OC Talk Radio

Hear my own journey installing solar panels on my house here in South Orange County.  Including the initial confusion,  concerns and uncertainty I had (until I found the right company, OC SOLAR).  And hear from the owner himself, Vincent Curcie about what makes them different and special.  Learn more than you ever wanted to know about this confusing industry and the many changes that keep it a constant "guessing game" for many SoCal homeowners. The kind of "real guide" I wish I had heard before I installed my home solar system. And why (ultimately) I was so happy with my choice. On this week's OC SPOTLIGHT, here on OC TALK RADIO.  Orange County's only community radio station, streaming live from our studio here at the University of California Irvine's Beall Applied Innovation Center.

 Meet Monique Claudio, founder of OC LUXURY BAGS and hear all about her business reselling luxury handbags LIVE on TikTok. And how she got started in this business and what happens during her live shows featuring these rare, hard-to-find and collectible high-end handbags. 

 Roy Osorio, OSORIO GROUP, Coldwell Banker, Global Luxury joins us to discuss their unique PRESALE RENOVATION STRATEGY that allows you to create more profit in less time than the traditional real estate model. By having them provide the capital needed to fix up your home. Leading to quicker sales and higher profits. 

Chris Meyer, Owner of Expedia Cruises here in OC joins us to discuss the booming cruise business.  And Expedia's role in that market, particularly with their brick and mortar franchises (like his here in Orange County).

Meet Lauren Franco. Founder and Executive Director of GIRLS WHO GATHER, a non-profit that seeks to bring women who are in their early/mid-career into the community and build women leaders. Marketing Lead at WME Fashion, on the team that puts on New York Fashion Week.  And OCSA and NYU Alumni, Actress and Producer.

Meet Yesenia Ochoa, CEO of MECCA (Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies) and Board Chair, Orange County Community Housing Corporation-STEPPING UP

Karina Fawzy, President and Co-Owner of California Marketing and Sales joins us to discuss their plumbing supply business, where they represent more than 40 manufacturers nationwide in the plumbing industry.

Join PR guru Betty Martinez Franco as she shares her amazing journey from coming to the US and working the fields  to getting her education at OCC, Cal State Fullerton and then a Masters at USC. After which she founded her own PR firm here in Orange County, CA.  Where she now serves as the representative for FORD MOTOR COMPANY overseeing their Hispanic Communications Outreach efforts here on the West Coast.

Meet singer ALISSA VILLA who uses her talent to amplify important causes and foster a more compassionate world. Particularly for veterans like her husband.

Karla Gonzalez, Director of the SBDC's CENTER FOR CONTRACTING talks about the endless opportunities to secure a government contract from local, state and Federal agencies and the mandates they have to "spread the wealth" by guaranteeing that a certain percentage of those contracts get awarded to qualified small businesses (particularly certain subcategories like minority owned, woman owned or veteran owned small businesses).   It's money for the asking.  With the Small Business Development Center's CENTER FOR CONTRACTING providing you the expertise and training to find, qualify and apply for these contracts.  All at  no cost to you.  Why not call them at 800-616-7232 and see what's available and what you might qualify for? On this week's PROFIT TALKS podcast.  Brought to you by your Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC). Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

Cherie Edilson, Founder of the SBDC's online marketplace for small business owners, CALIFORNIA SHOP SMALL talks about this amazing program (and her own personal journey starting it).  Creating a place for small "makers" and "creators" to move from the Farmer's Markets and Swap Meets in their local communities and sell their wares online as well.  From custom hairbows (like Cherie once made and sold) to all sorts arts and crafts and handcrafted foods and other one-of-a-kind items, CALIFORNIA SHOP SMALL has it all. An SBDC's initiative that empowers new entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into market-ready products within six weeks ('Start to Cart'). The program offers a supportive cohort system, hands-on learning experiences, and personalized coaching for getting products online. What sets it apart is its culmination, offering participants a platform to showcase and sell their products as a free resource for 6 months as well as continued direct 1-1 support.  As we approach Small Business Saturday and the launch of the latest cohorts, it's a great time to delve into the impact of such initiatives and the importance of shopping small this holiday season. On this week's Profit Talks Podcast.  Brought to you by your Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC). Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

Dennis Kause discusses his amazing journey from being a consultant for Bio Orthopedic Lab (maker of custom shoe inserts) to being an investor in the company. And helping right the ship after it sailed into choppy waters following the sudden death of one of its founders. Successfully sailing the company into new directions (like their new direct-to-consumer store in Las Vegas, NV.) On this week's PROFIT TALKS podcast.  Brought to you by your Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC). Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

Here's a sweet story (literally!) of a young immigrant entrepreneur who took a leap of faith and started a family run "sweet shop" which he calls The Chocolate Bar in Ontario, CA. With no real background in preparing or selling food (beyond their years working for large nut and fruit wholesaler in sales and accounting), this determined husband and wife team (and two teenage daughters) built a dedicated customer base by creating some addictive treats (like their full line of authentic Mexican crepes)and treating every customer with "kindness, love and care" (as they call it). It's this determination to succeed and build a generational business for these immigrants from Mexico, along with their overall faith and commitment to serve and give back to the community (like already starting a non-profit to share food and clothing with those in need) that has already made their dream succeed. And allowed them (thru the help of the OCIE Small Business Development Center) to open their second location in Highland, CA as well. So if you're looking for sweet story of hard work, faith, family and success for the holidays, this is it! On this week's PROFIT TALKS podcast. Brought to you by your Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC). Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

David Friedman, Chairman, TECH COAST ANGELS, joins us to discuss his work with this prominent "angel investor" group. His prior years in Corporate America with Senior Roles at places like US CELLULAR and BOEING. And his "giveback" work with the Small Business Development at Corporation (SBDC) where he counsels a wide range of small to medium sized companies from startups to established firms. All for free (courtesy of funding from the US Small Business Administration and the OC IE SBDC.  Where else do you to get FREE ACCESS to top tier advisors and real life investors like this? Only at the SBDC and their Profit Talks Podcast.  Brought to you by your Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC). Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

Katie Rucker is the co-founder of Next Gen Collaborative, a personal growth coaching business focused on Next Gen Family Business leaders. She has a true passion for empowering and championing Next Gen leaders and fully understands the ups and downs of what working with family is like as she has been navigating her own family business journey for 15 years. Katie is a G2 co-owner and co-president with her twin sister of her family’s customer insights consulting firm, Mackenzie. A firm they took over from their father. And while working with family can be a wild ride, Katie truly believes that the experience is a whole lot more enjoyable when you can bring your authentic self into the family business. Through Next Gen Collaborative, Katie offers 1:1 coaching and VIP days to help Next Gen’s craft their own personal legacy plans, leveraging their F.A.M.I.L.Y Framework as a foundational piece to get started. The journey of family business can feel highly emotional and overwhelming. But with consultants like Katie and her sister, you don’t have to navigate the process alone. Here on The Profit Talks Podcast. Brought to you by your Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC). Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

Meet Monique Claudio, founder of OC LUXURY BAGS and hear all about her business reselling luxury handbags LIVE on TikTok. How she turned a passion into a business and what happens during  her live shows featuring these rare, hard-to-find and collectible high-end handbags.

Meet this week's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) consultant Lisa Napolitano.  And hear her amazing story of being hired as the only employee of a failing trade association at 23.  How 15 years later, she turned it around and grew it into a global organization with lots of other employees. Leaving to start her own high powered, sales strategy firm working with big companies  she'd met from her years with this sales association like UPS and Pfizer  And how she now spends part of her time mentoring and guiding small startups and SMBs (ie-small-to-midsize businesses) thru her work with the SBDC.  As she continues to grow her own "small business". You'll particularly enjoy how she answer some age old sales questions we put to her like "is raising sales the only goal that matters for most sales organization?"   And "when might it actually do more harm than good?"  As we continue to highlight the many skills and backgrounds of our extensive network of SBDC consultants.  Here on The Profit Talks Podcast. Brought to you by your Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC). Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

Join SBDC Leasing Consultant Karie Armstrong as she looks back at her 25 year career in major mall management (including her last stint overseeing the huge Brea Mall). And her recent 13 year career as a Small Business Development Center consultant (working out of their Cal State Fullerton center). Helping small businesses and retail startups from restaurants to stores navigate the difficult world of commercial leasing. From finding the right location to negotiating the best lease and all that follows from securing financing to securing all the needed permits and licenses needed to open your business (and everything in between). Taking you through the countless obstacles and hurdles to opening a "brick and mortar" business on THE PROFIT TALKS today. Brought to you by your Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC). Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

Follow along as Michael and Caitlyn Doehmner wander the world in search of their forever home (with three small kids in tow).  This episode finds them in Turkey at a moment of reflection for that country as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of their secular republic.  While  forces within and outside the country pull it back into more and more of a Muslim state.  On this week's ALL OVER THE MAP FAMILY podcast.  #travel #internationaltravel #family #familytravel #digitalnomads #octalkradio #ucicove

Andy Vargas, Lead Singer for SANTANA joins us to discuss his amazing career and his own ANDY VARGAS FOUNDATION #singer #rockandroll #santana #charity #foundations #octalkradio