Grit Won't Quit

Tom and Chef Mike sit down with James Costello, owner of Ohana Grill in Lavallette, a Hawaiian inspired BYOB restaurant that has become one of the most beloved dining spots on the Jersey Shore. James came into the industry through the bar side and has spent years building Ohana into a year round destination known for its food, its food truck, and its commitment to the community. In this episode Ja...

Tom sits down with Jim McNamara, VP of Community Relations and Sales and Executive Director of BlueClaws Charities for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Tom and Jim go back through their connection via the Big Brothers program and talk about how networking and community have always been at the core of what the BlueClaws are about. Jim gets into why Minor League Baseball is recession proof, how the BlueC...

Tom and Chef Mike sit down with Chef Doug Walsh, owner of Jersey Shore BBQ, one of the original BBQ spots on the Jersey Shore. Doug spent years mastering the craft of traditional smoked meat before building JSBBQ into one of the most recognized BBQ restaurants on the Shore, including a feature on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Doug gets into what it means to operate 100% from scratch aft...

Tom sits down with Amber Fernicola, a Jersey Shore native and luxury realtor at Keller Williams Realty in Spring Lake, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build a career in real estate and what the market has in store for 2026. Amber breaks down her predictions for the spring market, why more homeowners deciding to move could finally open up much needed inventory, and why prici...

Tom and Chef Mike sit down with Chef James Avery, a Jersey Shore native and Gordon Ramsay's former sous chef on Hell's Kitchen, for a conversation about what thirty years in the restaurant industry really looks like. James started as a pizza delivery boy on the Jersey Shore and worked his way through some of the most demanding kitchens in the country before building his own name in the culinary wo...

Tom sits down with Jen Gouldstone, founder of Craft Loft — a multi-craft studio offering hands-on arts and crafts experiences through live hosted workshops, walk-in DIY projects, and private events. Unlike most craft studios that focus on one type of project, Craft Loft is a multi-craft concept where guests can make everything from succulent terrariums and mosaic coasters to moss art and fairy gar...

Season 2 of Grit Won't Quit is back, and we're kicking things off with the Chef Series — a recurring segment where host Tom Mirabella and Chef Mike Jurusz bring a fellow culinary pro to the table for real, unfiltered conversations about the restaurant industry. First up is Chef Chris Brandl, owner of the acclaimed Brandl. restaurant on the Jersey Shore. Chris pulls back the curtain on what it real...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Glenn Scher, owner of Carpets To Go, to talk about building a business rooted in community, trust, and long-term relationships. Glenn shares the story behind their incredible pay-it-forward event, where Carpets To Go gave away over 400 rugs to college students furnishing their dorm rooms. With locations in Brick and Howell, Glenn explains why...

This episode of Grit Won't Quit takes a different turn as Tom sits down with SEO expert Alex Barr for a webinar-style deep dive into the evolving world of digital visibility. Together, they break down how SEO has changed, why it's no longer a one-time task, and how AI is reshaping everything from search behavior to business strategy. Tom and Alex explore the powerful ways AI can help local busines...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Chinal and Bhavini, business partners and dedicated healthcare professionals behind Peaceful Pines Residence Memory Care Community. After being referred by former guest Kathleen Hala, they join the show to share their inspiring journey and the heart-centered mission driving their work. With more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, China...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Bonnie Brown of Jersey Shore Food Tours to explore her unique journey from teacher to entrepreneur. Bonnie shares how her love for food tours in other cities inspired her to bring the same experience to the Jersey Shore, spotlighting the incredible local businesses that deserve more attention. Tom and Bonnie dive into the behind-the-scenes of...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Chris Church from PCS, who shares his journey through the ever-evolving world of IT and cybersecurity. Starting with five years at Geek Squad, Chris built a foundation in tech support before moving into more advanced roles within the IT service space. Tom and Chris dive into the realities of today's cybersecurity landscape—how email threats wo...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Haris Naeem of MassMutual NJ NYC for a conversation rooted in experience, adaptability, and perspective. Haris shares how he transitioned from growing up in Pakistan and attending real estate meetings with his father to building a career in the New Jersey real estate market. Tom and Haris discuss: • Meeting through the Kchev networking communi...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Marc Vazquez, the very first franchisee of Wingman Planning. Marc shares how he launched Wingman Middletown, what it means to be the first person to expand Tom's company through franchising, and how community has become the heart of everything he does. Tom and Marc also dive into the bigger Wingman mission. They discuss how Wingman Planning co...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Rick from Suzi's Sweet Shoppe to talk about what it takes to step into an already-beloved local business and make it your own. Rick shares how he and his wife, Tara, made the leap from construction and corporate life to becoming the new owners of a community-favorite chocolate shop. They discuss the learning curve of becoming "employees" of th...

Tom is joined once again by Aaron Levine of LG Insurance as they dive into Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss — a masterclass in negotiation straight from a former FBI hostage negotiator. Tom and Aaron break down some of the book's most powerful concepts, including: • Why you should never settle for a "win-win" mindset • How "no" can actually move a conversation forward more effectively than...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Ian Vernon, co-founder of Home Frite, to talk about turning a small food stand into a growing franchise. Ian shares how he went from working as a project manager in New York City to launching a hand-cut fry business at Brooklyn's Smorgasburg market with just $6,000. They dive into the lessons learned from scaling up, the commitment to quality...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Dan Sachkowsky of DS Legacy Group and The Big D Podcast to talk about his powerful journey through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. From starting in construction at 17 and running his own company for over two decades to facing bankruptcy after the 2008 market crash, Dan opens up about what it really means to have grit. He shares how cha...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Shawn and Pat, the duo behind FINS – TropiCali Cuisine, a local favorite that's been serving up fresh, flavorful food for over 23 years. They talk about the journey from starting in restaurant sales to building a beloved brand with three thriving locations. The conversation dives into what it takes to grow a restaurant business that lasts — fr...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Sabrina Boudreau-Gullace, owner of Park Social in Neptune, NJ. Sabrina shares what it's like running a new restaurant with a welcoming bistro vibe — without boxing herself into a niche. She talks about sourcing quality ingredients from local suppliers like Butcher Block and Atlantic Offshore, facing the pressures of the restaurant industry, an...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Barbara Malchevsky of Atlantic Limo in Charleston, South Carolina. Barbara shares her powerful story of transformation — from overcoming addiction to building a thriving business in the competitive, male-dominated limo industry. She opens up about the obstacles she faced, the lessons she's learned along the way, and how relationships and perse...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Allan Burns of Real Broker Red Bank to talk all things real estate and business growth. With over 20 years in the industry, Allan shares how lead generation and data have become the backbone of success in today's market. He dives into why Monmouth County has proven to be nearly recession-proof and what makes Real Broker such a unique and forwa...

It's a milestone moment — the 200th episode of Grit Won't Quit! For this special episode, Tom sits down with Joe Leone and John Hilla, the brother-in-law duo behind the beloved Joe Leone's Italian market. With over 20 years in business, Joe and John share the story of how it all began with a simple idea — "we're gonna make a few meatballs and mozzarella, it'll be fun" — and how that passion grew i...

In this heartfelt episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Alesha Donohue from Seeds of Service, who shares her powerful story of recovery and purpose. Alesha opens up about her journey to seven years of sobriety, how a friend's courage to seek recovery first inspired her to do the same, and how her dog, Dupree, has been by her side through it all. Today, she's dedicated to giving back and m...

In this episode of Grit Won't Quit, Tom sits down with Jim Gillick, Executive Director of Scouting America, Jersey Shore Council. With over 12 years of leadership experience, Jim shares his perspective on guiding one of the nation's most respected youth organizations through change and growth — including the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tom and Jim discuss how Scouting continues to evolve,...