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California Insider

With Siyamak Khorrami
Stay informed on the latest news, politics, trending topics, critical issues and culture in California with The Epoch Times’ California Insider section

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Why Expanding Into California Isn’t So Simple | Laine Schoneberger

July 18, 2026
Californians have heard plenty about businesses leaving the state. The other direction gets less attention: what it takes for a new business to come in. In regulated industries, entry requires licensing, and an application can remain pending for years without a response. One lender says it entered that process more than two years ago. Similar approvals came through much faster in other states. In California, the application is still pending, and no decision has come back in either direction. Laine Schoneberger, managing partner and chief investment officer at Yrefy, LLC, is the executive leading that application. The service the company is seeking approval to offer refinances defaulted private student loans at roughly half the borrower's current payment. He sits down with Siyamak to discuss the two years in the queue and the math that makes a cut that steep possible. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
    About the show
    California, as the wealthiest and most populated state in the nation, carries many leading roles in policy making, economic growth, cultural influences and technology development. California Insider, hosted by Siyamak Khorrami with The Epoch Times Southern California, showcases leaders and professionals across the state with inside information about trending topics and critical issues. Our mission is to inform California residents through the experiences and knowledge of our guests.
    About With Siyamak Khorrami Stay Informed On The Latest News, Politics, Trending Topics, Critical Issues And Culture In California With The Epoch Times’ California Insider Section
    Siyamak Khorrami is a Senior Editor and the General Manager with the Epoch Times Southwestern Region. Prior to joining Epoch Media Group, Siyamak led companies in life sciences, technology, and finance. In 2017, Siyamak joined Epoch Media Group. Siyamak now oversees The Epoch Times newspaper’s development, operation in Southwestern region.
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