Business RadioX ®

Working Yet Homeless in North Fulton

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Nesha Mason, The Drake House, and Joy Monroe, SPARC, on Attainable Housing, Working Families Experiencing Homelessness, and the Economy Hotel Evacuation, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Working Yet Homeless in North Fulton
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Nesha Mason, The Drake House, and Joy Monroe, SPARC, on Attainable Housing, Working Families Experiencing Homelessness, and the Economy Hotel Evacuation, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Nesha Mason, The Drake House, and Joy Monroe, SPARC, on Attainable Housing, Working Families Experiencing Homelessness, and the Economy Hotel Evacuation (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 919)

Nesha Mason, President of The Drake House in Roswell, and Joy Monroe, founder of the Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC), join host John Ray to discuss the crisis of working families experiencing homelessness in North Fulton and the broader Metro Atlanta region. The conversation explores the challenges facing single mothers and their children who are living in extended-stay motels, the barriers to attainable housing, and the impact on the local workforce and business community.

The discussion highlights the May 2025 evacuation of the Economy Hotel in North Fulton, which displaced over 100 families, and the book There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America by Brian Goldstone. Nesha and Joy explain why families become trapped in extended-stay motels despite working full-time jobs, the devastating effects on children living in these conditions, and the urgent need for more attainable housing solutions in North Fulton.

They also discuss the Motel to Home Alliance, the North Fulton Improvement Network, and practical ways community members can get involved, including participating in comprehensive planning processes, listening to the North Fulton Voices podcast, and supporting nonprofit collaboration to address this growing crisis.

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

  • Single mothers and families experiencing homelessness in North Fulton are often employed full-time but cannot afford the security deposits and first month’s rent required to move from extended-stay motels into apartments, creating a trap that keeps them homeless despite working.
  • Extended-stay motels were originally built for traveling salesmen, not families, yet they now house families in 200–250 square feet with no kitchens, inadequate sleeping arrangements, and exposure to crime, violence, and other adverse childhood experiences that impact children’s health, education, and well-being.
  • The May 2025 evacuation of the Economy Hotel displaced over 100 families, and none could be relocated within North Fulton, disrupting their jobs, children’s schools, and entire support systems while removing essential service workers from the local workforce.
  • North Fulton’s attainable housing shortage affects the entire community, as CNAs, home health aides, daycare workers, teachers, servers, and other essential workers cannot afford to live where they work, reducing workforce availability and increasing costs for businesses and residents alike.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guests, Nesha Mason and Joy Monroe
02:21 Nesha Mason introduces The Drake House and its mission to support single mothers experiencing homelessness
03:12 Joy Monroe introduces SPARC and its housing stability and economic mobility programs
04:54 Joy Monroe shares her personal experience as a single parent living in an extended-stay motel
06:41 The federal classification of families in motels as homeless
08:12 How extended-stay motels become traps for working families
09:07 SPARC’s motel-to-home program and the Motel to Home Alliance
10:42 Barriers to qualifying for apartments, including evictions and credit scores
13:00 The book There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone and the Drake House book club
15:09 The May 2025 evacuation of the Economy Hotel in North Fulton
21:50 The trauma of relocating families outside of North Fulton and its impact on their jobs and children’s schools
23:27 Dispelling myths about families experiencing homelessness
26:39 Effects on children living in extended-stay motels
29:39 Principals allowing children to sleep in class because motels prevent adequate rest
31:08 Extended-stay hotels were never designed for families
33:27 The lack of attainable housing as the root cause of working homelessness
36:02 The cost to North Fulton businesses of losing service workers
39:02 A teacher who cannot afford to live in North Fulton on her salary
40:22 The need for creative housing solutions beyond just apartments
43:16 How community members can get involved through comprehensive plans and the North Fulton Improvement Network (NFIN)
45:35 The importance of engaging at the local level in zoning and comprehensive plans
46:15 How to connect with The Drake House and SPARC

Nesha Mason, President, The Drake House

Nesha Mason, President, The Drake House, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
Nesha Mason, President, The Drake House

Nesha Mason brings a diverse skill set with more than 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Nesha worked as an operations director in the private sector before transitioning to public service, serving as Mayor for the City of Abilene, Kansas. After her tenure as an elected official, Nesha served as program director for a county-wide nonprofit developing programs that united the medical and early childhood communities. Upon relocation to the Atlanta area in 2013, she served as a Fulton County educator and then transitioned to executive director of a statewide educational foundation focusing on unifying education and workforce development.

In her current role as President of The Drake House, Nesha Mason combines her leadership skills, educational expertise, and commitment to community welfare to lead and support initiatives that empower families and create lasting positive change. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded from housing and support to offering a comprehensive pathway from homelessness to stability. She has enhanced programming, upgraded facilities, and forged vital partnerships to create a community of support for families in need. Nesha also spearheaded the North Fulton Housing Collaborative, uniting nonprofits for greater impact. Her fiscal expertise has grown The Drake House’s budget by 78.5%, ensuring quality care and lasting change for vulnerable families.

LinkedIn

The Drake House

The Drake House provides a short-term crisis and an affordable housing program for single mothers and their children experiencing homelessness in North Metro Atlanta. Their educational, empowerment and mentoring programs assist families in becoming financially self-sufficient and contributing members of the community. The Drake House is the only agency in the area offering an emergency residential program, serving approximately 50 families with 100 children per year. The Drake House envisions a community where every family has the opportunity to recover quickly with dignity from their homeless situation.

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn

Joy Monroe, Founder, Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC)

Joy Monroe, Founder, Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC), on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
Joy Monroe, Founder, Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC)

Joy Monroe is the founder of the Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC). Joy started SPARC after moving to Georgia from New York and realizing that her support system had been essential to her success as a single parent. When she relocated to Atlanta with what she thought was a solid plan, she discovered that Atlanta requires employment before securing housing, unlike New York, where cash payments are accepted. The situation led to Joy and her sons living in an extended-stay motel while she secured employment and housing.

On the morning they were scheduled to move into their new apartment, Joy and her sons were hit by a truck. Though they only stayed in the motel for an additional week, that experience galvanized for her how precarious life is for families at extended-stay motels. Even when doing everything right with a solid plan, one unexpected event can trap families in a cycle they cannot escape. Joy also learned that families living in extended-stay motels are federally classified as homeless, even though she did not feel homeless at the time. This personal journey inspired her to create SPARC, which began as a support group in her living room and has grown into an organization serving single parents throughout Metro Atlanta with programs focused on housing stability, economic mobility, and family well-being.

LinkedIn

Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC)

The Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center (SPARC) helps single parents, strengthens families, and builds futures through programs that focus on housing stability, economic mobility, and family health. SPARC’s Motel to Home program helps families transition from extended stay motels into stable, permanent housing through outreach, housing assistance, and aftercare support. Families receive help overcoming barriers such as deposits and moving expenses with ongoing guidance to maintain stability. The Motel to Home Alliance, a coalition of partner agencies, ensures that 88% of families receiving housing assistance maintain stable housing after a year.

The Financial Achievement Club is offered as part of SPARC’s aftercare services, where families that have been housed participate in a program to encourage savings and build an emergency account to guard against future homelessness. SPARC also brings programs and services directly to where families live and play, including free afterschool programs at apartment complexes and community events like SPARC in the Park where single parents can participate in educational workshops and build their support networks.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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 respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is 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, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

You can find the entire archive of shows by following this link. The show is accessible on all major podcast apps, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

John Ray, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

Ben Benson on M&A Pitfalls That Cost Sellers Millions

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Ben Benson, Apexion Advisors, on M&A Advisory, Transaction Pitfalls, and Preparing Business Owners for Successful Exits, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Ben Benson on M&A Pitfalls That Cost Sellers Millions
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Ben Benson, Apexion Advisors, on M&A Advisory, Transaction Pitfalls, and Preparing Business Owners for Successful Exits, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Ben Benson, Apexion Advisors, on M&A Advisory, Transaction Pitfalls, and Preparing Business Owners for Successful Exits (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 918)

In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Ben Benson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Apexion Advisors, to discuss the flaws in the traditional M&A advisory model and how these issues can cost business owners millions of dollars. BBen explains the information asymmetry trap, which gives sophisticated buyers, who regularly execute transactions, a significant advantage over business owners who may only sell once in their lifetime.

Ben shares specific examples of how buyers use working capital adjustments to claw back value after closing, sometimes recapturing a million dollars or more through accounting mechanisms that sellers don’t fully understand. He discusses how legal structures like reps and warranties shift risk back to sellers and reveals the hidden costs of deal fatigue, where buyers strategically extend timelines to wear down sellers and create leverage for price reductions.

Ben explains how Apexion takes a different approach by building relationships with business owners years before a transaction, helping them prepare in advance, and creating flexible pricing models that align incentives properly. He covers when business owners should start thinking about M&A preparation, the benefits of alternative structures, like the European lockbox method, and why starting early can help retain significantly more value in a transaction.

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

  • The traditional M&A advisory model creates misaligned incentives where bankers are motivated to close deals regardless of whether they serve the seller’s best interests, and sellers subsidize failed transactions through higher fees
  • Information asymmetry heavily favors institutional buyers who execute transactions professionally while most business owners go through the process once in a lifetime, allowing buyers to use mechanisms like working capital adjustments to recapture millions in value post-closing
  • Hidden costs include deal fatigue from extended timelines and data requests, which buyers use strategically to wear down sellers and create leverage for price reductions
  • Starting M&A preparation early, using alternative structures like European lockbox methods, and understanding reps and warranties in advance can help business owners retain significantly more value in transactions

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Ben Benson
02:13 Ben Benson introduces Apexion Advisors and their M&A advisory services
03:18 Ben’s career journey from CPA to private equity to M&A advisory
05:57 Why the traditional M&A investment banking model is broken
08:36 Misaligned incentives in traditional M&A advisory
09:17 How Apexion builds relationships early to create better outcomes
12:30 The information asymmetry trap in M&A transactions
16:02 How working capital adjustments are used to shift value to buyers
21:21 Legal structures, reps and warranties, and risk allocation
23:26 Hidden costs, including deal fatigue and advisory sprawl
26:18 How Apexion does M&A advisory differently
29:49 When business owners should engage with M&A advisors
31:02 Success stories, including partnership buyouts and debt refinancing
33:16 Contact information and closing

Ben Benson, Co-Founder / Managing Partner

Ben Benson combines extensive experience in finance, strategy, and M&A, shaped by hands-on experience in private equity, investment banking, and corporate strategy & development. After launching his career at PwC, he later managed financial operations and led investment analysis at a $250 million private equity fund. Afterwards, he executed M&A mandates at KeyBanc Capital Markets and Harris Williams. Most recently, he spearheaded strategic initiatives at Corpay and Agilysys, including the $150 million acquisition of Book4Time, Inc. Ben holds a BS in Accounting and an MBA from the Marriott School of Business at BYU and is a licensed CPA in California.

LinkedIn

Apexion Advisors

Apexion Advisors is a boutique M&A advisory firm with a clear mission: to guide businesses through pivotal moments and drive strategic transformation.

Website | LinkedIn

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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 respective markets, communities, and professions. There is no discrimination based on company size, and there is 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, which is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

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

You can find the entire archive of shows by following this link. The show is accessible on all major podcast apps, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

John Ray, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

The Music Studio Atlanta Opens in Johns Creek

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Cecilia Rowe, The Music Studio Atlanta, on Music Education and Opening a Third Location in Johns Creek, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
The Music Studio Atlanta Opens in Johns Creek
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Cecilia Rowe, The Music Studio Atlanta, on Music Education and Opening a Third Location in Johns Creek, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Cecilia Rowe, The Music Studio Atlanta, on Music Education and Opening a Third Location in Johns Creek (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 917)

North Fulton Business Radio host John Ray welcomes Cecilia Rowe, CEO of The Music Studio Atlanta, one of Georgia’s largest privately owned music schools, serving more than 1,500 students across Metro Atlanta. The company offers instruction in piano, voice, guitar, drums, strings, and select woodwinds through both studio locations and in-home lessons.

Cecilia discusses her family’s four-generation musical legacy, the company’s rigorous hiring process for educators, and how performance opportunities like open mics and recitals build student confidence. She shares a transformation story of a young student who went from crying at her first recital to confidently performing at The Strand theatre, illustrating how music education develops discipline, perseverance, and self-confidence that benefit children throughout their lives.

The Music Studio Atlanta currently operates studios in Vinings and East Cobb and is opening its third location on State Bridge Road in Johns Creek in December 2025. Cecilia also discusses her book, Don’t Miss Your Child’s Musical Window, which addresses when to start music education, how to choose the right instrument, and how to make music a lifelong love.

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

  • Starting music education early creates stronger neural pathways similar to learning a second language, increasing the likelihood of a lifelong musical journey
  • The relationship between student and teacher is the most critical factor in sustained engagement with music lessons, more important than temporary motivation lapses
  • Performance opportunities in family-friendly, low-pressure environments help students develop confidence that translates to presentations, public speaking, and other areas of life
  • Music education builds foundational life skills, including self-confidence, discipline, commitment, and perseverance, that benefit children in all aspects of their development

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:19 John Ray introduces the show and guest Cecilia Rowe
02:20 Cecilia Rowe introduces The Music Studio Atlanta and its locations
02:38 Cecilia’s family musical legacy from 1920s UK to present day
04:11 How Cecilia transitioned from corporate work to teaching music
05:41 What music education brought Cecilia as a student: confidence, discipline, and risk-taking
07:38 Cecilia’s love of teaching beginners and starting the family business
08:35 Instruments offered: piano, voice, guitar, drums, strings, and woodwinds
09:18 How parents choose the right instrument for their child
10:08 Discussion of Cecilia’s book Don’t Miss Your Child’s Musical Window
11:14 The studio experience: homey, safe, and child-friendly
12:10 The rigorous hiring process for educators who are musicians
13:52 Matching students with the right teacher for their style and goals
14:32 Open mics at Cecilia’s husband’s pizzeria and their purpose
16:05 Recitals as “fancier open mics” with themes and formal performances
17:30 In-home music lessons: 30 years of service to Atlanta families
18:34 How parents decide between studio and in-home lessons
20:04 Service radius for in-home lessons in Johns Creek area
21:37 Signs that a student needs to change teachers or programs
23:23 The importance of not quitting: commitment and perseverance in music
24:40 Who should engage with The Music Studio Atlanta
26:18 Success stories: improved reading skills and confidence transformation
28:59 New Johns Creek location details and ribbon-cutting event

Cecilia Rowe, CEO, The Music Studio Atlanta

Cecilia Rowe, CEO, The Music Studio Atlanta
Cecilia Rowe, CEO, The Music Studio Atlanta

Cecilia is a seasoned marketing and child-focused business professional with over three decades of experience and the owner of the multi-award-winning company, The Music Studio Atlanta. One of Georgia’s largest privately owned music schools, currently teaching more than 1,500 students both in-studio and at-home, the Music Studio Atlanta currently has locations in the Vinings and East Cobb areas and has expanded to open a third location in December 2025, in Johns Creek/Alpharetta.

After moving to Atlanta in 1989, Cecilia and her family started an in-home music lessons business, Courtnay & Rowe In-Home Music Academy, and spent 20 years teaching piano, voice, and guitar. She later became sole owner, and she merged it with the studio locations of The Music Studio Atlanta to create its current multi-location model. The Music Studio Atlanta is proud to have received five community awards last year, and this year the company has already been honored with four more.

Cecilia is passionate about creating safe spaces and family-friendly experiences for music education and aims to inspire children of all ages to build self-confidence, experience joy, and learn valuable life lessons through music. She recently was honored by the Cobb County Chamber with Women’s Owned Business of the Year as well as her third year in a row being awarded with Top 25 Business in Cobb.

In addition, Cecilia wrote a book as a musical resource for families, but also highlighting her musical journey and her family’s musical legacy. The book, Don’t Miss Your Child’s Musical Window, is also the motto of Cecilia’s life.

LinkedIn

The Music Studio Atlanta

The Music Studio Atlanta is one of Georgia’s largest privately owned music schools, teaching more than 1,500 students both in-studio and in-home across Metro Atlanta. The company believes that music lessons should be fun while encouraging self-confidence, self-expression, and proficiency through performance opportunities. Students learn to focus, take risks, and persevere when the going gets tough and are rewarded for these efforts with an exclusive proprietary reward system as well as recognition for recital and other performance achievements. The Music Studio Atlanta sets goals like recitals and open mics to inspire students to practice more, learn faster, and gain self-confidence through performance opportunities. The company currently operates studios in Vinings (the flagship location since 2011) and East Cobb/Marietta (since 2022) and is opening a third location in Johns Creek/Alpharetta in December 2025 at 10945 State Bridge Road.

The Music Studio Atlanta offers comprehensive music education in piano, voice, guitar (including bass, ukulele, acoustic, and electric), drums, strings (violin, viola, and cello), and select woodwinds, with approximately 85 teachers across the organization. The Music Studio Atlanta has received multiple community awards and is proud to be affiliated with the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Music Teachers National Association.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant Bank has humble roots, having started in 1904 as a $100,000 bank located in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown into one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, boasting over $26 billion in assets and more than 280 offices offering banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which in turn helps them better understand the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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 is located at 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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

Meisha Marshall on Helping Couples Reconnect and Trust Again

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Meisha Marshall, Renew Mindset Coaching, on Rebuilding Trust and Connection for Adult Children of Divorce, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Meisha Marshall on Helping Couples Reconnect and Trust Again
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Meisha Marshall, Renew Mindset Coaching, on Rebuilding Trust and Connection for Adult Children of Divorce, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Meisha Marshall, Renew Mindset Coaching, on Rebuilding Trust and Connection for Adult Children of Divorce (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 916)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Meisha Marshall, a marriage and relationship coach and the founder of Renew Mindset Coaching, where she helps couples argue less, trust more, and feel like a team again. Known for her non-clinical approach, Meisha specializes in helping adults from divorced families build the kind of closeness and stability they always wanted growing up.

In this episode, Meisha discusses how early experiences with parental divorce shape how adults show up in their relationships today. She shares practical tools couples can use to de-escalate conflicts, return to difficult conversations without turning them into arguments, and rebuild connection after trust has been damaged. Meisha also explains the common misconceptions people have about what makes relationships last and what real progress looks like for couples working to improve their connection.

Meisha describes her Renew Together Membership program, designed to give couples ongoing support and simple, everyday strategies they can use in real life rather than abstract theory. Her coaching focuses on making change feel doable for couples who feel stuck or disconnected.

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

  • Adults who grew up in divorced families often bring specific patterns and fears to their own relationships, including hypervigilance around conflict and difficulty trusting that problems can be resolved without ending the relationship.
  • Real progress in relationships shows up in small, everyday moves like taking breaks during arguments, returning to conversations with less defensiveness, and feeling more like teammates than opponents
  • One practical step for couples feeling stuck or like roommates is to ask each other “What’s one thing I could do this week that would make you feel more connected?” and then actually do that thing
  • The Renew Together Membership offers couples ongoing coaching and tools focused on practical application rather than theory, with support designed to maintain closeness long-term

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:20 John Ray introduces the show and guest Meisha Marshall
02:24 Meisha Marshall introduces Renew Mindset Coaching
04:11 Meisha’s passion for helping adult children of divorce
06:31 How divorce impacts people without them realizing it
08:05 Effects on relationships beyond marriage
08:57 How divorce shows up differently based on age
13:36 Trust issues and the “trust recession”
15:27 Death by a thousand cuts vs. major betrayals
17:21 Common misconceptions about relationship coaching
19:22 How people engage with Meisha’s coaching
21:12 The Renew Together Membership program
23:47 Signs you need relationship coaching
25:02 Success stories from Meisha’s practice
27:25 Closing thoughts and contact information

Meisha Marshall

Meisha Marshall is a marriage and relationship coach and the founder of Renew Mindset Coaching, where she helps couples argue less, trust more, and feel like a team again. Known for her non-clinical approach, Meisha specializes in helping adults from divorced families build the kind of closeness and stability they always wanted growing up. Her coaching blends practical tools with honest conversations that make change feel doable, not distant.

LinkedIn

Renew Mindset Coaching

Renew Mindset Coaching helps couples find their way back to each other when conversations get hard. It’s built on the belief that real change happens through simple, everyday moves like knowing when to take a breather, coming back to talk without it turning into another argument, and finding small ways to feel close again after things go sideways. The coaching focuses on giving couples tools they can actually use in real life, not just theory. Many of the people they work with experienced parental divorce and are now determined to build something stronger and steadier for themselves and their kids.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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 $26 billion in assets and more than 280 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which helps them better understand the people. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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 is located at 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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

Quantifying Small Business Cyber Risk with CYBERISKIQ

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CYBERISKIQ from the CARE-Report: Quantifying Small Business Cyber Risk with Ralph Pasquariello and Craig Sekowski, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Quantifying Small Business Cyber Risk with CYBERISKIQ
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CYBERISKIQ from the CARE-Report: Quantifying Small Business Cyber Risk with Ralph Pasquariello and Craig Sekowski, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

CYBERISKIQ from the CARE-Report: Quantifying Small Business Cyber Risk with Ralph Pasquariello and Craig Sekowski (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 915)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes cyber risk specialists Ralph Pasquariello and Craig Sekowski of the CARE-Report. Ralph and Craig explain why small and mid-sized businesses are far more exposed to cyber threats than they realize, not only from data breaches, but also from business interruption and extended downtime that many leaders never quantify until after an incident happens.

They describe how the CARE-Report’s CYBERISKIQ offering gives owners and CFOs a quantitative look at their exposure, translating cyber scenarios into dollars and days. Instead of selling IT services, the CARE-Report sits between cybersecurity and cyber insurance, running thousands of simulated scenarios, analyzing policies for exclusions and gaps, and helping clients right-size coverage based on real risk rather than guesswork.

Ralph and Craig also share why traditional “assessments” often stop at a technical checklist and how their work complements MSPs, attorneys, and insurance brokers by giving everyone a financial risk model they can work from together. They offer examples of companies that believed they were protected because they carried a certain cyber limit to satisfy contracts, only to discover that a serious incident could quickly exceed that limit once business interruption and remediation costs were added.

This conversation serves as a practical guide for any owner, CFO, or advisor seeking to safeguard revenue and enhance cyber coverage prior to an attack.

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

  • Why small and mid-sized businesses often underestimate cyber risk when they focus on compliance instead of financial impact
  • How the CARE-Report’s CYBERISKIQ models thousands of cyber scenarios to put a dollar value on potential losses and downtime
  • The difference between a technical cybersecurity assessment and quantitative cyber risk analysis
  • How the CARE-Report works alongside MSPs, attorneys, and insurance brokers to align cybersecurity, contracts, and cyber insurance
  • Common policy gaps and exclusions that can leave companies exposed after a breach, especially around business interruption and recovery costs

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:28 Guest Introduction: Ralph Pasquariello and Craig Sekowski
01:54 The CARE-Report: Cyber Risk and Coverage
02:31 Cyber Risk IQ: New Product Launch
02:53 Understanding Cyber Risk Assessments
05:41 The Importance of Cyber Insurance
08:14 Challenges in Cyber Insurance Policies
11:15 Ensuring Proper Coverage
14:58 Real-World Examples and Solutions
17:31 Cyber Insurance Coverage Gaps
18:04 Evolving Cyber Threat Landscape
18:38 Impact of Cyber Attacks on Businesses
21:37 Cyber Risk Assessment Process
27:50 Success Stories in Cyber Risk Management
29:58 Conclusion and Contact Information
30:37 Additional Resources and Closing Remarks

Craig Sekowski, Managing Partner, The CARE-Report

Craig Sekowski is a seasoned executive with almost 30 years’ experience in IT and FinTech.

Craig’s strategic collaboration with corporate CIOs drives innovation, product delivery, and key partnerships with companies like Enlace Health, Fiserv, Truist, Ethos Labs, TIAA, Home Depot, AT&T, Carrier, and British Telecom.

Craig’s results-driven approach makes him a respected leader in IT innovation and strategy.

LinkedIn

Ralph Pasquariello, Managing Partner, The CARE-Report

For the past 16 years, Ralph Pasquariello has been moderating and speaking at dozens of conferences and panels on cyber liability & data breach risk management. He has hosted educational seminars on cyber exposure for professional associations of all industries, including operational technology and intellectual technology. Ralph’s cyber liability expertise has qualified him to present at over 100 events.

Ralph works with the FBI, GBI, and US Secret Service on the Atlanta Cyber Fraud Task Force. He is the former Executive Committee Chairman for the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Tech400 Board and Cyber Symposium and an advisor to the Georgia Tech Research Institute.

LinkedIn

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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 $26 billion in assets and more than 280 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which helps them better understand the people. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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 is located at 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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

Eric Brown on AskOtto.ai and AI That Waits on Hold

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Eric Brown on AskOtto.ai and AI That Waits on Hold, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Eric Brown on AskOtto.ai and AI That Waits on Hold
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Eric Brown on AskOtto.ai and AI That Waits on Hold, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Eric Brown on AskOtto.ai and AI That Waits on Hold (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 914)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Eric Brown, CEO of InSearchX and creator of AskOtto.ai, a digital concierge that changes how people and companies connect by phone. Instead of replacing humans with bots, AskOtto.ai uses AI to remove the layers of friction that keep people from actually talking to each other.

Drawing on his background in marketing, advertising, and behavioral analytics, Eric explains how he first saw the problem in clickstream data: abandoned forms, missed follow-up, and prospects who never made it past a phone tree. Today, AskOtto.ai quietly does what a great assistant would do. It navigates IVR menus, waits on hold with companies like banks, auto dealers, Amazon, or even the IRS, and only rings the customer when a live person is ready to talk.

Eric and John talk through real-world use cases in automotive retail and beyond, why texting and chat are often just workarounds for broken phone experiences, and what happens when software talks to software so humans can talk to humans. Eric also shares his view of where phones are headed, why phone numbers themselves may become obsolete, and how a simple, human conversation is still where trust and business get built.

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

  • How AskOtto.ai works as a digital concierge that calls businesses for you, waits on hold, and connects you only when a live person is ready
  • Why Eric believes AI should remove friction between humans instead of pretending to be human itself
  • What years of behavioral data taught him about abandoned forms, poor follow up, and “leaky” sales funnels
  • How automotive dealers and other businesses use AskOtto.ai to turn more inquiries into real conversations without burning staff time on outbound calls
  • Why Eric thinks the future of phones is assistant-to-assistant communication, with humans stepping in only for the conversations that matter

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:33 Meet Eric Brown, CEO of InSearchX
01:53 Understanding AskOtto.ai
02:09 How AskOtto.ai Removes Friction
05:14 Eric Brown’s Background and Career Journey
07:08 The Future of AI in Communication
08:42 Real-World Applications and Benefits
11:44 Consumer and Business Use Cases
16:04 Inverted Customer Experience
16:11 Streamlining Insurance Renewals
16:59 Reducing Employee Hold Time Costs
17:52 Complexity in Company Bureaucracy
19:03 AI and the Future of Customer Service
20:10 Revolutionizing Phone Systems with AI
25:02 Success Stories and Real-World Applications
28:13 Conclusion and Contact Information
29:13 Final Announcements and Acknowledgements

Eric Brown, CEO, InSearchX

Eric Brown is the CEO and co-founder of InSearchX, a pioneering company in AI-driven automotive search and behavioral analytics. With a strong background in technology and data, he has built a reputation for driving innovation in the automotive industry through the development of the AskOtto platform. This platform leverages artificial intelligence and large language models to streamline vehicle search and provide personalized service notifications to millions of users. Brown’s leadership at InSearchX has positioned the company as a key player in automotive data solutions, serving prominent publishers, point-of-sale systems, and a broad client base across automotive sales, insurance, and service sectors.

Before founding InSearchX, Brown successfully led Dataium, a behavioral analytics company focused on automotive consumer insights, which was acquired by IHS/Markit (now part of S&P Global). Throughout his career, he has garnered recognition for his ability to establish and expand high-impact technology companies, particularly in the fields of adtech, AI, and data analytics. His innovative work has earned him accolades such as Nashville’s Innovator of the Year, underscoring his influence and commitment to advancing technology-driven solutions that enhance consumer experiences and business intelligence in the automotive market.

LinkedIn

InSearchX

InSearchX is a technology company specializing in artificial intelligence-driven automotive search and marketing solutions. The company’s core innovation is AskOtto, a generative AI-powered platform that connects consumers with automotive marketers through an intuitive, frictionless interface. AskOtto allows users to engage with AI to explore vehicle options, service information, insurance, financing, safety recalls, and repair services—all without needing to navigate traditional search engines or call centers. This AI-driven approach reduces the cost of customer acquisition and marketing while dramatically increasing consumer engagement and conversion rates. Major publishers license the platform to support a perpetual search experience, and it integrates into point-of-sale systems, reaching over 150 million consumers monthly.

InSearchX revolutionizes how automotive companies interact with buyers and owners by removing typical barriers like hold times, complicated phone menus, and fragmented digital experiences. The company’s solution enables real-time, personalized outreach and seamless communication between consumers and dealers or service providers, driving higher sales conversion and improved customer satisfaction. Founded in 2019 and based in Nashville, Tennessee, InSearchX leverages extensive behavioral analytics and AI expertise to help automotive businesses lower marketing costs and grow revenue with innovative technology tailored to the automotive ecosystem.

Website | LinkedIn | AskOtto.ai (for consumers) | AskOtto.biz (for business)

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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 $26 billion in assets and more than 280 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which helps them better understand the people. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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 is located at 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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

GSU Student Journalist Zahra Pacheco Interviews John Ray

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GSU Student Journalist Zahra Pacheco Interviews John Ray, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
GSU Student Journalist Zahra Pacheco Interviews John Ray
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GSU Student Journalist Zahra Pacheco Interviews John Ray, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

GSU Student Journalist Zahra Pacheco Interviews John Ray (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 913)

In this special episode of North Fulton Business Radio, the roles flip. Zahra Pacheco, a journalism student at Georgia State University and a team member of WRAS Album 88, the GSU radio station, transforms a class assignment into a live podcast interview with host John Ray.

Zahra talks about her path into journalism, her show Play It Again, and what she hopes to bring to the future of news and storytelling. She also reflects on growing up in the North Fulton business community as the daughter of Gloria Mattei and Sergio Pacheco, co-owners of Nothing Bundt Cakes; her “beanbag at the bakery” childhood; and what it was like to be the nervous teenager doing a 30-second pitch at an early morning chamber breakfast.

Then Zahra turns the questions on John. He shares how a corporate layoff led to his advisory practice, how North Fulton Business Radio got started, and why podcasting is less about ad revenue and more about relationships, community, and giving others a platform to tell their story.

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

  • How Zahra is using GSU, Album 88, and her show Play It Again to build real-world journalism experience
  • What she learned growing up inside the North Fulton business community through Nothing Bundt Cakes and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce
  • How John’s layoff and career pivot led to both an advisory practice and the launch of North Fulton Business Radio
  • Why podcasting works best as a relationship and community builder instead of a quick play for ad revenue
  • How shows like North Fulton Business Radio gives business owners a platform to tell their story

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:37 Meet Zahra Pacheco
02:18 Zahra’s Background and Interests
03:56 The Journey into Journalism
07:57 John Ray’s Podcasting Journey
10:13 Career Transitions and Business Insights
11:15 Community Connections and Personal Stories
23:45 Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Podcasters
24:01 The Reality of Podcast Monetization
25:51 Building Relationships Through Podcasting
26:52 Favorite Podcast Episodes
32:02 Zahra’s Talk Show and Career Aspirations
38:58 Reflections on Family and Business
43:54 Closing Remarks and Promotions

Zahra Pacheco

Zahra Pacheco
Zahra Pacheco

Zahra Pacheco is a junior journalism major at Georgia State University and a member of WRAS Album 88, the GSU radio station. She serves as assistant promotions director and hosts Play It Again, a live talk show where she and her co-host create a new “mixtape” each week and often interview guests. Raised in the North Fulton business community as the daughter of Nothing Bundt Cakes co-owners Gloria Mattei and Sergio Pacheco, Zahra is blending her love of storytelling, radio, and dance as she builds a career in promotions and creative media work after graduation.

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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 $26 billion in assets and more than 280 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices throughout the region. All of Renasant’s success stems from the commitment of each banker to invest in the communities they serve, which helps them better understand the people. At Renasant Bank, their banking professionals understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

Kriston Sellier, id8, on Branding That Customers Remember

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Kriston Sellier, id8, on Branding That Customers Remember, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray
North Fulton Business Radio
Kriston Sellier, id8, on Branding That Customers Remember
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Kriston Sellier, id8, on Branding That Customers Remember, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

Kriston Sellier, id8, on Branding That Customers Remember (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 912)

On this edition of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Kriston Sellier, Founder and President of id8. Kriston discusses how real differentiation, rather than generic claims like quality and caring, builds enduring brands. She walks through id8’s discovery process, where small but true details become the hook that customers remember, such as a packaging story that began with an overlooked import detail and turned into a premium signal buyers could trust. She also explains why many founders struggle to see their own “orange umbrella” and how an outside team helps surface it.

Kriston lays out practical shifts leaders can make right now: deepen impact before you chase scale, retain customers longer with promises that matter, and commit to consistent messaging long enough to change minds. She tells revenue and retention stories that show what happens when a brand gets clarified, activated, and consistently expressed across touchpoints, from the website to the side of a truck. This conversation serves as a valuable guide for owners seeking a brand that generates sales without their presence.

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

  • Differentiation lives in specific, true details customers can picture, not vague claims like “innovative” or “quality.”
  • Consistency wins: it can take 18 months of steady messaging to change how a market thinks, then another 18 months to see behavior shift.
  • Prioritize deepening impact: enhance customer lifetime value through meaningful promises and utilize the brand to retain, not just acquire.
  • Rebrands pay off when they’re activated everywhere, especially where buyers actually see you, from vehicles to proposals to the site.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:33 Guest Introduction: Kriston Sellier, id8
02:33 Kriston’s Journey and Passion for Branding
04:20 Branding Success Stories
09:14 Deepening Impact Over Scaling Up
14:55 Overcoming Hidden Barriers to Growth
21:35 Introduction to Idea Eight
21:53 Identifying Symptoms of Brand Issues
23:35 Challenges in Mergers and Acquisitions
25:34 Kriston’s Passion for Manufacturing
27:45 The Sales Process at Idea Eight
29:36 Kriston’s Journey in Sales
32:51 Reflective Apparel Success Story
36:11 Contact Information and Closing Remarks
37:02 Final Thanks

Kriston Sellier, Founder & President, id8

Kriston Sellier, Founder & President, id8
Kriston Sellier, Founder & President, id8

Kriston Sellier is the Founder and President of id8, an award-winning branding agency headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. She launched the firm in 2000 after building her design and strategy expertise at IBM, where she gained experience in brand development and e-business innovation with clients including The New York Times, Kodak, and the U.S.V.I. Department of Tourism.

Her philosophy centers on uncovering the heart of a brand through research, collaboration, and strategy. Kriston leads id8 with the goal of helping businesses grow their brand value by identifying what truly differentiates them in the market. She emphasizes creativity built on data and design thinking, cultivating a culture at id8 that encourages curiosity, innovation, and authenticity in client relationships.

Over the past two decades, Kriston has guided id8 to become one of the top creative agencies in the Southeast, earning multiple national design awards and recognition from the Cobb Chamber as one of the Top 25 Small Businesses of the Year. She has partnered with companies across industries—from manufacturing to retail—helping them clarify messaging, strengthen identity, and build revenue-generating brand platforms.

A graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Graphic Design, Kriston also completed masters work at University of Cincinnati, entrepreneurship training at Dartmouth College through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and Babson College through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. She remains active in the Georgia business community, mentoring young designers and speaking on topics such as branding, leadership, and business growth through authenticity.

LinkedIn

id8

id8 is an award-winning branding and marketing agency based in Marietta, Georgia, specializing in helping small and mid-sized businesses unlock growth through research-driven creative solutions. The team goes beyond just making things look good; they dig into market research and strategic insights before launching any brand transformation or marketing effort. This means every logo, website refresh, or marketing campaign is built to solve real business challenges and deliver measurable results.

What really sets id8 apart from competitors is the hands-on approach of senior leadership, nimbleness, and the agency’s commitment to proactive communication. Clients work directly with an experienced strategist (not just a junior team), enjoy flexibility for changing needs, and always know where their project stands. The agency’s reputation for blending corporate branding, marketing, package and digital design with straightforward, client-focused partnership makes them a go-to for VPs of Marketing, Sales, and CEOs who want a partner that gets business, not just branding.

id8’s work has made an impact for the Georgia Department of Labor, the City of Marietta/Visit Marietta, Atlanta North School, the City of Atlanta Jazz Festival, Kistler, and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Notable accomplishments include rebranding Marietta Square and Atlanta North School, winning multiple Davey Awards and GDUSA recognitions, and earning distinction as a Cobb Chamber Top 25 Small Business of the Year.

At id8, building brands isn’t about trendy templates or chasing awards; it’s about helping organizations stand apart, communicate clearly, and create lasting value in the communities they serve.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Renasant Bank supports North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant BankRenasant 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.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

2026 Health Insurance Reality Check, with Bill Neglia

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2026 Health Insurance Reality Check, with Bill Neglia, on North Fulton Business Radio with host 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, on North Fulton Business Radio with host John Ray

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

Bill Neglia, Neglia Insurance Group
Bill Neglia, 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.

LinkedIn

Neglia Insurance Group

Neglia Insurance GroupBill 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 BankRenasant 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.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube

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, The Generosity MindsetJohn 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.

Our Mission

We help local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession.

We support and celebrate business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignores. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

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