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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.

2026 Health Insurance Reality Check, with Bill Neglia

November 5, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

2026 Health Insurance Reality Check, with Bill Neglia

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2026 Health Insurance Reality Check, with Bill Neglia (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 911)

Health insurance expert Bill Neglia of Neglia Insurance Group returns to North Fulton Business Radio with a blunt update on 2026 open enrollment. In a conversation with host John Ray, Bill notes that many exchange plans are seeing steep gross premium hikes at the same time enhanced tax credits from 2022 expire, which means higher net premiums for a large share of households. He explains why renewal letters look so shocking this year, how out-of-pocket maximums are rising to 10,500 per person, and why auto-renewing could be a costly mistake.

Bill outlines what to do before the December 15 deadline, the impact of Aetna’s exit from the individual marketplace, and the tradeoffs in non-marketplace alternatives for healthier buyers who are priced out. He also shares practical steps for comparing plans now, not in late December, so coverage and costs align on January 1.

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

Premiums are up while 2022’s enhanced subsidies are ending, which is why many renewal notices show big net increases.
2026 out-of-pocket maximums jump to 10,500 per person, increasing total potential exposure.
Avoid relying on auto-renew; explore alternative options before December 15 to prevent sticker shock on January 1.
Aetna’s marketplace exit narrows choices, and some priced-out consumers may consider medically underwritten, non-marketplace plans with limitations.
Compare total cost, not just the premium, including deductibles, coinsurance, and the out-of-pocket maximum.
Recheck networks and drug formularies, since plans and covered meds change year to year.
Healthy buyers who lose subsidies can look at non-marketplace options but should understand underwriting, exclusions, and caps.
Act early so coverage and ID cards are ready for a January 1 start, avoiding gaps or billing surprises.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:33 Guest Introduction: Bill Neglia, Neglia Insurance Group
02:14 Health Insurance Market Overview
02:53 Challenges in 2026 Health Insurance
04:22 Impact of Reduced Tax Credits
10:28 Options for Health Insurance
23:22 Medicare Open Enrollment
28:36 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
30:06 Additional Business Insights

Bill Neglia, Founder, Neglia Insurance Group

Inspired by a family friend’s offer of mentorship, Bill started his career in insurance over 40 years ago. He was drawn to the autonomy of the industry and the desire to make a difference in people’s lives. This commitment was underscored when a meeting led a client to discover a life-threatening heart condition, which reaffirmed the importance of his role.

To best serve his clients, Bill begins with a comprehensive questionnaire, ensuring he understands their unique needs before discussing solutions. Guided by transparency and genuine care, he always prioritizes the client’s interest, setting him apart in the industry.

Outside work, rock concerts are his escape, where he sees parallels to his profession: individual performers coming together for a harmonious result. That balance is pivotal in his personal life too. When his wife, Sandy, faced a cancer diagnosis, he became her primary caregiver. This period cemented his belief in the importance of personal connection and empathy in his business.

His family is his inspiration. With Sandy, their children Danny and Caitlin, and six grandchildren, he finds joy in spending time with them, either at home or traveling with his family. Whether it’s golf with his son, watching sports, or being amused by their five granddogs, these experiences enrich his interactions with clients.

Bill’s not just your insurance agent with decades of experience, but he’s a compassionate adviser committed to serving your individual and family needs.

Neglia Insurance Group

Bill Neglia started his health, life, disability, and long-term care insurance agency in 1983 as a one-person operation.

Since then, he has added a full-time office administrator, Charlotte, his son Dan, and his son-in-law, Zach, to the team. The agency specializes in working with mainly self-employed individuals, their families and their employees to make sure they have the most suitable and cost-effective health insurance and other benefit plans available.

Bill’s team uses a comprehensive “hands-on” approach from initial contact to quote, enrollment, and servicing the policy after the sale.

Bill and his team have never charged their clients a penny for their time and professional services. They are compensated by the insurance carriers themselves. The premium you pay is exactly the same whether you use Bill and his team or do it yourself.

Website | Facebook

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

Whether 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 900 episodes and having featured over 1,400 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 markets, communities, and professions. 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 complete 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.

John is the author of the five-star rated book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices, praised by readers for its practical insights on raising confidence, value, and prices.

Expert Insights on Health Insurance, with Bill Neglia, Neglia Insurance Group

November 11, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Expert Insights on Health Insurance, with Bill Neglia, Neglia Insurance Group

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Expert Insights on Health Insurance, with Bill Neglia, Neglia Insurance (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 815)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes returning guest Bill Neglia from the Neglia Insurance Group. They discuss the intricacies of open enrollment for health insurance, particularly notable changes for the current year, and highlight the benefits of working with a professional insurance agent. Bill explains the impact of recent adjustments to short-term major medical policies and the introduction of Georgia’s own state-based insurance exchange, Georgia Access. The conversation also touches on common pitfalls for individuals purchasing health insurance themselves, issues related to robocall fraud, key considerations for business owners offering health benefits to employees, and Medicare enrollment.

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

Bill Neglia, Founder, Neglia Insurance Group

Bill’s not just your insurance agent with decades of experience, but he’s a compassionate adviser committed to serving your individual and family needs.

Neglia Insurance Group

Bill Neglia started his health, life, disability, and long-term care insurance agency in 1983 as a one-person operation.

Since then he has added a full time Office Administrator Charlotte, his son Dan and his son-in-law Zach to the team. The agency specializes in working with mainly self-employed individuals, their families and their employees to make sure they have the most suitable and cost effective health insurance and other benefit insurance plans available.

Bill’s team uses a comprehensive “hands-on” approach from initial contact to quoting to enrollment and to servicing the policy after the sale.

Website | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to North Fulton Business Radio
01:32 Guest Introduction: Bill Neglia, Neglia Insurance Group
02:04 Health Insurance Changes and Updates
05:02 The Importance of Using a Broker
09:03 Fraud and Robo Calls in Health Insurance
11:21 Alternative Health Insurance Plans
13:39 Group Insurance Plans for Businesses
17:24 Medicare Supplement Plans
20:21 Conclusion and Contact Information

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 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.

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 800 shows and having featured over 1,200 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 welcomes a wide variety of business, non-profit, and community leaders to get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignore. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

John Ray, Business RadioX - North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, Business RadioX – North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank 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, and many others.

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

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 and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

Empowering Small Businesses with HR Solutions, with Dan Gladding, Vested HR Solutions

March 25, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Empowering Small Businesses with HR Solutions, with Dan Gladding, Vested HR Solutions

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Empowering Small Businesses with HR Solutions, with Dan Gladding, Vested HR Solutions (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 756)

On this edition of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomed Dan Gladding from Vested HR Solutions, a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) that provides a suite of outsourced HR services. Gladding shared his journey in the HR industry, focusing on the growth and challenges faced by businesses across Georgia and beyond. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including the complexities of employee benefits, health insurance, compliance issues, and the impact of remote work. Gladding highlighted the importance of understanding and navigating the evolving HR landscape for small to medium-sized businesses, emphasizing tailored HR solutions and the value of a comprehensive HR partner in fostering business growth and employee satisfaction.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Dan Gladding, Vested HR Solutions

Dan Gladding is a Senior Business Development Manager with Vested HR Solutions.

Vested HR is committed to providing clients with tailored Human Resource and Risk Management solutions that will enable them to focus on the success of their businesses.

In 2019, an entrepreneur set out to solve a frustrating problem consistently seen throughout the payroll industry: a lack of compassion and understanding when it comes to the real humans behind a company’s operations.

From that, Vested HR’s “human-focused” approach was born. When you contact Vested HR, you’ll never speak to a recording or an answering machine. They believe in a real, honest, old-fashioned connection with a live human being who personally knows you and your staff.

From the start, thier business consultants take time to learn the ins and outs of your company and strategize ways to promote growth for you. At Vested HR, they understand that your most valuable investment is your people.

Vested HR has a diverse staff of seasoned professionals with over five decades of leadership in the PEO industry. Their top priority is always to maintain an unbeatable level of customer support, transparency, and knowledge on the latest compliance and regulatory changes within the payroll and HR industry.

Topics Discussed in this Interview

00:00 Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
01:21 Introducing Dan Gladding from Vested HR Solutions
01:36 Exploring the World of Outsourced HR with Vested HR
02:03 The Personal Journey into HR: Dan Gladding’s Story
02:40 Understanding Professional Employer Organizations (PEO)
03:00 The Benefits of Partnering with a PEO
04:35 Navigating Health Insurance Choices for Businesses
07:00 Attracting and Retaining Talent with Competitive Benefits
09:32 The Importance of Compliance in HR
17:13 Remote Work: Adapting to New Norms
19:25 Vested HR Solutions: Serving Businesses Nationwide
22:42 Success Stories and How to Connect with Vested HR
25:24 Closing Remarks and Additional Resources

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 750 shows and having featured over 1,200 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 studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

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 and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

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 $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.

Wendell Strickland, Strongside Solutions

July 19, 2023 by John Ray

Business Beat

Wendell Strickland, Strongside Solutions

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Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat: Wendell Strickland, Strongside Solutions

Wendell Strickland, President and CEO of Strongside Solutions, was Roger Lusby’s guest on this episode of Business Beat. Wendell talked about what sets Strongside apart as a healthcare insurance brokerage, their products, and recent changes in benefits. He also discussed Strongside’s culture, his leadership style, the long-term vision for the company, success stories, and much more.

Business Beat is presented by Alpharetta CPA firm Frazier & Deeter and is produced by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®

Strongside Solutions

Strongside Solutions – Insurance Brokerage PLUS is a privately held Georgia-based healthcare, insurance broker consulting and management company with over 20 years of proven results and expertise.

They specialize in the review, design, and implementation of holistic self-funded benefits programs that yield better performance, richer employee benefits with greater efficiencies.

They deploy Strongside Solutions developed services and processes that reverse healthcare cost increases, minimizes administrative burden, and improves the overall healthcare experience for employees and the employer.

Company website | LinkedIn

Wendell Strickland, President and CEO, Strongside Solutions

Wendell Strickland, President and CEO of Strongside Solutions, offers an accomplished history of executive leadership, talent acquisition and client centric business development. In Wendell’s current role at Strongside Solutions, he identifies growth opportunities, client centric strategic strategies and guides the implementation of operational services that provide greater value to the clients they serve.

The company was founded in response to growing inefficiencies, carrier option homogenization and diminishing customer service in the administration of healthcare. Strongside does not reinvent healthcare, they have found better ways of providing access to desired care while reducing time and expense.

Wendell’s programs, delivered by Strongside Solutions, challenge the status quo and are driven by the prospect of guiding greater financial control, providing options beyond the expected, and proven successes.

Our three distinct business divisions create cumulative advantages for our clients in the following areas:

Financial Health:
- Initiatives that return expenses that positively impact OPEX, CAPEX, and EBITDA
- Our programs deliver up to 40% reduction in Healthcare and Prescription costs while expanding employee benefit options
- $0 Copays on name brand medications
Plan Coverage:
- Global network access to best-in-class care
Claimant Liability Insulation:
- Tailored programs isolate high-risk medical and pharmacy claims

Wendell also serves as one of Strongside’s Lead Benefit Consultants. Wendell has been a benefits consultant since 2004. Working for national and regional brokerage firms provided a platform for in-depth education and client experience. Ultimately, Wendell learned to identify and develop strategic offerings and processes that delivered better benefits at a lower cost to employees and employers.

Wendell specializes in self-funded middle and large market employer plans. His proficiency spans fully insured and self-funded medical plans. He is an expert in evaluating and managing pharmacy benefit management companies and programs as well as contract evaluation and negotiation. Wendell works closely with Strongside Solutions’ operational and management staff and our clients to develop strategies that reduce costs, deliver healthier employees, drive compliance, and reduce the overall administrative burden for benefits administration.

A Core Value that Wendell has instilled into Strongside Solutions’ culture is to listen first and offer solutions only when the business objectives and needs of our clients are understood. Wendell provides strategic direction and development of a 3-5-year client action plan that will be measured against plan analysis, forecasting and financial planning, contract negotiations and carrier/vendor management.

Wendell has over 20 years’ experience in:

Corporate strategy and service development.
Talent acquisition and development.
Benefits consulting for Middle and Large Market Employers.
Consulting experience on public sector, private sector and school system clients.
Self-Funded and Fully Insured plan design and implementation experience.
Analyzing and developing Stop Loss contract designs that meet client needs.
PBM Analysis experience in delivering savings on RX programs.
Medical Claim Analysis.
Wellness Clinics.
Population Health Management.

Frazier & Deeter

The Alpharetta office of Frazier & Deeter is home to a thriving CPA tax practice, a growing advisory practice and an Employee Benefit Plan Services group. CPAs and advisors in the Frazier & Deeter Alpharetta office serve clients across North Georgia and around the country with services such as personal tax planning, estate planning, business tax planning, business tax compliance, state and local tax planning, financial statement reviews, financial statement audits, employee benefit plan audits, internal audit outsourcing, cyber security, data privacy, SOX and other regulatory compliance, mergers, and acquisitions and more. Alpharetta CPAs serve clients ranging from business owners and executives to large corporations.

Roger Lusby, host of Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat, is an Alpharetta CPA and Alpharetta Office Managing Partner for Frazier & Deeter. He is also a member of the Tax Department in charge of coordinating tax and accounting services for our clientele. His responsibilities include a review of a variety of tax returns with an emphasis in the individual, estate, and corporate areas. Client assistance is also provided in the areas of financial planning, executive compensation and stock option planning, estate and succession planning, international planning (FBAR, SFOP), health care, real estate, manufacturing, technology, and service companies.

You can find Frazier & Deeter on social media:

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

An episode archive of Frazier & Deeter’s Business Beat can be found here.

Candy Hilliard, Owner of American Family Protectors

July 14, 2023 by Garrett Ervin

Celebrating Powerhouse Women

Candy Hilliard, Owner of American Family Protectors

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Candy Hilliard and Amanda Pearch Marmolejo

Celebrating Powerhouse Women salutes and recognizes women who are making an impact, whether it’s in business, philanthropy, public service, or elsewhere.

Candy Hilliard/American Family Protectors

Since 1997, Candy Hilliard and American Family Protectors have been working hard to provide quality insurance services to Sugar Hill and the entire North Georgia area. Candy is both an agent and a broker for all the insurance types she offers, and she is proud to make her agency a one-stop stop for all types of policies, including Auto, Home, Health, and Life. She is a native Georgian that attended Georgia State University and resides in Gwinnett county. She is a 26-year veteran in the individual and group health/life insurance market with 14 years’ experience in home/auto insurance. Candy has served on the board of Sugar Hill Business Alliance, Suwanee Business Alliance and is an active member and ambassador for the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

Celebrating Powerhouse Women is presented by

Beth and Herb Hoffman with the Duluth Fall Festival and Marvin Jinks with Wilmington Insurance Advisors

June 15, 2023 by Garrett Ervin

Gwinnett Business Radio

Beth and Herb Hoffman with the Duluth Fall Festival and Marvin Jinks with Wilmington Insurance Advisors

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Herb Hoffman, Beth Hoffman, and Marvin Jinks

Beth and Herb Hoffman/Duluth Fall Festival

The Duluth Fall Festival is a nonprofit run entirely by volunteers. The festival, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, aims to offer a fun, family event that benefits the community. This year’s festival runs from September 30 (10am-7pm)-October 1 (10am-5pm). There will be a variety of entertainment and activities which can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Marvin Jinks/Wilmington Insurance Advisors

Wilmington Insurance Advisors is a health insurance brokerage firm that specializes in Employee Benefits, Marketplace Insurance, and Medicare. Their mission is to provide creative health insurance solutions for employers, individuals, and families.

Gwinnett Business Radio is presented by

Steve Aleksandrowicz, Medicare and Other Red Tape

April 17, 2023 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Steve Aleksandrowicz, Medicare and Other Red Tape

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 651)

Steve Aleksandrowicz, Insurance Broker from Medicare and Other Red Tape, returned to the show to chat again with host John Ray about Medicare insurance. They discussed what Medicare is and when to sign up for it, the complexities and choices of plans, how Steve developed a passion for this work, how he takes care of his clients, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta

Steve Aleksandrowicz, Insurance Broker, Medicare and Other Red Tape

Steve Aleksandrowicz is an insurance broker for the Bonnie Dobbs Agency. They specialize in Medicare health insurance products. Steve is celebrating his twelfth year in the business.

He resides in Cumming Georgia with his wife Julie, son Stephen, and daughter Heather.

Website | Email Steve

Let’s start with the basics: what is Medicare?
What’s the sign-up process?
What are the variables to choosing additional coverage?
Steve’s passion for this work
How much do you charge?

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank 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.

Since 2000, Office Angels® has been restoring joy to the life of small business owners, enabling them to focus on what they do best. At the same time, we honor and support at-home experts who wish to continue working on an as-needed basis. Not a temp firm or a placement service, Office Angels matches a business owner’s support needs with Angels who have the talent and experience necessary to handle work that is essential to creating and maintaining a successful small business. Need help with administrative tasks, bookkeeping, marketing, presentations, workshops, speaking engagements, and more? Visit us at https://officeangels.us/.

Joseph Avena, “Insurance Guy Joe”

February 6, 2023 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Joseph Avena, "Insurance Guy Joe"

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Joseph Avena, “Insurance Guy Joe” (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 606)

Joseph Avena, “Insurance Guy Joe” with USHAdvisors, joined host John Ray on this episode of North Fulton Business Radio to discuss what drew him into health insurance, the differences between HMO and PPO insurance plans, applying outside of “Open Enrollment,” how coverage differs, why his services are free to his clients, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

USHAdvisors

USHEALTH Group, Inc. is a fully integrated insurance holding company based in Fort Worth, Texas, and is a UnitedHealthcare company. Its licensed insurance company subsidiaries Freedom Life Insurance Company of America, National Foundation Life Insurance Company, and Enterprise Life Insurance Company are dedicated to providing innovative Life, Specified Disease/Sickness, Accident and Disability Insurance solutions for self-employed individuals, families, small business owners and their employees. Through its insurance companies, USHEALTH Group has served more than 15 million customers with individually tailored plans for more than 50 collective years.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Joseph Avena, Field Sales Leader, USHAdvisors

Joe was born and raised in Chicago, IL. His family was relocated to Alpharetta, GA in 1985 and he has lived there ever since. He and his wife have been married for 22.5 years.

Joes has been helping other people every day find affordable health coverage solutions for themselves, their families, and their employees for the last 5.5 years.

He is an active member of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce for the last 3 years.

LinkedIn | Facebook

Questions and Topics in this Interview

Who are you able to help?
How do you help clients?
What are the differences between an HMO and PPO insurance plans?
Can someone apply for coverage outside of “Open Enrollment”?
Is all coverage the same?
How much does it cost for your services?

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.