Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact Bret Schanzenbach

Hey there, Carlsbad community and beyond! Are you ready to dive into the stories of local leaders and game-changers? This is your host, Bret Schanzenbach, and you're tuning into episode 111 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact." Today, we're unpacking the journey of a true entrepreneurial force, Ken Aurigemma, founder and owner of Strategic Business Alliance.
Ever wonder what fuels the fire of a successful entrepreneur? Or how someone transitions from serving as a Coast Guard aviation navigator to becoming the CFO of a skyrocketing company like No Fear? Well, buckle up because Ken is here to share his incredible voyage from the East Coast to the heart of Carlsbad, where his passion for helping small businesses shines bright.
We're talking big leaps, the power of family legacy, and the seismic shifts in the world of accounting where AI and advisory roles are changing the game. Plus, Ken will spill the beans on how he helped a solar company soar from $1.6 million to a jaw-dropping $188 million in sales!
If you're curious about the future of small businesses, the impact of technology on traditional roles, or just love a good success story, this episode is for you. Don't forget, you can reach out to Ken for a strategic alliance that could revolutionize your business. Just visit strategic-ba.com or dial 760-573-1038 to start your journey.
So, are you ready to be inspired and informed? Tune in now to "Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact" where local stories meet global insights. 

Ken's Bio:Ken Aurigemma is the founder and owner of Strategic Business Alliance, LLC, which serves small business owners in Southern California and across the U.S. Services include outsourced/interim controller/CFO services, Accounting services, (including bookkeeping and payroll), and consulting services for QuickBooks® and Xero.
Ken understands the many demands that business owners face each and every day. He leverages his years of knowledge and CFO-level experience to provide these business owners with the necessary tools for managing and growing their companies, while also working closely with them to find solutions that save time and money on their accounting and operational needs.
As a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor and Xero Certified Advisor, Ken provides setup, training, troubleshooting, and support services for QuickBooks and Xero. He has technical expertise and experience in the entire line of Intuit products including QuickBooks® Online, QuickBooks® Enterprise Solutions, QuickBooks® Point of Sale, Merchant Services, Payroll, and many more.
Ken offers accounting solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. He listens carefully to his client’s needs and designs customized solutions while guiding his clients through the financial systems and management processes with patience and encouragement.
Ken has over 35 years of professional accounting, auditing, and management experience. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with his B.S. in Accounting after spending 4 years with the Coast Guard. Following graduation, Ken was employed by the military retailer Navy Exchange Service Command, where he held several positions: Internal Auditor from 1987 to 1990; Senior Accountant from 1990 to 1993; and Accounting Manager from 1993 to 2000. He later became a Controller for LEGO Brand Retail, Inc., the retail division of the LEGO Group, from 2000 to 2004. From 2004 to 2012, Ken served as Chief Financial Officer of No Fear, Inc. and its subsidiaries FMF, No Fear Retail and No Fear Racing. After leaving No Fear, Ken became the Director of Finance at Novasyte, LLC before he decided to part ways and create Strategic Business Alliance in 2014.
When Ken is not working, he enjoys cycling, working out at the gym, walking on the beach, reading, travelling and supporting his wife, Christy, when she competes in Ironman triathlon events. He also enjoys sampling the local craft beers and travelling to Napa Valley and Paso Robles for

Are you ready to dive deep into the world of finance and find out how one woman is changing the game for female empowerment in the industry? Welcome to episode 110 of Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact! I am your host, Bret Schanzenbach, and today we're sitting down with the phenomenal Catherine Magaña, managing partner of WWM Financial.
Catherine's journey is nothing short of inspiring—from her early days learning the ropes in a male-dominated field to launching Savvy Woman Wealth Management, a division aimed at educating women on all things fiscal. 
Join us as we explore Catherine's professional evolution, her strategic move during the 2008 financial crisis, and how her core values of family, community, and integrity shape her work and philanthropy. Plus, find out how the addition of tax strategist Rachel Ivanovic is revolutionizing the services at WWM Financial!
Don't miss this episode packed with insights and Catherine's powerful message of financial literacy and independence. Tune in to learn, be inspired, and maybe even discover your path to financial empowerment! 
Catherine's Bio:
 Catherine began her financial management career at Smith Barney (now Morgan Stanley Wealth Management) in 1999. She then partnered with Steve Wolff and Cliff Wiese in 2004 while at Smith Barney and now serves as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ for Wolff Wiese Magaña, dba WWM Financial and Savvy Women Wealth Management (“SWWM”) a subsidiary which she helped found in 2011.
Catherine graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She enjoys walking/running in local 5K’s (Carlsbad 5000 and Encinitas 5K), learning how to play golf and spending time at Moonlight Beach with her family. Catherine enjoys new adventures. She has zip lined in the mountains, rock climbed, and has even walked through hot coals barefoot! Catherine is active in local community service activities such as Holiday Baskets, Fill the Plate, and Backpacks for Kids.
Catherine is well respected among other San Diego business professionals and participates in many organizations. She was awarded “2018 Five Star Wealth Manager,” “2016 Carlsbad Chamber Small Business Awards for Women Owned Business,” “2016 Carlsbad Chamber Go Giver Award,” “NCPC Volunteer of the Year for The Carlsbad Charitable Foundation” and was a finalist in the 2016 San Diego Business Journal Women Who Mean Business awards. She serves as a Board Member and Chair of the Government Affairs Committee for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, is the past Chair of Board of Directors and past Grants Chair for the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, is an Executive Board member and past President for the Financial Planning Association of San Diego.
She has been married to Joscelin since 2000. They have twins – a boy and girl, Phoenix and Madison.
Check out these Links:
WWM Financial
 Facebook page
 Linkedin

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Sponsor: This show is sponsored and produced by DifMix Productions. To learn more about starting your own podcast, visit www.DifMix.com/podcasting

Hey, ocean lovers and film aficionados! Are you ready to dive deep into the world of environmental storytelling? In episode 109 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact," I, Bret Schanzenbach, chat with the visionary Greg Reitman, CEO and founder of the Blue Water Institute.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to start a film festival? Or how a history major turned tech guru finds his true calling in the kelp forests of Catalina Island? Greg shares his incredible journey from tech to the big screen, revealing the behind-the-scenes magic of the Blue Water Film Festival.
We'll explore the festival's commitment to our planet, showcasing films that inspire and provoke action. From the world premiere of "Whale Nation" to the touching story of "Orca: Black, White, and Gold," you'll get a sneak peek at this year's must-see films.
Don't miss out on the fun! We're also giving our Chamber members a special 10% discount code (BWFF10) for festival tickets. Tune in to discover how the Blue Water Film Festival is making waves in San Diego and beyond!
Check out the festival at BWFF.net or BlueWaterFilmFestival.org and join us at venues like the Conrad in La Jolla and the UC San Diego. Remember, it's not just a festival; it's a movement. Let's make a splash together!Greg Reitman's Bio:Greg Reitman, CEO & FounderBlue Water Institute, Inc
Greg Reitman is an American Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Author & Founder of the Blue Water Institute. He has been described by Movie Maker Magazine as “one of the top ten filmmakers producing content that impacts our world.” Greg manages his production company Blue Water Entertainment focusing on environmentally conscious broad-based entertainment. He has written, produced and directed diverse genres of award-winning content for audiences around the world, including for theatrical release with Landmark theaters as well as Lions Gate, Hulu, Amazon, Netflix, GAIA, ZDF, ARTE, PBS, amongst others. His feature film and documentary works include, Crypto, Rooted in Peace, Fuel and Hollywood’s Magical Island – Catalina.
From the USA to Costa Rica to India, environmental activist Greg Reitman has been reinvigorated with a new philanthropic mission. He recently founded the non-profit Blue Water Institute with a commitment to the preservation of the planet through the art of environmental storytelling. The mission of the Blue Water Institute is to encourage attendees to think broadly about how climate change affects planet Earth and think deeply about the universal concerns and actions needed to bring us into balance. 50% of all film selections are non-US productions, helping to fulfill the festival mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding through film.
Blue Water Institute has steadily built a reputation of taking some of the hardest ecological questions of our time head on. “Our goal is to start a dialogue about the true essence of sustainability, on a global, national and personal basis,” said Reitman. “It makes sense to share the mission in conjunction with the United Nations’ World Water Day, especially here in the State of California.
Greg’s introspective and socially relevant books and films have won the Sundance Audience Award, TNT Award, Impact Doc Award, Pembroke Peace Prize and countless others. He has earned critical acclaim in the LA Times being compared to Michael Moore. His literary work, Rooted in Peace: An Inspiring Story of Finding Peace published by Llewellyn Publications has been acknowledged as national best selling author winning: Best Spiritual Author (Spirituality & Health Magazine); Best Spiritual Real-Life Story (Spirituality & Health Magazine); & Best Memoir (Living Now Book Awards).
Greg received a BA at University of Massachusetts at Amherst.. He’s an active member of the DGA, SAG-AFTRA, The Explorer’s Club, and served as a fellow adjunct Professor at NYU-Tisch.
He currently resides in Del Mar, CA, living a “green lifestyle.”
Check out these

Are you ready to be inspired by a story of growth, community impact, and a touch of hops and history? Tune in to Episode 108 of Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact, where your host Bret Schanzenbach chats with the remarkable Chris Cochran, the new director of operations for the Carlsbad Chamber Community Foundation!
In this episode, we dive into Chris's journey from being one of the pioneering forces behind Stone Brewing's rise to a top ten brewery in the U.S. to managing an aquaponic farm that helps former homeless individuals. But that's just the tip of the iceberg!
Chris shares his passion for the Chamber Foundation's initiatives, like the Rising Star Program, which shines a light on high-achieving students who've triumphed over adversity. He also discusses the SoCal Workforce platform and the Corporate Kindness Initiative, showing us that business is not just about profit, but also about purpose and people.
Ever wondered what it takes to be a Junior CEO or how transitioning military personnel can find new career paths? Chris has some exciting future initiatives up his sleeve! Plus, don't miss out on his unique hobby of collecting vintage beer cans and memorabilia.
Join us as Chris reflects on the power of support and community, and learn how you can be a part of the positive change. Ready to get involved? Let's make an impact together!
Chris's Bio:
Ccommunity Relations, Marketing, Development, Sales, and Communications Specialist with over 24 years of experience in the craft beer, non-profit, and marketing industries. Able to create brand identity, forge partnerships and deliver on the mission of the organization, while developing the vision with integrity. Deeply passionate, hard-working, problem solving, and extremely reliable, with an impeccable history of giving back.
Website: https://www.impactcarlsbad.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlsbadChamber
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-cochran-812563129/

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Sponsor: This show is sponsored and produced by DifMix Productions. To learn more about starting your own podcast, visit www.DifMix.com/podcasting

Hey there, Carlsbad community! Are you ready to dive into the world of entrepreneurship and the power of local impact? In episode 107 of "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact," I, Bret Schanzenbach, have a riveting chat with the dynamic Aaron Gobidas, the brains behind GoBeRewarded. Ever wondered what it's like to leap from the discipline of the Marine Corps into the wild ride of entrepreneurship?
Join us as Aaron shares his serendipitous stumble into the Chamber of Commerce that unexpectedly propelled his networking to new heights. Discover how GoBeRewarded, a nominee for Business of the Year, is revolutionizing the San Diego area with their comprehensive digital marketing magic, from snappy social media to compelling video podcasts.
But wait, there's more! Are you harnessing the power of video content to make your business shine on platforms like YouTube and TikTok? Aaron breaks down why long-form content could be your golden ticket to deeper engagement and a treasure trove of content. And for my fellow local leaders, Aaron's insights on the SEO perks of chamber involvement are pure gold.
Don't miss this chance to get inspired and maybe even kickstart your own podcasting journey. Tune in to learn, laugh, and level up your local impact with us!
Check out GoBeRewarded 

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Sponsor: This show is sponsored and produced by DifMix Productions. To learn more about starting your own podcast, visit www.DifMix.com/podcasting

Hey, Carlsbad community! Are you ready to dive into the stories of local changemakers and innovators? This is your host, Bret Schanzenbach, and you're tuning into episode 106 of Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact. Ever wondered what happens when the worlds of law, entrepreneurship, and women's empowerment collide? Well, today's episode features the incredible Tamina Madsen, Community Director at Hera Hub Carlsbad, who's here to spill the tea on this unique blend!
Tamina's journey is nothing short of fascinating—from taking on giants in the courtroom to championing female entrepreneurs, she's a force to be reckoned with. Imagine trading legal briefs for the thrill of launching a trendy e-commerce platform. That's Tamina for you, and she's not stopping there!
We'll explore the ins and outs of Hera Hub, a co-working space that's so much more than desks and Wi-Fi. It's a community, a movement, and a lifeline for those looking to make their business dreams a reality. And guess what? They're shaking up the co-working scene right here in Carlsbad with a brand new location!
Join us as we delve into the power of co-working, the magic of Hera Hub's global network, and the special programs that are helping women soar. Plus, get a sneak peek into Tamina's life outside the office—balancing entrepreneurship with raising three lively boys!
Don't miss this inspiring conversation. Check out Hera Hub on Instagram @herahubcarlsbad or visit their website at herahub.com/carlsbad to learn more and maybe even book a tour. Grab your headphones, hit play, and let's get ready to be inspired! #CarlsbadProud #WomenInBusiness #CommunityImpact

Tamina Madsen's Bio:
Tamina Madsen has been the Community Director at Hera Hub Carlsbad for five years. Her role is to support local entrepreneurs with the launch, growth, and scaling of their businesses. Tamina's #1 focus is cultivating an unparalleled community of women business owners who support each other through the often isolating journey of solopreneurship. She facilitates a robust calendar of both in-person and virtual programming for Hera Hub members, and also manages the Carlsbad location's beautiful coworking, meeting, and event space.
Tamina was born and raised in Southern California. She attended UC Berkeley where she received her BA in Rhetoric. She received her JD from UCLA School of Law and practiced complex civil litigation pursuing consumer protection-based class actions against corporations for violations of false advertising and breach of warranty laws. She then took a break from practicing law to explore her entrepreneurial and creative side, and launched and operated her own business sourcing officially licensed gameday apparel for women.
Tamina is a Los Angeles native who relocated to Carlsbad in 2017 and has never looked back. She and her family love living, working, and playing in our gorgeous beachside community. She has three energetic boys who give her a run for her money and views the spa-like environment of Hera Hub as a peaceful retreat! Beyond the beautiful physical space of Hera Hub Carlsbad, Tamina enjoys supporting the dynamic community of women who make up the community. From being active in Alpha Chi Omega sorority in her college years, to leading mothers’ social and support groups when her boys were toddlers, Tamina has always endeavored to surround herself with, assist, and empower women. Her role as Director is a natural fit for her and she is grateful for her daily opportunities to connect with and serve the female entrepreneurs of Hera Hub Carlsbad.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herahubcarlsbad
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taminamadsen/

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Sponsor: This show is sponsored and produced by DifMix Productions. To learn more about starting your own podcast, visit www.DifMix.com/podcasting