Listen Now!

Business Talk 24-7

Curated Collection Of The Best Interviews From Our Gwinnett Studio





LUCRATIVE LADIES: Celebrating Our Success (Debut Show/April 25)

LUCRATIVE LADIES: Celebrating Our Success is hosted by Jeanne’ Smith (Ultra Touch Cleaning), Stacey Gross (Favorite Place Travel), Theresa Conklin (Pinnacle Custom Signs) and Erica Wimberly (EW Services). Highlighting women business owners and the companies they run, Lucrative Ladies gives a ”voice” to the women leaders in our business community.

The show hosts and their guests from the first show

Jessica Knight/Clickaroo Websites

Clickaroo Websites is an Atlanta web design company which provides all the services needed in one place for a successful website and online marketing campaign. Their company’s outstanding reputation in the web design industry and years of knowledge in online and social marketing makes them a standout solution for your company. From web design, hosting, ecommerce, SEO, SEM and social media coaching, they offer everything in one place.

Dr. Lauren Millman/Suwanee Spine and Wellness Center

Suwanee Spine and Wellness Center specializes in providing a unique and specialized form of chiropractic to help naturally heal those suffering from pain or dysfunction. The unique approach that Dr. Millman utilizes naturally and effectively restores the body back to a balanced position so that the body can heal and live as it was intended. Suwanee Spine and Wellness Center operates under the foundation that unless you correct the underlying problem (spinal imbalance), no pill, potion or lotion can make you better. When you can effectively correct the underlying dysfunction, your body can heal. Their spinal care procedure effectively and uniquely evaluates the state of your whole frame, which in turn effects your overall health. Your structure dictates your body’s function, and their practitioners understand how to effectively evaluate structure to optimize your body’s function.

Belinda Harris/Rocket Science HR

Rocket Science HR was created to assist people with resume and interviewing skills. Their motto is “It’s not rocket science; It’s Rocket Science HR”. Belinda Harris, the CEO/Owner, has been in the HR field for the past 10 years. She has a Masters Degree in Human Resource Development and she is a certified SPHR (Senior Professional Human Resource). Rocket Science HR offers many services such as resume review, resume writing and interview coaching. They also provide many seminars that include resume, interviewing and follow up sessions. Your resume gets you the interview, your interview skills land you the job. Let them help you at Rocket Science HR.

Lori Manns/Quality Media Consultant Group

Quality Media Consultant Group is a consultancy firm specializing in providing media strategies that work to give you more visibility, more clients and make you more money. They develop and implement marketing plans and advertising programs that have impact and provide measurable results.

Paul Kendig with Dinova, Norm Stahl with Primepay and Don Walters with The Ephraim Group

Paul Kendig/Dinova

Dinova is a unique service that increases restaurant business while saving corporations money. By bringing together well-known restaurants with Fortune 500 companies, Dinova enables corporate clients to direct their employee expense account dining to restaurants in the Dinova network.

For corporations, having preferred restaurants for their employees to use when dining out on corporate business results in lower costs. Dinova makes it easy for employees to locate preferred restaurants.

For restaurants, gaining a greater share of corporate dining spend results in increased business. This spend is generated by the highly sought after weekday business customer, whether they are traveling on business or entertaining in-town.

For both, the entire process is simple and transparent.  Dinova performs all of the administrative work.  There are no new processes or procedures for the restaurants, and no cards or coupons for the corporate employees to carry.

Norm Stahl/PrimePay

PrimePay is a national company offering complete payroll and HR solutions to businesses from 1-200 employees.  For Payroll, they calculate the Gross to net payroll, providing paychecks to the employee, collect the appropriate Federal, State and Local taxes, electronically pay those taxes and finally complete and file electronically the required reporting to Federal State and Local taxing authorities. Your complete solution.

On the HR side, they provide solutions ranging from an HR library for reference to solutions including live talk with an HR professional or online employee benefit sign up and administration.

Don Walters/The Ephraim Group

The Ephraim Group is an independent agency with the ability to write insurance with over 50 companies on Property & Casualty side, and over 50 more on the Life Insurance side. It was formed because of Don Walters’ experience as a captive agent and only being able to write with just one main company. There were so many people that he could not help because they did not fit the company box, which was very frustrating to him. So after many years in the captive world, Don looked toward avenues that would allow for more people to be served, thus the independent agency was created almost five years ago.

The Ephraim Group has five agents and support staff that can provide a “one stop shop” moment for most everyone from Commercial General Liability, Workers Comp, Commercial Auto… to… Personal home and auto. The Ephraim Group has a very diverse clientele. They serve your typical southerners, to northerners, Bosnians, Koreans, Chinese, Jamacian, South African, Camaron, Indian, British, and many others in between. They have developed this wide cultural draw due to their willingness to stop, treat everyone with respect, and really try to listen to their clients, even when the communication is sometimes in “broken English” mode. The Ephraim Group motto is “We represent the Insurance Companies, But We Work for You!”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE with John Ernst: Lee Blodgett with Northpoint Mortgage, Wendy Brant with Anchor Home Mortgage, Mark Scarratt with On Q Financial and Gary Lewis with Carrington Mortgage Services

MAKING A DIFFERENCE is hosted by John Ernst with Ernst & Partners.

Lee Blodgett/Northpoint Mortgage

Northpoint Mortgage is a branch of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. They create raving fans by providing customer service that is legendary, not just satisfactory. At Fairway, the way they do things is as important as what they do. Closing loans timely and accurately is vital to their business. Delivering closing documents to title companies days in advance provides added peace of mind. A friendly smile and firm handshake is a must, but it’s the person behind it who makes all the difference. At Fairway, the culture is driven by this commitment to speed – they strive to be prompt, efficient, and accurate 100% of the time – while providing superb, unsurpassed service.

Wendy Brant/Anchor Home Mortgage

Anchor Home Mortgage is a full-service broker. They work with banks all over the country to bring the best programs with great rates to their borrowers. Their entire team is committed to providing their clients with a world-class service experience along with the lowest interest rates available, period. Their outstanding mortgage professionals will work with you one on one to ensure that your financial solution is tailored specifically to meet your needs. Whether you are purchasing your dream home, refinancing an outstanding loan, or consolidating debt, their highly experienced team of loan officers can help you find the right loan program at the lowest possible rate no matter what your needs may be. Their ultimate goal is to create lasting relationships with each of their clients so they may continue providing excellent service for many years to come.

Mark Scarratt/On Q Financial

On Q Financial is a Top 50 Lender in the U.S, based in Scottsdale, AZ and with retail offices in several states. On Q Financial is dedicated to making mortgage experiences simple, quick, and easy. Their signature Client First Service streamlines your mortgage experience in four time-saving ways. They make applying for a new home loan or refinance easy. You can apply over the phone, in person or on the web.

Gary Lewis/Carrington Mortgage Services

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in California, Carrington Mortgage Services operates two loan servicing locations that together provide integrated full life cycle mortgage loan servicing support to borrowers and investors. Their mission is to deliver exceptional customer care to their borrowers and investors. They create value for their borrowers and investors by preserving home ownership through programs that support their borrowers and their ability to stay in their homes.

John Ernst/Ernst & Partners

Ernst & Partners is a law firm that handles Personal Injury, Real Estate Closings, Bankruptcy, Criminal and Divorce.

John A. Ernst Jr. is a graduate of Emory University and University of Georgia, School of Law. After graduating from Emory, Mr. Ernst was the assistant to Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, in which capacity he had the opportunity to meet with the leaders of the state and from around the world. Mr. Ernst is also a veteran of many political campaigns around the state. He then continued his education and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. During his tenure in law school, Mr. Ernst was a member of the prosecutorial clinic where he served as a prosecutor in the Athens-Clarke County District Attorney’s office and was a summer clerk for the Honorable John J Ellington, Georgia Court of Appeals. After law school, Mr. Ernst served as the Attorney of the Majority Caucus in the Georgia House of Representatives for the 2004 Legislative Session. John opened his own law firm in 2005 where he handles Real Estate Transactions, Bankruptcy cases, and Personal Injury Clients.

Dennis Daniels with Renaissance Executive Forums, Shawn Mahoney with Computer Alli, and Andrew Draper and Eric Draper with Armher

Dennis Daniels/Renaissance Executive Forums

Renaissance Executive Forums brings together the top executives from non-competing companies of similar size, into a peer advisory board process, whereby thousands of leaders gain fresh ideas and new insights that produce tangible improvements in their business results. They believe “you don’t have to go it alone”.

As President and owner of Renaissance Executive Forums – Atlanta East, Dennis Daniels builds and facilitates Top Executive Peer Advisory Boards, comprised of business owners, CEOs and Presidents in the Atlanta area. Each board serves as a “personal board of advisors” for each member, as they develop actual business solutions and improve business performances in any and all areas, such as business strategies, customer acquisition & retention, financial & operating issues, people & organization issues, business growth, M&A, succession, fighting commoditization, securing their businesses, etc.

Dennis has more than 30 years of global human resources and executive management experience from companies such as PepsiCo, Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corp., Solectron, StatsChipPAC, Ltd. and Silicon Graphics. As an independent consultant, he has been instrumental in helping late-stage, privately-held businesses achieve M&A strategies, restructuring and
performance improvement.

He is a seasoned C-Level executive with a demonstrated track record in start-ups, corporate turnarounds, organization effectiveness, compensation & performance strategies, organization development, M&A, succession planning, executive coaching, corporate governance and Board structure.

Dennis has traveled and worked extensively throughout Asia, Europe and Latin America. He has also lived and worked as an expatriate in Singapore.

Shawn Mahoney/Computer Alli

Shawn Mahoney is the Owner, CEO and President of Computer Alli, Inc. and author of a weight loss book. Computer Alli is a computer networking and support company that also does web-based operational application and websites. The company currently has 28 full and part-time employees and sub-contractors.

Shawn is also an inspirational story, having spent half of his adult like struggling with obesity. In fact he was carrying over 100 pounds in excess weight for 20 years. His story of the transformation he went through to drop the weight and get healthy is the topic of his book “How I Lost Myself – A healthy weight loss story”. He talks about the process he went through, from the mental commitment to goal setting and tracking, including the food changes, workouts and accountability. He discusses handling different ways around “will power” with the reprogramming of your brain on how to look at food in a different way, along with planning and preparing meals while integrating them into your busy everyday life. He also writes about how he maintained his new transformation with diet, exercise and goal setting.

Andrew Draper & Eric Draper/Armher

Armher, LLC is a company that was created out of the necessity of safety targeted at those who are unsafe. They have modeled their classes based on simplicity and convenience. Not only do they come to a location that the client or group is comfortable with, but they also bring a fun time! They enlighten girls and women, ages 13 and up, about how to stay safe from assault and how to escape or evade attempted attacks. All the while, they are smiling and shedding positive light on a negative subject!

Dennis Bonin and Randy Hicks with Meridian Star Merchant Services and Jauxniece Palmer with ProjectMOVE

Dennis Bonin & Randy Hicks/Meridian Star Merchant Services

Meridian Star Merchant Services. Run your business without it running you.

Having value is one thing, but adding value is another. Meridian Star is more than an electronic payment processing company – they are a team. Ever y step of the way, they are committed to your company’s success by focusing on delivering the best products and services. It’s a perfect partnership.

Meridian Star’s fast and cost-efficient payment processing options will increase your bottom line. You make the sales and they handle the rest. Helping you increase your profitability is their goal.

They are one of the most important business partners you will ever have. Their electronic payment processing solutions, savings, security and settlement options have propelled them to the top of their industry. Meridian is a full-service company offering equipment sales, leasing, rental and financing programs, and their user-friendly equipment ensures swift transmissions.

Through their strategic alliances with some of the largest FDIC insured settlement banks and transaction processing networks in the country, your business benefits from having the powerhouses of the electronic merchant banking industry at your service.

At Meridian Star, their payment processing systems are a lifeline for any business, large or small. They provide each and every customer with a payment processing system that fits their requirements. Their processing specialists will design and implement a customized system that will enable you to achieve efficient point-of-sale transactions and rapid settlements. Meridian Star’s team of specialists combine the knowledge of consumer habits with expertise in electronic processing to develop a streamlined system for every business.

If your company already accepts plastic payments, they will provide you a free analysis of your current statement to lower your overall processing costs. Their competitive pricing includes state-of-the-art technologies, customer support and an account or a specialist.

Jauxniece Palmer/ProjectMOVE

ProjectMOVE is about Inspiring current and future generations to get Active and Healthy through integration of multi-generational programming into health clubs and gyms nationwide. Their mission is to create environments across the nation, where multiple generations are served simultaneously in the most logical environment outside of the church or school system: YOUR community health club! By doing so, they educate parents, excite children, and create true change!

ProjectMOVE offers consulting services and programs designed for the fitness industry that enable facilities to help combat the Obesity Epidemic first-hand, as well as strategically place themselves as a forerunner in fitness with their community.

#ProjectMOVE for a successful fight against OBESITY in this and generations to come! For more information, contact us at info@projectmove.us. Get involved!

Ed Kerns with Legacy Planning Group, Julie King with Starkey Mortgage and Anna Stevens with EQ for Success

Ed Kerns/Legacy Planning Group

As a wealth management firm, Legacy Planning Group has a fundamental belief that the only value of money is in its use. So they help their clients discover their hearts desires and what they value most in order to use their financial resources in support of those values. As a fee-based wealth management firm, their services consist of investment consulting and advanced estate planning for businesses, families and individuals.

In working with business owners, families and successful individuals for the majority of his career, Ed Kerns has developed a few fundamental beliefs that guide him and help others understand “Why” they do what they do. He believes there’s simply no such thing as a purely financial decision since everything affects everything else. In other words, there’s no separating the 5 F’s – Facts, Faith, Feelings, Family, and Finances. Of these 5 variables, feelings or emotion, is usually the dominant factor. Emotion then combined with what we believe, accurately or inaccurately, dictates our behavior. This is often where people get into trouble.

There are a variety of studies that reveal how people don’t manage this emotional dynamic well amidst the complexities of the 5 F’s. Since so many things like the economy, markets, bird flu outbreaks, or the next apocalypse du jour as media reports it are bombarding us daily, it becomes vital to focus on the things we can control versus those things we can’t control.  That’s where Legacy Planning Group comes in to help control the controllables.

Julie King/Starkey Mortgage

Starkey Mortgage, founded in 2000, and headquartered out of Plano, TX has offices in eight states and has been named one of the TOP 100 Mortgage Companies of 2012. In the Metro Atlanta market, Starkey Mortgage is a TOP 10 Lender.  With in-house processing, underwriting and closing, Starkey Mortgage processes more loans faster! They strive to close loans in a matter of weeks rather than months.

As a graduate of Xinnix, one of the most proven comprehensive mortgage academies in the nation, Julie will ask the right questions, listen to your priorities and tailor your loan accordingly. Working with Julie and her proven team allows you to relax. Communicating with you step by step is the kind of exceptional and consistent customer service you will experience throughout the loan process. Having been a previously licensed in Georgia Real Estate agent, Julie understands the market and how it operates. For over 25 years Julie has been a successful business professional in the Atlanta area and with her financial knowledge she will be able to assist you in your long-term financing needs. One of the largest investments you can make is purchasing a new home. With your financial needs in mind, Julie’s team knows loans are not designed with a “one size fits all” mindset. They are available to guide you to the best mortgage loan option available. Whether you are financing a new home or refinancing your current home, it would be their privilege to serve you.

Anna Stevens/EQ for Success

EQ for Success, LLC is an Atlanta-based consulting, training and coaching company that offers private and public workshops, seminars, keynotes and other training and development solutions. They design and deliver training sessions that range from one hour to several days in length and are tailored to your specific training and development goals and needs. They also offer executive coaching, one-on-one and in small groups.

Their focus is Emotional Intelligence. You deal with your emotions on a regular basis, there is no way you can avoid them. Emotions can have either a positive or negative impact on your behaviors and actions, which can either help you achieve your goals or destroy them. They help you advance your 15 workplace competencies that determine performance and success.

With their diverse international background and creative, insightful and thought-provoking training solutions, they work to engage, motivate and inspire their audiences, increase their productivity, improve relationships, and enhance performance.

Anna Stevens is a woman of influence. She helps people discover the POWER OF MIND and utilize it to CREATE SUCCESS! She has an extended and increasingly diverse international experience in marketing, branding, management, PR, training and development, and social media, which she now utilizes helping businesses succeed.

Anna is a domestic violence survivor and a warrior for women’s right to be respected and loved. She is an entrepreneur, business consultant, coach, blogger, and author of the new book called Turn Your Dreams And Wants Into Achievable SMART Goals!

Connect with Anna:
www.SMARTgoalsBook.info – Download Your FREE EBOOK Today!
www.facebook.com/EQforSuccess
www.Twitter.com/EQforSuccess
www.linkedin.com/in/stevensanna/

Katharine Pike with Lighter Body Solution and Orson Hall with Wine Parties by Design

Katharine Pike/Lighter Body Solution

The Lighter Body Solution helps women, men, and teens easily drop weight and feel great by looking at you as a whole individual with unique features and needs. You get a customized menu plan designed to give your body what it really wants–and more importantly– you get all the tools you need to make it simple, fast, and easy to lose weight permanently.

Weight loss expert and speaker Katharine Pike is almost 43 and not one of those lucky people who was just born thin and effortlessly stays that way. She has gained and lost thousands of pounds in her 22-year journey to find out what really works for real people. She combines the lessons from overcoming her real life weight battles with her formal education at Smith College and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York to create natural nutrition programs that work for ‘normal’ people. She works with people who struggle with food and diets to create and implement natural strategies to burn more calories and store less of them, without eating like rabbits or living at the gym.

Orson Hall/Wine Parties by Design

Wine Parties by Design provides and caters unique wine parties that clients can customize to fit their requirements. They do not sell wines; however, they help their clients select delicious wines for their event. They also provide wine tours of North Georgia and California. Wine is their passion!

Orson Hall is originally from California and graduated from the University of California at Davis, just 45 minutes from Napa Valley. He has spent most of his career in Information Technology but has always had connections with those in the California wine industry. He started his company, Wine Parties by Design, after friends attended his wine parties and encouraged him to start a business.

Chris Jones and Carly Craine with Eagle Rock Distributing Company, Dr. Lauren Millman with Suwanee Spine and Wellness Center, Jeff Johnson with Jake Johnson’s Garage and Marie Fratoni with Reinvent Yourself Seminars

Chris Jones & Carly Craine/Eagle Rock Distributing Company

Eagle Rock Distributing Company (ERDC) is a full service beverage distribution company with offices located in Stone Mountain and Dalton, Georgia. The company services licensed retailers in metro Atlanta and North Georgia and the wine and spirits division of ERDC, services retailers statewide. ERDC distributes beer brands from Anheuser-Busch, Yuengling, New Belgium, Krombacher and others. They also have an innovative brands portfolio including Nestle, Sparkling Ice and Taste of Florida.

Dr. Lauren Millman/Suwanee Spine and Wellness Center

Suwanee Spine and Wellness Center specializes in providing a unique and specialized form of chiropractic to help naturally heal those suffering from pain or dysfunction. The unique approach that Dr. Millman utilizes naturally and effectively restores the body back to a balanced position so that the body can in turn heal and live as it was intended. Suwanee Spine and Wellness Center operates on the foundation that unless you correct the underlying problem (spinal imbalance), no pill, potion or lotion can make you better. When you can effectively correct the underlying dysfunction, your body, in turn, can heal. Our spinal care procedure effectively and uniquely evaluates the state of your whole frame, which in turn effects your overall health. Your structure dictates your body’s function, and our practitioners understand how to effectively evaluate structure to optimize your body’s function. Suwanee Spine offers premier chiropractic care as well as Neuromuscular Therapy and Personal Training/Corrective Postural Exercises.

Dr. Lauren Millman is the Chiropractor and Owner of Suwanee Spine and Wellness Center in Suwanee, GA (off Peachtree Industrial Blvd. and Moore Rd.). She practices a unique form of chiropractic known as Upper Cervical Chiropractic, which is only practiced by less than 1% of chiropractors nationwide. Dr. Millman is 1 of 40 upper cervical chiropractors that specializes in the QSM and NUCCA techniques. Dr. Millman opened Suwanee Spine & Wellness Center in Suwanee in 2012 , serving as a health and wellness resource to the community. Dr. Millman is a wellness practitioner and community leader, and she continues to exceed expectations of her patients by the results they receive through exceptional care. Dr. Millman is a writer, speaker and published peer-reviewed researcher.

Jeff Johnson/Jake Johnson’s Garage

Jake Johnson’s Garage offers automotive, truck and marine repair as well as state emissions inspections and repairs/diagnostics.

Jake Johnson’s Garage was started in 1922 by John “Jake” Johnson Jr. in downtown Atlanta on Courtland Street. In 1934, the business was relocated to Piedmont and Monroe Drive and became the first AMOCO station in Atlanta. Jake Johnson’s Garage was one of the first foreign car repair shops in Atlanta. John Johnson III took over in 1951, continuing service in Atlanta at three other locations over the years. Eventually relocating to Buford in 1988, Jeff Johnson took over in 1992 and continues to operate the family business to this day.

Marie Fratoni/Reinvent Yourself Seminars

Reinvent Yourself Seminars is a Coaching and Training Company which supports people in creating happy, fulfilling careers. They provide speaking engagements, skill-building seminars, 1-on-1 Coaching, and vacation-courses in Italy where people develop success skills and business growth strategies to make the leap from “same old, same old” to a thriving and prosperous career or business.

Marie Fratoni, M.Ed. is a talented human potential expert and a top reinvention strategist. She is a dynamic Coach and Speaker, and brings a wealth of talent and experience to her programs, demonstrating a high level of commitment and expertise.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE with John Ernst: Johnny Phelps with Harry Norman Realtors, Leighann Russell with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners and Wayne Stoneback with Atlantic & Pacific Real Estate

MAKING A DIFFERENCE is hosted by John Ernst with Ernst & Partners.

Johnny Phelps/Harry Norman Realtors

Johnny Phelps has been a Realtor/Broker with Harry Norman, REALTORS® for nine years after a 30-year career in broadcasting.  Johnny works with buyers and sellers, and families who are relocating.

Founded in 1930, Harry Norman, REALTORS® is Atlanta’s oldest and largest residential real estate firm with 11 sales offices, various franchise and satellite offices, and more than 1,000 real estate professionals.

Leighann Russell/Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners

Leighann Russell is a Realtor at Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners. Leighann’s mission is to provide exceptional service to her clients and be the trusting source they can go to as an advocate and knowledgeable advisor.

Wayne Stoneback/Atlantic & Pacific Real Estate

Atlantic and Pacific Real Estate US is one of the 18 members of the Carrington family of companies. Carrington was founded in 2001 by Bruce Rose, a former Wall Street securities broker. The Carrington family of companies is involved in the finance, asset management or sales of residential real estate. Atlantic & Pacific is a leader in the disposition of REO, Short Sale and retail homes. They are also heavily involved with local and national investors as well as several large hedge funds in purchasing properties for differing investment goals. They are a full service company that has the expertise in the current market to assist the individual home buyer in navigating these new and exciting times.

John Ernst/Ernst & Partners

Ernst & Partners is a law firm that handles Personal Injury, Real Estate Closings, Bankruptcy, Criminal and Divorce.

John A. Ernst Jr. is a graduate of Emory University and University of Georgia, School of Law. After graduating from Emory, Mr. Ernst was the assistant to Georgia Governor Roy Barnes, in which capacity he had the opportunity to meet with the leaders of the state and from around the world. Mr. Ernst is also a veteran of many political campaigns around the state. He then continued his education and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. During his tenure in law school, Mr. Ernst was a member of the prosecutorial clinic where he served as a prosecutor in the Athens-Clarke County District Attorney’s office and was a summer clerk for the Honorable John J Ellington, Georgia Court of Appeals. After law school, Mr. Ernst served as the Attorney of the Majority Caucus in the Georgia House of Representatives for the 2004 Legislative Session. John opened his own law firm in 2005 where he handles Real Estate Transactions, Bankruptcy cases, and Personal Injury Clients.