September 18, 2015 UBJ

The Small Business Issue

SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 | VOL. 4 ISSUE 38

PLU SMALL BUS: SIN TOOLBOX ESS

DREAMING BIG WHILE

STARTING SMALL From online consignment shops to your next favorite family game, small businesses are making a huge impact in the Upstate

ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF

aboncimino@communityjournals.com A 66-employee Duncan, S.C. industrial laundry facility could shut down next month due to Syracuse, N.Y.based Coyne Textile Services’ ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

While the company hopes to retain the bulk of its 620 nationwide employees, those in its Duncan and Richmond, Va., facilities could be subject to layoffs after they are sold.

Under the current terms, Irvine, Calif.-based laundry giant Prudential Overall Supply would purchase Coyne’s Richmond facility as well as the assets and customer contracts of its Duncan facility. The purchase agreement could also include associate service centers in Winchester, Va.; Raleigh, N.C.; Atlanta; and Beckley, W.Va. Founded in 1929, Coyne Textile Services grew into one of the nation’s largest privately owned industrial laundry companies before seeking to reorganize in July under Chapter 11 proceedings. In bankruptcy filings, the company listed between $10 million and $50 million in assets, and between $50 million and $100 million in liabilities.

The company plans to sell substantially all of its assets through three asset purchase agreements, which

Corporate Staffing Division

IN KIND

Spartanburg County facility may close after N.Y. firm declares Chapter 11

GOLD

PLATINUM

Bankruptcy puts 66 jobs at risk at Coyne Textile

SILVER

Photo provided

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GRANITE

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upstatebusinessjournal.com

MARBLE

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Thank You

09.18.2015

according to court filings were approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Court late www.crewupstate.org 2015 CREW Upstate Sponsors last week. In addition to the Prudential asset purchase agreement, bankruptcy filings also list the $4 million 2015 CREW Sponsors_UBJ Ad_.25page_070914_bk.indd 1 3/9/2015 3:22:36 PM sale of Coyne’s assets in New Bedford, Mass., and a $22.5 million sale of assets in Buffalo, N.Y.; Cleveland, Ohio; Bristol, Tenn.; Syracuse, N.Y.; York, Pa.; and London, Ky. Prudential Overall Supply representatives declined to comment on the urman taught us to align our sustainable initiatives purchase agreement outlined in with our strategic goals. We have diverted 4,800 tons bankruptcy filings. Founded in 1932, of waste from landfills, reduced disposal expenses by 20%, Prudential is a uniform and textile and decreased our greenhouse gas emissions—bringing rental company with 29 locations concentrated in the U.S. Southwest. our community one step closer to health and wholeness.”

The company lists three East Coast —Karen Schwartz, ACHEI V.P., Facilities/Support Services, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System locations as well as one each in Colorado and Puerto Rico.

Also known as Coyne International Enterprises Corp., Coyne’s South Post Graduate Diploma Carolina business filing dates back to in Corporate Sustainability early 1998, according to the S.C. Secretary of State’s database.

Register now for Spring 2016 Coyne Textile Services notified furman.edu/corporatesustainability South Carolina of the potential closure or call Brad Bechtold, 864.294.3136 and layoff by filing a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) report with the state earlier this summer. The notification report indicated the event would affect 66 people by the end of October.

Coyne representatives did not respond to requests for comments by press time.

Reduce costs. Increase revenue.

Enhance social responsibility.

F

4 | THE RUNDOWN |

TOP-OF-MIND AND IN THE MIX THIS WEEK

UBJ

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09.18.2015

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 38 Featured this issue: Ports Authority reports $53B statewide impact New venture brings Nana and Papa online Spartanburg CRE projects steam ahead

7 8 10

WORTH REPEATING “The sooner you can make money from your nonprofit, the better.” Page 5 “I would think sometimes it would be so much easier if I went back to practicing law; I could be making money.”

Page 14

“My brother called me and said, ‘Nobody wants to see that!’” Page 16

TBA A new East Coast Wings and Grill franchise location plans to open in about two months at The Parkway

in Greer.

A 139-suites Residence Inn by Marriott is coming to Carolina Point Parkway across from Whole Foods in Greenville. Developer Bo Aughtry hopes to start construction in early 2016.

VERBATIM

On starting small “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

Robert Collier (1885-1950), American author

MONEY SHOT: Kristin Burrell (right), creator of the word game Redonkulary, spent weeks trying to get hold of the owner of O.P. Taylor’s, finally tracking him down at the toy store’s Brevard location. When she finished her pitch, John Taylor (left) wrote a check on the spot for three cases of the game. Read more on page 14.

Photo provided.

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| STARTUP WEEK | 5

Baking up business with 3 culinary entrepreneurs It was a “wild joke” for her to talk about opening a doughnut shop, said Circa Doughnut’s founder Shannon Mercado. However, after experimental baking and a later work layoff, she plunged in and put out the word on Twitter about her baked goods’ availability at the Saturday Market. The doughy rings disappeared in two hours and Mercado was “simultaneously thrilled and terrified.”

Now the doughnuts are available through a pop-up shop that devotees learn about through Circa’s robust social media presence. The challenge is to decide how much capital, time and identity to put into the brand, she said. “I have to figure out what to do with something I didn’t mean to do,” she said.

Lillian Small, owner of Ms. Lillian’s Louisiana Pie Spice, worked for Michelin for 20 years and

APRIL A. MORRIS | STAFF

amorris@communityjournals.com Outdoors under the shade at the under-construction Mill Village Farms’ Crop Stop on Bolt Street in Greenville, three culinary entrepreneurs recently shared their experiences and challenges as part of Greenville Startup Week’s Cooking Up New Food Startups.

Chancey Lindsey-Peake spoke about launching her Banana Manna baking business and lessons she learned along the way. She emphasized the importance of a business plan.

“Location is key and attitude means a lot,” she said. “You have to believe in what you’re doing… believe in you, yourself and your product.” Raising capital and getting the word out about her kitchen’s location were challenges, she said. Social media and word of mouth have helped bring attention to her products, she said.

Photos by April A.Morris / staff

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FOODScontinued on PAGE 6

For 20 years, she’s seen you invest in her life.

Today, she sees you invest in her dreams.

Nonprofits face unique startup challenges BENJAMIN JEFFERS | STAFF

bjeffers@communityjournals.com Nonprofits must innovate in order to survive, Ryan McCrary, founder of Great Outdoor Adventure Trips (GOAT), said at the Nonprofit Startup Talk Monday during Greenville Startup Week.

INNOVATE McCrary said most nonprofits see rapid growth right away but quickly stagnate. He said GOAT, a youth development organization for at-risk students, followed that format.

Nonprofits typically get funding from endowments or grants. But McCrary said getting an endowment is extremely difficult and grant writing is a time-consuming process with mixed results.

To continue growing, he said, nonprofits must innovate like any other company.

He said his nonprofit innovated by creating The Mountain Goat, a rock-climbing gym, as a side business

where the profits would go to supporting GOAT. The revenues from the gym help cover the overhead costs of running the nonprofit.

FUNDING Finding funding can be harder for a nonprofit versus a traditional startup, McCrary said. “Banks will laugh at you if you ask for money as a nonprofit,” he said.

He said many people think that nonprofits can’t make a profit, but he said nonprofits can, and should, make a profit.

“The sooner you can make money from your nonprofit, the better,” McCrary said.

In contrast to a traditional startup, profits at a nonprofit are put back into the company’s mission rather than distributed.

Other than through the gym, GOAT gets most of is funding through a monthly donor group the organization created. The donor group grew 36 percent in six months, he said.

OTHER OPTIONS Because nonprofits don’t have stakeholders, the organizations can often have a lack of accountability, McCrary said.

People looking to start a nonprofit should also consider other options like joining a board of an existing nonprofit and helping it innovate or starting a for-profit business to do good.

“Social change stuff doesn’t have to be a nonprofit,” he said.

Events during Startup Week focused on the different aspects of starting a business and connecting entrepreneurs with resources.

David Rubin, a project manager at Johnson Space Center in Houston, said he is looking to move to Greenville and the week was a good way for him to see the startup culture in the area.

Ian Crook, who sits on the board of the Furman Youth Association, said the Nonprofit Startup Talk interested him because it looked at different funding perspectives.

6 | HOSPITALITY |

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Cupcakes with a ’tude

09.18.2015

FOOD continued from PAGE 5

told the group she had needed a change. After a stint in the gold business, Small began to transition to packaging spice mixes for her signature sweet potato pies, drawing from her family’s baking tradition. Now she wants Lillian Small, owner of Ms. to transition her business Lillian’s Louisiana Pie Spice into selling pies, spice mixes and ready-made fillings, she said.

Educating the public about the product is the biggest challenge, Small said, while one of the great benefits of her startup is gaining knowledge.

“At Michelin, I just knew 2 percent of the business. Having my own business, I know 100 percent of the business,” she said.

SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com After resigning from her teaching job of four years and a stint as an intern at a local designer cake bakery, Jeannie Hall decided to make baking cupcakes her own business, launching Bossy Baker last month, no longer just baking for friends and her husband’s office.

Now, she’s ready to branch out. Beginning in November, she’ll have a twice-weekly (Wednesdays and Saturdays) pop-up shop at Due South Coffee at the Taylors Mill.

Hall says she’s constantly developing flavors and honing recipes like Coffee Chaos, with icing made from a fresh pour-over made from local beans, or the Preppy Pumpkin, a pumpkin spiced cupcake with pumpkin icing. She will be bringing at least two flavors to her pop-up shop and will change out some flavors depending on the season.

Hall bakes her cupcakes with a buttercream base recipe and says that she likes to keep it simple.

Her goal is to

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eventually source all ingredients fresh and local.

Like her company name, Hall has a takecharge attitude and is already searching for other pop-up shop opportunities. She also takes orders and delivers, all while working from her home kitchen around her 4-month-old daughter’s schedule.

For more information, visit bossybaker.co.

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| TRANSPORTATION | 7

S.C. Ports Authority gears up for growth As harbor deepening project moves ahead, SCPA boasts $53 billion statewide boost ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF

aboncimino@communityjournals.com Despite the S.C. Ports Authority’s $53 billion statewide economic impact, its CEO and President Jim Newsome seems to want more.

“Significant investment is required to be a major U.S. container port, and earning adequate return on capital will be a challenge for us in the years ahead,” stated Newsome, who outlined the SCPA’s five-year initiatives at the State of the Port this week in Charleston.

During the last five years, SCPA revenue has increased 75 percent to $196 million in fiscal 2015, while pier container volume handled jumped from 740,000 to 1.095 million.

Plans for the next five years will only build on that growth, Newsome said.

This week, the SCPA announced receiving final approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in regard to the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project, which aims to accommodate more volume and larger container ships in the future. Other investments include expansions of the port’s cargo base, progress on the Navy Base Terminal and Wando Welche Terminal wharf strengthening projects, as well as progress on the Jasper Ocean Terminal.

“The next five years bring great opportunity for our port,” Newsome said.

“By 2020, we will complete the harbor deepening project to 52 feet, open Phase One of the Navy Base Terminal and enjoy an operational dual-served intermodal container transfer facility.

Delivering on our priorities and aggressive action will be required to meet these goals. The port has a highly talented and skilled workforce, and with the commitment of our entire maritime community, I am confident that SCPA’s best years are ahead.”

A study by the University of South Carolina Moore School of Business was also released this week, pegging its economic impact at $53 billion per year.

The $53 billion figure includes the dollar value of all final goods and services produced in the state that can be attributed to the S.C. Ports Authority, according to the study, which corresponds to 186,206 jobs and $10.2 billion in labor income for state residents that would not exist otherwise.

“The port is our state’s most strategic asset,” Newsome said. “It enables

South Carolina to recruit and serve the needs of companies with international supply chains, and in doing so, spurs economic development opportunities and generates well-paying jobs for people across the state.”

According to the study, 1 out of every 11 jobs in the state can be attributed directly or indirectly to the S.C. Ports Authority, while these jobs pay 40 percent higher wages than average annual salaries in the state.

Port operations produced $912 million in annual tax revenue, and had a statewide employment multiplier of 2.4, meaning that every 10 jobs directly supported by port activity created an additional 14 indirectly supported jobs elsewhere in the state.

“Although the port’s $53 billion economic impact is significant on its own terms, the port’s presence in South Carolina also has broader implications for long-run economic development in the state,” said research economist Joseph Von Nessen, who completed the study via the University of South Carolina. “The key competitive advantage of the port comes about through its ability to facilitate the ongoing development of export-oriented industry clusters, particularly in advanced manufacturing. As these industry clusters expand, they will build a strong, stable foundation for the state’s economy that will generate higher and more consistent rates of economic growth across the state over time, which will benefit all South Carolinians.”

23 West North Street, Downtown Greenville 864.232.2761 | www.rushwilson.com Open Mon.-Sat. 9:30am - 5:30pm; Closed Sunday

8 | E-COMMERCE |

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Grand memories Spartanburg company Camp Nana Papa fills online niche with e-commerce platform for grandparents LEIGH SAVAGE | CONTRIBUTOR

Donnie Cranfill noticed that as people became grandparents, their perspective changed – especially on social media.

“Their whole behavior began to change – nonstop pictures and videos of their grandkids,” said Cranfill, who himself became the grandfather of twins last December. The Spartanburg native realized that most grandparents are now tech-savvy, enjoying social media and online shopping, though in one area they haven’t changed: They love to spoil their grandkids.

To accommodate what he saw as an underserved market, he created Camp Nana Papa, a social media platform and e-commerce site targeting grandparents.

Cranfill serves as chief vision officer, with fellow Spartanburg native Cameron Todd on board as COO. Since launching in July, the Facebook page is already seeing significant traction, and Cranfill and Todd hope to expand their social media presence, blog, proprietary products line and other capabilities in their quest to help grandparents and grandchildren make memories.

“It’s all about the activities they do together,” Cranfill said. “You never forget those times.”

What inspired you to create this company, and how did you come up with the unique name?

DC: I think for most human beings, we experience that grandparent/ grandchild relationship and it’s one of our favorite parts of life. I had a friend who was always posting about Camp Nana Papa, and I thought it was really a camp. I loved the name. I asked him and he said it’s not a place at all – it’s a place in the heart or a state of being. I did some research and found it was an incredible

group of folks overlooked in commerce and e-commerce. I knew this could be a robust economic model.

Did your research show that there were not many companies targeting grandparents online?

DC: There were a couple of companies doing very specific things like picture frames, but no comprehensive place where grandparents could communicate with each other, find a gift or find something special for when their grandkids are coming over.

CT: At first I thought, my grandparents are not online, but there is a changing demographic. The average age of first-time grandparents is 48 years old. It’s a very overlooked market. They are one of the fastest-growing segments on social media, and we already have more than 10,000 people on Facebook, sharing pictures and interacting, so we are hitting a need. Grandparents spend $52 billion a year on their grandchildren. It’s that dream of making their grandkids’ lives better.

What types of products and services are available on your site?

CT: It’s e-commerce and also providing a platform.

People can share photos and stories with us on the site, so there is a community aspect. We have our proprietary products and also partner with some high quality, unique and sometimes hard-to-find vendors and manufacturers, so we’re a retailer for them.

DC: We want to vet good products. The average grandparent has seven grandchildren, with Christmas, birthdays, graduations.

Our registry can help.

It’s searchable by age, and we are working on some very unique items for activities like roasting marshmallows or catching fireflies.

Donnie, you wrote a book for sale on the site. How does it fit in with your mission?

DC: The book, “The Adventures of Camp Nana Papa,” explains a lot about the company – that Camp Nana Papa is not a physical place, but that there is magic in the heart of every grandchild. The book chronicles a boy and girl who spend the weekend with their grandparents. They do a lot of the things kids do with their grandparents – reading stories, baking cookies. We want to expand that – it’s a series. We want to show that our experiences with grandparents never end, so we hope it creates good family traditions.

How many employees do you have? Do you manage shipping and distribution from your Spartanburg headquarters?

CT: We’re small and growing. We have four fulltime employees right now in addition to a team in Washington, D.C., that is handling the building of the website and search engine optimization. We do a lot of fulfillment right here. But brands like [toy manufacturers] Melissa & Doug fulfill for us in a drop-ship situation because we’re a startup. But those relationships might change as we expand our fulfillment center.

What are your goals for the company?

CT: We want to continue to grow. We have 6,155 already signed up to get our emailed newsletter with product ideas, activities and other information. We’re hoping to grow across social media, including Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

DC: We want to be the go-to brand to help with gifts, special occasions or anything related to grandparents. That’s our unique niche – reaching grandparents and families with the things they need. The end goal, through social media, e-commerce or any kind of commerce, is to help make grand memories.

campnanapapa.com

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REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION

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Several CRE projects underway in Sparkle City SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

Drayton Mill

It’s not just Greenville that’s hopping these

In the first phase of the redevelopment of a 16-acre parcel at Drayton Mill, the 500,000 square-foot Drayton Mill Lofts, a 289unit luxury apartment community, is on track and expected to be completed in early 2016.

sjackson@communityjournals.com @SJackson_CJ

days with new commercial real estate projects. In Spartanburg, two historic mill properties are undergoing restorations, new townhome apartments are under construction, a former storefront-turned-nightclub space along Main Street has sold and a local restaurateur is putting in a rooftop bar.

314 South Located at 314 S. Pine St., these two-bedroom, 2 ½-bath townhome apartments have been under construction for a while and the last few units are almost complete, says developer Andrew Babb.

Each unit is approximately 1,350 square feet and features upscale interiors with hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and outdoor patio space.

314 South has 21 units total with only three still available. Rents range from $1,400 to $1,500 a month. Construction is expected to be completed on the last unit by the end of October.

314south.com

TMS Development purchased the two 111-yearold former mill buildings, The Spinning and Weaving buildings, from Pacolet Milliken, which owns the 225 acres surrounding Drayton Mill, in 2013. The Spinning Building will have 123 apartments and is scheduled to begin opening in November 2015.The Weaving Building will have 166 apartments and is scheduled to begin opening in January 2016. Completion of the Lofts is expected by February 2016.

Each of the 68 floor plans will have restored original construction details of the mill buildings, with exposed wood and steel, solid maple flooring, 12- to 19-foot ceilings and detailed replica historic windows. The apartments will also feature granite countertops, bar tops/islands, stainless steel appliances, in-unit laundry facilities, and custom lighting.

On-site amenities will include a multilevel fitness center, two community rooms and a circulation network that performs as a gallery, displaying the cultural artifacts of Drayton Mill’s history. Outdoors will be a

60-foot lap and cold-jetted recreation pool, a courtyard space featuring fire pits and barbecue stations and dog parks.

Pacolet Milliken remains the master developer of the site and is in the process of developing a plan for The Warehouses, two historic buildings totaling 60,000 square feet that will house commercial space, including restaurant, retail and office tenants. A third building, The Company Store, is 10,000 square feet and is being converted into an event center to be used for corporate events, weddings, live music and other events.

Drayton Mills Trail, a 2.5-mile paved walking trail connecting to Mary Black Hospital, will open in October 2015.

118/120 Magnolia St. Japanese restaurant Miyako Sushi Group will be expanding its location at 116 Magnolia St. by taking over the former pawnshop space next door (118 and 120 Magnolia St.) and creating a rooftop bar that will be called 1884, after the year the building was built.

The pawnshop will be demolished, and construction is expected to last 12 to 18 months. Miyako will be open during construction.

Andrew Babb with NAI Earle Furman handled the transaction.

Kimbrell’s building

Beaumont Mill

A historic downtown Spartanburg icon, the 26,000-squarefoot Kimbrell’s Furniture building at 127 W. Main St., has been sold for $650,000, according to property records.

CertusBank had acquired the property in a foreclosure earlier this year. The building sold for $1.6 million in 2008.

Renovations are now underway at the historic Beaumont Mill, which will become administrative office space for 400-700 employees of the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.

According to real estate records, the former furniture store was purchased by an investment group led by Sean McEnroe, CEO of Greenville-based Proaxis Therapy.

GoUpstate reported that over the last five years, the building has housed a series of failed nightclubs and had been at the center of criminal investigations and nuisance complaints.

No word yet on what the new owners plan for the building.

The hospital purchased the mill earlier this year as part of its 10-year, $500 million master facilities plan.

The mill was built in 1890. Portions of the original wood floor will be maintained as well as the smokestack that sits on the 23-acre property along North Pine Street.

Construction is expected to be completed spring 2016.

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REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION

Former Ayers Leather space to get $1M makeover SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com @SJackson_CJ After 41 years on Main Street in downtown Greenville, Ayers Leather has moved around the corner into a new bright, open space at 24 W. North St., across from men’s clothing store Rush Wilson Ltd. “It’s been a comfortable change,” said owner Deb Agnew. “I can concentrate just on retail now. It’s what our family has always been about.”

After a partnership agreement turned bad and a lengthy legal battle came to an end earlier this month, the case was settled out of court and dismissed with both parties agreeing to pay their own legal fees.

Agnew said that after her lawyer asked, “What does your family really want out of this?”, she and the family determined they wanted to be “treated fairly financially and to have a beautiful place to sell our merchandise.”

Agnew’s mother had owned the Main Street building and “now mother is okay financially,” she said. Ayers Leather is leasing the new space, and the building at 201 N. Main St. was sold to investor Frank Whisnant.

Agnew said the transition was a stressful time, but the outpouring of community support was “amazing.”

Whisnant is planning a $1 million renovation, including a new roof, plumbing, a/c and electrical for the building fronting Main Street. An elevator and lobby will also be added.

“We’re excited to get started,” said Philip Whisnant, a commercial broker with M.S. Shore Real Estate, which is marketing the space. Demolition should begin by the end of September and renovations to the building are expected to last through January 2016 with occupancy available by March 2016, he said.

Caldwell Constructors will be the general contractor and

Ayers Leather owner, Deb Agnew, in the store’s new location on W. North St.

Johnston Design Group is the architect.

The space will be converted into four retail/offices spaces, two on the ground level and two upstairs. Lou Lou Boutique has signed a lease for suite A, a 1,828-square-foot space fronting Main Street. The other ground floor retail space is listed for $28/SF NNN and the two upstairs suites are listed for $22/SF NNN and $20/SF NNN. Whisnant said interest has been expressed in the space, but the three remaining suites are still available.

Ayers’ new 2,068-square-foor space on W. North Street is about the same as the ground floor in the store’s previous location fronting Main. Gone, though, is the upstairs space that Agnew and the family used for storage.

A lot of those items were donated to local charities, taken home or put into offsite storage, Agnew said.

Agnew says that she and her son, Payton, will continue to carry on the family business. Ayers Leather is the only store in the area that repairs luggage and leather goods, a craft that has been handed down from generation to generation, she said. The store will also continue to carry luggage, briefcases and hard-to-find items like canes and bookends.

Ayers Leather is planning a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration sometime in October or early November, coinciding with Agnew’s mother’s 93rd birthday.

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REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION

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Satterfield leads Great Southern Homes’ Upstate expansion SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com @SJackson_CJ Irmo, S.C.-based Great Southern

Real World Teaching for Real World Applications MANUFACTURING DAY 2015 EVENTS SCMEP Business Learning Center Open House - Sept 29

Homes is expanding into the Upstate with Mike Satterfield at its helm.

Satterfield, a Greenville native who grew up in the Sans Souci area, has more than 35 years of experience in the construction industry and will serve as Great Southern Homes’ CEO. Great Southern Homes is projecting 700 new home sales in 2015 with price points starting at $150,000 and up.

Both founder Michael Nieri and Satterfield said they look forward to

Plant Tour & Presentation at Itron, West Union - Oct 2

Condo project now named No. 220 Flats at Riverplace

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First announced in UBJ in May, a new condo project at Riverplace has a new name and is now pre-selling units.

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creating new relationships and rekindling old ones in the Greenville/ Upstate area.

Great Southern Homes has partnered with Greenville-based Coldwell Banker Caine to market their homes throughout the Upstate.

“We are pleased to welcome back Mike to his hometown and are thrilled to partner with Great Southern Homes,” said Brad Halter, chairman of Coldwell Banker Caine. “The company’s commitment to building quality homes that exceed customer expectations paired with our dedication to provide superior service will make for a successful partnership in the Upstate market.”

No. 220 Flats at Riverplace, by developer Tom Croft, will feature eight luxury condos set atop the new city parking garage in between the new Embassy Suites hotel and the existing Terrace at RiverPlace building at 220 RiverPlace.

Each unit is expected to sell for about $1 million.

Former Keller Williams leader joins C. Dan Joyner Michael Brown has joined Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, Realtors, as vice president of business development. Brown’s addition is part of the company’s growth strategy, and his focus will center on identifying real estate opportunities and talent to help C. Dan Joyner, Realtors, reach its Brown sales and market share goals, the company said in a statement.

As team leader and CEO of Keller Williams’ Greenville office, Brown helped grow the company to more than 200 agents. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Webster Univer-

sity, and previously was the owner/ operator of the Michael Brown Agency, and director of sales for Hearst Corporation in Greenville.

“Our focus is to continue what my dad started more than 50 years ago – a family business with the best interests of our agents, associates, clients and community at the heart of everything we do,” says Danny Joyner, president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, Realtors. “I am personally very excited and pleased to have Michael join our family and help us take this company to the next level.”

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REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION

Senior housing planned for Jesse Jackson Townhomes site

UPDATE

single-family homes subsidized by a $20 million grant TGHA received in 2004 from HUD.

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48 Unit Senior Housing (3 Story)

Median household income for Greenville County: $49,022

Source: U.S. Census

Papi’s Tacos has opened its second location inside the Growler Haus in downtown Spartanburg.

Described as a “food truck without wheels,” Papi’s Tacos opened in Greenville in August 2013 as part of the Table 301 Restaurant Group.

Papi’s Tacos will open a third location this fall in The Growler Haus in Fountain Inn and is currently looking at more than eight possible locations across the state.

The Judson Mill

MIXED-USE REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY One-of-a-kind assemblage comprised of 36 acres near downtown Greenville was recently assigned to Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer to exclusively represent for sale. This is a rare opportunity for a transformative impact to Greenville.

thalhimer.com (864) 370 8155

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is planned for property in Nicholtown on the former Jesse Jackson Townhomes site.

Heritage at Sliding Rock, located at Ramsey Drive and Greenacre Road in Greenville, will be The Greenville Housing Authority’s (TGHA) newest community.

The three-story building will provide 42 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments for seniors ages 62 and older. Sliding Rock will also offer 12 two-bedroom cottages designed to provide a housing option for long-term residents of the community who may want to downsize yet remain active residents of Nicholtown, said Ivory Mathews, TGHA executive director.

The new community will have a shared community room and kitchen, computer lab, card/game room and theater room. As with the existing Heritage Commons, rent on all units will be government-subsidized so that tenants pay no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.

Two-bedroom The project will include features and amenities to cottages support independence and enable seniors to age in place with grace DEFINED and dignity, said Matthews.

Affordable housing: Housing Heritage at Sliding Rock will for which an occupant whose be located on 10.85 acres and is income is below the local part of an ongoing master plan jurisdiction’s median household for the Jesse Jackson Townhome income is paying no more than 30 percent of his income Revitalization project. The existfor gross housing costs, ing Heritage Commons includes including utilities.

496 rental housing units and 126

Construction is expected to begin February 2016 with occupancy beginning March 2017.

Ln a le Ln verd e C lo al nd le Al

A new $8.5 million senior housing community

TGHA is still seeking to develop 26 single-family parcels, partnering with a nonprofit builder, Matthews said.

Of the $8.5 million needed for the project, $7.2 million will be funded through low-income housing tax credit equity, and the remaining $13 million will be private mortgage funds.

Douglas Development of Aynor, S.C., will develop the project. TGHA will own and manage the project upon completion of construction.

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sjackson@communityjournals.com @SJackson_CJ

Gr ee na c

SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

For more information:

BRIAN YOUNG brian.young@thalhimer.com

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THE SMALL BUSINESS ISSUE

Fun games games “The spell check on my computer goes crazy when I’m working on this.”

Kristin Burrell, creator of word game Redonkulary

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09.18.2015

Former paratrooper takes a new plunge with word game Redonkulary BENJAMIN JEFFERS | STAFF

bjeffers@communityjournals.com As an Army paratrooper turned lawyer turned entrepreneur, Kristin Burrell’s career has led her on some interesting adventures. Her latest venture, Redonkulary, is a game that started as just a way to keep her daughters entertained on trips.

Now, after a successful Kickstarter campaign, Burrell is selling the game in small retailers and online.

Redonkulary works by having a designated “donkster” who invents a word using word parts from three different cards. The other players create silly definitions for the word and the donkster chooses a favorite one.

Burrell came up with all the word parts herself.

“The spell check on my computer goes crazy when I’m working on this,” she said.

She launched the Kickstarter campaign in May and was fully funded soon after launching. By the time the campaign ended a month later, she had doubled her funding goal. She’s sold hundreds of games since June, she said.

THE NAME OF THE GAME Coming up with the game’s name was one of the hardest obstacles. Her family originally called it “the dictionary game,” but the name was stale, and she wanted something that represented the creativity of the game. She did Internet searches of about 50 different names she had come up with. Some were already taken. Others had bad connotations she didn’t previously know about. Her daughter was the one who inspired the final name.

“One day my daughter came home and said the word ‘redonkulous,’ and I’m like, ‘Eureka,’” Burrell said.

“Redonkulous” is slang for “ridiculous.” Burrell combined the slang term with “dictionary” to get the final name – Redonkulary.

As an entrepreneur, Burrell has seen some setbacks. She had trouble finding a manufacturer who could produce her idea. Health problems forced her to stop working on the game for several months. She had to ask others to teach her to use social media.

And finding a reliable designer was difficult.

But her time in the Army and childhood as the daughter of an Army officer taught her the importance of “self reliance and resiliency moving forward in the face of adversity.”

The stress of getting the game produced and into stores wore on Burrell emotionally. “I would think sometimes it would be so much easier if I went back to practicing law; I could be making money.”

She didn’t have any experience starting a business, so she made regular trips to the library for a year to check out dozens of business books. At one point >>

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SMALL BUSINESS TOOLBOX Financial resources • LINC - Connecting Borrowers with SBA Approved Lenders – sba.gov/tools/linc • Community Works Carolina – communityworkscarolina.org • Greenville County Redevelopment Authority – gcra-sc.org/programs/economicdevelopment.html • Upstate Carolina Angel Network – upstateangels.org • Government grants – grants.gov • SBA loan approvals, SC – sba.gov/content/sba-loan-approvalssouth-carolina • SC Capital Access Program – businessdevelopment.org/sccap.php • Angel Capital Association – angelcapitalassociation.org • National Venture Capital Association – nvca.org Crowdfunding • Kickstarter – kickstarter.com • Indiegogo – indiegogo.com • Crowdsourcing – crowdsourcing.org • CircleUp – circleup.com • Co-folio – mycofolio.com • Fundable – fundable.com • Peerbackers – peerbackers.com • AngelList – angel.co

>>

she had 47 books checked out. Some of those were for her daughters, but the rest were guides on topics like branding and intellectual property.

Because she could only renew the books several times in a row, she and her daughters would load up backpacks and head over to the library to check the books in and check them right back out.

“The librarians know us now,” she said.

COMMUNITY EFFORT The whole project came to fruition through the help of Greenvillians. Local company emediagroup designed and manufactures the game. Toy inventor Ryan Hamilton helped in the development. Patent lawyer Parks Workman helped with intellectual property rights.

Photos by William Crooks

She also tested a prototype of the game on college-age students at a local game night and found they enjoyed the game and wanted to replay it.

Burrell says she makes a point to try to shop locally, and the first store to carry her game, The Elephant’s Trunk, saw her game at a convention and contacted her because the owner recognized her as a regular customer.

When she was trying to get her game in O.P. Taylor’s, she spent weeks trying to get hold of the owner. The store is based in Brevard, N.C., and the owner occasionally came to the Greenville store.

When Burrell couldn’t catch him in Greenville, she drove with her family up to the Brevard location.

The store was crowded when she went up, but she located the owner. He was busy helping people, but

she asked for a minute of his time to make her pitch.

He agreed, and when Burrell finished making her presentation, the owner wrote a check on the spot to buy three cases of the game.

She’s evaluating the possibility of getting into some larger retailers like Barnes & Noble and Cracker Barrel.

Thinking of the new ideas has never been a problem for Burrell. She said she often wakes in the middle of the night with an idea, grabs a notebook and goes into another room so she won’t interrupt her husband’s sleep.

She’s looking for her next business venture. Redonkulary is just one of her ideas.

“I have more,” Burrell said.

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THE SMALL BUSINESS ISSUE

New again

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09.18.2015

SOCIAL MEDIA RESELLERS FIND QUICK AUDIENCE, STIFF COMPETITION been on the upswing since 2008, with more than $16 billion in revenues, according a First Research profile. Used clothing makes up about 25 percent of those sales. General e-commerce growth continues Her social media consignment idea caught unabated and is expected to reach $327 billion in on like wildfire, but Jenny Kramer of Fickle the U.S. by 2016, according to Forrester, a technolResale quickly found out that monetizing that idea ogy and market research firm. is more challenging than ever in a crowded online Kramer said Fickle Resale was one of the first on marketplace.

Facebook, and she learned through trial Kramer started her business in 2012 and error the rules that would make after posting some of her children’s the group run smoothly. It quickly clothes on her personal Facebook became a full-time job as the page, hoping to sell them. “My 1,300-member group – purposebrother called me and said, “This has become ly kept small and selective – ‘Nobody wants to see that!’ But the way women shop worked to iron out the rules. some people did – those that on Facebook.”

With no shipping element, it had little kids. So I started works more like Craigslist, with figuring out how to make it Jenny Kramer people connecting on Facebook private.” of Fickle Resale and agreeing on price and pickup Sell-and-swap groups have arrangements. Items must be since become common on Facevalued at $10 or more and new book, with thousands of pages fomembers are only added if they are cusing on geographic areas, brands or Facebook friends with multiple members. specific products such as ski equipment or firearms. Locally, online consignment groups have BEYOND FACEBOOK sprung up to serve the downtown area, Simpsonville To create income to offset how much time she was and the Eastside. SIFT, a local Facebook group spending on it, Kramer started charging a $25 annual created by Trina Conley, has 4,763 members, with fee for membership. Then she began contemplating KidSIFT bringing more than 3,000 more. ways to take the idea further. “We got a group of Consignment – brick-and-mortar and online – has people together who believed in the concept and LEIGH SAVAGE | CONTRIBUTOR

Online consignment • Named among the “Best Small Businesses to Start” in 2008 (U.S. News & World Report) • $16 billion – annual revenue of resale industry in the U.S. (First Research) • $56,300 – average wage in 2011 for wholesale or retail commodity buyers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) • $100,000+ – made by Fickle Resale sellers within four months of website launch

wanted to invest in it,” she said.

Jim Twining, former CEO of Southern Tide, agreed to look into taking the business nationwide. She took Fickle Resale off of Facebook and moved to a website, but found that having the business on Facebook was key to its popularity and ease of use. “People are on it anyway, so they like seeing items in their newsfeeds,” Kramer said.

“Going to a separate website was one extra step they weren’t interested in taking.”

With more than 1.4 billion active users and 963 million people logging on daily, Facebook has become a prime place for businesses to advertise and sell. Facebook reports that they have 45 million small business-

VGUC Eleanor Rose dress size 4-5. Has a tiny tear in you tie the straps. Cannot see tear when tied. Could e up. We just have too many dresses! Pick up near Rope Garlington Rd. $15 Post from Fickle Kids Greenville Facebook page

Online consign lingo • PPU = porch pick up • OBO = or best offer • EUC = exceptional used condition • VGUC = very good used condition • NWT = new with tags • NWOT = new without tags • NPB = Non-Paying Buyers Source: SIFT & Re-Lilly Group on Facebook

es pages, and demand has been so large that they recently began offering new formats and “call-toaction” buttons.

Another early Facebook-focused resale site, Re-Lilly Group, which resells Lilly Pulitzer items, launched in 2009 and grew to 78,000 in less than five years. Though free to shop, the group charges $1 per item for sellers listing their items, a route Kramer considered.

“Re-Lilly really pioneered reselling on Facebook,” Kramer said. “We came quickly after that. But the legwork of keeping up with every individual posting, and invoicing each posting – it was more manpower than we had.”

Once she moved off Facebook, she also found that it would be challenging to compete against major online resellers, including Poshmark, the Real Real and other companies with Silicon Valley backers and fashion industry ties. >>

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Post from SIFT Facebook page

the fabric where easily be stitched er Mtn Rd &

EUC Wii w/ 3 controllers, 3 nunchucks, a game wheel, and 8 games.

- Just Dance, 2, 3, 4 - Mario Cart Games - Madden 10 - Nerf N-Strike... See More Let me know if you are willing to separate items

Post fromFickle Kids Greenville Facebook page

>>

Fabrik Dress $18 Fabrik dress. Size small. Perfect for Clemson games with boots.

Close up in comments - cmall orange birds. EUC.

Where does this hit length wise? right above the knee for me. I’m 5'4" $15 if you can pick up today

A SATURATED MARKET “We looked at it and said, ‘This is a saturated market at this point, and it’s too risky,’” said Kramer. “Our competitors were raising $20 to $40 million in venture capital and were working at a loss for 10 years before trying to sell based on the number of eyeballs they get. Jim did an awesome job of helping us realize that this is not a wise step to move forward.”

Now back on Facebook, Fickle Resale is still growing, with new members added regularly in Greenville and groups opening in Charlotte, Anderson, Charleston and St. Louis.

Kramer finds local people to manage each group and spends much less time managing them. “This has become the way women shop on Facebook,” she said. “They get the rules and don’t need much help anymore.”

She is happy to be spending more time with her kids, ages 7 and 4, and moving her focus toward new ventures such as K & K Collective, an online re-

tailer for home decor, rare vintage goods and antiques that is – of course – highly active on Facebook and Instagram.

Though the nationwide rollout of Fickle Resale didn’t go as hoped, Kramer is pleased with the imprint the group has made on the online world, and proud of how it has brought women together and helped them build income.

“A lot of women were looking for a way to make extra money,” she said.

“Porch money, we call it, since a lot of people pick up items and leave the payment on the porch. It’s just a great, logical way to make money and recycle things.”

SMALL BUSINESS TOOLBOX Starting/managing a home-based business SBA home-based businesses sba.gov/content/home-basedbusinesses

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THE SMALL BUSINESS ISSUE

TOP 5 THREATS TO

SMALL BUSINESSES SIMPLE STRATEGIES SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS CAN TAKE TO 3. Liability Losses IDENTIFY AND MANAGE TOP RISKS No matter how well you plan, Optimism is the fuel that drives the running a small business can be entrepreneurial spirit, so it fraught with unexpected isn’t surprising that most small surprises. Protect your assets business owners consider by carrying adequate themselves optimists. Smart Commercial General business owners temper Liability (CGL) Insurance their innate optimism with coverage. A CGL policy a healthy dose of reality. In with adequate coverage other words, they learn to limits enables you to manage risk. continue normal operations MICHAEL while dealing with real The first step in implementing HERLONG or fraudulent claims of a comprehensive risk PRESIDENT, CIC negligence or wrongdoing, management plan is identifying potential risks. To help you and also provides coverage for the get started, we have provided a list of cost of defending and settling claims. the top 5 threats facing small business 4. Key Person Losses owners.

Many small businesses are built Ask yourself whether those risks are around the talents and expertise of a being managed effectively. few individuals. If an employee crucial to the functioning of your business 1. Protecting your Property Property holdings are often a small departs unexpectedly due to death or business owner’s largest asset. Property injury, would you be able to maintain coverage can come in many forms to your current level of performance and suit your specific needs, but a typical current revenue stream? Key Person policy will provide the replacement Insurance can help you answer these cost value for your building and your questions with confidence. business personal property. Leaving 5. Injuries to Employees your small business underinsured is a Small business owners, especially risk too great to take. those with less than 10 employees, often struggle with understanding 2. Business Interruption The U.S. Department of Labor estimates their employee health and safety that more than 40 percent of businesses obligations. Just like their larger never reopen following a disaster such counterparts, small businesses have as a fire or flood. Ideally, you would the same responsibility to indemnify move to a temporary location while workers who are injured or become ill your permanent place of business during the course of their employment. is being repaired, but traditional Thankfully, by managing exposures Property Insurance does not cover this and promoting safety, it is possible move or the loss of income while the to control workers’ compensation permanent business location is being premiums. Having the proper pre- and repaired. To mitigate this risk, consider post-accident procedures in place adding Business Interruption coverage can drastically reduce the severity of to your Property Insurance policy. This a workers’ compensation claim, and invaluable, though often overlooked, implementing a comprehensive safety coverage safeguards your business by program can reduce the accident rate. allowing you to maintain payroll and, if Together, these two steps can produce needed, reallocate current employees tremendous long-term savings. to help with the cleanup effort.

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09.18.2015

SBA loan volume could jump 40% in S.C. ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF

aboncimino@communityjournals.com

The future is looking bright for small business, or at least for their access to cash.

After years of single-digit gains, loan volumes for small business in the Palmetto State are rising fast, and could clock in at 40 percent higher than last year, according to Elliott Cooper, who has been the state’s U.S. Small Business Administration district director for nearly a quarter century.

With the end of the fiscal year still a month away, he says, it could be even more.

“Generally speaking, from what I pick up, people are doing better [nationally],” he said. “But I can tell you that South Carolina’s will increase.”

At the end of August, the SBA had approved more than $263 million in loans for South Carolina businesses via one of the more popular programs, the 7(a). That’s over $57 million more than the total volume approved though the same program last year.

In South Carolina, lenders have played musical chairs for the top SBA lending spot, competing both with dollar volume and number of loans.

For fiscal 2012, for example, TD Bank ranked as the highest 7(a) lender with $24.9 million, followed by CertusBank in 2013 with $21.9 million and Wells Fargo in 2014 with $27.6 million.

Regardless of the size of the pieces, however, the size of the SBA pie seems to be getting larger.

“We have seen a dramatic increase in SBA loan activity in the Upstate area in the last year,” said Wells Fargo SBA Regional Sales Manager Jon Kaye. While part of the boom is general economic recovery, there’s a bit more to it, he said.

DEFINED U.S. Small Business Administration: A federal government agency that helps to push banks towards certain loans by guaranteeing that certain portions of loans will be repaid if the borrower defaults.

7(a) Loan Program: The SBA’s primary program aimed at giving startups and existing small businesses access to financing. The funds are flexible, meaning they can be applied to a variety of businesses purposes.

504 Loan Program: A loan program with long-term, fixed-rate financing for major assets such as land, equipment, buildings and renovations.

Microloans: Targeted at startups, these loans are flexible and small, and can help fledgling businesses get the ball rolling with items such as inventory, supplies and equipment.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Loans for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofits that have suffered substantial economic injury and are within a declared disaster area.

Compared with five years ago, “More people are qualified to borrow and more people are willing to borrow,” he said. “You had a combination of businesses that just weren’t qualified to borrow, and you also had a number of borrowers that just didn’t want the debt.”

On top of that, businesses that survived with limited capital in 2008 have built up their cash flows again and are beginning to look for exit strategies, added Wells Fargo Upstate Market President and Business Banking Manager Brian Rogers.

“Because businesses are getting stronger and stronger every year as the economy improves, we’re seeing more and more businesses for sale,” he said. “It’s really a combination.”

SMALL BUSINESS TOOLBOX Taxes • Small Business Taxes – intuit.me/1URs9CQ • IRS: small business and self-employed – 1.usa.gov/1KiDGoT • SC Department of Revenue – dor.sc.gov • Tax tips for small businesses – score.org/all-business/top-10-tax-tips • SBA: filing and paying taxes – 1.usa.gov/1ORlA1r

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THE SMALL BUSINESS ISSUE

upstatebusinessjournal.com

Mentors, resources abound in Upstate for small business entrepreneurs

By RONALD KOPROWSKI past chairman, Piedmont SCORE

“It is exciting to work with an entrepreneur to learn of their ideas or dreams, then watch them work many days, nights and most weekends to bring the idea into a new small business,” said SCORE mentor David Esch, after volunteering with the Piedmont Chapter for many years. “And if the entrepreneur is successful and continues to work hard, their business grows and expands and thrives.”

Small business mentors are not consultants; they are there to encourage, coach and guide the entrepreneur to learn and grow. A small-business owner has to learn a lot – “after all, it is their business that has to survive,” Esch said.

Many people have business or nonprofit ideas.

Most of them stay as an idea or a dream. A few take steps and make efforts to bring their idea to life and become a company, an organization or just a sole proprietorship.

Becoming an entrepreneur or starting a nonprofit is not easy, but there are lots of organizations in the Upstate that can help. Some of them are partners through the Small Business Administration (SBA) such as the Clemson Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), the South Carolina Women’s Business Center - Upstate, and Piedmont Chapter of SCORE. Each of the technical colleges offers small business courses and local Chambers of Commerce offer workshops and programs, as well as several private organizations.

During the past 10 years, the resource organizations that can help have expanded. The Piedmont Chapter of SCORE, based in Greenville – serving Anderson, Abbeville, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties – has expanded their services and workshop offerings to assist those who are seeking small business assistance to get started or grow their business.

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SMALL BUSINESS TOOLBOX Upstate small business initiatives • ACCESS for Small Businesses (Greenville Chamber) – greenvillechamber.org/accesssmalbiz.php • SC Small Business Development Centers – scsbdc.com • Piedmont SCORE – piedmontscore.org • Michelin Development North America – michelindevelopment.com State resources • SC Business One-Stop – scbos.sc.gov • SC State Licensing Board – llr.state.sc.us • SC Department of Revenue – sctax.org • SC Office of Small and Minority Business Assistance – osmba.sc.gov

Years ago, one had to visit the SCORE office.

Today, you can sign up for a workshop or free small business mentoring services online at piedmontscore. org. SCORE volunteer mentors encourage clients with a great idea but little business experience to take their two-hour Basic Small Business workshop or their all-day Comprehensive Small Business Start-up workshop before being assigned a mentor.

SCORE nationally has over 300 offices and 11,000 volunteers, and offers an online mentoring service at score.org/mentors.

Social media is a major change in reaching small businesses and would-be entrepreneurs. Piedmont SCORE offers daily updates through Facebook (facebook.com/Piedmontscore232) and Twitter (twitter.com/PiedmontSCORE). Looking for resources? Check out the small business and nonprofit resources on 28 Pinterest boards (pinterest.com/ piedmontscore/) with links to online resources.

Piedmont SCORE has developed an extensive email marketing initiative using Constant Contact to keep

Small business resources • Employee Benefit Research Institute – ebri.org • Fasttrac (Kaufman Foundation) – fasttrac.org • National Association for the Self-Employed – nase.org • National Business Association – nationalbusiness.org • SC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – schcc.org/resources/start-a-business

clients and others informed about a wide variety of small business programs in the SC Upstate. Anyone can join the mailing list; just sign up on the website.

Ten years ago, SCORE had 20 volunteers. Today, it has more than 30, with plans to increase that support to meet the growing requests for services.

Business people with 10 or more years’ experience are invited to join SCORE and become a mentor.

The Piedmont chapter is seeking volunteers for Cherokee, Greenwood and Oconee counties for 2016 as well as our other communities. Sign up via the SCORE.org website at score.org/volunteer.

Ronald Koprowski is a SCORE Mentor and past chairman of Piedmont SCORE.

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UBJ

THE TECHNICAL SIDE OF BUSINESS

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09.18.2015

A triptych of tech news What you need to know about the iPad Pro, EMV cards and Windows 10

By LAURA HAIGHT president, portfoliosc.com

Several worthy news stories

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from the technology world came out last week. I’m reading them so you don’t have to. Here’s my take on a few.

IS THERE A BIT OF A BRUISE ON THE APPLE? Last week’s Apple “event” was a yawner for me. Much of what Apple had to offer seemed to be either style points (Rose Gold?) or an Apple follow-up to a competitor’s product (iPad Pro).

Taken by itself, the iPad Pro is an impressive device with the potential to revitalize the tablet market, which has lagged significantly. Tablet sales dropped 5.9 percent in the first quarter of this year over the same quarter in 2014. Apple still leads the pack but that’s not saying much, and its iPad sales have been falling for five consecutive quarters. (Fortune: http://goo.gl/vUqaQi).

But the Pro doesn’t stand alone; it is clearly a direct competitor to Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3. Brian Blau, research director at Gartner, told Fortune that the new Pro, to succeed, “has to enable core productivity, communications, portability and also have the necessary apps and services meant for enterprise use for the device to gain broader acceptance.”

Much is made in the reviews about the Apple Pencil and the coming integration with Microsoft and Adobe applications. The Pencil? Really? I have no less than four styli on my desk:

most will work with one program only, none works very well, and all have the major problem of recognizing where my wrist is resting. The same problems exist with the Surface Pen. Is the iPad Pro the new Macbook Air? That might give it a reason to be, although comparably equipped, the Pro is actually more expensive than the Air, which is to say, it is pretty expensive. But if tablets and two-inones aim to replace the more traditional laptops (which were the replacements for desktops), they are going to need the three things this Pro doesn’t have: a real file system, a full operating system and the capacity for multiple users to have independent profiles on the device.

DOES YOUR CREDIT CARD HAVE A CHIP IN IT? Chances are you have received a new credit card with a visible computer chip in the mail recently. This is part of a major transition to EMV cards (EuroPay, Mastercard, Visa) implemented by the credit card payment industry to enforce stronger security and reduce liability. The new cards are significantly safer (Why? Read: http://goo.gl/5tG1Ja) when used at a retailer (there is no additional security when used in online purchases).

However, despite the fact that this transition has been in the works for several years, only 22 percent of retailers say they are ready with EMV-compliant card readers, according to Software Advice, a market research firm. (Read the report: http:// goo.gl/HRUi4D).

And what happens if they aren’t?

A shift in liability that will, for the first time, make the local retailer responsible for credit card fraud expenses. If you’re a business, you should be concerned because hackers will most certainly continue to target the weak links – the old magnetic swipe terminals. If you’re a consumer, you might be interested in knowing that the Software Advice survey found that 23 percent of businesses felt the transition to EMV was “unnecessary.” That’s your security they’re talking about. And if you’ve replaced your debit/credit cards as many times in the past two or three years as I have, you know that is hardly unnecessary.

Come Oct. 1, tell your retailers that your card security matters to you and support those who take it seriously. If some of your cards haven’t been replaced yet, call your credit card company and request one.

WINDOWS 10: WHETHER YOU WANT IT OR NOT Everyone may not be ready for Windows 10. There are still quite a few of you who aren’t ready to give up XP – 16.3 percent of PC users – despite it being unsupported, unpatched and insecure. (Read: http://goo.gl/1PAclL) But ready or not, Microsoft has started downloading Windows 10 to Windows 7 and 8 computers even if you specifically declined to upgrade.

Microsoft says this is a proactive move to make sure Windows 10 is ready when you want it. But users say it’s intrusive.

It’s coming via Windows Update and it’s a big download. Users are finding available bandwidth dropping and have tracked it down to this 6GB download running in the background.

(Read: http://goo.gl/lKs1K0). What can you do? Not much right now, but one thing you shouldn’t do is turn off the Windows Updates. Keeping your software secure and your data protected is Job One. Laura Haight is the president of Portfolio, a communications company that helps small business make the most of the fusion of emerging technology and communication, and offers security reviews.

09.18.2015

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STRATEGIES FOR HONING YOUR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

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Mere girls 5 takeaways that start with Darla Moore

By JAMIE PRINCE founder/principal, Flourish

Fifteen years ago, when I worked for Martha Stewart, I attended the annual employee meeting in a cavernous hall in New York where the keynote address was by none other than Darla Moore.

I was in the very early stages of my career. I was a “mere girl” from the Deep South who arrived in New York with a law school scholarship (that I later gave up out of a longing for more creative work) and an innate confidence I can thank my parents for. No other connections. No relationships to call upon, and no one really taking me seriously – after all, I was a bleach blonde with a Southern twang who looked half my age.

When Darla entered the auditorium, I remember a quiet blanketing the room. Without saying a word, she commanded the hall. Her presence was powerful. She went on to speak and won the crowd.

Fast forward to Sept. 8, when I had the opportunity to hear Darla speak for the second time in my life. This time I’m much more advanced in my career, back in my hometown at a lovely event honoring Greenville Women Giving’s 10th Anniversary Season. Darla gave the keynote, and again, captivated the room with humor, intellect and a forthrightness that is her unmistakable signature.

The crux of her talk centered around the idea that, as far as women have come in business and community life, they are still underestimated. Whatever achievements a woman or group of women make in commerce, culture, and community, they are looked upon as “women’s achievements” rather than accomplishments on their own merits, regardless of gender, race or what have you.

I’m a prime example of a “mere girl” who’s done some things, is attempting to do more, and certainly hopes to make a greater impact throughout my life wherever I can. Yet, I pick up on people’s surprise when they realize I’m a woman in my 30s who runs

her own business, or when they realize that my husband “works for me” instead of the other way around.

I don’t take offense, and the times that I have felt slighted, karma has always come in to save the day. So, this mere girl has high hopes for not only Greenville and South Carolina, but also women in business everywhere.

Five things that have absolutely made the difference in my life and path: 1. Belief from a young age that I could do anything I set my Moore mind to. My parents never, ever allowed me to believe that anything was off-limits to me. Even when I was terrible at something, they always let me believe my best would take me far.

2. A strong circle of female friends who are kicking butt and taking names at what they do. These include an international lawyer in London, a top attorney in South Carolina, an incredible interior designer, a cofounder of a major tech brand, a professor, and several highly accomplished women in my field, marketing and communications. I am surrounded by an aura of support, safety, and mentorship that is like rocket fuel to my soul.

3. A few lucky breaks. Giving my law school scholarship back at age 20 with no job waiting on me in New York is scary by any standard. Yet, in two weeks’ time, the founder of the “For Dummies” brand series of books, John Kilcullen, hired me to work for his company, Hungry Minds. A year later, I landed my dream job at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, thanks to my resume bypassing human resources and landing fortuitously at the top of a stack of mail waiting for the chief financial officer, Jim Follo, on his return from vacation. When

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Martha realized I was a strong writer and allowed me to draft speeches for her, that was incredible. And then, when I fell in love and moved back home to Greenville to get married with no job on the horizon, another visionary of his time, Jim Anthony, stumbled across my resume and asked if I’d like to join a community on the rise called The Cliffs, right before the real estate boom.

4. The ultimate security blanket – a loving marriage and family. Anyone who knows me well knows that my marriage Photo courtesy of USC is the No. 1 joy of my life. David, my husband, has been with me through everything. He’s Flourish’s Director of Operations, and at home, he’s our household’s CEO. His partnership, love and support have enabled me the freedom to make Flourish flourish.

5. A positive outlook and a deep faith. I cannot stress how important this is. The more grateful I am, the more positive outcomes I see. The more collaborative I am with others, the greater gains we make.

The better I treat those around me, the better life I have myself. And with the key realization years ago that very little in this life is within my control, I consequently give a lot up to God, and know that it’s in far better hands than my own. I’m able to bounce back from failures, and get up every time I fall down.

So, for all of you mere girls reading this, the glass ceiling may not be shattered, but you hold within you ways of making a mark on this world. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Jamie Prince is the founder/principal of Flourish, an integrated marketing company located in Greenville.

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22 | ON THE MOVE |

UBJ

PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS

HIRED

HIRED

APPOINTED

APPOINTED

|

09.18.2015

CERTIFIED

Matt Manske

Oliver Elston

John Griffin

Walter Kaufmann

Dicki Kennedy

Named senior vice president of the Specialized Lending Team at United Community Bank. Manske previously served as vice president of specialty lending and supported business development at Square 1 Bank and at Park View Federal Savings Bank.

Named as head tennis professional at the Riverside Tennis Club. Elston is certified with Professional Tennis Registry, an ITF member and also a 5.0 NTRP player ranked second in Men’s Open Singles and first in Men’s Open Doubles in South Carolina.

Named dean of undergraduate studies and associate provost at Clemson University. Griffin is a physiologist, neuroscientist and biologist. He previously served as dean of undergraduate studies at The College of William and Mary.

Named the Ravenel Boykin Curry Chair in Genetic Therapeutics at the Greenwood Genetic Center.

Kaufmann previously served as a senior associate neurologist at Boston Children’s Hospital. His research has focused on neurodevelopmental disorders.

Received an instructor certification in first aid and CPR for dogs and casts from the American Red Cross.

Kennedy is founder of Animal Rehab & Conditioning Center, the first veterinary rehab clinic in the Upstate.

DEVELOPMENT Engineering News-Record named the Quest Carbon Capture Facility Project by Fluor Corporation as a Global Best Project for 2015 in the Power/Industrial category. Fluor

served as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor on the capture portion of Shell’s Quest project, in addition to providing preliminary design services and early engineering support.

FINANCE The Insurance Source hired Amy Biggs as its first impression specialist.

A 2015 graduate of Ohio University, Biggs has expertise in customer service, social media, blog writing and editing.

HEALTH CARE

SEPTEMBER 26. 2015

The Center for Integrative Oncology and Survivorship at the Cancer Institute of Greenville Health System was named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) for its ongoing commitment to responsible lung cancer screening. GHS Outpatient Radiology

was also named a Screening Center of Excellence.

PR/MARKETING Infinity Marketing promoted Jackie Antunes to social media specialist and Kinsley Benson to media coordinator.

Antunes previously served as a social media assistant. She works with a variety of clients to plan and implement social media strategies. She also assists with several internal projects.

Benson previously served as a media assistant. She works with the company’s grocery team to place orders, maintain legal notices and track confirmations.

CONTRIBUTE: New hires, promotions & award winners may be featured in On the Move. Send information and photos to onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com.

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24 | THE FINE PRINT |

BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS

UBJ

|

09.18.2015

Beija-Flor expanding to Nashville

SCMEP hosts Manufacturing Day events

Greenville-based Beija-Flor Jeans is expanding by opening its second retail location in Nashville, Tenn., in October.

“As up-and-coming designers, this thriving creative community offers brands such as ours unmatched access to talent, resources and an ever-expanding consumer base,” Beija-Flor CEO Emilie Whitaker said. “Nashville is the natural next extension of Beija-Flor’s brand mission to merge innovative design, practical luxury and first-rate customer service.”

Beija-Flor’s flagship retail store opened in 2012 in Greenville.

The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP) is hosting two events in participation with National Manufacturing Day. SCMEP will hold an open house and celebration at the Business Learning Center in Greenville on Sept. 29.

On Oct. 2, the group will host a presentation and plant tour at Itron in West Union. The events will address the skilled labor shortage in manufacturing and look at ensuring the ongoing prosperity of the industry.

Both events are free of charge but require advance registration at bit.ly/ mfgday-2015.

Scio Diamond raises $1.6M in financing Scio Diamond Technology Corporation closed on $1.6 million in equity financing in a non-brokered, private placement to a group of accredited investors based in Greenville.

The funding will be used for product development and for working capital.

“We see increasing demand in the market for lab-grown white diamonds,” said Scio Diamond CEO Gerald McGuire. “We successfully completed product development on lab-grown pink diamonds and have been delivering them to the market since June. Our white diamonds are also being sold in the market; we are focused on these because they will increase our revenue potential in the fast-growing, high-quality lab-grown diamond segment.”

Earlier this year, the company doubled its manufacturing capacity, which can be used for either pink or white diamond production.

Leadership Greenville completes Pendleton Place project Leadership Greenville Class 41’s Pendleton Place Project Team raised $14,000 plus in-kind donations to build a deck and a patio, as well as purchase a grill and outdoor furni- >>

09.18.2015

|

upstatebusinessjournal.com

BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN'T MISS

| THE FINE PRINT | 25

>>

ture for playing and relaxing.

Team members included Cat Carlisle, Beth Crews, Tommy Flinn, Ausin Goforth, Brad Gower, Kateri Harper, Trey Ingram, Eric Jarinko, Maggie Kleger, Ariel Lomas, Jayne McCall, Corey McDowell, Frances Poe, Tracy Ramseur, James Sfiris, Lamont Sullivan, Martin Watson and Scott Wheeler.

It’s the Approach that Matters

GSHRM Diversity and Inclusion Award nominees The Greenville Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (GSHRM) is accepting nominations for the GSHRM 2015 Diversity and Inclusion Company of the Year.

The GSHRM Diversity and Inclusion Award honors the efforts of organizations in the Greenville area business community who strive to promote diversity and understanding in its multitude of forms.

The award is open to all organizations in business, education and government in the Upstate, with award categories for large entities as well as small-to-medium-sized entities.

The award nomination form is available on the GSHRM website at greenvillehr. org. All completed nomination forms are due by Nov. 1. The winner will be announced at the GSHRM membership meeting at Thornblade Country Club on Dec. 1.

Carolina Holdings completes renovations for Boot Barn Carolina Holdings Inc. recently completed the renovation of a 9,969-square-foot building located at 420 Congaree Road, adjacent to the Haywood Mall.

After completion of the renovations, the property was leased to Boot Barn for the company’s second South Carolina location. The firm purchased the property in February after the building’s former tenant, Pier One, relocated to Woodruff Road.

Caldwell Constructors assisted Carolina Holdings on the project. Palmetto Bank provided the financing for the property.

Greenville Federal Credit Union finalizes Pelham Road branch renovation Greenville Federal Credit Union will celebrate the renovation of its branch at 3375 Pelham Road with an open house event Sept. 25.

The newly renovated Pelham Road Branch is the first of all four branch locations to undergo a major overhaul and investment for Greenville Federal Credit Union.

“Our goal with this new service model is to provide more options and reduce wait times to create a better overall experience for all members and visitors,” said Paul Hughes, president of the credit union. “Our member-owners expect great service from the credit union. We think they will feel very welcome and impressed in with this new service model and branch design.”

With the Pelham Road Branch renovation project complete, the project will shift to the remaining three branches. Renovations are underway at the Mauldin Road Branch and the Greer and Wade Hampton Branch renovations are expected to be complete by the end of 2016.

The open house will begin at 9 a.m. and last through 4 p.m. Branch tours will be from 9 -11 a.m. Refreshments, door prizes and giveaways will happen throughout the day.

Since 1975, O’Neal has been successfully delivering complexcapitalprojectsintheautomotive,pharmaceutical/ biotech, process chemical, manufacturing, energy, and pulp and paper markets worldwide. O’Neal is an integrated design and construction firm in the Business of Project Delivery—integrating overall project planning, design, procurement and construction to create cost-effective capital solutions.

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26 | NEW TO THE STREET |

THE FRESHEST FACES ON THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

UBJ

|

09.18.2015

Open for business

First Presbyterian Academy cut the ribbon the opening of its middle school at 200 W Washington St., Greenville. The school previously covered preschool through elementary school. For more information, call 864-235-0122 or visit ďŹ rstpresbyterianacademy.org.

CONTRIBUTE: Know of a business opening soon?

Email information to bjeffers@communityjournals.com.

BANKING

WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH Greer State Bank is proud to be your Community Bank.

When you open an account with us, you are more than a number. Enjoy the benefits of Online Banking, Online Bill Pay, 24-Hour Telephone Banking, Mobile App and countless other helpful tools. Whether you are a new customer, or have been with us since the beginning, we are excited to build your future and ours together!

Local Decisions. Unmatched Service. Friendly Response.

Branch Locations Corporate Office

1111 West Poinsett Street Greer, SC 29650 (864) 877-2000

North Main Street Office 601 North Main Street Greer, SC 29650 (864) 848-5102

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Buncombe Road Office 871 South Buncombe Road Greer, SC 29650 (864) 848-2563

Taylors Office

3317 Wade Hampton Blvd Taylors, SC 29687 (864) 416-6016

GreerStateBank.com

Clemson Lending Office 133 Thomas Green Blvd., Suite 204 Clemson, South Carolina 29631 (864) 877-2000

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“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin

POWER SOLUTIONS CASE STUDY of

Spartanburg School District 2 The Upstate of South Carolina is a beautiful area home to many businesses. It is also home to severe thunderstorms in the summer and ice storms in the winter. As the Hot weather lingers, and memories of past winter storms melt away, it’s tempting to forget the cold, hard dread that the lights might go out. Most of the Upstate have already felt the effects of no power due to Scott Kelly storms this President Carolina summer. But Heating Service the potential Serving Greenville for storm since 1981 related power outages is a year-round sleeping trigger. While you cannot prevent power outages, you can prepare for them. As a business owner I know just how important having power is, so do the folks at the Spartanburg School District 2 main office here in the Upstate. Spartanburg school district 2 is made up of 14 public schools that rely on power to function. Power is needed 24/7 to keep all students and faculty safe. In the past, the schools have experienced a loss of power after a heat pump over heated causing distress. All 14 schools in the district lost internet access which is crucial for faculty duties, lunch reports, alerts to parents, and much more. Assuring students continued education with the goal of no interruptions provides the district with an advantage over many other districts who would be at the mercy of their local power grid. Virtually every daily function of the schools are dependent in some way on a power source. And power is needed to keep computer servers up and running. Any loss of power takes them out of communication with parents and internally. As peace of mind a 60KW Generac Generator from Carolina Generators was installed. Since then the school system has experienced a power outage due to a vehicle wreck near the district office. Fortunately, their new generator restored power immediately!

Power your peace of mind by installing an emergency generator today. Contact Carolina Generators today.

STAY OPEN FOR BUSINESS. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN FOR POWER! Contact us today to schedule our Power Pro Professional for your FREE onsite assessment.

Greenville: 864-232-5684

Seneca: 864-638-6635

Anderson: 864-281-1977

www.CarolinaCommercialGenerators.com

28 | SOCIAL SNAPSHOT |

INSIDE THE UPSTATE’S NETWORKING AND SOCIAL SCENE

UBJ

|

09.18.2015

PHILANTHROPIC WOMEN Greenville Women Giving launched its 10th year by welcoming South Carolina philanthropist and businesswoman Darla Moore and Greenville Mayor Knox White to a kickoff event last week at the Hyatt Regency downtown.

Photos provided by Michael Gibbons Media

Zandr Tesolowski Technical Recruiter

We’ve already met your next employee.

Godshall Professional Recruiting and Staffing specializes in executive recruiting, career placement, and consulting for businesses and job seekers in South Carolina. Our technical services team has more than 36 years of combined experience in placing qualified candidates in areas such as Information Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing. Employees range from CIOs and Plant Managers to those skilled in specific technical tasks. Let us find the perfect fit for your employment needs.

Professional • Finance • Technical • Healthcare godshall.com • 864-242-3491

09.18.2015

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upstatebusinessjournal.com

INSIDE THE UPSTATE’S NETWORKING AND SOCIAL SCENE

| SOCIAL SNAPSHOT | 29

CONTRIBUTE: Got high-resolution photos of your networking or social events? Send photos and information for consideration to events@upstatebusinessjournal.com.

30 | #TRENDING |

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

UBJ

OVERHEARD @ THE WATERCOOLER SEPTEMBER 11, 2015

| VOL. 4 ISSUE 37

> W. North Lofts LLC “Looking for a place?” > Virginia Hayes, Realtor “West End #neighborhood news!” > Joey Burton “‘condos, condos, condos’ …. on a side note, big thanks to Ryan Johnston and the Upstate Business Journal staff for all they do to keep Greenville informed on the latest developments shaping the City! #givecreditwhereitsdue” > Stella Spadaro Dominguez “It seems to meet the request from the neighborhood association? Two parking per unit and not that tall… what about checking out if the city planned a corridor to allow for the new residents’ traffic in and out? The traffic in that area is already heavy.”

Networking on the course club isn’t just an old boys’ 7 anymore - pg.

DIGITAL FLIPBOOK ARCHIVE >> The layout of print meets the convenience of the Web: flip through the digital edition of any of our print issues at >> ustatebusinessjournal. com/past-issues

>> WEIGH IN @ THE UBJ EXCHANGE Got something to offer?

Get it off your chest.

We’re looking for expert guest bloggers from all industries to contribute to the UBJ Exchange. Send posts or blog ideas to eprice@communityjournals.com.

RE: SOUNDS DISRUPTIVE

RE: FOUNTAIN INN’S INDIANA SISTER CITY COMES CALLING FOR DEVELOPMENT IDEAS

> Ryan Alford via site “As a Greenville small business owner disrupting another mammoth industry (car sales), I commend your growth and approach. I would love to discuss synergistic opportunities.”

> Bill Kane “If you haven’t checked out downtown Fountain Inn lately, you need to pay a visit!

Great restaurants and weekend activities for the whole family.”

RE: MANAGEMENT CHANGES AT BMW MANUFACTURING

> Sue Atkins “I love Ft. Inn and the restaurants. Simpsonville Main Street … Not Fairview Rd. could take lessons and start cleaning up and adding like Ft. Inn.”

> Professional Network Connections “A change in management could mean a new chance at some opportunities. #gogetit”

RE: WEST END, SOUTH MAIN, MEMORIAL SITE AND HUGE GARAGES

RE: GREENVILLE WOMEN GIVING

> Jim Sharpe – Realtor “More growth for Greenville, SC!”

>> CONNECT WITH US LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/ UPSTATE-BUSINESS-JOURNAL

@UPSTATEBIZ @SJackson_CJ

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@amorris_CJ

>> 211

1. West End project back on track with new developer

>> 192

2. German auto equipment firm to invest $1M, add 30 jobs in Greenville

>> 101 3. Management changes at BMW Manufacturing

>> 98 4. Startup Week kicks off next week in Greenville

>> 79 5. Stevens Aviation’s future role at GSP uncertain

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BIZ BUZZ

Distilled commentary from UBJ readers

RE: WEST END PROJECT BACK ON TRACK WITH NEW DEVELOPER

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> amorris_CJ “Darla Moore addresses Greenville Women Giving.”

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DATE

INSIDE THE UPSTATE’S NETWORKING AND SOCIAL SCENE

| PLANNER | 31

EVENT INFO

WHERE DO I GO?

HOW DO I GO?

9/19

Comprehensive Small Business Start-Up Workshop

Spartanburg Community College Tyger River Campus, Duncan 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Cost: $69, $25 for additional participants Register: piedmontscore.org/workshops/ register/182

Tuesday

Our Upstate Vision Forum: Growing Economic Vibrancy in Downtowns and Rural Communities

USC Upstate Sansbury Campus Life Center 800 University Way, Spartanburg 3-5 p.m.

Cost: $10 Register: bit.ly/upstate-sep2015

Thursday

Women in Business Conference Featured Speaker: Carly Fiorina, presidential candidate and former Hewlett-Packard CEO

Converse College 580 E. Main St., Spartanburg 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Cost: $50 Chamber members, $75 nonmembers Register: bit.ly/wib2015

Greenville Chamber Friday Forum Speaker: Geoff Hartt, WYFF 4

Embassy Suites 670 Verdae Blvd., Greenville 8-9:30 a.m.

Cost: $15 Chamber member, $20 nonmember Register: bit.ly/forum-sep2015

BBQ Bash to Celebrate Upstate Manufacturers

Hartness Estate Smith Road Entrance, Greenville 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Cost: $40 Chamber member, $100 nonmember Register: bit.ly/bbq-bash2015

Saturday

9/22 9/24 Friday

9/25 Thursday

10/1

CONTRIBUTE: Got a hot date? Submit event information for consideration to events@upstatebusinessjournal.com.

ART & PRODUCTION

IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF UBJ? WANT A COPY FOR YOUR LOBBY?

OCT. 16: THE MANUFACTURING ISSUE Women are thriving in this growing field.

ART DIRECTOR Whitney Fincannon

PRESIDENT/CEO

Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com

UBJ PUBLISHER

ADVERTISING DESIGN Michael Allen

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Kristi Fortner

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE STORY IDEAS:

STAFF WRITERS

EVENTS:

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NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, AND AWARDS:

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onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com

SALES REPRESENTATIVES

UBJ welcomes expert commentary from business leaders on timely news topics related to their specialties.

Guest columns run 700-800 words.

Contact Executive Editor Susan Clary Simmons at ssimmons@communityjournals.com to submit an article for consideration.

Nicole Greer, Kristi Jennings, Donna Johnston, Annie Langston, Lindsay Oehman, Emily Yepes

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & ACCOUNT STRATEGY Kate Madden

1997 Jackson Dawson launches motorsports Division 1993

1990 Jackson Dawson acquires therapon marketing Group and moves to Piedmont office Center on Villa.

>>

with a majority of them utilizing the general aviation airport as a “corporate gateway to the city.”

In 1997, Jackson and his son, Darrell, launched Jackson Motorsports Group. The new division was designed to sell race tires and go to racetracks to sell and mount the tires. Darrell Jackson now serves as president of the motorsports group and Larry Jackson has two other children and a son-in-law who work there. Jackson said all his children started at the bottom and “earned their way up.”

Jackson kept the Jackson-Dawson branches in Detroit and others in Los Angeles and New York until he sold his portion of that partnership in 2009 as part of his estate planning.

The company now operates a small office in Charlotte, but its main headquarters are in Greenville in a large office space off Woodruff Road, complete with a vision gallery that displays local artwork and an auditorium Jackson makes available for non-profit use. The Motorsports Group is housed in an additional 26,000 square feet building just down the street, and the agency is currently looking for another 20,000 square feet.

Jackson said JMG has expanded into other verticals such as financial, healthcare, manufacturing and pro-bono work, but still has a strong focus on the auto industry and transportation. It’s

Chairman larry Jackson, Jackson marketing Group. Photos by Greg Beckner / Staff

Jackson Marketing Group celebrates 25 years By sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com

Solve. Serve. Grow. Those three words summarize Jackson Marketing Group’s guiding principles, and according to owner Larry Jackson, form the motivation that has kept the firm thriving for the past 25 years.

Jackson graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in video and film production and started his 41-year career in the communications industry with the U.S. Army’s Public Information Office. He served during

Vietnam, where he said he was “luckily” stationed in the middle of Texas at Fort Hood.

He left the service and went to work in public affairs and motorsports at Ford Motor Company in Detroit.

After a stint at Bell and Howell, where he was responsible for managing Ford’s dealer marketing and training, the entrepreneurial bug hit and he co-founded Jackson-Dawson Marketing Communications, a company specializing in dealer training and product launches for the auto industry in 1980.

In 1987, Jackson wanted to move back south and thought Greenville would be a good fit. An avid pilot, he

learned of an opportunity to purchase Cornerstone Aviation, a fixed base operation (FBO) that served as a service station for the Greenville Downtown Airport, providing fuel, maintenance and storage.

In fact, when he started the Greenville office of what is now Jackson Marketing Group (JMG) in 1988, the offices were housed on the second floor in an airport hangar.

“Clients would get distracted by the airplanes in the hangars and we’d have to corral them to get back upstairs to the meeting,” Jackson said.

Jackson sold the FBO in 1993, but says it was a great way to get to know Greenville’s fathers and leaders

>>

2003 motorsports Division acquires an additional 26,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space

1998 1998 Jackson Dawson moves to task industrial Court

also one of the few marketing companies in South Carolina to handle all aspects of a project in-house, with four suites handling video production, copywriting, media and research and web design.

Clients include heavyweights such as BMW, Bob Jones University, the Peace Center, Michelin and Sage Automotive. Recent projects have included an interactive mobile application for Milliken’s arboretum and 600-acre Spartanburg campus and a marketing campaign for the 2013 Big League World Series.

“In my opinion, our greatest single achievement is the longevity of our client relationships,” said Darrell Jackson. “Our first client from back in 1988 is still a client today. I can count on one hand the number of clients who have gone elsewhere in the past decade.”

Larry Jackson says his Christian faith and belief in service to others, coupled with business values rooted in solving clients’ problems, have kept

2009 Jackson Dawson changes name to Jackson marketing Group when larry sells his partnership in Detroit and lA 2003

2009-2012 Jackson marketing Group named a top BtoB agency by BtoB magazine 4 years running

him going and growing his business over the years. He is passionate about giving back and outreach to non-prof non-profits. The company was recently awarded the Community Foundation Spirit Award.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to serving the community last week by celebrating its 25th anniversary with a birthday party and a 25-hour Serve-A-Thon partnership with Hands on Greenville and Habitat for Humanity. JMG’s 103 full-time employees worked in shifts around the clock on October 22 and 23 to help construct a house for a deserving family.

As Jackson inches towards retirement, he says he hasn’t quite figured out his succession plan yet, but sees the companies staying under the same umbrella. He wants to continue to strategically grow the business.

“From the beginning, my father has taught me that this business is all about our people – both our clients and our associates,” said his son, Darrell. “We have created a focus and a culture that strives to solve problems, serve people and grow careers.”

Darrell Jackson said he wants to “continue helping lead a culture where we solve, serve and grow. If we are successful, we will continue to grow towards our ultimate goal of becoming the leading integrated marketing communications brand in the Southeast.”

2011 Jackson marketing Group/Jackson motorsports Group employee base reaches 100 people

2008 2012 Jackson marketing Group recognized by Community Foundation with Creative spirit Award

pro-bono/non-proFit / Clients lients American Red Cross of Western Carolinas Metropolitan Arts Council Artisphere Big League World Series The Wilds Advance SC South Carolina Charities, Inc. Aloft Hidden Treasure Christian School

CoMMUnitY nit inVolVeMent nitY in olV inV olVe VeMent & boarD positions lArry JACkson (ChAirmAn): Bob Jones University Board chairman, The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center board member, Gospel Fellowship Association board member, Past Greenville Area Development Corporation board member, Past Chamber of Commerce Headquarters Recruiting Committee member, Past Greenville Tech Foundation board member

OCT. 30: QUARTERLY CRE ISSUE The state of commercial real estate in the Upstate.

David Jones (Vice President Client services, Chief marketing officer): Hands on Greenville board chairman mike Zeller (Vice President, Brand marketing): Artisphere Board,

Metropolitan Arts Council Board, American Red Cross Board, Greenville Tech Foundation Board, South Carolina Chamber Board

eric Jackson (Jackson motorsports Group sales specialist): Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board

November 1, 2013 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal 21

20 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal November 1, 2013

AS SEEN IN

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

Anita Harley, Jane Rogers

Jerry Salley jsalley@communityjournals.com Ashley Boncimino, Sherry Jackson, Benjamin Jeffers, Cindy Landrum, April A. Morris

jackson Marketing Group’s 25 Years 1988 Jackson Dawson opens in Greenville at Downtown Airport

1988

Holly Hardin

CLIENT SERVICES

MANAGING EDITOR

UBJ milestone

OPERATIONS

Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com Susan Clary Simmons ssimmons@communityjournals.com

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

UBJ milestone

DIGITAL TEAM Emily Price, Danielle Car

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