John Ray, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

Working Yet Homeless in North Fulton

December 4, 2025 by John Ray

Nesha Mason, The Drake House, and Joy Monroe, SPARC, on Attainable Housing, Working Families Experiencing Homelessness, and the Economy Hotel Evacuation, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Working Yet Homeless in North Fulton

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Nesha Mason, The Drake House, and Joy Monroe, SPARC, on Attainable Housing, Working Families Experiencing Homelessness, and the Economy Hotel Evacuation (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 919)

Nesha Mason, President of The Drake House in Roswell, and Joy Monroe, founder of the Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC), join host John Ray to discuss the crisis of working families experiencing homelessness in North Fulton and the broader Metro Atlanta region. The conversation explores the challenges facing single mothers and their children who are living in extended-stay motels, the barriers to attainable housing, and the impact on the local workforce and business community.

The discussion highlights the May 2025 evacuation of the Economy Hotel in North Fulton, which displaced over 100 families, and the book There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America by Brian Goldstone. Nesha and Joy explain why families become trapped in extended-stay motels despite working full-time jobs, the devastating effects on children living in these conditions, and the urgent need for more attainable housing solutions in North Fulton.

They also discuss the Motel to Home Alliance, the North Fulton Improvement Network, and practical ways community members can get involved, including participating in comprehensive planning processes, listening to the North Fulton Voices podcast, and supporting nonprofit collaboration to address this growing crisis.

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 is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Single mothers and families experiencing homelessness in North Fulton are often employed full-time but cannot afford the security deposits and first month’s rent required to move from extended-stay motels into apartments, creating a trap that keeps them homeless despite working.
Extended-stay motels were originally built for traveling salesmen, not families, yet they now house families in 200–250 square feet with no kitchens, inadequate sleeping arrangements, and exposure to crime, violence, and other adverse childhood experiences that impact children’s health, education, and well-being.
The May 2025 evacuation of the Economy Hotel displaced over 100 families, and none could be relocated within North Fulton, disrupting their jobs, children’s schools, and entire support systems while removing essential service workers from the local workforce.
North Fulton’s attainable housing shortage affects the entire community, as CNAs, home health aides, daycare workers, teachers, servers, and other essential workers cannot afford to live where they work, reducing workforce availability and increasing costs for businesses and residents alike.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guests, Nesha Mason and Joy Monroe
02:21 Nesha Mason introduces The Drake House and its mission to support single mothers experiencing homelessness
03:12 Joy Monroe introduces SPARC and its housing stability and economic mobility programs
04:54 Joy Monroe shares her personal experience as a single parent living in an extended-stay motel
06:41 The federal classification of families in motels as homeless
08:12 How extended-stay motels become traps for working families
09:07 SPARC’s motel-to-home program and the Motel to Home Alliance
10:42 Barriers to qualifying for apartments, including evictions and credit scores
13:00 The book There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone and the Drake House book club
15:09 The May 2025 evacuation of the Economy Hotel in North Fulton
21:50 The trauma of relocating families outside of North Fulton and its impact on their jobs and children’s schools
23:27 Dispelling myths about families experiencing homelessness
26:39 Effects on children living in extended-stay motels
29:39 Principals allowing children to sleep in class because motels prevent adequate rest
31:08 Extended-stay hotels were never designed for families
33:27 The lack of attainable housing as the root cause of working homelessness
36:02 The cost to North Fulton businesses of losing service workers
39:02 A teacher who cannot afford to live in North Fulton on her salary
40:22 The need for creative housing solutions beyond just apartments
43:16 How community members can get involved through comprehensive plans and the North Fulton Improvement Network (NFIN)
45:35 The importance of engaging at the local level in zoning and comprehensive plans
46:15 How to connect with The Drake House and SPARC

Nesha Mason, President, The Drake House

Nesha Mason brings a diverse skill set with more than 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Nesha worked as an operations director in the private sector before transitioning to public service, serving as Mayor for the City of Abilene, Kansas. After her tenure as an elected official, Nesha served as program director for a county-wide nonprofit developing programs that united the medical and early childhood communities. Upon relocation to the Atlanta area in 2013, she served as a Fulton County educator and then transitioned to executive director of a statewide educational foundation focusing on unifying education and workforce development.

In her current role as President of The Drake House, Nesha Mason combines her leadership skills, educational expertise, and commitment to community welfare to lead and support initiatives that empower families and create lasting positive change. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded from housing and support to offering a comprehensive pathway from homelessness to stability. She has enhanced programming, upgraded facilities, and forged vital partnerships to create a community of support for families in need. Nesha also spearheaded the North Fulton Housing Collaborative, uniting nonprofits for greater impact. Her fiscal expertise has grown The Drake House’s budget by 78.5%, ensuring quality care and lasting change for vulnerable families.

The Drake House

The Drake House provides a short-term crisis and an affordable housing program for single mothers and their children experiencing homelessness in North Metro Atlanta. Their educational, empowerment and mentoring programs assist families in becoming financially self-sufficient and contributing members of the community. The Drake House is the only agency in the area offering an emergency residential program, serving approximately 50 families with 100 children per year. The Drake House envisions a community where every family has the opportunity to recover quickly with dignity from their homeless situation.

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn

Joy Monroe, Founder, Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC)

Joy Monroe is the founder of the Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC). Joy started SPARC after moving to Georgia from New York and realizing that her support system had been essential to her success as a single parent. When she relocated to Atlanta with what she thought was a solid plan, she discovered that Atlanta requires employment before securing housing, unlike New York, where cash payments are accepted. The situation led to Joy and her sons living in an extended-stay motel while she secured employment and housing.

On the morning they were scheduled to move into their new apartment, Joy and her sons were hit by a truck. Though they only stayed in the motel for an additional week, that experience galvanized for her how precarious life is for families at extended-stay motels. Even when doing everything right with a solid plan, one unexpected event can trap families in a cycle they cannot escape. Joy also learned that families living in extended-stay motels are federally classified as homeless, even though she did not feel homeless at the time. This personal journey inspired her to create SPARC, which began as a support group in her living room and has grown into an organization serving single parents throughout Metro Atlanta with programs focused on housing stability, economic mobility, and family well-being.

Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC)

The Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC) helps single parents, strengthens families, and builds futures through programs that focus on housing stability, economic mobility, and family health. SPARC’s Motel to Home program helps families transition from extended stay motels into stable, permanent housing through outreach, housing assistance, and aftercare support. Families receive help overcoming barriers such as deposits and moving expenses with ongoing guidance to maintain stability. The Motel to Home Alliance, a coalition of partner agencies, ensures that 88% of families receiving housing assistance maintain stable housing after a year.

The Financial Achievement Club is offered as part of SPARC’s aftercare services, where families that have been housed participate in a program to encourage savings and build an emergency account to guard against future homelessness. SPARC also brings programs and services directly to where families live and play, including free afterschool programs at apartment complexes and community events like SPARC in the Park where single parents can participate in educational workshops and build their support networks.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 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 respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, host of *North Fulton Business Radio* and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

You can find the entire archive of shows by following this link. The show is accessible on all major podcast apps, such as 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, bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the author of the five-star rated book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

Ben Benson on M&A Pitfalls That Cost Sellers Millions

December 4, 2025 by John Ray

Ben Benson, Apexion Advisors, on M&A Advisory, Transaction Pitfalls, and Preparing Business Owners for Successful Exits, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Ben Benson on M&A Pitfalls That Cost Sellers Millions

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Ben Benson, Apexion Advisors, on M&A Advisory, Transaction Pitfalls, and Preparing Business Owners for Successful Exits (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 918)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Ben Benson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Apexion Advisors, to discuss the flaws in the traditional M&A advisory model and how these issues can cost business owners millions of dollars. BBen explains the information asymmetry trap, which gives sophisticated buyers, who regularly execute transactions, a significant advantage over business owners who may only sell once in their lifetime.

Ben shares specific examples of how buyers use working capital adjustments to claw back value after closing, sometimes recapturing a million dollars or more through accounting mechanisms that sellers don’t fully understand. He discusses how legal structures like reps and warranties shift risk back to sellers and reveals the hidden costs of deal fatigue, where buyers strategically extend timelines to wear down sellers and create leverage for price reductions.

Ben explains how Apexion takes a different approach by building relationships with business owners years before a transaction, helping them prepare in advance, and creating flexible pricing models that align incentives properly. He covers when business owners should start thinking about M&A preparation, the benefits of alternative structures, like the European lockbox method, and why starting early can help retain significantly more value in a transaction.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

The traditional M&A advisory model creates misaligned incentives where bankers are motivated to close deals regardless of whether they serve the seller’s best interests, and sellers subsidize failed transactions through higher fees
Information asymmetry heavily favors institutional buyers who execute transactions professionally while most business owners go through the process once in a lifetime, allowing buyers to use mechanisms like working capital adjustments to recapture millions in value post-closing
Hidden costs include deal fatigue from extended timelines and data requests, which buyers use strategically to wear down sellers and create leverage for price reductions
Starting M&A preparation early, using alternative structures like European lockbox methods, and understanding reps and warranties in advance can help business owners retain significantly more value in transactions

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Ben Benson
02:13 Ben Benson introduces Apexion Advisors and their M&A advisory services
03:18 Ben’s career journey from CPA to private equity to M&A advisory
05:57 Why the traditional M&A investment banking model is broken
08:36 Misaligned incentives in traditional M&A advisory
09:17 How Apexion builds relationships early to create better outcomes
12:30 The information asymmetry trap in M&A transactions
16:02 How working capital adjustments are used to shift value to buyers
21:21 Legal structures, reps and warranties, and risk allocation
23:26 Hidden costs, including deal fatigue and advisory sprawl
26:18 How Apexion does M&A advisory differently
29:49 When business owners should engage with M&A advisors
31:02 Success stories, including partnership buyouts and debt refinancing
33:16 Contact information and closing

Ben Benson, Co-Founder / Managing Partner

Ben Benson combines extensive experience in finance, strategy, and M&A, shaped by hands-on experience in private equity, investment banking, and corporate strategy & development. After launching his career at PwC, he later managed financial operations and led investment analysis at a $250 million private equity fund. Afterwards, he executed M&A mandates at KeyBanc Capital Markets and Harris Williams. Most recently, he spearheaded strategic initiatives at Corpay and Agilysys, including the $150 million acquisition of Book4Time, Inc. Ben holds a BS in Accounting and an MBA from the Marriott School of Business at BYU and is a licensed CPA in California.

Apexion Advisors

Apexion Advisors is a boutique M&A advisory firm with a clear mission: to guide businesses through pivotal moments and drive strategic transformation.

Website | LinkedIn

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

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

You can find the entire archive of shows by following this link. The show is accessible on all major podcast apps, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

MicroLife Institute and Attainable Micro Homes In Atlanta

December 4, 2025 by John Ray

Good2Give Podcast

MicroLife Institute and Attainable Micro Homes In Atlanta

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Inside MicroLife’s Micro Home Communities: Attainable, Connected Housing For Metro Atlanta (Good2Give Podcast, Episode 19)

On this edition of the Good2Give Podcast, Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia president and CEO DePriest Waddy talks with Will Johnston, founder of the MicroLife Institute, about how micro homes and cottage courts are reshaping what home means in metro Atlanta. Johnston recounts his journey of abandoning a prosperous corporate career, embarking on a fresh start in New Zealand, and returning home with a pressing question: why are we still constructing large houses for small households in the face of increasing loneliness, cost, and car dependency?

From the award-winning Cottages on Vaughan in Clarkston to new projects in Union City and unincorporated DeKalb, Johnston explains how right-sized homes clustered around shared green space can create what he calls “cup of sugar communities” where neighbors look out for one another, not just wave from the driveway. He also highlights the focus of their work on permanent, small-footprint homes that assist individuals in establishing roots and accumulating wealth. He and DePriest also unpack the mismatch between one- and two-person households and today’s housing stock, how walkability and third places reduce isolation, and why MicroLife’s nonprofit developer model is focused on attainable homeownership that builds generational wealth.

The conversation closes with a look at MicroLife Institute’s partnership with the Community Foundation, their holiday “wish list,” and the kind of catalytic philanthropy it will take to bring more first-time buyers and downsizing seniors home to these small-footprint, high-connection neighborhoods.

The Good2Give Podcast is presented by the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia. John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX® produce the show. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link.

Key Takeaways from this Episode

The episode highlights Will Johnston’s journey from leaving corporate life, selling everything at the age of 33, and eventually channeling his curiosity about housing into the nonprofit development work of the MicroLife Institute.
Why 60 percent of American households are one to two people, yet most new construction is still large, three-bedroom “McMansions,” and what that means for affordability.
Cottage courts and micro home communities utilize shared green space and intentional design to combat loneliness and foster positive relationships among neighbors.
The Cottages on Vaughan pilot in Clarkston demonstrated a significant demand, with 1,500 interested buyers vying for just eight homes on a half-acre plot.
Such communities provide practical pathways for first-time buyers and downsizing seniors, such as down payment assistance, area median income targets, and public-private partnerships like tax allocation districts.
The partnership between the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia and MicroLife Institute enables donors to subsidize units, expand projects such as Midway Cottages, and foster generational wealth through homeownership.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to the Good2Give Podcast
00:21 Meet the Guest: Will Johnston of MicroLife Institute
00:51 Will Johnston’s Journey to MicroLife Institute
03:06 The Impact of the Pandemic on Housing
04:54 The Concept of Community in Housing
07:55 Challenges and Opportunities in the Housing Market
15:16 Financing and Affordability in Housing
19:14 Partnerships and Nonprofit Initiatives
25:14 Conclusion and Contact Information

Will Johnston, Executive Director, MicroLife Institute

The MicroLife Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, dedicated to transforming housing options through innovative, sustainable, and affordable solutions. Specializing in “pocket neighborhoods,” the Institute develops small-scale, community-focused housing projects that reduce environmental impact and promote inclusivity. It combines education, advocacy, and research to address zoning reforms and expand housing choices, particularly for underserved populations. Notable projects include the award-winning Cottages on Vaughan and the Hope Springs Townhomes, which provide affordable housing while fostering community connections. Through workshops, consulting, and outreach events, the MicroLife Institute empowers individuals and municipalities to embrace micro-living principles for stronger, more equitable communities.

Will’s LinkedIn | MicroLife Institute: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

The Good2Give Podcast celebrates the work of donors, nonprofits, and the causes they care about. DePriest Waddy is the show’s host, and the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia is the presenting sponsor.

The Good2Give Podcast is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. You can also find the show on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many others.

At the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, everything they do centers around one purpose: improving the world through the power of philanthropy.

On a fundamental level, they do that through managing funds held in trust, donated by individuals, organizations, and businesses. Most funds are donor-advised funds, similar to savings accounts. These funds are pooled for investment purposes, and their income is used to make grants for a wide variety of charitable purposes.

But the Foundation’s goals extend far beyond managing funds. They desire to strengthen the communities they serve in Gwinnett, Northeast Georgia, and beyond by providing leadership, addressing community needs, and assisting individuals and organizations with their charitable giving.

Connect with CFNEG:
Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Bill Cates on How Your Money Story Shapes Your Pricing

December 3, 2025 by John Ray

How Your Money Story Shapes Your Pricing: Bill Cates on The Hidden Heist, on The Price and Value Journey podcast with host John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Bill Cates on How Your Money Story Shapes Your Pricing

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How Your Money Story Shapes Your Pricing: Bill Cates on The Hidden Heist (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 154)

Many expert-service pros quietly carry money worries into every pricing decision they make. They undercharge, hesitate to raise fees, or avoid looking too closely at their finances, even while they help clients make sound business decisions. In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, John Ray talks with referral and money-story expert Bill Cates about how the stories you absorbed about money early in life still shape your business today.

Bill shares ideas from his new parable, The Hidden Heist: Stop Robbing Yourself of Lasting Wealth, and explains why so many professionals operate from scarcity, money anxiety, and what he calls “money denial.” He and John connect those mindsets to common pricing traps, like discounting by reflex, staying in “satisfied” territory instead of becoming truly remarkable, and quietly resenting clients while never asking for referrals.

Listeners will hear how to think of money as something that flows toward value, why you cannot become someone you secretly resent, and how inherited beliefs about “people with money” can cap your earning potential. Bill also talks about building “business friendships” that lead to advocacy and why curiosity and empathy are the best tools you have to uncover a client’s own money story.

If you want to strengthen your pricing, feel more grounded talking about fees, and stop letting old money narratives run your firm from the shadows, this conversation will help you start that work.

The Price and Value Journey is presented by John Ray and produced by North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of the Business RadioX® podcast network.

Key Takeaways You Can Use from This Episode

Notice the money messages you grew up with and how they still show up in your pricing, discounting, and growth decisions.
Shift from a fixed-pie view of money to seeing it as something that flows toward genuine value and outcomes.
Move from “my clients are satisfied” to “my clients love me” and then to being truly remarkable and referable.
Build “business friendships” with clients, where strong results and genuine personal connection sit side by side.
Use curiosity and follow-up questions to surface a client’s hidden money beliefs so you can serve them better and avoid false assumptions.
Stop money denial by taking responsibility for your own financial clarity instead of abdicating everything to advisers.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Bill Cates
01:59 Bill Cates’ Background and Adventures
03:05 The Hidden Heist: A Unique Approach to Financial Literacy
04:56 Understanding Money Stories and Limiting Beliefs
07:31 The Scarcity Mindset and Its Impact
10:47 Getting into the Flow of Money
17:41 Inherited Money Stories and Their Effects
22:32 The Power of Awareness and Money Stories
22:45 Basic Financial Principles
22:59 Working with Financial Professionals
23:16 Understanding Money Mindsets
24:53 The Importance of Masterminds and Advisory Boards
27:05 Money Denial and Its Impact
32:17 The Role of Financial Advisors
37:04 Empathy and Client Relationships
41:15 Conclusion and Resources

Bill Cates, Referral Coach International

Bill Cates is an internationally recognized expert in relationship marketing and referrals, serving as the president of Referral Coach International and the founder of The Cates Academy for Relationship Marketing, where he assists financial advisors and other professionals in achieving exponential growth by multiplying their best clients through warm introductions rather than traditional prospecting. He is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker and bestselling author of books such as Get More Referrals Now, Beyond Referrals, Radical Relevance, and The Language of Referrals. Additionally, he hosts the Top Advisor Podcast, interviewing top performers about client acquisition and growth strategies.

Referral Coach International is Bill Cates’ consulting and training firm dedicated to helping advisors, teams, and organizations build a referral‑driven, relationship marketing culture based on how clients actually prefer to meet new advisors: through recommendations and introductions from people they already trust. The firm’s unique Bill Cates Relationship Marketing System and the “3 R’s of Relationship Marketing” focus on identifying a specific target market, clearly communicating valuable information, building a strong reputation in a niche area, and then using that reputation to generate a steady stream of suitable client referrals and introductions.

RCI delivers its work through video-based training, one‑on‑one and team coaching, live workshops, and consulting, with a particular emphasis on financial advisors and advisory firms that want to increase revenue without increasing their marketing budget. Across these programs, the aim is to help professionals become “super referrable,” systematize how they ask for and receive introductions, and create a business where high-trust, high-conversion referral opportunities are a primary engine of growth.

Website | LinkedIn | YouTube

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.

John is a podcast show host and the owner of North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an 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 900 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 Ray is the author of the five-star rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising 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 them. 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 outstanding 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.

Your combination of these elements is unique in your industry. There 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 | Email

Business RadioX®: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

The Music Studio Atlanta Opens in Johns Creek

December 2, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

The Music Studio Atlanta Opens in Johns Creek

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Cecilia Rowe, The Music Studio Atlanta, on Music Education and Opening a Third Location in Johns Creek (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 917)

North Fulton Business Radio host John Ray welcomes Cecilia Rowe, CEO of The Music Studio Atlanta, one of Georgia’s largest privately owned music schools, serving more than 1,500 students across Metro Atlanta. The company offers instruction in piano, voice, guitar, drums, strings, and select woodwinds through both studio locations and in-home lessons.

Cecilia discusses her family’s four-generation musical legacy, the company’s rigorous hiring process for educators, and how performance opportunities like open mics and recitals build student confidence. She shares a transformation story of a young student who went from crying at her first recital to confidently performing at The Strand theatre, illustrating how music education develops discipline, perseverance, and self-confidence that benefit children throughout their lives.

The Music Studio Atlanta currently operates studios in Vinings and East Cobb and is opening its third location on State Bridge Road in Johns Creek in December 2025. Cecilia also discusses her book, Don’t Miss Your Child’s Musical Window, which addresses when to start music education, how to choose the right instrument, and how to make music a lifelong love.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Starting music education early creates stronger neural pathways similar to learning a second language, increasing the likelihood of a lifelong musical journey
The relationship between student and teacher is the most critical factor in sustained engagement with music lessons, more important than temporary motivation lapses
Performance opportunities in family-friendly, low-pressure environments help students develop confidence that translates to presentations, public speaking, and other areas of life
Music education builds foundational life skills, including self-confidence, discipline, commitment, and perseverance, that benefit children in all aspects of their development

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:19 John Ray introduces the show and guest Cecilia Rowe
02:20 Cecilia Rowe introduces The Music Studio Atlanta and its locations
02:38 Cecilia’s family musical legacy from 1920s UK to present day
04:11 How Cecilia transitioned from corporate work to teaching music
05:41 What music education brought Cecilia as a student: confidence, discipline, and risk-taking
07:38 Cecilia’s love of teaching beginners and starting the family business
08:35 Instruments offered: piano, voice, guitar, drums, strings, and woodwinds
09:18 How parents choose the right instrument for their child
10:08 Discussion of Cecilia’s book Don’t Miss Your Child’s Musical Window
11:14 The studio experience: homey, safe, and child-friendly
12:10 The rigorous hiring process for educators who are musicians
13:52 Matching students with the right teacher for their style and goals
14:32 Open mics at Cecilia’s husband’s pizzeria and their purpose
16:05 Recitals as “fancier open mics” with themes and formal performances
17:30 In-home music lessons: 30 years of service to Atlanta families
18:34 How parents decide between studio and in-home lessons
20:04 Service radius for in-home lessons in Johns Creek area
21:37 Signs that a student needs to change teachers or programs
23:23 The importance of not quitting: commitment and perseverance in music
24:40 Who should engage with The Music Studio Atlanta
26:18 Success stories: improved reading skills and confidence transformation
28:59 New Johns Creek location details and ribbon-cutting event

Cecilia Rowe, CEO, The Music Studio Atlanta

Cecilia is a seasoned marketing and child-focused business professional with over three decades of experience and the owner of the multi-award-winning company, The Music Studio Atlanta. One of Georgia’s largest privately owned music schools, currently teaching more than 1,500 students both in-studio and at-home, the Music Studio Atlanta currently has locations in the Vinings and East Cobb areas and has expanded to open a third location in December 2025, in Johns Creek/Alpharetta.

After moving to Atlanta in 1989, Cecilia and her family started an in-home music lessons business, Courtnay & Rowe In-Home Music Academy, and spent 20 years teaching piano, voice, and guitar. She later became sole owner, and she merged it with the studio locations of The Music Studio Atlanta to create its current multi-location model. The Music Studio Atlanta is proud to have received five community awards last year, and this year the company has already been honored with four more.

Cecilia is passionate about creating safe spaces and family-friendly experiences for music education and aims to inspire children of all ages to build self-confidence, experience joy, and learn valuable life lessons through music. She recently was honored by the Cobb County Chamber with Women’s Owned Business of the Year as well as her third year in a row being awarded with Top 25 Business in Cobb.

In addition, Cecilia wrote a book as a musical resource for families, but also highlighting her musical journey and her family’s musical legacy. The book, Don’t Miss Your Child’s Musical Window, is also the motto of Cecilia’s life.

The Music Studio Atlanta

The Music Studio Atlanta is one of Georgia’s largest privately owned music schools, teaching more than 1,500 students both in-studio and in-home across Metro Atlanta. The company believes that music lessons should be fun while encouraging self-confidence, self-expression, and proficiency through performance opportunities. Students learn to focus, take risks, and persevere when the going gets tough and are rewarded for these efforts with an exclusive proprietary reward system as well as recognition for recital and other performance achievements. The Music Studio Atlanta sets goals like recitals and open mics to inspire students to practice more, learn faster, and gain self-confidence through performance opportunities. The company currently operates studios in Vinings (the flagship location since 2011) and East Cobb/Marietta (since 2022) and is opening a third location in Johns Creek/Alpharetta in December 2025 at 10945 State Bridge Road.

The Music Studio Atlanta offers comprehensive music education in piano, voice, guitar (including bass, ukulele, acoustic, and electric), drums, strings (violin, viola, and cello), and select woodwinds, with approximately 85 teachers across the organization. The Music Studio Atlanta has received multiple community awards and is proud to be affiliated with the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Music Teachers National Association.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their markets, communities, and professions. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

You can find the complete 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.

Meisha Marshall on Helping Couples Reconnect and Trust Again

December 1, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Meisha Marshall on Helping Couples Reconnect and Trust Again

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Meisha Marshall, Renew Mindset Coaching, on Rebuilding Trust and Connection for Adult Children of Divorce (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 916)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Meisha Marshall, a marriage and relationship coach and the founder of Renew Mindset Coaching, where she helps couples argue less, trust more, and feel like a team again. Known for her non-clinical approach, Meisha specializes in helping adults from divorced families build the kind of closeness and stability they always wanted growing up.

In this episode, Meisha discusses how early experiences with parental divorce shape how adults show up in their relationships today. She shares practical tools couples can use to de-escalate conflicts, return to difficult conversations without turning them into arguments, and rebuild connection after trust has been damaged. Meisha also explains the common misconceptions people have about what makes relationships last and what real progress looks like for couples working to improve their connection.

Meisha describes her Renew Together Membership program, designed to give couples ongoing support and simple, everyday strategies they can use in real life rather than abstract theory. Her coaching focuses on making change feel doable for couples who feel stuck or disconnected.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Adults who grew up in divorced families often bring specific patterns and fears to their own relationships, including hypervigilance around conflict and difficulty trusting that problems can be resolved without ending the relationship.
Real progress in relationships shows up in small, everyday moves like taking breaks during arguments, returning to conversations with less defensiveness, and feeling more like teammates than opponents
One practical step for couples feeling stuck or like roommates is to ask each other “What’s one thing I could do this week that would make you feel more connected?” and then actually do that thing
The Renew Together Membership offers couples ongoing coaching and tools focused on practical application rather than theory, with support designed to maintain closeness long-term

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Meisha Marshall
02:24 Meisha Marshall introduces Renew Mindset Coaching
04:11 Meisha’s passion for helping adult children of divorce
06:31 How divorce impacts people without them realizing it
08:05 Effects on relationships beyond marriage
08:57 How divorce shows up differently based on age
13:36 Trust issues and the “trust recession”
15:27 Death by a thousand cuts vs. major betrayals
17:21 Common misconceptions about relationship coaching
19:22 How people engage with Meisha’s coaching
21:12 The Renew Together Membership program
23:47 Signs you need relationship coaching
25:02 Success stories from Meisha’s practice
27:25 Closing thoughts and contact information

Meisha Marshall

Meisha Marshall is a marriage and relationship coach and the founder of Renew Mindset Coaching, where she helps couples argue less, trust more, and feel like a team again. Known for her non-clinical approach, Meisha specializes in helping adults from divorced families build the kind of closeness and stability they always wanted growing up. Her coaching blends practical tools with honest conversations that make change feel doable, not distant.

Renew Mindset Coaching

Renew Mindset Coaching helps couples find their way back to each other when conversations get hard. It’s built on the belief that real change happens through simple, everyday moves like knowing when to take a breather, coming back to talk without it turning into another argument, and finding small ways to feel close again after things go sideways. The coaching focuses on giving couples tools they can actually use in real life, not just theory. Many of the people they work with experienced parental divorce and are now determined to build something stronger and steadier for themselves and their kids.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

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 $26 billion in assets and more than 280 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which helps them better understand the people. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

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

Quantifying Small Business Cyber Risk with CYBERISKIQ

November 20, 2025 by John Ray

CYBERISKIQ from the CARE-Report: Quantifying Small Business Cyber Risk with Ralph Pasquariello and Craig Sekowski, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Quantifying Small Business Cyber Risk with CYBERISKIQ

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CYBERISKIQ from the CARE-Report: Quantifying Small Business Cyber Risk with Ralph Pasquariello and Craig Sekowski (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 915)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes cyber risk specialists Ralph Pasquariello and Craig Sekowski of the CARE-Report. Ralph and Craig explain why small and mid-sized businesses are far more exposed to cyber threats than they realize, not only from data breaches, but also from business interruption and extended downtime that many leaders never quantify until after an incident happens.

They describe how the CARE-Report’s CYBERISKIQ offering gives owners and CFOs a quantitative look at their exposure, translating cyber scenarios into dollars and days. Instead of selling IT services, the CARE-Report sits between cybersecurity and cyber insurance, running thousands of simulated scenarios, analyzing policies for exclusions and gaps, and helping clients right-size coverage based on real risk rather than guesswork.

Ralph and Craig also share why traditional “assessments” often stop at a technical checklist and how their work complements MSPs, attorneys, and insurance brokers by giving everyone a financial risk model they can work from together. They offer examples of companies that believed they were protected because they carried a certain cyber limit to satisfy contracts, only to discover that a serious incident could quickly exceed that limit once business interruption and remediation costs were added.

This conversation serves as a practical guide for any owner, CFO, or advisor seeking to safeguard revenue and enhance cyber coverage prior to an attack.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Why small and mid-sized businesses often underestimate cyber risk when they focus on compliance instead of financial impact
How the CARE-Report’s CYBERISKIQ models thousands of cyber scenarios to put a dollar value on potential losses and downtime
The difference between a technical cybersecurity assessment and quantitative cyber risk analysis
How the CARE-Report works alongside MSPs, attorneys, and insurance brokers to align cybersecurity, contracts, and cyber insurance
Common policy gaps and exclusions that can leave companies exposed after a breach, especially around business interruption and recovery costs

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:28 Guest Introduction: Ralph Pasquariello and Craig Sekowski
01:54 The CARE-Report: Cyber Risk and Coverage
02:31 Cyber Risk IQ: New Product Launch
02:53 Understanding Cyber Risk Assessments
05:41 The Importance of Cyber Insurance
08:14 Challenges in Cyber Insurance Policies
11:15 Ensuring Proper Coverage
14:58 Real-World Examples and Solutions
17:31 Cyber Insurance Coverage Gaps
18:04 Evolving Cyber Threat Landscape
18:38 Impact of Cyber Attacks on Businesses
21:37 Cyber Risk Assessment Process
27:50 Success Stories in Cyber Risk Management
29:58 Conclusion and Contact Information
30:37 Additional Resources and Closing Remarks

Craig Sekowski, Managing Partner, The CARE-Report

Craig Sekowski is a seasoned executive with almost 30 years’ experience in IT and FinTech.

Craig’s strategic collaboration with corporate CIOs drives innovation, product delivery, and key partnerships with companies like Enlace Health, Fiserv, Truist, Ethos Labs, TIAA, Home Depot, AT&T, Carrier, and British Telecom.

Craig’s results-driven approach makes him a respected leader in IT innovation and strategy.

Ralph Pasquariello, Managing Partner, The CARE-Report

For the past 16 years, Ralph Pasquariello has been moderating and speaking at dozens of conferences and panels on cyber liability & data breach risk management. He has hosted educational seminars on cyber exposure for professional associations of all industries, including operational technology and intellectual technology. Ralph’s cyber liability expertise has qualified him to present at over 100 events.

Ralph works with the FBI, GBI, and US Secret Service on the Atlanta Cyber Fraud Task Force. He is the former Executive Committee Chairman for the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Tech400 Board and Cyber Symposium and an advisor to the Georgia Tech Research Institute.

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

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

GNFCC Strategic Leadership Visit 2025: Scottsdale and Mesa

November 20, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

GNFCC Strategic Leadership Visit 2025: Scottsdale and Mesa

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GNFCC Strategic Leadership Visit 2025: Scottsdale and Mesa Through North Fulton Eyes (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 110)

On this edition of the GNFCC 400 Insider, host Rebekah Anderson recaps the Strategic Leadership Visit 2025 to Scottsdale and Mesa, Arizona, through the eyes of two key North Fulton leaders, Chris Burnett of the City of Sandy Springs and Kristin Winzeler of True North 400. Each year, the Chamber convenes elected officials, business leaders, and civic partners for an in-depth look at another high-performing region, then brings those lessons home for North Fulton. Chris and Kristin share why trips like SLV matter for long-term economic competitiveness, relationship building, and a shared vision across city and county lines.

The conversation walks listeners through highlights of the Arizona visit, including Mesa’s approach to incubators and entrepreneurship support, higher education and workforce partnerships, library and mall redevelopments, and the role of intentional placemaking in creating vibrant districts. They also explore how sports-anchored assets such as spring training facilities can drive tourism, community identity, and volunteer engagement, and which ideas might translate most directly to North Fulton.

Chris and Kristin talk about the sessions that surprised them, the off-agenda moments that helped North Fulton leaders build relationships with each other, and what they learned most from seeing Scottsdale and Mesa up close. They close by updating listeners on current economic development priorities in Sandy Springs and major mobility and infrastructure projects along the Georgia 400 corridor and how regional collaboration can turn SLV insights into concrete wins for North Fulton.

The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

The importance of the GNFCC Strategic Leadership Visit in fostering relationships and a shared vision among North Fulton civic and business leaders cannot be overstated.
Mesa’s business incubators and education partnerships offer valuable insights that could guide talent and entrepreneurship initiatives in North Fulton.
The redevelopment of SkySong’s dead mall serves as a model for innovative mixed-use projects and has a significant long-term economic impact.
The insights from Scottsdale’s placemaking and the Chicago Cubs spring training complex shed light on tourism, volunteer engagement, and community identity.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

0:00 Introduction to the GNFCC 400 Insider podcast
00:28 Annual Strategic Leadership Visit (SLV) Overview
01:13 Meet the Guests: Chris Burnett and Kristin Winzeler
01:34 Understanding Economic Development and Community Improvement Districts
04:35 Insights from the SLV Trip to Scottsdale and Mesa, Arizona
07:37 Mesa Business Builder and Economic Impact
10:27 SkySong Innovation Center and Regional Collaboration
15:32 Arts and Culture: A Surprising Economic Driver
22:02 North Fulton’s Entertainment Scene
22:30 Strengthening Relationships on the SLV Trip
23:49 The Value of Personal Relationships
25:15 Organic Moments and Key Takeaways
26:24 Fanboy Experience and Baseball Stories
28:09 The Importance of SLV Trips
32:53 Economic Development in Sandy Springs
35:13 Exciting Developments in North Fulton
38:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Kristin Winzeler, Executive Director, True North 400

Kristin Winzeler is the Executive Director of True North 400, an organization dedicated to enhancing the North Fulton business district that includes Alpharetta, Roswell, and Milton. She originally joined the organization in 2012 and has played a pivotal role in its growth and rebranding from the North Fulton Community Improvement District to True North 400 in 2023. As Deputy Executive Director, she helped generate more than $30 million in infrastructure improvements that spurred over $217 million in new investments throughout the district. Winzeler manages and oversees both small and large projects, focusing on increasing area investment and improving mobility and access in the North Fulton region.

Her deep commitment to sustaining organizational growth and advancing regional development marks Winzeler’s leadership. She resides in Woodstock, Georgia, with her husband and three daughters. Her extensive experience in managing civic improvement projects and community economic development makes her an influential steward for True North 400’s vision of fostering a vibrant and accessible business environment in the North Fulton area. Kristin is known for her hands-on approach and strategic vision, which continue to benefit the region’s ongoing development and prosperity.

Website | LinkedIn

Chris Burnett, Director of Economic Development, City of Sandy Springs

**Chris Burnett, City of Sandy Springs**

Chris Burnett is the Director of Economic Development for the City of Sandy Springs, appointed in 2024. With over 40 years of experience in community banking, he has served as President and CEO of multiple Atlanta-area banks, including founding the Bank of Sandy Springs in 2013. Burnett has played a key role in the city’s economic growth initiatives, focusing on redevelopment projects such as the North End and City Springs Phase II. He previously served on the Sandy Springs City Council from 2016 to 2021 and remains actively involved in local organizations like the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce and Special Olympics of Georgia. A longtime resident, he brings extensive knowledge of the community’s business environment and a strong commitment to its continued prosperity.

Before joining city government, Burnett dedicated decades to building and leading financial institutions, leveraging his expertise to foster business development and support local entrepreneurs and real estate ventures. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Georgia State University and completed graduate banking studies at Louisiana State University. His leadership combines financial acumen with community engagement, aiming to enhance Sandy Springs’ economic vitality and quality of life through strategic planning and collaborative initiatives with businesses and local stakeholders. Burnett’s blend of banking experience and civic service uniquely positions him to advance the city’s economic development goals.

Website | LinkedIn

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider podcast

Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) — **Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce**

The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC.

The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth, and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.

As a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and they are dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.

GNFCC promotes the interests of their members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play, and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision-makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.

For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events, follow this link.

Darlene Drew: From Warden to Consultant on Pricing and Grief

November 19, 2025 by John Ray

From Federal Warden to Leadership Consultant: Darlene Drew on Building Your Practice, Pricing Mistakes, and Running a Business Through Grief, on The Price and Value Journey podcast with host John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Darlene Drew: From Warden to Consultant on Pricing and Grief

00:00 /

From Federal Warden to Leadership Consultant: Darlene Drew on Building Your Practice, Pricing Mistakes, and Running a Business Through Grief (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 153)

Do you want to know how to build a professional services business when you have deep expertise but no client base? Darlene Drew shares exactly how she did it after retiring from 32 years in federal corrections, including her time as the first and only woman to serve as warden at the U.S. Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta.

Darlene didn’t join the John Maxwell Team for certification. She joined for resources, guidance, and a roadmap to build relationships in a world entirely different from the one she knew. She reveals her strategic approach to launching her speaking, training, and coaching business, including how she used free speaking at Rotary Clubs within a 90-mile radius to build visibility and generate paying clients. You will learn why she initially wanted to leave “Warden Drew” behind and how her clients taught her that her unique background was actually her greatest asset.

This conversation gets practical fast. Darlene shares the underpricing mistakes she made early on, how demanding clients helped her recognize she was undervaluing her work, and the internal signals that told her it was time to raise her rates. She discusses client red flags she missed, the one engagement she deeply regretted taking, and why giving yourself grace to say no is critical to building a sustainable business.

The second half of the episode shifts to navigating one of life’s hardest challenges. Darlene opens up about losing her husband to pancreatic cancer in 2024 and what it’s been like to rebuild her business while grieving. She shares what helped her, what didn’t, the language that serves grieving people versus the well-intentioned phrases that fall flat, and why “moving forward” isn’t the right frame. If you’ve ever supported a colleague or client through loss or faced it yourself, this part of the conversation offers real wisdom on presence, boundaries, and incremental steps back to work.

The Price and Value Journey is presented by John Ray and produced by North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of the Business RadioX® podcast network.

Key Takeaways You Can Use from This Episode

Speaking for free at the right venues can build your business faster than waiting for paid gigs. Darlene used Rotary Clubs within a 90-mile radius to showcase her expertise, build relationships with business leaders, and generate training contracts.
You don’t need certification to start. You need resources, guidance, and a way to meet your ideal clients. Darlene joined the John Maxwell Team not for credentials but for content, community, and a roadmap to build her business outside corrections.
Clients will tell you what they value, and it’s often not what you think. Darlene wanted to retire “Warden Drew,” but corporate clients saw her corrections background as a unique asset for leading difficult conversations and motivating teams under pressure.
Underpricing reveals itself through client behavior. When clients who barely paid demanded more than those who invested significantly, Darlene realized she wasn’t valuing her own work and adjusted her pricing accordingly.
Red flags in client conversations matter. If a potential client does not invest time in understanding the problem or co-creating solutions, they are likely seeking a quick fix rather than a solution. Trust those signals early.
When supporting someone through grief, presence beats advice. A weekly card, an offer to help without expectation, or simply waiting to listen means more than advice, scripture quotes, or questions about “moving forward.”
It’s okay to set boundaries around your grief and ask for what you need. Darlene paused her workaholic tendencies, took incremental steps back into client work, and communicated clearly with her network about what “navigating grief” looked like for her.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
02:02 Darlene Drew’s Career Journey
04:01 Transition to Leadership Training
07:23 Joining the John Maxwell Team
18:38 Building a Speaking Business
26:29 Networking and Referrals
29:17 Developing Pricing Strategies
31:19 Using Google as a Starting Point
33:22 Recognizing Underpricing Signals
35:30 Identifying Poor Fit Clients
37:51 Lessons from a Difficult Client
40:54 Coping with Personal Tragedy
44:35 Navigating Grief and Business
45:28 Support Systems During Grief
52:05 Healing Routines and Self-Care
59:28 Future Plans and Moving Forward
01:01:28 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Darlene Drew, CEO, Leadership Conditioning, Personal & Professional Development

Darlene Drew, speaking at the 2024 GNFCC BOLD Women's Leadership Summit — **Darlene Drew, speaking at the 2024 GNFCC BOLD Women’s Leadership Summit**

Darlene Drew is the CEO and Founder of Leadership Conditioning, Personal & Professional Development, LLC. She is also a certified & independent leadership trainer, professional speaker, and executive coach with the Maxwell Leadership Team.

Darlene serves businesses, companies, and organizations by helping leaders develop leaders. Through her training sessions, she equips, engages, and energizes participants with leadership and professional development training by providing them with tools that can immediately be applied in their personal and professional lives.

As an authority in leadership, building relationships, and communications, she helps organizations develop their staff in a manner that improves their bottom line of first valuing people, which improves the operation of their business and the performance and production of their staff.

She has been recognized in the Maxwell Leadership Team as one of the Top 20 Nominees for the Maxwell Leadership Team Culture Award. She’s a 2019 Stage Time Winner. Darlene has been featured in the Peachtree City Magazine on two occasions.

More recently, in 2023, Darlene was one of only 10 recipients of the Culture Award from the John Maxwell system. Her specific award was on “Lead and Lift.”

Her prior career began in the federal government at the entry level as a correctional officer, promoted up to a Senior Executive Service Appointment to the position of Warden. One of her most groundbreaking accomplishments was becoming the first and only female to serve as warden at the United States Penitentiary, Atlanta, GA. She served as warden of three federal prisons after being told early on in her career that she would never make it!

These dynamics brought leadership expertise that has positioned her to help those she partners with in their growth.

Website | Facebook | Darlene’s LinkedIn

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

John Ray is the 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

Your combination of these elements is unique in your industry. There lies your value, but it’s not the value you see. It’s the value your best-fit customers see in you.

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 | Email

Business RadioX®: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Nesha Mason, The Drake House, and Joy Monroe, SPARC, on Attainable Housing, Working Families Experiencing Homelessness, and the Economy Hotel Evacuation (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 919)

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Nesha Mason, President, The Drake House

The Drake House

Joy Monroe, Founder, Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC)

Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC)

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Ben Benson, Apexion Advisors, on M&A Advisory, Transaction Pitfalls, and Preparing Business Owners for Successful Exits (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 918)

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Ben Benson, Co-Founder / Managing Partner

Apexion Advisors

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Inside MicroLife’s Micro Home Communities: Attainable, Connected Housing For Metro Atlanta (Good2Give Podcast, Episode 19)

Key Takeaways from this Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Will Johnston, Executive Director, MicroLife Institute

About the Good2Give Podcast

Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia

How Your Money Story Shapes Your Pricing: Bill Cates on The Hidden Heist (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 154)

Key Takeaways You Can Use from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Bill Cates, Referral Coach International

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:

Cecilia Rowe, The Music Studio Atlanta, on Music Education and Opening a Third Location in Johns Creek (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 917)

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Cecilia Rowe, CEO, The Music Studio Atlanta

The Music Studio Atlanta

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Meisha Marshall, Renew Mindset Coaching, on Rebuilding Trust and Connection for Adult Children of Divorce (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 916)

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Meisha Marshall

Renew Mindset Coaching

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

CYBERISKIQ from the CARE-Report: Quantifying Small Business Cyber Risk with Ralph Pasquariello and Craig Sekowski (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 915)

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Craig Sekowski, Managing Partner, The CARE-Report

Ralph Pasquariello, Managing Partner, The CARE-Report

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

GNFCC Strategic Leadership Visit 2025: Scottsdale and Mesa Through North Fulton Eyes (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 110)

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Kristin Winzeler, Executive Director, True North 400

Chris Burnett, Director of Economic Development, City of Sandy Springs

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider podcast

From Federal Warden to Leadership Consultant: Darlene Drew on Building Your Practice, Pricing Mistakes, and Running a Business Through Grief (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 153)

Key Takeaways You Can Use from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Darlene Drew, CEO, Leadership Conditioning, Personal & Professional Development

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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