Born in Minneapolis, Nick started learning the nut business at an early age from his father, Sol, who was a leading peanut broker and processor based in the Midwest. By the time Nick was ten, he was shelling peanuts and selling small bags of them in his neighborhood.
After completing school he joined his father's business, Sachs Peanuts, where he continued learning the market and helping his father grow the business.
Wanting to branch out to other tree nuts, Nick formed his own company in 1968, beginning as a pecan broker and then quickly becoming a leading almond broker and walnut broker. Over the next four decades Nick earned and retained a reputation for fairness, prompt, courteous service and fair pricing. As Nick said, "I began my business when a handshake was all that was needed and your reputation depended on fair, responsive service."
During the ensuing years, Nick played a pivotal role in setting national and global pecan and almond pricing. He's given presentations to universities and trade organizations throughout the United States, and in Spain, Italy, Japan and Australia.