Send us a text

Derek and Andrea Johnston share their journey from enjoying a charcuterie board on their first date to founding The Gathering Board, a successful charcuterie business started during the pandemic.

• Started business without formal planning after discovering no similar services existed in their area
• Built their website in three days and received their first non-friend order while grocery shopping
• Initially operated as a "bootleg" business until securing proper licensing and a commercial space
• Gained traction through Facebook group "Cherokee Connect," generating 500 website visits overnight
• Adopted Gordon Ramsay's quality standards after Andrea watched Hell's Kitchen while recovering from a broken jaw
• Expanded from small home delivery boards to event catering, now representing 75% of their business
• Secured their liquor license to provide full-service events including charcuterie and their signature "Pasta Baby" dish
• Partner with Rally Foundation for childhood cancer research, raising $20,000 through donated services
• Now employ a manager plus several staff members after five years in business
• Maintain the same high standards for every client regardless of size or profile

Follow the same high standards for all your work because you never know when a small job will lead to a major opportunity – many clients try a small order before booking a wedding or large event.
[email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/thegatheringboard.co/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/thegatheringboard.co/?ref=_xav_ig_profile_page_web#

www.thegatheringboard.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-johnston-70a8271bb/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-johnston-4806746a/

#rallyfoundation#pastababy#focaccia#cherokeecountyfacebook#rallyontherunway#charcuterieboard#love#wine#pasta#grazingtables#catering#delivery#Atlanta#smallbusiness#money#entreprenuer

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

Justin shares his entrepreneurial journey from math teacher to software sales professional to exterior cleaning business owner, revealing how a layoff turned his side hustle into a full-time venture.

• Started with just $4,000 investment and his wife's blessing to "go fail"
• Prioritized education by traveling to learn from industry veterans rather than figuring it out alone
• Discovered algae on roofs is a living organism eating away at shingles, requiring cleaning every 5-7 years
• Partnered with insurance companies who were looking to reduce their risk from unmaintained properties
• Built a custom pump system capable of cleaning 4-5 story buildings from the ground without ladders
• Broke his arm in a ladder accident, forcing him to hire and train others—accelerating business growth
• Doubled business in year two through networking, particularly through BNI membership
• Now considering vertical integration by acquiring a chemical distribution dealership
• Exploring development of a direct-to-consumer product to help homeowners properly clean exteriors

If you're facing algae streaks on your roof or need exterior cleaning services in the Atlanta area, reach out to Justin at myexteriorcleaner.com or find them on Instagram and LinkedIn.

#myexteriorcleaner
#heretohelp

linkedin.com/in/justin-reames

myexteriorcleaner.com

#pressure#cleaner#clean#boats#BNI#algae#roofs#love#money#ladders#solutions#pressurewashing#pressurewashingsolutions#insurance#help

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

Mindset coach Renata Mazu reveals how mental blocks prevent business growth and success despite having the right strategies and knowledge. She explores the psychology behind why entrepreneurs sabotage themselves through fear, past trauma, and unconscious patterns that keep them stuck.

• Most business owners know what to do but are held back by mindset issues and "head trash"
• Our past experiences create limiting beliefs that manifest as business obstacles decades later
• Looking for evidence not to trust people creates self-defeating cycles in leadership
• Fear of public speaking isn't about speaking itself but about feared consequences like judgment
• Mental blocks eventually manifest physically as stress, pain, or illness when left unprocessed
• Strategy is only 20-30% of business success - the rest is mindset and implementation
• Self-awareness and observing your patterns is the first step to breaking through limitations
• Processing past emotions properly unlocks new potential for growth and confidence
• Monthly "Money and Mindset" events in Atlanta combine practical strategy with psychological work

Check out Renata's book "Journey to Healing" on Amazon and connect with her on social media under Renata Mazu or Edge Savvy.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgesavvy/

Instagram:  @edgesavvy

#money#mindset#love#homeservicehalloffame#paulburleson#TheJourneytoHealing#healing#journey#golf

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

What happens when a fallen preacher finds redemption behind prison walls? Kit Cummings shares his extraordinary journey from respected church leader to rock bottom, and how this painful path ultimately led him to discover his true calling.

With unflinching honesty, Kit reveals how the pressures of leading a 5,000-member congregation led to personal struggles that cost him everything. After a life-changing car accident that should have resulted in jail time but ended with what he calls "an angel in a cop uniform," Kit began a journey toward sobriety. His redemption story took an unexpected turn when he reconnected with a former mentee facing gang-related murder charges, opening the door to what would become his life's mission.

Through powerful storytelling, Kit takes us inside some of the world's most dangerous prisons, where he's created peace movements that have dramatically reduced violence. With vulnerability as his superpower, Kit has earned the respect of hardened gang leaders by approaching them not as broken souls needing salvation, but as teachers who helped him rediscover the principles of respect, integrity, and loyalty he had lost along the way.

The conversation expands beyond prison walls to Kit's work with youth through his "Protect the Dream" program, helping young people develop aspirations powerful enough to overcome negative influences. His insights about dream protection apply equally to business owners and anyone striving to maintain focus on their goals while navigating life's challenges.

This episode delivers profound lessons about redemption, purpose, and how our greatest failures can become the foundation for our most meaningful work. Kit's journey proves that transformation is possible in the most unlikely places, and that sometimes we find our truest calling only after losing everything we thought defined us.

#protectthedream#powerofpeace#kitcummings#respect#loyalty#integrity#prisons#gangsters#love

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

Fernando Melo shares his incredible journey from Brazilian immigrant to successful business owner with M&M Home Exteriors, providing roofing, siding, gutters, windows, doors, painting and deck services throughout Atlanta.

• Fernando's dream to visit America and Disney World as a child led to his immigration in 2000
• Started with zero English skills, sleeping on a stranger's couch while attending ESL classes
• Discovered natural talent for exterior construction work, particularly siding installation
• Founded his first business just five years after arriving in America
• Survived the 2008 housing crisis by downsizing from four crews to just himself and a helper
• Expanded into M&M Home Exteriors in 2015, now running multiple specialized crews
• Customer service philosophy influenced by Disney's approach to creating experiences
• Values treating crews with respect and refuses to work with clients who disrespect his team
• Balances business ambitions with family time, building a legacy for his two young sons
• Emphasizes quality workmanship and taking pride in transforming homes

Visit sidingatlanta.com or search M&M Home Exteriors on social media platforms to learn more about Fernando's services.

#siding#love#atlanta#fernandomelo#M&Mhomeexteriors#disney#brazil#america#ESL#deck#exterior#home

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

Michael shares his journey from Enterprise Rent-A-Car to real estate entrepreneurship, highlighting how each career step taught valuable lessons about leadership, influence, and customer service. His decision to leave corporate America wasn't about dissatisfaction but about creating a life and business fully aligned with his and his wife Cristi's deeper goals.

• Starting as a rental car agent and witnessing a tie get caught in a paper shredder (a moment that still lives in infamy)
• Working in diverse environments including South DeKalb and Kindercare, where he learned patience and adaptability
• Transitioning to franchising, where he developed skills in influencing without direct authority
• Realizing that despite corporate success, his goals required entrepreneurial freedom
• Building True Blue Mountain Group with a focus on operational excellence and customer experience
• Developing systems that create consistency in real estate transactions
• Using community involvement and networking to establish presence in Blue Ridge
• Leveraging social media connections to reach potential clients seeking vacation properties
• Understanding that when you "burn your ships" and commit fully, going back isn't an option
• Sharing his DIY disaster of accidentally drilling into a water pipe (and the smart move of putting the screw back in)

#truebluemountaingroup#realestate#bourbon#networking#KellerWilliams#KW#LOVE

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

Christi shares her remarkable journey from military police to Phoenix PD sex crimes detective to successful real estate entrepreneur in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Her story reveals how transferable skills and authentic networking can lead to success in an entirely new field.

• Began career as Military Police after ROTC college scholarship
• Spent nearly 22 years with Phoenix Police Department, primarily in the sex crimes unit
• Featured in documentaries about sex trafficking that still air on Delta flights
• Developed coping mechanisms to deal with witnessing humanity at its worst
• Initially thought corporate America was the next logical step after law enforcement
• Found corporate world surprisingly inefficient and culturally misaligned
• Rebuilt her network from scratch through intensive community involvement
• Applied investigative and listening skills to her real estate career
• Focuses on honesty with clients rather than maximizing commissions
• Recently launched True Blue Mountain Group Realtor Group
• Recommends "Greenlights" by Matthew McConaughey for turning challenges into opportunities

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christi-decoufl%C3%A9-51a0bb85/

https://www.facebook.com/ChristiDecoufleRealtor/

https://www.instagram.com/christi_decoufle_realtor/

https://www.pbs.org/video/sex-trafficking-in-america-tptgui/

#KELLERWILLIAMS#realestate#BlueRidgeGeorgia#thetrustedtoolbox#smallbusinesssafari#bourbon

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

Every job is a sales job, and every interaction is a sales interaction. Learning to understand needs, help people, find solutions collaboratively, and remove the "ick factor" from the sales process transforms how we approach all our business relationships.

• Sales begins with selling yourself authentically and consistently
• Your body language constitutes 80% of communication, even in virtual settings
• The true bottlenecks often occur after the sale—in service, follow-up, and billing
• Many companies create "transactionships" instead of relationships with customers
• Customers need to feel seen, felt, and heard throughout their experience
• Getting employees involved in sales requires showing how it benefits them personally
• Effective retention begins at the first interaction, not after the transaction
• Ask for referrals, reviews, and repeat business instead of hoping they'll happen

Check out Dr. Cindy McGovern's books "Every Job is a Sales Job" and "Sell Yourself" at [email protected] or follow her at 1ST Lady of Sales on all platforms.
#ORANGELEAFACADEMY#SMALLBUSINESSSAFARI#BOURBON#SELLING

https://drcindy.com/orange-leaf-academy/

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

Ryan Lee joins the podcast to discuss his journey o to successful landscape lighting entrepreneur, he discusses how focusing on a specific niche can lead to massive business growth in home services.
GOLD NUGGETS

Dominate a niche. By dropping every service except landscape lighting, Ryan positioned himself as the expert, commanded premium pricing, and built a brand that buyers noticed.

Marinate your price. Share price ranges early—before the site visit—to filter tire-kickers and walk into every sales call with budgets aligned.

Design your life, not just your business. Therapy with his wife and disciplined delegation moved Ryan from “always grinding” to present dad and strategic owner—proof that systems beat burnout.

MORE ABOUT RYAN LEE:
• Interested in lighting: Check out his podcast "Lighting for Profits"
• Book recommendation: "Buy Back Your Time" by Dan Martell 

If you're ready to grow your business or find your perfect niche, check out Ryan's resources at Landscape Lighting Secrets on YouTube and Instagram or find his podcast "Lighting for Profits" on your favorite platform.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrfM0oJ4wAwL62RdWMAa3e1mxNVO62W5S

https://landscapelightingsecrets.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ryanleebottoms

https://www.instagram.com/landscapelightingsecrets/?igsh=MWppeTVydDMxNGh6NA%3D%3D#

https://www.linkedin.com/company/landscape-lighting-secrets/

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.

Send us a text

Liz Steblay joins us to share her expertise on successful solopreneurship, drawing from her experience building multimillion-dollar businesses without employees. She reveals the essential strategies that help independent consultants and service providers build wealth and create sustainable businesses.

• Definition of solopreneur: self-employed person without employees who doesn't aim to grow beyond themselves
• Commit to one hour of networking weekly—just "one person in person once a week" keeps your pipeline full
• Create a North Star document that clearly explains your "why" for being self-employed
• Establish a clear niche—clients want to hire specialists, not generalists
• Build wealth and pay less tax through intentional financial planning
• Solopreneurs can still build significant businesses using contractors and fractional leadership
• The Professional Independent Consultants of America (PICA) provides community and resources
• Being self-employed doesn't mean doing everything alone—strategic outsourcing is key

Discover Liz's book "Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys to Taking the Leap, Winning Clients, and Building Wealth" and connect with her at sixkeys.info or through the Professional Independent Consultants of America at picawork.org.
www.PICAnetwork.org/why 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/solopreneurs-business-development-relationship-liz-steblay/   

www.SixKeys.info 

www.PICAnetwork.org 

https://highmarkdistillery.com/pages/private-barrel-experience 

Liz’s Profile

linkedin.com/in/independentconsulting

Websites

• ProkoConsulting.com (Company)
• PICAnetwork.org (Company)
• SuccessfulIndependentConsulting.com (Blog)

From the Zoo to Wild is a book for entrepreneurs passionate about home services, looking to move away from corporate jobs. Chris Lalomia, a former executive, shares his path, discoveries, and tools to succeed as a small business owner in home improvement retail. The book provides the mindset, habits, leadership style, and customer-oriented processes necessary to succeed as a small business owner in home services.