Shows
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
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceNavigating the Future of Branding and Business Growth w/ Jenny DennisJenny Dennis, our guest and the creative powerhouse behind Trio Solutions, takes us on a captivating journey from her roots in New England to the sunny shores of Charleston. Her story is a fascinating testament to the unexpected twists that can define a career, as she shares how a simple suggestion from restaurant patrons led her from biology to advertising. Jenny's experiences highlight the power of perseverance, a passion for marketing, and how seizing opportunities can lay the groundwork for professional success.As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of marketing, we explore the shift from traditional tactics...
2024-12-0355 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceAngela Craig and Empowering Entrepreneurs: Libraries at the Heart of Community DevelopmentWhat if libraries could revolutionize your business strategy and community involvement? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Angela Craig, Executive Director of Charleston County Public Libraries, Kathleen Herrmann, Marketing Director for the Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, and Tammy Becker, co-owner of Elements Massage in West Ashley and Summerville. Angela shares her incredible journey and vision for libraries as essential community assets, from her beginnings at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to her transformative work in Charleston. Uncover the diverse resources libraries offer, not just to residents, but also to businesses, from grant application assistance to networking opportunities, and even media...
2024-11-061h 00
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceCarolyn Murray: A Life in Broadcasting, Charleston’s Heartbeat, and Inspiring Community ConnectionsEver wondered how a brave move can catapult you into a lifelong dream career? Carolyn Murray from WCBD TV 2 in Charleston shares her inspiring journey from a snowy birth in New York to becoming a celebrated news anchor in Charleston. Carolyn recounts her bold approach to WPAL radio’s general manager, landing her first broadcasting job before even graduating from the University of South Carolina. With deep ties to Charleston and a passionate commitment to journalism, Carolyn's story is a testament to determination and community connection.Join us as we explore Carolyn's serendipitous transition from radio to te...
2024-10-011h 10
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceUnleashing Organizational Success: Dr. Troy Hall on Talent Retention and Cohesive LeadershipEver wondered how to retain top talent and create a thriving organizational culture? Join us for an essential conversation with Dr. Troy Hall, a celebrated talent retention consultant, international speaker, and best-selling author, as he unpacks the secrets behind his award-winning success. From his humble beginnings in West Virginia to his influential life on Daniel Island, Dr. Hall offers a deeply personal glimpse into his experiences, including the heartwarming story of officiating his grandson's wedding. His insights blend personal and professional wisdom, making this episode a treasure trove for leaders eager to build cohesive, high-performing teams.Discover...
2024-09-031h 18
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceFrom Kitchen to Empire: Carrie Bailey Morey's Hot Biscuit JourneyWhat if you could transform a simple love for cooking into a thriving multi-faceted business empire? Tune in as Carrie Bailey Morey, founder of Callie's Hot Little Biscuit, takes us on an incredible journey from her mother Callie's kitchen to becoming a culinary powerhouse. Carrie shares how she navigated the early challenges of launching a mail-order biscuit business in 2005, long before the convenience of today's digital age. Her story of resilience, innovation, and unwavering passion for food has led to an impressive array of achievements, including multiple restaurants, an extensive e-commerce platform, wholesale distribution, a TV show, and even...
2024-08-0644 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceHealing, Music, and Life Lessons: Jim Sonefeld’s Journey with Hootie and the BlowfishWhat happens when a Division I soccer dream turns into a rock and roll reality? Join us as we sit down with Jim Sonefeld, the drummer for Hootie and the Blowfish, and the author of "Swimming with the Blowfish: Hootie, Healing, and One Hell of a Ride." Jim recounts his remarkable journey from the Midwest to South Carolina, and shares the touching story of meeting the band after a devastating fire, capturing the essence of how their support transformed his life. This episode is filled with the kind of heartfelt and inspiring moments that highlight the band’s compassionate na...
2024-07-0252 min
Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of CommerceWeaving Hope and Dignity: The Impact of East Cooper Community Outreach with Stephanie KelleyWhen Stephanie Kelley, the heart and soul behind East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO), stepped up to share her story, we knew we were in for an unforgettable conversation. From her evolution from donor to Executive Director, Stephanie unveils the intricate tapestry of support and service that ECHO weaves throughout our community, touching lives in ways only the most profound acts of kindness can.Our discussion traverses the surprising realities of affluence and need in Mount Pleasant, uncovering the often invisible challenges that lurk beneath the surface of any community. ECCO, with its rich 34-year history, stands as...
2024-06-0448 min