budgeting Archives - Business RadioX ®

KM Design and Moneycopilot, LLC

March 5, 2026 by Garrett Ervin

BRX National

KM Design and Moneycopilot, LLC

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Kisha Moore | KM Design

KM Design, a commercial and residential interior design firm based in Buford, Georgia. KM Design specializes in creating comfortable, timeless, and highly functional interiors—spaces that become the backdrop for everyday life, meaningful moments, and lasting memories. Their work blends beauty with purpose, helping clients feel truly at home in the environments they live and work in.

Tunji Ajigbeda | Moneycopilot, LLC

Moneycopilot, LLC is a money coaching and trust administration company with multiple subsidiaries offering financial guidance and supporting financial services to individuals as well as business owners. Our main mission is to address financial issues that prevent people from reaping all the benefits that come from having good financial health and discipline. As a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and a member firm of the American Association of Daily Money Managers (AADMM), we do so with honesty and integrity helping you gain financial strength in a mutually beneficial manner that promotes stability in your life.

When Life Goes Sideways: Experts Who Restore Order

March 4, 2026 by John Ray

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)

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, 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 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 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 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

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.

Donald Farrey on Eliminating Debt and Budgeting

July 21, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Donald Farrey on Eliminating Debt and Budgeting

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Donald Farrey on Eliminating Debt and Budgeting (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 887)

Donald Farrey, a CPA and a Dave Ramsey Preferred Financial Coach, joins North Fulton Business Radio host John Ray to share how he helps high-income individuals and couples get out of debt, stay on top of their money, and stop living paycheck to paycheck, even when that paycheck is a big one.

After a long career in finance and real estate, a cancer diagnosis led Don to rethink his path. He now focuses on helping others avoid the stress and confusion that often come with money. In this episode, he explains how practical tools like the EveryDollar app and proven methods like the debt snowball can make a real difference.

Don also talks about common financial blind spots, how money can create tension in relationships, and why budgeting doesn’t mean giving up fun. If you’ve ever wondered why your income doesn’t seem to stretch as far as it should, this episode is for you.

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

Key Takeaways from this Episode

Don Farrey works primarily with high-income individuals and couples to eliminate financial stress, reduce debt, and build a better future.
As a Dave Ramsey Preferred Financial Coach, Don uses proven tools like the debt snowball and EveryDollar budgeting app to help clients gain control.
Budgeting isn’t about depriving yourself; it’s about spending intentionally on what matters most.
Don emphasizes communication between couples as the foundation for financial success in marriage.
He helps clients identify and plan for “total cost of ownership” and avoid the cultural trap of keeping up with the Joneses.
Emergency funds and intentional planning protect against inevitable disruptions like job loss or illness.
Accountability is critical. Most people don’t need more information; they need a partner to help them follow through.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:35 Meet “Don the Money Man”
00:57 The Benefits of Renasant Bank
02:21 Don’s Financial Coaching Philosophy
05:00 Dave Ramsey’s Financial Principles
11:00 Budgeting Tips and Tools
13:01 Prioritizing Meaningful Experiences
14:09 Personal Stories and Financial Wisdom
16:14 The Problem with Excessive Spending
16:36 Marriage and Money: Navigating Financial Stress
17:24 Effective Budgeting and Communication
20:31 Planning for the Unexpected
23:01 When to Seek Financial Coaching
26:16 Success Stories and Practical Tips
29:42 Contacting Don the Money Man
31:10 Closing Remarks and Additional Resources

Donald Farrey, Don the Money Man, LLC

Donald Farrey is a CPA and Dave Ramsey Preferred Financial Coach who, after a distinguished career in real estate finance, transitioned to his true calling following his retirement in 2024 due to illness. Motivated by a lifelong passion for financial empowerment, he now dedicates his expertise to guiding individuals and families out of financial distress, equipping them with tools for lasting financial health.

With decades of hands-on experience in cost reduction, mortgages, purchasing vehicles, insurance decisions, and navigating special needs situations, Donald brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his coaching. His deep understanding of the unique challenges clients face allows him to offer tailored, compassionate guidance that supports confident financial decision-making and long-term security.

Website | LinkedIn

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $17 billion in assets and more than 180 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from each banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way to better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Beyond Computer Solutions supports North Fulton Business Radio

If 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 880 episodes and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

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

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

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

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

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

John Ray 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.