• Exit Interview:

What inspired your fast casual restaurant concept?

My then 8-year-old nephew was playing in a basketball tournament and was eating junk between games. I looked at the concession stand and saw nothing but pizza, burgers and hot dogs and thought he needed a healthier alternative.

What was it like to make it to the Top 10 and compete on the show?

A huge rush! I'm used to competing and advancing to the finals in anything I compete in, so it was gratifying to be in the Top 10. Of course, the ultimate gratification would have been winning but, uh, anyway... LOL

What moment or moments on the show were most surprising to you?

Keeping it for real, for real? Getting eliminated when I got eliminated. Total rubbish! I don't think you could've surprised me more than that, so that one's hard to top. When you're used to winning or at least competing until the end of every competition you enter, a premature and abrupt halt in the experience of competing is very jolting. Did I mention it was bullshit? (just checking)

What was the best part of your experience?

Has the experience changed you? Hmmmm... the best part of the experience was not allowing the opportunity to pitch my concept to pass me by. I think you have to go for it! I've always known I'd be in the food/entertainment business on some level so when America's Next Great Restaurant came around, it felt right. Next best part was feeling the high of making the show, and then making it to the Top 10. Sometimes I think about those two days and still smile. The experience didn't change me, but it definitely gave me a deeper perspective on the concept of winning. As you know, on the show, I wore a shirt that read "I Win" and I meant that shit! I DO! So, even though my concept wasn't chosen I still feel like I gained so much from the experience. As if I needed any more fuel to my fire, getting eliminated made me even more determined to launch my concept!

Did you make any lasting friendships and/or business relationships on the show? With whom?

I don't think I had time to make any lasting relationships, but I did make some great connections with Kevin and Viet, Farzan, Marisa, Sudhir and a few others who shall remain nameless until I hear what they said about me on the show... LMAO!

Did you think you should have been eliminated? Did you agree with the investors' decision?

Seriously? Seriously? Please. No, I didn't think I shoulda been eliminated and no, I didn't agree with the investor's decision. I would CRUSH any of the concepts that remained after I was eliminated. Not because my concept was superior, but because I WIN. I succeed in everything I do. And as I said on the show, I believe that if you take the 360 package - person, personality, concept marketability, marketing genius, passion, brand ambassador potential, business savvy, competitiveness, and commitment, I'm difficult to beat. Period.

Are you going to continue to pursue your restaurant concept?

Hells yes. The Sports Wrap - executed properly - is a billion dollar concept, and I am destined for greatness. It's in my DNA. So the Sports Wrap or whatever it ends up being called will prevail <insert sinister laugh>.

Which one of your competitors' restaurants would you eat at regularly?

Hmmm... Marisa's joint cuz it's healthy, J's Waffle thingy cuz I'm just sure it would be funky as hell and I know he can cook, Sudhir's Indian cafe because it's intriguing and I like Indian food, and the Grilled Cheese place because I like being a kid.

What have you been doing since being on the show?

I beat out 15,000 applicants to make it to the Final Four of the "Good Morning America" Advice Guru contest. I'm developing my own talk show, writing a book, blogging, speaking, coaching girls basketball, and researching investors. In my spare time, I visit all of Flay's restaurants and give the waiters a hard time. I frequent the Chipotle in the Dallas area and tell them how horrible I think their burritos are. I watch and laugh at "The Celebrity Apprentice" episode where Curtis got fired, ovuh and ovuh and ovuh. And I'm still looking for creative ways to share my disdain with Lorena Garcia so if ya'll think of anything let me know. LMFAO!

What has the experience of being on the show taught you?

You can always win... even when you lose.