The Mark Haney Podcast

Taro Arai, Chief Dreaming Officer of Mikuni Sushi, shares how he built a $90 million sushi empire from humble beginnings in Sacramento. In this inspiring episode of The Mark Haney Show, Taro opens up about entrepreneurship, family business, faith, creativity, and how Mikuni became one of the most beloved restaurant brands in Northern California. Taro’s journey began when his family immigrated from...

Cindy Nichol is the powerhouse behind Sacramento’s entire airport system—including SMF, Mather, Executive, and Franklin Field. As Director of Airports for Sacramento County, she’s leading a $1.3 billion transformation while running an operation that functions more like a city than a terminal. On this episode, Cindy Nichol reveals what it takes to run an airport that operates like a city—and why SM...

In this powerful episode of The Mark Haney Show, we sit down with Billy Horton — pro baseball coach, author, and speaker — to talk about overcoming adversity and building men, not just players. Billy shares his incredible journey from getting cut in high school to coaching World Series champions, how he rebuilt his life after major career setbacks, and the core principles that drive his leadership...

Greg Connolly, founder of Trifecta Nutrition and now CEO of Kora Power, joins Mark Haney to share his top 3 secrets to raising capital, scaling startups, and disrupting massive industries. In this episode, Greg breaks down how he built a $500M brand, why he left it to launch Kora Power, and how he's bringing smart energy tech into your home. Whether you're a founder raising your first round or a s...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, Mark sits down with Growth Factory partners Rick Spencer and Ali Mackani for a bold conversation at the intersection of artificial intelligence and venture capital. They explore: • Why AI is changing the rules of investing and startup building • How "Venture Science" could reshape the VC industry • The myth of job loss vs. the reality of augmented human pote...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, we sit down with Greg Aguirre, President & CEO of Capital Rivers Commercial, to explore his journey from humble beginnings to building one of the most respected commercial real estate firms in Northern California. Greg shares how he went from junior high handyman gigs to working under legendary entrepreneur Dale Carlsen, before launching Capital Rivers—a...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, I sit down with Lucas Mijares, Co-Founder and CEO of Zion Capital, a fast-growing wealth management firm now managing over $250 million in assets. Lucas shares how he went from knocking doors in a suit to launching a high-trust boutique firm grounded in values, stewardship, and grit. 🎯 You’ll hear: • Why Lucas left a "storybook" career at Edward Jones to bu...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, we go on location to Aggie Square—UC Davis’s game-changing innovation district in Sacramento.  Monique Brown—Knowledge Community Director at Wexford Science & Technology and Co-Founder of the Growth Factory—joins me to unpack how this $1.1B project is transforming the region.  Monique offers a behind-the-scenes look at Connect Labs, an eight-story innova...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, I sit down with Sheila Carroll, Founder and Managing Attorney at Carroll & Associates and a multi-year Super Lawyer. Sheila shares critical legal insights for entrepreneurs—covering the biggest startup mistakes around equity, employees, and intellectual property. You’ll learn: • Why you should treat equity like gold, not candy • How to protect your IP fr...

What does it take to turn a beachside idea into one of the fastest-growing vodka brands in America? In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, I sit down with Matt Levitt, founder of Tahoe Blue Vodka, to unpack the wild entrepreneurial journey behind the brand that went from a solo hustle in Lake Tahoe to a top-10 vodka on store shelves across the West. We talk brand-building without big budgets, the...

Chris Ewing just pulled off one of Sacramento’s biggest tech success stories—a $2 billion exit with his company One Inc, a fintech platform that processes over $100 billion in insurance payments. Now? He’s back to building. In this episode, Chris shares the full behind-the-scenes journey of bootstrapping, pivoting, and scaling One Inc, including the near-failures, billion-dollar lessons, and the f...

Rob Archie started with paninis, pastries, and $372 a day. Today, he’s the founder behind some of Sacramento’s most iconic food and drink spots—Pangaea Bier Café, Urban Roots Brewery, BAWK!, Cervecería, The Roost, and now Good Neighbor. In this episode, recorded inside his hidden whiskey bar The Roost, Rob shares how he built a thriving restaurant group with over 150 team members—without ever losi...

What do you get when you bring together a powerhouse real estate team, a booming short-term rental business, and a top-tier co-working space? You get the A-Team—Ashley, Adrienne, and Adrianna from Haney Real Estate. In this episode, Mark Haney sits down with the women driving innovation in the Sacramento real estate scene. They dive into: • What’s really happening in the market right now (spoiler:...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, I sit down with Maggie Bender-Johnson, the third-generation President and CEO of Bender Insurance Solutions—a company that’s not only 87 years strong, but 100% employee-owned and female-led at the executive level. Maggie shares the remarkable story of how her family built and sustained a legacy business, how she transitioned BIS into an ESOP, and why she’s n...

In this powerful and introspective episode of The Mark Haney Show, I sit down with Krista Bernasconi—Mayor of Roseville, founder of MarketSharePR, U.S. Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and community leader. Krista shares her “cheat code” for success, built around discipline, early mornings, and a relentless commitment to service. We dive into what it takes to lead one of California’s fastest-growing ci...

What happens when a Silicon Valley founder and a master yoga teacher take over one of Northern California’s most beloved yoga studios? In this inspiring episode, Mark sits down with Andrea Spacek and Heather Harmon, the powerhouse duo behind East Wind Yoga, to talk about how they’re fusing entrepreneurship, leadership, community, and wellness into a mission-driven business. Andrea is a teacher of...

What does it really take to attract investors, scale a startup, and build a winning ecosystem? Brian Sparkes, CEO of Silicon Valley Venture, shares powerful insights from working with 1,400+ startups, VCs, and accelerators across the globe. 🔥 In This Episode: ✔️ The #1 mistake founders make when pitching investors ✔️ Why storytelling & communication can make or break a startup ✔️ The power of...

🚜 How do you build and sustain a multi-generational family business in a highly regulated state like California? Ken Monroe, CEO of HOC Holdings (parent company of Holt of California), joins Mark Haney to discuss the growth and evolution of one of the region’s most impactful businesses. In this episode, Ken shares insights on: ✅ The state of construction & agriculture industries in Californi...

What’s the secret to running a thriving family business for over 50 years? Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm isn’t just a place to pick pumpkins—it’s a multi-generational success story built on tradition, innovation, and relentless growth. From humble beginnings in 1973 to hosting over 300,000 visitors a year, the Bishop family has turned a small farm into one of the nation’s top agritourism destinations. In...

🔥 What does it take to live a life of purpose, build strong families, and create lasting success? In this powerful episode of The Mark Haney Show, I sit down with Dr. John Jackson, President of William Jessup University, to discuss faith, family, leadership, and the future of entrepreneurship. Dr. Jackson shares his insights on why family is the foundation of success, the role of faith in overcom...

🚀 How do you stay ahead in a world being transformed by AI? Liz Connolly, co-founder of Trifecta and founder of Katsu, joins Mark Haney to share her expert insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and career growth in this must-watch interview. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ How AI is changing the job market & what you can do to stay relevant ✅ The secret to getting promoted & leveli...

Welcome back to Haneyville Chronicles, where we dive deep into the mindset, strategies, and stories behind entrepreneurship, success, and personal growth. In this episode, we join Mark, Ashley, and Marcus as they explore what it takes to build a legacy, set ambitious goals, and stay disciplined in the face of challenges—all while maintaining strong family and business values. 💡 What You'll Learn...

Are we headed for a recession? Will interest rates keep climbing? What’s the outlook for Sacramento and the U.S. economy? In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, we sit down with Dr. Sanjay Varshney, one of the nation’s leading economists and wealth management experts, to discuss inflation, real estate, the stock market, financial literacy, and the future of business. 🔥 This conversation is packe...

🎙️ Discover the Most Valuable Towns in the Sacramento Region! 🌟 The Sacramento region is a vibrant tapestry of innovation, history, and community, driven by passionate leaders and unique opportunities. In this special compilation episode, we highlight the stories of resilience, collaboration, and growth that make this area one of the most dynamic places to live, work, and thrive. From economic de...

In the final installment of our The Most Valuable Towns in the Backyard series, we sit down with Troels Adrian, Executive Vice President of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council (GSEC), to dive deep into what makes the Greater Sacramento region a powerhouse of opportunity and growth. From groundbreaking semiconductor projects to the region's emerging biotech and clean tech industries, Troels rev...