John Ray, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

Strategies for Business Success with Laura Wagenknecht, Mosaic Business Consulting

March 19, 2024 by John Ray

Hello, Self . . .

Strategies for Business Success with Laura Wagenknecht, Mosaic Business Consulting

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Strategies for Business Success with Laura Wagenknecht, Mosaic Business Consulting (Hello, Self… Episode 39)

In this episode of Hello, Self… , host Patricia Leonard welcomed guest Laura Wagenknecht, founder and CEO of Mosaic Business Consulting.

The conversation delved into Laura’s journey from feeling burnt out in nonprofit work to establishing her own successful business consulting firm. She shared insights on the importance of self-discovery, leveraging past experiences, and the unique challenges women and minorities face in the business world.

She and Patricia also discussed the critical distinction between coaching and consulting, the impact of imposter syndrome, and practical strategies for small business owners to plan, market, and grow their businesses effectively.

Laura’s story reflected the power of authenticity, the value of supporting women and minority-owned businesses, and the transformative moments that can lead to fulfilling entrepreneurship.

Hello, Self… is presented by Patricia Leonard & Associates and produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

Laura Wagenknecht, Founder and CEO, Mosaic Business Consulting

Laura Wagenknecht, Owner, Mosaic Business Consulting

Laura Wagenknecht, Owner of Mosaic Business Consulting, is an award-winning, experienced Author, Business Consultant, Planner, Strategist, and Certified Executive Coach. With more than 30 years of professional experience, and as a former and current CEO, she is clear about the big
picture and the many pieces that comprise a business and can determine where the gaps are that could help your business grow more quickly and successfully.

Laura specializes in working with women and minority-owned businesses, especially those who are in healthcare, coaching, consulting, and counseling industries. She believes our diverse coaching practices provide a critical and beautiful contribution to the business community. With compassion, wisdom, and expertise, she can help her clients create the business and the success they have envisioned.

To date, Laura has helped hundreds of businesses throughout the area and other states to start
and scale their businesses for greater profits. In one year, she was able to help numerous
businesses acquire over $1 Million of needed funding to start and expand their
companies. And, she was the 2022 award winner of Best in Business for the Asheville Area
Chamber of Commerce!

She chose the name Mosaic Business Consulting because a mosaic is a collection of small pieces
that, when put together, create a beautiful picture. She did so with several things in mind: the
mosaic of businesses and industries she serves, most importantly, the mosaic of her clientele, and
her mosaic of background and experience.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

About Hello, Self…

Hello, Self… is a biweekly podcast focused on inspiring stories of turning dreams into reality. Join coach and author Patricia Leonard and her guests as they share life-changing Hello, Self… moments.

Hello, Self… is brought to you by Patricia Leonard & Associates and is based on the new book by Patricia Leonard, Hello, Self.., available here.

The show is produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with Business RadioX®. You can find this show on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.

Patricia Leonard, Host of Hello, Self…

Patricia Leonard is President of RUNWAY TO SUCCESS, a division of Patricia Leonard & Associates located in Nashville, TN. She is a MESSAGE ARTIST speaker, career & business coach, author and magazine columnist. Patricia consults with clients on leadership, empowerment, career management, entrepreneurship and the power of language. Her work is focused on helping clients find their runway to success!

She has a professional background in management, human resources, corporate training, business consulting and talent development. Patricia has worked with companies in the service, music, banking, manufacturing, publishing, warehousing, healthcare, academic, retail and financial industries, and has taught management classes as an adjunct professor.

Patricia has a degree in Human Resource Management, is certified as a Career Coach and Consulting Hypnotist and is MBTI qualified.

Her volunteer energies are focused on Women in Film and Television-Nashville, where she is a Board Vice President; Dress for Success as the Advisory Board President; and International Coaching Federation-Nashville where she held Board roles for several years.

Patricia is the author of Wearing High Heels in a Flip Flop World, BECOMING WOMAN…a journal of personal discovery, THE NOW, HOW & WOW of Success, Happenings, a full year calendar of inspirational messages and a spoken word album titled, I AM…

She enjoys songwriting, creating poetry and has written a one-woman show and artistic speech she performs titled Hello, Self…, about a woman in midlife reinventing herself, which led to her new book by the same name, available here.

On the personal side, Patricia, describes herself as a woman, lover of life, mother, grandmother, career professional and message artist; AND in that order! Her goal is to continue inspiring others, of any age, to START NOW creating and expanding their Runway to Success.

She believes that life is a gift, the way we wrap it is our choice.

Connect with Patricia:

Website| LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

What is The Generosity Mindset™?

March 19, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

What is The Generosity Mindset™?

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What is The Generosity Mindset™?

Host John Ray discusses how adopting what he calls The Generosity Mindset leads to better business development and pricing strategies and outcomes. This podcast episode revolves around his book The Generosity Mindset, which suggests that focusing on others’ needs and cultivating empathy, compassion, and collaboration leads to personal and business success. Ray critically examines negative self-defeating mindsets like imposter syndrome and scarcity mindset, proposing that success stems from a generous approach to client relationships and service. He argues that basing service pricing on the value that customers perceive rather than the service provider’s assessment of value improves client relationships, business growth, and pricing.

This episode was adapted from the November 16, 2023 edition of John’s newsletter, The Price and Value Journey.

The Price and Value Journey is presented by John Ray and produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome to the Price and Value Journey
00:19 The Genesis of The Generosity Mindset
02:01 Exploring the Generosity Mindset
02:48 Applying the Generosity Mindset in Business
04:31 The Generosity Mindset: A Path to Better Pricing
06:45 The Irony and Impact of the Generosity Mindset
08:20 Introducing The Generosity Mindset Book
08:41 How to Connect and Learn More

About The Price and Value Journey

The title of this show describes the journey all professional services providers are on: building a services practice by seeking to convince the world of the value we offer, helping clients achieve the outcomes they desire, and trying to do all that at pricing which reflects the value we deliver.

If you feel like you’re working too hard for too little money in your solo or small firm practice, this show is for you. Even if you’re reasonably happy with your practice, you’ll hear ways to improve both your bottom line as well as the mindset you bring to your business.

The show is hosted and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. The show can also be found on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

John Ray, Author of The Generosity Mindset and Host of "The Price and Value Journey" — John Ray, Author of *The Generosity Mindset* and Host of *The Price and Value Journey*

John Ray is the host of The Price and Value Journey.

John owns Ray Business Advisors, a business advisory practice. John’s services include business coaching and advisory work, as well as advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their pricing. John is passionate about the power of pricing for business owners, as changing pricing is the fastest way to change the profitability of a business. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, consultants, coaches, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

In his other business, John is a Show Host and Producer and owns the North Fulton (Georgia) studio of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their own podcast using The Generosity Mindset™ Method: building and deepening relationships in a non-salesy way that translates into revenue for their business.

John is also the host of North Fulton Business Radio. With over 750 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in its region like no one else.

John’s Book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices

John is the #1 National Bestselling Author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

If you are a professional services provider, your goal is to do transformative work for clients you love working with and get paid commensurate with the value you deliver to those clients. While negative mindsets can inhibit your growth, adopting a different mindset, The Generosity Mindset™, can replace those self-limiting beliefs. The Generosity Mindset enables you to diagnose and communicate the value you deliver to clients and, in turn, more effectively price to receive a portion of that value.

Whether you’re a consultant, coach, marketing or branding professional, business advisor, attorney, CPA, or work in virtually any other professional services discipline, your content and technical expertise are not proprietary. What’s unique, though, is your experience and how you synthesize and deliver your knowledge. What’s special is your demeanor or the way you deal with your best-fit clients. What’s invaluable is how you deliver great value by guiding people through massive changes in their personal lives and in their businesses that bring them to a place they never thought possible.

The combination of all these elements is quite different for you compared to any other service provider in your industry. Therein lies your value, but it’s not the value you see. It’s the value your best-fit customers see in you.

If pricing your value feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar to you, this book will teach you why putting a price on the value your clients perceive and identify serves both them and you, and you’ll learn the factors involved in getting your price right.

The book is available at all major physical and online book retailers worldwide. Follow this link for further details.

Connect with John Ray:

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Business RadioX®: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Nathan Miller, Atlantic Consulting Solutions, and Carl Nicpon, Marsh Creek Advisors

March 19, 2024 by John Ray

Anthony Chen, Lighthouse Financial, Nathan Miller, Atlantic Consulting Services, and Carl Nicpon, Marsh Creek Advisors

Family Business Radio

Nathan Miller, Atlantic Consulting Solutions, and Carl Nicpon, Marsh Creek Advisors

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Nathan Miller, Atlantic Consulting Solutions, and Carl Nicpon, Marsh Creek Advisors (Family Business Radio, Episode 55)

Family Business Radio host Anthony Chen was joined on this episode by business consultant Nathan Miller and M&A advisor Carl Nicpon. Nathan Miller, Atlantic Consulting Solutions, talked about the routes to business growth that strategic consulting and culture development create. He shared his journey into business consulting and emphasized the importance of investing in people, structuring for growth, and developing a clear company culture. Carl Nicpon of Marsh Creek Advisors focused on the process of preparing for and executing a successful business exit or sale. He shared his personal experience with selling a family business, explained common misconceptions about business valuation, and introduced the concept of a “second bite of the apple.” The episode underscores the value of seeking expert guidance early on for both achieving sustainable business growth and navigating the intricacies of selling or transitioning a business.

Anthony closed the show with a commentary on why it’s vital that you not be afraid to ask for help.

Family Business Radio is underwritten and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network.

Nathan Miller, Atlantic Consulting Solutions

Nathan Miller is a global leader with over 25 years of international experience across 11 countries and fluency in four languages. He holds licentiate degrees from universities in Europe.

Leveraging his background in strategic management, organizational development, leadership coaching, and training, Nathan has served in diverse leadership roles, including business management in full-service marketing agencies, management roles in construction companies, and also as a National Director for a global non-profit organization and editor-in-chief of a website in Rome, Italy. He also brings experience in education, counseling, and real estate.

Nathan is passionate about applying his global perspective and diverse expertise to help business owners grow and thrive.

Outside of work, Nathan enjoys basketball, woodworking, and hiking with his wife.

Atlantic Consulting Solutions

Atlantic Consulting Solutions (ACS) provides strategic business consulting tailored to the needs of small businesses that are growing or seek to grow. With over 20 years of experience, their team of MBAs and former executives has assisted over 250 businesses across nearly 40 industries. They understand the real complexities a small business owner goes through and are experts and masters of overcoming those challenges.

Their holistic approach and methodology set us apart. They offer complete guidance, from developing your vision to implementing it successfully. This includes strategy, management, financial, and organizational consulting. They have expertise across all aspects of business, including strategy, finance, operations, HR, and more.

ACS has helped clients raise over $145 million in capital, negotiate major deals, restructure organizations, improve culture, and provide effective transition leadership.

As your trusted advisor, ACS provides in-depth strategic advice to support important decisions. Your success as a business owner and leader is theirs as a company. They understand the complexities organizations at this stage face and draw from real executive experience to provide tailored solutions.

ACS has worked on business model improvements, financial structuring, organizational restructuring, raising capital and obtaining large credit lines and loans. They have also significantly improved company cultures in toxic environments, trained executives/managers to become great leaders, helped companies merge, helped companies acquire others and sell themselves for double the original offer, transitioned COOs, created successful revenue models, and helped negotiate large deals. Finally, they are bilingual consultants who understand the complexities of cultures and approaches.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Carl Nicpon, Managing Director, Marsh Creek Advisors

Carl Nicpon is an entrepreneur at heart. He was the third-generation owner of a wedding services provider with 14 locations and 200 employees. Carl led the effort to sell the 50-year-old business in a private equity roll-up of the industry, and his first-hand experience gives him an unparalleled understanding of what it’s like for a business owner to bring their company to market and negotiate a successful exit.

Carl is also an Adjunct Professor in the Executive MBA program at the University of Georgia and serves on the Board of the Shore Entrepreneurship Center at Kennesaw State University. He is the Founder of Brio Business Academy, dedicated to guiding business owners as they launch and grow their businesses. He is passionate about education because he believes that business owners make better decisions when they know how and why things work (or don’t!).

Carl graduated from the University of Notre Dame, holds an MA from the University of Chicago, an MBA from the University of Georgia, and an M.Ed. from the University of Loyola. He and his wife live in Dunwoody and have two sons who attend the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Marsh Creek Advisors

Marsh Creek is an M&A and business brokerage firm helping lower middle market business owners sell with confidence. Our typical clients are business owners with annual revenue between $5 and $75 million. While we are based in the Southeast, we proudly serve clients nationwide.

Marsh Creek is proud to partner with the Bristol Group, a network of over 20 advisors from across the country. While leveraging this broad pool of experienced advisors, we remain committed to providing you with a high-touch, high-service approach that is customized to your unique needs. We firmly believe that teamwork is essential to ensuring a successful and fulfilling sales experience for our clients.

The Marsh Creek team is comprised of former business owners who are honored to partner with you on your path to sale. It’s our goal to ensure the largest financial transaction of your life is done right.

Website | LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome to Family Business Radio
00:39 Nathan Miller’s Journey: From Nonprofit to Business Consulting
03:21 The Role and Impact of Business Consulting
05:22 Cultivating a Successful Business Culture
12:19 Strategic Planning and Organizational Structure for Growth
16:16 Recruiting the Right Team: Mission, Vision, and Values
17:12 Navigating Financial Challenges and Planning for the Future
22:37 Transitioning to Exit Planning: Carl Nicpon’s Story and Insights
28:40 The Pitfalls of a Single Buyer in Business Sales
29:29 Exploring the ‘Second Bite of the Apple’ Strategy
31:30 When to Consider the ‘Third Route’ for Your Business
33:44 Maximizing Business Value for Sale: Strategies and Mistakes
40:31 Enhancing Business Value: Positive Strategies and Practices
46:25 Expert Insights: Common Mistakes and Missed Opportunities in Business
52:00 Closing Thoughts: The Importance of Seeking Help and Building a Team

Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

This show is sponsored and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. Securities and advisory services are offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (RAA), member FINRA/SIPC. RAA is separately owned, and other entities and/or marketing names, products, or services referenced here are independent of RAA. The main office address is 575 Broadhollow Rd., Melville, NY 11747. You can reach Anthony at 631-465-9090, ext. 5075, or by email at anthonychen@lfnllc.com.

Anthony Chen started his career in financial services with MetLife in Buffalo, NY, in 2008. Born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, he considers himself a full-blooded New Yorker while now enjoying his Atlanta, GA, home. Specializing in family businesses and their owners, Anthony works to protect what is most important to them. From preserving to creating wealth, Anthony partners with CPAs and attorneys to help address all of the concerns and help clients achieve their goals. By using a combination of financial products ranging from life, disability, and long-term care insurance to many investment options through Royal Alliance, Anthony looks to be the eyes and ears for his client’s financial foundation. In his spare time, Anthony is an avid long-distance runner.

The complete show archive of Family Business Radio can be found by following this link.

Finding Advocates in Your Financial Journey, with Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

March 18, 2024 by John Ray

Finding Advocates in Your Financial Journey, Anthony Chen, Lighthouse Financial

Family Business Radio

Finding Advocates in Your Financial Journey, with Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

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Finding Advocates in Your Financial Journey, with Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

In a commentary from a recent Family Business Radio episode, host Anthony Chen discusses the importance of not being afraid to take risks and finding advocates in the financial journey.

Anthony’s commentary was taken from this episode of Family Business Radio. Family Business Radio is underwritten by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network.

Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

This show is sponsored and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. Securities and advisory services are offered through OSAIC, member FINRA/SIPC. RAA is separately owned, and other entities and/or marketing names, products, or services referenced here are independent of OSAIC. The main office address is 575 Broadhollow Rd., Melville, NY 11747. You can reach Anthony at 631-465-9090, ext. 5075, or by email at anthonychen@lfnllc.com.

The complete show archive of Family Business Radio can be found by following this link.

Mark Beal, Instead of Flowers, Peter Faser, The Profitability Coach, and Andrew Henry, Childs Company

March 18, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Mark Beal, Instead of Flowers, Peter Faser, The Profitability Coach, and Andrew Henry, Childs Company

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Mark Beal, Instead of Flowers, Peter Faser, The Profitability Coach, and Andrew Henry, Childs Company (ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, Episode 56)

This episode of Profit Sense with host Bill McDermott featured insightful conversations with three outstanding business leaders, focusing on the importance of memorable gifting, better advisory services for business owners, and meticulous planning for business exits. Mark Beal, CEO of Instead of Flowers, shared his experience in the gourmet meal delivery sector, emphasizing the transformative power of meaningful corporate and individual gifting. Peter Faser has just joined Bill at The Profitability Coach, and he discussed why business owners need better advisory relationships in order to improve their profitability. Andrew Henry from Childs Company delved into the critical aspects of exit planning for business owners, underscoring the importance of early preparation, diversification of assets post-exit, and strategic tax planning to maximize the proceeds from a sale.

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott is produced and broadcast by John Ray and the North Fulton Studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Mark Beal, CEO, Instead of Flowers

Mark Beal is the CEO and co-owner of Instead of Flowers. He leads the company in its 25th year, working to grow an established and respected company to serve more households and new markets.

Mark started as a customer of Instead of Flowers, having sent gourmet meals as gifts countless times as a financial advisor. He brings that level of service and relationships to the company and its team.

Instead of Flowers

Instead of Flowers is your go-to source for homemade, chef-inspired meals to send to anyone on any occasion to show your appreciation, support, and love. Instead of Flowers reinvents how we all show care. We replace the fleeting beauty of flowers with restaurant-quality meals you can share with family or friends to create a unique experience. We come together by eating together. Instead of Flowers serves that need by providing quality meals at exactly the right time—whether that’s for a birthday, after a baby, after fighting an illness, or remembering a life. It’s an experience—a meal that’s talked about, shared, and savored as something both delicious and memorable.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Peter Faser, The Profitability Coach

Peter Faser has over 25-years of commercial, corporate and investment banking experience. His passion has always been helping his clients get to a better place financially, whether they are a small business or a publicly traded company. He began his career with Trust Company Bank in Atlanta, managing a portfolio of middle-market clients and guiding them in appropriate balance sheet management and income statement efficiencies.

Peter then pivoted to specializing in the banking of other financial institutions, and for the next 17 years, Peter assisted his clients with debt and equity capital solutions to promote growth, along with providing startup capital solutions for de novo institutions. Additionally, Peter and his team ran due diligence on potential acquisition targets in the banking space and assisted in getting his clients ready to sell.

For seven years, Peter worked with Truist Securities, where he originated a new line of business designed to help corporate and investment banking clients recognize human capital efficiencies by increasing productivity, engagement and retention levels. Through this experience of working with over 500 clients across the country, Peter recognized that the level of advisory services offered to smaller clients was not as prevalent as it once was, and he found that most clients were so focused on running their businesses day to day that they were missing the sensitivity analysis required to move their business forward. He has now joined forces with his former teammate, Bill McDermott, to help fill this educational gap. He is excited to be working with The Profitability Coach and getting back to the fundamentals of helping small businesses discover the right path to profitability.

Andrew Henry, CPA, CFP®, Partner, Childs Company

Andrew joined Childs Company in 2014 after beginning his career at Ernst & Young, LLP, which is one of the four largest international professional services firms. Ultimately serving as a Senior Accountant in the Assurance practice, his experience includes working with the initial public offering (IPO) for a Fortune Global 100 company, encompassing debt and equity offerings. Additionally, he gained experience performing analytical procedures and extensive financial analysis for client financial statements.

Andrew is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Financial Planner™ professional. He focuses on the firm’s strategic growth through business development and client satisfaction. Andrew is also responsible for leading the financial planning and business retirement plan advisory practices at Childs Company.

Andrew is a Registered Representative with Kestra Investment Services, LLC and an Investment Advisor Representative with Kestra Advisory Services, LLC.

Andrew graduated from the University of Georgia with a Masters in Accountancy. Andrew actively supports Camp Horizon, a non-profit organization that serves foster care children in metro Atlanta. He lives in Peachtree Corners with his wife and two young sons, and enjoys golf, exercising and spending time outside with his family.

Childs Company

Childs Company is a boutique private wealth management practice. They leverage their 40+ years of business experience and financial expertise to provide comprehensive financial planning and investment strategies to business owners, executives, retirees and young professionals.

Childs Company takes great pride in their fiduciary approach to serving their clients. As fiduciaries, they are obligated to put our clients’ interests above our own. They do not sell or provide proprietary products, and they do not receive undisclosed fees or commissions from any third parties.

Their clients share their values, appreciate their approach and rely on Childs Company to help them make the best financial decisions throughout their lives.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome to ProfitSense
01:06 Spotlight on Instead of Flowers: Revolutionizing Corporate Gifting
12:48 Peter Faser: Banking Evolution and the Profitability Coach
25:24 Andrew Henry: Mastering Exit Strategies and Financial Planning
35:20 Bill McDermott comments on the Four Best Ways to Develop Leaders in Your Organization
37:25 Wrapping Up

About ProfitSense and Your Host, Bill McDermott

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott dives into the stories behind some of Atlanta’s successful businesses and business owners and the professionals that advise them. This show helps local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. The show is presented by McDermott Financial Solutions. McDermott Financial helps business owners improve cash flow and profitability, find financing, break through barriers to expansion, and financially prepare to exit their business. The show archive can be found at profitsenseradio.com.

Bill McDermott, “The Profitability Coach,” is the Founder and CEO of McDermott Financial Solutions. When business owners want to increase their profitability, they don’t have the expertise to know where to start or what to do. Bill leverages his knowledge and relationships from 32 years as a banker to identify the hurdles getting in the way and create a plan to deliver profitability they never thought possible.

Bill currently serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Executive Forum and has held previous positions as a board member for the Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship Center, Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity, and Treasurer for CEO NetWeavers. Bill is a graduate of Wake Forest University, and he and his wife, Martha, have called Atlanta home for over 40 years. Outside of work, Bill enjoys golf, traveling, and gardening.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn and Instagram, and follow McDermott Financial Solutions on LinkedIn.

Inside the World of Data Centers, with Derek Siler, Flexential

March 18, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Inside the World of Data Centers, with Derek Siler, Flexential

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Inside the World of Data Centers, with Derek Siler, Flexential (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 753)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviewed Derek Seiler from Flexential, a company that provides data center infrastructure services. They discussed the importance of data centers, how Flexential helps businesses manage their data, and the significance of having data centers across the country for better application performance. Derek also highlighted Flexential’s capabilities in hosting and managing the vast data and computational needs of modern businesses, including AI workloads. He also delved into the challenges and solutions around data security, phishing attacks, the importance of multi-factor authentication in protecting business data, success stories, and much more.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Derek Siler, Solutions Architect and Channel Sales, Flexential

Flexential empowers the IT journey of the nation’s most complex businesses by offering flexible and tailored hybrid IT solutions comprised of colocation, cloud, connectivity, data protection, managed services, and professional services. The company builds on a platform of three million square feet of data center space in 19 highly connected markets, and on its 100Gbps private backbone to meet the most stringent challenges in security, compliance, and resiliency. See how Flexential goes beyond the four walls of the data center to empower IT through an interactive map found on www.flexential.com.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Derek Siler LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Business Radio
01:28 Welcoming Derek Siler from Flexential
01:38 Exploring Flexential’s Impact on Data Center Infrastructure
03:44 The Importance of Scale in Data Center Operations
07:05 Navigating the Complexities of Cloud Computing
08:52 The Critical Role of Data Centers in Today’s Digital World
11:31 Security Measures and Challenges in Data Management
20:26 The Future of AI and Flexential’s Role
24:43 Identifying Ideal Clients for Flexential
25:48 Success Stories and How to Connect with Flexential
29:25 Closing Remarks and Additional Resources

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 750 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show welcomes a wide variety of business, non-profit, and community leaders to get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignore. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Tax Planning vs. “Tax Telling,” with Seth Peabody, iTxRe

March 13, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Tax Planning vs. "Tax Telling," with Seth Peabody, iTxRe

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Tax Planning vs. “Tax Telling,” with Seth Peabody, iTxRe

Seth Peabody: Let’s step into the business owner’s mind and go through their experience and what I’ve garnered from them, also being an entrepreneur. Most CPAs do tax telling. They take your numbers, and they tell you what you owe, and you write the checks, and then you see how much pain it is.

They don’t go into being proactive and thinking of ways to. Reduce your tax and knowing the tax code and using it to the business owner’s advantage. So, for instance, we’re here in Atlanta. A lot of us don’t know about the advantages of oil and gas, and the oil and gas companies really have deep pockets, as we know, and they paid Congress off and Congress makes the rules for the IRS.

And so they have advantageous tax code written specifically to oil and gas. To where, for example, you could take $100,000 and invest it in the stock market and it sits there. You can put it in an independent oil and gas fund and deduct a portion of that in the year you make the investment.

So if you’re at a tax rate and you put in 120 and you’re allowed to deduct a hundred thousand, most everybody’s tax rates, roughly 40%—40 percent times a hundred thousand–you just put $40,000 back in your pocket. So that’s different types of tax strategies and thinking about it differently and being proactive and getting ahead of it.

Listen to Seth’s full ProfitSense with Bill McDermott interview here.

The “One Minute Interview” series is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Embracing the Power of Words for Business Improvement, with Bruce Pulver, Author of Above the Chatter, Our Words Matter

March 13, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Embracing the Power of Words for Business Improvement, with Bruce Pulver, Author of Above the Chatter, Our Words Matter

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Embracing the Power of Words for Business Improvement, with Bruce Pulver, Author of Above the Chatter, Our Words Matter (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 752)

On this edition of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomed Bruce Pulver, author of Above the Chatter, Our Words Matter. Bruce shared his journey from a corporate career to founding Pulver Performance Solutions, through which he guides companies and teams to realize incremental improvement through the power of words and communication. Bruce offered personal experiences of resilience and growth, leading to his mission of helping individuals and organizations unlock their potential. He detailed his approach to addressing organizational challenges simply but effectively, promoting consistency and accountability within teams. Bruce also discussed his book, emphasizing the transformative power of words in personal development and corporate culture.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Bruce Pulver, Pulver Performance Services, and Author of Above the Chatter, Our Words Matter

Bruce Pulver is a catalyst for change, working with large and small companies as well as individuals and teams.

As “the WORD guy,” Bruce challenges audiences to take a transformative journey, demonstrating the incredible power that words hold in shaping our destinies. In the realm where language meets life, Bruce guides individuals to unlock their true potential through the deliberate use of words for individual and organizational growth.

Bruce’s Keynote and “WORDshop” messages resonate, leaving a lasting imprint on the hearts and minds of those who heed his call to harness the extraordinary power of their words using exercises, role play and case studies. Prepare to be inspired, motivated, and transformed as Bruce leads you on a journey where every word matters.

With every speaking engagement, Bruce makes time to visit and share his message in person or by donating his book to organizations serving others. To date, over 3,500 books and countless hours have been donated to hospitals, homeless shelters, veteran organizations, schools, and recovery centers of all kinds.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
01:21 Introducing Bruce Pulver: A Journey of Words and Empowerment
01:31 The Power of Words: Transforming Thoughts into Action
02:04 Bruce Pulver’s Personal Journey: From Layoff to Leadership
02:56 The Impact of Words on Minds
04:09 Applying Words to Drive Organizational Change
08:34 Simplifying Complex Challenges with a Single Word
17:27 The CIA Method: Commit, Incrementalism, Accountability
23:56 Success Stories and How to Connect with Bruce Pulver
27:54 Closing Remarks

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John is the bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Equal Pay Day and the Ongoing Quest for Pay Equity

March 12, 2024 by John Ray

Equal Pay Day, Jacqueline Voronov, Shylie Bannon, Hall Booth Smith

Hall Booth Smith Podcast Network

Equal Pay Day and the Ongoing Quest for Pay Equity

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Equal Pay Day and the Ongoing Quest for Pay Equity (Litigators Lounge, Episode 7)

On this episode of Litigators Lounge, hosts Jackie Voronov and Shylie Bannon examine the state of gender pay equity in recognition of Equal Pay Day. Their conversation begins by acknowledging the symbolism behind Equal Pay Day, representing how far into the new year women must work to earn what men did the previous year. Despite the existence of the Equal Pay Act passed over 60 years ago, progress toward closing the gender wage gap has been slow, with women earning on average 84 cents on the dollar compared to men, and even less for mothers and for women of color. Jackie and Shylie further explore how executive-level positions see a wider gender pay gap, contrary to common beliefs that higher education and positions would result in more equitable pay. They also discuss the impact of societal norms on women’s negotiation behaviors, the reluctance to discuss salaries openly, and conducting gender pay audits as a step toward addressing the wage gap. Jackie and Shylie urge listeners, especially women in influential positions, to advocate for equitable pay practices within their organizations.

Litigators Lounge is underwritten and presented by Hall Booth Smith. The show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome to Litigators Lounge

01:06 Celebrating Equal Pay Day: Unpacking the Symbolism and Statistics

05:27 The Elusive Goal of Pay Equity: Legal Challenges and Societal Hurdles

14:58 Navigating the Complexities of Pay Negotiations and Transparency

29:41 The Impact of Gender Roles and Responsibilities on Pay Equity

36:23 Closing Thoughts: The Long Road to Pay Equity

About Litigators Lounge

Jackie Voronov and Shylie Bannon, attorneys at Hall Booth Smith who specialize in labor and employment law, are the hosts of the engaging podcast Litigators Lounge. Listen as they delve into the intricate world of workplace legal issues as they explore real-life examples, unpack legal scenarios, and offer expert insights to help organizations and employees navigate the ever-changing legal landscape. With engaging discussions, diverse viewpoints from expert guests, and an ample touch of humor, Litigators Lounge is the go-to source for in-depth analysis and expert advice on law and the workplace.

Litigators Lounge is underwritten and presented by Hall Booth Smith. The show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

If you have questions or feedback for Jackie and Shylie, feel free to follow this link and email them.

Jackie Voronov, Partner, Hall Booth Smith

Jackie Voronov is a Partner in Hall Booth Smith’s office in Paramus, New Jersey, and she represents management in a wide variety of employment matters and litigates employment claims before administrative agencies and state and federal courts. Her clients include major hotels, retailers, shipping companies, assisted living facilities and nursing homes, manufacturers, and national fast-food franchisees.

Jackie’s litigation experience includes the defense of employers in single and multi-plaintiff actions on claims of wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, race, national origin, gender, disability and age discrimination, breach of contract, family medical leave, failure to accommodate, retaliation, wage/hour laws, and related tort claims. Jackie also works with her clients to prepare various employment agreements (including non-compete, confidentiality, independent contractor, and separation agreements). She has extensive experience before various administrative tribunals, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the State Division of Human Rights (SDHR), the Division of Civil Rights (DCR), and other state, federal, and local agencies.

In addition, Jackie frequently conducts management training for employers on a wide variety of employment law topics, such as:

EEO/anti-harassment
employee recruiting and hiring practices
family and medical leave
reasonable accommodations for disabilities and religion
preventing and investigating harassment, discrimination, and whistleblower claims
wage and hour compliance
discipline and termination of employees
privacy in the workplace

Jackie is regularly invited to speak nationally on best practices and other employment-related issues. Before joining Hall Booth Smith, she worked for one of the country’s largest law firms, where she defended employers in a wide range of labor and employment matters, including wage and hour class actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), claims related to the New York State Human Rights Law (NSHRL), the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), and Title VII.

Jackie was selected for inclusion as a New Jersey Rising Star by Super Lawyers® for six consecutive years (2010-2016), which honors the top 2.5% of young lawyers in New Jersey.

Shylie Bannon, Partner, Hall Booth Smith

Shylie Bannon is a Partner in Hall Booth Smith’s Jacksonville, Florida, office. She also serves as Hiring Partner for the region of Florida, where she oversees associate attorney hiring endeavors. Prior to joining Hall Booth Smith, Shylie was a partner in both a multi-state, multi-specialty firm and a boutique practice.

At Hall Booth Smith, Shylie continues to represent physicians, mid-level providers, and health care providers in high-exposure medical negligence claims and in administrative proceedings before the Florida Department of Health. She also represents national retailers in high-exposure premises liability, negligent security, and transportation litigation with our National Trial Counsel team.

In addition to litigating matters involving personal injury and negligence, Shylie also represents management in all aspects of employment-related litigation arising from allegations of sex, disability, race, and pregnancy discrimination; whistleblower actions; and alleged violations of the National Labor Relations Act and Fair Labor Standards. She does so in administrative proceedings before both the Florida Commission on Human Relations and the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as in all of the state and federal courts in Florida. She also provides employment-related counsel to clients, helping them avoid employment-related litigation through the implementation of best employment, investigation, and risk management practices.

Shylie earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, cum laude, and graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History.

Shylie volunteers with the Guardian Ad Litem program and supports child welfare advocacy efforts in Northeast Florida. She is also a Member of the Board for the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida.

About Hall Booth Smith, P.C.

Established in 1989, Hall Booth Smith, P.C. (HBS) is a full-service law firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with regional offices strategically located throughout Georgia and the United States. Experienced across a wide range of legal disciplines, HBS prides itself on providing knowledgeable, proactive, client-specific counsel to individuals, domestic and international corporations, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

HBS possesses the legal knowledge, skill, and experience to meet their clients’ needs wherever they do business. HBS maintains the highest commitment to ethically and professionally serve their clients by providing the highest quality legal representation.

They deliver quality legal services in a variety of service areas. Experience across legal disciplines combined with a focus on the unique business or personal requirements of the client is the hallmark of the firm. Their clients receive the attention, expertise, and cost-effectiveness of a smaller law firm with the full-service and strong regional presence typical of a larger one.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Disclaimer

Litigators Lounge is a production brought to you by Hall Booth Smith, PC. This podcast is published for the purposes of providing general information and education on topics which include those related to the law and legal issues, but the contents of the podcast do not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast or utilizing the information contained in it in any way does not constitute nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between you and Hall Booth Smith or its lawyers. The contents of this podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a professional attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

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John’s Book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices

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Equal Pay Day and the Ongoing Quest for Pay Equity (Litigators Lounge, Episode 7)

Topics Discussed in this Episode

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Jackie Voronov, Partner, Hall Booth Smith

Shylie Bannon, Partner, Hall Booth Smith

About Hall Booth Smith, P.C.

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