John Ray, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

Julio Gonzalez of Opticution on Scaling Without the Chaos

May 20, 2026 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Julio Gonzalez of Opticution on Scaling Without the Chaos

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Julio Gonzalez, Opticution, on Fractional COO Services and Helping Mid-Sized Businesses Scale (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 961)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Julio Gonzalez, founder of Opticution, a fractional COO and execution consulting firm based in Hollywood, Florida. Julio works with mid-sized companies in professional services, manufacturing, and healthcare, helping owners build the operational systems and structure they need to grow without losing control of the business.

Julio draws a sharp distinction between a founder and a CEO, arguing that most founders have everything in their heads and nothing on paper, and that disconnect is what causes businesses to fail. He describes the telltale signs: customer churn, burned-out founders putting in 14-hour days, and staff quietly inventing their processes in the absence of documented ones. His work starts with a comprehensive assessment, often including conversations with customers and vendors, and typically leads to a multi-year fractional engagement where he is embedded in the organization as an operational partner, not just a coach or a consultant.

Julio also shares a pointed distinction between his model and business coaching, using a race car analogy: the coach works on the driver, while Julio works on the car. In practice, though, every engagement includes a coaching component, because changing how a business operates requires changing how its founder thinks.

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

Uncontrolled growth is more dangerous than no growth; for example, a restaurant that expands into the space next door and then closes within six months is a common pattern Julio sees across industries, and the root cause is almost always the same.
Most founders know where the problems are. They just don’t want to accept it. Julio describes his role in the initial discovery session as holding up a mirror rather than delivering a diagnosis.
The cost of a poor hire is far higher than the salary paid. Julio puts the average cost just to bring someone on board at around $8,500 before accounting for the ripple effects of a poor fit.
Family business dynamics require clear boundaries and accountability, and in some cases that means making hard decisions about family members whose skills fit an earlier stage of the business but not the current one.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Julio Gonzalez
02:22 Julio introduces Opticution and his work as a fractional COO
03:38 His personal background and motivation for serving small and mid-sized businesses
04:48 Operational chaos that growth creates, and the restaurant expansion analogy
08:30 Helping a founder become a CEO and building repeatable processes
10:25 Patterns that signal a company is about to hit the wall
13:55 Hiring, the cost of a bad hire, and the $8,500 average cost to bring someone on board
17:58 Family businesses: setting boundaries and holding people accountable
22:00 Signs a company has waited too long to bring in additional leadership
25:00 How Julio’s initial discovery sessions unfold
29:05 Using customer and vendor conversations as part of the assessment
32:00 How fractional engagements work, typical duration, and what the end looks like
34:40 The race car analogy: fractional COO vs. business coach
37:00 When a founder should pick up the phone and call
40:25 Success story: end-to-end customer journey project with a tech firm
42:30 How to reach Julio Gonzalez

Julio Gonzalez, Founder

Julio Gonzalez has spent 35 years inside the engine rooms of growing businesses. As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Opticution, LLC, he works with mid-sized companies across professional services, manufacturing, and healthcare as a fractional COO, helping owners cut through the noise, build operating systems that actually work, and scale without the chaos. Based in South Florida, Julio also hosts the From Stuck to Scaled podcast and speaks nationally on leadership and operational excellence. He’s the person owners call when the business has outgrown the way it used to run.

Opticution

Opticution is a fractional COO and execution consulting firm based in Hollywood, Florida. Founded by Julio Gonzalez, Opticution works with mid-sized companies that are ready to scale but stuck in the operational chaos that growth creates. Using a proprietary GROW framework, Opticution embeds experienced operational leadership into businesses, building the systems, processes, and infrastructure owners need to grow without burning everything down. From early-stage founders to established companies navigating their next phase, Opticution meets businesses where they are and builds what they need to get where they’re going.

Website | LinkedIn | 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

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 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.

GNFCC 2026 DC Fly-In: GA 400 and North Fulton Growth

May 20, 2026 by John Ray

Inside the GNFCC 2026 DC Fly-In: North Fulton Advocacy, GA 400 Mobility, Workforce, and Regional Growth (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 114)

North Fulton Studio

GNFCC 2026 DC Fly-In: GA 400 and North Fulton Growth

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Inside the GNFCC 2026 DC Fly-In: North Fulton Advocacy, GA 400 Mobility, Workforce, and Regional Growth (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 114)

Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, recaps the Chamber’s 2026 DC Fly-In with Judge Gardner, Chair of Government Affairs for GNFCC and Director of Regional Operations with Atlanta Gas Light, and Tim Perry, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer at Jamestown and Chairman of the Board for True North 400 CID.

The conversation highlights why the Chamber brings North Fulton business and community leaders to Washington, DC each year: to meet directly with elected officials, hear from policy experts, advocate for regional priorities, and strengthen the relationships that help North Fulton speak with a more unified voice. Judge and Tim describe the fly-in as both an advocacy opportunity and a relationship-building experience, giving local leaders concentrated time with one another and with the people shaping federal policy.

A major focus of this year’s trip was mobility along the GA 400 corridor, including MARTA funding and the opportunity to incorporate express lane transit stations during the current express lanes’ construction. Tim explains why North Fulton’s growth makes long-term transit planning urgent, especially with the Chattahoochee River creating a major transportation funnel into Atlanta. Judge adds that the GA 400 project is a generational infrastructure investment tied directly to workforce movement, economic opportunity, and the region’s future competitiveness.

The episode also touches on workforce development, healthcare, childcare, AI, cybersecurity, Gwinnett Technical College’s expansion, and the Chamber’s broader government affairs work. Judge and Tim close by sharing what gives them optimism about North Fulton’s future: collaboration, continued investment, and a shared commitment among business and civic leaders to build a region that works better for employers, residents, and the next generation.

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 GNFCC DC Fly-In gives North Fulton business and community leaders direct access to elected officials, policy experts, and national conversations that affect the region.
Advocacy is an ongoing part of the Chamber’s work, not a once-a-year trip. The Fly-In helps North Fulton leaders bring regional priorities to Washington with a unified voice.
GA 400 mobility was a central issue this year, including the opportunity to incorporate Express Lane Transit stations during the current express lanes construction.
Transportation, workforce development, healthcare, childcare, AI, and cybersecurity are connected issues that all affect North Fulton’s long-term business climate.
Regional collaboration among the Chamber, True North 400 CID, local governments, business leaders, and education partners is essential to keeping North Fulton competitive.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 Kali Boatright introduces the 2026 DC Fly-In and guests Judge Gardner and Tim Perry
01:49 Why the Chamber takes North Fulton leaders to Washington each year
02:43 Tim Perry on True North 400 CID, regional leadership, and speaking with a stronger voice
03:49 Judge Gardner and Tim Perry share their business and community leadership roles
05:32 Why in-person conversations in DC help leaders cut through political noise
08:14 GA 400 mobility, MARTA funding, and Express Lane Transit stations
11:14 Judge Gardner on infrastructure, workforce movement, and North Fulton’s future growth
13:19 Meetings with Senators Warnock and Ossoff, Congresswoman McBath, and Congressman McCormick
16:19 Workforce development, healthcare, childcare, AI, and cybersecurity themes from the Fly-In
21:49 Judge Gardner on why business leaders need to stay engaged in advocacy
23:56 Tim Perry on regional collaboration, True North 400 CID, and mobility investments
26:02 What gives Judge and Tim optimism about North Fulton’s next five to 10 years

Judge Gardner III, Director of Regional Operations, Atlanta Gas Light

Judge Gardner is the Director of Regional Operations for Atlanta Gas Light. Judge also serves as the Co-Chair of GNFCC’s Government Affairs Committee.

Atlanta Gas Light is the largest natural gas distributor in the Southeast. The company provides delivery service to approximately 1.55 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Georgia. In Georgia’s deregulated natural gas market, Atlanta Gas Light distributes natural gas for marketers, maintains the gas system infrastructure, responds to gas leaks, performs meter reading, and helps ensure the safe, reliable delivery of natural gas to Georgia customers. The company also provides online customer information about natural gas and gas-fueled products. Beyond its core service role, Atlanta Gas Light is active in the communities it serves through donations to energy assistance programs, contributions to nonprofit agencies, and support for employees’ volunteer efforts throughout the state.

Website | Judge Gardner LinkedIn

Tim Perry, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, Jamestown

Tim Perry serves as Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, for Jamestown. Tim is also the Chair of True North 400.

Jamestown is a global real estate investment and management company with over 40 years of experience creating places that foster innovation and build community. As of March 31, 2026, Jamestown manages $14.3 billion in assets across the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. Jamestown employs more than 600 people globally across 11 offices, including headquarters in Atlanta and Cologne. Through its vertically integrated platform, Jamestown brings a design-focused, hospitality approach to diverse product types, including retail, office, residential, mixed-use, and grocery-anchored shopping centers. Jamestown’s current and previous projects include One Times Square and Chelsea Market in New York; Industry City in Brooklyn; Ponce City Market in Atlanta; Ghirardelli Square and Levi’s Plaza in San Francisco; and Groot Handelsgebouw in Rotterdam.

Website | Tim Perry 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 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.

Past Guests Revisited: Family Business, Life Changes, Growth

May 13, 2026 by John Ray

Past Guests Revisited: Dr. James Connelly of Results Rehab, Terry Lakritz and Christopher James of The Odd Couple Roofing Specialists, and Jacqueline Jensen of EOS Worldwide (Family Business Radio, Episode 76) with host Anthony Chen

Family Business Radio

Past Guests Revisited: Family Business, Life Changes, Growth

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Past Guests Revisited: Dr. James Connelly of Results Rehab, Terry Lakritz and Christopher James of The Odd Couple Roofing Specialists, and Jacqueline Jensen of EOS Worldwide (Family Business Radio, Episode 76)

Host Anthony Chen welcomes back past guests Dr. James Connelly of Results Rehab, Terry Lakritz and Christopher James of The Odd Couple Roofing Specialists, and Jacqueline Jensen of EOS Worldwide for a special “past guests revisited” episode of Family Business Radio. The conversation follows how their businesses have grown since their earlier appearances but also how their personal lives have changed through marriage, children, family transitions, and new priorities.

Dr. James Connelly shares how launching Results Rehab during COVID led to a flexible, one-on-one physical therapy practice built around more profound client relationships and family life. Terry Lakritz and Christopher James revisit the unlikely origin of The Odd Couple Roofing, their commitment to educating homeowners, and Christopher’s upcoming wedding. Jacqueline Jensen discusses her journey from leading a family business to becoming an EOS Implementer, how the Entrepreneurial Operating System helps business owners create clarity and accountability, and the full-circle experience of preparing to welcome her first child.

The guests also reflect on what they wish they had known earlier in business, including the value of taking action before everything is figured out, learning from others, building strong relationships, and creating systems that support both business growth and family life.

Family Business Radio is underwritten and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. The show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Dr. James Connelly built Results Rehab around one-on-one care, giving clients more attention while creating a business model that supports family life.
Terry Lakritz and Christopher James emphasize education, trust, referrals, and being present on job sites as key differences in how The Odd Couple Roofing serves homeowners.
Jacqueline Jensen explains how EOS helps business owners clarify their vision, create traction, strengthen team health, and build companies with greater intentionality.
The guests agreed that business growth often comes from leading with integrity, putting relationships first, and being willing to keep learning.
A recurring theme of the episode is that family and business are not separate tracks. Marriage, parenting, future plans, and personal values all shape the way these owners and advisors lead.
Anthony Chen closed the episode by emphasizing that real wealth is built by leading with integrity, finding the right people, and allowing prosperity to follow authenticity.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:24 Anthony Chen introduces the “Past Guests Revisited” episode
01:10 Dr. James Connelly shares why physical therapy became personal for him
03:05 How Results Rehab began during COVID with a mobile, low-overhead model
06:45 Fatherhood, business growth, and building a practice around family life
09:10 The difference between one-on-one PT and the “big box” physical therapy model
11:35 Connelly explains “mommy wrist” and why pain is common but not normal
15:10 Terry Lakritz and Christopher James share the origin of The Odd Couple Roofing
21:30 Christopher shares how he met Abigail and their upcoming wedding plans
23:35 What homeowners should know before letting someone inspect their roof
29:15 Jacqueline Jensen discusses EOS, family business, and becoming an EOS Implementer
31:45 Jacqueline shares her personal update: preparing to welcome her first child
35:45 How EOS helps business owners create vision, traction, and healthier teams
40:35 Guests reflect on what they wish they had known earlier in business
55:20 Anthony’s closing commentary on integrity, authenticity, and real prosperity

Dr. James Connelly, Results Rehab

As a lifelong physical therapy patient himself, James can personally attest to the power of this profession. After suffering a stroke at 8 months old and having corrective surgeries with subsequent rehab, he has found PT to be his calling and cannot imagine being in any other job!

James obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in Health Promotion, and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Georgia State University. He then completed his Orthopedic Residency to specialize in orthopedic conditions. He enjoys treating the neurological population as well.

He founded Results Rehab Concierge Physical Therapy in 2020 after seeing a huge need for personalized, client-centered healthcare.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Christopher James and Terry Lakritz, The Odd Couple Roofing Specialists

The Odd Couple Roofing Specialists originated from an unexpected alliance between Christopher and Terry. Christopher, the roofing expert, initially connected with Terry as a client seeking roof replacement services. What started as a professional transaction quickly evolved into a friendship built on mutual trust and satisfaction. Terry, having experienced firsthand the exceptional quality of Christopher’s work, not only got a new roof but also became a passionate advocate for his services.

Recognizing the potential of their combined strengths, Christopher and Terry decided to form a partnership. Terry’s business insights and Christopher’s roofing skills proved to be a winning combination, leading to the establishment of The Odd Couple Roofing Specialists.

This unique collaboration embodies the fusion of technical expertise and strategic business acumen, setting them apart in the roofing industry.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Jacqueline Jensen, Professional EOS Implementer

Jacqueline Jensen grew up in an entrepreneurial family, where conversations around the dinner table often centered on business goals and growth ideas. After college, she joined the family business and quickly took on leadership roles, often learning by doing. At just 28, she became general manager of a private country club, where she experienced firsthand the pressure, complexity, and emotional dynamics that come with leading a family-run organization.

In 2019, after years of long hours and chasing results, Jacqueline discovered a business framework that brought clarity, alignment, and accountability to her team—and transformed the business. She now dedicates her work to helping other family business owners simplify operations, strengthen communication, and build healthy, scalable companies. As a Professional EOS Implementer®, she believes that with the right structure, family businesses can thrive for generations.

Website | LinkedIn

Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

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

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

Follow this link to access the complete show archive of Family Business Radio.

Hootan Shahidi on Dental AI, Implants, and DSO Change

May 6, 2026 by John Ray

Hootan Shahidi of ProspHire Joins Patrick O’Rourke to Talk Dental AI, Guided Implants, Revenue Cycle, and DSO Change Management (Dental Business Radio, Episode 63) with host Patrick O'Rourke

Dental Business Radio

Hootan Shahidi on Dental AI, Implants, and DSO Change

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Hootan Shahidi of ProspHire Joins Patrick O’Rourke to Talk Dental AI, Guided Implants, Revenue Cycle, and DSO Change Management (Dental Business Radio, Episode 64)

Host Patrick O’Rourke welcomes Hootan Shahidi, Senior Manager at ProspHire, for a wide-ranging conversation on dental technology, revenue cycle strategy, and the operational realities facing dental practices and DSOs. Hootan shares what he is seeing at industry events across the country, including the growing use of guided implant workflows, 3D printing, AI-supported imaging, ambient clinical notes, and prompt-based reporting inside dental practice management systems.

The conversation starts with how new clinical workflows can reduce patient visits, improve predictability, and help practices communicate value more effectively. Hootan explains why convenience and time matter to patients and why practices should be clearer about what technology does for the patient experience, not just the clinical result. He also raises a useful operational point: case acceptance is not the same as case completion, especially in larger or more comprehensive treatment plans.

Patrick and Hootan also discuss the revenue cycle implications of AI and better documentation. From image verification to automated clinical notes, the opportunity is not just faster work but stronger claim support, better narratives, fewer denials, and less time spent chasing preventable problems after the fact.

The second half of the episode turns to DSO change management, software conversions, clinical implementation, and the hidden cost of adding major projects to people who are already overburdened. Hootan explains why successful implementation depends on communication, team buy-in, and dedicated support, not just a directive from leadership. Patrick closes the conversation with observations from the insurance side, including payer scrutiny, treatment-pattern outliers, audits, standard fees, and why practices need to take fee strategy more seriously.

Dental Business Radio is underwritten and presented by Practice Quotient: PPO Negotiations & Analysis and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Key Takeaways in This Episode

Guided implant workflows and 3D printing are changing how practices think about patient convenience, treatment timelines, and ROI.
Practices should communicate time savings more clearly, because fewer visits can be a major factor in patient decision-making.
Case completion deserves more attention as a KPI, particularly for implant and multi-phase treatment plans.
AI tools in dental software can help improve X-ray quality, documentation, reporting, and claim support.
Better documentation can move practices from denial management to denial prevention.
Prompt-based reporting may reduce the learning curve for dental practice management systems and make operational data easier to access.
DSOs often underestimate the change management required for software conversions and clinical rollouts.
Adding major implementation work to already overloaded internal leaders can create burnout, turnover, delays, and hidden costs.
Successful change requires communication, participation, and buy-in from doctors, hygienists, office managers, regional leaders, and front-desk teams.
Patrick warns that AI and payer analytics are increasing scrutiny around coding patterns, standard fees, and audit risk.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to Dental Business Radio
00:26 Patrick introduces Hootan Shahidi
01:30 Topgolf event recap and guided implant education
02:22 3D printing, guided workflows, and ROI
04:20 How implant workflows have changed over 20 years
05:52 Why patient communication around time savings matters
08:18 Patrick’s same-day crown story and the value of convenience
11:38 Technology, predictability, and reducing risk
13:06 How technology benefits both patients and the practice
14:20 Operatory turnover, saved time, and case acceptance
15:13 Why case completion deserves more attention
17:59 Henry Schein Thrive Live and new AI tools
21:39 Image verification and reducing preventable claim denials
22:22 Ambient notes, SOAP documentation, and stronger narratives
24:13 Prompt-based reporting in dental practice management software
26:34 AI, RCM, and denial prevention
30:23 What Hootan is hearing from DSOs
34:16 ProspHire’s role in software and clinical implementation projects
38:46 The burnout risk of piling major projects onto internal leaders
42:32 The hidden cost of implementation delays and production dips
45:27 How to contact Hootan and ProspHire
46:21 Patrick’s view on AI, payer analytics, and the speed of change
49:17 Coding patterns, audits, and treatment outliers
50:15 Standard fees, PPO strategy, and Practice Quotient
55:27 Audit stress and why documentation matters
56:58 Closing thoughts and sponsor mentions

Hootan Shahidi, ProspHire

Hootan Shahidi is a Senior Manager at ProspHire, where he specializes in revenue cycle management, dental practice management systems, clinical workflows, and dental technologies. He brings more than 18 years of experience in organizational management, operational oversight, and clinical workflow design.

Before joining ProspHire, Hootan served as Managing Partner for Cross Over Dental Enterprises, LLC, where he provided specialized medical billing services to dental practices. He also previously served as Director of Clinical Operations for a regional dental service organization in metro Atlanta with 15 practices. Hootan holds a B.A. in psychology and a master of public health from Emory University.

Website | LinkedIn

Dental Business Radio covers the business side of dentistry. Host Patrick O’Rourke and his guests cover industry trends, insights, success stories, and more in this wide-ranging show. The show’s guests include successful doctors across the spectrum of dental practice providers, as well as trusted advisors and noted industry participants.

Dental Business Radio is underwritten and presented by Practice Quotient and produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®. You can find the show on all major podcast apps and access the complete show archive here.

Practice Quotient

Practice Quotient is the sponsor of Dental Business Radio. Practice Quotient, Inc. serves as a bridge between the payor and provider communities. Their clients include general dentists and dental specialty practices across the nation of all sizes, from completely fee-for-service-only to active network participation with every dental plan possible. They work with independent practices, emerging multi-practice entities, and various large ownership entities in the dental space. Their PPO negotiations and analysis projects evaluate the merits of the various in-network participation contract options specific to your practice’s patient acquisition strategy. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Connect with Practice Quotient

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Next Level Financial: Fractional CFO for Commercial Real Estate

May 5, 2026 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Next Level Financial: Fractional CFO for Commercial Real Estate

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Paris and James Williams, Next Level Financial, on Fractional CFO Services for Commercial Real Estate Firms (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 960)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Paris and James Williams, co-founders of Next Level Financial, a fractional CFO firm based in Suwanee that works specifically with commercial real estate service businesses. Paris and James are return guests, and they dig into the financial challenges that firms in this space face, particularly around unpredictable cash flows tied to the project-based nature of real estate development.

James walks through why cash management is so acute for these firms: payments come in through a draw process that is anything but consistent. Projects start, stop, and stall, and firm owners often manage fixed costs and payroll against a revenue stream they cannot predict. One client, coming off a strong run from 2022 through 2024, had never seen a cash flow forecast laid out for their business before Next Level Financial put one together. The owner’s reaction, James says, was that they had never seen anything like it.

Paris and James also describe what it means to tell the story behind the numbers. In a recent meeting with a bank, James used a month-over-month accounts receivable chart and a days-sales-outstanding metric to explain why a low accounts receivable balance was actually a sign of financial strength, not weakness. That framing helped the banker understand the firm’s business model well enough to take the case to his supervisor.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Commercial real estate service firms face a distinct cash flow problem: payments arrive through a draw process tied to project milestones, creating gaps that can threaten payroll and operations even when business is growing.
Doing “bank account forecasting,” checking the balance and assuming things are fine, is a common pattern Next Level Financial sees when first engaging with new clients. A proper cash flow model replaces that guesswork with scenarios and projections.
Telling the story behind financial data matters when approaching banks or investors. In one meeting, James used a days-sales-outstanding chart to reframe a low accounts receivable balance as evidence of faster collections, not weak revenue.
Next Level Financial uses a five-level Financial Health Assessment to evaluate new clients, ranging from financial crisis to financial excellence, and to identify which foundational practices are missing.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces Paris and James Williams and Next Level Financial
01:54 How Paris and James describe fractional CFO services to people unfamiliar with the term
03:00 James’s background and what drew him to commercial real estate finance
05:45 Why Next Level Financial focuses specifically on commercial real estate firms
07:45 The cash flow challenge unique to real estate service businesses
12:00 A client that had a strong 2022-2024 run and then hit a slowdown; their first cash flow forecast
14:20 The “bank account forecasting” pattern and what it costs business owners
16:00 Working with developers who have outside investors and banking partners
18:30 What “telling the story” behind financial data means
19:00 The bank meeting: using an accounts receivable trend chart and days-sales-outstanding to make the case
24:25 The Financial Health Assessment: five levels from financial crisis to financial excellence
27:00 Symptoms that tell a business owner it’s time to call Next Level Financial
28:50 A client wanting to buy assets and the cash flow analysis that redirected the decision
31:40 Paris shares how to get in touch with Next Level Financial

Paris Williams, CEO, Next Level Financial

Paris Williams is a former teacher and school principal who transitioned into the financial world. In 2022, she joined forces with her husband James to build Next Level Financial, a fractional CFO company focused on serving the commercial real estate industry. She holds a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University and a master’s degree from UC Berkeley.

James Williams Jr., CFO, Next Level Financial

James Williams Jr. is co-founder and lead Chief Financial Officer of Next Level Financial. He has over two decades of experience in accounting and finance, beginning his career at a Big Four accounting firm before working across large global organizations, small businesses, and multiple industries. He holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. His in-house experience in commercial real estate development, investment, and asset management is what led Next Level Financial to focus specifically on that sector.

Next Level Financial

Next Level Financial is a fractional CFO firm based in Suwanee, Georgia, focused on advancing entrepreneurial companies in the commercial real estate space. The firm provides CFO services to commercial real estate service businesses, helping them move from reactive to proactive financial management through a proprietary CFO system designed for small and mid-sized businesses. Next Level Financial works primarily with CEOs and founders in the Atlanta Metro area with revenues in the $5 to $20 million range who want better data to understand and run their businesses.

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Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

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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.

Marcia West on Medicare Plans, Gaps, and Enrollment

April 30, 2026 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Marcia West on Medicare Plans, Gaps, and Enrollment

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Marcia West, Medicare Broker, on Navigating Medicare Plans, Supplements, and Enrollment Timing (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 959)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Marcia West, an independent Medicare broker serving individuals and businesses across multiple states. Marcia helps people turning 65, approaching retirement, or already on Medicare sort through their coverage options, and she works with businesses to help senior employees transition off group plans and onto Medicare in a way that often saves the company money while keeping valued workers well covered.

Marcia walks through the different parts of Medicare and explains where people routinely get into trouble. The alphabet of coverage, Parts A, B, C, D, Medigap, and more, stops most people cold before they even begin. Marcia explains the real difference between Medicare Advantage plans, which bundle Parts A, B, and typically D through private carriers but come with copays and out-of-pocket maximums, and Medicare supplements, or Medigap, which cover the 20% gap that original Medicare leaves behind. One of the biggest and most permanent mistakes people make, she says, is skipping Part D prescription drug coverage when they first enroll. The penalty for late enrollment follows you for life, and she has seen clients pay dearly for it decades later.

Marcia also makes the case for early planning. Open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 each year, but she encourages people to reach out to a broker well before that window and ideally a year before turning 65 or retiring so there is time to understand the options and match plans to prescriptions and preferred physicians.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Medicare is made up of several distinct parts covering hospitalization (Part A), outpatient care (Part B), prescription drugs (Part D), and supplemental gap coverage (Medigap), and understanding the differences is important before you enroll.
Skipping Part D prescription drug coverage when you first become eligible triggers a lifetime penalty, even if you are healthy and not taking any medications at the time.
Medicare Advantage plans bundle coverage and often include dental, vision, and hearing benefits, but they come with copays and out-of-pocket maximums that can be significant in a serious illness year. Medicare supplements cost a monthly premium but provide broader flexibility and no network restrictions.
Companies with employees aging into Medicare can often save money by moving those workers off the group plan and onto Medicare, even if the company covers the Part B premium, while still keeping those employees well covered.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest, Marcia West
02:03 Marcia West introduces her work as an independent Medicare broker
02:54 Marcia’s background in B2B sales and how she came to Medicare
04:34 Helping businesses transition senior employees from group plans to Medicare
05:07 Why people procrastinate on Medicare planning
06:31 The parts of Medicare: A, B, C, D, and Medigap explained
10:14 Consequences of making a poor Medicare selection, including the Part D penalty
12:29 Medicare Advantage plans: benefits, copays, and out-of-pocket exposure
14:45 The role of a broker in matching plans to doctors and prescriptions
15:20 Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: flexibility and network differences
16:35 How county of residence affects plan availability and premiums
17:00 When to call a broker outside of open enrollment
18:59 Why early planning, up to a year out, makes a difference
21:29 Client stories: planned transitions and difficult coverage situations
23:34 Closing and how to reach Marcia West

Marcia West, Medicare Broker

Marcia West has worked in B2B consulting for over 30 years. She entered the health insurance field in 2017 and became a certified Medicare agent in 2020. As an independent broker, she contracts with multiple carriers and holds licenses in 7 states.

As a Medicare recipient herself, Marcia understands the pitfalls and risks of making the wrong choices. She guides clients through the process of determining when and how to navigate a complicated system and, finally, choosing a plan to fit their individual needs. Her background in business consulting also helps her to assist businesses with their aging employee population.

LinkedIn | Email

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.

HR Issues That Derail a Business Exit | Cindi Filer

April 30, 2026 by John Ray

Cindi Filer, Innovative Outsourcing, on HR Issues That Derail a Business Exit (The Exit Exchange, Episode 27) with host John Ray

North Fulton Studio

HR Issues That Derail a Business Exit | Cindi Filer

00:00 /

Cindi Filer, Innovative Outsourcing, on HR Issues That Derail a Business Exit (The Exit Exchange, Episode 27)

In this episode of The Exit Exchange, host John Ray welcomes Cindi Filer, Founder and CEO of Innovative Outsourcing, to talk about why HR is so often the last thing business owners think about and why, when it comes to an exit, it can be the thing that unravels the whole deal.

Cindi makes the case that HR is not just a compliance checklist but a people strategy and that most small businesses have never treated it as one. She and John walk through the specific traps owners fall into: employees misclassified as exempt who were never owed overtime, 1099 contractors who should have been W-2 employees all along, I-9 documentation that nobody can locate, and attrition rates that look healthy on paper but mask a workforce full of employees no one has had the courage to let go. A buyer doing due diligence will find all of it and will discount the purchase price heavily, far more than the dollar value of the problem itself.

The host of The Exit Exchange is John Ray, and the show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Most small businesses have someone doing HR who has no HR background — a controller, an executive assistant, or the owner — and that gap compounds over time. By the time a company is heading toward an exit, the problems are usually larger than anyone realizes.
A buyer is not just buying numbers. When comparing two businesses with similar financials, a buyer will pay a higher multiple for the one with organizational health: trained leaders, documented processes, an engaged workforce, and a clean compliance record.
Misclassification of workers, whether exempt vs. non-exempt or employee vs. 1099 contractor, is one of the most common and costly HR errors found during due diligence. Back wages, fines, and reclassification costs can all become liabilities the buyer inherits, and they will price accordingly.
An HR Assessment and Roadmap, essentially an HR audit done well before going to market, gives a seller time to fix problems and produce a third-party evaluation of HR health that buyers find credible.
Artificially low employee salaries can look like a cost advantage but are actually a future liability. If employees leave during or after the transition and must be replaced at market rates, profitability projections fall apart fast.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:24 Cindi Filer and Innovative Outsourcing: what they do and who they serve
02:23 The sweet spot for fractional HR: companies from 4 to 60 employees
04:06 When to start thinking about HR in the context of exit planning
05:45 Why HR gets the short straw from day one, and the gap that never closes
07:55 HR Compass: making fractional HR affordable for the smallest businesses
09:20 Risk miscalculation: why owners don’t know what they don’t know
10:30 The aggregation trap: multiple companies, one owner, one threshold
11:10 The cost of non-compliance: fines, back wages, and the I-9 example
12:40 Two hours a month on organizational health: Cindi’s standing advice to CEOs
14:00 Attrition rates can lie: the difference between low turnover and a healthy workforce
15:45 Why buyers pay more for organizational health, not just good numbers
17:30 The people-are-the-numbers argument: workforce as both asset and liability
18:45 1099 misclassification and what it looks like in due diligence
20:30 What the engagement looks like when Innovative Outsourcing comes in pre-exit
22:00 The HR Assessment and Roadmap: the house inspection analogy
24:00 Buyers need a story, not just financials: making the case for HR health
25:30 The most common HR traps: exempt/non-exempt misclassification
27:15 When misclassification derails a sale at the last minute
28:30 Personal liability for owners: when it goes beyond the business
30:00 Golden handcuffs and succession planning: keeping people through a transition
31:00 Below-market salaries as a hidden liability for buyers
36:00 Buttoned-up HR as a signal of overall business quality
37:30 A success story: the six-employee health company that exited well

Cindi Filer

Cindi Filer is Founder and CEO of Innovative Outsourcing, which she started in 1994 after leaving the traditional workforce to raise her children. Her focus is on bringing practical, high-level HR to small businesses, helping owners improve staff culture, increase retention, and stay in compliance. She is a frequent speaker to CEO groups and conferences on HR topics, and she publishes a biweekly HR newsletter on LinkedIn.

Cindi graduated from Wake Forest University. She is married to Don, and they have two children, Matt and Emily.

Innovative Outsourcing

Innovative Outsourcing is an Atlanta-based firm that has been providing HR and recruiting services to small businesses since 1994. The firm operates two main practice areas: consultative recruiting for part-time and full-time professional roles and fractional HR services for companies that need HR expertise without a full-time HR hire.

On the HR side, Innovative Outsourcing offers a range of engagement models, from HR Compass, a monthly fractional HR service starting at $500 per month, to the HR Assessment and Roadmap, a structured audit and planning tool designed to surface compliance gaps and people-strategy weaknesses. The firm works with companies from just a few employees up through those large enough to need an HR director, and its team includes consultants with decades of experience across HR compliance, talent management, and organizational development.

Website

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta (XPX) is a diverse group of professionals with a common goal: working collaboratively to assist business owners with a sale or business transition. XPX Atlanta is an association of advisors who provide professionalism, principles, and education to the heart of the middle market.

Their members work with business owners through all stages of the private company life cycle: business value growth, business value transfer, and owner life and legacy. Their vision: to fundamentally change the trajectory of exit planning services in the Southeast United States. XPX Atlanta delivers a collaboration-based networking exchange with broad representation of exit planning competencies. Learn more about XPX Atlanta and why you should consider joining our community by following this link.

The host of The Exit Exchange is John Ray, and the show is produced by North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®, in Alpharetta. The show archive can be found by following this link.

John Ray Co. is a Gold Sponsor of XPX Atlanta.

Mimms Museum Founders Win North Fulton Pioneer Award

April 29, 2026 by John Ray

Lonnie and Karin Mimms on Building the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art and Receiving the GNFCC North Fulton Pioneer Award (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 113)

North Fulton Studio

Mimms Museum Founders Win North Fulton Pioneer Award

00:00 /

Lonnie and Karin Mimms on Building the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art and Receiving the GNFCC North Fulton Pioneer Award (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 113)

Lonnie and Karin Mimms, founders of the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art in Roswell, joined host Kali Boatright on GNFCC 400 Insider to discuss the museum’s growth, its newest Apple exhibit, and their recognition with the Greater North Fulton Chamber’s 2026 North Fulton Pioneer Award.

What began as Lonnie’s childhood fascination with computers grew into one of the world’s most significant private collections of computing artifacts. Rather than keep that collection private, the Mimms family built a museum designed to preserve technology history, tell the stories behind the machines, and inspire future innovators.

The conversation also explores why the museum has expanded beyond computers to include art, space exploration, supercomputing, education, and design. Karin Mimms shares why the museum’s broader identity led to the rebrand from the Computer Museum of America to the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art.

Kali, Lonnie, and Karin also discuss iNSPIRE: Fifty Years of Innovation from Apple, school field trips, summer camps, volunteer and internship opportunities, Museum After Hours, and the museum’s growing role as a Roswell and North Fulton destination.

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

Lonnie Mimms’ childhood interest in programming and electronics grew into one of the world’s most significant private collections of computing artifacts.
The Mimms Museum of Technology and Art reflects a broader mission that connects technology, art, science, design, education, and storytelling.
The iNSPIRE Apple exhibit gives visitors a relatable look at 50 years of innovation, from early computers to products that changed daily life.
The museum is built to inspire young people, families, artists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about what innovation makes possible.
Lonnie and Karin Mimms were honored with the 2026 North Fulton Pioneer Award for creating something new, lasting, and meaningful for the region.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to GNFCC 400 Insider
00:46 Lonnie and Karin Mimms and the 2026 North Fulton Pioneer Award
02:37 Lonnie’s early fascination with programming and computers
04:29 Electronics kits, Radio Shack, and a bedroom microcomputer
05:36 How a private collection became a public museum
06:39 Why technology and art belong together
08:16 The plumbing crisis that nearly delayed the museum’s opening
09:25 The staff, volunteers, and grit behind the launch
11:33 Why Roswell and North Fulton became the right home
13:30 Inspiring young people through exposure to technology and art
16:14 Why the stories behind the artifacts matter
17:40 iNSPIRE: Fifty Years of Innovation from Apple
18:50 A museum experience for three generations
19:34 Bringing pieces of Paul Allen’s Living Computer Museum to Roswell
21:26 Upcoming events, including David Pogue, camps, talks, and rotating exhibits
23:42 Volunteer and internship opportunities
25:37 Lonnie’s hope for the museum’s legacy
26:35 Karin on the work, risk, and persistence behind the dream
29:07 How to visit, follow, and support the Mimms Museum
30:26 Why the museum surprises people who think it is “just for nerds”
32:04 Closing thoughts from Kali Boatright

Mimms Museum of Technology and Art

The Mimms Museum of Technology and Art in Roswell was founded by Lonnie and Karin Mimms to preserve the history of computing, celebrate the connection between technology and art, and inspire future generations of innovators. Built from Lonnie’s more than 40 years of collecting and Karin’s background in education and storytelling, the museum brings together rare computing artifacts, immersive exhibits, art, design, software, documents, and cultural history.

The museum began with pop-up exhibits before opening its permanent Roswell location in 2019 as the Computer Museum of America. In 2025, it rebranded as the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art, reflecting a broader mission that reaches beyond computers alone. Its collections include everything from room-size supercomputers and personal computers to operating systems, games, engineering drawings, corporate records, marketing materials, and art shaped by technology.

At its core, the Mimms Museum exists to preserve the past in a way that sparks curiosity about the future. Its mission is to educate and inspire visitors of all ages by showing how human creativity, problem-solving, engineering, and artistic expression have shaped the digital world we live in today. The museum also emphasizes making technology careers more accessible, especially for students and underserved communities.

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About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider podcast

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.

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.

Maria Fundora, Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant

April 28, 2026 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Maria Fundora, Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant

00:00 /

Maria Fundora, Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant, on Farm-to-Table Italian Food, the Annual Block Party, and Purple Pansies (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 958)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Maria Fundora, owner of Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant in Alpharetta. With the restaurant approaching nearly 29 years of serving the community, the conversation covers the food philosophy and fresh ingredients that have set Casa Nuova apart since 1998, the family culture behind the operation, and the restaurant’s annual Community Block Party, which doubles as the launch event for her nonprofit, Purple Pansies. Casa Nuova is a cook-to-order kitchen offering traditional Italian fare, including pasta, fresh seafood, veal, and chicken, with a menu rooted in the recipes Chef Antonio Fundora developed at Alfredo’s back in 1974. The restaurant also operates a working farm steps from the building, now spanning 14 acres, that supplies the kitchen with tomatoes, corn, peppers, zucchini, and more during the growing season.

Maria describes hospitality at Casa Nuova as a “50-50 marriage” between food and service, with every guest treated as the top priority. That culture shows in the staff: Chef George has been with Casa Nuova for 28 years, Juan Carlos for 26, and Victoria for 22. The team gathers for a family meal together at 3:30 PM every day, and Maria says she would do the same tasks as any team member. A regular customer put it simply: she can’t always remember what she ordered, but she always remembers how Casa Nuova made her feel. Maria also received the Legacy Award from the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, which she took as a call to mentor younger people in the community.

On the food side, Casa Nuova serves only fresh seafood, fresh veal, and fresh chicken. Nothing is frozen, and all meat is butchered in-house. In the summer months, the kitchen draws from a working farm just steps from the restaurant, which now spans 14 acres and produces tomatoes, corn, peppers, zucchini, and more. The Community Block Party on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:30 PM at the restaurant is free and open to the public, with a complimentary buffet and live music. Donations to Purple Pansies are welcome but not required. Every dollar raised by Purple Pansies goes directly to clinical trials and research, emergency grants for families battling the disease, and scholarships for children of pancreatic cancer patients.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

A longtime Casa Nuova regular told Maria she can’t always remember what she ordered, but she always remembers how the restaurant made her feel. That’s the standard Maria and her team work to deliver for every guest.
Casa Nuova staff longevity is remarkable: Chef George has been with the restaurant for 28 years, Juan Carlos for 26, and Victoria for 22. The team shares a family meal together at 3:30 PM every day.
Casa Nuova uses only fresh seafood, fresh veal, and fresh chicken. All meat is butchered in-house, which is why portions vary in appearance rather than arriving pre-cut and identical.
Casa Nuova’s 14-acre farm, which began with a single acre in 2000, grows vegetables used directly in the kitchen during the summer months, including the corn behind the restaurant’s celebrated corn chowder.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Maria Fundora
01:48 Maria Fundora introduces Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant and its nearly 29-year history
04:42 Staff longevity and the family culture inside Casa Nuova
05:39 Legacy Award from the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
07:37 How guests are remembered and Casa Nuova’s role in celebrations of life
09:12 Annual Community Block Party: free admission, complimentary buffet, Sunday May 3rd, 2026, 2:00 to 5:30 PM
10:42 Block party details: paella, roasted pig, gelato, live music, and children’s corner
15:38 Fresh ingredients: no frozen seafood, veal, or chicken; everything butchered in-house
18:28 The farm: 14 acres of vegetables growing steps from the restaurant
20:57 Purple Pansies: clinical trials, emergency grants, and scholarships for families
21:33 Contact information for Casa Nuova and Purple Pansies

Maria Fundora, Owner

Maria Fundora is the owner of Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant in Alpharetta and the founder of Purple Pansies, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting pancreatic cancer. She co-founded Casa Nuova in 1998 with her late husband, Chef Antonio “Tony” Fundora, after the couple had built a string of successful Atlanta restaurants, including the original Alfredo’s, which Tony opened in 1974.

Maria immigrated to the United States from Cuba in the 1960s, grew up in Chicago where her father was a restaurateur, and moved to Atlanta in the 1980s. She founded Purple Pansies in 2009 following her mother’s death from pancreatic cancer, and the organization became an incorporated nonprofit in 2017.

Maria has received the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Legacy Award, the Greater North Fulton Chamber Small Business of the Year Award (2023), the Atlanta Business Chronicle Leaders in Corporate Citizenship Award (2021), and recognition as one of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber’s 50 Most Influential in Georgia. She was also appointed to the National Pancreatic Cancer Council in 2022.

Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant

Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant is a family-owned and operated establishment in Alpharetta that has served traditional Italian cuisine since 1998.

The restaurant is a cook-to-order kitchen offering pasta, chicken, fresh seafood, veal, and vegetarian and gluten-free options, along with daily specials. All seafood, veal, and chicken are fresh and butchered in-house. In the summer months, the kitchen draws from a working farm just steps from the restaurant, growing tomatoes, corn, peppers, zucchini, and more for direct use in the kitchen. Casa Nuova also offers catering for private events of all sizes.

Maria and her husband, the late Chef Antonio Fundora co-founded the restaurant, and their son Jose “Pepe” Fundora now serves as executive chef. Casa Nuova is located at 5670 Atlanta Highway in Alpharetta and is open Monday through Saturday beginning at 4:00 PM.

Website | Facebook

Purple Pansies

Purple Pansies is a nonprofit organization founded by Maria Fundora in 2009 after losing her mother to pancreatic cancer and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2017. Its mission is to fund research and provide support for those affected by pancreatic cancer through clinical trials, emergency financial grants for families actively battling the disease, and scholarships for children of pancreatic cancer patients.

Purple Pansies operates entirely on volunteers, and every dollar raised goes directly to its mission. Two annual fundraising events support the organization: the Community Block Party, hosted each spring at Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant, and the Pillars of Hope gala each fall. Through these efforts, Purple Pansies has raised more than $5 million for pancreatic cancer research and patient support.

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Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

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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.

Julio Gonzalez, Opticution, on Fractional COO Services and Helping Mid-Sized Businesses Scale (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 961)

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Julio Gonzalez, Founder

Opticution

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 the GNFCC 2026 DC Fly-In: North Fulton Advocacy, GA 400 Mobility, Workforce, and Regional Growth (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 114)

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Topics Discussed in this Episode

Judge Gardner III, Director of Regional Operations, Atlanta Gas Light

Tim Perry, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer, Jamestown

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider podcast

Past Guests Revisited: Dr. James Connelly of Results Rehab, Terry Lakritz and Christopher James of The Odd Couple Roofing Specialists, and Jacqueline Jensen of EOS Worldwide (Family Business Radio, Episode 76)

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Dr. James Connelly, Results Rehab

Christopher James and Terry Lakritz, The Odd Couple Roofing Specialists

Jacqueline Jensen, Professional EOS Implementer

Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

Hootan Shahidi of ProspHire Joins Patrick O’Rourke to Talk Dental AI, Guided Implants, Revenue Cycle, and DSO Change Management (Dental Business Radio, Episode 64)

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Hootan Shahidi, ProspHire

About Dental Business Radio

Practice Quotient

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Paris and James Williams, Next Level Financial, on Fractional CFO Services for Commercial Real Estate Firms (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 960)

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Paris Williams, CEO, Next Level Financial

James Williams Jr., CFO, Next Level Financial

Next Level Financial

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Marcia West, Medicare Broker, on Navigating Medicare Plans, Supplements, and Enrollment Timing (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 959)

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Topics Discussed in this Episode

Marcia West, Medicare Broker

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

Cindi Filer, Innovative Outsourcing, on HR Issues That Derail a Business Exit (The Exit Exchange, Episode 27)

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Cindi Filer

Innovative Outsourcing

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

Lonnie and Karin Mimms on Building the Mimms Museum of Technology and Art and Receiving the GNFCC North Fulton Pioneer Award (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 113)

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Topics Discussed in this Episode

Mimms Museum of Technology and Art

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider podcast

Maria Fundora, Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant, on Farm-to-Table Italian Food, the Annual Block Party, and Purple Pansies (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 958)

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Maria Fundora, Owner

Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant

Purple Pansies

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

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