All About Trish Manzo

TRISH MANZO’S story begins in a small town just 45 minutes outside San Antonio, Texas, where big dreams were rare and even more rarely realized. From a young age, Trish was anything but typical. At just 13, she pointed to a photo of the New York City skyline in a magazine and told her older brother with conviction, “That’s where I’m gonna live one day.” His response? A chuckle and a dismissive, “Keep dreaming!” Still, Trish knew deep in her heart that the Big Apple— and the arts—were her future.

Her entrepreneurial spirit was evident early on. While friends imagined college life, Trish imagined business ownership. Despite a reputation as the local “Disco Queen,” winning dance contests left and right, she didn’t pursue dance professionally. Instead, she moved out on her own, rented a modest room for $75 a week and enrolled at San Antonio College.

Her first job was at a women-only gym called Figure World, and though she was inexperienced, her passion for fitness shone through. She quickly adapted, began leading classes and fell in love with helping others. Before long, she launched her first business— Bodies in Motion, offering personal training services directly in clients’ homes.

PURSUING A DREAM

But Trish had her sights set on something even bigger. She knew she needed a way to support herself in New York City while auditioning for the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts. A natural people-person, she enrolled in bartending school to prepare for the leap to NYC. Once she arrived, fate wasted no time.

Within two weeks, Trish landed a job bartending at the World Trade Center and met the man who would become her husband, Michael.

“It felt like destiny,” she says. Michael helped her navigate her new life in the city, all while she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and expanded her personal training business.

Eventually, Trish and Michael moved to Park Slope, Brooklyn, and later settled in Ridgewood, where they raised their two children, Gabriel and Grace. The transition to suburbia was a deliberate choice—Ridgewood offered the perfect balance of community, affordability and proximity to NYC.

During this chapter of motherhood, a new business idea took root. After taking a Mommy and Me music class with baby Gabriel, Trish experienced a moment of clarity: “This is what I want to do.” She secured the necessary license, launched her own program and watched it explode in popularity. Over time, her music program served more than 450 families and even attracted celebrity clients like Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy and Didi Conn. For 18 years, she ran this thriving business before selling it to a trusted colleague.

Just when things seemed smooth, Trish faced a formidable challenge: a cancer diagnosis at 48. But she met it with the same determination that had always guided her. She continued to run her business and care for her family, with Michael stepping in as a pillar of strength. After beating cancer, she was inspired to start anew—both for herself and her daughter Grace, who was pursuing acting.

They relocated to Los Angeles, where Grace attended Beverly Hills High School and found more acting opportunities. Meanwhile, Trish reinvented herself again—this time as a certified personal trainer at Equinox in Los Angeles. She quickly rose to elite trainer status and worked with clients including Jeff Garlin, Chantel Jackson and Mel Gibson. It was a deeply fulfilling chapter and one that opened new doors and lifelong friendships.

THE CONTINUED CALL TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Despite her success as a trainer, Trish still felt the pull of entrepreneurship. She wasn’t done building. On a hike through Runyon Canyon, she spotted early Uber drivers advertising rides— a flash of insight hit her. She tucked the idea away, knowing she’d come back to it soon.

Eventually, Trish returned to Ridgewood, ready for her next chapter. One ordinary day at a grocery store sparked the extraordinary. She noticed an older woman waiting for her taxi with her shopping bags for over 20 minutes. “Cancel it. I’m taking you home,” Trish said. That small act of kindness planted the seed for Zoom Rides, which evolved into Zoom Concierge—a business dedicated to helping seniors maintain independence with dignity.

Today, nearly nine years later, Zoom Concierge is more than a ride service. Trish has accompanied clients to weddings, appointments and events as both driver and companion. “It’s a business built on heart and hustle,” she says—one that fills a vital gap in community support for seniors.

With Zoom Concierge well-established, Trish turned to a new medium to expand her mission: podcasting. Her new show, Ride to Independence, is a how-to guide for launching a senior concierge business and a powerful platform for real conversations about aging. It’s her latest evolution—part entrepreneurial toolkit, part love letter to the senior community.

In her Senior Living segment, Trish features inspiring and enlightening guests: Vivian Green, a dementia care professional; Dr. Melissa Donahue, a sex therapist advocating for seniors’ intimacy; and even a 102-year-old client still thriving in life. Upcoming guests include a 62-year-old Ridgewood-based producer and a remarkably fit senior Trish met at the gym— conversations that challenge aging stereotypes and celebrate vitality at every stage of life. Future guests will also include an exclusive who’s who of fascinating people featured in Ridgewood Magazine!

With her signature warmth and grit, Trish continues to expand her impact. She envisions Zoom Concierge businesses in communities nationwide and a podcast that grows into a movement. This isn’t just Trish Manzo’s third act—it’s her boldest yet. And she’s just getting warmed up.

Listen to “Ride to Independence” available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major platforms; ridetoindependence.com.

BY KRIS PEPPER