You may have seen Chef James Avery on a few of Gordan Ramsay's cooking shows, working on the culinary team and sous chef positions for seasons. Or, you may be familiar with his incredibly well-known restaurants in booming Asbury Park, NJ: The Black Swan and The Bonney Read. Being a chef, mentor and entrepreneur that has gained tremendous respect and status from those around him - how did James get to where he is in such a competitive and creative industry? Listen and enjoy. Want to know more abo...
Apr 07, 2023•49 min
Carrying on a family business can come with a lot of pressure to succeed. Jacqueline Leon and Tod Vitalis are fourth-generation owners of Klein's Fish Market, located along the Jersey Shore in Belmar, NJ. Their Great Grandfather started the business, and it's been passed down ever since. So, how do they keep this business thriving for generations to enjoy? Tune in to this episode of Breaking Barriers to hear their journey.
Apr 06, 2023•23 min
A true family man, Anthony Schifilliti - Owner of Nino's Coal Fired Pizza- has kept "Nonna's" recipes alive building a business where her dishes can be loved. Building an Italian restaurant along the Jersey Shore poses as a challenge in itself. Anthony found a successful way to differentiate his restaurant from others in the saturated NJ market. Nino's Coal Fired Restaurant located in Ocean County, NJ offers a myriad of italian dishes descending from "Nonna's" recipes. With homemade pasta and aw...
Mar 23, 2023•37 min
CEO & Founder of Jersey Shore Supplements and AstroFlav, Brian Tweer, started his journey in 2013 and has since grown tremendously, but not without facing challenges. From facing a cease and desist immediately after starting his business to scaling to multiple locations and a 7,500 sq. ft warehouse - Brian has hurdled over challenges to keep the momentum going. Listen to the full podcast to hear his story! Feeling social? Follow Brian Tweer on Instagram @BrianTweer Or check out his businesse...
Mar 17, 2023•32 min
How fast would you jump to a new opportunity? Digital Marketer & Sales Enthusiast, Matthew Iglesias has been building his advertising company since he was a teenager. After much thought, he was brave enough to take a leap for a new journey, which has ultimately made him more successful than ever before. Matthew’s philosophy is about being open, whether it’s to your instincts, new opportunities or spirituality. Throughout the podcast, he and John discuss the importance of trusting yourself on...
Feb 09, 2023•49 min
From unhoused and barely surviving to being able to vacation in Italy, Abraham Pena, CEO of Fitty Foods has had a tough road to success. What began as a mission to help nourish his sick mother with healthy foods became a passion for nutrition that inspired him to create Abe’s Fitty Foods. Tragedy struck soon after, leaving him without a mother or a home. Throughout his history as an entrepreneur, Abe has endured countless obstacles, from grief and depression to just plain bad luck. However, he’s...
Jan 25, 2023•31 min
Not many people have a life story that could easily be mistaken for a movie, but Suzanne Corso is one of them. As a New York Times Best-Selling Author of three books, Suzanne cross-references her own life events and memories in her novels. As a teenager, Suzanne was raised by a single struggling mom, and soon went off to date a Brooklyn mobster, that was later indicted after 22 murders. Soon after that chaos settles, she meets the Wall St. man of her dreams, giving her a luxurious life of living...
Jan 19, 2023•27 min
Do your kids understand the value of a dollar? Former attorneys, Nicolle Hood and Annie Shoen came to the quick realization their kids were financially illiterate after finding dollars in lint filters or hearing "Can't you get another on amazon?". The best friend duo decided they needed to make a change. After finding no resources teaching those under 10 about money management skills, My First Nest Egg was born with a goal to give their children financial education with a focus on earning. Navig...
Jan 12, 2023•28 min
Over the past 50 years, the automotive industry has drastically transformed. For car lovers out there, you know how difficult it can be to find a part for your older car. CEO, Stan Mirzayev built the app Parts Detect, which gives car owners easy and free access to search for replacement parts for their specific vehicle. Parts Detect is a marketplace for new car parts, a search engine that aggregates available inventory from local part suppliers. The Parts Detect platform is accessed through a mo...
Jan 05, 2023•28 min
What happens to your belongings, your legacy, you family when you pass on? Sabrina Winters, North Carolina Estate Planning Attorney, was inspired by a personal and traumatic family death that led to the importance of estate planning. You don't know what tomorrow is going to bring so you have to plan today. Tune in to Breaking Barriers to hear her journey and tips for setting your family and loved ones up for success and allow your legacy to live on. Get in Contact with Sabrina Winters: https://n...
Dec 16, 2022•26 min
New Yorkers have a special type of love for their city. In this episode, Compass Real Estate Agent, Tony Worrell, walks and talks New York City; From projecting where Brooklyn real estate will be in the next few years to sharing some tips on how to capitalize on the city’s current market. Tony Worrell is a Brooklyn and Manhattan luxury real estate agent, and owner of event venue space, 4am. Check him out on Instagram: @iheart718 or say hello at tonyworrell.com!...
Dec 16, 2022•38 min
Uncovering the definition of working smarter, not harder. Starting his business 14 years ago, CEO & Founder of LG Insurance Agency, Aaron Levine realized that he is able to write fewer policies and make a lot more money if he focused on high net worth individuals with significant assets and properties around the country. LG Insurance Agency is a boutique, full-service insurance agency located in New Jersey dedicated to full customer support through advocacy. They pride themselves in having s...
Dec 01, 2022•39 min
Global leader in HealthWear, Jordan Schindler - Founder and CEO of Nufabrx shares the concept behind his Healthwear® product, which puts active ingredients into textile fabrics, which can be programmed for controlled release to the skin. When knitted into their products, they consistently deliver therapeutic amounts of the ingredients directly to the skin.
Nov 28, 2022•23 min
As an entrepreneur, one of the most challenging realizations is that not everyone is motivated by the same things you are while running your business. Cassie Petrey, Co-Founder and CEO of Crowd Surf shares how she gained an understanding and learned how to keep her team individually motivated to get closer to her goal and vision for her company. Crowd Surf is a leading entertainment marketing and music management firm working with some of the World's most recognizable entertainers, including Bri...
Nov 22, 2022•21 min
What does it take to build a reputable restaurant? Owner of Buona Sera, Chris Mariani shares how he spent 35 years building a culinary experience through a combination of fine dining and traditional Italian recipes. In a saturated New Jersey market - how do you stand out? Buona Sera Ristorante & Bar is Red Bank NJ's finest traditional Italian restaurant, offering quality hospitality and fine-tuned recipes.
Nov 17, 2022•41 min
Michael Burghoffer has sold over 8 figures in products and services to verticals such as K12, Universities and B2B - From entrepreneurial mentorship that provides fractional c-suite positions to educating the youth on product manufacturing through STEM education. Each business Michael has created revolves around the PICO values derived from a combination of his personal and business values of being proactive over re-active, to innovate as a platform of empowerment and to be optimistic in any pur...
Nov 15, 2022•31 min
Changing the way Floridians can access medical marijuana, Tony Burrows, CEO of Green Source FL - discusses the challenges in growing a company in a taboo industry. With cannabis laws opening up, what was once a subject many tip-toed around, they are now lining up to take advantage of the natural options that are available! Green Source FL is a Central Florida-based medical marijuana health care center serving Florida residents who are looking for natural pathways to a healthier quality of life....
Nov 03, 2022•41 min
Co-Founder & CEO of Brokerloop , Abdul Ramirez, shares how important it is to know your worth and fight for it. Years back, as a young professional navigating corporate America, he saw that his ambitious energy was being taken advantage of. After finding a solution to a common industry problem and teaching himself how to provide a service that wasn't being offered to the real estate industry at that time, he decided it was time to branch out on his own. After leaving that company, his first ...
Oct 28, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Wondering how to build a brand in the liquor industry? Dylan Fusco, CEO and Founder of Kamotí - the World's first bottled green tea shot, talks about the journey of building a product from R&D to go-to market strategy and scaling to be a household brand. Learn more about Kamotí: https://kamoti.com/
Oct 20, 2022•18 min
Everyone wants change in their life, but are you clear on what changes you really need to make to live your best life? With social media, it’s easy to compare yourself to others until you’re in a rut or even doubting their next move. This week on Breaking Barriers, Alexa Stimpfel, Owner and Founder of The Shoe Fairy shares how she cut through the fog and focused on the next step that would get her closer to her vision of success.
Oct 13, 2022•36 min
Using her Grandmother's legacy to inspire her own passion project, Olivia Correale created the fashion label Off With Their . Picture a group of Italian Grandmother's in the heart of Manhattan meeting every Wednesday night to play cards. That was Olivia's grandmother, Nancy and her friends. Through every stage of life, these ladies would get together for their "Club" to stay connected. Now, Nancy's playing cards are gifted as thank you's for each Off With Their order. From bootstrapping her busi...
Oct 06, 2022•25 min
Known for her work on the Good Place, American Crime Story and Parks & Rec, Set Decorator, - Kim Wannop shares her journey in the entertainment industry as she creates the "character" on the set before actors arrive. Kim Wannop hosts her own podcast, Decorating Pages , where she interviews colleagues as they discuss various sets and scenes.
Sep 22, 2022•31 min
From jumping turnstiles in NYC to the success he built today...Chris Groeneveldt has done everything from being a real estate broker to rental sales commercial, finance and investment and managing teams. Combining all those experiences, he found a need to build his own businesses that encompassed all of the "needs" the real estate industry requires.
Sep 15, 2022•31 min
It's 5 o'clock somewhere! Johnny Drinks, the IG and TikTok famous father and son duo, share how they built their social media following and fame through filming the trial and review of various cocktails. What started with just cocktails evolved to relatable father/son content that strengthened the bond between the two. Check them out on Instagram: @Johnnydrinks_
Sep 07, 2022•1 hr 10 min
The housing market exploded over the past few years; but what's ahead for homeowners and prospective buyers? NJ's Premier Real Estate Agent, Sal Ventre, shares his expertise in forecasting what the market is evolving toward. Sal Ventre, leader of The Ventre Team , is one of the most sought after agents in the Monmouth and Ocean County. Brokered by EXP Realty, the is widely recognized as the NJ Shore's Top Real Estate Team and quickly becoming a household name throughout all of NJ & Florida....
Aug 29, 2022•35 min
We all need advisors in life. It doesn't matter who you are, or what you are doing; if you are headed into unknown territory - guidance helps your journey flow. Take it from Simone Sanvito (Sr. Associate) and Rod Young (Sr. Vice President) from Valley National Group . Just as the financial industry adapts to the unexpected, both Rod and Simone have in their personal lives; from taking a leap to move from Italy to the United States solo at just 16 years old to backpacking new terrain around the c...
Aug 18, 2022•51 min
Are all entrepreneurs "born" for their business? Many have to work to find a passion that leads to the creation of their business, but John Pescatore is one of the other rare few - but he still had to navigate challenging paths to create success. Being a part of pizzeria operations at a very young age, John found a passion to not just create the best slice in New Jersey, but to build a reputable business and legacy. Let's get social! Follow @carlosgourmetpizza on Instagram....
Aug 09, 2022•35 min
Surgeries are quick to be scheduled, but are they always necessary? Dr. Gerald Vernon, a leading provider at Comprehensive Medical Care, shares his passion and experience in identifying alternative treatments that save joints without having to go through surgery by taking a comprehensive approach. By looking solely at one injury location, a provider could offer a treatment that just acts as a bandaid because the whole body wasn't analyzed to find additional factors contributing to the pain or in...
Jul 20, 2022•35 min
Combining real estate experience with construction knowledge, Tyler Sargent jumped on a rising opportunity to build a successful future through flipping homes. With any business comes challenges. Tyler shares insight to getting started in real estate, building knowledge to update homes, how to get financing, and navigating your first flip. Let's get social! Check out his success on Instagram and TikTok @tylerflipshomes
Jul 14, 2022•41 min
With a decade of experience owning and successfully scaling, not one, but two companies together, the dynamic duo - Kristy & JJ Ortega share how they balance entrepreneurship and family life. In fact, they’ve found a way to make their business work for them, granting the freedom to enjoy memories with their 3 children. K&J Design Group is the industry leader in staging and designing luxury homes. In 2016, the two opened their first furniture store as an extension of their business. Since...
Jul 06, 2022•50 min
