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.”
Upcoming Lenz on Business Show
Recent Lenz on Business Shows
Dr. Donovan Christie, medical director, QC Kinetix
This week our sister program “The Weekly Check-up,” a healthcare talk show, takes over the “Lenz On Business” time slot for a special presentation featuring guest Dr. Donovan Christie, medical director of QC Kinetix. The Atlanta-based medical practice specializes in regenerative medicine to help their patients find relief from chronic pain due to injury, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
John Loud, President of Loud Security Systems
Like many businesses, the home security industry has transformed in recent years, thanks in large part to advancing technology. This week’s guest has seen this business evolve across the past two decades. John Loud, president of Loud Security Systems, talks with producer Jon Waterhouse about the genesis of his business, the impact of the pandemic on his industry, the future of the home security business, and more.
Jerome Sabol, owner and president, Plumb Works
The Atlanta-based Plumb Works, one of the city’s leading residential plumbing companies, has been operating since 1989 and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Sabol returns to the program to share his business strategies and behind-the-scenes industry knowledge. He talks with Jon Waterhouse about how he is steering his company through a labor shortage, equipment shortage, and inflation. In addition to giving tips on how to prepare plumbing systems for the winter, Sabol discusses how new technology can make plumbing maintenance easier.
Gaan Akers, Clinical Education and Referral Relations Manager, and Amy Rene, Vice President of Clinical Programs, Hillside, Inc.
This week we’ll be learning about Hillside, a longstanding leader in the field of youth and family mental health services. Its mission is to help children and families thrive by providing residential and community mental health services for children and adolescents struggling with emotional and behavioral issues. For many, Hillside’s services are more important now than ever before. Amy and Gaan talk with Jon Waterhouse about Hillside’s history, its programs, the current mental health crisis in America, and much more.
Alicia Dean, Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland, and Dwight Icenhower, Elvis Presley tribute artist
As the film “Elvis” arrives in cinemas worldwide, we take the opportunity to talk about the business of Elvis Presley, one of the most recognized and celebrated entertainers of all time. Alicia Dean is a marketing, promotion, and events specialist for Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland, the Memphis, Tenn.-based tourist attraction. Since opening for tours in 1982, Graceland has welcomed more than 22 million visitors from around the world. Later in the program, five-time world champion Elvis Presley tribute artist Dwight Icenhower (@dicenhower.eta) joins the show. In addition to managing his own career, Dwight won the 2016 Elvis Presley Enterprises Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, appeared in an Apple commercial in 2018, and continues to perform around the world. Jon Waterhouse chats with Alicia and Dwight about the new film, what’s happening at Graceland, tribute artists, Elvis world, and much more.
Bruce Mesnekoff, president Georgia Health Clinics
Our guest this week is an entrepreneur, published author, and the founder and president of Georgia Health Clinics. Georgia Health Clinics maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and offers nonsurgical wellness solutions, including men’s and women’s sexual health, chronic pain management, and skincare and aesthetics. Mesnekoff talks with Jon Waterhouse about what prompted him to step into the healthcare industry, his experiences launching a successful business during the pandemic, tips for entrepreneurs when facing fast company growth, and more.
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.
Stephen Moore, president, RCS Productions and Tod Elmore, general manager, RCS Productions
In this episode, listeners get a backstage pass perspective of the live music industry. This Atlanta-based talent buyer and concert and event production company has been operating since 1982. RCS Productions offers a suite of services, including booking talent, providing staging, sound, lights, video, and even amphitheater design. They help orchestrate everything from music festivals to the venue and corporate performances. Moore and Elmore talk with Jon Waterhouse about how the pandemic has affected the live music industry, how it’s bouncing back, what inflation means to live events, and various other topics.
Floyd Hall and Hannah Redler-Hawes, co-curators, Science Gallery at Emory University
Of course, science and business cross-pollinate in many ways. On this week’s episode, Jon Waterhouse talks with a pair of individuals representing an Atlanta-based, science-related nonprofit that’s presenting science to the public in creative and thoughtful ways. Science Gallery at Emory University brings science, art, technology, and design together to deliver world-class educational and cultural experiences. Floyd and Hannah are co-curators of the organization’s inaugural exhibition, “HOOKED: When Want Becomes Need.” It’s a visually compelling and thought-provoking look at the world of addiction and recovery. Science Gallery at Emory University is part of the international Science Gallery Network and one of only eight of its kind in the world. The guests talk about the unique exhibition, the topic of addiction and its relevance, the partnership with Emory University, and more.
Dr. Jodi Ganz, Olansky Dermatology & Aesthetics
May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which is a great opportunity to have this week’s guest back on the program. Previously, Dr. Ganz talked about the business side of dermatology and what it’s like running an independent medical practice today. She talks with Jon Waterhouse about those topics and more, from the prevalence of telehealth to physician burnout.
Tony Swantek, founder, and Stephanie Wood, senior associate, Jorns & Associates
Of course, the pandemic has affected all of our lives, and businesses have been facing a myriad of challenges for the past two years. But help is out there. This week’s guests specialize in helping businesses receive financial assistance, which can be a substantial lifeline. Jorns ERC, a division of Jorns & Associates, works with small businesses to help them get funding, specifically an Employee Retention Credit, which is a tax credit program that’s part of the CARES Act. Tony Swantek and Stephanie Wood talk with Jon Waterhouse about how the ERC process works and so much more.
Gaan Akers, Clinical Education and Referral Relations Manager, and Amy Rene, Vice President of Clinical Programs, Hillside, Inc.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And this week we’ll be learning about Hillside, a longstanding leader in the field of youth and family mental health services. Its mission is to help children and families thrive by providing residential and community mental health services for children and adolescents struggling with emotional and behavioral issues. For many, Hillside’s services are more important now than ever before. Amy and Gaan talk with Jon Waterhouse about Hillside’s history, its programs, the current mental health crisis in America, and much more.
Jerome Sabol, owner and president, Plumb Works
It’s always great to have entrepreneurs return to the program to give us an update on how they’re making things work. So we’re happy to welcome back Jerome Sabol, the award-winning owner and president of Atlanta-based plumbing service, PlumbWorks. One of the city’s leading plumbing companies, PlumbWorks has been in business since 1989. Sabol brings us up to date with the goings-on of his business, from utilizing new technology to the importance of consulting a business coach. Other topics include the current employment landscape, the company’s apprentice program, and Plumb Works Academy, a free, how-to online video course.
Mark Fonseca, co-founder and partner, Pragmetrix Group
CEO’s around the globe often agonize over the secret to client retention. Fonseca’s Atlanta-based business specializes in uncovering that secret and much more for their clients. Pragmetrix Group works with CEOs to help baseline their organization and uncover hidden revenue risks that would otherwise lead to customer defections. As a third party, Pragmetrix Group interviews a company’s customers and shares their unabridged and unedited thoughts. Mark talks with Jon Waterhouse about how his business came together, how it works, and the many ways Pragmetrix Group has saved clients millions of dollars.
Decatur Cooperative Ministry and Amplify My Community
Poverty and homelessness affect all aspects of society, and this week we’ll be learning about a non-profit whose focus is to alleviate these things on a local level. Since 1969, Decatur Cooperative Ministry’s (DCM) mission has been to help families facing homelessness settle into safe, stable homes and build healthy lives filled with peace, hope, and opportunity. Board members Niki Morrow and Patrick Freeman talk to Jon Waterhouse about DCM’s programs. We also hear from Mike Killeen, founder of Amplify My Community, an organization that produces concerts and festivals in order to raise money for other non-profits. Its signature event is the Amplify Decatur Music Festival, and all proceeds benefit Decatur Cooperative Ministry. It will take place April 23, 2022 on the downtown Decatur Square, and will feature Ben Harper, Old Crow Medicine Show, Son Volt, The War and Treaty, S.G. Goodman, and The Mike Killeen Band.
Stephen Moore, president, RCS Productions and Tod Elmore, general manager, RCS Productions
In this episode, listeners get a backstage pass perspective of the live music industry. This Atlanta-based talent buyer and concert and event production company has been operating since 1982. RCS Productions offers a suite of services, including booking talent, providing staging, sound, lights, and video, and even amphitheater design. They help orchestrate everything from music festivals to the venue and corporate performances. Moore and Elmore talk with Jon Waterhouse about how the pandemic has affected the live music industry, how it’s bouncing back, what inflation means to live events, and various other topics.
Woody Alpern, president of CPA Wealth Advisors
Alpern’s Atlanta-based financial planning company uses qualified CPA advisors to assist investment clients in establishing and achieving personal financial income, retirement, estate, and wealth planning objectives. Additionally, they provide tax planning strategies regarding wealth management, as well as personal investment strategies. So this long-time entrepreneur has a lot to say about the current inflationary period we’re going through. He talks about that and more, including the importance of generating income in retirement, the five ways to bulletproof a financial plan, and why you should rebalance your investments.
Tara Murphy, founder of 360 Media
Tara and her Atlanta-based 360 Media have been specializing in entertainment, lifestyle, and hospitality public relations and marketing for 26 years. Additionally, 360 Media handles special event development, planning, and management. In 2021, 360 Media was ranked among America’s Best PR Agencies in Forbes. Tara chats with Jon Waterhouse about how she started her business, her secret to a successful start-up, how her business has grown alongside Atlanta, and much more.
John Loud, President of Loud Security Systems
Like many businesses, the home security industry has transformed in recent years, thanks in large part to advancing technology. This week’s guest has seen this business evolve across the past two decades. John Loud, president of Loud Security Systems, talks with producer Jon Waterhouse about the genesis of his business, the impact of the pandemic on his industry, the future of the home security business, and more.
Meisa Salaita, co-executive director and co-founder, Science ATL, the engineers of Atlanta Science Festival
Atlanta has a big reputation as a science town. So it makes sense the city would host the Atlanta Science Festival, a two-week celebration of science and technology. Meisa Salaita of Atlanta Science Festival returns to the program to talk about the 2022 edition. She shares the Festival’s origin story, explains this year’s event highlights, and reveals what it takes to operate and grow a successful event such as this.
Doug Warner, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer and Josh Rossmeisl, Co-Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Your 3rd Spot
Your 3rd Spot offers more than 85 games, ranging from board games to bowling, shuffleboard, high-tech darts, and a state-of-the-art curling experience played on synthetic ice. In addition, the space features a retro-modern arcade stocked with classic and modern video games, an indoor cornhole arena, and a 4,000-square-foot patio for more outdoor-oriented activities. Your 3rd Spot is open daily and you can learn more by visiting your3rdspot.com.