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Feeling like your business runs you instead of the other way around? Book your free 30-minute strategy call.

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RicFranzi_HP

It's lonely at the top. It doesn't have to be.

For Orange County/Inland Empire CEOs and business owners who are done being consumed by the businesses they lead.

Since 2007, Ric Franzi has helped hundreds of Orange County/Inland Empire leaders trade overwhelm for clarity — through confidential peer groups and one-on-one coaching that put you back in control of your company and your life.

As featured in Forbes • Business Insider • Orange County Register • Host of OC's longest-running business talk show • Author of 3 books

Meet Ric Franzi

Watch: how Ric helps leaders work on their business, not just in it.

Running a company shouldn't mean running on empty

You're the one everyone turns to, but who do you turn to? Most leaders carry the weight alone: the decisions no one else can make, the problems you can't talk about with your team, the nagging sense you're working harder than ever but not getting further.

It doesn't have to be that way. Imagine walking into one morning a month with a room full of seasoned CEOs who've faced what you're facing — and walking out with clarity, a plan, and people in your corner.

REF-OC 5-Step Proven Process

The REF-OC community has been helping our members take their businesses to the next level since 2007. This 5-step proven process represents the best practices defined and refined to ensure you receive the maximum ROI on your membership.

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LISTEN TO OUR AI-GENERATED PODCAST ABOUT OUR PROVEN PROCESS

REF-OC Proven Process DiscussionAI-Notebook LLM
00:00 / 06:31

Four Ways to Start

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Get Out of the Weeds
Free 30-Min Strategy Call

A no-pressure conversation about your biggest challenge right now. You'll leave with at least one actionable idea.

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Attend a Peer Group
Free Visit

Experience a REF-OC/IE peer group meeting firsthand and see how business owners help each other solve real challenges.

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Take the Peer Group
Fit Assessment

A quick self-assessment that helps determine whether a peer group is the right fit for your leadership style and business goals.

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Read the Book

Download The 10 Explosive Powers of CEO Peer Groups and discover why peer advisory groups help leaders make better decisions.

Built for Every Stage of Your Leadership Journey

CEO & Entrepreneurial Peer Groups

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A confidential boardroom of Orange County/Inland Empire CEOs and owners from non-competing companies, meeting one morning a month. Fresh perspective, honest feedback, and accountability from people who get it.

One-on-One
Executive Coaching

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A private, immersive partnership. Ric gets deep on your specific challenges and helps you get clear, get unstuck, and get going.

Keynotes & Leadership Workshops

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"Laughing leads to learning." Ric turns hard-won lessons into engaging, actionable sessions your team will actually remember, built on the DISC behavioral assessment.

Results, Not Just Good Vibes

Real outcomes from business owners and executives.

#1-Ranked

Peer Group Facilitator OC / IE

18+

Years Leading Peer Groups

1500+

Business Leaders Interviewed

3000+

CEOs in the REF Network

3

Published Books

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“Ric has assembled a group of business professionals, each unique from the others, yet sharing similar experiences. It is this relationship that has proved invaluable to me as I manage the next stage of a 40+ year insurance agency. It amazes me how the perspective of a situation from different types of businesses can open eyes to a solution within my company. Without Ric, I would still have far too many unanswered questions. I highly recommend participating in REF-OC.”

Owner | Berg Insurance

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"I am a member of Ric’s REF-OC peer group community. The value that this peer advisory group and Ric's coaching have provided to my business is beyond what I had imagined when I joined. Ric has been an insightful and excellent business coach. I value his leadership of this group, and I find that when I attend the monthly meeting, I leave with renewed connection to others in the group and more clarity on my business. It's beneficial to set aside one morning a month to think strategically about my business and work on it, rather than in it."

Chief Executive Officer | Humanity HR Consulting

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"Being part of the REF-OC peer group has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Ric brings a thoughtful and seasoned perspective as a business coach, consistently offering guidance that challenges and sharpens my thinking.

Each monthly session leaves me with fresh insights and actionable ideas that I can immediately apply to my business. It’s a rare opportunity to step back, reflect, and engage with a group of like-minded professionals who genuinely understand the ups and downs of leadership.

Dedicating this focused time once a month has made a noticeable impact on how I approach both strategy and decision-making."

President/Chief Marketing Officer | ProActive Professional Management

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"It has been my great pleasure to work with Richard Franzi and to be part of his REF-OC Trusted Advisors Peer Group. Ric facilitates conversations to guide and support his REF-OC peer group members in growing their businesses. He helps members solve problems so we can thrive and be successful. He is motivational, insightful, and generous. He brings in exceptional speakers and shares key resources to help his members grow their businesses. I highly recommend Ric Franzi and REF-OC."

Founder | T&Co

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As Featured In

Forbes Magazine
10 Reasons To Join A CEO Peer Group

“The whole effort of CEOs working together is more than the sum of those same CEOs working separately.”

California Business Journal

Peer Power

The story of one leader's leap into peer advisory — and what it unlocked.

Business Insider

CEO Peer Groups: How To Find Your Match

A practical look at how company heads choose the right roundtable or forum.

Orange County Register

CEO peer groups boost business results

How small-business owners used peer groups to navigate a downturn.

Ric is a trusted partner to Orange County entrepreneurs and business owners.

Meet Ric Franzi

Ric left the C-suite of a global manufacturer to do one thing: give other leaders the clarity and community he wished he'd had sooner. Today, he's REF's Business Partner for Orange County/Inland Empire, host of the Critical Mass Business Talk Show, and author of three books on leadership and peer advisory groups.

Critical Mass: The 10 Explosive Powers of CEO Peer Groups Book

The 10 Explosive Powers of CEO Peer Groups

The Power of CEO Guiding Principles 3rd Edition Book

The Power of CEO Guiding Principles 3rd Edition

Killing Cats Leads to Rats Book

Killing Cats Leads to Rats

Speaking

Ric believes that "laughing leads to learning" and delivers fun and engaging performances designed to share the actionable principles contained within his SECURE Model for avoiding, reducing, or minimizing the negative effects of unintended consequences.

Clients

  • Business executive peer groups are structured forums where business leaders gather regularly to share insights, solve challenges, and support one another. These groups foster professional development, strategic growth, and valuable networking opportunities.

  • Unlike one-on-one coaching, peer groups offer multiple perspectives from seasoned executives who have faced similar challenges. Collective wisdom often provides more diverse and actionable insights, whereas consulting tends to be more prescriptive in nature.

    • Gain fresh perspectives on business challenges from experienced peers

    • Access trusted advice in a confidential environment

    • Expand your network with like-minded professionals

    • Improve decision-making through collective wisdom

    • Enhance leadership skills and personal development

  • REF-OC is the Orange County chapter of the global REF organization. Ric Franzi is the Founder and has been partnered with the global REF organization since October 2007.

  • With over 30 years of experience in the CEO Peer Group industry, REF is a global organization of peer advisory boards for business leaders. Founded in La Jolla, CA., to build a better value proposition, REF created a unique half-day meeting model designed to provide our members with the most impact in less time. REF believes time is the most important asset a business owner has, and as such, their meetings are designed to keep the meeting time limited to a morning meeting. Learn more at www.REF.Global

Frequently Asked Questions

Elevate your leadership with Ric Franzi

Your Next Chapter Starts with One Conversation

If you're ready to stop carrying it alone and start leading with clarity, the first step is simple and free.

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