Echelon Radio Podcast: Recent Episodes
Echelon
Echelon Business Development Network professionals have a lot to say. Some are wealth managers, lawyers, accountants, actuaries, real estate brokers, business brokers, business owners. And they all have stories about what makes them successful as professionals and human beings. We can all learn from them. Check them out! Echelon Business Development Network.
Worldly. Empathetic. Purposeful. Tom Drucker takes us on a remarkable journey of transitioning from clinical psychology therapy to corporate consulting, where he helps leaders enhance productivity and emotional intelligence.Tom shares his transformative path from the therapeutic office to the corporate boardroom, with a desire to foster productivity and emotional intelligence in leadership. With a diverse clientele across Europe and Asia, he shares how he leverages remote work tools to enhance collaboration and innovation, showcasing the adaptability required in today’s business landscape.
What advice does he have for his corporate clients? What strategies does he suggest to boost your productivity and communication skills? Which two locations in the world would he like to return to?
CLICK HERE for more information about Tom Drucker.
CLICK HERE for more information about Consultants in Corporate Innovation.
A fitness fanatic, a knowledge wielder, and travel connoisseur, Jordi Pujol promises to broaden your understanding of the health tech industry and his journey into it.In this insightful episode, Jordi dives into the intriguing world of valuation and sales in the biotech and health tech sectors of modern-day society. He shares his unique journey from growing up in Costa Rica, and later on, thriving in the tech landscape of Southern California and beyond. As the Managing Director at Objective, an Investment Banking and Valuation Firm, he provides us with extensive knowledge of local networks, tax challenges, and the active influence between technology and healthcare.
What are some of his invaluable insights? What is he passionate about outside of work? Where did he study? Where is he traveling to next?
CLICK HERE for more information about Jordi Pujol.
CLICK HERE for more information about Objective.
Jerri Hemsworth, CEO of Newman Grace Marketing, interviews De Ivett, CEO of 5D Spectrum. De shares her story of how her journey into creative marketing began. What are the 5D's of 5D Spectrum? Who are some of her mentors? What genre of music does she like playing? How did she balance the needs of an ever-evolving technology-filled marketing industry with motherhood? Listen to how De got her start.
More About De Ivett
About Jerri Hemsworth
About Echelon Business Development Network
How She Got Her Start
How She Got Her Start is a podcast devoted to the stories of women business owners and women executives. Listening to their stories, their challenges and their successes is meant to inspire other women while they maneuver the world of business. Whether they are attorneys, accountants, marketing and public relation execs, or IT specialists, every woman has a unique journey with shared threads of commonality. Hearing how we are a community of common goals and dreams hopefully inspires those on the journey with us and those coming after us.
Listening to other women business owners and executives allows a listener to tap into a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and support. Actively seeking out and engaging with our community, one can accelerate their own growth. One may also overcome obstacles, and find inspiration and guidance along the way.
Women business owners and executives can bring diverse perspectives and insights to the table. By listening to How She Got Her Start, one can gain a broader understanding of different industries, markets, and client segments. This diversity can inspire fresh ideas, creativity, and innovation in one's own business approach.
Fearless. Entrepreneurial. Rule breaker. So many words come to mind to describe Chris King of Status Flow and his path into achieving the seemingly impossible.
Chris shares some of his insightful, influential stories that he masterfully weaves into the expert advice he provides to his clients. His advise helps his clients achieve significant personal and professional growth. He delves into the power of intuition and conscious awareness to tackle different challenges. Through a blunt yet supportive style, Chris aims to inspire you to conquer new heights.
Who and what has influenced him to achieve the success he has today? What is Status Flow? What has been his favorite kind of client so far?
CLICK HERE for more information about Chris King.
CLICK HERE for more information about Status Flow.
Jerri Hemsworth, CEO of Newman Grace Marketing, interviews Thao Truong, Wealth Advisor with Morton Wealth. Thao shares her story of how her journey into wealth advising began. Who was her mentor into wealth advising? What is Herself? How has her journey enforced the importance of financial literacy and of self identity? Listen to how Thao got her start.
More About Thao Truong
About Jerri Hemsworth
About Echelon Business Development Network
How She Got Her Start is a podcast devoted to the stories of women business owners and women executives. Listening to their stories, their challenges and their successes is meant to inspire other women while they maneuver the world of business. Whether they are attorneys, accountants, marketing and public relation execs, or IT specialists, every woman has a unique journey with shared threads of commonality. Hearing how we are a community of common goals and dreams hopefully inspires those on the journey with us and those coming after us.
Listening to other women business owners and executives allows a listener to tap into a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and support. Actively seeking out and engaging with our community, one can accelerate their own growth. One may also overcome obstacles, and find inspiration and guidance along the way.
Women business owners and executives can bring diverse perspectives and insights to the table. By listening to How She Got Her Start, one can gain a broader understanding of different industries, markets, and client segments. This diversity can inspire fresh ideas, creativity, and innovation in one's own business approach.
A storyteller at heart, Rosanna Savone brings us on her journey that has influenced her fascinating intersection of estate planning and intellectual property law.
Rosanna tells of her personal travels through law and how practicing law inspired her to write captivating stories about mob life and mobsters’ wives. Gain insights into her innovative approach to legal services, where she emphasizes transparent pricing and personalized client care. Her unique blend of narrative experience and law expertise has differentiated her from others in the estate planning landscape.
When is the right time to begin the estate planning process? Will there be a sequel to her novel? What intellectual property was freed by her?
CLICK HERE for more information about Rosanna Savone.
CLICK HERE for more information about Savone Law
Listen to Rosanna's story here.
Nicole Moser of FOR•GE Advisory, an outsourced marketing company, takes us through her journey of creating FOR•GE, their focus on providing high-quality marketing resources to small businesses and startups, and what her passions are outside of work.
The importance of accessibility and affordability in marketing services is key for her firm, but also the business practice that they follow to make sure their clients get the attention that they need to forge a lasting and fruitful relationship. Nicole touches on her love for her family and what activities they do to get away and bond.
What recommendations does she have for our listeners? What is one of the frustrations that she has encountered with clients? Where does she like to go camping?
CLICK HERE for more information about Nicole Moser.
CLICK HERE for more information about FOR•GE Advisory.
Listen to Nicole's story here.
A passionate collector of sports memorabilia, family law attorney Scott Levin—also known as the Chief Peacekeeper—gives us a play-by-play of his transition from litigator to mediator.
He tells us about the benefits of helping couples navigate an out-of-court settlement during the divorce process. He shares his background which includes studying Metropolitan Studies in New York. Scott breaks down the importance of creating a comfortable environment for clients and the value of connecting with his clients. He tells a success story of helping a couple maintain a loving and connected relationship after divorce through successful mediation.
What are some his sports memorabilia collections? What advice does he give to divorcing couples? Where did he get the title of Chief Peacekeeper?
CLICK HERE for more information about Scott Levin.
CLICK HERE for more information about San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law.
Listen to Scott's story here.
Jerri Hemsworth, CEO of Newman Grace Marketing, interviews Annemarie Penny, Founder of Dreamore. Annemarie shares her story of how her journey into recruiting began. Who were her mentors during this journey? What instrument does she play? Where does she like to be outside of the work? Listen to how Annemarie got her start.
More About Annemarie Penny
About Jerri Hemsworth
About Echelon Business Development Network
After finding his way back to his hometown in Camarillo, California, Don Jones is trailblazing an evolutionary path in the insurance industry.
Out of college with a major is business accounting and a natural conversationalist, Don Jones kicked off his career as a “stockbroker”. Just few years later, he started his own investment advisory company and has been forging his own path ever since. Now an insurance expert, Don Jones breaks down everything there is to know about health insurance and explains the vital role technology plays in it. Besides his love for insurance, his greatest passion is spending time on his boat, fishing and cooking what he catches.
How often does he take out his boat and fish? How did growing up in Camarillo influence his life? How can DMJ Insurance Services save clients time and money?
CLICK HERE for more information about Donald Jones.
CLICK HERE for more information about DMJ Insurance Services, Inc.
Jerri Hemsworth, CEO of Newman Grace Marketing, interviews Jennifer Caruso, Wealth Advisor at Morton Wealth. Jennifer shares her story of how her journey into becoming a wealth advisor began. How did her finance degree prepare her for her journey into her career? What drew her to Morton Wealth? Where is the next marathon she is running in located? Listen to how Jennifer got her start.
More About Jennifer Caruso
About Jerri Hemsworth
About Echelon Business Development Network
How She Got Her Start is a podcast devoted to the stories of women business owners and women executives. Listening to their stories, their challenges and their successes is meant to inspire other women while they maneuver the world of business. Whether they are attorneys, accountants, marketing and public relation execs, or IT specialists, every woman has a unique journey with shared threads of commonality. Hearing how we are a community of common goals and dreams hopefully inspires those on the journey with us and those coming after us.
Listening to other women business owners and executives allows a listener to tap into a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and support. Actively seeking out and engaging with our community, one can accelerate their own growth. One may also overcome obstacles, and find inspiration and guidance along the way.
Women business owners and executives can bring diverse perspectives and insights to the table. By listening to How She Got Her Start, one can gain a broader understanding of different industries, markets, and client segments. This diversity can inspire fresh ideas, creativity, and innovation in one's own business approach.
A lover of the English language. A voracious reader of historical knowledge. A fierce litigator. Terence “Terry” Sternberg has made a name for himself in and out of the courtroom.
Terry’s path into law is an interesting one. One that was partly born out of the search for an intellectual challenge. Working in many different 9-to-5 jobs, Terry wanted more out of life and was searching for knowledge. He entered a paralegal program at UCLA and learned that he could test his way into law school. He took his LSAT’s, scored highly, and was admitted into law school. With his law degree and his gift of debate, Terry went on to become a litigator in a couple of firms. Knowing what he was capable of, he set out on his own and let’s just say the rest is history.
What kind of law does he practice? What book is he reading? How did Covid change the landscape of the legal system?
CLICK HERE for more information about Terry Sternberg.
CLICK HERE for more information about Law Offices of Terence M. Sternberg.
Tax strategist Vardan Pogosian is a former IRS agent who has taken tax planning to the next level.
Born in Armenia and raised in Mongolia, Vardan had his first experience in the business world running numbers and crunching data for his uncle at their fast-food restaurant in Russia. After moving to the U.S., Vardan was accepted into USC, where he thrived in accounting. His lifelong dream of becoming an IRS agent became true a few years later. Now, he runs Pogosian Tax Planning where he works with business owners and small family offices to help create successful tax-reduction strategies. When Vardan is not helping business owners grow their wealth, he loves spending his free time with his feet in the sand and traveling the world.
CLICK HERE for more information about Vardan Pogosian.
CLICK HERE for more information about Pogosian Tax Planning Inc.
Zach Wolkstein has laid down his roots in L.A. as an expert on finding insurance solutions for high net-worth athletes and entertainers at The Balaban Group, LLC.A fifth-generation Essex countian born in Livingston, New Jersey, Zach grew up with a love for football. But an ACL injury would put him on a different path. He spent his college career at the University of Arizona and found his way to Los Angeles. This is where his love for the arts grew, particularly in the areas of pottery and architectural photography. After putting his creative career to the side, he jumped into the insurance world and hasn’t looked back.
How does his passion for music and the arts help him in the insurance world? What are his favorite clients to work with? How does he deal with working with high-profile, high net-worth clients?
Ultraman World Champion. Ironman. Lifelong learner. A fierce litigation lawyer, Adam Grant has made a name for himself in and out of the courtroom.
Adam was born in Phoenix, Arizona but grew up in La Jolla, Calif. It was here where his cultivation for not only his gift for gab but also his enjoyment for the endurance sports had been planted. He made his way up to the Los Angeles area with the love of his life. Once here, he pursued a job in a law firm and entered law school to begin his path into the world where he uses all the experience and knowledge that he has amassed for the good of his clients.
Where did his skills for oral advocacy and quick thinking come from? What advice does he give to his clients? What are his plans for retirement?
CLICK HERE for more information about Adam Grant.
CLICK HERE for more information about Grant | Shenon.
An enthusiastic personality coupled up with a level up attitude, Tyler Hamilton is making a name for himself in the PEO world at Insperity.
Though his path in PEO started right out of high school, his work ethic began to be cultivated at a very young age through techniques learned through horse cutting. Later in life, he entered the military and found that he had an affinity for connecting with people and from there learned what was needed to help level them up. His conscientious and enthusiastic career paths, led him to Insperity where he works on improving and elevating business of many sizes as a Business performance advisor.
What impact did growing up around horses have for Tyler? What was his path to Insperity? What lessons has he leaned through his life and would like to instill to the next generation? Do you want to know what horse cutting is?
CLICK HERE for more information about Tyler Hamilton.
CLICK HERE for more information about Insperity.
Echelon at the original Mixer with Frank Mottek from 790 KABC's Mottek On Money and Matt Coletta of M&A Business Advisors.Frank interviews Matt Coletta, CEO of M&A Business Advisors. Frank Mottek conducts podcast interviews for Echelon Business Development at The Original Mixer at The Luxe Hotel in Los Angeles. Read here for information on Matt Coletta.
The Original Mixer is a business networking event that has been bringing together great business people in one place since 2018. Echelon Business Development has sponsored the event beginning in 2023. There are a lot of great people at The Original Mixer who can help you find new clients and make connections. Additionally, it lets you promote your business, work together with experts, become a leader in your field, and discover fresh ways to expand.
There is only one Voice of Business News in Southern California, and that's Frank Mottek. Listen to Frank on 790 KABC on your way home during the week. He has been following news for more than thirty years and focuses on business and money. Frank is the host of Mottek on Money, which airs every day at 5 p.m. and talks to the biggest names in news and business to give you the financial health and success tips you need. People in Southern California believe in Frank Mottek. You have to listen to Mottek on Money every day...High-return listening time that gets you better and more money!
Echelon at The Original Mixer with Frank Mottek from 790 KABC's Mottek On Money and Richard Williamson of Ezer Williamson Law.
Frank interviews Richard Williamson of Ezer Williamson Law. Frank Mottek conducts podcast interviews for Echelon Business Development at The Original Mixer at The Luxe Hotel in Los Angeles. Read here for information on Richard Williamson.
The Original Mixer is a business networking event that has been bringing together great business people in one place since 2018. Echelon Business Development has sponsored the event beginning in 2023. There are a lot of great people at The Original Mixer who can help you find new clients and get connections. Additionally, it lets you promote your business, work together with experts, become a leader in your field, and discover fresh ways to expand.
There is only one Voice of Business News in Southern California, and that's Frank Mottek. Listen to Frank on 790 KABC on your way home during the week. He has been following news for more than thirty years and focuses on business and money. Frank is the host of Mottek on Money, which airs every day at 5 p.m. and talks to the biggest names in news and business to give you the financial health and success tips you need. People in Southern California believe in Frank Mottek. You have to listen to Mottek on Money every day...High-return listening time that gets you better and more money!
Listen Here!
Frank Mottek from 790 KABC's Mottek On Money interviews De Ivett, CEO of 5D Spectrum. Frank Mottek interviews for Echelon Business Development at The Original Mixer at The Luxe Hotel in Los Angeles.
The Original Mixer is a business networking event that has been bringing together great business people in one place since 2018. Echelon Business Development has sponsored the event beginning in 2023.
There are a lot of great people at The Original Mixer who can help you find new clients and get connections. Additionally, it lets you promote your business, work together with experts, become a leader in your field, and discover fresh ways to expand.
Frank Mottek from 790 KABC's Mottek On Money interviews Brian Rabinovitz, Director of Business Development West Coast for Citrin Cooperman, Los Angeles. Frank Mottek interviews for Echelon Business Development at The Original Mixer at The Luxe Hotel in Los Angeles.
The Original Mixer is a business networking event that has been bringing together great business people in one place since 2018. Echelon Business Development has sponsored the event beginning in 2023.
There are a lot of great people at The Original Mixer who can help you find new clients and get connections. Additionally, it lets you promote your business, work together with experts, become a leader in your field, and discover fresh ways to expand.
An energetic and engaging person who has a great love for the outdoors, Dena Klotz’s has a rich history that has influenced not only her personal life but her career path as an estate planning attorney.
Dena’s former careers gives her a depth and unique skill set that differentiates her in her legal practice at Lagerlof. This intersection of skills has helped her weave together an ability to understand the emotional aspects during the planning of her clients’ estates and trusts. In addition to her social networking, she has formed meaningful and lucrative connections that makes her the powerhouse lawyer that she is.
What previous career did she have that created the person that she is today? Where can you find her when she needs to recharge her social battery? How has Echelon helped her?
CLICK HERE for more information about Dena Klotz.
CLICK HERE for more information about Lagerlof, LLP.
An avid tennis and golf player, real estate agent Michael Bloom joins us to discuss his road into real estate and how his world experience has been a great impact on his life.
Michael’s beginnings started here in So Cal, more specifically in Hidden Hills. He has a love for Japanese culture that was started with his interest in Japanese cartoons as a child. He even lived and studied abroad in Japan. He shares his previous experience with running his family-owned rehab center and the impact addiction has, not only on individuals but on families. He also remains an avid traveler.
How did the pandemic affect the real estate industry? What market trends is he currently seeing? Where does he see himself traveling to next?
CLICK HERE for more information about Michael Bloom.
CLICK HERE for more information about The Agency.
Jerri Hemsworth, CEO of Newman Grace Marketing, interviews Meredith Sesser, Attorney at Sesser Law. Meredith shares her story of how her journey into pension law began. What is ERISA and what impact does it have on business mergers? Why did she venture out on her own? Did she always want to be a lawyer? Listen to how Meredith got her start.
More About Meredith Sesser
About Jerri Hemsworth
About Echelon Business Development Network
How She Got Her Start is a podcast devoted to the stories of women business owners and women executives. Listening to their stories, their challenges and their successes is meant to inspire other women while they maneuver the world of business. Whether they are attorneys, accountants, marketing and public relation execs, or IT specialists, every woman has a unique journey with shared threads of commonality. Hearing how we are a community of common goals and dreams hopefully inspires those on the journey with us and those coming after us.
Listening to other women business owners and executives allows a listener to tap into a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and support. Actively seeking out and engaging with our community, one can accelerate their own growth. One may also overcome obstacles, and find inspiration and guidance along the way.
Women business owners and executives can bring diverse perspectives and insights to the table. By listening to How She Got Her Start, one can gain a broader understanding of different industries, markets, and client segments. This diversity can inspire fresh ideas, creativity, and innovation in one's own business approach.
Gary Weiss, CPA and host, interviews David R. Schneider, APC | Attorney at Law at DRS Law.
About David R. Schneider
About Gary Weiss
About Echelon Business Development Network
Gary Weiss, CPA and host, interviews Katherine Stark | Realtor at Coldwell Banker Realty.
About Katherine Stark
About Gary Weiss
About Echelon Business Development Network
Jerri Hemsworth, CEO of Newman Grace Marketing, interviews Melissa Phillip-Himes, President of Phillipp & Associates Insurance Services. Melissa shares her story of how she came to be part of the insurance industry and what she has learned in starting her own boutique insurance company. What is a boutique insurance company? What are some of the obstacles she has faced in this industry? Why did she leave the RC car world and does she plan on making a return to it? Listen to how Melissa got her start.
More About Melissa Phillipp-Himes
About Jerri Hemsworth
About Echelon Business Development Network
How She Got Her Start is a podcast devoted to the stories of women business owners and women executives. Listening to their stories, their challenges and their successes is meant to inspire other women while they maneuver the world of business. Whether they are attorneys, accountants, marketing and public relation execs, or IT specialists, every woman has a unique journey with shared threads of commonality. Hearing how we are a community of common goals and dreams hopefully inspires those on the journey with us and those coming after us.
Listening to other women business owners and executives allows a listener to tap into a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and support. Actively seeking out and engaging with our community, one can accelerate their own growth. One may also overcome obstacles, and find inspiration and guidance along the way.
Women business owners and executives can bring diverse perspectives and insights to the table. By listening to How She Got Her Start, one can gain a broader understanding of different industries, markets, and client segments. This diversity can inspire fresh ideas, creativity, and innovation in one's own business approach.
Gary Weiss, CPA and host, interviews Brad Fredrickson | President - Certified Financial Planner of Brad Fredrickson Insurance & Financial Services, Inc.
About Brad Fredrickson
About Gary Weiss
About Echelon Business Development Network
Jerri Hemsworth, CEO of Newman Grace Marketing, interviews real estate attorney Danielle Gotcher, Managing Partner of Global Immigration Partners. Danielle shares her story of becoming an attorney and managing partner of a growing immigration firm. What has she learned about managing a growing immigration law firm? How does she balance the needs of a fast-paced, growing firm with motherhood? Listen to how Danielle got her start.
More About Danielle Gotcher
About Jerri Hemsworth
About Echelon Business Development Network
How She Got Her Start is a podcast devoted to the stories of women business owners and women executives. Listening to their stories, their challenges and their successes is meant to inspire other women while they maneuver the world of business. Whether they are attorneys, accountants, marketing and public relation execs, or IT specialists, every woman has a unique journey with shared threads of commonality. Hearing how we are a community of common goals and dreams hopefully inspires those on the journey with us and those coming after us.
Listening to other women business owners and executives allows a listener to tap into a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and support. Actively seeking out and engaging with our community, one can accelerate their own growth. One may also overcome obstacles, and find inspiration and guidance along the way.
Women business owners and executives can bring diverse perspectives and insights to the table. By listening to How She Got Her Start, one can gain a broader understanding of different industries, markets, and client segments. This diversity can inspire fresh ideas, creativity, and innovation in one's own business approach.
Adam McArthur and Arch Canyon Partners "bridges the gap between art and science of valuation." And he has a true alphabet soup after his name. How did he go from being an investment banker to owning his own valuation firm?Adam McArthur is a local boy who grew up in Granada Hills, Calif., and attended Cal State University, Northridge. When he became an investment banker, he realized something was missing. After stumbling into the valuation profession, he realized he had found his calling.
Having started his own firm, he has learned lessons along the way. One of which is wondering why he didn't do it sooner in his career. A devoted husband and dad, he enjoys a great bottle of bourbon and going off-roading with his sons.
CLICK HERE for more information about Adam McArthur.
CLICK HERE for more information about Arch Canyon Partners.
Listen to Adam's story here.
Gary Weiss, CPA and host, interviews Susana Barajas, CPA | Partner of Allegent Group, LLP.
About Susana Barajas
About Gary Weiss
About Echelon Business Development Network
Jerri Hemsworth, CEO of Newman Grace Marketing, interviews real estate attorney Jennifer Felten, Founder of RELAW. Jennifer shares her story of becoming an attorney after being a real estate escrow officer. How did she balance law school and motherhood? What has she learned by running her own firm? Listen to how Jennifer got her start.
More About Jennifer Felten
About Jerri Hemsworth
About Echelon Business Development Network
How She Got Her Start is a podcast devoted to the stories of women business owners and women executives. Listening to their stories, their challenges and their successes is meant to inspire other women while they maneuver the world of business. Whether they are attorneys, accountants, marketing and public relation execs, or IT specialists, every woman has a unique journey with shared threads of commonality. Hearing how we are a community of common goals and dreams hopefully inspires those on the journey with us and those coming after us.
Listening to other women business owners and executives allows a listener to tap into a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and support. Actively seeking out and engaging with our community, one can accelerate their own growth. One may also overcome obstacles, and find inspiration and guidance along the way.
Women business owners and executives can bring diverse perspectives and insights to the table. By listening to How She Got Her Start, one can gain a broader understanding of different industries, markets, and client segments. This diversity can inspire fresh ideas, creativity, and innovation in one’s own business approach.
Jerri Hemsworth, CEO of Newman Grace Marketing, interviews family law attorney Jessica Liu, Founder of Bacosa Family Law. Jessica shares her story of becoming an attorney while raising two sons. Why did she choose family law? Where does she volunteer and why? Listen to how Jessica's got her start.
More About Jessica Liu
About Jerri Hemsworth
About Echelon Business Development Network
How She Got Her Start
How She Got Her Start is a podcast devoted to the stories of women business owners and women executives. Listening to their stories, their challenges and their successes is meant to inspire other women while they maneuver the world of business. Whether they are attorneys, accountants, marketing and public relation execs, or IT specialists, every woman has a unique journey with shared threads of commonality. Hearing how we are a community of common goals and dreams hopefully inspires those on the journey with us and those coming after us.
Listening to other women business owners and executives allows a listener to tap into a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and support. Actively seeking out and engaging with our community, one can accelerate their own growth. One may also overcome obstacles, and find inspiration and guidance along the way.
Women business owners and executives can bring diverse perspectives and insights to the table. By listening to How She Got Her Start, one can gain a broader understanding of different industries, markets, and client segments. This diversity can inspire fresh ideas, creativity, and innovation in one's own business approach.
Blake Wells is an attorney with The Small Business Law Firm. With a focus on employment law, he works with clients who have up to 50 employees. Yet law was not his first profession. ¿Qué era?Every small business owner should get to know attorney Blake Wells. Working at The Small Business Law Firm, his focus is on employment law. And while he is a really nice guy, when a client has questions, he's very good at explaining complex matters in simple and easy-to-understand terms. Perhaps it's a by-product of his first career choice, high-school Spanish teacher. But law was in the back of his head, so he decided to spread his wings and go to law school.
Blake's a huge NBA fan, and he played basketball throughout middle and high school. But he's traded in the basketball for a golf ball. Easier on the knees. He's also a devoted family man. But you can listen here and find out more.
CLICK HERE for more information about Blake Wells.
CLICK HERE for more information about The Small Business Law Firm.
Listen to Blake's story here.
Gary Weiss, CPA and host, interviews Steve Weber, President of HW Premier Insurance.
About Steve Weber
About Gary Weiss
About Echelon Business Development Network
Laurence Goldman is a family law attorney and actively involved in the community surrounding family law. But on the weekends, you'll find him enjoying a spin in his beloved Dodge Viper.
Larry Goldman has seen a lot of proceedings in Family Court. He's been practicing law for more than 40 years, and is a certified specialist for more than the past 30 years. He's a former president of the Beverly Hills Bar Association. He has served on the committees for the LA County Bar Family Law Section, and been on public council for over 20 years as a director (the largest pro bono legal organization in the country). And just for kicks, because he doesn't have a full plate already, he serves as Judge Pro Tem.
Larry is a devoted family man with his wife, Leslie, and their two grown sons. But LG is not sporting the robes and gavel on the weekends. He loves cars and he loves speed. Growing up with motorcycles, he transitioned in 2001 to Vipers. Whether driving the local canyon roads or joining car clubs at Willow Springs or Laguna Seca, it's clear that law and cars run deep in Larry.
CLICK HERE for more information about Laurence Goldman.
Gary Weiss, CPA and host, interviews Kristen Hafner, founder of Financial Moxie, Financial Management.
About Kristen Hafner
About Gary Weiss
About Echelon Business Development Network
Gary Weiss, CPA and host, interviews Abby Higginson, founder of VH Works, Personalized Bookkeeping & Accounting Services
About Abby Higginson
About Gary Weiss
About Echelon Business Development Network
Gary Weiss, CPA and host, interviews Jerri Hemsworth, co-founder of Echelon Business Development Network and founder of Newman Grace Marketing.
About Jerri Hemsworth
About Newman Grace
About Gary Weiss
About Echelon Business Development Network
David Smith with The Agency in Calabasas comes from a real estate family. Today, he still uses what he learned growing up South Carolina.Growing up in South Carolina, David worked for the family construction and real estate development business. Not realizing at the time that he was creating building blocks, he started learning the ins and outs of real estate development from the age of 12. Then, after attending the Military College of South Carolina, he went back to work with his family until he moved to California in 1999. Today, his real estate practice is booming with The Agency in Calabasas, along with his wife, Tracy's. Listen to David's amusing and wonderful trek here.
CLICK HERE for more information about David Smith.
CLICK HERE for more information about The Agency.
Listen to David's story here.
Brad Levin is a managing director and senior wealth advisor at The Colony Group. He's also a person who believes in "Bucket List Living."
Brad Levin has a different view of financial advising. He strives to provide unique financial advice and perspectives to help his clients live a stress-free life. He is passionate about helping others find balance in their lives, and designs financial plans in which clients can find fulfillment beyond monetary amounts. It's what he has termed "Bucket List Living."
Raised by a single mom in the San Fernando Valley, Brad was quite entrepreneurial minded as a kid. He grew up thinking he wanted to be an orthodontist. But his early years at college lead him down the financial path. Listen to Brad explain his journey to where he is today. And how he is making his own "Bucket List Living" a reality.
CLICK HERE for more information about Brad Levin.
CLICK HERE for more information about The Colony Group.
Listen to Brad's story here.
Josh Stein-Sapir is a partner with Keyes Real Estate. Their clients span from Pasadena to the Palisades. Even though he’s an east-coast kid, he knows the Los Angeles county real estate market extremely well.Having a conversation with Josh Stein-Sapir of Keyes Real Estate will guarantee your time will not be wasted. His firm has a different approach to selling real estate. His partner is a real estate attorney and there are others on their team. They understand all the nuances of real estate contracts and how deals are made or broken.
Chat with Josh more and his infectious sense of humor comes out. He's a self-proclaimed numbers nerd from Cleveland, Ohio. Josh left the mid-west to go to school in New York, where he lived for 10 years. His family is in real estate with a title, escrow and appraisals company. While attending Columbia University, Josh made ends meet by bartending and being a Notary Public. Even did a stint as a theater actor. But love brought him to California. And this is where he's stayed. So why does he have an Irish Passport?
CLICK HERE for more information about Josh Stein-Sapir.
CLICK HERE for more information about Keyes Real Estate.
Listen to Josh's story here.
Katherine Stark knows real estate in the West San Fernando Valley extremely well. She should. She’s lived there her entire life.Having a conversation with Katherine Stark of Coldwell Banker just makes you feel good. She's extremely knowledgeable about real estate, and she has a way about her that oozes class. Born in the San Fernando Valley, she has lived in the northern part of Los Angeles her whole life. She got into real estate when she was newly married so she could earn a good living. It also afforded her her own way of life. She now ranks in the top 1% of all Coldwell Banker agents internationally.
When she's not working, she balances spending time with her family with staying active. And even though she prefers the beach to the mountains, her second home in Lake Arrowhead serves as the perfect spot to unwind and create magical memories with her family.
CLICK HERE for more information about Katherine Stark.
CLICK HERE for more information about Katherine Stark at Coldwell Banker.
Matt Coletta is passionate about at selling businesses with his firm M&A Business Advisors. He's also passionate about fly fishing and wine.
Talking about businesses with Matt Coletta is a treat. He knows a lot selling them for his top quality clients. His firm, M&A Business Advisors, specializes in the confidential sale of privately-owned businesses in a wide range of industries including Manufacturing, Distribution, Service, E- Commerce, Technology, Software, Health Care, Construction, Automotive, Food & Beverage Related Businesses as well as other industries.
Raised in a family that had a vineyard, Matt is very knowledgeable about wine, especially California blends. He also loves to travel, especially back to where his family came from—Italy. But when Matt needs time to chill and become one with nature, he heads to the most northern state in the nation. That's when his net income takes on a whole different meaning.
CLICK HERE for more information about Matt Coletta.
CLICK HERE for more information about M&A Business Advisors.
As an expert in 1031 exchanges with commercial real estate, James Bean delights his clients with his expertise. As a stand-up comedian, he delights his audiences with his wit.
The 1031 exchange is a popular strategy among real estate investors that allows them to defer capital gains taxes on the sale of an investment property. It allows them to reinvest the funds into another replacement property. And James Bean has developed a keen comprehensive skill set for specialization in investment brokerage and National 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges. Involved in commercial real estate for nearly 25 years, James is able to successfully close transactions in all 50 States.
Here he discusses how planning is a huge factor in developing and implementing a successful 1031, as well as the biggest mistake people make when initiating a 1031.
What is James’ secret weapon? An incredibly diverse and hard-working network!
And finally, James reveals funny uncles sparked an interest in performing as a standup comic.
CLICK HERE for more information about James Bean.
CLICK HERE for more information about SVN.
Listen to James' story here.
Gary Weiss is a Certified Public Accountant shares his love of tax resolution. And thank goodness he loves tax resolution when most of us don’t!
Gary discusses the challenging relationship between the IRS and the general public, and how it causes so much fear and animosity.
He also pulls back the curtain on some secrets to getting through to and successfully working directly with the IRS for problem resolution. Gary also tells us how he went from dreaming as a young boy to being a writer, to learning bookkeeping, and eventually becoming a CPA.
And finally, Gary reveals his true (or not so true) curmudgeon nature.
CLICK HERE for more information about Gary Weiss.
CLICK HERE for more information about Gary's Accounting Practice.
Listen to Gary's story here.
Steve Driss is the founder and CEO of Steven Driss Insurance Agency Inc., specializing in employee benefits for small to mid-sized companies and simplifying their complexities.Hear about Steve's experience with clients who buy pet insurance before vision insurance. He talks about HSA’s and how creating value for clients is just part of his great success.
Steve talks about the unique way he came to buy his agency. Very unique!
But life if more than just work for Steve. He tells us about his wife, his kids, their Goldendoodle Oliver, and finally, how he travels the globe frequently...and almost for free with miles!
CLICK HERE for more information about Steve Driss.
CLICK HERE for more information about Steven Driss Insurance Agency.
Listen to Steve's story here.
Bob Sniderman holds a doctorate degree in organizational psychology, runs a successful human resources firm, and is one major Dodgers fan.
Robert Sniderman of HR Focus believes the term “HR” is a bit of a misnomer when referring to what he does. Bob is what is known in baseball as a five-tool player: from compliance to performance to leadership to management to conflict resolution, he’s here to help his clients succeed.
“I work with companies and their people to help them do better business in whatever way they prefer me to contribute,” he says.
Bob Bleeds Blue
Speaking of baseball, Bob is an Los Angeles native and lifelong Dodger fan. So much so that he became a season ticket holder. He and his family fight over who gets to use their tickets for each game. He’s also living out every fan’s dream: he’s got not one, but two current Dodger players living in his neighborhood. Take a listen to the podcast to find out who those players are (and what they’re like as neighbors).
CLICK HERE for more information about Bob Sniderman.
CLICK HERE for more information about HR Focus.
Listen to Bob's story here.
Madison Oberg, a business attorney and partner at Oberg Law Group, believes her superpower lies in her caring nature. Madison is often tasked with helping people work through some of the most difficult times in their lives, such as bankruptcies. “For me, it's my compassion,” she says. "I'm a deep feeler.”
Love of the “Pupperonis”
This compassion is consistent in all aspects of her life. Madison is a dog lover (she refers to them as “pupperonis”) through and through. In addition to volunteering at her local animal shelter, she’s brought her adoration of four-legged creatures into her professional life as well. She deemed her dog Sophie (full name Sophie Guernsey Sparkle Oberg) Chief Wellness Officer of Oberg Law Group. While the promotion was made in jest, she firmly believes that animals have a place in the workspace as a source of stress relief and mental support.
A Family Business
Madison makes up one half of Oberg Law, the other half being her father, David. On the podcast, Madison discusses the advantages and challenges of going into business with her dad. Balancing work and home life is already a difficult task, but when the two begin to blur, she says drawing clear lines and compartmentalizing is crucial.
“I think the catchphrase of my life right now is boundaries,” she says.
CLICK HERE for more information about Madison Oberg.
CLICK HERE for more information about Oberg Law Group
Listen to Madison's story here.
Erez Golomb and Jason Meshekow of Intouch are a true dynamic duo. These two have been working together as insurance brokers and risk management specialists for more than 20 years. They founded Intouch Insurance Services, an independent brokerage operating in Van Nuys, California. While they each have their own book of business, they often collaborate on big accounts, dividing and conquering.
“By and large, we're a team,” Jason says. “We market as a team. We promote as a team...as an agency, as one entity.”
Jacks of All Trades
Jason and Erez are willing to take on a wide variety of clients, ranging from attorneys to CPAs to M&A advisors to CFOs. They represent companies across the globe, whether it be Europe, Australia or India.
“In general, I would also say that we're kind of industry agnostic,” Erez explains. “We don't pick what comes to us.”
Gardening and Golf
The two each have their own go-to forms of catharsis when it comes to down time. For Erez, it’s his backyard garden. For Jason, it’s the golf course (he was even on Taft High School’s golf team back in the day). Jason is part of the Echelon Golf Specialty Group as well as won the Battleput Golf tournament at a recent Echelon party.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EREZ GOLOMB
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JASON MESHEKOW
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INTOUCH INSURANCE SERVICES
Listen here to Erez and Jason's story.
“It comes from, I think, just the passion of what I do.”
Jay Rubin is a commercial real estate broker for Lee and Associates, based in Westlake Village. He adores his work, and he blends it with his other passions—he photographs his listings with drones that he flies himself. He makes the most of what he does, and is sure to have fun while he’s doing it.
Work and Real Estate in 2021
During his interview, Jay tackles some of the questions most of us are currently asking: what will the workforce be like post-COVID? How are businesses addressing remote work, and do companies want to return to the office? If physical offices are no longer a necessity, how does this impact real estate?
Jay’s Faves
The conversation then turns away from work, and hones in on some of Jay’s superlatives, ranging from his favorite concert to his favorite food to his favorite superhero and beyond. His taste is eclectic, and his preferences give some insight into what makes him tick.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JAY RUBIN
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Listen to Jay's Story Here
Grant Blindbury has been a family man from the start. A partner at FMB Wealth Management, Grant began working with husband-and-wife business partners Tom and Debbie Fields (the F in FMB) fresh out of college. Back then, the firm was a literal mom-and-pop operation. The two took Grant in and showed him the ropes before eventually elevating him to partner. Now, Grant focuses on passing on what his business “parents” taught him to both his clients and younger employees.
“A lot of what we do with our clients at the end of the day is coaching if we're doing it right,” Grant says. “But also, what we do within the firm. Like, what's our obligation to the younger employees that we're bringing in, and trying to pay that forward?”
Coach Blindbury
Speaking of coaching and family, Grant prioritizes his kids over everything. By consistently volunteering as a coach for his three kids’ sports teams, he holds himself accountable to never miss a big moment.
Tailgates and Margaritavilles
Grant is what’s known as a parrothead—a follower of one Jimmy Buffett. Grant and his wife love to attend tailgates before concerts and hand out Jell-O shots to fellow parrotheads. How long until his kids are indoctrinated into the cult of Buffett? It remains to be seen.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GRANT BLINDBURY
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FMB WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Listen here to Grant's story.
From Lawyer to Real Estate: Cruising Through Life For Good ReasonsDavid entered the workforce as a lawyer back in 1985 before transitioning to real estate. Selling property was in his DNA, as his father was a part-time broker back in the day. He now uses his attorney background to his advantage in the real estate business, carrying an expertise in disclosure and litigation.
“I like to say that my attorney background, my legal background, informs my real estate background,” Burger says.
Uncharted Waters
As we all have, David has had to navigate a once-in-a-generation global catastrophe. During his interview, he reflects on a few crucial questions about the past 15 months: How has the Coronavirus pandemic affected the real estate market, and how has the way in which we buy and sell properties shifted in this new era of virtual commerce?
Around the Globe
David is a world traveler. Whether it be film shoots in Edinburgh (his wife is a Hollywood screenwriter), family trips to Disney World (his favorite ride is ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’), cruises through Alaska (he’s been on a whopping 29 cruises in total) or simply visiting his daughter in Idaho, David is always on the move.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DAVID BURGER
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RODEO REALTY
What gets Kendra Thomas out of bed in the morning? This family law attorney helps families through stressful processes like divorce, which affect everyone involved, whether it be parents or children. She’s bold, both within the courtroom and beyond it.
A Few Exceptional Talents
Kendra is sometimes juggling dozens of cases at a time. From an early age, she’s had an incredible capacity for retaining and sorting large amounts of information, and that ability helps her manage her hectic workload. She’s diligent, capable and willing to go to great lengths to assist her clients.
Even so, everyone needs some form of stress relief. For Kendra, that relief comes in the form of daring ventures like skydiving and karaoke. These activities allow her to let loose, but they also give her a unique perspective in the courtroom, and give her the confidence to perform her job at the highest level.
Concierge Program
Thomas and her firm, Thomas Law Offices, specialize in divorce cases. However, they also offer a Concierge Program for high-net-worth individuals. This service gives clients the ability to call on Thomas Law for any legal matter. They’ll put together a team of experts that specialize in whatever legal matter is at hand.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON KENDRA THOMAS.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THOMAS LAW OFFICES.
Brought up in a family-owned business taught Kim at an early age how to run a business. But it wasn't her dream. Law became a second career, and her experience with family tragedy set the stage for a successful one.
Business Owner at a Young Age
Going to work for her family's clothing business at the age of 10 was what she was told to do. Learning the day-to-day operations of manufacturing at the side of her father was a gift. She didn't realize it until his untimely death at the age of 45. Armed with the knowledge of what he taught her, she continued on and grew the business along with her sister and mother. Ups and downs, twists and turns led Kim to learn how to adapt to changing times.
Oldest Student In The Class
A visit to a courthouse as a child sparked a dream that she was able to pursue after she sold the family business. She found herself the oldest student in her classes at Pepperdine Law School. And having the knowledge of what it was like for her father to die without an estate plan is what leads her to this day. Her clients may not know entirely what drives her, but what they do know is that she has been in many of their shoes. Her compassion for family situations along with her experience with family-owned businesses makes her a successful estate planning and trust administration attorney.
CLICK HERE for more information about Kim Millman.
CLICK HERE for more information about Kim Millman's Law Practice.
Listen to Kim's story here.
A native of New York, Matt Heller of Willner Heller Private Wealth Management has a totally wicked gift from growing up in the '80s.
Registered Investment Advisor Matt Heller and his partner Ken Willner founded their firm private wealth management firm in 2003. They create unique tax-efficient investment portfolios for their clients.
Having worked at larger firms as a young investment advisor in the mid-1990s, Matt realized that being able to craft custom investment plans for his clients was the direction he needed to go. He learned about fee-based wealth management versus commissioned-based product transactions. This is what would put him on the same side of the table as his clients. Serving his clients with an agnostic approach became his professional passion.
A personal passion of Matt's is '80s music. He is no-doubt the greatest '80s music historian and fan we've come across. How much of a fan? Listen here to find out!
CLICK HERE for more information about Matt Heller.
CLICK HERE for more information about Willner Heller.
Listen to Matt's story here.
Stephanie Vitacco is a broker who has been in residential real estate for more than 25 years. She has worked her way to the top, LITERALLY! She is the #1 agent out of more than 150,000 Nationwide at Keller Williams. Her knowledge of the real estate market in northern Los Angeles county is unparalleled. Is it her incredible ability to remember numbers and work nimbly through complex matters? Is it her giant heart and compassion for her clients? Is it her support team that never fails to come through?
If you know Stephanie, you will say she's a complete professional package. But do you know about her LOVE of animals and how she is unwavering in the well-being of the four legged critters she encounters? She is tenacious. Listen to see just how far she will go.
CLICK HERE for more information about Stephanie Vitacco.
CLICK HERE for more information about Stephanie Vitacco's Real Estate.
Listen to Stephanie's story here.
What do a bobblehead collection, baseball, The Beatles, sports cars and Bugs Bunny all have in common? E. Mark Fishman. He can be categorized as the type of man who makes his life happen. He is a driving force in his company and his family. Fearless, happy and funny is not what the average person thinks of when you picture an actuary in your head. But when you picture this actuary in your head, you can’t help but think about how happy and fun he is.
CLICK HERE for more information about Mark Fishman.
CLICK HERE for more information about Actuaries Unlimited
As an outsourced CFO, Randy Miller brings military-type strategy and tactics to turning businesses around.
Coming from a military family, Randy spent much of his childhood surrounded by veterans. Reading books and having deep conversations with his father instilled a love of military history.
CLICK HERE for more information about Randy Miller.
CLICK HERE for more information about RMM Accounting
Bobby Feldman has been in insurance for more than 20 years. He is a specialist in residential fire insurance. He is able to get fire insurance for residents who live in fire zones.
In this episode, Bobby talks about the reality of obtaining residential insurance in California. Coast to Canyon has access to insurance policies that other brokers cannot get. With fire season being year-round in California, his firm works with a lot of different professionals to get the best policies for his clients.
Another specialty of Coast to Canyon is obtaining Open House insurance policies for Real Estate professionals. It protects situations that happen outside of the typical Errors and Omissions coverage.
An avid outdoorsman, he conducts his daily calls while walking his community. Many days, he will cover approximately 20 miles. Also passionate about Bar-B-Q, he is famous for having Bob.B.Q “cookouts”.
CLICK HERE for more information about Bobby Feldman.
CLICK HERE for more information about Coast To Canyon.
Rich Schuette is the founder partner of Avalan Wealth LLC in Santa Barbara, California. A Certified Financial Planner, Rich has more than 20 years of experience assisting Avalan clients reach their financial goals. He is a connector of successful business owners and service providers. Not only is he passionate about guiding his clients investment portfolios, he has a passion for auto racing. Avalan Wealth is a current sponsor of the No. 8 Chevy for Richard Childress Racing in NASCAR.
CLICK HERE for more information about Rich Schuette.
CLICK HERE to read about Rich Schuette in “Winning The Wealth Race” on Echelon Professional.
CLICK HERE for more information about Avalan Wealth.
David Oberg of Oberg Law Group is in a unique position as a business transactional and bankruptcy attorney. As a business owner of a variety of businesses, he knows what it’s like to operate major corporations as well as his boutique law firm. He has great love for his family and his constant companion Sophie (a rescue pup). David has owned many Porsches and has a fondness for woodworking. Being an attorney and a retired Culver City police officer gives him a unique perspective on the law. And that drives him to give back to his community.
CLICK HERE for more information about David Oberg.
CLICK HERE for more information about Oberg Law Group