Footnotes

In Episode 58, Kim Smith, founder of Health Evolve Technologies, reveals some startling realities about health inequity and provides us with an optimistic picture of what an equitable care culture can be. According to Kim, only 20% of the health equity gap can be addressed in the doctor's office, yet so many think this is where the solution lies. Kim pulls from her experience in health care administration to create multifaceted technological tools to build what she calls a "digital health village" capable of disrupting the health disparities that plague our healthcare system. 

Dr. Aditi Bussells wears many hats, including public health researcher, consultant, mother, wife, and At-Large City Councilwoman. Episode 57 dives into the reality of working in municipal government, from how public health research can apply to policy making, to increasing civic engagement at the local level. Dr. Bussells teaches us how to look at the whole picture, and how to celebrate little wins on the way to solving big problems. 

Sakhar Jams isn't just a thriving jam business, it's also an inspiring story of friendship and motherhood, bound together with a love of food. In Episode 56 of Footnotes, founders Reshma Mahadkar and Jessica Henry share honest, inspiring advice about adding the title of “business partner” to a long friendship. How do you scale responsibly, how do you delineate tasks and collaborate, how do you manage motherhood and business? Listen in for cogent, actionable advice that these best friends learned while turning their amazing “bougie jams” into a must-have pantry essential.

When Herbert Drayton III was looking for investors to fund promising black-owned businesses, he made a shocking discovery. There was not a single majority-black venture capital firm in the entire state of South Carolina. In Episode 55 of Footnotes, we learn how Drayton built the state's first black-owned VC firm, dedicated entirely to supporting BIPOC and women-owned businesses with not only the funds they need to succeed, but also the relationships, resources, and advice that makes a promising idea become a profitable reality. This episode is full of actionable advice that's perfect for any entrepreneur, whether you've been in business for years, or you're still considering the risk of a brand new idea. 

In Episode 54 of Footnotes, we check in with the Mayor of Columbia, SC, Daniel Rickenmann, after one year on the job. He explains how he promotes the sharing of ideas and resources for the good of the community, reducing barriers to conversations and giving everyone who wants to engage a voice. He shows us how we can make Columbia's assets visible and accessible by connecting our amazing neighborhoods and improving the quality of life for our residents. Listen in to learn about everything exciting going on in Columbia today, and get excited for what's coming tomorrow.

In Episode 53 of Footnotes, we sit down with Greenville entrepreneur, Erin Mehagan, owner of Livi Lu Lane, a company that is redefining women's intimates. Driven by the passion to make products for real women, Erin turned her own struggle to find a bra that fit her post-pregnancy body into a thriving retail business. We can all identify with her emotional story and remarkable ability to learn on the go, showing us that tenacity and dedication truly are the key to a successful business.

It's no secret that relationships are a key to a business that lasts, but in no place is that more true than in a family business. Mother-daughter team Lisa Tyson and Leigh Provost of L.A. Barrier & Son Inc. have kept their premier hauling business in the family for four generations, and they've found nothing but advantages to keeping it in the family. Leigh shares what convinced her to leave her career as a chemical engineer to join her parents, sharing the priceless value of finding your way back to the family business. Lisa and Leigh show us how to stay true to family values, grow and maintain long-lasting customer relationships, and retain top-notch employees, proving that there's unique value in the accessibility, quality, and trustworthiness of a small family business.

Suzanne Brunnemer runs a local business that's remained in the family for three generations, despite the tough competition in the tool supply market. In our conversation, she credits the success of Mann Tool and Supply, Inc. to the exceptional relationships between her staff and the community. She defines the unspoken benefits of fostering a familial culture in your business while offering valuable insights on how to use expertise and education for lead generation and customer retention. Learn how Suzanne provides a dedicated space for new customers to discover their passion for crafting with tools you might think are reserved only for professionals. She's an expert on building passionate customer relationships, offering "a little something extra" to make them last a lifetime.

In Episode 50 of Footnotes, we have an enlightening conversation with Duke Hartman, co-founder of Integer Technologies, an applied research business that bridges the gap between research institutions and government defense agencies. We discuss how the cutting edge research innovations which arise in theoretical university settings are identified, proven, and brought to life as real-world, usable prototypes. Hyper-niche business opportunities like this exist everywhere – even in your own backyard. Learn about STEM innovation happening at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC and the ways Integer Technologies is shaping the future of United States national security and defenses.

Heather Leigh, the owner of Greenhaven Memorial Gardens, has spent her career helping people navigate the emotional end-of-life journey. In Episode 49 of Footnotes, she shares the unique and essential lessons she's learned while working in a highly emotional field, lessons that inspired her to found BETR, a community for fellow business leaders who want a better way to network, learn, and grow. We love Heather's unique approach to entrepreneurship, reminding us that behind every business transaction, there's human connection and growth.

In Episode 48 of Footnotes, Kristian Niemi, seasoned restauranteur, sits down with us in one of Columbia's most popular restaurants, Bourbon Lounge. He takes us through the steps of building Bourbon from an idea dreamed up in a car to an expanded, hopping location that's become the heart of Columbia's food scene. Listen in for restaurant secrets and stay for Kristian's exciting predictions about what is yet to come in Columbia's food scene, with, of course, some clever business advice along the way.

We've been waiting for Episode 47 of Footnotes because we finally get to sit down with someone who's been with us since Episode 2, Chad Rochester. He is usually behind the scenes, but today he steps in front of the camera to talk about how he pivoted from teaching High School English to running The Pierson Collective, a creative firm that provides top-notch media to a diverse array of companies and clients. There are so many practical lessons to learn from Chad's journey. We discuss how modest and reasonable goals can be beneficial, and how important it is to maintain a healthy work-life balance. If you've been dreaming of turning your passion into a business, Chad's story might be just the thing you need to take the plunge.

Episode 46 of Footnotes covers a lot of ground, from corporate sustainability to telling stories with art. Brooks Boland, the founder of MSP Disposal, talks about the ways the future of transparent sustainability has already arrived. He shows us how a company can connect the dots between big manufacturers, overstock, and people, all while adding a powerful new layer of storytelling, art, and recycling. We hope you'll find a little inspiration from the combination of art and business, as well as excitement for the bright future of corporate sustainability.

Episode 45 of Footnotes turned into a masterclass on building and marketing an experience that provides people with what they've always loved: community, fresh air, and, of course, shopping. Emile DeFelice is the visionary behind Soda City Market, a weekly event that's become synonymous with the City of Columbia in South Carolina. He brings some unconventional wisdom to the table, encouraging us to rethink marketing, partnerships, and tackling problems in business. From “you attitude” to the “Cracker Barrel effect,” he gives us practical advice that's ready to implement. If you love Soda City, we guarantee you'll enjoy this inside look at an event that's helped revitalize the downtown we've come to know and love.

We're thrilled to sit down with Jenn Randall-Collins, co-founder and CEO of Proof Alcohol Ice Cream, a visionary company that combines two things everyone loves - ice cream and alcohol. Episode 44 takes us on a journey from a single ice cream machine on Shop Road to filling international shipments and stocking hundreds of grocery stores with a product so unique that it created a whole new market. Jenn teaches us to take off the blinders that keep us from believing in game-changing products, showing us the perseverance and wise leadership it takes to create something brand new, for the first time.

Join us for Episode 34, where we share a pilsner with Scott and Darryl, co-founders of Steel Hands Brewing, to discuss a 120-billion-dollar industry – selling beer. They teach us how to grow new local markets to meet the rising demand of a fast-paced industry with a constantly changing pallet. They're not only masters of brewing—they're masters of strategic expansion, predicting customer demand and national trends while balancing all the moving parts of running a production brewery across multiple states. It's been a challenging journey, made successful by foresight and wise business practices, but most of all, passion. They've got great advice to share about creating a unique product that can break into tough, insular retail spaces. If you've got a dream product you want to bring to life (or if you just love beer) make sure to listen in.

In Episode 42, we hear from Bryan Murdaugh, co-founder and CEO of Fivable, a custom software development firm that makes businesses' software dreams a reality. He introduces us to a brand new garage-band business model that goes against the grain, building software from the ground up to bring big ideas to life for businesses in diverse industries, connected by the desire to make things a little easier. We discuss how to create meaning at an organizational and individual level, so businesses can spend “less time computing, and more time being human."

In Episode 41, we meet with our first business run by two brothers, Austin and Thomas Rhodes, founders of Rhodes Branding. Their work is inspired and guided by their shared childhood in rural South Carolina, an upbringing that gave them the values that inform their unique approach to business: work hard, stay humble, and appreciate what you have. They teach us to take time for ourselves, live every moment with kindness, and most of all, build a business that creates a better world, one that helps others realize their dreams.

Some of the best ideas start in the most unconventional places. For Dr. Jack Neil, the technology business that would change his life (and healthcare) began in a notebook on a flight home from London. In Episode 40, we discuss how Dr. Neil combined a career in the medical field with a love for everything tech to co-found Hank A.I., a software company that helps reduce administrative inefficiency in the health care industry. He gives us no-nonsense advice about self-branding, finding an honest coach you can trust, and believing in your ideas, even when facing rejection.

In Episode 39 we sit down with Lance Brown, co-founder of Rhino Medical Supply, who inspires us to find opportunity in crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lance and his partners recognized a crucial blind spot in the medical supply chain. Drawing from a unique set of skills built in their previous positions, from medical sales to merchant services, they developed a transparent sales model that experienced rapid, stable growth in only two years. Using his expertise in team-building and fostering relationships, Lance demonstrates how clarity and purpose can help you achieve your vision, even in times of upheaval.

CEO Ben Rex has taken the community building and tech expertise of Cyberwoven and applied it to Create Opportunity, an initiative dedicated to providing underserved populations with clear pathways to jobs in the knowledge economy. In Episode 38, we discuss how skills training and apprenticeships developed through partnerships between companies and schools can fill the chronic undersupply of tech workers in the region, improving the economic and social health of the Midlands in the process. If you're a business owner, make sure to watch until the end to learn how you can get involved!

In Episode 37 of Footnotes, Dr. Kassy Alia Ray, the Executive Director of Serve & Connect, challenges us to find the courage to listen and rewrite the divisive narratives that keep our communities from thriving. We discuss how she took personal trauma and grief and transformed it into a nationally recognized non-profit that builds relationships between law enforcement and their communities. In one of our most thought-provoking and urgent episodes to date, Kassy shows us that if we focus on the common ground between us, we can prevent future violence and build safe, united communities together.

Lelia King, the Executive Director of Build Carolina, joins us in Episode 36 of Footnotes. We explore South Carolina's landscape for cultivating new technology talent in the state, but we also uncover Lelia's own personal experience with boldly moving into the unknown – a new organization, new skillsets, new service models, new operations. All the while, a personal mission to solve unmet needs in the marketplace remains her guiding business underpinning.

We are thrilled to be joined by the founding team of VentureSouth in Footnotes Episode 35. We explore the world of angel investing, high-growth startups, rapid scaling, and the nitty gritty of building a multi-faceted operation. Listen in on some of the highs and lows of real ownership – perhaps best distilled by our guests signoff, "Make money. Have fun. Do good."

Our guest in this Episode 34 is Lauren Taylor – CEO and Founder of multiple real estate ventures in both the for-profit and non-profit spaces, including Realty Haven and Haven Home. John and Lauren discuss the nuances of entering new industries with laser focus, market-driving financial variables, and the interplay between business and positive social outcomes. We also learn about Lauren's dog... named "REIT".

Nell Fuller the Owner and Founder of femme x joins us on today's episode of Footnotes. We discuss her vision and dreams for the co-working, social club, and why building this community with female entrepreneurs in mind is so important. We talk about some hard topics, the difference between having an idea and being ready to start a business, and how the drive to help others has made all this possible. Check it out!

Today we're joined by Stephanie Vokral, the Founder of Critical Transitions Wealth Advisors and the Financial Knot. We discuss with Stephanie how she came to found a financial advisory practice that specializes in helping her clients, especially women, navigate one of the most difficult processes some people may encounter in their lives. Check it out! 

Dr. Brandon Vaughn, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Vertex, Physical Therapy joins us on today's Footnotes. In this episode we get to hear his thoughts on running a business, doing business in a caring profession, and learning how things should be done from your experiences.

On today's episode of Footnotes we're talking to Anna Edmonds, the Publisher and Managing Editor of The F-Suite Magazine, a print and digital magazine focused on women in business and telling their stories. We discuss the work she's doing and some serious topics, including equity in the world and the workplace, Imposter Syndrome, and so much more! Check it out!

Today we're pleased to have Robert Gilbert, Principal and COO of DxTEL, joining us on Footnotes. At DxTel one their missions is to help increase access to rural broadband internet service. While access has always been important, these needs have been highlighted by the pandemic. Watch to find out why this access is vital, and how DxTEL is stepping in to help resolve the barriers.

This time on Footnotes we're pleased to welcome Bert Sorin of Sorinex Exercise Equipment: We discuss how his life and his business intersect, how he's been taking care of their multi-generational business, and where they're going next.

Join us for our new Footnotes as we talk about learning, trucking, problem solving, and everything in between! You don't want to miss this one!

Please join us in welcoming the team from Validide. Learn how a project brought them together, and follow along as we discuss what they're doing, who they're doing it for, and how blockchain is going to become part of our lives.

Footnotes is back with Carl Blackstone the CEO of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce!   How can your area capitalize on growth and making use of the resources it already has?   How does work from home play into the future of talent capital and talent retention?  What conclusions can we take from census data and how should we use that information?  Listen to find out! 

Primal Gourmet's Founder and Owner Greg Martin joins us to discuss why keeping local is key, how being part of a community helps everyone, and so much more! 

Join us as we welcome Tyler Robertson, the CEO of Diesel Laptops. Our conversation with Tyler covers scrimping and saving in the garage, to growing to over $50 million in revenue, we discuss it all! 

Join us in welcoming Erinn Rowe, the CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank. We discuss viewing an organization from different roles, defining food insecurity (it encompasses more than you think!), leading and working by values, and so much more. Listen and see! 

Today we are joined by Dr. Hitesh Tolani, the Founder of Virtudent. We have loved discussing being the recipient of generosity, transformative ideas, understanding what is happening outside your sphere, and being a catalyst for change. 

Join us as we sit down with the owners of Hotel Trundle, Rita Patel and Marcus Munse, partners in business and in life. We discuss weathering the storms of relationships and business, treating guests to your business like guests to your home and how plans shift as your business grows and changes.

Peter Shand, President and CEO of BDC helps demystify the process of SBA lending, and what those funds can help small business owners accomplish. Whether you're buying a business or growing one, learning about these programs is worthwhile!

Colin Griffin is the CEO and Chief Engineer of Krumware. Listen as we discuss that growing your business involves growing the people inside it, how progress is a process and a problem is only a problem until you solve it.

Today we're talking to John Carrington, the Founder and CEO of ZVerse. Listen, as we discuss how his company went from helping other people make their ideas into reality, to being in the national spotlight with unique, necessary, equipment for the pandemic, and beyond.

Join partners John Barnes and Matt Morley as they discuss what this year has brought and taken, how it changes how we look at our jobs, run our businesses, and use our data to keep moving forward.

Join us as we sit down with Ellen Weaver, the President and CEO of Palmetto Promise. We discuss redefining a win, setting up a parade for someone else to lead, and respecting people even if you disagree.

Listen as Brad Allen and Mary Lane Sloan discuss how knowing your market and treating your employees and clients like people who matter, pays dividends.

If you knew you'd have to give up 400 Saturdays to realize a dream, would you do it? Nick Hauser did, and we all love him for it. Find out how 400 Saturdays made Indah an “overnight” success…

Recorded LIVE during the 2020 Growth Summit: Dom Mjartan, CEO of Optus Bank, has a mission to create equal access to financial services and asset building opportunities for all…

Caroline Crowder to joins us to let you know that you belong in the room, that you should borrow experience from mentors while making your own choices, and that giving up is not an option.

What positions a business owner to see their company through a crisis? Laura Boccanfuso has done it and come out the other side better than before. Join us, as she shares these insights.

Back by popular demand, Greg Hilton continues his conversation about creating community and the people, that make it whole.

Greg Hilton knows about creating community, not just the place, but the people, that make it whole.