Grit Won't Quit

Tom sits down with Stacey Berger to talk about the role mindset plays in entrepreneurial success and why the way you think can have a major impact on how you grow your business. Stacey shares her perspective on transformational willingness, what it takes to be open to change, and why building a strong coaching relationship over time can lead to lasting results. They discuss how business owners can upgrade their internal operating system, recognize the mindset patterns holding them back, and develop the ability to approach challenges differently. Tom and Stacey also explore why leaders need to continue evolving as their businesses grow and how the right mindset can help them move beyond obstacles and reach their next level. It's a conversation about personal growth, leadership, coaching, and building the mindset needed to succeed in business.

Since entering the industry in 2012, Matt has built his approach around understanding each client's needs, building relationships, and finding the right solutions for their situation. He shares his unique career journey from mechanic to magazine professional to mortgage specialist, along with why he believes your network is your net worth. Tom and Matt discuss the challenges homebuyers face in today's market, the importance of knowing what clients want to achieve, and why Matt sees himself as both a mortgage guy and a trusted resource people can turn to for guidance. They also talk about the often-overlooked costs of moving into a new home and how asking the right questions can make a difference. It's a conversation about building trust, making informed decisions, and putting people first in the mortgage business.

Tom sits down with Mary Mdzeluri of Zip to Zip Moving to talk about growing a moving company for more than 10 years while maintaining quality and customer trust. Mary shares how she has navigated changing demand, from the moving boom during COVID to slower markets driven by rising interest rates, without losing sight of what matters most: delivering a great customer experience. They discuss planning ahead for peak season, building and maintaining a strong team, and why honesty, communication, and accountability are essential in a service-based business. Mary also explains how referrals, online reviews, Reddit, and AI tools are changing the way customers find moving companies. Tom and Mary explore how technology, including CRMs and paperless systems, can make operations more efficient while keeping the personal touch that customers expect. It's a conversation about leadership, reputation, and growing a business by putting service first, even when the market changes.

Tom sits down with Jessica Giovine of The Jess Press Shop to talk about her journey from working in the corporate world in New York City to taking a chance on herself and building a successful creative business from home. What started as a leap into the unknown grew into a business designing custom wedding invitations, stationery, and printed details that help make special occasions memorable. Jessica shares how she built relationships with popular wedding venues and became a preferred vendor, along with what it takes to stand out in a competitive creative industry. Tom and Jessica also discuss the growing impact of AI on design, the challenges it creates for creative professionals, and why originality and personal creativity still matter. It's a conversation about taking risks, building a business around your passion, and finding your own path to success.

Tom sits down with Mallory McCaffery of The Bald Kitty Club to talk about her journey from working at a corporate location to building her own business. Mallory shares how she started as Baja Beauty with a small clientele and grew the business into what would become The Bald Kitty Club. As the business grew, Mallory was able to bring her sister into the business, eventually having her join the team full time. They also talk about building a great team, growing a business the right way, and bringing more personality and character into the brand. Tom and Mallory also talk about the importance of creating a business that feels different and memorable, while Wingman Planning helps The Bald Kitty Club take the next step with their website.

Tom sits down with Ryan Mitchell of CPR Tax to talk about his journey into sales, working with small business owners, and the importance of understanding what clients actually need and what outcome they are looking for. Ryan shares why so many small business owners fear the IRS and how he works to make accounting less intimidating. They also discuss the importance of being comfortable being uncomfortable, including getting on video, building genuine relationships, and staying authentic with clients. Tom and Ryan also talk about how AI is changing the way businesses communicate and the concern that technology can sometimes make interactions feel less personal. They discuss the challenges that come with growth and how one mistake can create a domino effect across a growing business. Learn more at CPR.Tax and Taxmanwhoeats.com.

Tom sits down with Lori Roland of Lori Ann Roland Counseling LLC to talk about her journey from starting her career at Morgan Stanley in New York City at just 21 years old to realizing she wanted something different and going back to school to pursue counseling. Lori shares what led her into counseling and how she got her start as a student counselor in Monmouth County before building her career in the field. Tom and Lori also discuss how phones and social media have changed the way kids grow up, the pressure to portray a life that isn't always real, and the importance of developing the tools to handle the highs and lows of life. They also have an open conversation about marijuana use among young people, what Lori has seen through her work with students, and some of the challenges counselors face when helping kids who may not want to be there. It's a conversation about changing careers, finding purpose, building a counseling practice, and understanding the challenges facing the next generation.

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Troy Ewen, Community Bank Ambassador at OceanFirst Bank, to talk about financial literacy and why learning how to manage money early can make a lasting difference. Troy shares how he helps people understand credit, budgeting, fraud prevention, and the importance of living within your means. Tom and Troy also discuss OceanFirst's growth, new ways the bank is supporting nonprofits, and partnerships with elementary schools to help teach financial lessons at a young age. They also talk about networking, overcoming the fear of public speaking, and creating smaller, more personal networking groups where people can build real connections. It's a great conversation about helping people become more confident with their finances and giving the next generation the tools they need to succeed.

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Blake, a 13-year-old Boy Scout who has already made a name for himself with an incredible approach to sales and entrepreneurship. Tom first met Blake when he came into the office selling Boy Scout popcorn and was immediately impressed by his confidence and sales pitch. Blake went on to become the #1 Boy Scout popcorn seller in the nation, with a goal of selling $80,000 worth of popcorn. Blake shares the sales tactics he's learned, how performing in plays helped him overcome nervousness, and why he enjoys sharing what he's learned with his friends. Tom and Blake also talk about his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout, being homeschooled, his plans to potentially start college early, and the advice he has for young entrepreneurs. A great conversation about confidence, learning, setting big goals, and understanding that different things work in different places.

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Joe Leo of JBL Travel Group to talk about his journey from the corporate world to building a successful travel business.

Joe shares how planning his own destination wedding sparked the idea for JBL Travel Group, and how he eventually made the leap into travel after proving he could replace his corporate income. He also talks about the massive impact COVID had on the travel industry and how being proactive helped him protect his clients and come out stronger.

Tom and Joe discuss why having a travel advisor can make such a difference when things go wrong, from canceled trips and recovering money to having a real person available when a crisis happens during your vacation. Joe also explains why getting to know each client is so important, especially when choosing between all-inclusive resorts that aren't necessarily created equal.

The conversation is a great reminder that success doesn't happen overnight. It comes from learning through failures, taking care of your customers, and always being willing to go to bat for the people you serve.