Business RadioX ®

Maria Fundora Fights Pancreatic Cancer with Purple Pansies

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Maria Fundora, Purple Pansies, on Pancreatic Cancer Support, Early Detection, and the Pillars of Hope Gala (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 978) with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Maria Fundora Fights Pancreatic Cancer with Purple Pansies
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Maria Fundora, Purple Pansies, on Pancreatic Cancer Support, Early Detection, and the Pillars of Hope Gala (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 978) with host John Ray

Maria Fundora, Purple Pansies, on Pancreatic Cancer Support, Early Detection, and the Pillars of Hope Gala (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 978)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes back Maria Fundora, owner of Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant in Alpharetta and founder of Purple Pansies. Maria founded the nonprofit in 2008, a year after losing her mother, Iluminada, to pancreatic cancer. Purple Pansies is now closing in on $9 million raised for research, emergency financial grants, and a scholarship program for children of pancreatic cancer patients, the only program of its kind in the country.

Maria and John talk about why pancreatic cancer is so difficult to detect early, the financial toll it takes on families who suddenly cannot work during treatment, and the Sherron Berg Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Program at Piedmont Hospital, a partnership between Purple Pansies, TGen, and Piedmont that Maria helped bring to life. She explains that catching the disease at stage zero or stage one can mean roughly an 80 percent survival rate, and she walks through the symptoms and risk factors families should watch for. This year the scholarship program received 41 applications and awarded 31 scholarships.

The conversation also covers this year’s Pillars of Hope gala, set for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at The Metropolitan Club in Alpharetta, built around a Four Seasons theme and catered by Maria’s restaurant, Casa Nuova. The event tends to sell out, and Maria shares how people can still get involved through volunteering, sponsorship, donations, or the silent auction.

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

  • Purple Pansies is closing in on $9 million raised to fight pancreatic cancer through research, emergency grants, and scholarships since 2008.
  • Emergency grants help patients cover rent, co-pays, and utilities when treatment leaves them unable to work.
  • This year the scholarship program for children of pancreatic cancer patients received 41 applications and awarded 31 scholarships.
  • The Sherron Berg Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Program at Piedmont Hospital, built through a Purple Pansies partnership with TGen, offers a simple blood test that can catch pancreatic cancer at a far more treatable stage.
  • The Pillars of Hope gala takes place September 13, 2026, at The Metropolitan Club in Alpharetta, with volunteering, sponsorship, and the silent auction as ways to support the cause even if tickets sell out.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and previews the conversation with Maria Fundora
02:10 John Ray welcomes Maria Fundora to the show
02:35 Maria talks about Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant, approaching its 28th year
03:45 How losing her mother to pancreatic cancer in 2007 led Maria to start Purple Pansies in 2008
05:00 The three pillars of Purple Pansies: research, emergency grants, and scholarships
06:10 Why pancreatic cancer is hard to detect early and the financial strain it puts on families
07:00 How the emergency grant application and approval process works
09:40 The personal meaning behind the Pillars of Hope gala
11:15 The scholarship program for children of pancreatic cancer patients
12:00 This year’s scholarship numbers: 41 applicants, 31 awarded
13:40 The Sherron Berg Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Program
15:00 Survival rates and why early detection matters
16:00 Risk factors and symptoms to watch for
17:15 How insurance coverage for testing can vary by hospital system
19:20 Ways to get involved: volunteering, donating, sponsoring, and the silent auction
21:00 This year’s Pillars of Hope theme, the Four Seasons
22:00 Event details for September 13, 2026, at The Metropolitan Club
23:40 Where to learn more: purplepansies.org

Maria Fundora, Founder, Purple Pansies

Maria Fundora, Founder, Purple Pansies
Maria Fundora, Purple Pansies

Maria Fundora is the owner of Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant in Alpharetta, which she and her late husband, Antonio, opened in 1998 after building a string of Atlanta restaurants together going back to the 1980s. Casa Nuova is approaching its 28th year in business.

In 2007, Maria lost her mother, Iluminada, to pancreatic cancer, and in 2008 she turned that loss into Purple Pansies, a volunteer-run nonprofit that became a 501(c)(3) in 2017.

Purple Pansies is now closing in on $9 million raised for pancreatic cancer research, patient grants, and scholarships. Maria is a returning guest on North Fulton Business Radio, coming back each year to share updates on the organization’s work.

Purple Pansies

Purple Pansies is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit that Maria Fundora founded in 2008 after losing her mother to pancreatic cancer.

The organization funds three areas of work: clinical trials and research, emergency grants for patients across Georgia and the country who cannot work during treatment, and a scholarship program for children of pancreatic cancer patients, the only program of its kind in the country. This year the scholarship program received 41 applications and awarded 31 scholarships.

Purple Pansies helped bring TGen and Piedmont Hospital together to open the Schierenberg Early Detection Center, the only center of its kind in the Southeast, where a simple blood test can help catch pancreatic cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage.

The organization’s signature fundraiser, the Pillars of Hope gala, is set for September 13, 2026, at The Metropolitan Club in Alpharetta.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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

Approaching 1,000 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, John Ray Co.

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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

Angelique Liles on Delegating Without Micromanaging

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Angelique Liles, Aspire Professional Development, on Delegating Without Micromanaging and Becoming a Hero Maker (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 977) with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Angelique Liles on Delegating Without Micromanaging
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Angelique Liles, Aspire Professional Development, on Delegating Without Micromanaging and Becoming a Hero Maker (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 977) with host John Ray

Angelique Liles, Aspire Professional Development, on Delegating Without Micromanaging and Becoming a Hero Maker (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 977)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Angelique Liles, founder of Aspire Professional Development and author of Stick Figure Leadership: Turning Complex Concepts into Simple, Actionable Leadership. Angelique spent eighteen years in leadership roles at a large insurance carrier before opening her own coaching practice in 2021, and she now works with leaders and teams on delegating without micromanaging and building healthier workplace cultures.

Angelique tells the story behind her book’s title, tracing it back to a leadership workshop in Kenya where she was asked, with almost no notice, to stretch a one-hour talk into four hours for more than forty people. With no slides and no drawing skill to speak of, she started sketching stick figures on a whiteboard to explain her ideas, and the approach stuck. She and John also dig into what she calls the “leadership loop,” the difference between knowing about people and truly knowing them, and why real delegation takes a process and a cadence rather than a hero moment or a hand-off.

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

  • Angelique breaks down what separates real delegation from micromanaging and from simply “dumping” a project on someone
  • Her book, Stick Figure Leadership, grew out of an unplanned four-hour leadership talk in Kenya where she started drawing stick figures because she had no slides and no drawing skill
  • Leaders often fail when they try to duplicate themselves instead of developing each person’s own strengths
  • The “leadership loop” means adjusting between leading from the front, the middle, or behind based on what each person needs in the moment

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Angelique Liles
02:00 How Angelique helps leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and care
02:31 From insurance sales to eighteen years in leadership
04:28 Launching Aspire Professional Development in 2021
04:52 The biggest leadership problems Angelique sees today
08:11 A comparison to a great athlete who struggles to coach
10:11 The “leadership loop” and adapting style to each person
15:07 John introduces Angelique’s book, Stick Figure Leadership
15:37 The story behind the book’s title, set in Kenya
19:38 The difference between being a “hero” and a “hero maker”
21:34 Advice for leaders who feel they can’t delegate under pressure
25:50 Warning signs a leader needs coaching
27:04 How Angelique works with individuals and teams
28:17 A client success story
30:14 How listeners can connect with Angelique

Angelique Liles, Executive Coach/Author/Speaker, Aspire Professional Development

Angelique Liles, Executive Coach/Author/Speaker, Aspire Professional Development
Angelique Liles, Aspire Professional Development

Angelique Liles is an executive coach, Gallup Certified Strengths coach, author, and founder of Aspire Professional Development. After 18 years in the insurance industry, most of them in leadership and management roles, she now helps leaders and teams strengthen communication, clarify goals, and use practical leadership tools to build healthier cultures, stronger engagement, and more productive workplaces.

Angelique is the author of Stick Figure Leadership: Turning Complex Concepts into Simple, Actionable Leadership.

LinkedIn

Aspire Professional Development

At Aspire Professional Development, Angelique Liles helps leaders move beyond managing tasks and lead people with greater clarity, confidence, and care. Through coaching, strengths-based development, and team workshops, she helps leaders and teams communicate more effectively, work together more efficiently, and build healthy, sustainable workplace cultures.

Website | Facebook

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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

Approaching 1,000 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, John Ray Co.

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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

Katie Wagner on Lead Generation Content AI Can’t Replicate

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Katie Wagner, KWSM, on Brand Journalism and Lead Generation Content AI Can't Replicate (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 976) with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Katie Wagner on Lead Generation Content AI Can't Replicate
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Katie Wagner, KWSM, on Brand Journalism and Lead Generation Content AI Can't Replicate (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 976) with host John Ray

Katie Wagner, KWSM, on Brand Journalism and Lead Generation Content AI Can’t Replicate (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 976)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Katie Wagner, founder of KWSM, a digital marketing agency built almost entirely by former journalists. After 15 years as a television anchor, Katie watched audiences move away from the nightly news toward social and digital channels, and she built KWSM around the idea that businesses need to earn attention the way journalists do. She explains why the only content that still works in a world flooded with AI-generated posts is lead generation content AI can’t replicate: the real client stories, testimonials, and specific details that only a business itself can offer, rather than the cold outreach and spammy tactics many business owners associate with lead gen.

Katie shares the story of a custom cabinetry manufacturer that set a goal of 30 qualified leads in a single quarter and ended up with 74 after KWSM built a pipeline targeting the architects and designers who could refer business their way. She also explains why owner dependency can kill a company’s sale value and how business owners can start collecting the client testimonials and before-and-after stories that make their own thought leadership credible.

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

  • Content AI can’t replicate, built from real client stories and specific results, is what actually differentiates a business online and drives lead generation now
  • Thought leadership isn’t limited to professional services; manufacturers and other product businesses can use it too by developing a distinct point of view about how they work
  • Real lead generation means tracking actual conversations and qualified interest, not just website traffic or form fills
  • Removing owner dependency from a company’s sales pipeline through a repeatable digital lead gen system increases the business’s value ahead of a future sale

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Katie Wagner
01:29 Katie Wagner introduced KWSM – A Digital Marketing Agency
02:24 Katie’s career arc from TV anchor to marketing agency founder
04:07 The problem with spammy, cold outbound lead generation
04:52 Why positioning as a thought leader beats appointment setting long term
06:07 What thought leadership really means across industries
08:03 Standing out from the flood of AI-generated content
10:19 Zero click searches and why content can’t just live on the website
12:04 Brand journalism explained: finding the human stories
13:57 Why businesses don’t collect enough client testimonials and timelines
14:49 Voice of the customer interviews and the before-and-after framework
17:03 Why AI cannot produce authentic brand journalism content
19:05 What the first conversation with a prospective client looks like
21:11 Tying marketing directly to revenue and KPIs
22:27 How KWSM measures results with IP detection and heat mapping
25:34 Signs a business needs lead generation help
26:39 Owner dependency and its impact on a future sale
28:24 The roofer story: a real-world example of thought leadership
30:14 Case study: a custom cabinetry manufacturer’s 74 qualified leads
32:31 How to connect with Katie Wagner and KWSM

Katie Wagner, Founder, KWSM – A Digital Marketing Agency

Katie Wagner, Founder, KWSM – A Digital Marketing Agency

Katie Wagner spent 15 years as a television and radio journalist, working for news outlets all over the world, including ABC, CBS, Fox, CNN & National Public Radio.

Today, Katie owns a full-service digital marketing agency made up of journalists like herself. The agency, KWSM, was founded in 2010 and specializes in lead generation. They work with clients like Mitsubishi, Anthem Blue Cross, F45 Fitness Studios, Rakuten, Caesar’s Entertainment, Lorna Jane Active Wear, and small to mid-sized companies across the country.

Katie also works as a consultant, helping businesses integrate digital marketing into their traditional business development plans. She is a popular speaker and regularly gives keynote presentations and leads workshops and breakout sessions for both corporate and small business audiences.

Katie splits her time between Atlanta, GA, and San Diego, CA, with her husband and their 6 rescue dogs.

LinkedIn

KWSM – A Digital Marketing Agency

KWSM is a full-service digital marketing agency that specializes in lead generation. The team uses brand journalism to position clients as market leaders, so they get in front of a wider audience, build warmer connections, and convert more leads.

KWSM operates as a business partner rather than a vendor, working as a hybrid of an agency and a consultancy to build a deep understanding of each client’s business and help them achieve their operational goals. The company was born out of journalism, not tech, and believes that for effective lead generation, messaging and positioning are paramount, though few digital agencies focus on them.

As brand journalists, the KWSM team looks at the big picture and creates a holistic marketing strategy that incorporates inbound, outbound, and nearbound tactics. After years in the business, they know the days of relying on a single tactic to produce results are over, which is why they’ve built an in-house team of professionals who know how to collaborate across disciplines.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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

Approaching 1,000 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, John Ray Co.

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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

Dr. Keith Haney on Leading When No One Trained You

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North Fulton Business Radio
North Fulton Business Radio
Dr. Keith Haney on Leading When No One Trained You
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Dr. Keith Haney, Becoming Bridge Builders, on Leading Church and Nonprofit Change When You Haven't Been Trained for the Job (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 975) with host John Ray

Dr. Keith Haney, Becoming Bridge Builders, on Leading Church and Nonprofit Change When You Haven’t Been Trained for the Job (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 975)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Dr. Keith Haney, a leadership consultant, speaker, and workshop leader who hosts the Becoming Bridge Builders podcast and wrote Guided By Grace: A Narrative to Lead Organizational Change. Keith’s core message is that most people who end up leading an organization were never trained for it. They inherit the role from whoever held it before them, sometimes for decades, and are left to figure it out as they go.

Keith argues that leading a volunteer organization is often harder than leading a business, because you cannot fire an underperforming volunteer the way you can an employee. Instead, a leader has to win people’s hearts and minds inside what he calls a family system, complete with its own unwritten rules and long-standing alliances. He tells the story of a financial secretary who ran a congregation’s books for 42 years after being asked to fill in “for a while,” and a friendly wager he made with a skeptical board member that ended in a 35 percent increase in giving once the organization’s vision became clear.

Keith also breaks down what he calls the “trophy” question, a simple test for whether an organization’s vision is actually clear enough for people to work toward, and he uses the Chicago Cubs’ rebuild under Theo Epstein to illustrate it. Listeners can find Keith’s book, his three podcasts, and more of his work at becomingbridgebuilders.org.

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

  • Most leaders, whether in a business, a nonprofit, or a church, were thrust into the role with no training for it at all and simply inherited habits, good or bad, from whoever came before them.
  • Leading volunteers is harder than leading employees, because you cannot fire someone who is not performing. You have to earn their commitment instead.
  • A real vision is a specific, nameable goal, what Keith calls a “trophy,” not a vague or feel-good statement.
  • Small, concrete challenges, like a stewardship wager, can build trust and prove that meaningful change is possible.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Dr. Keith Haney
02:09 Dr. Keith Haney joins the conversation
02:24 A look at Keith’s three podcasts, including Becoming Bridge Builders
03:53 What makes Keith’s approach to leadership different
04:13 The school closing that showed Keith he was not equipped to lead
05:15 Discovering John Maxwell’s teaching and diving into leadership training
06:42 The story of a volunteer who ran the books for 42 years without training
09:50 Comparing leadership challenges in nonprofits and churches to business
11:16 Family systems theory and how it applies to organizations
16:50 Why new leaders should spend three to six months learning an organization
17:34 Kotter’s change model and the “iceberg is melting” concept
20:57 What a first meeting with a struggling organization looks like
23:13 The Chicago Cubs’ rebuild under Theo Epstein as a lesson in clear vision
24:59 Warning signs that an organization needs help
26:23 The stewardship wager that led to a 35 percent increase in giving
29:18 How listeners can connect with Keith and find his book

Dr. Keith Haney, Leadership Consultant and Speaker, Becoming Bridge Builders

Rev. Dr. B. Keith Haney is a leadership consultant, speaker, and workshop leader with more than 30 years of experience helping churches, nonprofits, and businesses navigate organizational change.

He is the author of Guided By Grace: A Narrative to Lead Organizational Change, and his work is centered around Becoming Bridge Builders, his platform for leadership development that includes his podcast, his writing, and his consulting practice.

Through the podcast and his workshops, Keith helps leaders build the vision, training, and trust needed to lead effectively, particularly in organizations that depend heavily on volunteers.

Website | LinkedIn

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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

Approaching 1,000 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, John Ray Co.

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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

Morgan Chen on Video Storytelling to Build Business Trust

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Morgan Chen, Morgan Chen Productions, on Video Storytelling That Builds Business Trust (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 974) with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Morgan Chen on Video Storytelling to Build Business Trust
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Morgan Chen, Morgan Chen Productions, on Video Storytelling That Builds Business Trust (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 974) with host John Ray

Morgan Chen, Morgan Chen Productions, on Documentary-Style Video Marketing for Small Businesses and Nonprofits (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 974)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Morgan Chen, President of Morgan Chen Productions, to discuss how video storytelling can help businesses build trust with the people they serve. Morgan explains how his team draws out real, specific stories from business owners rather than generic marketing messages, work that has helped small businesses, nonprofits, and local governments connect more authentically with their communities.

Morgan shares how a single question his father used to ask him, “Why you?”, still shapes his approach to every project. He walks through examples from his work, including a video for a classic car show in Lafayette, Georgia, that focused on one owner’s emotional connection to the car he built with his father rather than the vehicle itself and a Lafayette city campaign built around the bigger story of community growth. He also talks about helping the summer camp program Anyone Can Camp increase enrollment and visibility and how businesses can use video internally to boost employee morale as well as externally to build trust with customers and financial institutions.

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

  • Video storytelling extends beyond external marketing. Morgan’s team also uses it internally for employee recognition and monthly highlights to boost morale.
  • A single question from his father, “Why you?” still guides how Morgan approaches every project.
  • Real examples, from a car show video in Lafayette to the summer camp program Anyone Can Camp, show how storytelling builds community trust and drives enrollment.
  • Video does not require being on camera. Morgan has used animation for business owners who are hesitant to appear on screen.
  • Before scripting anything, Morgan has business owners first identify the impact they want to create, since the story should follow from that.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Morgan Chen
01:43 Morgan Chen joins the show and introduces Morgan Chen Productions
03:09 Morgan’s path into documentary filmmaking, from Portland, Oregon
04:42 The influence of Morgan’s father on his approach to business
08:15 Applying a documentary filmmaking mindset to business video
08:49 A car show video for the city of Lafayette, Georgia
11:22 Documentary-style video versus typical business video approaches
15:33 Helping business owners who are hesitant to appear on camera
21:35 Signs a business owner needs new video storytelling
22:50 The Lafayette success story and its impact on the community
24:36 A summer camp success story: Anyone Can Camp
26:59 How to connect with Morgan Chen Productions

Morgan Chen, President, Morgan Chen Productions

Morgan is a documentary filmmaker, entrepreneur, and content innovator. Morgan started his career making award-winning documentary films at Portland State University. This led him to make feature-length documentaries all over the world, including Los Angeles, New England, Chicago, Atlanta, China, Japan, and Europe. Morgan’s films have been screened at the Atlanta Film Festival, Macon Film Festival, South Georgia Film Festival, Chattanooga Film Festival, and Camden International Film Festival, to name a few.

LinkedIn

Morgan Chen Productions

Morgan Chen ProductionsMorgan Chen Production is a global multimedia production company dedicated to crafting entertainment and innovative stories. They bring curiosity, courage, and integrity to their audiences. With a passion for creativity and excellence, they specialize in producing emotional videos that have a lasting impact. From concept development to post production, Morgan Chen Productions sets the standard for every aspect of video production.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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

Approaching 1,000 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, John Ray Co.

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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

GA 400 Express Lanes and Transit in North Fulton

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How GA 400 Express Lanes and Transit Will Shape North Fulton’s Future (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 116)
North Fulton Studio
GA 400 Express Lanes and Transit in North Fulton
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How GA 400 Express Lanes and Transit Will Shape North Fulton’s Future (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 116)

How GA 400 Express Lanes and Transit Will Shape North Fulton’s Future (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 116)

The GA 400 Express Lanes and Transit Project is one of the most significant infrastructure investments in North Fulton’s history. In this episode of GNFCC 400 Insider, host Rebekah Anderson is joined by Kristin Winzeler of True North 400, Ann Hanlon of the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, and Javier Gutiérrez Villanueva, CEO of SR 400 Peach Partners, for a detailed look at what the project means for commuters, employers, property owners, and the region’s long-term economic future.

The conversation goes beyond traffic relief. The guests explain how express lanes, expanded transit options, more reliable travel times, and improved access to employment centers are expected to strengthen North Fulton’s position as a premier business destination. They also discuss what drivers can expect during construction, how MARTA and express lane transit fit into the project, why the public-private partnership model matters, and how local governments, CIDs, and developers are already preparing for the next phase of growth.

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

  • The SR 400 project aims to improve mobility, but it also has a broader impact on economic development, workforce access, and long-term property value.
  • Unlike the reversible express lanes on I-75, the GA 400 express lanes will operate northbound and southbound 24/7.
  • Much of the lane-impacting construction will occur during off-peak hours and overnight.
  • The project includes transit infrastructure, including express lane transit stations and buses that can use the express lanes without paying tolls.
  • Access points are expected to be more frequent than in some other metro Atlanta express lane corridors.
  • The public-private partnership model shifts much of the investment and long-term operating responsibility to the private sector.
  • The project is expected to benefit both express lane users and drivers who remain in the general-purpose lanes.
  • North Fulton cities, CIDs, and developers are already planning complementary projects around the corridor.
  • The guests describe the GA 400 express lanes project as part of a larger “infrastructure boom” affecting GA 400, Perimeter, and the top end of I-285.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to the GNFCC 400 Insider
01:03 Guest introductions
03:25 Why the SR 400 project matters to business owners
04:01 Congestion, access, and property values
05:19 Reliable travel times and 24/7 express lanes
06:13 Combining express lanes and transit
07:26 What drivers should expect during construction
09:54 MARTA, transit, and workforce access
11:55 BRT, express lane transit, and station access
14:30 Economic development and company recruitment
17:13 Lessons from the Transform 285/400 project
18:37 How the public-private partnership works
19:17 Tolling, access, and travel speeds
21:25 TrueNorth 400’s role and project milestones
22:34 Why the project is being called the gold standard
24:07 Where express lane exits and access points will be
27:45 Why the project is drawing broader attention
28:07 What success will look like five years from now
31:33 Customer service, maintenance, and long-term operations
32:40 How local cities and CIDs are planning around the project
35:34 Collaboration among GDOT, CIDs, cities, and private partners
38:05 Where to find project updates
38:57 The broader infrastructure boom
39:22 Closing remarks

Javier Gutiérrez, SR 400 Peach Partners

Javier Gutiérrez, SR 400 Peach Partners
Javier Gutiérrez, SR 400 Peach Partners

Javier Gutiérrez Villanueva is CEO of SR 400 Peach Partners, the developer leading the SR 400 Express Lanes project. A civil engineer by training, he brings extensive experience in the development and delivery of major transportation infrastructure projects across the United States, including similar express lane projects in multiple states.

Through his role with SR 400 Peach Partners, Gutiérrez is helping lead one of Georgia’s most significant transportation investments, a public-private partnership designed to improve mobility, provide more reliable travel times, support future transit options, and strengthen the SR 400 corridor for long-term regional growth.

LinkedIn

SR 400 Peach Partners

SR 400 Peach Partners is the private-sector partner selected to deliver the SR 400 Express Lanes project in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation. The consortium brings together local, national, and international expertise in transportation infrastructure, including project development, design, construction, financing, tolling, operations, and long-term maintenance.

Through this public-private partnership, SR 400 Peach Partners is helping deliver one of Georgia’s most significant mobility investments. The project will add new express lanes along the SR 400 corridor, support future express lane transit, improve travel-time reliability, and strengthen a critical connection between North Fulton, Perimeter, and the broader metro Atlanta region.

Website

Ann Hanlon, The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

Ann Hanlon, The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts
Ann Hanlon, The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

Ann Hanlon is Executive Director of the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts, where she leads the organization’s daily operations and transportation infrastructure investments in one of Georgia’s most important business districts. She previously served for 13 years as Executive Director of the North Fulton CID, helping guide the organization from its start-up phase into a major force for infrastructure investment along the Georgia 400 corridor.

Ann has extensive experience at the intersection of transportation, economic development, commercial real estate, and regional planning. She has served on the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority Board, the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Board, the Sandy Springs Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Board. Her work has been recognized by Georgia Trend, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and the Women’s Transportation Seminar Atlanta Chapter.

LinkedIn

The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts are self-taxing districts that use additional commercial property tax revenue to accelerate transportation and infrastructure improvements in the Central Perimeter area. Serving parts of Brookhaven, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs, PCIDs work with business, government, and development partners to improve access, mobility, walkability, and quality of place in one of metro Atlanta’s most significant employment centers.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Kristin Winzeler, True North 400

Kristin Winzeler, True North 400
Kristin Winzeler, True North 400

Kristin Winzeler is Deputy Executive Director of True North 400, formerly known as the North Fulton Community Improvement District. She manages the organization’s daily operations, projects, and consulting team and led the organization’s rebrand and launch as True North 400 in 2023. Kristin has been with the organization since 2012 and has played a key role in its work to advance infrastructure, mobility, and economic vitality along the Georgia 400 corridor.

Kristin is a graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership North Fulton program. She has been active with the Women’s Transportation Seminar, including serving as president of the Atlanta chapter, and has been named one of Engineering Georgia Magazine’s Most Influential Women in Transportation. She also serves on the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

LinkedIn

True North 400

True North 400 is a self-taxing commercial district focused on improving economic vitality, transportation efficiency, and community livability in North Fulton. Serving portions of Alpharetta, Milton, and Roswell along the Georgia 400 corridor, the organization works with commercial property owners, local governments, and regional partners to accelerate infrastructure improvements, support walkability, and strengthen one of metro Atlanta’s most important business corridors.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

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.

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, GNFCCAs 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 its 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.

Ronnie Belizaire on Design, Leadership, and HKS, Inc.

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Ronnie Belizaire, HKS Atlanta, on Why Good Design Isn't Expensive and the Business Case for Great Workplaces (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 973) with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Ronnie Belizaire on Design, Leadership, and HKS, Inc.
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Ronnie Belizaire, HKS Atlanta, on Why Good Design Isn't Expensive and the Business Case for Great Workplaces (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 973) with host John Ray

Ronnie Belizaire, HKS Atlanta, on Why Good Design Isn’t Expensive and the Business Case for Great Workplaces (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 973)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Ronnie Belizaire, who stepped into the role of Managing Office Director at HKS Atlanta just days before the interview. The conversation quickly turns to a common misconception: that good design costs more than bad design. Ronnie explains that most materials, from carpet to ceiling tile to flooring, carry similar price points regardless of how they look. The real cost driver is whether a designer can put those materials together in a way that is both functional and appealing.

Ronnie and John dig into how design intersects with business outcomes, from writing off furniture in seven years versus construction in thirty to designing workplaces that serve three generations of employees with very different expectations about offices, amenities, and flexibility. She also discusses the external side of design, how a building’s posture toward its community and clients can signal whether a business delivers on what it promises.

The conversation closes with Ronnie’s approach to leadership at HKS Atlanta, where she describes herself as a servant leader focused on building trust and creating opportunities for her team, along with a look at some of the firm’s public projects, including work on NFL stadiums for the Rams, Browns, and Commanders, and a regenerative design project in Salt Lake City.

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

  • Good design and bad design often cost the same amount. The difference lies in how materials and finishes are combined, not in their price point.
  • Workplaces today need to accommodate three generations of employees with different expectations, from dedicated offices to shared amenities and flexible seating.
  • A building’s design sends a signal to clients and the community about whether a business delivers on what it promises.
  • Ronnie describes her leadership style as a servant leader who builds trust with her team and creates opportunities for others rather than seeking personal recognition.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:22 John Ray opens the show and introduces guest Ronnie Belizaire
01:41 Ronnie discusses her recent promotion to Managing Office Director at HKS Atlanta
02:12 Ronnie describes HKS, Inc. as a global architecture and design firm
03:08 Ronnie’s varied background, from studying business to pivoting into interior design
04:52 Navigating the Great Recession and moving into workplace design
06:45 Bridging the gap between design thinking and business thinking
09:13 Why bad design costs just as much as good design
12:31 Helping business leaders see design decisions through their clients’ eyes
14:26 Explaining ROI to clients through financial and organizational returns
15:30 Designing workplaces for three generations of employees
18:12 The impact of design on customers, vendors, and the surrounding community
21:44 Trends in workplace design and emerging technology
28:22 Real-world project examples, from NFL stadiums to regenerative design
34:00 Ronnie’s leadership philosophy and servant leadership style
37:15 The types of projects HKS Atlanta focuses on
40:34 How to connect with Ronnie and HKS, Inc.

Ronnie Belizaire, Managing Office Director, HKS, Inc.

Ronnie Belizaire, Managing Office Director, HKS, Inc.
Ronnie Belizaire, HKS, Inc.

Ronnie Belizaire is a Principal and Managing Office Director of HKS’ Atlanta office, where she leads the firm’s strategic growth, people, and client relationships across the region. With multidisciplinary experience spanning interior design, architecture, design strategy, and corporate real estate, she brings a distinctive combination of design expertise and business acumen to help organizations create environments that strengthen culture, elevate performance, and enrich the human experience.

An active leader within the design profession, Ronnie is a recognized mentor and advocate for equitable, human-centered design. She is passionate about advancing the AEC industry through innovation, regenerative thinking, and the belief that design is a catalyst for positive impact, creating lasting value for clients, communities, and society.

LinkedIn

HKS, Inc.

HKS is a global firm of architects, designers, planners, and advisors dedicated to creating places distinguished by their beauty, performance, and lasting impact. With more than 1,800 professionals across 29 offices, the firm is united by the belief that a regenerative approach to design is fundamental to achieving design excellence. In 2023, HKS became a carbon-neutral firm, reinforcing its commitment to responsible practice and a more sustainable future. In recognition of its forward-thinking approach to design, HKS was named Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Architecture Firm of 2026.”

The firm cultivates a culture of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, bringing together extraordinary people who are passionate about delivering elegant, human-centered solutions. Its dedicated research team continually explores new ideas, processes, and innovations that improve outcomes for clients, communities, and the built environment.

Guided by integrity, diverse perspectives, and a deep respect for people and the planet, HKS partners with clients and collaborators to create places that stand apart while creating net-positive impact for people, communities, and the environment.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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

Approaching 1,000 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, John Ray Co.

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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

Dr. Andi Simon on the Coming Retirement Tsunami for Business

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Dr. Andi Simon, Simon Associates Management Consultants, on the Retirement Tsunami Threatening Business Culture (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 972) with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Dr. Andi Simon on the Coming Retirement Tsunami for Business
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Dr. Andi Simon, Simon Associates Management Consultants, on the Retirement Tsunami Threatening Business Culture (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 972) with host John Ray

Dr. Andi Simon, Simon Associates Management Consultants, on the Retirement Tsunami Threatening Business Culture (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 972)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Dr. Andi Simon, CEO of Simon Associates Management Consultants, to discuss the retirement tsunami organizations are not prepared for. Andi, a corporate anthropologist and author of the new book Rethink Retirement, argues that most companies are excellent at counting inventory but terrible at inventorying expertise, leaving them exposed when longtime employees walk out the door.

John and Andi dig into the difference between knowledge transfer and wisdom transfer, the practical, technical skills a younger employee can learn versus the trust and relationships built over years that cannot be handed off in a single meeting. Andi shares stories from her consulting work, including an accounting firm in Houston where partners had to physically walk younger colleagues into client relationships and a California hospital that had to bring a retired OB-GYN back to retrain younger doctors performing too many unnecessary C-sections. She also discusses the emotional side of retirement itself, describing retirees who lose their sense of identity and community once the structure of work disappears.

Andi is the host of the On the Brink with Andi Simon podcast and has written several books on business change, including Rethink Retirement.

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

  • The coming retirement tsunami will hit organizations hard, since most companies are skilled at counting inventory and assets but consistently fail to inventory their expertise.
  • The real gap in most organizations is not knowledge transfer but wisdom transfer, the trust and relationship-building that cannot be taught in a single handoff meeting.
  • Retirees frequently experience a loss of identity, structure, and community once they leave the workforce, a pattern Andi has observed across dozens of interviews.
  • Rethink Retirement is designed to help individuals intentionally plan the next stage of life rather than simply stop working.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

02:20 Andi reflects on her own banking background
02:47 Andi explains her path into corporate anthropology
04:39 The coming retirement tsunami and its impact on organizations
09:11 Stories of loneliness and isolation after retirement
10:12 Why companies are good at counting assets but bad at inventorying expertise
13:20 Why knowledge transfer programs often fail
17:08 The difference between knowledge transfer and wisdom transfer
19:26 The real cost of losing institutional wisdom
21:43 A healthcare example involving a retired OB-GYN brought back to retrain younger doctors
24:07 The story behind the book Rethink Retirement
29:27 Parallels between entrepreneur burnout and retirement depression
32:34 How to connect with Andi and her work

Dr. Andi Simon, CEO

Dr. Andi Simon is a corporate anthropologist, keynote speaker, executive coach, and award-winning author who helps individuals and organizations navigate change by seeing, feeling, and thinking in new ways.

Today, she focuses her work on helping people rethink one of life’s most profound transitions: retirement. Through her new book Rethink Retirement, along with interactive workshops, masterclasses, and a growing community, she guides individuals to redesign their lives beyond work, exploring identity, purpose, daily structure, and belonging in this next chapter.

Andi continues to advise organizations on culture change, leadership, and growth, bringing over two decades of experience as the founder and CEO of Simon Associates Management Consultants. She has conducted more than 500 workshops globally and is a certified Blue Ocean Strategist, helping companies discover new opportunities and adapt to fast-changing markets.

She is the host of the On the Brink with Andi Simon podcast, ranked 18th among the top 100 podcasts on the topic of change. She shares conversations with thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of work and life.

An award-winning author of multiple books, including On the Brink, Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business, and Women Mean Business, Andi blends deep research with practical insight to help people and organizations thrive, especially when change is hard.

Author Site | LinkedIn

Simon Associates Management Consultants

Simon Associates Management Consultants is a strategy and culture change firm that helps organizations grow by seeing their business and their customers in new ways. Founded by Dr. Andi Simon, a corporate anthropologist, SAMC uses deep research and an anthropological lens to uncover insights that drive innovation, strengthen leadership, and open new market opportunities.

Working with companies across industries, SAMC guides leaders through complex change, whether rethinking strategy, navigating workforce transitions, or building cultures that engage and retain talent. The firm is known for its expertise in Blue Ocean Strategy, helping organizations move beyond competition to create new demand.

In addition to its organizational work, SAMC is expanding its impact through the Rethink Retirement platform, offering books, workshops, and programs that help individuals design purposeful, meaningful lives in their next chapter.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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

Approaching 1,000 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, John Ray Co.

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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

NIL Contracts: A Financial Game Plan for College Athletes

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Erick Murray, Healy Wealth Management, on NIL Contracts and Financial Planning for Student Athletes (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 971) with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
NIL Contracts: A Financial Game Plan for College Athletes
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Erick Murray, Healy Wealth Management, on NIL Contracts and Financial Planning for Student Athletes (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 971) with host John Ray

Erick Murray, Healy Wealth Management, on NIL Contracts and Financial Planning for Student Athletes (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 971)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Erick Murray, an advisor with Healy Wealth Management, to discuss NIL contracts and the financial planning challenges facing student athletes who suddenly find themselves with significant income.

Murray draws on his own background as a Buford High School athlete, with two younger brothers now playing college football at Alabama and baseball at Georgia Tech, to explain why he is drawn to this work. He and John talk through the numbers behind the opportunity and the risk, including how few college athletes ever turn pro and how many retired NFL players face serious financial trouble within a few years of leaving the game. The conversation covers what happens when NIL income arrives without any tax withheld, why NIL contracts should be reviewed before they are signed rather than after, and how to build a team of a tax preparer, an estate attorney, and a financial planner around a young athlete facing decisions they have never had to make before.

Murray also shares how Healy Wealth Management helped one client work through an in-plan Roth conversion and how he coaches clients to balance enjoying their money now with setting up long-term security.

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

  • NIL contracts should be reviewed by a professional before an athlete signs, since the terms can carry real financial and legal obligations.
  • Fewer than 2 percent of college athletes turn pro, and a large share of retired NFL players face serious financial trouble within a few years of leaving the game, which makes early planning important regardless of what comes next.
  • NIL income has no taxes withheld, so athletes need a plan for ordinary income tax and self-employment tax from the start, not after a bill arrives.
  • A good financial team for a young athlete includes a CPA, an estate attorney, and a financial planner working together, not just one advisor working alone.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Erick Murray
02:10 Erick Murray describes his role at Healy Wealth Management
03:30 Erick Murray’s connection to student athletes through Buford High School
05:00 How NIL creates a new opportunity for student athletes and their families
06:00 The odds of turning pro and the financial stakes involved
08:00 How generational wealth can be squandered without a plan
09:00 Financial statistics on retired professional athletes
10:00 The psychology of sudden wealth
13:00 Balancing short-term and long-term financial goals
16:00 Setting long-term goals when a career path is still unknown
18:00 Taxes and recordkeeping on NIL income
20:00 Self-employment tax and structuring NIL income as a business
21:00 Handling requests for money from family and friends
23:00 Building a financial planning team
24:00 Why athletes should have NIL contracts reviewed before signing
26:00 A client success story involving an in-plan Roth conversion
27:00 How to connect with Erick Murray and Healy Wealth Management

Erick Murray, Associate Advisor, Healy Wealth Management

Erick Murray is an emerging professional in the field of financial planning with hands-on experience helping individuals and families navigate their financial futures. He holds a BBA in Computer Information Systems from Georgia State University, where he graduated cum laude for his academic excellence. Erick combines his technical background with a growing knowledge of financial strategies to offer thoughtful, tech-savvy insights to clients looking to build sustainable financial plans.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Erick leads an active and well-rounded lifestyle. He enjoys lifting weights and playing pickleball in his spare time. His discipline, drive, and enthusiasm both in and out of the office reflect his commitment to continuous growth and connection with others.

LinkedIn

Healy Wealth Management

Healy Wealth Management (previously Healy Capital Management) is a financial services and investment management firm serving the greater Atlanta area operating through LPL Financial. They have been in the industry for over 30 years and have been through many economic adversities. They understand the risks involved with market volatility and have decades of experience in how to prepare for the future to come.

Website | LinkedIn

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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

Approaching 1,000 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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

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We help local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession.

We support and celebrate business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignores. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

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