The Mark Haney Podcast

In this installment of The Mark Haney Show series, The Most Valuable Towns in the Backyard, we shine a spotlight on Elk Grove, one of the Sacramento region’s most dynamic cities. Mark sits down with Darrell Doan, Economic Development Director, and Darren Suen, Elk Grove City Council Member, to explore how Elk Grove has become a hub for innovation, growth, and community excellence. Darrell and Darr...

Welcome to a special family edition of The Mark Haney Show! Today, I'm joined by my son Marcus and daughter Ashley as we dive deep into the values, challenges, and joys that shape our family's unique dynamic. From the importance of family unity to navigating modern parenting, technology, and the rapidly changing world, this episode is packed with heartfelt insights, humor, and actionable takeaways...

Join Sally Forcier and Kim Kaplan, co-founders of Wild Filly Films, as they share their inspiring journey of building a woman-owned production company focused on telling meaningful stories. In this episode, they discuss their mission to address critical issues such as female ageism, diversity, and mental health through thought-provoking films and documentaries. Drawing from decades of experience i...

Discover how UC Davis is shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in Sacramento with George Baxter, Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer at UC Davis. In this engaging conversation, George shares insights into Aggie Square, a $1 billion investment transforming the region into a global innovation hub. Learn about UC Davis’s efforts to foster startups, collaborate with the p...

Join Mark as he interviews Dr. Christian Renaudin, CEO and founder of The MarkeTech Group and a leading force in the MedTech industry. Discover how Dr. Renaudin transitioned from academia to entrepreneurship, building a global consulting business that helps Fortune 100 companies thrive. Gain insights into his role at the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy (SEA), where he mentors early-stage entre...

Join Mark and his son, Marine entrepreneur Marcus Haney, in this special Thanksgiving episode as they dive into the entrepreneurial mindset, overcoming obstacles, and the power of gratitude. Recorded during Thanksgiving week in 2018, this heartfelt conversation reflects on the journey of building businesses, the struggles of transitioning from the military, and finding purpose through passion and...

In this special episode of The Mark Haney Show, the spotlight shifts as Curt Rocca takes over the mic to interview Mark Haney. Explore Mark's inspiring journey from his roots in Sacramento to becoming a visionary leader, building the Growth Factory, and creating the Backyard Advantage to empower local entrepreneurs. Discover the driving forces behind his family-first philosophy, leadership style,...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of football and data analytics with Christian Masegian, CEO and co-founder of Modern Football Technology. Christian shares how his platform is revolutionizing how coaches make decisions, moving from pen and paper to real-time insights that enhance game strategy, player performance, and team success. We discuss the importance of a competitive edge in bot...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, we dive into the world of local marketing with Jen Esparza, owner of The Jen Advantage. Jen shares her unique approach to helping small businesses and nonprofits build awareness and connect with their communities. From understanding client motivations to creating personalized strategies, Jen reveals the art and science behind impactful marketing. Learn about...

In this insightful interview, SC Moatti, founder of Products That Count and managing partner at Mighty Capital, joins Mark Haney at GFX to discuss building impactful products, the future of AI, and her unique "mind, body, spirit" approach to product design. SC shares her journey from Paris to Silicon Valley, her investment philosophy, and her predictions on how AI could reshape industries like fil...

In this powerful and insightful interview, we sits down with Tyler Shultz, the renowned whistleblower who helped expose the massive fraud at Theranos. Tyler shares his journey from a young employee at the promising startup to the brave whistleblower who risked everything to reveal the truth. He discusses his experiences working under Elizabeth Holmes, the legal and financial fallout of being a whi...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, we sit down with Kristine Hyde and Brenda Deary, co-owners of Drybar Sacramento and Roseville. They share their entrepreneurial journey, discussing how they’ve built a unique business model that offers more than just blowouts—it’s a confidence-boosting experience! Tune in to learn about their "cheat code" for success, their community-driven mindset, and how...

In this special episode of The Mark Haney Show, we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the L5 Investments Capital Cup—Sacramento’s premier charity golf tournament that has raised over $15 million for 92 local nonprofits. Join Mark as he sits down with some of Sacramento's most impactful business leaders, including Curt Rocca (Founder of the Capital Cup), Michael Flaherty (Founder of L5 Investments),...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show , we continue our Most Valuable Towns in the Backyard series with a deep dive into Rancho Cordova , a thriving hub in the Greater Sacramento Region. Mark is joined by Diann Rogers , President & CEO of the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce, and Amanda Norton , Economic Development Director for the City of Rancho Cordova. They discuss the city’s uniqu...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, we dive deep into Five Star Bank's bold expansion into the Bay Area, as James Beckwith, CEO of Five Star Bank, and Jon Gregory, discuss how they are seizing the opportunity left by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank. From their unique high-tech, high-touch banking model to the strategic hiring of top talent in San Francisco, learn ho...

Join us as we dive into a conversation with Brad Squires, the CEO of Social Venture Partners Sacramento and the driving force behind the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Community Foundation. Brad shares his journey from building successful SaaS companies to dedicating his life to philanthropy and community development in Sacramento. In this episode, we explore how Brad is leveraging his entrepreneurial skill...

Join us on this episode as we sit down with Jonathan Dorfman, the co-founder of South Fork Vodka, who shares his fascinating journey from working in nuclear fusion research to launching an award-winning craft vodka brand. Jonathan discusses the unique technology behind their spirits, the importance of community engagement, and the challenges of building a brand in the competitive spirits industry....

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, we dive into the inspiring journey of Rob DeFeo, founder of EDC Specialties, America's first brick-and-mortar store for high-quality USA-made Every Day Carry gear. Rob shares how his personal algorithm—BRAINS, BALLS, HARD WORK—propelled him from a background in graphic design to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Discover how Rob's relentless pursuit of inn...

In this episode of the "Most Valuable Towns in the Backyard" series, we dive into what makes Folsom, CA, a standout city in the Greater Sacramento Region. Join us as we chat with Phil Scott, Business & Economic Development Consultant for Choose Folsom, and Adrian Blanco, owner of Adrian Blanco Jewelry, to uncover Folsom's unique blend of innovation, quality of life, and community spirit. Learn...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, we sit down with Brett Lawton, President of Lawton Construction & Restoration, Inc., to explore the strategies and mindsets that have fueled his success in the restoration and construction industry. Brett shares his journey from working alongside his father to scaling a thriving business, discussing the key decisions and innovations that set his company...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, we sit down with Chef Jeana Pecha, the culinary mastermind behind Omakase Por Favor, a unique fusion restaurant that combines Japanese raw bar experiences with traditional coastal Mexican cuisine. At just 28, Chef Jeana has already made significant waves in the culinary world, from winning "Guy's Grocery Games" on The Food Network to working at top-tier rest...

In this episode of the Mark Haney Show, we dive into the heart of Rocklin, CA, with Vice Mayor Jill Gayaldo and Robin Trimble, CEO of the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce. Discover what makes Rocklin a standout community in the Greater Sacramento Region. From top-notch schools and public safety to thriving local businesses and community events like Hot Chili & Cool Cars, Jill and Robin share t...

In this special episode of The Mark Haney Show, we are joined by former NFL wide receiver Adam Jennings and his adoptive parents, Dave and Lacey McCoy. Adam, a Granite Bay native and Fresno State alum, shares his journey from high school standout to professional football player, highlighting the personal "cheat codes" that helped him succeed both on and off the field. We delve into his transition...

In this episode of The Mark Haney Show, we sit down with Scott Monday, the innovative CEO and founder of kitchen & bath CRATE. Discover how Scott transformed the home remodeling industry with his proprietary CRATE system, which streamlines the entire renovation process for efficiency and quality.  Join us as Scott reveals his "cheat codes" for success, discusses the challenges and triumphs of...

In this episode of the Mark Haney Show, we feature two inspiring young entrepreneurs, Eunike Jonathan of Code Ninjas and Rohan Kulkarni of Ask Geri. Eunike Jonathan, a trailblazer in tech education, shares how Code Ninjas is preparing the next generation of STEM leaders by teaching kids as young as kindergarten the fundamentals of coding and problem-solving. Rohan Kulkarni, co-founder of Ask Geri,...