Shoppers Are Elevating 'Secondhand' Into 1st Position
Release Date: 04/26/2025
Montaukila Tequila —a Textbook Case of Entrepreneurial Grit!
The Debbie Nigro Show
On The Debbie Nigro Show, I had the pleasure of spotlighting Simon Cascante, founder of Montaukila Tequila. Boy oh boy his story sure is a shining example of one of my favorite sayings - “Risk It! or Regret It!" Simon skipped college, started bussing tables at the Lobster Roll in East Hampton, and took the long road to launching his own spirit’s brand. No investors. No celebrity endorsements. Just grit, Google, and a dream. That persistence led him to cold-call nearly a dozen distilleries in Mexico until one finally said yes—thanks to a VP who had once vacationed in...
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Riptide Wisdom from the “James Bond of Lifeguards”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Happy summer, friends! You know I love the beach, but nothing freaks me out more than riptides. With Hurricane Erin stirring up the East Coast, I called in my go-to water safety guy — Wyatt Werneth, spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association. I call him the James Bond of lifeguards … because, well, he is. Wyatt literally jumped off the beach in Cocoa Beach, Florida to join me on the show. His first tip? “Everywhere there’s a dip, there’s a rip.” Translation: If the water keeps rushing in and your blanket, toys, and beach bag get soaked while...
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Never Underestimate the Lasting Power of “Good Energy”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Good energy is like a secret superpower. You can’t see it—but you feel it. It uplifts, comforts, and lingers long after the moment has passed. I’ve been told I carry that kind of energy—and if you do too, you know it’s not something you turn on, it’s just who you are. But here’s the best part: when two people with good energy meet along life’s path, something special happens. It’s like the universe nods and says… 'Yep, this connection matters.' That’s the vibe of today’s post and podcast. I’d like you to meet Marcus John. He is ‘good energy’. He and I go...
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Inside America’s First 'In-Hotel' Luxury Movie Theater at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich
The Debbie Nigro Show
Luxury, Innovation, and Popcorn? Yes, Please. On this Trending Tuesday episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I’m spilling the popcorn on a jaw-dropping new addition to one of my longtime favorite iconic hotels, the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, Connecticut. Shawn Nayyar, the hotel’s new General Manager, joined me in studio to talk about the Townsend Cinema, a first-of-its-kind 40-seat luxury movie theater built right inside the hotel—a concept developed by Monoplex and Trinity Investments, now brought to life at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. "We’re the first in the country to have...
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Rock Your Dreams: Inside David Fishof’s Legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp
The Debbie Nigro Show
Ever dreamed of jamming with rock legends like Ringo Starr, Gene Simmons, or Alice Cooper? David Fishof — legendary music producer, sports agent, and founder of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp has been making those dreams come true for 25 years and counting. On this episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, it was an absolute blast welcoming David to share his wild ride from managing NFL stars to organizing epic jam sessions for everyday rockers. (And yes, he created Ringo’s All-Starr Band!) “It’s my fantasy to change people’s lives through the power of music,” David said. And wow, he...
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Creating the Future of Live Theater—Together: Inside the iStage Movement
The Debbie Nigro Show
Live Theater Is Having a Wonderful Resurgence - Wait Till You Hear About Its Next Act! On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I caught up with longtime pal, producer and innovator Paul Lambert about an exciting new chapter in entertainment: iStage. What makes iStage so unique? It’s the first community-first approach to building musicals—blending digital engagement with the magic of live performance. Instead of starting with a script and hoping people show up, iStage builds a community around a topic first, then creates a...
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“The Future of Entrepreneurship Is Female, 50+, and AI-Powered”
The Debbie Nigro Show
Kathy McShane is Empowering Women Entrepreneurs 50+ to Embrace the Future On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I was thrilled to welcome back longtime friend and unstoppable force in women’s entrepreneurship, Kathy McShane. Kathy is the founder of Ladies Launch with AI, a three-time business founder, and the former head of the U.S. SBA Office of Women’s Business Ownership. These days, she’s on a mission to help women—especially over 50—leverage AI to start and scale businesses faster, smarter, and with more confidence. “AI doesn’t have emotions,” Kathy...
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Ever heard of Shareapy? It's like therapy but with people going through the same thing
The Debbie Nigro Show
As heard on The Debbie Nigro Show Sometimes it really helps to just talk to other caring people about whatever you’re going through. Now there’s a place where you can. I had a talk with Scott Kelsey, the incredibly resilient Founder & CEO of Shareapy—about his groundbreaking wellness platform born from personal tragedy and built to foster connection, healing, and personal growth. After a life-altering fall down a staircase left him with a traumatic brain injury, Scott found himself forced to hit pause—and reflect. "I had to isolate, be in a dark room, and let my brain...
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TREND ALERT: The Rise of the “Halfbacks”
The Debbie Nigro Show
As heard on The Debbie Nigro Show There's a hot new real estate migration trend picking up steam among Northeasterners and former Floridians: they’re becoming “Halfbacks”—people who moved to Florida, found it a little too much (too hot, too humid, too everything), and are now settling halfway back up the East Coast. Their happy medium? Coastal North Carolina. On The Debbie Nigro Show, I got the inside scoop from Jason Faulkner, General Manager of Kingfish Bay Development in Calabash, NC—one of the fastest-growing destinations for these lifestyle-minded movers that's just minutes...
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From Paralyzed Performer to Superhuman CEO: Meet Global Wellness Pioneer Dan Metcalf
The Debbie Nigro Show
This story of mind-blowing resilience is a wake-up call for anyone feeling stuck, sidelined, or afraid to bounce back. On a recent episode of The Debbie Nigro Show, I had the joy of speaking with global wellness pioneer Dan Metcalf—international performer turned brain-injury survivor, Olympic coach, and now CEO of Total Balance Company and Born Superhuman. Hard to believe this superhuman got in touch with me to see if I was interested in uncovering how we could inspire listeners together. Here’s what I read when I opened his blind email to me. Hey Debbie. “I've...
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Thrift Shops & Online Hustles Are Booming
On this week’s Trending Tuesday on The Debbie Nigro Show, we talked tariffs, thrift shops, and thriving through turbulence.
Whether you’re bargain hunting or business-minded, there’s never been a better time to think secondhand—or second income!
According to the 2024 Thrift Industry Report by Savers Value Village 16-18% of Americans shop at thrift stores each year: 12 to 15% shop at consignment or resale stores.
Nearly 90% of consumers have shopped or donated at a Thrift Store up from 83% in 2022.
It’s The Ultimate Treasure Hunt
Personally, I will donate through one door and then go back in and shop through another door. LOL I love the treasure hunt fun and get excited when I find something unique! It could be anything!
Meanwhile the report went on to say…
*Among the many incredible changes the thrift industry has seen in recent years, one of the most significant is the mainstreaming of this once-niche retail segment.
*Long seen as serving those on a limited budget, secondhand has emerged as a symbol of creativity and individuality and now appeals to a wide range of shoppers who are increasingly seeking value—and style.
*Another notable trend is the growing environmental awareness of consumers who are putting the planet first by choosing secondhand.
I was joined by Parag Amin, a savvy Los Angeles business attorney who helps entrepreneurs avoid costly mistakes (like the one that derailed his father’s American dream).
Parag shared how rising prices from tariffs are pushing more people toward secondhand shopping—and why that shift is also sparking big-time opportunity.
From consignment goldmines to online stores, more people are flipping used goods and making real money. Think resale clothing, Amazon brands, and influencer-fueled product lines. It’s all about low overhead, smart sourcing, and even smarter risk management. And yes, Parag’s seen clients go from leggings to luxury lifestyles—literally!
Pro tip from Parag: Want to test a resale biz? Start with consignment. No upfront cost, no inventory headaches, and way less risk.
Tune in for insights, laughs, and inspiration—
Listen now to this short podcast of my conversation with Parag Amin and get the full scoop on from The Debbie Nigro Show.