Episodios

  • Episode 521: Matthew Kosoy of Rosalind Bakery and Jerry’s Roast Pork - San Francisco, CA. From Skate Parks to Sourdough to SAMMI STARDOM. Building a Bay Area Bakery Empire One Loaf at a Time.

    Episode 521: Matthew Kosoy of Rosalind Bakery and Jerry’s Roast Pork - San Francisco, CA. From Skate Parks to Sourdough to SAMMI STARDOM. Building a Bay Area Bakery Empire One Loaf at a Time.
    Apr 14 2026
    How does a kid immersed in the high-velocity, rebel culture of East Coast skateboarding and punk rock eventually become a leading figure in the San Francisco Bay Area bakery and restaurant scene? In this fascinating episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro sits down with Matthew Kosoy, the founder of Rosalind Bakery and Jerry’s Roast Pork. This is a story about the intersection of tech, art, and food, proving that the DIY ethos of a skateboarder translates perfectly into the grit required to build a culinary brand from the ground up. Matthew shares his journey from building websites for BMX and skate brands in Philadelphia to moving to the Bay Area. Seeking an escape from the repetitive grind of startup tech culture, he found a new obsession: baking sourdough bread. What started as a hobby in his kitchen quickly exploded into a sold-out farmer's market booth, pushing him to take the terrifying leap of leasing an abandoned 3,400-square-foot grocery store in the food desert of Pacifica. This episode is a masterclass in learning by doing and failing fast. Matthew details the sheer physical labor of building his bakery—literally chipping up concrete and doing the demolition with family and friends—while maxing out credit cards and learning the business side on the fly. He shares how his willingness to be vulnerable, hire experts (like attending the San Francisco Baking Institute), and embrace failure allowed him to survive the grueling early years. Discover how the pandemic turned Rosalind Bakery into an essential community hub, and how Matthew’s relentless drive led him to launch Jerry’s Roast Pork in downtown San Francisco. He explains how a single product—a custom-developed hoagie roll—became the "hero" that connected his baking expertise to his Philadelphia roots. Tune in to hear how Matthew is now bringing his journey full circle, combining his tech background with his baking experience to develop a new ERP software designed specifically to help small and medium-sized bakeries streamline their operations. It’s an inspiring look at how stacking your unique skills can lead to unexpected, community-changing success. Key Takeaways The DIY Mindset: How the independence, creativity, and resilience learned from skateboarding culture directly applied to the struggles of entrepreneurship. Failing Fast: Applying software development principles to food—being willing to make mistakes, learn quickly, and pivot without losing momentum. The "Hero" Product: How focusing intensely on perfecting one item (the sourdough loaf, and later the hoagie roll) creates a strong foundation for a brand. Community Building: The importance of choosing a location that needs your product (like a food desert) and growing deep roots in that neighborhood. Stacking Skills for the Future: How Matthew is combining his past as a web developer with his present as a baker to build software that will help the entire baking industry. IG: @jerrysroastpork Address: https://www.jerrysroastpork.com/ Roast Pork Sammie Location: 2 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA. IG: @ rosalindbakery Address: https://www.rosalindbakery.com/ Bakery Location: 450 Manor Plaza Pacifica, California 94044 Entrepreneur interested in being on the show: https://calendly.com/justin-bizzarro/podcast Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro and LinkedIn: FOLLOW ME ) Who is Justin Ryan Bizzarro? – Justin Bizzarro is a serial food, restaurant, technology, media and marketing entrepreneur, who helped build a 24-year-old group of food and restaurant related businesses, he created with his father and business partners out of his family’s basement, in 1998. He is a highly desired business management, personal and athlete growth, free market, food diversity, and entrepreneurial leadership speaker. Justin’s expertise are in human growth, motivation, leadership and management development, health foods and beverages, global lean manufacturing facilities, vertically integrating businesses, food marketing and advertising, supply chain creation and management, direct to consumer fulfillment, transportation and distribution, personal brand building, restaurant development and construction, and entrepreneur acceleration. Justin received his BA in International Business and Management from Dickinson College, in 2002, and his MBA from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, in 2014. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in Leadership from Denver Seminary. His leadership and entrepreneur podcasts have positively impacted millions of people across the globe. Our [ELITE] Food, Farming, Hospitality, Nutrition, and Beverage Entrepreneurs Community: Under [NEW] Construction Blog Anyone?: GorillaBrave Blog On Instagram: GorillaBrave on Instagram GorillaBrave Group on Whoop: COMM-473D96 Free Podcast. No Advertisements. The stories of Food, Beverage, Farming, Hospitality, and ...
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    56 m
  • Episode 520: Barry Levine of The Law Offices of Barry R. Levine - Beverly, MA. Shielding Your Personal Assets. Avoid Bankruptcy Before It Hits. Legal Lifelines for Food Entrepreneurs. Cost Accounting.

    Episode 520: Barry Levine of The Law Offices of Barry R. Levine - Beverly, MA. Shielding Your Personal Assets. Avoid Bankruptcy Before It Hits. Legal Lifelines for Food Entrepreneurs. Cost Accounting.
    Apr 6 2026
    How do you bulletproof a food business in an industry notorious for its failure rate? You start by planning for the worst-case scenario. In this sobering but essential episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, Justin sits down with veteran bankruptcy attorney Barry Levine. With over 45 years of experience navigating business failures and Chapter 11 reorganizations, Barry delivers a masterclass in defensive entrepreneurship. This conversation strips away the romanticized version of owning a restaurant and tackles the harsh financial and legal realities that can sink a business—and ruin personal finances—if ignored. From the hidden traps of "trust fund taxes" to the vital importance of proper cost accounting, Justin and Barry provide an actionable roadmap for structuring your business to survive crises and pivot when necessary. Here is a breakdown of the vital legal and practical strategies discussed in the episode: 1. The Danger of Blind Optimism Entrepreneurs are natural optimists, but Barry warns that this trait becomes fatal when a business starts failing. Instead of making the hard choice to close the doors, owners often drain personal savings, take out second mortgages, or borrow from family to keep a sinking ship afloat. The Fix: Establish your "breaking point" metrics from day one. Know exactly what your absolute bottom line is, and have the discipline to cut your losses before you compromise your personal livelihood. 2. Shielding Your Assets: Entity Structure Operating a food business as a Sole Proprietorship or a DBA (Doing Business As) exposes all of your personal assets—including your home—to business liabilities. The Fix: Form a proper LLC or Corporation. Treat it as a completely separate entity with its own bank accounts and tax returns. Do not commingle funds, or you risk "piercing the corporate veil," which allows creditors to come after you personally. 3. The "Trust Fund Tax" Trap When money gets tight, struggling businesses often stop paying meals taxes, sales taxes, or employee withholding taxes to cover rent or inventory. Barry highlights that these are "trust fund taxes." The government views this money as theirs from the moment it is collected. If you fail to remit it, the corporate shield disappears, and you are held personally liable. The Fix: Outsource your HR and payroll to a third-party company or Professional Employer Organization (PEO). Let them handle the tax compliance and withholding so you never have the opportunity to repurpose those funds. 4. Navigating Personal Guarantees In today's lending environment, it is nearly impossible to secure a business loan without a personal guarantee. However, not all guarantees are created equal. The Fix: Understand the difference between secured and unsecured guarantees. An unsecured personal guarantee can often be discharged in bankruptcy. But if a lender (like the SBA) secures that guarantee with a second mortgage on your home, your house is directly on the line. 5. Cost Accounting & The "Micro-Adjust" Justin points out that businesses often fail because owners stick their heads in the sand regarding volatile ingredient prices (like wild fluctuations in dairy or beef). When costs jump, restaurants wait too long to raise prices, eventually hitting customers with massive sticker shock (e.g., a $62 lobster roll). The Fix: Run a cost analysis on your recipes monthly or quarterly. Adjust your menu prices incrementally. Customers are much more likely to accept a consistent 25-cent increase than a sudden $5 hike. 6. The "Bankruptcy First" Business Plan The most powerful piece of advice from the episode is a paradigm shift in how to start a company. Don't just plan for success; plan your business backward from bankruptcy. The Fix: Before you sign a lease or take a loan, ask yourself: If this fails in 12 months, what exactly do I lose? Structure your operating agreements, supplier contracts, and corporate entities to minimize the blast radius if the worst happens. Address: https://bankruptcythrough.podbean.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1pJOOD1GCTNn3YpmqZ884j10DC_T1K3c Entrepreneur interested in being on the show: https://calendly.com/justin-bizzarro/podcast Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro and LinkedIn: FOLLOW ME ) Who is Justin Ryan Bizzarro? – Justin Bizzarro is a serial food, restaurant, technology, media and marketing entrepreneur, who helped build a 24-year-old group of food and restaurant related businesses, he created with his father and business partners out of his family’s basement, in 1998. He is a highly desired business management, personal and athlete growth, free market, food diversity, and entrepreneurial leadership speaker. Justin’s expertise are in human growth, motivation, leadership and management development, health foods and beverages, global lean manufacturing facilities, vertically integrating businesses, food marketing and ...
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    1 h y 41 m
  • Episode 519: Neata Goutier of Sabai Thai Spa - Vancouver, BC. From Thai Village to Seven Spas. The Story of Community and Franchises. A Journey of Trees, Kelp and Consistency. Building a Dynasty.

    Episode 519: Neata Goutier of Sabai Thai Spa - Vancouver, BC. From Thai Village to Seven Spas. The Story of Community and Franchises. A Journey of Trees, Kelp and Consistency. Building a Dynasty.
    Feb 16 2026
    How does a young girl from a tiny Thai village with no running water build a multi-location spa empire in Canada, all while preserving the authentic, communal spirit of her homeland? In this deeply restorative and insightful episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro welcomes Neata Goutier, the founder of Sabai Thai Spa, an established brand with seven corporate locations in Vancouver and a newly launched franchise model. This is a conversation about the intersection of hospitality, healing, and the long-game of building a legacy business. Neata’s story begins in a 200-person village in Thailand, where community support was a way of life and natural healing—through herbal remedies and massage—was a daily routine. Discover how she identified a massive cultural gap when she moved to North America: a fast-paced society that felt guilty about self-care. Neata opened her first spa 20 years ago with less than $1,000 and a vision to create a sanctuary where Westerners could experience the warmth, five-sense hospitality, and preventative health benefits of traditional Thai culture. This episode is a masterclass in slow, sustainable growth. Neata details her evolution from an exhausted owner-operator to a strategic CEO. She explains the critical importance of stepping back to work on the business rather than in it, the necessity of trusting your team, and why she spent nearly three years meticulously building out her systems and SOPs before ever offering a franchise. More than just a business playbook, this is a profound discussion on purpose. Neata and Justin delve into the difference between a money-driven "sole proprietor" and a true "entrepreneur" who seeks to elevate the world. Learn about Sabai Thai Spa’s incredible commitment to the environment—planting a tree for every massage and kelp for every product sold—and why Neata believes that the ultimate superpower in business is finding joy in the journey and leaving the world better than you found it. Key Takeaways Cultural Translation: How Neata successfully introduced the Thai philosophy of holistic, preventative self-care to a fast-paced North American market. The Power of Grassroots Marketing: Building a customer base by physically knocking on doors, introducing the business to neighbors, and sponsoring local sports teams and schools. Scaling with Systems: Why it took two and a half years to build the foundational systems (HR, accounting, training) required to support a franchise model, ensuring long-term success over rapid expansion. From Operator to CEO: The necessary, often difficult transition of handing over the keys to management and stepping back to focus on business development. Purpose-Driven Profit: How tying the business to environmental restoration (planting trees and kelp) provides deep motivation and connects the brand to a larger global mission. IG: @sabaithaispa Address: www.sabaithai.com Entrepreneur interested in being on the show: https://calendly.com/justin-bizzarro/podcast Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro and LinkedIn: FOLLOW ME ) Who is Justin Ryan Bizzarro? – Justin Bizzarro is a serial food, restaurant, technology, media and marketing entrepreneur, who helped build a 24-year-old group of food and restaurant related businesses, he created with his father and business partners out of his family’s basement, in 1998. He is a highly desired business management, personal and athlete growth, free market, food diversity, and entrepreneurial leadership speaker. Justin’s expertise are in human growth, motivation, leadership and management development, health foods and beverages, global lean manufacturing facilities, vertically integrating businesses, food marketing and advertising, supply chain creation and management, direct to consumer fulfillment, transportation and distribution, personal brand building, restaurant development and construction, and entrepreneur acceleration. Justin received his BA in International Business and Management from Dickinson College, in 2002, and his MBA from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, in 2014. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in Leadership from Denver Seminary. His leadership and entrepreneur podcasts have positively impacted millions of people across the globe. Our [ELITE] Food, Farming, Hospitality, Nutrition, and Beverage Entrepreneurs Community: Under [NEW] Construction Blog Anyone?: GorillaBrave Blog On Instagram: GorillaBrave on Instagram GorillaBrave Group on Whoop: COMM-473D96 Free Podcast. No Advertisements. The stories of Food, Beverage, Farming, Hospitality, and Nutrition Entrepreneurs and how their failures led to the successes in their lives and in their business. What does the future have in store for the food, beverage, and nutrition entrepreneur? JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Email: justin.bizzarro@gmail.com Instagram: @justinandthefoodentrepreneurs...
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    1 h y 43 m
  • Episode 518: John Smiddy of NutaMarketers - Las Vegas, NV. From Warped Tour Musician to Scaling Supplement Brands. The Math Behind the Marketing. From Rock Shop Kid to MULTI-EQUIPED ENTREPRENEUR.

    Episode 518: John Smiddy of NutaMarketers - Las Vegas, NV. From Warped Tour Musician to Scaling Supplement Brands. The Math Behind the Marketing. From Rock Shop Kid to MULTI-EQUIPED ENTREPRENEUR.
    Feb 9 2026

    How does a kid selling rocks from his bedroom turn into a touring musician, and eventually the founder of a powerhouse marketing agency?

    In this episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, Justin sits down with John Smiddy, the visionary behind NutraMarketers (www.nutramarketers.com).

    This conversation dives deep into the gritty reality of building a business from the ground up. Justin and John bond over the mental toughness forged through physical disciplines like 75 Hard, exploring how training the body is the ultimate preparation for surviving the chaotic, high-stress world of entrepreneurship.

    John pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to market consumer packaged goods and nutritional supplements today. Listeners will get a masterclass in consumer psychology, learning why having a great product simply isn't enough if you don't understand the math behind your marketing. John breaks down the exact formulas for scaling: balancing customer acquisition cost (CAC), maximizing lifetime value (LTV) through strategic subscribe-and-save models, and crafting a unique "story within the formula" that builds instant brand credibility.

    Whether you are trying to break into a crowded retail market, dialing in your e-commerce strategy, or just need the raw motivation to keep pushing forward when you want to throw in the towel, this episode delivers the exact playbook you need to win.

    Address: www.nutramarketers.com

    Entrepreneur interested in being on the show: https://calendly.com/justin-bizzarro/podcast

    Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro and LinkedIn: FOLLOW ME )

    Who is Justin Ryan Bizzarro? – Justin Bizzarro is a serial food, restaurant, technology, media and marketing entrepreneur, who helped build a 24-year-old group of food and restaurant related businesses, he created with his father and business partners out of his family’s basement, in 1998. He is a highly desired business management, personal and athlete growth, free market, food diversity, and entrepreneurial leadership speaker. Justin’s expertise are in human growth, motivation, leadership and management development, health foods and beverages, global lean manufacturing facilities, vertically integrating businesses, food marketing and advertising, supply chain creation and management, direct to consumer fulfillment, transportation and distribution, personal brand building, restaurant development and construction, and entrepreneur acceleration. Justin received his BA in International Business and Management from Dickinson College, in 2002, and his MBA from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, in 2014. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in Leadership from Denver Seminary. His leadership and entrepreneur podcasts have positively impacted millions of people across the globe.

    Our [ELITE] Food, Farming, Hospitality, Nutrition, and Beverage Entrepreneurs Community: Under [NEW] Construction

    Blog Anyone?: GorillaBrave Blog

    On Instagram: GorillaBrave on Instagram

    GorillaBrave Group on Whoop: COMM-473D96

    Free Podcast. No Advertisements. The stories of Food, Beverage, Farming, Hospitality, and Nutrition Entrepreneurs and how their failures led to the successes in their lives and in their business. What does the future have in store for the food, beverage, and nutrition entrepreneur?

    JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS

    Email: justin.bizzarro@gmail.com

    Instagram: @justinandthefoodentrepreneurs ( #foodentrepreneurs )

    All music is scored by host or royalty free.
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    1 h y 3 m
  • Episode 517: Michael Spencer of Nash Dogs - Nashville, TN [Part 7]. Remember JUDAS DIES ALONE for 30 Pieces of Silver. Garage Hot Dog Stand to Big Café. The Nash [TOWN] Dogs Rise Despite All Odds.

    Episode 517: Michael Spencer of Nash Dogs - Nashville, TN [Part 7]. Remember JUDAS DIES ALONE for 30 Pieces of Silver. Garage Hot Dog Stand to Big Café. The Nash [TOWN] Dogs Rise Despite All Odds.
    Feb 2 2026
    What does it actually take to turn a dilapidated fast-food shell into a thriving, community-centered brand? In this gritty and revealing episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro welcomes back Michael Spencer, the founder of Nash Dogs, for a raw look at the transition from food truck to brick-and-mortar. This isn't just a success story; it’s a survival guide. Michael walks listeners through the harrowing eight-month journey of converting an old Subway location into his new café. He shares the nightmares that no business plan can predict: peeling back wallpaper to find walls crumbling with black mold, HVAC units venting directly into block walls, and contractors quoting $30,000 for grease traps that the city eventually approved for $2,000. Discover the financial and emotional reality of scaling up. Michael explains how a project budgeted for $35,000 ballooned to $65,000, and how he had to teach himself mold remediation to save the budget. He opens up about a frustrating battle with a sign contractor who took his money and delivered nothing, highlighting the critical importance of integrity and iron-clad contracts in a world where handshake deals are fading. But the struggle yielded massive rewards. Michael details the strategic menu expansion that turned Nash Dogs from a lunch stop into a destination. Learn how adding high-margin items like homemade banana pudding (a customer favorite), loaded curly fries, and fountain drinks increased his average ticket from $11 to nearly $18. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, resourcefulness, and the power of asking questions. It’s about the difference between a task-oriented manager and an entrepreneurial leader, and why, in a world of shortcuts and "good enough," sticking to your morals and delivering excellence is the only way to build a legacy that lasts. Key Takeaways The General Contractor Trap: How Michael saved over $25,000 by calling the city water department himself rather than accepting a contractor's quote for a grease trap. Menu Engineering: The pivot from pre-packaged sides to high-margin, house-made items like banana pudding and loaded fries to boost profitability. The Reality of Renovation: The unexpected horrors of taking over a second-generation restaurant space, including mold remediation and HVAC failures. Marketing for Survival: Why waiting for customers to walk in is a death sentence, and Michael's strategy of hiring a marketer to aggressively pursue B2B catering. Integrity as a Strategy: The long-term value of keeping your word and building a brand based on trust, even when vendors and contractors fail to do the same. IG: @nashdogs Entrepreneur interested in being on the show: https://calendly.com/justin-bizzarro/podcast Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro and LinkedIn: FOLLOW ME ) Who is Justin Ryan Bizzarro? – Justin Bizzarro is a serial food, restaurant, technology, media and marketing entrepreneur, who helped build a 24-year-old group of food and restaurant related businesses, he created with his father and business partners out of his family’s basement, in 1998. He is a highly desired business management, personal and athlete growth, free market, food diversity, and entrepreneurial leadership speaker. Justin’s expertise are in human growth, motivation, leadership and management development, health foods and beverages, global lean manufacturing facilities, vertically integrating businesses, food marketing and advertising, supply chain creation and management, direct to consumer fulfillment, transportation and distribution, personal brand building, restaurant development and construction, and entrepreneur acceleration. Justin received his BA in International Business and Management from Dickinson College, in 2002, and his MBA from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, in 2014. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in Leadership from Denver Seminary. His leadership and entrepreneur podcasts have positively impacted millions of people across the globe. Our [ELITE] Food, Farming, Hospitality, Nutrition, and Beverage Entrepreneurs Community: Under [NEW] Construction Blog Anyone?: GorillaBrave Blog On Instagram: GorillaBrave on Instagram GorillaBrave Group on Whoop: COMM-473D96 Free Podcast. No Advertisements. The stories of Food, Beverage, Farming, Hospitality, and Nutrition Entrepreneurs and how their failures led to the successes in their lives and in their business. What does the future have in store for the food, beverage, and nutrition entrepreneur? JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Email: justin.bizzarro@gmail.com Instagram: @justinandthefoodentrepreneurs ( #foodentrepreneurs ) All music is scored by host or royalty free.
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    2 h y 1 m
  • Episode 512: Michael Emmanuel of MGT Foods - Jersey Shore, NJ. From Mr. Green Tea to Biddy Bites: A Family Ice Cream Reinvention and Redemption. DO THE WORK. Everybody Eats Ice Cream by the Spoonful.

    Episode 512: Michael Emmanuel of MGT Foods - Jersey Shore, NJ. From Mr. Green Tea to Biddy Bites: A Family Ice Cream Reinvention and Redemption. DO THE WORK. Everybody Eats Ice Cream by the Spoonful.
    Dec 29 2025

    How does a family-owned business survive the death of its founder, a brutal reality TV takedown, and the sudden loss of its biggest manufacturing contracts, only to reinvent itself as a nine-figure snacking powerhouse?

    In this fascinating episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro sits down with Michael Emanuel, the third-generation leader of MGT Foods (formerly Mr. Green Tea). This is a masterclass in resilience, engineering, and the art of the pivot.

    Michael shares the rich history of his family’s business, which began with his grandfather, a WWII bomber pilot, delivering green tea ice cream to New York City’s burgeoning Japanese restaurant scene in the 1960s. He recounts the lean years when his father drove the delivery trucks himself to keep the legacy alive, and his own decision to leave a Department of Defense engineering job to join the family fold.

    The conversation dives deep into the turning points that defined the company’s modern era. Michael opens up about their appearance on the reality show The Profit with Marcus Lemonis, which—despite a rocky start—led to the investment that built their first state-of-the-art facility. He details the engineering breakthroughs they pioneered, specifically the Vacuum Form Seal (VFS) technology that revolutionized mochi ice cream manufacturing by eliminating costly stainless steel molds.

    But the real story is about grit. When COVID-19 decimated their food service business and a massive contract with Yasso evaporated due to a Unilever acquisition, MGT Foods didn't fold. instead, they leveraged their manufacturing innovation to launch Biddy Bites, a clean-label, bite-sized cookie dough ice cream snack that exploded onto shelves at Wawa, Costco, and Trader Joe’s.

    This episode is packed with lessons on navigating supply chain disasters, the importance of "clean label" ingredients, and why sometimes the best way to grow is to stop waiting for permission and build the solution yourself. It’s an inspiring look at how a legacy brand can stay relevant by combining old-school work ethic with cutting-edge innovation.

    IG: @mr_green_tea

    Address: www.mrgreentea.com

    Entrepreneur interested in being on the show: https://calendly.com/justin-bizzarro/podcast

    Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro and LinkedIn: FOLLOW ME )

    Who is Justin Ryan Bizzarro? – Justin Bizzarro is a serial food, restaurant, technology, media and marketing entrepreneur, who helped build a 24-year-old group of food and restaurant related businesses, he created with his father and business partners out of his family’s basement, in 1998. He is a highly desired business management, personal and athlete growth, free market, food diversity, and entrepreneurial leadership speaker. Justin’s expertise are in human growth, motivation, leadership and management development, health foods and beverages, global lean manufacturing facilities, vertically integrating businesses, food marketing and advertising, supply chain creation and management, direct to consumer fulfillment, transportation and distribution, personal brand building, restaurant development and construction, and entrepreneur acceleration. Justin received his BA in International Business and Management from Dickinson College, in 2002, and his MBA from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, in 2014. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in Leadership from Denver Seminary. His leadership and entrepreneur podcasts have positively impacted millions of people across the globe.

    Our [ELITE] Food, Farming, Hospitality, Nutrition, and Beverage Entrepreneurs Community: Under [NEW] Construction

    Blog Anyone?: GorillaBrave Blog

    On Instagram: GorillaBrave on Instagram

    GorillaBrave Group on Whoop: COMM-473D96

    Free Podcast. No Advertisements. The stories of Food, Beverage, Farming, Hospitality, and Nutrition Entrepreneurs and how their failures led to the successes in their lives and in their business. What does the future have in store for the food, beverage, and nutrition entrepreneur?

    JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS

    Email: justin.bizzarro@gmail.com

    Instagram: @justinandthefoodentrepreneurs ( #foodentrepreneurs )

    All music is scored by host or royalty free.
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    1 h y 43 m
  • Episode 516: Kim Prince of Hotville Chicken and Dulansville Food Truck - Los Angeles, CA. The [TRUE] Legacy of Nashville Hot Chicken. The Spicy Journey From Nashtown to LA. GREAT LEGACY = BIG ONUS.

    Episode 516: Kim Prince of Hotville Chicken and Dulansville Food Truck - Los Angeles, CA. The [TRUE] Legacy of Nashville Hot Chicken. The Spicy Journey From Nashtown to LA. GREAT LEGACY = BIG ONUS.
    Jan 26 2026
    How does a family recipe born in the 1930s survive Jim Crow, traverse the country to Los Angeles, withstand a global pandemic, and spark a worldwide culinary phenomenon? In this fiery episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro sits down with Kim Prince, the dynamic force behind Hotville Chicken and the Dulansville Food Truck. Kim is third-generation royalty of the Prince family—the undisputed originators of Nashville Hot Chicken. This is not just a story about frying poultry; it is a masterclass in legacy, resilience, and the relentless spirit of "keeping it going." Kim takes listeners back to her roots in College Grove, Tennessee, where she grew up on 13 acres in a family of educators and entrepreneurs. She shares the profound advice passed down from her grandmother: "Handle many pots." This mantra drove Kim to master multiple skills, from the entertainment industry to the kitchen, eventually leading her to bring the authentic heat of Nashville to Los Angeles in 2016. The conversation dives deep into the realities of operating in a tough market. Kim details the rollercoaster of opening a brick-and-mortar location in Baldwin Hills, only to face the "triple threat" of COVID-19, civil unrest, and gentrification that led to the demolition of her building. Rather than folding, she pivoted. Discover how she formed a powerful partnership with Greg Doolin (of Doolin’s Soul Food) to launch the Dulansville Food Truck, a mobile concept that combines the best of both their family legacies. This episode explores the soul behind the spice. Kim explains why she refuses to compromise the integrity of the product for rapid expansion, emphasizing that true Nashville Hot Chicken isn't just about heat—it's about a 24-hour marinade, hand-dredging, and a specific frying process that requires patience and love. She also touches on her work with World Central Kitchen, feeding communities during wildfires, proving that a business is only as strong as its connection to the people it serves. Key Takeaways: The Origin Story: The history of the Prince family and how they turned a revenge recipe into a global staple. The "Handle Many Pots" Philosophy: How diversifying skills prepares an entrepreneur for the unexpected. Resilience in Crisis: How Hotville pivoted from a closed restaurant to a thriving food truck through strategic partnership. Authenticity over Expansion: Why Kim chooses to keep the operation tight to ensure quality rather than selling out for rapid franchising. Community First: The role of the food truck in disaster relief and community support. IG: @hotvillechicken IG: @dulanville IG: @dulangregory IG: @kimprincetwin Entrepreneur interested in being on the show: https://calendly.com/justin-bizzarro/podcast Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro and LinkedIn: FOLLOW ME ) Who is Justin Ryan Bizzarro? – Justin Bizzarro is a serial food, restaurant, technology, media and marketing entrepreneur, who helped build a 24-year-old group of food and restaurant related businesses, he created with his father and business partners out of his family’s basement, in 1998. He is a highly desired business management, personal and athlete growth, free market, food diversity, and entrepreneurial leadership speaker. Justin’s expertise are in human growth, motivation, leadership and management development, health foods and beverages, global lean manufacturing facilities, vertically integrating businesses, food marketing and advertising, supply chain creation and management, direct to consumer fulfillment, transportation and distribution, personal brand building, restaurant development and construction, and entrepreneur acceleration. Justin received his BA in International Business and Management from Dickinson College, in 2002, and his MBA from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, in 2014. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in Leadership from Denver Seminary. His leadership and entrepreneur podcasts have positively impacted millions of people across the globe. Our [ELITE] Food, Farming, Hospitality, Nutrition, and Beverage Entrepreneurs Community: Under [NEW] Construction Blog Anyone?: GorillaBrave Blog On Instagram: GorillaBrave on Instagram GorillaBrave Group on Whoop: COMM-473D96 Free Podcast. No Advertisements. The stories of Food, Beverage, Farming, Hospitality, and Nutrition Entrepreneurs and how their failures led to the successes in their lives and in their business. What does the future have in store for the food, beverage, and nutrition entrepreneur? JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Email: justin.bizzarro@gmail.com Instagram: @justinandthefoodentrepreneurs ( #foodentrepreneurs ) All music is scored by host or royalty free.
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    1 h y 14 m
  • Episode 515: Yolanda + David and Barbara + James of Compton's Original Seafood and Chicken - Compton, CA. Behind the Scenes of the BIG DREAMS. A Journey of Faith, Fellowship, and Entrepreneurship.

    Episode 515: Yolanda + David and Barbara + James of Compton's Original Seafood and Chicken - Compton, CA. Behind the Scenes of the BIG DREAMS. A Journey of Faith, Fellowship, and Entrepreneurship.
    Jan 19 2026
    The Union of Two Families The story of Compton's Original is not just about food; it is about the convergence of two couples—Barbara and James (owners of Queen Bee's Delightful Catering) and David and Yolanda (owners of Colbert Southern Gourmet). Despite attending the same church for over 30 years without knowing it, the couples connected through the catering circuit. The Vision: David wanted a restaurant; Yolanda did not. Barbara wanted a restaurant; James did not. They balanced each other out and decided to partner up to purchase an existing fish fry business from a retiring owner. The Transition: Moving from catering to a brick-and-mortar restaurant required a massive shift in mindset. Catering offers controlled, prepaid environments, whereas a restaurant requires predicting daily traffic, managing immediate customer service, and maintaining constant inventory. Trials by Fire: The Build-Out The journey to opening day was fraught with expensive and emotional hurdles. The team spent over a year paying rent on a closed building while renovating to meet their standards. The Contractor Nightmare: They hired a company to install a massive hood system (a $20,000+ investment). The contractor took the money, performed substandard work, and abandoned the job. The Response: Rather than suing, the partners chose to pray for the contractor and move forward, viewing the loss as a tuition fee for business wisdom. This decision solidified their partnership and reliance on faith. Regulatory Hurdles: Navigating city permits, grease traps, and Ansul systems proved to be a steep learning curve, highlighting the operational complexity of frying food commercially compared to catering. The Menu: Soul Food with Standards Compton's Original positions itself differently from the typical "fish fry market." They focus on fresh preparation rather than holding food under heat lamps. The Offerings: Beyond fried fish and shrimp, the menu features scratch-made sides like mac and cheese, collard greens with smoked turkey, red beans and rice, and James's signature garlic mashed potatoes. Health Consciousness: Listening to the community's desire for healthier options, they introduced grilled fish (sand dabs, catfish, red snapper) and salmon salads, moving away from a strictly deep-fried menu. Faith, Leadership, and Operations The episode heavily emphasizes the spiritual foundation of the business. Conflict Resolution: With four partners, disagreements are inevitable. They established a rule where majority votes rule, and they utilize prayer to navigate impasses. They hold "face-to-face" meetings to resolve issues, prioritizing the business's health over personal ego. Community Stewardship: They view their employees as family, often hiring from the local community and mentoring young staff members. They aim to create an atmosphere where customers feel they are at a family reunion, not just a transaction. Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs Actions Follow Intent: You must know your intention before you act. If you intend to build a legacy, you cannot cut corners. The Value of Slow Growth: Growing too fast can destroy a brand. Taking the time to build a solid foundation (SOPs, culture, recipes) ensures longevity. Authenticity is Currency: In a world of AI and automation, the "human touch"—remembering a customer's name, asking about their day, and serving food with love—is the ultimate competitive advantage. IG: @comptonsoriginalseafood Location: 1526 S Wilmington, Compton, CA 90220 Entrepreneur interested in being on the show: https://calendly.com/justin-bizzarro/podcast Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro and LinkedIn: FOLLOW ME ) Who is Justin Ryan Bizzarro? – Justin Bizzarro is a serial food, restaurant, technology, media and marketing entrepreneur, who helped build a 24-year-old group of food and restaurant related businesses, he created with his father and business partners out of his family’s basement, in 1998. He is a highly desired business management, personal and athlete growth, free market, food diversity, and entrepreneurial leadership speaker. Justin’s expertise are in human growth, motivation, leadership and management development, health foods and beverages, global lean manufacturing facilities, vertically integrating businesses, food marketing and advertising, supply chain creation and management, direct to consumer fulfillment, transportation and distribution, personal brand building, restaurant development and construction, and entrepreneur acceleration. Justin received his BA in International Business and Management from Dickinson College, in 2002, and his MBA from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, in 2014. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity in Leadership from Denver Seminary. His leadership and entrepreneur podcasts have positively impacted millions of people across the globe. Our [ELITE] Food, Farming, Hospitality, Nutrition, and Beverage...
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