Recorded live at Sunrose California Eatery in front of a packed house, I sit down with co-owner Marc Hernandez.

It is a candid, funny, and deeply inspiring conversation about the winding path that led him here — from his first job as a 16-year-old delivery driver at Brent’s Deli, to meeting his now-wife and business partner Carie while working there again after college, to navigating the highs, lows, risks, and reinventions that come with building a hospitality vision from scratch.

Marc shares the vulnerable moments that shaped him, the lessons learned along the way, and the heart behind Sunrose’s commitment to warm, unpretentious California dining. Whether you love food, entrepreneurship, or a good origin story, this episode is a reminder that the most meaningful journeys are rarely linear — and always worth it.

Tune in for laughter, honesty, and a behind-the-scenes look at the passion powering one of the Conejo Valley’s favorite restaurants.

Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Sunrose California Eatery 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.

Can you imagine opening a brick-and-mortar retail store at the age of 22? Me neither. But that's what today's guest Timmy Heague did.

Timmy is the owner of Arsenal Comics & Games, a beloved comic book and gaming store serving Newbury Park and Ventura. Timmy shares the story of opening his first location at 22, utilizing the early days of social media to build it into a thriving local business, and how he's supported the Conejo Valley community - and vice versa - during challenging local events and personal hardships.

Timmy shares his take on:

• Growing a small business in Ventura County

• Engaging with the local comic and gaming community

• Leadership and business lessons from a successful entrepreneur

• Tips for other small business owners in Southern California

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a comic and gaming enthusiast, or interested in local Conejo Valley businesses, this conversation is packed with inspiration and actionable advice.

In this episode, we're thrilled to introduce our season five listener-nominated guest, Dr. Rachael Cappuccino, the owner of Cappuccino Physical Therapy in Thousand Oaks.

Rachael is a Conejo Valley native who never imagined owning her practice. But after giving birth to her second child, she set out to create her own schedule while supporting women of all ages with their pelvic floor health.

Join us as we explore her impactful work in women's health, her entrepreneurial journey, and the profound influence she's had on the Conejo Valley community.

Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Dr. Rachael Cappuccino ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

Where can you find John Edney when he’s not running Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. in Thousand Oaks? Morumbi Jiu Jitsu, Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters, and Bom Dia Acai!

The frontman of WDO also shares his favorite local bands, cocktail of choice, and go-to Conejo Valley sushi spot in this week’s episode of “Best of Conejo Valley."
Do you agree or disagree with these picks? Comment your thoughts!

This episode was produced by Cristina Dennstedt and Justin K. Sloan. Conejo Valley Visionaries is edited by Justin K. Sloan and ⁠J.Sloan Productions⁠. Thank you to videographer Andrea DeSantis .

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!

We’re replaying one of our most popular episodes from Season 1 — From Hollywood to Wine: Amy Bates’ Journey to Building West Tasting Room in Thousand Oaks.

Before co-founding one of Ventura County’s most beloved wine spots, Amy Bates spent over a decade managing major feature films across the globe. But when burnout hit hard, she pressed pause on Hollywood — and quietly nurtured a long-held dream: creating a space where community, connection, and wine could thrive.

In this episode, Amy shares the behind-the-scenes story of West Tasting Room — from the moment the idea sparked, to the six years it sat on the shelf, to the leap of faith it took to finally open in 2021. She opens up about the highs and lows of small business ownership, the power of finding your people, and how she and co-founder Rachel built something truly special — one pour at a time.

Whether you're chasing a dream of your own or just love discovering hidden gems in your community, this conversation will leave you inspired.

It’s time to ditch the overwhelm and reclaim your mornings.

In this special episode, we're bringing you inside the “Reset & Recharge” event, hosted by Conejo Valley Visionaries x Neighborly at their Westlake Village space — a morning of matcha, mindfulness, and meaningful conversation.

You’ll hear:

• ​Breathwork facilitator Crystal Quayle share 3 practical techniques to ground and energize
• ​Honest, inspiring stories from Emily Trowbridge (@celewellness) and Darlynn Childress (Calm Mama Coaching) — two former educators turned local entrepreneurs
• ​A refreshing panel covering morning routines that actually work, how to create time for wellness (even in back-to-school chaos) and tips for managing mealtimes & transitions without burnout

Whether you're navigating a seasonal shift or craving a reset of your own, this episode is your permission slip to slow down and prioritize you.

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.

Curious what it's like to date in the Conejo Valley? I sit down with Tammi Pickle, owner of Elite Connections, a matchmaking service with roots in Thousand Oaks and a reach across the nation.

Discover how Tammi's mother met her husband through a matchmaker 30 years ago, sparking the creation of their family business.

Tammi shares insights on the changing landscape of dating, the challenges of online platforms, and the enduring value of personalized matchmaking. Tune in for Tammi's hot takes on dating advice and her recommendations for first dates in the Conejo Valley.

Join us for a fun and enlightening conversation about finding love in today's world.

Connect with Conejo Valley Visionaries ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Elite Connections ⁠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.

In this episode, Finn Kerns, the student trustee for the Conejo Valley Unified School District, shares his journey into public service, inspired by the musical Hamilton.

We discuss:

• his early experiences with internships
• the importance of civic engagement among youth
• the challenges of political apathy

Finn emphasizes the significance of face-to-face interactions in leadership and his vision for a more inclusive Conejo Valley. He also offers advice for young leaders looking to make a difference in their communities.

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.