Listen on Sundays at 11 a.m. on 95.5 WSB and wsbradio.com
Each week, host Jon Waterhouse speaks with Atlanta’s business leaders to explore their inspiring stories, lessons learned, and tips for growth and success. From big business execs to indie entrepreneurs, these guests not only share their practical secrets, but also unveil the personalities behind the careers.
“Business touches all our lives and deserves to be explored,” says show founder, Richard J. Lenz. “Lenz on Business taps into the excitement and dynamics of business; the colorful characters who drive these companies, their entrepreneurial adventures, and the innovative ways they thrive and survive in today’s world.”
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Madeleine Simmons, District 3 Councilwoman, City of Brookhaven
Brookhaven, the acclaimed metro Atlanta community with small town charm and big city access, became a municipality 11 years ago, and it’s been evolving ever since. This week’s guest shares her frontline insight on how Brookhaven continues to grow and how its citizens and businesses are benefiting from this. In addition to being a member of the Brookhaven City Council, Simmons is also a partner of the law firm Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys. She discusses how her legal background prepared her for her work with Brookhaven, the importance of acquiring and cultivating green spaces, her goals for her next term, upcoming plans for the city, and much more.
Jerome Sabol, owner and president, Plumb Works
Stéphane Lefebvre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, a Canadian company and the largest contemporary circus producer in the world, currently has nearly 4,000 employees representing 80 nationalities. It’s currently presenting more than 45 shows and sells more than 9.5 million tickets annually. Stéphane joined Cirque du Soleil in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer and later served as Chief Operating Officer. He was promoted to CEO in 2021, and he has navigated the company through a challenging transition, while retaining its esteemed brand reputation and success in the world of live entertainment. Stéphane discusses his business philosophy, how Cirque du Soleil faced pandemic-related business challenges, the future of the brand, and other intriguing topics. Cirque du Soleil Echo is now playing at Atlantic Station Atlanta through January 21, 2024.
Jon Wollenzien, CEO of YourTown Health
This week’s guest will be telling us all about the relevance of community health centers in our country. Wollenzien is CEO of YourTown Health. YourTown Health’s network of seven community health centers serve the communities of Meriwether, Pike, Lamar, Carroll, Coweta, and South Fulton counties. The centers are strategically located in areas facing limited access to affordable, quality healthcare. YourTown Health offers comprehensive preventative, curative, and life-enhancing services. Everything from primary care to chronic disease management, and much more.
Andy Hingley, co-owner of Eddie’s Attic and talent booker at Live Nation
Business careers often take unorthodox turns, and this week’s guest went from playing soccer in sports arenas to booking concerts in them. After a professional soccer career in the U.K., Andy found his way to Atlanta where eventually began working for legendary concert promoter, Alex Cooley. Cooley took Andy under his wing, and later on Andy became talent booker at the iconic Decatur venue Eddie’s Attic, which Cooley co-owned at the time. After Cooley’s passing in 2015, Hingley became co-owner of Eddie’s Attic. Today, Andy not only runs Eddie’s Attic, but he also books talent for Live Nation, a multinational entertainment company. He books shows of all sizes in Atlanta and Southeast. From Luke Combs to Lizzo to Ween to Sturgill Simpson. Andy returns to the program to talk about the challenges of operating a club like Eddie’s Attic, how the pandemic has changed the live music business, his foray into artist management, and much more.
Kimberly Beaudin, President and CEO of the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
College football excitement is at a fevered pitch, and arguably there’s no better place to celebrate that excitement than right here in Atlanta at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. The Hall has been operating in the city since 2014, and it’s located in the heart of downtown Atlanta’s entertainment and attractions district. It features more than 50,000 square feet of entertainment and exhibit space and a 45-yard indoor football field. Beaudin has been with the Hall of Fame since 2015. In 2020, she was appointed CEO, making her the first female leader of the institution. She discusses what brought the Hall to Atlanta, how she became CEO days before the pandemic shutdown, the economic impact of the attraction, and much more.
Kelly Stocks, president of the Little Five Points Business Association, and Melaine Raab, secretary of the Little Five Points Business Association and co-owner of the Little Five Points Corner Tavern
The Halloween season is upon us, which means it’s time for the Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade, which takes place October 21 and 22 in Atlanta. More than 55,000 visitors are expected to attend this annual fundraiser for the Little Five Points Business Association. So it’s the perfect opportunity to explore the business landscape of one of the city’s most unique districts. Located just outside of downtown Atlanta, Little Five Points is known as the “bohemian center of the South” with its counterculture, alternative, artsy vibe and more than 100 independently owned businesses. Stocks and Raab talk about what makes Little Five Points special, its business history, how the neighborhood attempts to balance identity with growth, and much more.
Jeff Roth, owner, Premier Tree Solutions
Many entrepreneurs try a wide range of opportunities before settling on the field of their dreams. This week’s guest has a fascinating entrepreneurial history. A US Navy veteran, Jeff moved out of the Armed Forces and into the nightclub business, eventually owning venues in Atlanta, Georgia and Orlando, Florida. After stepping away from the bar world, Jeff began chopping his way into the tree service industry. For more than a decade, he’s been the owner and operator of Premier Tree Services, which provides professional tree services to metro Atlanta clients. These services range from tree removal and trimming to storm damage, stump grinding, and crane work. Jeff joins host Jon Waterhouse to talk about his entrepreneurial spirit, the importance of diversification, the secret to employee dynamics, and more.
Mayor John Ernst and District 4 Councilman John Funny, City of Brookhaven
Business and government often intersect, and a wonderful example of that is the City of Brookhaven, the acclaimed metro Atlanta community with small-town charm and big-city access. Just more than a decade ago, Brookhaven became a municipality and it continues to experience notable transformation and growth. Mayor Ernst and Councilman Funny discuss the main priorities Brookhaven had out of the gate, the evolution of their tech-savvy police force, the importance of infrastructure, the upcoming Brookhaven City Centre project and its City Hall, and the inaugural Brookhaven International Festival taking place October 21 and 22.
Nick Johnson, founder and head coach, CrossFit Liminal
This week on the program we’ll be taking a look at a unique fitness business with an inspiring nonprofit model. Nick Johnson is founder and head coach of CrossFit Liminal, a nonprofit gym in Clarkston, Georgia. Clarkston is known for its refugee population, and CrossFit Liminal is designed to provide services for that community. In addition to regular gym memberships, CrossFit Liminal raises funds to make its services accessible, primarily to Clarkston-area refugees. Additionally, it’s free for youth. In addition to CrossFit Classes, Nutrition Coaching and Education, Personal Training, Yoga and more, CrossFit Liminal offers refugee specific programs. You can learn more at CrossFitLiminal.com.
Ben Armstrong, co-founder, Netherworld
It’s mid September, but for those in the Halloween business, things are ramping up big time as we head toward October. And this week’s guest is an entrepreneur who operates one of Atlanta’s most successful Halloween-related businesses. Netherworld is one of the most highly acclaimed haunted houses in the world, and it’s currently celebrating its 27th anniversary. Since relocating to Stone Mountain in 2017, Netherworld has expanded its offerings to include year-round escape games, and they just added their fifth game, which has a sci-fi premise. Its seasonal haunted attraction opens September 22 and runs on select dates through November 11. Armstrong talks about the company’s history, how they were able to sustain as a seasonal business, how they transitioned to a new location with year-round offerings, and much more.
Stephen Reardon, owner and CEO, and Barry Petrea, clinical director, IR Medical Centers
“Lenz On Business” features quite a few healthcare-related businesses on the show, which gives us the opportunity to explore a variety of topics. We always enjoy taking a look at healthcare businesses that offer different perspectives and treatments, and this week’s guests are no exception. The Atlanta-based IR Medical Centers specializes in regenerative medicine, medical weight loss, erectile dysfunction, and male testerone. However, they say they offer a different approach than many of their contemporaries. They discuss that topic, the buzz surrounding regenerative medicine, the need they fill as a medical practice, their ED treatment solution, and much more.
Andy Hingley, co-owner of Eddie’s Attic and talent booker at Live Nation
Business careers often take unorthodox turns, and this week’s guest went from playing soccer in sports arenas to booking concerts in them. After a professional soccer career in the U.K., Andy found his way to Atlanta where eventually began working for legendary concert promoter, Alex Cooley. Cooley took Andy under his wing, and later on Andy became talent booker at the iconic Decatur venue Eddie’s Attic, which Cooley co-owned at the time. After Cooley’s passing in 2015, Hingley became co-owner of Eddie’s Attic. Today, Andy not only runs Eddie’s Attic, but he also books talent for Live Nation, a multinational entertainment company. He books shows of all sizes in Atlanta and Southeast. From Luke Combs to Lizzo to Ween to Sturgill Simpson. Andy returns to the program to talk about the challenges of operating a club like Eddie’s Attic, how the pandemic has changed the live music business, his foray into artist management, and much more.
Alex Urban, Executive Director, PGA TOUR and the TOUR Championship Dr. Hal Scherz, Managing Partner, Georgia Urology
The TOUR Championship, one of professional golf’s most high profile events, is the grand finale of the FedExCup Playoffs and PGA TOUR season, featuring the top 30 players in the FedExCup standings. They’ll be battling it out August 23-27 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta for the PGA TOUR’s Ultimate Prize – the FedExCup. Urban talks to us about the event’s charitable side, and how it continues to benefit the surrounding community and metro Atlanta at large. Since first being played at East Lake in 1998, the TOUR Championship has given back more than $48 million to charity – including a record $5.5 million from the 2022 event. Event volunteers help enable the TOUR Championship to make these contributions, and one of the sponsors supporting the TOUR Championship’s volunteers is Georgia Urology, the largest urology practice in Georgia. Dr. Hal Scherz of Georgia Urology discusses the importance of community engagement, giving back, healthcare marketing, and much more.
Dr. Michelle Wan, Chief Medical Officer, and Natalie Schmitz, Vice President of Strategy and Implementation, DriveThru Urgent Care
Dan Carroll, Director of Media Engagement, Dragon Con
Jon Wollenzien, CEO of YourTown Health
National Health Center Week is taking place August 6-12, and this week’s guest will be telling us all about the relevance of community health centers in our country. Wollenzien is CEO of YourTown Health. YourTown Health’s network of seven community health centers serve the communities of Meriwether, Pike, Lamar, Carroll, Coweta, and South Fulton counties. The centers are strategically located in areas facing limited access to affordable, quality healthcare.
YourTown Health offers comprehensive preventative, curative, and life-enhancing services. Everything from primary care to chronic disease management, and much more.
Alan Paul, author of “Brothers and Sisters: The Allman Brothers Band and the Album That Defined the ’70s.”
This week’s guest specializes in the written word, and we’re thrilled to have him on the program. He’s a New York Times bestselling author, and his latest book is “Brothers and Sisters: The Allman Brothers Band and the Album That Defined the ’70s.” He talks about balancing his career as an author and a journalist, researching for the book, and some of the biggest challenges he’s faced along the way. Alan also discusses a book release event taking place July 28 at City Winery in Atlanta. Brothers & Sisters: A Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band will feature a Q&A, book signing, live music, and more. Tickets can be found here.
Dr. Donovan Christie, founder, Anwan Regenerative Center
After years in the healthcare field, this week’s guest became an entrepreneur and opened his own concierge practice specializing in lifestyle medicine. Dr. Christie’s business, Anwan Regenerative Center, practices anti-aging functional medicine and focuses on utilizing the triad of good nutrition, exercise, and stress management. Dr. Christie talks with Jon Waterhouse about what led him to open his own practice, his current perspective on healthcare, the definition of lifestyle and regenerative medicine, business lessons he’s learned along the way, and more.
Isabel Soles, Clinical Director, and Dr. Avi Varma, Director of HIV Services, YourTown Health
AIDS and HIV awareness is as important as ever. According to HIV.gov, approximately 1.2 million people in the United States have HIV and around 13% are unaware of their HIV-positive status. In fact, Georgia has some of the highest HIV rates in the country. And YourTown Health is doing something about it with its HIV Prevention and Treatment Program. The program offers HIV services to patients at reduced costs using the Sliding Fee Scale. Services include HIV testing, free at-home tests, preventative and post-exposure medications, and more. Isabel Soles and Dr. Varma talk about the program, address HIV misconceptions, and more.
Nick Johnson, founder and head coach, CrossFit Liminal
This week on the program we’ll be taking a look at a unique fitness business with an inspiring nonprofit model. Nick Johnson is founder and head coach of CrossFit Liminal, a nonprofit gym in Clarkston, Georgia. Clarkston is known for its refugee population, and CrossFit Liminal is designed to provide services for that community. In addition to regular gym memberships, CrossFit Liminal raises funds to make its services accessible, primarily to Clarkston-area refugees. Additionally, it’s free for youth. In addition to CrossFit Classes, Nutrition Coaching and Education, Personal Training, Yoga and more, CrossFit Liminal offers refugee specific programs. You can learn more at CrossFitLiminal.com.