South Carolina Business Review

Find out how the electronics recycling business is doing as host Mike Switzer interviews Allen Peltzman, founder of Allen Recycling in West Columbia, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Nesh Hikmet, an information technology professor at the University of South Carolina and co-owner of Tom’s Creek Family Farms in Hopkins, S.C., the Farmers Market Xchange in Columbia, and the Tom’s Creek Family Farms Mobile Market.

Guest Ronald Seftick of ImaGEN in Columbia, S.C. discusses his company's efforts to restart the hydrogen fuel cell economy in our state.

Mike Switzer interviews Abacus Planning Group's Laird Green to share best practices for funding education for your children and grandchildren.

Mike Switzer interviews Innoventure's John Warner on how entrepreneurs can use AI to build a competitive advantage.

A major brick manufacturer in our state recently announced that they will renovate their Columbia factory and add nearly three dozen new jobs with a $5.5 million investment. Mike Switzer interviews Mikee Johnson, CEO at US Brick in Columbia, S.C.

Hear more about the AI-assisted clinical tool that can help diagnose some genetic disorders based solely on facial analysis from Dr. Mike Lyons, Curry Chair in Translational Genomics and Therapeutics at the Greenwood Genetic Center in Greenwood, S.C.

MacKenzie Scott, a famous novelist, philanthropist, and third wealthiest woman in the U.S., recently donated $10 million to United Way of the Midlands.

Stock options are often considered as risky investments. However, certified financial planner Roy Janse says there are conservative methods of using options to enhance your portfolio.

Mike Switzer interviews Alan Cooper, founder and editor of three online business news websites in South Carolina, to review big and small economic development announcements for S.C. in 2024.

If you’re a small business owner, how can you become less vulnerable and more resilient to disaster? Mike Switzer finds out from University of South Carolina's Ben Means.

Mike Switzer interviews Cindy and Andy Rolfe, owners of Lowcountry Fresh in Bluffton, S.C., to discuss how buying local food is better for nutrition and the environment.

Guest Dr. Stephen Cutler with University of South Carolina returns to discuss his other roll at the school as dean of USC’s College of Pharmacy.

Mike Switzer interviews Rob DeHollander, a certified financial planner in Greenville S.C. and member of the South Carolina Financial Planning Association.

Mike Switzer speaks with Innoventure's John Warner about how university talent can be integrated into economic development.

Mike Switzer interviews Irina Agoulnik, associate district director for South Carolina in the Southeast region of SCORE, in Myrtle Beach.

Hear about the Ladson, S.C. software company that caught the eye of SC Launch and received $350,000 in investment capital.

Many times, a small business is born by accident, like when our next guest, for example, began making soap as a hobby. Mike Switzer interviews Tzima Brown, founder of Sunrise Artisan Bath and Body in Columbia’s Five Points.

Will today’s results affect our economy or are the possibilities of either candidate being elected already factored into general business plans? Mike Switzer interviews Frank Hefner, Director of Office of Economic Analysis and Professor of Economics at the College of Charleston.

Mike Switzer interviews Jason Thomas, executive editor of SCBizNews, for an update of the news, events, and issues that are trending right now across South Carolina's business community.

Host Mike Switzer interviews Columbia author James D. McCallister who has recently released a new book of short stories entitled “The Night I Prayed to Elvis.”

Several counties across our state are in declared disaster areas from Hurricane Helene, which means affected businesses in those areas may be eligible for disaster relief and assistance.

Host Mike Switzer interviews Quinton Middleton, owner of Middleton Made Knives in Charleston, S.C., whose cutlery is used by the likes of Emeril Lagasse and Sean Brock.

All professional investors and money managers start their investment strategy and management programs with an investment policy statement, but it turns out most average investors don't have one.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Innoventure in Greenville, S.C. John talks about the struggles of scaling start-ups rapidly in South Carolina.

Host Mike Switzer continues his conversation with Zach Campeau, cofounder and CEO of Baleen Solutions in Summerville, SC, about an innovation in the mortgage industry for the self-employed and their loan officers.

Hear about an innovation in the mortgage industry as Zach Campeau, cofounder and CEO of Baleen Solutions in Summerville, SC, visits today's South Carolina Business Review.

Mike Switzer interviews Jacqui McGuinness, founder of the Everything Outdoor Fest coming to the Historic Hopkins Farm in Simpsonville, SC, November 2nd and 3rd.

We're fast approaching the 2024 U.S. presidential election date, and many investors are wondering how the results might affect their portfolios. Is it possible to prepare no matter who wins?

Mike Switzer interviews Alan Cooper, founder and editor of three online business news websites in South Carolina, to discuss SC Ports Authority CEO Barbara Melvin’s State of the Port address.

The Palmetto State has an up-and-coming golf course designer. Meet Beau Welling, founder and CEO of Beau Welling Design in Greenville, S.C.

Max Stewart, CEO at the Greenville Area Development Corporation, discusses his group's plans to build on the economic growth of the Upstate.

For the past ten years, the School of Business at the College of Charleston has been hosting the Strategic Investment Symposium, a conference to help people evaluate their investment strategies for the new year.

Finding ways to reduce taxes during retirement can be helpful when on a fixed income. Mike Switzer interviews Jeremy Finger, a certified financial planner with Riverbend Wealth Management in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews Innoventure's John Warner who shares results from the latest start-ups report from BIP Ventures in Atlanta.

A brand new international business conference is coming to our state soon, building on the growing presence of German and other European companies in our state.

The popular and free Jam Room Music Festival is returning to Columbia, S.C. in a couple of weeks, bringing with it a welcome economic boost to downtown businesses.

South Carolina is the only one in the nation that offers tax credits for revitalizing abandoned buildings, whether they are historic or not. And the Palmetto State just expanded that program.

The death of a spouse can present some tough challenges, including financial. Ann Beckwith with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, S.C. shares some helpful advice for maintaining financial stability after such an event.

Mike Switzer interviews Jason Thomas, executive editor of SCBizNews, for an update of the news, events, and issues that are trending right now across South Carolina's business community.

Recent research shows a disturbing trend among employees that a S.C. organization is working to reverse.

Host Mike Switzer interviews Christopher Taylor, vice chancellor for external affairs and chief of staff at the University of South Carolina Upstate, and the organizer of the 2nd Annual Upstate Talent Forum in Spartanburg, S.C.

South Carolina baby-boomers get help continuing their lifelong learning adventure from the College of Charleston.

Does the Federal Reserve's recent half percent interest rate cut, which was larger than expected, mean that a recession may be lurking?

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Innoventure, who tells us about $848 million granted through a federal program to battery companies in S.C.

Find out how the private sector of the electronics recycling industry is doing as guest Allen Peltzman, founder of Allen Recycling in West Columbia, S.C., visits the South Carolina Business Review.

A task force focusing on maternal and infant care has just been launched in 14 rural counties in S.C. that do not have an obstetrician.

Hear about some bold development projects happening in the Upstate from guest Sean Hartness, CEO of Hartness Development in Greenville, S.C.

Most business owners probably have a plan in place for the business to continue if they pass away. But what if they don’t, or what if they forgot something?

S.C. iconic brands getting noticed. Mike Switzer interviews Alan Cooper, founder and editor of three online business news websites in South Carolina: MidlandsBiz, UpstateBizSC, and LowCountryBizSC.

Guest Alan Buck, the organizer of National Drive Electric, returns to the South Carolina Business Review to discuss this annual event coming to the Midlands on Sept. 28.

The only Fortune 500 company headquartered in our state is about to become much bigger with the recent announcement of an upcoming global acquisition. Mike Switzer interviews Howard Coker, president and CEO of Sonoco in Hartsville, S.C.

Our next guest’s nonprofit not only works to advance opportunities for disabled individuals, they also walk the talk as more than 3/4 of their staff and over half of their board of directors are people with disabilities.

It’s taken five years, but the IRS has finally issued new rules for those of you who want to take distributions from inherited IRAs. Mike Switzer interviews Garet Strange, a certified financial planner with Hobbs Group Advisors in Columbia, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Innoventure in Greenville, S.C. John tells us about a list of up-and-coming companies in the Upstate that might deserve attention.

Product development is often accomplished with the help of computer-aided design software, known as CAD. Our next guest says his company is working to make this process more efficient with their CAD collaboration software. And they’re doing that with assistance from a recent $200,000 investment from SC Launch.

If I were to tell you that the largest tourism event in the history of one of our state’s largest cities would involve bowling, you might think there was a punchline coming. But, in fact, waves of bowlers will roll into Greenville, S.C. during a months-long period of 2028.

Mike Switzer interviews Terrance Henderson, an actor, dancer, choreographer, educator, director, producer, artist, singer, and award winner who is currently working as a self-employed consultant and part-time director of the modern dance program at the Southeastern School of Ballet in Columbia, S.C.

Many years ago, if the average investor wanted to put money into a managed basket of stocks or bonds, about their only choice was a mutual fund. But now, they also have what are called exchange-traded funds, commonly referred to as ETFs. When should you consider investing in one over the other?

An update of the news, events, and issues that are trending right now across South Carolina's business community with guest Jason Thomas, executive editor of SCBizNews.

Mike Switzer interviews Jeff Wilson, president of Trident Health and CEO of Trident Medical Center, both in Charleston, S.C.

The commercial construction business continues to stay busy in our state, which means commercial architects and designers are probably staying busy, too. So let’s check in with one and find out. Mike Switzer interviews Marc Marchant, CEO and principal at LS3P in Charleston, S.C.

One of our state’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers recently announced that they bought an additional 105 acres of land as part of a major new expansion. Mike Switzer interviews Jody Chastain, CEO of Ritedose in Columbia, S.C.

Recent comments from the Federal Reserve indicate lower interest rates are on the horizon. What does that mean for our state where business is already booming? Mike Switzer interviews Joey Von Nessen, chief economist at the Darla Moore School of Business at USC in Columbia, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Innoventure in Greenville, S.C. John highlights a SC entrepreneur that has solved a problem in the lending industry: Baleen Solutions.

We recently learned that SC NEXUS was awarded $45 million from the federal government to advance cyber-secure grid resilience technologies. What is SC Nexus you ask? Let’s find out. Mike Switzer interviews Harry Lightsey, Secretary of Commerce for the state of South Carolina.

Our state’s 2nd largest technical school now has a new leader. Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Greg Little, the new president of Midlands Technical College in Columbia, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews Jeannette Andrews, the Helen Gurley Wolford Professor of Nursing and the dean of the College of Nursing at the University of South Carolina, to discuss the new 52,000 square foot nursing training facility that just opened in Lexington County.

Our next guest says that while living your best life is indeed expensive and fraught with challenges, there is an equal problem of having too much wealth. Mike Switzer interviews Rick Van Der Noord, a certified financial planner in Greenville S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews Alan Cooper, founder and editor of three online business news websites in South Carolina: MidlandsBiz, UpstateBizSC, and LowCountryBizSC.

Mike Switzer interviews Tim Gardner, owner and founder of Lula Drake Wine Parlour in Columbia, S.C., recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages category from James Beard.

K-12 students perform much better at school when parents stay involved, but grandparents can also fill the void. Mike Switzer interviews Fran Hawk, a volunteer with The Grands program at James B. Edwards Elementary School in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Building a software solution for the long-term care industry results in winning the Proving Ground entrepreneurial competition at the University of South Carolina. Andrew Nye, CEO at Qatalyst Health in Charleston, S.C., shares his story with host Mike Switzer.

Is a cryptocurrency an actual investment or simply a speculative vehicle? And can a Republican or Democratic administration really affect its value? Mike Switzer interviews Allen Gillespie, a chartered financial analyst and chief investment officer for Fintrust Capital Advisors in Greenville, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Innoventure in Greenville, S.C. John tells us about Greenville recently being rated as the fastest-growing entrepreneurial city in the country.

Yesterday on this program we started a discussion with our state energy office about the status of South Carolina’s energy plan after a recent interviewee mentioned his concern over the existence of such a plan. But we ran out of time with our guest, Sara Bazemore, director of the South Carolina Energy Office, and so she has agreed to join us again today.

One of our recent interviewees expressed his concern about our state being able to meet our growing energy needs. Do we have a plan? Mike Switzer interviews Sara Bazemore, director of the South Carolina Energy Office in Columbia, S.C.

A brand new music festival, branded through an iconic outdoors magazine, has recently been announced and the inaugural event will be held in a small town in our state. The Field and Stream Music Fest will take place Oct. 4-6 in Winnsboro, S.C. Mike Switzer interviews Bob Durkin, co-founder of Southern Entertainment in Charlotte, N.C.

Reverse mortgages, which provide payments to you instead of you making payments, used to have a bad reputation with high costs involved and many scammers around. But then, several years ago, the federal government stepped in and laid down some rules. Mike Switzer interviews Ashton Lawrence, a certified financial planner with Mariner Wealth Advisors in Greenville, S.C.

An update of the news, events, and issues that are trending right now across South Carolina's business community. Mike Switzer interviews Jason Thomas, executive editor of SCBizNews.

It’s been six months since Volkswagen's Scout Motors broke ground on their manufacturing plant in the Midlands. How has economic activity in the area been affected so far? Mike Switzer interviews Jeff Ruble, director of the Richland County Economic Development Office in Columbia, S.C.

Can you make a living in our state playing jazz? Let’s find out. Mike Switzer interviews Mark Rapp, founder and executive director of ColaJazz Foundation in Columbia, S.C.

The University of South Carolina’s engineering school is setting an enrollment record with more than 1,000 incoming freshmen this fall. The college has also renamed itself after receiving a $30 million donation from an alum. Mike Switzer interviews Hossein Haj-Hariri, dean of the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing at USC.

Which education expenses qualify under the 529 plan for your child’s education? Anne Marie Ashworth, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Greenville, S.C., answers this important financial question.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Innoventure in Greenville, S.C. John tells us about GigPro, a Charleston company that recently raised $16 million in venture capital.

A national, all-volunteer small business assistance organization is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. They stay busy in our state with free mentoring services and workshops and today we have one of their volunteers on the phone. Mike Switzer interviews Roy Anderson, chair of the Charleston chapter of SCORE.

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced new funding, providing for more opportunities and resources for women entrepreneurs. What does that mean for our state? Mike Switzer interviews Gregg White, District Director of the SBA’s South Carolina office.

High-speed police pursuits are obviously dangerous, often causing collateral damage. Which is why our next guest came up with an alert system to help make these and other emergency vehicle responses safer. Mike Switzer interviews Tim Morgan, founder of Pursuit Alert in Pickens, S.C.

2024 has been a hot year so far for our state’s thermometer and economy. But could the business climate be cooling soon? Mike Switzer interviews Frank Hefner, Director of the Office of Economic Analysis and Professor of Economics at the College of Charleston.

Mike Switzer interviews Alan Cooper, founder and editor of three online business news websites in South Carolina: MidlandsBiz, UpstateBizSC, and LowCountryBizSC. Alan shares comments from a recent discussion he had with a local infrastructure engineer.

Mike Switzer interviews Amanda Clark, CEO and founder of PulManage in Columbia, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews Jamie Thomas, co-founder and CEO of Cognito Forms in Columbia, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Nesh Hikmet, an information technology professor at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, as well as co-owner of Tom’s Creek Family Farms in Hopkins, SC, the Farmers Market Xchange in Columbia (where he is known as the “bread man”), and the Tom’s Creek Family Farms Mobile Market.

Mike Switzer interviews John Cooper, a certified financial planner with Greenwood Capital in Greenwood, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, who shares the results of a recent CNBC ranking of the top states for business which shows S.C. at #19, far below other South Atlantic states.

Mike Switzer interviews Katie Lyon, co-founder of Allegiance Flag Supply in Charleston, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews Greg Springsteen, a professor of chemistry at Furman University in Greenville, S.C.

Mike Switzer speaks with Mike Northrup, owner of Northrup Electric Automotive Work in Columbia, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews Wes Johnson, a certified financial planner with ACT Advisors in Charleston, S.C.