Wheels, Deals and Meals

Hosted by Wheels, Deals and Meals

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

132

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Arnold Gacita of Petra Auto Products brings you Wheels, Deals & Meals, a new podcast that promises to dish on how to find the best food in the world with suggestions from business icons. With an exciting business leader in every episode, Arnold will get the inside scoop on their favorite places to eat, and places to see, as well as how they run successful companies and stay ahead of the competition. Tune in every Wednesday and subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode. Wheels, Deals & Meals – your source for all things good food, good business, and living the good life.

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60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 1234 min

S4: EP 12 Laura Murillo - Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

This week we sit down with the ultimate powerhouse of the Houston business community, Dr. Laura Murillo, President and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Under her leadership, the Chamber has smashed membership records and become one of the most influential institutions in the country.But today, we are diving behind the scenes of her critical role on the board of the Houston-Harris County Sports Authority. Dr. Murillo opens up about the massive five-year collaborative effort, the strategic bidding process, and the intense economic choreography required to bring the world's biggest sporting event—the FIFA World Cup—right to Houston.Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more Good Food, Good Business, and Good Cars!#WheelsDealsAndMeals #DrLauraMurillo #HoustonBusiness #FIFAWorldCup #SportsAuthority #HoustonHispanicChamber #EconomicGrowth

May 27, 2026Episode 1049 min

S4: EP 11 Ken Kades - McDonalds

How do you go from managing a single storefront to operating a massive multi-unit empire? This week, we sit down with legendary entrepreneur Ken Kades, founder of The Kades Corporation and Owner Operator at Multiple McDonalds. Ken has spent decades mastering the art of business operations, scaling his footprint to 80 highly successful locations at one point in his career.In this episode, Ken pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to scale a business. He shares his journey from an entry-level store manager to an operations director, detailing the exact systems, scaling frameworks, and cultural pivots needed to sustain a multi-unit empire. Whether you're trying to build your very first startup or figure out how to scale from 2 locations to 20, Ken’s operational blueprint is a masterclass in modern business growth.Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more Good Food, Good Business, and Good Cars!#WheelsDealsAndMeals #KenKades #BusinessScaling #FranchiseOwner #OperationsManager #MultiUnitMogul #EntrepreneurLife #HoustonBusiness #McDonalds

May 13, 2026Episode 1037 min

S4: EP 10 Dan Shine - Automotive News

What does it take to lead the retail coverage at Automotive News? 📰🚗This week, Arnold catches up with Dan Shine, a man whose blood runs with Detroit motor oil and newspaper ink. Dan takes us through his incredible career, from the fast-paced night shift at the Dallas Morning News to his current role overseeing the most critical stories in the auto industry today.Learn about the "hustle" of early journalism, the importance of industry networking, and why Dan will never look at a "harebrained" idea the same way again.Don’t forget to Like and Subscribe for more Good Food, Good Business, and Good Cars!#WheelsDealsAndMeals #DanShine #AutoNews #JournalismLife #BusinessStories #DetroitCars #PodcastLife

April 29, 2026Episode 931 min

S4: EP 9 Manuel Leyshon - Loco Tequila

Welcome back to Wheels, Deals and Meals! This week, we sit down at Amalfi Restaurant with Manuel Leyshon, the driving force behind Loco Tequila. From his early days in Mexico City to navigating the global spirits market, Manuel shares the story of how he helped build a brand that defies the status quo.In this episode, we dive into the "Loco" philosophy—a commitment to quality, pure agave, and a process that respects the land (terruño) above all else.Video Timestamps:00:00:00 – Intro: Great food, great company, and the "Loco" spirit.00:01:36 – Origins: Growing up in Mexico City, León, and Guadalajara.00:06:33 – Career Path: From Pernod Ricard to the Automotive Industry.00:09:31 – The "Loco" Adventure: Building a brand from ground zero in Monterrey.00:12:07 – Strategic Growth: Why Texas and California are the keys to the U.S. market.00:14:55 – The Truth About Tequila: Additive-free trends and why quality matters.00:18:25 – Exploring Expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and Puro Corazón.00:24:20 – Fun Stuff: "The Jalapeño" (his first car), Porsche dreams, and his love for Mexico.00:30:20 – How to get Loco Tequila: Online and retail.Find Loco Tequila:Ready to taste the difference? Visit locotequila.com to find a retailer or order online. Don’t forget to check out their unique expressions, including the Blanco de Abolengo and the ultra-limited "Puro Corazón."#LocoTequila #WheelsDealsAndMeals #AdditiveFreeTequila #Entrepreneurship #MexicoToTheWorld #PremiumTequila #ArnoldGarcia #BusinessStoriesSubscribe for more conversations about good food, good business, and good cars!

April 15, 2026Episode 81 hr 8 min

S4: EP 8 - Andrea Gomez, Willie Lora, and Dawna Campbell

This week, host Arnold Gacita is joined by a true "Media Dream Team": Andrea Gomez, Willie Lora, and Dawna Campbell of the Los Angeles Tribune. We are back at Amalfi Restaurant in Houston for a deep dive into journalism, global PR, and the grit required to build a world-class career from the ground up. From the high-stakes newsrooms of CNN and ABC News to the intersection of finance and subconscious programming, this episode is packed with inspiration for anyone looking to break barriers.Episode Highlights:Hustle & Heart: Andrea Gomez shares how she worked 16-hour days between a newspaper and a TV station to master her craft while learning a new language.The Bunker Interview: Willie Lora recounts the incredible story of being driven through Havana for a secret interview with Hugo Chavez in an underground bunker.From Worth to Net Worth: Dawna Campbell explains the soul-level connection between how we value ourselves and our financial success.The Future is Digital: An exclusive look at the expansion of the Houston Times and Houston Times Español.About the Guests:Andrea Gomez: Former Univision news anchor, PR strategist, and current VP of the Los Angeles Tribune en Español.Willie Lora: Former News Director for CNN en Español with decades of experience covering the White House and international summits.Dawna Campbell: EVP of the Los Angeles Tribune Global Media and a specialist in subconscious reprogramming for elite achievers.#AndreaGomez #WillieLora #DawnaCampbell #LosAngelesTribune #HoustonTimes #Journalism #Media #SuccessStories #WheelsDealsAndMealsSubscribe for more exclusive conversations with the people moving the world!

April 14, 2026Episode 743 min

S4: EP 7 Joe Paulo - CEO Hope Media Group

In this episode, we take the show to the state-of-the-art studios of Hope Media Group to sit down with their CEO, Joe Paulo. From his "formative years" in Ohio to leading the nation’s largest Christian radio station, Joe shares a powerful narrative of leadership, career pivots, and the importance of listening for God’s timing.Inside the Episode:Work is a Learned Behavior: Joe discusses being willing to do anything—even cleaning gutters in 95-degree heat—to be around the business you love.Leading Without the Title: The profound realization Joe had when his identity was stripped away, and how it made him a better leader.Digital Discipline: Why modern leaders must carve out time for introspection to cut through the noise of social media and constant connectivity.About Joe Paulo:Joe has been the CEO of Hope Media Group since 2018, overseeing platforms like KSBJ, WayFM, and Vida Unida. A Liberty University alumnus and a "most admired CEO" honoree, Joe is a frequent speaker on leadership and family. He and his wife, Kelly, have been married for 35 years and have five children and three grandchildren.#JoePaulo #HopeMediaGroup #KSBJ #Leadership #ChristianRadio #BusinessSuccess #WheelsDealsAndMeals #HustleAndFaithSubscribe for more conversations at the intersection of business, life, and the road ahead!

March 18, 2026Episode 61 hr 2 min

S4: EP 6 Amy Wine - Therapist

In this episode, we sit down with Amy Wine, a licensed therapist and elite performance coach who helps "elite achievers"—from CEOs to pro athletes—reclaim their marriages, businesses, and personal joy. Amy shares her powerful journey from a traumatic childhood to becoming a transformation trailblazer, offering a raw look at what it takes to find your rhythm in a high-pressure world.3:26 – Meet Amy Wine: The "Executive Whisperer"5:41 – Growing Up in Oklahoma: Small Towns and Big Challenges7:04 – The Turning Point: Graduation and Independence15:01 – The "Wild Child" Era: Meeting Her Husband and the Fake ID Story22:00 – Finding a Calling: From Teaching to Psychology25:02 – Coaching Elite Achievers: Why It’s Lonely at the Top36:25 – Balance vs. Rhythm: Why Work-Life Balance is a Myth51:13 – The "Worst Case" Session: Lessons from a Crisis59:51 – The Amy Wine Museum: Mustangs, Maybachs, and Travel1:02:27 – Advice for the Next Generation of TherapistsInside the Episode:Escape and Resilience: How Amy’s early life experiences built her "crisis-calm" personality.The Relationship Metric: Why shared values are the secret sauce to lasting success in business and marriage.High-Stakes Coaching: Helping athletes and executives bridge the gap between professional success and personal fulfillment.Authenticity in Therapy: Why being "human" is more effective than sticking to a rigid clinical checklist.Connect with Amy:Licensed Professional Counselor, Marriage & Family Therapist, and Business Coach for those ready to move their dreams from “maybe later” to “happening now.”#AmyWine #ExecutiveCoaching #MarriageRestoration #HighAchievers #WheelsDealsAndMeals #Leadership #Psychology #EntrepreneurLifeSubscribe for more conversations at the intersection of life and leadership!

March 4, 2026Episode 547 min

S4: EP 5 Willie Daughters - Reynolds & Reynolds

In this episode of Wheels, Deals & Meals, Arnold sits down with Willie Daughters, the Executive Vice President and COO of Reynolds and Reynolds. With an incredible 34-year career at the same company, Willie’s story is a masterclass in work ethic, perseverance, and the power of a positive mindset.0:00 - Introduction1:00 - Growing up in Amarillo and early work experiences4:00 - The "Clay Pigeon" car and the value of a dollar7:30 - Starting at UCS/Reynolds and Reynolds (The early days)17:45 - The move to the UK: Immersion, adventure, and global management26:30 - The transition to Ohio and back to Houston34:00 - Two things you can control: Attitude & Activity42:00 - Why Petra Cares is changing lives in real-time53:00 - The "prank" story of meeting his wifeFrom his humble beginnings in Amarillo, Texas, to leading global operations across Europe and eventually back to Houston, Willie shares the pivotal moments that shaped him. We dive deep into his "street education"—starting his first jobs at age 12, working in hydraulic shops, and how those formative experiences prepared him for the corporate world.In this conversation, we cover:The Foundation: How growing up as a coach’s son and working odd jobs defined his work ethic.Career Longevity: Climbing the ladder from frontline phone support to COO.Global Leadership: The adventure of moving a young family to the UK and managing operations across Europe.The Keys to Success: Willie’s core philosophy: You can only control two things in life—your attitude and your activity.Giving Back: Why his involvement with Petra Cares is more than just charity—it's about tangibly transforming the lives of foster youth.The "Meet Cute": A hilarious story about a breakdown on the side of the road and a prank during summer camp registration that led him to his wife of many years.Whether you're looking for professional advice on how to stand out in your career or just looking for an uplifting story of leadership and service, this episode is for you. You'll be thanking us later.

February 18, 2026Episode 435 min

S4: EP 4 Viet Tran - Velocity Sim Racing

Tech layoffs, Stanford degrees, and 190mph virtual Ferraris. 🏁This week, we visit Velocity Sim Racing to meet founder Viet Tran. Viet’s background is anything but ordinary—a Vietnamese refugee who conquered Silicon Valley before returning to Houston to follow his passion for speed.After a professional racing accident on the track, Viet discovered that simulation was the key to regaining his edge. Now, he’s sharing that experience with the city of Houston. Join us for a deep dive into the business of racing and a head-to-head battle that comes down to the final second!Featured in this video:The emotional "Homecoming" journey to Vietnam.Interning at YouTube before the Google acquisition.Lessons in resilience: "There are very few wrong decisions."Live racing footage at Laguna Seca!Don't forget to Like and Subscribe for more Good Food, Good Business, and Good Cars!#WheelsDealsAndMeals #VietTran #SimRacing @velocitysimracing #StartupLife #HoustonPodcast #TechEntrepreneur #RacingSimulatorTo visit and race, go to: https://velocitysimlounge.com/

February 4, 2026Episode 351 min

S4: EP3 Zubi Rum

This week on Wheels, Deals, and Meals, we’re hanging out with the founders of Zubi Rum, Carlos and Tony! These two cousins are bringing the flavor of old-school Havana to the heart of Texas.From the emotional history of their families fleeing Cuba to the grit required to build a business in 2024, this episode is packed with inspiration, laughs, and plenty of "Salud!" moments.You won't want to miss:-The "medicine bottle" rum story you have to hear to believe.-Why work ethic is the #1 predictor of success.-Handcrafted rums and the future of Zubi Cigars.-Why Zubi rum stands out among the rest.Enjoy this episode all about Rum, Cigars, and the Golden Age of Cuba! 🇨🇺🥃 And don't forget to listen to Zubi Rum Rumba and order your Zubi rum at shop.zubirum.comDon't forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more stories of Good Food, Good Business, and Good Cars!