Shows
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceFrom Farmers’ Markets To FinTech: How Mount Pleasant Builds A Thriving Local EconomyThe room buzzes like a power line—sold-out booths, rapid-fire intros, and a hum of deals waiting to happen. We’re on the floor at the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Community and Business Podcast Expo with the mayor of Mount Pleasant, digging into what makes a local economy both magnetic and humane: policy that protects small shops, partnerships that actually show up, and a tech strategy built for limited industrial space and unlimited talent.We map the path from farmers’ markets and ribbon cuttings to real growth. The makers market isn’t just produce and crafts; it’s a l...
2026-02-1007 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceBehind Palmetto Life: How A Charleston Lifestyle Show Uplifts Community, Small Business, And Good NewsJoy can be a business strategy. We sit down with Emilie, the host and executive producer behind Palmetto Life on Live 5, to unpack how a positive, community-first lifestyle show became an Emmy winner and a real engine for Charleston’s small businesses and nonprofits. From law firms and roofers to restaurants and health pros, Emily shows how a conversational format turns “ads” into stories people actually want to watch—and how that authenticity converts into foot traffic, donations, and long-term trust.We trace her path from New Jersey to Northwestern to Charleston, including internships at NBC’s Today show...
2026-02-0345 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceLive 5: A Local TV Station w/a Full-Funnel Marketing Engine For Small BusinessesEver wonder why a TV station would set up shop at a business expo? We’re here to show how broadcast has evolved into a full-funnel growth engine for local brands. With guest Delaney Keppner of Live5, we break down the modern media mix—connected TV, OTT, Google Ads, retargeting, and geofencing—and how each piece works together to turn scattered attention into steady demand.We talk through the big misconception that “no one watches TV anymore.” Viewers are watching more, just differently. Streaming puts your brand on the biggest screen in the house, while social and search fil...
2026-01-1309 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceHow Veteran Robert Patterson Turned Service Values Into A Thriving Catering CompanyWhat does it take to turn a $7,000 trailer and a first client into a catering company trusted by universities, wedding venues, and 40,000‑person music festivals? We sit down with Robert Patterson, CEO of Top Shelf Catering, to trace the journey from Marine Corps grit to five‑star service standards, and how those values fuel growth without sacrificing flavor or accountability.Robert shares the pivotal lessons he learned at a luxury resort and during a tough Olive Garden turnaround, then shows how those systems became Top Shelf’s backbone: answer fast, arrive early, cook close to service, and treat...
2026-01-061h 02
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceFrom Smart Shades To Stronger Local Ties With Bumblebee BlindsThe right shade can change a room, but the right partner can change a business. We sit with Luis Ferioli of Bumblebee Blinds to explore how smart window treatments, outdoor enclosures, and thoughtful design turn hot, bright spaces into calm, livable rooms. From porches that finally feel good at noon to bedrooms that darken at the tap of a button, we unpack the details that make comfort immediate and maintenance light.Automation takes center stage as we walk through voice control, scheduled scenes, and climate-aware settings that manage glare and heat without sacrificing views. Luis explains why...
2025-12-1606 min
The Economics of Everyday Things118. Urban TreesTrees are more than decoration — they’re living economic assets, with measurable costs and benefits for cities and neighborhoods. Zachary Crockett takes a walk on the shady side of the street. SOURCES:Geoffrey Donovan, owner of Ash & Elm Consulting.Jana Dilley, urban forester for the city of Seattle.Kathleen Wolf, social scientist, former researcher at the University of Washington. RESOURCES:"Extreme Heat Is Worse For Low-Income, Nonwhite Americans, A New Study Shows," by Deepa Shivaram (NPR, 2021)."US Urban Forest Statistics, Values, and Projections," by David Nowak and Eric Greenfield (Journal of Forestry, 2018)."The role of tre...
2025-12-1520 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceLinkedIn, AI, And Community w/ Shaniequa Washington of Trio SolutionsThe room buzzed at the Mount Pleasant Expo, and that spark set the stage for a focused conversation on building real momentum: turning LinkedIn from a static profile into a pipeline, using AI as a practical tool, and leaning on community to move faster with less friction. We sit down with Trio Solutions’ marketing director to unpack what works now for small and midsize businesses that want measurable growth without losing their human touch.We start with LinkedIn strategy that goes beyond posting for vanity metrics. Think outcome-driven profiles, thoughtful comment engagement, and targeted searches that surface th...
2025-12-0907 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceFrom Zoning To Ribbon Cuttings: How Charleston Builds And GrowsWant the real playbook for getting a project built in the Lowcountry without losing your mind or your margin? We sit down with eighth-generation Charlestonian and contractor Adam Ferrara to unpack the journey from spark to occupancy, why Charleston isn’t Charlotte, and how to grow without sacrificing the canopy, character, or coastline.We start with the truth behind timelines: rezoning, design review, stormwater plans, and DRB approvals can stretch to two or three years before vertical work begins. Adam maps the stages that matter, from early land diligence to choosing the right civil and architect, and ex...
2025-12-0254 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceInside Mount Pleasant’s Tech-and-Community Strategy: Incubators, Adaptive Reuse, and Jobs That StickA growing city doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built decision by decision, space by space, and win by win. We sit down with Mount Pleasant’s economic development lead to unpack a playbook that’s surprisingly simple and very effective: attract the right kinds of companies, give them plug-and-play space, and clear the small policy hurdles that block adaptive reuse. Along the way, we spotlight new arrivals—Tikva and Alita Health—whose smaller headcounts come with bigger paychecks and a better fit for the community’s talent and lifestyle.We take you inside the Harbor Entrepreneur Cen...
2025-11-1821 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceMake Your Network Work: Leadership, Events, And The ROI Of Showing UpThe room lights fade, the mic clicks on, and a familiar rink-side voice guides the crowd. That same calm command powers a 200+ event DJ company and a community leader who helped steer a chamber through the hardest year in recent memory. Shane Griffin joins us to share how a local entertainment brand scales without losing its soul.We dive into the craft behind great events: reading the room, pacing the night, and using MC work to support the host rather than steal the show. Shane explains how he built a nine-DJ roster, the training that keeps quality...
2025-11-1106 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceFrom Uniforms To Luxury: The 108-Year Evolution Of M. Dumas & SonsSome stores sell product. M. Dumas & Sons sells want—crafted through people, place, and a century of smart reinvention. We sit with co‑owner Gary Flynn to explore how a 1917 military uniform shop became Charleston’s menswear destination, why customers still cross town for an in‑store experience, and what it takes to keep a legacy brand modern without losing its soul.Gary traces his path from Nordstrom’s merchandising ranks to Hugo Boss and Samsung before landing in Charleston, where he learned the art of specialty retail: knowing the regulars, serving visitors so well they become remote cli...
2025-11-0455 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceOne-Click Marketing, Real CommunityWhat if your entire marketing workflow—social posts, emails, texts, analytics, and approvals—lived in one tab and actually made sense? We sat down at the Mount Pleasant Expo to unpack a practical way to run multi-channel campaigns without drowning in logins, spreadsheets, and “who has the code?” messages with Rachel Backal, Engagement Manager from Pollen Social. From agencies juggling a dozen clients to community orgs relying on volunteers, we break down how a single platform can reduce friction, restore consistency, and bring your team together around clear goals and clean data.We walk through real scenarios marketer...
2025-10-2813 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommercePurpose Over Profit: When Business Becomes A NeighborWhat does it look like when a local business treats community impact as the real bottom line? We sit down with Ken French of Crews Subaru at the Mount Pleasant Business and Community Expo to unpack a hands-on approach to giving that runs deeper than sponsorship logos and ad copy. Ken shares nine years of presenting sponsorship with the Chamber Expo, the roots of a family-driven dealership, and the decision to measure success by the smiles that come from service days, not sales charts.You’ll hear vivid moments from Surfers Healing at Folly Beach—kids with auti...
2025-10-2110 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceFrom Breaking Bland to Building a Business: Mary Welch Fox on Design, TV, and TeamworkA city can shape a designer, and Charleston does it with flair. We welcome Mary Welch Fox—interior designer, HGTV host, and founder of a woman-led studio—to unpack how place, personality, and process turn houses into homes people can’t wait to live in. From crossing a bridge and feeling the style shift to honoring each client’s taste without falling into copycat trends, Mary shares the mindset that keeps her work fresh and deeply personal.We go inside her client journey: rich discovery, a three-round design structure that keeps budgets honest, and the unsung operations that mak...
2025-10-0745 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceBuilding Community Through Sport: Tanner Clay's Charleston Battery JourneyFrom the soccer pitch to the boardroom, Tanner Clay's journey with the Charleston Battery exemplifies how sports can build bridges between businesses and communities.As a former College of Charleston soccer player who parlayed his passion into a leadership role with America's longest continuously running professional soccer club, Clay offers a refreshing perspective on sports marketing in a growing industry. "Without the community we don't exist," he emphasizes, highlighting the Battery's commitment to authentic engagement across the Lowcountry.The episode reveals fascinating insights about the business side of soccer, from innovative partnership opportunities to the...
2025-09-0251 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceHurricane Preparedness: Your Guide to Safety in Mount Pleasant W/ Shannon WhiteheadAre you ready for what Mother Nature might throw our way? When Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified from Category 1 to Category 5 in just 24 hours, it served as a stark reminder that preparedness isn't optional for coastal communities—it's essential.Shannon Whitehead, Emergency Management Resilience Officer for the Town of Mount Pleasant, joins us to share her expertise on hurricane readiness and community resilience. With her background as a geologist who previously worked with FEMA, Shannon brings valuable insights about the four major hurricane hazards we face: wind damage, tornadoes (particularly water spouts), storm surge, and flooding. Did you kn...
2025-08-1919 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceThe Education Ecosystem: Building Future-Ready Citizens w/ Anita HugginsWhat does it truly take to build a premier school district? Superintendent Anita Huggins reveals the transformation underway at Charleston County School District with remarkable candor and vision that extends far beyond typical education rhetoric.After nearly three decades serving Charleston's students—first as a middle school English teacher, then through various leadership roles—Huggins brings a uniquely grounded perspective to her superintendency. Her "power of one degree" philosophy isn't just administrative jargon; it's yielding tangible results with remarkable academic gains across grades 3-8, a projected 90% graduation rate, and 85% college and career readiness metrics.Most comp...
2025-08-0532 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceMount Pleasant Made: Bridging Community and Commerce w/ Matt BradyThe iconic Ravenel Bridge isn't just visible from every angle of Charleston—it symbolizes Mount Pleasant's rising prominence as an economic and innovation hub in South Carolina. In this engaging conversation with Town of Mount Pleasant Economic Development Officer Matt Brady, we explore how this thriving community balances growth with livability.Discover the exciting public space developments enhancing Mount Pleasant's appeal, from the new waterfront park at Alhambra Hall to the completed "micro-mobility" project at Pitt Street Bridge. Brady shares how these investments create premier destinations for residents and visitors alike, strengthening the community fabric that makes Mo...
2025-07-1521 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceFrom Chef to Novelist: Victoria Benton Frank's Creative JourneyEver wonder what happens when you combine Southern charm, culinary expertise, and literary talent into one dynamic personality? Meet Victoria Benton Frank, the daughter of beloved bestselling novelist Dorothea Benton Frank, who has found her own voice in the literary world after living what she calls "eight lives already."From the moment Victoria begins speaking, her magnetic energy fills the room. Self described as "Southern on the inside and Northern on the outside," she effortlessly blends "y'all" and "schlep" into conversations that bounce between laugh-out-loud funny and profoundly touching. After careers as a dancer, actress, playwright, and...
2025-07-0149 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceMount Pleasant Made: Building Economic Futures with Matt BradyEver wondered how a thriving community balances rapid growth with maintaining an exceptional quality of life? Matt Brady, Economic Development Officer for the Town of Mount Pleasant, takes us behind the scenes of this delicate balancing act in our latest podcast series, Mount Pleasant Made.Brady reveals that economic development in Mount Pleasant isn't about pursuing any and all business opportunities – it's strategically focused on attracting companies in the innovation economy, tech sector, life sciences, and service-related industries that create white-collar jobs. "Quality of life is at the forefront of that calculus," Brady explains, noting that every de...
2025-06-1721 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceTalent Acquisition in Tech: Navigating the Evolution with Christina LockWhat does it take to build a thriving tech recruitment company while navigating the challenges of being a female entrepreneur? Christina Lock, founder of Catch Talent, pulls back the curtain on her remarkable 10-year journey in Charleston's evolving "Silicon Harbor" ecosystem.Starting as the second employee at software company Sparc before launching her own venture, Christina shares how she took just three days between leaving her previous role and founding Catch Talent. With refreshing candor, she describes her business as her "middle child," revealing the delicate balancing act of growing a company while expanding her family and...
2025-06-0325 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceGrowth, Conservation, and Community: Mount Pleasant's Path Forward w/ Mayor Will HaynieWhat happens when a coastal town becomes the fastest-growing municipality east of the Mississippi? Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie joins us to reveal how this thriving community balances explosive growth with quality of life—and why he's fighting to keep it a "town" despite its booming economy.The conversation demystifies Mount Pleasant's unique government structure, where contrary to what many newcomers believe, the mayor doesn't have unilateral power to direct town operations or solve individual problems with a simple phone call. Mayor Haynie shares candid insights about the rewards and limitations of serving in a council form of...
2025-05-0644 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceBuilding Hope: Windwood Farm's Mission of Healing w/ Rick LhotanTucked away on 110 acres of pristine Lowcountry forest sits a place where healing happens every day. Rick Lhotan, Major Gifts Manager at Windwood Farm and Home for Children, pulls back the curtain on this remarkable organization that has kept over 5,000 local children with their families instead of entering protective custody over the past decade.The numbers are staggering, but the stories behind them are even more powerful. As South Carolina's only Qualified Residential Treatment Program, Windwood provides specialized care for children ages 6-16 who have experienced trauma, offering approximately six hours of therapy monthly to each child...
2025-04-0152 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceTasting the Lowcountry: Behind the Scenes of Charleston Wine & Food w/ Alyssa SmithGet ready to feast on a culinary journey through Charleston with our latest episode featuring Alyssa Smith, the Executive Director of the renowned Charleston Wine and Food Festival. This week, we delve into the heart of what makes this festival a must-visit for food enthusiasts near and far. From its humble beginnings in 2005 to becoming a significant economic force for local businesses, the festival not only promises delicious dishes but also fosters community connections and sustainable practices. Alyssa shares insights about the festival's impact on the local economy, revealing how it generates millions in revenue while attracting f...
2025-03-0436 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceAllison Hunt: Navigating History and Community at the Heart of Mount PleasantJoin us for an insightful conversation with Allison Hunt, the Executive Director of Patriot's Point Development Authority, as she takes us through the illustrious history of the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey. These iconic World War II museum ships, stationed in Mount Pleasant, offer more than just a glimpse into the past. Discover how the Patriot's Point Development Authority is preserving history while contributing to the community through innovative partnerships and memorable events. Hunt shares her personal connections to this historical site, including experiences like a Boy Scout overnight and an emotional visit to the Vietnam exhibit....
2025-02-041h 01
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceJohn Wright: Preserving African American Heritage and Community Empowerment in Mount PleasantJohn Wright, the iconic Past President of The African American Historic Settlement Commission in Mount Pleasant, takes us on a captivating journey through his life and career, sharing stories from his childhood in Mount Pleasant to his 23 years of service in the United States Army. As he recalls his upbringing, working on Shem Creek, and the tight-knit community that shaped him, John reveals how embracing both his birth name, John Fitzgerald, and his cherished nickname, Johnny, honors his roots. He also discusses his ongoing projects that spotlight the rich history and culture of African American communities in Mount Pleasant...
2025-01-071h 06