Katie Sparks, Law Office of Katherine Sparks, Jim Cichanski, Flex HR and Shawn Vernimo, Arcus Roof, Inc. (ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, Episode 24)
It’s only when you’re a business owner yourself that you fully understand the challenges other entrepreneurs face. Business attorney Katie Sparks, human resources consultant Jim Cichanski, and roofing company owner Shawn Vernimo talk with host Bill McDermott about their own entrepreneurial journeys, what it took to start their own businesses, and how that experience aids them in rendering outstanding service to their clients. ProfitSense with Bill McDermott is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton Studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.
Katie Sparks, Principal, Law Office of Katherine Sparks, LLC
Jim Cichanski, Founder & CHRO, Flex HR
Flex HR is an HR Consulting firm, including HR Outsourcing and Recruiting.
Jim is the founder of Flex HR which is in its 21st year of business. Jim’s experience includes operational HR management knowledge globally in 32 countries and has merged or transitioned well over 350 organizations. He is known as a “Subject Matter Expert” in the field of HR. Last year with the COVID Pandemic Jim provided over 50 seminars reaching over 7,000 Owners and operators of small and mid-size businesses.
Jim also spent 27 years in the Army National Guard achieving the rank of Colonel, was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, and received numerous awards including the Legion of Merit. Jim has served on several boards, was an inside board member of 17 companies, and is an angel investor in start-up firms in Atlanta. Jim was recognized by the North Fulton Atlanta Chamber of Commerce as the Small Businessperson of the year and was also listed in Catalyst Magazine as 1 of 18 Companies, CEO’s in Atlanta would like to own. Outsourcing Gazette magazine listed Flex HR as the “Top Most Promising HR & Staffing Service Vendors of 2015”. Inc. Magazine in September 2008, 2012 and 2013 recognized Flex HR, Inc. as an Inc 5000 “Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in America”.
Jim is married to his wife Eldeen for 48 years and they have two daughters and 5 grandchildren.
Shawn Vernimo, CEO, Arcus Roof, Inc.
Arcus Roof is a commercial roofing contractor in Marietta, GA. Arcus serves the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.
Shawn is an expert in solving roofing problems and applying an investment approach to all roofing portfolios. As a trained engineer with a passion for roofing, he has been able to serve and educate clients; including three of the top five property management firms and the largest pension fund in the United States. Additionally, he has consulted on numerous multimillion-dollar projects including a $6.6 million roofing project in Dallas, Texas and a $4 million project in St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout his 30+ years of roof consulting and contracting, he has saved business owners and property managers alike hundreds of thousands of dollars by providing clients with his roofing expertise, insight into industry realities, and investment approach solutions.
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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. The show is presented by McDermott Financial Solutions. McDermott Financial helps business owners improve cash flow and profitability, find financing, break through barriers to expansion and financially prepare to exit their business. The show archive can be found at profitsenseradio.com.
Bill McDermott is the Founder and CEO of McDermott Financial Solutions. 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 and 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 Twitter and follow McDermott Financial Solutions on LinkedIn.
