Grit Won't Quit

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Gianna Kennedy, founder of Glow with Gianna, to discuss how she turned a personal struggle into a mission to help others. At just 16 years old, Gianna shares her experience overcoming an unhealthy relationship with food during her freshman year of high school and how social media can influence the way young people view themselves. Determined to make a difference, she began growing her platform to encourage healthier mindsets and open conversations around body image, confidence, and nutrition. Tom and Gianna also talk about her work speaking in schools, advocating for young people through conversations with members of Congress about social media and teen mental health, creating affirmation cards and care packages for care centers, and hosting her own Glow Diary Podcast. They also discuss her experience as Miss New Jersey's Teen and her goal of pursuing a career in the medical field. This episode is all about resilience, self-confidence, and using your voice to create positive change at any age.

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Chris McGurk, franchise owner of Wingman Planning in Toms River, to discuss his journey just a few months into business ownership.

Chris shares what it's been like launching a Wingman Planning franchise, the importance of being a trusted support system for small businesses, and why helping local business owners succeed is at the heart of everything he does. Tom and Chris also talk about Made in Jersey, an initiative that helps entrepreneurs get comfortable in front of the camera and tell their stories in an authentic way.

The conversation highlights the value of building relationships, creating opportunities for local businesses, and making a positive impact within the community.

This episode is all about supporting entrepreneurs, giving back, and helping small businesses grow together.

In this special mini episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom catches up with Chef Mike inside his brand-new restaurant as preparations are underway for opening day.

The two discuss Chef Mike's vision for the new space, what guests can expect, the challenges that come with opening a restaurant, and the excitement of bringing a new concept to life. It's an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about the work, planning, and passion that go into building something from the ground up.

Get an exclusive first look at what's ahead for Chef Mike and his newest venture. 🎙🔥

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Kurt Bruckmann of The Core Energy Experience for a conversation about entrepreneurship, meaningful relationships, and staying connected to what matters most. As a fellow podcast host, Kurt recently welcomed Tom onto his own show, giving both of them a unique perspective on the power of authentic conversations with business owners. They discuss the value of speaking with entrepreneurs who understand the realities of running a business 24/7, why podcasting allows people to share their unfiltered stories, and how those conversations often reveal the real person behind the brand. Tom and Kurt also talk about the importance of face-to-face interactions in an increasingly remote world, building genuine connections, and remaining grounded in spirituality while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. This episode is a thoughtful discussion about balancing business, relationships, and personal values while staying true to yourself along the journey.

In this special episode of Grit Won't Quit, the tables are turned as Jenna Atrashewski, Brand Manager at Wingman Planning, steps into the host's seat to interview Tom Mirabella about his entrepreneurial journey and the growth of the company he built. Tom shares how Wingman Planning started, how he landed his first client, and the mindset that helped him grow the business by focusing on relationships, long-term partnerships, and simply helping people solve problems. He also reflects on some of the best business advice he's received along the way and what it has meant to watch the Wingman team grow over the years. Jenna and Tom also dive into some of today's biggest marketing topics, including the importance of social media for small businesses, how AI is changing the future of media and marketing, and why staying adaptable is more important than ever. The conversation wraps up with Tom's vision for the future of Wingman Planning and the potential for expansion through franchising. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the person behind the podcast and the business, along with valuable insights for entrepreneurs, marketers, and anyone focused on long-term growth. Tune in and take away something valuable. 🎙🔥

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Sammy Hernandez, also known as Sam the Mortgage Man, for a conversation about service, community, and helping people build a better future.

A current detective in Freehold and mortgage advisor with Advisors Mortgage Group, Sammy shares how a friend encouraged him to enter the mortgage industry, recognizing his ability to connect with people and serve the Spanish-speaking community. He talks about finding a family atmosphere at Advisors and how many of the same values that make him successful in law enforcement also carry over into helping families achieve homeownership.

Tom and Sammy discuss the importance of having a strong team, the challenges of buying a home in today's Monmouth County market, and why real estate remains one of the best opportunities for building long-term wealth. They also talk about Sammy's experience as a rental property owner, helping tenants become homeowners themselves, and his growing interest in house flipping.

The conversation also highlights Sammy's commitment to giving back. Through his involvement in local toy drives and community initiatives, he has helped distribute more than 10,000 toys to children in the Freehold area, continuing his mission of serving others both on and off the job.

This episode is all about community, leadership, and creating opportunities that help people move forward in life.

In this special Best of the Chef Series episode of Grit Won't Quit, we're serving up some of our favorite moments from past Chef Series conversations.

Featuring clips from conversations with Joe Leone, Chef James Avery, Chef Chris Brandl, James Costello, Doug Walsh, and Roy Rollins, this episode highlights the passion, perseverance, and grit that define the food industry. From restaurant ownership and entrepreneurship to food trends, hospitality, leadership, staffing challenges, competition, and the love of creating memorable dining experiences, these chefs share insights earned through years of experience.

Whether discussing the impact of COVID on the industry, the importance of staying true to traditional flavors, building strong teams, or adapting to an ever-changing marketplace, each guest brings a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in the culinary world.

If you're a restaurant owner, aspiring chef, entrepreneur, or simply someone who appreciates great food and great stories, this episode is a collection of some of the best moments from the Chef Series.

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Benson Fischer of ZivZo Marketing Group to talk about entrepreneurship, marketing, and what it takes to stand out in today's business landscape. Drawing from decades of experience building and operating businesses across multiple industries, Ben shares lessons on branding, digital advertising, and the importance of building trust with your audience. The conversation explores how video has become a powerful tool for connecting with customers, but also why authentic storytelling, strong testimonials, and understanding your local market are just as important. Tom and Ben also discuss common marketing pitfalls, avoiding empty SEO promises, creating transparency with clients, and why business owners need to understand where their advertising dollars are going. This episode is all about adapting to a changing world, embracing new technology, and building a business that creates lasting relationships with its customers.

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Nicole of Discover Your Root Wellness to talk about mental health, holistic healing, and helping people create lasting change through wellness. With a background in psychology and personal struggles with anxiety at a young age, Nicole shares how her own experiences led her toward yoga, holistic health, and eventually building a business focused on helping others feel better physically and mentally. She explains why she believes wellness is never "one size fits all" and how she tailors her yoga classes and wellness coaching to the energy and needs of each individual. Tom and Nicole also discuss her experience discovering she had Lyme disease, the eye-opening moments she had working alongside holistic doctors, and why she became passionate about focusing on root causes rather than simply masking symptoms. This episode is a real conversation about wellness, patience, and making small consistent changes that can lead to a healthier life over time. 🎙🔥

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Maya Bundesen-Magier, founder of Map My Milk, to talk about how a personal experience led her to create an AI-powered platform helping parents better understand infant food allergies and sensitivities. A former occupational therapist with no coding background, Maya shares how she taught herself the tech side of building a startup after struggling to find tools that connected a mother's diet to a baby's reactions. What started as a personal challenge became a mission to create a more useful, user-focused solution for families navigating difficult health questions. Tom and Maya also dive into the realities of building a health tech company from scratch, the role of AI in healthcare, and the importance of staying mission driven while creating something that genuinely helps people. This episode is all about innovation, persistence, and turning personal challenges into meaningful solutions. 🎙🔥