Santa Monica Area Business Owners Helping Each Other Build Strong Companies

It really is lonely at the top. This saying is commonly applied to those who lead any type of organization, but nowhere is it more applicable than in the world of small business. Most members of Leads, Inc. have fewer than 10 employees, and have to work hard to compete with much larger firms in the same region. The best method for increasing the power of a small business is through networking. Those in the network can provide depth of experience, a wide range of resources, wise counsel, and referrals to their friends and acquaintances.

We would like to invite members of the local business community to visit one of our breakfast meetings to get to know our members and see how we provide solid business leads at every meeting. We also provide a place where you can develop other skills such as honing your elevator speech, practice your public speaking, and become better at networking. Our number one goal is increasing the business dollars for all members.

Los Angeles Marketing Consultant Specializes in Small Local Businesses

Randy Kirk has spent the last 26 out of 28 years as a manufacturer of bicycle accessories. His 100 employee business sold to the giants of the business including Trek, Raleigh, Bianci, Schwinn, and the mass market bicycle sellers like Target, KMart, WalMart, and Toy's R Us.

In the course of those years Randy also wrote a few books on how to run and manage a small business, with the emphasis on companies with less than 10 employees. After selling the manufacturing business in 2007, he decided to return to his first love, helping small businesses succeed. With clients in the bike retail business, tax problem resolution enterprise, self defense game, chiropractic and wellness businesses, computer data recovery service, printer repair and supply enterprise and mortgage sales, to name a few, his breadth of previous experience allows him to help with the marketing of all kinds of small enterprises.

Here is a YouTube Video of a recent presentation title Dream Maker. This was delivered at the weekly LeTip meeting.



For a complete Bio, please click here.

For a list of testimonials, try here.

Randy says he hates his current website, but is in the process of developing a state-of-the-art masterpiece. A second website describing a very specific new internet marketing product can be found here.

Call Randy at 310-920-9649 or e-mail at RandyKirk77@Gmail.com

Tax Returns or Tax Problems are Mike Montano's Specialty

Is the IRS on your back? Did you kind of forget to file your taxes in 2008? '07? '06? '05?!?! Or maybe you were a little short of cash and now with penalties and interest on top of the payments you couldn't make at $15,000 or more, your Uncle Sam is calling you and sending you letters about paying up!

Or maybe you always file and always pay, but this year things are a bit more complicated or you're tired of using a bookkeeper to do figure out how much you owe.

You need a solid professional tax specialist to help you through this. Demetriou, Montano, & Associates have been serving Los Angeles and Orange County since 1989. With offices in Santa Monica and Newport Beach, they are able to provide you with personalized service no matter what your situation is with the IRS.

Mike Montano spent the first part of his career with the IRS fighting on the side of the government, trying to increase the national treasury. But now he has joined the side of the citizens with insider knowledge of the methods that the IRS uses to maximize their take at your expense. He can help you to take all the legitimate deductions that you have coming. He can help you stop the phone calls and letters if you've gotten behind on filing or paying. He can negotiate with the IRS to reduce what you owe or at least set up a reasonable payment plan for pay back. He can even get liens and levy's lifted.

Mike provided these incites at a recent LeTip breakfast meeting, which were recorded for YouTube.



If you need some of what Mike has to offer, you can reach him at 310-581-2900. His brand new website is up with plenty of additional information about how he can provide you with tax help. Or, email him at MMontano@taxrepair.com.

Investment Advisor Has Made Money for His Clients in 2009!!

It is exceedingly rare for an incoming US President to be greeted by a huge downturn in the market. But you or some of your friends and family may have seen your portfolios continue to be dragged ever lower in January and February of this year. Imagine if you will that instead of wanting to skin your commissioned based stock broker, you were calling to praise and thank your fee only Investment Advisor.

Amin Khakiani is a Registered Investment Advisor and founded his investment management firm, Focal Point Management, in 2005. His services include comprehensive, institutional level asset management and portfolio diversification for individuals, families, businesses, retirement plans, foundations and other institutions. The key components of his approach are diligent analytics and processes to build high-performing, risk optimized "all weather" portfolios with accountability, communication and a highly personalized level of service and attention.

Prior to this, Amin served in various financial, strategic planning and business development roles at Honeywell International and Occidental Petroleum. Amin received his Masters in Business Administration at the University of Michigan Business School in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1997.

When Amin Spoke to the Santa Monica Let Tip Referral Club as the featured speaker a few weeks ago, he wanted to make one thing abundantly clear:

I don't allow my personal opinion or emotions to enter into the decision making process. The analytics tell me which way to go with the investments on any given day, regardless of the markets trend. So, I made money for my clients on that horrible day in February when the market was down 400 points.

You can learn more about Amin by visiting his website or his blog. He also posts daily on Twitter. You can follow his next day predictions for the market on Twitter .

Bill Rayman Says "Once in A Lifetime Opty on Mortgages"

Each week at LeTip Santa Monica Business Referral Club, we have an opportunity to provide a 30 second commercial to the other members and guests attending at any given breakfast meeting. Recently Bill Rayman, the mortgage broker for the group, has been very clear: "If you don't buy a home, refinance your mortgage, or invest in real estate during this historic moment, you will kick yourself two years from now."

Bill knows whereof he speaks. He is undoubtedly the busiest mortgage salesman on the Westside if not in the state. Because of his years of developing connections with dozens of lending institutions, he can find mortgages when others can't. Like any agent, he is not tied to one bank or mortgage company. He can seek out the very best deal based on the clients needs, credit score, and ability to pay.

Here is a YouTube Video of a presentation made at a recent LeTip breakfast meeting. The title FHA Loans are the New Subprime.





When Bill is not helping his clients process mortgages, he is an avid pet lover with some unique pets. It is unlikely that you know anyone else who has a silken windhound, nor any animal with a more challenging name to say unless you know the secret . . . PTAXI! (THE P IS SILENT.) It is not clear to me whether the ! point at the end is part of the name.

If you are ready to talk about a home or commercial mortgage, give Bill a call at:

Mortgage Capital
12400 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 900
Los Angeles, CA 90025
o) 310-295-2900 x113
c) 310-453-4016

Bill also has a brand new blog. Check out his latest thinking on the mortgage market here.

Thuy Le - 2008 President of LeTip Santa Monica and Realtor for the Group

Thuy Le is the consummate real estate professional, committed to providing first-class service by delivering creative strategies that achieve the best results for each client. Her strong drive to succeed for her clients is matched by her equally strong sense of integrity.
Often the choice of academics in the university community and medical field, Thuy is also selected by relocating professionals who want a top performer with a thorough understanding of the real estate market. Her core strengths include patience, exceptional negotiating skills, and successful relationship building with both international and American clientele, with consistent attention to detail.
Before devoting her career to real estate in Los Angeles at Sotheby's International Realty, Thuy was educated on the East Coast, obtaining a degree in political science from Wellesley College. She acquired her business savvy working in marketing communications and business development at several major high-tech companies, including 3COM and Palm. Thuy also brings to the table her breadth of experience helping clients sell and buy in the mid-Atlantic region at one of the country's largest commercial and residential real estate firms.


Born in Vietnam, Thuy grew up in California and has lived in Massachusetts, Michigan, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, and Paris. She is an active member of the Junior League, Wellesley College Alumnae Association, Toastmasters, the Asian Professional Exchange, and the LA Junior Chamber of Commerce. Thuy spends her leisure time with her husband, a University of Southern California professor, visiting museums, bicycling along the ocean, engaging in lifelong learning, and volunteering for civic organizations.

Meet Maria Becerra, State Farm Property and Casualty Insurance Agent

Maria has been with State Farm Insurance for nearly 20 years. Maria holds all her licenses to sell Property and Casualty Insurance as well as Life/Health.

Maria started in early 1991 with a brand new State Farm Agent. After 7 years of Agency, Maria transferred to the Claims Department of State Farm. There she worked for an additional 7 years, making her self available to help the Spanish speaking market.

In August of 2004 she took the opportunity to work for Ron Villa, State Farm Agent here in Santa Monica (Ocean Park and 30th.) Ron was looking for someone that would help in the office with the Spanish speaking customers of the office and alleviate the language barrier.

The Agency Maria works in has 3 staff members and the Agent. The office totals over 100 years of experience!

Maria likes to take pride in making sure to clearly explain the policies, give all realistic options and listen carefully to the needs of her clients. The goal is to make sure that when the transaction is completed, clients know exactly what they have purchased. Maria will make sure your referrals will be well taken care of.

Maria has 2 sons. Leroy 18 attending Cerritos College and Rodrigo 14 attending St. John Bosco High school.

Maria M. Becerra
Ronald E Villa, Agent
p: 310.450.8833
f: 310.450.6707
e: maria.becerra.c2n2@statefarm.com
a: 2665 30th St Ste 200 Santa Monica CA 90405