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.

This week’s guest is Keesha Starr, owner of K Starr Coaching and author of “The Bright Side of Monday.” Keesha is a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach with over 25 years of experience building teams in every type of business. Her training in ministry and leadership from the New Life Drama Company and traveling for seven years as a team coordinator eventually led to the nonprofit sector. Keesha has built teams and led in everything from churches to community centers led to the for-profit space, coaching companies like McDonalds, Walgreens, Hilton, WalMart, Target, Brookdale, Olive Garden and Fedex. Keesha has brought her expertise, experience, and compelling delivery to inspire and unlock potential in companies of all sizes.

Tune in as Kelli Benton, a Leland resident and owner of Seaglass Monthly Market, tells how her career led her from Brooklyn, New York to southeastern North Carolina and how she moved from working for a large corporation, FedEx Freight, to owning and operating a monthly small business market. Kelli explains her passion for connecting with small business owners and also discusses what led her and her husband, Brad, to create the Lindsey M. Benton Foundation.

This week's guest is Art Dornfeld, co-owner (along with his wife) of Carolina Sun Pool Doctors, a local business that has been keeping pools healthy for over 30 years.

Art retired from the U.S. Navy in June 2004 after 22 years of service. He served as a Hospital Corpsman Chief Petty Officer, and his last duty station was MCAS Cherry Point, where he served as the Senior Search and Rescue Medical technician on Pedro SAR Helicopter and Type Commander evaluator for Marine Corps search and rescue at VMR-1 Marine Transport Squadron 1.

After retiring from active military service, Art and his wife moved to Brunswick County in 2004, where his father and two retired doctors had started a swimming pool maintenance company, Carolina Sun Pool Doctors, in 1994. Art became a partner with his father, and he and his wife and took over all operations of the company in 2015. When Art joined the company in 2004, they had four employees and 45 pool contracts; today, they have 12 employees and over 215 pool contracts.

Barrett Earney, CEO of Wilmington-based Earney IT, discusses his career path in the information technology industry, current trends and issues including AI and cybersecurity, and shares lessons he's learned along the way.

Jon Tait is a financial advisor with Signature Wealth in Leland and past president of the Leland Area Rotary Club. Jon tells us about his career journey, his approach to working with clients, and shares some general insights into current market conditions.