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Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Bonnie Buckner Reavis from Zenith Design Group and Jill Felts with Compelling Creations

May 7, 2008 by atlanta business radio

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Bonnie Buckner Reavis from Zenith Design Group and Jill Felts with Compelling Creations

00:00 / 0:28:44

Please click on the POD button to listen to the latest Atlanta Business Radio show podcast broadcasting live each Wednesday at 10am EDT from Atlanta, GA, USA. Here’s how to listen to the podcast of our show.
First click on the title of the show you are interested in. Then there should be a player in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Now just press play and the show you chose should start playing. You can also download the show to listen on your mp3 player. We are now available on iTunes, click this link and you can find all our past shows. Press SUBSCRIBE and you will automatically get the latest show when you sync your iPod to your computer.Remember if you want a pretty comprehensive listing of all kinds of Atlanta Events including Business Networking events please check out www.AtlantaEvent.com.

Today we talked to a couple of Atlanta’s leading business owners who both just happened to be women.

First up we had on Bonnie Buckner Reavis. Bonnie began Zenith Design Group as a web services provider, and it has grown to offer a full scope of marketing services, all as a result of happy customers who challenged Bonnie and her team to push the limits. She has cultivated a top-notch team that fuses a keen business sense with innovative design, bringing real results to Zenith’s clients.
As CEO, she is responsible for sustaining and growing client relationships, providing strategic counsel, and managing client programs. Zenith Design Group is entering into its 10th year – a milestone for a fully self-funded organization which is still owned by Bonnie. Zenith has recently been named one of Atlanta’s top Woman-Owned Businesses by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. She gave us lots of great information about the challenges and rewards of starting a business from scratch and growing it successfully. For more information please check out her website www.zenithdesigngroup.com
Next up we had on Jill Felts owner, president, and lead designer of Atlanta-based Compelling Creations, Inc. She has been in the business world for more than 20 years. Since 1996, she has channeled her entrepreneurial drive into a passion to share her beliefs through messages and symbols inscribed on her sterling silver faith jewelry. In the past few years Compelling Creations has supported non-profits nationwide through the sale of the jewelry designs via the company’s retail website.
In 1995 I set out to find an easy way for non-profits to fundraise 24/7 and remain still focused on their unique mission. I am humbled to hear how my jewelry designs touch the lives of so many people. We have become the “Hallmark of jewelry.��? When people don’t know how to express their sentiments in words they give one of my designs. For more information about Jill’s beautiful designs and to learn how your non-profit can raise more funds please go to her website www.compelling-creations.com
Also if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about please email Amy Otto at Amy @ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the show.

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Business Owners Anand Goel, Stu Lustman, Annette Curtiss and Doug Billian

April 30, 2008 by atlanta business radio

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Business Owners Anand Goel, Stu Lustman, Annette Curtiss and Doug Billian

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Today we talked to business owners in several industries who are doing some very creative things..

First up we had on Stu Lustman who is from Baltimore, MD where he received his undergrad degree from the University of Maryland and his MBA from Loyola College of Baltimore. Stu started his financial career as a stock broker, analyst and trader before moving on to financial project work including an asset/liability management for a regional bank.
After doing these various projects, Stu went back to finance after his MBA (a degree held by less than 10% of his industry peers), this time commercial finance so he could learn about working with debt and helping small business owners. Stu started Southern Lending Solutions, LLC about 2.5 years ago so he could help these small businesses who were clearly being ignored by the big banks. For more information about Stu and his company please go to his website www.southernlendingsolutions.com

Next up we had on Annette Curtiss with Sales Diagonal. Sales Diagonal was founded in 2007 and they are a Business to Business Consulting firm that specializes in developing and executing High Impact Value Driven strategies to increase sales revenue. They focus on increasing an organizational’s sales revenue by decreasing poor workflow, improving productivity, improving processes and identifying sales tools. The firm’s focus is on People, Process and Technology.

Sales Diagonal Consultants are experienced in the Health Care, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Technology, Insurance, Software and State and Local Government sectors. The consultants have big-company experience and have refined and applied their processes to deliver successful strategies to businesses of all sizes. For more information about Annette and her firm please go to her website www.salesdiagonal.com
Next we had on Doug Billian with Southern Silver.
Southern Silver specializes in new and vintage sterling silver flatware and serving pieces. There’s also a wholesale stainless steel implement (serving piece “blades��? without the handles) piece of business that’s pretty meaningful.

Southern Silver has lots of potential growth areas, so please let me know if there are any sterling silver pieces you think might add value to the customer experience… baby gifts, picture frames, corporate gifts, etc.

Southern Silver will not be operating a retail shop, but please visit them online at www.southernsilver.com.

And finally we closed the show with Anand Goel, CEO with Optimized Payments Consulting.

He talked about how they leverage their intimate knowledge of Interchange and merchant services practices while helping businesses that annually process over $5 million in non-cash sales ensure they are getting the best possible value from their payment providers. Optimized Payments does NOT sell credit card processing services and are not aligned with any payment processor, reseller, network or equipment vendor. Their allegiance rests solely with their clients.

Their clients are very busy, and they find navigating the intricacies of pricing, interchange and fees to be time consuming and confusing. Optimized Payments uses a proprietary methodology to identify and implement the appropriate savings strategies for acceptance of all payment types, from credit and debit cards, to electronic checks and gift cards.

They also have a no-risk approach to every client engagement. If Optimized Payments doesn’t deliver measurable results to their clients’ your bottom line they the client does not pay a fee. For more information please check out his website www.optimizedpmts.com
Also if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about please email Amy Otto at Amy @ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the show.

Atlanta Business Radio’s Social Media 101 Special with Stephen Jones, Todd Schnick and Jeremy Morris

April 29, 2008 by atlanta business radio

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio's Social Media 101 Special with Stephen Jones, Todd Schnick and Jeremy Morris

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Please click on the POD button to listen to the latest Atlanta Business Radio show podcast broadcasting live each Wednesday at 10am EDT from the Business Radio X studio in Atlanta, GA, USA. Here’s how to listen to the podcast of our show.First click on the title of the show you are interested in. Then there should be a player in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Now just press play and the show you chose should start playing.

You can also download the show to listen on your mp3 player. We are now available on iTunes, click this link and you can find all our past shows. Press SUBSCRIBE and you will automatically get the latest show when you sync your iPod to your computer.

What a great way to learn the do’s and don’ts of using social media in your business. From FaceBook to Twitter to LinkedIn we covered it all. Our roundtable discussion featured Stephen Jones from Growth Strategies, Todd Schnick from Intrepid and Jeremy Morris from BottleCap Development.

Stephen Jones started Growth Strategy in 2001 and is recognized as a powerful strategic marketer. Their stance is not just sales and marketing strategy consulting, but hands on implementation as well. To learn more about Stephen and his firm please go to his website http://www.growthstrategies.us/

We also had on Todd Schnick with Intrepid. Todd is a blogger, professional marketer, community activist and a political consultant. He likes to create marketing environments for his clients that serve, communicate and interact more effectively with their customers. To learn more about making Intrepid your marketing partner please go to Todd’s website http://www.intrepid-llc.com/

Jeremy Morris from BottleCap Development rounded out our group. BottleCap is the technology engine that powers their clients’ business. You know all those cool, creative ideas you have? The geniuses at BottleCap make them work elegantly and seamlessly on the web. Their developers and computer geeks are experts are taking ideas from napkin to internet fast and affordably. To learn more please go to their website http://www.bottlecapdev.com/

Last chance to RSVP for our next Atlanta Business RadioX Casual Networking Mixer which will be held at Cafe Intermezzo in Dunwoody on Wednesday April 29 from 6-8pm.

Also if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about please email Amy Otto at Amy @ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the show

Atlanta Business Radio’s Employee Benefits and Wellness Program Special

April 23, 2008 by atlanta business radio

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio's Employee Benefits and Wellness Program Special

00:00 / 0:28:01

Today we discussed employee benefits with Joseph G. Stone, Co-Founder and President/CEO of EasyHRweb, LLC. Mr. Stone is responsible for providing leadership in all aspects of activities, projects and strategic directions for the company as well as coordinating all development and marketing initiatives and alliances.
Previously, Mr. Stone spent 22 years with Colonial Life & Accident Insurance where he was Marketing Director for State Government Development. He was responsible for the management of thirty agents and three assistant managers who assisted him in the development of government related business in the State of South Carolina. Mr. Stone’s extensive experience in the insurance industry, combined with his experience in corporate sales and marketing of insurance products, has been successful to public and private businesses in the Southeast. His leadership in the private sector led to the creation of a profitable distribution company, Phillips/Stone and Associates out of Raleigh, NC that was sold to investors after 4 years of profitable operations.

He is an active member in the South Carolina Technology Alliance, Central Carolina Economic Development Alliance Committee of 100, and the Atlanta CEO High Tech Council. He served as technology chair for the South Carolina Health Underwriters State Board as well as a Steering Committee member of the Columbia Technology Entrepreneur Council.

EasyHRweb^TM specializes in web based software for benefit enrollment and management, and HR solutions. By designing solutions that are customizable to each individual clients needs, we are able to ensure the most effective and supportive service possible for each organization and their employees.
Founded in 1998 as EasyBenefits^TM, an organization catering primarily to the K-12 education sector, a great deal of experience and recognition was gained in ensuring effective introduction of benefit management systems to small and large clients.

EasyBenefits^TM grew out of Columbia, South Carolina; saw progressive growth over the subsequent years, through teamwork and strong leadership from President/CEO Joseph Stone. Recognition of the organization’s potential was received in the form of multiple technology and service awards, including the Greater Columbia ITC Palmetto Pillar on more than one occasion.

2006 marked the beginning of a new phase for EasyBenefits^TM. With the introduction of Co-Founder Charles Wall, the organization was reformed as EasyHRweb^TM, branching deeper into HR solutions. EasyHRweb^TM offers web based tools for a variety of standard HR procedures through their products; the Online JobCenter and Benefits Center.

EasyHRweb^TM continues to thrive under strong leadership, team work, and a dedication to customer satisfaction. Research and development of new products, while maintaining and improving existing services and support networks are high on EasyHRweb^TM‘s priorities. By increasing knowledge and experience EasyHRweb^TM looks forward to continuing its success into the future. For more information please go to their website www.easyhrweb.com
Next we had on Rob Peters with Pritchard & Jerden. Rob brings over six years of industry experience and is responsible for the design, negotiation, implementation and management of complex benefit programs. Prior to joining Pritchard & Jerden, Rob was a producing broker with a national brokerage firm and leading group sales representative with Sun Life Financial. Over the years Rob has worked with both large and small employers across the country to develop creative solutions for their benefit programs. With his background on the brokerage and carrier side, Rob, brings a unique perspective to his clients. For more information please go to Rob’s website www.pritchardjerden.com

Lee also discussed his new membership wellness website that helps people stay compliant to their weight loss and exercise program. For more information on that please go to www.drfitnessandthefatguy.com

Also if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about please email Amy Otto at Amy @ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the show.

Atlanta Business Radio’s Return of the Georgia Inventors

April 16, 2008 by atlanta business radio

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio's Return of the Georgia Inventors

00:00 / 0:34:58

First up we had on we had on the past president and the current vice president of the Inventors Association of Georgia. Dave Savage. Dave is the most passionate advocate for the Georgia Inventors group we could find. He shared all kinds of information about how the IAG is a diverse group of experienced patent owners, inexperienced inventors, patent practitioners, marketing consultants, and other innovative persons who like to get together, share accomplishments and concerns, help promote invention and innovation, and provide guidance to members without breaching implied confidentiality. Dave is an expert in Microsoft Word and has created invented the WordTipster to help you get the most out of the software. For more information please go to www.davesavage.com

For more information about the Inventors Association of Georgia please go to their website www.georgiainventors.com

Next we had Bob Schwerzel with Technology Guidance Services tell us all about how he takes great ideas and sell them into big corporations. He has a PhD in Physical Organic Chemistry and uses it to further his work in contract Research and Development. For more information about how Bob can make your company more profitable by helping you with product development and commercialization please go to his website www.tgsproducts.com

Next up we had on entrepreneur Allan Hess, creator of Airport Booties. Allan’s firm helps entrepreneur’s from idea all the way to manufacturing and marketing. He has resources around the world waiting to help. While he was the inventor of Airport Booties, he was the advisor and marketer for The Wrapkin. Someone else had the idea but Allan helped them find a manufacurer and has helped them get the finished product out into the marketplace. The Wrapkin is a koosie-like napkin that wraps around a bottle or glass to sop up all the condensation. For more information about Airport booties please go to their website www.airportbooties.com and to find out more about Wrapkins please go to their website www.wrapkins.com. No matter which stage you are in with your idea Allan can help.

And finally we had on Ron Reardon a Patent Agent with Patents & More, Inc. Ron helps entrepreneurs take their idea from conception to protection to reception in the marketplace. Ron explained the differences between Patent Agents and Patent Attorneys. He also explained that many reasons why you should get a patent and the protection that it gives you. For more information about his firm and all their services and resources please go to his website www.patentsandmore.com.

Also if you know of a business in Atlanta that we should know about please email Amy Otto at Amy @ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get them on the show.

Atlanta Business Radio’s National Volunteer Month Special

April 2, 2008 by atlanta business radio

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio's National Volunteer Month Special

00:00 / 0:29:38

Please click on the POD button to listen to the latest Atlanta Business Radio show podcast broadcasting live each Wednesday at 10am EDT from Atlanta, GA, USA. Atlanta Business Radio is sponsored by Fast Pitch! Networking – a one-stop shop for networking and marketing your business online and offline. Please go to their website www.fastpitchnetworking.com. When you sign up, please mention you were referred by Lee Kantor. That will help the show! Thanks.You can also download the show to listen on any mp3 player. Or listen on iTunes. We are now available on iTunes, click this link and you can find all our past shows. Press SUBSCRIBE and you will automatically get the latest show when you sync your iPod to your computer.

Remember if you want a pretty comprehensive listing of all kinds of Atlanta Events including Business Networking events please check out www.AtlantaEvent.com.

This morning we had on Katy Elder, Manager of the Employee Volunteer Program at The Home Depot Foundation. And Kate Lee, former Manager of Community Affairs at The Home Depot. They spoke about corporate philanthropy.

Both Katy and Kate spoke at length about the importance of being a good corporate citizen. This does not always mean writing big checks either. There are lots of ways companies help their communities. It might be money, but it also might be having employees volunteer their time.

Katy talked about some of the programs Home Depot is involved in including their KaBoom program that builds playgrounds in under-served communities, their Hands on Schools program and their tree planting program as well. For more information about the philanthropy that The Home Depot is involved in and to see if they can help your group please go to their website www.homedepotfoundation.org.

Kate explained that she now provides consulting in Community and Public Affairs for small to mid-sized companies. She teaches companies how philanthropy can help their bottom line. Being a good corporate citizen shows your customers that you “do good” and customers appreciate that. It also improves employee morale, retention and recruitment. For more information about Kate please email her at katelee @ earthlink.net.

Since it is National Volunteer month you should explore some of the ways your company can get involved. One great resource for companies of all sizes is the Metro Atlanta Corporate Volunteers Council, their website is www.macvc.org

Next up we had Jim Aden with PlantMakers. PlantMakers has developed a green and eco-friendly way to grow live plants without dirt and water so they can easily be shipped by UPS or FedEx anywhere in the country at prices below a typical FTD offering. Jim was on explaining their brand new fund-raising initiative. Organizations can order plants on-line on a custom portal created just for them and 25% of all revenues generated throughout the year goes back to the organization. For more information about how you can get involved please go to their website www.GoGreenPlanters.Atlanta.com

Also if you know of a business owner in Atlanta that we should know about please email Amy Otto at Amy @ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get him or her on the show.

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Investor Watchdog Pat Huddleston and Author Dr Shelley Negelow

March 26, 2008 by atlanta business radio

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Investor Watchdog Pat Huddleston and Author Dr Shelley Negelow

00:00 / 0:23:29

Remember if you want a pretty comprehensive listing of all kinds of Atlanta Events including Business Networking events please check out www.AtlantaEvent.com.

This morning we had on Pat Huddleston CEO of Investor’s Watchdog.
Pat Huddleston served in the Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1990 to 1996. From 1992 to 1996 he was an Enforcement Branch Chief, leading investigations of cases involving insider trading, brokerage firm misconduct, and Ponzi schemes. While at the SEC, Pat traveled the United States taking sworn testimony from brokers, sales managers, and Ponzi scheme operators.

Pat has served as an expert witness in securities litigation cases, and has been appointed by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, on the recommendation of the SEC, to act as Receiver in two cases involving fraudulent securities offerings. Pat has been quoted on investor protection issues in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today, among other publications.
Motivated by a desire to protect investors from falling victim to reckless brokers and professional scam artists, Pat created Investor’s Watchdog, a company dedicated to helping investors avoid the transactions and relationships that will cost them a lifetime of savings. For more information and to check out your broker please go to Pat’s website www.investorswatchdog.com
Next up we had on Dr Shelley Negelow. Dr. Negelow is a National Trainer, Business Consultant, Speaker and Author. she is also the founder and CEO of Power of Woman Seminars. For over fifteen years, she has been teaching the nationally acclaimed seminar Power of Woman, which trains women in how to achieve satisfaction and success in their business and personal lives. Shelley is passionately committed to supporting women in learning how to create a life they love.

Dr Negelow was the #1 Executive Recruiter in the southeast with the largest executive recruiting firm in the country. She also owned her own recruiting company. Her book, The Master in the Mirror: A Woman’s Guide to Living a Passionate and Joyful Life, is available through www.TheMasterInTheMirror.com. For more information about her upcoming seminars please go to her website www.PowerOfWomanSeminars.com
Also if you know of a business owner in Atlanta that we should know about please email Amy Otto at Amy @ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get him or her on the show.

Atlanta Business Radio’s Cerebral Palsy and Other Developmental Disabilities Special

March 19, 2008 by atlanta business radio

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio's Cerebral Palsy and Other Developmental Disabilities Special

00:00 / 0:15:33

Remember if you want a pretty comprehensive listing of all kinds of Atlanta Events including Business Networking events please check out www.AtlantaEvent.com.

This morning we had on Diane Wilush, Executive Director of United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia and South Carolina. And Candacy Jacobs, the Community Development Coordinator with the United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia and South Carolina.

Diane has spent 30 years working in the field of social services, specifically with people with Developmental Disabilities. In 1984 she joined United Cerebral Palsy leading the expansion of services from Fort Lauderdale to Vero Beach.

In 1994 Diane relocated to Marietta and joined UCP of Georgia spearheading the creation of a vast array of community based services throughout Georgia to support the needs of Georgia citizens with Developmental Disabilities and their families. Diane, has served on an array of public and private task forces and boards all directly involved with people in need as well as being the recipient of a number of awards of recognition for her service to individuals and families. In 2003 she was the recipient of the Executive leadership award for quality by the UCP National Organization in Washington and recently was identified of one of a hundred individuals in the Atlanta Business Journal’s Who’s Who in Healthcare.
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia was founded in 1962 by a group of citizens in metro Atlanta. These pioneers had a vision of cradle-to-grave community-based supports to meet the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Nearly half a century later, UCP of Georgia stays true to our founders’ purpose and its mission of supporting people in a Life Without Limits.

Since its founding, UCP of Georgia has grown into a comprehensive service organization offering a range of supports for people living with any developmental disability (not just those with cerebral palsy). The array of services includes early intervention and therapy in an inclusive child care setting, engaging day supports for seniors, employment services, in-home supports, community living supports, after school care, and day supports.

To learn more about the services this great organization provides or to make a donation please go to their website www.ucpga.org
Also if you know of a business owner in Atlanta that we should know about please email Amy Otto at Amy @ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get him or her on the show.

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Charlie Cummins with Trove. Where Insight is Mined and Applied.

March 12, 2008 by atlanta business radio

Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Charlie Cummins with Trove. Where Insight is Mined and Applied.

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You can also download the show to listen on any mp3 player. Or listen on iTunes. We are now available on iTunes, click this link and you can find all our past shows. Press SUBSCRIBE and you will automatically get the latest show when you sync your iPod to your computer.

Remember if you want a pretty comprehensive listing of all kinds of Atlanta Events including Business Networking events please check out www.AtlantaEvent.com.

This morning we had on Charlie Cummins MS, LPC, a coach, executive advisor, consultant, author and speaker with over twenty years experience in helping individuals and organizations. As founder and President of Life Transitions Consulting, he has partnered with Trove Inc. and brought his expertise as an executive coach and trusted advisor. Charlie offers a unique combination of personal and professional skills gathered from his background in clinical psychology and organizational management. This combination of skills equips him to evaluate and present success principles which help executives and their organizations maximize the use of their number one resource – themselves.

Trove exists to fine-tune your business and open new doors. Their objective is on focusing your business to excel and perform at 100%.
When it comes right down to it, your company is made of people. Individual team members bring more to the table than just their expertise. They demonstrate their own dynamic set of working styles. They bring their own feelings about their roles. They have their own agendas, both good and questionable. Most importantly, they interact with every person in your organization in a unique way.

Through interviews, distinctive assessments and a wide variety of services, Trove identifies your strengths, shortcomings and opportunities for improvement. And not just from a numbers perspective or a one-size-fits-all approach.
Utilizing decades of experience to apply the right tools and techniques for your company, Trove will maximize the potential of your partners, employees and even prospective hires. And in the process, they will become partners who will not only identify opportunities for improvement, but also develop and execute the solutions to them.

The tagline for Trove is Insight. Mined and Applied. Visit their website at www.troveinc.com and their blog site www.seismicshift.net more information.

Also if you know of a business owner in Atlanta that we should know about please email Amy Otto at Amy @ atlantabusinessradio.com and we will try and get him or her on the show.