This week's guest is Rick Paxton, owner of Magnetic Marketing, Inc. and Rick Paxton & Associates - Dream Vacations. Rick was born at James Walker Memorial Hospital in Wilmington and lived here until around second grade. He lived in Southeastern Virginia and Durham, N.C. until joining the United States Navy in 1985. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Communications (Public Relations) and also has degrees from American Military University and Syracuse University.

Rick first dabbled in the marketing world while stationed in Northern California in the late 1980s. After graduating college, Rick worked in newspaper, radio and direct mail sales. During this time, he began providing promotional products for businesses. Eventually that grew into what is now Magnetic Marketing, Inc.

Magnetic Marketing offers indoor digital billboards and currently works in or is expanding into 15 markets across NC, SC and GA. In addition, Magnetic Marketing provides trade show booths of all sizes for any type of business. Also in the mix are various types of restaurant advertising options, Identity resolution and websites that generate sales for other types of businesses.

NOTE: There is a technical glitch that makes it sound like Judy is talking over Frank. That's a technical glitch -- I promise you she wasn't doing so! We're trying to find out if the system we use to record can fix this. If so, we will upload a new video.

This week's guest is Judy Budd of ConnectCapeFear.com, an online networking directory focusing on New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender Counties. ConnectCapeFear.com is a central resource to learn about networking opportunities, find information on about local events, and seek out local non-profits and other ways to get involved in the community. If you're interested in getting more involved, visit ConnectCapeFear.com and sign up for their e-newsletter.

Judy has diverse experience in the business world, having worked for large corporations, entrepreneurs, and now being self-employed. These experiences have helped her grow in learning all aspects of a business organization. She is knowledgeable about organization, finance, sales and marketing. Judy has spent many years networking and serving on boards with the nonprofit sector and has been referred to as the "Networking Queen," the unofficial "Mayor," and the "Connector." She was the 2009 winner of the YWCA’s Women of Achievement award in the communications category and was listed in 2016 as a Top Female Executive. She retired from being the Associate Publisher of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal and Wilma Magazine in 2021 and wanted to create a networking directory. She approached Jenna Curry for a referral of who could help her get this done digitally, and the next thing that happened is Jenna became her partner after suggesting she expand the directory to include so many other categories. Together, they have grown this community resource website to include various organizations and a community calendar.

This week's guest is Victor Fernandes, owner of Fernandes Fit, author of "Reclaiming My Authentic Self: A Journey from Fear to Freedom" and host of the "Fitness is Our Business" podcast. Tune in as Victor describes his career journey and shares how he helps busy professionals take control of their health and fitness to thrive in their demanding lives.