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

Tara Zoē is the creative visionary behind SoberBuddy. Tara’s experiences with deep shame events and trauma led her to pursue a personal transformation journey that ultimately led her to greater understanding about why and how shame affects our lives in powerful ways.

Frustrated by the lack of resources and difficult processes for getting the help one needs while going through trauma, Tara felt technology could hold the solution.

Wanting to attack shame related to drug and alcohol addiction head on, Tara partnered with her father and addiction expert, Paul Brethen, M.A. LMFT, to create an evidence-based program that was easy to access and understand both emotionally and physically.

The SoberBuddy messaging and meetings offer a shame-free culture Tara is determined to spread, so people get the help they need sooner and without the fear of being pushed lower in society. With over 140K people using the SoberBuddy products, Tara now leads a team of top developers, clinicians, artists, and influencers who all come together to create the shame-free world of SoberBuddy.

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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

Melissa Jacobi is Founder & President of The Jacobi Group. Melissa is a former collegiate tennis player from Chapman University and an Orange County native. She has more than seven years of partnership experience, and in her previous role, she served as the Sr. Manager of Multimedia Marketing and Partnerships for Newport Beach & Company. Her position worked jointly with the City of Newport Beach as she managed marketing and day-to-day operations for the Newport Beach Restaurant Association. She developed, implemented, and tracked integrated marketing campaigns for over 450 restaurants displayed on all Visit Newport Beach, Dine Newport Beach, and Newport Beach TV channels. In 2019, she was awarded 30 Under 30 by Destinations International and named one of 30 "Emerging Leaders" by the California Travel Association.

Melissa started The Jacobi Group, a boutique marketing agency, in 2021, focusing on brand management, public relations, and content strategy for restaurateurs, athletes, and lifestyle brands. You will spot Melissa in Orange County filming at a new eatery, hosting in front of the camera, or grabbing a bite with her family - Jason, Jaxon, and Luca.

Jason Jacobi is an LPL Registered Principal and Wealth Advisor. A former collegiate football player and Newport Beach native, Jason began his career in the financial services industry in 2013 at a Fortune 500 company where he developed a passion for the global financial markets.

In 2022, Jason earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation; and with over 70 areas of expertise, he is excited to assist his clients with the complexities that come during the financial planning process. His hospitality background has groomed him into delivering a client-centric experience focused on delivering exceptional services tailored to each individual, athlete, family, or business.

In his spare time, Jason loves to spend time with his wife, Melissa, and two kids. You can find them at the gym, down at the beach, on the water, traveling the world, or dining around town.

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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

Mark Beran is innately curious. He is one that has never stopped asking the question why? Consequently, Mark has driven teams to come up with innovative solutions that have resulted in significant intellectual property in the healthcare and medical device market.

Mark is an Orange County native and started his career at a startup called Respiratory Support Products that was successfully sold to Smiths Medical (now ICU Medical). At Smiths, Mark was Global VP of Sales & Marketing for Level 1 a company that marketed unique products for patient temperature management in the critical care setting and operating room. From Smiths, Mark took a full P&L role as VP & General Manager of Cincinnati Sub-Zero. He successfully led a team that pivoted the business to the emerging market of therapeutic hypothermia for patients post cardiac arrest and traumatic brain injury. This move took the company to immediate profitability with a significant IP roadmap to drive profitable growth.

Mark was SVP of Sales & Marketing for Posey company where he developed a strategy that led to doubling revenue for Posey and a future exit to a private equity sponsor. From Posey, Mark was VP & General Manager of Gaymar industries and head up the Pressure Management business (high end therapeutic surfaces and devices to reduce pressure injury risk). This private equity owned business was successfully sold to Stryker.

From Gaymar, Mark took a role as Chief Commercial Officer for TIDI products where He led a team that executed on both an organic and inorganic growth strategy that led to two successful transactions with successful outcomes for the private equity sponsors and management team.

From TIDI, Mark moved to Chief Marketing Officer for Encompass Group a manufacturer of healthcare textiles for the acute care and senior living markets. He led a team to develop novel technology in the patient warming (OR) and specialty support surface space. Both products had significant intellectual property and competitive advantage over the market leaders.

Mark is now fractional Chief Commercial Officer for a PPE nurse’s shoe start-up called Gales (www.weargales.com) and is advising a start-up in the vascular access space called MightyWell (www.mightywell.com). Mark is advising MightyWell on the sale of their business.

Mark was born and raised in Southern California and grew up in Orange County. He went to Servite High School in Anaheim and graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Marketing. Mark gained his MBA from Babson College in Massachusetts. He lives in Santa Ana with his son Joseph and father Tony (a serial entrepreneur).

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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

Mike Brown is the founder and principal of BlueLine Consulting Services which provides advisory and consulting services to financial institutions. He is also the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Block3 Ventures, a FinTech and Web3 investment and advisory company.

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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

David Sohn is a business and technology executive who specializes in the creation and harmonization of processes that empower team members to maximize efficiency. Prior to co-founding Helpt he oversaw the global technical support and product content teams for a networking and computer peripheral manufacturing organization that was recently acquired by a Fortune 500 company.

David's 15+ year career in business and technology is enhanced by his insatiable desire for improvement that has resulted in a variety of degrees and certifications.

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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

Kim Kelley Thompson is a business and personal development coach whose specialty is helping people get out of their heads and into action so they can achieve their goals and realize their potential. She brings 32 years of experience as a business owner, sales trainer and coach to develop effective leadership, efficiency and success in individuals and teams.

Kim blends inspiration with practicality as both are necessary to create lasting transformation. She believes that when we become aware of the patterns and habits that are dictating our lives, we can raise our standards and elevate our behavior. We are then able to take the focused, committed action that leads to desired results.

As a multiple business owner, award winning documentary producer, and mom, Kim understands the value of vision, leadership, communication, systems and processes. Having raised four children by herself, while managing a multimillion-dollar event company and starting her own business, Kim has become adept at simplifying the complex and breaking through the mental obstacles that stifle success.

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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

Jon Darbyshire is the Co-Founder & CEO of SmartSuite. In 2021, Jon and his team launched SmartSuite, the work management platform that manages any process, from any industry, on one platform. Now, SmartSuite unites essential elements used to get work done, regardless of company size or type.

In the year 2000, Jon founded Archer Technologies, an enterprise governance, risk and, compliance software, giving business users—not developers—the ability to adapt software to their unique business requirements. Jon and the Archer team built a flexible, award winning platform and solution suite that became the mainstay of governance, risk and compliance teams for some of the world’s most powerful organizations, including 1 in 3 of the Fortune 100. Archer Technologies was purchased by EMC Corporation in 2010.

Throughout his career, Jon has been dedicated to automating everyday, essential business tasks to create smarter, more efficient organizations, no matter what the industry. Prior to Archer Technologies, Jon held leadership positions at both EY and Price Waterhouse, honing his skills in understanding the need to automate and simplify work for the enterprise.

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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

Coach Greg LeFever has over twenty-five years’ experience in the fitness industry. His experience includes Founder / CEO of IMpowered Women's Fitness, Orange County's premier women-only fitness and wellness organization, Founder / CEO of Workplace Wellness Solutions, specializing in onsite employee benefit wellness programs of various fitness, yoga, leadership education, nutrition consultation, and mindfulness. He is also the Founder / President of Empowered Youth Life Style, a nonprofit company focusing on life skills and leadership skills for teens.

Mr. LeFever holds an MBA from Concordia University Irvine, BA with Finance emphasis from Cal State Fullerton, and Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) certification from National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

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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

In 2019, Nicole Sanchez launched a non-profit called The Bella Foundation, named after her 7-year-old daughter Isabella, that helps raise awareness and resources for domestic violence victims. As a young child, Nicole experienced domestic violence firsthand, and believes that one of the most valuable lessons we can teach our own children is to lead by example by helping others.

Nicole's mission is to help women affected by domestic violence get back on their feet, and back in the workforce by providing professional clothing, financial assistance for childcare, and even job placement so they can provide for their children and start a new chapter filled with hope and a future. The driving force behind Nicole's passion for this cause is her daughter Isabella, hence “The Bella.”

In Nicole's words: "I am proud to stand as a role model for my daughter to break the vicious cycle of domestic violence."

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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

J. J. Wenrich has been an investment professional for over 20 years, beginning after graduating from the University of Kansas in 2000. He's a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, founder of the firms Wenrich Wealth and Tax Pros + Investing, and author of the book Teaching Kids to Buy Stocks: Stories and Lessons for Grown-Ups.

J. J. met his wife Jodie—also a financial professional at the time—shortly after graduation and are raising four children together.

J. J. developed his fascination with the financial markets as a child, watching business reports on PBS, one of the few stations available in his small-town Kansas home. Fortunately, he had creative teachers along the way who included personal finance education and stock-picking games in their curriculum.

The combination of two decades of professional experience AND two decades of parenting were the inspiration for him to become an advocate for simplified financial education. He regularly hosts free personal finance classes for teenagers and young adults in his community, and worldwide via Zoom.

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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