My SGV Podcast Kind Monster Productions
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- Business
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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.
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Vanessa Tilaka Kalb - From Thai Market to Cheesery: a culinary journey
Vanessa Tilaka Kalb’s family has been in the food business for several generations, beginning with her grandparents in Thailand who owned a restaurant below their apartment and her father’s Thai market in Los Angeles, which was the first of its kind in the city.
Her culinary career has spanned from working as Sous Chef under Bryant Ng at Spice Table, to San Francisco’s Flour+Water and Octavia, then back to LA with M. Georgina. While Vanessa shined as a chef, cheese kept calling. Her passion and desire to keep learning quickly grew into cheesemonger positions at Fisher’s Cheese and Wine, followed by Monsieur Marcel and Cookbook Market.
Today, Vanessa has settled into her newfound home in Pasadena alongside her husband and business partner, Thomas Kalb, and their beloved pets, Clementine, Rhubarb, Shiitake, and Mochi. Together, the Tilaka Kalbs helm the independent venture Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery in Old Town Pasadena, serving classic American regional dishes alongside artisan cheeses and provisions. Vanessa is officially Head Cheese, focused on the cheesery offerings that span day to evening, takeaway wines, and overall operations.
Website: www.agnesla.com
Instagram: @agnes_pasadena
For media inquiries, contact elaine@boh.agency or kait@boh.agency
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Music Credits
Intro
Like it Loud, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Stinger
Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library
Outro
Indecision, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
__________________
My SGV Podcast:
www.mysgv.net
info@sgvmasterkey.com -
Grace Takayama - Journey from bookkeeping legacy to California dreams
Grace Takayama was born to a Korean mother and a Japanese Father. Nearly all her friends and family had traditional roles installed in them, the husband worked and the wife took charge of the household. Most of the men in her family were Bookkeepers, which inspired her to do the same.
Right after graduating with a degree in Accounting she wasn’t sure what her next step should be and found work keeping books at different companies in South Korea.
Her parents constantly urged her to make the move to San Gabriel, where her father's side of the family were already long standing residents, eventually her paternal grandfather convinced her to make the move to San Gabriel.
San Gabriel was full of opportunities and cheery residences that warmed her heart and thus her decision to stay in the SGV has remained true.
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Music Credits
Intro
Like it Loud, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Stinger
Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library
Outro
Indecision, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
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My SGV Podcast:
www.mysgv.net
info@sgvmasterkey.com -
Ryan Fletes - Chilli doesn't fall far from the plant
Ryan Fletes is a 25-year-old entrepreneur based in San Gabriel, CA. In 2020, he launched his spicy seasoning company driven by his love for hot sauce. Before Ryan co-founded his new company, he worked in advertisement and sales at different companies in Southern California. Today, he applies the knowledge and experience he gained into Camp Scoville.
Ryan's innovative product offers a healthier and more versatile twist on traditional hot sauce. Ryan's vision extends beyond just flavor; he aims to expand his brand and support local businesses along the way.
Instagram: @campscoville
Website: campscoville.com
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Music Credits
Intro
Like it Loud, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Stinger
Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library
Outro
Indecision, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
__________________
My SGV Podcast:
www.mysgv.net
info@sgvmasterkey.com -
Nigel Williams - Island boy learns art & music
Nigel Williams' artistic journey began at the age of nine, selling his watercolors to tourists on the island of St. Maarten where he grew up. With a passion for both art and music, Nigel pursued a degree in Music Education at Berklee College of Music in 1992. During his time at Berklee, his pastel work was showcased in an exhibition featuring musician-artists. Upon returning to St. Maarten in 1997, he studied under prominent local artist Ruby Bute, learning the importance of color in storytelling.
Later, he ventured to Los Angeles to pursue his music career, collaborating with artists like Chris Brown and Heather Headley. For over ten years Nigel and his reggae band performed on stage at Kings Row Gastropub in Old Pasadena.
Throughout his musical endeavors, Nigel continued painting, and the pandemic prompted him to focus more on his visual art. Drawing from his Caribbean upbringing and guided by artist Patti Mollica's teachings on acrylics, Nigel creates bold and vibrant pieces that capture the essence of paradise. Nigel's goal is to transport viewers to the beauty of St. Maarten, evoking memories for those who have visited and inspiring wanderlust for those who haven't.
Instagram: nigelwilliamsart
Website: nigelwilliamsart.com
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Music Credits
Intro
Like it Loud, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Stinger
Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library
Outro
Indecision, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
__________________
My SGV Podcast:
www.mysgv.net
info@sgvmasterkey.com -
Alvaro Ontiveros - The intricacy of tea to fresh birria
Alvaro Ontiveros is an immigrant from Mexico who first came over to spend time with his friends. During the pandemic in 2020 Alvaro started Birria Master when he lost his job in the tea industry. He started in Ave 26 with his own version of birria tacos and then soon made his way back to Pasadena as a taco truck.
Before his taco business took off, Alvaro had spent his working time in the restaurant industry, eventually ending up specifically inside the corporate tea industry for over a decade. During his journey before Birria Master Alvaro experienced every facet of working in a restaurant, from being a dishwasher, busing, serving, cooking and then managing, Alvaro leaned all the skills needed to run his own business (having a business degree also helped).
Today, Alvaro's venture, Birria Master, has blossomed into one of the SGV's premier spots for birria.
Instagram: @birriamaster
Location: 180 S Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
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Music Credits
Intro
Like it Loud, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Stinger
Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library
Outro
Indecision, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
__________________
My SGV Podcast:
www.mysgv.net
info@sgvmasterkey.com -
Hugo Garicia - Family giving strength to change
Hugo Garicia was born in LA and grew up in the city of El Monte where he attended school from Cogswell Elementary, Kranz Middle School, El Monte Highschool, and later graduated from East LA College.
While in high school and into college Hugo held a variety of different jobs all around the SGV - El Monte, West Covina, Rosemead, City of Industry, Monterey Park, Pasadena. He began his career in fitness in 2010 working for a big box gym in the personal training department in the city of Monterey Park and has now been a self-employed Fitness Trainer since 2013 in the city of Pasadena.
Hugo runs a successful business and is now expanding into the online space with help of a business mentor. Not only is he now offering online training to a host of different clients, but also a mentorship program to both up and coming fitness trainers and/or trainers currently in the field who are struggling to succeed.
On top of juggling his business, Hugo has a beautiful wife and a beautiful daughter that count on him to protect and provide.
One to two weekends per month Hugo is a Volunteer Firefighter. He volunteers as a Firefighter for a sense of higher fulfillment knowing that he is providing a service without expecting anything in return. He does this to pay gratitude for the wonderful family and life he has been blessed with.
Instagram: @hugo.g.fit
Website: hugogfit.com
Email: hugogfit@gmail.com
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Music Credits
Intro
Like it Loud, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
Stinger
Scarlet Fire (Sting), Otis McDonald, YouTube Audio Library
Outro
Indecision, Dyalla, YouTube Audio Library
__________________
My SGV Podcast:
www.mysgv.net
info@sgvmasterkey.com
Customer Reviews
A variety of people
I have been listening to the podcast for about a month. While I’m at work, I have my earbuds in and listen to two or three podcast in the evening. I have not found any that were not interesting if maybe two or three. A great variety of people and their lives, the things that they have accomplished and positive words and words of encouragement for the audience. I am not from the San Gabriel Valley although I have lived in the valley as a child in the 70s and 80s off and on. This podcast is so fun and entertaining to listen to. The SGV has so much to offer, never knew. Thanks!
My Community Rocks!
Every episode has something to offer! Each guest lets you into their lives with vulnerability and grace. I learn something new each week. The hosts evoke each guest’s background and amazing life experiences. The SGV is so diverse — the people and especially the food. It makes me proud to be a part of all of it!
Great project
With a storytelling approach to personal and development, both hosts take their listeners on an inspirational, motivational, and educational journey.