Critical Mass Business Talk Show | Orange County’s Longest-Running Business Talk Show

Jeffrey Hayzlett is a primetime television host of C-Suite with Jeffrey Hayzlett and Executive Perspectives on C-Suite TV, and business podcast host of All Business with Jeffrey Hayzlett on C-Suite Radio. He is a global business celebrity, speaker, best-selling author, and Chairman and Founder of C-Suite Network, home of the world’s most trusted network of c-suite leaders, the company he founded in 2014.
Hayzlett is most widely known for being a business trendsetter and successfully leading through the transition of one of the largest corporate turnarounds of a Fortune 100 company as the Chief Marketing Officer of Eastman Kodak. In that role, Hayzlett helped the company reinvent the brand, embrace the emergence of new media, was one of the first corporate officers on Twitter and an early ambassador of digital marketing.
Following his departure from Kodak, Hayzlett made it his mission to help all types of businesses from Main Street to Wall Street transform themselves using the “adapt, change, or die” adage – a concept found in his best-selling book, The Mirror Test. He’s constantly embracing new opportunities and finding creative solutions to steamroll obstacles.
Hayzlett also serves on a dozen corporate boards, including DocuSign and Instream Adtech and two publicly-traded companies – LiveWorld (LVWD) and Global Cannabis Applications Corporation (APP). Hayzlett is a Hall of Fame public speaker and author of four best-selling business books: Think Big, Act Bigger: The Rewards of Being Relentless, Running the Gauntlet, The Mirror Test and The Hero Factor: How Great Leaders Transform Organizations and Create Winning Cultures.
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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 #collectiveintelligence #southerncalifornia #criticalmassbusinesstalkshow

Dr. Armia Abdo is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, entrepreneur, author, researcher, keynote speaker, teacher, and inventor. He is the CEO of DocPhyzio, a startup focused on combining tech and healthcare, providing the world’s first AI-powered posture assessment.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Dr. Abdo shares what sets DocPhyzio apart in the market, and his insights as CEO.
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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 #collectiveintelligence #southerncalifornia #criticalmassbusinesstalkshow #docphyzio

Raad Ghantous is the Principal of Raad Ghantous & Associates / RG&A, a firm specializing in luxury hospitality, wellness centers, and medical & day spa developments. Ghantous is also V.P. of Design for industry go to Identity Hospitality that specializes in spa and wellness consulting helping clients create successful environments that are conducive to healing and wellbeing, sanctuaries to heal the body, mind, and spirit.
Raad has over 25 years of experience in developing and integrating elegant and seamless designs/modifications to new and existing structures.
With degrees in both business and design, an international upbringing, and instrumental experience by working with industry giants Hirsch Bedner & Associates (HB&A), and architectural icons Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Go (WAT&G) Ghantous is able to marry his creativity in design to his acumen to marketing and business in general into a unique holistic vertically integrated approach to defensible and sustainable branding and experiential destination draw and development.
Today, Raad Ghantous & Associates is highly respected in the field of branded interior design, spa & wellness, and restaurant communities for the high standards of quality, beauty and detail in their design projects.
Raad is also an educator on spa design, an authority on aging-in-place, and the developer of 'Your Home For A Lifetime', a holistic ADA / barrier-free / universal design aging-in-place approach to design/build.
In response to Covid-19 in 2020, Ghantous launched 'Designs for Your Life' which sought to innovate homes to reflect the new reality of daily living and the increasing overlap of personal and work/business lives into our new hybrid existence.
Raad is also the founder of Golden Seal Productions and is the host of his own live weekly show, 'The Raad Life' and the soon launching 'Being GenX'. The Raad Life, now entering its seventh year, takes you along on Raad's continuing journey of discovery as an ‘Age Explorer’ interested in life’s challenges & opportunities that come with getting older and bolder.
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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 #collectiveintelligence #southerncalifornia #criticalmassbusinesstalkshow

Jon Stark is CEO and Director of Peratech Holdco Limited, a tactile-sensing technology solutions company, providing next-generation human-machine interfaces with its proprietary Quantum Tunnelling Composite® materials and embedded force-touch software.
 
Prior to Peratech, Stark was VP of Printed Electronics at MFLEX (NASDAQ: MFLX), where he successfully led multiple new-technology commercialization efforts in miniaturizing power conditioning for high-speed communications, shrinking LIDAR systems to 20% of size and 5% of cost, and commercializing a touch-display module in commercial computing that won numerous awards at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). During his tenure at MFLEX, Stark also held executive-level positions in and Corporate Strategy and Marketing, when MFLEX was awarded Deloitte’s Fast 50 Technology companies three out of four years.
 
Before MFLEX, Stark held interim executive and consultative roles in strategy, change management, innovation, and communications in a variety of industries including software, portable technologies, mobile communications, banking and healthcare. His previous clients included InterActive Corp, JP Morgan Chase, Virgin Mobile USA, and Jamba Juice.
 
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Jon Stark joins host Ric Franzi to share his leadership journey and insights as the CEO of Peratech.
 
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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 #collectiveintelligence #southerncalifornia #peratech

Bruce Watanabe is the Founder & CEO of PowerBuy. PowerBuy is a one-stop Shopify app design to connect shoppers with all the best deals on necessary products and to provide merchants with free advertising. Using the power of social commerce and group buying, PowerBuy allows merchants to cut down on marketing spend by turning customers into micro-influencers.
A serial entrepreneur, Bruce has co-founded and exited a number of technology and Internet ventures including PowerBuy, MassGenie, SIRE Mobile (SMS Solutions), and SETA International (Global Systems Integrator & Solution Provider). With over 20+ years of leadership experience ranging from start-ups to Fortune 10 companies, Bruce is proficient in start-ups, M&A, Corporate Strategy, Business Development, Sales, and Channel Development.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Bruce Watanabe joins host Ric Franzi to discuss his entrepreneurial ventures and leadership insights as the CEO of PowerBuy.
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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 #collectiveintelligence #southerncalifornia #powerbuy

Nithin Jilla is a passionate educator, social entrepreneur and philanthropist who champions building models and systems of social change that are sustainable and empower the next generation. Nithin began with his first efforts in philanthropy with his high school class – establishing a project to help raise funds to renovate educational facilities and provide students with scholarships in Kenya, to enhance the quality of education, one student and one school at a time.
Nithin currently serves as the Executive Director of Dreams for Schools (DFS), an EdTech organization whose mission is to make STEAM approachable and empower students to become the critical thinkers, creative leaders and technologists of tomorrow. Nithin has also advised and helped run a few family foundations and their grant-making strategies over the years. He’s always thinking about how we can reinvent and take new approaches in philanthropy to be more equitable.
Nithin is also the Co-Founder of Excelsior Creative – a creative web development agency. In the community, Nithin serves on several Non-Profit and Advisory Boards of organizations which include Harbor Day School, Asian American Futures, Electric Potential, Donna Ford Attallah College of Educational Studies at Chapman University, and UC Irvine Alumni Association. He’s a lover of comedy, a closet chef, and enjoys brewing Kombucha. He cherishes being outdoors, spending time with friends, building and creating things. 
During the pandemic, Nithin co-authored a children’s book, R is for Rice, a rhyming alphabet book on Asian-American food with the goal to inspire current and future generations of Asian-Americans to feel pride in their unique American identity. Nithin holds a BS degree in Computer Science from the University of California, Irvine.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Nithin Jilla joins host Ric Franzi to discuss his various entrepreneurial ventures and the social impact behind his work. 
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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/gHKT2gmFLinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQPodbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRiApple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863wSpotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning #collectiveintelligence #southerncalifornia

Thuy Pham-Satrappe is the President and Founder of Lux Lucet Ventures Corporation, a real estate investing firm.  In June 2019, Thuy started investing out of state in Indiana the pockets of her time, and has since grown her rental real estate portfolio to over $2M with 26 properties.  
In February 2020, Thuy decided to quit her corporate job to spend more time with her 2 young children and pursue her passion and vision for real estate investing. Her vision is to create passive income for her family and her money partners, because she believes a rising tide raises all ships! 
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Thuy Pham-Satrappe joins host Ric Franzi to share her entrepreneurial journey, and leadership insights as the Founder of Lux Lucet Ventures Corporation.
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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/gHKT2gmFLinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQPodbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRiApple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863wSpotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning #collectiveintelligence #southerncalifornia

Lisa Nguyen is the Founder & CEO of Smart Bean Inc., a team of people with diverse entrepreneurial backgrounds that share one common goal: to revolutionize the relationship between small business entrepreneurs and their numbers through innovative and affordable products and services.
Over the last 20 years, Lisa Nguyen has worked for small businesses, invested in small businesses, and owned her own small business, and has tremendous respect and empathy for small business entrepreneurs as a result, as it takes intelligence, resilience, tremendous self-awareness and guts to start and build a viable business.
Lisa is realizing her dream with Smart Bean Inc., as her team develops products and services that will make intrepid entrepreneurs smile more, love more, and achieve more from life. SmartBean® uses technology to streamline the bookkeeping process, making it more efficient and therefore more affordable.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Lisa Nguyen joins host Ric Franzi to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and insights as the founder & CEO of Smart Bean Inc.
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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/g2PzRhjQPodbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRiApple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863w Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m
#orangecountyca #mastermind #ceopeergroups #peergroups #peerlearning #collectiveintelligence #southerncalifornia

Pembe Candaner is the Co-Founder & President of JobzMall. JobzMall is the new way of finding jobs and exploring organizations, founded with the belief that humans are so much more than a resume, and companies are so much more than a job post. JobzMall Inc. strives to make the job finding process enjoyable, engaging and accessible to everyone.
Prior to her work at JobzMall Inc., Pembe Candaner served as the CEO of Adecco SA Turkey, General Manager of Lee Hecht Harrison, and CEO of Kariyer.net, the largest employment portal of Turkey. She is a member of TUSIAD (Turkish Industry and Business Association), the top business association of Turkey and Society for Human Resource Management. 
As a vocal activist of women rights, Candaner hosted her TV show at national ‘Artı Bir TV’ channel about Woman Leaders and Entrepreneurs. She has also lectured in Bogazici University (Bosphorus University) and UCI (University of California. Irvine) on Development of Woman Leaders, Talent Management, Protocol and Etiquette and Intercultural Relations. Additionally to her career in private sector, Pembe has authored 4 books, and was awarded as the Business Woman of the Year in 2003.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Pembe Candaner joins host Ric Franzi to discuss her career path and leadership insights as the President of JobzMall.
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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/gHKT2gmFLinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQPodbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRiApple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863wSpotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m

Rodney Brenneman is a seasoned veteran in the medical device space. He has been CEO, board member, advisor and consultant to many early-stage medical technology companies. He is a mechanical engineer by training, with over 30 years of experience in medical device development, mostly in early-stage start-up companies. His experience spans many specialties including vascular, general surgery, interventional cardiology, pulmonology, emergency medicine, ENT, GI, urology and orthopedics.
Rodney is currently the CEO of PhageTech and prior to that, founded and lead ROX Medical for 14 years, raising $90M in venture funding. Rodney counts innovative problem solving as one of his core talents and is a named inventor on over 130 patents. Rodney has worked closely with all aspects of medical device development including fundraising, board management, R&D, quality, manufacturing, finance, regulatory, clinical, and physician training. Rodney most enjoys the leadership of small efficient teams solving important medical device and procedure challenges.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Rodney Brenneman joins host Ric Franzi to share his career journey and insights as CEO of PhageTech.
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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

Nicole Suydam has more than 20 years of management and leadership experience working with local and national nonprofits dedicated to meeting human service needs. She currently serves as president and CEO of Goodwill of Orange County, one of Orange County’s largest nonprofits by revenue.
Suydam leads Goodwill’s social enterprise operation that employs nearly 1,800, manages 24 local thrift stores and ShopGoodwill.com – the online e-commerce marketplace for Goodwills across the country – and serves more than 18,000 individuals annually through its innovative programs and services aimed at providing purpose through employment.
Suydam has received several accolades for her commitment to creating a better and brighter Orange County for all, including being named to the Orange County Business Journal’s “OC 50” list for 2020 and 2021 for her influence and impact in the community. She was also named one of just six 2019 Women of Coast by Coast Magazine and received the 2018 Women of the Year Award by the Orange County Business Journal. Suydam graduated from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa and lives in Aliso Viejo with her husband and two teenage daughters. 
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Nicole Suydam joins host Ric Franzi for an update on Goodwill of Orange County's work in our community.
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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/gHKT2gmFLinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQPodbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRiApple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863wSpotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m

Debora Wondercheck is the CEO of Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC). An effective corporate leader with seventeen years of experience in strategy development, program management, and implementation, Debora focuses on culturally sensitive and inclusive afterschool artistic training and education for all children in k-12 schools, particularly those who are underresourced.
As the founder of the nationally acclaimed Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC), Wondercheck has a proven track record in fundraising, public education, executive leadership, non-profit governance, community building, and program development. Her professional interests include arts education sustainability, board development, and equitable access to the arts. Her extensive expertise in music and education, combined with her ability to build strong partnerships across the public and private sectors has delivered powerful results throughout her career.
As the go-to for afterschool programs, Wondercheck’s relationships have created artistic experiences for over 40 schools throughout Southern California. She is particularly proud of her recent partnerships with the Orange County Department of Education and the YMCA of Orange County. In addition to her work at the Arts & Learning Conservatory, Wondercheck serves on the Board of Directors for Arts Orange County, The Cultural Committee for the City of Costa Mesa, Philharmonic Society, Copper Tree Management, Orange County Theater Guild, and the Waldorf School of Orange County DEI committee among others. She is committed to using her experience to broaden access to high-quality education by supporting innovation, reducing barriers to entry, and building strong communities.
Some of her accomplishments include 2021 National Association of Women in Business, Board Pathways Graduate, 2021 Fieldstone Executive Graduate, 2021 Orange County Business Journal Women in Business Nomination, 2019, California State University, Gianneschi Leadership Fellow. Wondercheck is an accomplished conductor and cellist and volunteers with the children’s ministry at the Rock Church of Anaheim. Debora, a product of Orange County, is married to Gary, they have three teenage children and reside in Garden Grove, CA.
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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/gHKT2gmFLinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQPodbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRiApple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863wSpotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m

Rick Van Kirk is an executive who has worked in the Southern California region for 36 years in various manufacturing industries. Following his graduation from California State University, Fullerton in 1982 he has worked in the aerospace, computer, commercial electronics, diecasting, and medical device industries. During this time Van Kirk completed his MBA from Claremont Graduate School in 1991.
Currently, Rick serves as President and CEO of Pro-Dex Inc., a design and manufacturing company in the medical device industry. He joined Pro-Dex as Director of Manufacturing in 2006, and was subsequently promoted to Vice President of Operations and then Chief Operating Officer in April 2013 and then to CEO in January 2015. During his time as CEO Pro-Dex, he has led a successful turnaround of the company and positioned it for further growth.
Previously, Rick served as Manufacturing Manager and Manager of Product Development for the ChargeSource division of Comarco Wireless Technologies, a provider of power and charging functionality for popular electronic devices and wireless accessories, and as General Manager at Dynacast, a leader in precision diecasting.
Recently Rick joined the Board of Directors for the Southern California Special Olympics and is Chair of the Nominating and Governance committee. He has lived in Orange County, California since 1989.
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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.
 
Connect with Ric Franzi on LinkedIn HERE.
 
Catch up on past Critical Mass Business Talk Show interviews...
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gHKT2gmFLinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g2PzRhjQPodbean: https://lnkd.in/eWpNVRiApple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gRd_863wSpotify: https://lnkd.in/gruexU6m

Based in Mission Viejo, Amour Propre®️ is a beauty brand that strives to make the world a better place, one person and one natural product at a time. Translating to “Self-Love” in French, Amour Propre®️ is centered in self-love, enhanced by science, inspired by nature and fueled by positive energy.
Amour Propre®️ is in business to encourage our customers to practice self-love by experiencing the joy of utilizing natural, organic, and aromatherapeutic wellness and beauty products. Established in March of 2020, Amour Propre®️ saw $20k in profit in its first month in business alone.
With over 150 products and variations made for women and men alike, the brand offers a luxury experience at an affordable price.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Founder & CEO Tahera Christy joins host Ric Franzi to share her success with Amour Propre®️, and what she has learned throughout her business journey.
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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.
 
Connect with Ric Franzi on LinkedIn HERE.
 
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

Robert Ming is Founder and CEO of ThoughtWorld and is responsible for setting the overall policy and direction of the company and platform. His deep desire to bring people together and make the world a better place shows up both in the platform and in how he has invested his energy throughout life.
As a practicing attorney and founding partner of Quadrant Law Group, a law firm specializing in technology contract negotiation, Robert found his love for bringing people together and making complex things simple. He used those skills politically while Mayor of Laguna Niguel, California, where he served as a council member for 8 years.
During that time, he founded the Association of California Cities – Orange County, a public policy think tank for bringing elected officials together to tackle some of the most difficult political issues of the day. He loves making safe places where people can learn and expand their minds, as he has done as Chairman of Stoneybrooke Christian Schools, where he has served for 17 years.
Together with his wife, Susie, Robert is committed to creating a brave new world where their four children can hear and be heard without fear or violence, where they can think and understand the opinions of others and bridge the gaps between people.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Robert Ming joins host Ric Franzi to share his inspiration to found ThoughtWorld, and his insights as the company's CEO.
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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.
 
Connect with Ric Franzi on LinkedIn HERE.
 
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
 

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan made history in November of 2020. She not only received the highest number of votes for the position of Mayor in the city’s history, but also shattered glass ceilings as the first woman of color to hold the position, and the first Muslim woman to lead a large city in the United States.  
In addition to serving as Irvine Mayor, Farrah Khan is also the President of Horizon Consulting USA, where she serves as a recruitment consultant working with businesses, community organizations, and governments to find short-term and direct hires. She has 8 years of corporate management, 15 years of small business, and 5 years non-profit experience.
Mayor Khan grew up in northern California and began her career in the biotech and innovation industry as a regulatory manager focusing on streamlining complex products and international research. She and her family moved to Irvine in 2004 where her two sons have had the privilege of attending Irvine schools since Kindergarten. She and her husband also serve as Legacy Partners with the Irvine Public School Foundation. 
Mayor Khan is focused on ensuring that the City of Irvine is a leader throughout Orange County and California when it comes to innovation and technology, maintaining a healthy environment, combating climate change, and protecting the health and wellness of Irvine’s diverse communities. In her short time as Mayor, she has initiated several new strategies leading to Irvine becoming the first City in Orange County to spearhead COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in local neighborhoods and senior centers, passed HERO pay for frontline grocery workers, created a new committee focused on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and passed an ordinance to make Irvine carbon neutral by 2030.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Farrah Khan joins host Ric Franzi to discuss her work as the Mayor of Irvine, and as the president of Horizon Consulting USA.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 

Stephanie Oddo is an educator, entrepreneur, and Laguna Niguel City Council candidate. Most recently, Stephanie has found much reward in serving as Director of Government for the League of Women Voters of Orange Coast. She launched the League’s first-ever Observer Corps. The Corps inspires, trains and empowers volunteers to observe and report on their local city and county public meetings. The program currently observes 7 cities and 4 county boards. 
Stephanie is the founder of Healthcare Mask Collaborative (HMC). HMC served almost 150 organizations, had over 220 sewers who sewed and distributed over 65,000 cloth masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the first Democrat to ever run a serious campaign in Laguna Niguel, Stephanie earned over 11,000 votes and was the next on the ballot to win in the 2020 election. Stephanie is now launching a new nonprofit with her business partner that will empower and educate women on how to report certain crimes against them.
Stephanie has also served as President of the Laguna Niguel Rotary Club where she spearheaded two efforts that are still in practice today: a free local dental clinic that serves approx. 100 people a year and an effort to obtain the club’s first Global Grant (raising money for medical equipment that trained doctors in Latin America how to perform free surgeries to burned children). This propelled her to serve as Chair of International Service for Rotary District 5320 (Orange County and Long Beach) and to train others how to obtain Global Grants.  
Previously, Stephanie was a public relations and web services consultant for government, nonprofits, and businesses in the Washington, DC. area. Some of her clients included Microsoft Government, Verisign, Maryland Dept. of Energy, EPA, NASA, U.S. Dept. of Justice, DC Healthy Families, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the nationally televised Hispanic Heritage Awards.
In this episode of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Stephanie joins host Ric Franzi to discuss her career path, as well as her initiatives in Orange County and beyond!
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.

Paul Nelson, Esq. is recognized throughout Orange County as an expert in Family Law Litigation. As Managing Partner at Nelson Kirkman, Paul has built an excellent reputation in the legal community and has been quoted as a legal expert by Fox News and Forbes.
Paul's many honors and awards speak to his expertise: AV Preminent® & Judicial and Bar Highest Possible Rating (Martindale Hubbel®), two-time Super Lawyers Honoree (2021 & 2022), Honorary Chairman of the Business Advisory Council (2009), OC’s Most Talked-About Lawyers (2008), Premier Attorneys of Orange County (Orange Coast Magazine, 2008), as well as a National Leadership Award from the National Republican Congressional Committee.
With a strategic approach to high-stakes cases, Paul handles roadblocks by utilizing outside-the-box thinking to get it done, believing that there is always a way. In his work, Paul is guided by the principle that being a successful attorney is like playing a game of chess: it’s all about the long game. He joins host Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to share more about his industry leadership in Orange County, as well as his professional philosophies!
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.

Monica Challingsworth is President and Co-Founder of Eustress and Demeter, a full-service restaurant consulting firm specializing in building sales programs for multi-unit restaurants and independent operators. Eustress and Demeter started in 2017 to fill a void in the restaurant industry. With an ever-changing landscape, they knew there was an opportunity to help brands of all sizes build incremental revenue programs. They have worked with some of the top names in hospitality and private equity and have curated a record generation of over $50 million in off-premises sales. 
At Eustress and Demeter, Monica has responsibility for developing, engaging, and sustaining her clients’ most important assets – their people and top-line revenue. In addition to Eustress and Demeter, Monica is the Co-founder of ED Distribution Group; the exclusive distributor for V10 Plus USA, a Japanese skincare brand whose core focus is to build confidence from within. Monica has hosted many Women’s Mastermind networking groups has been a speaker for multiple Business Councils and is building a Women’s Entrepreneurial Scholarship Fund.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.

Leigh Lester is the Founder & Executive Director of Ubuntu Institute of Learning, an international training organization focused on social justice issues ranging from Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging to Entrepreneurship to Affordable Housing. 
As a trainer, consultant, educator, public speaker, serial ideator, and occasionally a coach, Leigh is always a positive force for her clients and co-conspirators. She is active in her community of Long Beach, She serves on a national Board of Directors for industry and nonprofit organizations. Her passion is service. She focuses that passion in affordable housing, under-invested entrepreneurship programs and/or diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives.  
Known for her ability to break big ideas into bite-sized pieces, Leigh’s magic powers include public speaking, training, schmoozing, collaborating and totally out-of-the-box ideation.  With over 20+ years industry experience, her main focus now is helping others create the right action steps to solve their problems. 
Her approach is hands-on, practical application focused on outcomes, steeped in years of personal experience. As the one minority in the room for many years, she puts her experience to use affecting policy at the national level. She serves on the board of a national appraisal organization, a member of the advisory board for the Ashoka-Brookings Partnership Initiative: Valuing Homes in Black-Majority Neighborhoods, an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Navigator with Forward Cities Initiative in Long Beach, California and she serves as a Global Advisor with How Women Lead, a Bay Area leadership network that brings together influential women in an inclusive and highly supportive community to connect, learn, and promote the voices of all women and propel their leadership forward.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Leigh Lester joins host Ric Franzi to discuss her leadership of the Ubuntu Institute of Learning, as well as her latest initiative, Launch Long Beach.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 

Ronald Stein, P.E. is an engineer and Founder of PTS Advance, a California-based company.
Founded in 1995 by Ronald & June Stein, Principal Technical Services (PTS) was designed to meet a gap in the market. Client organizations were seeking greater transparency and flexibility as they contracted specialized talent to augment key roles in their organizations. As a project manager in the industry, Ronald knew first-hand that success relied upon attracting and retaining great candidates with a full compensation package, including PTO and medical benefits – an approach not common for typical engineering staffing services in the ’90s. 
The PTS team subsequently delivered a best-in-class service to both the client and candidate as the premier contingent workforce management partner for the California Energy & Infrastructure market.
Now known as PTS Advance, the company is building on past successes and expanding the quality of service they offer to a nationwide list of clients and candidates in the Energy & Infrastructure and Life Sciences industries.
Ronald is a co-author of three books that focus on energy literacy: Just GREEN Electricity, Energy Made Easy, and his latest book Clean Energy Exploitations, which is nominated for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize competition in the General Nonfiction category. 
Ronald is an internationally published columnist and energy consultant who writes frequently about all aspects of energy and economics, is a National TV Commentator- Energy & Infrastructure with Rick Amato, and a policy advisor for The Heartland Institute.
Over the last decade, Ronald has become the private business spokesperson for the energy and infrastructure industries. He is an energy consultant who writes frequently about all aspects of energy and economics. Through his more than 250 published Op Ed articles, he provides education for citizens as to what and why the energy infrastructures are the primary infrastructures that truly drive the worlds’ economies. 
At the 2018 Western State Petroleum Association (WSPA) Annual Conference, Ron was awarded the “President’s Award for his Tireless Efforts Protecting and Promoting a Vibrant Oil and Gas Industry in the West”. The November 2018 Press release that appeared on Yahoo Finance: “Recognizing Greatness in the Oil and Gas Industry” was shared with 17 million viewers. 
Ron joins Critical Mass Business Talk Show host Ric Franzi to discuss his firm PTS Advance, his thought leadership in the energy sector, and his success as an author.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.

Steve Reinharz is the CEO of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., (OTCPK:AITX) and Founder and CEO of the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD). 
Mr. Reinharz is a proven and seasoned leader in the physical security industry with nearly 25 years of experience holding various roles in multiple disciplines. Reinharz has led RAD to create and launch a successful line of artificial intelligence-powered solutions specifically developed for the guarding and concierge industries. 
Mr. Reinharz’s experience is multi-faceted in that he’s started and ran his own security integration company from the age of 24 to 31, becoming one of California’s premier system integrator. Subsequently, Mr. Reinharz was part of a team that successfully sold an integrator to a global security firm for $42 million and has held various other industry roles. Mr. Reinharz speaks and contributes to panels at ISC East and West, and ASIS. Mr. Reinharz is a leading member of several industry association committees, mostly through the Security Industry Association.
Mr. Reinharz credits almost two years of work performed for the LAPD as the basis for many of the technological innovations he has launched. Mr. Reinharz’ LAPD work was enabled by Captain (III) Charlie Beck who later went on to be LAPD’s Chief for 9 years. ‘Force-multiplication’ has been a hallmark of Mr. Reinharz’ career. Specifically using technology to expand and improve client security.
Mr. Reinharz oversees all aspects of AITX and the three RAD subsidiaries (RAD-I, RAD-M and RAD-G). As CEO of RAD, Reinharz leverages his extensive knowledge and interest in robotics and artificial intelligence to design and develop robotic solutions that increase business efficiency and deliver cost savings.
RAD is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges, and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, RAD can help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen their business. RAD robotics technologies improve the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staff and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. RAD robotic solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Steve Reinharz joins Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to discuss his firm RAD, and his leadership insights as CEO.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.
 
 
 

Food Network describes Andy Nguyen, co-founder of Afters Ice Cream, as the "mash-up king in the food industry," and it's his unorthodox approach and insights into modern branding, marketing, and "how to get your grind on" that has set him apart from the rest.
With other 25 locations (and more to come), Afters Ice Cream has been both an entrepreneurial and social media phenomenon with thousands of people turning up for their store openings/events. And that’s only one of the many restaurant concepts Andy and his team have started. Other ventures include: Dough & Arrow, Trill Burgers, Hello Kitty Cafe Vegas, Matte Black Coffee, Rodeo 39, and more. 
While Andy has reshaped the new age F&B industry, his journey to becoming a serial restaurateur wasn't easy... Like many entrepreneurs, Andy and school didn't get along so well, and he was quickly bored with his first "real" jobs. 
After a dozen+ years of struggle including adventures in real estate, re-selling sneakers, and being a Coachella VIP vendor, Andy founded a worldwide clothing brand, several food ventures, and a consulting agency, too. He even started his own non-profit, Passion Chasers, to help the next generation of dreamers find their own entrepreneurial spark.
Andy joins host Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to share the inside scoop (no pun intended), including how he uses brand awareness and storytelling to appeal to future brand builders, as well as his goal of improving the food scene and pumping new life into other cities.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.
 
 

Lisa Rehburg is President of Rehburg Life Insurance Settlements, and a life insurance settlements broker. Lisa is passionate about assisting financial, insurance, legal and non-profit professionals to help their clients benefit from their unwanted or unneeded life insurance policies.
Having been in the health and life insurance industries for over 30 years, Lisa has presented to hundreds of organizations, including various Financial Planning Associations, Fiduciary Associations, Estate Planning Councils, Planned Giving Roundtables, NAPFA, NAIFA and Health Underwriters Associations, to raise the visibility of life insurance settlements as an option for clients, when appropriate. She has held executive roles at carriers, general agencies and TPAs, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and a Master of Arts in Organizational Development.
Lisa Rehburg joins host Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to discuss how her firm helps clients benefit from their unwanted or unneeded life insurance policies.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.
 

Michelle Beauchamp, Founder of The Champ Group, is a certified coach, speaker and trainer on the John Maxwell team. 
Michelle’s 25 years in Corporate America as a Sales Leader in Telecommunications, combined with her 12+ years as an entrepreneur, has equipped her to help others explore their strengths, improve areas of weakness and through a journey of inner discovery, create and lead inclusive cultures that enrich relationships and increase productivity.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Michelle Beauchamp joins host Ric Franzi to discuss how The Champ Group guides leaders to create inclusive and diverse cultures and productive, thriving organizations.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Dr. Adrian E. Garcia is a published author, inventor, and CEO/Founder of FynCom. Describing himself as a rare breed and a "capitalist cypherpunk," Adrian understands the libertarian movement of cryptocurrency. and also knows how to create mass appeal to the businesses that move mountains (of data). He helps businesses adopt the idea of digital currency while still creating sustainable business models. 
Adrian's life history consists of lifestyle businesses, engineering academics, legal loophole exploits, social engineering, and cryptocurrency. He lives for innovation and is focused on using his skills to reinvent the data economy.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Adrian joins host Ric Franzi to discuss his firm FynCom, a company that helps businesses use their marketing budgets more efficiently by allowing them to reward responses to outbound emails, calls, and messages, as well as surveys and in-app/website notifications.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Anna Lisa Lukes & Jay Lukes are the co-founders of The Lukes Network, LLC, an organization that uses the power of stories, data and collaboration to make an impact on organizations and communities.
A purpose-driven full-service marketing and sustainability company, Anna Lisa Lukes founded The Lukes Network with twenty years of experience in executive-level management, marketing, fundraising, and sustainability to draw upon. Co-founder Jay Lukes, also the firm's Chief Operating Officer,  comes to the table with more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing, including digital and traditional advertising across industries. 
A 51+% woman- and minority-owned company, The Lukes Network exists to make an impact on organizations and the community, with primary focus areas being government agencies, small businesses (real estate, food, beverage, hospitality and services) and nonprofits. 
Co-Founders Anna Lisa & Jay join host Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to discuss their business model with The Lukes Network, their leadership insights, and their collaboration as partners.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Mike Flynn is the Founder & Owner of O SEA, a new seafood restaurant in Old Town Orange serving high-quality, affordable, responsibly-sourced seafood complemented by the seasonality & diversity of California cooking.  
Mike first started working in restaurants while in college and fell in love with the business almost immediately. After working for reputable operators in Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, Mike returned home to Orange County in 2019 to open O SEA.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Mike joins host Ric Franzi to discuss the story behind O SEA, why it was his dream restaurant from the very beginning, and how the establishment has served as the foundation for a creative new local restaurant group.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Guita Sharifi has been a CFO in the healthcare and education nonprofit sector for 17 years. She currently serves as CFO of Lifelong Learning, a national nonprofit educational service organization that partners with schools including those in the Learn4Life network, which provides personalized learning to nearly 50,000 at-risk youth across the county.  
A community activist, Guita has served on numerous charitable boards over the past 20 years, including roles as co-chair/founder of the Orange County CFO Leadership Council, founding member of Private Director Association South County, and OC 5th Supervisorial District Representative on Taxpayers Oversight for Measure M. 
Guita has been nominated by Orange County Business Journal (OCBJ) eight consecutive times for the CFO of the Year awards, and won the Outstanding Nonprofit CFO of the Year Award in 2019. Sharifi was named to the 2020 OCBJ’s inaugural OC500, which is comprised of the most influential businesspeople and opinion shapers in the county.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Guita joins host Ric Franzi to discuss her firm Lifelong Learning, her insights as CFO, as well as her leadership in the Orange County business community at large.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

As a transformative servant leader, Corey White is a proven entrepreneur focused on innovating and creating new paradigms in the security industry and life. His leadership style is focused on an employee-first approach because of the positive impact of happy employees on their customer relationships. Corey has chosen to take a people-centric approach to life and to let all outcomes be driven by that philosophy. Twenty-five years of experience in the security industry has seasoned him to create the next exponential evolution.
As Founder and Chief Experience Officer, Corey has created Cyvatar.ai to enable vendor partners to deliver reliable, repeatable, and measurable business outcomes to clients through an outstanding customer experience. This also allows the partner to engineer out complexity, improve renewal/upsell/cross-sell opportunities, and increase their customer satisfaction and referrals.
On this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Corey joins host Ric Franzi on the show to discuss Corey's leadership of Cyvatar.ai, a technology-enabled cybersecurity as a service (CSaaS) provider disrupting a $150 billion industry by introducing and delivering smarter, measurable subscriptions to help clients achieve compliance and security.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Zeena Dhalla is a premier Postural Alignment Specialist, Certified Ergonomics Specialist, Personal Trainer, and Pilates Instructor in the Orange County, California area and is the Founder of VerticAlign Posture Coaching.
Zeena is also known for co-authoring the Random House/Penguin published book, Sculpt and Shape: The Pilates Way with Celebrity Fitness Trainer Yasmin Karachiwala. Zeena has also been featured in Pilates Style Magazine, OC Metro, and OC Register.
Zeena graduated with a BS from Northwestern University and has multiple certifications from organizations such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the National Postural Institute and the Egoscue Method of Postural Alignment.
Her company VerticAlign Posture Coaching provides pain relief solutions for individuals and corporations such as Google and Microsoft. Zeena teaches virtual posture and ergonomic workshops to teams virtually. VerticAlign’s “3 Week Desk Pain Solution” program offers a revolutionary way to bring posture-specific exercises to the workplace to institute a cultural change of movement at the desk.
Zeena Dhalla joins host Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to discuss why “sitting is the new smoking”, and how VerticAlign aims to empower its clients with the ergonomic and exercise tools needed to command their posture and eliminate their pain.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Frank Riedel is the CEO of YOUFLY Inc., the leading developer of fighter simulators for the commercial market. With a creative and innovative mindset that gets the job done, Frank is an experienced Chief Executive Officer working in the defense pilot training industry.
With a background in special force education and training, Frank believes that working and leading from the frontline allows you to learn about the "people behind the faces", allowing you the ability to make the best decisions, and lead the way.
On this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Frank Riedel joins host Ric Franzi for a discussion about flight simulation, Frank's journey to YOUFLY Inc., and insights he's gained along the way.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.
 

With a passion for helping businesses thrive and maximize their potential while delivering best-in-class results, CEO Jonas Muthoni of Deviate Agency is driven by the pursuit of creative excellence, unparalleled service, and long-lasting relationships.
Commonly referred to as Deviate's fearless leader, Jonas draws upon the years of customer service experience, research, and analytical skills he gained while working for Verizon, the largest and leading Fortune 500 wireless communications company in the US.
At Deviate, Jonas sets the bar high with some of the most talented leaders in the field, including remote employees who bring diverse ideas and points of view to the table, leading to winning solutions.
Raised by a single mother of six kids and from a diverse background, Jonas knows what it takes to overcome struggles and unlock potential. With integrity at the backbone of Deviate, Jonas leads his organization with loyalty and trust. In addition to business and entrepreneurship, Jonas spends his time mentoring startups and undergraduates from the University of California, Irvine, as well as volunteering in the community and serving as a Breast Cancer Board member.
Jonas joins host Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to discuss his insights CEO at Deviate Agency, as well as his leadership philosophies.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Dane first joined the staffing industry in 2001 in the UK, and he has since gained global experience working on executive search assignments, recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) projects, and contingent workforce management programs. This has included taking responsibility for global account management, supporting service delivery across major capital development projects in more than 50 countries, and also managing over 1300 contingent workers on deployment in the Americas region.
Dane joined PTS Advance in August 2018, with a view to getting back to his passion for developing people and co-designing innovative workforce solutions for clients experiencing changes in their operating model, asset portfolio, or external market conditions. Through a number of M&A transactions, Dane has now stepped into the CEO role of HUDDL3 Group, supporting a family of operating companies which include, PTS Advance, Roberts Engineers, Range Search Partners, Sidewinders Advance and SmartSearch. In this position, Dane is actively working with team members and industry partners to contribute to a human-centered design for the “Future of Work."
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, host Ric Franzi interviews Dane to discuss his professional journey and insights gained in his leadership of HUDDL3 Group.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

People who know Jure Bratkic attest that 24 hours in a single day is not enough time for him: constant brainstorming, ideas popping into his head, learning new things, visiting new places, and being actively involved in “1001” different projects and hobbies.
As the first president of the Slovenian Society of California, Jure gained extensive experience in the non-profit world. Upon his exit, he decided to set up the Slovenian Business Hub with the goal of actively helping Slovenian businesses enter the U.S market. Acting as a mentor, advisor, lecturer and much more throughout his journey, Jure was also invited to be a board member at the StartUp Mentor Board.
Today, Jure joins host Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to discuss how he is shaking the ground of the travel retail industry as acting CEO of his global start-up, SkipQ, as well as the CEO and Founder of BreakThrough.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Shellee Howard is the owner & president of College Ready. A sought-after speaker and consultant to 100s of college-bound students around the world, Shellee is widely regarded as one of the world's leading college planners and strategy consultants. Shellee's groundbreaking strategies help students get into their best-match colleges. Best of all, many graduate debt-free with a job they love waiting for them.
Whether addressing an intimate group or a 'standing room only' arena, audiences count on Shellee to take the fear of planning and paying for college.
Shellee joins host Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and the unique service offering that College Ready provides.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Shelly Yorgesen is the founder and CEO of Executive Networking Events (ENE), a global pioneer in high-level executive connections and communities. Whether through high-ticket exclusive masterminds at a 1,900-acre estate in Ireland or in online communities, she has successfully helped 1,000s of entrepreneurs and executives understand how to create and leverage their networks to grow their businesses.
 
Shelly is also an international speaker, bestselling author, and the co-founder and president of Operation Christmas Magic, an Idaho-based non-profit which creates and curates bespoke charity events for her local and global community.
 
Shelly joins host Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to discuss Executive Networking Events, as well as Shelly's take on the power of peer learning for business leaders and executives.
 
Learn more about ENE here: https://www.executivenetworkingevents.com/join-group
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.
 
 

Jason Wachter is a Partner at Gottlieb, Rackman, & Reisman, P.C., and focuses his practice on all aspects of intellectual property law including patent preparation and prosecution, trademark matters, litigation, licensing matters, and the preparation of opinions relating to patentability, infringement, and freedom to operate.
Jason has experience in a broad range of technologies including, but not limited to, medical devices, automotive components, wireless devices, telecommunications, and consumer and luxury goods.
Prior to joining Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C., Jason was an associate in the intellectual property department at a large general practice firm. Jason is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

In 2021, Karen founded her second company, Suite Solutions by Karen, LLC. After several years running a Divorce Consulting business (The Divorcierge®), Karen decided she preferred ‘the business of the business.’
 
Using her experience and learnings from her first entrepreneurial venture, she now helps other Solopreneurs and small business owners grow and scale their businesses. Karen helps business owners get more time and mental space to focus on their high-impact work.
 
In addition to her own businesses, Karen’s background includes work in computer programming, marketing for IBM, restaurant event management for Union Square Hospitality and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Karen’s education includes a B.S.B.A. from Boston University, a M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, Martha Beck Life Coach and iPEC Coach Certification (CPC®). Karen is also a CDC® Certified Divorce Coach.
 
Karen's articles have been featured in the Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Medium, YourTango.com, NextTribe.com, RevolutionGray.com, and BetterAfter50. She has also been profiled in the NY Post, Financial Times and UK’s Daily Mail and has been a Contributing Writer to Divorced Girl Smiling and Worthy.com.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Carey Ransom is a technology entrepreneur, executive, investor and advisor, and has started, grown and/or led 8 B2B and consumer technology companies during startup and growth phases.
 
He is Founder & President of Operate, a SoCal-focused venture studio and fund, where he and his team invest themselves and capital into founders of exciting data-centric SaaS startups. In the last 18 months, Operate has partnered with 12 of these early companies.
 
Carey's 25-year career spans executive roles in product, marketing, business development, strategy and corporate development, and he is very active in the Southern California startup and investment community. Carey has recruited and hired nearly 1000 people in the last 20 years, and passionately believes in purpose, culture, talent and timing as key ingredients to successful companies.
 
Carey Ransom chats with Ric Franzi about his leadership of Operate, and his belief in the potential for a vibrant Orange County start-up community.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

BASECAMP Consulting Group was started by two like-minded professionals with the desire to work with good people and help them achieve their business dreams.
 
Based in Southern California, BASECAMP Consulting Group is passionate about building businesses through structured and sustainable growth. The firm provides the structure and tools needed for brands to look to the future.
 
A cross-functional executive who happens to be a financial expert, Anthony Domenici, BASECAMP Founder & CFO, is is a well-rounded leader with 16+ years of experience in finance, treasury, and accounting. A dynamic thought leader and strategic business partner to all levels of an organization, Anthony has extensive experience in public and private companies in financial services, real estate, and CPG industries.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Dana Soza is a globally recognized Top 100 Customer Success Strategist, and Founder and CEO of a customer success consultancy/coaching practice for customer success newbies and professionals alike in Newport Beach, CA.
 
With an award-winning 20+ year career as a sales executive, certified educator, and recognized CS thought leader, Dana advises aspiring newbies, experienced professionals, and companies to excel along their CS journey. She is chapter leader for Gainsight’s PulseLocal OC’s How-To Happy Hour and contributor to the Customer Success Association's first-ever CSM Competency Standards.
 
Dana is the author of How to Land and Succeed in the Customer Success Profession: a success playbook for your employment journey, and creator of several signature programs including her CS Career Evolution Framework, CS Breakfast Club series, and the #CustomerEverything Club.
 
Dana joins Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to discuss the Customer Success niche, and Dana's current initiatives within the industry.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

For more than 25 years, Erik Rees has dedicated himself to empowering people to find and fulfill their God-given purpose in life. Rees began his career in 1993 as a pastor, strategist and trainer at world-renowned Saddleback Church, where he helped grow the congregation from 3,000 to more than 30,000 followers over a 20-year period.
 
Upon losing his daughter, Jessie, to inoperable brain cancer on January 5, 2012, he and his wife Stacey formed the Jessie Rees Foundation and has functioned as a member of the Board to ensure that children fighting cancer have the support and resources they need to “Never Ever Give Up.” He shares this inspiring message in his newest book Never Ever Give Up: The Inspiring Story of Jessie and her JoyJars.
 
Under the daily leadership of his wife, the Jessie Rees Foundation has raised over $25,000,000 dollars in donations to care for children impacted by cancer. They have also stuffed and sent over 350,000 JoyJars to children fighting cancer in all 50 states and 41 countries. He and his wife live in Orange County, Calif. with their two other children, Shaya and JT, and their dogs.
 
Erik joins Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to share the mission and story of the Jessie Rees Foundation, and his leadership insights as co-founder of the organization.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Anita Nygaard is Founder and Lead Consultant of CorHR, Inc. a Human Resources consulting firm. CorHR partners with professional services businesses across the state and country to provide expert advisory on the three C’s: Compliance, Coaching manager development and building cultures to attract and retain valued talent.
 
For over 25 years, Anita has held progressive Human Resources management roles with Fortune 500 multi-state and global organizations and advised hundreds of small to medium-sized businesses. CorHR clients served include organizations focused on: engineering, software development, architecture, accounting, universities, law firms and construction project management.
 
Many clients have fewer than 100 employees. Anita holds current professional certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and as a California HR Professional. Her master of science degree is from the University of San Francisco; bachelor of science is from Cornell University - the inspiration behind business name “CorHR.”
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

The founder of Orange County Disc Associates, Dr. Rob Campbell has been in practice for 30+ years, dedicating 100% of his energy, attention, talent and time on being a specialist in the treatment of disc conditions and their related pain. This allows patients with serious disc conditions access to the exclusive non-surgical treatment designed for their unique needs.
 
It was in 2008 that Dr. Campbell became inspired by creating the possibility that there was a solution for people in discomfort with severe disc conditions by offering a different and unique method to living with past failures, disability, and the real possibility of spinal surgery.
 
Rather than relying on "standard of care" procedures that cause patients to lose faith, trust and hope in ever getting better, Orange County Disc Associates offers a relevant solution that makes sense.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

With a wealth of knowledge in key aspects of business innovations and numerous awards in customer satisfaction, Fred Babaee is an industry voice in the field of portable dentistry manufacturing and marketing technology. He currently manages two startups: Cor3 Telemed LLC and Simply Mobile Dentistry.
 
Prior to his current ventures, Fred served as the owner and acting CEO of Chipco Computer Distributors, Inc. and Corlogix, Inc. Fred developed account strategies that resulted in exponential growth, and both companies were sold successfully in March of 2013.
 
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Ric Franzi talks to Fred about his successful career, which he to one simple principle: building long-term relationships with every customer.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Stephanie Pottick is an experienced legal and business professional who is passionate about helping inventors, entrepreneurs and business owners protect their brands and businesses.
Before becoming an attorney, Stephanie was an executive in the toy industry and was involved with sales, marketing, IP licensing, brand protection, manufacturing, product creation and more. Her unique blend of experience in both business and legal allows her to view and understand issues from both perspectives.
In this edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Stephanie will announce a Top Secret project she’s been working on. Tune in to find out what it is!
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Do you work for your money, or does your money work for YOU?
 
On this episode of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, host Ric Franzi is joined by Randa Hoffman, the founder of RADIANT Wealth Planning, LLC, who launched Radiant Wealth Planning to breathe fresh air into an industry, helping clients navigate the tools needed to make their financial decisions.
 
Randa offers financial planning and money management insight to her clientele as she teaches them how their money can transport them to a more radiant life if they have the right systems and processes in place.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.

Fractional leadership is one of the fastest-growing services to support small to mid-size businesses. The Sales Performance Group specializes in developing and implementing sales strategies that deliver faster growth, higher profitability, and improved sales results.
 
To expand the support provided to customers, The Sale Performance Group has formed a partnership with Dale Carnegie of Orange County to enhance the growth of their employees. Utilizing the fractional leadership experience in conjunction with proven training, processes and tools, The Sales Performance Group offers an affordable solution for creating or improving a sales organization and driving revenue.
 
Critical Mass Business Talk Show's Ric Franzi sits down with Ed Horton, Managing Partner of The Sales Performance Group, and Steve VerBurg President of Dale Carnegie of Orange County, to discuss fractional leadership and the nature of their new partnership.
 
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Critical Mass Business Talk Show is Orange County'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.
 
This edition of Critical Mass Business Talk Show is proudly supported by Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. GRR provides legal advice and guidance on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Learn more at GRR.com.
 
 

John Pham is an entrepreneur, team builder, former aerospace engineer, practicing orthodontist, and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. As CEO and Co-Founder of InBrace, John and his team are building an entirely new category of teeth-straightening. InBrace has earned the distinction of being one of Orange County’s Top Workplaces.
John joins Ric Franzi on Critical Mass Business Talk Show to discuss how he is disrupting the dental industry and offering an innovative solution for the 500 million people who have opted out of traditional orthodontic treatment.

The very definition of the word steadfast is “dependable, reliable, committed,” and those adjectives epitomize our mission to give each client the peace of mind they deserve so they can run their organizations more effectively.
Led by Founder and CEO Bernadette Peterson, The Steadfast Group has assembled a team that is comprised of diverse skillsets, exceptional credentials, and an unwavering commitment to providing you with the best, most comprehensive financial and accounting services available.
Join Ric Franzi for an insightful conversation with Bernadette Peterson on leadership, accounting, and her journey to The Steadfast Group!

With over 25 years of consulting experience, Conover Consulting has a holistic approach to improving employee performance and your company’s bottom line. By connecting the people, compensation, and profitability pieces together, we help you maximize your Return on Investment (ROI). Founder Laura Conover has a business pedigree that includes management experience in the real-world and excels at delivering superior results.

Deemed “the Ken Burns of the written and recorded word" by talk show legend Larry King, New York Times bestselling author Joe Garner took the publishing world by storm with the release of his seminal audio-and-hardcover book We Interrupt This Broadcast. In addition to attaining the New York Times bestseller list in two consecutive years, Garner’s inspired pairing of audio, photographs and written word sold over 1-million copies.
Through his production company Garner Creative Concepts, LLC, Garner has conceptualized, written and produced over a dozen commercially successful multimedia book productions.
In his interview on Critical Mass Business Talk Show, Joe Garner highlights the power of taking action, the value of mentorship, and other tales from his creative journey!

In the relaunch episode of Critical Mass Business Talk Show, host Ric Franzi interviews Josh Wilhelm, Founder & CEO of LightHouse Graphics.
In their insightful discussion, Ric & Josh discuss Josh's vision for LightHouse Graphics, challenges Josh has faced along his leadership journey, and much more!

I have invited Leo to join us to discuss his 3rd and latest book “Peernovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us about Building High-Performance Teams.”
Here are the questions we discussed:
What is the MAIN IDEA contained in your book?
Tell us about the title?
Leo, can you tell us about the inspiration for writing this book?
What do you mean by the term “peer influence”?
Who is the target audience for your book?
Take us through the table of contents of the book
How does someone get in touch with you?

Ric discusses with Author Didier Cossin the big ideas in his latest book "High-Performance Boards: Improving and Energizing Your Governance".
What is the main idea contained in your book?
How does governance drive financial performance?
How does diversity impact a board's performance?
What is the role of an outside director?
Do you think it is good for CEO's who have a board to join the board of another firm?
What has been the effect of the principles of Conscious Capitalism on governance?

Ric talks with author Bob Burg about his classic book "The Go-Giver".
Here are the topics and questions they discussed:
 
What is the MAIN IDEA contained in your books and speaking?
 
Bob, you have authored or co-authored eight books, five in The Go-Giver Series with your writing partner John David Mann. I want to focus on The Go-Giver Leader. It seems to me, the key lesson from that book is not about the leader; it about the people. Can you talk to us about how the Go-Giver philosophy applies to CEOs and leaders in companies?
Are there misconceptions about what being a Go-Giver means? As a leader, can you be taken advantage of that way?
 
One of the principles you write about is Influence. How does a Go-Giver create Influence with the people they lead?
 
How did you first come up with the term Go-Giver?
 
Can you tell us about the inspiration for your life’s work?
 
How does someone get in touch with you or learn more about your work?

Ric talks with author Bill Flynn about his new book "Further, Faster: The Vital Few Steps That Take the Guesswork out of Growth".
Here are the topics and questions they discuss:
What is the MAIN IDEA contained in your book?
What are some vital essentials to scaling your business?
Why performance is a team sport
How to run your business as a coherent system
How and why cash rules
Can you tell us about the inspiration for writing this book?
Discuss and highlight the reason/reasons that motivated you to write this book.
Who is the target audience for your book?
Take us through the table of contents of the book.
What advice can you give to our audience, who want to write a book, about how to successfully write and publish a book.
What have you learned about the that you did not know prior to publishing your book?
How does someone get in touch with you or learn more about your firm?

Ric talks with Author Mauro Guillen about his latest book "2030- How Today's Biggest Trends Will Collide and Reshape The Future of Everything".
Here are the topics and questions covered during their conversation.
Q1:  What is the organizing principle of your book 2030?Q2:  Let’s discuss the rise of automation: who will be affected by the next round of AI-fueled innovation?Q3:  Can you share the impact of the collaborative economy on property owners and the downstream effects?Q4:  You forecast that by 2030 more than half of the world’s wealth will be owned by women; what will be the impacts of this?Q5:  Why is Canada a model for immigration policy?Q6:  How can we approach these societal transformations with optimism and seize opportunities as they arise?

Ric talks with author Darius Mirshahzadeh about his new book "The Core Value Equation".  Darius addresses 7 questions Ric had about core values during their conversation heard live on LinkedIn on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.
Q1 Can you define, from your perspective, what you mean by the term CORE VALUES?
Q2 You write in your book The Core Value Equation that companies don’t have core values people do. What do you mean?
Q3 What is your advice on how to properly design core values to become the language of the organization?
Q4 Can you share the four most critical elements that core values need in order to create consistent, impactful results in any organization?
Q5 You talk about the importance of the quality of design when creating core values. Can you discuss how Steve Job’s approach to design is an inspiration CEOs about designing core values?
Q6 In chapter 5 you outline the key design principles of creating well-designed core values. What are they?
Q7 The balance of your book deals with how to launch your core values, make them sticky, and how to determine the ROI on your core values. Can you highlight the most critical aspects of each?

In today's episode of Critical Mass Radio Show, author Mark Barden, joined Ric live-streaming on LinkedIn to talk about his book A Beautiful Constraint and how its message can be applied now during these uncertain economic times.

Returning guest Angelo Ponzi, founder of the Ponzi Group joined Ric on LinkedIn to discuss what companies are doing to gain market share during the COVID-19 pandemic.

#1kproject - Inspired by the immense needs felt by families in the pandemic, we came together to connect families in crisis with direct support of $1k each month for 3 months from a sponsor family. Within a few tweets, a team of entrepreneurial, tech and design talent came together to start The $1k Project. Using personal networks to directly match a family impacted by the pandemic with a family committed to giving them $1k for 3 months.

Want to Become a Leader that Exceeds Results with Loyal Teams? The problem is that most organizations still use the Carrot and Stick method, which increases turnover. The real way is to assemble effective teams with peer to peer balanced accountability system that wins hearts to exceed performance.

Leveraging innovative nature and entrepreneurial spirit, Yuris is in charge of creating and implementing an in-depth business growth and competitive strategy. His job is to manage strategic planning and day-to-day business management tasks that achieve market penetration and expansion throughout Los Angeles. He also develops and maintains solid relationships with vendors to ensure proper alignment between logistical constraints and production process requirements.

Doug Wheeler, Founder Summit Performance Group will be on our show to discuss his company. Doug’s firm has been in the conference management and incentive travel industry for 25 years. We will be discussing how COVID-19 has impacted his business and his view on the future.

Jordan Goldrich, co-Author of the book written for valuable executives who are identified as abrasive or bullies to recognize and leverage their "Warrior Spirit" while changing the unintended negative impact of their style. Many different types of people can be warriors. These include the most committed and effective military leaders, business executives, doctors and nurses, police. firefighters and clergy. Even mothers and fathers can be warriors.

Mary Cravets is a Client Generation Strategist and International Speaker who helps entrepreneurs significantly grow their businesses without working nights and weekends. Using her methods, the majority of her clients quickly increase their income 50-100%. Clients include the former CFO of Microsoft North America, thought-leaders in the coaching industry and rising stars in a variety of other professions. Mary is also an avid roller coaster enthusiast and a kayaking volunteer for a wildlife protection program in Morro Bay, California.

Hailing from what is arguably the most fashionable city in the world, cosmetics guru Manna Kadar was born in Paris, France. Surrounded by the very best that fashion and beauty has to offer, Manna developed a passion at a very young age for not only the finest beauty products on earth, but for the business behind the most cutting-edge brands. Manna cut her business teeth early on, proving herself as a successful young entrepreneur in the competitive sales and marketing realm.

With an innate heart for supporting others, Emily Morgan’s mission is to help reshape the culture of the traditional workforce by providing flexible employment for her team while also providing the strategies entrepreneurs need. As the founder and CEO of Delegate Solutions, she helps clients dot their i’s and cross their t’s so they can meet all goals.

Author Troy Underwood has written one of the most practical and useful guides for entrepreneurs at any stage of success. We have invited Troy to join the show to share his entrepreneurial journey that lead to his book.

Having been especially busy over the last month helping clients cope with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on their individual, family finances, as well as the impact on their small businesses. Wayne Titus, the author of The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial Well-Being, shows business owners how to build a dependable, communicative relationship with a financial adviser who understands their unique needs.

The Salvation Army has been meeting needs and transforming lives since 1887 throughout Orange County. Captain Nesan Kisan, will be on our show to discuss homelessness in our county and what his organization is doing to help those in need.

Scharrell Jackson will be returning to our radio show. During our interview, we will be discussing her career and Leadership in Heels, the organization she founded in 2015 that is like no other women’s organization.

COVID-19 has impacted every business, but no industry may be harder hit than the travel and hospitality industry. We have invited Sloan Dean, CEO & President of Remington Hotels, to join us to discuss the impact on his firm and the steps the firm is taking to survive.

Entrepreneur and author Marie Forleo has said “Never start a business just to make money. Start a business to make a difference”. CEO Mike Gentile returned to our show to share how his firm is making a difference by partnering with OC nonprofits to train at-risk residents for the cybersecurity industry.

The Leadership Killer: Reclaiming Humility in an Age of Arrogance exposes hubris as the single most lethal leadership flow. Being a good leader doesn’t require being a bad person. Bill Treasurer joined the show to discuss the ideas in his latest book.

Do you know how much litter is made up solely of cigarette butts? When Ken Beckstead realized the shocking percentage, he saw an opportunity to make a change. By developing  Butts Only Box receptacles and founding the Butts To Watts program, Ken has been able to reduce litter and landfill waste, as well as create renewable energy. Ken joined our show to share his entrepreneurial journey.

Created by women for women, MyJane is a community enabling women to make informed choices about hemp CBD products. MyJane’s President Helene Blanchette joined the show to talk about the business model and MyJane’s strategy for growth.

Assembly Bill 5 is one of the most destructive bills passed by the CA legislature in recent history. State Representative Jay Obernotle of the 8th District has authored AB1925, a bill that will exempt small business form the law. Jay joined the show to discuss the impact of AB 5 and how AB 1925 will help small businesses.

Individuals, corporations, governments, and other institutions face unprecedented vulnerabilities in a world where everything is increasingly connected. Bryan Cunningham, Executive Director for the UCI Cybersecurity and Policy Institute was on the show to discuss the current challenges companies are facing in the world of cybersecurity.

Ever feel like you’ve hit a wall and can’t go any further? As a business advisor and coach Sheevaun Moran use ancient principles and techniques to help business leaders achieve freedom in business and life. After working with Sheevaun, her clients end with the ability to become that extra force they need to succeed. She joins us to share some of that today.

Roy Dekel, co-founder, and CEO of SetSchedule joins us once more. Committed to helping their clients achieve greater business success, SetSchedule provides an easy to use suite of SAAS solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of real estate professionals. We will discuss everything from Roy’s experience, and the real estate industry to lessons learned which paved the way for SetSchedule. Roy Dekel is one of Irvine’s most unique innovators, you won't want to miss this episode!

In Driving Innovation from Within, Dr. Kaihan Krippendorff dispels the myth of the visionary startup company as being the primary source of innovation. His book features insights from over 150 interviews from Tencent and Amazon to Mastercard and Starbucks. Dr. Krippendorff will share more of his research during his interview with host Richard Franzi.

Sales are still relevant… but different. Consultative selling is dead. Chasing after prospects are dying. Clients and prospects don’t want discussions with salespeople unless sellers provide value beyond their products and insights beyond what’s available on the Web.  CEOs’ and sales managers’ marketing decisions and sales decisions   – who to hire, how to train them, how to manage them – must focus on critical moments in customers buying processes and the value of their sellers’ conversations. Nick Miller of Clarity Advantage shares more.

Join with Geri Cerkovnik, serial Entrepreneur, as she discusses the importance and impact of understanding people and values to create successful organizational cultures. The most strategic asset an organization has is their people.  How we invest in them impacts their commitment to your company. 

Fritzler Design creates a response with strategic visual communication for corporate identity and marketing/communication, designing professional logos, websites, brochures and trade show graphics that represent the authentic brand within each company and product. Art Director, Teresa Fritzler, joined us with more!

The #BeBetter team at Branded Group helps to make your brand better through delivering industry-leading customer service and experiences. For the past two years, Branded Group has been chosen as "Best Places to Work." CEO Michael Kurland and President Jon Thomas join us to share how they built a strong and healthy culture for their firm.

As true experts in the field of risk mitigation, investigation, and business protection - Santoni Investigations is committed to helping clients during the most crucial moments they need guidance. They’ve helped attorneys and businesses for over 20 years, and their work isn’t stopping anytime. CEO Tim Santoni joins us to share more.

This week we invited back Kevin Costelloe, Staff Reporter for the Orange County Business Journal, to join us to talk about the recent CES (Consumer Technology Association) Show in Las Vegas. We will specifically focus on the presence of those Orange County companies who made news and an impact at the show.

Have you ever thought about how and why you have trust in an institution or individual? I have invited Author M. Todd Henderson to share the research in his latest book “The Trust Revolution” with you to help you understand how the rise of the internet is offering new ways to create or strengthen trust in your firm. This critical because we are at a time when people’s trust in the government, in companies and even each other is at a historic low.

What is the power of a good question in determining the truth from a sales prospect, interview candidate or employee? Michael Reddington, President of InQuavise, Inc. will be on the show to explain how by using his Disciplined Listening Method you can use the truth to your advantage.

Known as the ‘Elon Musk of Real Estate,’ Roy Dekel is revolutionizing the real estate industry. As a philanthropist and the CEO of Setschedule, Roy gives back to his community and supports Start-ups in need. He also founded the Setschedule Cares Foundation, raising money through matching employees and volunteer time. His goal for this year is to raise at least $1.5 million in 2020 for 19,000 charities.

A tool supply company with expertise in productivity. That’s what makes All Industrial Tool Supply stand out from all the rest. They strive and aim to become the number one trust source for all your tool needs. And it’s all built on friendly, knowledgeable trust and service. Jeff Perry joined us here with more.

Are you in compliance? With the constant changes in rules and laws, it can be hard to keep track of if you are in compliance or not. That’s where the team behind Compliance Datalytics comes in. They continuously analyze thousands of cases to identify the compliance issues and data to make sure you remain on top.

Mariposa Woman Family Center is a non-profit organization that specializes in women’s health issues. From counseling, mental health, drugs and alcohol support, domestic violence, and professional training - Mariposa helps improve the well being of woman, children, and their families.

From entrepreneurship, marketing, sales, and customer care Barry Lieberman has you covered. With 36 years of solid experience under his belt, he knows what you need to market your firm digitally, grow your business, and implement infrastructure solutions into organizations. He joined us to share more.

 
With a mission of providing superior service, Branded Group offers on-demand retail, maintenance, management, and consultation services. The team at Branded Group is all about making your brand better by giving you peace of mind in the service you are receiving.

Some of the biggest issues facing Orange County range from housing to healthcare, to education and income. For a stable, safe, and educated community a good job is key. It also leads to a healthier lifeline. WHW (Women Helping Women) provides the unemployed and underemployed with the skills and resources to land the job they need. Newly named CEO Trina Fleming joins us to share more.

Covering all things technology for the Orange County Business Journal and there is plenty to cover along with OC’s thriving economy is reporter Kevin Costelloe. Kevin will be on the show to discuss his background, the state of technology and the impact it is having on our economy.