Life Currency

Matt Singer started serving ice cream out of a Foster's Freeze window as a kid. He had a finance degree and was headed to New York to become a stockbroker — but restaurants kept pulling him back. Ten years and a VP of Finance title at Lazy Dog Restaurants later, he's now CEO of EchoTrack — the facilities and asset management platform running on 30,000+ locations across 300+ restaurant brands, incl...

In 2008, Larry and Jessica Delgado left Austin to open a wine and high-end furniture store in McAllen. The recession hit, they went from 120 employees to 6, and the electricity disconnect notice was on its way. Larry sold a $10,000 couch at the bar that night to keep the lights on — then they went to dinner, and he looked at Jessica and said, "something's missing." Seventeen years later, that pivo...

Most kids grow out of comics. Ramsey Ramirez turned them into an empire. Late one night at a Denny's in McAllen, his wife Marla and his friend Chris Ponce told him, "Dude, you love comics — open a comic store." Fifteen years later that napkin idea is KaBOOM Comics, the anime store Anime Boom, the boba shop Boba Bomb, South Texas Comic Con (grown from 3,500 attendees to 17,000), and now his own com...

Most operators read Unreasonable Hospitality, hand it to their managers, and wonder why nothing changes. Preston Lee got fired four times as a server making $90K with tips, went broke when nobody would hire him back, and then built 30% — a consulting firm that's now in the rooms with Tyler Florence, Will Guidara, and Jamie Oliver. The lesson he keeps coming back to: hospitality without a system is...

Fred Del Barrio is back on Life Currency. The McDonald's franchisee behind one of the most quoted moments in pod history returns for round two, this time on giving back, the real economics of owning a McDonald's, and a live taste test of the Big Arch. #McDonalds #RestaurantIndustry #RGV Bob and Fred get into the Ronald McDonald House groundbreaking in Corpus Christi, Fred's collectibles obsession,...

Most owners confuse a tough decision with a failure. Kevin Jackson and Stan Cummins took over 5x5 Brewing Company in 2023, grew the UTRGV Vaqueros beer into half the business, and made the hard call to close the taproom so the brand could keep going. The beer is still on shelves, the partnerships are intact, and the next chapter is already in motion. #CraftBeer #VeteranOwned #SmallBusiness Life Cu...

Most developers fail because they chase eyeballs instead of making calls, overextend without safety nets, and miss the information hiding in plain sight. Shavi Mahtani bought his first commercial strip at 27, survived the 2008 recession, and now develops 40+ acre tracts across McAllen by doing the opposite of what most developers do. Life Currency sits down with Shavi Mahtani, founder of Domain De...

Emily Williams Knight and Kelsey Erickson Streufert of the Texas Restaurant Association break down how TRA protects Texas restaurants from bad legislation, navigates complex regulations, and fights policies that could hurt your bottom line. This is the conversation every Texas restaurant operator needs to hear. Life Currency sits down with the leadership of the Texas Restaurant Association to reve...

Robert Lozano started as a cook at a small town Dairy Queen in the 1980s, saved $18,000 in a tennis can, and built a 40+ restaurant empire across Texas. This is the father son conversation about how a high school cook became a CEO, the true meaning of "Life Currency," and why giving back always pays forward. Life Currency sits down with Robert Lozano to unpack the 40-year journey from cook to CEO....

Jerry Leal went from teaching classrooms to serving food at SpaceX launches and Formula 1 races. This is the story of how a teacher built a food truck empire from scratch, navigated the chaos of restaurant operations, and landed partnerships with some of the biggest events in the world. Life Currency sits down with Jerry Leal to break down the real grind behind food trucks, the sacrifices required...

A decade ago, he was fresh out of college getting "slapped in the face" at his first tech job. Today, he's the VP of Tech driving real growth, while becoming a father in a week and a half. Life Currency kicks off 2026 inside the new studio with a special guest: F&P's VP of Tech, Genaro "G" Alvarez. This episode is a full-circle story: mentorship, grit, rebuilding systems from the ground up, an...

In this episode of the Life Currency podcast, host Bob Lozano and guest Drew Dodson explore the intricate world of coffee, discussing its significance as a commodity, the complexities of the coffee supply chain, and the impact of technology on brewing. They delve into the importance of home brewing, the future trends in the coffee industry, and the collaborative spirit within the coffee community....

In this episode of the Life Currency Podcast, host Bob Lozano reflects on the past year, discussing the growth and experiences of the podcast, the evolution of the restaurant industry, and the importance of community engagement. He highlights notable episodes and guests, shares insights on marketing and technology, and looks ahead to new projects and initiatives for the coming year. The conversati...

In this episode of the Life Currency Podcast, host Bob Lozano interviews Don Hugo, a tortilla maker with over a decade of experience. They discuss the art of tortilla making, the importance of family recipes, and the journey of turning a passion for cooking into a business. Don Hugo shares insights on the differences between flour and corn tortillas, and offers advice for those looking to make tor...

In this episode of the Live Currency Podcast, host Bob Lozano engages with guests Marco Saenz and Juan Carlos Andrade to discuss the intersection of technology and the restaurant industry. They explore the challenges restaurant owners face with credit processing, the impact of operational costs, and the customer experience regarding credit card fees. The conversation also delves into the differenc...

In this episode of the Live Currency Podcast, host Bob Lozano engages with young entrepreneur Svar Chandak, discussing the journey of podcasting, the importance of time management, and valuable advice for young entrepreneurs. They explore the significance of networking in the restaurant industry and share insights on personal growth and focus. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests...

In this high-energy episode of the Life Currency Podcast, Bob Lozano sits down with Connor and Kale Gildenblatt of Sauce’d Pizza & Smash Burger in Grapevine, Texas. The brothers share their story of entering the restaurant industry from a marketing and printing background, transforming a second-generation restaurant into their own vision, and building a unique brand built on culture, family, a...

What happens when honesty hurts, ego checks you, and life shifts seasons? In this comeback episode from the TRA show floor, Drew and Jess unpack a career pivot at 40, the rule of “first three minutes/last three minutes,” and why the Rio Grande Valley’s community is their unfair advantage. From “use your best judgment” leadership to letting mistakes fuel growth, this is a masterclass in vulnerabili...

In this episode of Life Currency Podcast, host Bob Lozano sits down with Christopher Aslam, chair of the Texas Restaurant Association Board and operator of 76 restaurants across multiple brands including Jack in the Box, Golden Chick, and Hawaiian Bros. From his father’s arrival in America with just a few dollars, to rebuilding a burned-down store, to betting everything on a “doomed” location that...

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Stuart, co-owner of Louisville City Football Club and an industry leader in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for employment practices. From wrongful termination to wage disputes, Stuart explains how ADR shields employers from costly lawsuits, protects brand reputation, and helps business owners focus on what really matters—running and growing th...

In this conversation, William Steele discusses his journey from the restaurant industry to founding Supply Pay, a platform designed to address cash flow issues in cross-border trade, particularly in the perishable goods sector. He shares insights on the importance of community, the challenges of running a family business, and the future vision for Supply Pay. The discussion highlights the signific...

In this engaging conversation at TRA 2025, Darrell Forrester shares insights from his extensive experience in the restaurant business, particularly focusing on the dynamics of partnerships, the journey of owning Dairy Queen franchises, and the importance of continuous learning in the industry. The discussion highlights the significance of recognizing each partner's strengths, managing finances eff...

In this episode of the Life Currency Podcast, host Bob Lozano engages in a deep conversation about energy management, self-awareness, and the balance between creativity and organization in business. The guest shares insights on the importance of hiring for culture fit, establishing non-negotiables within teams, and the significance of systems and processes in creative work. They discuss brand buil...

In this episode of the Life Currency Podcast, host Bob Lozano engages in a vibrant conversation with Amanda, a passionate writer and poet. They explore the profound connection between nature and creativity, discussing how Amanda draws inspiration from her experiences with her pet birds and the outdoors.  The conversation delves into Amanda's journey of self-expression through writing, her experien...

In this episode of "A Token Series: TEDx McAllen Edition by Life Currency", host Bob Lozano engages with Mark Hanna, who shares his journey from a successful banking career to the world of commercial real estate.  Mark discusses the importance of company culture, leveraging technology, and building strong relationships in the real estate industry. He emphasizes the significance of non-negotiables...