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Amber Lawson, Aspire Construction & Design, Ken Madren, PermaTherm, and Sandford Birdsey, Birdsey Group

November 12, 2021 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio
North Fulton Studio
Amber Lawson, Aspire Construction & Design, Ken Madren, PermaTherm, and Sandford Birdsey, Birdsey Group
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Amber Lawson, Aspire Construction & Design, Ken Madren, PermaTherm, and Sandford Birdsey, Birdsey Group (ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, Episode 27)

Discussing themes like a growth mindset, listening, quality, and urgency, these three ProfitSense guests highlighted key pieces of their firm’s success in conversations with host Bill McDermott. Amber Lawson, Principal at Aspire Construction & Design, shared her passion for providing one-stop services for her commercial real estate clients. Ken Madren, CEO of PermaTherm, shared his company’s focus on a growth mindset, keeping processes updated, and cultivating culture. Sandford Birdsey, CEO of The Birdsey Group, noted how critical it is that staff are aligned to the organization’s values, their operating principles of quality and urgency, and much more. ProfitSense with Bill McDermott is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton Studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Amber Lawson, Principal, Aspire Construction & Design

Amber Lawson, Principal, Aspire Construction & Design

Aspire Construction & Design uses a simple approach to construction. One team – builders, architects, and engineers – working together from start to finish in purposeful collaboration to deliver otherwise unachievable results.

As the principal and founder of Aspire Construction & Real Estate Consulting, Amber is here to guide clients on the road from raw land to completed construction and every step in between. She brings over 22 years of experience to bear on the services she provides for her clients.

Amber’s passion comes from a genuine desire to help others. She has helped countless investors, developers and asset managers realize clarity and focus in determining the best course of action in use, design, construction and management. By combining her extensive background in real estate development, construction, and property management, she has been able to offer clients a one-stop shop for development, design, and construction.

Company website | LinkedIn |  Facebook

Ken Madren, CEO, PermaTherm

Ken Madren, CEO, PermaTherm

PermaTherm is a manufacturing company with a deep understanding of low temperature, controlled environment constructions, and the building components required to get those types of projects done right. Above all else, PermaTherm’s deepest understanding is the value of its customers, partners, and associates. This is a connected community that PermaTherm defines as its company. At PermaTherm that boundary extends well beyond our walls. We intend to serve that community the way we would like to be served. This is our promise to all who join us in one way or another and become part of our PermaTherm community.

Ken Madren is CEO of PermaTherm. Founded in 1988, PermaTherm is primarily a manufacturer of insulated metal panel products utilized in tightly controlled environments. The company manufactures other foam insulation products and materials for the packaging industry, and the general insulation markets. Clients are served in food production, cold storage, grow rooms, agricultural storage and commercial applications.

Before joining PermaTherm in 2005, Ken spent 13 years with mergers and acquisitions firm Forsch Partners, where he served as managing partner. He is also past President of Sandy Springs Youth Sports. The nonprofit directs a multi-sport youth recreation complex in partnership with the City of Sandy Springs.

Company website | LinkedIn

Sandford Birdsey, President and CEO, Birdsey Group

Sandford Birdsey, President and CEO, Birdsey Group

Founded in 2004, Birdsey Group is a national real estate consulting firm providing commercial and residential asset management and debt advisory services, contract underwriting, field real estate research, inspection and valuation, due diligence, as well as construction management. Birdsey Group has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as the 6th fastest growing real estate company in the country.

Mr. Birdsey, President and CEO of The Birdsey Group, LLC, has over 22 years’ experience in the commercial real estate industry. Prior to establishing Birdsey Group, he was the Senior Managing Director – Capital Markets, and Managing Director – Real Estate Advisory Group for GMACCM/MortgageRamp.

He also spent five years as Director of Real Estate with Univest Financial Services, LLC, an international CRE financial services firm. Prior to joining Univest he worked as a senior commercial real estate appraiser with several firms including US Realty Associates and Everson, Huber and Driggers, LLC.

Company website | LinkedIn

About ProfitSense and Your Host, Bill McDermott

Bill McDermott
Bill McDermott

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott dives into the stories behind some of Atlanta’s successful businesses and business owners and the professionals that advise them. This show helps local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community and their profession. The show is presented by McDermott Financial Solutions. McDermott Financial helps business owners improve cash flow and profitability, find financing, break through barriers to expansion and financially prepare to exit their business. The show archive can be found at profitsenseradio.com.

Bill McDermott is the Founder and CEO of McDermott Financial Solutions. When business owners want to increase their profitability, they don’t have the expertise to know where to start or what to do. Bill leverages his knowledge and relationships from 32 years as a banker to identify the hurdles getting in the way and create a plan to deliver profitability they never thought possible.

Bill currently serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Executive Forum and has held previous positions as a board member for the Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship Center and Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and Treasurer for CEO NetWeavers. Bill is a graduate of Wake Forest University and he and his wife, Martha have called Atlanta home for over 40 years. Outside of work, Bill enjoys golf, traveling, and gardening.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn and Twitter and follow McDermott Financial Solutions on LinkedIn.

Tagged With: Amber Lawson, Aspire Construction, Bill McDermott, Birdsey Group, commercial construction, Ken Madren, PermaTherm, Profitability Coach Bill McDermott, real estate, Sandford Birdsey

The Value of Delegation, with Bill McDermott, Host of ProfitSense

October 15, 2021 by John Ray

Value of Delegation
North Fulton Studio
The Value of Delegation, with Bill McDermott, Host of ProfitSense
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Value of Delegation

The Value of Delegation, with Bill McDermott, Host of ProfitSense 

Only 1% of businesses pass the $10 million mark. As Profitability Coach Bill McDermott explains, the number one reason for this striking statistic is lack of delegation. On a recent episode of ProfitSense, Bill discussed the value of delegation, not just for the business, but for employees, company culture, and the owner’s plans to exit. ProfitSense with Bill McDermott is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton Studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Bill’s commentary was taken from this episode of ProfitSense.

About ProfitSense and Your Host, Bill McDermott

Bill McDermott
Bill McDermott

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott dives into the stories behind some of Atlanta’s successful businesses and business owners and the professionals that advise them. This show helps local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community and their profession. The show is presented by McDermott Financial Solutions. McDermott Financial helps business owners improve cash flow and profitability, find financing, break through barriers to expansion and financially prepare to exit their business. The show archive can be found at profitsenseradio.com.

Bill McDermott is the Founder and CEO of McDermott Financial Solutions. When business owners want to increase their profitability, they don’t have the expertise to know where to start or what to do. Bill leverages his knowledge and relationships from 32 years as a banker to identify the hurdles getting in the way and create a plan to deliver profitability they never thought possible.

Bill currently serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Executive Forum and has held previous positions as a board member for the Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship Center and Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and Treasurer for CEO NetWeavers. Bill is a graduate of Wake Forest University and he and his wife, Martha have called Atlanta home for over 40 years. Outside of work, Bill enjoys golf, traveling, and gardening.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn and Twitter and follow McDermott Financial Solutions on LinkedIn.

Tagged With: Bill McDermott, business transition, company culture, Delegation, employees, exit planning, McDermott Financial Solutions, Profitability Coach Bill McDermott, ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, The Profitability Coach

Katie Sparks, Law Office of Katherine Sparks, Jim Cichanski, Flex HR and Shawn Vernimo, Arcus Roof, Inc.

August 12, 2021 by John Ray

Katie Sparks
North Fulton Studio
Katie Sparks, Law Office of Katherine Sparks, Jim Cichanski, Flex HR and Shawn Vernimo, Arcus Roof, Inc.
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Katie Sparks

Katie Sparks, Law Office of Katherine Sparks, Jim Cichanski, Flex HR and Shawn Vernimo, Arcus Roof, Inc. (ProfitSense with Bill McDermott, Episode 24)

It’s only when you’re a business owner yourself that you fully understand the challenges other entrepreneurs face. Business attorney Katie Sparks, human resources consultant Jim Cichanski, and roofing company owner Shawn Vernimo talk with host Bill McDermott about their own entrepreneurial journeys, what it took to start their own businesses, and how that experience aids them in rendering outstanding service to their clients. ProfitSense with Bill McDermott is produced and broadcast by the North Fulton Studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Katie Sparks, Principal, Law Office of Katherine Sparks, LLC

Katie Sparks
Katie Sparks, Principal, Law Office of Katherine Sparks, LLC
The Law Office of Katherine Sparks, LLC is a law firm that provides comprehensive legal advice for small and medium-sized businesses. From formation to expansion to eventual sale, legal needs are an ever-present reality. The firm aspires to be an integral part of each client’s team, supporting and championing the business on the legal front.
Katie Sparks is a business law attorney who works closely with her clients to help them deal with legal risk so they can focus on running their business. Katie is a graduate of the University of Georgia and the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and reading.

LinkedIn | Email

Jim Cichanski, Founder & CHRO, Flex HR

Jim Cichanski, Founder & Chief HR Officer, Flex HR

Flex HR is an HR Consulting firm, including HR Outsourcing and Recruiting.

Jim is the founder of Flex HR which is in its 21st year of business. Jim’s experience includes operational HR management knowledge globally in 32 countries and has merged or transitioned well over 350 organizations. He is known as a “Subject Matter Expert” in the field of HR. Last year with the COVID Pandemic Jim provided over 50 seminars reaching over 7,000 Owners and operators of small and mid-size businesses.

Jim also spent 27 years in the Army National Guard achieving the rank of Colonel, was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, and received numerous awards including the Legion of Merit. Jim has served on several boards, was an inside board member of 17 companies, and is an angel investor in start-up firms in Atlanta. Jim was recognized by the North Fulton Atlanta Chamber of Commerce as the Small Businessperson of the year and was also listed in Catalyst Magazine as 1 of 18 Companies, CEO’s in Atlanta would like to own. Outsourcing Gazette magazine listed Flex HR as the “Top Most Promising HR & Staffing Service Vendors of 2015”. Inc. Magazine in September 2008, 2012 and 2013 recognized Flex HR, Inc. as an Inc 5000 “Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in America”.

Jim is married to his wife Eldeen for 48 years and they have two daughters and 5 grandchildren.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter

Shawn Vernimo, CEO, Arcus Roof, Inc.

Shawn Vernimo, CEO, Arco Roof, Inc.

Arcus Roof is a commercial roofing contractor in Marietta, GA. Arcus serves the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.

Shawn is an expert in solving roofing problems and applying an investment approach to all roofing portfolios. As a trained engineer with a passion for roofing, he has been able to serve and educate clients; including three of the top five property management firms and the largest pension fund in the United States. Additionally, he has consulted on numerous multimillion-dollar projects including a $6.6 million roofing project in Dallas, Texas and a $4 million project in St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout his 30+ years of roof consulting and contracting, he has saved business owners and property managers alike hundreds of thousands of dollars by providing clients with his roofing expertise, insight into industry realities, and investment approach solutions.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook

About ProfitSense and Your Host, Bill McDermott

Bill McDermott
Bill McDermott

ProfitSense with Bill McDermott dives into the stories behind some of Atlanta’s successful businesses and business owners and the professionals that advise them. This show helps local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community and their profession. The show is presented by McDermott Financial Solutions. McDermott Financial helps business owners improve cash flow and profitability, find financing, break through barriers to expansion and financially prepare to exit their business. The show archive can be found at profitsenseradio.com.

Bill McDermott is the Founder and CEO of McDermott Financial Solutions. When business owners want to increase their profitability, they don’t have the expertise to know where to start or what to do. Bill leverages his knowledge and relationships from 32 years as a banker to identify the hurdles getting in the way and create a plan to deliver profitability they never thought possible.

Bill currently serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Executive Forum and has held previous positions as a board member for the Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship Center and Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and Treasurer for CEO NetWeavers. Bill is a graduate of Wake Forest University and he and his wife, Martha have called Atlanta home for over 40 years. Outside of work, Bill enjoys golf, traveling, and gardening.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn and Twitter and follow McDermott Financial Solutions on LinkedIn.

Tagged With: Arcus Roof, Bill McDermott, business attorney, Female Business Attorney, Flex HR, HR consulting, Jim Chicanski, Katie Sparks, Law Offices of Katherine Sparks, Profitability Coach Bill McDermott, ProfitSense, roofing company, Shawn Vernimo

Should I Do What I Want to Do?, with Profitability Coach Bill McDermott

August 5, 2021 by John Ray

BillMcDermott07142021
North Fulton Studio
Should I Do What I Want to Do?, with Profitability Coach Bill McDermott
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BillMcDermott07142021

Should I Do What I Want to Do?, with Profitability Coach Bill McDermott

John Ray: [00:00:00] And hello again, everyone. This is John Ray with Business RadioX. And I’m here with Bill McDermott. Bill is the profitability coach and he’s also the host of ProfitSense here on Business RadioX. Bill, my question for you is, should I do what I want to do?

Bill McDermott: [00:00:17] So, that’s a provocative question, John. And I will say yes, but also maybe no, or maybe the better answer is it depends. What I’ve been asked recently is, Should I hire this person? Should I buy this piece of equipment? I can’t find a building, should I build one? And I’m renting, should I go ahead and buy a building?

Bill McDermott: [00:00:47] And so, what I catch sometimes is, these business owners are asking these questions because they’re afraid to incur cost. How much is this going to cost me? And so, part of that is really just a mindset issue. And so, I answer the question, is it a cost or is it an investment? And what I mean by that is, if I’m hiring a person, certainly I’m paying them a salary. But I should reasonably expect a rate of return on that person, because, otherwise, they’re just overhead. The same thing with the building. If I’m building a building or buying a building, that building is going to increase the efficiency or the capacity in my business that would create more revenue in excess of the cost of the building. And, of course, the same thing with the piece of the equipment.

Bill McDermott: [00:01:37] So, a lot of my conversations with my business owners about should I do what I want to do, is, it depends. You are spending money, but it’s not just a cost, it’s an investment in your business. You should expect a return over a certain time horizon. And even further, it’s an investment in your future.

Bill McDermott, Founder and CEO, McDermott Financial Solutions

Bill McDermott is the Founder and CEO of McDermott Financial Solutions. When business owners want to increase their profitability, they don’t have the expertise to know where to start or what to do. Bill leverages his knowledge and relationships from 32 years as a banker to identify the hurdles getting in the way and create a plan to deliver profitability they never thought possible.

Bill currently serves as Treasurer for the Atlanta Executive Forum and has held previous positions as a board member for the Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship Center and Gwinnett Habitat for Humanity and Treasurer for CEO NetWeavers. Bill is a graduate of Wake Forest University and he and his wife, Martha have called Atlanta home for over 40 years. Outside of work, Bill enjoys golf, traveling, and gardening.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn and Twitter and follow McDermott Financial Solutions on LinkedIn.

Listen to all of the ProfitSense interviews here.


The “One Minute Interview” series is produced by John Ray and in the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Tagged With: Profitability Coach Bill McDermott

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