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss to make money. Schrager and Rubell opened Studio 54 in 1977, and it quickly became a legendary venue for celebrities and the glitterati, known for its extravagant parties and exclusive guest list.12

The club's success was marked by its "velvet rope" policy, creating an aura of exclusivity. However, their ventures faced legal troubles, including tax evasion charges, which led to prison sentences for both Schrager and Rubell. After their release, Schrager continued in the nightlife and hospitality industry, and he received a pardon in 2017.2

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. entrepreneur
  2. Studio 54
  3. Entrepreneurs vs. small business owners and corporate executives: What’s the difference?

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