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

Dan Lubeck, CEO of Solis Capital Partners joins our show to discuss the role private equity plays in helping small businesses unlock their true potential and how business owners can develop a framework to determine their firm's value. Solis Capital Partners is a lower middle-market private equity firm that prefers to invest in business service, manufacturing and value-added distribution companies. Dan will explain some of the criteria his firm looks at when deciding whether or not to invest in a business.

Robert Saunders, Founder of College Storage & Student Services discusses how he grew his company through strategic partnerships with specific California Universities. College Storage and Student Services is a full-service storage and shipping company designed to simplify the collegiate moving experience. With a background in alternative fuel technologies, Saunders ensures that College Storage and Student Services does its part by working to reduce campuses’ carbon footprint by using recyclable materials and

Magaly Chocano, CEO and Founder of SWEB Development discusses how she built her company into a premier web and app development company during economic difficulties. With a passion for team building, Magaly has created a work environment around transparency in which her team is there because they love what they do and they collaborate well together.  SWEB Development's clients include advertising agencies and Fortune 500 companies.

David Fuller, CEO and President of Damage Entertainment and Creator & Executive Producer of Enter The Zone TV talks with host Richard Franzi about how he turned his passion for music into a business.  David created Damage Entertainment so he could record and produce music he felt deserved listeners. David also hosts a televisions show called Enter The Zone TV which airs on Comcast Cable and is an Editor of ETZ Magazine.

Steve Rosol, President and CEO of Mars Air Systems discusses how his firm experienced business growth through exporting. Mars Air Systems manufactures high quality air curtains that protect building environments from energy loss and wind-borne dust, dirt and fumes, along with flying insects. Mars Air Systems just unveiled new branding to celebrate their Golden Anniversary, and is looking forward to 50 more golden years.

Jason Lucash, Co-Founder of OrigAudio joins our show after winning Orange County Business Journal's "Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award" and being named Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Entrepreneur of the Year”.  Jason will discuss how he managed to grow his company into a multi-million dollar internationally known company in just three years. OrigAudio offers innovative solutions for music portability by providing an outlet for customers to become creators of style, set their own trends, and showcase their unique music personalities.

Peter Guercio, President of Graphite Machining Services & Innovations joins our show to discuss how visiting factories in China gave him a clear understanding of what his company was competing with worldwide.  Graphite Machining Services & Innovations is an industry leader in the machining and manufacturing of products made from Graphite and Carbon.  Peter has grown his company by exporting throughout Asia and has a high respect for the intelligence of his workers in other countries.

Dennis Bakke, Co-Founder of Imagine Schools explains why, as CEO of his previous company, he benefited from limiting himself to one decision per year and how he employs this same practice at Imagine Schools. Bakke will also discuss his 2005 New York Times' bestseller, "Joy at Work", that details his organizational philosophy employed at AES and Imagine Schools.

Richard Taite, CEO of Cliffside Malibu Treatment Center discusses how his personal journey led to his desire to create a dedicated sober living facility. In July of 2005, Richard opened Cliffside Malibu that uses treatment methods based on The Stages of Change model.

Sol Schwartz, Chairman of the Board & Founder of Sol Schwartz & Associates, P.C. explains why he believes the key to success is to hire good people and to pay them well.  Sol will also discuss where he sees the role of the accountant in the future; especially with how fast things are changing.

Tyson Breinholt, Co-Owner of Commercial Properties Inc. discusses how his company managed to complete over 375 transactions totaling over $43 million during the down market.  With over 15 years of experience, Tyson is a driving force behind the highly successful office division of Commercial Properties Incorporated.

Bill Hagaman, CEO of WithumSmith+Brown joins our show to discuss how he aided his firm in expanding their global capacities.  Bill has been a member of the firms management for over 20 years and specializes in merger and acquisition services and international business.

Darin Pastor, CEO and Principal of Capstone Affluent Strategies joins our show to discuss some of the changes he has seen within the wealth management industry and how companies can overcome these challenges. With nearly two decades of experience in financial services, Darin has developed a strong reputation for his exceptional leadership skills and helping clients address their financial goals.

Michael Katz and Melissa Yoon, Partners at Katz & Yoon LLP join our show after winning a $17.3 million jury verdict for one of their clients. Katz and Yoon are complex business litigators whose clients include numerous OC corporations and notable individuals involved in high-profile cases. They discuss with host Richard Franzi new trends in defending intellectual property and what companies should do about social media policies.

Alex Wilcox, CEO of JetSuite joins our show to discuss how his company managed to grow during the recession. JetSuite is built on understanding a certain segment of the flying population and has been able to attract that certain niche more than all of their competitors. Alex has over two decades of experience in creating highly innovative air carriers in ways that have improved air travel for millions.

Jim Beach, Author of School for Startups discusses why his book guarantees small business success in 90 days or less. This practical guide shows you how to build a business the smart way-without risking major assets such as your house, savings account, or health insurance.  Jim is a former professor at Georgia State University and started his first company when he was 26-years-old.

Ellen Langas, President of NouSoma Communications, Inc. discusses how her 25+ years of experience in the marketing communications industry has helped her to successfully develop and manage public relations, advertising, media training, sales and marketing campaigns for national and regional clients.  Her company, NouSoma Communications, Inc. creates effective marketing and communications strategies for clients large and small. Ellen is also the creator and author of the successful Girls Know How® book series, winner of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Gold Award, and recipient of the Literacy Hero Award.

Brandon Martin, President of Lifetree Manufacturing discusses the key to his entrepreneurship success and how a strategic partnership with Dana Foods, Inc. played a role in the growth of his business.  Lifetree Manufacturing provides quality driven, turn key, private label manufacturing services to our customers in the Food and Nutraceutical industries while making conscious decisions to always minimize our carbon footprint. Under Brandon’s direction, LTM was awarded 'Best Places to Work' in 2012 by the Phoenix Business Journal.

Ralph Rubio, Founder of Rubio's talks with host Richard Franzi about the beginning of The Original Fish Taco. Ralph turned his single walk-up stand restaurant into a taco phenomenon that spread from coast to coast. With over 200 restaurants on the West Coast, Ralph has made Rubio's into a household name.

Michael Maples, Principal of Trumark Homes discusses his company's strategy of buying land during the recession. Trumark Homes has a strong company culture and creates communities that reflect this culture. Michael is passionate about building an enduring brand and creating sustainable communities.