As the driving force behind Toronto’s acclaimed Gusto 54 Restaurant Group, Janet Zuccarini is a rare blend of visionary and architect, crafting a culinary empire that pays homage to her Italian heritage while pushing the boundaries of what hospitality can be. Her restaurants, including the beloved Gusto 101 and the pasta-centric Felix Trattoria in Los Angeles, are more than dining destinations; they are community anchors, each designed to deliver a dining experience that balances warmth and precision, artistry, and authenticity.

For Janet, food has always been a universal language, a bridge connecting diverse backgrounds around a shared table. Rooted in her Italian upbringing, where meals were occasions for connection, she’s made it her life’s work to recreate that sense of gathering and nourishment for her guests. It’s this deeply personal ethos that informs each of her ventures. From hiring top-tier culinary talent to preserving traditional food craftsmanship, she’s not just feeding patrons—she’s honouring culture and tradition, making her restaurants feel like living museums that celebrate the artistry of handmade dishes.

In this episode, Lance sits down with Janet over a shared meal at her restaurant, Gusto 501, to talk about her entrepreneurial journey and business strategy, preserving culinary culture, and her most memorable meal at one of her restaurants (hint: Al Pacino may have been present).

In this episode, Lance sits down with Emily O’Brien, the inspiring founder of Comeback Snacks, whose entrepreneurial journey took root in an unexpected place: behind bars. From crafting gourmet popcorn flavours to driving meaningful change, Emily has turned a rocky past into a powerful platform for advocacy and second chances. Throughout their chat, Lance and Emily delve into her story of resilience and transformation, exploring how Comeback Snacks is not only breaking barriers in the snack industry but also leading efforts toward prison reform and reducing stigma around formerly incarcerated individuals. Listen as Emily shares insights on building a business with purpose, the challenges of navigating reentry, and her mission to create pathways for redemption and empowerment.

In this episode, Connie Lo, co-founder of Three Ships, joins Lance to discuss her journey in building a clean skincare brand with a mission to make beauty accessible for all. Connie shares her entrepreneurial story, from bootstrapping the company with just $4,000 to achieving significant growth and recognition in the industry. Throughout the conversation, she opens up about the challenges facing women in business, her experience as a young entrepreneur, and the importance of maintaining transparency and authenticity in the beauty world. Connie also dives into the evolving consumer demand for clean beauty, why sustainability matters, and the future of Three Ships. Tune in for an inspiring and honest look at entrepreneurship in the beauty space.

This episode is part of MOMENTUM, a special series in partnership with Monogram Canada that celebrates and explores the journeys of Asian-Canadian leaders.