John Irvine is a contributing writer for Local Spotlight ATL who covers Metro Atlanta’s business community, food scene, and neighborhood stories. A longtime Atlanta resident, John brings a storyteller’s eye and a neighbor’s perspective to every feature — hunting down the details that make each business and its owner genuinely worth knowing.
Stories by John Irvine
Marcus Reid on Starting with a Borrowed Truck, Building Milton's Most Trusted Custom Home Company, and Why He Still Answers Every Call
Marcus Reid bought his first teardown at 24 with construction savings and more confidence than experience. A decade later, Cornerstone Builders is the most awarded custom home builder in North Fulton County — known not just for the homes they build, but for the way they treat the families who live in them.
Chris Park on Building Atlas Fitness, Turning Down Franchise Offers, and Why the Waitlist Is Six Months Long
Chris Park opened Atlas Fitness during one of the most uncertain moments in the fitness industry's recent history. He had no investors, no franchise model, and no marketing budget — just a clear philosophy about what real coaching looks like and the willingness to bet everything on it. Four years later, Atlas has become the most sought-after private training studio in Alpharetta.
Tamara Ellis on Leaving a VP Salary, Opening Grounds & Glory Coffee, and What 4.9 Stars Actually Takes
Tamara Ellis walked away from a decade-long career in corporate finance at 38 to open a specialty coffee shop in Cumming. Every person she respected told her it was a mistake. Grounds & Glory opened in 2022 and now has a line out the door on weekend mornings, a small-batch roasting operation, and a 4.9-star rating built on one thing Tamara refuses to compromise on: making every single customer feel like they matter.
About This Publication
Local Spotlight ATL is an independently published lifestyle and business magazine covering Metro Atlanta. Every story is researched and written by our team. Features are offered at no cost to businesses — our only interest is telling authentic stories that matter to the Atlanta community.