South Cobb LIVE! cover art

South Cobb LIVE!

South Cobb LIVE!

By: Elise White
Listen for free

About this listen

Welcome to South Cobb LIVE!, the podcast that spotlights the heart of our community—its small businesses, local events, and vibrant culture. Hosted by Elise White where she brings you inspiring stories from local entrepreneurs, showcase must-attend events, and dive into the unique experiences that make South Cobb a thriving hub.

Whether you're a small business owner, a loyal customer, or someone looking to explore the best of South Cobb, this podcast connects you to the people and places shaping our neighborhood. Tune in for engaging interviews, exclusive insights, and special offers that make supporting local as exciting as it is impactful.

Subscribe now to join the conversation and discover why South Cobb is the place to live, work, and thrive! 🎙️✨

2025 South Cobb Media, LLC - All Rights Reserved
Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • Taryn Sampson of TS Tax & Accounting Services
    Jul 10 2025

    "Stop hiding from that IRS letter! As an Enrolled Agent who's saved clients THOUSANDS during audits, here's why ignoring it makes everything worse..."

    Taryn Sampson, owner of TS Tax and Accounting Services in Mapleton, Georgia, shares 29 years of tax expertise and reveals how her year-round approach saves South Cobb business owners thousands.

    Guest Background

    Taryn Sampson - Owner & Founder, TS Tax and Accounting Services

    • 29 years in tax preparation (since 1996)
    • Enrolled Agent certified (2020) - can represent clients before the IRS
    • Based in Mapleton, Georgia, serving South Cobb community

    Key Discussion Points

    The "Ostrich Problem" with IRS Letters

    "I always use the analogy of the ostrich - clients get these IRS letters and they're putting their head in the sand. I'm like, they see you. You just need to go ahead and open it. You can't hide."

    Why This Matters: Avoiding IRS letters only makes problems worse and more expensive.

    Beyond "Plugging in Numbers"

    Taryn explains her comprehensive approach:

    "I have a client now, he used to rent a location, now he has a house outside of his property... So now I'm like, okay, so we have depreciation that we can claim."

    Key Insight: Understanding the complete financial situation enables strategic tax planning.

    The Round Numbers Red Flag

    "People always feel like I could give estimated numbers... A lot of round numbers. And I always tell my clients those are red flags. Not everything is in a round number."

    Real-Time Documentation Strategy

    "I don't need the details to prepare your return, but I tell my clients you need it in the event that you get audited because trying to recreate the stuff three and four years after the fact is crazy."

    The Year-Round Advantage

    Unlike seasonal preparers, Taryn operates continuously, allowing her to:

    • Stay current on tax law changes
    • Provide ongoing client support
    • Handle IRS correspondence promptly

    Key Takeaways for Business Owners

    1. Don't ignore IRS letters - Address immediately with professional help
    2. Avoid round numbers in documentation - they trigger audit red flags
    3. Maintain real-time records - Don't wait until tax season
    4. Strategic planning beats basic compliance
    5. Work with year-round professionals - Seasonal preparers miss opportunities

    About TS Tax and Accounting Services

    Located in Mapleton, Georgia, providing comprehensive tax preparation, IRS representation, and business consulting to South Cobb area businesses and individuals.

    Featured on South Cobb Live - highlighting strategic tax planning and working with experienced, credentialed tax professionals.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • Phenomenal Seafood: A Love Story of Food, Family & Community
    May 24 2025

    Join host Elise White as she sits down with Chef T and his beautiful wife Mia, the powerhouse couple behind Phenomenal Seafood in Austell, Georgia. From their humble beginnings with a franchise to building their own phenomenal brand, this is a story of love, faith, and incredible food that brings the community together.

    In this episode, discover how Chef T and Mia transformed their passion for seafood into a thriving restaurant that survived COVID-19 and is now looking toward franchising. Learn about their signature dishes named after family members, their secret ingredient (spoiler: it's love!), and why people drive from as far as Columbus, Georgia just to taste their food.

    🍤 What You'll Learn:

    • The evolution from Smacking Good to Mighty Good to Phenomenal Seafood
    • How they created a dining experience that goes beyond just takeout
    • The story behind their family-named menu items
    • Their business philosophy and future franchising plans
    • Why consistency and love are their secret ingredients

    📍 Visit Phenomenal Seafood: Address: 2495 East West Connector, Austell, Georgia Website: phenomenalseafood.com Instagram: @phenomenalseafood

    🎵 Weekly Events:

    • Wednesday: $2 Oysters
    • Thursday: Karaoke
    • Friday: Live Music
    • Saturday: DJ
    • Sunday: Brunch

    Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit that notification bell! 🔔

    Find South Cobb Live on all platforms: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | and more!

    #PhenomenalSeafood #SouthCobbLive #AustellGA #SeafoodRestaurant #BlackBusiness #FamilyBusiness #SoulFood

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • From Struggle to Smyrna Staple: The Untold Story of Varner's Tavern
    May 15 2025

    Welcome to another episode of South Cobb LIVE!, where we spotlight the heart and hustle of local business owners building community through service, storytelling, and soul. In this episode, Elise White sits down with Nick Hanratty, the co-owner of Varner's Restaurant & Tavern in Smyrna, GA. What started as a post-Taco Mac venture is now a community staple serving wings, burgers, and family vibes for over 17 years. Nick shares his journey from part-time employee to co-owner, how Varner's became a second home for Eagles fans (Fly, Eagles, Fly!), and the powerful impact of building real relationships with guests and staff alike. You’ll hear how this beloved tavern survived the 2008 crash, created generational customer loyalty, and became a local legend—one lemon pepper wing at a time. 🍋🐔

    ⚠️ Stick around till the end to learn how YOU can unlock a 15% discount on your next dine-in visit just by dropping one word in the comments! 📌

    SHOW NOTES: 00:00 – Intro to South Cobb LIVE & today’s guest

    01:15 – The origin story of Varner Tavern

    04:45 – Surviving the Great Recession & finding Smyrna at just the right time

    07:30 – From employee to co-owner: Nick’s story of grit and growth

    10:20 – Building a culture of excellence and real community

    13:05 – Eagles fan club, karaoke nights, trivia, and kids eat free Fridays

    16:40 – The secret sauce: customer relationships & service-driven leadership

    20:55 – Giving back: school PTAs, Milford Youth, and using space for fundraisers

    23:00 – Elise’s rapid-fire “South Cobb Spotlight Sprint”

    24:15 – Special offer just for YOU — don’t miss it! 👀

    📍 Connect with Varner Tavern

    🌐 varnerstavern.com 📸 @varnerstavern (Facebook & Instagram)

    🎧 Follow South Cobb LIVE!

    📲 @SouthCobbLive | @SouthCobbMedia

    📍 Bringing community stories to your feed and your heart.

    Show More Show Less
    26 mins

What listeners say about South Cobb LIVE!

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.