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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Jerome Sabol, owner and president, Plumb Works
Sabol is the award-winning owner and president of Atlanta-based plumbing service, PlumbWorks. He’s also a master plumber himself. One of the city’s leading plumbing companies, PlumbWorks has been in business since 1989. The company proudly bears an A-plus rating from the Better Business Bureau. This week Sabol returns to the show and talks with guest host Belinda Skelton about the business and an array of timely issues.
Meisa Salaita and Jordan Rose, co-executive directors and co-founders, Science ATL, the engineers of Atlanta Science Festival, Yvonne Whitaker, NCR Foundation
The Atlanta Science Festival, a celebration of all things science, takes place March 9-23 with more than 150 events dropping throughout metro Atlanta. The Festival takes over the program this week with Salaita serving as guest host. She chats with Rose about operating the Festival, which is celebrating its 11th edition this year. Additionally, the pair chats with Whitaker about the NCR Foundation’s sponsorship of this year’s Festival, its presence at the Festival’s Exploration Expo, and the business dynamic of a nonprofit.
John Ernst, Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival
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.
Sue Sabol, co-owner, Plumb Works
Family businesses are an American tradition, and this week’s guest has a unique perspective of the concept. Sue left a corporate recruiting role after 20 years to join her husband in running Plumb Works, the family business. She talks about the transition, the unique challenges, and the opportunities she’s experienced since she began this role 18 months ago. One of the city’s leading plumbing companies, PlumbWorks has been in business since 1989. The company proudly bears an A-plus rating from the Better Business Bureau. They specialize in an exhaustive amount of plumbing repair, maintenance and installation services. Everything from emergency plumbing and commercial services to drain cleaning, sewer line and water heaters. Plumb Works even has its own free, how-to online video course. Plumb Works Academy teaches simple plumbing maintenance and repair tips. You can visit plumbworksacademy.com to learn more. And you can learn more about PlumbWorks at plumbworksinc.com.
Jeff Patterson, President, Phoenix Parking Solutions
In a bustling city like Atlanta, parking is always a much needed asset. And this week’s guest knows all about the business of parking and how to make it work in a metropolis like Atlanta and beyond. Considered an expert in the parking industry, Patterson brings more than 15 years of industry experience in parking management, logistics, and consulting services to his company. Phoenix Parking Solutions is a nationwide parking management, consulting and EV charging solutions operator based out of Atlanta. The company specializes in a range of parking services for restaurants, hotels, country clubs, shopping centers, and community events, in addition to parking management, logistics, and consulting services. He talks about the breakthrough of technology in his industry, the future of EV, parking challenges in Atlanta, and much more.
Kimberly Beaudin, President and CEO of the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
College football season recently wrapped up, and many serious fans may be struggling to fill that void. However, Atlanta is the best place to get your college football fix in the off season thanks to 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.
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.
Sue Sabol, co-owner, Plumb Works
John Park, Mayor Elect, City of Brookhaven
The City of Brookhaven, the acclaimed metro Atlanta community with small town charm and big city access, has experienced quite a decade. 11 years ago, it officially transitioned into city hood. And since then it’s achieved notable growth by investing in its police force, improving infrastructure, promoting its cultural diversity, and much more. In January, Brookhaven begins a landmark chapter in its leadership as John Park takes office as mayor. Park won the run-off election for mayor of Brookhaven on December 5. Mayor Elect Park has a longtime record as a member of the Brookhaven City Council. And he’s making history as the first Asian-American Pacific Islander elected as a mayor in Georgia. His goals as mayor include expanding greenspace and improving infrastructure. He’ll also be leading efforts on Brookhaven’s City Centre project, which broke ground in October. He talks about all of this and a whole lot more on this week’s show.
Ralph A. Castillo, CPA, CEO of Morgan Medical Center
Independent hospitals are incredibly important to the communities they serve, not only for the health and welfare of the citizens but also due to the fact they create an economic ripple effect. Our guest this week, Ralph Castillo of Morgan Medical Center in Madison, Georgia, has more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He discusses how he leads this independent, critical care hospital, how Morgan Medical Center has evolved into what it is today, the fifth anniversary of its current location, and much more. For more than 60 years, Morgan Medical Center has served the people of Morgan County. Morgan Medical Center prides itself on the care they provide through modern technology, enhanced treatment facilities, upgraded amenities, and affordable healthcare.
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.
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.
Dawna Miller, Founder, Arena Leadership Coaching and Dylan Miller, University of Georgia student in Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media program
This week’s show is taking a look at two different perspectives on business from two generations of the same family. Dawna Miller, an accomplished C-Suite executive and the visionary behind Arena Leadership Coaching, an innovative business dedicated to empowering emerging executives. Through online courses and e-books, Arena Leadership Coaching equips young professionals with the skills they need to excel as visionary leaders.
We also hear from her son, Dylan Miller, a student in UGA’s Master of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media program. He’s currently working on his thesis project, entitled Pyre, a short film he’s writing and directing. Dylan is facing leadership and business challenges, from helming the production to crowdfunding. And he shares his experience and how he’s benefiting with some of the knowledge he’s receiving from Arena Leadership Coaching.