Critical Mass Radio Show

Tricia Sanchez, CFO and Co-Owner is host Ric Franzi's first guest.  The interview explores how she and her husband are building a new independent supplier of office printing equipment having over 17 years experience in the industry as business owners. Mitchell Sodikoff, EVP Business Development joins the show and Ric focuses the conversation on uncovering how business owners and CEOs can save significant money on their wireless expenses.  Wireless phones have become standard equipment in most industries and the costs for operation are a major expense for small and mid-sized businesses.

Mina Watkins of Results Coach joins host Doug Gfeller.  Mina is a certified ontological coach, the president-elect of the ICF Orange County chapter, a highly respected local coach and a good friend of Doug.  Listen to this interview to find out more about the role of the Orange County Chapter of the International Coach Federation.

Gary Arnold, President of Integrated Peak Solutions is host Ric Franzi's first guest.  Gary shares his ideas on getting the most out of your people and achieving people and process excellence. Geoffrey Kent, CEO of CognisIT addresses how managed IT services and cloud computing can help mid-market CEOs improve their firm's performance and control IT costs.

Shannon Higuera, Artistic Director and Co-Owner of Starlite Dance Studio joins host Ric Franzi as his featured guest.  Shannon brings to life how she has been able to create a business from a way of life. Shannon has been dancing for 20 years and has taught numerous students in Orange County and San Diego areas.  Together with her mother Lynn, Shannon has built the premier dance studio in Ladera Ranch, CA with plans to open a second studio.

Ed Hart, Director of The Family Business Council is host RIc Franzi featured guest.  Ed shares the latest information regarding the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics Family Business Council as well as discusses the Family Business Awards Luncheon held in conjunction with The Orange County Business Journal.

Mickey Troxell, Founder and CEO of Centaur University joins host Ric Franzi as his first guest.  Mickey, a serial entrepreneur, explains the business model of her latest venture Centaur University.  Centaur University offers world class, fast-track education certification and counselor degree programs. Wade Slome, Founder Sidoxia Capital Management, LLC returns to the program to shed light on how the federal debt issues are impacting the US business climate and provides context for the financial market issues making recent headlines.

Scott Nelson, President Security and Risk Management Group is host Ric Franzi's first guest.  Scott explains the security threats mid-market CEOs need to know about in order to protect their physical and cyber assets. Karen Allard, CEO & Founder SBR Sports returns to the program to share more about how she is growing her firm through various marketing initiatives.

Tim Musgrave, President and CEO of Pressure Systems International talks about his firm that created an industry and how, through the use of Corporate Corner Stone Coins, he built a culture that enabled them to survive the daunting challenges of starting a firm. Edward Torres, Owner of City Tours discusses with host Ric Franzi his belief that "The most important thing is to remember: I have to act like a customer and not as the owner of the business" for his tour-based business to succeed.

Betsy Thagard, Founder of B.Toffee is host Ric Franzi's featured guest.  Betsy and Ric explore her entrepreneurial journey of creating a business around her handmade, delectable toffee confections.  Betsy explains her focus on building a distribution channel through specialty food stores, exclusive corporate gifts, and gift basket proprietors.

Ken Willette, Founder and CEO of SideOrder.com is host Ric Franzi's featured guest.  Ken discusses his newest venture.  SideOrder.com is Orange County's largest resource for local restaurant menus; for quick and convenient food ordering for pickup and delivery.  Listen to learn how this serial entrepreneur is bringing to life his latest technology venture.

Manish Gorawala, President of Tri-Force Consulting Services, speaks about the company he started in 2000.  Tri-Fource Consulting is a specialized consutling services firm focusing exclusively on providing emerging mobile development and diverse open source technologies.

Dan Markson, SVP of Development for The NRP Group LLC is host Ric Franzi's first guest.  NRP Group is the 2nd largest builder of affordable housing.  Dan discusses the need for PEOPLE FIRST-RETAIL SECOND and why housing issues are critical for business to maintain vibrancy in the retail sector. Sherrie Skeans, Vice President for Grubb & Ellis is the second guest.  Sherrie discussing the emerging real estate trends including LEED certification. Jack Nelson, CEO Propel Financial Services is the final guest on the show.  Jack talks about how his business can help homeowners with their tax liens and cash flow.  Ric and Jack also discusses the opportunity for Propel Financial to take their business model nationally.

Van Muse, Director for the MBA Progam, Mihaylo College of Business and Economics is host Ric Franzi's featured guest.  Van explains the three (3) MBA programs and the focus for each program.  Van also goes into detail about the newest of the three MBA programs, the Full-Time MBA program.  The Full-Time MBA offers a unique focus on the "interpersonal and soft skills" through the Mihaylo Leadership Academy.  As Van says "There are plenty of choices for a full-time MBA in the marketplace, so we chose to develop ours differently."  Listen to learn more details about the benefits and features of the Mihaylo MBA programs.

Lisa Steadman, Founder and CEO of Woohoo, Inc. is host Ric Franzi's featured guest.  Ric explores with Lisa how, as an entrepreneur, she manages her multi-faceted business.  Lisa is an author, speaker, coach and consultant to a wide variety of businesses both nationally and internationally.  Listen to this fast paced interview to uncover some of the secrets to building your own powerful personal brand.

Host Doug Gfeller's guest is Liz Lewis. Liz is a Certified Human Resources Professional, and Entrepreneur, Mentor and Certified International Life Coach/Speaker.  Liz offers over 20 years of leadership experience both in the private and corporate sectors.  She provides expertise to entrepreneurial and Fortune 500 companies who are in need of human resources and workers' compensation management services, producing significant results in reducing overhead liability and maintaining low cost commercial business premiums.

Mike Lieberman, President of Square 2 Marketing is host Ric Franzi's featured guest.  Mike shares with Ric how his firm creates Marketing MachinesTM to drive brand awareness and increase traffic to the firm's website as well as maximizing the effectiveness of social networking campaigns.

Lisa Marie Platske, CEO and President is host Ric Franzi's featured guest and they explore a wide range of topics including her philosophy that connection is the new currency in today's business world.

Christine De La Torre, Founder and Owner of Christine's BookKeeping discusses the most common bookkeeping mistakes made by business owners and entrepreneurs with host Ric Franzi. Kathy Dahl Crifasi, Founder of Hipzbag shares experience building a business-to-consumer firm after successfully creating a business-to-business information technology firm.

Daniel Bistany, Partner at breezeIT joins host Ric Franzi and discusses the IT firm he and his partners started and the challenges and opportunities facing a startup in their industry.  Listen to learn how "cloud computing" and other exciting new technologies are helping mid-market firms lower IT costs and reach new customers. Jim Downes, Senior Director with BBK returns to the show and shares additional insights into what companies must do to survive when they are in a turnaround situation.  Jim and Ric also explore the role suppliers and supply-chain management play in the success or failure of manufacturing companies.

Linda Pinson, Founder of Out of Your Mind and into the Marketplace talks with host Ric Franzi about her business which produces books and information to help entrepreneurs develop business plans.  Linda is a published author of numerous books and seminars on the subject. Alison Sansone, Creator of Be There Bedtime Stories shares her experiences in building her unique technology-based company inspired by her desire to remain close to her nieces who do not live close to her.  Listen to learn how this entrepreneur is creating not only a business but a brand around her service offering.