BizBuzzCharleston

On this podcast I talk with the founders of Eatabit, another startup from the Mt. Pleasant Harbor Business Accelerator and their patent pending solution for texting in your next meal to your favorite restaurant.  Hungry for a pizza, or some Chinese take-out from your local restaurant?. Perhaps you're going to see a Riverdog's game at Joe Riley stadium. Why not text in your order ahead of time and have it ready for you to pick up or eat on the spot once you arrive. Greg and Stewart buzz in with some interesting facts about how they have created a low cost solution that bridges the needs of restaurants and consumers.

Charleston is one of the HOTTEST places for population growth along the Atlantic coast. Business and jobs may not be growing at a pace that we want in Charleston, but one thing is certain. Charleston is the new hot spot to move to with the population growing in the tri-county area. by close to 30% since the year 2000. Listen to this audio blog give some facts and figures about population growth and it's effect on traffic patterns in Charleston.

On this podcast episode I talk with Stan Gray, CEO of DIG SOUTH, about developments in  the growing  knowledge economy of Charleston - what many are now dubbing – the Silicon Harbor. DIG SOUTH is the Southeast’s interactive festival celebrating innovation and the digital economy. Charleston is fast becoming a progressive hotspot for emerging as a strong tech sector player. With companies like Amazon, Google, Apple, Benefit Focus, Blackbaud, PeopleMatter, Blue Acorn, Boomtown, Levelwing, Boeing and others our city is shedding it’s staid image as just a great historic place to visit into one that is a leading dynamic force to be reckoned with in the world of tech.

The proposed merger of The College of Charleston (CofC) and The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is being touted as good for the Charleston business community. In this podcast episode I analyze whether this is truly the case. There is no doubt that the future of Charleston business lies in the expansion of three main areas; (a) manufacturing - spearheaded by the growing footprint of Boeing (b) High Tech/Knowledge economy and (c)  growth of Charleston as a supply chain powerhouse through the expansion of the port. All of these three areas will require a continuous flow of well educated and highly trained employees. The question is posed as to whether spending the money to merge two institutions in order to provide Phd programs is the right answer to the Educational supply chain that is needed to meet the future business community needs.

Charleston's business economy is beginning to boom. Boeing is expanding, tourism is up, port traffic is growing and the knowledge based high tech sector, known as the Silicon Harbor is multiplying in size. This episode explores whether Charleston  is in danger of becoming a Fracking community of unbridled growth with perhaps detrimental long term repercussions? 

On this podcast, I have a conversation with Jonathon Chalfie, President of the Mt. Pleasant Business Association. We talk about how local business associations, like MPBA, are great avenues for businesses, business people and local governments to work together for a common good. Listening to Jon talk about the business association one cannot but be impressed with and excited with the direction that the business leaders and the business community in Mt. Pleasant is headed.  

The widening of Clements Ferry Road and the development of the Cainhoy Plantation will be major economic drivers for the Charleston business community for years to come. Cainhoy Plantation is a 9000 acre development that was originally part of the Guggenheim family trust. The plans are to create up to 20,000 homesites, retail and mixed commercial areas over the next 20 years. This podcast lays the groundwork and gives background to this important economic and business generator.

On this podcast, I have a conversation with Kathy Meis, the founder and CEO of Bublish about her company's solution that lets readers discover and interact with authors of books. The saying goes that you can’t tell a book by it’s cover. With the growth of digital books, e-books, that clichéd statement takes on a new life. With fewer and fewer bookstores to browse and libraries having reduced budgets to purchase books, writers and readers are facing a profound discovery challenge. But thanks to the internet the world is now open to authors to publish their books and reach an audience that was difficult, if not impossible to reach beforehand. The challenge is therefore where and how are people going to find out about new literature – of all kinds – for their reading enjoyment, education and reference. This is where a company like Bublish, founded by my guest today, Kathy Meis, provides solutions to this modern day problem. Their innovative social book discovery and comme

Charleston is just like an army that 'marches on it's stomach'. The food and bev business is very important to the business health of our downtown. In this episode we peak a bit 'under the tablecloth' of  the local food industry and what steps can perhaps be taken to make it stronger. For a community of our size, we can proud of the large amount of world class fine culinary establishments and the food festivals that bring in millions of dollars of local tax revenue to our cities. This past weekend's annual Food and Wine Festival is one such event, which was attended by over 20,000 people - many of which came from out of town. Other food festivals and events on the calendar include the Boone Hall Oyster fest and in the fall - Restaurant Week.

It takes a special personality trait and a passion for and dedication to your community to jump into the world of local politics. My guest today, Chris Nickels is such a person.  From this passion to improve the quality of life for his neighborhood grew a desire to get involved in the political process directly. The saying goes that all politics is local – that is a politician's success is directly tied to his ability to understand and influence the issues of his constituents. Politicians must appeal to the simple, mundane and everyday concerns of those who elect them into office. This is how business communities grow strong – through the sacrifice and passion of people like Chris.

The changes to the National Flood Insurance regulations  - the 2012 Biggert-Waters reform - have sparked controversy and outrage, especially along the coastal communities on the east coast. The dramatic increase in insurance rates that the current legislation requires will have significant negative ramifications for the Charleston business community as a whole if not amended or repealed. This podcast episodes explains the current situation regarding efforts to repeal or delay the innactment of the reforms provisions.

Pat Manna is the Chairman of the Citadel College School of Business Mentor Association. In this role, he coordinates with over 150 experienced and successful business professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to mentor the students who attend the Citadel. The work that Pat and others do as mentors are molding the next generation of business leaders by providing guidance, direction and focus to the young adults who attend the college.

The Charleston business community is making efforts to aggressively expand by creating joint business partnership with Israeli companies. Through the efforts of the South Carolina Research Alliance (SCRA) local Charleston businesses can receive grants of up to $500,000 for joint product development initiatives with Israeli firms. The application process is open and can be accessed at http://www.scra.org/RFP_MATIMOP_SCRA.

Cheryl Smithem is the "Connection Maven" and owner of Charleston PR & Design. Over the course of her career as an executive in Charleston, she has directed the marketing, public relations and communications of businesses and non-profit organizations throughout the Charleston business community. This is exactly what Charleston PR & Design helps companies engage their clients and grow their business by planning, designing and implementing strategic, integrated marketing, public relations and social media roadmaps that work.

Patrick Bryant and John Osborne are two veteran businessmen who co-founded the Harbour Accelerator, a partnership between a non-profit they created and the town of Mt. Pleasant, SC that aims to help entrepreneurs “stop writing a plan and start executing a business.Patrick is a veteran entrepreneur and founder of GoToTeam which provides exceptional high definition video production services to major corporate and broadcast clients. Business Accelerators and Incubators have become one of the most prominent ways for early stage businesses to grow and thrive. The Charleston area is now home to the Harbor Accelerator, a satellite location of the IronYard Business accelerator based in Greenville, SC and the much successful Digital Corridor, a partnership with the City of Charleston.  

Tiffany Jacquey is the co-owner Journey Cycle & Studio in Mt. Pleasant. As a life-long athlete at the college and professional level she decided to create a big city version of the modern day fitness studio with a ultramodern facility and to emphasize functional training that involves the whole body in a group setting.

Business Accelerators and Incubators have become one of the most prominent ways for early stage businesses to grow and thrive. The Charleston area is now home to new business accelerators, the Harbor  Accelerator, started by veteran entrepreneur Patrick Bryant and soon to be extension of the successful IronYard accelerator based in Greenville, SC.  

Charleston is becoming a magnet for beginning and mid career professional from all over the country. The manufacturing sector led by the growth of the Boeing factory and the booming Silicon Harbor high tech sector are having a positive effect on the Charleston business. Net immigration to the lowcountry will pay dividends for years to come and increase the quality of life for everyone.

BizBuzz Charleston is your source for behind-the-scenes local business stories & resources from the Charleston business community. We tell the behind the scene human interest business stories of the Charleston Business community.   BizBuzz Charleston isn’t just another podcast spouting business advice. We showcase the Charleston business community from a different angle. Like a busy bee buzzing around a hive, we will collect the behind-the-scenes stories – the ongoing trends of the Charleston business community – and turn them into “nectar.”Everyone has a business story to tell. Every one of us contributes to what is becoming such an exciting and vibrant business community - from the movers and shakers and community leaders to the unheralded business professionals, business owners and worker bees.