Orange County Power Players

In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Stephen Durham, CEO and founder of Bardot Vegan Beauty. With over 20 years in the beauty industry, Stephen shares his incredible journey—from running salons in London to launching international beauty brands in the U.S., Canada, and beyond.
Stephen discusses how he scaled his businesses from local salons to major retailers like Walgreens and why clean, vegan beauty is the future. He also reveals the secrets behind his unique distribution strategy, how he leverages hairstylists as key brand ambassadors, and what makes Bardot Vegan Beauty stand out in an ultra-competitive market.
What you'll learn in this episode:✔️ The journey from salon ownership to building a global beauty brand✔️ How to position a product in a competitive industry✔️ The role of hairstylists in product marketing and distribution✔️ Why defining your audience is crucial for success✔️ Stephen’s approach to business growth, passive income, and entrepreneurship
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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: 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 sits down with Zach Winner, CEO and founding partner of Prosperity CRE, a private equity firm specializing in passive investment opportunities in multifamily apartment complexes.
Zach shares insights into their "Value-Add Plus" strategy, which goes beyond traditional real estate investing by identifying additional revenue streams and optimizing property performance. He also discusses market trends, how Prosperity CRE selects investment locations, and the importance of underwriting in real estate acquisitions.
Key topics in this episode:✔️ The "Value-Add Plus" investment strategy and how it boosts cash flow✔️ Why the Midwest and Southeast are prime real estate markets✔️ How to evaluate a multifamily property’s potential✔️ The impact of interest rates on the real estate market✔️ Tips for aspiring syndicators and investors looking to enter the field
If you're an accredited investor or looking for a way to generate passive income through real estate, this episode is packed with insights 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: 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

Brandon Cutler joins The Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores to share insights into the world of flooring manufacturing and installation. As the National Sales Manager at Urban Surfaces, Brandon has over 20 years of experience in the industry, helping contractors and property managers get high-quality flooring solutions for multifamily housing.
In this episode, Brandon discusses how Urban Surfaces has built its reputation by prioritizing reliability, service, and inventory control. He shares how the company weathered supply chain challenges during COVID-19, the importance of keeping color options available for long-term projects, and why staying out of big-box stores has been a game-changer for their business.
Brandon also talks about the evolution of flooring, from carpet-dominated apartments to the now-popular luxury vinyl plank. He explains how manufacturers like Urban Surfaces support flooring installers by providing training, expert guidance, and a commitment to service that goes beyond just selling products.
If you're in the construction, property management, or contracting space, 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: 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 sits down with Dr. Gus Alva, a leading expert in neuropsychiatric clinical research. Dr. Alva is the Medical Director of ATP Clinical Research, an Associate Professor at UC Irvine, and a forensic psychiatric consultant for the Orange County Superior Court. With over 30 years of experience, he has been deeply involved in investigational research for conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Alva shares:✅ His journey into neuropsychiatric research and what sparked his passion✅ The process behind FDA-approved medications and clinical trials✅ The Center of Excellence launching in Orange County to provide cutting-edge treatments✅ How people can access free investigational studies for mental health conditions✅ The importance of delayed gratification, gratitude, and perseverance in achieving success
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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: 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

Welcome to the Orange County Power Players Podcast! In this episode, host Danny Flores sits down with Grant Johnson, a results-driven fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and a true powerhouse in the marketing world. With a remarkable track record of scaling companies to 10x revenue growth and achieving seven successful exits, Grant shares his insights into what it takes to drive transformative change.
Grant discusses his experience working with startups and billion-dollar companies, his role as part of the esteemed Chief Outsiders firm, and how their innovative approach has helped over 2,000 companies thrive. Discover the secrets behind aligning strategy, sales, and marketing for sustained growth and the importance of keeping up with game-changing innovations like AI.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or business leader looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with actionable advice on growth strategies, building high-performance teams, and adapting to market trends.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

This week on the Orange County Power Players Podcast, we welcome the remarkable Rieva Lesonsky, a pioneer in the world of small business and entrepreneurship. With decades of experience, from her groundbreaking tenure at Entrepreneur Magazine to founding SmallBusinessCurrents.com, Rieva has dedicated her career to empowering entrepreneurs.
In this episode, we dive into:
The evolution of small business and the challenges entrepreneurs face today.
How generational shifts and technology are transforming marketing strategies.
The secrets to thriving as a small business owner in a digital-first world.
Rieva also shares her unique journey, growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, and how it shaped her perspective on business. Plus, she offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and insights into staying ahead of trends in 2025 and beyond.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Chris Hood, a distinguished leader in customer experience and digital strategy. With an impressive career spanning contributions to over 500 companies and $26 billion in growth, Chris has worked with iconic brands such as Universal, Reebok, NBC, and Domino's, earning him recognition as one of the top 30 customer experience gurus by Global Gurus in 2024.
Chris shares his journey from working at Google to launching ventures in AI, gaming, and education. He provides actionable insights into staying competitive in crowded markets, harnessing customer-centric problem-solving, and building businesses that adapt to disruption. Chris also introduces his latest book, Infallible: The Artificial Intelligence Ideology Reshaping Consumer Behavior, exploring the intersection of AI and customer success.
Listen in to discover:
How Chris balances multiple ventures with clear vision and organization.
The role of AI in shaping customer experience and solving real-world problems.
Why having a backup plan can safeguard entrepreneurial success.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 welcome Kenzie Vath, Vice President of Strategic Innovation at Pacific Hospitality Group. Kenzie shares her journey as a dynamic leader in the hospitality industry and her passion for creating exceptional guest experiences. From overseeing hotel development to advancing philanthropy through organizations like Impact 100 OC and the Global Lyme Alliance, Kenzie demonstrates how she balances a thriving career with meaningful community impact.
Listeners will hear how Kenzie’s family-owned business stands out in the competitive hospitality industry, her strategies for fostering innovation, and the importance of building relationships to achieve success. She also shares insights into her philanthropic endeavors and offers advice for those aspiring to grow in their careers or make a difference in their communities.
Tune in to learn from Kenzie’s experiences, hear about her exciting plans for 2025, and discover how she’s driving innovation in the hospitality world.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 sits down with Chris Folayan, a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry. Chris shares his inspiring journey from discovering his passion for coding as a college student to founding and successfully exiting multiple software companies.
Chris dives into his latest ventures, including:
Founder Centered: An AI-driven matchmaking platform connecting founders with mentors, advisors, and resources to solve critical challenges in funding and networking.
DatumsAI: A cutting-edge AI platform providing secure, real-time access to data insights tailored for businesses across industries.
Chris offers valuable insights on:
How to differentiate yourself in competitive markets.
The importance of embracing calculated risks and learning from failures.
His "Pink Hug" philosophy—a unique approach to entrepreneurship emphasizing passion, innovation, networking, humility, and generosity.
Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, Danny Flores chats with Doug Frederick, Executive Advisor at HealthCues, a company making waves in health and disease prevention. Doug shares his journey of building an innovative program designed to help employees and employers work together toward better health outcomes. Discover how HealthCues incentivizes preventive healthcare through personalized solutions, biometric screenings, and even DNA testing—all while saving costs and improving lives.
Doug provides eye-opening insights into the challenges of engaging employees in health initiatives and explains how his company has achieved an impressive 35% engagement rate, far exceeding the industry standard. From financial wellness to practical tips on healthy living, Doug’s mission is to empower individuals with actionable tools for better health.
What You’ll Learn:
How HealthCues bridges the gap in preventive healthcare for underserved communities.
The role of financial incentives in promoting employee participation.
Why simple lifestyle changes can have a profound impact on long-term health.
The importance of perseverance and belief in a groundbreaking business idea.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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