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Integrating Faith and Business: Insights from André Blythe, Author of Some Assembly Required

June 3, 2025 by John Ray

André Blythe, Author of Some Assembly Required, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
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André Blythe, Author of Some Assembly Required, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Integrating Faith and Business: Insights from André Blythe, Author of Some Assembly Required: Discovering God’s Plan for Your Life (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 875)

In this inspiring episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray sits down with Andre Blythe, author of Some Assembly Required: Discovering God’s Plans for Your Life. Andre, a senior leader in the payments and human capital management space and ordained minister since 1994, shares his journey of integrating faith and business without compartmentalizing his life.

Andre opens up about his recent career challenges, including being laid off just one week after his book launch, and how he used this setback as an opportunity to mentor others and grow personally. He discusses the importance of patience in discovering life’s plans, the danger of expecting success to be “beamed down” like in Star Trek, and why we need to “grow where we are planted.”

Key topics covered include balancing bivocational responsibilities, building authentic influence while contributing to your community, and why self-identity matters more than the roles we play. Andre also shares practical advice for professionals struggling to integrate their personal values with their career ambitions.

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:

Don’t compartmentalize your identity – Be authentically yourself across all areas of life rather than wearing different “masks” for work, faith, and personal situations
Grow through what you’re going through – Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” Ask, “What is God teaching me in this season?”
Balance personal success with community contribution – While building your career and brand is important, ensure you’re also pouring into others and making things better for your community
Grow where you are planted – Even when you feel underutilized or in a lesser role, focus on contributing excellently to your current situation rather than waiting for the “perfect” opportunity

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:31 Guest Introduction: André Blythe
01:44 André Blythe‘s Background and Career
03:28 The Journey of Writing Some Assembly Required
04:30 Integrating Faith and Business
06:08 Dealing with Career Challenges
09:18 Mentoring and Helping Others
19:51 Balancing Business and Ministry
24:36 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
25:42 Final Words and Show Wrap-Up

André Blythe, Author of Some Assembly Required: Discovering God’s Plan for Your Life

André Blythe is a senior corporate leader who is also a Bible teacher and Christian minister who has been in pastoral service since 1994.

His passion for writing grew from his sermons. He believes discovering God’s plan involves active participation, not just focusing on the end, often drawing inspiration from Jeremiah 29:11. From humble beginnings to corporate success and pastoral leadership, André‘s story is a powerful testament to the grace of God’s guidance. Through personal struggles and triumphs, he discovered the importance of aligning his life with God’s plan rather than moving ahead on his own.

Now, he’s ready to share how you can do the same. André enjoys time with his wife, Leslie, and son, Myles.

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 870 shows and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates 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, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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

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

Tagged With: André Blythe, Author, career change, Christian Ministry, faith and business, John Ray, minister, North Fulton Business Radio

The Role of Human Capital in Successful Business Exits, with Steve Keck and Maria Forbes

June 3, 2025 by John Ray

The Role of Human Capital in Successful Business Exits, with Steve Keck and Maria Forbes, on The Exit Exchange podcast with host John Ray
North Fulton Studio
The Role of Human Capital in Successful Business Exits, with Steve Keck and Maria Forbes
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The Role of Human Capital in Successful Business Exits, with Steve Keck and Maria Forbes, on The Exit Exchange podcast with host John Ray

The Role of Human Capital in Successful Business Exits, with Steve Keck and Maria Forbes (The Exit Exchange, Episode 24)

In this episode of The Exit Exchange, host John Ray sits down with experts Steve Keck, President of Span the Chasm, and Maria Forbes, President and Founder of FIREPOWER Teams, to discuss the significance of human capital in planning for business exits. Steve and Maria, both members of XPX Atlanta, delve into how understanding and optimizing human capital can impact the exit process. They offer insights into how cultural data and human performance science are vital in preparing a business for sale, highlighting the importance of addressing owner dependency and role clarity within organizations. The discussion emphasizes the collaboration of financial and human capital assessments to enhance business value and address potential buyer needs, ultimately improving both financial outcomes and overall satisfaction with the exit process.

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

Maria Forbes, FIREPOWER Teams

Maria Forbes, FIREPOWER Teams, on the Exit Exchange podcast
Maria Forbes, FIREPOWER Teams

Maria Forbes is the Founder and President of FIREPOWER Teams. Maria’s thirty-year consulting career serves privately held business owners in financial services and related fields across the U.S. Our mission is to integrate financial capital with human capital in planning for organizational growth and continuity. Maria’s work frames the long-term trajectory of business growth and succession through people-powered structures that enable an ongoing positive impact of talent through all business life cycles.

Maria and her teams provide expertise in expanding internal capacity through creative alignment of human values, making it possible for owners and key decision-makers to lead both their people and their businesses confidently toward the future. As a committed strategic partner to her clients, Maria makes visible the arrangement of human strengths as part of an innovative business strategy. This work optimizes organizational performance and builds transferable value as owners look toward a role transition and business succession.

Maria conducts a summer mentor program for college graduates and seasoned professionals who are navigating career transitions. The mentor process develops personal advantage in the career marketplace and fosters confidence in communicating the best roles for a successful new career.

Maria is a Kolbe Certified Consultant, Faculty member of The Life Transitions University™, mentor, and member of the Catholic Charities Atlanta Georgia Leadership Program.

LinkedIn

Steve Keck, Span the Chasm

Steve Keck, Span the Chasm, on The Exit Exchange podcast
Steve Keck, Span the Chasm

Steve Keck is the President of Span the Chasm, a company that uses a cultural data science methodology to integrate people data and data science for executive talent management, team alignment, and sales execution strategy development. Since December 2018, he has led efforts in team assessments, talent management, sales training, and executive coaching for high-growth companies. In addition to his role at Span the Chasm, Steve serves as Chief Revenue Officer at BoltCare, where he manages go-to-market strategy and sales initiatives.

He has also held leadership roles such as Chief Growth Officer at zPaper and Chief Navigation Officer at SRCC, focusing on aligning departments for growth and helping business owners implement ideas effectively. Earlier in his career, Steve was a Senior Training Architect at Payscape, designing sales training programs and managing learning systems. He has extensive experience in banking, having managed branches and business development at institutions like PNC, SunTrust Bank, and Atlantic States Bank.

A Georgia Tech graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Management and Finance, Steve is certified in BestWork Data Assessment and Salesforce, among other credentials. He combines expertise in sales strategy, talent optimization, and executive coaching to drive sustainable business growth and improve sales team performance.

LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Show Overview
02:00 Meet the Guests: Steve Keck and Maria Forbes
02:17 Understanding Human Capital in Exit Planning
04:35 Identifying Company Shortfalls and Owner Dependency
10:42 The Role of Data in Team Dynamics
18:10 Engagement Process and Strategic Goals
22:43 The Importance of Human Capital in Business Succession
23:58 Defining Culture, Management, and Environment
26:27 The Real Meaning of Alignment and Optimization
28:28 ROI and the Impact on Business Exits
33:30 The Role of Human Capital in Due Diligence
39:45 The Emotional Transition from Business Owner to CEO
41:48 The Value of Collaboration in XPX Atlanta
43:56 Conclusion and Contact Information

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 is a Gold Sponsor of XPX Atlanta.

Tagged With: alignment, business sale, Culture, due dilige, due diligence, exit planning, FIREPOWER Business Catalyst, Firepower Teams, Human Capital, John Ray, Maria Forbes, owner dependency, Span the Chasm, Steve Keck, Team Alignment, team dynamics

Price Without Fear, with pricing expert Andrew Bailey

May 28, 2025 by John Ray

Price Without Fear, with pricing expert Andrew Bailey, on The Price and Value Journey podcast with host John Ray
North Fulton Studio
Price Without Fear, with pricing expert Andrew Bailey
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Price Without Fear, with pricing expert Andrew Bailey, on The Price and Value Journey podcast with host John Ray

Price Without Fear, with pricing expert Andrew Bailey (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 134)

In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, pricing expert Andrew Bailey joins host John Ray to explore why fear and hesitation dominate so many conversations around pricing. Drawing on his extensive experience as a pricing strategist and negotiation coach, Andrew shares how solo and small firm professionals can move from anxiety to confidence by focusing on outcomes, shifting mindset, and learning how to express value more clearly.

They discuss why price communicates more than numbers, how to handle pricing objections without falling into discount traps, and why clarity, not persuasion, is the key to powerful pricing conversations. If you struggle with how to price your services, talk about your worth, or respond to pushback, this conversation offers clarity, practical advice, and a fresh mindset.

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

Key Takeaways from Andrew Bailey in this Episode

  • Pricing is not just a financial decision. It’s a story you tell your clients about your value. Too often, professionals price to be liked or to avoid losing business, rather than pricing to reflect their true impact.
  • Confidence at the pricing table comes from clarity. When you can articulate the results you deliver and back them up with real-world evidence, you can name your price without flinching.
  • Negotiation is often misunderstood. It’s not about tricks, pressure, or pushing for discounts. It’s about clear communication, options that fit the client’s goals, and being willing to walk away when a fit isn’t right.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
02:04 The Psychology of Pricing
05:26 Overcoming Fear in Pricing
09:06 Building Confidence in Pricing
17:39 Value Proposition vs. Client-Defined Value
21:20 Quantifying and Monetizing Value
23:16 The Importance of Price in Business
23:41 Building Strong Client Relationships
24:45 The Value Conversation
25:43 Effective Client Engagement
31:18 The Role of Introverts in Sales
34:05 Negotiation Strategies
44:48 Confident Pricing Communication
47:54 Conclusion and Contact Information

Andrew Bailey

Andrew Bailey
Andrew Bailey

Andrew talks about 4 skills that combine to give people and businesses the confidence to “price without fear” and achieve the profit they deserve.

With so many businesses undervaluing what they do, he helps people discover and quantify value, price to their value, powerfully sell their proposition and negotiate with confidence and strength.

Andrew works with many businesses from corporate multinationals to SMEs, in the private and public sectors in a range of industries from consumer goods, construction, drinks and tobacco to online retailing, IT, printing, leisure, professional services and education.

He has published a book outlining his distinct approach, is writing his second book on pricing, value and negotiating, and is asked to contribute to other publications. He regularly speaks at events and seminars on pricing, value and negotiating and has his own podcast as a way of reaching more people.

Holding an MBA from Nottingham Business School, Andrew is also a guest lecturer at the Business School amongst others and teaches undergraduates, business students and company executives on the Executive Education Programme. He has been recognized and awarded fellowships by a number of business organizations, including the Chartered Inst. of Marketing, the Institute of Directors and the Chartered Management Institute.

Website | LinkedIn

About The Price and Value Journey Podcast

The Price and Value Journey is a show for expert-service professionals who want more than formulas and quick fixes. If you’re a solo or small-firm provider—consultant, coach, attorney, CPA, or fractional executive—you know the real work of building a practice goes far beyond pricing. It’s about finding clarity, showing up with confidence, and learning how to express the full value of what you do in ways that clients understand and appreciate.

The Price and Value Journey Podcast with host John RayHosted by John Ray, business advisor and author of The Generosity Mindset, this podcast explores the deeper journey behind running a services business: how you think about your work, how you relate to clients, and how you sustain a business that’s not only profitable but deeply fulfilling. Yes, we talk pricing, but we also talk mindset, business development, trust, empathy, positioning, and all the intangible ingredients that make a practice thrive.

With solo episodes and conversations featuring thoughtful guests, The Price and Value Journey is a companion for professionals who are building something meaningful. Produced in partnership with North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, the podcast is accessible on all major podcast platforms. The complete show archive is here.

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

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

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

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

In his other business, John is a podcast show host, strategist, and the owner of North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their podcast using The Generosity Mindset® Method: building and deepening relationships in a non-salesy way that translates into revenue for their business.

John is also the host of North Fulton Business Radio. With over 850 shows and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in its region like no one else.

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

The Generosity Mindset, by John RayJohn is the #1 national best-selling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

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

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

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

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

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

Connect with John Ray:

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Business RadioX®:  LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Tagged With: Andrew Bailey, changing your pricing mindset, introverts in sales, John Ray, pricing, pricing strategy, The Price and Value Journey, value conversation, value proposition

How Hemophilia of Georgia Transforms Lives Through Innovation, Care, and Community, with Vic McCarty

May 22, 2025 by John Ray

Good2Give Podcast
Good2Give Podcast
How Hemophilia of Georgia Transforms Lives Through Innovation, Care, and Community, with Vic McCarty
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How Hemophilia of Georgia Transforms Lives Through Innovation, Care, and Community, with Vic McCarty, on the Good2Give podcast

How Hemophilia of Georgia Transforms Lives Through Innovation, Care, and Community, with Vic McCarty (Good2Give Podcast, Episode 16)

In this episode of the Good2Give podcast, hosts Maria Walden and DePriest Waddy sit down with Vic McCarty, Chief Community Engagement Officer at Hemophilia of Georgia (HoG), to explore how this remarkable nonprofit is redefining comprehensive care for individuals with inherited bleeding disorders. From groundbreaking research and global outreach to scholarships and summer camps for youth, Vic shares the powerful ways HoG supports more than 2,200 patients across Georgia.

Hear how HoG’s partnership with the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia amplifies their impact and why Georgia is one of the best places in the country to live with hemophilia. Vic’s passion, humor, and wealth of insight make the episode an inspiring conversation about mission-driven innovation, strategic fundraising, and holistic care, from birth to adulthood.

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

Key Takeaways from this Episode

  • Wraparound Care from Birth to Adulthood: Hemophilia of Georgia provides comprehensive support—including medical, social, and emotional services—for patients throughout their entire lives.
  • More Than Medical: Through youth leadership camps, educational scholarships, and a focus on mental health, HoG addresses the full spectrum of living with a bleeding disorder.
  • Strategic Partnerships Matter: Vic highlights why HoG chose to partner with the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia and how this collaboration is expanding their donor reach and mission capacity.
  • Global and Local Impact: HoG’s “twinning” initiative helps develop care infrastructure in underserved countries, while maintaining Georgia as a national model of care.
  • Education is Power: Most people don’t understand bleeding disorders or the difference between HoG and more visible organizations like the Red Cross. Raising awareness is essential—and personal stories help.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to the Good2Give Podcast
00:19 Meet the Hosts and Vic McCarty
00:46 Vic McCarthy’s Role and Impact
01:41 Partnership with the Community Foundation
04:12 Hemophilia of Georgia’s Mission and Programs
06:01 Research, Scholarships, and Global Aid
13:58 Understanding Hemophilia and Von Willebrand Disease
16:04 Summer Camp and Volunteer Opportunities
20:14 Navigating Life with Hemophilia
21:08 Introduction to Hemophilia Care
21:53 Comprehensive Support Services
22:34 Insurance and Financial Assistance
24:37 Personal Stories and Experiences
27:28 Detection and Diagnosis
31:05 Lifestyle and Holistic Approaches
33:39 Mental Health and Emotional Support
35:54 Scholarships and Career Support
37:53 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Hemophilia of Georgia

Hemophilia of Georgia (HoG) is a nationally and internationally recognized nonprofit organization that provides programs and support services for people with hemophilia, von Willebrand Disease, and other bleeding disorders. HoG is the only agency of its kind in the state and is dedicated to enhancing the health and wellness of the bleeding disorder community by providing excellence in comprehensive health care, education, advocacy, and the support of research to transform lives.

Since 1973, Hemophilia of Georgia has been providing blood-clotting medications, home infusion training, educational programs, and clinical services. The Georgia General Assembly has honored Hemophilia of Georgia (HoG) every year for the exceptional work that the organization and its staff have done in serving the community of people with bleeding disorders over the past ten years. Dedicated to their mission, the people at Hemophilia of Georgia know it takes more than medicine to support the bleeding disorder community.

HoG works to enhance health care and quality of life while actively pursuing a cure through research funding. Hemophilia of Georgia looks forward to the day when we live in a world where people live free from bleeding disorders.

  • HoG is a trusted resource for medical providers and offers rewarding opportunities for volunteers and donors.
  • HoG’s nonprofit pharmacy provides convenient home delivery of clotting factor and other medications at competitive prices.
  • HoG is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors that includes individuals who have a bleeding disorder.
  • For 50 years, Hemophilia of Georgia has provided a wide range of programs and services, including blood clotting products, home infusion training, education, and activities for people who have hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

Hemophilia of Georgia exists so that people affected by bleeding disorders live as normally and productively as possible.

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

Vic McCarty, Hemophilia of Georgia

Vic McCarty, Hemophilia of Georgia
Vic McCarty, Hemophilia of Georgia

Vic McCarty currently serves as Chief Community Engagement Officer at Hemophilia of Georgia.

Since 2000, Vic has been involved in nonprofit organizations and fundraising, where he has been creating and improving signature events, managing budgets and timelines, and working closely with planning committees and volunteers. Vic is responsible for creating the Trot to Clot Walk event for Hemophilia of Georgia.

Vic also has a strong background in strategic and visionary planning, engaging community stakeholders, securing charitable support from corporations, and providing training for event committees and volunteers. He has worked with business executives, community leaders, college students, and internal staff on creating and implementing signature events as well as developing vision plans and timelines for signature events. Vic has worked with several nonprofit youth organizations, serving as both a volunteer and staff member.

Vic resides in Marietta with his wife, Shanie, and two kids. He enjoys traveling, cooking, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering with the Georgia 4-H Foundation.

LinkedIn

About the Good2Give Podcast

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

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

Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia

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

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

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

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

Tagged With: bleeding disorders, cfneg, DePriest Waddy, hemophilia, hemophilia of georgia, Maria Walden, Nonprofit, The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, Vic McCarty

Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain

May 22, 2025 by John Ray

Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain, on the North Fulton Business Radio podcast with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
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Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain, on the North Fulton Business Radio podcast with host John Ray

Leading Through Chaos and Finding Clarity in Change, with Amy Comeau, Author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 874)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray speaks with Amy Comeau, consultant, speaker, and author of Every Storm Runs Out of Rain. Amy shares the story behind her book, a leadership memoir drawn from her experience leading a healthcare marketing team through the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She discusses the power of reflection, the importance of communication during uncertainty, and the lessons leaders can draw from moments of upheaval. Amy explains how leaders can stay focused on what truly matters, manage change in a way that builds trust, and maintain clarity even when nothing feels certain. The conversation touches on emotional resilience, practical leadership tools, and the difference between reacting and responding when everything is shifting.

This episode is a thoughtful resource for anyone navigating organizational change or seeking to lead with intention during uncertain times.

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:

  • Leadership Is Grounded in Presence: Amy’s practice of writing weekly emails created stability and connection for her team during crisis.
  • Focus on the “Squiggly Middle”: Great leaders direct energy toward what truly matters and what they can control—not the chaos around them.
  • Reflection Builds Clarity: Sharing real-time thoughts helped Amy process the moment and lead more effectively.
  • Change Is Constant: The lessons she shares apply beyond the pandemic and offer a framework for any chaotic or transitional season.
  • Simple Tools Have Power: Whiteboarding exercises and asking better questions are small actions that produce strategic clarity.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:29 Guest Introduction: Amy Comeau
01:44 Amy’s Background and Book Overview
02:36 Leadership Lessons from the Pandemic
06:13 Managing Change and Team Dynamics
08:11 Balancing Control and Responsibility
18:20 Burnout and Personal Reflections
20:22 Recovering from Burnout
21:02 Burnout and Grief: Unexpected Similarities
22:19 Finding Joy in Dark Times
23:08 Recognizing Non-Clinical Healthcare Workers
26:07 The Importance of Every Role in Healthcare
29:50 Consulting Through Chaotic Change
32:53 The Therapeutic Power of Writing
35:02 Where to Find Amy’s Book
36:17 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Author, Consultant, and Speaker Amy Comeau

Amy Moudy Comeau, MBA, is an acclaimed and award-winning marketing executive with decades of experience leading marketing teams in health care, education and the arts.

A graduate of Northwestern University and Goizueta Business School at Emory University, Comeau is a respected thought leader in marketing, health care, and leadership.

She is the author of the award-winning book Every Storm Runs Out of Rain: Leading a Health Care Marketing Team Through a Global Pandemic, and she currently speaks and consults on marketing, communications, and leadership.

She resides in Conyers, Georgia, with her family and is a proud Buffalo native.

Website | LinkedIn

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 870 shows and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates 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, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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

John Ray, 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 and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

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

Tagged With: Amy Comeau, Author, burnout, dealing with burnout, Healthcare, healthcare leadership, healthcare marketing, John Ray, Leadership, Leadership Lessons, North Fulton Business Radio, pandemic, team dynamics

Curvy Fashion and Confidence, with Veronica Miller, House of Trendz Boutique

May 21, 2025 by John Ray

Curvy Fashion and Confidence, with Veronica Miller, House of Trendz Boutique
North Fulton Business Radio
Curvy Fashion and Confidence, with Veronica Miller, House of Trendz Boutique
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Curvy Fashion and Confidence, with Veronica Miller, House of Trendz Boutique

Curvy Fashion and Confidence, with Veronica Miller, House of Trendz Boutique (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 873)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray talks with Veronica Miller, owner of House of Trendz Boutique in Roswell. Veronica shares her personal journey in fashion, including how her own experience as a curvy shopper inspired her to build a brand focused on stylish, affordable clothing for all women, especially those often overlooked by traditional fashion.

She explains how House of Trendz curates seasonal collections with intention, stays on top of industry trends, and focuses on helping clients feel as good as they look. Veronica also discusses the not-so-glamorous side of owning a boutique and the business strategy required to make it sustainable.

Whether you’re passionate about fashion, retail entrepreneurship, or body-positive business models, this conversation offers insights you will not want to miss.

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:

  • Fashion with Purpose: Veronica’s boutique was born from her own frustration with the lack of stylish, size-inclusive options on the market.
  • Confidence First: Clothing is not just about looks—it’s about how you feel. A perfect fit can shape your whole day.
  • Seasonal Storytelling: Each collection is curated to match a seasonal theme, like resort wear or layering for fall.
  • Business Reality Check: Running a boutique takes strategy, planning, and profound understanding of your customer—not just a love of fashion.
  • Listening to the Customer: Veronica combines trade shows, fashion media, and direct customer feedback to shape her product offerings.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Business Radio
01:50 Guest Introduction: Veronica Miller
02:10 Veronica’s Fashion Journey
03:37 Challenges in the Fashion Industry
05:40 Sourcing and Trends
08:42 Psychology of Fashion
10:37 Running a Boutique Business
12:44 Online vs. In-Store Experience
15:28 Customer Engagement and Feedback
19:29 Current Fashion Trends
21:59 Store Details and Customer Reviews
28:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Veronica Miller, House of Trendz Boutique

Veronica’s career path has been diverse. After studying at the New York Institute of Finance and the Christine Valmy School in New York City, she worked as a National Sales Manager for a Fortune 500 company for 16 years before launching her own wholesale business in 2005.

In 2023, Veronica made a decision to serve the consumer and started House of Trendz Boutique, located at Painted Tree in Roswell, a size-inclusive clothing & accessories shop for sizes small to 3X that specializes in plus-size fashion.

House of Trendz Boutique is located at 4651 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA 30075.

Her impressive résumé also includes time as a Commercial Collector for Manufacturers Hanover and a freelance makeup artist. Veronica’s interests include cooking, singing, and mentoring; you can find some of her cooking videos on her YouTube channel, “Veronica Miller: Meet Me in the Kitchen.”

She is a member and Area Director with BNI Atlanta and a member of the Alpharetta Business Association.

Website | Google Maps | Facebook | Instagram

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 870 shows and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates 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, and it is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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

John Ray, 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 and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

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

Tagged With: Boutique, curvy women, fashion boutique, fashion industry, House of Trendz Boutique, John Ray, North Fulton Business Radio, plus size fashion, Veronica Miller, women's clothing, women's fashion

Navigating Family Business Succession and Sale: Insights from Rick Calabrese and Joe Bergin, Commonwealth M&A, and Lyle Newkirk, SeatonHill Partners

May 21, 2025 by John Ray

Navigating Family Business Succession and Sale: Insights from Rick Calabrese and Joe Bergen, Commonwealth M&A, and Lyle Newkirk, SeatonHill Partners, on Family Business Radio podcast with host Anthony Chen, Lighthouse Financial
Family Business Radio
Navigating Family Business Succession and Sale: Insights from Rick Calabrese and Joe Bergin, Commonwealth M&A, and Lyle Newkirk, SeatonHill Partners
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Navigating Family Business Succession and Sale: Insights from Rick Calabrese and Joe Bergin, Commonwealth M&A, and Lyle Newkirk, SeatonHill Partners, on Family Business Radio podcast with host Anthony ChenNavigating Family Business Succession and Sale: Insights from Rick Calabrese and Joe Bergin, Commonwealth M&A, and Lyle Newkirk, SeatonHill Partners (Family Business Radio, Episode 64)

In this episode of Family Business Radio, host Anthony Chen welcomes three experienced advisors to discuss the intricacies of planning for family business succession and sale. Rick Calabrese and Joe Bergin from Commonwealth M&A share their personal journeys and expertise in assisting small businesses with transitions, covering topics such as business valuation, the emotional aspects of selling, and the importance of having a professional advisor. Lyle Newkirk from Seton Hill Partners brings a different perspective, discussing his experience in corporate M&A and the importance of preparation and strategic advisory for small and mid-sized businesses. The discussion includes practical advice on preparing for an exit, the role of private equity, and addressing common misconceptions and pitfalls. The episode aims to provide family business owners with valuable insights to ensure a seamless transition and maximize their business’s value.

Anthony concludes the show by underlining the need for thoughtful retirement planning.

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:

Rick Calabrese, Commonwealth M&A

  • “There’s no perfect time to sell—only the right time, when your goals and your business are aligned.”
  • Rolling equity (a partial sale with continued involvement) allows owners to take chips off the table now and participate in a second payday later.
  • Emotional readiness is just as important as financial readiness in family business succession.

Joe Bergin, Commonwealth M&A

  • “Your business is worth what someone is willing to pay. That’s why process and positioning matter.”
  • Valuation isn’t just math. It’s about risk, recurring revenue, and how the buyer sees your future cash flow.
  • M&A advisors aren’t just negotiators. They’re emotional buffers and translators between the parties.

Lyle Newkirk, SeatonHill Partners

  • “Don’t wait to clean up your books. Due diligence is like a 90-day colonoscopy.”
  • Many deals fall apart not on price, but on poor preparation, such as missing contracts, inadequate reporting, or emotional resistance.
  • Fractional executives can professionalize operations, prepare for exit, and give owners a trusted outside perspective.

Anthony Chen, Lighthouse Financial

  • Retirement planning isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about the lifestyle. Financial success is meaningless without a clear vision of what fulfillment looks like post-exit.
  • Think beyond the golf course. True retirement satisfaction requires more than vague hobbies. Entrepreneurs must get specific about how they want to spend their time and structure their lives once the business chapter closes.
  • Plan for retirement well in advance of the proposed deal. Planning for retirement should begin long before a business is sold. Knowing what comes next adds clarity and confidence to the decision to exit.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to Family Business Radio
00:48 Meet the Guests: Rick Calabrese and Joe Bergin
01:01 Background Stories: Rick and Joe’s Family Business Roots
05:31 Understanding Business Valuation
07:41 Timing the Sale of Your Family Business and Family Business Succession
10:17 Options for Partial Liquidity Events
13:45 Misconceptions About Private Equity
17:16 The Importance of M&A Advisors
19:02 Emotional Aspects of Selling a Family Business
23:25 Recognizing When to Step Aside
24:19 Resources for Business Owners
24:37 The Importance of Early Planning
25:46 Introducing Lyle Newkirk
28:01 Common Mistakes in Business Transactions
30:22 Preparing for a Successful Exit
35:05 The Role of Fractional Executives
38:29 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Rick Calabrese, Esq., CPA, LL.M., Co-Founder, Commonwealth M&A

Rick Calabrese, Esq., CPA, LL.M., Co-Founder, Commonwealth M&A
Rick Calabrese, Commonwealth M&A

Rick Calabrese is a licensed attorney and certified public accountant in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and also has a Masters of Law in Taxation from Villanova University School of Law. Prior to attending law school, Rick obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (accounting) from the University of Pittsburgh. After law school, Rick worked at “Big 4” accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Center City, Philadelphia, prior to engaging in the active practice of law primarily in the fields of tax, corporate business, M&A and commercial real estate at suburban Philadelphia-based law firms.

During his time practicing law (which he still does part-time), Rick handled multi-million-dollar transactions for small to medium-sized businesses. While many other clients may have to use multiple advisors on a given transaction, Rick used his unique and specialized tax, business, M&A, and CPA background to assist clients through the entire process of family business succession, from initial planning and structuring to drafting purchase agreements and closing.

Rick now lives with his wife, Lindsey; their son, Luca; and their dog, Maverick, in Chester County, PA. In his free time, you can find Rick out on the links or passionately cheering on the Big 4 Philadelphia sports teams, Villanova basketball, and Pitt Panthers football.

LinkedIn | Firm Website

Joe Bergin, Co-Founder, Commonwealth M&A

Joe Bergin, Commonwealth M&A
Joe Bergin, Commonwealth M&A

Joe Bergin graduated from Penn State University (University Park) with Bachelor’s Degrees in Finance and Economics. Joe is also a Certified Management Accountant and worked at Johnson & Johnson for over a decade spanning multiple roles & responsibilities culminating in a series of roles spent analyzing, structuring, and executing M&A and venture capital transactions.

During his time in Corporate Finance, Joe developed experience and skills ranging from strategic planning to complex financial modeling and business valuation. Joe passionately believes that Commonwealth M&A clients deserve to be represented with the same level of sophistication that Fortune 100 companies receive, regardless of deal size.

Born and raised in West Chester, PA, Joe is a passionate fan of all Philadelphia and Penn State sports. In his free time you can find him spending time with his wife and daughter or attending Penn State football games in the Fall.

LinkedIn | Firm Website

Lyle Newkirk, CFO Partner, SeatonHill Partners

Lyle Newkirk, SeatonHill Partners
Lyle Newkirk, SeatonHill Partners

Lyle Newkirk is a CFO partner with SeatonHill Partners. He has over 35 years of experience in CFO and executive finance roles. He has worked with public and private companies based both in the US and internationally, where he developed the strategies to achieve significant top-line revenue growth and helped to facilitate various successful acquisitions and strategic exits, including three exits to Fortune 500 companies. Lyle has extensive experience in technology companies in general and SaaS companies specifically. Lyle’s expertise also includes FP&A, growth planning and tactics, cash management, HR, sales operations, and regulatory compliance

SeatonHill provides organizations financial leadership with a strategic and operational focus by placing elite CFO talent to challenge the business and contribute to operational decisions to achieve results. With their curated talent, their financial leaders guide small and medium-sized businesses through complex financial problems to mitigate risk and achieve organizational goals.

SeatonHill is the fastest-growing CFO services firm in the nation, offering the power of combined thought leadership and the support of the country’s top financial talent to the benefit of all our clients. SeatonHill has offices in Boston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Austin, Houston, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, and Washington, D.C.

LinkedIn | Firm Website

Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio

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.

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

Tagged With: Anthony Chen, Commonwealth M&A, exit planning, family business owners, family business succession, Joe Bergin, Lighthouse Financial, Lyle Newkirk, private equity, Rick Calabrese, SeatonHill Partners, selling a business

You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Powerful, with Diana Fritz

May 21, 2025 by John Ray

You Don't Have to Be Perfect to Be Powerful, with Diana Fritz, on The Price and Value Journey podcast with host John Ray
North Fulton Studio
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You Don't Have to Be Perfect to Be Powerful, with Diana Fritz, on The Price and Value Journey podcast with host John Ray

You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Powerful, with Diana Fritz (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 133)

In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, executive coach and author Diana Fritz shares the story behind her hard-earned wisdom. She talks about how surviving cancer, navigating single parenthood, and leading in high-stakes environments taught her that strength is not about perfection. It is about showing up with honesty, clarity, and conviction, especially when life gets messy.

Diana and host John Ray explore how embracing your own imperfection can make you a more powerful leader and service provider. They discuss emotional resilience, self-leadership, and the quiet confidence that comes from doing the work no one sees. If you have ever felt like you needed to have it all together to lead, sell, or grow your business, this conversation will help you let go of that belief and replace it with something more truthful and lasting.

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

Diana Fritz, Leadership and Change Consultant

Diana Fritz
Diana Fritz

Diana Fritz is a dynamic executive leader, cancer thriver, and passionate advocate for authenticity, resilience, and positive impact.

With over 25 years of experience spanning executive leadership, operations, human resources, business planning, and technology, Diana has built a reputation for fostering teamwork, driving organizational health, and leading with influence, not just a title.

A member of the Maxwell Leadership Executive Program, a Corporate Facilitator, and a Certified DISC Consultant, Diana is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations through open, engaging, and values-driven leadership. Her mission is to Uniquely Imperfect. Uniquely Qualified. : Overcome Adversity, Escape the Imperfection Mentality, and Journey from Self to Serve, by Diana Fritzcreate a meaningful impact and ensure every person she encounters feels valued.

Diana is the author of Uniquely Imperfect. Uniquely Qualified: Overcome Adversity, Escape the Imperfection Mentality, and Journey from Self to Serve. In her inspiring book, Diana shares her powerful journey through cancer, blending personal experience with reflection and practical guidance. Her message is both vulnerable and empowering: we all have some “type of cancer,” and our flaws often make us the best leaders and servants. This book encourages readers to navigate emotional and high-stakes decisions with grace, to recognize their inherent value even in the midst of struggle, and to reframe adversity as a source of strength and a light for others.

Beyond her professional achievements, Diana is a devoted wife, mother, and committed volunteer. She thrives on sharing insights about leadership, resilience, and navigating challenges with authenticity.

Website | LinkedIn

Key Takeaways from Diana Fritz in this Episode

  • You don’t have to be perfect to lead with impact. Diana shares how her experiences with cancer, single parenthood, and executive leadership taught her that power comes from showing up honestly, not flawlessly.

  • Hardship can sharpen your purpose. Instead of weakening her, Diana’s challenges gave her clarity about what matters and how she wanted to lead and serve.

  • Authenticity builds deeper trust than performance ever will. Clients and teams don’t need polished personas. They need someone who’s real, grounded, and present, even when things are uncertain.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to Diana Fritz
02:38 Diana’s Personal Journey with Cancer
05:55 Mindset and Adversity
09:23 Influence of Viktor Frankl and Stephen Covey
13:10 Applying Lessons in Leadership and Life
16:59 Resilience and Reflection
24:33 The Gold in Our Broken Edges
26:01 Embracing Uniquely Imperfect
28:45 The Power of Authenticity
31:16 Overcoming Self-Doubt
34:03 Redefining Normal
35:09 Confidence in Imperfection
39:47 Practical Tips for Imperfect Leadership
42:13 Connecting with Diana Fritz

About The Price and Value Journey Podcast

The Price and Value Journey is a show for expert-service professionals who want more than formulas and quick fixes. If you’re a solo or small-firm provider—consultant, coach, attorney, CPA, or fractional executive—you know the real work of building a practice goes far beyond pricing. It’s about finding clarity, showing up with confidence, and learning how to express the full value of what you do in ways that clients understand and appreciate.

The Price and Value Journey Podcast with host John RayHosted by John Ray, business advisor and author of The Generosity Mindset, this podcast explores the deeper journey behind running a services business: how you think about your work, how you relate to clients, and how you sustain a business that’s not only profitable but deeply fulfilling. Yes, we talk pricing, but we also talk mindset, business development, trust, empathy, positioning, and all the intangible ingredients that make a practice thrive.

With solo episodes and conversations featuring thoughtful guests, The Price and Value Journey is a companion for professionals who are building something meaningful. Produced in partnership with North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, the podcast is accessible on all major podcast platforms. The complete show archive is here.

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

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

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

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

In his other business, John is a podcast show host, strategist, and the owner of North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their podcast using The Generosity Mindset® Method: building and deepening relationships in a non-salesy way that translates into revenue for their business.

John is also the host of North Fulton Business Radio. With over 850 shows and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in its region like no one else.

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

The Generosity Mindset, by John RayJohn is the #1 national best-selling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

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

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

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

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

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

Connect with John Ray:

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Business RadioX®:  LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Tagged With: adversity, authenticity, Diana Fritz, imperfect leadership, imperfection, John Ray, Leadership, mindset, resilience, self doubt, Stephen Covey, The Price and Value Journey, trust, Viktor Frankl

Media Coverage of the Workforce Housing Issue, with Mike Petchenik, Petchenik Media Group, and Patrick Fox, Appen Media

May 20, 2025 by John Ray

Media Coverage of the Workforce Housing Issue, with Mike Petchenik, Petchenik Media Group, and Patrick Fox, Appen Media, on the North Fulton Voices podcast
North Fulton Studio
Media Coverage of the Workforce Housing Issue, with Mike Petchenik, Petchenik Media Group, and Patrick Fox, Appen Media
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Media Coverage of the Workforce Housing Issue, with Mike Petchenik, Petchenik Media Group, and Patrick Fox, Appen Media, on the North Fulton Voices podcast

Media Coverage of the Workforce Housing Issue, with Petchenik Media Group, and Patrick Fox, Appen Media (North Fulton Voices, Episode 11)

In this episode of North Fulton Voices, hosts Jack Murphy and Nancy Diamond of the North Fulton Improvement Network discuss media coverage of workforce housing issues with local media veterans Mike Petchenik and Patrick Fox. Key topics include the affordability crisis, underscored by data from the Cato Institute and Bipartisan Policy Center, the stigmatization of the term “affordable housing,” and the challenges of conveying these issues through media. Mike and Patrick share insights on community resistance to high-density housing, the impacts on local schools and businesses, and potential avenues for improved public awareness and solutions. The hosts and guests advocate for data-driven narratives to better inform and engage the public on this critical issue.

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

Patrick Fox, Appen Media Group

Patrick Fox, Appen Media Group, on the North Fulton Voices podcast
Patrick Fox, Appen Media Group

Patrick Fox is the Managing Editor at Appen Media Group, where he oversees editorial coverage for the North Atlanta Metro region, including the cities of Alpharetta, Roswell, Dunwoody, Johns Creek, Milton, and Forsyth County. With more than 30 years of experience as a professional journalist, Fox’s career spans both newsroom leadership and field reporting.

He began his journalism career at a small weekly newspaper in Kansas before joining the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he spent 25 years as a reporter, copy editor, and designer. During his tenure there, he covered major educational and governmental issues, including reporting on the largest school district in Georgia and government affairs in North Fulton County, Gwinnett County, and Forsyth County.

Fox joined Appen Media Group in 2014 as Business Editor, focusing on economic and business coverage for a series of weekly publications in North Metro Atlanta. He was named Managing Editor in 2016, taking on responsibility for assigning, editing, and assisting with coverage across Appen Media’s suite of local newspapers and digital platforms.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Wichita State University and has completed additional coursework in business at Columbia College.

Fox is recognized for his expertise in editing, interviewing, and design, and continues to play a key role in shaping local news coverage for communities throughout North Atlanta.

Website | LinkedIn

Mike Petchenik, Petchenik Media Group

Mike Petchenik, Petchenik Media Group, on the North Fulton Voices podcast
Mike Petchenik, Petchenik Media Group

Mike Petchenik is a National Emmy Award-winning journalist, media consultant, and the founder of Petchenik Media Group. With more than twenty years of experience in broadcast journalism and communications, he is best known for his twelve-year tenure at WSB-TV (Channel 2 Action News) in Atlanta, where he served as the North Fulton County bureau chief. At WSB-TV, Mike became one of the newsroom’s most enterprising reporters, producing daily content across multiple platforms, contributing to investigative and feature stories, and building a significant social media following.

Throughout his career, Mike has been recognized for his excellence in journalism, earning three Emmy awards, including a National Emmy in 2016 for breaking news coverage and two Southeast Regional Emmys. Before joining WSB-TV, he reported for WLKY-TV in Louisville, Kentucky, where he led political coverage during the 2009 presidential race and was nominated for a “Best Reporter” Emmy. He also worked as a weekend anchor, producer, and reporter at WAGT-TV in Augusta, Georgia, where he managed teams and received several state journalism awards.

After leaving television news, Mike founded Petchenik Media Group, a full-service media consulting firm that specializes in media relations, crisis communications, PR strategy, press release writing, and content creation, including video production and social media strategy. He now works with both public and private sector clients, helping them communicate effectively, especially in high-stakes or crisis situations.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and studied abroad at Imperial College London, where he interned at Chrysalis Radio. Originally from Chicago, Mike is married and has two children. He left the fast-paced world of television news to focus on media consulting and to enjoy a better work-life balance, continuing to serve as a trusted expert in crisis communication and media strategy.

Website | LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Voices
00:48 Discussing the Workforce Housing Crisis
02:36 Introducing the Media Experts, Mike Petchenik and Patrick Fox
05:25 Media’s Role in Workforce Housing Issues
08:19 Community Perspectives on Housing
12:04 Challenges in Affordable Housing
15:27 The Importance of Workforce Housing
19:36 Media’s Influence on Public Perception
26:42 Challenges in Addressing Poverty in North Fulton
28:03 The Importance of Reliable Data
30:52 Communicating the Impact of Housing on Schools
32:34 Public Perception and Stigma Around Affordable Housing
34:51 The Workforce Housing Crisis
39:37 Efforts and Obstacles in Promoting Gentle Density
47:31 Concluding Thoughts and Acknowledgements

Media Coverage of the Workforce Housing Issue, on the North Fulton Voices podcast

North Fulton Improvement Network

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

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

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

Jack Murphy

Jack Murphy
Jack Murphy

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

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

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

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

LinkedIn

Nancy Diamond

Nancy Diamond

Nancy Diamond is a Project Manager with Schmit & Associates, a real estate development firm, creating town center revitalization in communities all around the metro area.

Nancy served 8 years as a Roswell City Council Member, including a term as Mayor Pro Tem, with liaison positions with Community Development, Transportation, Recreation & Parks, and Public Safety.

In addition to her work with the North Fulton Improvement Network, Nancy has been active in area non-profit organizations, including board leadership positions in the STAR House Foundation, WellStar North Fulton Hospital, and the Roswell Rotary Club.

A native of Atlanta and a 42-year North Fulton resident, Nancy worked at Turner Broadcasting in the early years of CNN, then became a freelancer in sports television graphics. While raising her two daughters, she worked from home, first developing a corporate gift service and later as a mortgage loan originator.

Nancy and her husband, Glenn, now relish the role of grandparents to 8-year-old Owen.

LinkedIn

About North Fulton Voices

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

Sponsor for North Fulton Voices: John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC

The North Fulton Voices show series is proudly sponsored by John Ray Co. and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

John Ray
John Ray

John Ray is a podcast show host and producer and owns North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, the North Fulton (Georgia) affiliate of Business RadioX®.

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

John is the author of the #1 nationally best-selling book, The Generosity Mindset:  A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

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

Website | LinkedIn

Tagged With: Affordable housing, affordable housing solutions, Appen Media, gentle density, Jack Murphy, John Ray, Mike Petchenik, Nancy Diamond, North Fulton Improvement Network, North Fulton Schools, Patrick Fox, Petchenik Media Group, poverty, poverty in North Fulton, workforce housing

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