In this special simulcast episode of The Voices of Business: SCV and Talkin’ Politics and Religion Without Killin’ Each Other, host Corey Nathan is joined by Suzette Valladares. Suzette, an accomplished leader in business and the nonprofit sector, served in the California State Assembly and is now running for the California State Senate in the 23rd District. The episode explores her personal background, career trajectory, and her entry into politics.

### What You Will Learn

- Suzette Valladares' inspiring journey from her early life in Sylmar and Santa Clarita to her significant roles in nonprofit organizations and politics.

- Insights into her political philosophy and advocacy for small businesses.

- The impact of her family's legacy and personal experiences on her professional and political career.

- The importance of bipartisan efforts and community engagement in politics.

### Episode Highlights

1. **[00:00:00] Introduction** - Corey Nathan welcomes listeners to the special simulcast episode.

2. **[00:01:00] Suzette’s Background** - Suzette's impressive career in the nonprofit sector and her work in the California State Assembly.

3. **[00:03:00] Suzette’s Family History** - Discussion about Suzette’s family, including their long history in California and their influence on her.

4. **[00:06:00] Career Inspiration** - Suzette shares how her grandmother’s work with Cesar Chavez and personal experiences inspired her career in advocacy and politics.

5. **[00:13:00] Transition to Nonprofit Work** - Suzette's pivot from public sector work to leading Southern California Autism Speaks and Little Steps of Faith.

6. **[00:22:00] Political Mentors** - Suzette discusses influential mentors like Congressman Buck McKeon and Rosario Marin.

7. **[00:33:00] Overcoming Challenges** - Suzette reflects on her biggest challenges, including losing her Assembly seat and the passing of her mother.

8. **[00:37:00] Advocacy for Small Businesses** - Corey Nathan and Suzette discuss the challenges small businesses face in California and potential solutions.

### Featured Quotes

1. "My great grandparents came to California in 1911 and 1917 for the California dream and opportunity." - Suzette Valladares

2. "I believe in the power of protecting the individual and that government should not be involved in our daily lives." - Suzette Valladares

3. "I leaned into my faith more than ever during the toughest times, and it taught me that I can get through anything." - Suzette Valladares

4. "We need common sense people willing to step up and say, 'Hey, we can do this better.'" - Suzette Valladares

### Resources Mentioned

- [Suzette Valladares' Campaign Website](https://www.suzettevalladares.com)

- [College of the Canyons](https://www.canyons.edu)

- [Southern California Autism Speaks](https://www.autismspeaks.org)

- [Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other](https://www.politicsandreligion.us)

### Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe or follow button on your podcast app. Don’t forget to rate and leave a review. It helps us reach more people and bring more insightful conversations to you. Join the conversation and share this episode with friends and colleagues.

### Social Media Links

- Follow us on Twitter: [@TheVoicesOfBiz](https://twitter.com/TheVoicesOfBiz)

- Like us on Facebook: [The Voices of Business](https://www.facebook.com/TheVoicesOfBusiness)

- Connect with us on LinkedIn: [Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce](https://www.linkedin.com/company/scvchamber/)

Join us next time for another episode of "Voices of Business," where we bring you inspiring stories and valuable insights from business and community leaders.

In this episode of the Voices of Business, host Joshua Maddux interviews Brian and Lindsay Schlick, owners of SchlickArt, a visual marketing company specializing in photography, video, and visual marketing strategy for businesses, personal brands, and professionals. Joshua delves into the Schlicks' journey from their beginnings to building a successful business in Santa Clarita Valley, highlighting their expertise in creating impactful visual content.

What You Will Learn:

- The importance of storytelling in visual marketing.

- How to create a consistent brand experience through visual content.

- The evolution of photography and videography in the digital age.

- Strategies for utilizing AI and other technologies to enhance business efficiency.

- Tips for overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship and adapting to changes.

Episode Highlights:

1. **[00:00:00]** - Introduction to the episode and guests.

2. **[00:01:00]** - Lindsay shares her background and journey into photography.

3. **[00:03:00]** - Brian discusses his path to videography and his experience with Princess Cruises.

4. **[00:08:00]** - The move to Santa Clarita and the founding of SchlickArt.

5. **[00:18:00]** - The unique approach of SchlickArt in providing a photo shoot experience.

6. **[00:25:00]** - The role of strategic conversations in their business process.

7. **[00:35:00]** - The importance of visual marketing for personal and business branding.

8. **[00:41:00]** - Adapting to technological advancements and the use of AI in their business.

9. **[00:53:00]** - Overcoming challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

10. **[01:00:00]** - Advice for business owners on creating a consistent web presence and leveraging trackable metrics.

Featured Quotes:

1. "We didn't want to start a photography business that photographed toddlers and weddings; we wanted to give people, especially women, a real photo shoot experience." - Lindsay Schlick

2. "Telling your story and getting people to understand who you are and why you do something is super crucial." - Brian Schlick

3. "If you don't breed an authentic brand and show it through video and visuals, customers will pick the company down the street who does." - Lindsay Schlick

4. "Technology, whether it's AI or new camera tech, is there to help us create a better experience for our clients." - Brian Schlick

Resources Mentioned:

- SchlickArt Website: [schlickart.com](https://schlickart.com)

- SchlickArt Blog: [SchlickArt Blog](https://schlickart.com/blog)

- Rachel Cosgrove's Results Fitness: [results-fitness.com](https://results-fitness.com)

- Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce: [scvchamber.com](https://scvchamber.com)

Call to Action:

Enjoyed the episode? Make sure to subscribe to the Voices of Business podcast, share it with your friends, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us bring more insightful content and grow our community.

Social Media Links:

- Follow us on Twitter: [@TheVoicesOfBiz](https://twitter.com/TheVoicesOfBiz)

- Like us on Facebook: [TheVoicesOfBusiness](https://facebook.com/TheVoicesOfBusiness)

- Connect with us on LinkedIn: [Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce](https://linkedin.com/company/santa-clarita-valley-chamber-of-commerce)

Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you'd like to be featured on the show. Thanks for listening!

Welcome to The Voices of Business: SCV, the official podcast of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce. In this episode, we're joined by Brian Koegle, Managing Partner at Koegle Law Group. Brian's firm specializes in employment and business counseling, advice, and litigation services for small and mid-sized businesses throughout California and Texas. Brian shares his journey from being a fourth-generation graduate of The Ohio State University to becoming a respected attorney and entrepreneur in Santa Clarita.

What You Will Learn

• The benefits of attending community colleges like College of the Canyons.
• Key differences in employment law between California and Texas.
• Strategies for hiring and managing employees to minimize legal risks.
• The importance of maintaining integrity and ethical standards in business.

Episode Highlights

1. [00:01:00] Background - Brian shares his educational background and his deep connection with The Ohio State University.
2. [00:04:00] Community College Experience - Brian discusses the impact of attending College of the Canyons on his career and personal development.
3. [00:08:00] Transition to Law - How Brian's studies in psychology and economics led him to a career in law.
4. [00:09:00] Starting Koegle Law Group - Brian talks about his decision to start his own practice.
5. [00:16:00] Hiring Practices - Advice on hiring the right people and the importance of a thorough vetting process.
6. [00:23:00] Differences in Employment Law - Key differences between California and Texas employment laws and how they affect businesses.
7. [00:27:00] Education and Prevention - Brian emphasizes the importance of educating business owners to prevent legal issues.

Featured Quotes

1. **Brian Koegle:** "The education that I received at College of the Canyons was world class truly world class."
2. **Brian Koegle:** "Employment law is such a unique aspect of California's laws that and it's constantly changing."
3. **Brian Koegle:** "If you don't do it now you'll never do it."
4. **Corey Nathan:** "The math doesn't agree with you. It's just a math problem."

Resources Mentioned

• [Koegle Law Group](https://www.kegleylaw.com) - Brian Koegle's law firm, offering resources and updates on employment law.
• [College of the Canyons](https://www.canyons.edu) - The community college that played a significant role in Brian's education.

Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave us a good rating and review. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue bringing insightful conversations with business leaders.

Social Media Links

• Follow us on Twitter: [@TheVoicesOfBiz](https://twitter.com/TheVoicesOfBiz)
• Like us on Facebook: [The Voices of Business](https://facebook.com/TheVoicesOfBusiness)
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: [Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-voices-of-business)