Tonia Tomlin is a professional organizer and founder of Sorted Out™ organizing service, which offers a wide range of consulting and organizing services geared towards helping clients conquer disorganization. She has been featured in numerous local, regional, and national print and broadcast media outlets, including HGTV’s “Mission: Organization“program. She is also the author of Chaos 2 Calm – the moms-of-multiple’s guide to an organized family. Tonia talks about the challenges of running a business and a family and keeping it all organized and working.

Mr. Vantarakis has been active in the M&A and business brokerage industry since 1997 and has represented buyers and sellers in a wide variety of transactions. He has lectured at dozens of associations on the topic of the business transfer process. Mr. Vantarakis is co-author of “EXIT: A Business Owner’s Guide to Selling a Company,” which outlines the selling process of small to mid-size companies.

Alex provides some outstanding insight into what business owners need to be thinking about when it comes to buying or selling a business. Alex has over 10 years experience in this field and provides some key ideas that apply to every business owner that ever wanted to buy or sell their business. This is a critical program for anyone thinking about getting into your own business.

Mark Johnson is the managing partner with Eagle Wealth Management in Dallas. Mark talks about the challenges of being a business owner and has some great insights into what small business owners need to be thinking about in this volatile market we are in. Mark’s insight and candor are refreshing and should be helpful to any business owner out there.

Darryl Galen is a advertising and promotion expert who works with all types of organizations to help them grow their businesses with advertising and promotions that get results. He has 28 years experience as a business owner and brings a unique perspective and bevy of solutions to help businesses get more customers.

In 1999, Jan Van Blarcum, Ph.D. founded a local tutoring company that caters to the individual needs of a child. As an educator, Dr. Van Blarcum understood the importance of personalized attention in a child’s educational growth. Her passion for learning grew into a business endeavor that provides one-on-one tutoring to children with a variety of learning needs. Every child receives personalized, one-on-one attention from certified/degreed educators.
A desire to help children at all economic levels led Dr. Van Blarcum to open Creative Learning 4 Kids (CL4K) that same year. Creative Learning provides the highest quality services to economically disadvantaged or at-risk children. CL4K was awarded temporary 501©(3) status and started serving children immediately. There was definitely a need, and it had begun to be served. Through hard work and determination, CL4K received its permanent 501©(3) status in March 2004. This relatively young, non-profit charity is now positioned to serve many more children in need.

Dr. Nelson Simmons is the founder of Personal M. D., a family practice that is completely different from any other family practice. He is a graduate of Texas A&M, and is a practicing, board certified family physician in McKinney, Texas. In 2006, he was named best doctor in McKinney and in 2007, he was awarded the Health Care Hero Award by the Dallas Business Journal.

Marina Bhargava is the director of business development at the MEED Center. She joined the MEED Center in the summer of 2007. She has Master and Bachelor of Arts degrees in economics from Northwestern University and spent a year in law school at the National University of Singapore. She worked as a researcher for Hewitt Associates international division in Lincolnshire, IL before becoming a staying home mom. When Marina returned to the workforce, she decided to make her career in the investment real estate industry.
I interviewed Marina Bhargava of the MEED Center in Dallas Texas. The MEED Center is a business incubator and support organization that provides business resources to economically challenged areas of Dallas. The Multi-Ethnic Education and Economic Development Center is a non-profit 501 © 3 organization established to assist the low-to-moderate income population of East Dallas, North East Dallas and the Downtown area with entrepreneurial support, business development, education, job training, and community events. In 2003, the MEED Center became the 6th Business Assistance Center in the City of Dallas. They offer individual counseling, workshops and seminars as well as coaching to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.

Russ is a local business banker. He’s been serving the small business sector the last 3 years. He has held numerous sales and marketing positions with different organizations and has had his own direct mail business.

Russ and I discuss the things small business owners need to consider in establishing a banking relationship. Russ shares his insights into what makes a successful banking relationship and what are the things a small business owner needs to have from their bank to support their business. Russ provides tremendous insight from a bankers perspective on what they look for from a business owner in establishing a banking relationship.

Kim Whiting is the owner of Pappy’s Pet Lodge. Pappy’s is one of the fastest growing pet care organizations in the DFW metroplex. Pappy’s has 3 locations with 30 people and services over 7000 clients. Kim has a background in the hospitality industry and was able to marry her experience with her love for animals into a business that has seen tremendous growth and success. Pappy’s has been recognized as the best pet facility in Dallas by “D” magazine has been featured nationally on different network shows including ABC World News. Kim is also very active in local organizations including the Junior League, Rotary, Plano Chamber of Commerce, and numerous pet rescue groups.

Kim talks about starting the business, some of the challenges of taking a concept and turning it into reality. Kim talks about the issues of dealing with employees, growing the business and plans to turn her business into a franchise. Kim provides some helpful insights into working with a coach and key things to consider when starting a business.

I’d love to hear your comments on topics you would like for me to cover.