JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS

Episode 496: David Right of Right Cream - Denver, CO. From Ice Cream Dreams to Smash Burger Streams. WHAT Happens When PASSION Meets PERSISTENCE in the [FOOD] Game? Pistachio + Lemon Ice Cream.

How does an ice cream brand, launched from the trunk of a car during a global pandemic, become one of the hottest culinary tickets in a major city?

In this incredible episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro sits down with David Right, the innovative founder of Denver’s acclaimed Right Cream. This is a powerful story about perseverance, radical creativity, and how a moment of career uncertainty can become the catalyst for building the business of your dreams.

David shares his unconventional journey from a successful but unfulfilling career in software sales to the world of food. He recounts the pivotal moment in early 2020 when he was laid off just two weeks before the global lockdown. With an unexpected surplus of time, a lifelong passion for cooking, and a deep appreciation for culinary storytellers like Anthony Bourdain, David began making ice cream. What started as a creative outlet quickly became a clandestine operation, selling pints to friends and followers out of his car in grocery store parking lots.

Discover the hustle and ingenuity that took Right Cream from a trunk-based side gig to a local phenomenon. David details the challenges of those early days and the game-changing moment when a local magazine feature turned his small-batch operation into a full-time, must-have brand overnight. He offers a raw and honest look at the trials and tribulations that followed—navigating leases, sharing kitchens, and the immense pressure of scaling a business that grew faster than he could have ever imagined.

This episode is a masterclass in evolution and listening to your customers. David explains his brilliant strategic move to expand beyond ice cream, adding hot food like his now-famous smash burgers, breakfast sandwiches, and fried fish. It was a way to solve a business problem—how to get customers to show up more than once a week—that simultaneously unlocked a new level of culinary creativity, culminating in exclusive, multi-course tasting dinners served at his 800-square-foot ice cream shop.

This is a story about the power of trusting your team, delegating responsibility, and having the courage to evolve. For any entrepreneur who has ever felt stuck or feared taking a leap of faith, David Right’s journey is an unmissable testament to the fact that with enough passion and persistence, you can build a thriving, authentic, and utterly unique business against all odds.

 

IG: @rightcream

Address: www.rightcream.com

Location: 2423 S Downing St, Denver, CO 80210

 

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

Fellowship and Food: GorillaBrave Events and Summits

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.

Episode 495: Peter Elias of Oyster and Scales - Ocean City, MD. Matthew 22:39. Navigating Trust + Obedience + ENTREPRENEURSHIP. [GOD Given] Discipline Paves the Path. Fat Camel = The Kebob Project.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro welcomes back the trailblazing Peter Elias to pull back the curtain on the intense spiritual and logistical journey of building a restaurant empire. With his new upscale seafood concept, "Oyster and Scales," taking shape in Ocean City, Peter shares a raw and honest account of navigating the immense pressures of entrepreneurship through the lens of unwavering faith.

This isn't just a conversation about business; it's a testament to impact. Peter reveals how his last appearance on the show forged an unexpected fellowship with a local fan, proving that these discussions are building communities far beyond the airwaves. He then dives into the immense challenges he’s currently facing—juggling multiple high-stakes projects, including the long-anticipated Sand and Cedar, while battling construction delays, frustrating inspector issues, and the daily complexities of leading his teams.

Peter offers a profound perspective on these trials, framing them not as mere business problems, but as spiritual warfare. Discover how he maintains a state of calm and peace amidst the chaos by developing a "spiritual reflex"—a conscious choice to trust in God's timing over his own, letting go of the need to react and instead leaning into steadfast faith.

The heart of the episode lies in Peter's mission to build more than just restaurants; he's building platforms for grace. He discusses his non-negotiable commitment to using the highest quality ingredients, like wild-caught seafood and organic produce, as a direct reflection of his values, refusing to be a hypocrite by preaching grace while serving processed food. The true measure of his success, he reveals, is not in profits, but in creating a supportive, family-like culture where his team can thrive—a success validated by over 1,700 glowing online reviews that consistently praise his staff by name.

Join Justin and Peter for a conversation that transcends business strategy and touches the soul. It's a gripping look at what it means to lead with integrity, to find peace in the storm, and to build a legacy that nourishes both the body and the spirit.

 

IG: @spainwinebar

Address: www.spainwinebar.com

 

Sand and Cedar Taverna: 11070 Cathell Rd, Ocean Pines, MD.

Bai-Tee Bakery: 1401 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD

The Bistro & Lounge: 1700 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City, MD.

 

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

 

Hosted By: Justin Ryan Bizzarro (IG: @justinbizzarro)

 

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

Fellowship and Food: GorillaBrave Events and Summits

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.

Episode 494: Maria Carlucci of BamuBamu Fire Club - Norwalk, CT. Fired Up on Adventures in Hot Sauce. From Connecticut to China to Stranded in Japan. When Life Does Not Go According to Plan. WHAT NOW?

How does a lifelong obsession with spice, a five-year expat journey in Shanghai, and a life-altering global pandemic all converge to create a fiery new food brand in Connecticut?

This episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show brings you the incredible story of Maria Carlucci, the globetrotting, flavor-chasing founder of BamuBamu Fire Club. This isn't just a story about hot sauce; it's a testament to how a winding personal journey, full of unexpected detours and cultural discovery, can become the perfect recipe for entrepreneurial success.

Maria shares how her passion for all things spicy was ignited by her diverse Italian and Turkish family roots. But it was a college study abroad program, "Semester at Sea," that truly opened her eyes to a world of flavor, sending her on a mission to collect and journal about spices from ports in Africa and beyond. This obsession led her to a five-year adventure living in Shanghai, where she immersed herself in a new culture and discovered the unique, numbing heat of Sichuan peppercorns.

The conversation pivots to the dramatic moment when COVID-19 stranded Maria in Japan, forcing her to abandon the life she had built in China—including her apartment, her belongings, and even her dog—and return to a life she thought she'd left behind in Connecticut. It was in this moment of anger, frustration, and starting over that the seeds for her business were planted.

Discover the serendipitous story of how a late-night brainstorming session with a friend—a Japanese restaurant owner—transformed a fun idea for a "spicy ramen challenge" into a full-fledged business. They launched BamuBamu Fire Club, a completely unique concept that fuses the bold flavors of global peppers with a distinctly Japanese culinary sensibility. Maria provides a masterclass in scrappy, grassroots marketing, from hitting the farmers' market circuit to finding a passionate community in the burgeoning world of hot sauce expos.

This episode is a powerful narrative about resilience, reinvention, and the art of turning a personal passion into a profession. It’s a story for anyone who has ever had their life's path dramatically rerouted, proving that sometimes the most unexpected journeys lead to the most exciting destinations.

 

IG: @bamubamu_fireclub

Address: www.bamubamufc.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

Fellowship and Food: GorillaBrave Events and Summits

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.

Episode 493: Chris and Crystal Green of Skyrocket Coffee - Bertram, TX [Part 2]. Single-Origin + Certified Organic Coffee. WHAT [the Smell] is AIR ROASTING TECHNOLOGY? Fighting ILLITERACY = PURPOSE..

What if the key to unlocking your entrepreneurial dream isn’t about having a flawless plan, but about having the right mindset to navigate the inevitable chaos?

In this deeply insightful episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro welcomes back Chris and Crystal Green, the dynamic husband-and-wife team behind the fast-growing Texas brand, Skyrocket Coffee. This isn’t just a conversation about coffee; it’s a masterclass in building a business—and a life—with intention, resilience, and a relentless commitment to growth.

 

Chris and Crystal pull back the curtain on the meticulous craft behind their brand. They dive deep into their decision to focus exclusively on single-origin, certified organic coffee, explaining how this commitment to purity—backed by rigorous testing for molds and mycotoxins—is their ultimate differentiator in a crowded market. Discover the secrets of their air roasting technology, a game-changing method that creates a smoother, richer, and more consistent flavor profile by eliminating the burnt, bitter notes common in traditional drum roasting.

This episode is a powerful testament to the idea that a successful business is a direct reflection of personal growth. Chris and Crystal get vulnerable about their journey of self-development, sharing how they transformed their own lives by building consistent, healthy habits, from daily workouts to absorbing knowledge through books and podcasts. They reveal how this shared commitment to becoming the best version of themselves became the unshakable foundation for their business, allowing them to navigate the immense pressures and setbacks of entrepreneurship as a unified team.

You’ll also learn their brilliant strategies for building a passionate community from the ground up. Find out how they leverage social media to educate consumers, turning customers into advocates by transparently sharing their entire process, from sourcing beans to live-roasting sessions. It’s a story about creating a brand that stands for something more, with a mission to support literacy programs and make a tangible, positive impact.

 

Tune in for an inspiring and actionable conversation about turning a shared passion into a thriving enterprise. This is a must-listen for any entrepreneur who understands that the journey to building a great company starts with building a great self.

 

IG: @skyrocket_coffee

 

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

Fellowship and Food: GorillaBrave Events and Summits

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.

Episode 492: Ron Cohen of Battle Born Smokers - Reno, NV. From Construction to Backyard Griller to BBQ Champion to [FOOD] Trailer Entrepreneur. WHO ATE MY RIBS? The MOJO Behind the BIG TROUGH BURRITO.

What does it take for a man to walk away from a successful 30-year career in commercial construction and dive headfirst into the fiery, competitive world of professional barbecue?

This episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPREPRENEURS Show brings you the incredible story of Ron Cohen, the founder of Reno’s Battle Born Smokers, in a masterclass on reinvention, grit, and the relentless pursuit of a passion.

Ron shares his journey from accomplished construction company owner to a rookie on the barbecue competition circuit. He gives a raw and hilarious account of his first contest, where he and his team, thinking they were "king shit at Turd Island," promptly "made a fool of themselves." This humbling trial by fire wasn't a deterrent; it was the spark that ignited a deep obsession with mastering the craft, pushing him to learn from the tight-knit barbecue community and begin racking up awards.

This is where the story takes a brilliant turn. Discover how Ron leveraged his three decades of construction expertise to gain a unique competitive edge. He recounts the "aha" moment of designing his own ultimate barbecue food trailer, a mobile machine so innovative that the professional builders had never seen anything like it. Hear how he sold his Blazer and his Harley to pay for it in cash, drove to Tennessee to pick it up, and then spent two months personally finishing the build to his exacting specifications—a testament to a craftsman's dedication.

This conversation is packed with hard-won wisdom from the pit. Ron pulls back the curtain on the secrets to his acclaimed barbecue, from his unconventional but effective technique of smoking briskets from frozen to lock in flavor, to his smart menu engineering, like creating "The Trough" burrito to ensure no delicious ingredient ever goes to waste.

This is more than a story about barbecue; it's a powerful lesson in second acts. It's about how the skills you've honed in one life can become your superpower in the next. For anyone who has ever dreamed of turning a weekend passion into a thriving business, Ron Cohen’s journey is an unmissable dose of inspiration.

 

IG: @battle_born_smokers

Address: www.battlebornsmokers.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

Fellowship and Food: GorillaBrave Events and Summits

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.

Episode 491: Alan Maniscalco of Lucky Horseshoe Lounge + Rally Pizza - Portland, OR. From College Dinner Parties to Acclaimed Entrepreneur. Revamping an Iconic Dive Bar into an Italian-American Gem.

Welcome to a masterclass in culinary craftsmanship and entrepreneurial evolution. In this episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro sits down with Alan Maniscalco, the seasoned chef and visionary behind two of the Portland area's most beloved spots: the Lucky Horseshoe Lounge and Rally Pizza. This is the captivating story of a journey forged in flour and fire, from Sicilian roots to the pinnacle of the artisan food scene.

Alan's story is the winding path of a true craftsman. He recounts how a passion for food, first sparked at college dinner parties, led him away from a conventional path and into the demanding world of artisan bakeries. From the gritty, creative scene of early 90s Portland to mentored apprenticeships in Arizona and Michigan, he learned a foundational lesson that would define his career: there is a profound difference between doing things the easy way and doing them the right way.

This episode charts Alan's remarkable ascent from baker to partner to renowned proprietor. After helping build the iconic Ken's Artisan Pizza into a Portland institution, he and his wife and business partner, Shan, took the leap to create their own legacy with Rally Pizza. But it's their journey through the pandemic and beyond that offers the most powerful lessons in resilience. Alan details the brilliant and strategic pivot of keeping the Rally Pizza brand alive as a permanent pop-up inside a local brewery after closing their original location.

Simultaneously, he shares the story of realizing a long-held dream: transforming the Lucky Horseshoe Lounge, a quirky Portland dive bar, into a vibrant, nostalgic Italian-American hub. Discover the artful balance of preserving the soul of a beloved local haunt while infusing it with an elevated menu of red-sauce classics, inventive cocktails, and the warm spirit of his San Francisco upbringing.

This is a story about building a business—and a life—with intention, integrity, and the people you love. Alan speaks candidly about the power of family, with both his wife and daughter playing integral roles in their operations, and the importance of empowering his team through partnership. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the patience of craft, the wisdom of strategic pivots, and the enduring joy of sharing great food with a cherished community.

 

IG: @luckyhorseshouloungeportland

Address: https://www.luckyhorseshoeportland.com/ 

Location: 2524 SE Clinton St., Portland, OR 97202

 

IG: @rallypizza

Address: www.rallypizza.com 

Location: 2905 St Johns Blvd, Vancouver, WA

 

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

Fellowship and Food: GorillaBrave Events and Summits

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.

Episode 490: Daniel Frazier of The Pharmacy Burger Parlor - Nashville, TN. From Music Notes to Burger Joints to Business Chief. The JOURNEY of AN INTRAPRENEUR. Who Will Be THE BURGER KING of NASHTOWN?

What happens when the soulful rhythm of Music City gets infused into the sizzle of a burger grill? In this captivating episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPREPRENEURS Show, host Justin Bizzarro sits down with Daniel Frazier, Director of Operations for the Nashville institution, The Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden, for a fascinating conversation about the powerful synergy between music, creativity, and hospitality.

Daniel shares his remarkable and unconventional journey, revealing that his original path was not in food, but in music. A lifelong musician raised in the orbit of Nashville's legendary industry, he saw his future on a stage, not in a kitchen. But when a part-time job as a server at The Pharmacy became an unexpected calling, he discovered that the principles of performance, passion, and connecting with an audience were the perfect ingredients for a career in hospitality.

This is the story of an organic ascent into leadership. Daniel recounts how he rose from server to the head of the company not by design, but by consistently stepping up, earning the trust of his team, and finding his purpose amidst the chaos of a busy restaurant. He provides a masterclass on how skills learned in one creative field can become a superpower in another, framing the restaurant experience as a "performance that's edible."

The episode serves as a love letter to Nashville itself, exploring how the city's creative heartbeat fuels its thriving food scene. Daniel explains that his staff is filled with musicians and artists, creating a unique, high-energy culture that translates directly into an unforgettable guest experience. He pulls back the curtain on The Pharmacy's formula for success: a relentless focus on elevating the familiar with unique, high-quality ingredients—from locally-baked buns and house-made sodas to their award-winning, in-house sausages.

Tune in for an inspiring look at the intersection of art and commerce. This is more than a story about a successful burger joint; it's a testament to the power of a city's culture, the importance of a people-first leadership style, and the magic that happens when a musician finds a new stage.

 

IG: @thepharmacynashille

 

Location: Nashville Airport [BNA] 1 Terminal Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

Location: Assembly Food Hall 5055 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

Location: East Nash 731 Mcferrin Avenue, Nashville, TN 37206

 

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

Fellowship and Food: GorillaBrave Events and Summits

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.

Epsiode 489: Jesse Valenciana of Secret Bodega - Nashville, TN. What's the BIG SECRET in NASHTOWN? An Innovative Take on NOSTALGIC + COLLABORATIVE Cuisine. From Grilling Clubs to The Culinary Scene.

How does a successful marketing professional with three cookbooks and a viral men's grilling club end up starting over from scratch? And what if that painful reset is the only path to finding your true purpose?

This powerful episode of the JUSTIN AND THE [FOOD] ENTREPRENEURS Show brings you the incredible story of Jesse Valenciana, the "accidental restaurateur" and creative visionary behind Nashville's Secret Bodega. Host Justin Bizzarro sits down with Jesse for a raw and inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the profound impact of community.

Jesse pulls back the curtain on his unconventional journey, which began in Chicago with "ManBQue," a tongue-in-cheek grilling club that became an unlikely culinary incubator and media sensation, landing him two cookbook deals after a fateful encounter. But with success came burnout, and a devastating personal loss forced him to re-evaluate everything. This led him to make a life-altering move to Nashville, where he discovered a completely different kind of food scene.

This is a masterclass in community over competition. Jesse contrasts the guarded, scarcity mindset he knew in Chicago with the radical collaboration he found in Nashville, where chefs like Julio Hernandez of Maiz De La Vida didn't see a competitor, but a brother in arms, offering up his own food truck to help Jesse get started.

You'll hear the trial-by-fire story of Secret Bodega's launch inside the Pearl Diver bar, where Jesse's inherited team "jumped ship" at the last minute, forcing him to build his dream from the ground up, alone. Discover how he crafted a menu that is a true culinary autobiography—a nostalgic, innovative, and deeply personal reflection of his Chicago-Mexican heritage, filled with playful and critically acclaimed dishes that led to him winning Nashville's "Burger Week."

This episode is a testament to the fact that sometimes, the greatest opportunities are born from the deepest struggles. It's an unforgettable story about the grit it takes to start over and the magic that happens when a passionate entrepreneur finds the right community to call home.

 

IG: @thesecretbodega

IG: @jessevalenciana

IG: @pearldiver_nashville

 

Book: Birrias: 65 Recipes from Traditional to Modern

Book: Eat Street: The ManBQue Guide to Making Street Food at Home

Book: ManBQue: Meat. Beer. Rock and Roll.

 

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

Fellowship and Food: GorillaBrave Events & Summits

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.