Wheels, Deals and Meals

S4: EP 13 Sol Scott - The Blend

What does a global logistics strategy manager do when he buys the world’s number-one rated cigar lounge? This week on Wheels, Deals, and Meals, we set up shop in one of our absolute favorite places on the planet: Blend Bar in The Woodlands. But this isn't just another look inside the humidors—today’s show is special because we are sitting down with Blend's new owner, Sol Scott. Sol’s story is a masterclass in combining high-level corporate precision with authentic hospitality. Named after the Spanish word for the sun, Sol spent over two decades navigating global logistics and supply chain strategies for ExxonMobil. In February, he took the ultimate entrepreneurial leap by acquiring Blend Bar—a world-renowned venue previously crowned the #1 cigar lounge in the world. Sol sits down to discuss the meticulous "white-glove" process of charring and lighting a perfect stick, the unmatched power of professional networking, and his vision for creating a premium sanctuary where every guest can completely disconnect from the noise and feel instantly known. Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more Good Food, Good Business, and Good Cars! #WheelsDealsAndMeals #SolScott #BlendBar #CigarLounge #ExxonMobilAlumni #SupplyChainStrategy #WoodlandsBusiness #PetraAutomotive #WDM

S4: EP 12 Laura Murillo - Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

This week we sit down with the ultimate powerhouse of the Houston business community, Dr. Laura Murillo, President and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Under her leadership, the Chamber has smashed membership records and become one of the most influential institutions in the country.But today, we are diving behind the scenes of her critical role on the board of the Houston-Harris County Sports Authority. Dr. Murillo opens up about the massive five-year collaborative effort, the strategic bidding process, and the intense economic choreography required to bring the world's biggest sporting event—the FIFA World Cup—right to Houston.Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more Good Food, Good Business, and Good Cars!#WheelsDealsAndMeals #DrLauraMurillo #HoustonBusiness #FIFAWorldCup #SportsAuthority #HoustonHispanicChamber #EconomicGrowth

S4: EP 11 Ken Kades - McDonalds

How do you go from managing a single storefront to operating a massive multi-unit empire? This week, we sit down with legendary entrepreneur Ken Kades, founder of The Kades Corporation and Owner Operator at Multiple McDonalds. Ken has spent decades mastering the art of business operations, scaling his footprint to 80 highly successful locations at one point in his career. In this episode, Ken pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to scale a business. He shares his journey from an entry-level store manager to an operations director, detailing the exact systems, scaling frameworks, and cultural pivots needed to sustain a multi-unit empire. Whether you're trying to build your very first startup or figure out how to scale from 2 locations to 20, Ken’s operational blueprint is a masterclass in modern business growth. Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more Good Food, Good Business, and Good Cars! #WheelsDealsAndMeals #KenKades #BusinessScaling #FranchiseOwner #OperationsManager #MultiUnitMogul #EntrepreneurLife #HoustonBusiness #McDonalds

S4: EP 10 Dan Shine - Automotive News

What does it take to lead the retail coverage at Automotive News? 📰🚗 This week, Arnold catches up with Dan Shine, a man whose blood runs with Detroit motor oil and newspaper ink. Dan takes us through his incredible career, from the fast-paced night shift at the Dallas Morning News to his current role overseeing the most critical stories in the auto industry today. Learn about the "hustle" of early journalism, the importance of industry networking, and why Dan will never look at a "harebrained" idea the same way again. Don’t forget to Like and Subscribe for more Good Food, Good Business, and Good Cars! #WheelsDealsAndMeals #DanShine #AutoNews #JournalismLife #BusinessStories #DetroitCars #PodcastLife

S4: EP 9 Manuel Leyshon - Loco Tequila

Welcome back to Wheels, Deals and Meals! This week, we sit down at Amalfi Restaurant with Manuel Leyshon, the driving force behind Loco Tequila. From his early days in Mexico City to navigating the global spirits market, Manuel shares the story of how he helped build a brand that defies the status quo. In this episode, we dive into the "Loco" philosophy—a commitment to quality, pure agave, and a process that respects the land (terruño) above all else. Video Timestamps: * 00:00:00 – Intro: Great food, great company, and the "Loco" spirit. * 00:01:36 – Origins: Growing up in Mexico City, León, and Guadalajara. * 00:06:33 – Career Path: From Pernod Ricard to the Automotive Industry. * 00:09:31 – The "Loco" Adventure: Building a brand from ground zero in Monterrey. * 00:12:07 – Strategic Growth: Why Texas and California are the keys to the U.S. market. * 00:14:55 – The Truth About Tequila: Additive-free trends and why quality matters. * 00:18:25 – Exploring Expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and Puro Corazón. * 00:24:20 – Fun Stuff: "The Jalapeño" (his first car), Porsche dreams, and his love for Mexico. * 00:30:20 – How to get Loco Tequila: Online and retail. Find Loco Tequila:Ready to taste the difference? Visit locotequila.com [https://locotequila.com] to find a retailer or order online. Don’t forget to check out their unique expressions, including the Blanco de Abolengo and the ultra-limited "Puro Corazón." #LocoTequila #WheelsDealsAndMeals #AdditiveFreeTequila #Entrepreneurship #MexicoToTheWorld #PremiumTequila #ArnoldGarcia #BusinessStories Subscribe for more conversations about good food, good business, and good cars!