In this episode, Emi Guerra sits down one-on-one with Otto Othman — CEO & founder of Pincho (formerly

Pincho Factory) — to talk about the real story behind building a burger brand from the ground up.

From launching with $77K and literally having $6.27 in the bank, to winning Burger Bash, scaling pains at “3

locations,

” and the moment Otto decided franchising wasn’t worth it (and bought stores back to regain control)

— this is a masterclass in growth, operations, branding, and hard-earned founder lessons.

Otto also breaks down the tech + systems Pincho uses to protect quality (real-time guest feedback, training,

AI tools), the COVID decision he’s most proud of, the $30K-in-the-bank wake-up call, and the risky rebrand

stunt that made everyone talk.

Watch if you’re into: entrepreneurship, restaurants, franchising, branding/rebrands, systems, leadership, and

real business war stories.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:10 Otto’s background (tech → nightlife → restaurants)

06:02 “We had $6.27…

” the opening week story

09:23 Early revenue growth + awards momentum

14:40 Burger Bash + what it changed

26:01 Why “3 locations” is where things break

32:11 COVID decision: people first

39:18 “Over my dead body” leadership rules + mistakes57:16 $30K left: the turning point + mentor playbook

01:04:37 The viral “Factory” rebrand stunt

01:09:37 The risk + aftermath of rebranding

01:12:00 Houston expansion (data-driven)

01:17:00 Rapid fire / final thoughts

Mr. Mauricio joins the Emi Guerra Podcast for a raw, unfiltered conversation about Miami nightlife, the rise of DJ culture, celebrity-filled nights, gambling struggles, and the untold story behind his decades-long career.

From spinning in legendary Miami clubs like Liquid, Mansion, and Opium Garden… to performing alongside industry icons… to rebuilding after personal battles — Mauricio shares the real journey behind the music, the hustle, and the life that shaped him.

🎧 In this episode, we dive into:

• The evolution of Miami nightlife
• Early days of DJ culture & mega-club history
• His biggest career breaks (and setbacks)
• The impact of gambling and nightlife pressure
• Working with celebrities & iconic DJs
• Radio, touring, and staying relevant for decades
• The truth about surviving in this industry
• What young DJs need to know today

This is the story behind the man who helped shape Miami’s sound — and the lessons he learned along the way.

🎙️ Guest

Mr. Mauricio — DJ, radio host, Miami nightlife pioneer

🎥 Host Emi Guerra

Industry Talks Hospitality Podcast

00:00:00 — Miami Roots & Early Life

00:03:30 — First DJ Steps

00:07:00 — Liquid & Club Breakthrough

00:10:30 — Opening for Legends

00:14:00 — Celebrity Moments

00:17:30 — Vinyl Era Stories

00:21:00 — New York Residencies

00:24:30 — Starting in Radio

00:28:00 — DJ Culture Changes

00:31:30 — Pitbull, Ross & Miami Icons

00:35:00 — Nightlife Celebrity Wave

00:38:30 — DJ AM & Personal Battles

00:42:00 — Gambling Struggles

00:45:30 — Rebuilding & Hustle Mindset

00:49:00 — International Gigs

00:52:30 — Small Rooms vs Mega Clubs

00:56:00 — Miami Nightlife Today

00:59:30 — Pet Peeves & DJ Respect

01:03:00 — Legacy & Giving Back

01:06:30 — True/False Round

01:10:00 — Final Thoughts

Connect with me on my instagram:

🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiguerra99/ Connect with MR MAURICIO: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrmauricio/

Listen to my podcasts on: 🍎Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-talks-hospitality-podcast/id1790526837

🍏Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qqf1YkCmKKL0nEH9J5rAv

Check out my hospitality businesses on Instagram:

🏨 Breakwater Hospitality Group: https://www.instagram.com/breakwaterhg/

🏨The Wharf Miami: https://www.instagram.com/wharfmiami/

🏨The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: https://www.instagram.com/wharfftl/

🏨PIER 5: https://www.instagram.com/pier5bayside/

🏨JohnMartin’s: https://www.instagram.com/johnmartinsmiami/

🏨Carousel Club: https://www.instagram.com/carouselclb/

🏨Regatta Grove: https://www.instagram.com/regattagrove/

🏨Riverside Wharf: https://www.instagram.com/riversidewharf/

Thank you for your support. If you aren’t already subscribed, do subscribe to the channel for our latest episodes. Cheers!

#MrMauricio #MiamiNightlife #DJCulture #EmiGuerra #IndustryTalks #HospitalityPodcast #MiamiDJ #NightlifeStories #DJLife #MiamiMusic #MiamiClubs #GamblingStory #UntoldStories #NightlifeIndustry #PodcastInterview #CelebrityDJ #MiamiIcons #MusicIndustryTalks #BehindTheMusic #RealConversations

Ignacio Garcia & Francesco (Grove Bay) go deep on scaling street-side and airport concepts, the 9-year

Bayshore Club saga, Michelin’s real P&L impact, and why “Main & Main” beats trendy addresses. It’s chef

artistry meets business math—no fluff, just playbook.

Chapters:

00:00 – What it really takes to open (lease, insurance, PR, IT, accounting, payroll).

00:00:37 – Founders’ origin stories: Shula’s CFO call + airports CFO path.

00:06:30 – Beauty & The Butcher: neighborhood anchor + $12 smashburger happy hour.

00:08:29 – Scaling count: ~24 units now; ~27 by next year (street-side + airports).

00:10:55 – Biggest miss: Brickell build “off paper” and the never-again lesson.

00:12:29 – Location rule: “Main & Main” all day (access, parking, visibility > vibes).

00:13:45 – Bayshore Club: referendum, lawsuits, multi-agency approvals—opened July 2022.

00:17:04 – Why it worked: scarce waterfront access + hometown insight.

00:17:57 – Chef partnerships: art × business; the “middle” that wins.

00:20:12 – Michelin moves money: best Stubborn Seed year (2022) + plaque halo.

00:22:29 – Airport ops 101: captive audience, different ordering, 20–40 min turns.

00:24:51 – Airports want local chefs/brands now (Raleigh example).

00:27:10 – Vegas expansion: Resorts World, bigger footprint, reverse open kitchen.

00:29:27 – Scaling across cities: corporate processes, app-based training, partner support.

00:33:06 – Market outlook: Miami saturation; Raleigh rising street-side.

00:45:05 – Regatta × Bayshore synergy: “we basically doubled neighborhood sales.

”00:49:08 – Giving back: Grove Bay Foundation—FIU hospitality scholarships (8 full rides/yr).

00:54:25 – One piece of advice: don’t just cook—master the business stack.

00:57:01 – Rapid fire: more hospitality, fewer gimmicks; influencers; robotics; training > ads.

balli/

Connect with me on my instagram:

🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiguerra99/

Connect with Francesco Balli:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francesco

_

Connect with Ignacio Garcia-Menocal:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iggygarciamenocal/

Know more about Orlando Mendez: https://www.orlandomendezmusic.com/

Listen to my podcasts on:

🍎Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-talks-hospitality-podcast/id1790526837

🍏Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qqf1YkCmKKL0nEH9J5rAv

Check out my hospitality businesses on Instagram:

🏨 Breakwater Hospitality Group: https://www.instagram.com/breakwaterhg/

🏨The Wharf Miami: https://www.instagram.com/wharfmiami/

🏨The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: https://www.instagram.com/wharfftl/

🏨PIER 5: https://www.instagram.com/pier5bayside/

🏨JohnMartin’s: https://www.instagram.com/johnmartinsmiami/

🏨Carousel Club: https://www.instagram.com/carouselclb/

🏨Regatta Grove: https://www.instagram.com/regattagrove/

🏨Riverside Wharf: https://www.instagram.com/riversidewharf/

What happens when a Cuban kid from Miami falls in love with country music?

Orlando Mendez, a.k.a. The Cuban Cowboy, opens up about finding his voice, facing rejection, and proving

that country has no borders.

Hosted by Emi Guerra (The Wharf, Regatta Grove), this episode uncovers the grind behind the spotlight —

from $50 gigs on Broadway to The Voice, Nashville, and back home to Miami.

🎧 Tune in for real talk about:

✨ Reinvention during lockdown

✨ The Voice experience & Camila Cabello’s mentorship

✨ Chasing dreams without losing yourself

✨ Building Miami’s country music scene

🎯 Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Industry Talks & Guest Introduction

01:15 – How Orlando Became The Cuban Cowboy

03:00 – Discovering Country Music Through Darius Rucker

04:45 – Acting, Stage Life & Creative Beginnings

05:45 – Teaching Himself Guitar During Lockdown

07:00 – First Miami Gigs and the O2 Band Story

08:45 – The Voice Audition: Hesitation & Imposter Syndrome

10:20 – Behind The Voice: Camila Cabello & Confidence

12:00 – Moving to Nashville and Starting Over

20:10 – Rejection, Setbacks & Mental Health Struggles23:30 – Country Bay Festival, July 4th Fireworks & Miami Pride

46:40 – The Future: Summer Six Pack, Tortuga Festival & Grand Ole Opry Dreams

Connect with me on my instagram:

🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiguerra99/

Connect with Orlando Mendez:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orlandojmendezmusic/

Know more about Orlando Mendez: https://www.orlandomendezmusic.com/

Listen to my podcasts on:

🍎Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-talks-hospitality-podcast/id1790526837

🍏Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qqf1YkCmKKL0nEH9J5rAv

Check out my hospitality businesses on Instagram:

🏨 Breakwater Hospitality Group: https://www.instagram.com/breakwaterhg/

🏨The Wharf Miami: https://www.instagram.com/wharfmiami/

🏨The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: https://www.instagram.com/wharfftl/

🏨PIER 5: https://www.instagram.com/pier5bayside/

🏨JohnMartin’s: https://www.instagram.com/johnmartinsmiami/

🏨Carousel Club: https://www.instagram.com/carouselclb/

🏨Regatta Grove: https://www.instagram.com/regattagrove/

🏨Riverside Wharf: https://www.instagram.com/riversidewharf/

Thank you for your support. If you aren’t already subscribed, do subscribe to the channel for our latest

episodes. Cheers!

#OrlandoMendez #TheCubanCowboy #IndustryTalksPodcast #EmiGuerra #TheVoice #CountryMusic

#MiamiMusicScene #NashvilleJourney #MusicPodcast #ArtistStory #Inspiration #Motivation #CountrySinger

#MiamiToNashville #BehindTheMusic #PodcastInterview #CountryArtist #Pitbull305Records

From termites and city permits to a global pandemic that nearly shut everything down, Michael Tronn & Paul Brown spent more than six years building Timbr — now one of Fort Lauderdale’s most talked-about restaurants.

This episode is a behind-the-scenes journey into what it really takes to create a world-class hospitality venue. From their roots in South Florida nightlife to managing every detail of construction and design, Michael and Paul share how they turned setbacks into resilience and vision into reality.

✨They discuss:

👉 The near “quit moments” during Timbr’s 6-year build.

👉 How the pandemic forced a redesign and may have saved them.

👉 The obsessive design details (like Starfire glass & firefly trees) that set Timbr apart.

👉 The emotional moment of opening night with city leaders, friends, and family.

👉 Why authenticity and atmosphere matter more than trends in hospitality.

👉 Lessons from decades in nightlife, from crobar to Pawn Shop.

👉 What hospitality needs more of — and less of — today.

👉 The future of restaurants, community, and human connection in a digital world.

🎯 Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:02 The 6-Year Journey of Building Timbr

04:15 Pandemic Delays & How They Adapted

07:48 Structural Issues & Termite Surprises

11:33 Why Every Design Detail Matters

15:20 Creating Authentic Atmosphere (Not Disneyfied)

19:44 Role of Partner Max & Staying the Course

23:18 Emotional Opening Night & Community Support

28:06 The “Why” Behind Timbr’s Vision

32:50 Defining Vineyard Cuisine & Food Philosophy

37:22 Finding the Right Chef After Many Failures

42:15 Lessons from South Florida Nightlife (Pawn Shop, crobar, Liquid)

48:40 Legendary Marketing Stunts & DJ Culture

54:12 Nightlife Then vs. Now – Creativity vs. Bottle Service

59:36 Mentors, Inspirations & Rivalries

1:05:08 Leadership Lessons: “We” Over “I”

1:09:44 What Hospitality Needs More & Less Of Today

1:14:03 The Future of Restaurants & Human Touch in the AI Era

1:19:25 Celebrity Stories: Madonna, Rihanna, Denzel Washington

1:24:57 Defining Success Beyond Money in Hospitality

1:29:30 Closing Thoughts & Gratitude

Connect with me on my instagram:

🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiguerra99/ Connect with Michael Tronn: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeltronn/

Connect with Paul Brown: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbrown370

Listen to my podcasts on: 🍎Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-talks-hospitality-podcast/id1790526837

🍏Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qqf1YkCmKKL0nEH9J5rAv

Check out my hospitality businesses on Instagram:

🏨 Breakwater Hospitality Group: https://www.instagram.com/breakwaterhg/

🏨The Wharf Miami: https://www.instagram.com/wharfmiami/

🏨The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: https://www.instagram.com/wharfftl/

🏨PIER 5: https://www.instagram.com/pier5bayside/

🏨JohnMartin’s: https://www.instagram.com/johnmartinsmiami/

🏨Carousel Club: https://www.instagram.com/carouselclb/

🏨Regatta Grove: https://www.instagram.com/regattagrove/

🏨Riverside Wharf: https://www.instagram.com/riversidewharf/

Thank you for your support. If you aren’t already subscribed, do subscribe to the channel for our latest episodes. Cheers!

#HospitalityPodcast #IndustryTalks #HospitalityIndustry #RestaurantBusiness #NightlifeIndustry #HospitalityDesign #TimbrRestaurant #MichaelTronn #PaulBrown #FortLauderdaleRestaurants #RestaurantOpening #HospitalityLeadership #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #RestaurantDesign #CustomerExperience #HospitalityManagement #HospitalityLife

He lost his first restaurant. He got burned by investors. And still — he built one of Miami’s most talked-about‬

‭ food brands.‬

‭ In this exclusive interview,‬‭ Mario Naar‬‭ , founder of‬‭ Chèvre Miami‬‭ , tells the story of how he went from‬‭ nightlife‬

‭ in Panama to launching a viral cheese and sandwich empire in Miami. From $20 sandwiches and foie gras‬

‭ boards to being ranked #3 on Goldbelly and launching in Saint Barts — this is the story of grit, taste, and‬

‭ reinvention.‬

‭ In this episode, Mario shares:‬

-Why he walked away from his first international brand‬

-The sandwich that saved his business‬

-How he turned caviar into a lifestyle product‬

-The truth behind the $65 caviar croissant that went viral‬

-How Miami landlords and hospitality deals‬‭ really‬‭ work‬

-Why he believes‬‭ consistency > creativity‬‭ in food‬

-The biggest mistake that almost cost him his new business‬

-What it means to build a “lifestyle brand”

— not just a restaurant‬

‭‭

‭ ⏱ Timestamps:‬

‭ 00:00 – Starting From Zero in Miami‬

‭ 02:51 – Building Chev: Boutique Food & Vision‬

‭ 05:42 – Pandemic Timing & Cheese Curation‬

‭ 08:33 – The Koji Wagyu Sandwich That Went Viral‬

‭ 11:24 – Cheesecakes, Goldbelly, and Premium Flavors‬

‭ 14:15 – Launching a Caviar Brand From Scratch‬

‭ 17:06 – The $65 Caviar Croissant Craze‬

‭ 19:57 – Losing Salvaje & Reinventing My Brand‬

‭ 22:48 – Becoming a Lifestyle Brand, Not Just Food‬‭ 25:39 – Scaling to Saint Barts, Coconut Grove & More‬

‭ 28:30 – Why Restaurants Shouldn’t Pay for Buildouts‬

‭ 31:21 – Inside the Wine Room & Rare Cheese Pairings‬

‭ 34:12 – Catering, Foie Gras, and High-End Boards‬

‭ 37:03 – Lessons From My Most Expensive Mistake‬

‭ 39:54 – Local Partners & Artisans I Trust‬

‭ 42:45 – Miami Needs More Locals, Less Bullsh*t‬

‭ 45:36 – Oma Pie Concept & Elevating Pizza‬

‭ 48:27 – Cheese-Pull Marketing & Final Reflections‬

‭ Connect with me on my instagram:‬

‭ 🤳 Instagram:‬‭ https://www.instagram.com/emiguerra99/‬

‭ Connect with Mario Naar:‬

‭ Instagram:‬‭ https://www.instagram.com/naarmiami‬

‭ Listen to my podcasts on:‬

‭ 🍎 Apple Podcast:‬‭ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-talks-hospitality-podcast/id1790526837‬

‭ 🍏 Spotify:‬‭ https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qqf1YkCmKKL0nEH9J5rAv‬

‭ Check out my hospitality businesses on Instagram:‬

‭ 🏨 Breakwater Hospitality Group:‬‭ https://www.instagram.com/breakwaterhg/‬

‭ 🏨 The Wharf Miami:‬‭ https://www.instagram.com/wharfmiami/‬

‭ 🏨 The Wharf Fort Lauderdale:‬‭ https://www.instagram.com/wharfftl/‬

‭ 🏨 PIER 5:‬‭ https://www.instagram.com/pier5bayside/‬

‭ 🏨 JohnMartin’s:‬‭ https://www.instagram.com/johnmartinsmiami/‬

‭ 🏨 Carousel Club:‬‭ https://www.instagram.com/carouselclb/‬

‭ 🏨 Regatta Grove:‬‭ https://www.instagram.com/regattagrove/‬

‭ 🏨 Riverside Wharf:‬‭ https://www.instagram.com/riversidewharf/‬

‭ Thank you for your support. If you aren’t already subscribed, do subscribe to the channel for our latest‬

‭ episodes. Cheers!‬

‭ #MarioNaar #ChèvreMiami #IndustryTalks #HospitalityPodcast #MiamiFoodScene #FoodEntrepreneur‬

‭ #ViralFood #CheeseLovers #CaviarLife #MiamiEats #LuxuryFood #GourmetSandwich #CulinaryBrand‬

‭ #FoodBusiness #MiamiRestaurants #CheesecakeLovers #LifestyleBrand #CaviarCroissant‬

‭ #WagyuSandwich #FromPanamaToMiami #ChefLife #FoodStartup #PodcastHighlights #podcast‬