From Car Sales to Culinary Magic: Ray Bello on Business, Grit, and Michelin Dreams

Welcome to the XPLR.NASH Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Rey Bello—a Venezuelan immigrant whose journey from starting over in Nashville to hosting some of the city’s most exclusive culinary events is nothing short of incredible.Rey’s story goes way beyond food and live events. He opens up about the tough lessons he’s learned in business, why emotional resilience is everything, and how building genuine relationships—not just making money—changed his life. From the car business to sold-out Michelin pop-ups, Rey shares what it takes to build real respect and a true sense of community in Music City.Inside this episode:Why being good emotionally is the foundation for success in businessHow Rey built a name for himself in a new country, without a PR company or big marketing budgetWhat goes into hosting legendary events with Michelin-star chefs and 150-pound tunasThe evolution of Nashville’s food scene and predictions for its first Michelin starsLessons on helping others, earning respect, and building a community that looks out for each otherRey’s story is about grit, respect, and always showing up for others. If you’re into entrepreneurship, hospitality, or just love a good Nashville success story, you’ll love this one.Featured Guest:Rey Bello – Event Producer, Culinary Connector, and StorytellerTopics Covered:• Emotional health in business• Building a career from scratch in Nashville• How to stand out (and stay humble) in a crowded city• The art of live events and pop-up dinners• Where Nashville’s restaurant scene is headed👉 Subscribe for more real conversations with the people moving Nashville forward.Connect with Rey on Instagram: @reybell0 Want to be part of a future event? Keep following XPLR.NASH for the latest collaborations and live experiences!events.xplrnash.com