Real stories from the Southern California founder frontier.
A podcast for founders, builders, and dreamers scaling bold companies across SoCalβfrom garages in Irvine to high-rises in DTLA.
I started Startup SoCal to shine a light on the bold, the bootstrapped, and the barely funded. As someone deeply embedded in the SoCal innovation sceneβand with a career in PR and MediaβI saw firsthand how many incredible early-stage founders were building in the shadows. My biggest inspiration is the underdog founder with grit and a vision, who deserves a spotlight.
I cover topics founders care about:
Funding stories, brand building, early traction strategies, founder mindset, and innovation.
Startup SoCal is for early-stage founders, indie hackers, scrappy operators, and ecosystem builders who want:
Whether you're building a Web3 tool in Irvine, a biotech lab in La Jolla, or a community SaaS in Santa Monica, Startup SoCal is your local mic and digital megaphone.
We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours.
Open today | 09:00 am β 05:00 pm |
How one OC founder turned her love for surfing into a tech-enabled retail brand, blending coastal culture with global scalability.
Behind the scenes of raising early-stage capital in OC, and what investors here really look for.
Eating healthy is essential for maintaining optimal health and preventing chronic diseases. In this post, I share my favorite healthy recipes and provide tips for making healthier food choices.
Traveling can be expensive, but it doesn't have to break the bank. In this post, I share my tips for traveling on a budget, including finding affordable accommodations and activities.
Self-care is crucial for maintaining mental and emotional wellbeing. In this post, I discuss the importance of self-care and provide practical self-care tips for busy individuals.
Positive thinking can have a significant impact on our mental and emotional wellbeing. In this post, I explore the power of positive thinking and provide tips for cultivating a positive mindset.
Please reach us at joerhoton@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Made in OC is a podcast that spotlights Orange County entrepreneurs, innovators, and founders. Each episode shares the real story behind building a companyβfrom first ideas to growing pains to breakthrough moments.
We welcome founders, co-founders, and entrepreneurs based in or connected to Orange County who are building something meaningfulβstartups, scaleups, or even established businesses with fresh stories.
Unlike most shows, every guest walks away with a PR starter kit: a press release draft, earned media pitch templates, and a curated journalist contact list. Itβs designed to help you generate publicity beyond the podcast.
Episodes run about 25β35 minutesβshort enough to fit into a commute, but deep enough to dig into the story.