How to Make It in America
Dream big or go home.
Trying to make a name for themselves in New York's competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam's cousin Rene, who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo, the burgeoning entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome.
Cast
Bryan Greenberg
Ben Epstein
Victor Rasuk
Cameron 'Cam' Calderon
Lake Bell
Rachel Chapman
Eddie Kaye Thomas
David 'Kappo' Kaplan
Kid Cudi
Domingo Brown
Luis Guzmán
Rene Calderon
Edgar Garcia
Eddie
Nick Chinlund
Yosi
Andrea Navedo
Debbie Dominguez
Tuffy Questell
Jabar
Nicole LaLiberte
Lulu
Seasons
Twentysomething New Yorkers Ben Epstein and Cam Calderon short-circuit the traditional route to success, deciding to use their street savvy and connections to make names for themselves in the fashion industry.
E1Pilot
Feb 14, 2010
Brooklynites Ben and Cam decide to use their entrepreneurial skills to get a hold of some quick cash to pay back a loan. Also, Ben's ex-girlfriend decides to finally move on from Ben.
E2Crisp
Feb 21, 2010
Ben and Cam find themselves in debt again to Rene and search for investors to get their jean line off and running. Later, Ben meets with Rachel to discuss their latest encounter.
E3Paper, Denim & Dollars
Feb 28, 2010
Rene tries to buy out his marketing partners. Rachel rethinks her future when she sees Ben. Ben and Cam work on finding a tailor for their denim business.
E4Unhappy Birthday
Mar 7, 2010
Edie, Rachel's boss, is throwing her a birthday party, and Ben is upset to learn that Rachel's new boyfriend Darren is going to attend it. Ben tries to occupy his time by hanging out with Kaplan, Cam and Domingo.
E5Big in Japan
Mar 14, 2010
After running into a successful designer on the street, Ben and Cam hook up with Hidemi, a top Japanese buyer, but their business takes a surprising detour when they show him their none-too-Crisp jean sample. Meanwhile, Rene runs into unexpected problems locating cash stashed in the basement of a woman who's divorcing his ne'er-do-well cousin Tito. Rachel, hoping to bring fresh energy to her relationship with Darren, is flummoxed by his euphoric reaction to the party drug Ecstasy.
E6Good Vintage
Mar 21, 2010
Despite a fresh infusion of cash from Kaplan, Ben and Cam find it hard to meet Hidemi's vintage-tee quota of 300, until Julie, an attractive retail employee, helps bail them out. Rene gets advice on handling an impending schoolyard showdown with Flaco, the contractor he suspects of stealing his (illgotten) money. Rachel's field trip to Connecticut to check on a behind-schedule carpenter ends with Darren taking her to his childhood home - and then popping a commitment question on their drive back to Manhattan.
E7Keep On Truck'n
Mar 28, 2010
While Ben is getting tight with Julie, Rachel is put off by Darren's sudden offer to let her and Edie design a hotel. To pay off an overdue debt to Rene, Cam and Ben agree to hand out Rasta Monsta samples at Union Square, but cut the job short to retrieve their tees from the silk screener. Rene agrees to meet with John Lardner, the Jamaica-based owner of Rasta Monsta, about taking over North American distribution rights to the drink. But Rene's parole officer Norm wants to be part of the meeting.
E8Never Say Die
Apr 4, 2010
Cam suspects Rene of having something to do with the theft of the Rasta Monsta truck.
Following their business trip to Japan, Ben and Cam pound the New York City pavement with tenacious ambition to get noticed, get ahead, and get paid.
E1I'm Good
Oct 2, 2011
Ben and Cam look for a way to market their CRISP attire in New York after a promising debut in Tokyo. Meanwhile, Rene's new Rasta Monsta billboard is a hit with everyone except his girlfriend; and Rachel returns from a soul-searching trip abroad, but she's still not over Ben.
E2In or Out
Oct 9, 2011
Ben and Cam are stuck between two sales reps and a hard place; Rene leans on a client; Rachel lands a new job at Biscuit magazine, and lights up with Domingo.
E3Money, Power, Private School
Oct 16, 2011
CRISP lands a promising but unpaid gig; Rachel gives Ben a lavish gift; Cam raises money for a river-view apartment; Rene shoots a Rasta Monsta viral video.
E4It's Not Even Like That
Oct 23, 2011
Ben and Rachel's platonic friendship is tested; Cam scores a plum location for CRISP shoot; Renee collects debt.
E5Mofongo
Oct 30, 2011
Ben and Cam charm two young out-of-towners; Rene tries to make amends with Debbie; Rachel goes from lost to alive in a single day.
E6I'm Sorry, Who's Yosi?
Nov 6, 2011
Ben senses a conflict of interest when Nancy sets CRISP up with a manufacturer named Yosi. Determined to bring some spice to Biscuit, Rachel disregards her boss and pursues an edgy lead. The Feds catch up with Kapo, Lulu warns Cam against selling out and Rasta Monsta incites the ire of the East Flatbush Caribbean League.
E7The Friction
Nov 13, 2011
Ben and Cam debate CRISP's future; Rene tracks down the origin of the Rasta Monsta tincture; Rachel celebrates a setback.
E8What's in a Name?
Nov 20, 2011
In the second-season finale, Ben wonders how to rescue CRISP and his friendship with Cam. Meanwhile, Domingo and Cam launch a PR blitz to clean up Rasta Monsta's image; Rachel seeks advice from a former mentor; and Kaplan parties one more time before going to jail.
Videos
Storyline
Trying to make a name for themselves in New York's competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam's cousin Rene, who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo, the burgeoning entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome.
