The Personal Side of Business Podcast

In this powerful episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with Pam Covarrubias — coach, speaker, and host of the acclaimed podcast Café con Pam. Pam shares her journey from buying a retired rapper’s microphone to becoming a voice for first-generation women, dismantling the Calladita culture, and stepping fully into bold, unapologetic authenticity. Through raw storyte...

What if your lowest moment became the start of your life’s true calling? Meet Sarah Dolgen, a single mom who turned heartbreak, isolation, and uncertainty into Cooking with Love—a deeply personal chef service that brings comfort, healing, and connection to every plate. In this intimate episode of The Personal Side of Business, Sarah shares how feeding friends during the pandemic grew into a purpos...

In this powerful episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet Bunditwong sits down with Crystal Hilsley—founder of CCNG Developments—to explore her inspiring journey from psychology student to global consultant and sustainable agriculture leader. Crystal shares how her childhood in Paso Robles shaped her passion for clean eating and farming, why she walked away from corporate success, and how she...

📝 Show Description: Andrea Arroyo joins Jet Bunditwong to share her powerful journey from nonprofit work to financial coaching. As a first-generation wealth builder, Andrea unpacks the emotional, cultural, and psychological barriers many face with money—from living paycheck to paycheck to dealing with guilt, shame, and anxiety around spending. She shares real-life strategies to help listeners shi...

Diana Barbiani went from surviving the war in Croatia to becoming a successful business owner, wholesaler, and philanthropist in San Diego. In this powerful episode of The Personal Side of Business, Diana shares how she built her first kiosk business from the ground up without speaking English — and turned it into a two-decade journey of retail, wholesale, and purpose-driven leadership. We dive in...

In this powerful episode of The Personal Side of Business, we sit down with Joe Mendoza—investor, commercial realtor, business coach, author, and speaker—for an unfiltered journey through the highs and humbling lows of real estate entrepreneurship. From watching his father hustle in the Navy to losing millions during the 2008 crash, Joe shares how he built back smarter, stronger, and with a missio...

What happens when a former IT executive trades boardrooms for therapy rooms? In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, we sit down with Dr. Deke Marcus, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in helping executives and entrepreneurs understand themselves—and their teams—on a deeper level. Dr. Marcus shares how emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and leadership development are...

In this powerful episode of The Personal Side of Business, we sit down with Johnathan King, co-founder of Empower Pathways—an adult day program in San Diego helping young adults with disabilities lead fuller lives. Once a football player dreaming of the NFL, Johnathan took a leap of faith from teaching into entrepreneurship to create a meaningful program inspired by his father’s passion for educat...

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, we sit down with Daniel Castaneda, a seasoned San Diego-based immigration and criminal defense attorney with over 15 years of experience. Born in Mexico City and shaped by a family legacy of lawyers, Daniel shares his personal journey—from studying psychology and international relations to finding his calling in the courtroom. He opens up about the...

In this episode, we sit down with Peter Carlseen — a San Diego-based realtor and property manager with over 20 years in the game. Following in his father’s footsteps, Peter began his real estate journey early and used his college business education to build a thriving property management company. Now managing over 250 properties, Peter shares the smart systems, strategic hires, and long-term minds...

Shylia Hernandez didn’t just grow into real estate—she was born into it. With nearly two decades of experience and deep family roots in the industry, Shylia carved out her own path in the competitive San Diego market. Once aspiring to be a child psychologist, life’s twists led her to real estate, where she found the flexibility to raise her daughter and build a thriving business. In this episode,...

Who ditches dental school to help tacos go viral? Vince did—and he’s not looking back. In this fun and flavorful episode, we unpack how Vince swapped scrubs for strategy and built a buzzworthy marketing biz helping San Diego restaurants (and even dental offices!) grow their revenue and their fan base. From Instagram-worthy food shots to brand makeovers that bite, Vince shares the creative moves be...

Noe Avila knows what it’s like to grow up in an immigrant family — the pressure, the expectations, the unspoken emotions. That’s why he’s made it his life’s mission to help families just like his learn to open up, connect, and support each other through life’s ups and downs. As a family and marriage therapist, Noe brings heart, understanding, and real-life experience to every session. He’s not jus...

In this episode, we sit down with Jenna Ryan, the inspiring Co-founder of Uqora—a company born from a deeply personal journey. After battling 8 painful UTIs in one year, Jenna and her husband, Spencer, decided to take matters into their own hands. Combining Spencer's science background with Jenna's expertise in e-commerce, they launched Uqora, a brand that has grown into a trusted resource for UTI...

Join us on this episode of The Personal Side of Business,  Savor & Serve: The Akitso Story, where we dive into the inspiring journey of Anna Sotto, a California native born to Thai immigrant restaurateurs. Growing up in the hustle of her family’s restaurant, Anna witnessed firsthand the struggles of small, independent eateries. Now, she’s on a mission to give back. Through her nonprofit, Akits...

What happens when life keeps pulling you in different directions—literally? After moving nearly 30 times with her family, facing a life-threatening health scare, and completely reinventing her career, Tiffany Deal Hecklinski Ph. D., knows what it means to adapt, overcome, and thrive. Now a Ph. D. clinical researcher, she shares her deeply personal journey of resilience, self-discovery, and transfo...

A deep discussion with Chef Andy & Khara Mangiduyos, hospitality employees who turned into restauranteurs and share how business plans, hard work and date nights are the foundations of a happy marriage and business partnership. Kalei's Kitchenette serves some of the best Hawaiian cuisine in San Diego with an Aloha vibe unlike any other. We will explore their journey from working in the hospita...