John Ray, Author at Business RadioX ® Page

What is Profitability?, with Bill McDermott, Host of ProfitSense

September 9, 2024 by John Ray

What is Profitability? with Bill McDermott, The Profitability Coach

North Fulton Studio

What is Profitability?, with Bill McDermott, Host of ProfitSense

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What is Profitability?, with Bill McDermott, Host of ProfitSense

In this commentary from a recent episode of ProfitSense, Bill McDermott, The Profitability Coach, defines profitability and discusses the dynamics behind it.

Bill’s commentary was taken from this episode of ProfitSense.

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton Studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Transcript

I want to take a moment and share with our listeners the question, what is profitability anyway? Today, I’d like to talk about profitability being the profitability coach. That’s a word we throw out a lot, but what exactly is profitability? Simply stated, profitability is how efficiently a company makes a profit.

A high gross or net margin shows a company is highly efficient in profitability. A low gross or net margin is highly inefficient in profitability. However, there are industry norms which can also dictate profitability. Service businesses usually make. Higher margins manufacturers typically lower. And the primary reason is manufacturers typically are more asset intensive than a service businesses are.

So how does a company increase profitability? Revenue, often called the top line, is the total income generated from the sale of goods or services. Increasing revenue is crucial for success and can often be done through things like developing a marketing strategy and diversifying offerings. It’s also important to manage costs effectively.

Costs are expenses incurred in running a business, including products and materials, labor, rent, utilities, and marketing expenses. Understanding the difference between fixed costs, expenses that remain constant regardless of production levels, like rent, and variable costs, expenses that vary with production, like ingredients, can help business owners make informed decisions to maximize profitability.

Try keeping fixed costs low and efficient as well as managing variable costs. With a solid understanding of profitability, success is within reach. How are you doing with your profitability?

About ProfitSense and Your Host, Bill McDermott

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott dives into the stories behind some of Atlanta’s successful businesses and business owners and the professionals that advise them. This show helps local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession.

Follow this link to find the show archive.

The show is presented by The Profitability Coach. The Profitability Coach helps business owners improve cash flow and profitability, find financing, break through barriers to expansion, and financially prepare to exit their business.

Bill McDermott is the Founder and CEO of The Profitability Coach. When business owners want to increase their profitability, they don’t have the expertise to know where to start or what to do. Bill leverages his knowledge and relationships from 32 years as a banker to identify the hurdles getting in the way and create a plan to deliver profitability they never thought possible.

Bill currently serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Executive Forum and has held previous positions as a board member for the Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship Center, Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity, and Treasurer for CEO NetWeavers. Bill is a graduate of Wake Forest University, and he and his wife, Martha, have called Atlanta home for over 40 years. Outside of work, Bill enjoys golf, traveling, and gardening.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn and Instagram and follow The Profitability Coach on LinkedIn.

What Do After Loss Professionals Do?, with Rachel Donnelly, AfterLight

September 9, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

What Do After Loss Professionals Do?, with Rachel Donnelly, AfterLight

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What Do After Loss Professionals Do?, with Rachel Donnelly, AfterLight

Rachel Donnelly: One of the things that people have to do when they become an executor is put together the process of how they’re going to attack it.

And we come in and help them to really get organized, do an audit and inventory of their loved one’s assets and debts, put together a spreadsheet because that is the biggest part of being an executor, is getting organized from the beginning. And one of the mistakes that I made in being an executor, so I’ve taken the mistakes I’ve made, the mistakes I see executors make and reverse engineer that into a proven process that we utilize over and over again.

Every client engagement is customized. Every client engagement is different, but we have that framework that we work with clients to do over and over again. Okay, let’s put together the scaffolding of your loved one’s affairs from, like I said, their assets and debts to the intangible assets, their photos that may be behind a username and password at a Google Drive, or what did they want to have happen to their Facebook account?

So we do a very detailed inventory and then systematically. And then we work alongside them per the wishes of the will, or the sort of laundry list the estate attorney has given them and say, okay, let’s follow along with that. Let’s close, transfer, archive, according to that laundry list. And then, there are always sort of other duties as assigned that come up that we help them to brainstorm and figure out what to do with mom’s Hummel figurine collection.

Getting the house cleaned out, we can help do that. So we’re very full service in taking each aspect of a loved one’s life and figuring out, how do we close that down and protect and safeguard that?

Listen to Rachel’s full ProfitSense with Bill McDermott interview here.

Rachel Donnelly, AfterLight

Rachel Donnelly is the Founder and CEO of AfterLight.

AfterLight is on a mission to help the living deal with dying, fostering lighter hearts and lighter loads. The company assists clients in managing the unavoidable administrative tasks associated with after loss and legacy planning.

Whether you’re facing an unexpected loss or want to prepare your legacy so your family can grieve in peace and settle your affairs with ease, AfterLight is the answer to your overwhelm.

Connect with Rachel and AfterLight: Rachel’s LinkedIn |Website | Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

The “One Minute Interview” series is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Does God Care About YOUR Business with Author Ric Grove

September 5, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Does God Care About YOUR Business with Author Ric Grove

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Does God Care About YOUR Business with Author Ric Grove (Organization Conversation, Episode 61)

In this unique episode of Organization Conversation, host Richard Grove welcomes his father, Ric, to discuss the intersection of business and faith. Ric, who has over 30 years of experience in both business management and Bible study, shares insights from his book Does God Care About YOUR Business? The conversation delves into the significance of maintaining one’s relationship with God while pursuing business success. Drawing from personal anecdotes and scripture, Rick explains how business ambitions should not come at the expense of spiritual commitments. He emphasizes that while God does not micromanage business outcomes, the principles and values upheld during business operations are of utmost importance. The episode offers thought-provoking reflections for anyone grappling with how to integrate their faith into their life as a business owner.

Organization Conversation is sponsored by Wall Control. The show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

Ric Grove, Dekalb Tool & Die and Author, Does God Care About YOUR Business?

**Ric Grove, Author, Does God Care About YOUR Business?**

Ric Grove is the CEO of Dekalb Tool & Die and author of the newly-released book, Does God Care About YOUR Business?

Established in 1968, Dekalb Tool & Die, Inc. is the sister company of Wall Control Storage Systems. DeKalb Tool & Die specializes in crafting, repairing, and innovating a diverse array of metalworking tools. Whether it’s progressive dies, transfer dies, draw dies, or single hit tooling, they possess the expertise and resources to meet your needs. From CAD design to timely delivery, they ensure comprehensive tooling service.

Beyond their design and build capabilities, they excel as a competitive source for quality metal stampings. With presses ranging from 60 to 1800 tons and coil feed capability up to 60″ wide, their versatility enables them to produce a wide range of stamped metal parts.

Recognized for exceptional customer service and on-time deliveries, they were recently honored with Blue Bird Corporation’s Global Supplier of the Year award. While they take pride in their state-of-the-art equipment and technologies, it’s their skilled employees who remain their most valuable asset.

They invite you to experience their facility firsthand with a personal tour when you’re in the Atlanta area. As you explore their capabilities on their website, they’re ready to address any inquiries and provide assistance. They eagerly anticipate the opportunity to quote on your tooling and metal stamping needs, offering competitive prices and unwavering honesty in their business transactions.

Dekalb Tool and Die values the chance to introduce you to their company and demonstrate their commitment to excellence.

Website | Instagram

About Organization Conversation

Organization Conversation is hosted by Richard Grove and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. 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, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and others.

Richard Grove, Wall Control

**Richard Grove, COO, Wall Control, Small Business Consultant, and Host of Organization Conversation**

Richard Grove‘s background is in engineering, but what he enjoys most is brand building through relationships and creative marketing. Richard began his career with the Department of Defense as an engineer on the C-5 Galaxy Engineering Team, based out of Warner Robins. While Richard found this experience both rewarding and fulfilling, he always knew deep down that he wanted to return to the small family business that originally triggered his interest in engineering.

Richard came to work for the family business, Dekalb Tool & Die, in 2008 as a Mechanical Engineer. At the time, Wall Control was little more than a small ‘side hustle’ for Dekalb Tool & Die to try to produce some incremental income. There were no “Wall Control” employees, just a small warehouse with a single tool and die maker that would double as an “order fulfillment associate” on the occasion that the original WallControl.com website, which Richard’s grandmother built, pulled in an order.

In 2008, it became apparent that for the family business to survive, they were going to have to produce their own branded product at scale to ensure jobs remained in-house and for the business to continue to move forward. Richard then turned his attention from tool and die to Wall Control to attempt this necessary pivot, and his story with Wall Control began. Since that time, Richard has led Wall Control to significant growth while navigating two recessions.

Outside of Richard’s work at Wall Control, he enjoys helping other business owners, operators, and entrepreneurs along their own paths to success by offering personal business coaching and advice through his website, ConsultantSmallBusiness.com. Richard has developed an expansive and unique skillset, growing and scaling Wall Control through a multitude of challenges to become the successful brand and company it is today. Richard is happy to share his knowledge and experience with others who are looking to do the same within their own businesses.

Connect with Richard: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Richard’s Website

Building Relationships Through Reciprocity

September 4, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Building Relationships Through Reciprocity

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Building Relationships Through Reciprocity (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 112)

In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, John Ray explores the concept of reciprocity for professional service providers. He delves into the importance of meaningful, no-strings-attached interactions that build strong relationships and expand influence. In defining the rule of reciprocity, John articulates how genuine giving fosters lasting bonds and maniford returns organically and naturally. A notable historical example illustrates the profound impact of selfless giving. For those looking to grow their business and professional reputation, this episode emphasizes serving first without immediately expecting quid pro quo returns.

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

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to the Price and Value Journey
00:28 Building Meaningful Relationships
01:16 The Rule of Reciprocity
01:49 Genuine Giving and Its Impact
02:45 Remarkable Examples of Reciprocity
03:37 The Importance of Selfless Giving
04:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About The Price and Value Journey

The title of this show describes the journey all professional service providers are on: building a services practice by seeking to convince the world of the value we offer, helping clients achieve the outcomes they desire, and trying to do all that at pricing that reflects the value we deliver.

If you feel like you’re working too hard for too little money in your solo or small firm practice, this show is for you. Even if you’re reasonably happy with your practice, you’ll hear ways to improve both your bottom line and the mindset you bring to your business.

The show is hosted and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. The show can also be found on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

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

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

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

In his other business, John is a Show Host and Producer and owns the North Fulton (Georgia) studio of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their own podcast using The Generosity Mindset™ Method: building and deepening relationships in a non-salesy way that translates into revenue for their business.

John is also the host of North Fulton Business Radio. With over 780 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in its region like no one else.

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

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

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

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

The combination of all these elements is quite different for you compared to any other service provider in your industry. Therein lies your value, but it’s not the value you see. It’s the value your best-fit customers see in you.

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

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

Connect with John Ray:

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Business RadioX®: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Creative Freedom and Faith: A Conversation with Nathan D. Myers

September 4, 2024 by John Ray

Hello, Self . . .

Creative Freedom and Faith: A Conversation with Nathan D. Myers

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Creative Freedom and Faith: A Conversation with Nathan D. Myers (Hello, Self… Episode 51)

In an inspiring conversation, guest Nathan D. Myers, an award-winning actor, director, and designer talked with host Patricia Leonard. Nathan shared his journey from growing up as a preacher’s kid to diving into the arts and the film industry. He discusses the significant moments and nudges from God that redirected him back to his true passion, despite societal expectations.

Nathan described his realization of his creative purpose and the importance of embracing one’s gifts. He highlighted his unique approach to addressing trauma through neuro-emotional reprogramming, especially for actors. Nathan also offered insights on living authentically and pursuing dreams, emphasizing that each step, no matter how unexpected, contributes to fulfilling one’s purpose.

Hello, Self… is presented by Patricia Leonard & Associates and produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

Find the video version of this podcast on YouTube here.

Nathan D. Myers, Actor, Director & Designer

Nathan D. Myers is an award winning Actor, Director and Designer. He is the Co-Founder of the Fort Worth Actors Studio; He is the Director of the ICVM Gold Crown Award winning Feature Comedy Aria Appleton Shines, & he was the Lead Designer of the Capernaum First Century Village & Gardens project featured in seasons 1-2 of The Chosen.

He recently Production Designed the feature Matter of Time with Sean Astin, and the series County Rescue for Great American Pureflix. He most recently held the position of Supervising Art Director on the Feature Florida Wild Starring Mira Sorvino -Produced by Rick Eldridge. Nathan also has a small acting role in the film opposite actor Jonathan Schaech.

As an actor, Nathan recently guest-starred on the TV Series Vindication, Season Four. He is represented by Treasure Coast Talent in Los Angeles.

IMDb | Facebook | Instagram

About Hello, Self…

Hello, Self… is a biweekly podcast focused on inspiring stories of turning dreams into reality. Join coach and author Patricia Leonard and her guests as they share life-changing Hello, Self… moments.

Hello, Self… is brought to you by Patricia Leonard & Associates and is based on the new book by Patricia Leonard, Hello, Self.., available here.

The show is produced by Arlia Hoffman in association with Business RadioX®. You can find this show on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.

Patricia Leonard, Host of Hello, Self…

Patricia Leonard is President of RUNWAY TO SUCCESS, a division of Patricia Leonard & Associates located in Nashville, TN. She is a MESSAGE ARTIST speaker, career & business coach, author and magazine columnist. Patricia consults with clients on leadership, empowerment, career management, entrepreneurship and the power of language. Her work is focused on helping clients find their runway to success!

She has a professional background in management, human resources, corporate training, business consulting and talent development. Patricia has worked with companies in the service, music, banking, manufacturing, publishing, warehousing, healthcare, academic, retail and financial industries, and has taught management classes as an adjunct professor.

Patricia has a degree in Human Resource Management, is certified as a Career Coach and Consulting Hypnotist and is MBTI qualified.

Her volunteer energies are focused on Women in Film and Television-Nashville, where she is a Board Vice President; Dress for Success as the Advisory Board President; and International Coaching Federation-Nashville where she held Board roles for several years.

Patricia is the author of Wearing High Heels in a Flip Flop World, BECOMING WOMAN…a journal of personal discovery, THE NOW, HOW & WOW of Success, Happenings, a full year calendar of inspirational messages and a spoken word album titled, I AM…

She enjoys songwriting, creating poetry and has written a one-woman show and artistic speech she performs titled Hello, Self…, about a woman in midlife reinventing herself, which led to her new book by the same name, available here.

On the personal side, Patricia, describes herself as a woman, lover of life, mother, grandmother, career professional and message artist; AND in that order! Her goal is to continue inspiring others, of any age, to START NOW creating and expanding their Runway to Success.

She believes that life is a gift, the way we wrap it is our choice.

Connect with Patricia:

Website| LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Understanding Estate Planning, with Amina Bakari-Green, ABG Legal

September 3, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Understanding Estate Planning, with Amina Bakari-Green, ABG Legal

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Understanding Estate Planning, with Amina Bakari-Green, ABG Legal (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 800)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Amina Bakari-Green, founder of ABG Legal. Amina discusses the importance of estate planning and probate services, addressing common misconceptions about wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. She shares her legal journey, starting as a prosecutor and now specializing in estate planning. Focusing on personal service and streamlined processes, Amina highlights the critical need for advance planning to avoid complications in probate court. She also provides practical advice for individuals of all ages and stages of life to ensure their assets and loved ones are protected. The conversation emphasizes the simplicity and necessity of effective estate planning, urging listeners to act before it’s too late.

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

Amina Bakari-Greeen, ABG Legal, LLC

Amina Bakari-Green grew up in Richmond, VA. She received her B.A. in Political Science from Hampton University in Hampton, VA, in 2010. She moved to Georgia and earned her J.D. from the University of Georgia in 2013.

Amina began her legal career as a prosecutor, serving in the Gwinnett Solicitor’s Office from 2013 to 2019. She then served in the Gwinnett District Attorney’s Office from 2019 to 2021.

She went on to do civil practice for a few years, and finally found a home in estate planning and probate law. Through this work, she has seen firsthand the benefits of proper estate planning and the difficulty navigating the tedious probate process without it.

In 2020, Amina and her husband welcomed their first child. Since then, she has tailored her work to advocacy for generational wealth building and teaching financial literacy and asset protection throughout her community.

LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
01:25 Guest Introduction: Amina Bakari-Green
01:35 Amina’s Legal Journey
03:00 Estate Planning and Probate Services
05:00 Importance of Wills and Trusts
13:27 Power of Attorney Explained
18:08 Addressing Late Estate Planning
22:39 Client Success Stories
23:42 Conclusion and Contact Information
24:39 Closing Remarks and Additional Information

Renasant Bank and Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant support North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Casa Nuova is a proud family-owned and operated restaurant, serving classic, authentic and traditional Italian cuisine and top tier hospitality since 1998.

Casa Nuova is a cook-to-order kitchen, serving traditional fare including pasta, chicken, seafood, veal, vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus daily specials. They are a farm-to-table establishment, meaning that in the summertime, they cultivate their own vegetables in their garden, steps away from the restaurant, including tomatoes, corn, peppers, zucchini, sunflowers and more!

Celebrating more than 25 years, Casa Nuova has become a true staple in the Alpharetta area, serving more than three generations of families, including friends old and new, visiting near and far from all over the metro Atlanta area and beyond.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 790 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show welcomes a wide variety of business, non-profit, and community leaders to get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignore. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

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

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

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

John 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.

Healthy, Great Tasting Snacks, with Teressa Ruspi, TR Healthy Bites

September 3, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Healthy, Great Tasting Snacks, with Teressa Ruspi, TR Healthy Bites

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Healthy, Great Tasting Snacks, with Teressa Ruspi, TR Healthy Bites (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 799)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Teressa Ruspi, the founder and owner of TR Healthy Bites. Teressa shares her journey of founding her company, which offers gluten-free, protein-packed tasty snacks aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle. She discusses the inspiration behind her products, the unique benefits of her gluten-free offerings, and the importance of protein in everyday diets. Additionally, Teressa talks about her future plans for expanding her products into retail spaces and offers promotions to encourage new customers to try her healthy snacks.

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

Teressa Ruspi, TR Healthy Bites

Teressa Ruspi is a native of Pennsylvania and currently resides in Georgia for the last 16 years with her three daughters, Alex, DeAnna and Savannah.

Teressa graduated from Marywood University, Pennsylvania, with a BA in Nutrition & Dietetics, In 2019, as a single mom, Teressa went back to school for her Masters from Mercer University in Organizational Leadership, with a focus in Nonprofit Business Management.

Teressa is an experienced executive director and co-founder of the LRJ Foundation, a mental health and suicide awareness organization serving Georgia, Pennsylvania and Virginia schools and communities. She has a history of working in mental health program development, fitness & nutrition coaching, public speaking, and community-wide healthy and mental wellness initiatives.

In March 2023, Teressa established TR Healthy Bites, a healthy snack company geared towards protein and gluten free nutritious snack products.

A fun fact: Teressa has an identical twin sister, Karla, and together they founded the LRJ Foundation in 2012. In her spare time, she enjoys fitness training, cooking, and traveling.

LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

TR Healthy Bites

Teressa Ruspi founded TR Healthy Bites, an Alpharetta, Georgia-based food and snack business, in March 2023. The brand specializes in all-natural, gluten-free, protein-packed snacks, including energy bites, muffins, and cookies. With a commitment to using high-quality ingredients like gluten-free oats, natural nut butters, and honey, TR Healthy Bites aims to provide delicious options that cater to health-conscious consumers seeking nutritious snacks for any occasion.

TR Healthy Bites sells its product locally in the North Fulton region and offers nationwide shipping as well. By redefining healthy snacking, the company delivers tasty, guilt-free options that support a balanced lifestyle.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:29 Introducing Teressa Ruspi and TR Healthy Bites
01:51 The Journey to Healthy Snacking
05:10 The Benefits of Gluten-Free and Protein-Packed Snacks
14:07 Product Lineup and Development
19:53 Future Plans and Promotions
24:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Renasant Bank and Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant support North Fulton Business Radio

Casa Nuova is a proud family-owned and operated restaurant, serving classic, authentic and traditional Italian cuisine and top tier hospitality since 1998.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

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

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

The Current State of the M&A Market, with Don Bravaldo, Bravaldo Capital Advisors

August 28, 2024 by John Ray

Don Bravaldo, Bravaldo Capital Advisors, as heard on ProfitSense with Host Bill McDermott

North Fulton Studio

The Current State of the M&A Market, with Don Bravaldo, Bravaldo Capital Advisors

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The Current State of the M&A Market, with Don Bravaldo, Bravaldo Capital Advisors

Don Bravaldo: When it costs more to buy a business, the M&A activity will slow, especially for larger transactions, which involve a lot more debt and banks being more cautious or less willing to lend into those markets. Thankfully, our marketplace of a couple hundred million or less. is characterized with a lot of private equity activity.

And many of those private equity groups are executing on what’s called a buy and build strategy where they’ll buy a platform company and then continue to add onto it by buying smaller businesses. Banks are much more willing to lend to that existing platform business, knowing that there’s another business that’s easy to tuck in.

So the financing is available, and whether a bank actually got interested in funding that or not, there’s been a rise in proliferation of non-bank lending and that’s really supported the M& A market, especially the lower M&A market, and corporations have remained active. It’s difficult to go before the board and justify a billion dollar M& A transaction in this environment.
Maybe by the end of the year those headline-type transactions will start to occur again, but it’s a lot easier to go before the board and get a $50 million or $100 million deal passed that’s strategic in nature.

Listen to Don’s full ProfitSense with Bill McDermott interview here.

Don Bravaldo, Bravaldo Capital Advisors

Don Bravaldo is the founder and President of Bravaldo Capital Advisors, a boutique investment banking firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, which he established in 2006. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a strong background in finance and accounting, Don has developed a particular passion for mergers and acquisitions. His firm specializes in serving privately held and closely held companies, typically those with revenues between $10 million and $300 million, primarily located in the Southeastern United States.

Under Don’s leadership, Bravaldo Capital Advisors offers a comprehensive range of transaction and advisory services, including sell-side transactions, exit strategy planning, growth through acquisition, debt restructuring, and corporate recapitalization. The firm has developed extensive expertise across various industries, including industrials, information technology, healthcare, and general business services.

Don’s approach to investment banking emphasizes providing independent economic and financial advice, coupled with execution services. His firm’s engagements have a broad geographical scope, ranging from national to international. In addition to his role at Bravaldo Capital Advisors, Don serves as a Board Member for Pandea Global M&A, further extending his influence in the mergers and acquisitions field.

Website | LinkedIn

The “One Minute Interview” series is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link.

Navigating Mortgage Solutions, with Mark Hutchins, Good Friend Mortgage

August 28, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Navigating Mortgage Solutions, with Mark Hutchins, Good Friend Mortgage

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Navigating Mortgage Solutions, with Mark Hutchins, Good Friend Mortgage (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 798)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Mark Hutchins from Good Friend Mortgage. Mark shares insights on Good Friend Mortgage’s history, his extensive experience in the mortgage industry, and the unique approach to client relationships that sets their brokerage apart. Discussion topics include current mortgage trends, construction loans, debt consolidation strategies, jumbo loans, and specialized mortgage programs for self-employed individuals. Mark also explains the benefits of rate buy-downs, fix-and-flip loans, and commercial mortgage options. The episode highlights Mark’s commitment to finding the best mortgage solutions tailored to each client’s needs, supported by a wide network of lending partners.

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

Mark Hutchins, Good Friend Mortgage

Mark Hutchins is dedicated to educating individuals about the complex financial issues they may encounter, as well as the real estate lending options available to best serve borrowers’ needs. He takes pride in helping clients achieve the life they deserve by providing solutions that result in a “win-win” scenario.

His ideal client is someone who wishes to explore their lending options and learn the best strategies to make informed decisions that align with their overall financial goals and budget. Mark believes that obtaining real estate financing can be a smooth and straightforward process with proper preparation.

With over 20 years of experience in the finance and real estate markets, Mark has consistently prioritized customer service and addressing the needs of his clients above all else throughout his career.

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Good Friend Mortgage

Good Friend Mortgage is a prominent mortgage brokerage located in Alpharetta, Georgia, dedicated to providing comprehensive mortgage solutions to clients in the North Fulton area and beyond. The company specializes in a variety of mortgage products, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, and reverse mortgages, catering to the diverse needs of homebuyers and homeowners looking to refinance.

With a focus on education and client empowerment, Good Friend Mortgage offers free workshops and informational sessions to help clients navigate the complexities of homeownership and mortgage financing. Their commitment to community engagement is evident through sponsorships of local events and partnerships with organizations like the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

The team at Good Friend Mortgage prides itself on delivering personalized service, ensuring that each client receives tailored advice and support throughout the mortgage process. Their mission is to unlock the potential of real estate as a means of building family wealth and creating lasting legacies for future generations.

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Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
01:21 Meet Mark Hutchins from Good Friend Mortgage
02:25 Mark’s Journey in the Mortgage Industry
04:09 Current Trends in the Housing Market
06:37 Mortgage Solutions for Self-Employed and Contractors
09:47 Investment and Commercial Mortgage Options
12:07 Debt Consolidation and Equity Access
22:22 Jumbo Loans and High-Value Mortgages
25:12 Success Stories and Client Experiences
26:17 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
27:04 Final Thoughts

Renasant Bank and Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant support North Fulton Business Radio

Casa Nuova is a proud family-owned and operated restaurant, serving classic, authentic and traditional Italian cuisine and top tier hospitality since 1998.

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