Atlanta Business Radio

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Bart Foster with SoloHealth; Theresa Barber with FranChoice; Tunstall Rushton with Benevolink

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00:00 / 0:29:23

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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 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 some of Atlanta’s leading business owners who are doing some very creative things in their respective industries.

First up we had on Tunstall Rushton President and CEO of Benevolink, a new movement in corporate giving that links individuals, corporations and nonprofit organizations to improve communities.
The Benevolink program helps consumers give to their favorite charities, including schools, religious, arts and cultural organizations and other causes our consumer members really care about, through the act of shopping . It also helps businesses increase sales, profits and market share, while forming bonds with consumers. And lastly it helps charities generate additional, unrestricted revenue on a year-round basis while adding value for their supporters

Now, the simple act of shopping — when coupled with the power of ‘pooled giving’ and consumer choice — creates a win-win-win scenario for consumers, businesses and charitable causes. Our vision is to significantly increase the funding capacity over time for more than one million nonprofit organizations making a difference in their communities across the United States. For more information please check out their website www.benevolink.com

Next up we had on Theresa Barber with FranChoice.

Theresa Barber’s diverse experience in business and franchising gives her the expertise to carefully guide entrepreneurs in the sometimes-difficult path of choosing the best franchise for them.

For eight years Ms. Barber managed a multi-million dollar worldwide tour company, which gave her extensive experience in management, finance, sales, and marketing. Her love of travel brought her into the franchising arena in 1996 when she joined Uniglobe Travel as a Franchise Advisor, becoming a top performer early on. She accepted the role of Manager of Business Development when she moved from New England to Georgia. Here she worked directly with franchisees in the Northeast and Southeast regions to help them achieve their business goals. She advised them in areas of staffing, marketing, and budgeting for growth. Ms. Barber conducted regular regional meetings with franchisees, trained owners and employees in technology, customer relations, and franchise “best practices.” Her main focus prior to moving back into sales as an Area Developer with Uniglobe was “hand holding” the new franchisees for a smooth transition into ownership.

In 2000, Ms. Barber was recruited by Netspace to spearhead the franchise sales department of a brand new technology franchise. With her strong sales and management skills, and the love of the internet motivating her, she soon became the national leader in franchise sales, and helped build a very successful franchise organization. She assisted in developing internal processes, and trained new franchisees in technology, sales, and marketing.

Today, Theresa Barber utilizes the skills that she has acquired over the years to help individuals find a perfect match in the franchising arena that compliments their own skills and allow them to achieve their goals. If you are thinking about buying a franchise you should give Theresa a call and take her up on her free consultation she can save you some time and some money. For more info please check out her website http://tbarber.franchoice.com
And last but not least we had on Bart Foster CEO and Founder of SoloHealth, an early stage company positioned to capitalize on the growing consumer preference for self-directed health care services.

Its first product, EyeSite^TM, is an automated vision-testing kiosk, which allows consumers to quickly and efficiently check their vision without assistance. SoloHealth is a spin-out venture originating from CIBA Vision, the eye care unit of Novartis AG.
As consumers become more accustomed to many types of fast and efficient self-service transactions, (ATMs,, airline check-in, photos, etc.) and with their growing knowledge and concern about health, it is inevitable that more people will embrace self-directed health care. With EyeSite^TM as the entry product, our goal is to become a world leader in self-service health screening and efficient referral to health care providers.

According to the American Optometric Association, the average person only visits an eye care professional every 36-48 months, about half as often as recommended.

Because eyesight usually deteriorates very slowly and can easily go unnoticed, many people don’t realize they could benefit from vision correction and the importance of regular exams. The EyeSite^TM self-service kiosk, located in high-traffic locations, will entice individuals to assess their vision more often, resulting in greater utilization of services from eye care professionals and more sales of vision care products. For more information about Bart and his company please go to his website www.solo-health.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

Atlanta Business Radio Interviews Chic Entrepreneur Elizabeth Gordon and Francina Pace with Building Champions

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00:00 / 0:27:35

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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 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 Elizabeth Gordon, author of The Chic Entrepreneur: Put Your Business in Higher Heels. This business strategy book for women introduces Elizabeth’s unique nine-dimension methodology for creating a successful business and teaches how entrepreneurs can supercharge their business growth using their sass and style. The Way to Wealth author Brian Tracy called Elizabeth’s book, “a proven formula for thinking and acting to build a fast-growing, profitable business in any market.”
Elizabeth is Founder and CEO of Flourishing Business®, a business advisory firm for entrepreneurs specializing in working with high growth startups that want to augment their internal expertise with that of seasoned business advisors, who can help with strategy and execution. For more information, visit: www.flourishingbusiness.com or www.chicentrepreneur.com.

Building Champions…People Lovin’ People is the vision of our next guest, Francina J. Price Pace. Building Champions is the realization of her dream to help people love themselves by loving them, and to guide them to self-actualization through a lifetime of learning. In 2001, she put her dream into motion by bringing together an unbelievably talented and committed group of skilled professionals who share in her aspirations of helping others to build the champion within. She also talked Crossing the Jordan a program that she runs to help women learn more about their finances and to help them get their financial house in order. For more information please visit her website www.building-champions.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

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

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00:00 / 0:28:44

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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 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

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

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00:00 / 0:28:02

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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 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 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

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

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00:00 / 0:35:31

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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

Atlanta Business Radio's Employee Benefits and Wellness Program Special

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00:00 / 0:28:01

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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 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 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

Atlanta Business Radio's Return of the Georgia Inventors

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00:00 / 0:34:58

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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 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.

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.