In this episode of I Hope This Helps, firefighter, business owner, and community leader Mike Giunta shares a wild, very Jersey journey of grit, risk, and service — from taking on the City of Newark in his early 20s and running a towing company, to rescuing a rundown diner that became the iconic Bayway Diner and the pilot episode of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Mike breaks down what it was like to start over at 32 as a firefighter, build multiple businesses while working 24-hour shifts, and grow from a nine-stool diner to operating high-volume corporate cafeterias across New Jersey. He opens up about navigating politics, surviving COVID as a small operator, and leading with humility by trusting his team and always choosing the long game over the quick dollar.

If you’re into entrepreneurship, public service, food culture, or real stories about betting on yourself and building something that lasts, you’ll get a ton of value out of this conversation.

To find out more about Mike you can follow him at:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BuxsGDeb6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.instagram.com/baywaycatering

https://www.instagram.com/feedourheroesnow

https://www.facebook.com/share/17YGSPPjT4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube — and don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and leave a review to support the show.

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