angishields, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

GWBC POP 2024: Rashmi Hudson with Alltimate Luggage

October 4, 2024 by angishields

GWBC Radio

GWBC POP 2024: Rashmi Hudson with Alltimate Luggage

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The Power of Partnering (POP) is a half-day event where women entrepreneurs, business leaders, corporations and procurement professionals come together to train, network and create matchmaker opportunities to help create and reach procurement and business goals.

Each agenda includes educational resources from thought leadership and subject matter experts and the opportunity to showcase your capabilities statements in a meet the buyer setting or matchmaker sessions.

Rashmi Hudson with Alltimate Luggage is an experienced, award-winning marketing executive with a demonstrated history in innovation, management, and strategic planning.

Rashmi is a GWBC Perfect Pitch finalist.

Connect with Rashmi on LinkedIn and follow Alltimate Luggage on Facebook and Instagram.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix.

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s time for GWBC Radio’s Open for Business. Now, here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: Lee Kantor here, broadcasting live from GWBC Power of Partnering event at the Georgia Power Headquarters. I’m so excited to be talking to another Perfect Pitch finalist, Rashmi Hudson with Alltimate Luggage. Welcome.

Rashmi Hudson: Thank you.

Lee Kantor: So, tell us about Alltimate Luggage. Is this the ultimate luggage?

Rashmi Hudson: It is. Every house should have one, just like a car in every driveway.

Lee Kantor: There you go.

Rashmi Hudson: And here’s why. There is so much wrapped up around how we feel about ourselves based on how we look, and we are the only ones that can help you unpack wrinkle-free and get out the door in four seconds flat.

Lee Kantor: Four seconds? You have timed this?

Rashmi Hudson: No. It’s probably more like three seconds.

Lee Kantor: So, how did you get into the luggage business?

Rashmi Hudson: It actually came out of a need for my son was going off to med school in a couple of years, and I wanted him to concentrate on his interview and not how he looked. As much as people don’t want to be judged, the minute somebody sees you, they’ve made an opinion already. And it shows a lot of respect when you show up for the job, whatever it may be, dressed appropriately. And I didn’t want him to worry about that.

Rashmi Hudson: And so, it was you can have a garment bag, but there’s not a great way to carry it. We invented a way to be able to carry it wrinkle-free so that, you know, kids don’t have to worry about it when they go off to interviews, adults don’t have to worry about it when they have their big, important events.

Lee Kantor: So, it’s a garment bag, or it’s a duffel bag, or it’s a carry-on, or it’s all of those things?

Rashmi Hudson: It’s all of those things. The beauty is that we are a three-piece travel set. It’s three individual pieces, a garment bag that wraps around a duffel, and the way it connects, it counts as one piece of carry on luggage that easily fits into the overhead bin. And simply disconnect the garment bag and you are out the door in four seconds.

Lee Kantor: So, now, what was it like prototyping this? How did you just kind of build the first iteration of this?

Rashmi Hudson: That was the difficult part. It wasn’t easy trying to find somebody to do the prototype and to protect your intellectual property at the same time. And so, it took a while to be able to get a factory, to find one took me more than a year. And we intended on buying the product from them, but it didn’t work out because of cost purposes. But you go through iterations. It’s important to get the prototype the way that you want it. Otherwise, the factory sample is going to be flawed and you’re going to end up with a flawed product in the end.

Lee Kantor: But you could picture it in your head. You were just having trouble of getting it manufactured at first.

Rashmi Hudson: I actually am from India, and I have been sewing since I was four years old, made my wedding dress, made my gowns and everything. So, I sewed a sample, but it certainly didn’t have the structure. And God led me to a luggage designer who knew what to do to make my dream come true. So, all the features are in it are things that I wanted and things that he contributed to it as well.

Lee Kantor: So, why was it important for you to get involved with GWBC? What were you hoping to get out of that relationship?

Rashmi Hudson: I wanted to have the certification of being women-owned. I thought, “Oh. Well, hey, I’m the one that owns my business. I run it. Why do I need a certification?” But it’s important to have that, and they are very thorough and I am very much interested. I come from a corporate world, and I was actually in charge of sales promotions for Aflac for a long time. And it’s hard to break it into a business as a vendor, and they give you the certification that lets people know, “Hey, I am a woman-owned business, do business with me.”

Lee Kantor: There you go. And so, what do you need more of? How can we help you?

Rashmi Hudson: Please help spread the word. One of the things that I think is most difficult for small businesses, and we’re all in the same loop, is to get that organic growth. And the only way to get that organic growth is for everybody to share their social media and to follow you so that they can like, and those algorithms are crazy. And so, in order to make it work on Meta, you really have to engage with your audience, so engage with us, please.

Lee Kantor: So, you’re looking for individual travelers or people that might use this individually but also corporate clients?

Rashmi Hudson: Yes, absolutely. Corporate clients, they will help make break, because our business might be seasonal otherwise, and this is a very good avenue for us. One thing I also wanted to mention about being certified through WBENC is that it also gives you that WOSB certification to do business with government.

Lee Kantor: And if somebody wants to learn more and connect with you on social or on your website, what’s the website? What’s the best way to connect?

Rashmi Hudson: The easiest is alltimateluggage.com. It’s a play on the word ultimate, so it’s A-L-L-T-I-M-A-T-E-luggage-.com. And there’s a contact form there, that’s an easy way to get hold of me.

Lee Kantor: All right. Well, congratulations on all the success. And thank you so much for sharing your story. You’re doing such important work and we appreciate you.

Rashmi Hudson: Thank you so much.

Lee Kantor: All right. This is Lee Kantor, back in a few at GWBC Power of Partnering.

GWBC POP 2024: Olivia Amyette with Infinite Energy Advisors

October 4, 2024 by angishields

GWBC Radio

GWBC POP 2024: Olivia Amyette with Infinite Energy Advisors

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Olivia Amyette is the owner of Infinite Energy Advisors. She developed a passion for solar energy at Georgia Tech, where she engaged in research projects relating to environmentalism and energy conservation.

With more than 4 years of experience as a Technical Program Manager & Facilitator for the Georgia Tech Grand Challenges LLC, Olivia has facilitated upwards of 53 cross-functional interdisciplinary research projects examining the energy space among other sectors.

Olivia is well-versed in project management and has optimized the solar purchasing/installation process to be seamless. Olivia holds a BS from the Georgia Tech College of Computing and is currently working to get NABCEP certified.

Olivia is a GWBC Perfect Pitch finalist.

Follow Infinite Energy Advisors on Facebook and Instagram.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix.

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s time for GWBC Radio’s Open For Business. Now, here’s your host.

Olivia Amyette: Thank you so much. I’m happy to be here.

Lee Kantor: So, what kind of energy advising are you doing?

Olivia Amyette: Well, you name it, we do it. Actually, one of our taglines is your solar one-stop-shop, so we specialize in doing all things renewable, whether it be installing solar panels, doing off grid systems, grid tied systems, batteries. Anything you want, anything in your heart’s desire, we can make it happen.

Lee Kantor: So, if I have an electric car and I need a charger at my house, I can call you and make that happen.

Olivia Amyette: We do, absolutely. We do EV chargers as well.

Lee Kantor: So, how did you get into this line of work?

Olivia Amyette: Yeah. Well, you know, I drew a lot of inspiration from my grandpa. He was an immigrant from Ecuador, and I often tell the stories of how he learned English by candlelight because he couldn’t afford electricity. And so, for me, when I took some classes at Georgia Tech – I’m a Georgia Tech graduate and proud Yellow Jacket – my degree was actually in computer science.

Olivia Amyette: But I had a couple different jobs on campus, and one of them was with the Grand Challenges Living Learning Community, and that community, there was basically 110 students, and we would get into groups of five to seven and tackle one of the world’s grandest challenges. So, I saw lots and lots of projects as I facilitated in that role centered around sustainable energy, and solar was kind of something that was pitched to me. But, of course, at that time it really wasn’t a bunch of that in Georgia. So, that’s kind of how it started.

Lee Kantor: Now, are you doing work in a residential setting where you’re helping houses decide, “Oh, is solar right for me?” or are you working in a commercial setting?

Olivia Amyette: We actually do both, so we do residential solar and commercial solar, and we do a lot of that energy advising. That’s why we kind of wanted that in the name Infinite Energy Advisors, because what we do is if solar is not a right fit for somebody, we’ll absolutely tell them and maybe pitch some other possible options for them.

Lee Kantor: So, now, are you seeing more and more businesses kind of look into these type of renewables?

Olivia Amyette: Absolutely. We’re actually helping a business now, it’s a rural small business doing a farming operation. And combined with tax credits and actual grants that our team has helped him to secure, he’s getting over 80 percent of his total project cost reimbursed or funded through tax credits.

Lee Kantor: And then, I would imagine that even once it’s going, it’s going to be saving money down the road.

Olivia Amyette: Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. And it provides some great resilience, especially for farmers. We have a lot of folks who are like, “Hey, we really can’t have these extended power outages,” so that’s where our services really kick into play for those folks.

Lee Kantor: So, now, do you have an avatar of that ideal customer?

Olivia Amyette: Really not so much. Our customer is really anybody who’s a homeowner who has a home or a business or something of the sort, a piece of land that’s not impeded by shade. So, that’s really our best customers.

Lee Kantor: That’s how you eliminate people.

Olivia Amyette: Yes. Shade is the deciding factor.

Lee Kantor: Oak trees.

Olivia Amyette: It used to be in the solar industry, we would also look at things like credit scores. But we’re actually proud to be one of only five companies in the entire state chosen to partner with the nonprofit called Capital Good Fund to release the Georgia BRIGHT program, which is a solar lease, one of the first of its kind, if not the first of its kind in Georgia. And in that initiative, we focus on providing solar leases that have a money saving guarantee for low and moderate income families. So, that’s a really good option, too.

Lee Kantor: So, now, why was it important for you to get involved with GWBC?

Olivia Amyette: Oh. I think supporting other women-owned businesses is the name of the game. I mentioned during my pitch that we also opened the Solar Knowledge Institute, which is a workforce development initiative that we kind of stemmed out of our company. And in that, we really focus on serving underserved communities, so helping other females who want to get in this industry, other minorities who want to get in this industry. Because traditionally we typically see, you know, people who don’t look like us in these sort of C-suite roles and in the more executive roles, so I really wanted to make sure that there was some good representation of folks who looked like me and break through that glass ceiling.

Lee Kantor: So, if somebody wants to learn more and connect, what is the website? What is the best way to do that?

Olivia Amyette: Absolutely. So, on all of our social media, we’re @infiniteenergyadvisors. You can call me personally at 678-933-8324. Our email is info@infiniteenergyadvisors.com. And our website is also infiniteenergyadvisors.com.

Lee Kantor: Well, thank you so much for sharing your story. You’re doing such important work and we appreciate you.

Olivia Amyette: Absolutely. Thank you so much. I appreciate you having me back.

Lee Kantor: All right. This is Lee Kantor, back in a few with GWBC Power of Partnering.

GWBC POP 2024: Tia Robinson with Vertical On-Demand

October 4, 2024 by angishields

GWBC Radio

GWBC POP 2024: Tia Robinson with Vertical On-Demand

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Tia Robinson is CEO and Founder of Vertical on Demand. Vertical On-Demand was born out of a passion for revolutionizing the fashion industry. We envisioned a one-stop, subscription-based platform that simplifies fashion design, development, and production.

Our mission is to empower brands to build sustainable e-commerce businesses from design to shipping, all without minimum order requirements or wasted inventory. By eliminating these barriers, we make it possible for brands to focus on creativity and innovation while promoting environmental responsibility.

Tia is also a GWBC Perfect Pitch finalist.

Follow Vertical on Demand on Facebook and Instagram.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix.

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s time for GWBC Radio’s Open For Business. Now, here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: Lee Kantor here, broadcasting live from GWBC Power of Partnering event at the Georgia Power Headquarters. I’m so excited to be talking to the first Perfect Pitch finalist, Tia Robinson with Vertical On-Demand. Welcome. So, tell us about Vertical On-Demand.

Tia Robinson: So, we are a smart and sustainable subscription-based apparel manufacturer that makes clothing on-demand here in Atlanta, Georgia.

Lee Kantor: And then, what’s your backstory? How’d you get involved in this line of work?

Tia Robinson: Yeah. So, I actually launched my very own line, Vertical Activewear, right before the pandemic, and had some difficulty with getting apparel manufactured due to a lot of manufacturers focusing on creating PPE materials and things of that sort. So, yeah, I was getting a lot of press and attention at that time, but couldn’t fulfill orders. And I said, never again will I allow my destiny to be placed in the hands of some other organization.

Lee Kantor: That’s right. Control what you could control.

Tia Robinson: Exactly. So, I brought my manufacturing in-house, and we’ve been manufacturing for our brand as well as others since then.

Lee Kantor: So, now you’re doing your own kind of design and own brand as well as doing the work for other manufacturers?

Tia Robinson: Correct. We have Vertical Activewear, which is one of our subsidiary brands that people can purchase product from at www.verticalactivewear.com. But Vertical On-Demand is our service-based portion of the business, where companies, emerging brands, corporations, even folks that are looking for sustainable apparel from a government contracting standpoint can visit us and learn more.

Lee Kantor: So, why was it important for you to become part of GWBC?

Tia Robinson: Well, definitely to be able to help us with our reach, with reaching, customers that are actually looking for our products and services.

Lee Kantor: So, has that been the case? Have you been able to kind of grow your business through these relationships?

Tia Robinson: It has. And I’ve gotten the most unique and great opportunities. We worked with MassMutual this year in terms of staffing, providing their staff at national conference with T-shirts and sweatshirts that they can wear at their booth. And they also sponsored us at their booth to be able to showcase our capabilities. So, we had quite a bit of folks come and ask about the connection between MassMutual and Vertical and why we were there, but it was great thought and conversation starters in terms of being able to talk about our services and what we can offer.

Lee Kantor: And you’re demonstrating it as you’re showing it.

Tia Robinson: Exactly.

Lee Kantor: It’s a double win.

Tia Robinson: Exactly. They’re like, “MassMutual and clothes? Wait a second.”

Lee Kantor: “I don’t get it.”

Tia Robinson: Yeah.

Lee Kantor: So, how do you kind of see the future? What’s on your roadmap?

Tia Robinson: Yeah, the future is bright. I really am working to revolutionize the sustainable apparel industry, starting here in Georgia, first and foremost. But I look at Vertical On-Demand as a company that has the ability to be national, with fulfillment centers throughout the U.S. Being able to help companies align with their ESG goals, reducing waste, both textile and financial, and doing on-demand manufacturing for other companies that are interested in offering that as a sustainable service.

Lee Kantor: So, what do you need more of? How can we help? Do you need more clients? More investors?

Tia Robinson: Do you have some money?

Lee Kantor: So, you need investors.

Tia Robinson: You know, as a business, being able to get funding is always a part of my job, first and foremost, but also getting customers into the queue. There’s a lot of waste financially when it comes to producing textiles and garments. Over $100 billion is lost each year due to merchandise not selling. And so, we have a solution to be able to help companies mitigate that by transferring some of their e-commerce sales over from actually buying product in bulk to manufacturing on-demand. And so, yeah, getting more customers and clients into the fold and making them believers as it relates to on-demand manufacturing is key.

Lee Kantor: So, if somebody wants to learn more, have a more substantive conversation with you or somebody on the team, what is the website? What’s the best way to connect?

Tia Robinson: The best way to connect is visit us at www.verticalondemand.com. You can also find us on LinkedIn. You can find me on LinkedIn at Tia Robinson, or you can email me directly at info@verticalondemand or tia@verticalactivewear.com.

Lee Kantor: Well, congratulations again on all the success. You’re doing important work and we appreciate you.

Tia Robinson: Thank you much.

Lee Kantor: All right. This is Lee Kantor, back in a few at GWBC Power of Partnering.

GWBC POP 2024: Jacquette Lowery with Secure Logistics Solutions LLC

October 4, 2024 by angishields

GWBC Radio

GWBC POP 2024: Jacquette Lowery with Secure Logistics Solutions LLC

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Jacquette Lowery, owner, Secure Logistics Solutions, LLC.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix.

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s time for GWBC Radio’s Open For Business. Now, here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: Lee Kantor here, broadcasting live from GWBC Power of Partnering event at Georgia Power Headquarters. I’m so excited to be talking to my guest, Jacquette Lowery with Secured Logistics Solutions. Welcome.

Jacquette Lowery: Hi. How are you?

Lee Kantor: I am doing well. I’m so excited to learn what you’re up to. Tell us about your firm. How are you serving folks?

Jacquette Lowery: Yes, we are Secured Logistics Solutions, we are a freight brokerage where we cover the southeast region. What we do is we communicate with shippers, large shippers and customers, and we give their work to guys that either have small trucking companies or either guys that are owner/operators that operate their own trucks. So, basically, Secured Logistics, we are the middleman with the big companies and the big shippers and the guys that have their own operating trucks.

Lee Kantor: So, is this an issue that some people, they have something that needs to be moved and they don’t have the right ability to do it so they would partner with a firm like yours to help them get the stuff they need to the place they need it to be?

Jacquette Lowery: Yes, that is correct. So, most of the time big companies, like let’s say Coca-Cola or let’s say Georgia Power, so they focus on, you know, the products and the services. That’s why they use us to see how are they going to get their products moved, and that’s when we come into play to make sure that we have the resources and we have enough of what they need to get the job done.

Lee Kantor: And then, a lot of times, you’re kind of cobbling together different resources to help them move the stuff? And that’s where it gets tricky, right? You can’t just go on the internet and go, “Hey, make this go.” It takes a lot of coordination.

Jacquette Lowery: Yes. Yes, it does. It takes a lot of coordination. So, what we do is, let’s say for an example, a trucking company, we make sure that they have enough trucks or enough equipment to move whatever it is that that big shipper, that big customer needs to be moved in adequate amount of time.

Lee Kantor: Right. And I’m sure that’s a key part of your business, is keeping those lines of communication so that everybody’s on the same page of, okay, if you think this is going to be there by Tuesday, it’s got to be there by Tuesday, and you got to get the right resources in place to make that happen.

Jacquette Lowery: Yes, that’s correct. If you tell me that you want your products there by Tuesday, it’s going to be there by Tuesday. If you tell me you want it there by 5:00, 4:00, I will make sure that it’s there by 4:30 or by 3:30.

Lee Kantor: Right. And that’s the hard part, right?

Jacquette Lowery: That is the hard part. Especially so right now, we have a big hurricane coming in, so we have to make sure the loads that we’re supposed to get there by tomorrow, they needed to get there by today because the weather —

Lee Kantor: These things change, right?

Jacquette Lowery: That’s right. That’s right.

Lee Kantor: And that’s why they need a partner like you to help them make sure that nothing kind of slows down.

Jacquette Lowery: That is correct. You can never go wrong with Secured Logistics Solutions. We’re very dependable.

Lee Kantor: Now, why was it important for you to get involved with GWBC?

Jacquette Lowery: It’s very important, because GWBC, they do businesses with the people that I would like to do businesses with. They open up that point of contact for me and those big shippers and those big customers. They make it easy for me.

Lee Kantor: Because they become like kind of the matchmaker and help you get in front of the right people.

Jacquette Lowery: That is correct.

Lee Kantor: So, now, who is your ideal customer? Do you have an ideal customer?

Jacquette Lowery: My ideal customer —

Lee Kantor: Is it the kind of Coca-Colas of the world, these huge people who ship huge amounts of product or is it smaller businesses or a combination?

Jacquette Lowery: A combination. Sometimes it will be big customers. Like you said, Coca-Cola would be a really, really big customer. You can never have enough Coke, right?

Lee Kantor: That’s right.

Jacquette Lowery: Yes, sir.

Lee Kantor: So, now, if somebody wants to learn more about your firm, have more substantive conversation, is there a website? Is there a way to connect with you?

Jacquette Lowery: Yes. They can go to the website at securedlogistics.com, and we also have our contact link and our email as well.

Lee Kantor: Good stuff. Well, congratulations on all the success. And you’re doing important work and we appreciate you.

Jacquette Lowery: Yes. Thank you so much. Pleasure to be here.

Lee Kantor: All right. This is Lee Kantor, back in a few with GWBC Power of Partnering.

GWBC POP 2024: Sylvia Muwallif with My Mom’s Pie

October 4, 2024 by angishields

GWBC Radio

GWBC POP 2024: Sylvia Muwallif with My Mom's Pie

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Sylvia Muwallif is head baker and owner of My Mom’s Pie. Her journey started over 25 years ago, as a single mom raising two boys who loved sweet potato pie. They would tell people “ My Mom makes the best sweet potato pie, you’ve gotta try one”.

As a result of their persistence, Sylvia started making and selling pies for family and friends, their teachers, and colleagues for the holidays and dinners, which helped her support her family.

Over the years, people have shared their stories of eating sweet potato pie and the warm memories they felt surrounding the delicious dessert. Sylvia realized that her sweet potato pie was more than just a pie, but it shared a history with others and that grew her desire to leave a legacy for her family and others to enjoy.

Follow My Mom’s Pie on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix.

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s time for GWBC Radio’s Open For Business. Now, here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: Lee Kantor here, broadcasting live from GWBC Power of Partnering event at Georgia Power Headquarters. I’m so excited to be talking to my guest, Sylvia Muwallif with My Mom’s Sweet Potato Pie. Welcome.

Sylvia Muwallif: Thank you. Hi.

Lee Kantor: I am so excited to learn about your business. Tell us about My Mom’s Sweet Potato Pie.

Sylvia Muwallif: Well, My Mom’s Sweet Potato Pie started about maybe five, six years ago. I started out making pies for my sons, and it just grew into this business because people liked my pies. So, we started, like I said, about five years ago initially in farmer’s markets and mostly retail sales. But our focus now is to move our sweet potato pies more to the food service industry. We make our traditional sweet potato pie, and we also have one with pecans and brown sugar, in addition, we now have a vegan-friendly formula and a diabetic-friendly formula. So, we want to try to meet the needs of all of our customers dietary concerns.

Lee Kantor: So, why was it important to become part of the GWBC community?

Sylvia Muwallif: I wanted to find a group where I could connect with to help build my product. It has been very inspirational for me to be a part of a larger group of entrepreneurs who have a vision to move forward. And the purpose of my pie is to create and to leave a legacy for my family.

Lee Kantor: So, now, any advice for an aspiring home baker or a home cook, how do you transition from that thing that, you know, your family says it’s great to an actual business like you’ve done?

Sylvia Muwallif: Well, you have to have a passion and believe in your product. I tell you to research, find the environment that works best for you. I knew I wanted my product to be able to sell in every environment, so I researched and joined a shared kitchen where it allows me the opportunity to be able to produce my product on a commercial level and be able to expand into those commercial food service markets.

Lee Kantor: And if somebody wants to learn more, what’s a website? What’s the best way to connect?

Sylvia Muwallif: Yes, you can visit our website at mymomssweetpotatopie.com. Our email is mymomspie2018@gmail.com.

Lee Kantor: And then, your ideal customer is who?

Sylvia Muwallif: Anyone. Anyone who loves to eat. Anyone who loves pies.

Lee Kantor: So, individuals as well as corporations.

Sylvia Muwallif: Corporations. Everyone. Yeah, and our focus is really trying to move more towards the food service environments, hospitals, nursing homes, you name it, schools, clinics, anywhere where people eat food.

Lee Kantor: Well, Sylvia, thank you so much for sharing your story. You’re doing such important work and we appreciate you.

Sylvia Muwallif: And thank you for this opportunity.

Lee Kantor: All right. This is Lee Kantor, back in a few with GWBC Power of Partnering.

GWBC POP 2024: Shannon Bright with Bright Interiors Group

October 4, 2024 by angishields

GWBC Radio

GWBC POP 2024: Shannon Bright with Bright Interiors Group

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Shannon Bright is President and Founder of Bright Interiors Group. Bright Interiors Group is a full service contract office furniture dealership located in Atlanta, Ga.

With over 2 decades of experience in the office furniture industry, we take pride in what we do to provide exceptional customer care while creating an effective and efficient way for our customers to fulfill their office furniture needs.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix.

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s time for GWBC Radio’s Open For Business. Now, here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: Lee Kantor here, broadcasting live from GWBC Power of Partnering event at the Georgia Power Headquarters. I’m so excited to be talking to my guest, Shannon Bright with Bright Interiors Group. Welcome.

Shannon Bright: Thank you.

Lee Kantor: Well, Shannon, for folks who aren’t familiar with your firm, can you tell us about Bright Interiors Group? How are you serving folks?

Shannon Bright: Absolutely, I would love to. Bright Interiors Group is a small dealership, minority-owned, woman-owned by myself, Shannon Bright. We do office furniture. We specialize in government as well as commercial. No residential, just commercial and government entities.

Lee Kantor: So, have you always been involved in this kind of business?

Shannon Bright: I have. My business began two years ago, but I have been doing furniture for over 25 years. It’s my love. It’s my passion. And as Oprah says, do what you love and the money will come, so I’m just waiting on the rest of the money.

Lee Kantor: Well, if Oprah said it, it’s true.

Shannon Bright: Right.

Lee Kantor: So, now, any advice for people who are in business? You know, these are things you take for granted, like having the office furniture. And we’re in a beautiful facility right now, and we talked to the people who actually were the construction company for this space, how did they do when it comes to office furniture in this space?

Shannon Bright: This would be a dream job for me. Everything that they did in here, as I look around, it’s beautiful. And this is the type of environment, this is what I do. Being a furniture dealership is no easy task. It’s a lot of hard work and it’s a lot of product knowledge, but it’s also about relationships and just product knowledge. Because once the client tells me what they want, then I envision it, and then I also do space planning, CAD design.

Shannon Bright: So, the client tells me what they want, then I put it into a CAD, do a design, color renderings, and we’ll do the collaboration. And then, that’s the beginning of a project going beautifully well and turning out like this beautiful environment that we’re in.

Lee Kantor: So, now, what are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to an office environment in your opinion?

Shannon Bright: Being in business as long as I’ve been, I know the do’s and the don’ts. One of the do’s is do make a site visit and don’t take the client’s word saying I love this and I know that it will fit and just order it, and I trust your judgment and the colors you pick are fine. No.

Shannon Bright: So, the do is show up, do your presentation properly. And the don’t is don’t take the client’s word for it because I know better than them, even though I won’t say that. The saying the customer is always right, that is not so. They’re right after we have a collaborative meeting and get to a place to make sure that the client is happy and I’m happy as well.

Lee Kantor: Right. It’s because the client doesn’t know what they don’t know. And you know a lot of the things that they don’t know.

Shannon Bright: Right. Right. Absolutely. For example, if you’re doing a cubicle office setting, you could be off by one foot and that could destroy your entire plan. So, yes, yes, the clients rely on me to be the expert.

Lee Kantor: And measuring is important it sounds like.

Shannon Bright: Yes. It’s crucial. It’s crucial. As you look at that glass wall right there, that had to be measured precisely to make sure that that fit.

Lee Kantor: Right. It’s not something you can eyeball.

Shannon Bright: No. No.

Lee Kantor: And a lot of this stuff isn’t off the shelf, right? A lot of this stuff is custom?

Shannon Bright: Right. Everything is custom to order, which means you can’t get it and say “Oh. I don’t want that,” because everything is custom designed. If you ordered it, you own it. Yes, that’s right. Just like if you broke it, you bought it.

Lee Kantor: So, why was it important for you to become part of the GWBC community, and what did you hope to get out of it?

Shannon Bright: I wanted to just be in the room with all of these wonderful business owners, all of these wonderful women, and just do a collaboration, and just hear other people’s stories. So, it’s about networking. It’s about getting to know other people, and you never know who may be your next teaming partner. I feel like it’s enough money to go around and we can team with even our competition, because each of us has a need. One vendor may not be able to give you what I may be able to give you, and I may not be able to get what that vendor can get. So, it’s so many nuggets that were dropped today. I was glad to be in the building.

Lee Kantor: Right. And like you said, relationships are important and that’s how you’re going to build your business is through the people you probably meet in this room today.

Shannon Bright: Absolutely.

Lee Kantor: So, what do you need more of? How can we help you?

Shannon Bright: Basically, I just wanted to put the word out. And you have my business card in front of you, so read my tagline.

Lee Kantor: The tagline is, Turning empty spaces into beautiful places.

Shannon Bright: And I came up with that tagline in the shower, so nobody can tell me that you can’t come up with creative ideas in the shower. And that is my passion. I just want to know that Bright Interiors is here for your needs. Like I said, we do space planning, and we’re a one-stop-shop, so basically what I sell, which is office furniture, and like they said, so many of the people, like for City of Atlanta and other government entities, they order everything, so it takes a collaborative effort for us to get everything that the client needs.

Shannon Bright: So, basically, I would love to turn your empty space into a beautiful place. Just reach out to me, and my email is shannon@brightinteriorsgroup.com. And if you want to check out my website, it’s www.brightinteriorsgroup.com.

Lee Kantor: Well, Shannon, thank you so much for sharing your story today. You’re doing such important work and we appreciate you.

Shannon Bright: Thank you so much. My pleasure.

Lee Kantor: All right. This is Lee Kantor, back in a few with GWBC Power of Partnering.

GWBC POP 2024: Jennifer Barbosa with International Supply Partners

October 4, 2024 by angishields

GWBC Radio

GWBC POP 2024: Jennifer Barbosa with International Supply Partners

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Jennifer Barbosa is the owner of International Supply Partners, LLC, a medical and janitorial supply and distribution manufacturer helping businesses get in touch with suppliers worldwide. She’s a seasoned sales and business development professional with over 20 years of experience.

Jennifer absolutely enjoys working with people and being of service with pride and excitement. She aspires to bring her knowledge, skills, and experiences to enhance the quality and marketability of the companies she consults. She also seeks to provide quality service and sustainable relationships with other professionals, partners and clients.

Jennifer is also a Certified Financial Education Instructor extending her knowledge and skills in financial literacy to empower individuals in changing their relationship with money in a positive direction. She’s able to teach all age groups from K through adult. Whether in a class setting or one on one, understanding the psychology of money and how money has been influenced, she teaches people how to take control of their day to day financial decisions and use money as a tool to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix.

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s time for GWBC Radio’s Open For Business. Now, here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: Lee Kantor here, broadcasting live from GWBC Power of Partnering event at the Georgia Power Headquarters. I’m so excited to be talking to my guest, Jennifer Barbosa with International Supply Partners. Welcome.

Jennifer Barbosa: Thank you. Good morning – or good afternoon.

Lee Kantor: It’s afternoon now. It’s been a long day.

Jennifer Barbosa: Yes, thank you. It has been.

Lee Kantor: So, tell us about International Supply Partners. How are you serving folks?

Jennifer Barbosa: We are a almost full service supply company. We supply medical, office, industrial, construction supplies and equipment, and we just added fuel and asphalt to our repertoire.

Lee Kantor: So, what’s your backstory? How did you get involved in this line of work?

Jennifer Barbosa: Well, I was bored. One day —

Lee Kantor: Woke up and said I think I’ll start this international Supply Partners company.

Jennifer Barbosa: That’s it. I was a stay at home mom and I was bored and I needed something else to do. I’ve always been an entrepreneur, but I realized very quickly that I had a lot of the skills and knowledge because I grew up in the manufacturing industry. My parents worked in manufacturing, as well as my grandfather used to import and export between West Africa and the U.S.

Lee Kantor: So, where did you see the opportunity?

Jennifer Barbosa: I saw the opportunity when I learned that I could not be competitive going through third party distributors and stores, and I needed to get straight to the source of the products and built relationships with manufacturers, and that really catapulted during the pandemic.

Lee Kantor: And then, how did you even begin? Because you could supply anything to anybody, so how do you even pick a starting point?

Jennifer Barbosa: Well, in our name, International Supply Partners, we partner with our clientele. So, we do a more inclusive assessment in regards to what their needs are. What is important, is it the cost is, it the sustainability, is it lead time, quality, value? And through those processes, we understand what their needs are and figure out how we can best support them. Sometimes you may think that you need this product, but if we dig deep in and understand why you think you need this product and what is it going to be used for, and what are the metrics that you’re trying to be able to fall in between, then we can maybe even suggest something that could be even more efficient, more valuable, have better safety parameters, or even customize something and make it for you.

Lee Kantor: Now, when you’re in an industry like this, how does your client know to hire you or to partner with you? Like, they must be doing something now.

Jennifer Barbosa: Well, what we do is we attend a lot of events, networking events. We are registered in the vendor or supplier portals for a lot of major corporations, and we reach out and we introduce ourselves. We are a fully certified minority woman-owned company, MBE, DBE. We are certified with several states and counties and cities. We have the EBO certifications with the City of Atlanta as well. And, honestly, a lot of our clients have come to us through word of mouth.

Lee Kantor: So, what is the pain that they’re having? Like, are they just having trouble getting certain things and they’re like, “Hey, this isn’t acceptable. We have to find somebody who can help us get these things”?

Jennifer Barbosa: In some cases, yes. In other cases, it’s more than that, because we continue to talk to our clients and let them know what’s going on within the supply chain industry. Because we have relationships globally, we understand what’s going on, on the other side of the world and how it could potentially impact our clients in the long term or in the future.

Jennifer Barbosa: So, for example, the ILA negotiations of contracts that’s going on now with the deadline coming up next week, we knew about this. And so, what we would tell our clientele, regardless of whether or not the strike goes on, this is going to impact the cost. And considering that we are at peak season, which already increases costs in the supply chain, you need to get ahead of it and make sure that it does not impact you, especially for products that are very time sensitive, is essential to the operations of your business, medical facilities, power companies, a variety of different organizations that need certain products in order to operate and support their clientele.

Lee Kantor: So, how does the GWBC community help you in your business?

Jennifer Barbosa: Well, we stay in touch, attending the events, the workshops, reaching out to the different organizations that are partnered with GWBC, and just staying connected.

Lee Kantor: And then, if somebody wants to learn more about your firm and get in connection with you, what is the best way to do that? And what are the coordinates of maybe your website or a way to connect with you?

Jennifer Barbosa: Sure. Well, you can find us on any social media platform, International Supply Partners. Our website is internationalsupplypartners.com. You can DM us, email us, info@isp-b – as in boy – iz.com. And if you see me, just stop me.

Lee Kantor: Well, thank you so much for sharing your story today. You’re doing such important work and we appreciate you.

Jennifer Barbosa: Wonderful. Thank you for the opportunity.

Lee Kantor: All right. This is Lee Kantor, back in a few at GWBC Power of Partnering.

BRX Pro Tip: 4 Elements of a Useful B2B Playbook

October 4, 2024 by angishields

BRX Pro Tips

BRX Pro Tip: 4 Elements of a Useful B2B Playbook

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BRX Pro Tip: 4 Elements of a Useful B2B Playbook

Stone Payton: Welcome back to Business RadioX Pro Tips. Stone Payton and Lee Kantor here with you. Lee, I have become more and more enamored with the mental imagery of a playbook to help me run the network business, but also the local studio here. What are you learning about crafting a B2B playbook?

Lee Kantor: Yeah. I think it’s so important for anybody who has a professional service business to have playbooks in a variety of areas. But when you have those playbooks, it’s important that they kind of check four boxes.

Lee Kantor: And the four elements of a useful B2B playbook are, number one, they have to include customizable templates for common tasks and communication. Anybody in your community, they’re hungry for this type of information where they don’t have to create a wheel. They’re counting on you to create some wheels that will help them be more effective and efficient. So, you should be working on creating customizable templates for a variety of things, including emails, social media engagement, how to talk on LinkedIn. Some customizable templates for common tasks and communications is critical, and that should be part of your playbook.

Lee Kantor: Second is there should be some sort of a digital academy or knowledge library that’s regularly updated with the latest information. Capturing best practices is one of the values you’re bringing. This is where, again, they don’t have to create a wheel. They’re learning from other people in the community, and they can go somewhere where all this stuff is available, and they can learn, and they can pick and choose what works for them, and they can try different things that have already been kind of tested and proven within your systems already. So, having some sort of a digital academy or library is critical for anybody who’s trying to build a community like this.

Lee Kantor: Another thing is workflow automation tools that make team members work easier and more productive. Part of your job as a leader of a community like this is to be testing what type of automation tools are out there, and which ones are going to work in your system that will make life easier for everybody else.

Lee Kantor: And now with AI and things like that, you know, how can you make the life easier for all of your members and community partners. And you should be testing and learning and being on the cutting edge of this, because, again, they’re too busy running their business. They’re too busy doing the work in their community. They’re counting on you to be the expert in this area and provide value in areas and test and try things that a lot of them aren’t going to be effective. So, this way, they don’t have to waste the money on it. You’re wasting the money on it. And you’re testing these things because it’s important for everybody to find the right tool to help them achieve what they’re trying to do at the end of the day, and that’s why they’re part of your community.

Lee Kantor: And lastly is some design elements. You have to have visual elements. You should have flow charts and diagrams that make communication clearer, more engaging, and easier to understand. You’ve got to really be able to create that clarity and simplicity so they can take whatever you’re giving them and use that as if it’s theirs. Again, you’re doing some of this heavy lifting for them because that’s why they’re paying to be part of your community.

Lee Kantor: So, I think those are four elements of useful B2B playbooks.

GWBC POP 2024: Kanchana Raman with Avion Networks

October 3, 2024 by angishields

GWBC Radio

GWBC POP 2024: Kanchana Raman with Avion Networks

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Kanchana Raman is President and CEO of Avion Networks.

Avion Networks is an Atlanta-based, global telecom technology firm, specializing in converging communications, broadband network services, solutions and innovations.

With two distinct practice areas, centered on the Telecom and Technology sectors, Avion provides value-added network planning, design, installation, optimization and deployment services.

These behind-the-scene services enable seamless, anytime, anywhere access to information and entertainment. Historically, Avion’s roots originate in the Telecom Services sector, where we have played a critical role in helping to implement network infrastructures worldwide for major global operators and OEM’s .

Connect with Kanchana on LinkedIn.

This transcript is machine transcribed by Sonix.

TRANSCRIPT

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, it’s time for GWBC Radio’s Open For Business. Now, here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: Lee Kantor here, back at GWBC Power of Partnering event at the Georgia Power Headquarters. I’m so excited to be talking to my guest, Kanchana Raman with Avacend. Welcome.

Kanchana Raman: Thank you for having me.

Lee Kantor: Well, before we get too far into things, tell us a little bit about Avacend. How are you serving folks?

Kanchana Raman: So, we are headquartered here in Atlanta, Georgia. I am on the board of the Georgia Women’s Business Council. And we’ve been in business for over eight years, so primarily doing data analytics, IT staffing, healthcare staffing nationwide.

Lee Kantor: So, what’s your backstory? How’d you get involved in this line of work?

Kanchana Raman: So, obviously, I come from a tech background and I’ve been doing this for many years and very passionate about the industry. And I’m passionate about different industries, I like to learn about what what other industries are doing and constantly try to diversify and, again, align with, you know, the changes around you. Like for example, today everything’s about AI, so you also want to learn and adapt and change and align with what is happening in the industry.

Lee Kantor: So, how is the industry changing when it comes to AI? Like, how can a candidate make themselves attractive to you or somebody you’re trying to place them at?

Kanchana Raman: So, I think one of the misconceptions about AI is that it’s going to replace you. I think it’s going to augment the work culture. It’s going to augment our work. So, it is almost like a copilot for you, right? So, if you start looking at it like that and see how you can work alongside AI and automate a lot of what your daily routine work is, I think it’s going to help enhance the entire industry and, again, enhance your own personal work as well.

Lee Kantor: So, is that something that you recommend a candidate be doing, is learn how that candidate can use AI to make themselves more marketable and more valuable to a potential employee?

Kanchana Raman: A hundred percent, yes. So, anytime you could use a tool, it’s more like adapting a technology, and as you progress in your work, I mean, there are some mundane tasks that can be done by an AI agent rather than you trying to do it on your own.

Lee Kantor: So, now, for you personally, why was it important for you to not only get involved with GWBC, but also to get involved at a level of a board director?

Kanchana Raman: I love what the organization does. I love Roz Lewis. I love her vision of where GWBC should be, and the focus of the organization, and also the amount of opportunities that they present to women businesses like me, and also the opportunity to meet local corporations. I think it’s so powerful to meet people in your backyard. And also support the companies who are here, whether it is women-owned businesses or Fortune 100 corporations. So, completely excited about the membership at Georgia Women’s Business Council.

Lee Kantor: So, now, for the women out there that are potentially listening that aren’t certified yet, a lot of people talk about, “Okay. Well, to get certified there’s a lot of hoops I have to jump through.” But the value of jumping through those hoops, can you explain what’s possible once you do that in order to get certified and to join the community, like the benefits, to me, outweigh the cost of getting certified.

Kanchana Raman: I don’t think there are any hoops that you need to jump to get certified, because I’m assuming as a small business or any business, you’re pretty organized internally. You have your tax records, your incorporation certificates, everything in place, your insurance, your CPAs, attorneys. So, once you have all of those, the day-to-day stuff in order, then the certification process becomes pretty easy. And, also, we have at GWBC some wonderful people who are there to help you through, handhold you through the certification process if that’s your first time.

Kanchana Raman: I mean, even for us as a WBE, we have to renew our certificate every year and I think it’s the same amount of information, updated tax records that you have to submit to get recertified year after year. So, I don’t think it’s any different from getting certified on the first day and then getting a recertification.

Kanchana Raman: So, I would highly encourage it because, I think, first of all, it’s the sisterhood, right? Especially during the pandemic, we were all sitting by ourselves in silos, and then we had communities like the Georgia Women’s Business Council that would have monthly meetings, and we would exchange notes as to what our journeys were. And then, many times it is great to know that you’re not alone in what’s happening. There are other people that are going through similar situations.

Kanchana Raman: So, one of the things I really love about the Georgia Women’s Business Council is the sisterhood that, you know, WBENC as an organization, GWBC as an organization brings to each one of us because as a founder and CEO, the journey could be pretty lonely.

Lee Kantor: So, if somebody wants to connect with you and learn more, what is the website, the best coordinates to connect?

Kanchana Raman: I would say LinkedIn, Kanchana Raman. I’m on LinkedIn, so the best way to connect with me is on LinkedIn.

Lee Kantor: Good stuff. Well, thank you so much for sharing your story today. You’re doing such important work and we appreciate you.

Kanchana Raman: Thank you.

Lee Kantor: All right. This is Lee Kantor, back in a few with GWBC Power of Partnering.