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Rome Floyd Chamber Small Business Spotlight – A Celebration Of The Recent Membership Drive
Sonya and Tracey Wells with the Wells Agency/Farmers Insurance
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Sonya & Tracey Wells/The Wells Agency & Farmers Insurance
The Wells Agency/Farmer’s Insurance is a full-service insurance agency offering household insurance (auto, homeowners, condo, renters, rental property, life) and commercial insurance (general liability, workers comp and commercial auto).
A 9-year Gwinnett County resident, Tracey Wells is proud to be the local Farmers agent for the town of Grayson and surrounding areas! With experience as both underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that other agents may not have. A proud United States Navy veteran, Tracey had the opportunity to protect our nation’s freedoms while travelling to over 25 countries.
Sonya is a sales professional with 20 years combined sales experience in the healthcare and insurance industries. She has a passion for helping others achieve their goals and assisting her clients in making the right life choices when it comes to protecting their families and assets. She joined the Farmers team as a Producer in January of 2017.
Rome-Floyd Chamber Small Business Spotlight – Hillery Sawyer of Speakcheesy and Alma Roman of Farmer’s Insurance
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Hillery Sawyer – Speakcheesy, Owner
Speakcheesy was founded in 2014 as a spark of an idea between three friends. Rome did not offer a late-night food option and they wanted to fill that need. What better than cheese and bread to get you through a late night in our downtown hub? Hot late-night food wasn’t the only dream, the friends wanted to create a concept that was versatile, appealed to the masses, provided comfort and took you down memory lane with the nostalgia of childhood. Together the friends incubated the idea, the name, initial menu, and branding, in just a few short weeks, by hosting a late-night pop-up grilled cheesery on Broad Street allowing customers to vote for their favorite original grilled cheese recipes with their dollars. The friends learned a lot about cheese, each other, and business over the six months they spent popping up on Broad Street. At the end of 2014 the friends chose different careers, but this was still a dream Hillery wanted to make happen! She partnered with local non-profits like the Chieftains Museum and growing local festivals like Going Caching to get the word out about her unique concept. By winter 2015, now sole owner, Hillery Sawyer had raised the $8,000 she needed to bootstrap this business from the help of friends and a quick repay loan from the Maker village. She successfully paid the loan off by March of 2016 and started booking around Rome from the parking lot of Redmond Regional to River Dog Outpost and headed off down the road to Atlanta, Athens, and even South Carolina. Now equipped with a new Teammate and husband, Benjamin Mitchell who dreams of cheese right alongside Hillery they set off for Speakcheesy’s Spring Music and Craft Festival US road tour taking the truck across state lines to over 15 music and art festivals across the south in order to fuel their expansion into a commercial prep kitchen and gastropub. In summer of 2019 Speakcheesy had the opportunity to partner with local brewery Rome City Brewing to make their gastropub dream a reality right here on Broad Street across from the space they hosted their very first pop-ups six years ago. Hillery’s heart is as big as it is cheesy. You can support Speakcheesy’s growth and journey by trying one of our many gourmet grilled cheeses or full menu at RCBC, ordering curbside or delivery, or simply grabbing a t-shirt or gift certificate for your friends and family!
Alma Roman – Farmers Insurance, Alma Roman Agency, Agent/Owner
Roman is one of 9 siblings born in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico to a blue-collar mother and father who migrated to the United States in search of the “American Dream”. At 9 years old, she moved to Rome in 1993 and she has considered it her home ever since. She graduated from Rome High School in 2002. After High School, she chose to be a stay at home mother to raise both of her children, Javi Roman (14) and Katelyn Roman (17). In 2004 through 2007, she worked in the medical field, working for The Harbin Clinic interpreting for the growing Spanish speaking population of Floyd County. From 2007 to 2009, she worked in retail and customer service for Lowes Home Improvement. From 2009 until now, she entered what she considers to be her career position, the insurance industry. She began in customer service and became the only team member in the history of Alfa insurance in Georgia to start as a Customer Service Rep and earn the position of business Owner/Agent. In 2016 she opened Farmers Insurance – Alma Roman Agency on 5 W 5th Ave, Rome, GA. She is happily married to Joel Paul McCool, and proud mother to 5 children: David McCool (11), Savannah McCool (20), Kassidy McCool (15), Katelyn Roman (17), and Javier Roman (14).
DeKalb Business Today – October 16, 2015
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On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes welcomes a diverse panel of leaders helping to shape the business scene in and around DeKalb County. Keline Bornelus reveals how her agency is helping families save on bundled insurance, while also reaching out to businesses for their insurance needs. Nancy Ladson Rowan will discuss her journey from small town girl to big city lawyer. Decatur Boxing owner Xavier Biggs shares how the sweet science is helping local men and women get into shape. And we’ll find out how Tammie Bailey-Fults is organizing local businesses to boost female entrepreneurs.
Keline Bornelus/Principal Agent & Owner of Bornelus Insurance Agency
The companies comprising the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies make up one of the country’s largest insurers of vehicles, homes and small businesses and provide a wide range of other insurance and financial services products.
Farmers is proud to serve more than 10 million households with more than 20 million individual policies across all 50 states through the efforts of over 50,000 exclusive and independent agents and nearly 24,000 employees.
The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange) owned by their policyholders, and together with their subsidiaries and affiliates comprise the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, in their capacity as attorneys-in-fact, provide administrative and management services to the Farmers Exchanges.
Nancy Ladson Rowan/Law Office of Nancy Ladson Rowan, LLC
Nancy Ladson Rowan was born and raised in Sampit, S.C, a small, rural community near Georgetown, SC. Nancy graduated from Clemson University in 1999 with a B.A. in History and proceeded to obtain her Juris Doctorate degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. Nancy served as a prosecutor in both the Solicitor’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office in Fulton County. While at the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, she was assigned to the Special Victims Unit that prosecuted complex cases like child molestation, sodomy, and rape. In 2010, Nancy went into private practice, practicing Family Law and Criminal Defense. Her firm is dedicated to helping everyday families navigate the legal system and to providing the best possible legal representation for the purpose of aiding every day families during times of crisis.
Xavier Biggs/Owner of Decatur Boxing
Xavier Biggs, the fourth of five siblings, was raised in West Philadelphia, where he received a traditional public education. After a few jobs in the private sector, Xavier decided to pursue a latent sports interest and traverse Philadelphia’s rich, cultural, and challenging field of boxing. His amateur career was brief and he turned professional in the late 70’s. However, in the mid-1980s, Xavier traded a frustrating professional boxing career without a promoter for a once in a lifetime opportunity to assist his youngest brother, three-time world amateur boxing champion Tyrell, in his quest to be the first to receive the Olympic gold medal in boxing in the newly established superheavyweight division. That dream manifested at the 23rd Olympiad, 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
With the revered gold medal in hand, Tyrell advanced to the world of professional boxing, and Xavier stayed on in an advisory capacity as part of his professional team. In his travels to different training camps with Tyrell, there were many opportunities for Xavier to strengthen his boxing prowess, sparring with champions Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Mark Breland, Rocky Lockridge, and Johnny Bumphus, to name a few. He was also one of Kevin Howard’s chief sparring partners as Kevin prepared to fight Sugar Ray Leonard for Leonard’s first comeback fight.
Tyrell’s professional career peaked three years later with his 1987 bout with Mike Tyson for the heavyweight championship title. Xavier, enriched by his newly amassed knowledge of the field moved his family (wife and son) to Atlanta in 1988 where he started a business devoted to training amateur boxers. His first two amateurs were undefeated 2-time golden glove champions, and he worked with Zavia Pounds and Cesar Esquivel, both 4-time golden glove champions.
Following these successes, Xavier would soon take on his first professional fighter, Raul Fernandez, who enjoyed a short reign as undefeated. In 1998, Xavier partnered with local businessman Mike Morrison and opened BIGGS MORRISON BOXING, one of the biggest boxing gyms in the country. It quickly became training headquarters for some little to best known celebrities. It was there that he trained Paul Delgado, who soon turned pro. In addition, he trained Sam ‘Bam Bam’ Garr to world contender status, and took on Atlanta’s first premier female boxer ‘Isra Girgrah’. Xavier was instrumental in transforming her career, as she went on to win 5 world titles.
Other notables who frequented BIGGS MORRISON BOXING include Vernon Forrest, Robert Allen, Denzel Washington, P-Diddy, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Mase, and Sinbad. Later Xavier opened three (3) more gyms in the Atlanta area and operated one in Greensboro, N.C. The popularity of his training programs continued to attract more top amateurs and pros such as 1996 Olympic bronze medal champ Ziaire Raheem. Xavier did early pad work with Raheem as he prepared for his spectacular win over Eric Morales that segued into a brief undefeated reign for Raheem. Biggs also trained 2-time female champion and Guinness world record holder, Terri ‘the Boss’ Moss, transforming her losing record to a record of successive wins. Other female boxers turned champions under Xavier’s auspices include Laura Serrano, Mellissa Shaw, and Suzy Taylor.
Also to Xavier’s impressive training and co-training credits are Falcon cheerleader Nina Ahlin, world ranked contender Steve Dotse, and Mexican sensation and 5-time champion Jorge Lacierva. Rounding off this list is his work with undefeated Heavyweight Cedric Boswell and ’92 Olympic bronze medalist Chris Johnson. In more recent years, Xavier has worked with the undefeated Felix Fernandez, 9-time golden glove champion, 3-time national champion Kitten Carlos Monroe, and upcoming undefeated professional prospect Jerry Odom.
The mark of a successful business is its affected clientele. Xavier’s diverse training outreach encompasses the entertainment and sports arenas where he’s had the privilege of working with football sensations Vernon Davis and Derrick Morgan, as well as basketball luminaries Surge Ibaka and Shannon Brown. Xavier’s work with music industry giants began with his training sessions with world famous DJ Nabs for charity fights, R L, and soul singer Monica.
One of Xavier’s most prized fitness training efforts was his work with superstar recording artist, dancer, and now actor, ‘Usher’, in his role as Sugar Ray Leonard in the upcoming film ‘Hands of Stone’, a biographical action film on the life of boxer Roberto “No Mas” Duran, written and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz. Xavier continues as Usher’s private trainer keeping him in peak condition for concert performances. He just recently trained Usher and his dancers for their World Tour, and Usher’s team on the popular NBC reality television singing competition, ‘The Voice’.
Xavier is now operating the soulful and authentic DECATUR BOXING CLUB, founded by Arturo Rodriguez. He started out as head trainer and eventually took over as owner when Arturo’s career interests led him to explore other professional ventures. Xavier also serves as director of boxing for the fast growing boxing and kickboxing franchise ‘9 Round’, the brainchild of one of Xavier’s former trainees who was inspired by his unique brand and training techniques.
No question Xavier Biggs is making his mark in the world of fitness and training. His Abs of Stone workout for Usher, which comprises a rigorous combination of the Sugar Ray Rope Slap, shadowboxing, medicine ball work, bicycle crunch, reverse crunch, and bag work appears in the November 2013 25th Anniversary Special Issue of Men’s Health Magazine, which also features Usher on the cover. At a time when people are becoming more and more health conscious and staying physically fit, Xavier may have found his niche.
Tammie Bailey-Fults/CEO & President of the National Association of Women Owned Small Businesses
The National Association of Women Owned Small Businesses, Inc. (NAWOSB) is a national membership based organization focused on educating and positioning women owned companies to become suppliers and vendors to corporations, educational institutes and government agencies. Tammie Bailey-Fults has created chapters throughout Metro Atlanta, the state of Georgia and surrounding states. Members consist of diverse small businesses from traditional companies to nontraditional and the association is open to any small business from start-up to existing establishments.
The organization is best known for its monthly HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH series and its semi-annual signature event, PINK PROCUREMENT EXPO & LUNCHEON.
DeKalb Business Today “Lunch Hour” – July 17, 2015
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On the latest edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes welcomes a panel of female entrepreneurs who in a short time have already made their mark on DeKalb County. Hear insights from Keline Bornelus with Farmers Insurance, Margaret Mason Tate McIntyre of Intown Doula and Monica Selden from Selden Enterprises.
Keline Bornelus/Principal Agent & Owner of Bornelus Insurance Agency
The companies comprising the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies make up one of the country’s largest insurers of vehicles, homes and small businesses and provide a wide range of other insurance and financial services products.
Farmers is proud to serve more than 10 million households with more than 20 million individual policies across all 50 states through the efforts of over 50,000 exclusive and independent agents and nearly 24,000 employees.
The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange) owned by their policyholders, and together with their subsidiaries and affiliates comprise the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, in their capacity as attorneys-in-fact, provide administrative and management services to the Farmers Exchanges.
Margaret Mason Tate McIntyre/Owner of Intown Doula
Margaret Mason Tate McIntyre is a South Carolina native who moved to Atlanta in 2011 to be with her husband and stepson. Margaret holds a BFA from St. Andrews University in North Carolina and has a background in counseling. In 2012, she decided to become a doula, and in early 2015, opened Atlanta’s premier doula agency. Margaret enjoys running, spending time with her family and three dogs, and is looking forward to participating in the Junior League of DeKalb this year.
Monica Selden/President & CEO of Selden Enterprises
Selden Enterprises, Inc. is a leader in commercial finance and specializes in oil and gas financing. They are a dynamic financial institution with a focus on the future. Their innovative business loans are designed to meet individual needs in various types of lending today and tomorrow. Instead of offering a cookie-cutter approach to financial challenges, they offer real solutions for businesses in today’s changing marketplace.
Richard Young with Farmers Insurance and Kyle Glave with NOVAtime Technology
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Richard Young/Farmers Insurance
As your personal agent, Richard Young believes in keeping you informed and aware of Farmers Insurance products. It is his mission to help you develop the right plans to meet your insurance needs. Through dedication, knowledge and a tireless work ethic, Richard will be the agent that his customers will want to send their friends and families to. He will strive to protect his clients’ assets.
Kyle Glave/NOVAtime Technology
In 1999, NOVAtime Technology was founded with the mission to continually research and develop the capabilities of Workforce Management solutions. Driven by forward-thinking people and the latest advances in technology, NOVAtime has gained recognition as a technical leader of the industry and is now one of the largest Time and Attendance providers in the United States. Our solutions automate and simplify time and resource management through the use of innovative technology that controls labor costs and promotes the growth of business.
Mike Fung-A-Wing and Mitch Townley with Toshiba Business Solutions and Melissa Cammack with Farmers Insurance
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Mike Fung-A-Wing & Mitch Townley/Toshiba Business Solutions
As a wholly owned subsidiary of an $80B global technology powerhouse, Toshiba Business Solutions offers cutting edge solutions to reduce costs in the area of printing and managing documents securely and electronically.
Originally from Suriname, South America, Mike Fung-A-Wing has lived in metro Atlanta for the last 21 years, swimming competitively for 18 years including four years at the University of Georgia. Before becoming a U.S. citizen, Mike represented Suriname in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympic Games. He went to medical school for a few years before deciding to make a career change. He has worked for Toshiba in sales for five years and has won numerous awards including President’s Club. He is a Chairman’s Club Member with the Gwinnett Chamber and is actively involved in the business community.
Melissa Cammack/Farmers Insurance
Farmers is the 3rd largest Property and Casualty Company in the nation. They originated in California in 1928. Farmers has a solid insurance presence west of the Mississippi, and it was not until recently that the company began to expand east of the Mississippi. Farmers is a solid insurance company that is backed by Zurich Financial which means it has assets available to cover claims. Farmers not only offers auto, home, commercial, and umbrella insurance, it also offers a wide array of financial services to its clients. Farmers agency owners value and are committed to the community in which they serve, and they seek to form life-long relationships with their clients.
Melissa Cammack has quite a diverse background in sales and education. She relies on her 13 years of education experience to help her to truly listen to her clients and assess their insurance needs. By listening to her clients, she enables them to make appropriate insurance decisions throughout the many transitions during her clients’ lives.
Melissa enjoys networking events through the Chamber of Commerce in Gwinnett County, Suwanee Business Alliance, and Women and Wine Meet-up groups. She was named as a 2013 Business Woman of the Year with the National Association of Professional Women. Outside of professional organizations and activities, Melissa enjoys reading, hiking, running, and kayaking.
