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Episode 10: AAPI Insights for Tomorrow

May 9, 2025 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Episode 10: AAPI Insights for Tomorrow

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AAPI Insights for Tomorrow with Bin Liu and Jay Patel

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the Gwinnett Chamber Voice of Business Podcast shines a spotlight on the rich contributions and cultural values shaping our business community. This episode features two inspiring Chamber Board Members: Bin Liu, owner of Simple Floors, and Jay Patel, founder of Maison6405 and JMS Family Properties.

Together, they share powerful first- and second-generation Asian-American experiences, exploring how heritage, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit have influenced their approach to business and success here in Gwinnett—the global corner of Metro Atlanta.

The “Gwinnett Chamber Voice of Business” Podcast is presented by Gwinnett Magazine and produced in partnership with Business RadioX. Hosted by President & CEO Nick Masino, this show features engaging fireside chats with prominent business leaders, offering invaluable insights into leadership, small business growth, economic development, and inclusive best practices in business.

Episode 1: She Means Business

August 15, 2024 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Episode 1: She Means Business

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For most of us, balancing our career, personal lives, and passions isn’t always easy.

That’s why we sat down with Aysha Abdullatif, VP of Marketing at Spherion, and Kim Hartsock, Managing Partner at Warren Averett, to hear about how they seemingly do it all. Tune in to hear these influential women in business share how they’ve mastered the art of integration, their thoughts on mentor/mentee relationships, and advice for young professionals starting out in their career.

In this Episode:

Is work-life balance a real thing?
How to find those mentor/mentee relationships
Knowing your strengths & what you bring to the table
What it looks like to believe in yourself before anyone else
How a bad mistake makes for a good story
Embracing your true self in a world of expectations

Resources & Links:

Aysha Abdullatif – LinkedIn
Kim Hartsock – LinkedIn
The Wrap: A Warren Averett Podcast
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce – Website

The Gwinnett Chamber’s “Voice of Business” Podcast, hosted by President & CEO Nick Masino, features engaging fireside chats with prominent business leaders, offering invaluable insights into leadership, small business growth, economic development, and inclusive best practices in business.

2022 Gwinnett Chamber Multi-Chamber Mixer

November 9, 2022 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

2022 Gwinnett Chamber Multi-Chamber Mixer

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Gwinnett Chamber Doubles Attendance to Annual Global Business Event
Multi-Chamber Mixer hosts more than 400 business professionals, Celebrates diversity and culture

Gwinnett County, GA – The Gwinnett Chamber recently worked in partnership with thirteen other strategic business organizations to host the second annual Multi-Chamber Mixer at the Gas South District in Duluth. The event celebrated the community’s cultural diversity and its global connections with multiple business organizations.

“The Gwinnett Chamber has strategically worked with our global partners to formalize agreements that foster relationships, build business, and create opportunities to strengthen the local economy,” said Nick Masino, President & CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber and Partnership Gwinnett. “This event is a culmination of that work and an opportunity to celebrate our diversity and collective success as one business community.”

Strategic partners of the Gwinnett Chamber included the Atlanta Chinese Entrepreneurs Club, Chinese Business Association of Atlanta, French American Chamber, Georgia Hispanic Chamber, Georgia Indo-American Chamber, Georgia Pakistan Business Council, German American Chamber, Global Atlanta, Italy America Chamber of Commerce Southeast – Georgia Chapter, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta Georgia, Latin American Chamber, and the Liberian Community Association of Georgia.

The event also featured a wide range of authentic global cuisine from 16 Gwinnett-based restauranters including Cosmo’s Pizza+Social, Fumi Hibachi and Sushi, Jack & King Ready Meals, Latin Fresh, Lobster Banh Mi, Mochinut – Duluth, Nothing Bundt Cakes – Snellville, Pat’s Poutine, Queen Nola’s, Catering & Concessions, LLC, Roma Italiano Ristorante, Scrumdiddlyumptious, Shayona Cafe, Swainson Catering, Tucker’s Catering, Versace Dominican Restaurant, and Yifan Kitchen.

“We would like to thank our partners, restaurants, and sponsors – including leading sponsors Georgia Power, Northeast Georgia Health System, and RudHil Companies – for supporting such a successful event this year,” added Masino. “Looking ahead to 2023, the Gwinnett Chamber is excited about the growing opportunities to champion global business in our region.”

The Gwinnett Chamber hosts more than 300 events each year that serve its 2,000-plus member organizations and countless professionals who represent them. To learn more about the Chamber’s upcoming events, visit GwinnettChamber.org/Events.

About the Gwinnett Chamber

The Gwinnett Chamber serves as the voice for businesses, facilitating quality job growth opportunities while enhancing the community’s vitality and quality of life. The Chamber offers the metro Atlanta business community a wealth of growth opportunities by collaborating with regional partners to drive economic and community development initiatives throughout Georgia. Through its fundamental objectives to help create quality jobs and wealth, strengthen the community, and grow business, the Chamber serves more than 2,000+ member companies in metro Atlanta while delivering innovative programs to connect businesses locally, regionally, and globally. www.gwinnettchamber.org

Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Jill Edwards

February 28, 2022 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Gwinnett Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Jill Edwards

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Jill Edwards/Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

The mission of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce is to “champion business” and their vision is to be the leading advocate and innovative resource for businesses to connect and thrive.

Established in 1947 as a rural chamber of commerce serving farmers and banks, the Gwinnett Chamber grew and changed alongside Gwinnett County. Today, they serve more than 2,200 members throughout metro Atlanta by delivering programs that strengthen and connect businesses locally, regionally and globally.

At the Gwinnett Chamber, there is strength in numbers. Since they represent more than 2,200 companies, they can offer significant member discounts and present a unified voice in matters of public policy that affect the business community. In addition, the Chamber provides opportunities for like-minded business people to connect with one another and expand their business network and increase the exposure of their business. They also offer opportunities to learn about issues and best practices related to running a successful business.

The Chamber’s economic development team, Partnership Gwinnett, is a public-private initiative dedicated to bringing new jobs and capital investment to Gwinnett County. Since 2007, Partnership Gwinnett has worked with its local partners to attract and retain jobs, cultivate capital investment, support educational institutions, foster workforce development, and contribute to the exceptional quality of life found in Gwinnett and the Atlanta region.

CLICK HERE if you prefer to watch the video of this episode.

Jamie Hamilton with Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett, Deirdra Cox with Community Sustainability Enterprise and Scott Mawdesley with Corners Outreach

October 20, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Jamie Hamilton with Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett, Deirdra Cox with Community Sustainability Enterprise and Scott Mawdesley with Corners Outreach

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Scott Mawdesley, Jamie Hamilton and Deirdre Cox

Jamie Hamilton/Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett

For more than 30 years, Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett has been helping to improve the lives of those with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities through a PreK-12 school and young adult day program. With a focus on providing the highest quality education and therapeutic services, nurturing and challenging each student on their own level, instilling a positive self-image and love for learning, and supporting parents in their quest for the best life for their child, they are making a difference in the lives of families in Gwinnett and surrounding counties.

Deirdra Cox/Community Sustainability Enterprise

Community Sustainability Enterprise (CSE) is a community & economic development focused 501c3, serving Gwinnett County and the Southeast region of the United States. Their vision is economic mobility and self-efficacy in families and communities of color, that produces thriving families, sustainable communities, and generational wealth transfer.

Scott Mawdesley/Corners Outreach

Corners Outreach exists to equip underserved students of color and their families to lead full lives through educational and economic development. Their vision includes one community where every person thrives no matter their color, status or background.

MOXIE AWARD WINNERS: Michelle Anglin, Jill Edwards and Lorri Christopher

September 21, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

MOXIE AWARD WINNERS: Michelle Anglin, Jill Edwards and Lorri Christopher

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Major Michelle Anglin/Gwinnett County Police Department (Influence Award)

The Gwinnett County Police Department is the second largest police agency in Georgia with an authorized strength of 905 sworn officers, supported by 289 civilian employees, and is an agency with a long history of excellence, integrity, and fairness. The department enjoys a strong relationship with the diverse community it serves and continues to build that reputation by constantly engaging and interacting with the residents.

Jill Edwards/United Community Bank (Pay It Forward Award)

United Community Bank (NASDAQ: UCBI) is a bank holding company headquartered in Blairsville, GA, with executive offices in Greenville, SC. United is one of the largest full-service financial institutions in the Southeast, with $17.8 billion in assets, and 160 offices in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. United Community Bank, United’s wholly owned bank subsidiary, specializes in personalized community banking services for individuals, small businesses and companies throughout its geographic footprint, including Florida under the brand Seaside Bank and Trust. Services include a full range of consumer and commercial banking products, including mortgage, advisory, treasury management, and wealth management.

Lorri Christopher/City of Peachtree Corners (Greater Good Award)

The City of Peachtree Corners, Gwinnett County’s newest city, is 10 years old and has a diverse population of over 43,000 residents. The city encompasses 17 square miles and is the home of Curiosity Lab and the test bed road for autonomous vehicles.

About the Moxie Awards:

Built for women who are bold in business, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce honored more than 90 finalists and seven winners at the 2021 Moxie Awards on Friday, Aug. 27. The Moxie Awards recognize women and organizations that are making it happen. Organizational awards highlighted companies that support the advancement of women, as well as those that are women-led. Individual awards honored those who are trailblazers in a male-dominated field, Gwinnett County champions, emerging leaders, professionals who are at the peak of their career and those who are generous with their time, talent, or resources.

Margarita Walwyn with Caribbean Flavors and Muhammed Sokhna with Black Star Resumes

April 28, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Margarita Walwyn with Caribbean Flavors and Muhammed Sokhna with Black Star Resumes

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Margarita Walwyn/Caribbean Flavors

Caribbean Flavors is all about the flavor. Their Caribbean roots and culture are embedded into their hearts and soul and it reflects in every dish they prepare, whether it’s Caribbean or Caribbean Fusion.

Muhammed Sokhna/Black Star Resumes

Black Star Resumes was created in January of 2020 to help professionals develop their personal brand for optimal career progression.

Muhammed Sokhna is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) from the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARW/CC). He has written over 4.5K resumes to date and is currently contracted with the following organizations: Randstad RiseSmart (Monster Division) and Bridgemore Staffing.

Update on Georgia Legislative Session and Public Policy

April 5, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Update on Georgia Legislative Session and Public Policy

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Paul Oh/Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce

Paul Oh serves as the Manager of Public Policy & Community Affairs for the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.

The mission of the Gwinnett Chamber is to strengthen existing businesses, facilitate the growth of quality job opportunities, and enrich the community’s quality of life. In addition, the Gwinnett Chamber is the forum for business, government, education, healthcare, arts/culture/entertainment, and philanthropic and public-service communities to come together to advance the region’s economy and enrich Gwinnett’s quality of life.

Dean Collins/Axis Companies

Dean Collins, the Founder & President of Axis Companies, serves as the Vice-Chair for Public Policy with the Gwinnett Chamber.

Axis Companies was founded in 2016 when Dean Collins recognized a significant need within the development industry. An innovator, Dean tapped into his more than 25 years of experience leading transportation and site development projects for large engineering consulting firms and formed Axis Companies to fill the need.

Simply put, Axis offers a unique blend of services in land development, design, project management and construction management services. This “Development Suite”, paired with significant industry experience, allows for these services to reside under one professional management team. Their Development Suite allows you the flexibility to choose either individual services to supplement in-house staff, or turnkey services to manage an entire project or program. Regardless of your selection, you will have confidence knowing that your project is being managed by industry experts.

2021 VALOR AWARDS/BEHIND THE BADGE: Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor and Gwinnett County Police Chief Brett West

February 17, 2021 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

2021 VALOR AWARDS/BEHIND THE BADGE: Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor and Gwinnett County Police Chief Brett West

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On this special episode of “The Voice of Business: Behind the Badge“, Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor and Gwinnett County Police Chief Brett West are interviewed before the 2021 Valor Public Safety Awards at the Infinite Energy Forum.

Sheriff Keybo Taylor/Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Keybo Taylor is responsible for law enforcement on a county level, ensuring that all local, state and federal laws are followed. Sheriff Taylor supervises a force of deputies and other employees of the sheriff office. He supervise the operations of the Gwinnett County jail and is the Chief Security Officer for the Gwinnett County Courts.

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office collective goal is to strengthen the ties within Gwinnett’s communities, by re-establishing connections with the area’s youth and being visible during non-criminal justice matters in the county.

The Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing the community with employees who are professional, efficient, and well trained with the latest equipment and technology. The Sheriff’s Office is home to 687 sworn deputies and 184 civilian employees. As the demands rise, the office will continue to strive to maintain the highest law enforcement standards possible.

Police Chief Brett West/Gwinnett County Police Department

The Gwinnett County Police Department is an agency with a long history of excellence, integrity, and fairness. The GCPD enjoys a strong relationship with the diverse community it serves and continues to build that reputation by constantly engaging and interacting with the residents. Due to its reputation, high standards, and commitment to excellence, the GCPD only recruits and hires the best and most qualified applicants.

The Gwinnett County Police Department is the second largest police agency in Georgia with an authorized strength of 877 sworn officers, supported by 276 civilian employees. The department is CALEA accredited, originally attaining that designation in 1993. Gwinnett is located in the northeast part of metro Atlanta, serving a population of more than 800,000 residents with an area of 437 square miles.

The GCPD headquarters is located in Lawrenceville, GA with six precincts spread across the county. The department also has a $22 million state-of-the-art training facility that consists of a driving track, 25-yard and 100-yard indoor firing range, a shoot-house, and an academic building with 6 classrooms, library, weight room, defensive tactics room, and shooting and driving simulators. The 911 call center is located next to headquarters and is staffed with 124 communications officers.