Orange County Power Players

In this powerful episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, Danny Flores sits down with Javier Vasquez, President and CEO of Miguel’s Restaurants, for a deep-dive conversation on legacy, leadership, and long-term vision in the family business space. Javier shares the incredible story of how his immigrant parents founded Miguel’s in 1974, and how he stepped in after graduating from USC to scale the brand from six locations ...

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Jonathan Frank from Alliance Funding Group to explore the nuts and bolts of equipment leasing and financing. Jonathan unpacks how businesses across the U.S. are strategically using financing to access equipment without major upfront costs—freeing up cash flow and boosting ROI.

From construction and manufacturing to healthcare and high-tech ...

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, Danny Flores sits down with Brian Franco, founder of Meritage Partners, a mergers and acquisitions expert with more than two decades of experience. Broadcasting from Newport Beach, Brian shares powerful insights on how entrepreneurs can scale their businesses, secure strategic capital, and maximize valuation through roll-ups, private equity partnerships, and exit planning.

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores chats with Dr. Jeff De Leon, COO of a leading clinical trials organization based in Anaheim. Dr. De Leon walks us through the complex and often misunderstood world of clinical trials—from early-stage testing to full-scale development of life-saving medications.

With over 180 team members and a nationwide network, Dr. De Leon shares how his organization su...

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores welcomes Geoff Koboldt, an expert in manufacturing, distribution, and career coaching. Geoff brings a people-first philosophy to everything he does—from managing large-scale operations to coaching professionals on career transitions.

Geoff dives into the harsh realities of the current job market, how AI is transforming hiring processes, and why so many jo...

In this inspiring episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores, we sit down with Dawn Reese, CEO of The Wooden Floor, a nationally recognized nonprofit based in Santa Ana. Dawn shares how her dual background in for-profit and nonprofit leadership has fueled an incredible 16-year journey growing The Wooden Floor into a powerful force for youth transformation.

We explore how The Wooden Floor serves over 475 ch...

In this episode, Danny Flores sits down with legal leaders Todd Wilkowski and Holly Gilani to explore how Frost Brown Todd is redefining the legal landscape with a client-centered, national team. Holly, based in Newport Beach, shares her experience transitioning her boutique trust and corporate litigation firm into a larger platform without sacrificing personalized service. Todd, zooming in from Cincinnati, unpacks their innovative...

In this episode, host Danny Flores sits down with Brandon Kordower, the founder and CEO of Aura, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in helping marketing agencies grow smart by harnessing the power of financial data. Brandon breaks down how creative entrepreneurs can scale with confidence using project-based accounting and strategic financial planning.

You'll hear Brandon’s honest insights on what it takes to grow from $1 mi...

In this episode, Danny sits down with Texas-based real estate investor Brian Ferguson, who unpacks nearly two decades of investing experience. Brian started out in single-family homes and grew into large-scale multifamily and retail property syndications. He talks about the evolution of his business model, why he shifted focus to retail centers, and how he makes real estate syndications profitable for investors.

You'll hear a deep ...

What happens when a full-time cancer doctor also becomes a commercial real estate powerhouse? In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Dr. Sanjay Sharma—an inspiring husband, father, hematologist, oncologist, and real estate syndicator.

Dr. Sharma shares how he’s successfully blended a demanding medical career with a thriving real estate investment business. With a portfolio that ...

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores, we dive into the future of healthcare with Matthew Wiseman, Vice President of Sales at Bright Meds. Matthew shares how Bright Meds is transforming patient care through innovative telehealth solutions—making medications more accessible, convenient, and effective.

Discover how GLP-1 compounds like Ozempic and Tirzepatide are not only aiding in weight loss b...

In this heartwarming and inspiring episode, Danny sits down with Erin Kaufman, the passionate Executive Director of Miracle Babies, a nonprofit committed to helping families with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Erin shares how Miracle Babies provides transportation, mental health support, and care packages—free of charge—to families navigating one of the most difficult journeys of their lives.

We dive into the n...

In this thought-provoking episode, host Danny Flores sits down with Diane Weaver, a 5th-generation entrepreneur and co-founder of Barion’s AI, to explore how human intelligence and artificial intelligence can work together to shape a better future. Diane shares how growing up between vastly different worlds led to her passion for innovation and language, and how that foundation shaped her work in adaptive, AI-driven technology.

Dia...

In this episode of Orange County Power Players, Danny Flores sits down with David Dickey, a seasoned entrepreneur and Marine Corps veteran who's now making waves in aerospace and defense recruiting. Based in Huntington Beach, David shares how his military experience shaped his leadership style and how he built a thriving recruitment agency, The Patriot Group, from the ground up.

David opens up about his journey from the military to...

In this inspiring episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, Danny Flores sits down with Scharrell Jackson, an electrifying force in leadership development. From her roots as a corporate CFO and COO to a globe-trotting coach and speaker, Scharrell shares how she made the leap from a secure W-2 career into entrepreneurship—and what it truly takes to thrive.

Scharrell opens up about:

• Her journey from boardroom leadersh...

In this fascinating episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores welcomes Mitchell Morrison, a former FBI agent turned fintech entrepreneur. Mitchell shares stories from his time working counterintelligence during the Cold War and how those experiences shaped his career in finance and technology.

Now the founder of Eyeballs Financial and creator of the innovative FinTalk and GetVotes apps, Mitchell discusse...

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Don Walker, a veteran in the fitness industry with over 40 years of experience. From personal training and corporate wellness to gym ownership and franchise development, Don has done it all.

He shares his journey—from his early days at Los Caballeros Sports Complex to creating one of the first-ever personal training programs for major fitne...

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Dr. Sailaja Golla, a board-certified neurologist and neurodevelopmentalist specializing in autism and pediatric neurological disorders. Dr. Golla shares her journey into the medical field, her passion for early intervention, and how her work at the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center is making a difference in children's lives.

She...

In this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Kathy Hadizadeh, the founder of Heart Mind Tuning. Kathy is an executive coach and AI strategist who helps high achievers find clarity, balance, and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives. With 15 years of experience as a corporate tech executive, she blends her expertise with mindfulness to guide leaders through her Pause to ...