How to Make It in America

Dream big or go home.

2010·2 seasons·7.4Drama Comedy

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.

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Episodes

Season 1 — 8 episodes

Pilot

·7.0

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.

Crisp

·7.0

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.

Paper, Denim & Dollars

·7.5

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.

Unhappy Birthday

·8.0

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.

Big in Japan

24m·4.5

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.

Good Vintage

24m·8.0

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.

Keep On Truck'n

27m·8.0

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.