Meet the Team
John Ray and his team serve the market in a gracious and giving manner. They believe that when you give first, the goodness will be returned to you. As he shares his business expertise through his media channel and podcasts, he highlights good people who provide valued services. These people are unlikely to gain the spotlight at other media outlets. They have a lot to share and doing so benefits everyone.
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With his team, John Ray shines a light on others and teaches them to do the same. In this way, business brands are built strategically with his counsel. John is proud of each team member and the contributions they make.
Together, they are uplifting the business community, one member at a time.
Mildred Denis
Production Coordinator
Kindhearted. Humorous. Focused.
With her experience in administration, project management, and business development, Mildred Denis contributes to the team with enthusiastic collaboration and leadership. She loves working together to see what develops with contributions from each team member.
Mildred’s candid observation: “John Ray creates a comfortable session for each guest which helps put them at ease. It’s gratifying to hear how each guest enjoyed the production of their episode and the value they received from being on the show.”
Mildred lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, and says it has brought her family together. There are advantages to working remotely! You’ll love Mildred’s answer to how she spends her free time: “What free time? I’m an ‘Uber Driver’ to two of my youngest high schoolers and a ‘loan officer’ to my oldest!” Her busy family includes two sons, ages 24 and 15, a 14-year-old daughter, and their 10-year-old Shih-Tzu-Yorkie. They all drive her nuts!
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Fun facts about Mildred? She is already making retirement a goal to be enjoyed. She’s danced ballet since she was three, and when she retires, she wants to teach 3-year-olds to dance ballet too. Ask her about her bucket list, and she’ll tell you she wants to go on a missionary trip to Bali.
​Arlia Hoffman enjoys involvement in podcast production and watching John Ray interact with hosts and guests. She observes that he is honoring and truly celebrates the work they are doing in the world. Working in production, she enjoys having him as a colleague, strategizing and creating great content, and developing new ideas together.
With a Masters in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, Arlia finds that her production work has brought together many of her skill sets and interests. She founded The Women's Sanctuary organization in 2015 to coach women, and in 2022, she founded The Women's Agency to combine her coaching and podcast production. She hosts her own podcast, The Women's Sanctuary, and is building a business that helps women start and grow their own podcasts.
Arlia lives in Marietta, Georgia. There, she enjoys her yard, her neighbors and neighborhood, being on the historic Marietta Square, and local shopping. Surprise! Arlia was born in Texas and is proud to be a native Texan.
With family as a consistent focus, Arlia has a partner, three adult kids, one grandbaby, assorted cats, and a velcro dog. She enjoys her family, pets, and growing herbs. What’s on her bucket list? A much-anticipated visit to Greece!
Arlia Hoffmann
Producer and Post Production
Creative. Driven. Compassionate
Zonya Denham
Bookkeeper
Kindhearted. Humorous. Focused.
Zonya Denham serves John Ray & co. as a certified bookkeeper with over 35 years of experience. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from American InterContinental University, a certificate in business office accounting from Atlanta Technical College, and an accounting certification from Universal Accounting. Zonya is a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and certified in FreshBooks.
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With her expertise, she enjoys working with John Ray because he is supportive, caring, and encouraging. As a team member, she can feel the true concern he has for each co-worker’s well-being. She also appreciates that he keeps her in a space of knowledge where she can constantly learn new information. In her own business at ABeam Above All Bookkeeping & Taxes, Zonya has plans for expansion by adding assistants.
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Zonya lives in Decatur, Georgia, and loves the close-knit atmosphere. Her family? She is married with a blended family of eight children, many grandchildren, and (so far) one great-grandchild. She loves her time with family, traveling, swimming, and attending sporting events.
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Fun facts about Zonya? She was previously a licensed Nail Technician and Salon Owner and an Office Manager for the State of Georgia. A few highlights from her bucket list are visiting Hawaii and Alaska and ziplining!
​As a virtual assistant, Angi Shields takes care of the daily details for John Ray’s business to give him time to work with clients and conduct podcasts and shows. Having the administrative responsibilities managed for him offers John more time for his clients, network, and creative writing.
Angi says she enjoys working with John because “he is a great guy, well respected, and cares a great deal about his team.” In her own business, Creative Essentials, she started by helping business owners in various industries. For the past six years, she has developed a specialty serving studio partners and producers in the podcasting niche.
Flowery Branch, Georgia, is home to Angi and her husband, Tom. They have two adult children, Dustin and Ivey, a German Shorthaired Pointer, Izzy, and a playful cat, Stormy. When not working, Angi enjoys reading, crocheting, spending time with her husband and family, and listening to live music.
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As a drummer, Tom occasionally has jam sessions at their home and, when they can coax her into it, Angi sings. They have been known for their Halloween parties featuring multiple bands playing at their house. What’s on Angi’s bucket list? She would love to travel more throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Angi Shields
Virtual Assistant
Loyal. Efficient. Adventurous.