Congressman Dana Rohrabacher took time off from his busy schedule to give advice and encouragement to business owners and entrepreneurs at an Orange County Entrepreneur Community Meetup, (OCEC). Part of the evening was being taped for the show “Business in the OC” and hosted by Paul Higgins. Michael Banks the organizer of OCEC was also on hand with advice and words of guidance. The Meetup was hosted and recorded at Internet Business Systems’ studio in Irvine, California.

Members and guests of the OCEC, which is sponsored by American Express OPEN, spent considerable time networking and exchanging valuable business information. One guest whose advice business owners sought out was Scott Sorrell, from Sales Adrenaline, whose seminar “How to charge higher prices and have your client thank you for it!” was doling out pearls of wisdom on creating higher profits. Scott also was picked during the filming of the show to ask a few questions of Congressman Rohrabacher.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher grew up around Orange County and is known as the surfing congressman. His background also has a very serious side as a former reporter for the OC Register, senior speechwriter for Ronald Reagan at the White House and strong voice for lower government spending. His fiscal restraint position was very clear during the interview when he discussed the current government’s policy of spending $500 billion more than we take in. Congressman Rohrabacher said that it is important to “make sure we have those policies in place that owners can run their business.”

After the show was “in the can” Congressman Rohrabacher, wearing a sport coat plus his signature Hawaiian shirt and Puka shells, networked and mixed with the crowd addressing business owners concerns. Lisa Rodriguez, equestrian consultant, owner of Rosepine Ranch in Newport Beach and editor of Horse2Heart horse stories, asked the congressman’s advice on how to keep the equestrian industry in Orange County. Lisa is also an organizer for the largest equestrian Meetup in the county, the Orange County Horse Adventurers Meetup.

Congressman Rohrabacher acknowledged that horses are an important part of the county’s history and do have a positive economic impact. He suggested she work with county officials and other horse professionals to support this cause. Congressman Rohrabacher’s hometown, Huntington Beach, has one of the larger equestrian facilities in Orange County, Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center, and just over a year ago he had three hundred head of cattle driven down the beach in front of one of his favorite surf spots, the Huntington Beach pier, as part of the Orange County Fair’s Cowabunga theme.

When asked about how to bring an international level Equestrian Center to the Irvine Great Park the congressman in the true networking spirit offered some contacts that could help champion such an important cause as the Great Park Equestrian Center. According to the Orange County Great Park web site a study on this will take place in the future but needs public support. Give your feedback on “Keep Horses on the Ranch” to the Orange County Great Park. For more information on Great Park Equestrian Center visit The Equestrian Coalition of Orange County.

The Orange County Entrepreneur Community Meetup, (OCEC), under the guidance of organizer Michael Banks has been a breath of fresh air in the Orange County Venture Capital community. OCEC was founded in January 2003 and has seen very strong growth and is now the largest venture capital group in Southern California. This has been achieved by having dynamic interesting events and lots of strong networking. Michael has also managed to secure sponsors that add value such as American Express OPEN, Constant Contact, PR Newswire and Legal Zoom.

During the show Michael Banks explained that the, “OCEC is a business-networking group with a focus on business owners and entrepreneurs. It supplies members with a wide range of resources, referrals and advice.” He suggested Orange County business owners visit OCEC’s website for more information or to join.

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“Building the Team: From Start-Up to Employer of Choice” Tech Coast Venture Network Orange County Venture Capital and Angel Investor group Tech Coast Venture Group (TCVN) meetings are ideal for those trying to start a company in Orange County. Tech Coast Venture Group (TCVN) holds a series of monthly meetings on how to get start a new company and raise money. The next meeting is on “Building the Team: From Start-Up to Employer of Choice.” The discussion will be led by those who have started their own companies. The meeting will be on Thursday, April 26th at six o’clock. For more information visit www.TCVN.com.