Innovation Archives - Business RadioX ®

GNFCC Local Councils: Milton’s 5th Year & Alpharetta Launch

September 10, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

GNFCC Local Councils: Milton’s 5th Year & Alpharetta Launch

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GNFCC Local Councils: Milton’s 5th Year & Alpharetta Launch (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 110)

In this episode of the GNFCC 400 Insider, host Kali Boatright, President & CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber, welcomes Jamie Bendall, Chair of the Milton Business Council, and Mary Trachian-Bradley, Chair of the new Alpharetta Business Council.

Jamie reflects on the Milton Business Council’s five-year journey, how it has grown, and what makes it unique in fostering both community identity and business growth. Mary introduces the vision behind the launch of the Alpharetta Business Council in July 2025, sharing why now was the right moment and how intentional planning has set it up for success.

The conversation explores how the councils reflect the unique character of their cities, the importance of member-driven programming, and the balance between regional impact and hyperlocal engagement. It also highlights the councils’ role in advocacy, innovation, and creating space for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Along the way, listeners hear stories of signature events, future priorities, and even a few lighter moments, including a lively exchange about tacos and hang gliding!

The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

The Milton Business Council has grown into a thriving five-year-old model for how local councils can succeed within a regional chamber.
The Alpharetta Business Council launched in July 2025 with an emphasis on intentional planning, strategic partnerships, and a clear vision for its members.
Each council reflects the unique identity of its city: Milton with its equestrian and community charm, and Alpharetta with its tech-forward, innovation-driven focus.
Councils create opportunities for business connection, advocacy, and engagement that complement regional chamber activities.
Human connection, local culture, and even small traditions like pop-up events and food favorites add depth to the professional relationships formed.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to the GNFCC 400 Insider
00:46 Spotlight on Milton and Alpharetta Business Councils
01:02 Meet the Chairs: Jamie Bendall and Mary Trachian-Bradley
01:29 Jamie Bendall: Journey with Milton Business Council
03:05 Mary Trachian-Bradley: Launching Alpharetta Business Council
05:23 The Vision and Evolution of Milton Business Council
08:58 Alpharetta Business Council: Embracing a New Era
13:32 Unique Identities of Milton and Alpharetta
18:10 Future Prospects for Alpharetta Business Council
22:28 Benefits and Opportunities in 2026
22:58 Signature Events and Popups
24:12 The Importance of Member Feedback
24:38 Council Events and Networking
27:14 Success Metrics for Business Councils
29:06 Call for Board Member Nominations
31:34 Favorite Local Tacos
34:43 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

**Mary Trachian-Bradley and Jamie Bendall**

Mary Trachian-Bradley, Chair, Alpharetta Business Council

Mary Trachian-Bradley, on The GNFCC 400 Insider Podcast — **Mary Trachian-Bradley**

Mary Trachian-Bradley serves as the Chair of GNFCC’s Alpharetta Business Council.

Mary is a Senior Litigation Associate at Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC, with extensive trial experience. Mary specializes in litigation relating to all corporate law matters, including but not limited to FLSA claims, contract disputes, shareholder derivative actions, franchise law, landlord/tenant law, homeowner association law and all matters relating to partnerships and corporations.

Prior to joining Briskin, Cross & Sanford, Mary was a partner at the largest minority- and women-owned law firm in the country, focusing on a wide range of civil litigation cases. She has experience managing a team of associates and has chaired cases involving disputes over claims up to twenty-six million dollars. Her significant trial experience, coupled with her detailed understanding of complex transactional matters, allows Mary to firmly guide clients through business obstacles.

Mary received her law degree from the Florida International University College of Law, where she acted as Vice President of Moot Court and a Law Review Editor. Spending much of her free time giving back to the community, Mary is a proud foster parent and has been a dedicated Big Sister with the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation for twelve years. She is dedicated to sharing her passion and drive for justice, equality, and hope with the next generation.

Jamie Bendall, Chair, Milton Business Council

Jamie Bendall, on the GNFCC 400 Insider podcast — **Jamie Bendall**

Jamie serves as the Chair of GNFCC’s Milton Business Council.

Jamie is a seasoned comedian, attorney, and entrepreneur best known as the owner and managing partner of Atlanta’s legendary Punchline Comedy Club, widely regarded as one of the country’s top comedy destinations. With over thirty years as a professional performer, Bendall’s clean, observational style and quick wit have made him a sought-after host, corporate speaker, and panelist for major events and media outlets. In addition to his work on stage and television, he is a licensed lawyer admitted in Georgia, New York, and Massachusetts, focusing his practice on personal injury law and media representation.

Beyond comedy and the law, Jamie’s entrepreneurial ventures have spanned real estate, parking services, and team sports leagues, reflecting his versatility as a business leader. Throughout his career, he has produced thousands of comedy events, mentored young talent, and driven the Punchline’s growth. from relocating the club to expanding its brand and programming. As a father of three, community coach, and active volunteer, Bendall brings humor, professionalism, and strategic acumen to every role he holds.

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider Podcast

Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) — **Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce**

The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC.

The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth, and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.

As a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and they are dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.

GNFCC promotes the interests of their members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play, and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision-makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.

For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events, follow this link.

Leadership and Innovation in the Roswell Fire Department, with Chief Joe Pennino

February 25, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Leadership and Innovation in the Roswell Fire Department, with Chief Joe Pennino

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Leadership and Innovation in the Roswell Fire Department, with Chief Joe Pennino (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 845)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray speaks with Chief Joe Pennino of the Roswell Fire Department. Chief Pennino shares insights on leadership lessons that can be applied in various business sectors, discussing his career journey and the significant transitions at the Roswell Fire Department. The conversation highlights the shift from part-time to full-time staffing, the innovative measures implemented for firefighter health and safety, and the importance of vision and communication in leadership. Additionally, the episode explores how Chief Pennino fosters a culture of transparency and trust while addressing the mental and emotional well-being of firefighters. The discussion also touches on the broader challenges and innovations within public safety and government organizations.

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.

Dr. Joe Pennino, DPA, EFO, CFO, MIFireE, PMP

**Dr. Joe Pennino, Fire Chief, City of Roswell, Georgia**

Dr. Joe Pennino is a seasoned public safety leader, educator, consultant, and leadership coach with over two decades of experience in fire service, emergency management, and public administration. Since 2021, he has served as the Fire Chief and Emergency Manager for the City of Roswell, GA, leading a department of more than 150 personnel and managing a $17 million budget to enhance public safety and community resilience.

Under Dr. Pennino’s leadership, the Roswell Fire Department was recently honored with the 2025 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award for its groundbreaking research on the effects of shift schedules and adjusted start times on firefighter performance and well-being. This study, conducted in collaboration with researchers, aims to improve firefighter health by addressing sleep quality, reducing fatigue, and enhancing long-term wellness. The award, presented at the 35th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, DC, recognizes departments that make significant contributions to firefighter safety and health.

Prior to his tenure in Roswell, Dr. Pennino was Deputy Fire Chief in Largo, Florida, where he oversaw the department’s five operational divisions and played a pivotal role in modernizing emergency medical services, data-driven decision-making, and intergovernmental coordination. His diverse career includes experience as a hazmat technician, SWAT medic, flight medic, and emergency management coordinator, providing him with a broad perspective on crisis response and strategic leadership.

Beyond his operational leadership, Dr. Pennino is an educator, consultant, and leadership coach. He teaches in both the Fire Administration bachelor’s and Doctor of Public Administration programs at Liberty University, mentoring future public safety and government leaders. He also provides leadership coaching for professionals seeking to enhance their strategic thinking, team development, and personal effectiveness.

Dr. Pennino holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from Valdosta State University and a Master’s in Public Policy from Liberty University. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP) certified by the Project Management Institute and holds professional designations including Executive Fire Officer (EFO), Chief Fire Officer (CFO), and Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE), reflecting his commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in leadership.

A strong advocate for data-driven governance, organizational efficiency, and leadership development, Dr. Pennino continues to shape the future of public safety and professional leadership through innovation, strategic planning, and coaching.

Roswell Fire Department, Roswell, Georgia

The Roswell Fire Department, located in Roswell, Georgia, is a progressive, ISO Class 2 all-hazards agency dedicated to providing comprehensive public safety services. The department operates out of seven fire stations, a separate fire headquarters, and the Roswell-Alpharetta Public Safety Training Center (RAPSTC). The department’s apparatus includes seven fire engines, two ladder trucks, a heavy/technical rescue truck, two rescue ambulances, and one Battalion Chief/Incident Command vehicle, all of which are Advanced Life Support (ALS) capable and staffed with paramedics.

The Roswell Fire Department offers a wide range of services, including fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), technical rescue, and public education. The technical rescue services encompass swift water rescue, motor vehicle and machinery rescue, rope rescue, trench rescue, collapse rescue, confined space rescue, and hazardous materials response. The department’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its ISO Class 2 rating, which places it among only 84 departments in Georgia and 2,200 departments nationwide with an ISO rating of 2 or better. This rating indicates that the department provides excellent fire protection services to the community.

The department has received several notable awards and recognitions for its outstanding performance. Recently, it was selected to receive the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award for its collaborative study on the effects of shift schedules and start times on firefighter health and performance. Additionally, two members of the department were honored with Life Saving Valor Awards by Governor Brian Kemp during Firefighter Recognition Day in 2024. These recognitions highlight the Roswell Fire Department’s dedication to innovative practices, firefighter safety, and excellence in fire protection services. The department continues to strive for improvement, maintaining its high standards while adapting to the evolving needs of the community it serves.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:40 Guest Introduction: Chief Joe Pennino
02:01 Chief Pennino’s Career and the Roswell Fire Department
07:03 Leadership Lessons from Chief Pennino
11:09 Managing Change in the Fire Department
20:43 Innovations in Firefighter Health and Safety
31:24 Public Perception and Community Engagement
36:53 Closing Remarks and Resources

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.

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 invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and 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 lean left. Some media lean 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.

Embracing Disruptive Innovation in Professional Services with Natalie Born, Author, Set It on Fire: The Art of Innovation

October 2, 2024 by John Ray

Embracing Disruptive Innovation in Professional Services with Natalie Born, Author, Set It on Fire, on The Price and Value Journey podcast with host John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Embracing Disruptive Innovation in Professional Services with Natalie Born, Author, Set It on Fire: The Art of Innovation

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Embracing Disruptive Innovation in Professional Services with Natalie Born, Author, Set It on Fire: The Art of Innovation (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 115)

In this episode of The Price and Value Journey, John Ray hosts Natalie Born, an innovation expert and principal consultant at Arch + Tower, to discuss innovation in professional services and the impact of AI and other disruptive technologies on professional services. Natalie emphasizes the importance of balancing automation with relationship-building, outlining ways organizations can use AI to enhance productivity and client experiences. The conversation delves into strategies for fostering a culture of innovation, establishing governance around AI usage, and ensuring AI augments rather than replaces human capabilities. Natalie also shares insights on maintaining the perception of value and pricing services effectively in an AI-influenced market. Listeners are encouraged to focus on co-creating solutions with clients to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

The Price and Value Journey is presented by John Ray and produced by the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®.

Natalie Born, Arch + Tower, and Author, Set It on Fire: The Art of Innovation

Natalie Born is a member of Frazier & Deeter’s Advisory Practice and a Principal Consultant with Arch + Tower, an FD Company. She specializes in helping businesses develop and implement effective strategies to exceed their goals, grow their topline revenue and achieve award-winning results.

Natalie is the host of a top 25 innovation podcast, Innovation Meets Leadership, that is listened to in over 80 countries. She authored the book, Set It on Fire: The Art of Innovation. Natalie has collaborated on two approved US patents and has over 20 years of experience leading product development, strategy, and innovation teams working globally in over 18 countries. Natalie has worked with organizations such as CareerBuilder, First Data, IHG, and ADP, leading major initiatives in over 18 countries.

Topics Discussed in this Interview

00:00 Introduction to The Price and Value Journey
00:37 Meet Natalie Born: Innovation Expert
01:59 The Role of Automation in Professional Services
04:02 Historical Perspective on Technology and AI
04:38 AI Adoption Across Industries
09:28 Fostering a Culture of Innovation
17:11 Balancing Technology and Human Touch
22:10 Practical AI Applications in Professional Services
25:41 Amazon’s Daily Upload Limit
26:24 AI’s Impact on Content Perception
27:30 The Hype vs. Heart Debate
28:35 Using AI to Enhance Client Value
29:09 Defining AI Governance in Organizations
30:08 Scaling AI for Organizational Success
33:23 The Importance of Client Feedback
35:44 Measuring and Pricing Value
39:57 The Role of Change Management
42:05 Conclusion

About The Price and Value Journey

The title of this show describes the journey all professional service providers are on: building a services practice by seeking to convince the world of the value we offer, helping clients achieve the outcomes they desire, and trying to do all that at pricing that reflects the value we deliver.

If you feel like you’re working too hard for too little money in your solo or small firm practice, this show is for you. Even if you’re reasonably happy with your practice, you’ll hear ways to improve both your bottom line and the mindset you bring to your business.

The show is hosted and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®. The show can also be found on all the major podcast apps. The complete show archive is here.

John Ray, Host of The Price and Value Journey

John Ray, Author of The Generosity Mindset and Host of "The Price and Value Journey" — John Ray, Author of *The Generosity Mindset* and Host of *The Price and Value Journey*

John Ray is the host of The Price and Value Journey.

John owns Ray Business Advisors, a business advisory practice. John’s services include business coaching and advisory work, as well as advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their pricing. John is passionate about the power of pricing for business owners, as changing pricing is the fastest way to change the profitability of a business. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, consultants, coaches, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

In his other business, John is a Show Host and Producer and owns the North Fulton (Georgia) studio of Business RadioX®. John and his team work with B2B professionals to create and conduct their own podcast using The Generosity Mindset™ Method: building and deepening relationships in a non-salesy way that translates into revenue for their business.

John is also the host of North Fulton Business Radio. With over 780 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 its region like no one else.

John’s book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices

John is the #1 national best-selling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

If you are a professional services provider, your goal is to do transformative work for clients you love working with and get paid commensurate with the value you deliver to those clients. While negative mindsets can inhibit your growth, adopting a different mindset, The Generosity Mindset™, can replace those self-limiting beliefs. The Generosity Mindset enables you to diagnose and communicate the value you deliver to clients and, in turn, more effectively price to receive a portion of that value.

Whether you’re a consultant, coach, marketing or branding professional, business advisor, attorney, CPA, or work in virtually any other professional services discipline, your content and technical expertise are not proprietary. What’s unique, though, is your experience and how you synthesize and deliver your knowledge. What’s special is your demeanor or the way you deal with your best-fit clients. What’s invaluable is how you deliver great value by guiding people through massive changes in their personal lives and in their businesses that bring them to a place they never thought possible.

The combination of all these elements is quite different for you compared to any other service provider in your industry. Therein lies your value, but it’s not the value you see. It’s the value your best-fit customers see in you.

If pricing your value feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar to you, this book will teach you why putting a price on the value your clients perceive and identify serves both them and you, and you’ll learn the factors involved in getting your price right.

The book is available at all major physical and online book retailers worldwide. Follow this link for further details.

Connect with John Ray:

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Business RadioX®: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Maximizing Business Revenue: Insights from Financial Specialists

May 13, 2024 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Maximizing Business Revenue: Insights from Financial Specialists

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Maximizing Business Revenue: Insights from Financial Specialists

In this episode, Karen Nowicki is joined by Jim Hilliard and Patrick Talley, discussing a class action lawsuit against Visa and Mastercard for overcharging businesses before the May 31st deadline. They emphasize their backgrounds in law enforcement and financial services, detailing their process of forensic auditing to recover overcharges and highlighting their commitment to assisting businesses.

Jim and Patrick explain their approach to helping businesses identify and recover overcharges from credit card processors, emphasizing the complementary nature of their audit services and showcasing their expertise. They stress the importance of spreading awareness about the lawsuit and taking action to protect your business from unnecessary fees.

Contact Info

StartMyccClaim.com

Patrick Talley
PatrickAndrewTalley@Gmail.com
407-417-1096

Jim Hilliard
jim@proactiveconnection.com
480-298-7255

Proactive Connection functions as connection point for an alliance of business consultants, specialists and service providers. Our main focus is that of identifying client business issues and connecting them with alternative solutions available publicly or through our network of provider.

Jim Hilliard has been in the business of problem solving throughout his career… starting in education in both the role of an educator and school administrator… growing into technology as a software developer and software sales professional…

His experience with major computer companies has allowed him to gain industrial level knowledge of almost every major industry as a result of a 30 year career. As a result of his experience within the banking/financial service sector, he has been directly involved with, on a consulting basis, in the Merchant Service industry (i.e. Credit Card Services) as both a provider and a processor.

In the past few years, Jim has been involved with assisting independent business operators and medical providers with revenue capturing services to ensure their maximum profitability.

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Patrick Talley has worked thirty six and a half years in all phases of the telecom industry including owning his own telecom dealership. He has 18 years in the financial services business. He’s helped save families over 32 million dollars in interest on their mortgages, credit cards, student loans and anything else that had interest charges associated with it.

Patrick’s independent agency helps business owners and individuals with all types of financial services that they’re probably not aware of.

He works with an 18 year old forensic auditing service that specializes in merchant statement errors. They work with business owners to audit their statements, complete an analysis, work with their processors, and monitor statements monthly, thereby assuring they’re paying the lowest rate now and in the future.

This is why they have the inside track on the $5.5 billion Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit against VISA / MasterCard. They are not a settlement company and do not charge a fee or a percentage to help a business owner get their claim started. Nor do they charge a fee to do the audit of their existing merchant statement accounts.

Patrick and his team have helped recover millions of dollars in the BP Oil Spill settlement. Now he’s proudly helping American businesses keep more money in their pocket every month by using their forensic auditing services.

Due to the deadline of May 31st (22 days away) Patrick and his team are diligently working to get the word out to every business owner in America that they need to file for their portion of the claim. Unlike a settlement company, attorney or CPA, they helped you start your claim for FREE.

Unlocking Incremental Innovation in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses, with Thomas Storteboom, i2e Solutions

April 26, 2024 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Unlocking Incremental Innovation in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses, with Thomas Storteboom, i2e Solutions

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Unlocking Incremental Innovation in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses, with Thomas Storteboom, i2e Solutions (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 766)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Thomas Storteboom, founder and CEO of i2e Solutions, on the topic of fostering innovation within small and medium-sized businesses. Thomas shares insights on how he helps companies spark new ideas, foster innovation, and select the best projects to pursue through structured innovation strategies and brainstorming sessions. The discussion covers the importance of differentiating between disruptive and incremental innovation, and how businesses can leverage both for growth. Thomas emphasizes the necessity of cross-functional teams in the brainstorming process and outlines how he assists organizations, particularly manufacturers, in overcoming common innovation challenges, such as idea selection and execution.

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.

Thomas Storteboom, i2e Solutions

Thomas Storteboom is the Founder of i2e Solutions, a consulting practice that helps companies grow by finding better ideas and bringing them to life. Thomas gained his innovation expertise at industry leading companies like Ford Motor Company, CHEP, and Cox Automotive. Now he is focused on sharing his knowledge broadly by helping small to midsize manufacturing companies accelerate their growth through innovation. He focuses on innovation strategy, processes, and creating a culture of innovation. Thomas also trains groups on innovation, facilitates brainstorming, and is currently writing a book on the challenges companies face when innovating.

Website | LinkedIn | Thomas Storteboom LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
01:17 Introducing Thomas Storteboom and the Magic of Innovation
01:52 The Essence and Impact of Innovation Consulting
04:17 Disruptive vs. Incremental Innovation: A Deep Dive
08:37 Thomas Storteboom’s Journey to Innovation Expertise
10:35 Addressing Innovation Challenges in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
16:56 Unlocking Innovation Through Targeted Brainstorming
19:15 The Ideal Brainstorming Team: Composition and Characteristics
21:30 Challenges of Innovation Across Different Business Sizes
23:05 Facilitating Effective Brainstorming Sessions
24:13 Client Engagement and Success Stories
29:29 Connecting with Thomas Storteboom and Closing Remarks

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.

Casa Nuova is a proud family owned and operated restaurant, serving classic, authentic and traditional Italian cuisine and top tier hospitality since 1998.

Casa Nuova is a cook-to-order kitchen, serving traditional fare including pasta, chicken, seafood, veal and vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus daily specials. They are a farm-to-table establishment, meaning that in the summertime, they cultivate their own vegetables in their garden, steps away from the restaurant, including tomatoes, corn, peppers, zucchini, sunflowers and more!

Celebrating more than 25 years, Casa Nuova has become a true staple in the Alpharetta area, serving more than three generations of families, including friends old and new, visiting near and far from all over the metro Atlanta area and beyond.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

SPECIAL EVENT: Join everyone as Casa Nuova for their annual Casa Nuova Block Party on Sunday, April 28 from 2 PM to 5:30 PM!

Complimentary food, music, and fun for the whole familia! It’s their way of saying thank you to the amazing community that they love to serve!

Donations will benefit Purple Pansies, which is dedicated to raising funds for pancreatic cancer research and providing emergency grants to individuals and families battling the disease.

Rain or shine, we hope to see you there!

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 760 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.

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

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

Stuart Selbst with Nothing but NET, Gus LaZear with Ability360 and Elaine Szeto with Integro Bank

November 8, 2023 by Karen

Phoenix Business Radio

Stuart Selbst with Nothing but NET, Gus LaZear with Ability360 and Elaine Szeto with Integro Bank

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Stuart Selbst with Nothing but NET, Gus LaZear with Ability360 and Elaine Szeto with Integro Bank

Established in 2001 by Bob Cox and Steve Brown, Nothing But NET was founded with a clear vision: to offer top-tier technology solutions while prioritizing customer satisfaction. They maintain close collaborations with their clients, partners, and vendors, ensuring successful engagements for all.

In 2023, Nothing But NET proudly achieved the #7 rank among the world’s leading Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Nothing But NET is renowned for its agility, flexibility, and innovation, consistently adapting to meet the evolving needs of our customers.

They are committed to continual self-reinvention, always staying ahead of the curve to serve our clients better.

Stuart Selbst, known as Stu, serves as the Director of Client Experience at Nothing But NET, where he plays a crucial role in overseeing the sales team and ensuring the success of all our clients. With over three decades of experience in the IT industry, Stu has an impressive background. He has worked in both corporate IT and has also successfully managed his own IT firm.

His expertise extends beyond national borders, as he has provided consultancy services to IT firms and software companies worldwide. Stu’s career highlights include serving as the COO of a thriving software company.

Stu is not only a seasoned IT professional but also a dedicated business leader with a genuine passion for helping others achieve success. In addition to his professional commitments, he organizes a popular monthly networking event named Business and Brews, which fosters connections among local businesses at nearby craft breweries.

Residing in Mesa, AZ, Stu shares his home with his wife, Loree, and their cherished feline companions, Cliff and Chloe. An enthusiastic sports fan, Stu enjoys embracing life and immersing himself in the world around him. His love for adventure extends to travel, where he seeks to experience all that the world has to offer. Stu also takes great pleasure in treating his friends and family to his mouthwatering BBQ creations.

Follow Nothing but Net on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Ability360 is a Center for Independent Living. A Center for Independent Living, otherwise known as a CIL, is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization run by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities to address needs and barriers within the community.

Ability360 is located in Phoenix, Arizona and provides services throughout the state of Arizona. We also own and operate the Ability360 Sports and Fitness Center where we provide exceptional adaptive sports, recreation, aquatic, and fitness programs that promote the independence, health, and overall well being of people with disabilities and their family members.

Gus LaZear currently serves as Ability360’s Vice President of Operations and the Sports and Fitness Center for persons with Disabilities.

LaZear, whose background includes more than 29 years of experience managing major programs and initiatives in rehabilitative medicine, recreational therapy, outdoor adventures and other adaptive programming for people with disabilities.

Prior to Ability360, LaZear handled responsibilities as lead therapeutic recreational therapist at the Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. During that time he also served on the Board of Directors for Arizona Disabled Sports.

Before joining St. Joseph’s, LaZear had been with Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation in Pomona, CA working on the Outdoor Adventure team that organized adaptive surfing, skiing/snowboarding, sailing, fishing, camping, dog sledding, rock climbing, scuba diving, horseback trips, kayaking, outrigger canoeing, wheelchair sports and cycling programs.

LaZear earned a Master’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in Health Systems Management from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation from California State University Northridge.

LaZear’s licenses and certifications include Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, National Council of Therapeutic Recreation; Certified Pool Operator, National Swimming Pool Foundation; Certified in Aqua Stretch (Aquatic Therapy Technique); Certified in Ai Chi (Aquatic Therapy Technique); Advanced Scuba Diver, Professional Association of Diving Instructors; Certified Dive Buddy, Handicapped Scuba Association and Member of American Therapeutic Recreation Association.

He also serves as a guest speaker for the Barrow Neurological Institute Stroke Symposium, SCI Symposium, and Brain Injury Symposium. LaZear served as an associate Faculty at Arizona State University through 2020 and Grand Canyon University through 2019.

Follow Ability360 on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Integro Bank is a Mission-based bank with the objective of helping small businesses grow and increase employment.

Integro Bank is considered an industry disrupter with its proprietary INTEGRO360 consultation tool, powered by impactful data analytics and Integro CEO Club to serve the unique needs of small businesses.

Elaine Szeto – EVP, Chief Innovation Officer, and Founder of Integro Bank oversees and leads business strategy through operational excellence, digital marketing, technology, innovation, and strategic deliverables to provide leading-edge financial technology tools and proprietary INTEGRO360 services, driving and delivering best-in-class client experiences to position business clients for success and to fuel businesses and employment growth.

Szeto is a proven and forward-thinking leader in driving extraordinary growth via innovation and transformation in technology, digital solutions & products, marketing, and service excellence with winning business strategies for Fortune 500 companies with more than 30 years of success.

Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn.

Brock Kolls, Gr8BigIdeas LLC

August 2, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Brock Kolls, Gr8BigIdeas LLC

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 482)

Brock Kolls, Owner and Patent Agent at Gr8BigIdeas LLC, discussed the patent process for entrepreneurs. He and host John Ray talked about how Brock got into specializing in intellectual property and patents, products he helped develop at Coca-Cola and elsewhere, ways to protect your intellectual property, his connection with the tech community, types of patents, and much more.

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

Entrepreneurs, startups, and innovative companies have lots of ideas and can move through product development at a fast pace.

Protecting ideas is important, but ideas often evolve during product development. So how best to protect the early ideas as well as the final product?

Think differently about intellectual property. Embed a patent professional in your product development cycle or team to collaborate, capture, and create IP.

Change the way your company identifies new products and market opportunities. Think bigger and more disruptive. Act on insights.

Leverage fractional professional IP services to add in-house patent capabilities to your company. Invent more, pay less.

Get your talent involved in the patent creation process to patent smarter.

Working with private equity and venture capital firms, Gr8BigIdeas can support, mentor, and build IP for your portfolio companies.

They use a patent strategy that includes mentoring entrepreneurs and startups about the patent process. This approach engages the product developers and inventors to participate in refining ideas and collaborating in the development of patent applications.

They also integrate designing the patent applications into the product development cycle so that early ideas, the final product, as well as product variations for the future are all protected. They call it Bootstrap Patenting and they do it on a shoestring budget because that is how startups and entrepreneurs operate.

Company website | LinkedIn

**Brock Kolls, Owner and Patent Agent, Gr8BigIdeas LLC**

Brock Kolls is a registered US Patent Agent with more than 20 years of patent experience and a prolific inventor with more than 100 patents.

He founded Gr8BigIdeas to help entrepreneurs, startups, and innovative companies patent their ideas and assist corporates who are seeking to innovate in the technical community. He has startup experience raising more than $120 million in funding and a successful exit on NASDAQ.

In his startup, Brock invented a wireless cashless payment technology that is widely used today. He then became a member of Coca-Cola R&D. At Coke, he led a team of innovators in the design of cold drink equipment. One such innovation was the Coca-Cola Freestyle dispenser. After Freestyle, Brock successfully grew Coca-Cola’s open innovation program. The program scouted for technologies to meet Coke’s business needs worldwide.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Patents from a tech community perspective
Different types of patents
When to file, how to budget/manage costs
Unique needs and pitfalls to avoid for entrepreneurs and startups
The tech community in North Fulton
Non-tech ideas

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.

Special thanks to A&S Culinary Concepts for their support of this edition of North Fulton Business Radio. A&S Culinary Concepts, based in Johns Creek, is an award-winning culinary studio, celebrated for corporate catering, corporate team building, Big Green Egg Boot Camps, and private group events. They also provide oven-ready, cooked from scratch meals to go they call “Let Us Cook for You.” To see their menus and events, go to their website or call 678-336-9196.

Thomas Storteboom, i2e Solutions

December 10, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Thomas Storteboom, i2e Solutions

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Thomas Storteboom, i2e Solutions (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 422)

Thomas Storteboom, CEO of i2e Solutions, joined host John Ray to discuss the innovation and product development consulting he does for a variety of companies. Thomas and John talked about how i2e Solutions helps companies take their ideas to fruition, avoid stagnation, identify roadblocks and bottlenecks, assess the costs involved, and much more. North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

i2e Solutions

i2e Solutions can help you clarify opportunities that impact your future.

Utilizing a holistic team approach, i2e Solutions helps explore, solve, and implement solutions to your most intriguing ideas and opportunities, from Idea to Execution.

Do you have limited resources looking for new ideas and bringing them to life? i2e Solutions has the expertise to help.

Company Website | LinkedIn

Thomas Storteboom, Founder and CEO, i2e Solutions

i2e Solutions was founded by Thomas Storteboom to help companies discover answers to questions they do not know how to solve.

Thomas brings decades of leadership experience at industry-leading companies to i2e Solutions. He built a career leading cross-functional teams that designed the future for their customers and team members.

Thomas has managed global R&D and product development teams, created innovation programs from the ground up, and re-designed nationwide processes. His experiences can help you solve your most complex issues.

Questions and Topics Discussed in this Episode

What is i2e and what do you do?
What is your background?
How do you manage risk?
How do you assist owners with the business challenges of innovation?
Spending a little to learn a lot
Success Stories

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.

The Power of Intention E6

October 13, 2021 by Karen

Mind Well

The Power of Intention E6

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The Power of Intention E6

On this week’s episode of Mind Well, host Michelle Jones interviews wellness practitioners Carla Reeves and Lara Piu. We discuss showing up for yourself and honoring what’s right for you. We explore the use of writing and intuition to learn the language of what your body, mind and spirit are communicating to you. We also discuss the power of choice and the ability we all have to tune out external voices and tune in to our own internal voice.

Listeners who want to deepen their ability to tune out external voices and tune into internal wisdom will want to tune in to this week’s episode of Mind Well.

Carla Reeves Coaching offers mentorship, support and tools for leaders who are ready to stop running and start living with intention.

Their programs are designed to empower leaders to break free of outdated patterns and approaches to build strong, healthy mindsets and habits for living a productive, balanced AND fulfilling life.

They offer coaching intensives, programs and partnerships that meet you where you are.

Company Commitment: We live it. | We teach it. | We love it. | We stand by it.

Carla Reeves is known for her compassionate, direct and truth-telling candor. For over a decade, ambitious leaders have been relying on Carla to call out their blind spots, challenge their thinking and expand their perspective.

Carla believes in ditching the illusion that life will be great “someday” in the future and teaches leaders how to wake up their thinking to create and live a juicy, rich, meaningful everyday life, now.

Carla is a Coach and Trusted Advisor and wholehearted about working with people who are ready to mess with their thinking to ignite their living.

She was born and raised in a sleepy beach town in California and now lives in Arizona on a small farm with cows, chickens and her beloved husband and boys.

Connect with Carla on LinkedIn and Instagram.

AIM: The Analytical Intuition Method is a science based, spiritually inclusive, proven intuition technique. The method helps individuals eliminate indecision, accelerate innovation, and live their best life through its 3 simple steps.

Three-time Amazon Best-selling author Lara Piu helps businesses eliminate indecisive leadership, stalled timelines, slow sales, and lack of innovation with AIM, the Analytical Intuition Method.

As a marketing professional, she used AIM in her work for Microsoft, DSM Worldwide, Informa, and Wells Fargo Bank, and as an entrepreneur, she used it to grow several companies, including a click and mortar retail franchise she led to number one in the nation.

Lara earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University 3and she earned her Master’s Degree from Portland State University.

Connect with Lara on Facebook.

About Mind Well

Mind Well radio show and podcast is all about connecting with wellness professionals and individuals with unique perspectives about developing wholeness and well being.

We recognize that every individual has the ability to connect to wholeness.

About Our Host

Michelle Jones is the President and Co-Founder of Trauma Integration, LLC.

Michelle is an educator and Certified Trauma Integration Practitioner. She loves truly connecting with people.

Michelle firmly believes in the inherent resiliency within each of us and loves uncovering the light and strength in the people she meets.

About Our Sponsor

Mind Well is sponsored by Trauma Integration LLC. Trauma Integration is an educational company that is passionate about helping people understand their own response to trauma.

We provide resources to individuals and train practitioners to guide clients to mindfully integrate their trauma response and find wholeness within. You can find us at www.integratetrauma.com.

Follow Trauma Integration on Facebook and Instagram.