Orange County Power Players

Join host Danny Flores on the Orange County Power Players Podcast as he dives into the world of luxury windows and doors with Brace Lake, a seasoned professional with over 40 years of experience in the construction industry. Brace shares his journey from working in his brother's garage door business to becoming a leader in the high-end steel window and door market.
In this episode, Brace discusses:
The unique features and benefits of luxury steel windows and doors.
Why these products are designed to last for decades—even centuries.
The art of balancing relationships, design, and engineering in the construction industry.
Memorable experiences working on luxury properties, including homes owned by celebrities.
Brace also provides valuable advice for aspiring sales professionals, emphasizing the importance of product knowledge, honesty, and relationship-building.
If you're interested in premium architectural design or learning about the art of sales in the high-end market, this episode is a must-listen.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, host Danny Flores sits down with Diane Lewis, founder and CEO of Firefly Tutors, to explore the transformative power of personalized education. From helping struggling students catch up to grade level to preparing for college success, Firefly Tutors has been empowering children across California and beyond for over two decades.
Diane shares her journey from being a public school teacher to building a thriving tutoring business. Hear how her innovative strategies, such as multi-sensory learning techniques, have helped thousands of students improve by 30% to 70% in core subjects. Diane also reveals the secrets behind scaling her business, the importance of tapping into government resources, and how she built a supportive team to manage her growing enterprise.
Discover how Diane's dedication to education was inspired by her father, a pioneer in early childhood education, whose work impacted students globally. Plus, Diane offers practical tips for parents, educators, and entrepreneurs looking to improve learning outcomes or grow their businesses.
Key Takeaways:
How Firefly Tutors helps students succeed with personalized strategies.
The role of government funding in expanding tutoring access.
The legacy of Diane's father, a global education innovator.
Practical advice for scaling a business and creating a work-life balance.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Anuj Bhalla, founder and CEO of ServiceMob, to discuss how his company is transforming the customer service industry. With a background in data science and experience at Accenture and MIT, Anuj brings unique insights into leveraging AI and analytics to improve customer experiences.
Anuj explains how ServiceMob is tackling one of the most overlooked challenges in modern business: creating exceptional customer service. He shares the journey from being a W-2 employee to becoming an entrepreneur, the gaps in the industry that inspired his vision, and how his cutting-edge technology addresses these challenges.
From defining "customer experience" in actionable terms to measuring its impact on business success, Anuj highlights how ServiceMob offers unparalleled insights that help companies improve satisfaction, productivity, and retention. He also shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on navigating financial challenges, leveraging AI, and planning for 2025.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 exciting episode, Danny Flores sits down with tech visionary Raghu Bala, founder of Synergetics, an AI-based startup in Orange County. Raghu shares his journey from Singapore to the U.S., detailing his experiences at major companies like Yahoo, Infospace, and PwC, and his incredible track record of four successful startup exits.
Raghu dives into the fascinating world of agentic AI, explaining how enterprises are blending human and digital workforces with innovative tools like chatbots, avatars, and AI-embedded devices. He also talks about his role as an educator, empowering professionals worldwide to upskill in AI, blockchain, and decentralized finance.
Discover Raghu's philosophy on loving your work, adapting to rapid industry changes, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. He also shares invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and insights into what the future holds for AI and technology in 2025.
Key Highlights:
Building and scaling AI startups
How agentic AI is transforming industries
Tips for navigating entrepreneurship and securing funding
What sets successful professionals apart in competitive fields
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

On this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, Danny Flores sits down with Daren Lauda, US Army veteran turned CEO of a thriving software startup, Outset. From humble beginnings as a receptionist to spearheading a company that revolutionizes go-to-market strategies, Daren shares his extraordinary journey.
Daren talks about how his military discipline shaped his leadership style, the challenges he faced while building Outset, and what sets him apart in the competitive tech world. He also shares his approach to understanding customer needs, building efficient sales teams, and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals entering the software industry.
Daren’s story is a testament to perseverance, self-learning, and the power of rolling up your sleeves to get the job done. Tune in to learn how Daren transitioned from a cold-caller to a cold-closing CEO and the insights he’s gained along the way.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Daren’s military background influenced his career.
His early struggles and breakthroughs in the software industry.
The challenges of running a startup in today’s market.
His advice for young professionals and entrepreneurs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 insightful episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Dr. Neil Patel, a passionate physician based in Orange, California, who specializes in geriatric care. Dr. Patel shares his unique holistic approach to medicine, emphasizing preventative care and the power of the mind and body to heal naturally.
From his upbringing surrounded by herbal remedies to his dedication to empowering patients with knowledge, Dr. Patel offers a refreshing perspective on modern medicine. He also discusses his involvement in the community, including his volunteer work at the Listonic Clinic and Alzheimer's Orange County, and his role as President of the Young Physicians Section of the Indian Medical Association of Southern California.
Tune in to hear Dr. Patel’s advice for physicians on staying open-minded and for patients on taking charge of their health. Plus, get an insider look at his investment journey in multifamily real estate projects with Danny Flores.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, Danny Flores welcomes Hector Padilla, a former paperboy and police officer who turned his dreams into reality by mastering the art of real estate investing. Now living the "beach life" in Cabo, Hector shares his incredible journey from humble beginnings to managing a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio.
Hector talks about his first real estate deal—a burnt-down duplex—and how it set the stage for his success. He reveals his strategies for flipping properties, pivoting to long-term investments, and ultimately achieving financial freedom. Hector also discusses the importance of mentorship, building a dream team, and understanding the power of persistence in the competitive world of real estate.
Whether you're an aspiring real estate investor or someone looking for inspiration, Hector's story offers valuable lessons on taking risks, learning from failures, and embracing the long game.
Key Takeaways:
Why investing in yourself is your greatest asset.
How Hector transitioned from flipping homes to building a lasting portfolio.
The secrets to creating wealth through relationships and creative financing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Kevin Murphy, a seasoned entrepreneur and clearing firm expert. Kevin shares insights into his impressive journey, having established four clearing brokerage firms and achieving remarkable success in the industry.
Kevin breaks down the critical role clearing firms play in providing smaller brokerage dealers with access to markets, capital, and competitive services. He explains how his firm is a game-changer for smaller players in the financial industry, enabling them to compete with giants like Merrill Lynch and Charles Schwab.
Listeners will hear Kevin's unique take on why he compares his business to selling "picks and shovels" during the gold rush and his innovative approach to expanding internationally, particularly in the booming markets of Asia-Pacific. He also opens up about building trust, navigating the challenges of financing, and the importance of maintaining integrity as a CEO.
This conversation is packed with valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone intrigued by the financial industry's behind-the-scenes workings.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Han Seelinger, a driven investor who shares his journey from Venezuela to success in the U.S. multifamily real estate market. Han reveals how he transitioned from a stable career with Puma to building a thriving real estate portfolio after Venezuela's economic collapse forced him to start fresh in a new country.
Han opens up about his early challenges, from overcoming mindset blocks to learning the ins and outs of multifamily investing without any initial network or funds. Through consistency and persistence, Han explains how he began investing in condos and later moved into multifamily units using syndication and partnerships. With stories about closing his first deal after dozens of rejected offers and the lessons learned from those experiences, Han offers inspiring insights and concrete advice for anyone interested in real estate investment.
If you're eager to learn how to break into the multifamily real estate business or are looking for guidance on overcoming obstacles as a new investor, this conversation with Han is packed with actionable tips. Tune in to hear Han’s advice on building a supportive team, understanding underwriting, and navigating competitive markets.
Guest Bio: Han Seelinger is a Venezuelan-born real estate investor and multifamily investment coach. With a background in corporate management and a passion for helping others succeed in real estate, Han has empowered many new investors to close their first multifamily deals. Connect with Han on social media or learn more about his coaching programs to get started in multifamily real estate.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Join us on the Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores as we talk with Caleb Johnson, founder of Red Sea Capital and host of From Trial to Triumph. Caleb dives into his journey of creating a real estate investment business at just 18, sharing his path from early challenges to managing multifamily properties.
In this episode, Caleb discusses:
The real-life lessons learned from his first apartment complex investment
The importance of due diligence and transparency with investors
How he maintains investor relationships and focuses on conservative growth
Insights on fundraising in today's market and building investor trust
Caleb’s journey is an inspiring example of entrepreneurship, resilience, and faith. Tune in to gain insights from someone who’s breaking ground in real estate investment.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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