10/15/2026
A few years ago I meet a remarkable young man who had his own show. We talked about the founding of the Pastrami Project. Now we are back for a follow up show, here are the show notes that were sent to the broadcast stations.
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Episode Description:
George Markward’s journey has taken him through many different careers, from firefighter and EMT to computer programmer, entrepreneur, food truck owner, and creator of The Pastrami Project. After the challenges of the 2009 housing collapse, George decided to take a chance on himself and build a business around something he loved: authentic New York-style deli food.
On this episode of The Tiberius Show, George returns for his second appearance to talk with Tiberius about entrepreneurship, food, small business ownership, creativity, perseverance, customer service, and what it takes to keep a business alive for more than a decade.
George shares how a childhood memory of visiting old-school delis inspired him to create The Pastrami Project, why real pastrami takes patience and skill to make, and how turning a passion into a business requires more than just making great food. He explains the process behind creating authentic pastrami, the challenges of running a food truck, and why protecting the quality of your product matters more than making a quick sale.
He also talks about appearing on the Food Network with Guy Fieri, serving thousands of sandwiches at the South Beach W**e & Food Festival, learning from mistakes, adapting a menu based on what customers actually want, and why every small business owner needs to understand costs, supplies, and the value of every dollar.
Plus, George explains how his previous careers in technology, electronics, and public service helped prepare him for entrepreneurship, why saving money is an important lesson for young people, how mentoring other food entrepreneurs has become part of his journey, and why helping others succeed is one of the greatest rewards.
In this episode, you'll learn:
● What The Pastrami Project is and how George built it from the ground up
● How childhood experiences can inspire future businesses
● Why authentic pastrami takes time, patience, and skill
● What makes real pastrami different from ordinary lunch meat
● How George became the “Pastronomer” behind his food truck
● The advantages of starting a small business with a food truck model
● The challenges of running a one-person business
● Why consistency and never compromising your product matter
● How small business owners manage food costs and supplies
● Why understanding customers is more important than only following your own ideas
● How George adapted his business through changing food trends
● What it was like appearing on Food Network with Guy Fieri
● How thousands of sandwiches were made for major food events
● Why previous careers can help build entrepreneurial skills
● How learning different trades helped George become a better business owner
● The importance of saving money when you are young
● Why every entrepreneur needs to learn from mistakes
● What owning a business teaches that classrooms cannot
● Why mentorship and sharing knowledge with others matters
● How leadership means helping others learn and grow
Join Tiberius as he learns from George Markward about entrepreneurship, food, perseverance, leadership, and how following your passion can create something that brings people together.
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