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Curated Collection Of The Best Interviews From Across The Network





Ramon Tookes, Founder and Real Estate Investor at The Tookes Group

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Ramon Tookes is a real estate investor, coach, and developer with 20 years of experience in the industry.

A natural-born thinker and problem solver, Ramon’s analytical prowess has afforded him the opportunity to be involved in over 900 transactions ranging from buying and selling single family homes to the development of entire subdivisions to purchasing and selling commercial projects.

Ramon currently oversees the daily operations of The Tookes Group, a real estate consulting firm he founded in 2005.  Specializing in investment consultation, The Tookes Group (TTG) offers subject matter expertise on all aspects of real estate investing including property location and value assessment, loan brokerage and project analysis. Ramon is also a principal and funds manager of The Gallagher Group, the general partner of The Gallagher Fund, a private equity fund focused on raising capital through accredited investors for real estate investment projects.

To satisfy his philanthropic passion by empowering others to utilize real estate as a viable wealth building vehicle, Ramon recently introduced the Flipology training program in 2015 with a signature 2-day boot camp complete with intense classroom training and a bus tour (field trip) allowing participants to walk through properties at various stages of the remodeling and/or repair process.

For as far back as he can remember, Ramon has been surrounded by entrepreneurs.  He watched his grandfather build many successful businesses and his father amassed a respectable real estate portfolio.  Ramon stayed close to the action and could often be found riding with his father to collect rent or working side by side with his uncles  who had a lucrative contractor business. As a teenager, Ramon began his entrepreneurial career when he started his own lawn care service and car wash. Ramon inked his first real estate deal as a freshman in college and went on to finance his college career with the proceeds from his real estate investments.

Ramon earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University and continued his formal education at Emory Law School where he earned his Juris Doctorate (J.D.)   Although he started out wanting to become the next Johnnie Cochran, his passion for real estate was undeniable and seems to continue to grow daily.  Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, Ramon is the proud father of five children and enjoys reading, sports, and travel.

Riah Winston Greathouse of Greathouse Trial Law, LLC

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Since being admitted to practice law in the State of Georgia, Riah Winston Greathouse has been counsel of record in over 1000+ criminal and civil matters throughout the state with a high rate of success. Riah earned his law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, where he graduated at the top of his law school class.

Riah has also served his community as an Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County, Georgia for several years, where he prosecuted cases ranging from drugs to violent felonies throughout the county. After leaving the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, Riah joined a nationally recognized plaintiff’s firm, where he represented injured victims as well as estates on behalf of decedents in wrongful death actions, where he has recovered over $1 million for his clients.

AtlTrialLaw.com

 

Caitlin Samson, Founder and CEO of True Food and Wellness

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Caitlin is a nine-time marathoner who has worked as a fitness director and has experience in medical research, health coaching, personal training, and nutritional counseling. She is the owner and founder of True Food and Wellness in Smyrna, GA providing nutritional services to all ages from infants to older adults. Some of her top areas of interest include digestive wellness, autoimmune conditions, and women’s health–specifically hormonal balance and preconception care. She has a Master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from New York Chiropractic College, as well as a Master’s degree in Exercise Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Her undergraduate degree is in Biology from the State University of New York at Geneseo. Caitlin also has a passion for fitness and holds certifications with the American College of Sports Medicine: Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer, and Certified Personal Trainer. 

Kevin Greiner, President and CEO of Gas South

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Kevin Greiner, President and CEO of Gas South, has more than 15 years of experience in the energy industry, including prior management roles with Southern Company. He has served as Gas South’s CEO since its formation in 2006.

Under his leadership, Gas South has grown to serve more than 290,000 customers in the metro Atlanta area and added more than 150 jobs over its 10 years in business. Most recently he directed an expansion initiative to begin serving customers in Florida, in-sourced all customer care operations and renovated the corporate headquarters to house all employees in the same location.

Mr. Greiner is a strong advocate for community service both in his business and personal life. In the past 10 years, Gas South has donated more than $3,225,000 to local charities and causes focused on education, social services and arts.  He serves on a number of boards and committees for local non-profits including, the United Way of Greater Atlanta, where he previously chaired the 2012-13 Workplace Campaign bringing in community investments valued at more than $77 million; the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, Georgia’s leading education policy and advocacy organization where he serves as chairman; the Georgia Chamber Executive Committee and the Board of Governors; and the YMCA board.

Mr. Greiner holds a master’s degree in business administration and a master’s of science in natural resource policy from the University of Michigan. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University.

Tanya Nebo, Managing Partner at Nebo Law Firm, LLC

 

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Tanya Nebo is an attorney and business consultant with over twelve years of varied commercial experience. As the managing partner of the Nebo Law Firm, LLC, Tanya’s practice focuses on serving small business owners in areas of law that include corporate, franchise, and commercial real estate. She provides legal expertise and counsel to small business owners by helping them buy, sell and successfully operate business enterprises, including franchises.

Tanya provides legal services to a range of different entities, including companies and individuals in the entertainment, medical, construction, and real estate investment industries. Included among her most recent transactions are the acquisition of several Fastsigns retail stores, the acquisition of a Subway, and the sale of commercial property in the historic Castleberry Hill District in downtown Atlanta. Tanya has served as an educator in the capacity of an Adjunct Professor for Rasmussen College. Tanya earned her undergraduate degree from Columbia University in New York City and her law degree from the University of Virginia. She is a Board Member of the South Fulton Chamber of Commerce and is passionate about being a resource for entrepreneurs who want to create wealth and legacy through business ownership.

A.R. Copper, Program Director for health centered non-profit: (BSEI b:FIT)

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A.R. Cooper is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and has been an integral part of the wellness movement in his neighborhoods for over 10 years now. He grew up as an active child spending much of his time outside playing sports. After a high school athletic career that included football, baseball, and tennis, Cooper enrolled in Southern Polytechnic State University to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He went on to work in the school system as a physical education teacher, as well as in the NBA and the MLB. He won a Universal Basketball Association Championship during this time. Today Cooper is an Atlanta based program director for a health centered non-profit (BSEI b:FIT) and a physical trainer specializing in obesity training, pilates, trx, and training international basketball players. A.R. Cooper, professionally known as “Super Cooper” is the co-author of “Cooper Shapes Up”, a children’s book that exposes youth 2 – 7 years of age to Wellness Education, Nutritional Literacy & Leadership, the 3 pillars of his Get WELL Soon organization.  Cooper is currently featuring this book on an active-reading book tour spanning Sheltering Arms, APS Elementary Schools, and YMCA Early Learning Centers in the Atlanta area.  He is also the co-author of the book, God’s Healthcare Plan.

Whitney Nicely of Nicely Done Auctions, LLC

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Whitney Nicely is a native to Knoxville, TN. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

Whitney defines herself as a self-motivated individual with a passion for exceeding goals and delivering exceptional results. She has a proven track record for establishing value based relationships built on trust, honesty, and strong ethical principles.

Whitney found a connection with real estate auctions in her teenage years by attending Saturday sales with her parents. They didn’t “win” the first house auction she visited, but Whitney was hooked. In May 2015, Whitney became the Principal Auctioneer for Nicely Done Auctions, LLC.

Whitney has auctioned properties from 1 acre with a house to 215+ acres of rolling hills.

Whitney is also the Principal Broker with Whitney Buys Houses, LLC. Whitney Buys Houses is more than a company name. It’s a fact! Whitney has purchased over 15 houses in 2015 by paying CASH, Lease with Option, taken over debt or she has received Owner Financing.

Whitney’s favorite house is a Vacant house.  She has several strategies to acquire unwanted properties. If you need cash within 60 days, call Whitney. She buys houses! 865-309-4500.
Whitneynicely.com

Felicia Phillips of The PINKtech Institute & The PINKpreneur Network

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When you are the founder of a GLOBAL initiative (The PINKtech Institute & The PINKpreneur Network) centered around economic empowerment for women, its safe to say that partnerships and collaborations are key. For more than 20 years, Felicia has had the pleasure of developing powerful relationships with government and foreign entities, corporations, politicians, celebrities and many other influential people. Her connections have lead to multiple 7-figure business ventures, the production of numerous mega events and thousands of dollars in sponsorships. Felicia has worked with major brands such as Microsoft, Cricket, IKEA, State Farm, Fifth-Third Bank and The WNBA Atlanta Dream to name a few.

Felicia M. Phillips, known as The Pink Mogul, is a Serial Entrepreneur and Master Business Coach and has been instrumental in coaching entrepreneurs on professional relationship management, building strategic partnerships and discovering how to use their power of influence to attract clients, increase their cash flow and expand their business. Felicia co-authored the book Pink Mastermind and is a Master Guide Facilitator for mastermind groups.

Felicia is not only passionate about helping women obtain success through collaboration, she is also an advocate for the environment.  In April 2011, Felicia was awarded The Phoenix Award by City of Atlanta Mayor, Kasim Reed for her commitment to sustainability.  She was honored in 2013 for her sustainability efforts by Who’s Who in Black Atlanta.  Felicia has also been received The 2015 Connector Award and been nominated for a R.I.C.E. Award.

As a Speaker, Felicia  has had the pleasure of working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), FDIC, International Women’s Think Tank, Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy, Green For All, The Urban League of Greater Atlanta’s Entrepreneurship Center, Fulton County Economic Development and many other organizations.

Her heart-centered mission is to teach female entrepreneurs how to master their mind, heart and soul in order to unleash their unique talents and manifest the wealth, freedom and lifestyle they so richly deserve.
A Native of Atlanta, Felicia M. Phillips is a wife and mother of two beautiful children.
All Social Media @thepinkmogul
FB Group: The PINKpreneur Network

Derryll Wristpus of Real Soul Living Inc.

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Derryll Wristpus is a passionate human being who has always seemed to find himself encouraging, giving advice, or simply listening to others. When he was asked, “Why do you always let people ‘dump’ on you?” He later realized and came to always answer, “I guess it’s because I don’t feel like they’re ‘dumping’ on me.”

Coming from a heavily involved church-going family, he was the youngest of three children. With an absentee alcoholic father, Derryll was raised in a very strict single parent home in northeast Indiana, where there wasn’t much value put on the life of a young black male. This message became abundantly clear, when at the age of eleven, he was present when his 22-year-old brother lost his life in the alley behind their house, at the hands of the police. In spite of it all, he always felt in his spirit that there was something different in store for him.

Just after turning seventeen and suddenly finding himself homeless, he began experimenting with alcohol and drug use, in order to numb the pain. Derryll ultimately made a key decision about his life when he witnessed the birth of his son. He got off the streets, promising himself that he would not allow his son to have the same history of seeing his life go down the same road of his own father, or end like his brothers. He began embracing a variety of teachings such as Les Brown, Stephen R. Covey, Anthony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, and others with the intentions of understanding who he is as an individual, and finding his spiritual path on his terms, and in God’s grace.

Derryll spent ten years working in the school system with kids that were having learning difficulties, and nine years as a director for the YMCA developing and running two Before/After School Programs. He also worked as a youth counselor at his church. This gave him a tremendous amount of experience working with children, adolescents and teens.

After a fall out at the church and a failed marriage, he found himself at a crossroads in his life. However, no matter what happened, there was always a part of him that refused to believe that his life would be all about disappointments, failures and tragedy. He quit his job, gave everything away, and with his last check of seven hundred dollars in his pocket, moved to Baltimore, where he didn’t know anyone. Shortly thereafter, he began working for Johns Hopkins Hospital.

After spending three years in Baltimore, he moved to Atlanta where he released his first book, When Souls Speak “I Live,” a book of poetry and short stories. Derryll then began an extensive training program by Anthony Robbins and Chloe Madanes, two leaders in human needs psychology, and founders of Strategic Intervention. This was an opportunity to finally put the gift of making others feel comfortable enough to open up and share things that they would otherwise keep within, with the principles of SI, Marriage Preparation and Education training. Finally he’s doing what he truly believes he was put here to do; help and serve others. Today, Derryll still lives in Atlanta and is now a Life and Relationship Breakthrough Strategist, Speaker and Consultant. “Life is truly a journey, and the things we experience are simply life’s lessons and blessings… if we decide to give them empowering meanings that serves us.”

Liz Thomas, Business Development Manager of ETS Solutions

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Liz Thomas is the Business Development Manager at ETS Solutions. She has been with the company for about a year and fulfills the business development role.  In addition, she is in charge of all marketing and public relations for ETS. On a daily basis, Liz is involved in the Atlanta Business Alliance, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and many other business associations. She attends networking events all over the city and helps bring in new business. Liz graduated from Georgia State University in 2010 with a B.B.A. in Marketing.

Based in Kennesaw, Georgia, ETS Solutions is technology consulting firm in the areas of voice, data, and cloud. Founded in 2002, ETS has been helping businesses save money on their telecom expenses as well as develop IT strategies for over 13 years. We believe in taking a holistic approach to understanding a company’s technology infrastructure in order to develop and offer an integrated solution that creates business value for our clients. At absolutely no cost, we conduct a technology assessment where we review current phone and internet bills to identify
needs and/or pain points. After the assessment, we provide consultation to the business owner on technology as it relates to phone systems, VoIP platforms, data circuits, and backup circuits, and cloud solutions like disaster recovery or Office 365.

ETS then delivers a solution based upon offerings from our carriers and IT partnerships. We represent dozens of service providers. We provide objective options that will arm clients with knowledge so they can make an informed business decision. Once a decision is made, ETS assists with the implementation of the solution by managing the install process and staying on for the length of service to provide 24/7 customer support.. ETS Solutions takes on the details of clients’ telecom and cloud solutions so they can focus on growing their business.

It’s Technology Made Easy ®.