Velocity - Vista Chamber Podcast

Join Rachel for an engaging conversation with Dr. Gene Ma, CEO of Tri-City Medical Center. Learn more about this passionate healthcare visionary who has guided TCMC through challenges while also leading the organization to earn numerous awards and recognitions for excellence in patient care and innovation. Rachel and Gene discuss his journey into medicine, the incredible lifesaving care happening...

Laurie Davies serves the 74th Assembly District which includes Vista as well as other cities in North County, Orange County, and Camp Pendleton. Join Rachel today as she interviews Assemblymember Laurie Davies. Hear about her background as a business owner in Orange County and the issues that inspired her to run for office like affordable housing, public safety, workforce development, and much mor...

What's the best thing to do in Vista? When will Black Bear Dinner open? Is the Chamber part of the City? Join Vista Chamber CEO Rachel Beld as she answers your questions about Vista, businesses and beyond! Book: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown Song: Let It Be by The Beatles Crowded Table by The Highwomen Business: Alchemy Print Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum NCTD+ Avo Playhouse THANK YOU TO...

Luis “Jr.” Lopez is the owner of Seven Seas Bar & Grill, one of Downtown Vista’s newest additions. In this episode, he talks about his family’s history in the restaurant industry—from their beginnings in Cardiff to opening successful locations in Oceanside, and now Vista. Jr. also shares how partnerships helped bring Seven Seas to life—and yes, he touches on the fan-favorite biscuits too. Book...

Mike Delgado of Heavy Breathing Foundation shares his journey from lifting weights to lifting up lives. In this inspiring conversation, he opens up about how strength training builds more than muscle—it builds confidence, resilience, and a supportive community. Learn how his foundation is transforming lives through fitness and why finding your own strength, both physical and mental, can be a true...

Corinna Contreras was elected in 2018 to the City of Vista council to represent District 1. As a Vista native she's passionate about bringing environmental sustainability, equity, and safety to our community. Hear from Councilmember Contreras on her vision and goals for the future of Vista! Show notes: Corinna Contreras, City of Vista Councilmember District 1 Book: The Count of Monte Cristo Bl...

Catherine Blakespear serves CA Senate District 38, which includes North San Diego County and Southern Orange County, including Vista. Senator Blakespear joined Rachel for a chat about her work since being elected in 2022, her legislative priorities (like solving homelessness!), and her vision for the future of North County. Tune in for an engaging conversation and learn more about Senator Blakespe...

This week's episode gets festive as Rachel sits down with Debbie Medrano from San Diego Balloons & More. Debbie has balloons in her blood as she comes from a family of balloon professionals! Debbie shares her experience as an entrepreneur helping people amplify the celebrations in their lives. Check out this episode today and remember, the party doesn't start until the balloons arrive!...

This week, we dive into an incredibly important topic - your books! In this episode, RaeAnn shares her passion for helping other people through bookkeeping. Her warm and calming approach fosters trust as she helps entrepreneurs put profit first. Listen in for common bookkeeping mistakes that you can avoid. Check out Stout Booking because ignored books are costing you money! Stout Bookkeeping &...

Joining Rachel for the latest edition of Velocity is Dan O'Donnell , City Council Member representing District 4. Dan shares his vision for Vista, which is built on collaboration, communication, and improving our whole community. His thoughtful, common-sense approach shapes his perspective when balancing competing priorities. Listen in to this informative episode and learn more about Council M...

Though Chris Swimley was born an artist, his entrepreneurial drive came a bit later through the culmination of creativity, curiosity, and hustle. You don't want to miss how this rocker turned his experience and hunger for success into a thriving promotional products company, Machine Print Shop while remaining a super amazing human! Show Notes Machine Print Shop Book: The Daily Stoic on Audible...

Meet Vista's newest City Council Member representing District 2. A lifelong Vistan, Jeff Fox is a business owner and community supporter. Join Rachel for the Season 4 kickoff as she sits down with Jeff for a chat about entrepreneurship, what it's like to be a City Council Member and his priorities for the next four years. Show Notes: Star Fox Media City of Vista District 2 City of Vista Ge...

Enjoy this holiday message from Rachel Beld. And check out her list of recommendations for delicious sips and holiday cheer: A Guide to Holiday Cheer in Vista See you in 2025!!

Lauren Fehlhaber is a dynamic, inspirational leader who created something unique with The Film Hub. The Film Hub is a coworking space that inspires creativity. Film Hub members have access to coworking spaces, sound stages, a podcast studio, and beautifully designed conference rooms created to the backdrop in photos, video, or your next Zoom call. Join Rachel and Lauren for a thoughtful conversati...

Kurtis Indorf is the CEO of The Classical Academies, a local charter school network serving more than 5,000 students in North County . Kurtis joined The Classical Academies in August 2024 after the retirement of founder and long-time CEO Cameron Curry. Join Rachel for a conversation with Kurtis and learn more about The Classical Academies approach to education, partnering with parents and students...

Frank Pierce is the General Manager of North County Ford. While he's new to Vista, he's already making a big impact! Join Rachel and she sits down with Frank to discuss lessons in leadership and grit. As the Presenting Sponsors of the Vista Christmas Parade, North County Ford has been creating community in Vista for 30 years!

Kristin Fracassi is the founder and owner of Root & Splendor, Vista's own premium all-natural laundry detergent company. When Kristin, a mom of four boys, went searching for a safe, natural detergent that would actually clean clothes, she found that it did not exist. She realized she would have to create it herself! Armed with a mission of clean clothes and clean ingredients, Root & Splend...

Gumaro Escarcega is well known in North County as the CEO of Main Street Oceanside but he and his wife Fabiola Plata are also owners of two Vista businesses - Embroidery Image and The Watershack. Gumaro sits down with Rachel to share his experience as an entrepreneur, the importance of taking risks, and the value of relationships. Show Notes: Main Street Oceanside Embroidery Image The Watershack M...

Joe Green, business owner, father, and PTA leader, was elected to Vista City Council in 2016 and re-elected in 2020 on a platform to increase communication. As Joe wraps up his last term on Council, he sits down with Rachel to discuss his work over the past eight years, why public service matters, and what's next. Show Notes: #WAVE - We Are Vista Everyday Green Team Realty Vista Unified Counci...

As Vice President of People and Culture at Watkins Wellness, Silvia Rocha-Espino is responsible for leading the HR teams globally. Her team develops strategy and solutions in areas such as talent acquisition, development, compensation, and employee wellness. They partner with leadership enterprise-wide to maximize the success of our organization, drive towards achieving  business initiatives, and...

Zeke Corley is co-owner of two family businesses, Network One Insurance & Financial Services & Bill Corley Insurance Agency, branded simply as Yourinsuranceplace.com, specializing in commercial insurance. He is also the owner of A Different Day Networks LLC., which produces twelve podcasts (and counting!) while also hosting his own show, Same Business Different which just completed its sev...

Dr. Eric Chagala is the founding principal of Vista Innovation Design Academy (VIDA), a Vista Unified School District middle school. Eric is an inspirational educator with incredible energy and an impressive shoe collection! As VIDA's 10th year draws to a close, Eric sits down with Rachel to talk about VIDA's transformation, his work as Principal and as Director of Social for VUSD, and why...

Lisa DeJesus is the President/CEO of ADU Gurus, a Vista-based company that assists with ADU feasibility, design and consulting. In addition to operating ADU Gurus, Lisa is also a real estate broker, a planning commissioner, and volunteers with a number of local non profits. For all these reasons, and more, Lisa was selected as Vista's Businessperson of the Year at Heroes of Vista 2024. Lisa is...

Donnell Hilliard is the owner/operator of Kingdom Kutz on Indiana in downtown Vista. Originally from New Orleans and raised in Oceanside, Donnell is an Army Veteran who has been working the clippers since he was a teenager. Now, his shop’s bold presence in downtown Vista is making an impact – one so big, Kingdom Kutz was recently named Vista’s New Business of the Year at the Heroes of Vista Celebr...

Martha Alvarado is a Marine Veteran, an educator, and a mom. Her background and passion for students led her to run for VUSD School Board of Trustees in 2018. She now serves as the President of the Board. Join Rachel for a conversation with Trustee Alvarado about the role of a Board Trustee, the latest happenings in Vista Unified and what is next for the District. If you are interested in educatio...