Tom Schwartz on ‘Tumultuous’ 2024 After Bar Closure and ‘Vanderpump Guidelines’ Reboot (Unique)

From closing Schwartz & Sandy’s to the reboot announcement of Vanderpump Guidelines, it’s protected to say that 2024 wasn’t a straightforward 12 months for Tom Schwartz.

PEOPLE caught up with the Vanderpump Guidelines alum, 42, on the premiere of The Valley season 2 at ​​BLVD Steak in Los Angeles on April 10. Schwartz revealed he was “at peace” now after a rocky finish of 2024. 

“I felt like I misplaced my chi, misplaced my circulate. I misplaced management of my enterprise,” he stated of the closure of Schwartz & Sandy’s, the bar he co-owned along with his good friend and costar Tom Sandoval. “That was my first actual enterprise that I began and financed with my companions. Let’s simply say it was a really, very costly studying lesson. However I do not have a look at it as a failure.” 

Schwartz, who is ready to look on season 2 of The Valley, famous that “a whole lot of love” went to the enterprise, including, “I constructed such an excellent group there. I all the time dreamed of opening my very own bar someday. I had a bit of little bit of that with TomTom as a minority stakeholder.”

In a stroke of dangerous luck, Schwartz realized of the Vanderpump Guidelines shake-up — which can introduce a brand new forged for season 12 — someday after deciding the time limit for Schwartz & Sandy’s.

“I do not suppose I’ve ever acknowledged this publicly, however the day I solidified the date by which we had been gonna shut Schwartz and Sandy’s — my first enterprise, I put my coronary heart and soul in that place — the following day I discovered that Vanderpump Guidelines was [ending],” he instructed PEOPLE. “So it was a double whammy. This was early December or late November.”

“To be sincere, I knew each of these issues had been going to occur at that time. I had conceded,” Schwartz acknowledged. “I did not quit. I simply sort of knew that it was time to shut our bar. We had been on the level of no return, however we ended on a excessive observe. We had probably the greatest months ever.”

The Stars on Mars alum famous that he now has “a complete new discovered respect and admiration for anybody who’s ever opened a brick and mortar small enterprise house owners, espresso outlets, retail, bars and eating places.” 

Schwartz additionally opened up in regards to the toll of being a bar proprietor, referring to it as “a meat grinder.” He defined, “It is a grind in your private life, your skilled life, late hours, early mornings. I believe I am a greater particular person due to it, and I am grateful for the great expertise.”

Schwartz’s costar and spouse, Katie Maloney, filed for divorce again in Could 2022. Their wedding ceremony was featured in season 5 of the Bravo actuality TV present.

As for his subsequent chapter, the Bravo star is ready to look on season 2 of The Valley, which felt like a “seamless and natural” match for Schwartz after filming Vanderpump Guidelines for over a decade.

“It did not really feel like I used to be going from one present to a different. The cameras have occurred to be catching the place I used to be at in my life,” he stated. “I’ve recognized all these folks [for] a very long time. I’ve frolicked with Jesse [Lally] and Jason [Caperna]. We have recognized one another for a very long time.”

“Clearly, Jax [Taylor], Kristen [Doute], Luke [Broderick], I am just about tight with everyone. So it feels very natural. And I am pleased with them,” he added.

Whereas admitting filming the primary season of a brand new actuality present could be “scary” and stars can “guard themselves a bit of bit,” Schwartz praised The Valley forged for “taking off the filter and letting free” throughout season 1 of the Bravo hit. 

“It is scary to reveal your soul on a TV present. You understand what I imply, intimate particulars of your life,” he added. “It is actually scary to start with.”

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The Valley season 2 premiered Tuesday, April 15, at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.