duluth business association Archives

Riptide, LLC presents Adam & Eve Networking and Fun

February 7, 2025 by Mike

Riptide, LLC presented an evening of networking, merriment, and fun with Adam & Eve Atlanta on February 6, 2025 at the Imperial Fez Mediterranean Restaurant & Lounge in Berkely Lake, GA. Business RadioX was on site to interview some of the business professionals attending the event.

STEVE & CHRISTINE STRONG

Co-Owners

Adam & Eve Atlanta

LISA THOMPSON & MELISSA GUNDERSON

Executive Board Members

Duluth Business Association

CARLEE SUGGS

Owner

Bees and Berry

RAFIH BENJELLOUN

Owner

Imperial Fez Mediterranean Restaurant

MELINDA SCHMIEDEKNECHT

Founder

Cobb Women in Business

About Riptide, LLC

Riptide, LLC brings 30 years of business background in technology, operations and sales strategy to the small to medium to growing sized business owner across Georgia and the Southeast. Riptide, LLC works closely with you to discuss what aspects of your business are going well, and where you could deploy better infrastructure, sales processes, and business operations. They help lay the groundwork for strong revenue growth for your company year over year. Riptide, LLC and their team focus and succeed in helping you and your product rise above the noisy marketplace, and position you for growth versus your competition.

Duluth Business Now! – Networking: Follow Up and Building Relationships

November 7, 2024 by Mike

Gwinnett Business Radio

Duluth Business Now! – Networking: Follow Up and Building Relationships

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Benjamin King, John Withers, Lisa Thompson, Katrina Lucisano, Ken Thompson

“Duluth Business Now!” is the official podcast of the Duluth Business Association. On this episode, the panel discusses what you can do after your networking meetings to build valuable relationships.

Ken Thompson/Thompson Hypnotherapy

Thompson Hypnotherapy believes everyone deserves the chance to live their dreams and not have to live their lives burdened by their past or paralyzed with fear, doubt, or anxiety about their future. Their focus is on those who really want to make the necessary changes. Using sessions to educate, guide, and empower, they show you how to find the incredible natural power that has been inside your mind all along and then show you how to use that power to break the chains holding you back. This may include changing or removing negative habits and behaviors, as well as forming new positive ones. At the end of the day, Thompson Hypnotherapy believes in helping you live your best life every day!

Katrina Lucisano/Silverton Mortgage

Founded in 1998, Silverton Mortgage is an acknowledged industry leader within the mortgage community. They’ve always believed that maintaining the entire loan process in-house keeps everyone involved: borrower, real estate agent, and Silverton Mortgage. One team, one goal. Katrina brings over 30 years of experience from owning Family First Mortgage to being a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator at Silverton Mortgage.

Benjamin King/Pet Wants of Johns Creek

Pet Wants has redefined the meaning of “fresh” in the pet food industry. To them, fresh means from the manufacturer to your pet’s bowl in weeks, not months. They have raised the bar in animal wellness and nutrition for over a decade. Their proprietary pet food is made using natural and fresh ingredients, including salmon, chicken, lamb and brown rice. There are no added sugars, no corn, and no animal by-products. They never use corn, wheat, soy or dyes.

John Withers/How Money Works

How Money Works is on a mission to eradicate financial illiteracy, the #1 economic crisis in the world, which impacts more than 4.5 billion people across the planet. Each Financial Educator has a goal to help their students break the cycle of endless debt, foolish spending, and financial cluelessness so they can take control of their financial future.

Lisa Thompson, President/Duluth Business Association (Moderator)

The Duluth Business Association exists to provide an open networking opportunity in a unique and relaxed environment, inviting business owners to interact socially while building relationships that will ultimately impact economic development and improve the Duluth community.

“Duluth Business Now!“ is member-sponsored by CrossPointe Realty, Knick Knack Products Group, Profound Wellness, Lillies Boutique, Rainbow Village, Home Access Mortgage, Gwen Tajz Wine Bar, and Morsels by Melissa Catering.

Duluth Business Now! – The Networking Meeting: Get Results Every Time!

October 10, 2024 by Mike

Gwinnett Business Radio

Duluth Business Now! - The Networking Meeting: Get Results Every Time!

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Melissa Gunderson, Holly Norman, Lisa Thompson, Charisse Excell, Areigna Preston

“Duluth Business Now!” is the official podcast of the Duluth Business Association. On this episode, the panel discusses how to find more success in your networking meetings.

Melissa Gunderson/Morsels by Melissa Catering

Morsels by Melissa opened its doors to Atlanta in 1999. Melissa provides expertise to her clientele in the planning and implementation of corporate and private parties and events, wedding receptions and intimate dinners with a full range menu of items including specialty cakes and sweets. Allow Melissa to design and fulfill all aspects of your next event!

Holly Norman/Chris Alex Real Estate Group

Chris Alex Real Estate‘s ethos is grounded in their client-centric philosophy. Providing a client with an unforgettable real estate experience worthy of sharing with friends requires a steadfast commitment to that client. Pledging trust, integrity, and professionalism as their guiding principles allows them to craft an exceptional experience that their clients are known to seek and repeat years, even decades later. When the time comes to embark on your real estate journey in Atlanta’s northern suburbs, reach out. Chris Alex Real Estate Group looks forward to giving you an exceptional experience.

Charisse Excell/Home Access Mortgage

Home Access Mortgage treats each customer as an individual, not a number. They don’t place you into a loan profile formula created by the banking industry. They use “common sense” and will help you obtain the best loan possible. They represent a wide range of “A” rated lenders with first quality rates to private “hardship” lenders. Whether your situation calls for Full Documents, No Documents, Non-Owner Occupied (Investor) or Multi-Family, Home Access Mortgage will fit your needs!

Areigna Preston/Profound Wellness

Profound Wellness provides massage therapy to enhance wellness, decrease stress, and reduce stress-related chronic health issues. Their intention is to provide a therapeutic massage for YOUR individual needs, as well as support you as you make changes to increase your health, happiness, and well-being in both your personal and professional lives. Make an appointment soon – to heal, recover, and rejuvenate.

Lisa Thompson, President/Duluth Business Association (Moderator)

Duluth Business Now! – Oh, The Places You’ll Go… (In Your Business)

June 25, 2024 by Mike

Gwinnett Business Radio

Duluth Business Now! – Oh, The Places You'll Go... (In Your Business)

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Alicia Cole, Karen Walker, Lisa Thompson, Paul Shin, Michele Parrish

“Duluth Business Now!” is the official podcast of the Duluth Business Association. This episode has been inspired by the 1991 Dr. Suess book “Oh, The Places You’ll Go…”.

Did you know that 50% of new businesses fail within the first year and of the remaining 50%, more than half will fail within 5 years?

To heighten your financial awareness, a panel of business leaders share their experiences, discuss how some financial issues can be avoided, and where you can find support along the way.

Karen Walker/McClellan and Associates CPAs

McClellan & Associates CPAs was created in 1992 to provide reliable accounting services to individuals and corporations across all industries. They strive not only to provide exceptional tax and accounting services, but to also build lasting client relationships through one-on-one guidance and counseling. They are a small team of CPAs, enrolled agents, and financial experts that are always willing to go the extra mile for their clients’ accounting needs.

Michele Parrish/Genesis Engineering Collaborative

In the real estate development industry, when beginning construction of a building, sitework clears the way for the construction process to begin. The civil engineering professionals at Genesis Engineering Collaborative specialize in site work and collaboration with clients, tenants, architects, and other consultants to problem solve and design your new beginning from due diligence, to concept planning, to final construction document preparation, to construction administration.

Alicia Cole/Lillie’s Boutique

Are you ready to elevate your style and self-care? Lillie’s Boutique is your “go-to” destination for sophisticated women’s apparel, trendy accessories, gifts for every occasion, and luxurious natural skin care. Their soaps and candles are made in-house with all natural ingredients and essential oils. They have two locations for your convenience: Downtown Sugar Hill and Historic Downtown Duluth. Visit today and indulge in the ultimate shopping experience.

Paul Shin/Loyal Trust Bank

Loyal Trust Bank opened in November 2019 when the Founding Directors discovered a need for a local bank with a multicultural approach. Headquartered in Johns Creek, the staff and decision-makers live in, and are active, in the same communities as their customers, giving them first-hand knowledge of the strengths and needs of those communities.

Lisa Thompson, President/Duluth Business Association (Moderator)

Duluth Business Now! – The Value of Relationships with Nonprofits for your Business

March 26, 2024 by Mike

Gwinnett Business Radio

Duluth Business Now! - The Value of Relationships with Nonprofits for your Business

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Josh Shapiro, Claire Dees, Lisa Thompson, Jennifer Kessler, and Michelle Alcorn

“Duluth Business Now!” is the official podcast of the Duluth Business Association. On this inaugural episode, the panel discusses the value of relationships between for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations, and how the DBA helps with that “cross pollination”.

Claire Dees, Executive Director/Spectrum Autism Support Group

Spectrum Autism Support Group was established in 1998 to provide support, education, and resources for individuals and families impacted by autism. Spectrum currently serves over 2,000 families in Gwinnett County and the surrounding Metro Atlanta area and has become a well-known resource in the Autism community. Support groups, summer day camps, overnight camps, social skills groups, respite, community training, and family events are offered for all ages and abilities.

Michelle Alcorn, Community Engagement Director/Rainbow Village

The mission of Rainbow Village is to transform the lives of families experiencing homelessness by providing help, hope, housing, and healing in order to instill initiative, self-development, and accountability that will foster meaningful growth in the lives of all who encounter Rainbow Village.

Jennifer Kessler, General Manager/Subaru of Gwinnett

Subaru of Gwinnett is proud to be an automotive leader in the area. Since opening their doors, Subaru of Gwinnett has kept a firm commitment to the customers. They offer a wide selection of vehicles and hope to make the car buying process as quick and hassle free as possible. If you would like financing options and you are in the market to purchase a new or used car or truck, they can provide assistance to help you find financing options that fit your needs.

Josh Shapiro, Owner/Budget Blinds Duluth

As your local window covering expert, Budget Blinds Duluth takes the time to understand you and your unique needs to deliver the best custom window covering solution designed for the way you live.

Lisa Thompson, President/Duluth Business Association