Orange County Power Players

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 data centers, Jonathan shares how companies are adapting in 2025 amid changing tariffs and interest rates. You’ll learn how Alliance Funding Group offers tailored solutions that make big investments in machinery and tech manageable and strategic. He also explains the critical differences between SOFR and Prime lending rates, and why fixed-rate financing provides valuable predictability for business owners.
Whether you're scaling your company or simply looking for smarter ways to manage capital, Jonathan’s insights provide a clear roadmap for success.
Key Topics Covered:
How equipment leasing helps preserve capital and maximize ROI
Differences between SOFR and Prime rates
Why more companies are financing AI and data center build-outs
The impact of tariffs and market rates on business decisions
Industry trends in logistics, automation, and healthcare
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

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.
Brian breaks down complex investment strategies into understandable concepts, offering real-life case studies that reveal how thoughtful mergers and efficient structuring can result in multi-million dollar valuation boosts. From scaling operations to weathering financial storms like the 2008 recession and COVID-19, Brian shares not just success stories, but the grit behind the glory. You’ll hear about capital structures, EBITDA multiples, roll-up strategies, and the real mindset needed to create generational wealth.
Whether you're planning to grow, partner, or sell your business, this episode will give you the roadmap—and the confidence—to do it right.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

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 supports pharmaceutical companies and the government in developing treatments that make it to our pharmacies years later. The discussion covers how medications go from test tubes to human trials, the importance of diversity in clinical testing, and the real story behind the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. De Leon also touches on promising developments, like non-addictive pain medication and combined treatments for obesity and diabetes. He highlights the opportunities in clinical research for professionals and entrepreneurs alike, emphasizing how everyday people can also participate in this life-changing work.
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

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 job seekers struggle with resumes and interviews. He also explains how mid-career professionals can find clarity, build confidence, and elevate their personal brand to land that next-level role.
Whether you're a recent graduate, a seasoned executive, or simply curious about how to navigate modern job searches, Geoff’s insights are real, practical, and deeply needed right now.
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

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 children annually through a 10-year commitment starting in the 3rd grade—combining dance, academics, college prep, and family services to ensure students reach their full potential. Dawn opens up about the organization’s unique strategy, incredible outcomes (including a 100% college enrollment rate), and how they’ve impacted over 100,000 children since 1983.
She also talks about how the nonprofit is scaling impact through a new initiative—Dance Uplifts—reaching even more students in local school districts, and their upcoming annual concert at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.
Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, an education advocate, or just love stories of transformation, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

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 Outside General Counsel (OGC) model, which supports businesses of all sizes—from early-stage ventures to family-owned enterprises ready to scale.
They dive deep into:
How the OGC model works and why it’s transforming legal partnerships
The critical legal needs of growing companies—and when to bring in legal counsel
How Frost Brown Todd’s collaborative, nationwide bench of attorneys supports every facet of business law
Real-life stories of impact, including a startup supported from pre-revenue through expansion
If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or just curious about modern legal services, this episode offers a rare peek into a law firm's strategic approach to partnership, technology, and growth.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

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 million to $10 million in revenue, and why accurate data—not just gut instinct—is critical to building a sustainable business. From hitting his own leadership ceiling to joining EO and building a resilient team, Brandon shares practical strategies and hard-won lessons every agency owner should hear.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The financial blind spots most agencies face after hitting 7 figures
Why time tracking can unlock hidden insights about your margins
How to grow a team culture that promotes longevity and high performance
Brandon’s journey from car detailing to CFO consulting
What it means to work on your business, not in it
How Brandon built a path to 8-figure growth with paid ads and strategic planning
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

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 dive into the differences between managing and acquiring multifamily versus retail properties, the realities of property taxes in Texas, and how syndications can be a smart passive investment with potential tax benefits. Brian also shares some hard-won lessons on scaling a business, building the right team, and operational efficiencies that make his company stand out in the industry.
About the Guest:Brian Ferguson is the founder of Fergmar Holdings and Fergmar Capital, based in Victoria, Texas. With over 18 years in real estate, Brian is passionate about helping others achieve financial freedom through real estate syndications. His team focuses on multifamily and retail acquisitions across Texas.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

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 spans Los Angeles, Orange County, Atlanta, and Philadelphia—and over $90 million in investments—Dr. Sharma dives into why he pivoted into real estate, how he helps high-net-worth individuals (especially fellow physicians), and why partnerships and purpose drive everything he does.
He also doesn’t shy away from the challenges of investing in California, discussing the headaches of bureaucracy and rent control, and why despite it all, Orange County remains a hot market.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Dr. Sharma balances life as a physician and a real estate investor
What drew him to real estate and away from the stock market
Why partnerships are key in large-scale developments
Challenges of investing in California real estate—and how he overcomes them
What makes the Midwest an appealing investment market today
How Titan 3 Capital is helping physicians build wealth and community impact
 
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest

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 but also improving blood sugar levels and mood stability. Matthew explains Bright Meds' unique customer acquisition process, the company’s dedication to personalized care, and how they maintain a stellar 4.8 Trustpilot rating without paid reviews.
Matthew also opens up about the challenges he faced during COVID-19, how it reshaped his career path, and why embracing change and investing in your future is key to success. Whether you're a patient, provider, or simply curious about how telehealth is reshaping the healthcare industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Our Next Guest! Interested in sharing your success story with a wide audience of local leaders and influencers? "Orange County Power Players" is looking for guests like you—successful, insightful, and ready to tell the world how you've made your mark. Here’s why you should consider joining host Danny Flores on our next episode: Ready to Share Your Story? Click below to fill out a short questionnaire and book your interview time. We can’t wait to spotlight your journey! https://ocpowerplayers.com/guest