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KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Dr. Alex Roig and Dr. Craig Taylor

Shrimptank1

KSUEntrepreneurship

Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

Dr. Alex Roig / Dr. Weight Loss of Atlanta

Dr. Alex Roig is originally from Pennsylvania where he attended the University of Pittsburgh.  After that, he enrolled in Life University in Marietta, GA where he received a Doctorate of Chiropractic, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition.

Throughout his college years, Dr. Roig taught as a Personal Trainer, helping people exercise and diet more effectively while honing his passion for health. After graduating from Life University, he worked as a full-time chiropractor until 2002 when he decided to pursue his passion of helping people change their lives by weight loss. He has been helping people with weight loss for over 25 years.

 

Dr. Craig Taylor / Taylor Chiropractic and Wellness

Dr. Craig Taylor is the co-founder and owner of Taylor Chiropractic and Wellness, whose focus is to provide patient-centered care using a variety of integrative treatments. His Bachelor of Science was earned in Biological Sciences at the University of Georgia and became a Doctor of Chiropractic at Life University. He is certified in a wide range of Chiropractic techniques as well as physiotherapy exercises and modalities.

His expertise is not only helping relieve discomfort, but also finding the actual cause of the pain. He believes that detecting the origin of where the pain is coming from will remove the source of what’s causing the discomfort. He uses a number of highly-effective adjusting approaches to help improve spinal biomechanics and reduce nervous system interference. The approach he uses is based on the latest scientific research.

Growing up in a medical family, he always envisioned himself going to medical school. In college, he experienced a lacrosse injury which lead to two herniated discs in his mid-back. After months of seeing several medical doctors and physical therapists with minimal pain relief, he finally sought out to find a chiropractor. Within a month, his mid-back pain was completely diminished and hasn’t bothered him since. He feels fortunate to have gone through this life changing experience involving chiropractic care.

Being an Atlanta native, he is excited to give back to the community that has treated him so well. On his spare time, he enjoys playing and supporting the local sports teams and athletes. He also enjoys spending time with his family and friends, taking his dogs to the park, weight lifting, water sports as well as eating and living a healthy lifestyle.

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Ben and Sammy Amor

KSUEntrepreneurship

Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

Ben and Sammy Amor / Cloud 9 Smoke and Vape Co.

Ben Amor is graduating in May from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Management, while Sammy Amor is graduating in December of this year with a Management major. They are from immigrant parents that instilled an extreme work ethic and a passion to follow their dreams. Ben and Sammy own and operate Cloud 9 Smoke & Vape Co., SBK International, and Skyline Hookah Lounge. They started their hookah lounge, Skyline, in 2010. At the time, there were no hookah lounges in Cobb County.

In 2011 Ben and Sammy founded Cloud 9. Cloud 9 is a chain of smoke and electronic cigarette retail stores with 6 locations in the metro Atlanta area.  They vertically integrated to a wholesale company when they realized they needed a warehouse to store their products, and it only made sense to use their buying power to sell to their competition.

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KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Mark Fonseca and Mike McCarthy

Mark Fonseca and Mike McCarthy

KSUEntrepreneurship

Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

Mark Fonseca / Pragmetrix
Co-Founder and Partner

Mark has over 20 years of experience in consultative sales, sales management and client relations. As a top producer at Lanier Business Products, he sold document management solutions to a range of businesses and was prolific at establishing long term relationships.

Mark consults one on one with the most successful CEO’s and Executives in Atlanta and has interviewed thousands of Executives and Business Professionals. He has experience in Sales, Sales Management and Sales Training Best Practice. Currently Mark is the owner of his own private men’s custom clothing and executive image consulting business. He has developed strong business relationships with heads of State, CEO’s, top-level executives and successful entrepreneurs, through one on one consulting and exceptional customer service.

As a Partner in Pragmetrix, Mark is responsible for Client Relations, Business Development and conducting Client Interviews.

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Mike McCarthy / Pragmetrix
Co-Founder and Partner

Mike McCarthy has been passionate about delivering exceptional customer service since he started his career in the 1980’s with GE Technical Services Company.   Eleven years on the front lines of mission critical, capital intensive projects at client sites  instilled in him a core belief that every business decision must first and last be looked at through the customer’s eyes.  Mike has since held senior leadership roles in GE and Siemens Corporation and is a veteran of business and operational excellence methodologies such as Voice of the Customer, Six Sigma and the Net Promoter System®.

As an entrepreneur and small business owner, in 2004 Mike launched Pirtek Fluid Transfer Solutions in Atlanta. Today it’s the market leader in its industry in Georgia.  In 2011 Mike co-founded Pragmetrix to help small and medium size “B to B” businesses become the Loyalty Leaders in their industries, thus fueling their compound annual growth rate to more than twice that of the competitors.   Mike holds an honors degree in Electrical Engineering from the National University of Ireland and an MBA in Strategic Marketing from Trinity College Dublin.

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KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Jeff Jahn

DynamiX

KSUEntrepreneurship

Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

Jeff Jahn / DynamiX
Founder

Jeff Jahn founded DynamiX in 2005 as a college sophomore. Today it’s one of the most respected website development and software companies in the world, having been recognized with more than 585 awards in just the past three years. More importantly, DynamiX has created significant bottom line improvement for hundreds of amazing local, national and international businesses. DynamiX was named a 2016 Top 25 Small Business, and Jeff was recently recognized as one of three finalists in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Small Business Person of the Year awards, in the experienced entrepreneur category.

In addition to DynamiX, Jeff has founded, or co-founded, five companies, including the world’s first neighborhood-based social media platform. He has contributed to Forbes, Inc. and Huffington Post, among others, and is a regular speaker on entrepreneurship and digital technologies.

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KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Chris Dull

Chris Dull

KSUEntrepreneurship

Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

Chris Dull / Global Franchise Group
President and CEO

Chris Dull is the President and CEO of Global Franchise Group – the strategic brand management company behind four popular QSR brands – Great American Cookies®, Pretzelmaker®, Marble Slab Creamery/MaggieMoo’s® and Hot Dog on a Stick®. He began his career in franchise management more than 20 years ago when he started as a store manager with Marble Slab Creamery. He quickly rose to the position of Executive Vice President and directed an extensive franchise development program that resulted in the opening of more than 300 domestic Marble Slab Creamery units. He also took the brand international – implementing a master franchising program that resulted in the brand’s expansion into Canada, the Middle East and Korea. Most recently, Chris was the champion behind GFG’s acquisition of Hot Dog on a Stick, pulling the famous brand out of bankruptcy and opening new stores across the country.

Chris holds a Bachelor’s from Baylor University, is an active member of the International Franchise Association (IFA), and has received the distinction of Certified Franchise Executive (CFE). He is also a two time Iron Man.

 

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Bryan Keller, Rotey, Joey Ruse and Elise Akin

Rotey Joey Ruse Elise Akin Bryan Keller
KSUEntrepreneurship

Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

Bryan Keller

Bryan Keller

Bryan Keller is a senior at KSU, graduating in May with a business management degree and finance minor. Bryan’s passion is music, specifically guitar, and he enjoys utilizing that passion for worship. Because of this passion, Bryan decided to start a company called Keller Guitars, which sells acoustic/electric guitars with different bible verses burned or foil pressed onto the face of the piece. Bryan began the venture only 3 months ago, so it is very new, but will be launching its first line of acoustic guitars in March, 2017. This line will be called The Carpenter Series and will display Psalms 95 on the guitar.

 

Rotey

Rotey

Rotey was born in a relatively small town named Waterloo, Iowa, where he spent his early childhood. When Rotey was 9 years old, he moved south to the metro Atlanta area. It was shortly after the move, when Rotey’s parents split up, and his Father moved back north to Chicago, leaving his mother to provide for the two of them, and a young Rotey with plenty of time alone. It was during this isolation that his passion for hip hop was born. Rotey bought his first “rhyme book” in high school, and hasn’t looked back since. What started out as just a way to express himself, has since blossomed into a full-blown career as both an artist and producer, sweeping across college campuses in the southeast. Fueled by a relentless ambition, Rotey’s fast paced wordplay and emotionally packed memoirs, coupled with his charming charisma and sharp wit, ensure the young MC is not only here to stay, but to thrive.

 

Joey Ruse

Joey Ruse

Joey Ruse is a junior at Kennesaw State in the Entrepreneurship Program. He is the Vice President of Kennesaw State’s Enactus team, an organization dedicated to economic empowerment through sustainable, entrepreneurial action. He is also the Project Manager for Art’NspirED, a business which fulfills the Enactus principles by creating American markets for handmade goods from artisans in developing countries.  In addition to serving as the Vice President of External Affairs for the Epsilon Nu Tau Entrepreneurship Fraternity which is starting at Kennesaw State. Joey is the marketing intern at AquaGuard Foundation Solutions in Marietta, GA.

In his free time, Joey works on his first novel, The Freedom Initiative, consults aspiring college entrepreneurs, and tries to keep a consistent gym schedule.

 

Elise Akin

Elise Akin

Elise Akin is a senior at Kennesaw State University. Elise loves baking and the entire atmosphere of surfing, so she’s opening a half-bakery, half-longboarding shop called Bake and Skate. Elise has lived on every continent except Australia. Her heart aches for the women she’s lived with who create beautiful hand-crafted goods, but don’t get nearly as much as they deserve for their products. Elise has plans to incorporate her not-for-profit, Sew The World Knows, and will sell the products in her shop. Profits from sales will go back to their villages.

 

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Tony Marzullo

Tony Marzullo

KSUEntrepreneurship

 Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

Tony Marzullo / Gas Motorcars, Inc.
Founder

Tony Marzullo Founded in 2011 by lifelong automotive enthusiast and Atlanta native Tony Marzullo, Gas Motorcars, Inc. is a family-owned and operated car dealership with headquarters located in Marietta, Ga. After spending several years in retail sales with AM General and Hummer, Marzullo decided in 2000 to open Global Auto Solutions, a full-service automotive concierge. Global’s mission was to help private individuals buy and sell vehicles. Acting as an independent broker allowed Marzullo to use his informed automotive knowledge in an objective fashion. Global never pressured a prospective buyer toward any specific product. Instead, Global’s mission was to find the right fit for the customer. This principled set of values, still maintained today, results in customers purchasing only what they need.

For over 12 years, Global Auto Solutions, and now Gas Motorcars, Inc., transformed the car purchase and sale into the business of helping people save time and save money. Gas Motorcars’ clients consist of professional athletes, business owners, executives of Fortune 500 companies, doctors, attorneys, accountants, school teachers, housewives, and anyone who recognizes that their time is valuable and that the task of finding the proper vehicle is one that is best delegated to Gas Motorcars. Gas Motorcars, Inc. is a fully licensed and bonded car dealer in the state of Georgia. Gas Motorcars goal is to sell vehicles of only the highest quality. We do not sell cars with mystery stories. We do not charge extra fees. We do not waste our clients’ time. We provide a comfortable experience, free of hassle, with an honest approach to buying and selling cars. We know what we sell: the majority of the vehicles listed for sale are on consignment from existing clients, friends, and family. What we do: Pre-owned vehicle sales Pre-owned vehicle consignment sales Vehicle purchasing assistance Vehicle reconditioning Vehicle repair Wheel and tire repair Automotive shipping (both domestic and international).

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Robyn Marzullo / Norcross Gun Club & RangeSandy Springs Gun Club & Range

Robin Marzullo

 

 

 

 

 

 

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Stan Friedman

Stan Friedman

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring

 Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

 

Stan Friedman / FRM Solutions
President

StanFriedmanStan Friedman, CFE is President of FRMSolutions a “franchise-centric: technology company that enables franchisors to better manage relationships with prospective and existing franchisees.

Stan is a Board Member of the Southeast Franchise Forum and a founding board member of the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Diversity Institute, In 2011, the IFA honored Friedman with its Ronald E. Harrison Diversity Award, previously awarded only seven times in IFA’s 5o+ year history.

Stan is also co-founder and Advisory Board Chair of (PAFI) The Professional Athlete Franchise Initiative. PAFI is a collaborative that educates twilight year professional athletes to the potential of franchise ownership, as a follow-up to their athletic careers.

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KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Joe English

joe-english

KSUEntrepreneurship

 Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

Joe English / Taylor English 
Partner

Joe English works in close partnership with his clients to provide practical and cost-effective business solutions to employment law issues. Mr. English has earned a reputation as a trusted counselor for his business clients, providing day-to-day advice on general employment-related matters, including risk management and preventative practices. When clients are faced with a legal claim arising from employment practices, Mr. English is an effective advocate for management, regularly defending employers in employment litigation and arbitration cases. Mr. English’s litigation practice has included restrictive covenant claims, complex class-action litigation, employee benefits lawsuits, wage and hour matters, and the spectrum of employment discrimination and retaliation claims. Mr. English has nearly 20 years of experience representing clients in claims that trigger an employer’s Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) coverage, working with clients and insurance carriers to coordinate the defense of insured employment-related claims in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Mr. English enjoys working with early-stage companies, and helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses while developing best practices and legal safeguards in employment and related areas. At the same time, Mr. English is able to work with human resources professionals and in-house attorneys at more established employers, assisting them in remaining legally compliant despite an ever-changing landscape of laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels.

Mr. English is a founding member of the Executive Advisory Council for the KSU Entrepreneurship Center, and a participating member with the Oxford Center for Entrepreneurs.

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KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Ric Zampatti

ric-zampatti

KSUEntrepreneurship

 Where can a young entrepreneur figure out how to turn their dreams into reality? Just take a step into the Shrimp Tank. The Shrimp Tank brings you interviews with some of the most successful business owners in the United States to learn the do’s and don’ts of starting and running a successful business. Then, the fun really starts when we bring in high school and college students to pitch their business ideas to the Shrimp Tank. We don’t fund any business, but we do teach kids how to turn their business ideas into a successful business.

Hosts of The Shrimp Tank Chris Hanks, Ted Jenkin and Lee Heisman

 

Ric Zampatti / The Barter Company
President and CEO

Ric ZampattiExceptional Success

Ric is a career Georgia business owner and entrepreneur and has been a leader in the barter industry for more than 20 years. In 1996, Ric started The Barter Company in Kennesaw, GA.  Since that time, Ric has grown the company into the leading force in the barter industry throughout the Southeast with offices in Georgia and Florida. Ric currently serves as the CEO of The Barter Company, one of the premier business-to-business trade exchanges in the country serving more than 2,500 clients.

Background

Ric is a seasoned entrepreneur working with businesses that provide services in media buying, new business development, and growth. His passion is helping start-ups and small businesses grow and prosper through barter as well as sound fiscal management and common sense cash flow strategies. Ric is a four-time past president and board member on and off for the past 20 years for the National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE). He is a member of the International Reciprocal Trade Association, The Brain Trust (a CEO Think Tank), and Optimist International.

The Barter Company provides businesses with an alternative currency network by using barter dollars instead of cash to handle transactions. The Barter Company actively manages the network with highly skilled trade coordinators making the barter experience simple and smooth. In 2016, The Barter Company was selected as one of the “Top 25” Small Businesses of the Year by the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce.

When he’s not at The Barter Company, Ric is in the sky. He is an instrument-rated pilot with over 1,000 hours of flying time.

Ric attended Ohio University with a degree in Hotel Restaurant Management.

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