John Ray
Consultant and Coach to Professional Service Businesses, Pricing, Business Development, Podcast Strategist, John Ray & Co.
John Ray specializes in guiding professional service providers, including consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, fractional executives, and other expert practitioners, to gain clarity, confidence, and profitability through positioning, pricing, and value-based business development.
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After a successful corporate career in investment banking, investment management, and strategic advisory, John left the corporate world in 2013 to launch his own business advisory practice. He quickly recognized a critical gap: despite extensive experience, he and his clients often undervalued their expertise, struggled to set appropriate prices, and faltered in understanding and communicating the value of the outcomes they deliver for clients.
This insight ignited John's passion for helping professionals master their pricing strategies and confidently convey their value, culminating in his book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices (2023). Additionally, since discovering podcasting's effectiveness as a business development tool in 2016, John has successfully integrated it into his advisory work, significantly amplifying client revenue growth and visibility.
Alpharetta, Georgia, is home to John and his wife, Dr. Monica Ray, a dedicated teacher with 29 years in education. They are grateful for their blended family of 5 children, 5 grandchildren, and 5 pets. They are college football fans and continually energized by an abundance of smart people who challenge them within the flourishing business climate of North Fulton County.
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John loves living into his call as a deacon in the Episcopal Church. He’s an avid reader with favorites of Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann, and Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant. Fun facts? BBQ joints are at the top of John’s list, especially Central BBQ in Memphis. He climbed Mount Rainier in 1994, loves to travel, and has a trip to the Holy Land on his bucket list.
Business Community Involvement
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Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) Member Since 2013.
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GNFCC Board Member, 2017-2019
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GNFCC Finance Committee Member since 2019.
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GNFCC Harry Rucker Jr. Volunteer of the Year, 2019.
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GNFCC Small Business Partner in Education Partner of the Year, 2015.
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GNFCC Small Business Person of the Year Committee Member, 2015-2022.
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Alpharetta Business Association (ABA) Board Member, 2015-2018.
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ABA President, 2017-2018.
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Chair of the Alpharetta Business Expo, 2015-2017.
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Former Chairman and Founding Corporate Member, Georgia China Alliance.
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International Partners Committee, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, 2004-2006.
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Global Commerce Council, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, 2004-2006.
Non-Profit Community Involvement
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Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta
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Currently assigned to St. Mary and St. Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church, Buford, Georgia
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Assigned to Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia, 2018-2024
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Director, Fund for the Diaconate in the Episcopal Church, 2022-2024
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Founded Backpacks of Love in 2011. In cooperation with 18 public schools in North Fulton and Forsyth Counties, Backpacks of Love delivers backpacks of food and other essential items to children who are homeless and otherwise in severe need. Since its January 2011 launch, Backpacks of Love has delivered over 400,000 pounds of food and other items to the children it serves.