On this edition of DeKalb Business Today, host Matt Holmes explores corporate marketing strategies with Mike Killeen from Lenz Marketing. Quality Media Consultant Group CEO Lori Manns discusses how she’s helping small businesses to partner with large corporations. Teresa Punzi from The Smart Place shares the innovative ways she’s helping folks with developmental disabilities. Local author Keshius Williams also joins the show, talking about her popular Pepper Storm book series and the work she does to mentor youth in the community.
Lori Manns/CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group
Lori A. Manns is CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group and an award-winning, marketing, sales coach and business strategist. Lori works with small business owners to help them elevate their brand, get more clients and grow revenue. With a long career in the media industry, Lori spent nearly 20 years in media sales and marketing at two of the largest media companies in the United States; Cox Media and CBS Radio. For the past six years Lori has been a passionate entrepreneur and enjoys helping small business owners increase sales and enjoy profitable businesses. Lori is the founder of the Trailblazer Business Academy™ where advancing entrepreneurs go to learn business growth strategies the soulful way. Lori is also the creator of Sponsorship Sales Secrets System;™ that shows entrepreneurs how to get more sponsors and sales for their businesses, guaranteed. To learn more about expert consulting services on marketing, advertising or sales and, get proven strategies on how to increase your revenue and grow your business; please visit the website.
Mike Killeen/VP of Marketing at Lenz Marketing
Mike Killeen directs client marketing at Lenz, an integrated agency based in Decatur. Lenz specializes in marketing healthcare groups, non-profit organizations, and small businesses. Mike also serves as program director of Lenz’s two radio programs, “The Weekly Check-Up,” a healthcare talk show on News/Talk WSB, and “The Sports Insider,” a sports-oriented talk show on 92.9 FM The Game.
Mike is the founder of Amplify My Community (formerly Poverty is Real), a non-profit organization that travels from city-to-city throwing fundraising concerts to support local organizations fighting poverty. He is a singer, songwriter, and musician who performs regularly and has released several albums.
Mike received a journalism degree from the University of Georgia and a masters in business administration from Georgia College. He joined Lenz in 2002 and became a partner in 2014. Mike and his wife Jessica live in Decatur with their children, Liam and Emily.
Teresa Punzi/Executive Director of The Smart Place
Teresa Punzi is the visionary behind The Smart Place Adult and Children Services, Inc.. Started in 2001 – and located 1916 Glenfair Road in Decatur, GA – it is a unique, community-based educational and training program for individuals with developmental disabilities, offering vocational training, life skills instruction, counseling and support services designed to enable our individuals the opportunity to succeed in work and to live independently.
Fulfilling everyday dreams, learning necessary functional vocational, academic, community, and daily living skills, and having a positive place in the world are the goals of The Smart Place’s programs. They work individually and closely with each individual to design an appropriate program in a nurturing community setting.
The mission of The Smart Place is to support people with mental and physical challenges in a respectful, safe and productive environment. That environment allows them the ability to reach their highest level of individual independence. The Smart Place welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with families and other service organizations to expand each individual’s opportunity to engage in community activities that would otherwise be out of their reach.
Teresa and her team of 22 full-time staff members ensure that the values of that mission are accomplished because they all understand that each individual enters adult life with powerful dreams of a more positive future. At The Smart Place, they are committed to identifying and sustaining the dreams of individuals and their families. Their vision is a partnership to ensure that all individuals participate in meaningful activities and are viewed as valued members of their community.
Keshius Williams/Author & Founder of Living on Purpose Leadership and Mentoring Program
Keshius Williams is the author of three children’s books- Who Is Pepper Storm?, Pepper Storm and the Gang, and Inspirational Quotes for the Teenage Soul. She is currently working on the next installment of the Pepper Storm Book Collection called Pepper Storm’s (Pep) New Style!
In addition, Keshius Williams is a storyteller, sought-after inspirational speaker, and the Founder of Living On Purpose Leadership and Mentoring Program, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing life skills through encouragement, empowerment, leadership and service. Ms. Williams believes that every child has the potential to be successful if nurtured and guided in a direction where GREATNESS is their only destiny!
With her love for children and writing, Keshius has infused both passions to create an amazing Pepper Storm Book Collection that children of all ages will enjoy.
