Critical Mass Business Talk Show | Orange County‘s Longest-Running Business Talk Show | Hosted by Ric Franzi

Sona Shah is the Founder & CEO of My Private Professor, an impact-driven, educational services company that collaborates with organizations to provide personalized, online tutoring services for their clients, teams, & their families.
After graduating from UC Berkeley School of Law & practicing business litigation for many years, Sona shifted gears to create a company more aligned with her dual passions of teaching & giving back. An OCBJ “Companies that Care” honoree, MPP’s bottom line is impact, a core value reflected in their sliding scale tutoring rates & “giveback” business model through which they earmark a portion of the proceeds from every tutoring hour to support students in underserved communities.
Over the years, MPP has evolved to best meet the changing needs of students across the country. Since the onset of the pandemic, MPP has helped businesses provide free & discounted tutoring as a meaningful benefit to working parents & their families, & has expanded its customer base to include national & international clients at an institutional level to help thousands of individuals get access to a critical educational resource that many could not have otherwise afforded.
MPP is grateful to work with a number of nonprofit organizations & public schools to provide free tutoring to students residing in emergency shelters & transitional living homes, & has collaborated with individuals & companies to help sustain this effort & enable as many students to benefit from this free resource as possible.
With over a decade of leadership experience on the boards of nonprofits in Southern California, Sona is grateful to currently serve as President of Tustin Public Schools Foundation, Board Member of Orangewood Foundation, & Founder of Inspire Philanthropy Foundation. Through her leadership at MPP & in the community, Sona is determined to do what she can to inspire & empower others to achieve their greatest potential & lead tomorrow’s world.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 

Mike Schmitt is Founder/COO of The Rubra Group, LLC, a family business consulting group based in Santa Ana, CA. The Rubra Group was founded in 2009 and has evolved into a practice that services businesses throughout the Western US and TN. Mike brings a unique point of view and perspective with his diverse background in finance, marketing and operations. Mike has specific experience in the agriculture, construction and professional services sectors.
The Rubra Group focuses on helping closely held and family businesses to work on their long-term succession and management programs. Mike has over 25 years of experience leading diverse teams of individuals to exceptional performance. He is experienced in both publicly traded companies as well as small to mid-sized closely held companies.
Schmitt is a graduate of the California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo from within The School of Agriculture and holds a MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Management.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning
 

Clint Graham is the Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer for JointCommerce, a leading digital performance advertising solution designed for cannabis brands and retail e-commerce.
Clint has over a decade of experience in sales and partnerships, most recently as Vice President of Sales and Partnerships at Surfside. Clint combines his marketing strategy, leadership, and communication expertise to help companies connect with and understand their customers.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Todd Watts is the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of PatientFi. Todd has extensive experience as an executive and investor across elective healthcare and financial services. Most recently, Todd was the Head of Operations at Alphaeon Corporation, a technology company serving medical providers in the elective healthcare segment with patient financing and medical device products.
Prior to joining the healthcare industry, Todd spent several years in financial services. At the NY office at J.P. Morgan Investment Bank, Todd advised companies with comprehensive strategic advice, capital raising and risk management expertise as a member of the Consumer, Healthcare and Retail Investment Banking Coverage Group. Prior to J.P. Morgan, Todd was an Associate in the Wilshire Funds Management Group. Todd earned his MBA from Yale University and a B.S. from the University of Southern California.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Ken Potalivo is the founder of ProGrowth LLC & RelPip LLC, and the author of “Secrets of Mindshare – Revenue Producers Get the Referrals They Want By Making Their Competition Irrelevant.” He has a strong business background, a degree in Psychology, and an MBA from Pepperdine University.
Ken understands that any professional who does great work can make more money and become indispensable via a consistent flow of client referrals if they have the right process and system in place. He also knows it cannot be done by random networking where chance is in play. The RelPip community is born out of his vision to support all professionals who want the income and stature to live the life they want and to work with others who want the same.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Amariah Olson is the Founder of Olson Capital Investments. A commercial real estate investor, Amariah has turned $3k into $50+ million in assets, with over $100m in private transactions. Through Olson Capital Investments, Amariah purchases undervalued properties, including multifamily, hotels, and retail, turns them around and sells them.
 
Amariah and his brother Obin have had over 30 years combined experience in startup/business management, project development, financing, and real estate investing. They have produced films with global distribution in over 50 territories through major companies such as Sony, Best Buy, Redbox, and Walmart. They have produced advertising campaigns for Nickelodeon, Nasdaq, Sprint, and the US Marines. Additionally, they have been responsible for running teams of 20-100 personnel on their multi-million dollar apartment community renovation and film projects. 
 
Amariah is also the co-founder of Yield Crowd, and co-founder of Olson Pictures. He is a Cannes finalist, a two-time midsouth Emmy Award winner, and was a 2006 nominee for the Daytime Emmy's. Additionally, Amariah is a member of the Forbes Finance Council.-- 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Adam Coughran is an industry leader in safety and security training for schools, businesses, and organizations. Adam is a veteran of Southern California law enforcement who utilized his expertise to found Standards Training Group and Safe Kids Inc., organizations dedicated to helping deter crime and mitigate violence.
Adam has been recognized as one of the “Go-To” experts for national media outlets, appearing on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, FOX’s Nancy Grace, HLN’s MichaeLA, CBS This Morning, and numerous live interviews.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Neela Singh is a highly experienced chief operating officer and business advisor with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She has a proven track record of success in driving operational excellence, maximizing efficiency and profitability, and leading teams to achieve business objectives.
Neela is a strategic thinker with a strong business acumen and a deep understanding of financial management. She is also an effective communicator and skilled negotiator, able to build strong relationships with key stakeholders and partners.
Neela holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and several certifications in Project Management, Scrum, Six Sigma & HR. She is committed to continuous learning and professional development, and stays up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Chris Baiocchi is the Founder & CEO of Resolute Philanthropy. Chris has worked in the nonprofit space for more than 22 years as a communicator, fundraiser, and leader. He’s led annual giving campaigns, planned special events, written grants, and helped fundraisers and nonprofit professionals find the joy, innovation, and passion in their work. 
Chris has worked for large and small shops, including St. Joseph Hospital, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, and Project Access. Chris has a CFRE and a master’s degree in organizational leadership.
Chris is married and lives in Orange County, California. His son is a student at the University of Puget Sound. Chris is an active reader, an occasional cook, and loves bow ties, icebreakers, and heated arguments about the best sci-fi franchise.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Andrei Hall CFP®, CRPC®, President of Hall Wealth Management Group, has over 18 years’ experience in wealth management for retirees, high level executives, celebrities, and business owners. ‍
Hall Wealth Management’s success is based on Andrei’s firm belief in a holistic financial planning process. This starts with a comprehensive plan to develop planning, retirement, and estate strategies and determining which investments to be best utilized. During the year of the 2008 market crash, Hall Wealth Management had one of its most successful years in preserving clientele and acquiring new clients.
Andrei will work to understand clients’ monetary challenges and the proactive steps that need to be taken under the economic forecast with the goal to make future retirement attainable or current retirement improved.
As a former Vice President at Xerox for twenty-five years & former Senior Vice President at Printronix, Andrei also has a profound firsthand understanding in the affairs of executive level compensation along with business assets under management. Andrei executes expert strategies in providing plans in areas including but not limited to: Retirement Income Planning with a focus on distribution strategies, Estate Planning, Business Succession Planning and Investment Portfolio Design.
Andrei Hall is proud to be a member of Ed Slott's IRA Advisor Group. This group is comprised of financial professionals dedicated to the IRA industry. As a member of this group, Andrei has access to training modules, bi-annual workshops and regular webinars to further his knowledge and better serve his clients. In addition, it gives being a member gives Andrei access to Ed Slott and his group of technical specialists, who are also attorneys.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Meg Appelgate is the Co-Founder & CEO of Unsilenced. At the age of 15, Meg Appelgate was abducted by two strangers in the middle of the night from her California home and was told that “she was coming with them." 8 hours later she found herself at a lockdown treatment facility in Boise, Idaho. Then, 6 months, she found herself in an additional behavioral modification program in northern Montana where she spent the next 3 years.
After graduating college, with a degree in psychology, completely oblivious to the abuse she had experienced, Meg spent the next 17 years dedicating her life serving on various non-profit boards to help them with board development and recruitment, and expanding their programs to further their impact. It wasn’t until she was well into her non-profit career that she woke up to the abuse and brainwashing that plagued her childhood and the effect it had on her entire adulthood. It was then that she became determined to pair her love of giving back and helping those in need, with her dedication to empowering other survivors of institutional abuse.
Meg brings to Unsilenced an extensive background in non-profit management, board development, and fund development. She is currently the Vice President, Trustee, and Managing Director at the Gochnauer Foundation. In addition, she is actively involved with and serves on the Board of Directors at Laura’s House in Aliso Viejo, CA, and The Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
When she doesn’t find herself fully immersed in new ideas for fundraising and development, Meg loves traveling to see new places with her husband and 4 children.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Tara Zoē is the creative visionary behind SoberBuddy. Tara’s experiences with deep shame events and trauma led her to pursue a personal transformation journey that ultimately led her to greater understanding about why and how shame affects our lives in powerful ways.
Frustrated by the lack of resources and difficult processes for getting the help one needs while going through trauma, Tara felt technology could hold the solution.
Wanting to attack shame related to drug and alcohol addiction head on, Tara partnered with her father and addiction expert, Paul Brethen, M.A. LMFT, to create an evidence-based program that was easy to access and understand both emotionally and physically.
The SoberBuddy messaging and meetings offer a shame-free culture Tara is determined to spread, so people get the help they need sooner and without the fear of being pushed lower in society. With over 140K people using the SoberBuddy products, Tara now leads a team of top developers, clinicians, artists, and influencers who all come together to create the shame-free world of SoberBuddy.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Melissa Jacobi is Founder & President of The Jacobi Group. Melissa is a former collegiate tennis player from Chapman University and an Orange County native. She has more than seven years of partnership experience, and in her previous role, she served as the Sr. Manager of Multimedia Marketing and Partnerships for Newport Beach & Company. Her position worked jointly with the City of Newport Beach as she managed marketing and day-to-day operations for the Newport Beach Restaurant Association. She developed, implemented, and tracked integrated marketing campaigns for over 450 restaurants displayed on all Visit Newport Beach, Dine Newport Beach, and Newport Beach TV channels. In 2019, she was awarded 30 Under 30 by Destinations International and named one of 30 "Emerging Leaders" by the California Travel Association.
Melissa started The Jacobi Group, a boutique marketing agency, in 2021, focusing on brand management, public relations, and content strategy for restaurateurs, athletes, and lifestyle brands. You will spot Melissa in Orange County filming at a new eatery, hosting in front of the camera, or grabbing a bite with her family - Jason, Jaxon, and Luca.
Jason Jacobi is an LPL Registered Principal and Wealth Advisor. A former collegiate football player and Newport Beach native, Jason began his career in the financial services industry in 2013 at a Fortune 500 company where he developed a passion for the global financial markets.
In 2022, Jason earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation; and with over 70 areas of expertise, he is excited to assist his clients with the complexities that come during the financial planning process. His hospitality background has groomed him into delivering a client-centric experience focused on delivering exceptional services tailored to each individual, athlete, family, or business.
In his spare time, Jason loves to spend time with his wife, Melissa, and two kids. You can find them at the gym, down at the beach, on the water, traveling the world, or dining around town.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Mark Beran is innately curious. He is one that has never stopped asking the question why? Consequently, Mark has driven teams to come up with innovative solutions that have resulted in significant intellectual property in the healthcare and medical device market.
Mark is an Orange County native and started his career at a startup called Respiratory Support Products that was successfully sold to Smiths Medical (now ICU Medical). At Smiths, Mark was Global VP of Sales & Marketing for Level 1 a company that marketed unique products for patient temperature management in the critical care setting and operating room. From Smiths, Mark took a full P&L role as VP & General Manager of Cincinnati Sub-Zero. He successfully led a team that pivoted the business to the emerging market of therapeutic hypothermia for patients post cardiac arrest and traumatic brain injury. This move took the company to immediate profitability with a significant IP roadmap to drive profitable growth.
Mark was SVP of Sales & Marketing for Posey company where he developed a strategy that led to doubling revenue for Posey and a future exit to a private equity sponsor. From Posey, Mark was VP & General Manager of Gaymar industries and head up the Pressure Management business (high end therapeutic surfaces and devices to reduce pressure injury risk). This private equity owned business was successfully sold to Stryker.
From Gaymar, Mark took a role as Chief Commercial Officer for TIDI products where He led a team that executed on both an organic and inorganic growth strategy that led to two successful transactions with successful outcomes for the private equity sponsors and management team.
From TIDI, Mark moved to Chief Marketing Officer for Encompass Group a manufacturer of healthcare textiles for the acute care and senior living markets. He led a team to develop novel technology in the patient warming (OR) and specialty support surface space. Both products had significant intellectual property and competitive advantage over the market leaders.
Mark is now fractional Chief Commercial Officer for a PPE nurse’s shoe start-up called Gales (www.weargales.com) and is advising a start-up in the vascular access space called MightyWell (www.mightywell.com). Mark is advising MightyWell on the sale of their business.
Mark was born and raised in Southern California and grew up in Orange County. He went to Servite High School in Anaheim and graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Marketing. Mark gained his MBA from Babson College in Massachusetts. He lives in Santa Ana with his son Joseph and father Tony (a serial entrepreneur).
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning

Mike Brown is the founder and principal of BlueLine Consulting Services which provides advisory and consulting services to financial institutions. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Block3 Ventures, a FinTech and Web3 investment and advisory company.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County, CA's longest-running business talk show, focused on offering value and insight to middle-market business leaders in the OC and beyond. Hosted by Ric Franzi, business partner at Renaissance Executive Forums Orange County. Learn more about Ric at www.ricfranzi.com.
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmF
LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQ
Podbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRi
Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning