The Bettis Musgrove Show

Tim Fleming on Why Experience Matters for Georgia Secretary of State

Most Georgians have no idea what the Secretary of State actually does. Tim Fleming does. He has spent the better part of two decades inside that office.We sat down with Tim Fleming, Georgia State House Representative, small business owner, and candidate for Georgia Secretary of State, for one of the most informative conversations we have had on the show. Tim is not a political newcomer. He started in the Secretary of State's office under Brian Kemp, rose to Deputy Secretary of State, managed Kemp's 2018 gubernatorial campaign, served as the Governor's first Chief of Staff, and is now in the State House. Now he wants to run the agency he helped build.Note: This is not a political endorsement. We just like talking to interesting people doing interesting things.IN THIS EPISODE:- What the Georgia Secretary of State actually does and why it affects every Georgian- The professional licensing backlog and why it forces Georgians to make impossible choices- Why Tim believes hand marked paper ballots are the future of Georgia elections- How he went from a College Republican meeting at UGA to managing a governor's race- Newton County having the highest foreclosure rate in the country during the Great Recession- Vampire Diaries, Dukes of Hazard, and In the Heat of the Night in Covington Georgia- His Airbnb business and how film tourism turned Covington from a ghost town to a destination- Early voting reform and why he wants local governments to have more control- The biggest lesson he took from working with Governor Brian Kemp- Running a statewide campaign as a one man band with three kids and small businesses at home- Rapid fire: Troy Aikman, Mexican food, and a word to describe Georgia right nowIf you are a Georgia voter, a small business owner, or anyone who has ever dealt with a professional license or filed an LLC, this episode is worth your time.Learn more about Tim Fleming at flemingforga.comFollow on social media: @flemingforGASOSThe Bettis Musgrove Show is a community-focused podcast introducing key local figures, covering important issues, and empowering listeners to make an impact in Forsyth County and the surrounding area.Subscribe so you never miss an episode.Like this video if you learned something new about Georgia government. Drop a comment: did you know the Secretary of State licenses over half a million Georgians?Follow us on social media:Instagram | Facebook | TikTok: @BettisMusgroveShowWebsite: BettisMusgrove.com

Nearly 100 Years in the Same Spot: The Story of Thomas Lumber Company in Forsyth County

A family lumber business. Started in 1927. Still in the same spot. Still debt free. Almost 100 years later, Thomas Lumber Company is one of the most unique stories in Forsyth County history.We sat down with Seth Thomas, fourth-generation owner of Thomas Lumber Company in North Ball Ground, Georgia, to talk about what it takes to keep a century-old family business alive, what the future holds, and what makes this place unlike anything else in the county.IN THIS EPISODE:- How Thomas Lumber started in 1927 as a portable sawmill and cotton gin- Four generations of the Thomas family and what kept the business going- Why Thomas Lumber specializes in western red cedar and where it comes from- How the company survived 2008, Covid, supply chain issues, and Canadian tariffs- What it means to be a remanufacturer, not just a lumber yard- Why Thomas Lumber can outcompete big box stores on quality- The real estate sitting beneath the business and what that means for the future- How the Bobby Thomas Highway got its name- Seth's 25 years of road course racing from Road Atlanta to Sebring- Why AI will change lumber grading but probably not the guy pulling boards- Advice on running a family owned business across generations- The upcoming 100 year anniversary and what comes nextIf you live in Forsyth County or North Georgia and have ever driven past Thomas Lumber on Browns Bridge Road, this episode will make you stop in.Thomas Lumber CompanyHalf mile off Exit 18 on Browns Bridge Road, Ball Ground, GAOpen Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PMPhone: 770-887-4754Website: www.ThomasLumberCo.comInstagram and Facebook: @ThomasLumberCoThe Bettis Musgrove Show is a community-focused podcast introducing key local figures, covering important issues, and empowering listeners to make an impact in Forsyth County and the surrounding area.Subscribe so you never miss an episode.Like this video if you learned something new about Forsyth County.Drop a comment: did you know Thomas Lumber has been in the same spot since 1927?Follow us on social media:Instagram | Facebook | TikTok: @BettisMusgroveShowWebsite: BettisMusgrove.com#ThomasLumber #ForsythCounty #BallGroundGA #NorthGeorgia #FamilyBusiness #CummingGA #CedarLumber #SmallBusiness #LocalBusiness #GeorgiaHistory #BettisMusgroveShow #Podcast #GeorgiaPodcast #100Years #ForsythCountyBusiness #NorthGeorgiaBusiness #ShiplapPaneling #WesternRedCedar

Alex Warner on the Future of Business in Forsyth County, Georgia

Is Forsyth County about to get an NHL team? We sit down with Alex Warner, President of the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, to get the inside scoop on the most exciting business and economic development stories happening RIGHT NOW in Forsyth County, Georgia.From a potential $2 BILLION NHL franchise and a 225-million-dollar public arena bond, to robotics companies, international headquarters, and a brand-new inland port in Gainesville, Alex breaks it ALL down.IN THIS EPISODE: * The real status of the NHL arena project in Forsyth County vs. Alpharetta * Why 93,000 Forsyth residents leave the county every day to go to work and what's being done about it * The Gathering development and what 1 million sq ft of Class A office space means for the county * How Forsyth County became Georgia's #1 healthiest county 12 years running * The 280 manufacturing companies hidden in plain sight in Forsyth County * 8 new international business headquarters coming to Forsyth this year * Why Forsyth is becoming a robotics and distribution logistics hub * The new Gainesville inland port and why it's a game-changer for local businesses * State-level politics: property tax reform, sales tax exemptions, and what it means for YOU * What the Chamber of Commerce can actually do for your small business * Alex's journey from baseball injury to 4x Ironman to Chamber President Whether you're a local business owner, entrepreneur, or just curious about where Forsyth County is headed, this episode is a must-watch.Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce212 Webb Street, Downtown Cumming, GAWebsite: https://www.focochamber.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmNyanV1UDlaak5laTJjbW1mNi1GMVlYdlNyUXxBQ3Jtc0trX0R5LUNURDRZRzFMM0dNMERQcGFWdUFtbEEzdjdWVFN1ZnNBYUpIbk5QbUtuMHJwSHlERm9pMmdOOGp0MDhZaGs0cnlJV3RrQ0g0WW5PTXdpRENrb19YSXpjandCYk5oRGVzYU5mRkw0VERRR3lWbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.focochamber.org%2F&v=5ODjNEXPrsY]The Bettis Musgrove Show is a community-focused podcast introducing key local figures, covering important issues, and empowering listeners to make an impact in Forsyth County and the surrounding area.Subscribe so you never miss an episode.Like this video if you learned something new about Forsyth County.Drop a comment: do YOU think the NHL team is coming to Forsyth?Follow us on social media:Instagram | Facebook | TikTok: @BettisMusgroveShowWebsite: BettisMusgrove.com

Ho Ho Ho! Santa Claus Joins The Bettis Musgrove Show

In the most magical episode yet, hosts Ben Musgrove and Christopher Light sit down with the most famous person in the world, Santa Claus himself! Recorded at Richard's Family Farm in their beautiful festive greenhouse, this heartwarming conversation covers everything from the naughty and nice list to Santa's favorite cookies, Christmas traditions, and the true meaning of the season. About Our Special Guest:Santa Claus has been bringing joy to children around the world for generations. Based at the North Pole with Mrs. Claus and his team of elves, Santa operates what might be "the most charitable organization in the world." He travels by sleigh only on Christmas Eve but makes regular appearances throughout the holiday season to meet with children and families.The Beard:That magnificent beard is 100% real! Santa has been growing it since 2007, and it grows incredibly fast. In 2019, he trimmed it down to Ben's length in February, and by October it was back to full Santa glory. His secret? Beard oil to keep it looking good and smelling nice for all those kids who want to give it a tug.What We Discuss:The Naughty and Nice List - Mrs. Claus is in charge of the list, and she's strict! Everyone starts on the nice list, but talking back to parents, being disrespectful to teachers, or being unkind to friends will move you down fast. The good news? There's always time before Christmas to move back up by being helpful and respectful.Elf on the Shelf - Those mischievous little spies report back regularly to Mrs. Claus. If your elf loses its magic from being touched, Santa has a solution: put it in a freezer bag for exactly 5 minutes (no more!) and it will think it's back at the North Pole and regain its magic.The Big Night - Santa flies opposite the earth's rotation (west to east at over 1,000 miles per hour) to cover more ground faster. He only flies the sleigh on Christmas Eve—otherwise, it's flights through Atlanta airport to get to the North Pole.Santa's Cookie Preferences - His TWO favorites: homemade M&M cookies (replace chocolate chips with M&Ms for cookies and candy at the same time) or store-bought white chocolate covered Oreos (only available November through mid-December). Don't forget carrots for the reindeer!What Santa Loves to Deliver - Sports equipment, soccer balls, lacrosse sticks, ballet shoes, anything that gets kids outside and active.What Santa Dislikes - Video games and music with inappropriate lyrics. He'll grant those wishes but prefers gifts that encourage outdoor play and creativity.The One Thing Santa Doesn't Deliver - Live animals! He makes toys, not pets. He can make a toy snake or robot snake, but the real thing needs to come from parents.Ben's Redemption - Years ago, Ben's daughters told Santa their dad shot a reindeer. Turns out it was just a whitetail deer, and Santa officially cleared Ben from the naughty list on this episode!Favorite Christmas Song - "O Holy Night"Where to Find Santa:Avalon (Alpharetta, GA) - Starting the Sunday before Thanksgiving (November 23) through Christmas EveLocation: Little red Santa house on 3rd Street at AvalonSchedule: Every single day through Christmas EvePet Night: Every TuesdayPhotos: Appointments book up fast (posted first Monday of October), but walk-ups welcome!Instagram: @Santa_C.LLCSpecial Thanks:🎄 Richard's Family Farm - For providing their beautiful festive greenhouse for this recording and for offering Santa photo experiences. Find them on Instagram!Connect with Bettis Musgrove:www.bettismusgrove.com@BettisMusgrove on all platforms

Anna Marie Champion & Lisa Bennett Creative Enterprises - Bettis Musgrove Show

Join hosts Ben Musgrove and Christopher Light for this heartwarming episode as they visit Creative Enterprises in Cumming, Georgia, to sit down with Lisa Bennett (founder) and Anna Marie Champion (executive director), two exceptional women transforming lives through their nonprofit day program for adults with disabilities. About Lisa Bennett:A Forsyth County native who knew at 16 she wanted to work with special education after watching an episode of Marcus Welby, MD featuring a child with Down syndrome. Lisa spent 20 years teaching special education in Forsyth and Gwinnett counties, then served as assistant director of special education before founding Creative Enterprises in 2016. Her vision: adults with disabilities shouldn't graduate at 22 only to sit home on the couch. About Anna Marie Champion:With a background in interior design and HR, Anna's perspective changed when her daughter was born with cerebral palsy. After working in the school system and moving back to Forsyth County, she joined Creative Enterprises as a teacher and fundraiser before stepping into the executive director role a year ago. Creative Enterprises:A nonprofit day program and workplace employer for adults with disabilities, offering life skills, communication skills, and job skills training. The Growth:- Started in 2016 with 6 clients- Now serving nearly 140 individuals - 14 staff members plus 5 nurses- Maintains 1:10 staff-to-client ratio Programs & Services:Life Skills Training - Including an apartment setup for teaching cooking, cleaning, laundry, and daily living skills Job Placement - Clients work at various community locations including the Forsyth County Courthouse (Friday coffee and snacks for jury members), city aquatic center, and local businesses Creative Scoops - Ice cream program teaching money management and customer service Severe/Profound Care - Nursing program serving individuals with feeding tubes and serious medical needs, giving parents respite from 24-hour caregiving Community Integration - Daily outings including yoga at city center, workouts at the police precinct with PJ Girvan, and participation in community events The New Building:After raising $1.4 million, Creative Enterprises is building a new 100-person capacity facility on donated city land. Contractor Ralph Webb is leading construction, with completion expected in early 2025. The current 1957 former Methodist church building will be maintained for severe/profound clients and exercise space. Keystone Village Partnership:Both Lisa (board member) and Anna work closely with Keystone Village, the residential community being developed for adults with disabilities. This partnership addresses the critical housing need when parents pass away or can no longer provide care. What We Discuss:- Lisa's calling to special education at age 16 - gap in services for adults after aging out at 22 - Building trust with parents who kept their adult children home - Anna's journey from stay-at-home mom to executive director - Managing diverse needs from clients age 22 to 66 - The nursing program for severe/profound individuals - Community partnerships with city jobs and businesses - PJ Girvan bringing clients to the police precinct for workouts - The $1.4 million building campaign success - Keystone Village residential development needs - Challenges of state regulations and staffing - Why "you get what you expect" from clients How to Help:Location: Former Cumming United Methodist Church building (1957)Website: https://www.creativeenterprises.org/forsyth-countySocial Media: Creative Enterprises Forsyth Campus (Facebook & Instagram)Connect with Bettis Musgrove:📍 202 Tribble Gap Rd, STE 300, Cumming, GA 30040📞 (470) 347-1515🌐 www.bettismusgrove.com