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From the streets of Indio to the Grammy Awards and beyond, David Villarreal has crafted an extraordinary career in elite security services. As founder of Libertas Protection Group, David has protected some of music's biggest stars while building a business that stands apart in the competitive security industry.

Growing up in the Coachella Valley and serving in the military gave David a foundation of discipline and resourcefulness, but it was his tenacity and bold decision-making that propelled him forward. After working security at the Coachella Music Festival in 2008, David steadily built connections in the entertainment world, eventually becoming a trusted protector for major touring artists and high-profile events.

What makes David's approach unique is his emphasis on preparation and prevention. Behind every successful event is months of planning - developing Emergency Action Plans, coordinating security teams, and anticipating potential threats. "If somebody physically touches my client, I look at it as a failure on my behalf," David explains, highlighting the proactive mindset that has earned him his reputation.

Libertas Protection Group doesn't compete on price but on quality, employing primarily veterans and former law enforcement officers with real-world experience. This approach creates not just a security team but a community where younger professionals can learn from seasoned experts. David's entrepreneurial journey exemplifies the freedom that comes from building something meaningful on your own terms.

Whether you're interested in the security industry, entrepreneurship, or simply interested in hearing an inspirational local success story, David's journey shows what's possible with determination and vision. As he puts it: "Be humble, bust your ass, and never let anyone tell you that you can't."

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Ever wondered what it takes to bet everything on a business dream? Meet Brian "Coach B" Arrington, who pulled equity from his family home to launch Fox Sports Palm Springs 1270 – a radio station bringing dedicated sports coverage back to the Coachella Valley.

Sports broadcasting wasn't always Brian's passion. Originally aspiring to be an entertainment journalist for the LA Times, his path shifted when a high school newspaper advisor assigned him to be sports editor against his wishes. Years later, while hosting a hip-hop radio show and feeling disconnected from the evolving genre, Brian had a revelation during a 40-minute conversation about Kobe Bryant with a stranger: "Sports is the great unifier." This insight ignited his transition to sports media.

The Coachella Valley opportunity revealed itself unexpectedly. After reluctantly recording a player-of-the-week segment about a local athlete, Brian was shocked when it generated 6,000 views in just two days – something that would never happen in the saturated Riverside media market where he spent eight years with iHeartRadio. This immediate response showed the hunger for local sports coverage in an area that lacked dedicated attention.

Brian's vision goes beyond broadcasting. He's developing the "Coachella Valley Sports Report" to spotlight local teams and athletes, creating internship programs for high school students, and building a family business where his wife oversees operations and his children contribute their skills. Most impressively, the station generated 673,000 social media impressions in less than 90 days – a milestone that took eight years to achieve in his previous market.

His advice for aspiring media entrepreneurs? "You have something right here that's more powerful than anything I ever had in my life," he says, pointing to a smartphone. "Don't overthink it, just do it. No one owes you anything... you have to go prove yourself."

Follow Fox Sports Palm Springs on Instagram @FoxSportsPS or visit foxsportspalmsprings.com to discover how Coach B is changing the game for sports coverage in the Coachella Valley.

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#realestate #realtor #housing #coachellavalley #2025

The 2025 Coachella Valley Real Estate Round Table with James Suer, Billy Meraz & Donovan McDaniel.

The real estate landscape has fundamentally shifted since the pandemic boom, but what does that mean for buyers and sellers in the Coachella Valley? Three of the region's most successful realtors pull back the curtain on what's really happening in today's market.

Donovan McDaniel, Billy Meraz, and James Suer bring decades of combined experience to tackle the questions everyone's asking: Will interest rates drop? Is another housing crash coming? Where can first-time buyers still find affordable homes? Their candid conversation reveals that while the "free-for-all" days of 2021 are over, opportunities still exist for savvy market participants.

The discussion takes fascinating turns into the psychology of pricing, with sellers often stuck in 2021 mindsets while buyers wish it were 2012. Meanwhile, interest rates hovering around 6.5% have changed the game – but not necessarily in the ways you might expect. The experts caution that waiting for rates to drop could backfire, as any significant decrease would trigger a competitive feeding frenzy that would drive prices up.

Perhaps most valuable are their insights for younger buyers facing seemingly impossible affordability challenges. From Desert Hot Springs' relative bargains to creative strategies like house hacking through multi-family properties, the realtors offer practical advice for getting a foot in the door. "Your first home doesn't need to be your dream home," becomes a recurring theme worth embracing.

Whether you're considering buying, selling, or even joining the real estate profession, this episode delivers the unfiltered truth about today's market realities. Follow these experts on social media for ongoing insights: Donovan McDaniel (@donovanmcdanielrealtor), Billy Meraz (Windermere Real Estate), and James Seward (@james_suer_realtor) for "All Things Coachella Valley."

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We sit down with local comedian Elijah James to explore how he's building the comedy scene in Coachella Valley through his Upcycle Comedy shows at a vintage thrift store in downtown Indio.

• Palm Desert native who discovered comedy as a way to connect with others while moving around as a kid
• Started comedy shortly before COVID after attending Arizona State University and working various jobs including valet parking
• Created Upcycle Comedy at Return of the Goods thrift store, bringing comedy and vintage shopping together
• Discusses the challenges and rewards of producing comedy shows, including the behind-the-scenes work of promotion and content creation
• Explains how the Coachella Valley comedy scene is more collaborative and welcoming compared to larger markets
• Shares insights on his creative process, including when to write jokes and developing his own unique style
• Performs his spot-on impression of RFK Jr. that had us in stitches
• Recommends following @upcycledcomedy and @elijah.james on Instagram for information about upcoming shows

Follow Upcycle Comedy on Instagram for upcoming shows happening every other Friday at 8pm at Return of the Goods in downtown Indio.

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Jeremy Collier, founder of Weights and Bake, shares his incredible journey from sleeping on his mother's couch in Alabama to becoming a successful health food entrepreneur in California's Coachella Valley.

• Growing up in Alabama and moving to Nashville at 28 to attend Tennessee State University
• Meeting his wife on Instagram and supporting his family by working multiple jobs while in college
• Moving to California during the pandemic in 2020 with $20,000 in savings
• Getting laid off from his nurse recruiter position and starting Weights and Bake with just $1,200
• Creating innovative protein-rich "munchie bites" that appeal to both fitness enthusiasts and cannabis users
• Building his business by selling outside gyms before gradually moving into nutrition shops and cannabis dispensaries
• Maintaining meticulous handwritten records of all business transactions and personal schedules
• Balancing entrepreneurship with family responsibilities and personal fitness
• Finding success through persistence and faith despite numerous setbacks
• Expanding his product line with custom options and smoothies made with the same ingredients

Check out Weights and Bake on Instagram at weightsandbake_ and DM Jeremy to order his protein-packed treats that offer a healthy alternative to typical snacks.

(How To Open A Health Food Business)

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Adrienne Wiley shares the inspiring journey of how she transformed her creative side hustle into a thriving jewelry business with Covet Palm Springs. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Adrienne built an empire that went from selling handmade jewelry to coworkers during lunch breaks to supplying nearly 900 wholesale accounts and opening multiple retail locations.

• Starting as a creative outlet from her corporate insurance job where she coded enrollments
• Selling jewelry to coworkers from her cubicle before expanding to 150 stores through door-to-door sales
• Quitting her corporate job after saving money for six months while keeping a resignation letter on her desktop
• Growing to supply major retailers like JCrew, Anthropologie, and Madewell
• Becoming an "accidental retailer" when a New York Times feature led to customers lining up outside her studio
• Moving from San Francisco to Palm Springs during the pandemic after dealing with multiple break-ins
• Opening in the Flannery Exchange and expanding her business three times
• Offering interactive experiences like permanent jewelry, charm bars, and custom hat decorating
• Diversifying revenue streams as her number one piece of advice for entrepreneurs

Find Adrienne and Covet Palm Springs at 750 North Palm Canyon Drive inside the Flannery Exchange, across from Cafe La Jefa, or online at covetps.com and on social media @covetps.

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Australian guitarist and songwriter Dani Stefanetti shares her musical journey from Perth to the Coachella Valley, discussing how she found confidence through her instrument and built a career spanning two continents.

• Started playing guitar at age 8 and performing shows by age 12
• Practiced up to seven hours daily as a teenager to master her craft
• Influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Jewel, and Sheryl Crow
• Performed at Perth Opera House and opened for major Australian artists
• Moved to Los Angeles just before the pandemic, then discovered the tranquility of the desert
• Creates as a "one-woman show" with loop station, similar to Ed Sheeran's approach
• Performing at the Tennis Open in March with her band
• Uses social media and networking through the Chamber of Commerce to build her desert presence
• Balances the business side of music with artistic expression
• Maintains a repertoire of around 200 cover songs alongside her originals

Check out Dani's music at danistefanetti.com and catch her performing at venues throughout the Coachella Valley, including La Quinta Brewing in Old Town.

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In this episode of CV Hustle, hosts Robert Meraz and Fina Meraz introduce Dr. Mike Jerez, a chiropractor with a fascinating backstory. Dr. Jerez discusses his upbringing in Brooklyn, his Dominican heritage, and his family's immigration journey. He shares his experiences as a combat medic in the U.S. Navy and Marines, detailing the challenges and dangers he faced during deployments in Iraq. Dr. Jerez explains how his military service led to a calling in chiropractic care, inspired by personal injuries and the positive effects of chiropractic treatments. He discusses his education, the transition to civilian life, and the establishment of his chiropractic practice in the Coachella Valley. Dr. Jerez offers advice to aspiring medical professionals and underscores the importance of networking and finding one's passion.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

00:36 Brooklyn Roots and Cultural Diversity

03:16 Military Service and Personal Sacrifices

06:45 Combat Medic Training and Experiences

15:03 Deployment and Life in Iraq

30:20 Reflections on Military Life and Injuries

33:18 Transitioning to Administrative Roles

33:26 A Divine Calling to Chiropractic

33:44 Struggles with Pain Management

34:41 Pursuing Education While Serving

35:57 Adjusting to Civilian Life

36:51 The Impact of Military Service

42:50 Discovering Chiropractic Benefits

44:46 Chiropractic Education and Training

49:16 Starting a Chiropractic Practice

53:16 Networking and Mentorship

57:15 Adapting During the Pandemic

01:02:43 Final Thoughts and Advice

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#rodeo #desertrodeo #stagecoachweeekend

Desert Rodeo info & tickets @ www.desertrodeo.com

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Dave and Carrie Isen share their journey from managing high-end vacation properties through Locale Concierge to launching Desert Rodeo, a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned event taking place during Stagecoach weekend in Thermal, CA. Their entrepreneurial spirit and deep connections to the desert community drive their mission to fill a gap in festival season entertainment.

• Dave returned to the Coachella Valley after college to raise his family in his hometown
• Carrie built Locale Concierge from the ground up, managing nine luxury vacation properties
• The couple identified a need for daytime entertainment during Stagecoach weekend
• Desert Rodeo will feature eight professional rodeo events with PRCA-sanctioned competitors
• The three-day event (April 25-27) will run from 1:00-3:30 PM at Desert International Horse Park
• Major sponsors include Bud Light, Tito's Vodka, Boot Barn, Wrangler, and Stetson
• Multiple ticket tiers available from midway passes to premium rodeo boxes with VIP amenities
• A portion of proceeds will benefit LA County Fire Department and childhood cancer initiatives
• The event expects 8,000 attendees daily and will be broadcast on the Cowboy Channel

Visit desertrodeo.com for tickets and event information. Military and first responder discounts available.

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What happens when an artist takes up the straight razor? Meet Ian Gerald, owner of Palm Desert Barbershop and two-time winner of Barbershop of the Year in the Coachella Valley. His unexpected journey from professional BMX rider to master barber began with a devastating diagnosis of multiple sclerosis at age 18, forcing him to reimagine his future.

In this candid conversation, Ian reveals how discovering the traditional barbershop culture sparked a new passion. Unlike many in his field, he learned his craft through apprenticeship rather than conventional schooling, immersing himself in the time-honored traditions of hot towel shaves and precise cuts. When fate offered him the chance to purchase a shop after working there just one month, he transformed it into a haven of craftsmanship and connection.

The magic of Palm Desert Barbershop lies in its unique atmosphere—thirteen vintage guitars line the walls, an old jukebox plays in the corner, and complimentary beer awaits clients. But beneath these distinctive touches lies Ian's core philosophy: "Outcome Over Income." This mantra guides his approach to business, prioritizing quality over quantity and genuine relationships over rapid turnover. As he explains, "We sit down, we'll talk to you and keep the conversation going and really be interested in what you have to say."

Beyond barbering, Ian pursues diverse artistic endeavors from leather crafting to preserved butterfly art, even trading Pokémon cards for guitars. His home reflects this creative spirit with coffin bookshelves and black-and-white striped walls. For aspiring barbers and entrepreneurs, his advice remains steadfast—do it for passion, not profit, and create something you're genuinely proud to share with your community.

Visit Palm Desert Barbershop at the corner of Gerald Ford and Cook Street in Palm Desert, or follow Ian's creative journey on Instagram at @thebarbershoppd and @dybs_art.