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

Sheri Geoffreys Founder of Sheri Geoffreys Photography, Inc. talks with host Ric Franzi about her path to becoming a professional photographer. Sheri believes you must "photograph what you are passionate about to create top notch imagery" which is why she photographs corporate photography.

Doug talks about on-boarding and coaching new hires and of course more tips on technology to make the coaching experience more productive.

Jason Lindgren, Owner of Coyote Courier Services discusses the rising costs vs. flat to decling pricing within the courier industry and the steps he is taking to ensure his firm remains a profitable business. Michael Brozzetti, President and Owner of Boundless, LLC. joins host Ric Franzi to talk about business and IT auditing as well as compliance issues facing mid-market firms today.

Kevin Moshayedi, Founder of Ark Collective is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Kevin details his unique business model and how a few summers back he learned about a vast number of students attending Los Angeles schools without adequate school supplies and backpacks. This started his journey to create Ark Collective with a mission to improve the quality of our underserved youth's education.

Host Doug Gfeller continues the discussion on coaching and human resource issues.

Dan Cornell, CTO of Denim Group is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. His firm develops secure software, helps organizations assess and mitigate risk with existing software, and provides training on best practices in software security.

Jen Shirkani, Founder and CEO of Penumbra Group joins host Ric Franzi for a lively conversation about how Emotional Intelligence and how it can help larger firms grow their top line revenue. Jen also shares a bit of her knowledge and expertise as it relates to the interesting topic of emotional intelligence.

Host Doug Gfeller interviews Life Coaches to learn how it is different from business coaching and what are the factors to consider in deciding between the two.

Jeff Lowy, President of Encore Creative discusses the question "Positioning for the market recovery...or is this the new normal?" with host Ric Franzi Joe Seringer, CEO of Virtual Health Check talks about Innovation-what is innovation that will make a significant difference? Leon Singletary, CEO and Founder of MyPartTimePRO.com shares his latest entrepreneurial venture designed to match companies with talented people who want to work with a flexible time commitment.

Dr. Carol Wintermute, Doctor of Chiropractic, CEO and Founder of HealthXL shares the story of her 25 years in business and current trends in healthy living. Dean McCormick, Managing Partner of Insight Wealth Strategies talks with host Ric Franzi about his strategy to help his clients with wealth creation.

Karen Smidt-Allard, Founder and CEO of SBR Sports discusses the inspiration for starting her firm and her marketing efforts focused on triathlon athletes and the active lifestyle community. Rob Lucenti, Managing Partner Deloitte joins Ric Franzi to discuss Deloitte's Impact Day and the positive response this annual day of "giving back to the community" has had on Orange County over the years.

Host Doug Gfeller talks about "What makes great leaders?" Do you have to be "born" a great leader or is it something that you can learn? Listen in as Doug dicusses how coaching can and has helped create great leaders through coaching.

Vivian Valenty, President of VB Cometics is host Ric Franzi's first guest. Vivian discusses her comestic business and how she has evolved the business model over time. Rose Marston, President of A.D.Marble talks about her environmental consulting firm. Rose was promoted to President and has expanded the firm's offerings in response to the recession.

Socrates Jain, Vice President Business Development, Coface North America speaks with host Ric Franzi and explains how CEOs of mid-market firms use Coface to help them grow their revenues through insurancing their accounts receivables. Alexandra Braconi, Founder and Owner of Blue Lizard Media, LLC shares her keys to successful branding for small and mid-market firms.

Dr. Carol Taylor, President of Vanguard University talks with host Ric Franzi about her experience leading the university through a difficult period and some of the lessons of that experience. Tina Lustig, Founder of Asana Art shares the entrepreneurial story of her journey building Asana Art a company creating yoga-based works of art.

Host Doug Gfeller discusses how coaching your management team can improve employee engagement and productivity.

John Starling, Founding Partner of Smith Growth Partners is host Ric Franzi's first guest. John Starling, is the author or "The Order of Black Belt: Mastering The Practice of Growing a Company" and discusses the first section of the book. David Nester, Owner of Urban Lights highlights his experience buying back his firm and repositioning it in the market as a new venture.

Jane Alden Hodgdon, Founder of IBB Designs, LLC and inventor of the Itty Bitty Bra is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. They discuss the inspiration for her firm as well as her strategy for gaining marketshare in an underserved market.

Doug's guest is Neal Rinella, Principal and COO of Taylor Architects. At Taylor they say that "Promoting wellness through architecture is more than our tagline, it is our mission". Doug and Neal discusses how this mission impacts recruitment, retention and training of their staff.

Rudy De La Garza, CEO of Pree Corp. is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Pree Corp. is a technology company that focuses on the strategic development, marketing and commercialization of innovative new technologies through aggressive investment and research efforts. Innovations include renewable energy, wireles energy, wireless communications, and solar energy technologies.

Chase Rief, Founder and President of Rief Media is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Chase talks about a variety of marketing topics including the "keys to successful marketing for small and mid-sized firms".

Tom Casey, President of Thrust Electric Bikes is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Tom shares the entrepreneurial story of he and his partner Patrick Rolfes, CEO of Thrust Electric Bikes. Tom talks about their journey to bring to market the first commercial-grade, eco-friendly bike. This bike is growing in popularity with delivery-based restaurant's and other businesses who see the financial and marketing advantage of deploying electric bikes.

Host Doug Gfeller talks about coaching and performance reviews. Why every performance review is a world class opportunity for coaching and improved performance.

Glenn Bostock, President of SnapCabs is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Glenn and Ric talk about the innovations he and his company have brought to elevator interiors and much more.

Peter Lehrman, CEO of AxialMarket is host Ric Franzi's guest and they discuss how Peter's firm, through the use of technology, makes the market for buying and selling mid-market companies more efficient. Sheevaun Moran, Author Learn to Meditate in Two Minutes joins Ric to talk about her latest book which she wrote for the busy executive to help them learn how to find time to gain the benefits of meditation.

Jim Downes, Senior Director, BBK is host Ric Franzi's guest and they discuss Jim's "Top 10 List" for turning around companies as well as other topics. Barry Saywitz, Founder and CEO of The Saywitz Company discusses the challenges and opportunities of lease restructuring.

Leon Singletary, President of First Contact HR is host Ric Franzi's first guest. Leon and Ric talk about the role full-service background checks and HR security plays in mid-market company's hiring decisions. John Ratliff, President of Appletree Answers discusses his telephone answering service which has been on either the INC500 or INC5000 list of America's Fastest Growing Companies for the past 7 years.

Matt Dubow, Vice President of Epic is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. They discuss his family-owned business headquartered in Orange County, CA. Ric also talks with Matt about how his regular appearances as the "Gadget Guru" on Grape Encounters Radio has affected his online fine gifts and accessories business.

Mo Khan, Managing Partner, Xelleration is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Mo and Ric cover a wide range of topics with special focus on the concept of Human Workflow Automation. Xelleration provides business process engineering services to their clients using their proprietary XRUM (SCRUM) Methodology. Ric asks Mo to expand on these concepts and uncovers what mid-market CEOs need to know about them.

On The Coaching Perspective, host Doug Gfeller talks with HR Professionals about how they use coaching in their companies and also what are some of the assessments that they use in the recruiting and promotional process.

Dale Keshishian, CEO of HealthWorks Academies is host Ric Franzi's first guest. Ric and Dale discuss her firm's role in transforming healthcare through education and how her organization is helping high school students discover career opportunities in the healthcare industry. Lee Sutterfield, President of SecureLogix talks with host Ric Franzi about his the firm he started which is focused on ecuring the rapidly changing world of enterprise voice and unified communications networks against a growing number of attacks from hackers much like the internet attacks have occurred over the last two decades.

Brett Wood, President of Toyota Material Handling is host Ric Franzi's featured guest and they discuss the position Toyota has attained in the US forklift market. Toyota ranks #1 for lowest cost of ownership, highest quality and value. Being a part of the legendary Toyota Industries Corporation and celebrating over 40 years of operation in the US, Irvine CA-based Toyota Material Handling has been the number-one selling lift truck supplier since 2002. Ric and Brett discuss Toyota's rich history of environmental stewardship. No other lift company can match Toyota's history of protecting the environment while advancing the economy.

Karen Caplan, CEO of Frieda's Inc. is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Karen talks about a variety of topics during the interview. Ric asks Karen to discuss her Ten Keys to Success in a Family Business. Frieda's is celebrating 50 years of changing the way America eats fruits and vegatables. Back in 1962 Frieda Caplan began the company with a small stand at the Los Angeles Produce Market. Her philosophy remains the family-owned business' foundation today.

Doug talks about how you can calculate the ROI on executive coaching. Is it reasonable to set out real goals that can be measured against the cost of coaching? The answer is YES, so check out this show to find out how to make sure you are getting maximum benefit from your executive coaching.

William E. Buie, Executive Vice President of GlobalScape joins host Ric Franzi. GlobalScape is a leading provider of secure information exchange solutions for thousands of customers, including global enterprises, governments, and small businesses. Scott Reidenbach, CEO of Reidenbach Law joins Ric as the second guest. Ric talks with Scott about his law firm which specializes in contracts, litigation, etc. Scott works with homeowner's associations.

Paul Johnson, President and CEO of Kelley Blue Book is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Ric and Paul discuss how Paul has grown Kelley Blue Book while maintaining the firm's rich history and reputation as the "trusted source" within the automotive industry. Listen to this show to learn how technology has enabled Paul to create new markets for Kelley Blue Book.

Kim Megonigal, Founder and CEO of Kimstaff HR is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Kimstaff HR is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). Ric and Kim explore how a PEO functions and what human resource services they offer to their clients across a wide range of industries. This is a must-listen to interview if you have ever considered partnering with a PEO firm or would like to understand their business model in more detail.

David Malone, CEO of Community Bank is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Ric and David cover a wide range of topics with focus on what mid-market CEOs and business owners need to know about working with their banker in today's environment. Community Bank offers a variety of banking services designed specifically for busineses.

Jiri Stejskal, President and CEO of Cetra Language Solutions is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. Ric and Jiri discuss the importance of cross-cultural communications. Many mid-market firms need to be able to translate documents, technical specs and other services. Setra is skillede at interpretation services with a staff of talented linquists.

Host Doug Gfeller continues his discussion of coaching from the client's perspective.

Manik Arora, President and CEO of Arora Engineers, Inc. is Ric's first guest. Family-owned and operated Arora has developed and maintained a comprehensive engineering practice based ont he principles of quality and client satisfaction. Jerry Ferro, CEO of Free-For-All talks with Ric about the rising healthcare costs affecting over 50 million people in America. Jerry shares how his firm helps people lower the costs of prescriptions and lab tests. Jim Guthrie, CEO Car Crafters and Ric discuss his business which is a nationally recognized auto body shop because of the culture he has built in this 30 year old business. Jim is also an Indy Race Car Driver veteran.

Susan Johnson, Founder and CEO of Susan's Healthy Gourmet is Ric's featured guest. They discuss how, after moving to California in 1994, Susan and her husband decided to start a business. A family history of cancer and heart disease had made Susan very aware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. She decided to fill a niche of offering prepared healthy meals for the home and opened her headquarters in Irvine, CA. Ric talks with Susan about how her original business has evolved into three businesesses focused on healthy, great tasting foods.

Dan Withee, Principal at Withee Malcom Archietects, LLP is Ric Franzi's first guest. Dan and Ric discuss Dan's firm which he co-found with his partner Dale Malcom. Dan talks about his firm's focus within the construction and design industry as well as the latest trends in affordable building design. Jim Carol, Founder and CEO of DonateGames talks about his latest venture, a social enterprise that collects and resells donated video games to raise money in support of children and families woh are affected by rare diseases. In 2010, it's second year of operation, DonateGames collected well over $1 million in donated video games and gear, luanched a wolrd-class e-commerce store, established a physcial headquarters and contributed more than $.79 of every dollar of revenue directly to research and treatment for sick children.

Gary Oppedahl, President and Founder of To Be A Blessing Healthcare Services talks with host Ric Franzi about his choice in 2005 to form TBAB. TBAB has grown to offer services in homecare, insititutions and hospitals with a staff of over 200 Nurses and Caregivers. Tony DiSanti, Owner of American Metals Company joins Ric to talk about his firm, which has been recycling and servicing Arizona since 1975. AMC was recycling before recycling was considered an important part of our daily lives, or that being "green" was the right thing to do. American Metals has given individuals, industry and governmental entities a place to bring all unwanted and recyclable metals. David Child, CEO of Tectonic Toys, discusses his business which enables clients to interact directly with the three dimensional universe with one simple, ingenious invention: Teh Tectonic Hinge. The product has been called "The Hydrogen of Building Toys"!

Dr. Fresh, Founder of Dr. Fresh shares with host Ric Franzi his story for building his firm into one of the fastest growing oral care companies in the US. Dr. Fresh owns more patents than any other US oral care company. Bob Lotter, CEO of eAgency talks with Ric about his firm's software technology for cell phone management in the business environment. Bob also explains the security risk employee cell phones present for mid-market firms. Finally, Bob shares information about his newest software product My Mobile Watchdog, a product developed to protect children and give back to the community.

Tony Lee and Eugene Ku, Founders of Wireless Emporium talk with host Doug Gfeller about their story for building Wireless Emporium into the #1 Cell Phone Accessories Online Store.

Tom Johns, CEO of National Roofing is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. National Roofing was started by Tom in 1977. It is a premier roofing and waterproofing contractor headquartered in Albuquerque, NM. National installs state-of-the-art roofs and provides specialized services for challenging roofing projects. Tom also has launched related companies and discuss his motivation for building new businesses.

Kathi Guiney, President of YES! Your Human Resources Solution founded in 2004 with the goal of providing customized and scalable HR services to emerging growth, small to mid-sized companies in all industries. Kathi and Doug discuss connecting business initiatives with employee needs to achieve strategic objectives.

Hayes Drumwright, Founder and CEO of Trace3 is host Ric Franzi's featured guest. They discuss Trace3's rapid growth, culture, and related topics. Ric explores with Hayes how his selection as a 2011 OCBJ Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award finalist has affected him as an Orange County business leader.

Kevin Bailey, President of Vans is Ric Franzi's featured guest. They discuss the iconic brand and Kevin's responsibility as steward of this Orange County institution. Ric talks with Kevin about a variety of topics including the current challenges and opportunities Vans is facing.