The Perfect Pitch: Round 2

Recognized by Forbes Under 30 Brazil, Cleo Uchôa is one of the youngest and most driven operators redefining what it means to scale a fast-casual brand. He joined TAP’s founding team at just 19 years old and has since become the operational backbone behind its success across New York and Miami. With a sharp eye for process, culture, and guest experience, Cleo bridges back-of-house systems with front-line service excellence. Whether optimizing kitchen flows or leading multi-unit teams, Cleo is relentless in his pursuit of quality and innovation, always with the heart of a host and the mind of a builder.

A former professional soccer player turned into a creative entrepreneur, Pedro Uchôa blends the discipline of athletics with the vision of branding to lead this exciting wellness-focused food startup called TAP in the U.S. With a +12 years background in live marketing and advertising at top Brazilian agencies, Pedro brings a unique perspective to hospitality: one rooted in storytelling, purpose, brand experience and community. Since becoming CEO of TAP in 2022, Pedro has helped transform the brand into a rising star in the fast-casual space, infusing Brazilian culture into every bite and experience. Known for his infectious energy and people-first leadership, Pedro is now spearheading TAP’s national expansion while championing innovation, guest connection, and 100% gluten-free wellness.

Cassie Ghaffar, a native of Houston and dynamic businesswoman, has a diverse background in both science and business. While pursuing her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston, she simultaneously owned her own business in the nightclub industry and worked as a consultant for dental practices. Through these experiences, she gained expertise in business and marketing within the medical and healthcare industries. Cassandra joined ZT Wealth in 2009 and quickly aligned with the company's vision. In addition to her responsibilities in corporate marketing and events, she spearheaded the management and consulting for the dental division at ZT Wealth, drawing from her firsthand experience and passion for dentistry. She made an impressive mark in her career after climbing the corporate ladder as Senior VP of Marketing and Operations at ZT Wealth. Shortly after having a family, she embarked on a new entrepreneurial venture and focused her effects into becoming a franchisee of Amazing Lash Studio with six successful locations in Dallas and Austin.

Sandy Nguyen, a Houston native and first-generation Vietnamese, has achieved remarkable success as an entrepreneur. Graduating from the University of Houston with an accounting degree, she drew inspiration from her mother's entrepreneurial spirit to forge her own path. After successfully managing her initial restaurant startups for over a decade, Sandy redirected her focus toward scaling quick-service restaurants. In 2019, she co-founded Ordinary Concepts and introduced Saigon Hustle, Sunday Press, and Ginger Kale, all-day cafes that proudly showcase her Vietnamese heritage. Sandy firmly believes that food possesses the extraordinary ability to unite people. Her goal is to achieve a space where relationships can flourish, mirroring the bonds and friendships she has built throughout her years in the food and beverage industry. Her goal was to create a welcoming environment where people could experience meaningful connections and create lasting memories.

Zack Oates is an author, husband, father, entrepreneur, and hot tub aficionado (but not in that order, necessarily). He grew up in restaurants before getting into startups. He was voted Top 100 Entrepreneurs, rang the NASDAQ bell, won the world’s biggest business competition, has been to 50 countries, and started 3 companies. He went on over 1,000 dates before he got married and wrote a book, “Dating Never Works…Until it Does.” He currently is Founder and CEO of Ovation, the no. 1 restaurant feedback platform in America, voted Top 50 Most Influential Supplier by Nation’s Restaurant News, and host of “Give an Ovation: A Podcast for Restaurants.”