The Exit Exchange Archives - Business RadioX ®

Navigating Back Office Success with Gabrielle Mills of Sourced.

April 29, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Navigating Back Office Success with Gabrielle Mills of Sourced.

00:00 /

Navigating Back Office Success with Gabrielle Mills of Sourced. (The Exit Exchange, Episode 23)

In this episode of The Exit Exchange, host John Ray welcomes Gabrielle Mills, President of Sourced., a leading full-service back-office solutions firm. Gabrielle discusses her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting how she and her mother founded Sourced., a firm that provides fractional support in accounting, marketing, HR, and administrative services. She delves into the importance of effective back-office management for business growth and successful exits, sharing insights on common pitfalls, such as accounting mistakes. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in accounting, the significance of scalable business models, and the value of joining XPX Atlanta for business growth. Listen to learn more about how Sourced. helps businesses navigate their back-office needs and prepare for future success.

The host of The Exit Exchange is John Ray, and the show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®. John Ray is a Gold Sponsor of XPX Atlanta.

Gabrielle Mills, President, Sourced.

Gabrielle Mills is a seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record in scaling small businesses into profitable companies. She is the co-founder and President of Sourced., a leading full-service back-office solutions firm. Gabrielle established the company from its inception, incorporating various business units such as accounting, marketing, human resources, administrative services, and talent acquisition.

Prior to founding Sourced., Gabrielle worked in corporate marketing and branding at IHG, supporting high-profile partners like the PGA Tour, CMT, and other global hospitality brands.

Gabrielle has always been passionate about empowering other entrepreneurs and now dedicates her time and gift of public speaking to inspire and grow other business leaders.

Sourced.

Sourced. is an award-winning company specializing in solving two of the toughest challenges in business: lack of time and lack of resources. Its services include content marketing, bookkeeping, office assistance, and placement services.

Sourced. provides a full-service, customizable back-office solution for small-to-medium-sized business owners, with all services also available a la carte. The company helps clients fill resource gaps by building teams complete with account management, specialists, and backup support, allowing clients to pay only for what they need.

Services are delivered both virtually and on-site at client business locations.

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to The Exit Exchange
01:02 Meet Gabrielle Mills of Sourced.
02:42 The Origin Story of Sourced.
06:27 Challenges and Growth in Business
13:31 Common Mistakes in Business Operations
19:48 AI Limitations in Accounting
20:26 Challenges in Business Growth
24:03 Importance of a Strong Back Office
27:25 Sourced’s Journey and Future Plans
31:17 Advice for Business Owners
36:03 Conclusion and Contact Information

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

Their members work with business owners through all stages of the private company life cycle: business value growth, business value transfer, and owner life and legacy. Their vision: to fundamentally change the trajectory of exit planning services in the Southeast United States. XPX Atlanta delivers a collaboration-based networking exchange with broad representation of exit planning competencies. Learn more about XPX Atlanta and why you should consider joining our community by following this link.

The host of The Exit Exchange is John Ray, and the show is produced by North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®, in Alpharetta. The show archive can be found by following this link.

John Ray is a Gold Sponsor of XPX Atlanta.

The Transformative Impact of AI on Business Exit Planning, with Gerardo Kerik

March 18, 2025 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The Transformative Impact of AI on Business Exit Planning, with Gerardo Kerik

00:00 /

The Transformative Impact of AI on Business Exit Planning, with Gerardo Kerik (The Exit Exchange, Episode 22)

In this episode of The Exit Exchange, host John Ray dives into the business implications of artificial intelligence with Gerardo Kerik, a WSI consultant. Gerardo discusses the evolving landscape of AI and its significant impact on advisors and companies in the exit process. He highlights how AI tools have transitioned from requiring immense computing power and data sets to becoming accessible via natural language processing since the advent of large language models in 2017.

This shift, exemplified by the rapid adoption of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has opened new opportunities for businesses to streamline processes, enhance decision-making, and boost efficiency. Gerardo also addresses common challenges in AI adoption, such as unrealistic expectations, inadequate data, and the necessity of training, while emphasizing the importance of implementing AI policies to protect client confidentiality.

The conversation further explores practical use cases like automated meeting transcription and document generation, underscoring how AI can drastically reduce time spent on routine tasks. Gerardo predicts that the future of AI includes even more advanced solutions like agentic AI, which can autonomously manage tasks and revolutionize business operations. For advisors looking to stay ahead, this episode provides crucial insights into leveraging AI effectively and ethically.

The free e-book Gerardo mentioned in the interview, Unlocking the Potential of ChatGPT & AI: A Guide to Embracing AI in Your Business and Life, can be downloaded here.

Gerardo Kerik

Gerardo Kerik is a renowned digital marketing strategist and AI consultant with over 20 years of experience working with global brands and mid-market companies. As the Principal Strategist at WSI, the world’s largest digital marketing network, Kerik specializes in leveraging AI-powered solutions to help businesses grow, improve efficiency, and increase revenue. He has developed AI tools that have boosted lead conversion rates by 40% and has played a key role in scaling eCommerce platforms, contributing to significant revenue increases.

Kerik’s expertise in AI integration is highlighted by his work in optimizing business operations, improving profitability, and driving efficiency. He serves as a Fractional CMO and strategic advisor, guiding companies through the evolving digital landscape toward long-term success. His work with private equity firms and their portfolio companies focuses on using AI and data-driven strategies to accelerate growth. Kerik’s podcast, “Embracing Change,” explores how AI is transforming industries, providing actionable insights and practical strategies for harnessing AI’s power.

In his current role, Kerik leads a team of digital marketing consultants in Atlanta, offering services that include strategy development, branding, marketing conversion rate optimization, automation, inbound marketing, SEO, PPC, eCommerce, and customer acquisition strategies. His agency has worked with clients across various industries, including finance, media, eCommerce, and education. Kerik’s commitment to AI and digital transformation is reflected in his work with clients, where he helps them leverage AI to drive revenue growth and improve operational efficiency.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome to The Exit Exchange
01:59 Guest Introduction: Gerardo Kerik
02:12 Gerardo’s Background and AI Journey
03:39 Understanding AI: Myths and Realities
04:06 The Evolution of AI
08:12 AI Tools and Practical Applications
18:34 Confidentiality and Privacy Concerns
22:00 Challenges in AI Implementation
26:38 Future of AI and Adoption
32:59 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

John Ray and Business RadioX North Fulton are Gold Sponsors of XPX Atlanta.

Building a Business Through Acquisitions, with Joe Noonan, Inside EDGE Consulting

October 30, 2024 by John Ray

Insights from a Serial Acquirer, with Joe Noonan, Inside EDGE Consulting, on The Exit Exchange podcast with host John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Building a Business Through Acquisitions, with Joe Noonan, Inside EDGE Consulting

00:00 /

Building a Business Through Acquisitions, with Joe Noonan, Inside EDGE Consulting (The Exit Exchange, Episode 19)

In this episode of The Exit Exchange, Joe Noonan joins host John Ray to offer a reprise of the story he shared during a recent XPX Atlanta lunch session on building a business through serial acquisitions. They discuss Joe’s evolution from co-owning a printing company to becoming a successful Proforma franchise owner. Key points include strategies for effective business acquisitions, the impact of choosing the right partners, and leveraging business resources like brokers and wealth advisors. Joe also emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong customer relationships and the role of expert coaching in avoiding common business pitfalls. Highlights include personalized acquisition tactics, strategic pricing, and the collaborative support available through XPX Atlanta.

The host of The Exit Exchange is John Ray, and the show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX®. John Ray and Business RadioX-North Fulton are Gold Sponsors of XPX Atlanta.

Joe Noonan, Inside EDGE Consulting

Joe Noonan is the Head Coach at Inside EDGE Consulting, where he specializes in empowering CEOs, sales leaders, and entrepreneurs to refine their go-to-market strategies and address challenges in sales and leadership. With a mission to “cure sales and leadership pain,” Joe leverages his expertise as a certified professional speaker and sales coach to provide impactful training and guidance. His approach focuses on building strong team cultures and fostering determination among team members, which he effectively communicates through engaging content on platforms like LinkedIn.

With extensive experience in sales and leadership coaching, Joe has developed tailored programs that address common pain points within organizations, ensuring they achieve sustainable growth. His commitment to continuous learning is reflected in his professional credentials, and he actively contributes to community initiatives as a board member for various organizations.

Joe’s dedication to enhancing organizational effectiveness makes him a valuable asset for businesses seeking to elevate their leadership capabilities and sales strategies.

Website | LinkedIn

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to The Exit Exchange
00:30 Meet Joe Noonan: Business Acquirer and Seller
01:52 Inside EDGE Coaching: Empowering Leaders
03:04 The Journey of Unlimited Printing
03:32 Lessons from Business Partnerships
06:21 Transition to Proforma Franchise
09:14 Acquisition Strategies and Sales Tactics
15:51 Marketing to Solopreneurs
16:55 Deal Structure Insights
20:34 The Role of Business Brokers
21:53 Identifying Red Flags
23:01 Financials and Due Diligence
24:47 The Value of Acquisitions
27:33 The Importance of Advisors
29:15 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

Their members work with business owners through all stages of the private company life cycle: business value growth, business value transfer, and owner life and legacy. Their Vision: To fundamentally change the trajectory of exit planning services in the Southeast United States. XPX Atlanta delivers a collaborative-based networking exchange with broad representation of exit planning competencies. Learn more about XPX Atlanta and why you should consider joining our community by following this link.

The host of The Exit Exchange is John Ray, and the show is produced by the North Fulton affiliate of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. The show archive can be found by following this link.

John Ray and Business RadioX North Fulton are Gold Sponsors of XPX Atlanta.

Diana Murphy, Diana Murphy Coaching, and Bill McDermott, The Profitability Coach

August 22, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Diana Murphy, Diana Murphy Coaching, and Bill McDermott, The Profitability Coach

00:00 /

Diana Murphy, Diana Murphy Coaching, and Bill McDermott, The Profitability Coach (The Exit Exchange, Episode 16)

On this episode of The Exit Exchange, Diana Murphy and Bill McDermott each shared how they help business owners achieve successful exits. Bill noted that the difficult part of getting clients to sell their businesses is not necessarily the lack of understanding of what needs to be done, but the mental block of getting them to take that first step. He offered an example of a recent engagement where breaking through that inertia was critical to the desired client outcome. Diana discussed how she focuses on the business owner’s thoughts and feelings to better understand their concerns and worries. She notes that many times, spouses or other family members can influence the business owner’s decisions without them even realizing it. By taking the time to ask specific questions and really listen to the answers, she noted, advisors can help uncover these hidden issues and create a faster process. Diana and Bill also shared why they are members of XPX Atlanta.

This episode of The Exit Exchange was hosted by John Ray and David Shavzin and was produced in the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Diana Murphy, Owner, Diana Murphy Coaching

Diana Murphy Coaching serves successful business owners when they need support during challenging transitions. Diana serves owners in big growth when they are thinking about selling and also during personal transitions that are affecting the business.

Diana Murphy is a life and mindset coach for the business owner/expert advisor/solopreneur. She helps business owners grow to reach their business goals while they take brilliant care of their health and life. Diana coaches her clients to achieve their life and business goals by learning how to handle the obstacles that are inevitable along the way.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram |

Bill McDermott, The Profitability Coach, Founder and CEO, McDermott Financial Solutions

Bill McDermott is the Founder and CEO of 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. 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.

Company website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta (XPX) is a diverse group of professionals with a common goal: working collaboratively to assist business owners with a sale or business transition. XPX Atlanta is an association of advisors who provide professionalism, principles, and education to the heart of the middle market. Our members work with business owners through all stages of the private company life cycle: business value growth, business value transfer, and owner life and legacy. Our Vision: To fundamentally changing the trajectory of exit planning services in the Southeast United States. XPX Atlanta delivers a collaborative-based networking exchange with broad representation of exit planning competencies. Learn more about XPX Atlanta and why you should consider joining our community: https://exitplanningexchange.com/atlanta.

The Exit Exchange is produced by John Ray in the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. The show archive can be found at xpxatlantaradio.com.

John Ray and Business RadioX are Platinum Sponsors of XPX Atlanta.

Jeff Armacost, Whole Brain Creative

July 21, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Jeff Armacost, Whole Brain Creative

00:00 /

Jeff Armacost, Whole Brain Creative (The Exit Exchange, Episode 15)

Branding is foundational for all businesses, says Jeff Armacost. Jeff joined this edition of The Exit Exchange to discuss several different aspects of branding, including defining what branding is and what makes a brand successful, the role of branding in building and maintaining the value of a business, and much more.

This episode of The Exit Exchange was co-hosted by Maria Forbes and Mike Rosenthal and was produced in the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Whole Brain Creative

Whole Brain Creative empowers ambitious entrepreneurs and visionary leaders.

They help them create, build, and grow brands for B2B, Higher Education, Medical and Medical Technology, Technology, Organizations, Visionary start-ups, Non-profits, Entrepreneurs, and much more. They love the work they do and love collaborating with an outstanding group of clients.

Each year Whole Brain serves a diverse group of clients. But always with one thing in common: to create brands that differentiate, connect, and stand out.

KEY SERVICES • Naming and Logo • Brand Launch and Rebrand • Internal Branding Initiatives • Breakthrough Brand Messaging – Tagline, Headlines, Elevator Speech, Core Content • Brand-Powered Websites • Killer Concepts and Campaigns

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook

Jeff Armacost, Chief Brand Guy, Whole Brain Creative

For 20+ years Jeff Armacost has guided successful, standout brand development for over 100 companies and organizations of all kinds. Jeff gets in close with his clients, gets up to speed fast, listens well, and distills the powerfully simple story and branding that presents them in the best possible way.

Business owners and CEOs call on him as a thinking partner in building their brand, and a cost-effective solution for ongoing branding, brand launches, and key internal branding initiatives. Fast-growing small businesses call on him when it’s time for a serious rebrand or on-the-fly brand refresh that positions them to reach big goals and outpace their competition.

Experienced business advisors pull Jeff in – and if needed, his team of graphic design and web development – to add big-time brand power to their client’s marketing campaigns, new website projects, and more.

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

The Exit Exchange is produced by John Ray in the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. The show archive can be found at xpxatlantaradio.com.

John Ray and Business RadioX are Platinum Sponsors of XPX Atlanta.

Eric Togneri, Neri Capital Partners and Rob Margeton, Ryco Advisors

May 19, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Eric Togneri, Neri Capital Partners and Rob Margeton, Ryco Advisors

00:00 /

Eric Togneri, Neri Capital Partners, and Rob Margeton, Ryco Advisors (The Exit Exchange, Episode 14)

Eric Togneri, Managing Partner with Neri Capital Partners, and Rob Margeton, Co-Founder of Ryco Advisors, joined the show to discuss critical elements and considerations in selling a business. They discussed the increasing attempts of equity groups to consolidate industries, the role of business valuations, current issues such as price increases in labor and product, the conversations to assist sellers to improve valuations, encouraging business owners to reduce their role, and much more.

This episode of The Exit Exchange was co-hosted by Bob Tankesley and Maria Forbes and is produced virtually from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Neri Capital Partners

Neri Capital Partners was founded in 2006 with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Our firm is an investment bank for family-owned and privately-held small and midsize businesses with a strong history and clear path to growth. Neri Capital provides merger, acquisition, and related advisory services.

Neri Capital Partners’ entrepreneurial and transactional experience and expertise has positioned the firm as uniquely qualified to offer advisory services for business owners to successfully Determine, Build and then Realize the value they have created. Regardless of where our clients are in their business life cycle, Neri Capital services are designed to add value to liquidity.

Company website | LinkedIn

Eric Togneri, Managing Director, Neri Capital Partners

Eric Togneri is a Lower-Middle Market Investment Banking professional providing Investment Origination and M&A Advisory. He is also a Consumer Goods Team Leader for Sales, Shopper Marketing, Trade Promotion, Trade Finance, and Business Analytics.

Eric is currently serving as Managing Director of Neri Capital Partners focused on providing Business Owners the path to Determining, Building, and Realizing the Value of Companies; Also, providing Deal Origination expertise for Private Investors to achieve Quality Deal Flow.

Prior to Neri Capital, Eric was an accomplished Consumer Products Department Head and National Team Leader with Fortune 100 consumer organizations such as L’Oréal, Pfizer, and Sanofi; Also, a Sr. Consultant at Neri Consumer and a Principal in the Category Management Association.

Ryco Advisors

Ryco Advisors is an Atlanta-based, independent advisory firm focused on the sale of small and lower-middle-market owner-operated companies.

The professionals at Ryco not only have extensive financial and transactional experience, but they’ve also been business owners just like you.

They have run their own operating businesses and understand firsthand what it’s like to make the decision to sell and which steps to take to achieve a profitable sale. They leverage their perspective as business owners, coupled with years of experience working with major Wall Street firms and consulting companies, to achieve superior results for our clients.

They have advised numerous clients – both large and small – on sale and transfer transactions, and treat every business they sell as if it were their own.

Company website | LinkedIn

Rob Margeton, Co-Founder, Ryco Advisors

Robert (Rob) Margeton has over 15 years of experience working in the financial services industry and running his own business. Prior to co-founding Ryco Advisors, Mr. Margeton served as a Managing Director at Capstone Advisory Group, a New York middle-market restructuring, and financial advisory consulting firm. During his tenure there, he advised clients on over 50 transactions across a diverse set of industries. Mr. Margeton also has extensive experience running and managing his own business.

Together with Lindsay Margeton, he acquired the flagship Fleet Clean location in 2013 and oversaw a successful sales process in 2018. During their tenure at Fleet Clean, the company’s revenues and EBITDA grew by over 75% and 95%, respectively. They managed over 30 employees and serviced more than 150 clients throughout Metro Atlanta, including many Fortune 500 companies. Ryco Advisors assists owner-operating businesses in the lower middle market space on sell-side engagements. Businesses typically have revenues between $5 million and $50 million.

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

The Exit Exchange is produced by John Ray in the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. The show archive can be found at xpxatlantaradio.com.

John Ray and Business RadioX are Platinum Sponsors of XPX Atlanta.

John Ray, Business RadioX® and Ray Business Advisors

April 22, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

John Ray, Business RadioX® and Ray Business Advisors

00:00 /

John Ray, Business RadioX® and Ray Business Advisors (The Exit Exchange, Episode 13)

The tables were turned on this edition of The Exit Exchange, as regular co-host John Ray was also the guest, interviewed by co-hosts David Shavzin and Mike Rosenthal. John is the owner of the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®, which produces The Exit Exchange, as well as the owner of Ray Business Advisors. John explained why professional services providers and other business owners should have a podcast, the way a podcast can be positioned to create definable ROI, and success stories. He also discussed his pricing consulting work, why pricing is a particular problem for professional services providers, and his podcast, The Price and Value Journey. John also shared why he and his firm is a Platinum Sponsor of XPX Atlanta and the success factors of the organization which make his membership and sponsorship so valuable.

This episode of The Exit Exchange was co-hosted by David Shavzin and Mike Rosenthal and is produced virtually from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

John Ray, Owner, Business RadioX – North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors

**John Ray, Owner, North Fulton – Business RadioX, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray helps B2B professionals who need help building relationships which translate into revenue. Yes, John and his team plan, produce, and promote shows for their clients, but clients receive more than just that. The value they receive is the ability to open the door to hard-to-reach prospects, nurture existing relationships with clients, and to reactivate past prospects or clients in an elegant, non-salesy way.

Business RadioX – North Fulton operates as a member of the Business RadioX® national network of studio partners who serve as the “Voice of Business” in their local markets, helping local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession.

John is the host of North Fulton Business Radio, Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Radio, Alpharetta Tech Talk, and Business Leaders Radio. house shows which feature a wide range of business leaders and companies. John has hosted and/or produced over 1,300 podcast episodes.

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

His podcast, The Price and Value Journey, addresses the pricing problems solo and small firm professional services providers face, as well as other challenges they confront in running their practice.

Connect with John:

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Business RadioX®: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

The Exit Exchange is produced by John Ray in the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. The show archive can be found at xpxatlantaradio.com.

John Ray and Business RadioX are Platinum Sponsors of XPX Atlanta.

Erica Dumpel, CDA Inc., and Ashley Edwards Altman, Insperity

March 18, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Erica Dumpel, CDA Inc., and Ashley Edwards Altman, Insperity

00:00 /

Erica Dumpel, CDA Inc., and Ashley Edwards Altman, Insperity (The Exit Exchange, Episode 12)

Erica Dumpel, CDA Inc., and Ashley Edwards Altman, Insperity, joined the show to provide information and feedback about their experience as members of the Atlanta chapter of the Exit Planning Exchange. Erica mentioned the value she’s received personally as a family business owner looking to do exit planning for the next generation and her appreciation of the collegial environment. Ashley discussed how much she’s learned and the value of being able to connect with other members as a resource for her clients. They discussed cross-chapter connections, advice on how to get involved, and much more.

This episode of The Exit Exchange was co-hosted by David Shavzin and Mike Rosenthal and is produced virtually from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Insperity

Since 1986, Insperity has been showing companies how to harness the power of HR to improve business success. The company has grown from two people sharing a one-room office to a $4.3 billion company with more than 80 offices across the U.S.

Insperity is a human resources outsourcing solution for small to medium-sized businesses (from 5 to 5000 employees). The company establishes a fortune 500 HR infrastructure in businesses that would otherwise not have access to those resources. This is a usage model of both administrative and strategic people practices, along with the technology to support it. Rather than building it yourself, Insperity clients buy a turnkey solution that is already in place and ready at any time, no matter what comes up in the business or the lifecycle of the employees.

The company partners with the best small to medium size businesses throughout the country to help drive revenue, improve productivity, and contain and control costs. Insperity does this by working with business owners to better align their people strategy with their business strategy.
The company’s clients get access to better benefits, time-saving technology and the first-in-class service they deserve – complete with dedicated support.

Company website | LinkedIn

Ashley Edwards Altman, Certified Business Performance Advisor, Insperity

Ashley comes to Insperity having spent 5 years helping to scale the HR of one of the fastest-growing companies in the country, where she realized her passion for helping small businesses grow. In her previous role, Ashley helped to grow the company from 40 employees to over 900 and was instrumental to the company’s HR and Recruiting efforts.

In her 5 years at Insperity, she has been awarded the Pinnacle Summit award (the past three years in a row), recognizing her performance as one of the top 15% of Business Performance Advisors across the company. Ashley has dedicated her career to helping small and medium-sized businesses in the Atlanta community grow by hiring and retaining the top talent in the market, helping business owners increase their bottom line through streamlining efficiencies, mitigating risks, and providing big company benefit options typically out of reach for small businesses, Ashley takes pride in helping entrepreneurs focus on their business, while offloading many of the areas that take the focus away from growing their businesses.

In her free time, Ashley is a volunteer mentor at the Atlanta Youth Academy, a citywide Tennis champion in the T2 singles tennis league, and enjoys long walks with her dog and husband around the Brookhaven neighborhood.

CDA Inc.

Czajkowski Dumpel & Associates, Inc. (CDA Inc.) started as a boutique benefits agency in 1975 in the New York City market. Since moving to Georgia in 1981 many small to mid-market companies have benefited from CDA Inc.’s willingness to look beyond traditional options for solutions to pay for employee healthcare costs.

CDA Inc. shops the market for the best benefits packages available to small companies and individuals with special consideration to claims that might be incurred specifically to the age/gender/family makeup of the group. The agency has grown from two to six individuals plus affiliated partnerships in order to provide the most expert and highest service levels possible. Continuation and succession planning is in place to guarantee ongoing levels of service and care to agency clients without interruption in case of any individual’s inability to perform at the levels of excellence our clients have come to expect.

Company website | Facebook

Erica Dumpel, CLU, Cofounder and President, CDA Inc.

Erica Dumpel, CLU is the Founder of CDA Inc. and Founding Principal of GA Health Agents Agency. Erica has over 46 years of experience in the health insurance industry as a broker and consultant. After receiving a B.A. with honors from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut and a M.A. from The Fletcher School of International Law & Diplomacy, she entered the insurance industry in New York City in 1975. Quickly drawn to the pressing needs of individuals without health insurance, Erica developed a practice focused on offering affordable, aggressively competitive employee benefits programs to individuals, seniors and small group clients.

Erica watched health insurance evolve from hospital/surgical coverage to full major medical benefits. She has also seen Medicare coverage continue to evolve as Medicare Advantage plans have taken huge market share from traditional Medicare and Medigap options. In both instances, Erica has been a respected voice linking the escalation of premium costs to a system in which patients have little involvement in the actual cost of care.

As Affordable Care Act provisions have been implemented and modified, Erica has increasingly been in demand as a consultant, helping companies navigate the complications presented by this legislation. Reviewing options relative to ACA requirements and penalties presents an opportunity for employers to assess their long-range employee benefits plans. By analyzing the consequences of the various available options, the organization can create a smart strategy to prepare for future issues and avoid ever-increasing costs.

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta (XPX) is a diverse group of professionals with a common goal: working collaboratively to assist business owners with a sale or business transition. XPX Atlanta is an association of advisors who provide professionalism, principles and education to the heart of the middle market. Our members work with business owners through all stages of the private company life cycle: business value growth, business value transfer, and owner life and legacy. Our Vision: To fundamentally changing the trajectory of exit planning services in the Southeast United States. XPX Atlanta delivers a collaborative-based networking exchange with broad representation of exit planning competencies. Learn more about XPX Atlanta and why you should consider joining our community: https://exitplanningexchange.com/atlanta.

The Exit Exchange is produced by John Ray in the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. The show archive can be found at xpxatlantaradio.com.

John Ray and Business RadioX are Platinum Sponsors of XPX Atlanta.

Bruce McFadden, Carr, Riggs & Ingram

February 18, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

Bruce McFadden, Carr, Riggs & Ingram

00:00 /

Bruce McFadden, Carr, Riggs & Ingram (The Exit Exchange, Episode 11)

As a CPA and Partner at Carr, Riggs & Ingram, Bruce McFadden has seen many missteps in how businesses handle an exit. He shares common mistakes, including not bringing the CPA into the process early enough. Bruce discussed ways to get the CPA on board early, questions to ask, quality of earnings statements, and much more. This episode of The Exit Exchange is co-hosted by Maria Forbes and Bob Tankesley and is produced virtually from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta.

Carr, Riggs & Ingram

CRI is one of the fastest-growing CPA firms in the U.S., now a top 25 firm in the U.S. and a superregional firm in the S.E. they’ve been present and involved in the Atlanta market for over 40 years.

Providing traditional audit, accounting & tax services, and additionally consulting transaction advisory services in the M&A and exit planning space along with our portfolio companies. A very advisory approach.

Along with a number of professionals from their advisory teams at CRI, they are joined at the XPX Atlanta table by their portfolio companies: CRI Capital Advisory and Level Four.

Carr, Riggs & Ingram is pleased to be a gold sponsor of XPX Atlanta.

Company website | LinkedIn

Bruce McFadden, Partner, Carr, Riggs & Ingram

Bruce has 40+ years of experience in public accounting, including audit and attest services for clients in the manufacturing, distribution, technology, retail, construction, and hospitality industries, as well as audits of employee benefit plans. Bruce is one of the CRI-Atlanta partners responsible for overseeing the office’s quality control, a member of the firm’s SEC Practice Committee, and serves or has served as engagement partner on some firm’s public registrant clients.

He has in-depth knowledge and experience with mergers and acquisitions, systems consulting, cash flow modeling, benchmark analyses, business consulting, and exit planning.

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta

The Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta (XPX) is a diverse group of professionals with a common goal: working collaboratively to assist business owners with a sale or business transition. XPX Atlanta is an association of advisors who provide professionalism, principles and education to the heart of the middle market. Our members work with business owners through all stages of the private company life cycle: business value growth, business value transfer, and owner life and legacy. Our Vision: To fundamentally changing the trajectory of exit planning services in the Southeast United States. XPX Atlanta delivers a collaborative-based networking exchange with broad representation of exit planning competencies. Learn more about XPX Atlanta and why you should consider joining our community: https://exitplanningexchange.com/atlanta.

The Exit Exchange is produced by John Ray in the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® in Alpharetta. The show archive can be found at xpxatlantaradio.com.

John Ray and Business RadioX are Platinum Sponsors of XPX Atlanta.