Click with Rona

In this episode of Click With Rona, Rona sits down with Kristen James to talk about building a thriving retail business in the middle of uncertainty—and how one small pop-up during COVID unexpectedly changed everything. Kristen shares how she went from selling vintage furniture and curated home pieces out of a temporary setup to opening an 8,000 square foot storefront with a loyal customer base and a business built almost entirely through authenticity and word-of-mouth. They dive into entrepreneurship, trusting your instincts, growing without outside funding, balancing family life, and why staying genuine online matters more than ever. This conversation is full of relatable business lessons, honest moments, and inspiration for anyone building something from the ground up. — #ClickWithRona #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #WomenInBusiness #InteriorDesign 0:00 – Intro & Meeting Kristen James 2:57 – From a COVID Pop-Up to an 8,000 Sq Ft Store 5:42 – Starting With Vintage Furniture & Side Hustles 9:55 – “There Was No Plan” 11:33 – Building a Business Through Authenticity 14:42 – Why Social Media Worked Naturally 18:06 – Family, Business & Finding Balance 22:14 – Learning What Customers Actually Want 28:08 – Why She Never Took Out a Business Loan 32:41 – The Reality of Running a Retail Store 36:55 – Trusting Yourself as an Entrepreneur 41:12 – Advice for Anyone Starting a Business

In this episode of Click With Rona, Rona sits down with Renee Dee—founder of Iconic Life Magazine—to talk about entrepreneurship, resilience, and what it really takes to build (and eventually sell) a successful brand. Renee shares her journey from launching her first magazine with no experience (and learning through costly mistakes) to building a respected publication across multiple markets. She opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including a defining lesson in integrity that ultimately paid off in a big way. From navigating uncertainty during the 2020 shutdown to expanding into new markets like Orange County, Renee offers real, practical insights on business, sales, and staying true to your values. If you're an entrepreneur, creative, or business owner, this episode is packed with wisdom on growth, risk-taking, and building something that lasts. — #ClickWithRona #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #Sales #BusinessGrowth 0:00 – Introducing Renee Dee & Her Next Chapter 3:04 – “If I Knew How Hard It Was…” 6:08 – “Every Problem Has a Solution” 8:21 – The $20K Mistake That Changed Everything 13:47 – Launching a Print Magazine… in March 2020 15:36 – Creative Distribution During COVID 17:31 – Unexpected Success & Client Results 20:00 – Expanding Into Orange County From Scratch 29:43 – Why Print Still Works in a Digital World 41:24 – When It Finally “Clicked”

In this episode of Click With Rona, Rona sits down with Lindsey Head for a conversation about entrepreneurship, creativity, and building a brand with purpose. Lindsey shares insights from her journey, discussing what it takes to grow something meaningful in today’s fast-moving business environment. The conversation dives into the realities behind entrepreneurship, the lessons that come from building and evolving a brand, and the mindset required to keep moving forward through challenges. From creative vision to practical execution, Lindsey offers a thoughtful perspective on what it really takes to turn ideas into something lasting. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative professional, or someone navigating your own path, this episode offers honest insight into the process of building something you're proud of. 0:00 – “Introducing Lindsey Head & Her Journey” 1:42 – How Lindsey Got Started 5:18 – Turning Ideas Into a Real Business 9:55 – Early Challenges & Learning Curves 14:30 – Building a Brand With Intention 19:10 – Creativity vs Business Structure 23:45 – Navigating Growth & Scaling 28:20 – Mistakes That Taught the Most 32:55 – Balancing Work, Life & Creativity 37:40 – Confidence, Risk & Taking the Leap 42:15 – Advice for Entrepreneurs Starting Out 46:50 – What’s Next for Lindsey Head 49:30 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways

In this episode of Click with Rona, Rona Graf sits down with Bryan Burkhart, builder and co-owner of Burkhart Brothers. They dive into Bryan’s wide-ranging journey—from growing up in Fullerton, serving in the military, and launching a wine business, to becoming a high-end builder in Newport Beach. Bryan shares how flipping homes with his brother led to running a company with 55 employees, and how mistakes—and constant innovation—shaped their success. The conversation covers hospitality in design, embracing technology like AI for project management, and the value of processes and teamwork in the construction business. Bryan opens up about pivotal moments that made it all “click,” the importance of gratitude, and the drive to empower the next generation. Packed with wisdom, laughs, and inspiration for entrepreneurs, builders, and creatives alike, this episode celebrates the art of living, learning, and building a lasting legacy. 00:00 "From Small Town to USC" 03:14 From Wine to House Flipping 09:04 "Running, Building, and Challenges" 11:32 "Reflecting on Entrepreneurial Success" 12:54 "Reflecting on Growth and Goals" 16:50 Industry Highlights and Memorable Moments 22:00 "Advice for Modern Entrepreneurs" 24:36 "Deflecting Responsibility in Management" 27:14 "Quality, Speed, or Price: Pick Two" 31:04 AI-Powered Project Tracking Standard 34:35 "AI's Role in Business Growth" 36:30 "AI as a Creative Tool" 41:16 "Designing Homes as Experiences" 42:12 Design Inspiration from Travel 46:26 "Efficient, High-Quality, Affordable Building" 51:16 "Creating Legacy and Future Plans" 52:09 "Empowering Employees for Growth"

In this episode of Click with Rona, Rona Graf sits down with Drew D’Angelo, the visionary behind SkySale Coastal, to talk faith, reinvention, and building with purpose. Drew shares his journey from a divided upbringing and addiction to sobriety, spirituality, and designing legacy homes in Newport Beach. Together, they dive into creative collaboration, the Dover Shores project, and what it means to build more than houses—community, impact, and a meaningful life. An inspiring conversation on growth, humility, and purpose for entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone navigating change. 0:00 - Roots of Real Estate Passion 6:53 - "From Assistant to Senior VP" 11:52 - "Journey Into Development Began" 17:21 - "Redemption Through Family and Faith" 23:35 - "Faith, Love, and Shield" 27:53 - "Called to Lead and Serve" 36:15 - "Best Home in Dover Shores" 39:32 - "The Reality of Design Work" 45:40 - "Creative Challenges in Design" 52:01 - "Streamlined Project Management Process" 56:23 - "Passion, Purpose, and Artistic Freedom" 1:01:20 - "Letting Go, Embracing God"

In this episode of Click with Rona, Rona Graf sits down with artist and event planner Shannon Ratcliffe at the WestEdge Design Fair for an inspiring conversation about creativity, collaboration, and personal growth. Together, they share the story behind their joint venture repurposing old surfboards into stunning works of art, and discuss the power of community connections through Shannon’s company, Curated Connections. The episode touches on the importance of following your passions, giving back, and how transformative moments—when things "click"—can spark new beginnings. It’s an uplifting celebration of art, philanthropy, and meaningful partnerships.

In this episode of Click With Rona, host Rona Graf sits down with fine art photographer Taylor O’Sullivan. They explore her creative journey from teenage filmmaker to international photographer and successful gallery owner. Taylor shares how a happy accident in school led her to filmmaking, her transition into fine art, the pivotal “click” moment of seeing her work on the wall, and the importance of mindset, manifestation, and support systems. The conversation dives into creativity, overcoming self-doubt, the value of hard work, and celebrating the beauty found in nature. This episode offers authentic advice for anyone pursuing a passion-driven life.

In this debut episode of Click With Rona, host Rona Graf sits down with Josiah Lilly, founder of Epic Ceramic and Stone, a premier Southern California high-end tile and stone installation company. Josiah shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey, from starting his business at just 17 to building a 95-employee team known for quality, creativity, and integrity. They discuss valuable insights on authentic relationships, trust in the trades, and the impact of mentorship in the stone fabrication industry. If you're interested in interior design, stone installation, or success stories from business leaders, don't miss this insightful conversation with Epic Ceramic and Stone’s visionary, Josiah Lilly.