Archives: Episodes

Denise Williams – Jones

Denise Williams-Jones, RDA is a Customer Service Consultant, Speaker, Founder, and Owner of Next Level to Success. She started in the dental field in 1995, working in some of the top dental offices in Southern California, with roles including chairside assistant, inventory and supply manager, team trainer, scheduling coordinator, financial coordinator, marketing liaison, community outreach, and front office lead.  

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Dave Finstrom

Dave Finstrom has over 30 years of small business experience, providing marketing and creative services. He owns HUTdogs with his business partner and sister, MJ, helping non-profits and businesses with their marketing and promotional campaigns. Dave has a background in marketing and technology. Earlier in his career, he worked as a representative for a quality assurance business, which provided testing of software and hardware. This interest in technology continues and is combined with his passion for marketing and creativity.

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Justin Jundante

Justin Jundante, born in the Phillipines came to the US at 10 years old. Raised in West Covina, California. He was in the US Marines for 6 years and has been out for 2 years. Justin’s MOS was 0811 field artillery cannoneer. He is currently a salesperson for a coconut milk company called KokoMoo at farmer’s market in OC. Some of the previous jobs he ahs worked at are babysitting, accounting assistant, server, and HVAC assistant. I’ve been a believer for 2 years now. Some of the hobbies Justin’s enjoy are working out, hiking, volleyball, drawing and interviewing people about their Testimonies on how God found them. What he aspires to be is to not be limited on how he helps people and to not be limited on the tasks God has for him.

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Vinh Truong

Vinh Truong, a Chinese/Vietnamese American, was born on February 14th, 1981, on Saint Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles, California. Coming from a family of immigrants, Vinh’s family migrated from Vietnam in 1978 and made Duarte home in 1985 when he was just four years old. Vinh is the youngest of eight children and completed K-12 in its entirety within the Duarte school district. He is a devoted husband, father, son, brother, colleague, and friend who values honesty, integrity, loyalty, kindness, and family.

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Brenda Villa

A native of Commerce, California, Villa first played high school water polo with boys before girls programs were available. From there, she headed to Stanford University where she won the 2002 NCAA title and was named the Cutino Award recipient as the best player in the college game. Named FINA Player of the Decade in 2010, Villa was also named Pac-12 Player of the Century in 2016. She has stayed close to the sport as a club and high school coach while taking on governance roles within the Women’s Sports Foundation and Pan American Aquatics in addition to a spot on the USA Water Polo Board of Directors. She is a co-founder of the Brenda Villa Foundation, an organization focusing on increasing water safety and expanding diversity in aquatic sports.

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Mike Sonksen

Mike Sonksen aka Mike the Poet is a 3rd-generation Southern Californian. Poet, professor, journalist, historian & tour-guide, his book Letters to My City was published by Writ Large Press. For 25 years Mike has given tours through the City of Los Angeles. He earned his Bachelors’ Degree at UCLA in 1997. In June 2014, he completed an Interdisciplinary Master of Arts in English and History from the California State University of Los Angeles. Following his graduation Mike has published over 500 essays and poems with publications and websites like Poets & Writers, Metropolis, KCET, Alta, Wax Poetics, PBS, LA Taco, LA Review of Books, LAist, Boom and the Academy of American Poets. His poetry’s been featured on Public Radio Stations KCRW, KPCC & KPFK & Spectrum News. Mike is currently the Coordinator of the First Year Experience Program at Woodbury University and he has been awarded by the Los Angeles Press Club.

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Eduardo Acosta

Eduardo Acosta was born in Los Angeles, California. When he was young and thinking of what his future career would be, his uncle encouraged him to go be a Sheriff, try it out. As Eduardo has now served in the police force for around 18 years, mainly stationed in South Pasadena and the City of Pasadena, he loves being able to help and serve his community. Before being part of the City of Pasadena Police Department, Eduardo was part of a SWAT Team around the San Gabriel Valley. Currently, he is part of the H.O.P.E. Team who go out and help the homeless as well as being sent to help with those who call about suicides. A special event that Eduardo likes to help out with and promote is the Walk in Remembrance, walking for suicide awareness.

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Robert Michero

Robert (Bob) Michero was raised in Alhambra and South Pasadena, California. Bob is a 45 year+ veteran of the Wine, Spirits and Food Industry, encompassing the operations and strategic management of Retail, Wholesale-Distribution, Importing Exporting Compliance, National Sales and Marketing, Winery Operation, and Wine Cellar Design and Acquisition. Bob learned how to read and play music beginning when he was 6 years old as a student of percussion at Pedrini’s Music in Alhambra, California. This became one of Bob’s major activities as he went on to play for the Alhambra All-City Orchestra in his youth. As he matured, he played percussion with a variety of small orchestras and jazz groups while in college. Music has always been a major part of Bob’s life and coalesced after 50 years when he joined the Pasadena Symphony Association’s (PSA) Board of Directors. For over ten years Bob served as Vice President Finance & Treasurer for the organization and is currently President of their Board of Directors.

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Jack Huang

Jack Huang grew up in the United States with his Chinese parents. When he had to attend a college he chose UCLA, from which he graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Once he had his degree he went into the aerospace career until he became section manager. Leaving California for New York was a decision he made to support his then-wife, though they did eventually end up back in Southern California.

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Denny Mu

Denny Mu was born December 17th 1986. He grew up in Northridge in the San Fernando Valley. His family had a location in Northridge from 1982 to 2020 and that’s where Denny started working in the family restaurant business. His father was the head chef and owner until he passed away when Denny was 7 years old. That is one of the main reasons why Denny does what he does and loving it. He doesn’t remember too much about his father but Denny does remember how people always wanted his father’s attention and how he was very charismatic. Denny feels that he was blessed with those same qualities. In a sense he wants to finish the road that his father started. Denny knows the restaurant is a tough lifestyle but It is a simple lifestyle, one where you can directly impact someone’s life for the better, which is why he tries his best to be kind and like family to his patrons.

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