Listen Now!

Business Talk 24-7

Curated Collection Of The Best Interviews From Our Sandy Springs Studio





Atlanta Business Radio

KSU Entrepreneurship Center

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

Posted on

Podcast: Download

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.

LinkedIn

 

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.

LinkedIn

 

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Jeff Jahn

Posted on

Podcast: Download

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.

Twitter   Facebook

 

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

Posted on

Podcast: Download

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 Derrick Meek

Posted on

Podcast: Download

GreenSeasonGroup

 

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

 

Derrick Meek / The GreenSeason Group
Founder

Derrick founded The GreenSeason Group because he wanted to do business differently.  His family, particularly his mother, influenced his old school way of doing business.  There’s no snake oil here – for Derrick, business is about honesty, helping others succeed and a passion for excellence.  Calling himself a landscape evangelist, Derrick believes there’s something magical about a beautiful landscape and being able to deliver beauty coupled with an awesome client experience is what it’s all about.

Growing up, Derrick’s entrepreneurial talents were always encouraged by his mother and father – something he’s very grateful for as, he laughs, “I never imagined mowing the neighbor’s grass in middle school to support his fishing habit would later develop into a calling”.

If he’s not spending time with his wonderful wife, or chasing his four boys around, he’s nose-deep in a book, or working on what seems like an ever growing honey-do list.  He’ll tell you his inspiration comes from his faith, his family, and a never ending desire to win.

LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

 

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring John Belman

Posted on

Podcast: Download

fullsizerender-1

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

 

 

 

John Belman /  Vistage Atlanta Chair 

 

John Belman is CEO of Own Accord, LLC, a CEO coaching and advisory firm serving the great Atlanta area. John also serves as a CEO Group Chair with Vistage Worldwide, facilitating advisory groups of high-performing CEOs and business owners. John has broad leadership experience across a range of industries, companies (public, private, family-owned), and functional roles. Most recently he served as a CEO of a mid-market logistics company following 7 years at Target Corporation as a leader in transportation and finance. Prior to Target, John held senior business development and marketing roles in the media and technology industries. John has a BA from Washington University in St. Louis, was a graduate fellow in history at Columbia University, and holds an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
A veteran of the 75th Ranger Regiment, John participated in the 1993 Black Hawk Down mission in Mogadishu, Somalia.

LinkedIn

 

 

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank Featuring Mark Fonseca

Posted on

Podcast: Download

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 and Ted Jenkin.

fullsizerender-3

 

Mark Fonseca / Executive Image Consultant & Professional Speaker

The best-dressed man always makes a powerful statement. Mark Fonseca should know; he’s one of them. The first thing one will notice when meeting Mark is that he is impeccably dressed, with an unpretentious elegance. His exquisite attire and flawless detail package a look that radiates confidence, success and quiet authority. Mark has mastered the art of dressing. As founder and owner of Fonseca Clothiers, it’s no wonder that he also dresses some of the country’s most dynamic, affluent men, guaranteeing that they will always look and feel their absolute best.

KSU Entrepreneurship Center The Shrimp Tank with Shawn Vernimo

Posted on

Podcast: Download

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 and Ted Jenkin.

 

 

shawn-headshotShawn Vernimo / Greystone Consulting Group
Owner
Shawn Vernimo is the expert in solving roofing problems and applying an investment approach to all roofing portfolios. An engineer by training and roofer by choice, Mr. Vernimo’s clients have included 3 of the top 5 property management firms and the largest pension fund in the United States. Additionally, he has consulted on numerous multimillion dollar projects including a $6.6 million roofing project in Dallas, Texas and $4 million project in St. Louis, Missouri. Throughout his 27+ years of roof consulting and contracting experience, Mr. Vernimo has saved business owners and property managers alike hundreds of thousands of dollars by providing clients with his roofing expertise, insight into industry realities and investment approach solutions. Leading efforts to elevate roofing industry standards, Mr. Vernimo makes it easy for clients to make cost-effective decisions for all investments surrounding the roof.

KSU Entrepreneurship Center Presents The Shrimp Tank

Posted on

Podcast: Download

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 and Ted Jenkin.

theshrimptank_10-13-16

 

Richie Knight / HW Creative Marketing 
Founder

 

Richie Knight is a driven entrepreneur who has spent years honing the art of marketing and management. His affinity for people helps him turn professional thinkers into spirited experts. Years of experience working with people, learning their businesses and celebrating their obsessions have turned a young ideator into a marketing guru. 
In 2010, Richie co-founded HW Creative Marketing, a fully integrated inbound marketing agency with a concentrated passion for people and the dedication that drives their business. At the helm of the HW team, Richie brings years of marketing experience to businesses dedicated to sharing their carefully-crafted products and services with devoted customers. Each Spring, Richie coordinates the Success Summit in the heart of Downtown Athens, Georgia, an all-day event giving creative thinkers the opportunity to learn, connect and be inspired.

 

Twitter     Facebook      LinkedIn

KSU Shrimp Tank with Cliff Oxford from The Oxford Center for Entrepreneurs

Posted on

Podcast: Download

cliffoxford

Cliff Oxford / The Oxford Center
CEO

W. Cliff Oxford marked his initial entrepreneurial success as the founder and CEO of STI Knowledge, Inc. – a pioneering first market mover in developing knowledge-based systems and services for the Fortune 1000. STI Knowledge was considered a cultural phenomenon with worldwide organic growth. In 2000, the company was recognized as the 13th fastest growing company in America and was listed on the prestigious Inc. 500 for 3 consecutive years.

While attending the University of West Georgia, Oxford worked part-time loading trucks at UPS. After graduation, UPS hired Oxford full-time and he became its youngest district manager at age 23. While at UPS, Oxford developed a technologically advanced help desk system for the corporate enterprise. In the first year, UPS recognized Oxford for saving the company over 250 million dollars. In 1995, he left UPS to start STI Knowledge. Oxford shaped STI Knowledge into a global technology leader with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Hong Kong and the Philippines. The Atlanta Chamber of Commerce recognized the company’s accomplishments by naming Oxford “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2000. In 2003, he sold STI Knowledge to Mellon Bank Ventures and a group of global investors.

Oxford obtained his MBA from Emory in 1994. Following his vision for entrepreneurism and giving back, Oxford endowed the Emory Executive MBA in 2004.

Today, Oxford channels his Entrepreneurial passion and knowledge into the Oxford Center for Entrepreneurs, the premiere education, commerce, and media platform for fast growth entrepreneurs who are expanding and emerging as the market leaders in their category. Oxford is also a paid columnist for Forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/sites/cliffoxford/) NYTimes.com (http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/author/cliff-oxford/), Host of the Television series DoctorPreneur, and founder of the Oxford at Brenau MBA program the first fully accredited entrepreneur MBA program.

KSU Shrimp Tank with Jim McCarter from DocuTeam

Posted on

Podcast: Download

fullsizerender-1

Jim McCarter / DocuTeam
President

Jim is a 32 year veteran of the industry. Before the creation of Docuteam in 1997, Jim was the president of two different Atlanta branch offices of major conglomerates in the office machine industry. These were big, successful operations with a huge turnover, lots of employees and, of course, lots of customers. But in the “Bigness” of it all, there seemed to be something missing… at least from Jim’s Perspective.

It is after having worked in this capacity for over 15 years that he came to realize – together with his partner, Ed Greco, who had worked as his Vice President of Sales through all this time – just how important independence is in keeping all of one’s customers happy and productive. This is something that was nearly impossible to do in the context of a large corporate structure. Docuteam was born from this desire for independence together with the entrepreneurial spirit that says… “We can get this right!”