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
Lisa Bobb, owner of Squash Blossom Boutique
This week we take a look behind the counter of the indie retail business in Atlanta by putting the spotlight on a successful clothing boutique and gift shift shop chain. This one has a particularly fascinating story of risk-taking and perseverance. Lisa left a successful career in the corporate IT industry to reinvent herself as an owner/operator of a women’s clothing store. She talks with Jon Waterhouse about making a midlife career change, the challenges of a minority-owned business, retail during the pandemic, and more.
Kamal Grant, founder and creative director, Sublime Doughnuts
On this week’s show, we’ll be tapping into the sweet side of business: the business of doughnuts. Kamal Grant, a US Navy veteran and culinary school grad, created this Atlanta-based doughnut chain, resulting in international acclaim. Kamal talks with Jon Waterhouse about what led him to create his own doughnut chain, the challenges and importance of African-American-owned businesses, and how Sublime is thriving amid the pandemic.
Stefanee Escay, clinical liaison on behalf of Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy
Healthcare continues to remain on everyone’s minds these days, and this week we’ll be taking a look at the pharmaceutical business, specifically an Atlanta-based compounding pharmacy. Escay talks about the role of a compounding pharmacy, what Pavilion has to offer, its scope of COVID-19 drugs, and the difference between the COVID-19 tests available.
This week’s “Lenz On Business” airs at a special time, 3 p.m. Saturday, February 6.
Jerome Sabol, owner and president, Plumb Works
Sabol returns to the program to talk about one of Atlanta’s leading and longstanding plumbing companies. He’ll chat with host Jon Waterhouse about how the company continues approaching business amid the pandemic, and how the new apprentice program with Georgia Plumbing Association could help the current unemployment crisis. Sabol also puts the spotlight on the new Plumb Works Academy, a free, how-to online video course offering simple plumbing maintenance and repair tips for homeowners.
This week’s “Lenz On Business” airs at a special time, 3 p.m. Saturday, January 30.
Dr. Benjamin Lefkove and Ron Sanders, PA-C, founders Viral Solutions
After seeing the need for additional COVID-19 testing in the Atlanta area, this duo founded Viral Solutions in an effort to offer the best diagnostic testing possible in a timely manner for all, including the uninsured. Dr. Lefkove and Sanders, PA-C, return to the show five months after their last visit to chat about how their business has since exploded. Their drive-up testing locations have become the largest single ambulatory sites in the state. They’ll discuss their trials and tribulations on the pandemic front, adding vaccine administration into the mix, and more.
Jon Wollenzien, CEO, and Isabel Soles, Clinical Director, YourTown Health
Wollenzien makes a return visit to the program to chat about YourTown Health’s network of nonprofit community health centers, each strategically located in areas facing limited access to affordable, quality healthcare. Soles joins Wollenzien to discuss the biggest challenges they’ve faced during the pandemic, how they’ve implemented new technologies, mobile COVID-19 testing, vaccine administration, and more.
Diamond Dallas Page, DDP Yoga
Just in time for New Year’s resolutions, we talk with Page, founder of the widely successful fitness program DDP Yoga. This retired professional wrestler combined yoga positions and calisthenics with physical therapy principles to create a unique program that continues to spawn incredible transformation stories. He talks about the genesis of the business, his experience on “Shark Tank,” his new documentary “Relentless,” and more.
This week’s “Lenz On Business” airs at a special time, 7 p.m. Saturday, January 9.
Emily Acker, CEO, Hillside, Inc. and Dr. Adam Silberman, Medical Director, Hillside, Inc.
This week we hear from a pair of staffers from one of Atlanta’s oldest nonprofits, dating all the way back to 1888. Hillside, a longstanding leader in the field of youth and family mental health services, helps 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. Acker and Dr. Silberman talk about dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), youth mental health during the pandemic, and more.
Chris Mitchell, Owner, Mitchell Cooling + Heating
Nearly 30 years ago, equipped with little more than a truck and $10,000, Mitchell started his own heating and air conditioning business. Today he and his team continue serving metro Atlanta and North Georgia, banking on basic business philosophies such as customer service, honesty, and avoiding upselling. Mitchell joins producer Jon Waterhouse for a conversation about what it’s like starting a business from the ground up, when and how to grow, employee retention, and a whole lot more.
Mike Killeen, vice president and partner, Lenz Marketing
This week we take a look at the art of marketing. More specifically, how to market a healthcare practice. Mike Killeen is vice president and partner of our show’s namesake, Lenz, a marketing agency. He directs client marketing for the company’s healthcare clients. Additionally, Mike teaches healthcare marketing to graduate students at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. Jon Waterhouse talks with Mike about the history and importance of healthcare marketing, why Lenz specializes in healthcare marketing, marketing healthcare in the midst of a pandemic, and much more.
Jerome Sabol, owner and president, Plumb Works
After operating for more than 30 years, Plumb Works continues to be one of Atlanta’s leading plumbing companies and proudly bears an A-plus rating from the Better Business Bureau. Sabol, an award-winning owner/operator, talks with producer Jon Waterhouse about how to acquire business savvy through professional resources, the company’s training policy, the importance of customer service and reliability, and navigating growth amid a pandemic.
Tune into Lenz on Business every Saturday at 6 pm on 95.5 WSB, or stream online at https://www.wsbradio.com/.
John Lenz, vice president, and Mike Killeen, vice president of marketing Lenz Marketing
What does Richard Lenz do when he’s not hosting the show? He’s founder, president, and CEO of Lenz Marketing, a downtown Decatur-based marketing agency. This unique episode finds Richard in the studio with his two partners, John Lenz and Mike Killeen, discussing topics including family relationships in the workplace, how to balance project diversity, continuing education, and more.
Dr. Benjamin Lefkove and Ron Sanders, founders Viral Solutions
In the midst of the COVID-19 testing crisis, Dr. Lefkove, an emergency physician, and Ron Sanders, a physician’s assistant, saw a need. After having worked closely together for years, they founded Viral Solutions in an effort to offer the best diagnostic COVID-19 testing possible in a timely manner for all, including the uninsured. They talk about the challenges of starting their own business, finding the right partner, and the future of Viral Solutions post pandemic.
Jonathan Baltic, Senior Vice President, BrandArmor Technologies
In the midst of the pandemic, sanitation is on everyone’s mind, and it’s affecting all aspects of our world, including business. And this week’s guest has a unique product that’s relevant now more than ever. Baltic’s company, BrandArmor, is the creator and manufacturer of SafeWalls, a commercial-grade, customizable, antimicrobial wallcovering, for use in healthcare, food service, hospitality, educational, retail, and other public-facing outlets. SafeWalls inhibits the growth of 99.99% of microbes, bacteria and viruses on the surface. Baltic talks about the creation of the product, how it works, and how it’s helping change the industry.
Jay Rodgers, Owner, Full Moon Studio
This week’s show airs at a special time and day. Tune into this Lenz on Business show on 95.5 WSB at 1 PM on Sunday, September 27.
On this week’s episode, we take a look behind the curtain at Full Moon Studio, a recording studio located in the music mecca of Athens, Georgia. Rodgers talks about his journey from intern to owner, the ever-evolving studio recording industry, how he diversifies his business, the effects of COVID-19, some of his famous clients, and more.
Chris Mitchell, Owner, Mitchell Cooling + Heating
Nearly 30 years ago, equipped with little more than a truck and $10,000, Mitchell started his own heating and air conditioning business. Today he and his team continue serving metro Atlanta and North Georgia, banking on basic business philosophies such as customer service, honesty, and avoiding upselling. Mitchell joins producer Jon Waterhouse for a conversation about what it’s like starting a business from the ground up, when and how to grow, employee retention, and a whole lot more.
Dr. Benjamin Lefkove and Ron Sanders, founders Viral Solutions
In the midst of the COVID-19 testing crisis, Dr. Lefkove, an emergency physician, and Ron Sanders, a physician’s assistant, saw a need. After having worked closely together for years, they founded Viral Solutions in an effort to offer the best diagnostic COVID-19 testing possible in a timely manner for all, including the uninsured. They talk about the challenges of starting their own business, finding the right partner, and the future of Viral Solutions post pandemic.
Rachael Collier, Practice Leader and Senior Benefits Consultant, and Tina Macey, Senior Client Engagement Consultant, Total Employee Benefits
This week we take a look at employee benefits, certainly something relevant during the COVID-19 era. We hear from Collier and Macey of Total Employee Benefits, an insurance broker that not only sells employee benefits plans, but helps clients navigate coverage options to enrollment, onboarding, claims care, and renewals. They discuss topics including COVID-19’s impact on employee benefits, how the pandemic has affected claims, and how health insurance covers unlimited amounts of COVID-19 testing in and out of network.
Keisha Jackson, owner One Voice Entertainment
On this episode, we take a look at how COVID-19 is impacting the local entertainment industry, and how one entrepreneur is making it work to her advantage. Keisha Jackson began her career at age 15, providing background vocals for her mother, legendary soul singer, Millie Jackson. Keisha went on to carve out her own recording career with Sony Records, as well as singing on recordings for Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton and more. She’s toured with OutKast, Erykah Badu, Faith Evans, and others, and she currently performs with Yacht Rock Revue.
In 2001, she founded One Voice Entertainment, a vocal coaching talent agency. She’s also a certified life coach, public speaker, and host of her own podcast The Vent Box. Keisha talks about how she’s adapted her business during COVID-19, the future of live music, and more.
Tune into Lenz on Business every Saturday at 6 PM on 95.5 WSB!
Jerome Sabol, owner and president, Plumb Works
After operating for more than 30 years, Plumb Works continues to be one of Atlanta’s leading plumbing companies and proudly bears an A-plus rating from the Better Business Bureau. Sabol, an award-winning owner/operator, talks with producer Jon Waterhouse about how to acquire business savvy through professional resources, the company’s training policy, the importance of customer service and reliability, and navigating growth amid a pandemic.
Tune into Lenz on Business every Saturday at 6 pm on 95.5 WSB, or stream online at https://www.wsbradio.com/.
Will Bostelman, president and CEO, The SwingSet Co.
We love business stories with colorful backgrounds filled with unconventional pathways and fascinating lessons, and this week’s guest has plenty of that. Based in Atlanta, The Swingset Co.’s mission is to create safe and long-lasting play sets for kids.They manufacture all the parts customers need in their state-of-the-art facility. They also pre-assemble all the complicated parts so all customers have to do is screw them together. They then ship their swing sets all across the country. Will discusses his unusual pathway to purchasing the business, navigating the process of being a first-time business owner, the challenges of packing and shipping large retail items, the importance of clear customer communications, and more.