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

34 Years in Business: How Brad Flack Built Flack's Flooring and Rugs in Forsyth County

Brad Flack built Flack's Flooring and Rugs into one of the largest flooring showrooms in North Georgia over 34 years, starting solo with a half-inch classified ad and borrowed installers from his dad. In this episode of the Bettis Musgrove Show, Ben Musgrove and Christopher Light sit down with Brad to talk about what it actually takes to build a business from scratch, keep it for three decades, and hand it off to your kids.Brad walks through starting Carpet Depot out of an invisible building in Decatur in 1992, growing to six locations with two partners, losing his business partner Mike to a sudden death in 2009, and making the decision to finally put his name on the door with Flack's Flooring and Rugs in Forsyth County.He also gets into the product side of the flooring business, including why LVT has replaced hardwood in a lot of homes, what actually ruined laminate in the 90s, and why carpet in a bathroom is always a mistake.Plus: Brad's deep involvement with Young Life and CASA in Forsyth County, why he says businesses that skip community involvement are missing more than they know, and the curling analogy for business that you won't hear anywhere else.Flack's Flooring and Rugs is located a couple miles south of the outlet malls on Georgia 400. You can't miss the Pink Panthers.Website: https://flacksflooring.com/Find the Bettis Musgrove Show at bettismusgrove.com and on all major podcast platforms. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 2:14 Growing up in Alpharetta and Milton High School 6:30 Florida State and the Seminole football era 11:00 Starting Carpet Depot in 1992 18:45 The used carpet side hustle 24:00 Hiring the first employees and early marketing 30:15 Partnership growth and six Carpet Depot locations 36:40 Losing partner Mike Mangum and moving to Forsyth County 42:20 Becoming Flack's Flooring and Rugs 46:00 LVT, laminate, hardwood, and the flooring product breakdown 54:30 Community involvement: Young Life and CASA 1:04:00 Boots and Boogie fundraiser 1:09:45 Rapid fire questions 1:18:00 Where to find Flack's Flooring and Rugs#ForsythCounty #BettisMusgroveShow #FlacksFlooring #SmallBusiness #LocalBusiness

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