In this insightful episode, Danny Flores sits down with tech leader and entrepreneur Rene Cortes to explore how AI is transforming the way small and medium-sized businesses operate. With over 15 years at HP and now founder of GoPivot AI, Rene shares practical ways business owners can cut costs, increase reviews, and save time through automation. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How Rene uses AI at HP to enhance employee experiences The shift from cloud-based to local AI on devices Why most small businesses are missing out on powerful, low-cost automations How AI can answer calls, schedule appointments, and boost online reviews Case study: How Carmen's Coffee increased 5-star reviews and foot traffic The future of AI for SMBs—and how to stay ahead of it -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this compelling episode, Danny Flores sits down with Heather Sharfi, PhD—CEO and founder of EVE and a passionate leader in integrative women’s health. With a background in cancer biochemistry, Heather brings together modern science and holistic practices to help women reconnect with their bodies, restore hormonal balance, and live fuller, more aligned lives. They discuss practical tips for balancing hormones, the importance of melatonin, how to decode your bloodwork, and why certain foods (yes, even strawberries) should always be organic. Heather also shares how stress, poor sleep, and even the wrong supplements can throw your body off track. From food quality and nervous system regulation to red light before bed, Heather offers real-world tools that women can start using today—without needing to change everything overnight. Plus, hear more about her upcoming book Know Herself: The Bridge Between Old Wisdom and New Science.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

What happens when a seasoned intellectual property attorney follows her passion into the world of plant-based pet food? On this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores, we sit down with Lisbeth Merrill, a longtime attorney and now co-founder of Virtuous Vittles, a new company launching a revolutionary product—100% plant-based, human-grade dog food. Lisbeth shares how her career working with international tech startups and patent litigation prepared her for this leap into entrepreneurship. She opens up about the challenges of launching a consumer product, from finding a manufacturer with reasonable minimums to navigating complex supply chains and sustainable packaging. We also get into the science behind plant-based diets for pets and why Virtuous Vittles is breaking new ground with its unique meat-alternative "chunks and gravy" formulation for dogs. Hear about the research, the partnerships, and the mission behind the brand’s November launch—and why it's not just good for pets, but for the planet too.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

What does it take to lead high-performing sales teams and deliver impactful communication in today's business world? In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Tod Novak, founder and CEO of the Novak Group, to unpack 25+ years of experience in sales, leadership, and professional speaking. From managing sales teams across industries to elevating communication as a competitive advantage, Tod shares how his hands-on coaching approach drives serious results—like growing sales by up to $100 million for clients. He dives into his philosophy on leadership, the “20-60-20” rule in sales management, and why focusing on top performers leads to faster growth. You’ll also hear insights on public speaking, learned fears, the importance of feedback, and how Tod scaled back from constant travel to build a sustainable business model with real-time impact. Whether you're a CEO, sales leader, or aspiring speaker, this conversation is packed with tactical advice and inspiration for scaling with purpose.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this high-impact episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores welcomes Nicholas Pardini — Newport Beach-based wealth manager, macroeconomic researcher, and YouTube content creator — for a candid conversation on building wealth and navigating finance. Nicholas shares how a childhood gift of stock shaped his curiosity, how post-2008 hustle helped him break into hedge funds, and what inspired the launch of his firm, Spearhead Advisors. He also shares lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and gives insight into estate planning, AI in research, real estate trends, and why understanding the global economy empowers smart financial decisions. With over a decade of buy-side experience, appearances on major financial platforms, and a growing digital audience, Nick reveals what it really takes to build credibility and client trust in the wealth management space.     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

From music beats to motherboards, Tristan McKee’s path into IT wasn’t what you’d expect. After a broken computer shifted his focus, Tristan dove into the tech world, eventually launching Get It Right Solutions, a company dedicated to tailored, proactive IT services for small and midsize businesses. In this insightful episode, host Danny Flores explores the mindset, grit, and strategy behind Tristan’s success. Learn how referrals built his business, what it means to truly “over-deliver,” and how he's preparing for the next level of growth with a strong sales pipeline and team alignment.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Brett Macomber, a leader in business and information technology with a background that bridges construction and cybersecurity. Brett shares how his early career in general contracting uniquely prepared him for the IT and security space — from physical installations to cloud-based solutions. Brett and Danny dive into what it takes to keep today’s businesses running efficiently and securely, exploring topics like: The evolution from on-site servers to cloud computing Why physical IT closets still matter The growing importance of mobile and remote work setups Firewalls, backups, and why “bulletproof” security doesn’t exist How AI is shaping IT operations and the next generation of workplace tools Brett also discusses the human side of cybersecurity — why staff training and awareness are just as important as technology — and shares his vision for the future of “Agentic AI” in business operations.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Zachary Newkirk, Marine veteran, Chamber of Commerce ambassador, and executive at Black River Security Solutions.Zachary reveals what it’s like to work in high-level security — from protecting celebrities like Kris Jenner and Kobe Bryant to managing large-scale corporate contracts and training elite teams. He shares practical advice for everyone, including how to improve situational awareness, stay safe in everyday life, and prepare for critical incidents. From home defense strategies to self-protection habits, this episode dives deep into what it means to be proactive about safety in both personal and business settings.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores welcomes Kelly Oberle, founder of Access Human Potential, to explore how mindset, resilience, and emotional intelligence drive performance in both athletics and corporate life. Kelly shares how her journey as a Division I softball player and corporate leader shaped her understanding of stress, burnout, and balance. She explains why focusing on the process instead of the outcome leads to more consistent success, and how breathwork and mindfulness help individuals perform at their best — whether in the boardroom or on the field. Together, Danny and Kelly dive into lessons from top athletes like Kobe Bryant and Michael Phelps, unpacking what truly separates those who reach their potential from those who stop short. Kelly also discusses the power of consistent habits, small changes, and self-awareness in creating lasting growth. Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies for building confidence, reducing performance anxiety, and showing up as their best selves in every area of life.     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

Patty has spent more than four decades serving the Orange County community in healthcare and education. She explains how Alzheimer’s Orange County—serving the community for 45 years—offers free education, support, and advocacy for families affected by dementia. Patty also shares practical ways to lower your risk for cognitive decline, including diet, exercise, mental stimulation, and social connection. Listeners will hear Patty’s inspiring journey from a career in pharmaceuticals and hospice care to becoming a leader in dementia education. She highlights the importance of early diagnosis, new treatment hope, and how the organization’s resources make care more accessible for every family in need.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

Host Danny Flores sits down with Mike Kron, who has spent over 30 years operating a family office that has quietly grown into a powerhouse in Texas and Arizona multifamily real estate. Mike shares his journey from real estate attorney to family office operator, explaining how consistent reinvestment and strategic 1031 exchanges built lasting wealth without outside capital. Mike also discusses: How his family office scaled from 2,500 to 14,000 units. Why reinvesting cash flow can lead to exponential portfolio growth. Lessons from developing over 3,000 units across the Sunbelt. The launch of his Guardian Net Lease Fund, a $100 million raise focused on stable, credit-tenant retail assets. How he navigates property taxes in Texas and Arizona. Why timing the market rarely works—and how being “counter-cyclical” created opportunity. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this inspiring conversation, Danny sits down with Sean Swentek — a seasoned marketing executive, nonprofit leader, and surf therapy advocate — to explore how sport can be a powerful tool for youth development, healing, and hope. Sean shares his journey from corporate marketing at Omnidian to co-founding A Walk on Water, a nonprofit that brings surf therapy to children with special needs. He talks about the life-changing impact these programs have not only on kids, but on their families — and even shares the emotional story of a nonverbal child who spoke his first words after catching a wave. Sean also dives into his passion for renewable energy, what it means to build intentional life balance, and how saying “no” to distractions has helped him say “yes” to building legacy-impact work that changes lives.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this inspiring episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores, we sit down with Steve Jin, higher education professional and passionate advocate for faith-based learning. Steve shares his personal journey as an immigrant from South Korea and how higher education shaped the course of his life. From overcoming challenges in his youth to becoming a leader in enrollment management, Steve brings a powerful perspective on why education is more than academics—it’s about wisdom, gratitude, and becoming better human beings. We dive into: Steve’s story of transformation through UCLA and graduate studies at a faith-based university. The role of gratitude and daily practices to improve mental health and perspective. How Concordia University Irvine integrates faith, values, and wisdom into education. The balance between traditional higher education, trade schools, and self-taught success stories. The future of higher education and why “right-sizing” may actually bring colleges back to their true purpose. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores, we sit down with William Levin, a leading intellectual property attorney and partner at Omnis Law. With more than 20 years of experience, William has represented Fortune 100 companies and small businesses alike across industries such as entertainment, healthcare, technology, and consumer goods. William shares what intellectual property law really means, from patents and trademarks to copyrights, trade dress, and unfair competition. He takes us inside his high-stakes courtroom battles—including a landmark $143 million trademark verdict—and explains why creativity, strategy, and integrity are crucial to winning cases. You’ll hear “war stories” from the courtroom, practical advice for entrepreneurs on avoiding costly legal disputes, and insights into how AI and digital media are changing the landscape of intellectual property. If you’ve ever wondered how to protect your business, your ideas, or your brand, this conversation is packed with real-world takeaways you won’t want to miss.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Daniel Paik, a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in finance and operations. Daniel shares how he helps companies turn their back-office teams from “cost centers” into powerful drivers of growth. From his background as a CPA and former CFO to building systems that create visibility, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making, Daniel explains why most finance and operations teams miss out on strategy—and how his platform changes that. You’ll hear how companies have reduced burnout, cut unnecessary hires, improved profitability, and boosted growth simply by reallocating time and resources more effectively. Daniel also explains why standardizing how teams work not only saves money but also reduces stress and creates room for innovation.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

This episode features a dynamic conversation with Chan Lee, Sales Manager at Asuene USA, and Ichiro Tanigaki, U.S. Country Manager for Asuene, a global sustainability SaaS company headquartered in Japan. Chan and Ichiro break down how Asuene empowers businesses to meet growing environmental regulations while simultaneously improving operational and financial outcomes. The trio explores the evolution of SaaS platforms in sustainability, the rise of carbon accounting, and the critical role of AI in accelerating compliance and ROI. They also discuss the global footprint of Asuene and the importance of adapting to local environmental regulations, whether in California or the EU. You’ll hear how mid-market companies are being challenged to keep up with the compliance demands of larger corporations and why strategic acquisitions and customer success are core to Asuene’s explosive growth.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this powerful episode, host Danny Flores sits down with James McLanahan, a former U.S. Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, now thriving as a mortgage loan originator at Expert Home Loans in Southern California. James shares his remarkable 17-year journey in the military—from enlisting right after 9/11, to mastering Mandarin Chinese, to training and leading elite teams across the globe. Hear how the leadership, discipline, and adaptability forged in combat now guide his civilian career. The conversation touches on: Why James joined the military after 9/11 His journey into the elite Special Forces Learning Mandarin in a high-pressure language program How teaching through fun and entertainment leads to better learning Navigating the mortgage industry and transitioning into a new career His volunteer work as Vice President of the Special Forces Association Chapter 78 Tips for staying sharp, staying humble, and pushing through obstacles   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

In this conversation, Mel traces his path from early days at Walt Disney Imagineering to founding and leading Storyland Studios. He explains how multidisciplinary teams—architecture, landscape, show set, graphics, tech, and more—come together like an orchestra to deliver immersive experiences at every scale, from freeway gateways to Star Wars–level attractions. Mel also opens up about launching boutique studios, building partnerships, cultivating next-gen talent through the Themed Entertainment Association, and bringing theme-park caliber design into “real life” places like hospitals, hotels, churches, and mixed-use districts—right here in Orange County and across the globe. What You’ll Learn How “spatial storytelling” connects film thinking with urban planning and architecture The behind-the-scenes of Anaheim’s resort district transformation Why world-class experiences require 100+ disciplines working in sync Practical advice for students and career-changers: become “master of one,” then scale Where themed entertainment is headed: from gated parks to everyday live-work-play Mel’s current work from the Red Sea to local OC projects—and what’s next --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

Founder of Iron Point Insurance Services and Iron Point Agent Programs, Scott Boren walks us through his journey from claims to product leadership at eSurance and GEICO, and why California’s Prop 103 still shapes pricing and availability today. We dig into wildfire risk, the FAIR Plan, and why some carriers paused new business. Scott then unpacks how Iron Point helps independents unlock top-rated markets without direct appointments, plus the shift from personal to commercial with their quoting platform, Compare Quote HQ (built with API rails through CoverForce). He also shares hard-won lessons on starting vs. buying an agency, building recurring revenue, and testing new niches like MexicoCovered.com. What You’ll Learn Why California’s regulatory model affects pricing, availability, and carrier strategies How independents can access premium carriers without hitting solo production hurdles The difference between marketing-led growth and real sales execution inside an agency Why commercial lines + API-powered quoting is a big opportunity for agents today Practical advice on buying an agency vs. starting from scratch (cash flow matters!) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

Danny and Bryan trace Bryan’s unlikely path from North Dakota and stealth tech to building and exiting his own apparel company, then being “thrown into the fire” to launch Oakley’s licensed eyewear division that exploded with NCAA/NFL demand. Bryan unpacks why brands are often resource-tepid at first, how early wins unlock internal support, and the “plug-and-play” model he uses at LiquidMind to solve targeted growth headaches without disrupting in-house teams. You’ll hear how virtual teams (pre- and post-COVID) became a competitive advantage, what due-diligence looks like before entering a new category, and how product vision and marketing strategy must move in lockstep to win. Key takeaways Start where the customer already has momentum: adapt core products to new channels and fan bases to unlock surprising demand. Expect constrained resources early; prove revenue, then scale support and infrastructure. “Plug-and-play” resourcing beats big-agency overhead for specific, high-impact problems. Virtual, distributed teams give brands access to global expertise and speed. Product vision and marketing must be developed together — not in silos. Future-casting: define the barriers to your brand vision, then sequence product and go-to-market to clear them.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest