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Kathi Cook on Alpharetta Growth and Community Development

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Kathi Cook, City of Alpharetta, on Alpharetta Growth and Redevelopment, North Point, and the Future of Community Development (North Fulton Voices, Episode 17)
North Fulton Studio
Kathi Cook on Alpharetta Growth and Community Development
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Kathi Cook, City of Alpharetta, on Alpharetta Growth and Redevelopment, North Point, and the Future of Community Development (North Fulton Voices, Episode 17)

Kathi Cook, City of Alpharetta, on Alpharetta’s Growth, Redevelopment, North Point, and Future Community Development (North Fulton Voices, Episode 17)

How does a fast-growing city preserve what people value while continuing to evolve?

In this episode of North Fulton Voices, Kathi Cook, Director of Community Development for the City of Alpharetta, joins Jack Murphy, Nancy Diamond, and Kathy Swahn of the North Fulton Improvement Network for a wide-ranging conversation on how Alpharetta approaches growth, redevelopment, and long-term planning. Drawing on more than three decades of experience with the city, Cook reflects on Alpharetta growth and its transformation into a more connected, walkable community, why mixed-use development has mattered so much, and how projects like Avalon reshaped expectations for quality development.

The discussion also explores Alpharetta’s current comprehensive plan update, what residents are saying about connectivity, tree canopy, green space, and workforce housing, and how public engagement helps shape decisions that will affect the city for decades. Cook also offers a detailed look at North Point redevelopment, including the vision for a sports and entertainment district, green space integration, housing, and transportation connections. This is an important conversation for anyone interested in how North Fulton communities can grow thoughtfully without losing their character.

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.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

  • How Alpharetta growth created a more walkable, connected community
  • Why Avalon became a turning point in Alpharetta’s development model
  • What residents are saying in the comprehensive plan process about traffic, green space, tree canopy, and housing
  • Why redevelopment now matters more than greenfield development in Alpharetta
  • What Kathi Cook says about ADUs, housing types, and local flexibility
  • The long-range vision for North Point, including a possible sports and entertainment district
  • Why public engagement in planning matters more than most residents realize

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Jack Murphy’s housing affordability data point
02:31 Kathi Cook’s background and how she got into city planning
04:09 Alpharetta growth and it’s transformation into a walkable, connected community
04:37 Avalon’s impact and why it changed Alpharetta more than expected
07:18 Comprehensive plan update and current public engagement process
08:27 What residents are saying now about growth, connectivity, green space, and housing
09:49 Mixed-use development, redevelopment, and what the public will support
11:18 Tree canopy, tree-lined streets, and ordinance changes
12:31 How residents should approach and use the comprehensive plan
15:37 ADUs, workforce housing, and local planning flexibility
17:47 Gentle density, condos, stacked flats, and smaller housing formats
19:46 North Point redevelopment vision and the sports and entertainment proposal
22:36 Workforce housing questions tied to North Point
24:12 Transportation capacity and connectivity around North Point
26:12 Tax allocation districts and public-private redevelopment tools
29:08 Permitting timelines and misconceptions about delays
33:53 Brookside, Windward, and office-to-residential evolution
40:12 How the public can engage productively in planning decisions
42:20 Downsizing, seniors, and walkable housing preferences
43:49 Kathi Cook’s contact information and closing call to action from NFIN

Kathi Cook, Director of Community Development, City of Alpharetta

Kathi Cook, Director of Community Development, City of Alpharetta
Kathi Cook, Director of Community Development, City of Alpharetta

Kathi Cook is the Community Development Director for the City of Alpharetta. Since joining the city in 1992 as a public works engineering technician and construction manager, she has served in a range of leadership roles, including oversight of environmental programs and the engineering department. Her more than three decades of experience give her a rare perspective on Alpharetta’s evolution and the planning, redevelopment, and quality-of-life issues that continue to shape its future.

Website | LinkedIn

Kathi Cook on "North Fulton Voices" talking about Alpharetta growth.North Fulton Improvement Network

The North Fulton Improvement Network (NFIN) is a think tank made up of community leaders from a variety of sectors, focused on missing middle housing and the livability challenges confronting North Fulton. We come from the six cities making up 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, we center our work on five areas of impact; seek to educate the public about these issues; build a network of individuals and organizations with innovative private and public solutions; and connect resources to those in need.

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

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | 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 an 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 Owen.

LinkedIn

Kathy Swahn

Kathy Swahn, President Emeritus, The Drake House
Kathy Swahn

Kathy has resided in the North Fulton area for almost 45 years. She has watched the community evolve from what was “unincorporated Fulton County” to a six-city bustling suburban community. Her history has been marked by a strong emphasis on children: she raised two daughters as a stay-at-home mother, held leadership positions in school PTAs and Girl Scouts, participated in the National Charity League and the North Fulton Council of PTAs, and held the position of chair of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council.

Kathy resumed her career by entering the nonprofit sector. She joined the team at North Fulton Community Charities, running their holiday program, becoming Development Director and successfully managing the $3 million capital campaign for their Elkins Road location. Along the way, she also served on the DFACS Board and chaired the board of the Fulton County Continuum of Care for four years.

After having the opportunity to join in the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, Kathy was surrounded with a dynamic group of folks who worked to create The Drake House. Since 2004, she served as board chair for the first four years, executive director for nine years, and is now retired. Over those years, The Drake House served over 500 single mothers with over 1,000 children and grew the assets of the organization to over $4 million.

Kathy continues to serve The Drake House on the Advocacy Committee, along with her work for NFIN.

She spends much of her time traveling to the DC area, where her children and grandchildren reside.

LinkedIn

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 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 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 focuses on solo and small-firm professional services providers, addressing topics like pricing, value, and business development.

Joshua Kornitsky on EOS and Growing Entrepreneurial Teams

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Joshua Kornitsky, EOS Worldwide, on the Entrepreneurial Operating System and Helping Leadership Teams Get Aligned, Accountable, and Healthy (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 945) with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Joshua Kornitsky on EOS and Growing Entrepreneurial Teams
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Joshua Kornitsky, EOS Worldwide, on the Entrepreneurial Operating System and Helping Leadership Teams Get Aligned, Accountable, and Healthy (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 945) with host John Ray

Joshua Kornitsky, EOS Worldwide, on the Entrepreneurial Operating System and Helping Leadership Teams Get Aligned, Accountable, and Healthy (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 945)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Joshua Kornitsky, a Professional EOS Implementer with EOS Worldwide. Joshua works with entrepreneurial leadership teams to help them get aligned on vision, build discipline and accountability, and function as a healthy, cohesive team.

Joshua’s path to EOS is anything but theoretical. Growing up in a family-owned auto dealership business that ultimately failed, Joshua learned that a good product and a strong market alone are insufficient. After years in technology leadership and IT consulting, he became CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of an Alpharetta company that had hit a growth ceiling. That company brought in an EOS implementer and grew by more than 25 percent. Joshua describes the experience as “the lights coming on in a dark movie theater.” He went on to co-found a simulation training software company, ran it on EOS from day one, and eventually became a franchised EOS implementer himself.

On this episode, Joshua explains why EOS succeeds where other programs fall short, walking through its five foundational principles: simplify, delegate, predict, systemize, and structure. He uses the Four Seasons Hotel as a case study in process discipline, explaining Isidore Sharp’s approach to systematizing the predictable to humanize the exceptional. He also addresses the major misconception business owners have about process documentation, that it has to be exhaustive, and explains why getting 20 percent of documentation done can deliver 80 percent of the compliance benefit.

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

  • Joshua came to EOS as a practitioner before becoming an implementer, having lived through both a family business failure and a successful EOS-driven turnaround as a company CTO, which shapes how he guides leadership teams today.
  • EOS addresses three core challenges: getting leadership teams aligned on vision, building discipline and accountability (traction), and developing the trust and openness that make a team genuinely healthy.
  • One of the most common but underappreciated problems in growing companies is a lack of shared language and definitions. When different leaders use different terms for the same concept, communication complexity multiplies across every department.
  • The process documentation hurdle is largely a misconception: EOS targets roughly 20 percent documentation to achieve 80 percent compliance, focused on core processes that touch the whole business, not a comprehensive operations manual.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Joshua Kornitsky
02:13 How Joshua helps entrepreneurial leadership teams with vision, traction, and health
03:16 Joshua’s career arc: family auto dealerships, technology leadership, and discovering EOS
05:03 Experiencing EOS firsthand as CTO and co-founding a company built on EOS from day one
06:31 Common signs that a business needs help: running 90 hours a week with no end in sight
07:48 Why EOS outlasts flavor-of-the-month programs: 25 years of timeless business methodology
09:00 The shared language problem: how misaligned definitions multiply across a company
10:08 The five foundational principles of EOS are simplify, delegate, predict, systemize, structure
12:07 Why entrepreneurs are often blind to process: they master what works and rarely document it
13:43 The 20/80 rule for process documentation: enough to get compliance without writing a manual
16:00 The Four Seasons Hotel and the concept of systematizing the predictable to humanize the exceptional
18:29 Why not every entrepreneur has found EOS yet: they are still in problem-solving mode
20:19 The book Traction and the difference between self-implementing and working with an implementer
21:07 Walking through Vision, Traction, and Healthy as the three pillars of EOS
25:02 A client success story: a 50-plus-year-old accounting firm that graduated from EOS in two years
27:31 How to reach Joshua Kornitsky and connect with EOS Worldwide

Joshua Kornitsky, Professional EOS Implementer

Joshua Kornitsky is a Professional EOS Implementer, business advisor, and leadership facilitator who helps entrepreneurial leadership teams gain clarity, strengthen accountability, and work together more effectively.

With more than two decades of experience across entrepreneurship, technology, and organizational leadership, Joshua brings a practical, operator’s perspective to the challenges growing companies face. Early experience in a family business environment, followed by technology leadership roles, shaped his focus on clear communication, disciplined execution, and healthy leadership dynamics.

Joshua first experienced the Entrepreneurial Operating System as a member of a leadership team, later helped build and scale a company running on EOS principles, and ultimately chose to dedicate his work to guiding other leadership teams through the process. He also hosts business and leadership conversations through Business RadioX, connecting leaders through thoughtful dialogue and shared experience.

LinkedIn | YouTube

EOS Worldwide

Joshua helps people get what they want from their businesses by providing a complete system with simple, practical tools built around three principles: Vision, Traction, and Healthy.

Vision focuses on getting leadership teams fully aligned on where the organization is going and how it will get there. Traction helps leaders build discipline and accountability so they consistently execute on that vision. Healthy centers on developing a functional, cohesive leadership team, recognizing that most business challenges are ultimately people challenges.

When leadership teams are aligned, accountable, and working well together, the entire organization gains clarity, executes more effectively, and moves forward with greater consistency and confidence.

Website

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

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

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of  North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors
John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio and Owner, Ray Business Advisors

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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

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

John is the author of the five-star-rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

Steve Reising on Business Contracts, Litigation, and M&A

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Steve Reising, Briskin, Cross & Sanford, on Business Contracts, Litigation, and Selling Your Business (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 943) with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Steve Reising on Business Contracts, Litigation, and M&A
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Steve Reising, Briskin, Cross & Sanford, on Business Contracts, Litigation, and Selling Your Business (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 943) with host John Ray

Steve Reising, Briskin, Cross & Sanford, on Business Contracts, Litigation, and Selling Your Business (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 943)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Steve Reising, Senior Attorney at Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC in Alpharetta. Steve focuses his practice on corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, franchise law, and business litigation, serving small- and mid-sized business owners throughout the North Fulton area.

The conversation covers how business owners typically land in litigation, from contract breaches and payment disputes to personal injury claims involving company vehicles. Steve explains why a poorly written contract is often at the root of the problem and offers a pointed warning about business owners who have turned to AI tools to generate their contracts. He has spotted several such contracts in his practice and says they tend to look polished but fall apart under scrutiny.

Steve also walks through what the current mergers and acquisitions market looks like, including the role private equity is playing and the phenomenon he calls “the silver tsunami,” as baby boomer business owners approach retirement and look to exit. He outlines what buyers want to see, why business owners often get caught unprepared when interest comes in, and how to start building a business that can stand on its own without the owner at the center of it.

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

  • Steve has reviewed contracts his clients admitted were generated by AI tools and says they tend to contain boilerplate that looks credible but lacks the specific provisions needed to actually protect a business, which can lead to significant legal vulnerabilities and financial risks for the business owners relying on them.
  • When a business owner is being pursued by buyers, having two to five years of runway to prepare is ideal, but that window often surprises owners who weren’t expecting interest so soon.
  • A concentrated customer base, where a single client drives the majority of revenue, raises concerns for buyers and can significantly lower a business’s sale price.
  • Reising settled a $5 million state enforcement claim on behalf of a client for $8,000 and caught a single missing word in a $40 million real estate contract that would have triggered tens of millions in additional liability.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Steve Reising
01:53 Steve Reising describes his practice areas at Briskin, Cross & Sanford
02:22 Why Steve chose business law and litigation
03:04 His background in insurance defense and thousands of litigated cases
04:23 Common reasons business owners end up in litigation
05:14 Personal injury exposure for businesses with vehicles on the road
06:13 How poorly written contracts contribute to litigation
07:04 Why AI-generated contracts are dangerous for business owners
10:58 Debt collection and payment disputes in the current economy
13:40 The M&A market and current activity levels
14:11 The “silver tsunami” and baby boomer business exits
15:20 How private equity is operating in the market today
16:27 PE firms rolling up franchise businesses
18:09 Why business owners get caught unprepared when a buyer approaches
19:21 What buyers look for: customer concentration, contracts, and key person dependency
21:43 When to call an attorney and what triggers should prompt action
23:36 Success stories: the $5 million state claim and the $40 million contract
27:07 Beyond Computer Solutions sponsor segment and cybersecurity discussion

Steve Reising, Senior Attorney

Steve Reising is a Senior Attorney at Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC in Alpharetta, bringing more than 16 years of diverse legal experience to the firm. He is licensed in both Georgia and Illinois and is admitted to practice before the Court of Appeals of Georgia and multiple U.S. District Courts. His practice focuses on corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, franchise law, and business litigation.

Before joining Briskin, Cross & Sanford, Reising spent nearly five years at a boutique Chicago firm handling insurance defense litigation and subrogation claims and, earlier in his career, he represented individual plaintiffs in personal injury matters at a well-regarded Chicago firm. He earned his J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and holds degrees in political science and business administration from Illinois State University.

LinkedIn

Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC

Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC, delivers full-service legal counsel to entrepreneurs and businesses throughout Alpharetta and the North Atlanta area. For more than 30 years, the firm’s attorneys have advised technology firms and businesses along the Georgia 400 corridor and were founding members of the 400 Technology Connection steering committee, which evolved into a partnership with the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG).

The firm serves companies of all sizes, from startups to established enterprises, across a broad range of practice areas including business organization, business litigation, mergers and acquisitions, franchise law, employment law, technology and internet law, intellectual property, commercial real estate, and nonprofit law.

Website

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

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

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of  North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors
John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio and Owner, Ray Business Advisors

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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

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

John is the author of the five-star-rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

When Life Goes Sideways: Experts Who Restore Order

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When Life Goes Sideways: Experts Who Restore Order, with Gladys Wanyeki, CFO ANX; Laura Delavan, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard; Adam Schwartzberg, Voda Cleaning & Restoration of North Atlanta; and Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel (Family Business Radio, Episode 72) with host Anthony Chen
Family Business Radio
When Life Goes Sideways: Experts Who Restore Order
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When Life Goes Sideways: Experts Who Restore Order, with Gladys Wanyeki, CFO ANX; Laura Delavan, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard; Adam Schwartzberg, Voda Cleaning & Restoration of North Atlanta; and Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel (Family Business Radio, Episode 72) with host Anthony Chen

When Life Goes Sideways: Experts Who Restore Order, with Gladys Wanyeki, CFO ANX; Laura Delavan, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard; Adam Schwartzberg, Voda Cleaning & Restoration of North Atlanta; and Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel (Family Business Radio, Episode 72)

People seek someone who can quickly restore order when life becomes chaotic. In this episode of Family Business Radio, guest host Anthony Chen talks with four guests who do exactly that. Gladys Wanyeki, CFO ANX, helps business owners get a grip on cash, forecasting, and the few numbers that actually matter. Laura Delavan of Sterling Seacrest Pritchard explains what is changing in employee benefits and how employers can make smarter choices without leaving employees to carry the burden.

Adam Schwartzberg, Voda Cleaning & Restoration of North Atlanta, walks through what happens when water, mold, or fire damage hits and why “quick fixes” can make things worse. Stacy Fotos of The Happy Dog Hotel brings it home with a different kind of stability: reliable dog boarding, daycare, and grooming that keeps pets safe and owners sane, especially when plans change or life gets disrupted.

Anthony closes with a simple reminder from the financial side: before you chase a number, get clear on your core purpose and the legacy you want to leave. He encourages listeners to reconsider their definition of “retirement” and use that definition as their guiding principle. After that, while the financial aspects hold significance, they are not the primary focus.

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

  • If you do not know your cash position and what is driving it, you are guessing. Gladys Wanyeki explains how to build a simple rhythm around cash management, forecasts (predictions about future financial performance), and KPIs (key performance indicators that measure success).
  • Benefits are not just paperwork. Laura Delavan shares how to think about benefits like a business decision that affects hiring, retention, and cost.
  • With water, mold, and smoke damage, doing it “fast” is not the same as doing it “right.” Adam Schwartzberg explains why process and containment matter.
  • Pet care is emotional. Stacy Fotos explains what owners really want when they leave their dogs with someone: trust, consistency, and attention.
  • While industries may differ, the core responsibility remains the same: be present when it counts and maintain order.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to Family Business Radio
00:45 Gladys Wanyeki’s origin story
01:54 Finance vs. accounting
03:57 Values drive numbers
07:01 Integrity client example
07:54 When to hire a CFO
09:18 First steps with clients
10:58 Laura Delavan’s insurance journey
13:10 Partner perspective
14:26 Going the extra mile
16:03 Controlling benefit costs
18:28 Lego plan design
20:33 Self-funding basics
22:48 Mentoring next generation
24:41 Adam Schwartzberg franchise pivot
26:39 Why Voda stood out
28:17 Restoration in action
30:14 Hiring for Core Values
30:57 Contents Restoration Pack-Outs
32:33 Mold Dangers and Proper Remediation
34:38 Fire and Water Damage Decisions
35:49 Why Pros Beat DIY
36:31 How to Reach Voda
37:17 Stacy Fotos’s Service-First Journey
39:39 Vision for Disaster Dog Shelter
41:02 Owner-Run Care and Cleanliness
47:14 Dog Whisperer Grooming and Training
50:03 Core Values Roundtable
55:03 Anthony’s Financial Take and Closing

Gladys Wanyeki, CFO ANX

Gladys Wanyeki, CFO ANX
Gladys Wanyeki, CFO ANX

Gladys Wanyeki, MBA (Finance), CAMP, is the Founder and Principal of CFO ANX, a fractional CFO firm focused on helping growing businesses achieve strategic objectives through KPI dashboards and accountability scorecards. After serving in CFO roles across four corporate positions, she launched CFO ANX from a deep passion for helping small businesses overcome financial and operational challenges. Her approach is comprehensive and holistic, bringing together what CFO ANX calls Soul, Strategy, and Statistics to help leaders stay focused, track progress, and make better decisions.

Gladys brings 30+ years of corporate finance and accounting experience, including 15 years at the executive level, plus 10+ years of board experience and six years of M&A experience. Her background spans both large and small companies across industries such as IT, construction, security, health, and fintech, with leadership responsibilities that have included finance, accounting, administration and operations, corporate strategy, financial reporting, cash flow management, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking, and travel, and she lists her priorities as God, family, and work.

Website | LinkedIn

Laura Delavan, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard

Laura Delavan, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard
Laura Delavan, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard

Laura Delavan is a Partner at Sterling Seacrest Pritchard and brings more than 19 years of experience in employee benefits. Her work spans fully insured plans, self-funding, captive strategies, PEO solutions, ICHRA, and association benefits programs. She also serves on SSP’s Women in Leadership Committee, has published on employee wellness in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and has been a featured speaker on local business radio as well as HR and benefits forums.

Sterling Seacrest Pritchard is one of the largest privately held risk management and insurance brokerage firms in the United States, partnering with clients and the community to deliver services and solutions tailored to today’s dynamic marketplace. The firm’s stated aim is to operate as advisors first and insurance brokers second, supported by more than 400 team members across seven offices with expertise in property & casualty, employee benefits, and private risk. SSP has also been consistently listed on the Hales Top 100, recognized as a Best Practices Agency, and voted a Best Place to Work.

Website | LinkedIn

Adam Schwartzberg, Voda Cleaning & Restoration of North Atlanta

Adam Schwartzberg, Voda Cleaning & Restoration of North Atlanta
Adam Schwartzberg, Voda Cleaning & Restoration of North Atlanta

Adam Schwartzberg is the owner of Voda Cleaning & Restoration of North Atlanta. He brings more than 20 years of experience in corporate finance and business operations, where he held leadership roles focused on financial strategy and operational execution. Over his career, Adam worked closely with executive teams to drive disciplined growth, manage complex operations, and make high-stakes financial decisions, experience that now directly informs how he approaches business ownership. After a successful corporate career, he transitioned into entrepreneurship to build and lead a service business of his own.

Voda Cleaning & Restoration of North Atlanta provides professional cleaning and restoration services for residential and commercial clients, including water damage restoration, mold remediation, and specialty cleaning. The company operates with an emphasis on responsiveness, clear communication, and high standards of workmanship, particularly during stressful and time-sensitive situations. Adam is intentionally building a team grounded in shared core values, including integrity, community, teamwork, and excellence, with a focus on delivering consistent, high-quality service and earning long-term trust.

Website | LinkedIn

Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel

Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel
Stacy Fotos, The Happy Dog Hotel

Stacy Fotos is a Metro Atlanta entrepreneur and community leader who has called Alpharetta home for more than three decades. She is a mom of two adult children and a grandmother, and she is known for pairing business leadership with service, including board work with the Children’s Restoration Network, where she later served as Chair and led fundraising and media relations efforts. She also founded and ran Synergy HomeCare of North Atlanta for many years, overseeing operations, staffing, and compliance through the end of 2024.

Stacy is the co-founder of The Happy Dog Hotel, a family-owned dog boarding, daycare, and grooming facility she launched with her childhood friend Christopher Zimmerman in March 2024. Built as a “home away from home,” the business features spacious, climate-controlled suites, supervised play, and individualized care, plus an organic dog ice cream parlor. Stacy leads the day-to-day management across HR, marketing, networking, social media, and operations, and the founders have set a longer-term goal to use proceeds to support dogs in need through a homeless shelter initiative.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Stacy LinkedIn

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.

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

GNFCC Leadership Programs: LNF and Youth LNF

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GNFCC Leadership Programs: Leadership North Fulton (LNF) and Youth Leadership North Fulton (Youth LNF), with alumni Adam Bieber and JD Ginn (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 112)
North Fulton Studio
GNFCC Leadership Programs: LNF and Youth LNF
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GNFCC Leadership Programs: Leadership North Fulton (LNF) and Youth Leadership North Fulton (Youth LNF), with alumni Adam Bieber and JD Ginn (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 112)

GNFCC Leadership Programs: Leadership North Fulton (LNF) and Youth Leadership North Fulton (Youth LNF), with alumni Adam Bieber and JD Ginn (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 112)

Applications are now open for two GNFCC Leadership Programs: Leadership North Fulton (LNF) and Youth Leadership North Fulton (Youth LNF). Host Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, is joined by two voices from the programs: Adam Bieber of Logic Speak, a current Leadership North Fulton participant, and JD Ginn, a Cambridge High School student and Youth LNF Class of 2025 alumnus.

They talk candidly about walking into the program with nerves, then discovering how quickly it becomes a community that builds confidence, curiosity, and real leadership habits. The conversation shows what these programs actually develop—leaders who listen, serve, and act with purpose—through retreat experiences, relationship-building, hands-on civic exposure, and a broader view of local challenges and opportunities.

If you are considering applying, or you know an employee or student who should, this episode gives you the why behind the commitment, plus a clear next step: applications are open now, with a deadline of March 20, 2026

The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

  • Leadership growth often starts with uncertainty, and the program is built to help participants push through that quickly.
  • Leadership is not about title; it is about how you show up for others and how you serve.
  • Exposure matters: participants learn how North Fulton works, including civic systems and community needs that are easy to miss day to day.
  • Youth LNF expands perspective by bringing together standout students across many schools, creating a “you are not alone” effect.
  • The alumni network is genuine, continuing to contribute and give back long after graduation.
  • The programs build practical confidence through real scenarios, real relationships, and real community context.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Show Introduction and Guests
01:40 Meet Adam Bieber, Logic Speak, and JD Ginn, Cambridge High School
03:40 GNFCC Leadership Programs Overview
04:19 Why They Applied
08:25 Leadership Breakthrough Moments
12:45 Leading After the Program
15:41 Discovering North Fulton Issues
17:10 Community Mental Health Wins
18:05 Adam’s Eye-Opening Lessons
20:18 JD Mentoring and Paying Forward
22:29 Adam’s Plan to Give Back
23:43 Favorite Class Days
25:42 Why Join the Program
28:16 Final Takeaways and How to Apply

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider podcast

Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC)
Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC.

The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth, and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.

Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, GNFCCAs a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and they are dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.

GNFCC promotes the interests of their members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play, and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision-makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.

For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events, follow this link.

Loraine DiSalvo on Estate Planning for Business Owners

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Loraine DiSalvo, Morgan & DiSalvo, on Estate Planning, Business Succession, and Blended Families (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 932), with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Loraine DiSalvo on Estate Planning for Business Owners
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Loraine DiSalvo, Morgan & DiSalvo, on Estate Planning, Business Succession, and Blended Families (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 932), with host John Ray

Loraine DiSalvo, Morgan & DiSalvo, on Estate Planning, Business Succession, and Blended Families (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 932)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Loraine DiSalvo, partner at Morgan & DiSalvo, an Alpharetta law firm specializing in estate planning and trust administration. Loraine discusses the critical importance of proactive estate planning, particularly for business owners facing potential private equity sales or succession challenges. She explains how failing to plan before a business sale can significantly limit tax mitigation options and result in substantial estate tax exposure above the $15 million per person exemption.

Loraine addresses the complexities of estate planning for blended families, noting that no two situations are alike and emphasizing the value of open family discussions before death to prevent conflicts during grief. She also highlights a common misconception that both singles and married couples without children have simple estate planning needs, when in fact they often face complex decisions about beneficiaries beyond the typical spouse and children. The conversation covers succession planning for businesses where the next generation is not interested in taking over, the importance of having proper authority structures in place, and the various life events that should trigger an estate plan review.

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

  • Business owners considering or approached about private equity sales should complete estate planning before any sale offer materializes, as proximity to a sale makes it increasingly difficult to support lower valuations for tax mitigation purposes.
  • Georgia’s probate process can be quick and inexpensive with a well-drafted will, but inadequate documents can require tracking down distant relatives for consent and result in significantly higher costs and delays.
  • Blended families benefit from open discussions about estate plans while the parents are alive, helping family members understand decisions and reducing the likelihood of disputes during grief.
  • Singles and married couples without children often face more complex estate planning decisions than those with traditional family structures, as they must thoughtfully determine beneficiaries beyond the typical spouse and children.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Loraine DiSalvo
02:26 Loraine DiSalvo discusses her background and how she became interested in tax and estate planning law
05:05 The importance of estate planning for successful business owners and the consequences of failing to plan
07:17 How well-drafted wills streamline Georgia’s probate process versus inadequate documents
08:23 Common estate planning issues for business owners
09:09 Estate tax planning strategies for business owners facing private equity sales
11:03 The critical importance of timing estate planning before accepting sale offers
12:02 How Loraine helps clients navigate complex estate planning decisions and options
14:07 Business succession planning when children are not interested in taking over
15:08 The consequences when business owners fail to plan for succession
17:15 Balancing estate distributions when one child is in the business and others are not
17:37 Estate planning complexities for blended families
20:58 The value of family discussions about estate plans to prevent post-death conflicts
22:29 Loraine’s role in educating clients and raising what-if questions
23:03 Common misconceptions about intestate succession for married couples
24:19 Why singles and childless couples often face complex estate planning decisions
26:15 Life events that should trigger a call to an estate planning attorney
28:21 The importance of periodic estate plan reviews as life circumstances change
30:02 Success stories, including helping families with disabled members maintain Medicaid benefits
32:37 Using Georgia’s year support law to protect surviving spouses from creditor claims
34:18 How to connect with Morgan & DiSalvo for a no-charge estate planning consultation

Loraine DiSalvo, Partner, Morgan & DiSalvo, P.C.

Loraine DiSalvo, as heard on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
Loraine DiSalvo

Loraine DiSalvo has been practicing law in Georgia since 1997. Loraine is a partner with Morgan & DiSalvo, P.C., the Alpharetta law firm dedicated to helping individuals and families plan and prepare for the many changes that life brings.

Loraine’s areas of concentration include estate planning, probate, estate administration, trust administration, tax planning, and charitable gift planning. She specializes in addressing the unique needs of blended and non-traditional families as well as same-sex couples.

Loraine is a member of the Stonewall Bar Association, the Georgia Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Atlanta Bar Association, the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers, the Atlanta Estate Planning Council and the Estate Planning Council of North Georgia. She is a past Chair and past member of the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Bar Association’s Estate Planning and Probate Section, a past member of the CLE Board of Trustees for the Atlanta Bar Association and a past member of the North Fulton Bar Association.

Loraine has almost completed her two-year term as President of the Estate Planning Council of North Georgia, which began in 2024. She previously served as their VP of Programs in 2022 and 2023. She also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of The Mortmain, which is published by the Estate Planning and Probate Section for its members. Loraine spent two consecutive years as President of the Professional Women’s Information Network (ProWIN), an organization that provides networking, educational, and charitable opportunities for entrepreneurial and professional women in the metropolitan Atlanta area. Prior to becoming President of ProWIN, she spent three years as Treasurer and one year as President-Elect. After her two years as President, followed by a year as Immediate Past President and another year as a Member-at-Large on the ProWIN Board of Directors, Loraine left the Board of Directors and served on ProWIN’s Advisory Board.

An Atlanta native, Loraine graduated cum laude from Georgia State University and earned her J.D. degree, with distinction, from Emory University. Loraine has one adopted daughter and two grandchildren. She lives in Sandy Springs with her husband, Anthony, and enjoys riding motorcycles and using her expertise as a trained auto mechanic to work on their multiple cars and bikes.

LinkedIn

Morgan & DiSalvo, P.C.

Morgan & DiSalvo, P.C. is a boutique estate planning law firm based in Alpharetta, Georgia, focused on providing highly personalized guidance to individuals and families navigating wills, trusts, and broader estate and tax planning needs. The firm prioritizes clear, customized plans over generic documents, assisting clients in addressing issues like probate, estate and gift tax planning, trust administration, and elder and disability-related matters as life circumstances evolve.

Founded in 1995 and led by attorneys Richard Morgan and Loraine DiSalvo, the firm has developed a reputation for attentive client service, compassion, and technical depth in trusts and estates work, earning top-tier ratings from multiple legal rating services and recognition as a Tier 1 firm in Georgia for Trusts & Estates Law. With a small team of attorneys and paralegals, Morgan & DiSalvo positions itself as a long-term partner for North Metro Atlanta families, guiding them through planning, administration, and dispute resolution to protect legacies and minimize burdens on beneficiaries.

Website | LinkedIn

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

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

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of  North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors
John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio and Owner, Ray Business Advisors

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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

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

John is the author of the five-star-rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

 

 

James Daniel on Financial Planning and Tax Strategies

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James Daniel, The Advisory Firm, on Comprehensive Financial Planning, Tax Strategies, and Planning for Retirement (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 930), with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
James Daniel on Financial Planning and Tax Strategies
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James Daniel, The Advisory Firm, on Comprehensive Financial Planning, Tax Strategies, and Planning for Retirement (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 930), with host John Ray

James Daniel, The Advisory Firm, on Comprehensive Financial Planning, Tax Strategies, and Planning for Retirement (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 930)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes James Daniel, owner of The Advisory Firm in Alpharetta. James discusses his journey from electrical engineer to day trader to financial planner, sharing how his father’s experience losing 30% of his retirement savings in the 2000-2002 bear market shaped his planning-focused approach.

James explains his unique practice model that combines financial planning, investment management, and tax preparation under one roof. As an IRS enrolled agent, he provides clients with integrated tax planning throughout the year rather than just transactional tax preparation. He discusses the importance of stress testing retirement plans against different market scenarios, particularly after 16 years of strong bull market returns, and why sequence of returns risk matters more than most people realize.

The conversation covers James’ fee-only fiduciary model, how he helps clients navigate financial noise from social media, and his approach to working with both young professionals and retirees. He emphasizes reverse engineering financial goals and building comprehensive strategies that address investments, taxes, insurance, cash flow, and estate planning.

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

  • James’ father lost 30% of his retirement savings in the 2000-2002 bear market after being placed in highly-rated technology mutual funds, which prompted James to focus on comprehensive retirement planning rather than just investment selection.
  • The Advisory Firm offers a unique “personal CFO” model that combines financial planning, investment management, and tax preparation, allowing clients to work with one professional who understands their complete financial picture and can provide integrated strategies.
  • After 16 years of strong bull market returns, James advises clients to stress test their retirement plans against different scenarios and be realistic about future return expectations, particularly regarding sequence of returns risk when stepping into retirement.
  • James operates as a fee-only fiduciary, which eliminates sales pressure and product commissions, allowing clients to engage for just financial planning if that’s all they need, or add investment management and tax services as appropriate.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest James Daniel
02:06 James Daniel introduces The Advisory Firm and his financial planning approach
02:51 James’ backstory from electrical engineer to day trader to financial advisor
04:08 His father’s retirement experience and losing 30% in the 2000-2002 bear market
05:31 Learning the business and starting his own practice in 2006
06:20 Lessons from the dot-com bubble and 2008 recession
08:39 James’ engineering background and how process thinking applies to financial planning
09:31 His strategy development approach and reverse engineering financial goals
10:28 What makes James different from other financial planners
11:51 Incorporating tax preparation into his practice
13:25 The value of holistic tax planning versus transactional tax prep
15:43 Current market conditions and advising clients in early 2026
17:30 Walking clients through the retirement decision
19:31 Different ways to work with James and his services
21:23 Starting with a financial plan before managing investments
23:05 When to call a financial planner
23:54 Navigating financial advice on social media
24:39 Success stories from his practice
27:32 Contact information for The Advisory Firm

James Daniel, Founder and CEO, The Advisory Firm, LLC

James Daniel, Founder and CEO, The Advisory Firm, LLC, on North Fulton Business Radio
James Daniel

James is a former engineer, stock trader, brokerage financial advisor and for the past 20 years owner of The Advisory Firm LLC, a fee-only financial planning practice in Alpharetta.

James helps clients with developing their financial life plans with a focus on retirement planning. He personally manages the investment strategy for over $100 million for his clients and does in excess of 100 tax returns annually.

LinkedIn

The Advisory Firm LLC

The Advisory Firm is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning practice in Alpharetta. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and tax preparation services, providing what James Daniel calls a “personal CFO” approach for clients. As an IRS enrolled agent, James integrates tax planning with retirement planning and investment strategy, allowing clients to work with one professional who understands their complete financial picture. The firm serves both young professionals building wealth and retirees managing their financial futures.

Website

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

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

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of  North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors
John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio and Owner, Ray Business Advisors

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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

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

John is the author of the five-star rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

Julian Jordan on Mobile Pet Grooming in Alpharetta

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Julian Jordan, Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta, on Mobile Dog Grooming, One-on-One Pet Care, and Serving North Fulton Communities (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 929), with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Julian Jordan on Mobile Pet Grooming in Alpharetta
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Julian Jordan, Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta, on Mobile Dog Grooming, One-on-One Pet Care, and Serving North Fulton Communities (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 929), with host John Ray

Julian Jordan, Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta, on Mobile Dog Grooming, One-on-One Pet Care, and Serving North Fulton Communities (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 929)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Julian Jordan, owner of Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta. Julian discusses how his mobile grooming service brings professional, salon-quality pet care directly to homes and businesses throughout Alpharetta, Milton, Cumming, Johns Creek, and Peachtree Corners. He explains the convenience factor for busy professionals, work-from-home pet owners, and residents of senior living facilities who need reliable grooming without the stress of transportation.

Julian shares how the mobile grooming experience differs from traditional brick-and-mortar salons, offering one-on-one attention in a climate-controlled Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van equipped with professional grooming tools, heated hydro baths, and premium products, including blueberry facials. He discusses his transition from corporate healthcare to franchise ownership, the importance of building a strong groomer team, and how the service creates a spa-like experience that reduces pet anxiety. Julian also covers grooming schedules for different breeds, safety protocols, and how his AKC-certified groomers handle various pet temperaments.

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

  • Mobile grooming eliminates the stress of transporting pets to traditional salons and provides one-on-one attention in a climate-controlled van with professional equipment
  • Dogs with longer hair, especially doodles, should be groomed every four to six weeks to prevent matting and maintain coat health
  • Aussie Pet Mobile serves senior living facilities throughout North Fulton, providing essential grooming services for residents who cannot easily transport their pets
  • Building pet-groomer relationships takes time, but most dogs become comfortable and even excited to see the grooming van after two visits

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:21 John Ray introduces the show and guest Julian Jordan
02:13 Julian Jordan introduces Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta
03:21 Julian’s backstory and transition from corporate healthcare to pet grooming
05:13 Why Julian chose an Aussie Pet Mobile franchise
06:05 Business growth and expansion into Milton and Cumming areas
07:11 The value of mobile pet grooming for busy professionals and seniors
08:29 How the grooming appointment process works
10:06 Recommended grooming schedules for different breeds
12:13 Attracting and retaining quality groomers
14:06 How pets respond to mobile grooming versus traditional salons
17:48 Safety protocols and AKC-certified training
21:53 Signs that pet owners should schedule professional grooming
23:46 Success stories serving senior living facilities in North Fulton
26:00 How to contact Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta

Julian Jordan, Owner, Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta

Julian Jordan is the owner of Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta, where he brings a passion for pets, customer service excellence, and community-focused leadership to mobile dog grooming. With a commitment to convenience and compassionate care, Julian has built his business around providing high-quality, cage-free, one-on-one grooming experiences that prioritize each pet’s comfort and well-being.

As a local business owner, Julian dedicates himself to serving the Alpharetta community and surrounding areas, providing a stress-free alternative to traditional grooming salons. Under his leadership, Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta operates with professionalism, reliability, and a strong attention to detail, ensuring pets not only look great but also feel their best.

Building trusted relationships with pet parents, supporting his grooming team, and maintaining high standards of safety and service are deeply important to Julian. His mission is simple: to make pet grooming easier, more personal, and more enjoyable for both pets and their owners.

LinkedIn

Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta

Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta is a professional mobile dog grooming service dedicated to providing a calm, convenient, and high-quality grooming experience right at your doorstep. They specialize in full-service, cage-free grooming with one-on-one care, ensuring every pet receives personalized attention in a safe and stress-free environment.

Their fully equipped grooming vans allow them to deliver salon-quality results without the hassle of drop-offs, long waits, or crowded facilities. From baths and haircuts to nail care and styling, their experienced groomers focus on your pet’s comfort, health, and happiness.

Proudly serving the Alpharetta area and surrounding communities, Aussie Pet Mobile of Alpharetta is committed to helping pets look and feel their best while making life easier for pet parents.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

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

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of  North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors
John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio and Owner, Ray Business Advisors

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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

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

John is the author of the five-star rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

Shawn Lally on Payment Processing Pitfalls and Cash Flow

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Shawn Lally, BizPayPros, on Avoiding Payment Processing Scams and Improving Business Cash Flow (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 928), with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Shawn Lally on Payment Processing Pitfalls and Cash Flow
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Shawn Lally, BizPayPros, on Avoiding Payment Processing Scams and Improving Business Cash Flow (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 928), with host John Ray

Shawn Lally, BizPayPros, on Avoiding Payment Processing Scams and Improving Business Cash Flow (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 928)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Shawn Lally, Founder and CEO of BizPayPros. Shawn brings over 21 years of experience in the payment processing industry, helping businesses learn about the complicated world of merchant services, lending solutions, and spend management.

Shawn shares how nefarious practices like exploitative equipment leasing and hidden rate increases plague the payment processing industry. He explains why business owners often pay thousands of dollars for terminals worth only a few hundred and how processors use fine print to raise rates without warning. Shawn discusses the risks of auto-approval processors like Stripe, the importance of choosing software that offers payment processing flexibility, and why local, independent service matters. He also covers BizPayPros’ cash flow and working capital solutions for businesses struggling with accounts receivable and introduces spend management tools that can save hours of daily reconciliation work.

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

  • Equipment leasing scams can cost business owners over $10,000 for terminals that should cost a few hundred dollars, with automatic charges continuing indefinitely after the lease term ends.
  • Payment processors often bury clauses in contracts allowing them to raise rates at any time, making decisions in boardrooms based on algorithms that calculate acceptable customer loss versus revenue gains.
  • Processors that auto-approve accounts without proper underwriting may place holds on funds or shut down businesses unexpectedly when risk profiles don’t align with their portfolio requirements.
  • Payment processing integration with practice management software saved one medical office 2-3 hours daily in reconciliation work, demonstrating that choosing the right processor goes far beyond just saving money on transaction fees.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Shawn Lally
02:11 Shawn Lally introduces BizPayPros and how it helps businesses with cash flow
02:59 Shawn’s background and career journey into payment processing
03:01 Starting in the restaurant industry as a busboy and managing partner
04:10 Why nefarious players exist in the payment processing industry
05:21 Restaurant industry experience with payment processing and crash kits
07:41 The importance of local, independent service
07:51 Common deceptive practices in payment processing
08:10 Equipment leasing scams and exploitative contracts
12:01 How to identify trustworthy payment processors
14:25 Choosing payment processing software and avoiding being pigeonholed
15:25 QuickBooks, PayPal, and payment processing integrations
16:08 Auto-approval risks with processors like Stripe
18:40 BizPayPros as an independent broker model
20:39 Cash flow and working capital solutions
21:43 Lending solutions for businesses with accounts receivable issues
24:21 Overcoming inertia to make beneficial changes
26:40 Spend management solutions with virtual and physical cards
29:09 Success story: medical practice saving 2-3 hours daily
31:50 Contact information for BizPayPros

Shawn Lally, Founder/CEO

Shawn Lally is an entrepreneur, payments industry veteran, and strategic advisor with over 20 years of experience helping businesses grow through smarter payment processing, business lending, and financial technology solutions. He is the Owner & CEO of BizPayPros, a B2B-focused merchant services and advisory firm built on transparency, speed, and real-world expertise.

Throughout his career, Shawn has worked across acquiring, processing, ISO channels, and alternative lending, giving him a deep understanding of how financial systems impact business owners at every stage of growth. He specializes in helping clients who need flexible solutions, whether they are navigating complex risk profiles, seeking fast access to capital, or integrating modern payment and POS technologies to improve cash flow and reduce operational friction.

Known for prioritizing relationships, Shawn collaborates closely with business owners, referral partners, and agents across the country to develop solutions that are tailored to their specific operational needs, rather than relying on generic financial products. Through BizPayPros, he has helped numerous businesses unlock working capital, streamline payments, and scale with confidence.

Beyond business, Shawn is passionate about mentorship, personal development, and giving back through his initiative “Payments With A Purpose,” where company growth directly supports ongoing charitable efforts.

LinkedIn

BizPayPros

BizPayPros is a B2B-focused merchant services and financial solutions firm that helps businesses simplify payments, improve cash flow, and access flexible capital. Built on deep industry experience and a consultative approach, the company works with business owners across a wide range of industries to design payment, funding, and spend management solutions aligned with real operational needs.

BizPayPros provides end-to-end support across payment processing, POS and software integrations, spend management, and business lending solutions. This includes options for companies that may not qualify for traditional financing or cannot wait through lengthy approval timelines. By working with multiple acquiring, processing, and funding partners, BizPayPros is able to match clients with solutions based on risk profile, growth stage, and business objectives, rather than forcing one-size-fits-all products.

The firm is known for its hands-on service model and relationship-driven partnerships with referral partners, agents, and strategic alliances nationwide. BizPayPros serves as a long-term advisor to its clients, helping them streamline transactions, unlock working capital, and operate with greater confidence.

In addition to its core services, BizPayPros supports ongoing charitable initiatives through its “Payments With A Purpose” program, where business growth directly contributes to giving back in the communities it serves.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

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

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

Whether you’re a law firm, medical practice, or manufacturer, there’s one headline you don’t want to make: “Local Business Pays Thousands in Ransom After Cyberattack.” That’s where Beyond Computer Solutions comes in. They help organizations like yours stay out of the news and in business with managed IT and cybersecurity services designed for industries where compliance and reputation matter most.

Whether they serve as your complete IT department or simply support your internal team, they are well-versed in HIPAA, secure document access, written security policies, and other essential aspects that ensure your safety and well-being. Best of all, it starts with a complimentary security assessment.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray, host of  North Fulton Business Radio, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors
John Ray, host of North Fulton Business Radio and Owner, Ray Business Advisors

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. John and the team at North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, produce the show, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

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

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

John is the author of the five-star rated book The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

Our Mission

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

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

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