Komarow’s journey began with three trays of store-bought pastries and a dare. After successfully flipping them for a profit, the 30-year-old spent three years refining his sales pitch at festivals and parks. Today, he sources his product directly from a bakery in Gaziantep, Turkey, and operates without a permanent storefront, relying instead on his mobile van and a viral social media presence to reach customers. A recent profile in The New York Times and a high-profile appearance outside Madison Square Garden turned his local reputation into a national brand, leading to partnerships with companies like US Mobile and Acme Smoked Fish.
From a Concert Bet to $70,000 a Month: The Rise of the Baklava Guy
What started as an impulsive wager outside a 2021 Phish concert has transformed into a thriving New York City enterprise. Jacob Komarow, once struggling with addiction, now operates Good Baklava, a roaming pastry business that recently hit monthly revenue peaks of $70,000 by mastering the art of the sidewalk hustle.
Financial success has arrived in waves. While the business averaged over $20,000 in monthly sales during a recent nine-month period, revenue fluctuates significantly based on the season. December 2025 marked a record high of nearly $70,000, followed by a sharp dip the following month. For Komarow, who is now more than five years sober, the venture represents more than just profit. He credits the unique energy of New York City for his ability to scale a business that began as a simple side hustle, noting that the recognition he finally secured is the result of years of testing his pitch on the streets.
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