In this episode of The Lo-Down, Lorenzo Mercado sits down with Charles Lee, founder and CEO of Palmetto Superfoods — one of the fastest-growing açaí bowl brands in California.

What started as a single store in San Francisco has quickly become one of the most talked-about health food brands in California. Charles shares how he went from concept to execution, the mindset it took to scale brick-and-mortar, and why a focus on product quality over hype has been the key to long-term growth. From lessons in branding and leadership to scaling a brick-and-mortar business the right way, this episode is packed with insight for anyone looking to build a multi-million dollar brand from the ground up.

If you're an entrepreneur, real estate investor, or aspiring founder — this one's for you.

Topics Include:

• The early days of launching a food concept from scratch
• Why obsessing over the product is more important than marketing
• Lessons learned from opening multiple physical locations
• Branding vs. experience: how to get both right
• Building a team and company culture in food & beverage
• The biggest myths about starting a food business

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👥 Connect with Charles Lee:
Website: https://www.palmettosuperfoods.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chacharleslee/

🚀 Let’s Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenzo.mercado_/

Website: https://www.mercasaventures.com

🎙️Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lo-down/id1764777761

🎙️Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1YjwXXjvFT3mqve6uMF983?si=d2501028127246f3

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lorenzo.Mercado

💬 Like this episode?
Leave a five star review on your favorite streaming platform and share with a friend who would find value.

In this solo episode, Lorenzo Mercado pulls back the curtain on his latest moves in real estate. He shares real lessons from his recent house flips—including costly delays—and how those setbacks are shaping his mindset. Lorenzo also dives into his next big play: boutique hotel investing. He breaks down why he’s making the shift, what he’s learning, and how it fits into his long-term vision of building wealth and freedom. The episode wraps with a candid Q&A where Lorenzo answers listener questions on flipping mistakes, turning pro, and what success really looks like.

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Like what you hear?
Subscribe to The Lo-Down, drop a 5-star review, and share it with someone who would find value. Thanks for tuning in.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on Real estate, Business, and Taking Action👥

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🚀 Let’s Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenzo.mercado_/
Website: https://www.mercasaventures.com
Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lo-down/id1764777761
Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1YjwXXjvFT3mqve6uMF983?si=d2501028127246f3
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lorenzo.Mercado

In this episode, Lorenzo Mercado sits down with Clay and Jonathan Velarde—brother entrepreneurs who turned a $15K investment into Parking Pros, a thriving valet and parking shuttle company.

They share how they went from working in their father’s valet business to launching their own operation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation dives deep into their growth journey, the challenges of standing out in a competitive industry, and the strategies that helped them scale.

Clay and Jonathan open up about the power of teamwork, customer service, and adapting to market shifts. They also talk about documenting their startup journey on social media, making smart investments, and the importance of marketing in business success. Plus, they share wild stories from the valet world—and a few game-changing books that shaped their entrepreneurial mindset.

If you're building a business, thinking about starting one, or just love real stories about grit and growth—this one’s for you.

Like what you hear?
Subscribe to The Lo-Down, drop a 5-star review, and share it with someone who would find value. Thanks for tuning in.

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🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on Real estate, Business, and Taking Action👥

Connect with Jonathan Velarde:
Website: https://valetparkingpros.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parkingmogul

Connect with Clay Velarde:
Website: https://valetparkingpros.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clayvelarde

Listen to the Get After It Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2H4HRXUN8IEhs79vtgmcaU?si=7bdb6d0500574763

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🚀 Let’s Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenzo.mercado_/

Website: https://www.mercasaventures.com
Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lo-down/id1764777761
Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1YjwXXjvFT3mqve6uMF983?si=d2501028127246f3
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lorenzo.Mercado