John Ray Archives - Page 12 of 65

Happy Dogs, Happier Owners, with Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel

March 3, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Happy Dogs, Happier Owners, with Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel

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Happy Dogs, Happier Owners, with Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 849)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Stacy Fotos, co-owner of The Happy Dog Hotel. Stacy shares insights about her dog-centric business that offers daycare, boarding, and grooming services for dogs. She emphasizes the importance of cleanliness, staff who genuinely love dogs, and the difference between owner-run and investor-run dog care businesses. Stacy also discusses the unique features of The Happy Dog Hotel, such as large kennels, a dog ice cream shop, and various community events. Additionally, she outlines her future goals, including acquiring a farm to expand her services and creating a non-profit to help homeless dogs.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Stacy Fotos, Co-Founder, The Happy Dog Hotel

Stacy Fotos is a dedicated entrepreneur and community leader who has been an integral part of the Metro Atlanta area for over three decades. As a mother of two grown children, Courteney (29) and Joseph (25), and a grandmother to Jaxson (4) and Chandler (21 months), Stacy has deep roots in Alpharetta, where she raised her family. Her personal interests include spending quality time with her grandchildren, traveling abroad, and indulging in her love for reading.

Throughout her career, Stacy has demonstrated a strong commitment to both community service and business leadership. From 1998 to 2002, she served on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Restoration Network, eventually holding the position of Chair. In this role, she was instrumental in media relations, acting as a spokesperson across various platforms, and led successful fundraising initiatives, including chairing the fundraising committee and organizing annual auctions. From 2008 to December 31, 2024, Stacy founded and managed Synergy HomeCare of North Atlanta, a home care company where she oversaw daily operations, employee management, and ensured compliance with state regulations.

**Stacy Fotos and Christopher Zimmerman, Co-Founders, The Happy Dog Hotel**

The Happy Dog Hotel is a premier dogboarding and daycare facility co-founded by Stacy Fotos and her childhood friend Christopher Zimmerman. Opened in March 2024, the hotel offers a unique “home away from home” experience for canine guests, providing services such as boarding, daycare, grooming, and even featuring an organic doggie ice cream parlor. The facility prides itself on its spacious, climate-controlled suites, supervised playtime sessions, and personalized care tailored to each dog’s individual needs.

At The Happy Dog Hotel, Stacy oversees comprehensive management, including human resources, marketing, networking, social media, and all operational aspects of the business. What sets the hotel apart is not only its commitment to exceptional pet care but also its dedication to giving back to the community. The founders have set a five-year goal to use proceeds from the hotel to build their own homeless shelter and support dogs in need. This mission-driven approach, combined with their family-owned status and trained, dog-loving staff, has quickly established The Happy Dog Hotel as a top-rated choice for pet owners in the Johns Creek and Alpharetta areas of Georgia.

The Happy Dog Hotel is located at 11895 Jones Bridge Rd., Johns Creek, GA 30005.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Stacy LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
01:35 Meet Stacy Fotos of Happy Dog Hotel
01:55 Services Offered by Happy Dog Hotel
02:41 The Story Behind Happy Dog Hotel
04:29 Importance of Cleanliness and Quality Care
05:46 Owner-Run vs. Investor-Run Facilities
14:25 Community Involvement and Events
17:38 Future Plans and Goals
21:51 Conclusion and Contact Information
22:42 Final Announcements and Thank You

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

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 $17 billion in assets and more than 180 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from each banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way to better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 850 shows and having featured over 1,300 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 invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and 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 lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

**John Ray, North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

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

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.

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

The Value of Self-Effacing Humor, with Comedian Jeff Justice

March 3, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

The Value of Self-Effacing Humor, with Comedian Jeff Justice

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The Value of Self-Effacing Humor, with Comedian Jeff Justice (One Minute Interview, Episode 132)

During a recent interview on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray, comedian and humor expert Jeff Justice shared a profound insight about effective communication that many business professionals overlook.

Self-effacing humor—the art of laughing at your own mistakes and missteps—creates an immediate connection with others that polished perfection simply cannot achieve.

Justice explained that audiences don’t want to hear from someone who presents themselves as flawless. They crave authenticity and relatability. When speakers share their stumbles along with their successes, they transform from distant authorities into trusted guides.

He illustrated this with the story of Charles Brewer, MindSpring’s founder. According to Justice, Brewer’s early presentations were painfully self-promotional, focusing solely on achievements. But after embracing self-effacing humor, Brewer’s speaking transformed dramatically. By laughing at his “stupid ideas and dumb assumptions” from his early days, he created genuine audience connection.

Justice compared this to Bill Gates’ famously incorrect prediction that “64K of memory” would be sufficient for computing needs—the kind of humbling admission that humanizes even the most successful business leaders.

The psychology behind this approach is straightforward but powerful. When speakers acknowledge their imperfections, audiences think, “They’re one of us. They’ve made the same mistakes we have.” This creates the foundation for trust and influence that no amount of credential-touting can establish.

For business professionals looking to strengthen their communication impact, Justice’s insight offers a clear direction: don’t hide your missteps—strategically share them with humor and perspective. The vulnerability creates the very bridge that perfection never can.

Listen to Jeff’s full North Fulton Business Radio interview with host John Ray here.

Jeff Justice

Jeff Justice was destined to become a humorist. At an early age, he discovered that if he could make his older brothers laugh, they would stop giving him “Noogies.” Thus, his first realization in humor: You can’t laugh and be angry at the same time.

Jeff spent fourteen years headlining the top comedy clubs across the United States. For the past twenty years, Jeff has focused on empowering corporate Americans to reduce stress in both business and personal life by utilizing our innate sense of humor as a safety valve. Jeff’s true gift is helping people laugh at their mistakes so they can take themselves lightly and their work seriously.

Jeff’s innovative ideas have been featured many times on CNN and CNBC, while his expertise in humor has also been recognized in numerous magazine and newspaper articles plus radio shows across the country.

Jeff’s client list includes IBM, Coca-Cola, Southern Company, Kroger, the Food Marketing Institute, the National Association of Realtors, James Madison University and the list goes on.

His latest book is Laugh More, Stress Less (and avoid getting burned out).

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

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.

The Role and Impact of a Fractional CFO, with Stan Alhadeff, Business CFO for Hire

March 3, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

The Role and Impact of a Fractional CFO, with Stan Alhadeff, Business CFO for Hire

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The Role and Impact of a Fractional CFO, with Stan Alhadeff, Business CFO for Hire (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 848)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Stan Alhadeff, an outside fractional CFO from Business CFO for Hire. Stan shares his journey from South Africa to the U.S. and how his personal circumstances led him to a career in financial management. He explains the concept of a fractional CFO, emphasizing the strategic and analytical support provided to businesses. Stan highlights the importance of communication and risk management in financial roles and shares success stories from his career, including turning around troubled companies. The episode also discusses the distinction between a CFO and a CPA, stressing the complementary nature of their roles.

Stan Alhadeff, Business CFO for Hire

Stan Alhadeff is a seasoned financial executive with over 30 years of international experience in financial and operational management. As a former corporate CFO, he has a proven track record of guiding companies through strategic growth, financial solvency, and successful exits. His expertise spans closely held companies, start-ups, nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)), and public companies across diverse industries, including organizations with revenues exceeding $1 billion.

With 15+ years as a corporate CFO and 18 years as an outsourced/fractional CFO, Stan has played a pivotal role in leading four successful company exits. Known for his analytical, flexible, and creative problem-solving skills, he excels in business strategy development and financial leadership.

Stan’s academic credentials include degrees in Accounting, Auditing, and Taxation, along with two master’s degrees: an MAcc-equivalent (Accounting, Auditing, Taxation) and an MBA specializing in Corporate Strategy and Project Management. His depth of experience and strategic insight make him a trusted advisor to businesses seeking financial clarity and sustainable growth.

Website | LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:29 Guest Introduction: Stan Alhadeff
01:59 Stan’s Background and Journey
02:59 Understanding the Role of a Fractional CFO
04:41 Stan’s Career Path and Experiences
12:22 The Importance of Communication in Finance
16:11 Industry Specializations and Client Success Stories
28:52 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
29:36 Host’s Final Thoughts and Book Promotion

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

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

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.

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

Unlocking Sales Success with Sean Shannon, Strategic Growth Design

March 3, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Unlocking Sales Success with Sean Shannon, Strategic Growth Design

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Unlocking Sales Success with Sean Shannon, Strategic Growth Design (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 847)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Sean Shannon, a fractional chief sales officer and sales expert from Strategic Growth Design. Sean shares his experience and strategies on effectively managing sales teams, establishing documented sales processes, and aligning sales and marketing efforts. He emphasizes the importance of having individual sales quotas, understanding client mixes, and creating sustainable processes. Sean also discusses the complexities of sales compensation plans, the significance of courage and emotional resilience in sales roles, and the intricacies involved in complex sales. With practical anecdotes and actionable insights, Sean provides valuable guidance for business owners looking to enhance their revenue and sales performance.

Sean Shannon, Strategic Growth Design

Sean Shannon loves sales. For the past three decades, he has been leading market-making sales teams in one of the most challenging industries, local broadcasting.

Sean’s teams worked with hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses to create winning sales and marketing campaigns that generated award-winning results. Sean has worked in sales and operations leadership at iHeart, Audacy and Cumulus Media, rising through the ranks as an innovator and thought leader.

As a Senior Vice President of Sales, Sean blazed a trail in training sales leaders and salespeople on the value of diagnosing sales and marketing problems before offering solutions. This approach led to marketing leading returns on advertising investment for the clients. As a Market President, Sean built market-leading brands like Q99.7 and 99x in Atlanta by focusing on the people behind those brands, the culture that underpinned them, and a structure that was responsive to the changing tides in a challenged industry.

Sean is now bringing those three decades of experience in building winning sales teams and winning brands to small and medium-sized businesses in Atlanta. Not simply through consulting, but through a roll your sleeves and up do it approach guided by the wisdom he’s earned in both his successes and, more importantly, in his less than optimal learning experiences (Sean doesn’t believe there’s such a thing as failure if there is learning that is applied the next time around).

Website | LinkedIn | Substack

Topics Discussed in this Interview

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
01:52 Meet Sean Shannon: Sales Expert
02:57 Sean’s Sales Journey
05:54 Challenges in Sales Management
08:30 Ideal Client Profile and Value Proposition
19:49 Complex Sales and Salesperson Traits
24:30 Compensation Plans and Sales Success
29:59 Sean’s Success Stories
33:28 Conclusion and Contact Information

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

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

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.

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

CIDs and Workforce Housing, with Ann Hanlon, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, and Kristin Winzeler, True North 400

February 28, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

CIDs and Workforce Housing, with Ann Hanlon, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, and Kristin Winzeler, True North 400

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CIDs and Workforce Housing, with Ann Hanlon, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, and Kristin Winzeler, True North 400 (North Fulton Voices, Episode 9)

In this episode of North Fulton Voices, hosts Jack Murphy and Kathy Swan of the North Fulton Improvement Network discuss the workforce housing crisis in North Fulton with guests Ann Hanlon, Executive Director of Perimeter CIDs, and Kristen Winsler, Deputy Director of True North 400. The discussion covers community improvement districts (CIDs), their roles in infrastructure development, and the importance of forward-thinking in addressing housing and transportation challenges. They also touch upon the collaboration between CIDs, MARTA, and local governments, as well as ongoing projects aimed at enhancing livability and addressing the missing middle housing gap. The episode emphasizes the need for diverse housing options to support local workforce needs, including teachers, first responders, and hospital staff.

North Fulton Voices is presented by the North Fulton Improvement Network. The show series is proudly sponsored by John Ray Co. and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC.

Ann Hanlon, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

As Executive Director for the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (PCIDs), Ann Hanlon is in charge of the organization’s daily operations, as well as its financial investments in transportation infrastructure.

The CIDs have an annual operating budget of over $10 million. Previously, Ann was the Executive Director of the North Fulton CID for 13 years, beginning when it was a start-up. Prior to entering the CID space, Ann served as a Senior Program Specialist at the Atlanta Regional Commission. She began her career in the private sector, as a Research and Development Analyst with Press Ganey & Associates, a healthcare consulting firm in South Bend, Indiana.

A native of South Georgia, Ann received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Government and Computer Science from the University of Notre Dame, and a Masters of Public Administration degree in Management and Finance from Georgia State University.

Ann was honored as the “Woman of the Year” by the Women’s Transportation Seminar Atlanta Chapter in November 2016. In April 2015 and 2017, Governor Nathan Deal appointed Ann to the Board of Directors for the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority where she serves on the Projects and Planning committees. She was re-appointed to the GRTA Board by Governor Brian Kemp in 2022. Ann was named one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s “500 Most Influential Georgians” in 2023, one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Women Who Mean Business” in 2015 and as one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s “40 under 40” in 2018.

Ann is a graduate of the Regional Leadership Institute of the Atlanta Regional Commission (2010) and Leadership North Fulton (2006).

In 2019, she served as the first female Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Council for Quality Growth, a trade association of the real estate development industry in Atlanta. Additionally, Ann has served as a volunteer with the Women’s’ Transportation Seminar, Atlanta Chapter and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the Sandy Springs Chamber of Commerce, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

In 2020, Ann was appointed by CEO Michael Thurmond to the DeKalb County COVID-19 task force, and continued to serve in that capacity as a representative of large business interests in Perimeter during the pandemic.

In March 2023, Hanlon was appointed to the Decide DeKalb Development Authority Board by the DeKalb County Commission. A devoted champion of public schools, Ann was selected to serve on the Fulton Education Foundation Board of Directors by Superintendent Mike Looney in September 2022, where she serves as an Officer and Secretary.

Personally, Ann is a volunteer with the National Charity League, a volunteer coach for the golf team at Peachtree Middle School, the President of the Foundation at Chesnut Elementary School, a member of All Saints Catholic Church and a sustainer with the Junior League of Atlanta.

She lives in Dunwoody with her husband Michael and their two daughters.

Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (PCIDs) are self-taxing districts that use additional property tax on commercial space to accelerate transportation and infrastructure projects in the Central Perimeter area of metro Atlanta. Established over two decades ago, the PCIDs cover parts of Brookhaven, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs, bridging government, development, and business communities to fuel one of Georgia’s most influential business districts. The PCIDs have invested millions into infrastructure, programs, and projects, focusing on improving access, creating a sense of place, and transforming the once car-dependent suburban area into a livable, walkable community that attracts major corporations and thousands of new jobs.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Kristin Winzeler, True North 400

Kristin Winzeler is the Deputy Executive Director for True North 400, formerly known as the North Fulton Community Improvement District (CID). Ms. Winzeler manages the daily operations, projects, and consulting team of True North 400. She led the rebranding effort and launch of True North 400 in 2023. She has been with the organization since starting as a Project Assistant in 2012.

Prior to joining True North 400, Ms. Winzeler received a dual master’s degree in public administration and business administration from Kennesaw State University. Her graduate work has been published in Public Performance & Management Review. She has also served as an intern for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the Arthritis Foundation Southeast Region, both in Atlanta.

Ms. Winzeler is a graduate of several leadership programs, including the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership North Fulton. She has been a member of Women Transportation Seminar (WTS) since 2013 and served as President during the organization’s 40th anniversary in 2021-2022.

Ms. Winzeler also serves as a board member of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and was awarded the Chamber’s JenLan Rising Star Award in 2018. She has been named one of Engineering Georgia Magazine’s Most Influential Women in Transportation from 2020-2024. In her spare time, Ms. Winzeler volunteers on the PTA Board for her children’s school and coaches her daughter’s little league softball team. She lives in Woodstock, GA with her husband and three daughters.

True North 400

True North 400, formerly known as the North Fulton Community Improvement District (NFCID), is a self-taxing district established in 2003 by business leaders committed to enhancing the North Fulton area of metro Atlanta. Encompassing parts of Alpharetta, Milton, and Roswell along the Georgia 400 corridor, True North 400 focuses on improving economic viability, transportation efficiency, and overall community livability. The district has invested approximately $28 million to bring about $170 million in investments as of 2022, significantly impacting property values and attracting major corporations. True North 400 plays a crucial role in fostering economic growth, with the area hosting nearly half of North Fulton County’s retail and office space and a quarter of its jobs, despite occupying only 4% of the total land area. The organization collaborates with local governments and businesses to accelerate infrastructure projects, enhance walkability, and create a vibrant, sustainable community along the Georgia 400 corridor.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Voices
00:38 Jack’s Metaphor and Workforce Housing
02:27 Understanding Community Improvement Districts (CIDs)
06:20 Current CID Projects and Initiatives
08:22 Challenges and Opportunities in Housing and Transportation
16:29 Collaboration with MARTA and Future Developments
26:56 The Importance of Schools and Housing Diversity
33:14 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

North Fulton Improvement Network

The North Fulton Improvement Network (NFIN) is a think tank made up of community leaders from a variety of sectors, focused on missing middle housing and the livability challenges confronting North Fulton. We come from the six cities making up the northern half of Fulton County, Georgia—Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs—and are working to address the widespread yet little-known financial vulnerability across the region. With stakeholders from sectors including business, nonprofit, faith, government, and citizens, we center our work on five areas of impact, seek to educate the public about these issues, build a network of individuals and organizations with innovative private and public solutions, and connect resources to those in need.

The leadership team of NFIN is Jack Murphy, Nancy Diamond, and Kathy Swahn.

Jack Murphy

Jack Murphy is a volunteer with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and is Chair of the North Fulton Improvement Network. He is also in his 21st year of working for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to the Chamber, Jack worked for and with Fortune 500 companies in operations, human resources, training, and quality areas. Jack was a senior adjunct professor for Quality & Operations Management at Keller Graduate School for 14 years.

He has served on both the National and Georgia Boards of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, responsible for Diversity, Advocacy, & Systemic Change. Jack is currently the national SVDP chair of Systemic Change and Advocacy.

Jack received a BA in psychology from Belmont Abbey College and a M.Ed. from UNC-Greensboro. Jack and his wife, Nancy, a retired elementary school principal, have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. They live in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Kathy Swahn

Kathy has resided in the North Fulton area for almost 45 years. She has watched the community evolve from what was “unincorporated Fulton County” to a six-city bustling suburban community. Her history has been marked by a strong emphasis on children: she raised two daughters as a stay-at-home mother, held leadership positions in school PTAs and Girl Scouts, participated in the National Charity League, led the North Fulton Council of PTAs, and served as the chair of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.

Kathy transitioned back to work by jumping into the non-profit world. She joined the team at North Fulton Community Charities, running their Holiday Program, becoming Development Director and successfully managing the $3 million capital campaign for their Elkins Road location. Along the way, she also served on the DFACS Board and chaired the board of the Fulton County Continuum of Care for four years.

After having the opportunity to join in the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, Kathy was surrounded with a dynamic group of folks who worked to create The Drake House. Since 2004, she served as board chair for the first four years, executive director for nine years, and is now retired. Over those years, The Drake House served over 500 single mothers with over 1,000 children and grew the assets of the organization to over $4 million.

Kathy continues to serve The Drake House on the Advocacy Committee, along with her work for NFIN.

She spends much of her time traveling to the Washington, D.C., area, where her children and grandchildren reside.

About North Fulton Voices

While North Fulton County is one of the most desirable places to live in the United States, the region faces a growing crisis: a severe shortage of housing options for middle-income employees, particularly essential workers such as first responders and teachers. North Fulton Voices, presented by the North Fulton Improvement Network, is the go-to source for in-depth analysis and discussion of missing middle housing and the livability challenges confronting North Fulton. Listen as we understand the implications of this problem, explore innovative solutions, and examine why providing these housing options is vital for North Fulton’s future. The show is sponsored and offered as a service to the community by John Ray Co. and North Fulton Business Radio.

Sponsor for North Fulton Voices: John Ray, John Ray Co.

The North Fulton Voices show series is proudly sponsored by John Ray Co. and North Fulton Business Radio.

John Ray is a podcast strategist, producer, and show host, and the owner of North Fulton Business Radio, LLC. North Fulton Business Radio is an affiliate of Business RadioX®.

John is the host of North Fulton Business Radio and The Price and Value Journey. North Fulton Business Radio, the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton region of Georgia, features a wide range of business and community leaders. The Price and Value Journey is devoted to solo and small firm professional services providers and covers issues such as pricing, value, and business development.

John also operates his own business advisory practice, Ray Business Advisors. John’s services include advising solopreneur 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 author of the #1 nationally best-selling book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Website | LinkedIn

Consulting in the Digital Age, with Prof. Joe O’Mahoney

February 26, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Consulting in the Digital Age, with Prof. Joe O'Mahoney

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Consulting in the Digital Age, with Prof. Joe O’Mahoney (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 123)

In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, host John Ray welcomes Professor Joe O’Mahoney, a leading authority on the consulting industry. They discuss significant shifts in the consulting field, including industry growth, client sophistication, and the impact of AI on consulting processes and pricing. Joe highlights the importance of managed knowledge and systems in consulting firms and how firms can leverage AI to improve efficiency. They also touch on issues like value-based pricing, the role of luck in business success, and how consultants can build reliable, scalable models for long-term growth. Joe shares insights from his latest book, Growth: Building a Successful Consultancy in the Digital Age, making a compelling case for why modern consulting firms must embrace both digital transformation and personalized client relationships.

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

Prof. Joe O’Mahoney

Joe is a leading authority on the consulting industry and a consultant to boutiques and small consulting firms. His research on the profession has won several prestigious awards and publications and resulted in leadership of high-profile government-funded research into the profession. Joe’s textbook on management consulting, Management Consultancy (published by Oxford University Press) was the best-selling book of its kind in Europe and his academic research has been published in the top international journals. His most recent, evidence-based book on growing consulting firms in the digital age, Growth: Building a Successful Consultancy in the Digital Age (published by Routledge), is the “go-to” growth text for consulting CEOs and managing partners all over the world.

Joe also practices what he preaches: he has been a corporate consultant, an internal consultant and a solo consultant. He has spent fifteen years providing advisory services to small consulting firms on growth and, in 2007, sold his own company, StayMobile Technology Ltd. In addition to his private practice, he is the founder of Repair Café Wales CIC and Consulting Mastered Ltd.

Joe has taught and coached over 2,000 executives and MBA students about management consultancy and helped hundreds of students gain places at leading consulting firms. Joe’s work has been recognized by awards from the British Academy of Management, the Centre for Consulting Excellence, the ESRC and several university prizes.

Joe studied history at Oxford University and obtained his PhD and MSc at Warwick University. He lives within Cardiff with his wife, Hannah, and two sons.

Website | LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Prof. Joe O’Mahoney
01:36 Big Shifts in Consulting
04:08 Myths and Outdated Beliefs in Consulting
08:03 Scaling and Growth Challenges
14:23 Managed Knowledge and Intellectual Property
19:46 Artificial Intelligence in Consulting
23:35 Implementing AI for Long-Term Success
25:25 Strategizing with AI: Efficiency vs. Personalization
26:45 Leveraging Off-the-Shelf Solutions for Process Improvement
28:20 AI’s Role in Consulting: Current Capabilities and Future Potential
30:12 The Impact of AI on Consulting Pricing Models
36:19 Building Value and Trust in Client Relationships
44:50 The Role of Luck in Consulting Success
48:34 Conclusion and Contact Information

About The Price and Value Journey

The title of this show describes the journey all professional service 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 that 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 and 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 podcast show host and producer and owns the North Fulton (Georgia) affiliate 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 840 shows and having featured over 1,300 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 best-selling 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

Enhancing Talent Acquisition, with Brooke Wheeler, Restoration Talent Solutions

February 25, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Enhancing Talent Acquisition, with Brooke Wheeler, Restoration Talent Solutions

00:00 /

Enhancing Talent Acquisition, with Brooke Wheeler, Restoration Talent Solutions (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 846)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Brooke Wheeler, founder of Restoration Talent Solutions. Brooke discusses her journey from corporate talent acquisition to starting her own fractional recruitment company, emphasizing the importance of authentic culture, effective use of recruitment tools, and networking for both employers and job seekers. She shares insights on the benefits of fractional talent acquisition for small and medium-sized businesses, strategies for improving recruitment processes, and tips for job seekers navigating a challenging job market. Additionally, Brooke highlights her company’s success in helping businesses build internal recruiting functions and improve hiring efficiency.

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

Brooke Wheeler, Talent Restoration Solutions

With over 25 years in corporate recruiting, Brooke has had the privilege of recruiting and advising across diverse industries like fintech, data analytics, and engineering. Her passion lies in crafting and refining talent acquisition strategies that not only attract top talent but also cultivate a positive organizational culture. She’s successfully placed thousands of high-caliber candidates in roles that fuel innovation and drive business success.

Now she’s built her company, Restoration Talent Solutions, to do the same for growing businesses that want to create a recruiting function in order to attract and hire the best talent for their team, without the overhead of a full-time talent acquisition executive. Fractional talent acquisition means she provides expert recruitment services on a part-time, flexible basis.

If you want to start making smarter hires, Brooke is here to help.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:29 Guest Introduction: Brooke Wheeler
02:04 Brooke’s Background and Career Journey
06:08 The Value of Fractional Talent Acquisition
09:19 Importance of Company Culture
12:04 Challenges in Talent Acquisition
15:02 Advice for Job Seekers
19:58 Ideal Clients and Success Stories
26:07 Conclusion and Contact Information
26:56 Host’s Final Remarks

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 800 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!

John Ray, Business RadioX - North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, Business RadioX – North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

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

Groveway Community Group: Unsung Heroes of North Fulton, with Gail Bohannon McCoy

February 24, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Groveway Community Group: Unsung Heroes of North Fulton, with Gail Bohannon McCoy

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Groveway Community Group: Unsung Heroes of North Fulton, with Gail Bohannon McCoy (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 844)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Gail Bohannon McCoy of Groveway Community Group, an iconic organization serving the North Fulton community since 1943. Gail discusses the rich history of the organization, its mission to help everyone from youth to seniors, and the critical services they provide, including clothing drives, financial assistance, and support for the elderly. Gail also shares touching success stories and highlights the ongoing needs for volunteers, donations, and specific items. This insightful discussion sheds light on the compassionate and impactful work done by Groveway Community Group over the years.

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

Gail Bohannon McCoy, Groveway Community Group

Gail Bohannon McCoy is the Executive Director of Groveway Community Group.

Groveway Community Group (GCG), Roswell’s oldest non-profit organization, continues its mission of providing assistance to the elderly and youth in the community. Founded in 1943, GCG has evolved into a vital community resource, focusing on strengthening and unifying the local area.

GCG has a rich history marked by resilience and determination. In 1961, their community center was torched by the Ku Klux Klan, a tragic event that could have halted their progress. However, the community came together to rebuild, demonstrating their strength and commitment to their mission. This historical context underscores the significance of GCG’s role in fostering unity and addressing disparities within the community. Over the years, they have continued to provide essential services and support, making them a cornerstone of community development in Roswell.

Currently, GCG is actively involved in several initiatives and events. They are a major contributor to the Roswell Roots Festival, Georgia’s largest Black History celebration held throughout the month of February. This festival features various cultural events, exhibits, and music performances, promoting education and cultural awareness. GCG is also hosting a family outing day in Groveway Community Park as part of the festival.

In addition to their cultural contributions, GCG continues to provide essential services to the community. They organize community clothing giveaways, where they distribute clothing to people in need. The organization also offers programs such as youth scholarships, support for nursing homes, and provision of school supplies for children. GCG remains committed to addressing unmet needs within the Roswell community, encouraging citizen participation in community affairs, and promoting good citizenship.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:28 Meet Gail Bohannon McCoy
02:04 Groveway Community Group’s Mission and History
09:03 Challenges and Advocacy for the Community
12:33 Supporting Seniors in Roswell
18:27 Engaging the Youth
20:19 How You Can Help
24:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

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

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

Navigating Hidden Risks in Professional Services, with Mike Blake, High Score Strategies

February 19, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Navigating Hidden Risks in Professional Services, with Mike Blake, High Score Strategies

00:00 /

Navigating Hidden Risks in Professional Services, with Mike Blake, High Score Strategies (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 122)

In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, host John Ray delves into risk management for solo and small professional service providers, with guest Mike Blake, CEO of High Score Strategies. Mike, a seasoned valuation expert with over 20 years of experience and more than 400 completed valuations, discusses the unseen risks faced by small firms, including client selection, revenue management, and execution pitfalls. The conversation explores the implications of client concentration, the importance of strategic pricing, the impact of mindset on risk assessment, and practical tips for managing client relationships. Mike offers insights on maintaining business autonomy, handling imposter syndrome, and the value of transparent and strategic pricing. This episode is packed with strategies for mitigating business risks and optimizing decision-making in professional services.

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

Mike Blake, High Score Strategies

Mike is the CEO of High Score Strategies (HSS), a consultancy devoted to guiding clients to understand the value of their businesses and intangible assets for acquisition, investing, capital raising, disposition, and succession planning.

Investors and owners rely on Mike’s “information over validation” advisory approach, understanding that the questions he asks unearth hard but crucial answers that support their next transformative step or business stage.

Mike’s background spans 20+ years in valuation and 8 years in venture capital and investment banking. Before founding HSS, he served as Managing Partner with Brady Ware Arpeggio, Director of Valuation Services with Aprio (formerly Habif, Arogeti, & Wynne), and Managing Director with Adams Capital.

He is also a Special Lecturer at Georgia Tech, where he teaches graduate students about the valuation of emerging technologies and intellectual property, with a focus on Monte Carlo simulations and real options theory.

Mike founded and ran Startup Lounge, a nonprofit in Atlanta that helped connect hundreds of investors and startups over a decade. He currently serves on the board of the BVIUK (Business Valuation Institute UK).

He has coached six teams to victory in business plan competitions, leading to over $300,000 in cash prizes and nearly $2 million in services—including an entrepreneur who secured funding through ABC’s Shark Tank.

A highly engaging and deeply knowledgeable speaker, Mike has delivered 100+ presentations on a range of topics, including startup valuation, business appraisal, risk management, intellectual property, and emerging tech valuation.

He holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a BA from Franklin & Marshall.

Mike is multilingual, speaking fluently in English, Ukrainian, Russian, and French, and is conversant in Portuguese, German, and Spanish.

He currently lives with his family in Caldas Da Rainha, Portugal, about an hour outside of Lisbon.

Website | Mike’s LinkedIn | Firm LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to Risk Management
00:18 Meet Mike Blake: Valuation and Risk Expert
01:14 The Hidden Risks in Professional Services
03:41 Revenue Challenges for Small Firms
04:17 Execution and Malpractice Risks
05:16 Concentration Risk and Client Dependency
16:43 Client Due Diligence and Ownership
21:21 Naming Your Business and Succession Planning
25:22 Mindsets in Risk Management
26:53 Embracing Mistakes for Success
27:10 Mindsets: Scarcity, Fear, and Growth
27:34 The Impact of Poverty on Decision-Making
29:24 Professional Services and Poor Decisions
30:33 Managing Fear and Risk in Business
32:30 Imposter Syndrome and Pricing Challenges
38:19 The Language of Pricing
47:32 Radical Approaches to Pricing
51:03 Conclusion and Contact Information

About The Price and Value Journey

The show is hosted and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate 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 is the host of The Price and Value Journey.

In his other business, John is a podcast show host and producer and owns the North Fulton (Georgia) affiliate of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their 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 850 shows and having featured over 1,300 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 best-selling 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.

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

Happy Dogs, Happier Owners, with Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 849)

Stacy Fotos, Co-Founder, The Happy Dog Hotel

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

The Value of Self-Effacing Humor, with Comedian Jeff Justice (One Minute Interview, Episode 132)

Jeff Justice

The Role and Impact of a Fractional CFO, with Stan Alhadeff, Business CFO for Hire (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 848)

Stan Alhadeff, Business CFO for Hire

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Unlocking Sales Success with Sean Shannon, Strategic Growth Design (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 847)

Sean Shannon, Strategic Growth Design

Topics Discussed in this Interview

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

CIDs and Workforce Housing, with Ann Hanlon, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, and Kristin Winzeler, True North 400 (North Fulton Voices, Episode 9)

Ann Hanlon, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

Kristin Winzeler, True North 400

True North 400

Topics Discussed in this Episode

North Fulton Improvement Network

Jack Murphy

Kathy Swahn

About North Fulton Voices

Sponsor for North Fulton Voices: John Ray, John Ray Co.

Consulting in the Digital Age, with Prof. Joe O’Mahoney (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 123)

Prof. Joe O’Mahoney

Topics Discussed in this Episode

About The Price and Value Journey

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

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

Connect with John Ray:

Enhancing Talent Acquisition, with Brooke Wheeler, Restoration Talent Solutions (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 846)

Brooke Wheeler, Talent Restoration Solutions

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Groveway Community Group: Unsung Heroes of North Fulton, with Gail Bohannon McCoy (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 844)

Gail Bohannon McCoy, Groveway Community Group

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Navigating Hidden Risks in Professional Services, with Mike Blake, High Score Strategies (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 122)

Mike Blake, High Score Strategies

Topics Discussed in this Episode

About The Price and Value Journey

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

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

Connect with John Ray:

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