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

Joshua Dominic is the Co-Founder & CEO of Dreamstar Lines, the premier overnight sleeper train service in North America. Joshua co-founded Dreamstar after experiencing the significant shortfalls in today’s travel and realizing other countries had a working solution, but one needing further development for the American market. By developing a luxury rail service that solves many of those issues, Dreamstar Lines was born.

Joshua is responsible for the company’s overall vision and direction, based on 13 years of experience in startups, finance, strategy and logistics. Prior to creating Dreamstar, Joshua served in the United States Air Force Reserves specializing in logistics and mobility before going on to graduate with a degree in Economics from Columbia University.

After a brief financial career focused on corporate strategy and acquisitions, Joshua transitioned to start-ups focused on business development for Darktrace and Cloudkitchens. Lastly, he was a partner and co-founder in Falcon Funds, a search fund focused on finding, acquiring and operating businesses in the lower-middle market.

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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 REF Orange County.

Bita Safari is the founder and CEO of GIGO Clean Technology. GIGO Clean Technology provides a platform for an application that works like Uber for the cleaning industry. Starting from a small office in Santa Ana, California, the company plans to provide services nationwide by 2028.

Bita Safari is an effective leader with an extensive project management background. Under her vision and leadership, GIGO Clean is revolutionizing the cleaning industry. Born in Iran, living under a socially unjust system, experiencing war and revolutions, and witnessing many traumas, she experienced additional challenges when she emigrated to the United States.

As she acclimated to United States business norms, her personal life and career have been a roller coaster taking her up and down many challenging and complex paths. But she does not give up. “I am like the city of Venice, built out of desperation and survived unimaginable circumstances," says Bita. "We are both strong as ever, even with an uncertain future."

While Bita is a dedicated business leader, founder, and President of successful commercial cleaning company Simply Crystal Clean, she is also a devoted wife and a loving mother. She loves to spend time with her family and friends.

Additionally, Bita truly believes in giving back to society. “As we all have responsibilities toward ourselves and our family, we all have responsibilities toward the society that we live in and the environment,” Bita says. Safari has volunteered for an organization, Moms Against Poverty, that has been awarded the prestigious Jefferson Award and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for the past 15 years. Despite her busy life schedule, she has never passed on her duties as a volunteer helping others.

A chemical engineer, Bita's skill in management and leadership have been learned through hard work in top level management positions over the past twenty years at busy operations. These experiences have shaped her into a strong leader who knows how to overcome obstacles and challenges of business. She is a visionary entrepreneur, a hard worker, and a very disciplined individual. At the same time, she takes her role as a mother very seriously. Nothing is more important than her daughter to her. Residing in Southern California with her husband, daughter, and her German shepherd, she has a beautiful and happy family.

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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 REF Orange County.

Bryan Crain is the President of Orange County Rescue Mission, Bryan’s entrepreneurial career began 28 years ago as an undergraduate at the University of Southern California. He co-founded what became the largest independent radio show prep company in the nation, serving over 2,000 radio morning shows with daily written and audio content. After selling the company in 2014, Bryan was hired as the Chief Operating Officer at Orange County Rescue Mission.

In his role as COO, Bryan led the development of diverse programs and facilities such as Tustin Veterans Outpost, Restoration Roasters, Double R Ranch, and emergency housing for human trafficking survivors. He was promoted to CEO in 2023.

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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 REF Orange County.

Jennifer Strong is the founder of Cognitive Diagnostic Associates (CDA), the largest special education company in the United States. An accomplished School Psychologist with specialized expertise in School Neuropsychological Assessment.

Boasting an illustrious background in the field, Jennifer has embraced the role of Board Member and Region 9 (IX) Representative for Orange County within the California Association of School Psychologists (CASP). Furthermore, she actively mentors aspiring School Psychologists through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) mentorship program. She has pursued advanced post-graduate training in school neuropsychology, garnering the Diplomate distinction from the American Board of School Neuropsychology.

Raised in the diverse landscape of Alaska, Jennifer’s unique perspective is enriched by her upbringing alongside her father, Dr. Larry Reynolds, a distinguished Physician in the state of Alaska who earned legislative recognition for his remarkable contributions.

Her extensive experience in educational settings includes her recent leadership involvement in shaping policies and procedures for Special Circumstances Instructional Assistance (SCIA) at her previous district. She possesses a profound passion for Special Education Case Law and adeptly provides clients with expert guidance concerning their children’s Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Jennifer has exceptional expertise in ADHD/ADD, behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injuries, 504 plans, manifestation determinations, as well as comprehensive assessments of memory, attention, and learning.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Jennifer finds joy in skiing, gardening, and culinary exploration. A devoted mother and former athlete, she actively contributes to philanthropic initiatives, including her engagement with the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, membership/involvement with the 11-99 Foundation, and developing “Cans 2 the Curb” with her sons—a meaningful endeavor dedicated to giving back to the Special Education Department of their local school. Jennifer also participates in the Boy Scouts of America’s Wreaths for Veterans program with her sons. Furthermore, as the Chair/Head of the Scholarship Program for School Psychology in Graduate Schools, Jennifer is deeply committed to empowering and supporting aspiring school psychologists in their educational endeavors, through a focus on health, wellness, and balance.

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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 REF Orange County.

Jay Rogers is an investment professional and entrepreneur with almost three decades in the financial services industry. His career began with such firms as Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo and Bear Stearns and later transitioned to working full time with family offices and creating diverse investment portfolios. Alpha Strategies was established in 2009 by a group of highly experienced investment professionals with a shared belief that qualified investors are still underserved in their access to deep domain expertise in alternative investments generating consistently high levels of “pure” alpha. It has since grown into a diversified financial services company with specialties in alternative investment consulting and management.

Jay has been a trusted advisor to multiple family offices and is instrumental in syndicating private investment opportunities among family offices and institutional investors nationwide. These opportunities include real estate, private debt & equity, and venture capital.

Jay also acts as advisor to Native American Tribal Nations for economic development and investment opportunities. An advocate for tribal independence he has provided financial solutions to several tribes and is the founder of the Native Made Foundation, championing the purchase of goods and services originating on Native American Reservations.

Jay is also a frequent speaker at industry events on family office and alternative investment issues. He has appeared on CNN’s Your Money and is frequently quoted and interviewed for financial publications including the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News and NPR. He has presented to audiences at IMN, Opal Financial, IvyPlus, World Research Congress, Marcus Evans, Institutional Investor, and other investment conferences around the country. Jay is a guest lecturer at USC Marshall School of Business and provides expert witness services including testimony for litigation involving securities and investment industry matters.

Jay holds a BS from Northeastern University, is a graduate of the USMC Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA and has completed graduate courses at UCLA and the Wharton School of Business at UPENN. He held multiple securities licenses and was a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Orange County (CFAOC). Currently residing in Ladera Ranch with his wife and children, he is active in his local community as President of the Board of Directors for Ladera Ranch Community Services (LARCS), a community services organization. Mr. Rogers is also on the boards of Family Office Association, Altriarch Capital Partners, and several private companies.

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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 REF Orange County.

Chris Skaling is the visionary founder and CEO of NAITIVE, an innovative AI Consulting Agency that is transforming the consulting landscape. With over 15 years of experience in AI integration and cloud transformations, Chris is at the forefront of pioneering AI-driven solutions that redefine how businesses operate.

At NAITIVE, Chris leads a team dedicated to offering a fresh, personalized approach to consulting. One notable achievement includes developing an AI Agent team for a real estate firm. This groundbreaking solution autonomously scans specialized data to identify target clients, generates personalized marketing material, and translates complex data queries into real-time insights—all through natural language processing. Such innovations empower clients to make informed decisions with unprecedented speed and precision, exemplifying NAITIVE's commitment to transforming industries.

Chris's journey from architecting data solutions for global tech giants to founding NAITIVE reflects his passion for challenging the status quo and delivering exceptional value. Under his leadership, NAITIVE aims to be the only partner businesses need to integrate and leverage artificial intelligence, ensuring they stay ahead in the new era of AI.

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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 REF Orange County.

Polina Kratova is the Founder and CEO of RiseUP Stars, a pioneering organization in youth enrichment and education. With over a decade of experience working with tech-enabled startups and building impactful programs, Polina has dedicated her career to empowering young minds through innovative, hands-on learning experiences.

RiseUP Stars is a leading provider of enrichment programs that span before, during, and after-school settings, as well as structured recess and out-of-school camps. Under Polina’s leadership, the organization has expanded to reach thousands of students in California, offering unique opportunities in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), wellness, and mindfulness education.

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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 REF Orange County.

Tom Wood is a seasoned entrepreneur and industry expert with a passion for helping business maximize profits and increase their bottom line. As the CEO of Silent Streams, he has successfully saved companies millions of dollars and increased employees' benefits at the same time. With a keen eye for innovation and a commitment to excellence, Tom is dedicated to changing the way business owners approach cost containment and risk mitigation.

Silent Streams is an industry leader and completely revolutionizes the way businesses operate by providing innovative solutions in cost containment and value-added services. Our cutting-edge technology and expert team help businesses dramatically increase bottom line profits and create healthier and more profitable work environments for their employees. Whether you're a small business owner or a large corporation, we can help you achieve your goals and drive growth without risk or financial investment.

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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 REF Orange County.

Known as The Transformational Book Coach for “cause publishing,” Susie Schaefer believes that books are the gateway to creating a movement. Whether writing a book helps an author heal past trauma or raise awareness for social change, Susie empowers storytellers to be part of the global conversation and create a ripple effect for humanity, particularly when an author shares their own story in connection to their mission, message, and community.

Susie's bestselling books include A Path to Purpose: Seven Inspired Stories to Discover Your True North, The Pivot Project: Stories to Inspire the Shift in Your Life, Your First Book: The Publishing Guide for New Authors, and The Escape: How to Leave Your Abusive Relationship Safely (International Impact Book Award).

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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 REF Orange County.

Shannon Chapman graduated from Mission Viejo High School in 2000, making her way to SDSU days before her 18th birthday. She wanted to be a teacher, so she majored in English & had her BA by 2004. She was 21 when she graduated college & set out to become a teacher abroad. Instead, she welcomed a baby boy at age 23 with half of her credential completed & a job as a substitute teacher. This was not exactly how she had imagined her pathway into teaching, but she knew she would somehow, someway, accomplish her goals.

Fast forward a few years & she was living in Orange County again, working as an executive assistant for Pepsico. She was learning the beverage industry, but she was also learning how to run a business. A year or so later, she moved on to Pepsi Bottling Group, learning sales, marketing & anything she could about small-format business. She became the number one sales rep in CA, breaking records and exceeding quotas.

From there she took over a dive bar for a friend who wanted out of the bar business. She took everything she knew and translated that into an extended “beverage” career as a bar owner, quadrupling sales within two months. She started baking cookies to sell in the bar & turned her side hobby into a multimillion-dollar manufacturing & distribution company for 15 years.

Then, she was ready to transition. She moved back to Mission Viejo to be closer to her parents when her father was diagnosed with Leukemia & Lymphoma. Now a single mother with three boys & a new house, Shannon had a desire to try something new. The goal was to start a business where she could still coach little league, make good money & prioritize her boys. Construction was a perfect fit & fell in her lap when she began construction in her backyard. She’s always loved construction & comes from a big family of men & women who are very handy & construction-oriented.

Shannon was working from home, so she became a student of the construction process from beginning to end. She made friends with the General Contractor, took over the construction of her house, then asked him for a job as a project manager of his construction company. She proved she could do the job by bidding a handful of jobs, landing those jobs, then completing the work as a project manager—all while starting a new company in the self-storage world.

Self-storage allowed her to do the construction she enjoyed, work the hours she wanted (mostly from home) & build generational wealth for her boys. She learned everything she could, built her team & took on a $17M ground-up development in AZ as her first project. Shannon is now a developer, doing her own projects as well as a vendor of services for other development companies.

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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 REF Orange County.