My SGV Podcast

Kind Monster Productions

Welcome to the My SGV Podcast. A show where you will hear personal stories of triumph over failures, and how others successfully navigated the unique landscape that is the San Gabriel Valley. What makes us different? Well, just like you, we have chosen the San Gabriel Valley for our home or businesses, or both. We believe it is the people and small businesses that make this community great and we love to share their stories with you. We always encourage your questions and feedback and you can find all of our contact information at sgvmasterkey.com.

  1. 11H AGO

    George Dera - Authentic Lebanese Cuisine and Wahib’s Mediterranean Express in San Gabriel

    Send us Fan Mail George Dera is the owner of Wahib’s Mediterranean Express, a restaurant located in San Gabriel, California. Born in Zahle, Lebanon, Dera moved to Glendora, California, at the age of 14 and has remained a resident of the city since his arrival. Today, he operates his business while residing in Glendora with his wife, Aileen, and their two children, focusing on traditional hospitality and fresh ingredients. This episode explores the history and values behind Wahib’s Mediterranean Express, focusing on the transition from Lebanese traditions to the Southern California business landscape. Dera discusses the importance of authentic recipes, the role of family in his operations, and how his upbringing in Zahle influenced his approach to service. The conversation also highlights the specific Mediterranean dishes that define the restaurant’s menu and its connection to the local community. For viewers in the San Gabriel Valley and those interested in the regional culinary scene, this episode provides an inside look at a local staple. It offers valuable insights for food enthusiasts searching for authentic Mediterranean dining and for individuals interested in the immigrant entrepreneurial experience in California. By bridging the gap between Lebanese heritage and local service, Dera’s story resonates with anyone looking to understand the intersection of culture and commerce in the SGV. If you enjoyed learning about the flavors and history of Wahib’s Mediterranean Express, please subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with others. Your support helps us continue to highlight the stories and businesses that shape our community. _______________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    55 min

  2. APR 28

    Armando De La Torre Jr. - Guisados Founder on Boyle Heights Tacos and LA Restaurant Growth

    Send us Fan Mail Armando De La Torre Jr. is a Los Angeles–born restauranteur, entrepreneur, and artist known for creating and developing Guisados, Georges Burger Stand, and Playita Mariscos. A graduate of Loyola High School and Loyola Marymount University, where he studied Business Law and Marketing, he began his career path toward law before shifting into the restaurant industry. In 2011, he co-founded Guisados in Boyle Heights with his father, building a taqueria centered on homestyle braises and fresh handmade corn tortillas. He later expanded his work by acquiring and revitalizing Georges Burger Stand and opening Playita Mariscos in Silver Lake. In this episode, Armando shares the story behind launching Guisados in Boyle Heights and growing it into a multi-location restaurant group. He discusses the development of Georges Burger Stand and the concept behind Playita Mariscos, along with the operational realities of running multiple restaurant brands in Los Angeles. The conversation also explores his work as an artist, including designing menus, merchandise, and brand identities, as well as his creation of G’s on Sunday, an automotive lifestyle brand that collaborates with major partners and hosts community events. This episode offers value for San Gabriel Valley viewers and greater Los Angeles audiences interested in restaurant ownership, food culture, and creative entrepreneurship. It highlights the evolution of well-known LA food concepts rooted in Boyle Heights and expands into how branding, art, and community engagement intersect within the hospitality industry. For listeners searching topics like starting a restaurant, scaling food businesses, or building a multi-brand presence in Los Angeles, Armando’s experience provides a detailed, real-world perspective. If you enjoy conversations with Los Angeles founders and creators shaping the local food scene, subscribe for more episodes and share this with someone interested in restaurants, entrepreneurship, and creative work. _______________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 2m

  3. APR 21

    Aaron (Phu) Luong - From SGV Upbringing to Aloha Food Factory Owner in Alhambra

    Send us Fan Mail Aaron (Phu) Luong was born in Hong Kong under British rule and immigrated to the United States at a young age. He grew up in Rosemead and Monterey Park, later attending San Gabriel High School, where he balanced academics, extracurriculars, and Taekwondo, earning his black belt in his sophomore year. He went on to graduate with a double major in Business Management and Supply Chain Management. Today, he owns and operates Aloha Food Factory in Alhambra, a 30-year Hawaiian restaurant originally founded by Auntie Betty. In this episode, Aaron shares his experiences growing up in a traditional immigrant household, navigating bullying, and finding structure through training and discipline. He talks about setbacks during his school years, his time in Taekwondo, and the path that led him through college and into the workforce. The conversation also covers pivotal moments in adulthood, including legal challenges, personal struggles, and the shift toward personal growth. Aaron also discusses taking over Aloha Food Factory during the pandemic and the operational challenges he faced, from redevelopment threats to infrastructure issues. This episode offers insight into the realities of growing up in the San Gabriel Valley while navigating identity, responsibility, and resilience. For SGV viewers, it highlights the story behind a longstanding local restaurant and the effort required to sustain it. For listeners interested in personal development, discipline, and entrepreneurship, Aaron’s experiences provide a grounded perspective shaped by real events and decisions. If you enjoy stories rooted in the San Gabriel Valley and conversations about growth and accountability, subscribe for more episodes and share this with someone who would connect with Aaron’s journey. _______________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    53 min

  4. APR 14

    Marcel Rene Michel - From Corporate Recruiting at Disney to Opening a Pasadena Restaurant

    Send us Fan Mail Marcel Rene Michel is a Southern California native born in Bellflower and raised in Hacienda Heights, with roots in Guadalajara and Colima, Mexico. A first-generation Mexican American, Marcel attended Don Bosco Tech Institute and later built a career in corporate recruiting, working with major companies including ARYZTA, Hasbro, Red Bull, and Disney. His professional journey spans sales, recruiting, and leadership, shaped by early experiences in programs like Profit Techniques and a strong foundation in personal development. In this episode, Marcel shares his journey from navigating identity growing up in the San Gabriel Valley to building a career in corporate America, and ultimately pivoting into entrepreneurship. He talks about the lessons he learned in sales and recruiting, the impact of being furloughed from Disney during the 2020 pandemic, and how that moment led him and his wife to start cooking for friends and family. What began as a small effort grew into catering opportunities, a spot at Smorgasburg, and eventually opening a brick-and-mortar food business in Pasadena. This conversation highlights the resilience and adaptability that define many SGV stories. For local viewers, Marcel’s experience reflects the diverse cultural upbringing of the area and the realities of career pivots in uncertain times. For his audience and aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode offers a grounded look at building something from scratch, embracing failure, and staying committed to long-term growth. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, share it with your community, and follow along for more stories from the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. _______________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 10m

  5. APR 7

    Shelly Lin - From Medan, Indonesia to SGV Small Business Owner at Coconut & Co.

    Send us Fan Mail Shelly Lin is the co-founder of Coconut & Co., a San Gabriel Valley business built around natural, high-quality drinks and desserts that are inclusive, health-conscious, and made for everyone. Born and raised in Medan, Indonesia, Shelly grew up surrounded by rich culinary traditions and a family that instilled in her a deep sense of discipline, independence, and compassion. She co-founded Coconut & Co. alongside her best friend Carmen, bringing those same values into everything they create and serve. In this episode, Shelly shares the story behind Coconut & Co., from its roots in Indonesian culture to the philosophy driving every ingredient choice they make. She talks about growing up with a father who taught her self-reliance and a mother who modeled quiet resilience, and how both shaped her approach to business and community. She and Carmen built Coconut & Co. on a simple but firm belief: that food and drinks should be real, honest, and accessible to all, with no shortcuts and no compromises. For SGV viewers, this is a story about a neighbor who turned a lifetime of values into a local business worth knowing. For anyone searching for inclusive, natural dessert and drink options in the area, Coconut & Co. is exactly the kind of place this episode will make you want to visit. And for anyone building something from scratch with a best friend, Shelly's story is both grounding and genuinely inspiring. If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to the MySGV Podcast and share it with someone who loves discovering local SGV businesses rooted in culture and community. _______________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 11m

  6. MAR 31

    T.D. Tran - Yelp Community Director Connecting the San Gabriel Valley

    Send us Fan Mail T.D. Tran, also known as Thuy Dan Tran, is the Yelp Community Director for the San Gabriel Valley, where she helps connect people, spotlight local businesses, and celebrate the depth and diversity of SGV. She has become a recognizable force in the region through community building, local partnerships, and curated experiences that bring residents and business owners together in meaningful ways. Yelp’s own community coverage credits TD with leading SGV focused events and local features, while outside profiles highlight her passion for helping people discover what makes a community feel alive.  In this conversation, TD shares how her path into community work was shaped by her upbringing as a first generation Vietnamese American raised in Wisconsin. In an interview profile, she explains that community programs played a major role in her childhood and helped shape her understanding of support, belonging, and opportunity. She also points to her family’s restaurant roots and her love for gathering people as key influences behind the work she does today.  A major part of TD’s impact in the San Gabriel Valley has been her leadership within Yelp’s local ecosystem. Public coverage shows her tied to SGV food and culture features, local campaigns, and business centered events, while a 2023 event listing identified her as Yelp’s Senior Community Manager for San Gabriel Valley. Those roles reflect the same core mission: creating visibility for small businesses, building trust with locals, and making it easier for people to engage with the region in a more personal way.  This episode is for anyone interested in community building, local business support, event production, food culture, and the stories that shape the San Gabriel Valley. TD Tran brings a thoughtful perspective on what it means to build real connections, champion neighborhood identity, and create spaces where people feel seen, welcomed, and inspired to participate.  _______________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 2m

  7. MAR 24

    Sandra Gomez - Carrying On a 50-Year SGV Legacy at Moffett's Chicken Pie Shoppe

    Send us Fan Mail Sandra Y. Gomez is the co-owner of Moffett's Chicken Pie Shoppe, a beloved San Gabriel Valley restaurant with over 50 years of history in the community. A Baldwin Park native and graduate of Baldwin Park High School, Sandra brings a background in Human Resources from her time at Alhambra Unified School District to her role running the family business. In 2024, she made the decision to step away from her HR career to focus on the restaurant full time alongside her husband and family. In this episode, Sandra shares the story behind Moffett's deep roots in the SGV, what it's been like to take on ownership without prior restaurant experience, and how her HR background shaped the way she leads her team and serves her guests. She opens up about the sacrifices her family made along the way, the role faith and culture have played in her life, and what it means to carry forward a legacy that spans generations. This conversation is for anyone in the San Gabriel Valley who has walked through the doors of Moffett's, and for anyone who has ever taken on something bigger than themselves out of love for family. Sandra's story reflects the kind of quiet, committed work that keeps community institutions alive — and it's a reminder of how much local businesses mean to the neighborhoods they've served for decades. If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to the MySGV Podcast so you never miss a story from the community. Share this one with someone who loves the SGV or knows what it means to carry on a family tradition. _______________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1 hr

  8. MAR 17

    Yamato Miura - The Entrepreneur Behind Sushi Kisen and SGV's Rising Japanese Dining Scene

    Send us Fan Mail Yamato Miura is a Tokyo born entrepreneur and restaurateur whose path to hospitality has been anything but ordinary. Before building one of the most respected Japanese restaurant groups in Southern California, he moved alone to the United States as a teenager, trained in performance and action work, and later competed in kickboxing. That background of discipline, risk, and precision now shows up in the way he builds restaurants, brands, and guest experiences.  In this conversation, Yamato shares how his early life in Japan, his family’s deep roots in the performing arts, and his years in combat sports shaped the way he thinks about excellence, presentation, and resilience. He also talks about his entrepreneurial journey, including launching Bun Geiz Corporation and growing from ramen and izakaya concepts into a hospitality group known for serious craftsmanship and a clear point of view. Bun Geiz now includes concepts such as DTLA Ramen, Izakaya Tonchinkan, Sushi Kisen, Miura Beverly Hills, Sushidokoro Miyama, and Sumibi Yakitori Kidori.  A major part of Yamato’s story is Sushi Kisen in Arcadia, which presents itself as Arcadia’s first Edomae style sushi restaurant and has earned recognition from both the Michelin Guide and the Los Angeles Times. His Beverly Hills project, formerly known as Sushi Yamamoto and now operating as Miura, continues that pursuit of high level Japanese dining with an intimate omakase experience rooted in Edomae sushi, kaiseki, and seasonality.  This episode is for anyone interested in Japanese food culture, restaurant ownership, entrepreneurship, branding, and the mindset required to build something lasting. Yamato Miura’s story brings together Tokyo tradition, Los Angeles hospitality, martial discipline, and a relentless commitment to authenticity. _______________ Music Credits Intro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG Stinger Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library Outro Euphoria in the San Gabriel Valley, Yone OG __________________ My SGV Podcast: Website: www.mysgv.net Newsletter: Beyond the Mic Patreon: MySGV Podcast info@sgvmasterkey.com

    1h 3m
See All (259)

4.9
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

Welcome to the My SGV Podcast. A show where you will hear personal stories of triumph over failures, and how others successfully navigated the unique landscape that is the San Gabriel Valley. What makes us different? Well, just like you, we have chosen the San Gabriel Valley for our home or businesses, or both. We believe it is the people and small businesses that make this community great and we love to share their stories with you. We always encourage your questions and feedback and you can find all of our contact information at sgvmasterkey.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Kind Monster Productions
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    259
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 My SGV Podcast
  • Show Website
    My SGV Podcast

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