Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce
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The Building Business podcast provides compelling stories of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce's journey, its steadfast commitment to the local community, and its forward-thinking approach to addressing the needs of businesses in an ever-changing landscape. It stands as an invitation to listeners to become part of a movement that values growth, connection, and the collective progress of the Mount Pleasant, South Carolina community.Be prepared to be inspired, informed, and motivated, as we provide a rich tapestry of stories that celebrate the dynamic interplay of business and personal growth right here, in our own backyard.

  1. Inside Charleston Animal Society: Saving Lives, Building Community w/ Kay Hyman

    MAR 10

    Inside Charleston Animal Society: Saving Lives, Building Community w/ Kay Hyman

    Shelters don’t have to feel bleak. They can be bright, smartly designed hubs where families learn, kids dream about becoming vets, and animals get a real shot at life. Sitting down with Kay Hyman from Charleston Animal Society, we trace the full journey from intake to adoption and spotlight the systems that make lifesaving scale: free adoptions for dogs one year and older during capacity crunches, a foster network that mirrors the shelter’s headcount, and a medical program built to AAHA standards. We talk about Angel the puppy, hounds rescued from a cruelty case, and what it takes to prepare each pet for home—vaccines, microchips, spay or neuter—often totaling more than the adoption fee. Kay unpacks Paws Around Town, an initiative that hands you a backpack and a dog-friendly itinerary so you can take a shelter dog out for the day or overnight. That real-world experience de-stresses animals, fuels authentic photos and notes, and dramatically boosts adoptability. Education is everywhere: sold-out vet camps, birthday parties on-site, and even “boredom busters” families can craft at home to enrich kennel time. We also dig into partnerships and practical help. Sponsors like Crews Subaru fund lifesaving work, while local businesses host adoptable pets to draw crowds and create social buzz. If you can’t adopt, you can foster, donate, sponsor a specific animal, or simply share a profile. And if you’re curious, browse adoptable pets at charlestonanimalsociety.org and toggle between the Charleston and Berkeley campuses to meet your match. From stress-reducing kennel layouts to a five-stall barn ready for unusual guests, this is animal welfare reimagined—evidence-driven, community-powered, and full of heart. If this conversation moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves animals, and leave a quick review to help more people discover these stories. Your next click might be the one that gets a pet home. This is a grounded guide for founders, contractors, agency owners, manufacturers, and service leaders across Charleston and beyond who want a no-nonsense path to an exit. We share red flags that can sink deals, the role of local market knowledge, and how Viking’s success-based model aligns incentives. Join us, get practical next steps, and walk away knowing exactly how to make your future sale smoother. www.vikingmergers.com Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬ Production Sponsor: RMBO.co Design Sponsor: DK Design Interested in Sponsorship? Click here. Committee: Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

    14 min
  2. Learn What Makes A Business Sellable And How To Prepare Years In Advance

    MAR 3

    Learn What Makes A Business Sellable And How To Prepare Years In Advance

    Ready to sell your business without derailing the company you built? We sit down with Michael Purcell, senior advisor at Viking Mergers and Acquisitions, to map out a practical, three-phase path from early planning to a confident close. We talk plainly about what buyers actually value, how to price to the market instead of emotion, and why asset purchases dominate in the lower middle market. If you’ve ever wondered when to start planning, what documents you need, or how to protect your team’s culture through a sale, this conversation delivers the playbook. Mike breaks down EBITDA and seller’s discretionary earnings in simple terms, showing how clean books and thoughtful add-backs paint a truer picture of cash flow. We explore the 250-item diligence checklist and why a seasoned advisor lets you keep your foot on the gas while they manage confidentiality, buyer screening, and contract assignments for leases, vendors, and customers. You’ll also hear how Viking balances price with fit, helping owners choose between individuals, strategic buyers, and private equity—each with different expectations for your post-close role. The takeaway: prepare three years out, build processes and KPIs, empower managers, and make your brand less dependent on you to increase transferability and value. This is a grounded guide for founders, contractors, agency owners, manufacturers, and service leaders across Charleston and beyond who want a no-nonsense path to an exit. We share red flags that can sink deals, the role of local market knowledge, and how Viking’s success-based model aligns incentives. Thinking about your five-year plan, curious about your company’s valuation range, or fielding buyer outreach thanks to AI-fueled prospecting? Join us, get practical next steps, and walk away knowing exactly how to make your future sale smoother. If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with a fellow owner, and leave a quick review to help more entrepreneurs find us. https://www.vikingmergers.com This is a grounded guide for founders, contractors, agency owners, manufacturers, and service leaders across Charleston and beyond who want a no-nonsense path to an exit. We share red flags that can sink deals, the role of local market knowledge, and how Viking’s success-based model aligns incentives. Join us, get practical next steps, and walk away knowing exactly how to make your future sale smoother. www.vikingmergers.com Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬ Production Sponsor: RMBO.co Design Sponsor: DK Design Interested in Sponsorship? Click here. Committee: Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

    44 min
  3. From Farmers’ Markets To FinTech: How Mount Pleasant Builds A Thriving Local Economy

    FEB 10

    From Farmers’ Markets To FinTech: How Mount Pleasant Builds A Thriving Local Economy

    The 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 launchpad where first customers become loyal communities. We talk candidly about why the expo sells out, how the town earned top marks as a municipal coastal economy, and why blending national retailers with strong local campaigns like Eat Local and Mount Pleasant Made keeps money and momentum close to home. Zoning choices matter here—reserving space for mom-and-pop businesses so they get a fair shot alongside big names like Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Publix, and Harris Teeter. Then we zoom into the future of work. With scarce industrial land, Mount Pleasant doubles down on FinTech, health tech, and bioscience, backing the Harbor Entrepreneur Center to fuel founders, create jobs, and connect talent through coffee, collisions, and a regional innovation corridor. We tackle affordability head-on and share a clear aim: help residents live, work, and play in one place, and give our high school grads a reason—and a pathway—to stay. Along the way, you’ll hear how public–private teamwork turns accolades into action and why gratitude for chambers, startups, and production partners isn’t fluff—it’s infrastructure. Hit play to hear a grounded, hopeful blueprint for local prosperity that scales without losing its soul. If this conversation sparks ideas or pride, share it with a neighbor, leave a quick review, and subscribe for more on-the-ground stories that move communities forward. This is a grounded guide for founders, contractors, agency owners, manufacturers, and service leaders across Charleston and beyond who want a no-nonsense path to an exit. We share red flags that can sink deals, the role of local market knowledge, and how Viking’s success-based model aligns incentives. Join us, get practical next steps, and walk away knowing exactly how to make your future sale smoother. www.vikingmergers.com Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬ Production Sponsor: RMBO.co Design Sponsor: DK Design Interested in Sponsorship? Click here. Committee: Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

    9 min
  4. Behind Palmetto Life: How A Charleston Lifestyle Show Uplifts Community, Small Business, And Good News

    FEB 3

    Behind Palmetto Life: How A Charleston Lifestyle Show Uplifts Community, Small Business, And Good News

    Joy 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 and Philly’s lifestyle programming, plus her formative years as a one-woman-band reporter. She shares a candid, step-by-step look at the 9 a.m. broadcast: arriving at 7, shaping scripts, welcoming guests, managing live interviews, and ad-libbing when the teleprompter drifts. Her guest philosophy is simple and effective—make it feel like a real conversation, remind people they’re the experts, and guide them through the nerves so the message lands. The heart of the episode beats in the community stories: Dragon Boat Charleston’s cancer survivors racing and caring for one another; the way a single segment sparked a $20,000 donation for homeless veterans; and the show’s cheerful rulebook—no politics, no doom, just useful, local good news. We also nerd out on modern media and marketing: hyper-local targeting, in-house production, and the measurable ways TV collaborates with digital to reach the right viewers at the right time. Expect Charleston picks too—Wine + Food, downtown walks, and the eateries worth your reservation. If you’re a founder, marketer, or nonprofit leader, you’ll come away with a live-TV playbook: craft one clear message, bring a timely hook, and trust the host to help you shine. And if you’re a viewer who misses genuine local storytelling, you’ll find a reason to tune in at 9 a.m. weekdays. Hit follow, share with a friend who loves Charleston, and leave a quick review to tell us who you want to see on the mic next. This is a grounded guide for founders, contractors, agency owners, manufacturers, and service leaders across Charleston and beyond who want a no-nonsense path to an exit. We share red flags that can sink deals, the role of local market knowledge, and how Viking’s success-based model aligns incentives. Join us, get practical next steps, and walk away knowing exactly how to make your future sale smoother. www.vikingmergers.com Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬ Production Sponsor: RMBO.co Design Sponsor: DK Design Interested in Sponsorship? Click here. Committee: Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

    46 min
  5. Live 5: A Local TV Station w/a Full-Funnel Marketing Engine For Small Businesses

    JAN 13

    Live 5: A Local TV Station w/a Full-Funnel Marketing Engine For Small Businesses

    Ever 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 fill the gaps between curiosity and action. Delaney explains her shift from on-air reporting to sales and why she prefers building campaigns that meet real people in their real moments. The two non-negotiables: know your target deeply and craft creative that feels human. If you’re in home services or any trust-heavy category, showing the actual owner or technician on camera can lift response and reduce friction at the door. We also get tactical: how to define tight audience segments, when to use geofencing around neighborhoods or events, and what to measure so you can prove lift beyond vanity impressions. From attribution views on CTV to search spikes after a flight, we map the signals that confirm your message is working. Most of all, we lean into a local advantage big brands can’t buy—authentic presence. If you want your next campaign to move from noise to results, this conversation lays out a clear, testable playbook. If this sparked ideas for your business, follow the show, share it with a local owner who needs a nudge toward streaming, and leave a quick review so others can find us. Got a question or a win to share? Drop us a note and tell us what you’ll test first. This is a grounded guide for founders, contractors, agency owners, manufacturers, and service leaders across Charleston and beyond who want a no-nonsense path to an exit. We share red flags that can sink deals, the role of local market knowledge, and how Viking’s success-based model aligns incentives. Join us, get practical next steps, and walk away knowing exactly how to make your future sale smoother. www.vikingmergers.com Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬ Production Sponsor: RMBO.co Design Sponsor: DK Design Interested in Sponsorship? Click here. Committee: Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

    10 min
  6. How Veteran Robert Patterson Turned Service Values Into A Thriving Catering Company

    JAN 6

    How Veteran Robert Patterson Turned Service Values Into A Thriving Catering Company

    What 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 every guest like a regular. You’ll meet Chef Kim, the Johnson & Wales–trained engine who starts at 2:30 a.m., nails lowcountry staples like shrimp and grits, and still pulls off fork-tender beef tenderloin at scale with a rich brandy peppercorn sauce. We dive into practical playbooks on pricing, budget-first menu design, plated pre-selection, and how to avoid the prep traps that crush timelines—yes, skewers, we’re looking at you. The conversation also tackles what most caterers gloss over: post‑pandemic costs, bar insurance, and risk. Robert lays out a clear approach to additional insured certificates, one‑day event coverage, and why honest line items for disposables protect both margins and clients. Then we open the festival binder: how Top Shelf rescued a super VIP program, earned backstage hospitality for national artists, and now runs multi-day, multi‑menu operations across states using local vendors, mobile kitchens, and ruthless timing. Along the way, you’ll hear the war stories—seating charts gone wild, fragile glassware and tight aisles—and the simple seasoning mantra that keeps food broadly loved in a world of dietary needs. If you’re building a hospitality brand, planning corporate events, or just want the behind‑the‑scenes truth on great catering, this conversation is packed with strategies you can use tomorrow. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a planner, chef, or small business owner who needs a real-world operating manual for se This is a grounded guide for founders, contractors, agency owners, manufacturers, and service leaders across Charleston and beyond who want a no-nonsense path to an exit. We share red flags that can sink deals, the role of local market knowledge, and how Viking’s success-based model aligns incentives. Join us, get practical next steps, and walk away knowing exactly how to make your future sale smoother. www.vikingmergers.com Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬ Production Sponsor: RMBO.co Design Sponsor: DK Design Interested in Sponsorship? Click here. Committee: Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

    1h 4m
  7. From Smart Shades To Stronger Local Ties With Bumblebee Blinds

    12/16/2025

    From Smart Shades To Stronger Local Ties With Bumblebee Blinds

    The 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 material choices and motor quality matter, how exterior shutters and screens extend the season for Charleston’s porches, and what it takes to specify solutions that look elegant and work flawlessly. We also get practical about operations: a hands-on showroom on Daniel Island where you can test fabrics and lifts, plus nearby warehouses that keep installations on time and on point. Underneath the product talk is a story about community-powered growth. Luis credits the Mount Pleasant Chamber with opening doors, connecting partners, and accelerating the learning curve from launch to scale. We get candid about shifting focus year to year—residential to new construction to commercial—and how sponsorships, collaboration, and showing up create compound trust. There is a clear throughline: buy quality, integrate smartly, and build local relationships that last. If you care about home comfort, energy efficiency, and design that earns its keep, this conversation is packed with ideas you can use today. Hear how to choose the right shades, when to automate, and where local manufacturing adds speed and service. Love what you hear? Follow the show, share it with a friend who’s upgrading their space, and leave a quick review to help others discover us. This is a grounded guide for founders, contractors, agency owners, manufacturers, and service leaders across Charleston and beyond who want a no-nonsense path to an exit. We share red flags that can sink deals, the role of local market knowledge, and how Viking’s success-based model aligns incentives. Join us, get practical next steps, and walk away knowing exactly how to make your future sale smoother. www.vikingmergers.com Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬ Production Sponsor: RMBO.co Design Sponsor: DK Design Interested in Sponsorship? Click here. Committee: Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

    8 min
  8. LinkedIn, AI, And Community w/ Shaniequa Washington of Trio Solutions

    12/09/2025

    LinkedIn, AI, And Community w/ Shaniequa Washington of Trio Solutions

    The 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 the exact titles and industries you serve. Then we get tactical: outreach cadences, conversation starters that feel human, and metrics that actually matter—responses, meetings, and revenue. From there, we shift to AI as a workflow booster. It’s not a replacement for taste and judgment; it’s a time-saver for research, summarization, and draft creation. We talk use cases, guardrails, and how to keep voice consistent while letting machines handle the heavy lifting. Community ties it all together. The Expo becomes a live map of partners and prospects standing steps away. We highlight Creatathon, a 24-hour sprint where marketers deliver free creative to nonprofits, as a model for impact and skill-building under pressure. And we revisit the “Who Not How” mindset: find the specialist, build the team, and stop wrestling alone with problems someone else already solved. Business is an ecosystem, not a silo—and collaboration beats isolation every time. If you’re ready to turn conversations into clients, align AI with your team’s strengths, and grow through partnerships, this one will meet you where you are. Subscribe, leave a quick review, and share this with someone who needs a nudge to find their “who” today. This is a grounded guide for founders, contractors, agency owners, manufacturers, and service leaders across Charleston and beyond who want a no-nonsense path to an exit. We share red flags that can sink deals, the role of local market knowledge, and how Viking’s success-based model aligns incentives. Join us, get practical next steps, and walk away knowing exactly how to make your future sale smoother. www.vikingmergers.com Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬ Production Sponsor: RMBO.co Design Sponsor: DK Design Interested in Sponsorship? Click here. Committee: Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

    9 min
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About

The Building Business podcast provides compelling stories of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce's journey, its steadfast commitment to the local community, and its forward-thinking approach to addressing the needs of businesses in an ever-changing landscape. It stands as an invitation to listeners to become part of a movement that values growth, connection, and the collective progress of the Mount Pleasant, South Carolina community.Be prepared to be inspired, informed, and motivated, as we provide a rich tapestry of stories that celebrate the dynamic interplay of business and personal growth right here, in our own backyard.

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