Simply Buckhead Magazine Archives

Debra Johnston with Berkshire Hathaway Luxury Collection and Ted Jenkin with oXYGen Financial

April 14, 2015 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Debra Johnston with Berkshire Hathaway Luxury Collection and Ted Jenkin with oXYGen Financial

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Debra Johnston / Berkshire Hathaway Luxury Collection. Residential Real Estate

Luxury Collection Specialist

After a successful career as a top corporate executive, Debra Johnston entered the real estate industry with 25 years of sales & marketing experience. It paid o. In 2011 she brokered the second largest sale in Atlanta, putting her in the top 5% of real estate agents in the city. Then in 2014, she represented the buyer in the second largest sale in Atlanta. A fixture on Atlanta Board of Realtors’ prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club, Debra’s $30M listing portfolio currently features Buckhead’s most distinguished properties.

With a love of modern architecture and a passion for design, real estate comes naturally to Debra Johnston. “I specialize in superb marketing to best represent each client’s property,” says the 22-year Buckhead resident. “Whether a listing is worth one or $25 million, I pay attention to every detail and come up with a bespoke campaign. I pull out all the stops — aerial photography, video, floor plans, e-mail marketing, wide internet exposure and timely one-on-one consultations.” The proof is in Debra’s extensive clientele of elite buyers and sellers and her working relationship with Hollywood and Atlanta’s film industry. Known for her lively “Residence of the Month” open houses, Debra’s creative marketing/buying plan, implemented by Berkshire Hathaway Luxury Collection’s international marketing team, guarantees top exposure for all consumers and real estate brokers.

So, if you’re in the market for a new home today or just making plans for tomorrow, get the best — Debra Johnston.

Achievements & Certifications

• Current portfolio valued over $30M

• Second-highest Residential Sale 2011 & 2014

• ABR Multi-Million Dollar Sales Club 2005, 2007-2014

• Top Agent Magazine: Top 25 Georgia Agent 2013-2014

• Exclusive Atlanta agent – Haute Living Magazine

• Exclusive Atlanta agent – ClienteleLuxury.com

• Exclusive Atlanta agent – Chic Metropolitan Magazine

• Berkshire Hathaway Luxury Collection Specialist

• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chairman’s Circle – Platinum Level

• Atlanta Board of REALTORS®

• National Association of REALTORS®

DebraAJohnston.com | Twitter | LinkedIn

Ted Jenkin/ oXYGen Financial Inc.

Co-CEO and Founder

Ted has been a financial advisor for more than 22 years and a CFP® for over 17 years. In 2008, Ted founded oXYGen Financial to help change the financial services industry by creating a new company that focused on serving the X and Y Generation. oXYGen Financial now has more than 1,400 client households over 320 million AUM. Ted has been featured in over 30 magazines and newspapers including being a current featured columnist on the The Wall Street Journal, The Experts, CNN/Headline News, and The Huffington Post. He has been on the cover of Investment News and REP magazine, runs a top ranked financial blog www.yoursmartmoneymoves.com, and is a social media guru. He has six advanced designations from the College for Financial Planning (CFP®, CRPC®, CRPS®, AWMA®, AAMS®, CMFC®).

Ted lives in Milton, GA with his wife Genna and three kids.

oXYGenFinancial.net | Personal Finance Blog | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Zeb Stevenson with Watershed on Peachtree, Camille Kesler with Atlanta Symphony Associates

March 31, 2015 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Zeb Stevenson with Watershed on Peachtree, Camille Kesler with Atlanta Symphony Associates

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Zeb Stevenson / Watershed on Peachtree

Executive Chef

Zeb Stevenson, a former Cornell art major, has risen through the ranks to make a culinary name for himself in Atlanta. Zeb thrived as a young sous chef at the renowned Dick & Harrys restaurant where he honed his technical skills of butchery, charcuterie, pastry and sauce work. He then advanced his career taking on the position of executive sous chef and opening Spice Market while training under Jean-Georges Vongerichtens, one of the worlds best and most famous chefs. Zebs next career move led him to The Livingston as chef de cuisine collaborating with chef Gary Mennie and he was quickly promoted to executive chef. During his tenure at The Livingston, he won Food Networks Chopped cooking competition show and opened Proof + Provision speakeasy, which became an immediate success. Zeb is USDA certified in canning which adds a unique creativity to his repertoire. He comes to Watershed after successfully completing a one-year project assisting Concentrics Restaurant Group in rebranding Parish restaurant. Zeb has evolved into a forward thinking chef and his commitment to local and sustainable ingredients allows him to be at his creative best.

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | YELP

Camille Kesler / Atlanta Symphony Associates

President

Camille Kelser, president of the Atlanta Symphony Associates and chair of the Atlanta Symphony Decorators’ Show House & Gardens

decoratorsshowhouse.org | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK

Drew French with Your Pie, John Plesnarski with Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons, Dr. Tim Kelly with Buckhead Wellness Center, Trisha Cornett with Diptyque, Danielle Rollins

March 17, 2015 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Drew French with Your Pie, John Plesnarski with Eighteen Eight Fine Men's Salons, Dr. Tim Kelly with Buckhead Wellness Center, Trisha Cornett with Diptyque, Danielle Rollins

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John “Skip” Plesnarski/Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons

Franchisee Owner Operator

John Plesnarski is President and Owner of Plezco, Inc. He has recently invested in Eighteen Eight, a franchise which provides Hair Styling and Grooming Services for Men. He owns the territory rights in Atlanta which he plans on developing over the next three years.

John retired from corporate America in 2012. He is an accomplished Senior Supply Chain Leader with a wide breadth of global experience at Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB). John began his career in Finance and moved to several business Operations leadership roles. He spent the majority of his career leading a Global Supply Chain organization which supported the Safety Business Unit in the contract manufacturing, importing and distribution of personal protective equipment.

As Director of Global Supply Chain, John was responsible for vendor management in Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand and China. He also led a shared services organization which included Logistics, Customer Service, Information Systems, Sourcing and Supply and worked closely with the Sales organization to support customer expectations. John was instrumental in the successful expansion of contract manufacturing footprints to support sales growth around the world.

John has been recognized for his expertise in organizational development, strategic planning, operations, and the ability to develop successful leaders. This unique combination of experience and skill set has enabled him to achieve success across the entire organization to meet business objectives in all key areas.

www.EighteenEight.com | Twitter | Facebook

Drew French/Your Pie

Founder

Like every pizza lover, Drew French wants his own pie, his own way. Drews passion turned into an obsession while he and his wife were honeymooning in Ischia (pronounced: eesh – Key – ah), Italy. Thats where he received his first taste of authentic Italian brick-oven pizza. In 2008, Drew created Your Pie. It was the very first down-the-line, fast-casual pizza concept where customers select their own type of crust, sauce, cheese and toppings and watch the pizza bake in front of them. Today Your Pie is one of the fastest growing pizza concepts with 21 locations.

www.YourPie.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Dr. Tim Kelly/Buckhead Wellness Center

Founder/Owner

Chiropractor in Buckhead for almost 30 years, specializing in Applied-Kinesiology, nutritional wellness, gentle non-force chiropractic.

www.DrTimKelly.net | LinkedIn | YouTube

Trisha Cornett/Diptyque

Boutique Manager

Boutique Manager of Diptyque at Buckhead Atlanta. I’ve worked for Diptyque for 3 years now, in the cosmetic/fragrance industry for over 10 years. Prior to Diptyque I ran the cosmetic/fragrance department at Nordstrom in Nashville, Tennessee. I opened the very first Diptyque counter inside of a Nordstrom department store. I’ve trained with Diptyque Paris in New York several times, working at the Bleeker Street, Nolita & Madison Avenue Boutiques. I’m Nationally fragranced certified with a stellar nose! Diptyque is very dear to me & something

I stand behind as a consumer.

www.diptyque.com

Danielle Rollins

Author/Speaker

Author of bestseller, Soirée Entertaining with Style, (Rizzoli 2012), contributing editor for Veranda and writer for her own website, DanielleDRollins.com, Danielle Rollins has become one of the nations leading lifestyle experts. Designer, sought-out speaker, and mother of three, Rollins has been featured on national and local television, radio, print and websites.

www.DanielleDRollins.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Simply Buckhead celebrates Nique Week

March 3, 2015 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Simply Buckhead celebrates Nique Week

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Simply Buckhead celebrates Nique Week with an in-depth interview with Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks owner Rutherford Seydel, Atlanta Hawks TV Announcer Bob Rathbun, and “Voice of the Hawks” Steve Holman. Listen in for their great stories and highlights from Dominique’s career.

Kevin Aoki with The Aoki Group, Dr. Ray Gutierrez with Modern Emergent Care, Tony Conway with Legendary Events

February 24, 2015 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Kevin Aoki with The Aoki Group, Dr. Ray Gutierrez with Modern Emergent Care, Tony Conway with Legendary Events

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Kevin Aoki / Doraku

CEO

Kevin Aoki, founder of The Aoki Group, is a veteran of the Japanese restaurant industry.

Kevins entry into the business was at the knee of Rocky Aoki, who founded the world-famous Benihana Restaurant chain. Initially with his fathers guidance, Kevin launched several successful Asian restaurant concepts. Kevin is now picking-up where his father has left off, finding new and exciting ways to delight diners with innovative variations on Asian and holistic cuisine. Doraku, Blue Tree and Aoki are a demonstration of his expertise and success.

Kevin is continually testing limits and exciting customers with innovative restaurant design and cuisine unmatched in quality. He travels to remote regions of Indonesia and China to source the supplies for each restaurant and is involved in every aspect of each restaurants development, from creation to operation.

Kevin is a graduate of New York University and sits on numerous boards and mentoring groups.

www.dorakusushi.com | Facebook | Instagram

Tony Conway / Legendary Events

Founder & CEO

Tony Conway formed Legendary Events in 1997, after 20 years in the hotel industry with Stouffer, Marriott and Ritz-Carlton. The organization has since grown into an award-winning full-service Special Events Company including catering, floral, and design. In 2013 he launched The Estate, Atlanta’s newest luxury event space, located at 3109 Piedmont Road in the heart of Buckhead.

In its 18 years of business Legendary Events has made contributions in excess of $10 million dollars to non-profit organizations and Tony has served on the boards of The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Alliance Theatre, Leadership Atlanta, Murphy-Harpst Childrens Center, The Atlanta Community Food Bank, Senior Citizens Services, Central Atlanta Progress, UNICEF and many others.

Tony also awarded The Special Event – Lifetime Achievement Award for his indelible imprint on the industry, and hes been honored with a coveted 11Alive Community Service Award. In addition to his service to the local community Conway served as an Honoree Patron Chair for The Ronald McDonald House Gala and Chair for the American Cancer Societys Cattle Barons Ball, and UNICEFs Designs of Hope.

Recently crowned King of The Starfish Ball for 2015 which benefits the NSORO Foundation, Tony continues to donate his time to worthy causes and share his extensive knowledge of entertaining throughout the country and around the world.

Dr. Ray Gutierrez / Modern Emergent Care

Atlanta’s Concierge ER

Jon Vandegrift with Shake Shack, Reina Bermudez with Spa Sydell, Lee Killian with Jambanz, Steph Dietz with Cyc Fitness

January 27, 2015 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Jon Vandegrift with Shake Shack, Reina Bermudez with Spa Sydell, Lee Killian with Jambanz, Steph Dietz with Cyc Fitness

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Jon Vandegrift/Shake Shack

Senior Director of Operations

Jon Vandegrift is a graduate of Cornell University’s Hospitality school, and has been working in various roles with the Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack organization for 12

years. He has seen Shake Shack grow from one location in Madison Square Park to the 60+ locations worldwide today.

www.ShakeShack.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Reina Bermudez/Spa Sydell

CEO

www.SpaSydell.com

Lee Killian/Jambanz

Founder

Lee Killian, Owner and founder of Jambanz™, comes from an accomplished career in Radio advertising and is no stranger to hard work, dedication, accomplishment and growing a brand.

After 24 years in radio Killian, who always dreamed of being an Entrepreneur, decided to step away from the radio world after finding a need for his music loving young daughter. He wanted her to be able to listen to her favorite music while still playing with friends, all without the wires, without headphones. He quickly realized there was no Bluetooth on the market for a kids lifestyle. His marketing background (and fatherly love) kicked into overdrive where he has since built a team of partners and experts in design, manufacturing and production. Killian now looks forward to growing Jambanz™ as the worlds first Bluetooth slap-band wearable speaker company.

www.JamBanz.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Steph Dietz/Cyc Fitness

Assistant Studio Director & Lead Cycologist

Steph lives and breathes health and fitness, whether she’s out for a run around campus, studying Anatomy and Physiology, or whipping up a nutritious snack. Her motivating personality and energetic style will have you hooked from your first pedal stroke at Cyc! Steph welcomes all fitness levels and guarantees to take you on a challenging and fun ride choreographed to a dynamic playlist.

www.CycFitness.com| Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

John Meadow and David Abes with LDV Hospitality, Robert Lowe with Mandarin Oriental, Sarah Kathryn Smith with One on One Matchmaking

January 20, 2015 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

John Meadow and David Abes with LDV Hospitality, Robert Lowe with Mandarin Oriental, Sarah Kathryn Smith with One on One Matchmaking

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John Meadow/LDV Hospitality

Founder

John is the founder of LDV Hospitality, which includes Corso Coffee, now open in Buckhead Atlanta, plus two additional restaurants opening this Spring. Focused on concept business development, John drives the creative process for the company, envisioning restaurants and bringing them to life.

www.LDVHospitality.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

David Abes/LDV Hospitality

Regional Director of Operations

Regional Director of operations for LDV Hospitality in Atlanta. Corso, American Cut and an Italian restaurant. Previous director of operations for 14 years for here to serve restaurants.

www.LDVHospitality.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (David)

Robert Lowe/Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta

General Manager

Robert Lowe is General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta. He is responsible for the executive management and operations for the 127-room hotel situated in the prestigious Buckhead

neighborhood, which opened on May 1, 2012.

Mr. Lowe is a veteran hotelier with over 25 years of hospitality industry experience including 13 years with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. He joined Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco in

1999 as Director of Sales and Marketing and later moved into Operations as Resident Manager in 2005. In 2007, he moved to Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC in the capacity of Resident

Manager. Since 2010, Robert has held the position of Hotel Manager at Mandarin Oriental, New York. Prior to joining Mandarin Oriental, Mr. Lowe held various management positions with

Hyatt Hotels.

A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mr. Lowe is bilingual in English and Spanish. He studied Hotel and Restaurant Management in the U.K. and holds a Bachelors Degree from Slough

Polytechnic in Berks, England.

www.MandarinOriental.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Sarah Kathryn Smith/One on One Matchmaking

Founder

Sarah Kathryn Smith, a 16 year veteran of the dating industry, is one of the most respected names in matchmaking. Sarah Kathryn has been profiled as an authority on relationships and

singles issues by The Wall Street Journal, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, and many others. And, her expertise has led to more than 200 marriages and serious

relationships. A stickler for excellence member service, Sarah Kathryn is personally involved with every One on One Matchmaking client.

www.1on1Matchmaking.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Ashley Biondich and Julia Peters with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications, Linda Silber with Woo Skincare and Cosmetics, Lynn Lilly with Craft Box Girls, Cassandra Connors with Bella Bag

January 13, 2015 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

Ashley Biondich and Julia Peters with Phase 3 Marketing and Communications, Linda Silber with Woo Skincare and Cosmetics, Lynn Lilly with Craft Box Girls, Cassandra Connors with Bella Bag

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Linda Silber/Woo Skincare and Cosmetics

Founder

www.WooSkincareAndCosmetics.com

Ashley Biondich/Phase 3 Marketing and Communications

Public Relations Manager

Ashley Biondich, public relations manager at Phase 3 Marketing and Communications, is driven to deliver value to the agency and its clients. With three years years of agency experience, she has a diverse background working with B2C and B2B clients across a variety of industries.

As an active member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Georgia chapter, Ashley serves as the co-chair for the Young Professionals Special Interest Group and is a member of the organization’s membership committee.

Ashley is a skilled communicator with a strong knowledge of public relations and marketing, including branding, content marketing, media relations, social media, strategic planning and writing. She is effective at organization and time management, consistently delivering high-quality work with attention to detail. She is adept at prioritizing responsibilities to ensure that all expected deadlines are met.

Additionally, Ashley excels in group environments, bringing energy and a positive attitude to team situations. As a young professional, she eagerly seeks new opportunities that will contribute to her professional growth.

Julia Peters/Phase 3 Marketing and Communications

Public Relations Manager

Lynn Lilly/Craft Box Girls

Founder

Everyone that meets Lynn Lilly instantly knows she is full of life and packs the ambition of a pint-sized powerhouse. Lynn has been making, creating and designing since youth. This combined with her talents in marketing, events and social media inspired her to co-found Craft Box Girls. Lynn and her co-founder Courtney Covault launched Craft Box Girls in February 2014 and have not looked back!

www.CraftBoxGirls.com | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Cassandra Connors/Bella Bag

Founder and CEO

As the Founder and CEO, Cassandra Connors began Bella Bag as an EBay-based business out of her bedroom when she was in her early twenties. Today, she has successfully grown the operations into a multi-million dollar business with the largest privately held collection of authentic luxury handbags and accessories in the United States. Under Connors guidance, Bella Bag has doubled revenues every year since 2010 and has grown an exceptional base of loyal customers and brand ambassadors internationally. In 2012, Connors launched Bella Bag retail with a pilot store in Atlantas Miami Circle. The store, without marketing or advertising, sold nearly $1 million in authentic luxury in year one alone. This year, Bella Bag’s Atlanta flagship opened in the brand new Buckhead Atlanta shopping complex alongside some of the world’s most prestigious retail brands. Cassandra was nicknamed the Purse Purist by MSN.com and has been listed on the Power 30 under 30. She attended NYU and currently resides in Atlanta with her family.

www.BellaBag.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

LeeAnn Maxwell with Vixen Vodka and Christian Ross with Village Realty

January 6, 2015 by angishields

Simply Buckhead Radio

LeeAnn Maxwell with Vixen Vodka and Christian Ross with Village Realty

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LeeAnn Maxwell/Vixen Vodka

CEO

Vixen Vodka was conceived after a girls’ trip to St. Simons Island in Georgia. It was an idea that came to fruition after a few slightly dirty martinis and several sun-soaked hours lying by the pool. An idea that took root and took hold of friends who wanted to make a difference in their lives; it was their why not moment. After all, women like to hang out, chill out and drink vodka just like the boys. But research and focus groups showed that no vodka brand currently on the market tapped into targeting women. In fact, it was a boys’ club waiting for a revolution. So they decided to raise their glasses to toast an idea that eventually became Vixen Vodka. This award winning company is poised for national expansion and is the perfect marriage of a sexy flirty brand and the smoothest gluten-free vodka youll ever taste.

LeeAnn spent over 28 years in the financial industry and about as long in a marriage. Once both those chapters were over, she realized she wanted more out of life; to rediscover the woman she used to be and the one she wanted to become. Her varied experiences have contributed to an extremely detail-oriented work ethic along with a very savvy business acumen.

Move Over Gentlemen, this is the Year of the Vixen. When LeeAnn sat down with a business consultant to review her initial business plan, he closed the document, told her how well written it was and then said, Youll never make it. When asked why, he replied, Because its the liquor industry, its all men, and they will eat you up and spit you out. LeeAnn looked right back at him and said in her sweet Southern syrupy way, Sugar, this could be a pair of pantyhose or a tube of lipstick, were creating a brand and we know what women want. Intrigued? Learn how she took a brand from beach to shelf and disrupted a male dominated category along the way.

Christian Ross/Village Realty

VP/ Managing Broker

Christian Ross is the Managing Broker for Village Realty, a full service real estate firm housed in Atlanta Tech Village. She has previously served as the 2014 President of Womens Council of Realtors Atlanta as

the youngest president in the chapters 54 year history and sat on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Board of Realtors.

Her team specializes in intown Atlanta real estate and global property ownership with a client base that includes Atlantans as well as people across the globe investing in Atlanta and purchasing abroad.

Christian has been featured on HGTVs House Hunters and has provided her real estate expertise for many media outlets including The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Realtor.com and Philly.com.

www.ChristianSoldIt.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram