November 21, 2009

A Riverside-based professional is looking for help in drawing for-profit investment into Africa. After visiting Ghana and seeing opportunities, he is looking for an attorney and/or an investment professional who might be interested in exploring a small syndication or an alternative. This is an early stage project in which the opportunities are open and what is needed is someone who can help frame the thinking and the process.

A highly experienced recruiter is looking to start a firm that would work for corporations interested in retiring professional athletes -- players who may not have made it to the top levels of their sports but have the drive, competitiveness and attitude to succeed at other venture as they transition to a more traditional career.

Restaurant position still available! Operationally focused general manager needed for a celebrity-owner restaurant in Orange County.

Congratulations to Mike Stull and the Center for Entrepreneurship at California State University San Bernardino for another sold-out Spirit of the Entrepreneur last week in Riverside. The convention center was packed to see companies such as organize.com and Combustion Associates compete. Big winner: Jenson USA, an online bicycle parts distributor.

November 14. 2009

A leading physician group in Southern California is looking for someone to head their information services department as Vice President/Information Technology. Health care experience is, of course, a plus. Position located about 70 miles from Los Angeles.

A leading not-for-profit focused on young women is looking for a entrepreneurial leader to lead a social enterprise in developing a business model for a property in the Inland Empire.

Large industrial firm is looking to acquire firms or technologies in the automotive body-repair/enhancement space.

Former Irvine Company executive with extensive project management experience in an top-level capacity is looking for a new opportunity.

A longtime executive in the pharma/medical space reports of discovering a company with a non-invasive diagnostic device to accurately determine a melanoma with 90% or better accuracy, compared to the standard of practice for evaluation of a melanoma is a biopsy and a biopsy's only measure about 3% of the scraping.

Says he, "This device is well vetted and really exists. It detects melanomas that skin biopsy's miss because in many cases there are false positive readings. This method is so accurate that it detects the melanoma on a microcellular level before most derms or patients would even know it is there and therefor the invasive surgery is very minor and scarring is virtually non existent."

The deal looks like $5M and 2 years.

November 7, 2009

Central Orange County restaurant owned by freewheeling well-known owner is seeking a top-tier general manager. Owner is not a foodservice veteran, but has been highly successful in other endeavors. Must run tight operation in both service and financial management.

Regional bank is - believe it or not - seeking commercial real estate loans: commercial,industrial etc. in the $1 million to $7 million range, with 65% loan-to-value or better.

Need interesting space in OC? Roughly 1,000 SF in historic building formerly occupied by an architectural firm. Loft, private offices and large open space. $2,500.

DECEMBER 2 at Celebrations by Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa: THE NEW RULES, presented by Freeman Freeman Smiley, Wright Ford Young and Citizens Business Bank. Content: How to Manage Your Banking Relationship; Using Lower Asset Values to Your Advantage; Investment Outlook for 2010

November 1, 2009

EVENT ALERT: December 2 -- See below!

A landowner with a Wal-Mart sized 50-acre piece of property across from a growing community college is seeking a co-investor to inject up to $2 million in the project.

An online media firm with a 30% EBITDA, while generating 400 million page views and 40 million unique visitors per month, is looking for a strategic partner . For more information please contact Tim Rhine. trhine@pointebreak.com

More than a dozen people with ties to Orange County's apparel industry joined together for a private networking event on October 27 at the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Irvine. Headlined by Project Runway contestant Gordana Gehlhausen, the group featured Tyler Rose swimsuit CEO Nichole Carroll - whose design was featured in Sports Illustrated's 2009 swimsuit issue - as well as Taryn Rose CFO Andy Berry, Indochine USA president Bertrand Haure, former Rip Curl CFO Matt Szot, publicist extraordinaire Mary Beth Kellee and others.

Gehlhausen, who is advancing steadily on Project Runway this season, is looking to develop her lines for distribution into national retail channels. The designer, who is said to be based in South Caroline in the show, works from downtown San Diego.

Speaking of apparel, a highly experienced manufacturing and retail executive has secured near-global rights to a denim with ballistic-like durability but jeans-like feel. The executive, now putting a team and financing together.

Riverside-based Best, Best & Krieger has retained RSM McGladrey as its accounting firm.

Legendary automotive entrepreneur Steve Saleen has landed financing for his new firm, SMS Supercars, from Citizens Business Bank. Saleen, who sold controlling interest in his Saleen Inc. to private equity firm Hancock Park Associates in 2004 and then left the firm in 2007, opened his new company in Corona earlier this year. SMS started re-building Dodge Chargers, but has since expanded to Ford Mustangs and expects to work on the new Chevy Camaro. Earlier this year Saleen sued the firm that acquired rights to the Saleen brand from Hancock.

CitizensTrust and the Orange County commercial banking arm of Citizens Business Bank are opening an office at 2010 Main Street in Irvine.

Event Alert: THE NEW RULES OF FINANCE December 2, 2009 at Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa. Partners include CPA firm Wright Ford Young, attorneys Freeman Freeman & Smiley as well as CBB and CitizensTrust. Doors open at 4:30 pm with a hosted bar. RSVP to paulthiel@yahoo.com.

October 19, 2009

Dealtime!

In a very significant transaction for the Inland Empire, Superior Quality Foods -- the Ontario-based maker of 'Better than Bouillon' and other products -- was sold to Southeaster Mills. The deal was handled by Randy Krauthamer of MRC Worldwide. 'Better the Bouillon' is the #2 bouillon in traditional US grocery stores and #1 in organic-oriented stores. SQF's other products are sold to leading branded and private label food manufacturers who use the firm's products in frozen entrees and soups.

Meanwhile, there is now a termsheet on the smaller aerospace deal reported here last month.

Moving on...

Longtime Citizens Business Bank executive and Orange County resident Mike Helmuth has joined American Security Bank in Newport Beach as Executive Vice President. Helmuth will lead the creation of ASB's business banking division. An outstanding golfer, Helmuth leaves CBB after being promoted to lead the Orange County division of the bank earlier this year.

Meanwhile, First Republic Managing Director Tony Saucedo is headed to Citizens Business Bank as a business development executive, where he joins longtime middle-market lender Everett Orrick, who joined the bank in September.

A company that provides health insurance for Americans who are working abroad is looking to buy books of business in that space.

An up-and-coming commercial insurance brokerage is looking to acquire small and mid-size commercial brokerages as they continue their roll-up strategy. The firm, recently founded after spinning off another firm, is concentrating on Orange and Riverside counties, but has ventured as far as Santa Barbara for targets.

San Diego-based Triax Associates is riding high with client Gordana Gehlhausen, the Project Runway contestant known as GOGA. The firm -- founded by uber-fundraiser Mary Beth Kellee, former entertainment executive Lena Evans and non-profit logistics master Mary Ellen Wengler -- was at the Emmys, New York Fashion Week and LA Fashion Week with the 45-year-old designer. [See this clip: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/around-town/fashion/Goga_at_Westfield_San_Diego.html.] The firm, started earlier this year, has also been successful in boosting visibility of guitarist Josh Gooch, who has been playing with and for former Eagles songwriter Jack Tempchin as well as with Ruby Stewart, daughter of Rod.

New Stuff

Help Wanted!

A small non-profit in the health education space is searching for an executive director. Preference is for high-energy person who can stretch to fill a role that requires a lot of hands-on work as well as fundraising. Salary in the $45,000 to $70,000 range, with benefits. Staff of 3.

A membership network of professionals that serves pro athletes nationwide is seeking CPAs and attorneys who have experience in working with their clientele.

For sale: Under-the-radar aerospace manufacturer/subcontractor. Based in north Orange County/south Los Angeles county area. Sub to major manufacturers, such as Boeing, etc. No engineering. One co-owner can stay on in part-time role for a limited time. Volume is down, but still substantial. EBITDA in the $500,000 to $1.75 million range, depending on defense spending, other factors.

Private equity firm seeking B2B publications for roll-up. Any type, any size may be considered, but must have print component.

Welcome Back!

Good News on the Funding Front!

eSub Inc., a San Diego-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) firm, reports that it has been successful in bringing on two investors who have deployed enough capital to enable the company to hire a key sales executive from its primary competitor, Autodesk. The firm, which has won several national awards in the construction space, is in the process of a $1 million raise.

A San Diego start-up with

a distribution deal with the Public Broadcasting System says it is close to closing and exceeding a planned $5 million round. Collector's Cafe - sort of a cross between Antiques Roadshow, Starbucks and eBay -- has a contract to produce a prime-time show for PBS focused on sports and other collectibles, and leverage the show to market coffee and cafes. CEO Mykalai Kontila says director and former Major League Baseball star Dave Winfield helped him find funding sources who are considering an expansion of the concept that could bring the current funding into the $10 million range. Supporting the project is the former CEO of a major health care provider and hedge fund manager, says Kontilai, as well as the current CEO of a major international property and casualty insurer.

Other stuff...

An OC-based SaaS company that provides solutions for the outdoor advertising industry -- an innovative technology platform that the company says provides accurate audience measurement to media such as billboards -- as well as on demand proof of performance and remote lighting control -- is also in a capital raise. The company has raised $150K of a $500K Convertible Note that will bridge to a Series A and provide fuel to complete several pilot installations in Q4 09.

Butch Rose, the celebrity cinnamon roll king of San Diego, is looking for a convertible note to help him open a new store near Petco Park. Already partially completed and located among several fully occupied high-rises and the new site of the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, the store will feature an outdoor pet cafe and an indoor skating rink. A former radio personality in San Diego, Rose's previous shops have garnered TV coverage and press.

An Orange County-based apparel manufacturer with strong distribution is seeking an acquisition that will give it a direct retail presence in the younger female space. The firm is looking for a small-to-midsized chain of 50-80 stores.

A leading digital marketing executive who sold his firm several years ago is on the market again, looking for a CMO position with a firm looking to improve its online and interactive marketing.

Legendary automotive guru Steve Saleen has started a new business in Corona. Following the break-up of his former Irvine-based firm, the former racer and builder of the $600,000 S7 was sidelined. Now he is back with SMS Motorsports, located not far from the Monster facilities in Corona.

A former Navy SEAL with general management experience and a strong small-company background is seeking a new position as a CFO or other finance executive.

A new and up-and-coming commercial insurance brokerage is looking to acquire small and mid-sized practices throughout Southern California.

RSM McGladrey quietly left Riverside over the summer, leaving the Inland Empire without a national accounting firm...At least two major regional CPA firms are looking to buy a mid-sized practice in San Diego...

A private equity-owned loan servicing company is looking to buy loans concentrated on the automobile, trailer, watercraft and recreational vehicles sectors.

A partnership is finding former CEOs and CFOs to match to private equity firms to find, finance and run projects consisting of platform companies and add-ons. The partnership believes that strong management trumps technology and other factors.

A San Diego-based private equity boutique is shopping for closely held businesses with EBITDA of $500,000 to $2,000,000 in the West.

People

Carol Smoot has returned from a brief foray into Wisconsin and is now the business development guru at Wright Ford Young...She takes the place of Scott Jones , who has taken a similar job at White Nelson, following an extensive search for a replacement for Frank Weber, who is now with California Republic Bank...West Point alum Donna McAleer has secured an agent for her book about women at West Point... Andy Berry, formerly of Mazda and Ocean Pacific, is new CFO at Taryn Rose, which opens a retail center at the Irvive Spectrum Center...Sally Andriamiarisoa leaves the Riverside Community Health Foundation to start a thought leadership enterprise...

In Case You Missed It...

The famous (or infamous, depending on your perspective) piece on Goldman Sachs by Matt Taibbi, http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/28816321/inside_the_great_american_bubble_machine, and the other prominent Goldman piece, from New York magazine, http://nymag.com/news/business/58094/

Don't Miss:

Angel outfielder Torri Hunter is hosting a star-studded charity golf event featuring entertainment by Brian McKnight. The event will be in Phoenix on November 10th and 11th at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel, and is co-hosted by Justin Upton -- both of whom will be among 75 or so celebrities playing. The silent auction will feature one-of-a-kin items like a 1-hour tennis lesson with Andre Agassi and a tour of MLB studios with Harold Reynolds. For more information, email Jennifer Marisnick at jmarisnick@aol.com, or visit toriihunter.com/golfclassic/