South of SF

In a real estate market as competitive and emotionally charged as the San Francisco Peninsula, you need more than an agent—you need a master strategist. What if that strategist honed his skills not in real estate, but in the high-stakes world of Silicon Valley human resources, coaching executives and negotiating for powerhouse tech firms?

In this episode, Ranger sits down with Dan Ziony, a Compass real estate advisor with over 350 transactions and half a billion dollars in sales volume. Dan shares his remarkable journey from a director-level HR career to the pinnacle of Peninsula real estate. Di...

For many on the Peninsula, the dream of homeownership can feel out of reach, buried under a mountain of paperwork, confusing jargon, and daunting financial requirements. To navigate this complex world, you need more than just a loan officer—you need a seasoned expert who has not only mastered the system but helped shape it.

In this episode, Ranger sits down with Michelle Velez, a Certified Mortgage Consultant with over 30 years of industry experience. Michelle is a true leader in her field, having served as the two-time state president for the California Association of Mortgage Professionals and as...

So many of us have one: a small, velvet-lined box holding a piece of family history. It’s full of sentiment, but it’s not quite your style, so it sits unworn. What if you could transform that dormant treasure into a stunning, wearable piece that perfectly captures both its legacy and your personality?

In this episode, Ranger sits down with Jen Hancox, a GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional and the founder of The Edna Collective in Burlingame. Jen shares her unique journey from the high-stakes world of fine dining to the intricate art of fine jewelry. She demy...

Every flower tells a story, but it takes a true artist to weave those stories into a breathtaking arrangement. In this episode of South of SF, host Ranger Kielak sits down with Maureen Ticer, the passionate founder of Bela Fiori, a premier floral design service based in San Mateo. Maureen shares the single moment in Brazil that ignited her lifelong love for flowers, a passion that has taken her from Singapore to the historic San Francisco Flower Market.

Listen in to discover the intricate world of professional floristry, from understanding the seasonality of blooms to managing client...

What does it really take to succeed in the Peninsula's competitive real estate market? It takes more than just a license and a sign; it takes deep community roots, a network of trusted professionals, and sometimes, a willingness to crawl under a house to deal with a dead skunk. 🦨

In this episode, Ranger sits down with Chris Eckert, a veteran real estate expert and community champion from San Mateo. Chris pulls back the curtain on the current state of the market (as of late 2025), revealing a crucial split between single-family homes and condos that every potential buyer and...

In this episode of the South of SF Podcast, host Ranger Kielak sits down with Anita Varelas, the founder of Neighborly Senior Placement. Discover how Anita's two decades of experience, which started as a teenage waitress in an assisted living community, gives her a unique, insider's perspective on the senior care industry.

We dive deep into why families should never rely solely on Google for such a crucial life decision. Anita shares eye-opening insights on the hidden factors that matter most, from staff longevity and reputation to the specific levels of care a facility can provide. She...

Is your business growth starting to feel more like chaos? When the spreadsheets and manual processes that got you here are now holding you back, it's time to build a smarter system. In this episode of the South of SF podcast, host Ranger Kielak sits down with Aman Thakral, the Business Manager for Target Integration's US Division, to demystify the world of business software.

Aman is a "CRM and ERP Matchmaker" for small and medium businesses across the San Francisco Peninsula. With over 700,000 CRM options on the market, simply Googling a solution can lead to expensive mistakes...

In this episode of the South of SF Podcast, host Ranger Kielak sits down with Carmen Avila, a civil engineer and project manager for Glam Roofing. Discover how Carmen’s unique background, including managing large-scale construction projects in Honduras, brings a rare level of expertise to residential and commercial roofing in the San Francisco Peninsula.

We dive deep into why her company, recently voted the Best Roofing Company in San Mateo County, prioritizes client needs over a quick "cash grab." Carmen shares eye-opening stories about the hidden dangers of hiring uninsured handymen and how a small mistake ca...

We spend our entire lives building—careers, families, and a home here on the SF Peninsula. But what happens to it all when we're gone? How do you ensure the life you've built becomes a lasting legacy instead of a legal mess for the people you love?

This week on South of SF, we demystify the world of estate planning. Ranger sits down with Winston Duggan, a senior associate attorney with the San Mateo law firm McDowell Cotter. Winston specializes in trusts, estate administration, and probate, guiding Bay Area families and business owners through the process of cr...

In this episode of South of SF, we tackle one of the biggest financial hurdles for Bay Area residents: buying a home on the SF Peninsula. If you've ever felt that building long-term wealth through real estate is an impossible dream, this conversation will provide you with a clear, actionable roadmap.

Ranger sits down with Ray Avanzino, a seasoned mortgage broker with over 23 years of experience and the founder of Polaris Capital Partners in San Mateo. As a California native and a pillar of the local business community, Ray specializes in demystifying the home loan process. He...

Welcome to South of SF — the podcast where we spotlight the real people behind the businesses, nonprofits, and organizations that shape the San Francisco Peninsula.

Hosted by Ranger, this show is your backstage pass to the stories, grit, and heart behind the professionals working just south of The City.

From Half Moon Bay to Palo Alto, we’re celebrating the folks who keep our communities running — and helping you get to know your neighbors before you hire them.

Whether you're looking for a trusted business connection, curious about the story behind that new shop d...