Breakfast of Champions – West Side
EO LA is thrilled to announce Eco Caters as our newest strategic partner!
Office of EO Member Hatem Dhiab (Gerber Kawasaki)
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About JayTec Solutions:
JayTec Solutions is a managed IT and cybersecurity company that helps law firms, CPAs,
financial organizations, third-party administrators, and other businesses protect sensitive
information, reduce technology risk, and keep their systems running securely and reliably.
Benefits for EO LA Members:
• 25% off JayTec’s Cybersecurity Risk Assessment (CSRA)
• If you move forward with JayTec for ongoing managed IT and cybersecurity services after
the assessment, the full cost of the CSRA is credited back to you.
• Fully managed IT support plus cybersecurity services, including 24/7 monitoring,
endpoint protection, email security, Microsoft 365 security, data protection, backup and disaster
recovery, employee cybersecurity training, and ongoing risk management.
Claim your EO LA discount on the Cybersecurity Risk Assessment
– email Jayson at jayson@jaytecsolutions.com
Learn More from JayTec Solutions:
• “I Already Have IT. Aren’t They Keeping Me Secure?” – The difference between traditional
IT support and cybersecurity, including common risks that may still be overlooked.
• “Can Cybersecurity Help My Business Stay Compliant?” – How cybersecurity services
can help businesses meet regulatory, cyber insurance, contractual, and client security requirements.
• “What Would Happen If My Business Were Attacked Tomorrow?” – Practical steps
business owners can take to reduce their risk, limit downtime, protect their reputation,
and recover from a cyberattack.
Contact Info:
Jayson Lopez (President, JayTec Solutions)
jayson@jaytecsolutions.com
Main Point of Contact Rob Wiltsey Founder, Future Foundations rob@futurefoundationsai.com – 626-533-0334
Future Foundations is an AI automation and consulting firm founded by Rob Wiltsey, an industrial engineer who spent a decade applying lean manufacturing principles to business operations before bringing that same practical discipline to AI implementation.
We work with service businesses across Southern California and nationally, identifying where AI creates real value in their specific workflows and building the automations that deliver it. Our approach is hands on and results driven. We do not sell software licenses or generic AI tools. We build custom solutions inside your existing systems that work the way your business actually works.
Custom AI automations for repetitive business workflows. AI powered document processing and data management. Automated client communication and follow up systems. Workflow integrations across your existing tools and platforms. AI strategy and implementation for growing teams.
Most small and mid-sized businesses know AI can help them. Few know exactly where it will have the biggest impact or how to make it stick. Future Foundations brings clarity to that question, and then builds the solution.
We identify where AI creates real value in your specific workflows, deliver measurable progress within 30 days, and build custom automations that integrate directly into the systems your team already uses. No ripping and replacing. No generic tools. Just practical AI that works the way your business works and compounds over time.
Our clients are founders and operators running growing companies who are serious about riding the AI wave into the coming decade without wasting time or money on the wrong things.
We are committed to redefining the client experience, making it more personal, more collaborative, and more community centric.
We believe in community.
We believe in supporting and empowering businesses.
We believe in creating and maintaining relationships.
We believe in high-touch, personalized services.
We believe in giving back, making a positive impact in the lives of our clients and the wider community.
So if you are looking for a bank that stands out, a bank that is a little different, one that knows you and genuinely cares about your financial success, join us on a unique banking journey that is focused on you.
Business Banking, Personal Banking, Online Banking, Business Cash Management, Business Lending, Business Savings, Personal Savings, Community Bank, Mobile Banking, Relationship Banking, Community Development, Accounts Receivable Financing., Merchant Bankcard Services, and SBA Loans
Paula Bahamon
Senior Vice President
pbahamon@missionvalleybank.com
(818) 394-2300
Premium benefits, global HR support, and simplified payroll for the team that’s been with you from the start, championing your vision.
Whether it’s payroll, HR, compliance, or global hiring, we’ll help you stay focused on your business with simple software and reliable support to navigate today’s challenges.
Payroll Processing Expertise: You can rely on us to help you run payroll stress-free. To put some numbers on it, we processed over $27 billion in payroll in 2024. In other words, we’re not new to this.
A Stress-less Tax Season: Take care of your business, we’ll take care of the tax filing. In 2024, Justworks processed $7.9 billion in total taxes, including $6.6 billion in federal taxes. That’s billion with a “B.”
Remote Expansion Simplified: Expand in other states or hire remotely stress-free. Justworks PEO supports over 4,000 tax localities which makes it easy for us to help file your employer-related taxes.
Documents Filed and Ready to Go: Sit back while we take care of filing W-2s and 1099s for you. We generated over 245,000 W-2s for our PEO customers in 2024. You can trust us to get the job done and get more time back for your business.
Marina Romanova
Sales & Partnerships
mromanova@justworks.com
WestPac Wealth Partners is a privately held wealth management firm, founded with the intent to assist our clients in every aspect of their financial lives. Our focus centers on our clients’ vision for their future to create a lasting impact on their wealth potential. Uniquely positioned to offer our clients access to one of the most comprehensive financial product platforms available today, we envision and enhance our clients’ goals by designing a customized strategy and creating a life map to achieve and protect their wealth. Recognized across the nation as one of the best workplaces, we strive to translate our incredible culture into top-notch service for our clients.
We’ve provided the most personal service available, thus earning a reputation for excellence in our industry. For each of our clients, we strive to help create financial stability and security to provide financial independence.
For more information and to schedule a call for Forum visit: Jason Shapiro – 818-203-9437 – jason.shapiro@westpacwealth.com
Benefits to Members:
1. Comprehensive Wealth Management: Tailored solutions addressing diverse financial needs, ensuring holistic wealth management for each client.
2. Customized Financial Strategies: Strategically designed plans aligned with individual goals and visions, fostering long-term financial success and security.
3. Financial Product Access: Access to a diverse array of financial products, empowering clients to optimize their wealth potential and meet their unique objectives.
4. Personalized Life Mapping: Tailored life mapping services to navigate financial milestones and safeguard wealth, providing clarity and direction for clients’ financial journeys.
5. Financial Stability Assistance: Dedicated support in cultivating financial stability and confidence, guiding clients toward a secure and prosperous future through informed decision-making and strategic planning.
As advisers to disrupters – particularly in the technology, life sciences and high-growth industries – we see firsthand the power of innovation. As a result, we invest significant time and resources in implementing and developing the tools, systems and infrastructure necessary to dramatically transform the client experience.
We think beyond the limits of technology to encompass leading-edge processes and individual talents for a unique blend that benefits our professionals, our clients and our communities.
Practices:
Corporate
Litigation
Regulatory
Intellectual Property
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Pullpath’s software platform helps business leaders communicate with their people in a more effective and engaging way.
Transform your boring content into interactive “paths” for applications like:
~ monthly updates
~ staff onboarding
~ culture building
~ pulse surveys
and more!
The more your people learn, the more points they’ll earn. Works great for employees, partners and customers!
EO LA Member Benefits:
As an EO Los Angeles member, you get 1 path for free! Simply send us your content and we’ll take care of the rest.
https://pullpath.com
Innovation Refunds has helped 10,000+ companies obtain over $1 Billion in cash rebates. We are a FinTech provider owned by banks that helps small and medium businesses unlock Employee Retention Credit (ERC). ERC is a little-known payroll tax rebate born out of the CARES act. If your business received PPP, you are likely eligible to receive $26,000 per W2 employee as a payroll tax rebate.
Small and medium size businesses have historically shaped America’s economic landscape. Our executive team has walked in your shoes as entrepreneurs. “We know accounting and tax code.” Our CPAs and attorneys are world-class experts in tax code, compliance, and Employee Retention Credit. You have put a lot of time, effort, and sweat equity into building your business into what it is today. We not only respect that, we believe you are the backbone of America’s economy, employment, and future economic growth.
EOLA and Accelerator Member Benefits:
~ All EO members are eligible for a free ERC analysis. Our CPAs and Tax Attorneys will evaluate your eligibility with no upfront cost.
~ EOLA will receive funding if you file a refund with us at no cost to you.
Please use this link to see if you qualify:
https://qualify.innovationrefunds.com/qualify?cos_rid=1460080252
The M.I.T.T. workshops are a multi-day immersive experiential learning process, a laboratory for self-discovery, in which your entire being is engaged in the work of discovery, creation, and re-creation. The M.I.T.T. facilitators present the dynamics of the workshops in a way that is clear, powerful, and alive. The interactive structure of the classrooms includes a series of life-altering presentations, breakthrough processes, creative interactions, and personalized coaching which focus on questions at the heart of our humanity; issues that are key to successful living.
The leading mindset training strategically designed by industry leaders in the personal growth space.
We look forward to connecting!
Roger Morgan: (310) 466-5292
roger@masterytraining.com
https://masterytraining.com/
Contact:
Shauna Shalom
Managing Director, Private Banking
Direct: (323) 602-2008
Main: (323) 602-2000
Email: sshalom@excel.bank
or information@excel.bank
Website: https://www.excel.bank
Address:
8484 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Watch Video: https://youtu.be/FYkFgRMhaOo
We are a bank that knows our clients by name, understands their banking needs, and works as a team to provide the highest level of service possible.
We are subject matter experts with access to all decision-makers. Everyone in the bank is focused on creating the best possible client experience imaginable.
Every client is unique. Driven by shared values of team spirit, commitment, responsibility and innovation, all our teams are focused on delivering a truly personal level of service. All our staff, regardless of their role, help create better, deeper, more personal relationships with our clients, while offering them a greater level of service and opportunity.
At Excel Bank, we understand that our clients are the reason for our success. We never forget that. Serving that priority is our focus and drives everything we do; and it’s why we’re honored to serve you.
Founded and headquartered in Beverly Hills, Excel Bank has been serving clients in Southern California for over 18 years. We provide a full array of private and business banking services and solutions, including:
With an in-depth understanding of our global economy and the circles you move in, Excel Bank provides modern banking strengthened by a renowned tradition of personalized service, strength and stability since our founding in 2005.
Invite us to speak at your EO Forum! Some potential topics we would be pleased to facilitate include:
Forum Meeting: Yes
Accelerator Meeting: Yes
EO member company staff/team meeting: Yes
Seats Available: 15-20
Address: 8484 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
For date/time availability, please contact:
Shauna Shalom or Greg Erikson
(Contact info below)
* Subject to date/time availability and suitable advance notice
Meet Shauna Shalom, Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Private BankingShauna manages the Private Banking Group where she oversees a team of professionals who work to develop long term relationships with clients, providing them with an unparalleled level of service. Shauna can be reached directly at (323) 602-2008 or via email at sshalom@excel.bank
Meet Greg Erikson, Executive Vice President, Chief Banking OfficerGreg is responsible for all aspects of sales & service delivery across the enterprise, providing day-to-day leadership and ensuring goals and objectives are met. Greg can be reached directly at (323) 602-2006 or via email at gerikson@excel.bank
Founded AP World Marketing focused on providing strategic consultation, fostering and advancing key partnerships with large retail stores such as Costco Wholesale, Price Smart, Target, Walmart, Hayneedle, Amazon, Wayfair, Overstock, Macy’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Publix, Hy-Vee, Groupon, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Home Depot, Lowes and Dick’s Sporting Goods to directly contribute to substantial top-line revenue since 2003.
A former New Yorker, Mitch has tremendous appreciation for EO and the LA chapter. He founded and chaired our last three all-chapter retreats, initiated our EO LA Talks annual event and now leads our US West Chapter as Learning Expert.
Mitch enjoys coaching youth sports, skiing, wake surfing, tennis, travel and a good conversation. He resides in Manhattan Beach with his wife and their 3 kids.
POSITIONS:
CEO of Spohn Ranch, Inc.
CEO of Action Park Alliance, Inc.
CEO of Blue Star Donuts Los Angeles
Past President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization Los Angeles
EXPERIENCE:
25+ years in skatepark/ action sports industry, 2-time
President of Los Angeles Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization
SKILLS/EXPERTISE:
Leadership, business operations, insurance and risk management, finance and accounting, skatepark programming and operations, cost estimating, municipal bidding, project management, logistics, HR/ compliance, event production
Kirsten is Southern California born and raised. While attending Venice High in the early ‘90s she and her brother Mark befriended their new neighbor Aaron Spohn, joining him in his relentless pursuit of skating and building ramps at his house.
It wasn’t long before that house transformed into a community dubbed “Spohn Ranch”. And with
ambition and drive, it wasn’t long before Kirsten transformed from one of Aaron’s first employees into the CEO/CFO that would help Spohn Ranch, Inc. evolve from a small family business into an award-winning, nation-wide design/build firm with 50 employees and over 1000 parks constructed. In 2002, Kirsten and Aaron recognized a need in many cities for professional skatepark management, and they founded Action Park Alliance (APA). The APA operates skateparks nationwide, creating safe and thriving community spaces where skaters of all ages can hone their skills, participate in events, buy skateboard supplies, or just hang out with their mentors.
Intimately involved in the action sports industry for 20+ years, the breadth of Kirsten’s experience is vast. In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from UCLA, she has developed expertise in every facet of skatepark design, construction and operations. Kirsten oversees all financial, legal and administrative matters, ensuring her design/build team can focus on what they do best – design and build. This includes review and execution of contracts, insurance certificates, cash-flow management, payroll, HR, invoicing and sub-contractor documentation.
Kirsten’s current and former clients include municipalities throughout the United States, the U.S. Military, ESPN X-Games, NBC’s Dew Tour, Red Bull, the City of Los Angeles, Vans Triple Crown, Virgin Airlines and the Gravity Games, among many others. Groundbreaking projects include designing and building the world’s largest action sports facility for the Boy Scouts of America and the design and construction of the world’s first portable bowl for professional competition.
Kirsten is the glue that holds the company together. While under her leadership, Spohn Ranch has earned a number of awards and industry recognition, including being named to Inc. Magazine’s list of 5,000 fastest-growing private companies 5 years in a row.
Kirsten has twice served as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization, an internationally renowned association of successful business owners. Through this affiliation, she is able to interact with many of the world’s top minds on a regular basis, leveraging this knowledge of business best practices to every project Spohn Ranch undertakes.
Kirsten has recently entered the retail food space. She is the CEO of Blue Star Donuts, Los Angeles – the Los Angeles franchise of the Portland gourmet donut chain known for cutting edge creations such as its Blueberry Bourbon Basil donut. She currently oversees two locations and the business continues to expand.
Kirsten has been happily married to Jeff for 5 years. They enjoy traveling to Greece every year, tending their vegetable garden and cooking its proceeds, and spending time with their dogs and cats.
In his 20+ year career in public relations, Jeff has played a key role in developing, launching and publicizing some of the country’s best known consumer brands including Starbucks Coffee Company, Jamba Juice, ArcLight Cinemas, Whole Foods and many others. At JS2, Jeff is responsible for the agency’s day-to- day operations in addition to new business development, professional development and client branding/strategy.
Prior to starting JS2 PR in 2001, Jeff was a principal in the New York-based public relations and marketing communications firm Kratz & Company which was sold in 2000. He began his career in Los Angeles at Fox Broadcasting Company, in development, where he assisted in developing prime time specials including the Emmy Awards and the Billboard Music Awards.
Jeff holds a B.A. in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He recently served as President of the Los Angeles chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and sits on the Advisory Board at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work where, in 2007, he received the Tate-Turner- Kuralt Award for outstanding service to the School. Jeff has held board positions with The Wonder of Reading, G.L.E.H. and the Alzheimer’s Association’s Marketing Advisory Council and is a founding member of PR Masterminds, a group of PR industry thought leaders from across the U.S.
AWARDS
2010 NAWBO LA “Rising Star” Awardee
2011 Farmers® Insurance Extraordinary Entrepreneur Trailblazer Award
2011 Citrus Studios was voted “Tech Firm of the Year” by the Asian Business Association
2013 Anti-Defamation League’s Deborah Award
PANEL
White House Business Technology Panel
Connecting Women to Power Business Conference
V3 Digital Media Conference
NAWBO’s Annual Entrepreneur’s Conference
A native of Honolulu, Kalika Yap attended NYU where she found the everyday activity of life in New York – from subway and taxi rides to visits to the Union Square Farmer’s Market – exhilarating. A journalism major, Kalika worked for several media firms including Bloomberg and CNBC until 1996 when she uprooted herself again, and moved out west to Los Angeles.
Kalika, an early adopter of the world wide web, immersed herself in the still little understood internet. She quickly realized the vast global potential of the web, which she parlayed into a position at the Los Angeles Culture Net, a collaborative initiative project of the Getty Information Institute and California Culture Net. She developed web curriculum and web site design workshops for individual artists, art & educational institutions, and students K-12, all the while developing an affinity for the creative professional community.
While at the J. Paul Getty Trust, as a web developer, Kalika interacted directly with non-profit organizations during which time she discovered her true appreciation for non-profit, mission-driven work. As a result, to this day, she integrates the value-based culture of philanthropy within all her business units.
In 1999, Kalika founded Citrus Studios, Inc., an award-winning interactive design and consulting agency focused on the development and implementation of engaging and effective web sites for corporations, institutions, museums and universities. Citrus Studios counts the Annenberg Foundation, USC, UCLA, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as some of their clients.
Kalika is the inventor and patent design owner of Luxe Link, a unique fashion accessory responsible for keeping thousands of women’s purses off the floor. Luxe Link has been featured on the Today’s Show and is available in over 70 International and US stores, as well as online.
During the pits of the 2009 recession, Kalika took a leap of faith and launched a new business – The Waxing Company; the first high-end waxing company to arrive in Honolulu. Kalika’s conservative projections of profitability were proven wrong when she turned a profit within 120 days of launch.
Despite owning three successful entrepreneurial endeavors, Kalika’s most treasured company is that of her family – her husband Rodney and their two daughters. Both Kalika’s work family and personal family are located in Santa Monica where she feels most at home.