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Curated Collection Of The Best Interviews From Our Sandy Springs Studio





Constant Contact Special Edition: Email Marketing

Lanelle Henderson/Guest Co-Host

Lanelle Henderson, Regional Development Director at Constant Contact, is a marketing expert and passionate entrepreneur with more than 18 years of experience helping small businesses, non-profits and associations apply the power of relationship marketing to grow their organization. She has worked with hundreds of Georgia entrepreneurs – ranging from novice to seasoned marketers – on how to grow their customer or member base through sharp business practices and smart online marketing programs, including email marketing, event marketing and social media marketing. An active member of the Georgia business community, Lanelle is a popular speaker and trainer on marketing and business topics with a special interest in hospitality, community and education, and a focus on empowering women.

T.J. Liles/Pigtails & Crewcuts

As Director of Marketing and Franchise Support for Pigtails & Crewcuts, T.J. Liles handles many of the day-to-day questions that arise with franchise owners. In addition, he helps franchisees develop localized marketing plans, create brand integrity throughout the system, ensure a consistent Pigtails & Crewcuts experience, train salon staff and design the franchisor strategy. T.J. travels across the nation to different franchise locations to assist with salon openings and perform annual audits.

Prior to joining Pigtails & Crewcuts, T.J. was owner and principle consultant of The Three Group, LLC, which focused on small business support and development in the metro-Atlanta area. In addition, he worked at Delta Air Lines, Inc. from 1997 until 2009, serving in a variety of capacities, which ranged from a program manager in process improvement to manager of product development and merchandising.

Melissa Pelfrey/Dove Chocolate Discoveries

Melissa Pelfrey is Senior Manager and Independent Chocolatier in the Southeast for Dove Chocolate Discoveries, the new social network. What better way to gather friends together and have fun than at a Chocolate Tasting Party.

Through Dove Chocolate Discoveries Melissa has helped her hostesses earn free products, begin their own chocolate business, build friendships nationwide, as well as build an executive team.

Since joining Dove Chocolate Discoveries in February of 2009, Melissa has been a speaker at their 2011 National Convention and at the President Leadership Conference in 2012. She has also won national awards from Dove Chocolate Discoveries, including being one of four Chocolatiers to earn The Circle of Excellence Award in 2011.

Jenny Lynn Anderson/Self-Published Author

Sexual Assault Survivor, Author and Inspirational Speaker Jenny Lynn Anderson discusses how she turned tragedy into triumph through the release of her book, “Room 939: 15 Minutes of Horror, 20 Years of Healing.”

Jenny Lynn Anderson’s inspiring story of how she survived a brutal sexual assault and turned tragedy into triumph will help anyone who has ever struggled with the question, “Why me God?”

“Room 939…15 Minutes of Horror, 20 Years of Healing”, Anderson’s debut into the publishing world, offers readers the travails of her futile attempts to achieve restoration on her own. Two decades of searching for the release from her suffering finally led her to the spiritual truths that would eventually free this 48-year-old from bondage.

Jenny Lynn’s words will resound in the heart of anyone who has experienced suffering at the hands of another human being.

Serenbe Afternoon in the Country: Stacy Zeigler with Les Dames d’Escoffier, Michael Wall with Georgia Organics, Marie Nygren with The Farmhouse Restaurant and Sue Anne Morgan with ideaLand

Stacy Zeigler/Les Dames d’Escoffier

Stacy Zeigler is the Chapter President of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) Atlanta.  LDEI is a worldwide society of women dedicated to creating a culture in the community that fosters excellence and promotes the achievement of women in culinary professions through educational and charitable activities. Atlanta Dames include chefs, restaurateurs, caterers, retailers, event planners, cookbook authors, food journalists and historians, winemakers and wine industry professionals, food publicists, culinary educators and hospitality executives. Atlanta was founded in 1996 and is one of the 28 International Chapters.

Michael Wall/Georgia Organics

Michael Wall, a seventh-generation Georgian, has been the communication director atGeorgia Organics since December 2008. He has previously served in public relations as the Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia State University. Before that, he worked as a reporter for Creative Loafing, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the Virgin Islands Daily News, and the Morgan County Citizen. He’s won awards from the Society for Professional Journalists and the American City Business Journals for business and environmental reporting.

Les Dames d’Escoffier and Georgia Organics have been partners in what is called the “good food movement” for more than a decade. Les Dames’ support has been vital in the work Georgia Organics undertakes to increase the number of organic farmers, the number of consumers eating organic, local food, and the number of children participating in farm to school programs.

Marie Nygren/The Farmhouse Restaurant

Marie Nygren is the Owner and Head Chef of The Farmhouse Restaurant.  The Farmhouse, located in the Inn at Serenbe, has received much critical acclaim, including a glowing review in the New York Times, for its farm-to-table approach—serving beloved recipes made with farm-fresh organic ingredients grown just steps away. Marie, who founded Serenbe with her husband Steve, and operated it with the family as a bed-and-breakfast before the community developed, returns to her kitchen in the historic home as proprietress to guide the art of southern cuisine utilizing local products.

Sue Anne Morgan/ideaLand

Sue Anne Morgan is with ideaLand, producer of Serenbe Afternoon in the Country.  The elite Afternoon in the Country event is in its 12th year as a much-anticipated fall food and wine tasting fundraiser. It includes inspired tastings by 85 of the area’s renowned culinary artists, paired with local farmers, and joined by top winemakers and brewers under festive big-top tents with live music, the famous cake raffle, huge silent auction and children’s activities. Proceeds benefit Georgia Organics, Wholesome Wave and the scholarship fund for women in the culinary, beverage and hospitality arts. The event is hosted by Atlanta Les Dames d’Escoffier International and is held at Serenbe.

Al Meyers with TEDx, Arthur Fessenden with The Art of Cruising and Paula Washington with Wise Women Speak Foundation, Inc.

Al Meyers/TEDx Peachtree

Al Meyers serves as theFounder, Official TEDx Licensee, Team Cheerleader for TEDx Peachtree.   Al is a Senior Executive Leader experienced in leveraging Fortune 100 companies.  His background is in Strategic Planning, Corporate Development, Start-ups, and M&A with a proven impact in Marketing, Operations, Finance, and International business, coupled with expertise in digital/new media, television, home video, and kids’ media.  Al’s specialties include critical thinking, negotiation, leadership and vision, managing people, cultural awareness and sensitivity, global perspective, relationship building, execution, digital media, video games, innovation, organizational behavior, and strategy development.

Arthur Fessenden/The Art of Cruising

Arthur Fessenden has been in the Atlanta area as a travel consultant for over 30 years. His company is named The Art of Cruising. He has also had the experience of traveling to over 110 countries and all 50 states. Arthur has owned two successful travel agencies in the last 30 years. Travel Made Easy was formed in 1984. The Art of Cruising is affiliated with the largest cruise agency in North America. This enables clients to have opportunities, benefits, knowledge, experience, and buying power (special promotions can be passed on due to the volume of business). The Art of Cruising books many groups including family, religious, business incentives, and of course, friends’ groups. They are constantly reviewing rates, updating itineraries, or any other changes, and all services are absolutely free. The Art of Cruising handles all aspects of a client’s vacation including air transportation, transfers, hotels, and pre and post packages.

Arthur attended North Fulton High School in Atlanta and graduated from West Georgia College with a BS degree in Geography; therefore he has many, many friends in the area. His main objective is to help clients travel and see this beautiful planet.

Paula Washington/Face2Face Solutions, Inc. and Wise Women Speak Foundation, Inc.

Paula Washington is with Face2Face Solutions, Inc. Paula assists executives in advancing their careers and business owners in transforming their companies and achieving incredible results. Paula has over twenty years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience that affords her the ability to address many facets of business and personal development. Her clients have benefited from her expertise as Speaker, Corporate Strategist and Executive Coach.

Paula’s passion for the empowerment of women, girls and families, led her to establish Wise Women Speak Foundation, Inc., where she serves as Founder & Chair. Currently W.W.S. mentors career women, business owners and young professional women.

Special Edition: Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce


Debbie Fuse/Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce

Debbie Fuse is the Executive Director of the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce. Debbie’s background was in sales management, and sales to the construction industry. Prior to that, she held positions in management in the hotel and restaurant industry. She led highly successful sales teams in the Southeast – from 11-28 sales reps with each position – and requirements of traveling up to 80% of her time. After two downsizings, she decided to redirect her focus locally and work within the community where she lives. She’s been in Dunwoody for 14 years after moving from the Baltimore area.

Katie Bishop/Convention and Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody

Katie Bishop is the Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Dunwoody (CVBD) in Dunwoody, Georgia. She was hired by the board of directors in November 2009 as the organization’s first employee, following the incorporation of the City of Dunwoody in December 2008 and the establishment of the CVBD in August 2009. Prior to joining the CVBD, Katie served as Tourism Coordinator for Destination Thomasville Tourism Authority in Thomasville, Georgia. A native of Marietta, she holds a Bachelors Degree in Public Relations from the University of Georgia. Katie serves on the Boards of Directors for the Atlanta Metro Travel Association, the DeKalb Police Alliance, and the Spruill Center for the Arts. A young leader in the tourism industry, she was recently named a “Forty for the Future” by Southeast Tourism Society, recognizing tourism professionals under age 40.

Michael Starling/City of Dunwoody

Michael Starling is the Director of Economic Development for the City of Dunwoody. Michael is responsible for leading the City’s efforts to expand the local economy through business development efforts. Priorities for the City include retention of existing businesses, recruitment of new firms, and the redevelopment of existing commercial areas.

Gillen Joachim with Neel and Robinson Attorneys at Law LLC and Katrina Stroup with Medieval Times


Gillen Joachim/Neel and Robinson Attorneys at Law LLC

Gillen Joachim is a Partner with the law firm of Neel and Robinson.  He has been practicing real estate law for over ten years.  As the managing attorney of the Marietta office, Gillen works with dozens of lenders, over 100 real estate agents and hundreds of buyers and sellers every year.  Gillen lives in Marietta with his wife and three children.

Katrina Stroup/Medieval Times

Katrina Stroup, Marketing & Sales Manager for Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, is an award-winning marketing and sales professional with over 9 years of proven success in increasing market share via the development and implementation of innovative marketing campaigns. She has served in her current role at Medieval Times for over 4 years, consistently proving herself as a leader on the national Medieval Times team and in the marketing field, at large. Katrina has been honored with awards from Direct Marketing Association of Atlanta, as well as internal titles, including Marketing Manager of the Year and Social Media Campaign of the Year.