coworking Archives - Business RadioX ®

Collaboration and Community in Tempe E20

May 25, 2021 by Karen

Collaboration-and-Community-in-Tempe-Feature2

Phoenix Business Radio

Collaboration and Community in Tempe E20

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Collaboration and Community in Tempe E20

Want to know more about the current CDC and OSHA guidelines for businesses? Interested in learning more about the pulse on business and tourism in Tempe? Need to find a community of entrepreneurs who care about the future of business?

If you answered yes, then be sure to check out this episode of Collaborative Connections Radio Show and Podcast.

Host, Kelly Lorenzen was on-air with special guests Eddie Fredericks, owner of WorkingAware, Scott McIntosh owner of MAC 6, and Toni Smith, Director of Communications for the Tempe Arizona Tourism Office.

This episode was jam-packed full of info on all of the amazing businesses in Tempe, collaboration going on in the community, Conscious Capitalism, infection control, and more.

Thank you, KLM Consulting, Marketing & Management, for sponsoring this show.

WorkingAware provides customized post-pandemic event & workplace infection control planning solutions, training and Safer Workspace Certifications. They help your company meet and exceed all the relevant guidance in a way that works right for your own unique business operation, utilizing the knowledge of an infectious disease physician with over 20 years of experience in the management and development of infection control planning.

From providing education and training, to onsite assessments or full certification, WorkingAware helps businesses work safer for their employees, partners and customers.

Eddie Fredericks is Managing Director and co-founder of WorkingAware. He manages the business operations, with a focus on business development and partner relationships. He is integrally involved in our reporting process, ensuring that WorkingAware always provides best-in-class quality of content in a manner that results in an excellent experience for our customers.

Eddie has spent most of his career in business development and sales management, creating business-to-business solutions that are equally high in integrity as they are business-friendly. His experience consulting and advising local and national businesses of diverse sizes, from Fortune 500 companies to startups, helps guide our services so that they are readily actionable and easier for companies to implement. He has worked in or supported a broad range of businesses, including, manufacturing sectors, retail, and the food service industry.

Eddie moved to Arizona in 1993 to attend Arizona State University and lives in Tempe, AZ with his wife and family. He is passionately committed to supporting local Arizona businesses in his community.

Follow WorkingAware on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Future of Work is MAC6. The traditional commercial real estate model is in a state of disruption. Are you paying rent that is too high for underutilized space? Are you struggling to maintain culture with a working from home workforce? Are you looking for an innovative approach, flexible workspaces, a thriving community, and seamless virtual technology?

Located in Tempe, 10 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and 15 minutes from Arizona State University, the MAC6 Entrepreneurial Center campus offers 85,000 square feet of traditional and non-traditional private office flex-suites, 25,000 square feet of co-working desks, workstations and fully furnished private offices, a focus on health, wellness and productivity, including a 24×7 on-campus gym, virtual AND In-Person Meeting and event spaces.

MAC6 is ideal if you are looking for a move in ready private suite ranging from 850 to 16,000 square feet, and a flexible and productive place to grow your business, or for your working from home employees.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn.

During his early career, Scott McIntosh grew McIntosh Engineering to become a global leader in the sustainable development of deep underground mining projects worldwide.

Following a successful acquisition and exit, Scott shifted his purpose to Advocating Capitalism as a Force for Good, through for-profit MAC6, and non-profit Conscious Capitalism Arizona, both co-founded with Scott’s business partner and son Kyle McIntosh.

Locally owned and operated, MAC6 offers 150,000 square feet of Co-Working and Co-Manufacturing workspace in service to entrepreneurs, professional advisors, and mid-market businesses, or as a productive alternative for larger business employees currently working from home.

Leveraging his experience and deep commitment to learning, Scott offers mentorship and much more through the MAC6 Leadership Academy, fueling Scott’s passion to help leaders and leadership teams break through ceilings to growth.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn.

The Tempe Tourism Office is a non-profit organization devoted to marketing Tempe, Arizona. Our mission is to promote the City of Tempe as a desirable leisure and business travel destination. Our staff provides information to visitors, media professionals and meeting planners about Tempe hotels, restaurants, entertainment and local points of interest.

Toni Smith is the Director of Communications for the Tempe, Arizona Tourism Office. She has worked at the tourism office for 19 years. Previously, she worked in communications and special events for the Arizona Restaurant Association, and she was part of the marketing team for a downtown shopping center.

She is responsible for media relations, copy writing, collateral materials, social media strategy and oversees video and photography projects. She is a native Arizonan and graduated from Arizona State University.

In addition to promoting Tempe as a destination, Toni can be found hiking desert trails, visiting her favorite restaurants and building the perfect Spotify playlists. She lives in Tempe with her husband, daughter and two rescue dogs.

Connect with Toni on LinkedIn and follow Tempe Tourism on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Collaborative Connections

Kelly Lorenzen started the “Collaborative Connections” show to bring her clients and favorite charities together to meet each other, connect and collaborate in life and business. She hopes to build a stronger community one show at a time.

About Our Sponsor

KLM Consulting is a business concierge and project management firm. They help small business owners and non-profits build, brand and brag about their businesses.

About Your Host

Kelly Lorenzen, CEO of KLM Consulting, is an award-winning entrepreneur with over 15 years of business-ownership experience. She is also a certified project management professional.

Kelly’s expertise is in business development, customer service, marketing, and sales.

Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn, and follow KLM Consulting on Facebook.

The Future of Work – GrayHawk Capital E32

May 17, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

The Future of Work - GrayHawk Capital E32

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The Future of Work – GrayHawk Capital E32

In this episode of Water Cooler Conversations, Kyle is joined for a special show by co-host Scott McIntosh, and they speak with Brian Burns and Sherman Chu from Grayhawk Capital, Arizona’s largest Venture Capital fund. They explore the world of businesses raising capital in Arizona and what the current and future state look like. They discuss the investor and CEO relationship and how important it is to have a strong strategic and personality fit way before deciding if they monetary deal makes sense for both parties.

Learn about the world of Venture Capital Financing in Arizona and how the current entrepreneurial ecosystem is set up better today than it ever has been in the past to support growth stage businesses, and how to get connected to these resources as a CEO or growing business.

Grayhawk Capital provides venture capital to outstanding early and growth stage companies located in the Southwest. The partners of Grayhawk Capital have experience managing 10 separate venture funds, totaling more than $525 million with a collective 80+ years of experience.

Grayhawk is currently investing an $80 million fund. Our investment philosophy has remained consistent through the years and we target companies with the following type of characteristics: – Serial entrepreneurs and exceptional management teams – Dynamic, rapidly growing technology markets – Innovative and disruptive product offerings.

The current sectors for investment include mobile computing, cloud/SaaS, security, enterprise & application software, business intelligence, healthcare IT, and financial.

Sherman I. Chu (56), Managing Member, co-founded Grayhawk Capital in 1999. Mr. Chu has more than 29 years of venture capital and private equity experience. In addition, Mr. Chu has 23 years of experience working with or managing SBICs.

Prior to co-founding Grayhawk Capital, Mr. Chu was a Partner at CEP from 1995 to 2008. Mr. Chu started his venture capital career at Banc One Capital Partners where he joined as an Associate in 1991 and later became Assistant Vice President.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Chu held financial positions within various industries ranging from technology-based start-up companies to the banking industry.

Mr. Chu has served on the boards of 16 privately held companies. Mr. Chu holds a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Arizona.

Brian N. Burns co-founded Grayhawk Capital in 1999. Grayhawk Capital is managing its fourth venture capital fund, Grayhawk Venture Fund III, LP. Mr. Burns has more than 30 years of private equity and venture capital experience.

Prior to co-founding Grayhawk Capital, Mr. Burns served as Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the investment subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp., a $3 billion NYSE company, from 1998 to 2000.

Mr. Burns was a CPA for 35 years and started at Arthur Andersen & Co. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Arizona State University and has served on the board of 18 privately held companies.

Follow Grayhawk Capital on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn.

During his early career, Scott McIntosh grew McIntosh Engineering to become a global leader in the sustainable development of deep underground mining projects worldwide.

ABOUT THE FUTURE OF WORK: WATER COOLER CONVERSATIONS

Welcome to Future of Work: Water Cooler Conversations Radio Show and Podcast – where business leaders share how they integrate humanity and technology through innovative approaches, healthy culture, flexible workspaces and seamless virtual technology.

ABOUT YOUR CO-HOSTS

With a background in marketing, in various for profit and not for profit companies, Kyle McIntosh wondered, “How can I pair the passion and commitment to community progress of a non-profit with the sustainability and reach of a for profit company?” From this question and perspective a mission evolved to tear down the false distinction between the two sectors and to promote companies with Conscious Capitalism® business models through MAC6.

Kyle is the President and Creative Excitant of MAC6. Day to day, his main operational role is on the “spaces” side of the business, focusing on creating thriving communities in the commercial office buildings, the co-working space, and the co-manufacturing space. The other role that he plays is that of EOS implementer, working with clients to bring the Entrepreneurial Operating System, from the book Traction® to their businesses. Additionally, he sits on the boards of Conscious Capitalism Arizona, telling the stories of good businesses in Arizona, and The Tempe Chamber of Commerce, sustaining Tempe’s quality of life and keeping our community and economy vibrant.

Kyle loves Arizona and wants to see us all collectively find great success based on the awesome things that are happening here every day.

Follow MAC6 on Facebook and Twitter.

Jennifer Burwell, joined MAC6 in 2013. Jennifer is their VP and Director of Programs.

She uses her experience in real estate, team development and management to seamlessly integrate each of the MAC6 business units to assure they are all focused on the long-term company vision. She is also a student of human behavior.

As a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst, she uses her knowledge to facilitate culture-focused leadership programs with organizations of all sizes to integrate the company’s values and create higher-performing teams.

To learn more about MAC6 Communities, call 480-293-4075 or find them on Facebook

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

MAC⁶ offers flexible spaces and programs to help your team grow, and a community of thriving businesses, just like yours. Advocating Capitalism as a Force for Good, MAC6 is Accelerating the shift to Conscious Capitalism (where Purpose and Profit Unite) through Creativity, Collaboration, Community and Change.

Sarah Anderson, Firmspace Atlanta

March 9, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Sarah Anderson, Firmspace Atlanta

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Sarah Anderson, Firmspace Atlanta (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 335)

Sarah Anderson joins host John Ray to share the “proworking” philosophy behind the new Firmspace location in Atlanta, one which offers a prime sanctuary for business professionals seeking a flexible workspace. “North Fulton Business Radio” is produced virtually from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Firmspace Atlanta

In 2016, Firmspace began with a belief that flew directly in the face of conventional thinking. They committed to building a sanctuary for the one group that continued to be underserved – professionals.

From the blueprints forward, they set out to create an environment that empowered professionals to do what they do best. The end result was a private, secure sanctuary for professionals that’s distinctly different. They call it proworking.

It’s a simple distinction: While others are in the business of providing space, they are in the business of supporting professionals as much as it’s humanly – and technologically – possible. They believe great achievers require space for collecting their thoughts — not for collecting contacts, so Firmspace adds to their continued success by offering them sovereign soil with like-minded professionals.

Firmspace is offering a free day pass for the Atlanta location to all Business RadioX listeners. Just contact Sarah to take advantage of the offer and mention “John Ray & Business RadioX.” Offer expires May 1, 2021.

Company Website | Facebook | Twitter

Sarah Anderson, Member Experience & Sales Manager, Firmspace

Sarah Anderson is an experienced sales and events professional with a diverse background in the flexible office industry.

She is a Member Experience & Sales Manager at Firmspace Atlanta, a private office space for discerning, achievement-driven professionals and executives.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Is flex space the new office?
What is Firmspace, what do you do there?
Who does Firmspace serve?
What is flex space and why is it important to the future of work?
What are the biggest challenges companies are facing in returning to the office?
How does Firmspace differ from traditional office options or other flex spaces?
What are companies looking for when it comes to shopping for office space?

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

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

Becky Berry, MAD! Workspace for Women

March 8, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Becky Berry, MAD! Workspace for Women

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Becky Berry, MAD! Workspace for Women (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 334)

MAD! Workspace for Women Founder and Owner Becky Berry is meeting women’s desires for a coworking space offering more than just an away-from-home place to work. She joined host John Ray to discuss how her space offers community and connection highly valued by women in business. “North Fulton Business Radio” is produced virtually from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

MAD! Workspace for Women

MAD stands for Manifest All Day. MAD! Workspace for Women is by women and for women. At MAD! Workspace they are committed to themselves and to their work. MAD! is more than a traditional coworking space. MAD! is the energy of like-minded women working both independently and together to bring visions to life.

Their safe, comfortable, boutique coworking space is nestled between Alpharetta and Roswell. They offer Hot Desk, Dedicated Desk, and Office Rental Memberships.

At MAD! women come together to do, connect, and manifest. When women gather to work, connect, and create their best work, they also find the courage to do the things they’ve always wanted to do.

The MAD! Workspace is complying with all WHO and CDC guidelines for physical distancing, including wearing masks in common areas and extra cleaning procedures.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Becky Berry, Owner, MAD! Workspace for Women

Becky is a native of Roswell and Alpharetta. She’s a career coach and serial entrepreneur with a work history that includes owning a software company, social entrepreneurship, magazine publishing, special education teacher, and a 12-year stint as a stay-at-home mom.

After spending many hours in traditional coworking spaces, she created MAD! Workspace for Women as a place for women to work around other women in a fierce female environment. And, in these times, women are working for a safe place to get away from home and work in a productive environment.

From a member of our community: “MAD! Workspace is special. You know it as soon as you enter and you feel it as soon as you’re greeted by the women who’ve made it their home base. They move through the world with equal parts intuition, openness, and ambition. If you’re looking for a place to expand your work while nourishing your soul, this is it.”

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

What’s a coworking space?
How has the workplace changed in the past year and why are coworking and shared workspace options more important than ever?
What is MAD! Workspace’s value proposition?
Who comes to MAD! Workspace?
What does your coworking space look like in Covid times?
What types of workspaces do you have at MAD?
How can people see the space?

Creating Business Through Collaboration E16

January 24, 2021 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Creating Business Through Collaboration E16

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Creating Business Through Collaboration E16

On this episode of Collaborative Connections Radio Show and Podcast, Kelly Lorenzen featured Kyle McIntosh with MAC 6, Felena Hanson with Hera Hub, and Sean Brown at Bliss Realty & Investments. They talked about everything from co-working, to business post-pandemic, to real estate, collaboration, and more.

If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, and/or independent contractor and wondering how to do any of the above, this episode is worth the listen.

Here were a few of Kelly’s top takeaways from the show…

Focus on your purpose
Find your community
Forge new relationships

Bliss Realty & Investments is a full service Commercial and Residential Real Estate brokerage with over 40 agents. George Bliss and Sean Brown handle the Commercial Real estate division representing Buyers, Sellers, Landlords and Tenants. George Bliss is the Principal Owner and has over 40 years experience in the Commercial Real Estate industry.

Sean Brown lived in Arizona for over 30 years graduating from ASU with a B.S. in Economics. He has extensive experience in Commercial Real Estate having negotiated hundreds of leases.

Prior to becoming a Commercial Real Estate Agent, he was a multi-unit Subway franchisee restaurant franchisee opening and operating 14 restaurants over a 25 years period. He was also a Development Broker for Cold Stone Creamery for a four state area. He handled the Franchise Sales and Real Estate Development; creating market development plans, handling site selection and directing lease negotiations. He also built operational teams to support the franchisees.

Sean enjoys being outdoors: hiking, golfing, kayaking, soccer and camping. He has coached both youth soccer and youth golf.

Connect with Sean on LinkedIn.

Hera Hub is a spa-inspired shared workspace and business accelerator designed for female entrepreneurs. This as-needed, flexible work and meeting space provides a productive environment for growing businesses.

Hera Hub is a certified Public Benefit Corporation.

Hera Hub was founded 10 years ago and has locations in San Diego County – Mission Valley, Sorrento Valley, and Carlsbad. They also have locations in Temecula, Irvine, and Washington DC.

The company is expanding via a collaborative licensing model and is building relationships with larger coworking companies to bring the company’s unique programming and virtual memberships to women all over the world.

Felena Hanson is the Founder of, Hera Hub, a spa-inspired shared workspace and business accelerator designed for female entrepreneurs.

She is also the president of the San Diego chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and serves on the board for Startup San Diego.

Felena is a published author and international speaker. Her book, “Flight Club – Rebel, Reinvent, and Thrive: How to Launch Your Dream Business” is available on Amazon.

Connect with Felena on LinkedIn and follow Hera Hub on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Located in Tempe, 10 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and 15 minutes from Arizona State University, the MAC6 Entrepreneurial Center offers 150,000 square feet of space including traditional and non-traditional private office suites, a variety of coworking office space solutions, and a unique light co-manufacturing space; all in service to growth-oriented entrepreneurs, startups and mid-market enterprise businesses.

Kyle loves Arizona and wants to see us all collectively find great success based on the awesome things that are happening here every day.

Follow MAC6 on Facebook and Twitter.

About Collaborative Connections

About Our Sponsor

KLM Consulting is a business concierge and project management firm. They help small business owners and non-profits build, brand and brag about their businesses.

About Your Host

Kelly Lorenzen, CEO of KLM Consulting, is an award-winning entrepreneur with over 15 years of business-ownership experience. She is also a certified project management professional.

Kelly’s expertise is in business development, customer service, marketing, and sales.

Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn, and follow KLM Consulting on Facebook.

Alan Crowe with Room2work

August 25, 2020 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Alan Crowe with Room2work

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Alan Crowe is the founder of R2W Coworking in Roswell GA. Prior to his current project, Alan was president of SpecPoint, a sales and marketing firm for commercial security.

His experience working alongside contractors at SpecPoint led to the creation of his new niche coworking space that includes office, meeting, and warehouse space.

Connect with Alan on LinkedIn and follow Room2work on Facebook.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Can Coworking Survive COVID-19?
How is Room2work /R2W Coworking adapting to the new normal?
What will coworking look like a year from now?
Who is a typical coworking member?
With millions out of work can coworking spaces help people start a business or “side hustle”
What should people consider when picking a coworking space

About Our Sponsor

OnPay’s payroll services and HR software give you more time to focus on what’s most important. Rated “Excellent” by PC Magazine, we make it easy to pay employees fast, we automate all payroll taxes, and we even keep all your HR and benefits organized and compliant.

Our award-winning customer service includes an accuracy guarantee, deep integrations with popular accounting software, and we’ll even enter all your employee information for you — whether you have five employees or 500. Take a closer look to see all the ways we can save you time and money in the back office.

Follow OnPay on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Katharine Chestnut with Alkaloid Networks

June 3, 2020 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Katharine Chestnut with Alkaloid Networks

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Katharine Chestnut founded and created Alkaloid Networks, a coworking community environment, that is a special experience for her members on the Atlanta Beltline.

Katharine saw a unique opportunity created by a beautiful old warehouse space in a central location that was easily accessible by foot or bike. With plenty of exciting culinary options and creative urban living nearby, Katharine wanted the same thing others wanted; an ideal spot for emerging businesses to plant their seeds.

Katharine has 30+ years of experience as a face-to-face marketer with a passion for measuring the value of an experience, and 20+ years of marketing industry contributing writer and teaching educational sessions and mentoring other marketers.

Follow Alkaloid Networks on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

How Katharine and Alkaloid Networks adjusted to meet the needs of members and support the community during the SIP and ongoing pandemic.

About Our Sponsor

Follow OnPay on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Scott McIntosh and Jennifer Burwell with MAC6 E11

December 11, 2019 by Karen

ARIZONAGOODBUSINESSScottMcIntoshandJenniferBurwellwith-MAC6

Phoenix Business Radio

Scott McIntosh and Jennifer Burwell with MAC6 E11

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Scott McIntosh and Jennifer Burwell with MAC6 E11

MAC6 Communities offers 150,000 square feet of office, light industrial coworking, and enterprise solutions for entrepreneurs, professionals and scaling businesses. MAC6 offers (actual) flexible workspace, programs to help your team grow, and a community of growing businesses, just like yours.

Scott McIntosh co-founded MAC6 with his son Kyle in 2011 after he grew and sold a $50M (annual revenue) mining engineering business.

After six years of working operationally in the business, Scott now sits on the ownership team and works strategically with the invested company portfolio, utilizing EOS® to strengthen the leadership teams.

Jennifer Burwell seamlessly integrates each of the MAC6 business units assuring that they are all being managed effectively towards the long term company vision. She is also a student of human behavior as a Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst, with other certifications in Emotional Intelligence and Acumen.

She uses this knowledge to work with businesses to facilitate culture focused leadership programs, which integrate the company’s values and create higher performing teams.

Follow MAC6 on Facebook.

About Arizona Good Business Radio

What is good business? What are local businesses doing to build a better Arizona?

Join Arizona Good Business Radio to hear from local companies who are:

Centering purpose at the forefront of business
Creating social well-being for the community
Prioritizing sustainability and positive environmental practices
Growing strong company cultures through building authentic teams
Ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion are involved in all business decisions

Arizona Good Business Radio features local business leaders that are redefining what it means to do good business.

About Your Host

Thomas Barr is the Executive Director for Local First Arizona, the largest coalition of local businesses in North America. He advocates for a strong local business community that contributes to building vibrancy, equity, and prosperity across the state. A proud Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University,Thomas leads the business coalition of Local First Arizona by advocating for the economic and cultural benefits provided by building strong local economies.

Thomas steers the strategic direction of LFA’s major programs and initiatives as well as the engagement of over 3000 businesses across Arizona. As Executive Director, Thomas guides a team of statewide senior directors overseeing the execution of LFA’s communication strategy, major initiatives and key partnerships, as well as the collaboration of over 30 staff implementing work in entrepreneurship programs, small business advocacy, local food initiatives, sustainability, urban development and community building. He frequently speaks to groups locally and nationally, presenting the impact of Local First Arizona and the importance of local economy work in building prosperity.

Outside of Local First Arizona, Thomas has participated in volunteering his time to many causes and organizations throughout the Valley including Young Nonprofit Professionals – Phoenix, Equality Arizona, Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Heritage Square Foundation and Phoenix Legal Action Network. Additionally, Thomas is a 2018 Phoenix Magazine 40 Under 40 honoree, alumni of Arizona Leading for Change, and current participant in Valley Leadership Institute’s 40th cohort.

Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Local First AZ

Local First Arizona is a nonprofit organization that celebrates independent, locally owned businesses. We support, promote and advocate for a strong local business community and raise public awareness of the economic and cultural benefits provided by strong local economies. Local businesses contribute to a sustainable economy for Arizona and build vibrant communities we’re all proud to call home.

Brian Goebel, Mercedes Rivera and Jennifer Andersen Smith with Start:ME and Anne Rice with Blue House Wellness

November 19, 2019 by angishields

Atlanta Business Radio

Brian Goebel, Mercedes Rivera and Jennifer Andersen Smith with Start:ME and Anne Rice with Blue House Wellness

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Start:ME is a free intensive 14-session business training program for promising small businesses that provides entrepreneurs the tools and connections necessary to build and grow successful businesses. We operate in three metro Atlanta communities – Clarkston, East Lake, and Southside Atlanta. When successful, these businesses generate income for entrepreneurs and their families, while at the same time, build neighborhood vitality. Start:ME has helped 208 businesses around the ATL start and grow since 2013!

Brian Goebel serves as the Managing Director for Social Enterprise at Goizueta (SE@G), a research center within Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, which generates meaningful societal impacts by making markets work for more people, in more places, in more ways. As part of his role at Emory, Brian’s serves as the Program Director for Start:ME.

Mercedes Rivera is a maker, artist, entrepreneur, and Start:ME East Lake coordinator.Mercedes graduated from Start:ME’s East Lake program in 2019 to accelerate her business, Heart Mercedes. Heart Mercedes is a handmade artisan goods and creative management services promoting the “Random Acts of Kindness” movement. Mercedes has shown up to nursing homes with dozens of balloons, taught beading lessons to special needs children, and funded a trip to Southeast Asia to host a feeding program for the less fortunate. As a fellow entrepreneur, Mercedes understands the highs and lows of one’s entrepreneurial journey, and she is passionate about working with entrepreneurs to make positive impacts through their local communities!

Jennifer Andersen Smith provides leadership, support and assistance for all of Atlantic Capital Bank’s community development initiatives and projects as the bank’s Community Development Officer. In her role she oversees community empowerment programs, such as financial and credit education, one-on-one counseling, and other specific outreach efforts. Atlantic Capital is proud to sponsor Start:ME 2019 Holiday Gift Guide which highlights amazing local businesses for your holiday shopping needs!

Follow Start:ME on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Anne Rice is a licensed therapist in both Georgia and New York. Anne received her bachelors in psychology from Princeton University and her masters in counseling from Boston College. Anne lived and worked in Brooklyn providing in home therapy and then supervision for a team of therapists in Staten Island before returning to her home state of Georgia.

In Georgia she provided in home therapy before starting her own private therapy practice, Firefly Wellness Counseling. In the summer of 2018, after looking for space to expand her practice, Anne created Blue House Wellness, a coworking space for mental health professionals. Anne is passionate about helping other therapists launch their practices and reducing the stigma around seeking mental health services.

In her spare time, Anne can be found baking and exploring Atlanta with her husband and infant daughter.

Follow Blue House on Facebook.

Questions and Topics in this Interview