Conejo Valley Visionaries

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Conejo Valley Visionaries is a weekly audio and video podcast that highlights the founders, CEOs, and leaders behind the businesses you love in the Conejo Valley. From restaurateurs and coaches to sommeliers and retailers, each episode offers candid conversations about their journeys—how they started, the challenges they’ve faced, and their vision for the future. You’ll also get practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make their mark. Plus, enjoy exciting weekly giveaways! Want to share your own story? DM us on Instagram @ConejoValleyVisionaries.

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60 recent

October 15, 202646 min

Raising Capital: What Investors Really Want | Luke Erickson, founder of Startup Ventura| Visionary Playbook

When is the right time to raise money for your business? According to Luke Erickson, founder of Startup Ventura , it might actually be when you don't need it. In the second installment of Visionary Playbook , I sit down with Luke, who went from preparing for medical school to building and exiting his own company in just a few years. Now he's on a mission to help other entrepreneurs succeed—and build a thriving startup community right here in Ventura County. We get into the practical side of entrepreneurship: when to seek outside investment, what investors are really looking for, and how to make a compelling pitch. Luke also shares why he'd think twice before starting another company solo, what matters most when choosing a co-founder, and one surprisingly simple trick for becoming a more confident presenter. Plus, we talk about Startup Ventura's plans for a new accelerator program and why Luke believes the next generation of successful companies can be built right here, without heading to LA or Silicon Valley. If you're building a business, thinking about raising capital, or sitting on an idea you're not sure how to start, this episode is your playbook. Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries https://www.instagram.com/conejovalleyvisionaries/ Connect with Startup Ventura https://www.instagram.com/startup_ventura/ Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review — it helps more people discover Conejo Valley Visionaries and allows us to keep sharing the people, businesses, and stories shaping our community. Know a visionary we should feature? Send us a note at conejovalleyvisionaries@gmail.com — we're always open to guest nominations. This episode was produced by Cristina Dennstedt and Justin K. Sloan. Conejo Valley Visionaries is edited by Justin K. Sloan and J.Sloan Productions.

October 8, 2026Episode 1143 min

The (Family) Business of Booze with Joe Grasso, President & Founder of Mario's Hard Espresso in Simi Valley, CA

I’m currently in 2nd place in iHeartRadio’s Next Top Host competition -- you could help me win! Vote here (it's free!): https://tophost.org/2026/cristina-dennstedt What happens when a family recipe made just once a year becomes a real business? I sit down with Joe Grasso, founder of Mario’s Hard Espresso, to hear how the espresso liqueur his dad made for friends and family for more than 60 years became a growing spirits brand—still made by Joe and his family in Simi Valley. Joe’s path into the spirits business was anything but traditional. He launched Mario’s with 1,500 bottles, zero accounts and very little knowledge of the industry, then put a bottle in his backpack and started walking into bars and restaurants. Today, the brand is growing year over year while Joe remains focused on the reason he started it in the first place: keeping his dad Mario’s legacy alive. We talk about why Joe refused to compromise his dad’s four-ingredient recipe, the surprising ways bartenders are using Mario’s beyond the espresso martini, and why he credits some of the brand’s success to “dumb luck.” And if you live in the Conejo Valley, there’s a good chance you’ve already spotted Mario behind the bar. You can find Mario’s at Osteria La Buca, Finney’s Crafthouse, Holdren’s, Tarantula Hill and other local spots. For anyone building something from scratch—or wondering how to turn a great idea into an actual business—Joe’s “be a termite” philosophy might be exactly what you need to hear. Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries https://www.instagram.com/conejovalleyvisionaries/ Connect with Mario’s Hard Espresso https://www.instagram.com/marioshardespresso/ Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review — it helps more people discover Conejo Valley Visionaries and allows us to keep sharing the people, businesses, and stories shaping our community. Know a visionary we should feature? Send us a note at conejovalleyvisionaries@gmail.com — we’re always open to guest nominations. This episode was produced by Cristina Dennstedt and Justin K. Sloan. Conejo Valley Visionaries is edited by Justin K. Sloan and J.Sloan Productions.

October 1, 2026Episode 109 min

Best Thrift Shop, New Happy Hour, and Girl's Night Out Spot with Jenna Davis | Best of Conejo Valley

We’re back with another Best of Conejo Valley mini episode! Jenna Davis of @jennadaviscreative shares her favorite local thrift shop, happy hour, coffee shop, girls’ night out spot and more in and around Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park. We also share our thoughts on the new Erewhon at The Lakes. Do you agree with Jenna’s picks? Let me know on Instagram @conejovalleyvisionaries — and tell me your favorite local spots, too! Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries: https://www.instagram.com/conejovalleyvisionaries/ Connect with Jenna Davis: https://www.instagram.com/jennadaviscreative/ Have a visionary story we should feature? Send us a DM — guest nominations are always welcome. This episode was produced by Cristina Dennstedt and Justin K. Sloan. Conejo Valley Visionaries is edited by Justin K. Sloan and J.Sloan Productions.

September 24, 2026Episode 958 min

How to Scale Your Business Without Burnout | Tim Kanter, Kanter Solutions

Introducing Visionary Playbook , a new series designed to give entrepreneurs practical tools and real-world insights they can actually use. Each conversation brings together local experts to share what they’ve learned, what works, and what they wish they’d known sooner. This week's expert is Tim Kanter of Kanter Solutions in Thousand Oaks. Tim breaks down how founders can scale without burning out, losing control, or turning every decision into a crisis. If you’re stuck doing everything yourself, this conversation shows you what to delegate first, what to hire for, and how to build a business that can run without you. Tim brings more than 30 years of business leadership to the conversation, including launching, buying, partnering with, and selling more than two dozen businesses, plus building Get Benefits into a $3 million-plus company before exiting in 2024. In this episode, you’ll discover: - The fastest way to tell if you are the bottleneck in your own company - Why “just do it yourself” is often the most expensive decision a founder can make - How to decide what belongs above your floor and what should be delegated below it - Why standard operating procedures make delegation easier and growth less chaotic - The first hires that can transform a small business - How to think about cash flow when every new hire feels risky Tim shares the mindset shift that takes founders from operator to visionary, including the power of “who, not how,” the importance of a strong foundation, and why strategic investment is often what unlocks real growth. Cristina keeps the conversation grounded in the real challenges local business owners face—from being buried in administrative work to trying to grow without losing the quality that made their business special.If you’ve ever wondered why your business only moves as fast as you do, this episode will challenge that assumption and give you a clearer path forward. Subscribe for more episodes of the Visionary Playbook, a new series featuring practical advice from entrepreneurs, experts, and business leaders who can help you build and grow with more clarity and less chaos. Tim Kanter is the founder of Kanter Solutions, a fractional executive team that helps service-based businesses with operations, finance, marketing, HR, and technology. Learn more about Kanter Solutions:https://kantersolutions.com/ Follow Conejo Valley Visionaries:https://www.instagram.com/conejovalleyvisionaries/ Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review — it helps more visionaries like you discover the show and keeps inspiring conversations coming your way. Got a visionary story to share? We’d love to hear it. Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠conejovalleyvisionaries@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ — we're always looking for bold founders, creatives, and changemakers to feature. This episode was produced by Cristina Dennstedt and Justin K. Sloan. Edited by Justin K. Sloan and ⁠J.Sloan Productions

September 17, 2026Episode 843 min

Shira Weber of Vadore Jewelry in Thousand Oaks, CA

The round brilliant diamond is out. Yellow gold is back. And lab-grown diamonds have completely changed the game. Shira Weber, owner of Vadore Jewelry in Thousand Oaks, joins Cristina to talk about the jewelry trends she’s seeing firsthand — including the engagement ring cuts that are suddenly everywhere (thanks, Taylor Swift!) and why she says 9 out of 10 of her customers are looking for lab-grown diamonds. Shira also has a fascinating story of her own. She grew up in her family’s jewelry business in Ventura before becoming a therapist, and then eventually took to the leap to opening a fine jewelry boutique of her own. Nearly one year in, she shares what she’s learned about running a business, building trust with customers and carrying on a family legacy while creating something that's entirely hers. We talk about: • Why lab-grown diamonds have become so popular • The engagement ring cuts replacing the traditional round diamond • Why yellow gold is making a comeback • The jewelry pieces everyone wants right now • How Shira’s psychology background influences the way she works with clients • What it’s really like to run a jewelry business •And the story behind the engagement ring Shira’s uncle designed for her Vadore Jewelry is celebrating its one-year anniversary September 25–26 with discounts on select jewelry, sips, bites, a raffle, gifts with purchase and complimentary ring cleaning. If you love jewelry, are thinking about an engagement ring, or are curious about the people and businesses shaping the Conejo Valley, this is a good one. Connect with Vadore Jewelry ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Loved this episode? Leave us a 5-star review — it helps more visionaries like you discover the show and keeps inspiring conversations coming your way. Got a visionary story to share? We’d love to hear it. Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠conejovalleyvisionaries@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ — we're always looking for bold founders, creatives, and changemakers to feature. This episode was produced by Cristina Dennstedt and Justin K. Sloan. Edited by Justin K. Sloan and ⁠J.Sloan Productions

September 10, 2026Episode 732 min

Kelley Miller, Calabasas Film Festival co-founder

How does one start a film festival? For Kelley Miller, the co-founder of the Calabasas Film Festival -- now in its 13th year -- it all began over a cup of coffee with the mayor of Calabasas and her father in which she said "I think that's a me-thing."Today, the festival has grown from three days to five, bringing filmmakers, actors, and movie lovers together to celebrate film and the community around it.In this episode of Conejo Valley Visionaries, Kelley shares how she went from studying film in Italy to working in Hollywood PR, and eventually creating a film festival of her own.We talk about:- How the Calabasas Film Festival got started- Why Kelley wanted to create a film celebration rather than a competition- What it takes to organize a film festival from the ground up- How she has adapted through theater closures, COVID, and other challenges- Why the festival’s young filmmaker program is so meaningfulIf you love supporting movies, make sure to check out the Calabasas Film Festival September 23–27. Connect with Calabasas Film Festival ⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Loved this episode? Leave us a 5 star review — it helps more visionaries like you discover the show and keeps inspiring conversations coming your way. Got a visionary story to share? We’d love to hear it. Reach out at ⁠⁠conejovalleyvisionaries@gmail.com⁠⁠ — we're always looking for bold founders, creatives, and changemakers to feature. This episode was produced by Cristina Dennstedt and Justin K. Sloan. Edited by Justin K. Sloan and ⁠J.Sloan Productions

September 3, 2026Episode 653 min

The Future of the Arts in Thousand Oaks with Niki Richardson, TOArts Executive Director

Niki Richardson, Executive Director of TOArts , said something that stayed with me - the arts don’t have to live only in a theater seat. They can live on a sidewalk, in a mural, in a busker’s violin outside Trader Joe’s, or in a kid’s first live show. That’s why TOArts matters. They’re not just presenting big performances - they’re building future artists, support local nonprofits, bring thousands of students into live theater for free, and help make this Thousand Oaks feel like a place with a real heartbeat. In this episode of Conejo Valley Visionaries , I’m joined by Niki Chopra Richardson, the nonprofit’s Executive Director and the woman behind much of that vision. Niki believes the arts can do something even bigger than entertain us: they can bring people together, bridge differences, and help us understand one another. Her own journey is just as unexpected. We talk about her unconventional childhood being "ship-schooled by her parents", finding her calling later in life, and the work of making creativity and culture a meaningful part of life in the Conejo Valley. Whether you’ve been to a show at the Performing Arts Center, are an artist yourself, or are simply interested in the evolution of Thousand Oaks, this episode is for you. Niki takes us behind the scenes of the organization bringing some of the biggest names in entertainment to our community, making performances accessible to local students, and creating opportunities for artists to share their work. We also talk about what it takes to keep the arts relevant, accessible, and growing—and why that matters to the future of Thousand Oaks. Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with TOArts ⁠ here⁠ Loved this episode? Leave us a 5 star review — it helps more visionaries like you discover the show and keeps inspiring conversations coming your way. Got a visionary story to share? We’d love to hear it. Reach out at ⁠conejovalleyvisionaries@gmail.com⁠ — we're always looking for bold founders, creatives, and changemakers to feature. This episode was produced by Cristina Dennstedt and Justin K. Sloan. Edited by Justin K. Sloan and ⁠J.Sloan Productions

May 22, 20266 min

Best of Conejo Valley with Tyler Cusick

We're back with another Best of Conejo Valley mini episode! Tyler Cusick, founder of Westlake Yoga Co., shares his favorite local restaurants, bars, coffee shops and more in and around Agoura Hills, Westlake and Thousand Oaks. Let me know if you agree with his picks on Instagram @conejovalleyvisionaries Tyler's original episode is ranked in the Top 5! Listen to it here if you haven't yet: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6V2WhXUfVeYyIlqBz3m8xy?si=mRkJZp0JRuS_V9jpuTBNZA Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries ⁠ ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ ⁠ Connect with Westlake Yoga Co. ⁠here⁠ If you want to share your visionary story on the podcast, send us a DM - we are always open to guest nominations! This episode was produced by Cristina Dennstedt and Justin K. Sloan. Conejo Valley Visionaries is edited by Justin K. Sloan and ⁠J.Sloan Productions⁠.

May 15, 2026Episode 436 min

Mouse Rawk, artist and co-owner of Outline Studios in Newbury Park, CA

This week on Conejo Valley Visionaries, Cristina sits down with Mouse Rawk — Thousand Oaks artist, muralist, graffiti creative, and co-founder of Outline Studios in Newbury Park, CA. Raised in the Conejo Valley, Mouse shares how his passion for street art and graffiti evolved into a full-time creative career designing murals, custom artwork, and large-scale visual projects throughout Southern California. Local listeners may already recognize his signature artwork from Five07 Coffee, where his designs can be found on the walls and even on the to go coffee cups. The conversation explores what it’s really like building a career as a local artist in Thousand Oaks, navigating imposter syndrome, and creating opportunities for creatives in Ventura County and the Conejo Valley art scene. Cristina and Mouse also talk about the future of public art in Thousand Oaks, the importance of creative community, and how his new Newbury Park studio could become a hub for local artists, collaboration, events, and inspiration. If you’re interested in the local art scene, entrepreneurship, creative careers, mural art, graffiti culture, small business stories, or the people shaping Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Newbury Park, and the greater Conejo Valley community, this episode is for you. This episode was filmed inside Mouse’s studio, so be sure to watch the full video episode for an inside look at his artwork, creative process, and studio space. Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Mouse Rawk ⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode and find value in the podcast, please leave us a five-star review and rating. This helps more folks in the Conejo Valley find the podcast and that allows each story to reach more people. If you want to share your visionary story on the podcast, send an email to conejovalleyvisionaries@gmail.com - we are always open to guest nominations! This episode was produced by Cristina Dennstedt and Justin K. Sloan. Conejo Valley Visionaries is edited by Justin K. Sloan and ⁠J.Sloan Productions⁠.

May 7, 2026Episode 339 min

Carly and Zack Weaver of Conejo Valley Run Club

In this episode of Conejo Valley Visionaries , host Cristina Dennstedt sits down with Carly and Zack, the founders of Conejo Valley Run Club—a fast-growing running community serving the greater Conejo Valley. What started as a personal need while training for a marathon quickly turned into something much bigger. Carly, new to running and looking for connection, noticed the lack of a local run club in Thousand Oaks after experiencing one in nearby Ventura. Instead of waiting for one to exist, she built it herself. Today, Conejo Valley Run Club is more than just a place to run—it’s a welcoming, supportive fitness community where locals from Westlake Village, Newbury Park, and Agoura Hills come together to move, connect, and stay accountable. Whether you’re a beginner runner, training for your first marathon, or just looking for a social run club near you, this group is redefining what community fitness looks like in the Conejo Valley. In this conversation, Carly and Zack share how they grew the club from a small meetup into a thriving local movement, how they intentionally create an inclusive environment, and their vision for the future of running in Thousand Oaks and beyond. If you’re searching for things to do in Conejo Valley, local fitness groups, running clubs near Thousand Oaks, or ways to get involved in your community, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical insight. Tune in to hear how one idea turned into a powerful community that’s changing how people connect, stay active, and show up for themselves across the Conejo Valley. Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Conejo Valley Run Club ⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode and find value in the podcast, please leave us a five-star review and rating. This helps more folks in the Conejo Valley find the podcast and that allows each story to reach more people. If you want to share your visionary story on the podcast, send an email to conejovalleyvisionaries@gmail.com - we are always open to guest nominations! This episode was produced by Cristina Dennstedt and Justin K. Sloan. Conejo Valley Visionaries is edited by Justin K. Sloan and ⁠J.Sloan Productions⁠.