Building Business w/ the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Hosted by Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Business Marketing

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Aug 2026

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About the show

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. Interested in Sponsorship? Find out more: https://canva.link/an5n4zvm49q6u8t

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51 recent

August 18, 2026Episode 195 min

What Happens When Community Becomes A Growth Strategy w/ Alison Reed

Your numbers can either cloud your decisions or sharpen them fast. We sit down with Alison Reed, a Mount Pleasant small business owner who runs a local bookkeeping company and practically lives in QuickBooks, helping clients turn day-to-day transactions into clean, usable financials they can actually trust. We talk about what her bookkeeping services look like in the real world, from supporting trades like construction, plumbing, and landscaping to helping nonprofits stay organized and accountable. Alison shares why being based at the Harbor Entrepreneur Center matters, how remote work fits into her model, and what she’s learned after nearly three full years in business. If you’ve ever wondered what “good books” should feel like, this conversation breaks it down in plain language: clarity, consistency, and fewer surprises. We also dig into small business marketing that doesn’t feel gimmicky. Alison explains why the Mount Pleasant Chamber and local networking drive so much of her growth, what changes when you show up as a vendor at an expo instead of only attending, and how word of mouth spreads when you serve your neighbors well. She also shares her path from middle school math teacher to business owner and why stepping into a treasurer role is a natural extension of doing careful financial work. If you’re building a business in Mount Pleasant or anywhere else and want better bookkeeping, stronger QuickBooks systems, and a smarter approach to local referrals, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a fellow owner, and leave a review with your biggest bookkeeping challenge so we can tackle it 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 | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

August 4, 2026Episode 1828 min

Washington Cafe, Community, And Culture w/ Peter Washington

You can feel it when a business is built on purpose and the Washington Cafe is exactly that. Mike Compton sits down with Peter Washington, a Lowcountry native who left for the DC and Baltimore area, built a corporate IT career (including PayPal and Happy Returns), then came back home and decided Mount Pleasant needed more than just another place to grab caffeine. What started with a ribbon cutting and a warm welcome quickly turned into neighborhood momentum, daily regulars, and a clear mission: create a space that feels like community, not just commerce. We talk through the real origin story, from landing the physical space near Highway 17 North to learning the craft behind quality coffee through Counter Culture Coffee’s tasting program. Peter shares how he thinks about consistency, partnerships that keep ownership in your hands, and why “the right people” matter as much as the right product. Then we get into the fun part: tea sourced through Donna Tea, specialty drinks like the Washington Fizz, matcha, hibiscus, and refreshers designed for a South Carolina summer. The conversation also goes beyond the cup. Peter explains how he curates local art to spotlight up-and-coming artists, why the cafe doubles as a mini gallery, and how his food program leans into memory and tradition with pastries and breakfast sandwiches from local baker Christina Miller. If you care about Mount Pleasant small business, Charleston coffee culture, or how to build a community-focused cafe with real personality, you’ll leave with ideas you can use. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves great coffee, and leave a review telling us your go-to cafe order. 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 | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

July 22, 2026Episode 1715 min

How Chamber Networking Turns Into Real Community Growth w/ Keith Lovas of Graze Craze

A lot of “networking” feels like walking around with your pitch loaded. Live from the Mount Pleasant Chamber Expo, we talk with Keith Lovas, a local entrepreneur and dad, about a different approach: build trust first, help other businesses, and let the growth follow. Keith shares why the Mount Pleasant Chamber became a key part of launching Graze Craze and how showing up consistently creates the kind of community connections you cannot buy with ads. We get into the practical side of community-based marketing: supporting schools, donating for teachers, running give-back months, and saying yes to local events because it creates real goodwill and real visibility. Keith breaks down why a genuine post recommending another local business can be more powerful than a “salesy” promotion, especially when it’s tied to authentic stories about who you are, where you live, and why you care. If you’re focused on local SEO, word of mouth, and five-star reviews, this conversation connects the dots between relationships and discoverability. Keith also shares the personal pivot behind the brand, leaving a lucrative corporate construction career because it lacked happiness and joy. We talk about running a two-person operation, protecting a high-end standard, and balancing long days with family boundaries. Plus, we cover what goes into premium charcuterie boards, why quality ingredients drive price, and how corporate gifting can be more memorable than another basket of crackers and mustard. If you like conversations about small business growth, community partnerships, and doing work you’re proud of, subscribe, share this with a local owner, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. 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 | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

July 7, 2026Episode 161 hr 3 min

How Wonderworks Built A Community-Famous Toy Store w/ Christine Osborne

A toy store doesn’t end up in the Hall of Fame by accident. When Christine Osborne walks into a room, she brings the kind of energy that makes people say yes, show up, and feel like they belong and that same spirit turned Wonderworks Toys into one of Mount Pleasant’s most loved small businesses. Christine joins us to share how she built “magic” with smart retail fundamentals, relentless community care, and relationships that compound over decades. We get into the real origin story: leaving a career in occupational therapy, pitching a science and nature store idea, and getting turned down until the moment the right banker understood the vision and wrote the check. From there, Christine explains how independent retail grows through vendor partnerships, product testing, and honest feedback loops that help brands improve. She also challenges the usual idea of competition, describing how local shops refer customers to each other because serving people matters more than “winning” a single sale. Some of the most moving moments are about impact. Christine tells the story of Harper, a young cancer patient who pushed for thousands of toys for the children’s hospital and how a simple social media promise became a massive community-powered delivery. After selling Wonderworks to a dedicated team member who spent 26 years learning the business, Christine keeps paying it forward as entrepreneur in residence at the College of Charleston, mentoring students, promoting boards of advisors, and helping founders learn from mistakes without getting stuck in them. If you care about entrepreneurship, independent retail, small business marketing, and Charleston community leadership, hit play. Then subscribe, share this with a local business owner, and leave a review so more people can find the show. 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 | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

June 16, 2026Episode 158 min

Charleston RiverDogs Season Preview: Live at the MPCC Expo

You can feel it when a local team isn’t just playing games, it’s building a community calendar. From the floor of a bustling expo, we sit down with Keith Millick from the Charleston RiverDogs to talk about what happens after a season ends and how a club keeps its momentum rolling into the next year. The 2026 schedule is out, and Keith makes it clear they’re not going anywhere. We get practical about offseason engagement and what the RiverDogs ballpark can be beyond minor league baseball. Think social media updates that actually tell you what’s happening, plus real event options at the stadium like the Segra Club for weddings, seminars, and business meetings. Keith even shares how groups have rented the whole stadium for creative team days, proof that this venue can flex for Charleston corporate events and community gatherings. Then we shift to the on-field pipeline and the bigger baseball ecosystem. Keith breaks down the RiverDogs’ role as a Low-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and why the MLB draft is a yearly spark for new talent and new storylines. We also talk about what fans really come for: entertainment, traditions, family-friendly nights, and a ballpark experience that keeps attendance strong across the Carolina League. If you’ve been looking for a reason to plan a RiverDogs night, or a new place to host your next group outing, this conversation points you in the right direction. Subscribe, share this with a Charleston friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s your favorite minor league ballpark memory? 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 | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

June 4, 2026Episode 141 hr 2 min

From Charleston History To Modern Advocacy Wins w/ Jennet Robinson Alterman

A single sentence can flip your whole career. Jennet Robinson Alterman heard it in a TV newsroom: “I’m never going to give you a raise. You’re just going to get married.” She quit without another job and kept moving forward, eventually building a decades-long record of women’s rights advocacy that ties together Charleston history, South Carolina politics, and real, measurable policy wins. We start local with a story every Charlestonian should know: the Pollitzer sisters raising $3,000 to help make the College of Charleston coeducational in 1918, pushing back on the idea that women didn’t belong in serious academic spaces. From there, Jennet shares how theater training shaped her public speaking, how being one of ten women at Davidson College exposed hidden barriers, and how discrimination becomes impossible to ignore when it shows up in your paycheck. Then the lens widens. Jennet talks about joining the Peace Corps and landing in Afghanistan, working with midwives and witnessing how a society’s rules around women ripple into health, safety, and opportunity. Back in South Carolina, she breaks down the Equal Rights Amendment fight, the long shadow of misinformation, and why organized advocacy still matters right now. We also dig into the Charleston Commission on Women, paid family leave, the legacy of the Center for Women, and the work of the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN), including how to get involved at scren.org and details on the October 23 summit in Charleston. If this conversation hits home, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it. 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 | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

May 26, 2026Episode 1329 min

How Charleston County Schools Recruit Great Teachers And Fund Student Success w/ Dr. Luke Clamp

A school district doesn’t just educate kids, it builds the future workforce, the local economy, and the fabric of a community. We’re joined by Dr. Luke Clamp, deputy superintendent of the Charleston County School District (CCSD), to share what’s driving momentum across Charleston County and why CCSD is leaning into big, measurable goals instead of small promises. We talk teacher recruitment and retention, including the district’s high-energy hiring event that drew more than 1,000 candidates and a compensation strategy designed to keep great educators in classrooms. Then we get specific about Vision 2027: the commitment that every student will exit elementary school literate and reading on grade level. Dr. Clamp explains why CCSD insists on 100%, how the district supports students in poverty, multilingual learners, and students with IEPs, and how weighted student funding gives principals the flexibility to put resources where they matter most. We also explore outcomes-based contracting for high-dosage tutoring, plus the real-world value of CCSD’s career and technical education (CTE) and Centers for Advanced Study (CAS), where students can earn certifications in fields like health science, welding, and engineering and still keep college options open. Finally, we tackle AI in education: the new policy guardrails, the focus on student data privacy and safety, and the parent reality check about screen time and the work kids produce. If you care about strong public schools in Mount Pleasant and across Charleston County, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a parent or business leader, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. 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 | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

May 12, 2026Episode 125 min

Local News That Builds Community

Local news doesn’t just report on a town, it helps a town recognize itself. We sit down with Amy from Moultrie News to talk about what a true community newspaper looks like today, why local journalism still matters in Mount Pleasant, and how readers and organizations can play a real role in shaping what gets covered. Amy breaks down the day to day reality of serving a fast-growing area: balancing coverage from town council and schools to Boy Scouts, swim teams, nonprofits, and the small moments that make a place feel like home. We also talk through the practical side for local businesses and community groups, including how advertising works, what makes a press release useful, and why clear community tips help a newsroom follow leads that might otherwise get missed. If you’ve ever wondered how to get your event, initiative, or announcement on a local outlet’s radar, you’ll leave with a much better map. Then we get into a topic that sparks instant nostalgia: print. Even after decades of change and the rise of e-paper and online news, Amy shares that there are still die-hard print readers, and Moultrie News is rolling out weekly home delivery in Charleston County for $52 a year. We wrap with the buzz of the Mount Pleasant Chamber Expo and why the Chamber of Commerce remains one of the best places to meet people, build trust, and help businesses grow. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, share the show with a friend who loves Mount Pleasant, and leave us a review so more listeners can find it. 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 | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

May 5, 2026Episode 1156 min

How Rob Fowler, A Local Meteorologist Builds A Forecast You Can Use

If you’ve ever stared at your phone in disbelief because it’s sunny at your house and storming five miles away, you’re not imagining things. We’re joined by Rob Fowler, Storm Team 2’s chief meteorologist and a familiar voice in the Charleston area for decades, to explain what makes Lowcountry weather so tricky and why “local” still matters when the forecast is on everyone’s screen. We talk through how a real TV forecast gets built each day, from the data and computer models to the graphics that tell the story in plain language. Rob breaks down why national outlets can sound vague, how social media “storm maps” turn into misinformation, and what you should look for in a weather source you can trust. He also clears up one of the most misunderstood numbers in any Charleston weather forecast: the probability of precipitation, and why it never meant “it will rain on everyone all day.” Then we get into the bigger topics that hit close to home: flooding and sea level rise, how development changes runoff, what climatology can teach us about patterns, and how AI may improve forecasting while the human element remains essential during high-stress events. Finally, we head into hurricane season with practical preparedness tips, hard-earned lessons from Hurricane Hugo, and a few off-camera stories that will make you appreciate live TV even more. Subscribe for more local business and community conversations, share this with a friend who argues about rain chances, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. 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 | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

April 21, 2026Episode 1050 min

A Mother Builds An Autism-Friendly Town w/ Layla Luna

A routine traffic stop. Flashing lights. A terrified autistic teen trapped in fight-or-flight. That moment could have ended in tragedy and instead it became Rio’s Law, a first-in-the-nation autism/neurodivergent identifier license plate designed to help first responders slow down, reduce sensory triggers, and keep everyone safe. We’re joined by Layla Luna, founder of Just Bee (JustBeBeeTheChange.com), to tell the full story behind the law and the bigger mission it serves. We talk about what families actually live with when autism is invisible: the stares, the assumptions, the public meltdowns, and the way siblings can become “glass children” as the whole home revolves around regulation and safety. Layla breaks down the simplest shift that changes everything: stop trying to force the person to fit the environment and start adapting the environment to fit the person. That mindset powers sensory-friendly hours, autism training for businesses, and community events that include a real reset space like The Beehive, a mobile sensory trailer that helps families stay present instead of having to leave. You’ll also hear how Mount Pleasant becomes the first certified autism-friendly town in the Lowcountry, why that work helps communities win on a national stage, and how Rio’s Law is expanding state by state with a push for mandatory first responder training. If you care about inclusion, disability rights, public safety, or practical ways to serve the neurodivergent community, this conversation offers a roadmap you can copy in your own town. Subscribe for more community builders, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review that tells us what city should be 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 | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones