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
Eric Lisle, CEO of Southeast Primary Care Partners
We periodically take a look at the business side of healthcare, and on this week’s show, we’ll be featuring a primary care management service organization. What’s that you may ask? This regionally-focused primary care management services organization and its affiliated practices partner with independent primary care providers. The goal is to expand access to high-quality care and to improve the health of the communities they serve. Lisle discusses the challenges and advantages of the management service organization field, and a whole lot more.
Cindy Richards, founder, and Rob Stearns, family advisor, Best Nest Senior Advisors
Jon Waterhouse is joined by Cindy Richards, founder of Best Nest Senior Advisors, and Rob Stearns, a family advisor for the company. Best Nest Senior Advisors uses its expertise and market knowledge to help clients navigate the overwhelming process of senior living options. They explain how their business works, the definition of a senior advisor and a placement company, and a whole lot more.
Lara O’Connor Hodgson, founder and CEO of Now Corp.
This week’s guest entrepreneur tells us all about Now Corp. This company created NowAccount, an accelerated payment solution. Instead of waiting for a client to pay an invoice, a company can submit the invoice for acceleration to NowAccount, which pays 100% of the invoice amount, less a service fee. NowAccount manages the invoice and waits for the client’s payment. O’Connor Hodgson talks about this and a whole lot more with Jon Waterhouse.
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.
Phnewfula Frederiksen, owner and founder, Happy Mango
This week’s “Lenz On Business” airs at 5 p.m. Jan. 30.
After a successful career in the music business, With an eco-conscious spirit and a desire to take customer service to the next level, Frederiksen has helped Happy Mango garner a strong reputation and following. It even attracted the attention of American Express, who offered Happy Mango the opportunity to become an Amex Small Business partner. Happy Mango carries popular brands as well as its own line of original products. You can find onesies and strollers, and all points in between. Frederiksen talks with Jon Waterhouse about how she started the business, the importance of minority-owned businesses, and the store’s upcoming move to The Works in Atlanta’s Upper Westside.
Eric Levitan, founder and CEO, Vivo
This week’s Lenz On Business will air at 5 p.m. January 23.
Of course, new fitness goals are typical for many this time of year. And this week’s special guest occupies an interesting niche in the fitness business. Vivo is an online, small group, fitness program that focuses on strength training for seniors and people over 55. Using online technology, Vivo makes the personal training model affordable and accessible to its users, who are able to do it in their own homes. Levitan talks with Jon Waterhouse about how the company came together, how the pandemic changed their plans, the importance of strength training for seniors, and more.
Steve Leondis, Owner and CEO of Horizon Air Freight
This week Lenz on Business will air at 5 p.m. Sunday, January 16.
By popular demand, Lenz On Business is thrilled to replay this inspiring story. More than 50 years ago, Steve’s immigrant father Anthony started Horizon Air Freight, equipped with little more than a small amount of capital and a dream. Today, Steve continues carrying his dad’s torch as Horizon Air Freight delivers critical marine spare parts, supplies, and equipment from vendors worldwide to customers’ vessels. This includes container ships, tankers, and cargo vessels to US Naval fleets and cruise ships to offshore oil, gas, and wind platforms. Horizon recently partnered with Inchcape Shipping Services in order to streamline Inchcape’s last-mile spares logistics and door-to-deck delivery throughout the Americas.
Jenni Bonura, President and CEO of Harry Norman Realtors
This week, Lenz on Business will air on Sunday, January 9th at 5 PM.
The home real estate market continues to be super hot right now and this week’s guest brings a strong perspective. Jenni oversees the operations of Atlanta’s first residential real estate firm and was honored as one of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Most Admired CEOs of 2020. She shares her residential real estate savvy with Jon Waterhouse and talks about the 2020 boom, the forecast for the remainder of 2021, the idea of a seller’s market, buying trends, and more.
Neal Cohen, co-founder of Tip Top Proper Cocktails
We raise a figurative glass to the New Year by airing an encore episode. This Atlanta-bred brand of canned, premade cocktails is already shaking and stirring the alcoholic beverage industry. Having just launched in 2019, Tip Top Proper Cocktails has experienced great growth and publicity. They’ve been covered in the New York Times, Bon Appetit, Garden & Gun, and elsewhere. Cohen pops the top on his background in the music festival business, the product’s inspiration, the unique start-up story, and the company’s recent partnership with Delta Air Lines.
Dr. Andrew Kirsch, Medical Director, Georgia Urology
It’s the season of giving, but healthcare workers give year-round. One such person is this week’s guest. In addition to being a physician, Dr. Kirsch is a business leader, educator, author, internationally-known lecturer, and so much more. Dr. Kirsch will be calling in to discuss the business side of healthcare, how the pandemic continues to transform the practice of medicine, how Georgia Urology has managed to thrive and grow for more than 50 years, and other topics. Staying in step with the season, host Jon Waterhouse asks Dr. Kirsch about the practice’s many philanthropic projects, including its involvement with Project Chimps.
Steve Leondis, Owner and CEO of Horizon Air Freight
Lenz On Business often shares inspiring business stories and this week’s guest brings plenty to the table. More than 50 years ago, Steve’s immigrant father Anthony started Horizon Air Freight, equipped with little more than a small amount of capital and a dream. Today, Steve continues carrying his dad’s torch as Horizon Air Freight delivers critical marine spare parts, supplies, and equipment from vendors worldwide to customers’ vessels. This includes container ships, tankers, and cargo vessels to US Naval fleets and cruise ships to offshore oil, gas, and wind platforms. Horizon recently partnered with Inchcape Shipping Services in order to streamline Inchcape’s last-mile spares logistics and door-to-deck delivery throughout the Americas.
Dr. Benjamin Lefkove and Ron Sanders, PA-C, founders Viral Solutions
For nearly two years, Viral Solutions has been on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. From providing much-needed testing opportunities early on to administering vaccines to adults and now children, Viral Solutions has evolved as a healthcare service provider. Today the company has 18 sites across metro Atlanta. Lefkove and Sanders return to the program to talk about the growth of its business, and hot COVID-19-related topics including the omicron variant, booster shots, pediatric vaccines, and how to safely celebrate the 2021 holidays.
Roman Aluisy, patient advocate, Virtual Imaging
Aluisy joins us to talk about this disease and illness prevention facility that offers CT imaging services to individuals interested in the early detection of heart disease and cancer. It serves as a solution for those looking for additional diagnostic options. Aluisy explains how this business evolved, the relevance of heart, lung, and full-body scans, patient success stories, and more.
Ben Armstrong, co-founder, Netherworld
This week’s guest knows all about the business of Halloween. He’s co-founder of Netherworld, a haunted attraction with movie-worthy special effects. Netherworld is recognized as one of the most highly acclaimed haunted houses in the world, and it’s currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. It’s been covered by a slew of media outlets, including CNN, “The Today Show,” “The Early Show,” The Travel Channel, the Wall Street Journal, and more. Since relocating to Stone Mountain in 2017, Netherworld has expanded its offerings to include year-round escape games and outdoor laser tag. Ben chats with host Jon Waterhouse about the secret to longevity, surviving the pandemic, business growth, and more.
Lara O’Connor Hodgson, founder and CEO, Now Corp Cindy Richards, founder, and Rob Stearns, family advisor, Best Nest Senior Advisors
This week “Lenz On Business” takes over “The Weekly Check-Up” time slot with two hours of back-to-back episodes on 95.5 WSB, Atlanta’s News & Talk. Lara O’Connor Hodgson, founder and CEO of Now Corp, is the special guest for the 3 p.m. hour. Now Corp offers the NowAccount service, an accelerated solution for small businesses. At 4 p.m., host Jon Waterhouse is joined by Cindy Richards, founder of Best Nest Senior Advisors, and Rob Stearns, a family advisor for the company. Best Nest Senior Advisors uses its expertise and market knowledge to help clients navigate the overwhelming process of senior living options.
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 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 Amma Williams 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 October 2, 2021 on the downtown Decatur Square, and will feature Indigo Girls, John Paul White, Rodney Crowell, Blind Boys of Alabama, The Cactus Blossoms Duo, and Michelle Malone.
Meridith Ford, owner Cremalosa
A former food writer, Meridith stepped away from the newsroom and into the kitchen to open Cremalosa, a Decatur-based gelato shop. The handmade, artisanal gelato is spun in small batches every day with the expertise of Italian technique. Meridith brings a special touch to age-old Italian methods, creating sweet frozen treats of powerful American flavors inspired by the Southern cakes, cookies, and candy bars she grew up with. She talks with Jon Waterhouse about opening a shop at the beginning of the pandemic, making the transition from journalism to restauranteur, and much more.
Stephanie Stuckey, CEO Stuckey’s
If you’ve spent any time trekking the nation’s highways, you’ve at the very least seen the signs or perhaps visited a Stuckey’s location. These roadside pit stops are experiencing a new era thanks to this week’s guest. Having served for more than a decade in the Georgia House of Representatives, Stephanie Stuckey is now CEO of Stuckey’s, the company her grandfather founded more than 80 years ago. She talks with Jon Waterhouse about purchasing the company and what it has been like breathing new life into an iconic brand.
Dan Carroll, Director of Media Engagement, Dragon Con
Dan Carroll returns to talk about Dragon Con, the ultra-successful pop culture convention that takes over downtown Atlanta for five days each Labor Day Weekend. It not only does bang-up business, but it makes quite the economic impact on the city. After last year’s virtual version, Dragon Con is back Sept. 2-6 as an in-person event with a virtual option, and a slew of adjustments and protocols in place to keep things running as safe as possible during these challenging times. Dan talks about all of this and more, including the highlights of this year’s convention.
Katie Miner, General Manager, Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC)
This week we explore the business of the decorative arts, specifically ADAC. ADAC was created in 1961 by legendary architect and developer John Portman, and in 2018 it was acquired by International Market Centers. It features more than 550,000 square feet of the Southeast’s largest collection of luxury furnishings for residential, hospitality, and contract projects. Designers, trade professionals and consumers alike can shop for their interior design needs, from fabrics to rugs to furniture and more. Miner will chat about topics including ADAC’s 60th anniversary, the trends and challenges during the COVID-19 era, its upcoming Discover ADAC event, and more.
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.