The Building Business Podcast

Jason Dees / Deesco Fire Protection

www.TheBuildingBusinessPodcast.com [https://www.thebuildingbusinesspodcast.com/] Jason Dees [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-dees-62417667/] is the President and Owner of Deesco Fire Protection.   With many years of experience in various aspects of the industry, Jason decided he wanted something more.  That drive pushed him to become an entrepreneur.  Jason is a strong advocate for considering trades as an alternative to college.  He recognizes every person has their own path and that people should not shy away from that path because it is not what others are promoting.  Jason is a driven individual with a desire to continue to scale his already-successful business.  During this episode, Jason offers several entrepreneurial tips: (1) do what you say you are going to do and when you say you are going to do it, (2) don't overpromise and underperform, (3) recognize that a lot of times the obstacle is the way, and (4) understand and manage your financials. Learn more about Jason and Deesco Fire Protection: Website:  Deesco Fire Protection [https://www.deescofire.com/] LinkedIn: Jason Dees [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-dees-62417667/] Instagram: Deesco Fire Protection [https://www.instagram.com/deesco.fire.atl/?hl=en] Facebook: Deesco Fire Protection [https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=deesco%20fire]

Brian Johnson / City Manager of Peachtree Corners, GA

www.TheBuildingBusinessPodcast.com [https://www.thebuildingbusinesspodcast.com/] Brian Johnson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-l-johnson-icma-cm-56aa439/] is the City Manager of Peachtree Corners, Georgia [https://www.peachtreecornersga.gov/].  Before becoming a City Manager, Brian was an infantry officer.  His military career is expansive and impressive.  A small part of that career provided him the push to become a City Manager.  As an infantry officer involved in the invasion of Iraq, Brian was assigned responsibility for restarting the municipal services of a suburb of Baghdad.  This experience provided him inspiration for his post-military career. Peachtree Corners has received international attention for its involvement in promoting business, particularly technology-based businesses.  Curiosity Lab [https://www.peachtreecornersga.gov/businesses/curiosity-lab-at-peachtree-corners] and its related ecosystem provide businesses of all sizes the opportunity to use infrastructure installed and paid for by the city to develop and innovate products.  This opportunity can provide substantial savings to businesses, as businesses frequently have to pay for access to similar infrastructure. Where you select to do business matters.  Peachtree Corners has done a great job of becoming a business magnet. Learn more about Brian and Peachtree Corners: Website: Peachtree Corners [https://www.peachtreecornersga.gov/] LinkedIn: Brian Johnson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-l-johnson-icma-cm-56aa439/]  Instagram: Peachtree Corners [https://www.instagram.com/peachtreecornersga/?hl=en]

Judith Winfrey / Love Is Love Farm

https://www.TheBuildingBusinessPodcast.com [https://www.thebuildingbusinesspodcast.com/] Judith Winfrey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judithwinfrey/] is a serial entrepreneur in the food industry.  She and her husband started Love Is Love Farm over 13 years ago.  First farming on a small plot of land owned by someone else, her farm has recently experienced a substantial expansion and now includes many acres of its own land. Judith has been involved in several aspects of the food industry, including as COO of a restaurant chain.  She is also one of the co-founders of Small Bites Adventure Club, which was featured on Episode 24 during my interview with co-founder Erin Croom [https://www.thebuildingbusinesspodcast.com/episodes/erin-croom-small-bites-adventure-club/].  In addition, Judith has been featured by the New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03/05/world/women-leadership#judith-winfrey-farming-agriculture-nutrition-atlanta] for her work as a food activist. In this episode, Judith shared an entrepreneurial tip: Keep your eyes on what you want to achieve and do not be distracted by things that are not a real concern. Learn more about Judith and Love Is Love Farm: Website:  Love Is Love Farm [http://www.loveislovefarm.com/] LinkedIn: Judith Winfrey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judithwinfrey/] Facebook: Love Is Love Farm [https://www.facebook.com/LoveisLoveFarm] Instagram: Love Is Love Farm [https://www.instagram.com/loveislovefarm/?hl=en]

Leslie Mattson / ALM Surgical Solutions

www.TheBuildingBusinessPodcast.com [https://www.thebuildingbusinesspodcast.com/] Leslie Mattson's [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliemattson/] background in running surgical centers led her on the path to entrepreneurship.  She identified a need in her industry and formed ALM Surgical Solutions to fill that need by providing services to people facing the same challenges she did prior to becoming an entrepreneur. ALM Surgical Solutions has a proven track record in opening successful centers, and has assisted clients with site selection, licensing, certification, accreditation, etc.  Combining hands-on services with external education resources, ALM Surgical Solutions looks to improve the lives of all service providers working at surgery centers and the experiences of the patients that use the centers' services. In this episode, Leslie shared several entrepreneurial tips:  (i) Being frugal is good, but do not be frugal to a fault, (ii) set appropriate boundaries and take care of yourself, (iii) listen and learn from what your clients are telling you, and (iv) build trusting relationships with people like you. Learn more about Leslie and ALM Surgical Solutions: Website:  ALM Surgical Solutions [https://almss.com/] Email: leslie@almss.com [%20Leslie@almss.com] LinkedIn: Leslie Mattson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliemattson/]  Facebook: ALM Surgical Solutions [https://www.facebook.com/almsurgical/] Instagram: ALM Surgical Solutions [https://www.instagram.com/almsurgical/?hl=en]

Greg Crafter / Produce'd

https://www.TheBuildingBusinessPodcast.com [https://www.TheBuildingBusinessPodcast.com] Greg Crafter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-crafter-3386197/] has always had a passion for growing food.  After working for over 20 years in corporate America, he decided to follow this passion and start Produce'd.  Produce'd has developed vertical hydroponic systems to allow customers to easily grow some of their own food in a small space throughout the year.  The company's focus is the development of a more sustainable food system with plant nutrition and food safety.  In addition, Produce'd is passionate about educating youth by providing tours and first-hand exposure to a hydroponic farm. In this episode, Greg shares his entrepreneurial tip: Fail early, fail often, and continue learning. Learn more about Greg and Produce'd: Website: Produce'd [https://produce-ed.com/] LinkedIn:  Greg Crafter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-crafter-3386197/] Facebook: Produce'd [https://www.facebook.com/produceed] Instagram: Produce'd [https://www.instagram.com/produce_ed/] YouTube: Produce'd [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUzHo3mgdiKebuenKcbWnOg]