Orange County Power Players

Danny Flores

Orange County Power Players is the go-to podcast for uncovering the personal, professional, and financial success stories of Orange County’s most influential leaders. Hosted by Danny Flores, this show dives deep into the journeys of business owners, professionals, and C-suite executives who are shaping the future of OC. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, actionable advice, or a glimpse into the lives of those at the top, Orange County Power Players delivers powerful insights in every episode. Tune in to learn from the best and discover what it takes to succeed in the competitive landscape of Southern California.

  1. "Building AI - Powered Systems for Small & Medium Sized Businesses" with Rene Cortes

    1D AGO

    "Building AI - Powered Systems for Small & Medium Sized Businesses" with Rene Cortes

    In this insightful episode, Danny Flores sits down with tech leader and entrepreneur Rene Cortes to explore how AI is transforming the way small and medium-sized businesses operate. With over 15 years at HP and now founder of GoPivot AI, Rene shares practical ways business owners can cut costs, increase reviews, and save time through automation. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How Rene uses AI at HP to enhance employee experiences The shift from cloud-based to local AI on devices Why most small businesses are missing out on powerful, low-cost automations How AI can answer calls, schedule appointments, and boost online reviews Case study: How Carmen's Coffee increased 5-star reviews and foot traffic The future of AI for SMBs—and how to stay ahead of it -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

    26 min
  2. "Intergrative Women's Health" with Heather Sharfi, PH.D

    2D AGO

    "Intergrative Women's Health" with Heather Sharfi, PH.D

    In this compelling episode, Danny Flores sits down with Heather Sharfi, PhD—CEO and founder of EVE and a passionate leader in integrative women’s health. With a background in cancer biochemistry, Heather brings together modern science and holistic practices to help women reconnect with their bodies, restore hormonal balance, and live fuller, more aligned lives. They discuss practical tips for balancing hormones, the importance of melatonin, how to decode your bloodwork, and why certain foods (yes, even strawberries) should always be organic. Heather also shares how stress, poor sleep, and even the wrong supplements can throw your body off track. From food quality and nervous system regulation to red light before bed, Heather offers real-world tools that women can start using today—without needing to change everything overnight. Plus, hear more about her upcoming book Know Herself: The Bridge Between Old Wisdom and New Science.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

    34 min
  3. "100% Plant Based Dog Food" with Lisbeth Merrill

    3D AGO

    "100% Plant Based Dog Food" with Lisbeth Merrill

    What happens when a seasoned intellectual property attorney follows her passion into the world of plant-based pet food? On this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast with Danny Flores, we sit down with Lisbeth Merrill, a longtime attorney and now co-founder of Virtuous Vittles, a new company launching a revolutionary product—100% plant-based, human-grade dog food. Lisbeth shares how her career working with international tech startups and patent litigation prepared her for this leap into entrepreneurship. She opens up about the challenges of launching a consumer product, from finding a manufacturer with reasonable minimums to navigating complex supply chains and sustainable packaging. We also get into the science behind plant-based diets for pets and why Virtuous Vittles is breaking new ground with its unique meat-alternative "chunks and gravy" formulation for dogs. Hear about the research, the partnerships, and the mission behind the brand’s November launch—and why it's not just good for pets, but for the planet too.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

    55 min
  4. "Sales, Communications and Leadership Development" with Tod Novak

    OCT 30

    "Sales, Communications and Leadership Development" with Tod Novak

    What does it take to lead high-performing sales teams and deliver impactful communication in today's business world? In this episode of the Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Tod Novak, founder and CEO of the Novak Group, to unpack 25+ years of experience in sales, leadership, and professional speaking. From managing sales teams across industries to elevating communication as a competitive advantage, Tod shares how his hands-on coaching approach drives serious results—like growing sales by up to $100 million for clients. He dives into his philosophy on leadership, the “20-60-20” rule in sales management, and why focusing on top performers leads to faster growth. You’ll also hear insights on public speaking, learned fears, the importance of feedback, and how Tod scaled back from constant travel to build a sustainable business model with real-time impact. Whether you're a CEO, sales leader, or aspiring speaker, this conversation is packed with tactical advice and inspiration for scaling with purpose.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

    40 min
  5. "Wealth Management & Analyzing Finance" with Nicholas Pardini

    OCT 29

    "Wealth Management & Analyzing Finance" with Nicholas Pardini

    In this high-impact episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores welcomes Nicholas Pardini — Newport Beach-based wealth manager, macroeconomic researcher, and YouTube content creator — for a candid conversation on building wealth and navigating finance. Nicholas shares how a childhood gift of stock shaped his curiosity, how post-2008 hustle helped him break into hedge funds, and what inspired the launch of his firm, Spearhead Advisors. He also shares lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and gives insight into estate planning, AI in research, real estate trends, and why understanding the global economy empowers smart financial decisions. With over a decade of buy-side experience, appearances on major financial platforms, and a growing digital audience, Nick reveals what it really takes to build credibility and client trust in the wealth management space.     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

    23 min
  6. "Addressing Your IT Needs" with Tristan McKee

    OCT 28

    "Addressing Your IT Needs" with Tristan McKee

    From music beats to motherboards, Tristan McKee’s path into IT wasn’t what you’d expect. After a broken computer shifted his focus, Tristan dove into the tech world, eventually launching Get It Right Solutions, a company dedicated to tailored, proactive IT services for small and midsize businesses. In this insightful episode, host Danny Flores explores the mindset, grit, and strategy behind Tristan’s success. Learn how referrals built his business, what it means to truly “over-deliver,” and how he's preparing for the next level of growth with a strong sales pipeline and team alignment.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

    26 min
  7. "Developing & Implementing Business & Information Technology" with Brett Macomber

    OCT 23

    "Developing & Implementing Business & Information Technology" with Brett Macomber

    In this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Brett Macomber, a leader in business and information technology with a background that bridges construction and cybersecurity. Brett shares how his early career in general contracting uniquely prepared him for the IT and security space — from physical installations to cloud-based solutions. Brett and Danny dive into what it takes to keep today’s businesses running efficiently and securely, exploring topics like: The evolution from on-site servers to cloud computing Why physical IT closets still matter The growing importance of mobile and remote work setups Firewalls, backups, and why “bulletproof” security doesn’t exist How AI is shaping IT operations and the next generation of workplace tools Brett also discusses the human side of cybersecurity — why staff training and awareness are just as important as technology — and shares his vision for the future of “Agentic AI” in business operations.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

    27 min
  8. "Personal and Corporate Security" with Zachary Newkirk

    OCT 22

    "Personal and Corporate Security" with Zachary Newkirk

    In this episode of The Orange County Power Players Podcast, host Danny Flores sits down with Zachary Newkirk, Marine veteran, Chamber of Commerce ambassador, and executive at Black River Security Solutions. Zachary reveals what it’s like to work in high-level security — from protecting celebrities like Kris Jenner and Kobe Bryant to managing large-scale corporate contracts and training elite teams. He shares practical advice for everyone, including how to improve situational awareness, stay safe in everyday life, and prepare for critical incidents. From home defense strategies to self-protection habits, this episode dives deep into what it means to be proactive about safety in both personal and business settings.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

    46 min
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About

Orange County Power Players is the go-to podcast for uncovering the personal, professional, and financial success stories of Orange County’s most influential leaders. Hosted by Danny Flores, this show dives deep into the journeys of business owners, professionals, and C-suite executives who are shaping the future of OC. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, actionable advice, or a glimpse into the lives of those at the top, Orange County Power Players delivers powerful insights in every episode. Tune in to learn from the best and discover what it takes to succeed in the competitive landscape of Southern California.

Information

  • Creator
    Danny Flores
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Orange County Power Players