Championing the Economic Development
Insider Insights Podcast, where business and community leaders tell their stories of South Metro and its Aerotropolis.
Insider 144: Union City Councilman, Brian K. Jones
Brian Jones has been a council member in Union City for 14 years. He discusses some history of ...
Insider 143: Atlanta Performance Volleyball, Cheryl Butler
Atlanta Performance Volleyball (APV) is all things volley ball for women from training and tournaments to social development ...
Insider 142: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Jai Ferrell
Jai Ferrell is the Assistant General Manager for Commercial Development at the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson ...
Insider 141: BNI Atlanta Global Connectors, Robert Wade
Business Network International has been around for 35 years but until recently hasn't operated robustly in the Airport ...
Insider 140: Cargo Sprint and APICS, Sean Conrad
Sean Conrad is National Director of Business Development with Cargo Sprint, a technology platform company that facilitates better ...
Insider 138: Sanai Couture Beauty, Michelle Foye
Michelle Foye adds services to her existing business, Precis Screening, to create a full service health and wellness ...
Insider 137: VIP Staging Atlanta, Kim Ormsby
VIP staging specializes in interior home design and staging homes for sale. Owner, Kim Ormsby Nuonum, who lives ...
Insider 136: White Howard Brands, Lisa White
Lisa White is President and owner of White Howard Brands, a furniture dealer and distributor. She has been ...
Insider 135: Silverton Mortgage, Arnold Martin
Arnold Martin is the Branch Manager for Silverton Mortgage. Arnold talks about an uptick in the mortgage lending ...
Insider 134: Aerotropolis Atlanta CIDs, Gerald McDowell
Gerald McDowell shares two up and coming transportation projects: Micro Transit Systems and Personal Transit systems. Learn more ...
Insider 133: Atlanta’s Best Packaging, Rickey Robinson
Atlanta's Best Packaging does it all: from tires, cars and live animals to ensuring delicate and temperature sensitive ...
Insider 132: SMC3, Brian Waters
SMC3 is a trade organization that has supported the motor carrier industry for 85 years, providing essential data, ...
Insider 131: City of South Fulton, Christopher Pike
The City of South Fulton has completed its comprehensive plan and is forging ahead with projects that will ...
Insider 130: SMDO 2020, Michael Hightower
The South Metro Development Outlook (SMDO) is the premier and the largest conference of its kind in South ...
Insider 128: South Fulton Lifestyle Magazine, Michelle Taylor Willis
Michelle Taylor Willis is well known for South Fulton Lifestyle Magazine. However, most don't know about her radio ...
Insider 127: The Fitness Collective ATL, Tiffany Baskett
Tiffany Baskett opened The Fitness Collective ATL in her community, South Fulton. Her studio, located in the Sandtown ...
Insider 126: Atlanta Technical College, Dean of Industrial and Transportation Technologies, Dr. Ian Toppin
Dr. Toppin is Dean of Industrial and Transportation Technologies at Atlanta Technical College. This division prepares its students ...
Insider 125: My Health Reassurance, Kayona Moreland
Kayona Moreland, My Health Reassurance, has been a nurse for 12 years and nurse practitioner for the last ...
Insider 124: The City of East Point, Maceo Rogers
Maceo Rogers has been the Director of Economic Development in East Point for 5 Years, promoting business development, ...
Insider 123: Mallory Alexander International Logistics, Jason Piper
Mallory Alexander International Logistics is a leading full-service logistics provider. While established in 1925 with headquarters in Tennessee, ...
Insider 122: Royal Trophies, Eric and LaPrecious Marcus
While located in East Point for nearly 30 years, Royal Trophies on Main Street is now under the ...
Insider 121: Tracey Wyatt Recreation Complex, Cresit Dowdell
Supervisor Cresit Dowdell has been working at the Tracey Wyatt Recreation Complex since opening day 10 years ago ...
Insider 120: Oz Pizza, Chris Wiley
Chris Riley is co-owner of Oz Pizza in East Point. Oz Pizza has been evolving with downtown East ...
Insider 119: Versastyle Dressing, LLC, Brian Robinson
Brian Robinson is a stylist in East Point. East Point makes it easy for him to team up ...
Insider 118: SJAC Food Groups, Tammi Whitehead and Tyrone Coleman
SJAC Food Groups LLC, started by Sterling Coleman, now operates 17 franchise Zaxby's locations in Metro Atlanta and ...
Insider 116: The Launch Pad and 100 Black Men, Kenny Hill
Kenny Hill is the Founder of The Launch Pad and a leader within 100 Black Men of South ...
Insider 115: Georgia Carpet Recovery Center, Amir Sahebdivani
Amir Sahebdivani was a pioneer and remains a leader in the carpet recycling industry. He brings decades of ...
Insider 114: Fracena Byrd at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School
Fracena Byrd brings her artistic talent and passion for theater to St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in ...
Insider 113: Tila Studios, Tiffany Tila
Tiffany Tila, a resident of East Point, founded an arts professional incubator for women, Tila Studios. It operated ...
Insider 112: Academy Theatre, Fracena Byrd
Hapeville's Academy Theater is re-opening on October 11, 2019. SPOILER ALERT, Fracena Byrd and her colleagues talk about ...
Insider 111: Mayoral Candidate, Bianca Motley Broom
Bianca Motley Broom, attorney and College Park resident, is running for Mayor. She shares her passion for community-centered ...
Insider 110: Wayward Parlor, Alana Fuselier
Alana Fuselier comes back to Insider Insights after 18 months of operating the Wayward Parlor in East Point ...
Insider 109: Drip-Thru Coffee, Christy Deen
A native of South Metro Atlanta, Christy Deen is proud to open her second drive thru coffee location ...
Insider 108: Sanskrit Moon, Chandra Fowler
Chandra Fowler has been a resident of Hapeville for over a decade. When she learned her yoga studio ...
Insider 107: Precis Screeing, Michelle Foye
Michelle Foye is the Operations Manager of Precis Screening that offers a holistic approach to drug and alcohol ...
Insider 106: Okun Family Chiropractic, Drs. Louis and Garret Okun
Okun Family Chiropractic is a 30-year family business. Dr. Louis Okun and his son Dr. Garret Okun share ...
Insider 105: Men Of Intelligence Association, Dornelius Mayes
Dornelius is the Founder of Men Of intelligence Association. He advocates for the welfare and well-being of youth ...
Insider 104: Candidate for Hapeville Alderman, Rod Mack
Rod Mack is running for Hapeville Alderman and wants your vote on March 19, 2019. Hear about his ...
Insider 103: Councilman at Large Hapeville, Travis Horsley
Travis Horsley is a councilman at Large in Hapeville. He talks about city infrastructure improvements that will ensure ...
Insider 102: South Fulton Tennis Center, Sam Kennedy
As the President of the South Atlanta Community Tennis Association, Sam Kennedy manages the South Fulton Tennis Center ...
Insider 101: South Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Dyan Matthews
Dyan Matthews, the President and CEO of the South Fulton Chamber of Commerce has tripled the membership over ...
Insider 100: Podcast Host I Have The Answers, Daylan Rollins
Daylan Rollins hosts the podcast I have the Answers. Representing the youth of South Fulton, he discusses his ...
Insider 099: South Metro Development Outlook Conference, Michael Hightower
Michael Hightower of The Collaborative Firm announces new speakers and award recipients at the SMDO conference. He describes ...
Insider 098: LifeLink, Bobby Howard
Bobby Howard is Director of Multicultural Donation Education at LifeLink, the federally designated non profit that manages the ...
Insider 097: Global Apprenticeship, Rasool Muhammad
Rasool Muhammad of Global Apprenticeship matches youth, 16 -24 years of age, with internship, employment and professional training ...
Insider 096: KW Commercial, Cheryl Gosa
Cheryl Gosa and Podcast hostess, Diana Campbell, are part of a Commercial Real Estate sales team at KW ...
Insider 095: Barber Spa: SDH, Lafayette and Keisha Warren
Lafayette and Keisha Warren combine their expertise and passion to create the first Barber Spa for men in ...
Insider 094: Connect South Fulton, Michael Davis
Michael Davis, the Executive Director of Connect South Fulton, discusses his recent white paper in the Atlanta Business ...
Insider 093: PPG, Sable Parker
Sable Parker, her parents, grandparents and great grandparents are longstanding residents of the South Fulton region. She graduated ...
Insider 092: The Home Depot 0123, James Hutchinson
James Hutchinson, a retired veteran, relaunched his career at the Forest Park Home Depot and nearly tripled sales ...
Insider 091: Hapeville Main Street and Grants Coordinator, Bianca Howard
Bianca Howard is the Main Street and Grants Coordinator for the city of Hapeville Department of Economic Development ...
Insider 090: Above Average Tutoring, Kaila Caldwell
Kaila Caldwell is an educator. She owns Above Average Tutoring service and is an instructor at a variety ...
Insider 089: Camp Creek Business Association, Darris Rollins
Darris Rollis lives, works, plays and prays in South Metro Atlanta. He is the President of the Camp ...
Insider 088: Diamond Edge Properties, Rich Munroe
Rich Munroe and his wife operate Diamond Edge Properties. They own and manage over a dozen Air B&B ...
Insider 087: Uptown Comedy Corner, Angelo Sykes
The Uptown Comedy Corner finds its new home the iconic "CASTLE" building on North Central in Hapeville. Owner/Operator ...
Insider 086: South Metro Development Outlook Conference 2019, Michael Hightower
Michael Hightower discusses the 17th annual South Metro Development Outlook conference, detailing guest speakers and themes of the ...
Insider 085: Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, Shannon James
Shannon James is the Chairman of the Board of the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance. describes Aerotropolis in terms of ...
Insider 084: South Atlanta Real Estate Investors Association, Stacy Rossetti
Stacy Rossetti has been engaged in buying and selling homes, a home inspection business and international wind turbines ...
Insider 083: Camy Arnett Production Studios, Cameron Arnett
Cameron Arnett, the actor and artist, has enjoyed a career in the entertainment industry from LA to Atlanta ...
Insider 082: Lisa Ragan Customs Brokerage, Bo James
Bo James, a compliance manager with Lisa Ragan Customs Brokerage, talks about the custom brokerage industry and its ...
Insider 081: East Point Council Member, Alexander Gothard
Council Member Alexander Gothard, talks about East Point's evolution, the Commons project and a impactful community based initiative ...
Insider 080: East Point Council Member, Nannette Saucier
Council Member Saucier saw East Point's potential and the need for her civic engagement. She discusses upcoming events ...
Insider 079: East Point Council Member, Thomas Calloway
Thomas Calloway lives in, works around, and serves East Point. He shares hope for smart growth with intentionality ...
Insider 078: Just Us Girls, Jackie Martin
Jackie Martin is the Executive Director of Just Us Girls. With a location on Washington Road, she has ...
Insider 077: East Point Council Member, Sharon Shropshire
Councilmember At-Large, Sharon Shropshire, shares a few of her pet projects and the process behind East Point's progress ...
Insider 076: City of East Point, Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham
Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham, the people's choice for mayor of East Point, shares some of her administration's 2018 ...
Insider 075: Beer Girl, Alexia Ryan
Alexia Ryan is owner of Beer Girl. For four years, Beer Girl has been a Central Avenue staple ...
Insider 074: SpaceMax Storage, Rhonda White
Rhonda White is the district manager of Space Max Storage. Space Max repurposed a hotel to bring a ...
Insider 073: My Dumb House, Kevin Hackshaw
Kevin Hackshaw, a resident of East Point, left Corporate America to start My Dumb House. He brings IT ...
Insider 072: Comcast, Chris Houston
Chris Houston enters the market just 9 months ago as Business Account Executive at Comcast. He describes Comcast's ...
Insider 071: The ATL, Mike and Ellen Simpson
Mike and Ellen Simpson have owned and operated The ATL for 16 years. As they approach 5 million ...
Insider 070: GA House of Representatives Derrick Jackson, District 64
Derrick Jackson brings 22 years of military leadership and a background in business management to the GA House ...
Insider 069: GA House of Representatives, Kim Schofield, District 60
GA House of Representative Kim Schofield likes to say that Kim stands for Keep It Moving. This mantra ...
Insider 068: Envision Business Management Group and Thornton Media Group, Jini and David Thornton
The South Fulton dynamic duo, Jini and David Thornton, operate two businesses out of their Camp Creek office ...
Insider 067: College Park Main Street Manager, Renee Coakley
Renee Coakley is the new College Park Main Street Manager. She describes the latest, 2018, projects transforming downtown ...
Insider 066: Matrixx Auto Group, Lacretia Carroll
Lacretia Carroll is trailblazing in Auto Brokerage. She discusses the assets of her Union City location: from customers ...
Insider 065: Mullins International Solutions, Donna Mullins
A 30+ year veteran of the logistics industry, Donna Mullins knows customs brokerage. She explains the importance of ...
Insider 064: Hapeville Millenial, Kiersten Sherman
Living the gig economy life in Hapeville, Kiersten is the quintessential millennial. She describes her various works in ...
Insider 063: Connect South Fulton, Michael Davis PART II
What is the best way for a citizen to advocate for development in South Fulton? Executive Director of ...
Insider 062: Hapeville First United Methodist, Reverend J.R. Atkins
J.R. Atkins is the reverend at Hapeville First United Methodist Church. He discusses the history of churches as ...
Insider 061: Family Life, Jane Gunter, Katheryn Bennett and Linda Wagner
Family Life was founded by community icon, Jane Gunter, 36 years ago. Jane and her team discuss Family ...
Insider 060: Connect South Fulton, Michael Davis
Michael Davis is the Executive Director of Connect South Fulton. He describes South Fulton, with 45,000 acre of ...
Insider 059: Lux Body Studio, Koko Nesbit
Lux Body Studio, an exclusive non-invasive body studio for sculpting you butt, curving your waistline, whitening your teeth ...
Insider 058: Woda Cooper Companies, Denis Blackburne
Denis Blackburne is the Senior Vice President of Woda Cooper Companies. Woda Cooper Companies developed Mallalieu Pointe, a ...
Insider 057: Corner Tavern, Mike, Melanie and Alexis
Learn about Corner Tavern in Hapeville. Owners Mike and Melanie discuss their new construction, plans for expansion and ...
Insider 056: MAYNARD – Auburn Ave Films, Wendy Ely-Jackson
Wendy Ely-Jackson, longstanding resident of Tri-Cites, produced the newly acclaimed documentary MAYNARD. Anyone doing business in or around ...
Insider 055: NPUX, Michael Hopkins
Michael Hopkins is a 21 year resident of Hammond Park, a community in Atlanta adjacent to Hapeville. He ...
Insider 054: The Collaborative Firm, Michael Hightower
MIchael Hightower is a community leader with decades-long engagement in the development of South Metro Atlanta. He'll discuss ...
Insider 053: Net Planner Systems, Emmett McCord
Net Planner Systems Inc, provides the technology that makes our cities and commercial infrastructure "smarter". Emmett McCord shares ...
Insider 052: M2 Renovations, Marcia May
Marcia May serves the Tri-cities' home renovation needs. She owns M2 Renovations, a full service construction company. As ...
Insider 051: Arden’s Garden, Leslie Zinn
Leslie Zinn, CEO of Arden's Garden shares their mission to help healthy eating and drinking accessible and affordable ...
Insider 050: Garvin and Simpson at Closing
Shawnalea Garvin of AETC purchased the property of Lori Simpson of Mutt and Jeff. They discuss their history ...
Insider 049: City of East Point, Erin Rodgers
Erin Rodgers, Economic Development specialist for the City of East Point, describes the film and movie production and ...
Insider 048: The Hardie Group, Eben Hardie
Eben Hardie is developer of industrial distribution centers. The Hardie Group is responsible for millions of square feet ...
Insider 047: Core Fitness–Erika and Lauren Maxie
Erika Maxie, owner of Core Fitness, tailors fitness training to various organizations around South Fulton County. With a ...
Insider 046: Pleasant Hills South Missionary–Pastor Milling
Executive Pastor Milling invites the business and residential communities in the Buffington Road corridor of College Park to ...
Insider 045: Christian Church at East Point–Pastor Burton
Pastor Burton leads a small but growing congregation within a large church facility on a main corridor of ...
Insider 044: Ms. Ro’s Dance Closet
Ms. Ro's Dance Closet in College Park is the only brick and mortar dance apparel store within several ...
Insider 043: True Laundry Detergent–Muhammad and Saleem
Mr. Muhammad and Mr. Saleem started True Laundry Detergent 3 years ago. With room to grow in their ...
Insider 042: Noodle, Lina Kuo
Lina Kuo brought Noodle to College Park 13 years ago. While business has always been growing, the last ...
Insider 041: Sovereign Rehabilitation–Kelly Conely
Sovereign Rehab is expanding its foot print across the south side of Atlanta and stakes a claim to ...
Insider 040: Hapeville Charter Career Academy, Tracy McClure
Hapeville Charter Career Academy, located in College Park, blends traditional in-class learning with work and apprentice experiences. The ...
Insider 039: Touch of Life Family Chiropractic, Dr. and Mr. Thompson
Dr. Patrice Thompson and Mr. Bryson Thompson expanded their chiropractic office to the Camp Creek Market place. Touch ...
Insider 038: Professional Speech and Language Therapy–Javonya Clemons
Javonya Clemons has been a pediatric speech and language therapist for ten years. Four years ago, she began ...
Insider 037: As U R Counseling, Jamie Meyer
Jamie Meyer comes full circle. Once a native of Hapeville, she is back after graduate school to begin ...
Insider 036: Wayward Parlor, Alana Fuselier
Alana Fuselier has always done things differently. Her vision for Wayward Parlor is for community focused and welcoming ...
Insider 035: The Academy Theatre, Fracena Byrd
The Academy Theatre relocated from Avondale Estates to partner with the Hapeville Performing Arts Center. Together, they bring ...
Insider 034: Guardian Protective Services, Ben Maner
Ben Maner planted his business in East Point14 years ago when very few else would. He revitalized his ...
Insider 032: Dentist, Dr. Kim Henry DMD
Dr. Henry built a Spanish Colonial office building in Hapeville for his dental practice. With the perspective of ...
Insider 031: Quadrant Fitness, Nancy Fernandez
Nancy Fernandez opened Quadrant Fitness in Hapeville. She combines the CrossFit brand with her four-quadrant philosophy: meals, movement, ...
Insider 030: S&S Firepits, Andy Stiver
Incubated in the Tri-Cities, S&S Firepits is a national brand in the fire pits industry. Co-founder Andy stiver ...
Insider 029: Braids of Natural Art, Zakee
Zakee is the founder of Braids of Natural Art, a braiding club for girls ages 1-12. It provides ...
Insider 028: Airborne Gymnastics, Kamilah Jones
Airbone Gymnastics is well established at a few recreation centers in the Tri-Cities. She has her sights set ...
Insider 027: National Black and Latino Council, Lance Robertson
The National Black and Latino Council plants its roots in East Point. Functioning like a chamber of commerce, ...
Insider 026: Rosie’s Coffee Cafe, Sherri Ricks
Sheri Ricks and her partners own Rosie's Coffee Cafe as well as the neighboring towing facility. The swankiest ...
Insider 025: Teens At Work, Marvin Bussey
Since 1992, Marvin Bussey has operated Teens At Work, a non-profit after school program. Its flagship location is ...
Insider 024: Main Street Manager, Jessica Mitchell
Jessica Mitchell's role within College Park city government is to ensure the vitality of the business community on ...
Insider 023: Kupcakerie, Henry and Kascha Adeleye
The Adeleye's own and operate Kupcakerie. Their location, across from the East Point Marta, has become a community ...
Insider 022: Discovery Montessori, Emily Winston-Cartwright
The Montessori model of early childhood education is a saught-after commodity in East Point. Engaging parents in the ...
Insider 021: Marriott Gateway, Donnelle Zunker
Donnelle Zunker is the General Manager of the Marriott Gateway hotel. With the confidence and perspective of a ...
Insider 020: A Citizen, Nikki Yunger
Nikki Younger is a longstanding resident of College park. She shares her love for the charm of the ...
Insider 019: Airport Employment & Training Center, Shawnalea Garvin
Shawnalea Garvin, President of Airport Employment & Training Center, has been working with airport vendors for more than 20 ...
Insider 018: Tri-Cities Mc Donalds, Kirsten Loliss
Kirsten Lollis is co-owner and operator of four, McDonald's, three of which are in the Tri-Cities. A six ...
Insider 017: I love Dance Atlanta, Adrienne Tutum
Adrienne Tatum is owner and director of I Love Dance Atlanta. Ms. Tutum shares a broad perspective as ...
Insider 016: ATL Airport District, Cookie Smoak
President of the ATL Airport District, Cookie Smoak, ensures the occupancy rate of the region's 8000 hotel rooms ...
Insider 015: IMPACT Church and Event Center, Maxine Fears
IMPACT attracts thousands of Atlantans to East point each week. Maxine Fears, Director of Operations, speaks about the ...
Insider 014: Truly Living Well, Rashid Nuri
Rashid Nuri is on the forefront of the urban agricultural movement in Atlanta after years of experience farming ...
Insider 013: Chapman Drugs, Derek Chapman
Derek Chapman is a third generation Pharmacist and fourth generation owner of Hapeville's iconic Chapman Drugs. His family ...
Insider 012: Caduceus USA, Dr. Dawkins
Dr. Dawkins is a leader in his industry and a longstanding member of the Hapeville business community. He ...
Insider 011: Ballethnic, Waverly Lucas and Nena Gilreath
Blending African dance and classical ballet, Ballethnic is 27-year old dance studio in East Point. It attributes its ...
Insider 010: Hapeville, Arches Brewing, Jamey Adams
Insider Jamey Adams is co-owner of Arches Brewing - a brewery, beer garden, gathering spot and art gallery ...
Insider 008: Buttersweet Bakery, Charlita Varner
Serving both residential and corporate clients, Charlita Varner has owned and operated Buttersweet Bakery in Hapeville for more ...
Insider 007: American Family Insurance, Michael Gibbs
Insider Michael Gibbs, owner and operator or American Family Insurance, relocated his business to Hapeville from the Cascade ...
Insider 006: Drive Again, Virgil Smith
Mr. and Dr. Virgil and Joanne Smith own and operate Drive Again, a DUI driving school. Their holistic ...
Insider 005: Wings For Kids, Denise Blake
Wings For Kids Atlanta provides after school care for 700 children - primarily in College Park. Executive Director, ...
Insider 004: Woodward Academy, Dr. Stuart Gully
Dr. Stewart Gully, President of Woodward Academy, illuminates the symbiotic relationship between the 120-year-old institution and the vitality ...
Insider 003: Tila Studios, Tiffany Tila
Filling a unique niche, Tila Studios is art incubation studio and gallery for women. Founder Tiffany Tila discusses ...
Insider 002: Hapeville Economic Development, David Burt
David Burt is the Economic Development consultant in Hapeville. He shares the town's strategic priorities and his vision ...
Insider 001: College Park Economic Development, Artie Jones
Insider Artie Jones is the Director of Economic Development in College Park, one of the three cities neighboring ...
Insider 117: Farm’d, April Toomer
April Toomer parlays her experience at Amazon to manage logistics at Farm'd. Farm'd gets Georgia grown food to ...