gwinnett chamber radio show Archives

2021 SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS: Launch Pointe at Gwinnett Tech and Trinity Staffing & Career Resources

December 9, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

2021 SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS: Launch Pointe at Gwinnett Tech and Trinity Staffing & Career Resources

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Melvin Emerson, Donna Linden and J.D. Mealor

Risk-takers. Problem solvers. The dreamers and the doers. Not for the faint of heart, being a small business owner is a bold feat. Now, more than ever, it is critical to celebrate those who are up to the challenge. The Gwinnett Chamber’s Small Business Awards do just that by showcasing those that dare to start, sustain, and succeed, and the community that supports them.

Melvin Emerson/Launch Pointe at Gwinnett Technical College (Support System Award)

Launch Pointe, The Clyde L. Strickland Center for Career Experience is laser-focused on providing work-based learning and career development. Working with both large and small local, regional and global business employers, Launch Pointe provides students opportunities to participate in internships, apprenticeships and entrepreneurship experiences designed to augment classroom activity and foster educational, occupational and personal growth.

Donna Linden/Trinity Staffing & Career Resources (Small Business Award 0-5 Employees)

Trinity Staffing and Career Resources provides employers and professionals excellence in staffing & recruiting services.

2021 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS: Seven Oaks Academy, 360 Pest & Food Safety Consulting and American Painting & Renovations

December 8, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

2021 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS: Seven Oaks Academy, 360 Pest & Food Safety Consulting and American Painting & Renovations

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Erica Gwyn, Chelle Hartzer, J.D. Mealor and Sid Theus

Erica Gwyn/Seven Oaks Academy (Minority-Owned/Woman-Owned Small Business Award)

Seven Oaks Academy is a preschool in Lilburn, GA that offers various platforms for creative learning experiences for all the children in their facility. Aiming for quality child development and favorable outcomes are their primary concerns. They want every child to be well-equipped with the right knowledge and expertise for them to be well-rounded individuals. Apart from having an exciting learning environment, their professionals strive to unleash the potential of every child.

Chelle Hartzer/360 Pest & Food Safety Consulting (Launch Award)

360 Pest & Food Safety Consulting helps companies solve tough pest issues. They help companies trouble-shoot ongoing issues, put preventative plans in place, and improve their pest control services.

Sid Theus/American Painting & Renovations (Founder Award)

For over 30 years, American Painting & Renovations has provided top-rated service within the multifamily, commercial, and residential industries as a contractor. Their goal has been to ensure you receive reliable products and unmatched installations promptly. Their nationwide service, quality workmanship, and competitive pricing have earned them numerous recognitions within these industries, and is confirmed by their growing list of satisfied customers.

2021 SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS: Mighty 8th Media, Anthony Chen and Home of Hope

December 7, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

2021 SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS: Mighty 8th Media, Anthony Chen and Home of Hope

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Anthony Chen, Jonathan Holmes, Maureen Kornowa and J.D. Mealor

Jonathan Holmes/Mighty 8th Media (Culture Creator Award)

For marketing that makes an impact, look no further than Mighty 8th Media. They are an award-winning Atlanta marketing and design agency. From concept to completion, their crew delivers the ideas and stories that take businesses to higher levels of success. Whether it’s working as an extension of your existing team, or serving as your entire outsourced marketing department, they’re suited up and ready for any mission. Mighty 8th Media has been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” by Atlanta Business Chronicle and Georgia Trend Magazine; a 2018 “Small Business of the Year” and Pinnacle Awards winner by the Gwinnett Chamber; and one of Atlanta’s “Top 50 Marketing and Advertising Agencies” for 2017 and 2018. Mighty 8th Media strives to be an ongoing source of pride and economic growth for the Gwinnett community.

Anthony Chen/Lighthouse Financial Network (Emerging Entrepreneur Award)

Lighthouse Financial Network begins with a commitment to you, listening, advising, and building ongoing relationships. They are affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates, member FINRA/SIPC. Their firm is located in Melville, NY and has an additional 6 affiliated offices located within the metropolitan area. They provide financial guidance to clients across the country, each with unique financial needs. They are comprised of a dedicated group of professionals, with high core values and extensive experience in finance, insurance and money management. Many of the advisors have attained advanced degrees and professional designations to enhance their ability to best represent you to make certain that they meet your needs effectively. Their advisors are responsible for understanding your financial picture, applying a comprehensive strategy and providing the appropriate resources to help meet your goals and objectives. Their mission is to provide you with quality financial advice, to build relationships based on trust, and to develop unique solutions to help you reach your financial goals. They embrace a team philosophy and work with your attorneys, accountants, trustees, and other professional advisors to help ensure the most efficient and effective approach is taken when creating your financial solutions. Contact them to begin “lighting your way to a secure financial future”.

Maureen Kornowa/Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter (Community Contributor Award)

Home of Hope at Gwinnett Children’s Shelter is a transitional living facility for homeless children (0-17) with their mothers. They are designed to address the homeless issue in Gwinnett County and the metro Atlanta area. They do this by keeping the family unit together and teaching mom the necessary life skills designed to get her to independence. They provide housing, food, and clothing in a safe and nurturing environment where kids are free to be kids while mom works a customized life plan designed to take her from homeless to hopeful, and ultimately into a home of her own.

Jamie Hamilton with Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett, Deirdra Cox with Community Sustainability Enterprise and Scott Mawdesley with Corners Outreach

October 20, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Jamie Hamilton with Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett, Deirdra Cox with Community Sustainability Enterprise and Scott Mawdesley with Corners Outreach

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Scott Mawdesley, Jamie Hamilton and Deirdre Cox

Jamie Hamilton/Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett

For more than 30 years, Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett has been helping to improve the lives of those with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities through a PreK-12 school and young adult day program. With a focus on providing the highest quality education and therapeutic services, nurturing and challenging each student on their own level, instilling a positive self-image and love for learning, and supporting parents in their quest for the best life for their child, they are making a difference in the lives of families in Gwinnett and surrounding counties.

Deirdra Cox/Community Sustainability Enterprise

Community Sustainability Enterprise (CSE) is a community & economic development focused 501c3, serving Gwinnett County and the Southeast region of the United States. Their vision is economic mobility and self-efficacy in families and communities of color, that produces thriving families, sustainable communities, and generational wealth transfer.

Scott Mawdesley/Corners Outreach

Corners Outreach exists to equip underserved students of color and their families to lead full lives through educational and economic development. Their vision includes one community where every person thrives no matter their color, status or background.

Margarita Walwyn with Caribbean Flavors and Muhammed Sokhna with Black Star Resumes

April 28, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Margarita Walwyn with Caribbean Flavors and Muhammed Sokhna with Black Star Resumes

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Margarita Walwyn/Caribbean Flavors

Caribbean Flavors is all about the flavor. Their Caribbean roots and culture are embedded into their hearts and soul and it reflects in every dish they prepare, whether it’s Caribbean or Caribbean Fusion.

Muhammed Sokhna/Black Star Resumes

Black Star Resumes was created in January of 2020 to help professionals develop their personal brand for optimal career progression.

Muhammed Sokhna is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) from the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARW/CC). He has written over 4.5K resumes to date and is currently contracted with the following organizations: Randstad RiseSmart (Monster Division) and Bridgemore Staffing.

Update on Georgia Legislative Session and Public Policy

April 5, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Update on Georgia Legislative Session and Public Policy

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Paul Oh/Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

Paul Oh serves as the Manager of Public Policy & Community Affairs for the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

The mission of the Gwinnett Chamber is to strengthen existing businesses, facilitate the growth of quality job opportunities, and enrich the community’s quality of life. In addition, the Gwinnett Chamber is the forum for business, government, education, healthcare, arts/culture/entertainment, and philanthropic and public-service communities to come together to advance the region’s economy and enrich Gwinnett’s quality of life.

Dean Collins/Axis Companies

Dean Collins, the Founder & President of Axis Companies, serves as the Vice-Chair for Public Policy with the Gwinnett Chamber.

Axis Companies was founded in 2016 when Dean Collins recognized a significant need within the development industry. An innovator, Dean tapped into his more than 25 years of experience leading transportation and site development projects for large engineering consulting firms and formed Axis Companies to fill the need.

Simply put, Axis offers a unique blend of services in land development, design, project management and construction management services. This “Development Suite”, paired with significant industry experience, allows for these services to reside under one professional management team. Their Development Suite allows you the flexibility to choose either individual services to supplement in-house staff, or turnkey services to manage an entire project or program. Regardless of your selection, you will have confidence knowing that your project is being managed by industry experts.

2021 VALOR AWARDS/BEHIND THE BADGE: Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor and Gwinnett County Police Chief Brett West

February 17, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

2021 VALOR AWARDS/BEHIND THE BADGE: Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor and Gwinnett County Police Chief Brett West

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On this special episode of “The Voice of Business: Behind the Badge“, Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor and Gwinnett County Police Chief Brett West are interviewed before the 2021 Valor Public Safety Awards at the Infinite Energy Forum.

Sheriff Keybo Taylor/Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Keybo Taylor is responsible for law enforcement on a county level, ensuring that all local, state and federal laws are followed. Sheriff Taylor supervises a force of deputies and other employees of the sheriff office. He supervise the operations of the Gwinnett County jail and is the Chief Security Officer for the Gwinnett County Courts.

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office collective goal is to strengthen the ties within Gwinnett’s communities, by re-establishing connections with the area’s youth and being visible during non-criminal justice matters in the county.

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing the community with employees who are professional, efficient, and well trained with the latest equipment and technology. The Sheriff’s Office is home to 687 sworn deputies and 184 civilian employees. As the demands rise, the office will continue to strive to maintain the highest law enforcement standards possible.

Police Chief Brett West/Gwinnett County Police Department

The Gwinnett County Police Department is an agency with a long history of excellence, integrity, and fairness. The GCPD enjoys a strong relationship with the diverse community it serves and continues to build that reputation by constantly engaging and interacting with the residents. Due to its reputation, high standards, and commitment to excellence, the GCPD only recruits and hires the best and most qualified applicants.

The Gwinnett County Police Department is the second largest police agency in Georgia with an authorized strength of 877 sworn officers, supported by 276 civilian employees. The department is CALEA accredited, originally attaining that designation in 1993. Gwinnett is located in the northeast part of metro Atlanta, serving a population of more than 800,000 residents with an area of 437 square miles.

The GCPD headquarters is located in Lawrenceville, GA with six precincts spread across the county. The department also has a $22 million state-of-the-art training facility that consists of a driving track, 25-yard and 100-yard indoor firing range, a shoot-house, and an academic building with 6 classrooms, library, weight room, defensive tactics room, and shooting and driving simulators. The 911 call center is located next to headquarters and is staffed with 124 communications officers.

Hilda Abbott with WePartner Realty, Jonathan Watkins with Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and Dr. Juli Clay with Brenau University

January 20, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Hilda Abbott with WePartner Realty, Jonathan Watkins with Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and Dr. Juli Clay with Brenau University

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Hilda Abbott/WePartner Realty

WePartner is a fully integrated real estate firm. They specialize in commercial properties and investments. Diversity is their most unique identifier, demonstrated throughout the individuals that work there and the fact that the company is owned and operated by minority women that have fought their way to the top while competing in a male-dominated industry.

Jonathan Watkins/Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Cancer Treatment Centers of America Atlanta is part of a national oncology network of hospitals and outpatient care centers offering an integrated approach that combines surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and advancements in precision medicine with supportive therapies to manage side effects and enhance quality of life during treatment and into survivorship. CTCA patient satisfaction scores consistently rank among the highest for all cancer care providers in the country.

Dr. Juli Clay/Brenau University

Brenau University is a private university with its main campus in Gainesville, GA. Founded in 1878, the university enrolls students from approximately 48 states and 17 foreign countries who seek degrees ranging from associate through doctoral degrees. Brenau University challenges students to live extraordinary lives of personal and professional fulfillment. As students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees or non-degree programs at Brenau campuses and online, each prepares for a lifetime of intellectual accomplishment and appreciation of artistic expression through a curriculum enriched by the liberal arts, scientific inquiry and global awareness.

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS (1 of 3): Rocket IT, Arefin Law Office and Bexley & DeLoach

December 12, 2020 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS (1 of 3): Rocket IT, Arefin Law Office and Bexley & DeLoach

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Matt Hyatt/Rocket IT (Culture Creator Recipient)

Rocket IT is the outsourced IT department for all kinds of businesses, providing the strategy, security, and support needed to help organizations thrive. The organization virtually manages all its clients’ day-to-day technology requirements for a flat monthly fee, with no contracts to tie them down. With businesses becoming more dependent on technology every day, it’s almost impossible for companies to keep up with all the complexity. It’s more than one internal IT person can handle, and it requires more strategic insight than most IT support companies offer.

That’s where Rocket IT come in. Rocket IT’s unique three-pronged approach includes: 1) services built around the people instead of technology; 2) real strategic foresight, not just break/fix hindsight; and 3) a better way to ensure trust and accountability. Rocket IT gives small businesses the capability of a full IT department, with a 98% client satisfaction rate and a 25-year track record of helping people thrive.

Since 1995, Rocket IT has helped businesses meet their goals through the effective use of technology. Today, the organization actively supports a long list of growing companies in diverse industries including finance, healthcare and manufacturing.

Sharmin Arefin/Arefin Law Office (Minority-Owned/Woman-Owned Small Business Recipient)

The Arefin Law Office (ALO) is an Atlanta metropolitan-area based consumer financial services law firm, which specializes in employment litigation, business transactions, commercial
litigation, consumer credit litigation, contested foreclosures, sales practices and advertising of auto dealerships, regulatory compliance, regulatory enforcement and trials, evidentiary
hearings, and child welfare matters. At ALO, their clients’ best interests come first, and everything they do is guided by their values and professional ethics. Building on their client and non-client relationships, they strive to light the way for their clients.

Jennifer DeLoach/Bexley & DeLoach (Support System Award)

Bexley & DeLoach is a full-service boutique law firm located near downtown Lawrenceville, GA. They provide services in business, trademark, family, estate planning, probate, criminal and immigration law. Their signature is their personal, small-firm service coupled with big firm results.