Grit Won't Quit

Chasing the American Dream with Leo Cervantes of Chilangos Restaurant

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Leo Cervantes of Chilangos Mexican Restaurant for an inspiring conversation about hard work, opportunity, and perseverance. Originally from just outside Mexico City, Leo shares his journey of coming to America in search of a better future. From getting his first job as a dishwasher without even knowing what a dishwasher was, to learning English while working as a busboy, Leo opens up about the challenges, risks, and mindset that helped him grow. Tom and Leo also talk about opening his first restaurant with only $500 in his pocket, the people who believed in him along the way, and how Chilangos has now been part of the Atlantic Highlands community for over 25 years. They also touch on his time serving as a councilman in Highlands and the story behind his book Chilangos in House. This episode is a real conversation about chasing the American dream and never being afraid to knock on the next door.

Building Better Workplaces with Karina Gaudier of Autism Workforce Solutions

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Karina Gaudier, founder of Autism Workforce Solutions, to talk about the untapped potential of neurodiverse talent and why so many companies are missing the mark when it comes to hiring and retaining autistic employees. Drawing from her own experiences as an autistic professional, Karina shares how those challenges inspired her to build a company focused on helping organizations create better workplaces through understanding, support, and smarter hiring practices. She explains how small adjustments in communication, onboarding, and management can make a major impact on employee success and retention. Tom and Karina also dive into the larger conversation around workplace inclusion, the misconceptions surrounding autism in professional settings, and why embracing neurodiverse talent can create stronger teams and better business outcomes. This episode is a powerful conversation about leadership, opportunity, and building workplaces where more people can thrive. Learn more at AutismWorkforceSolutions.com 🎙

Tradition, Competition, and the Chaos of the Food Industry with Joe Leone | Chef Series

In this Chef Series episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom and Chef Mike are joined by Joe Leone of Joe Leone's Italian Specialties for a conversation about friendship, food, and the realities of the restaurant industry. With Mike and Joe having been friends for over 30 years, the episode dives into everything from starting out in wholesale and chasing payments to how the industry has changed over time. They discuss the chaos that comes with food service, how COVID completely shifted the business, and why employee loyalty looks very different today. The conversation also touches on overrated food trends, underrated traditional flavors, and the importance of cooking food that genuinely makes people happy. Tom, Mike, and Joe break down competition in the industry, why reputation matters, and how a few bad workers can impact everyone around them. This episode is a real behind-the-scenes look at the food world from people who've lived it for decades.

Building Better Mental Health Support with Angela Mancini of La Luna Counseling & The Drop In Nest

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Angela Mancini, founder of La Luna Counseling & Wellness and The Drop In Nest, for a conversation about mental health, entrepreneurship, and building support systems that people truly need. After experiencing postpartum anxiety and depression herself, Angela was inspired to create La Luna Counseling & Wellness, a practice built around helping people feel seen, supported, and comfortable asking for help. Since launching in 2022, La Luna has expanded to multiple locations while continuing to grow its client-centered approach to care. Tom and Angela also dive into her newest venture, The Drop In Nest, a virtual urgent care concept for mental health designed to help people connect with support immediately instead of waiting days or weeks for an appointment. They discuss how conversations around mental health have evolved, the importance of recognizing when everyday life is being impacted, and the challenges of starting a second business while continuing to grow the first. This episode is a real conversation about burnout, healing, entrepreneurship, and creating spaces where people can get help when they need it most.

Building Trust and Long Term Success with Scott Mahoney of Family Wealth Management

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Scott Mahoney of Family Wealth Management to talk about what it really takes to survive and succeed in the financial services industry. Scott shares his journey from the early days of struggling to find clients to building a thriving business over the past 20 years. He opens up about the challenges most advisors face, including low conversion rates, long sales cycles, and the pressure that causes many to burn out early. Tom and Scott dive into the importance of patience, authenticity, and continuous learning. They discuss how building genuine relationships, planting seeds for future opportunities, and staying consistent through market ups and downs are what truly create long term success. Scott also shares insight into leading a team, navigating uncertain markets, and why trust is everything in this business. This episode is all about perseverance, mindset, and doing the right things over time to build something that lasts.