May 17, 2013
IP Business Summit Coming Soon to S.C.

Our next guest says that intangible assets represent about 80% or more of the value in most companies and yet even the most seasoned executive and managers are generally not aware of current best practices for legally protecting and strongly leveraging those assets. He's here this morning to tell us about the National IP Taskforce Business Summit, coming soon to South Carolina, that is considered to be the preeminent meeting in the United States for executives and managers to learn about and discuss intellectual property strategy and management. Attendees and speakers will be attending from around the world.

Mike Switzer interviews Dirk Brown, director of the Faber Entrepreneurship Center at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

May 16, 2013
Should Our Kids Work While In School?

Our next guest believes that our society has prolonged adolescence by allowing parents to continue to control their children's money. Men in particular, she says, have retained adolescence through video games, while young women have been forced to grow up by raising children out of wedlock. She says that this and the current economy are working against many college graduates while many jobs go unfilled due to a skills mismatch between schools and businesses.

Mike Switzer interviews Pam Horack, an independent, fee-only financial planner with Pathfinder Planning in Lake Wylie, S.C.

May 15, 2013
Columbia Blogger Finds Success with All Things Local

As you may have heard not too long ago on this program, blogging has once again regained popularity as a form of social media for many companies. Our next guest is a professional blogger and print writer, with her most well-known venture being The Shop Tart, which is all about shopping locally for everything from clothing to locally grown food.

Mike Switzer interviews Anne Wolfe Postic, who lives and writes in Columbia, S.C.  Other blogs she writes for are The Kitchn and The Daily Digress.

May 14, 2013
Technology/Broadband Conference Coming to Columbia Thursday

This Thursday, May 16th, local and state leaders, technology professionals, and state educators are coming together in Columbia to highlight innovative ways technology is impacting different industry sectors - and reiterating the demand for quality broadband to support these applications.  IT-oLogy, in partnership with South Carolina Connects is presenting their Connections 2013 Conference.

Mike Switzer interviews James Ashley, a creative engineer with the Emerging Experiences Practice at Razorfish, a global digital advertising agency in Atlanta, and one of the keynote presenting speakers.

May 13, 2013
S.C. Business Update from John Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

May 10, 2013
Corporate Chaplains - A Fast-Growing Career Field

Our next guest has been in the military chaplain business for many years but says that a whole new field has opened up that is the fastest growing segment in the chaplain career field: corporate chaplains. Apparently, more and more companies are adding chaplains to their payrolls.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Mike Langston, presently the professor of Chaplain Ministries at Columbia International University in Columbia, S.C. His responsibilities include the development of the Chaplaincy track course materials and instructing/teaching for the master’s and doctorate level programs in chaplaincy. He is ordained and endorsed through the Southern Baptist Convention.

May 09, 2013
Former Lobbyist Takes Over the Reins at S.C.‘s Dept. of Insurance

In case you haven't heard, South Carolina has a new director at its Department of Insurance.

Mike Switzer interviews Ray Farmer, who prior to joining the DOI, worked for 32 years as a lobbyist with the property/casualty insurance trade group known as the American Insurance Association.

May 08, 2013
Local Stock Market Analyst Says to Avoid Stock Market from May to October

Our next guest has been studying the financial markets and their trends and writing about them for many years. One trend in particular that he believes you should take notice of is the stock market adage: "Sell in May and go away."  He says the stock market's best months are usually between November and April, and that studies show it may not be a bad idea to take some or most of your money off the table between May and October.

Sailesh S. Radha is President & Chief Market Strategist for Intermarket Research & Analytics in Blythewood, S.C.

May 07, 2013
Upstate Marketing Company Succeeds with Pro-Bono Work

Over the many years we've been doing this show, we've noticed one common denominator among the successful business owners we've interviewed. They all believe strongly in giving back to their communities. And our next guest is no different. Her passion for her communtiy led her to develop the Live Here Give Here program that provides pro-bono marketing and promotional assistance to area non-profits.

Mike Switzer interviews Debbie Nelson, president and founder of DNA Creative Communications in Greenville.

May 06, 2013
S.C. Business Update from John Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

May 03, 2013
LowCountry Family SCOREs with Meal Delivery Business

While working in the nursing home and assisted living industries in South Carolina's LowCountry for over 15 years, our next guest discovered a need for home meal delivery that has since turned into a thriving and growing business for him and his family.

Mike Switzer interviews Tony Makar, owner of Gourmet on Wheels in Beaufort, S.C., our SCORE Success Story of the Month. SCORE is the all-volunteer small business counseling arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

May 02, 2013
Large Increase in U.S. Energy Production Affects Investors

In case you hadn't noticed, our nation is quietly undergoing a renaissance in the energy sector. Last year, the increase in U.S. oil production was the largest since the beginning of the petroleum era more than 150 years ago. Our next guest says this has numerous financial implications for all Americans.

Mike Switzer interviews Rob DeHollander, a Certified Financial Planner and president of DeHollander & Janse Financial Group in Greenville S.C.

May 01, 2013
S.C.-Based Professional Development Program Helps Teachers Everywhere

As you may have heard, education has been a popular topic on our Facebook page recently. Why? Because the business community in our state regards quality of education as a top priority.  We also recently learned about a teacher-training program, based in South Carolina, that for 20 years now has been helping teachers in all 50 states and even at some overseas schools, seek recertification, a salary increase or professional development.

Mike Switzer interviews Tania McDuffie, a professor at Converse College in Spartanburg and an instructor with TeacherStep.

April 30, 2013
Columbia Attorney Promotes Collaboration

Our next guest says that some family court lawyers have become disillusioned by the way the court system and divorce laws in S.C. can strain family relationships beyond repair, ruining many a childhood. But she also says, there is another option.

Mike Switzer interviews Shannon Burnett, a Columbia attorney and president of the South Carolina Collaborative Law Institute and a member of its Columbia chapter.

April 29, 2013
S.C. Business Update from John Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

April 26, 2013
Spot Factoring Is Another Option for Cash-Strapped Businesses

Although the economy appears to have turned the corner from the Great Recession, our next guest says many businesses still find themselves unable to obtain credit lines from banks. And so another option for funding that they turn to, in this situation, is known as factoring, in which a company offers to buy another company's accounts receivable at a discount, in order to provide some short-term working capital. But factoring doesn't always have the greatest reputation.

Mike Switzer vinterviews Mark Osborn, a Principal with the Interface Financial Group in Mt. Pleasant, a "spot-factoring" company.

April 25, 2013
Six S.C. Small Business Consultants Achieve Global Certification

Six South Carolina Small Business Development Center consultants recently became Certified Global Business Professionals, the only nationally-accepted, international trade credential supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Education.

Mike Switzer interviews Pete Oliver, Columbia area SBDC manager.

April 24, 2013
Healthcare Membership Program Opens in Upstate

With recent and upcoming changes in our country's health care system and a well-publicized physician shortage on the horizon, some new ventures are starting to pop up including here in South Carolina. Our next guest is a local physycian who has joined one of these ventures, known as a membership care program.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Jack Durham, who recently joined PartnerMD's first office in S.C., in Greenville. after practicing for many years in the Upstate.

April 23, 2013
Three Common Mistakes Investors Make

The financial markets can sometimes be confusing, regardless of whether the trend is up, down, or sideways, which is one reason many investors will tell you they have a hard time consistently making money. But our next guest says that there are really three common pitfalls that hold investors back.

Mike Switzer interviews Bryan Ballentine, a certified financial planner in Greenville, S.C.

April 22, 2013
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

April 19, 2013
Should Life Insurance Be Considered for College Funding?

Parents are always looking for the best way to fund their kids’ education, especially when education costs continue to increase and when scholarships, grants, and credits are covering less of the overall costs. We've recently talked about college funding on this show, but our guest today is going to share with us a strategy that has been around for a long time, but after dropping off most people's radar for a while, is once again getting some attention: using cash value life insurance.

Mike Switzer interviews Jeb Zoller, a Certified Financial Planner and Partner at DaVinci Financial Designs in Columbia.  

April 18, 2013
New Carolina’s New Leader Busy with Economic Cluster Growth

Late last year, our next guest took over the reins of New Carolina, the organization also known as the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness.

Mike Switzer interviews Neil McLean, the new executive director of New Carolina, who has, in fact, been working with S.C.'s economic clusters for about five years through his former position as the executive director of EngenuitySC.

April 17, 2013
World-Renowned Cinematographer to be Honored at Upcoming Charleston International Film Festival

The upcoming Charleston International Film Festival will be including a new event this year, its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. And Academy Award-nominated and Emmy award-winning cinematographer Bill Butler is its first recipient. Just a few of Bill's more well-known film credits include "Jaws", "Rocky II, III, IV", "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Grease," and "Stripes."  Bill has also received the Lifetime Acheviement Award from the American Society of Cinematographers.

Mike Switzer interviews Bill Butler by phone from his home office in Lakeside, Montana.

April 16, 2013
Mortgage Assistance and Tax Credits Still Available During Housing Recovery

In case you weren't aware, April is Fair Housing Month. And by all indications, the housing market is enjoying a fair recovery right now after years of turmoil.

Mike Switzer interviews Clayton Ingram, Director of Marketing and Communications at the SC State Housing Finance and Development Authority in Columbia.

April 15, 2013
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

April 12, 2013
High School Senior Wins with Mobile Phone Apps

SC Economics is the non-profit organization in our state dedicated to helping teachers teach economics and personal finance. Besides the ever-popular Stock Market Game, another initiative they sponsor is their Young Entrepreneurs contest. Our next guest is one of those winners who discovered that local businesses needed someone to design Apple and Android apps for their customers.

Mike Switzer interviews Aaron Ross, a senior at Spartanburg High School and founder of Insert Name Here Designs.

April 11, 2013
Walterboro Man Finds Success With Sludge and Slime

When our next guest began his career in the hazardous waste business the industry was still sending drums of flammable sludge and acid liquid to landfills. But now anything going to landfill has to meet very restrictive treatment criteria.

Mike Switzer interviews Ron Harvey, owner of Jasper Compliance, based in Walterboro, SC.

April 10, 2013
Lake City’s Business Community Celebrates the Arts

We last interviewed our next guest several months ago when she was very busy working with the arts and business communities, in preparation for a major art event coming to her small South Carolina town--an art event with $100,000 in prize money, an amount almost unheard of, especially in South Carolina. With that event fast approaching, we thought we'd check in to see how things are going.

Mike Switzer interviews Karen Fowler, a Lake City businesswoman who is helping to organize ArtFields, a 10-day celebration of art and culture that will take over Lake City in mid-April.

April 09, 2013
USC’s Professional MBA Cracks US News Top 20 Rankings

Sometimes, the only way to move up the ladder in your chosen career is to further your education.  Many universities and college across South Carolina offer the working professional a way to earn a masters degree while keeping their job.

Mike Switzer interviews Tim Carroll, director of the Professional MBA program at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

April 08, 2013
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

April 05, 2013
Indie Grits Film Festival Celebrates Seven Years

In its seventh year now, the Indie Grits film festival, hosted by the Nickelodeon Theatre, is coming soon to Columbia, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews Andy Smith, director of the film festival and Nickelodeon's executive director and Anne Postic is a Nickelodeon board member.

April 04, 2013
SpeedNews Aerospace Conference Coming to Charleston

After a successful career in the Air Force and as a small business entrepreneur, our next guest decided to join the South Carolina Department of Commerce just two years ago. One of the projects he's working on is the SpeedNews Aerospace Manufacturing Conference coming April 9-10 to Charleston, S.C.

Mike Switzer interviews George Patrick, Deputy Secretary of the SC Department of Commerce.

April 03, 2013
It’s Not Too Late for a Roth IRA

It’s tax season and when we think about taxes, we also try to think of ways to reduce our tax burden. Almost 19 million U.S. households own at least one of these ways to reduce taxes. And that vehicle we're going to talk about today is a Roth IRA. Our next guest says it's not too late to take advantage of this popular tax strategy.

Mike Switzer interviews Roy Janse, a Certified Financial Planner and Managing Principal with DeHollander & Janse Financial Group in Greenville, S.C.

April 02, 2013
Anderson 7th-Grader Wins Entrepreneur Contest with Cookies

SC Economics is the non-profit organization in our state dedicated to helping teachers teach economics and personal finance. Besides the ever-popular Stock Market Game, another initiative they sponsor is their Young Entrepreneurs contest. Our next guest is one of those winners who discovered that home baking can be profitable.

Mike Switzer interviews Gracie Cromer, a 7th-grader at Glenview Middle School in Anderson, S.C. and founder of Gracie’s Gourment…One Cookie at a Time.

April 01, 2013
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

March 29, 2013
S.C. Media Tech Company Receives Funding

Because so many TV shows and other short video productions are free to watch on the Internet, their producers and owners often lament the lack of revenue generation from these projects.  Our next guest, however, says he has a way for them to start making money by incorporating product placements into the videos after the videos are shot.

Mike Switzer interviews Dirk Brown, President of Pandoodle, which was featured on this show a year ago, and which has since received some major funding.

March 28, 2013
S.C. Is Building the Nation’s All-Electric Transit Buses

In case you didn't know, South Carolina is home to the nation’s first and only manufacturer of zero-emissions, 100 percent battery-electric transit buses.

Mike Switzer interviews Ian Shackleton, vice president of sales and marketing at Proterra Inc. and he joins us now by phone from his company's headquarters in Greenville, S.C.

March 27, 2013
World’s Largest Women’s-Only Tennis Tournament Coming Soon to S.C.

In case you weren't aware, South Carolina is home to the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in the world. In fact, this event also boasts the longest running title sponsor of any sporting event in the United States, as well as in all of professional tennis, world-wide. We're speaking of course, of the Family Circle Cup tennis tournament coming to Daniel Island March 30th – April 7th.

Mike Switzer interviews Bob Moran, the tournament director.

March 26, 2013
Scholarships and Tax Benefits Ease College Costs

With high school students applying for college and graduation season approaching, higher education costs may be top of mind for some of you out there. But there are scholarships available to S.C. students and even tax benefits for paying tuition. 

Mike Switzer interviews Abby Donevant, a Certified Financial Planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia. SC Commission on Higher Education

March 25, 2013
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

March 22, 2013
CEO Ushers in Growth Phase for Columbia IT Company

A little over four years ago, our next guest joined the board of directors of a sleepy little technology company in Columbia, S.C. and in less than a year became the company's CEO with a goal of turning a sluggish company into a high impact growth company.  What has happened since then?  2012 was a record year and, in fact, the company is now stealing customers from IT giants like Symantec.

Mike Switzer interviews Mike Coney, president and CEO at Unitrends.

March 21, 2013
S.C. Commerce Department Celebrates Success

For a little over two years now, our next guest has been busy working to bring industry and jobs to the Palmetto State. And by most measures, his tenure, so far, has been a resounding success.

Mike Switzer interviews Bobby Hitt, secretary of the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

March 20, 2013
Open-Source Software Conference Highlights Industry Growth

Software can sometimes be divided into two main categories: closed-source and open-source. Closed-source software can only be modified by its creators, while open-source is open and available to everyone to improve. Open-source software is a movement all its own and that movement is coming to Columbia for its annual review at the Palmetto Open Source Software Conference (POSSCON), presented by IT-oLogy, on March 27-28.

Mike Switzer interviews Harper Reed from Chicago, the conference keynote speaker and former chief technology officer for Obama for America 2012.

March 19, 2013
Birds of Prey Science Center Grows as S.C. Tourist Attraction

Founded as Charleston Raptor Center in 1991, our next guest's organization has grown into a unique blend of science center, wildlife sanctuary and tourism attraction  And a recent grant from the BP Foundation has ensured the organization's continued growth.

Mike Switzer interviews Jim Elliott, executive director of the Avian Conservation Center in Awendaw, S.C., also known as the Center for Birds of Prey.

March 18, 2013
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

March 15, 2013
GIS Means Business for Local Firm

GIS has been a buzzword for many years now for cities, counties and economic developers. It stands for Geographic Information Systems that integrate hardware, software, and geographical data that can be used to reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, reports, and charts. Our next guest's company recently won an award for its development of a GIS iPad application for commercial real estate leasing agents.

Mike Switzer interviews David Beitz and George Daigh, founders of Beitz and Daigh Geographics in Columbia.

March 14, 2013
Upstate Biotech Firm Expands to Columbia

Less than a year after the founder of an upstate biotech firm bought his company back from a British outfit, he orchestrated his first new acquisition of a laboratory research company in Columbia's Innovista Research Campus.

Mike Switzer interviews Michael Bolick, CEO of Selah Genomics which recently purchased EnGenCore, run by John Busch.

March 13, 2013
The Fashion Business Helps Handicapped Children in S.C.

Fashion and charity will soon meet in Columbia when the Wine, Dine & Design fashion show hits the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on March 18th.

Mike Switzer interviews Ann Akerman, CEO of the Walker Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind.

March 12, 2013
Could Higher Gasoline Prices Affect Our Investments?

We are all paying more to fill up our cars with gas lately...well maybe not all of us.  Some of you may be driving electric cars.  While those of us that are pumping gas are feeling the pinch in our wallets, are there some implications for our investments?

Mike Switzer interviews Doug English, a certified financial planner with Carolinas Retirement Specialists in Greenville and Charleston.

March 11, 2013
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

March 08, 2013
What to Look For in a Tax Preparer

So here we are again, entering everyone's favorite time of year, tax season!  And here at the SC Business Review, we always do our best to help you cope with this wonderful time of year.  Today's topic is what to look for in a tax preparer.

Mike Switzer interviews Neil Brown, a certified financial planner and CPA with Burkett Financial Services in West Columbia, SC.  Here are links to more info:

www.irs.gov

www.sctax.gov

www.360taxes.org

March 07, 2013
Transportation Summit Coming to Columbia March 14

We've been hearing a lot lately about the need for South Carolina to commit more dollars to the state's transportation infrastructure and that is sure to be a topic at New Carolina's upcoming Transportation, Distribution, Logistics summit in Columbia.

Mike Switzer interviews Belton Zeigler, an attorney with the Columbia law firm Pope Zeigler, a member of New Carolina's TDL Council.

March 06, 2013
Commercial Kitchen Incubator Thrives in Columbia

You may have noticed the popularity in recent years of food trucks. But did you know that in South Carolina, all food cart, food truck operators and caterers are required by the Department of Health and Environmental Control to have a commercial kitchen for a base of operations? And how many food truck operators already have their own commercial kitchen? Our next guest says he has the answer.

Mike Switzer interviews David Roberts, the founder of the DER Kitchen Incubator in Columbia.

March 05, 2013
Can Alligator DNA Help Humans?

By partnering with fertility doctors and examining species like alligators, our next guest and his team are studying the way that personal care products may be adversely affecting humans.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Louis Guillette, one of the South Carolina SmartState Endowed Chairs of Marine Genomics at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He will be in Columbia March 12 to speak about his research at EngenuitySC's Science Cafe.

March 04, 2013
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

March 01, 2013
Newberry Hospital Looks to Toyota Model for Operational Success

Hospitals across South Carolina pleaded recently with the state legislature to accept the federal government's money in order to expand the Medicaid program in our state. Because Medicaid is just one of the issues they face, our next guest's hospital decided to turn to the Toyota model to improve their operations.

Mike Switzer interviews Rob Torres, director of quality at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital.

February 28, 2013
Moore School Releases New Tax Tool for Predicting State’s Revenues

Researchers at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business have recently released a free online tool to help South Carolina government, business and community leaders calculate the impact that changes in tax laws can have on the state’s revenue.

Mike Switzer interviews the Moore School Dean, Hildy Teegen, about their new S.C. Tax Tool at SC Dash.

February 27, 2013
USC Student Venture Wins Social Impact Prize

Our next guest and his team recently presented an idea at a contest at USC's Moore School of Business for a nonprofit venture that helps people living in poverty receive low-cost medical treatment. He pitched his team’s concept in a five-minute format before a panel of judges and a capacity crowd and won the Maxient Social Impact Prize and $5,000.

Mike Switzer interviews Howard Glenn, an International MBA student at USC's Moore School and his team's venture is call Watsi.

February 26, 2013
Target Funds Match Time Horizon

Many years ago, the mutual fund industry set up an easy way for investors to automatically manage a diverse group of mutual funds based on the number of years in your time horizon.

These are known as "target date" funds and joining Mike Switzer this morning to tell us more is Scotty Scott with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia.

February 25, 2013
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

February 22, 2013
S.C. Kids Learning about Money but More Progress Needed

It's been a while since we checked in on the progress that our state's teachers are making in teaching our children economics and personal finance. So today you'll hear an update.

Mike Switzer interviews Helen Meyers, president of SC Economics, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping our state's teachers teach these important money-related subjects.

February 21, 2013
Local Restaurant with Funny Name Celebrates 35 Years of Success

Our next guest's parents opened the first Lizard’s Thicket Southern-style restaurant in Columbia 35 years ago, and now there are 15 locations in the Midlands, with over 700 employees serving over 13,000 diners daily.

Mike Switzer interviews Bobby Williams, chairman of Lizard’s Thicket and the son of founders Bob and Anna Williams.

February 20, 2013
Non-Partisan Movement to Fix National Debt Mobilizes in S.C.

Many people are thankful that Congress took action on New Year’s Day to avoid the “Fiscal Cliff.”  But, many are still unhappy about the country's growing debt. There is, in fact, a growing bi-partisan campaign called Fix the Debt. The coalition is made up of business, government and policy leaders who say a grave danger is posed by America’s long-term debt.

Mike Switzer interviews the co-chairs of Fix the Debt South Carolina – former Attorney General Henry McMaster, a Republican, and Charleston Representative Leon Stavrinakis, a Democrat.  

February 19, 2013
Realtor’s Use of Social Media Garners Success

Our next guest recently received an award from Angie's List that goes only to the top 5% of businesses for good reviews and being responsive. She credits her success to her active use of social media.

Mike Switzer interviews Jill Moylan, owner of Home Advantage Realty in Columbia.

February 18, 2013
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

February 15, 2013
Local Marketing Firm Joins National Pro Bono Initiative

Most companies participate in some way in their local communities, usually through donations in time or money from their owners and employees. Our next guest's company has decided to join a national initiative that is working to mobilize billions of dollars of skills-based pro bono service from the business community by the end of this year.

Mike Switzer interviews Teresa Coles with the Columbia-based PR/marketing firm Riggs Partners. She is also the South Carolina liaison for Billion+ Change, the national initiative headquartered in Washington, D.C.

February 14, 2013
Charleston Battery Scores with Fans

Professional soccer season has started in South Carolina and each year the sport continues to grow in popularity.

Mike Switzer interviews Andrew Bell, the president of the Charleston Battery, South Carolina's only professional soccer team.

February 13, 2013
Nell Newman to Speak at Upstate Forever Luncheon in Greenville

You may know our next guest as the daughter of actors Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, but one day she became an entrepreneur when she convinced her father to let her start an organic line of groceries after cooking him an all-organic Thanksgiving meal. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to where she is now, as president of the company and the keynote speaker for the Upstate Forever's ForeverGreen Annual Awards Luncheon in Greenville, S.C on February 21st.

Mike Switzer interviews Nell Newman, president of Newman's Own Organics and she joins us by phone from her office in Aptos, California.

February 12, 2013
Managing Debt is Year-Long Process

The holiday shopping season has been gone for over a month now, so many people are now receiving those credit card statements in the mail showing higher balances and may be starting to feel a little buyer's remorse. Managing your debt can be a year-long process, but there's no better time than the present to get started.

Mike Switzer interviews Jim Agostini, a Certified Financial Planner and Investment Advisor with DaVinci Financial Designs in Columbia.

February 11, 2013
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

February 08, 2013
Upstate Supply Company Finds Success on the Internet

Our next guest started in business in 2006, primarily exporting industrial supplies to the Middle East, but in recent years, they began adding office supplies and furniture and selling in the U.S. Now they are offering over 140,000 items through their store on the Internet.

Mike Switzer interviews Jeff Joseph, president of Alliance Supply, based in Spartanburg, S.C.

February 07, 2013
Upstate Financial Planner Likes Stochastic Analysis

Our next guest says that financial planning is a process of making decisions in the present that will have impact and consequences in the future. And since he doesn't have a crystal ball, he likes to use a complex set of formulas, known as Stochastic Analysis to assist his clients with their retirement planning.

Mike Switzer interviews Rick Van Der Noord, a certified financial planner in Greenville, S.C.

February 06, 2013
Filmmakers Have Chance to Shine in Beaufort, S.C.

The 7th annual Beaufort International Film Festival begins February 13 in our state's LowCountry, showcasing not only filmmakers from South Carolina but from around the world.

Mike Switzer interviews Ron Tucker, the festival director.

February 05, 2013
CFAs Help CFPs with Investment Research

If you are a regular listener of this program, you know we often feature an interview with a certified financial planner to keep you abreast of the latest trends in personal finance. There is another group of financial experts that works more behind-the-scenes and often with financial planners, to help them help you and your money stay on track.

Mike Switzer interviews Robert Key, a chartered financial analyst with CCM Investment Advisors in Columbia.

February 04, 2013
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

February 01, 2013
Charleston Magazine Tackles Redesign

Most large cities have their own magazine, publications that extoll the virtues of the locale's people and culture. But one LowCountry city's publication recently decided to undergo a complete redesign in an effort to not only feature the city's history but their increasing progressiveness.

Mike Switzer interviews Darcy Shankland, editor of Charleston magazine.

January 31, 2013
USC MBA Student Wins $15,000 Technology Prize for HR Software Idea

Our next guest says that “If you’ve ever had to fill out an employee review or time sheet, you know the absolute agony of it and that most business software is terrible."  So he presented an idea for solving this issue at the recent University of South Carolina student competition, The Proving Ground, and won the $15,000 SCRA Technology prize.

Mike Switzer interviews Sean Rankin, an MBA student whose new idea is called Huddle HR.

January 30, 2013
Jewelry Maker Inspired by Sweet Grass Baskets Finds Success

Our next guest took her love of the history of South Carolina's rice farms and turned it into a jewelry business that is inspred by probably the most famous product to ever come out of the rice farms, sweet grass baskets.

Mike Switzer interviews Janie Manning, co-founder of Sweet Charleston Designs.

January 29, 2013
SHE Invades Columbia Business Community February 8th

Conventions and expos have long been a way for the business communtiy to showcase products and services to different market segments.  And our next guest has discovered that South Carolina's women comprise one of the
largest and most lucrative of these segments.

Mike Switzer interviews Jacqui Bomar, the brains behind SHE, a women's expo appearing in Charleston, Greenville, and coming Feb. 8th to Columbia.

January 28, 2013
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

January 25, 2013
Improv Workshops Now Helping Companies in LowCountry Succeed

Our next guest says that most business people depend on their left-brain analytical skills to perform their tasks at work but that research shows that 90% of what business professionals do is spontaneous or right-brained. So her company designs improvisational workshops for companies which she says develops greater leadership, teamwork and communications skills.

Mike Switzer Allison Gilmore, founder of Dumore Improv, which, although based in Atlanta, has just expanded for the first time to Charleston, SC.

January 24, 2013
Baby Boomers Face Long Term Care Issues

We continue to hear about the economic significance of the aging Baby Boomer generation. One area that is sure to feel the pressure of this event is the cost of long term care services. Our next guest says that long term care insurance is one tool that could help alleviate this burden.

Mike Switzer interviews Andrew Jones, a Certified Financial Planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, SC.

January 23, 2013
Two Brothers Discover Each Other and Launch Jerky Business

Almost three years ago, our next guest received a call from a man who told him he was the brother he’d never known he had.  Once they got to know each other, they were both amazed to find out that each chose the same college degree, criminal justice, and, at one point, both became restaurateurs.  Now they have gone into business together making beef jerky.

Mike Switzer interviews Eddie Wales, owner of Motor Supply restaurant in Columbia and Paul Brock, an attorney and owner of Broad Street Cafe in Durham, NC and both are founders of Two Brothers Jerky based in Columbia.

January 22, 2013
New Organization Promoting Clean Energy Jobs in SC

Last year, a new non-profit organization was born in South Carolina with a goal of creating an environment in our state that will attract clean energy businesses and create new jobs in South Carolina.

Mike Switzer interviews Tom French, executive director of the South Carolina Clean Energy Business Alliance based in Columbia.

January 21, 2013
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

January 18, 2013
Top National Dancers Performing Soon in Columbia

Some of the nation's top dancers will be performing soon in Columbia as part of the Columbia Classical Ballet's LifeChance series which this year is raising money for the Free Medical Clinic of Columbia.

Mike Switzer interviews Jeffrey Day, who is an arts consultant and the media relations director for the Columbia Classical Ballet.

January 17, 2013
Local Interior Design Firm Celebrates 50 Years

Despite the many economic ups and downs over the last half-century, our next guest's company has made a name for itself in the Southeast with 50 years in the interior design business, in particular in commercial and historic preservation design.

Mike Switzer interviews Carol Hamilton, a partner with Pulliam Morris in Columbia, SC.

January 16, 2013
Fiscal Cliff Avoided: What Next For Our Money?

As you know, Congress passed legislation to keep the country from going over the fiscal cliff...so where did we actually land instead and how will it affect your money?

Mike Switzer interviews Roy Janse, a Certified Financial Planner and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary in Greenville, SC.

January 15, 2013
Spray Foam Popularity Spurs Charleston Company’s Growth

Energy conservation continues grow in SC as evidenced by the fact that our next guest's company, the largest spray-foam insulator in the Southeast, was recently named the 4th fastest growing small business in SC, by SC BIZ NEWS.

Mike Switzer interviews Clint Allen, president of Energy One America, based in Charleston, SC.

January 14, 2013
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

January 11, 2013
LowCountry University Offers Online Degrees

Most everybody would agree that a college degree increases the chances of a higher paying job.  But if you are already a working adult with a family, how are you going to find the time to complete that degree?  Our next guest's LowCountry university recently decided to join the ranks of schools across the country now offering online degrees.

Mike Swizter interviews Gary Vance, the new dean in the College of Adult and Professional Studies at Charleston Southern University.

January 10, 2013
Charter Schools Moving Forward in SC

From time to time on this show, the topic of educations comes up and how important it is to our state's business community that we have high-performimg, vibrant and improving public schools.  One sector of the school system
that often receives accolades, and sometimes controversy, is South Carolina's Public Charter School District.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Wayne Brazell, superintendent of SC's Public Charter School District.

January 09, 2013
Midlands Navigates to “Great”

Seven years ago, our next guest's organization gathered a business taskforce in Columbia, SC, whose purpose was to identify the initiatives required to move the Midlands region from what they perceived as "good" to what they wanted, which was "great".  And since then that is exactly what they have been working on.

Mike Switzer interviews Mike Crapps, president and CEO of First Community Bank in Lexington, and the chairman of the Navigating from Good to Great Foundation.

January 08, 2013
Upstate Ad Agency Wins Top Award Again

Our next guest's company was recently honored as the top advertising agency in the Carolinas by the Business Marketing Association.  This marks the 4th consecutive and 5th year out of the past six.

Mike Switzer interviews Craig O'Neal, founder and CEO of VantagePoint, based in Greenville, SC.

January 07, 2013
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

January 04, 2013
Excerpts From USC’s 2012 Economic Outlook Conference

Mike Switzer presents excerpts from this year's 2012 Economic Outlook Conference held recently by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.

January 03, 2013
Excerpts From USC’s 2012 Economic Outlook Conference

Mike Switzer presents excerpts from this year's 2012 Economic Outlook Conference held recently by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.

January 02, 2013
Excerpts From USC’s 2012 Economic Outlook Conference

Mike Switzer presents excerpts from this year's 2012 Economic Outlook Conference held recently by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.

January 01, 2013
Excerpts From USC’s 2012 Economic Outlook Conference

Mike Switzer presents excerpts from this year's 2012 Economic Outlook Conference held recently by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.

December 31, 2012
Excerpts From USC’s 2012 Economic Outlook Conference

Mike Switzer presents excerpts from this year's 2012 Economic Outlook Conference held recently by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.

December 28, 2012
Excerpts From USC’s 2012 Economic Outlook Conference

Mike Switzer presents excerpts from this year's 2012 Economic Outlook Conference held recently by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.

December 27, 2012
Excerpts From USC’s 2012 Economic Outlook Conference

Mike Switzer presents excerpts from this year's 2012 Economic Outlook Conference held recently by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.

December 26, 2012
Excerpts From USC’s 2012 Economic Outlook Conference

Mike Switzer presents excerpts from this year's 2012 Economic Outlook Conference held recently by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.

December 25, 2012
Excerpts From USC’s 2012 Economic Outlook Conference

Mike Switzer presents excerpts from this year's 2012 Economic Outlook Conference held recently by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.

December 24, 2012
Excerpts from USC’s 2012 Economic Outlook Conference

Mike Switzer presents excerpts from this year's 2012 Economic Outlook Conference held recently by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C.

December 21, 2012
LowCountry Military Software Contractor Succeeds With Employees

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce recently named our next guest's company, a software, technology, and engineering firm, as the best small company to work for in our state.

Mike Switzer interviews Ryan Lemire, Executive Director of Operations and Development at Geocent in N. Charleston, S.C.

December 20, 2012
Upstate Entrepreneur Succeeds with English Lessons

Ten years ago, Kim recognized a need for a rigorous program to train teachers of English as a Second Language. She now has over 150 graduates teaching all over the world and has spawned several other language schools.

Mike Switzer interviews Kim Carroll, founder and director of English for Life based in Greenville, S.C.

December 19, 2012
Lake City Hopes to Spur Economic Development Through Art

Our next guest is very busy these days working with the arts and business communities in her small South Carolina town, in an effort to spur economic development and, in the process, revitalize her town.

Mike Switzer interviews Karen Fowler, a Lake City businesswoman who is helping to organize ArtFields, a 10-day celebration of art and culture that will take over Lake City next April.

December 18, 2012
Thinking About a Budget for Your New Year’s Resolution?  Think Again!

As we get closer to the new year, many families and individuals start to come up with their New Year's resolutions: Get the work done around the house, get organized, lose weight, and get their finances in order and live on their budget. However, our guest this morning says that “budgets don’t work.”

Mike Switzer interviews Jeb Zoller, a Certified Financial Planner and Partner at DaVinci Financial Designs in Columbia.

December 17, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

December 14, 2012
The Carolinas’ In-Migration Worth Billions

We've all known for a while that the Carolinas have been a popular region of the country for retirees. Our next guest says that, in fact, this in-migration has a $38 billion effect on our economy with its estimated 450,000 new faces we see every year.

Mike Switzer interviews Pat Mason, co-founder of the Center For Carolina Living in Columbia, S.C.

December 13, 2012
Social Emotional Learning Prepares Kids for Success

Our next guest says that not a week goes by without somebody from the business world telling her that they wish their co-workers had received the social emotional learning in their childhood that her organization is teaching kids today.

Mike Switzer interviews Bridget Laird, CEO of WINGS for Kids a non-profit based in Charleston, S.C.

December 12, 2012
Columbia, S.C. Business Succeeds with “Worst” Slogan

Many S.C. retail businesses find themselves working hard to distinguish themselves from the big national companies, especially in this economic environment. Today's guest says her business continues to adapt and grow as they face today's challenges.

Mike Switzer interviews Carolett Cromer Turner, president of Cromers in Columbia, the company with the slogan "Guaranteed Worst in Town".

December 11, 2012
Famously Hot New Year Rocks Columbia

Last year, Columbia held it's first ever Famously Hot New Year's Eve party on Main Street in front of the Statehouse.  It was considered a huge success and so almost immediately the planning began for this year's event.

Mike Switzer interviews one of the co-chair's of Columbia's Famously Hot New Year, Charles Appleby.

December 10, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

December 07, 2012
Economic Outlook Conference Comes to Columbia Dec. 12th

The prospects of jobs and income growth versus the peril of falling off a fiscal cliff in post-election 2013 are not only on a lot of people's minds right now but these topics will also be the focus of the Darla Moore School of
Business’ 32nd annual Economic Outlook Conference, coming to Columbia on Wednesday, Dec. 12.

Mike Switzer interviews Joey Von Nessen, with the Division of Research at USC's Darla Moore School of Business which puts on this annual event.

December 06, 2012
Unraveling the Logistics of Black Friday

After witnessing the nation go bananas every year with Black Friday sales events, our next guest thought it was a good time of year to talk about the logistics of the ever-increasing monster of the holiday gift-giving season.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Scott Mason, a supply chain expert, professor and the Fluor Endowed Chair at Clemson University, part of SC's SmartState program, who will be the guest speaker at EngenuitySC's Science Café on Tuesday, December 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at SpeakEasy cocktail bar
in Five Points in Columbia.

December 05, 2012
Local Entrepreneur SCOREs with Product for Hunters

Every month we try to feature a success story from SCORE, the volunteer small business counseling arm of the US Small Business Administration.  SCORE's volunteers are usually retired executives and small business owners.
Our next guest worked closely with the Charleston chapter of SCORE to patent his product, find a product development and production company, and market his product.  He sold out of his gun rests the first week they were available.  
Mike Switzer interviews Carl Griffin, founder of No-Miss and he joins us by phone from his office in Charleston.

December 04, 2012
Are Your Investments Prepared for 2013?

This is the time of year when the economy and stock markets seem to be of peak interest to our listeners.  Our next guest says that uncertainty abounds for 2013 and that there are three scenarios that you should be prepared for.

Mike Switzer interviews Doug English, with Carolinas Retirement Specialists in Charleston and Greenville.

December 03, 2012
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

November 30, 2012
Engineering Firm Named Best Place To Work in SC

Ever since the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and SC Biz magazine partnered seven years ago to start a "best places to work in SC" competition, our next guest's company has been a winner.  This year they ranked #1 in the large company category.

Mike Switzer interviews Bob Fei, President of Life Cycle Engineering in Charleston, SC.

November 29, 2012
SC Faces Health Care Insurance Issues After Election

When the national health care reform law was upheld by the Supreme Court last year, many business owners turned their attention to the election to see if the Republicans would be able to win the Oval Office and/or enough seats in Congress to attempt a repeal. But with the President being re-elected and the Democrats actually picking up some seats in Congress, our next guest says she is optimistic about the outlook for health care reform to proceed here in South Carolina.

Mike Switzer interviews Lynn Bailey, a health care economist practicing in Columbia.

November 28, 2012
Former Restaurateur Opens Local Credit Card Processing Company

If you are a small business owner in the retail industry, you probably receive solicitations regularly from credit card processors trying to get your business. Our next guest is a former restaurant owner in Columbia who says he feels that there is a lot going on in the credit card processing industry that, while legal, may not be ethical. And that's why he decided to open up his own processing company.

Mike Switzer interviews Nate Good, president of Good Team Payment Processing in Columbia.

November 27, 2012
Local Food Market Finds Success With Technology

Locally grown food continues to gain traction in South Carolina as consumers become more aware of its health, environmental and economic benefits.  Our next guest is finding success in this area from the merchant side with a co-op style local food market that also uses modern technology.

Mike Switzer interviews Lauren Kelly, co-owner of the Sea Islands Local Outlet (known as SILO) in Beaufort, SC.

November 26, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

November 23, 2012
Columbia Art Museum Explores New Angle With Rothko Exhibit

One of the world’s most influential and best-known artists of the 20th century is now being featured at the Columbia Museum of Art with the exhibit, Mark Rothko: The Decisive Decade 1940-1950.

Mike Switzer interviews Will South, curator of the museum and Harry Cooper, curator for the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., which is where most of this collection came from.

November 22, 2012
Is Now the Time to Buy Spanish and Italian Bonds?

Research is an important part of the investment process, however many small firms are finding it difficult to pay the ever-increasing costs of establishing their own in-house research team. Our next guest says that is exactly why he has decided to focus on that market.

Mike Switzer interviews Sailesh Radha, President of Intermarket Research & Analytics based in Blythewood, S.C.

November 21, 2012
USC Looking for Tourism Entrepreneurs

Tourism is big business in South Carolina, and probably about to get much bigger with Charleston being recently named the best city to visit on the planet.  And that's why our next guest has launched a campaign to find entrepreneurs who want to start a tourism business in our state.

Mike Switzer interviews Simon Hudson, director of the SmartState Tourism Center, one of the endowed chairs at the University of SC.

November 20, 2012
Is Now the Right Time to Invest?

The stock market has been pulling back lately. Maybe it's just profit-taking after three decent years of trending upward. Or could it be because of fears surrounding the "fiscal cliff" or unrest in the Middle East. Our next guest says that regardless of the reason, this is a good time to be investing, especially in your retirement plan at work.

Mike Switzer interviews Bill Harwood, a CPA and Certified Financial Planner, practicing in Columbia at Harwood Wealth Management.

November 19, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

November 16, 2012
Florence IT Company Honored at White House

Our next guest was recently recognized in a ceremony at the White House, as a "Top 100 Company Started by Young Entrepreneurs."

Mike Switzer interviews Robby Hill, founder and CEO of HillSouth IT Solutions, headquartered in Florence, S.C.

November 15, 2012
Fastest Growing Job Category is Health Care IT

Our next guest says that one of the fastest growing job categories today is health care information technology and that's why USC in Columbia has launched a new masters in health care information technology degree program.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Betty Regan, chair of the Integrated Information Technology Program at the University of South Carolina's College of Hospitality Retail and Sport Management.

November 14, 2012
Does Holiday Shopping Influence Your Money Habits?

Doesn't it seem to you that the holiday shopping season starts earlier and earlier each year?  Do you think it influences your money habits in any way?

Mike Switzer interviews Ted McLyman, CEO of Apexx Behavioral Solutions Group in Augusta, GA and author of the book "Money Makes Me Crazy: a Prescription For Money Sanity".

November 13, 2012
S.C. Cement Factory Wins Manufacturer of Year Award

The S.C. Chamber of Commerce recently announced its Manufacturer of the Year awards and the large company category award went to a cement factory in Holly Hill.

Mike Switzer interviews Joe McFalls, plant manager at Holcim, in Holly Hill.

November 12, 2012
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

November 09, 2012
Close Your Business Deal at a Horse Race

Business owners and salespeople are always looking for relaxing venues to meet customers and maybe close a few deals.  Our next guest says that, unlike football games and other sporting events, there is a good deal of down time at horse races, which allows for conversations and business dealings.

Mike Switzer interviews Teri Teed, assistant director of the Carolina Cup Racing Association, the host organization for the upcoming Colonial Cup steeplechase event in Camden, SC.

November 08, 2012
Camden Physician Lauches App for Health Insurance Claims

Most patients are aware of the war over healthcare reform in our country but our next guest says many are unaware of an ongoing struggle their doctors wage daily trying to get paid by insurance companies. He says insurers have overburdened healthcare professionals with increasing paperwork and compliance demands, all involving arcane coding and documentation rules and regulations.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Tray Dunaway, a Camden-SC physician, decided to fight back in 1997 by creating a system that streamlines the health care insurance claims process.

November 07, 2012
Biotechnology Conference Coming Soon to S.C.

Our next guest's organization is leading South Carolina's efforts to grow South Carolina’s life sciences economy. And that discussion will be at the forefront of their upcoming conference in Greenville called "What Next".

Mike Switzer interviews Wayne Roper, president of the South Carolina Biotechnology Industry Organization, known as SCBIO.

November 06, 2012
Investor Anxiety May Continue After Election

After today, the election will finally be behind us and uncertainty reduced, but the markets will still have potential for volatility which always adds to investor anxiety.  The past three years have seen the markets rise about 35%, yet investors remain cautious and stressed out about their investments.

Mike Switzer interviews Rob DeHollander, a Certified Financial Planner in Greenville, SC.

November 05, 2012
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

November 02, 2012
LowCountry Outdoor Apparel and Equipment Company Finds Success With Community Involvement

Our next guest's company has decided to make community involvement a big part of their business plan and he says it's a big part of their success.

Mike Switzer interviews Beezer Molten, president of Half-Moon Outfitters based in Charleston, SC, co-sponsor with the Mount Pleasant Land Conservancy of the upcoming Golden Nugget Paddle n' Party.

November 01, 2012
Charleston Showcases Art Investment Fair

We regularly feature a financial planning or investment topic on this show, but rarely has the subject come up of investing in art.  Our next guest says her non-profit institution is about to hold it's first ever event featuring the opportunity for both seasoned and new collectors to invest in art.

Mike Switzer interviews Angela Mack, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston which has partnered with the Charleston Fine Art Dealers Association (CFADA) for the Fine Arts Weekend and the Art on Paper Fair from November 2nd through 4th.

October 31, 2012
Blogging May Help Your Business

If your business is looking for an inexpensive way to get your message out, our next guest says there's no better time than now to blog. Blogging is an oldie but goodie and she says, a very effective way to be more visible in the search engines, like Google.

Mike Switzer interviews Lyn Mettler, a social media expert with Step Ahead, a PR, marketing firm based in Charleston.

October 30, 2012
The Fiscal Cliff, 2012 Elections, and Tax Planning

Recently on this show, we have discussed the upcoming "fiscal cliff" and the election and how they both may affect investment planning. This morning, we are going to discuss the effect these events may have on your tax planning.

Mike Switzer interviews Angel Marvin, a CPA and financial advisor with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia.

October 29, 2012
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

October 26, 2012
Midlands Fundraising Company Offers S.C. Products

If you have children in school, you know all about fundraisers like chocolate bars and wrapping paper that kids are asked to sell to your friends, neighbors and co-workers. There's nothing wrong with that. But what our next guest says is wrong is that the products being sold and the profits the parent company makes don't stay in South Carolina. That's why he has started a local fundraising company that offers products made by small businesses all over our state.

Mike Switzer interviews Ken Carey, founder and CEO of Local Happiness based in Columbia, S.C.

October 25, 2012
Retired Midlands Business Owner Receives Guide Dog School Award

The last time we interviewed this morning's guest, she shared with us some business etiquette tips.  She has some new tips for us today, regarding guide dogs and the workplace.

Mike Switzer interviews Ann Humphries, former president of Columbia, SC-based Eticon.  She is also legally blind and recently received the Graduate of the Year award by Southeastern Guide Dogs school in Palmetto, FL. Here is a link to Ann's Blog: Adventures with Brego.

October 24, 2012
Upstate Executive Search Firm Succeeds With New Technology

Most of the business owners we interview on this program tell us that finding good employees is critical to their success and one of their biggest challenges.  Our next guest says her company has discovered a technology that takes the guesswork out of hiring the right people, and in fact guarantees that it will work.

Mike Switzer interviews Jane Allen, Managing Director of SmartWork | Network in Greenville, SC.

October 23, 2012
How Will the “Fiscal Cliff” Affect Your Financial Plan?

Regardless of who is elected, without new legislation, the Bush tax cuts, the temporary payroll tax cut and extended unemployment benefits will all expire at the end of this year.  This is what you may have heard referred to as the Fiscal Cliff. How is this possibilty going to affect your financial plan and is there anything you should do to prepare?

Mike Switzer interviews Chris Beard, a Certified Financial Planner with Gateway Wealth Strategies in Greenville, SC.

October 22, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

October 19, 2012
Lowcountry Parents Create e-Health Village

Since they first appeared on our show about a year and a half ago, we've been staying in touch with two Lowcountry, S.C. parents of children with special needs who have developed an online health social network & organizer. Their company has experienced growing pains like most start-ups, but the founders believe they are now ready for the big-time.

Mike Switzer interviews Florence & Kwame Iwegbue, co-founders of Livewello. Kwame is also a physician at Roper Hospital in Charleston, S.C.

October 18, 2012
S.C. Mortgage Banker Makes Inc 500

South Carolina’s largest privately owned mortgage banker was recently named to Inc. magazine’s annual Inc. 500, which is their ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing companies.

Mike Switzer interviews Wade Douroux, president and CEO of Resource Financial Services in Columbia, S.C.

October 17, 2012
Gift Shop Scores in North Augusta

Our next guests believe that first impressions are always important, especially in the South. And that's why they named their North Augusta, South Carolina gift shop Impressions of the South.

Mike Switzer interviews Eva Watkins, founder of Impressions of the South in North Augusta and Jim Childress, their SCORE counselor.  Impressions of the South is our SCORE success story this month.

October 16, 2012
Montessori Method Helps Columbia Kids Succeed

Education remains a hot topic in South Carolina. Most experts agree that early childhood education remains the key to establishing the habits that students need in order to succeed.

Mike Switzer interviews Karen Kuse, director of the Montessori School of Columbia, S.C.

October 15, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

October 12, 2012
Camden, S.C. Finds Success with Antiques

If you are a regular listener of this program, you may remember a recent trivia question about Camden, S.C.  In 1774, King George III granted a license for Camden to hold a public fair on what is now known as Fair Street.  That license was believed to be the first ever issued for a public fair in what was then the British Colonies. Camden is also the oldest inland city in South Carolina, and so it only seemed natural to our next guest for the city to hold an antiques fair.

Mike Switzer interviews Hope Cooper, executive director of the National Steeplechase Museum in Camden, S.C., one of the main charities benefiting from the Camden Antiques Fair.

October 11, 2012
Writer’s Festival Accepting Entries

This year, the Hub City Writers Project and its sister organization HUB-BUB held the first annual Expecting Goodness Short Film Festival in Spartanburg, a project celebrating the literature and film of Upstate South Carolina. It was a sell-out this year and they are now accepting applications for next spring's event, Expecting Goodness Film Festival.

Mike Switzer interviews Kari Jackson, Assistant Director of the Hub City Writers Project.

October 10, 2012
Greenville Taproom First in Country to “Growl” Wine

If you are a beer connoisseur, you probably know how to buy it in bulk via a half-gallon jug known as a growler. Our next guest recently celebrated two years in business selling growlers, but not just filled with American craft beer. They may be the only taproom in the country selling growlers of wine.

Mike Switzer interviews Ed Buffington, co-owner of The Community Tap in downtown Greenville, S.C.

October 09, 2012
Check the Facts Before You Invest In Election Results

The election season is becoming fast and furious.  Recently on this program we asked a financial advisor what he recommended investors do with their money based on his market and election prognositications. But our next guest says that you should look at the facts first before you decide to change your investments based on the election.

Mike Switzer interviews Bryan Ballentine, a certified financial planner with Ballentine Capital Advisors in Greenville, SC.

October 08, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

October 05, 2012
Local Recording Studio Celebrates Success

For 25 years, our next guest has been helping musicians around the Midlands of South Carolina to record their music and achieve their dreams of success.

Mike Switzer interviews Jay Matheson, owner of the Jam Room Recording Studio, which is celebrating this milestone with a big music festival soon in Columbia.

October 04, 2012
Columbia Art Museum Finds Success with Big-Time Exhibits

One of the world’s most influential and best-known artists of the 20th century is now being featured at the Columbia Museum of Art with the exhibit, Mark Rothko: The Decisive Decade 1940-1950.

Mike Switzer interviews Will South, curator of the museum and Harry Cooper, curator for the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., which is where most of this collection came from.

October 03, 2012
Technology Conference Coming to Columbia

One of the largest conferences in the Southeast is attracting some of the big names in the tech industry to speak in Columbia soon. One of them is Jim Stickley, who has stolen credit cards, hacked Social Security numbers, robbed banks, and created fake ATMs. He is an identity thief, but he is not a criminal, he is a cyber security expert who is hired by corporations to perform these attacks to test their security.

Mike Switzer interviews John Davis with the Carolina Technology Conference coming to Columbia on Tuesday, October 9.

October 02, 2012
It’s Never Too Late to Start a Financial Checklist

We talk about financial planning on this show about once a week, and this week's guest says that it's not too late in the year to make yourself a financial checklist and reap the benefits by year-end.

Mike Switzer interviews Rusty Cagle, a Certified Financial Planner at ASE Wealth Advisors in Greenville, S.C.

October 01, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

September 28, 2012
Spartanburg Wins Plug-In City of the Year Award

When people think of electric vehicle readiness, states like California, Texas, and Oregon come to mind. But one state that is quietly surprising the nation is South Carolina. According to the Department of Energy’s alternative fuel locator, South Carolina ranks seventh in public charging station locations per capita.

Mike Switzer interviews James Poch, Executive Director of Plug In Carolina and he will be in Spartanburg tonight presenting the city with its 2012 Plug-In City Of The Year award.

September 27, 2012
Professional Presentations Essential for Success

Whether it’s a presentation to a small group or a speech before hundreds, making professional presentations can be intimidating–-but it’s an essential skill for business success.

Mike Switzer interviews Brad Stratton, Director of the Center for Business Communication at the Darla Moore School of Business at USC in Columbia.  Breakfast Series Event is Oct. 2.

September 26, 2012
Columbia’s Vista Guild Showcases Area Restaurants

Through a new partnership with the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau, our next guest's organization is now coordinating tours for conventions and meetings that are taking place downtown.

Mike Switzer interviews Sarah Luadzers, executive director of Columbia’s Congaree Vista Guild, which is also soon to host its fifth annual restaurant showcase, Viva La Vista.

September 25, 2012
Is Your Portfolio Ready for this Election?

The political season is in full swing and some of you may be wondering how the end result could impact the financial markets.

Mike Switzer interviews financial prognosticator Doug English. Doug is also a Certified Financial Planner with Carolinas Retirement Specialists in Greenville.

September 24, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

September 21, 2012
Local Investment Research Firm Finds Success

Research is an important part of the investment process, however many small firms are finding it difficult to pay the ever-increasing costs of establishing their own in-house research team. Our next guest says that is exactly why he has decided to focus on that market.

Mike Switzer interviews Sailesh Radha, President of Intermarket Research & Analytics based in Blythewood, S.C.

September 20, 2012
Columbia Airport Raises Expectations

Our next guest says that contrary to rumors of its closing, the Columbia Metroplitan Airport is not only doing fine, but moving ahead with multimillion dollar construction projects and working with airlines to bring in more routes to become more competitive with other state airports.

Mike Switzer interviews Kaela Harmon, Public Relations Manager for the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

September 19, 2012
S.C. Employer Benefits Survey Released

Our next guest's company recently released the findings of their bi-annual statewide survey on South Carolina Employer Benefits, and apparently there are numerous interesting aspects of how things are changing in S.C. versus the rest of the country.

Mike Switzer interviews David Slade, with Rosenfeld Einstein in Greenville, S.C.

September 18, 2012
Upstate Training Programs Available for Unfilled Manufacturing Jobs

Our next guest says that her organization is receiving calls on a weekly basis from Upstate manufacturing employers (like GE, Honeywell, Bosch, etc.) seeking potential job applicants and yet, unemployment in the area continues to be higher than the national average.

Mike Switzer interviews Kathy McKinzie, Director of Career Planning & Placement at Spartanburg Community College.

September 17, 2012
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

September 14, 2012
“S.C. Info Highway” Succeeds as S.C.‘s “Front Door”

Several years ago, we interviewed a small start-up website that was aiming to be everything South Carolina, and in fact their name is an acronym for South Carolina Information Highway. Over the years, they have become successful in that goal and with all the Internet competition these days, we thought you might enjoy hearing how they did it.

Robin and Rod Welch are co-founders of SCIWAY, now known as South Carolina's Front Door.

September 13, 2012
Midlands Technical College Celebrates New State-of-the-Art Theater

How does a relatively new theater at a local technical college compete with all the other performing arts venues in the capital city? Our next guest says it may have something to do with the state-of-the-art facility itself and, of course, booking acts that people want to see.

Mike Switzer interviews Katie Fox, director of Theatre Operations at the 400-seat Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College.

September 12, 2012
Green is Good for Business in S.C.

In case you were wondering how to implement some sustainability strategies into your business plan, the sixth annual Green is Good for Business conference is coming September 18 to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Mike Switzer interviews the Green Goddess for the City of Columbia, Mary Pat Baldauf and from the Columbia Chamber, C. Grant Jackson.

September 11, 2012
Do You Have an Eldercare Plan?

Today approximately 13% of the U.S. population is over age 65. By 2030, projections show that approximately 20% of the U.S. population will be over age 65. Why are these numbers important? Because three out of four Americans will need some type of long-term care assistance during their lifetimes.

Mike Switzer interviews Michael Baughman, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia.

Resources

1.     National Council on Aging

2.     National Alliance for Care Giving

3.     National Association of Geriatric Care Managers

4.     Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

5.     Fivewishes.org Resource for living wills

6.     National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care

7.     National Elder Law Foundation

8.     Retirementcommunity.com: locator for different types of retirement communities

9.     The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk

about their wishes for end-of-life care.

10.     AARP.com/relationships/care giving-resource-center: comprehensive list of Q&A for

visiting a retirement community

September 10, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

September 07, 2012
New S.C. Small Business Resource Focuses on Start-Ups

In case you haven't heard, South Carolina has a new small business resource. One that is particularly focused on helping start-up companies.

Mike Switzer interviews Greg Hilton, director of the new Center for Entrepreneurial and Technological Innovation in Columbia.

September 06, 2012
USC Uncovers Walmart Sustainability Strategy

You may have heard of Walmart's efforts to initiate a companywide sustainability strategy a couple years ago. But do you know what they accomplished, what worked and what didn’t work? The retailing giant is usually private when it comes to their business strategies but our next guest has gained unprecedented access to Walmart to research the company’s corporate sustainability efforts.

Mike Switzer interviews Andrew Spicer, an associate professor at the Darla Moore School of Business in Columbia.

September 05, 2012
Women’s Organization Brings Sustainability Summit to Upstate

Although we've been talking on this show for many years now about corporate sustainability and most people are aware now that it is not a fad, our next guest says that it is still new to many real estate professionals. And that's why she is helping bring an event to South Carolina entitled “Sustainability Summit: Greening the Upstate,” which is taking place on September 7 in downtown Greenville.

Maurie Lawrence is an attorney at the Wyche law firm and co-chair of this event.

September 04, 2012
Small Business Succeed with the Right Financial Strategies

Our next guest says that part of a small business owner's success comes from having a financial plan not only for themselves but for their business.

Mike Switzer interviews Jim Agostini, a certified financial planner with DaVinci Financial Designs in Columbia and he joins us this morning to help us identify some successful financial strategies for business owners.

September 03, 2012
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

August 31, 2012
Do You Have a Retirement Distribution Plan?

Our next guest says that every year, for the next twenty years, there will be about 10,000 baby boomers transitioning from the accumulation phase of their financial plan to the distribution phase. Are you one of those people, and if so, do you have a distribution plan?

Mike Switzer interviews Rick Van Der Noord. Rick is a certified financial planner in Greenville S.C. More info at Financial Planners Assn. of SC.

August 30, 2012
Banks Find Growth at S.C.‘s Mid-Size Companies

We continue to hear from businesses around the state that one of their biggest obstacles to growth is obtaining funding from their bank. We are about three years removed now from the depths of the Great Recession, yet money is still tight. When will it change or are we simply in a brave new world?

Mike Switzer interviews Gregg Frierson, senior vice president and senior credit products manager for South Carolina Middle Market Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

August 29, 2012
Your Life Insurance Policy May Be Worth More than You Realize

Most people, at some point in their lives, own a life insurance policy. And, at some point, some people realize they don't need life insurance anymore. If that's you and you have a life policy, should you cash it in, borrow against it, or keep it?

Mike Switzer interviews Brad Strickland, a founding member of Melville Capital, a company that specializes in this area. He joins us by phone from his office in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

August 28, 2012
You Shouldn’t Have to Pinch Your Pennies in Retirement

Our next guest says that American workers are facing an emerging crisis that they are not paying enough attention to. And that is, severely insufficient retirement funding. Underfunded government and private pensions, as well as a Social Security system that is under-stress, in addition to relatively low 401(k) account balances could be setting the stage for a penny-pinching retirement lifestyle.

Mike Switzer interviews Chip Hunt with PrimeTRUST Advisors, a retirement plan consulting firm located in Greenville and Columbia.

August 27, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

August 24, 2012
Ex-S.C. Teacher Scores Success with Motivational Coaching

Just about everybody in every career field finds themselves in a rut at some point where they need some inspiration to help them get them going again. Many turn to motivational books and CDs, and some turn to personal coaches. Our next guest has discovered a niche market in helping teachers re-ignite their passion for educating children.

Mike Switzer interviews Wynn Godbold, owner of Bee Sharp in Myrtle Beach, S.C.  She's also our SCORE success story for this month. SCORE is the volunteer small business counseling arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration with chapters all across S.C.

August 23, 2012
Transcriptionist Finds Niche Market with Doctors

With the implementation of the requirement for doctors' offices to now keep electronic medical records in full force, and healthcare providers now discovering the challenges they face in meeting documentation requirements, our next guest says her business is booming.

Mike Switzer interviews Nancy Davis, president and CEO of Bumgarner Transcription and EMR Integration, based in Mauldin, South Carolina.

August 22, 2012
Columbia Author Helps Businesses with Best-Selling Book

We originally interviewed our next guest a few years ago about his then new book entitled "Statistics for Six Sigma Made Easy." Six Sigma, if you don't know, is a data-based methodology that emphasizes using data to drive decision making. There have been over 300 books written on Six Sigma and apparently his book is the best-selling one in the world on this topic.

Mike Switzer interviews Warren Brussee from Columbia, S.C.

August 21, 2012
Investors’ Focus Shifts to U.S.

For most of this year, investors have been focused on the need for capital by some European countries and their banks. Our next guest says that now all eyes are turning to the U.S. and the upcoming elections.

Mike Switzer interviews Doug English. Doug is a Certified Financial Planner® and the owner of Carolinas Retirement Specialists with offices in Charleston and Greenville.

August 20, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

August 17, 2012
Upstate Non-Profit to Expand Fresh Produce Donations Statewide

Most people are familiar with charitable food donation programs, such as food banks. And when you think of these, normally you think of canned food and other packaged food types of donations. Our next guest's organization, however, is succeeding with a different approach to fighting hunger through donations of fresh local produce. In fact, he says the state of South Carolina is so impressed with their work so far, that they have been asked to take the program statewide.

Mike Switzer interviews Bo Cable, executive director of the Generous Garden Project in Greenville, S.C.

August 16, 2012
Charleston Beer Event Promotes Better Water

For the second year in a row, organizers in Charleston have come up with a way to promote the town's pub business and support a local charity, all through what is now known as the Charleston Pub Crawl.

Mike Switzer interviews Boomer Oyler, managing partner of the Becket Agency, the Charleston marketing and PR firm handling this event. Charleston Waterkeeper is the charity benefitting from this year's event.

August 15, 2012
S.C. Launches Aerospace Task Force

Our next guest was recently named by the South Carolina Department of Commerce to direct the new S.C. Aerospace Task Force, an advisory council to the Secretary of Commerce on the development of a strategic initiative to enhance and grow the state’s aerospace industry.

Mike Switzer interviews Charlie Farrell, a banking and finance graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he also played basketball for Coach Frank McGuire and where he continues to serve as an adjunct faculty member. And his aerospace background includes more than 3,000 hours as a fighter pilot for the Marine Corps and Air National Guard.

August 14, 2012
Your Temperament Might Be Your Financial Fingerprint

Our next guest is a retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. who has written a new book entitled Money Makes Me Crazy! A Prescription for Money Sanity. His book and his company are based on the
concept that individuals have specific and unique temperaments that influence all decision making. And in order to make better choices, people need to know and understand their temperaments.

Mike Switzer interviews Ted McLyman, CEO of Apexx Behavior Solutions and he joins us by phone from his company's headquarters in Augusta, Georgia.

August 13, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

August 10, 2012
New Business Incubator Opens in Lowcountry

More resources continue to develop across S.C. to help small business owners and entrepreneurs become successful. One of the most recent is the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, a public-private partnership that has opened in Bluffton, S.C.  It is a partnership involving the Town of Bluffton, Clemson University, and private financial support.  

Mike Switzer interviews Jordan Berliner, the director of the new center.

August 09, 2012
Lowcountry Design Firm Earns National Award

Our next guest's company was recently named the top small graphic design firm in the nation by How Magazine, which is a graphic design trade publication known for discovering the nation's most talented designers.

Mike Switzer interviews Courtney Rowson, co-owner of Stitch Design and their letterpress company, Sideshow Press. And she joins us now by phone from her company's headquarters in Charleston, S.C.

August 08, 2012
State Organization Helps Economic Developers to Succeed

For 47 years, our next guest's organization has been helping our state's economic developers to become better at what they do, attracting and retaining jobs in South Carolina.

Mike Switzer interviews George Wolfe, president of the S.C. Economic Developers Association. He is also a partner of the Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough law firm, where he practices economic development, governmental, and corporate law, and he chairs the firm’s economic development practice group.

August 07, 2012
Investors May Need to Update Records

You may have noticed that the 1099 you received earlier this year from your stock broker also now includes the cost basis of any securities you sold. Our next guest says this is because of a new law that is going to cause some investors to have to put in a little extra work to get their investment records up-to-speed.

Mike Switzer interviews Scotty Scott, a Certified Financial Planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia. www.abacusplanninggroup.com and www.irs.gov

August 06, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

August 03, 2012
Old S.C. Family Recipe Hits Market and Wins Award

Last September, our next guest decided to take an old family recipe for a Creole sauce to market, and in less than a year has become a SOFI Silver award finalist at this summer's big specialty food show in Washington D.C. In case you were wondering, SOFI stands for "specialty outstanding food innovation."

Mike Switzer interviews Jason Luquire, co-founder of Carolina Creole based in Pawley's Island, S.C.

August 02, 2012
S.C. Home to New Health Insurance Cooperative

The constitutionality of President Obama's Affordable Healthcare Act was recently decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. Does the recent ruling have any effect on health insurance co-ops, which have been coming to life in South Carolina recently?

Mike Switzer interviews Cooper Littlejohn, CEO of the South Carolina Health Cooperative, which just completed its first enrollment period. www.schealthco-op.com

August 01, 2012
S.C. Emerges as Major Golf Host

For the first time ever, South Carolina is soon to host a major golf tournament. The PGA Championship begins August 6 at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island and is sure to have a
major impact on the Lowcountry's economy.

Mike Switzer interviews Brett Sterba, the championship director. www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2012

July 31, 2012
Making Decisions About Other People’s Money Can Be Challenging

Sometimes, for mutliple reasons, people can become responsible for making decisions about other people’s money. And when that happens, they face many challenges, including confusing information, legal risks, and ongoing regulatory changes.

Mike Switzer interviews Mario Nardone, a chartered financial analyst with Morris Financial Concepts in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. www.mfcplanners.com

July 30, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

July 27, 2012
Local Hunting and Fishing Magazine Delivers 31 Years of Success

For 31 years, our next guest's Columbia, S.C.-based magazine has been successfully delivering hunting and fishing articles and stories to their subscribers worldwide. They are not only known for their sporting literature but also for their photography and classically illustrated cover.

Mike Switzer interviews Charles Wechsler, publisher of Sporting Classics magazine. www.sportingclassics.com

July 26, 2012
More Commuting via Bicycles Causes Need for Safety Awareness

More cities across our state are starting to put into place bicycle-friendly environments, and that is contributing to more people considering bicycling to work. Our next guest says that is a good reason for cyclers and non-cyclers to know more about bicycle safety.

Mike Switzer interviews Cait Costello with the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, a statewide non-profit organization based in Columbia, S.C. www.pccsc.net and www.SafeStreetsSaveLives.org

July 25, 2012
Spartanburg Area Has New Business Assistance Leader

One of the many resources available to South Carolina's entrepreneurs is our state's system of Small Business Development Centers, known as SBDC. These are operated though 17 locations via a partnership with four of S.C.'s leading universities.

Mike Switzer interviews the new Spartanburg area manager, Elizabeth Smith, and Michele Abraham, the SBDC state director. www.scsbdc.com

July 24, 2012
Moore School Offers Business Education Breakfast Series

The Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina will hold the next session of its new monthly business education breakfast series for the state’s business owners and managers on Tuesday, July 31. 

The event is entitled “An Employer’s Guide to Avoiding Social Media Snafus: From a Legal Perspective,” and there are more to come in the following months.

Mike Switzer interviews Brian Love, the director of program development at the Moore School. www.learnmoore.com

July 23, 2012
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

July 20, 2012
Businesses Face New Guidelines When Hiring Ex-Offenders

Common sense would suggest that businesses consider criminal records when making the determination to hire or retain employees.  However, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently issued some guidelines that create potential liabilities when employers exclude or terminate employment based on someone's criminal background.   

Mike Switzer interviews Mark Bakker, a civil litigator and employment lawyer with the Wyche law firm. in Greenville, SC.  Mark has been at Wyche over 15 years, handling litigation in federal and state courts, and advising a variety of employers and individuals on employment law.  www.wyche.com

July 19, 2012
Many Options Are Available For Those Who Inherit An IRA

More and more people are inheriting IRAs and other retirement accounts as the big wave of baby-boomer IRA account holders move through their retirement years.  If you find yourself in this position, understanding the available options for inheriting an IRA can help you avoid immediate taxation of this inheritance.

Mike Switzer interviews Michael Baughman, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia.  www.abacusplanninggroup.com

July 18, 2012
Sumter, S.C. Native Finds Success with National Barber Chain

We all know that haircuts are a necessary part of life...well some of us do anyway. But today's guest also saw that a haircut company just for men was hard to find, so he started one. Sport Clips was established in 1993 and franchised in 1995 by Founder and CEO Gordon Logan, a native of Sumter, S.C. The franchise ranks in Entrepreneur Magazine’s top 20 “fastest growing franchises” and in the top 100 in the “Franchise 500,” and in the top 10 in Forbes’ “Top 20 Franchises to Start.”
Mike Switzer interviews Gordon by phone from his company's headquarters in Georgetown, Texas.  http://sportclips.com

July 17, 2012
Take Your Company to the Next Level with Free Online Video Series

Today's guest is part of an Upstate financial advisory firm that is releasing a library of 25 free online videos for business owners in eight core areas that they believe are the most important to master in order to take your company to the next level: strategy, market positioning, people, process & procedures, financial, culture, innovation and momentum.

Mike Switzer interviews Hagen H. Rogers, Executive Managing Director for Watermark Advisors in Greenville, SC.  www.watermarkadvisors.com/paradigm

July 16, 2012
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

July 13, 2012
Can Your Facebook Account Cost You Your Job?

Those of us with social media accounts, like Facebook and Twitter, are constantly warned not to post embarrassing items.  It’s now part of conventional wisdom that indiscreet posts could keep you from getting – or keeping – a job.  But are there reasons an employer might not want to look too deeply into such intimate details of an employee’s or applicant’s life?

Mike Switzer interviews Ted Gentry, a litigator and employment lawyer with the Wyche law firm in Greenville, SC.  Ted has been at Wyche over 20 years, handling litigation in federal and state courts, and advising a variety of employers and individuals on employment law issues.

July 12, 2012
S.C. Foreign Trade Zones Growing

One sign of the continued recovery in the economy is the growth we're seeing in the activity occuring at S.C.'s two Foriegn Trade Zones. There are now 12 active warehouse distribution sites and 7 active manufacturing sites with total volume in the two foriegn trade zones at over $33 billion.

Mike Switzer interviews Suzan Carroll-Ramsey, a foriegn trade zone specialist with the SC Ports Authority in Charleston.

July 11, 2012
Physical Therapy Business SCOREs in Irmo

Today we are featuring our monthly success story from SCORE, the volunteer small-business counseling arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration, where mostly retired business executives help local small businesses achieve success. There are many SCORE chapters across S.C. and today's story comes from the Irmo chapter.

Mike Switzer interviews Dan Wells, owner of MedFIT, a physical therapy and wellness center located in the Columbia suburb. 

July 10, 2012
Disadvantaged Business Owners Find Angel in the Upstate

Socially and economically disadvantaged business owners often find themselves struggling to raise capital for their companies. Fortunately, an Upstate SC corporate angel has come to the rescue helping entrepreneurs such as a cupcake maker, bike shop owner, fancy hat maker, dry cleaner, and a bike safety product manufacturer.

Mike Switzer interviews John Tully, who leads the Michelin Development Corporation, based in Greenville, SC.

July 09, 2012
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

July 06, 2012
S.C. Scientist Believes Cars Will Run on Carbon Dioxide

As hybrids and now electric cars become more and more commonplace on our roads, our next guest says he has come up with a new way to fuel automobiles: using waste carbon dioxide, such as that produced by power plants.

Mike Switzer interviews David Doty, Founder, President, CEO, Chief Scientist, and Chairman of the Board of Doty Scientific in Columbia, S.C. www.dotyenergy.com

July 05, 2012
Charleston Company “Grows” Roof Business

We haven't talked about the green revolution in a while, but we were introduced to a company recently that believes one of the best ways for a business to reduce their energy costs is to put dirt and plants on their roof.

Mike Switzer interviews Michael Whitfield, President of Green Roof Outfitters based in North Charleston, SC.  www.greenroofoutfitters.com

July 04, 2012
Healthy Vending Machines Now in Upstate S.C.

Most of us have heard the news reports about South Carolina's high obesity rates and at the same time, some of you may have noticed the vending machines in our schools and workplaces filled with what most nutritionists would say are unhealthy snacks. Our next guest and his wife decided to do something about that.

Mike Switzer interviews Buck and Meggie Bradberry, owners of Upstate Healthy Living in Greenville, S.C.  www.upstatehealthyliving.com

July 03, 2012
Ex-Offenders Find Job Hunting Difficult

In today's environment of high unemployment, the people who are having the hardest time finding jobs are probably the same people who always find that task most difficult...those who have been released from prison.  Our next guest runs a non-profit organization that provides transitional assistance for ex-offenders and their families.

Mike Switzer interviews Steve Harbin, president of Changing The Way. He's also president of MRP Inc., a for-profit licensed employment agency.  www.changingtheway.org  www.focusjobsearch.com

July 02, 2012
Protect Yourself From Identity Theft: Do Some Shredding!

Identity theft is a major concern for many people in today's brave new world of technology.  Fortunately though, we have someone in the studio today who is going to share with us some identity protection tips.

Mike Switzer interviews Susan McCants, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, SC.  Additional resource: Better Business Bureau

June 29, 2012
Women’s Presidents Organization Has New SC Chapter

More and more women are not only becoming business leaders, they are becoming presidents of their companies.  And now these women presidents have their own organization.

Mike Switzer interviews Ann Elliott, chair of the new South Carolina chapter of the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO).  The WPO is an international membership organization
with 100 chapters in US, Canada, Peru, South Africa and United Kingdom.

Contact Ann Elliott, Chapter Chair, SC Chapter
The Berkana Company LLC
PO Box 50461
Columbia, South Carolina 29250
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

June 28, 2012
Are Unpaid Interns Legal?

With summer comes vacations.  But for college students, summer means job hunting.  Many students are eager to gain workplace experience and make connections with potential employers.  And of course, businesses always welcome low-cost help.  But in today's economic environment, the American workplace has seen an increased emphasis on unpaid internships.

Mike Switzer interviews Ted Gentry, a civil litigator and employment lawyer with the Wyche law firm. in Greenville.  Ted has been at Wyche over 20 years, handling litigation in federal and state courts, and advising a variety of employers and individuals on employment law.

June 27, 2012
Former University Groundskeeper Finds Success with Sustainability

Our next guest was a groundskeeper at Furman University in the late 1980s when he decided to put away the lawnmower, go to college and study landscape architecture. In college, he learned about native-plant communities, which he eventually made the cornerstone of his company.

Mike Switzer interviews Rick Huffman, owner of Earth Design, which he opened in 1996 in Pickens, S.C.

June 26, 2012
What Questions Should Employees and Employers Ask About the Company Retirement Plan?

Our next guest says that most employees don't know enough about their retirement plans to make them really work like they're supposed to and that in fact, the same goes for the business owner.  So what questions should you ask about your company retirement plan and what questions should the owner or HR director ask so that they choose the right 401k advisor and plan administrator?

Mike Switzer interviews Charlie Capasso, a certified financial planner with Detterbeck Wealth Management in Charleston, SC.

Other resources:

Financial Finesse

Finanacial Planning Assn.

National Assn. of Personal Financial Advisors

June 25, 2012
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

June 22, 2012
S.C. Filmmaker Starts Distribution Company

If you are a regular listener of this program, you have probably heard our interviews lately with aspiring young South Carolina filmmakers who are busy traveling the film festival circuit and building their resumes. Our next guest says he believes the time has come for South Carolina to host an Internet-based film distribution company to help these fledgling artists.

Mike Switzer interviews Chris White, founder of just such a venture known as Paris MTN Scout in Greenville, S.C.

June 21, 2012
Could JOBS Act Make Start-Up Business Funding Easier?

On April 5, 2012, President Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act into law. The Act is intended to make it easier for companies to raise money through public and private offerings of stock.

Mike Switzer interviews Andy Coburn, a corporate attorney with the Wyche law firm in Greenville, South Carolina.  Andy has experience assisting public and private companies with securities offerings.

June 20, 2012
S.C. Excels in STEM Education

Lately, we've been hearing the importance of STEM education...Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. South Carolina and the country as a whole are concerned that other states and countries are passing us by in STEM proficiency. However, many of you may be unaware that one high school in our state has been a leader in this area for the past 14 years.

Mike Switzer interviews Kim Bowman, CEO of the Governor's School for Science and Math Foundation and the executive vice president of strategic direction for the school in Hartsville.

June 19, 2012
Who’s Been Buying and Selling in the Stock Market Recently?

When stock markets go up and down, most of us realize that these movements are caused by there being more buyers than sellers or vice versa on any given day.  But is it important to know who the buyers and sellers are and if it is, how can we find out?

Mike Switzer interviews Doug English, a Certified Financial Planner® and the owner of Carolinas Retirement Specialists with offices in Charleston and Greenville.

June 18, 2012
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

Mick Zais' presentation to the SC Education Oversight Committee

June 15, 2012
S.C. Doctor Invents Ultrasound Needle

Our next guest is a South Carolina doctor who has invented a tool that he says could save lives by cutting down the risk of infection. Because of it's recent FDA approval, the device could soon be used in hospitals around the world.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Steve Ridley, an Emergency Room doctor with Palmetto Health in Columbia and founder of Soma Access Systems.

June 14, 2012
GoogleFest Coming Next Week to SC LowCountry

You may have heard one of our guests recently talking about the fact that many businesses aren't coming close to taking advantage of all the tools available on the Internet today, and it should come as no surprise that many of these tools are from Google.  If you are a small business, non-profit, or an educator, you will soon have the opportunity to find out more and straight from the horse's mouth.  On June 21st, Google is presenting 'Googlefest', a free, one-day conference that will take place at Trident Technical College in the LowCountry.

Mike Switzer interviews Eric Wages, operations manager for Google South Carolina and he joins us by phone from his company's office in Goose Creek.

June 13, 2012
Piano Festival Boosts Midlands Economy

Dozens of families from around the country are in Columbia right now watching their children perform in the 10th annual Southeastern Piano Festival. This is the type of event that provides a nice economic boost to the capital city during a normally slow time of year.

Mike Switzer interviews Joseph Rackers, the co-director of the event, who is also with USC's School of Music in Columbia, the host organization.

June 12, 2012
Do You Know Who The Best Beneficiary Is For Your Retirement Accounts?

Our next guest is a financial planner who says that he fields many questions about beneficiary designations for retirement accounts.  Questions such as:  "If my beneficiary designation on my IRA or 401-K is different from my will, which one will be used?" and "How will my beneficiaries be taxed on the distributions from a Roth IRA vs. a traditional IRA?"

Mike Switzer interviews Mike Miller, a certified financial planner with Planfirst in Greenville, SC.

June 11, 2012
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

June 08, 2012
LowCountry Hotelier Outpacing Industry

In the hotel industry, probably the most important measure of financial performance is what is known as RevPAR, revenue per available room.  Our next guest recently had the satisfaction of reporting that
his company's RevPAR growth rate last year came in at over 16%, twice the national average.

Mike Switzer interviews Michael Tall, president and chief operating officer for Charlestowne Hotels.

June 07, 2012
Mergers and Acquisitions On The Rise

As the economy recovers, our next guest says corporate mergers and acquisitions are on the rise.  How is this affecting South Carolina's business climate?

Mike Switzer interviews Melinda Davis Lux, an M&A attorney with the Wyche law firm in Greenville, SC.  Melinda has represented buyers and sellers in M&A transactions valued at over $1 billion.

June 06, 2012
Corporate Etiquette vs. The Hoodie

Our next guest says that while 26-year-old Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is showing up at his company's roadshow events in his collection of trademark hoodies, it could be giving a whole generation the false idea that if you start a tech company or any kind of company, you can dress like you’re about to head out on your skateboard. Is he the exception, or the new rule?

Mike Switzer interviews Caroline Avinger, founder and president of Protocol, LLC, a corporate etiquette consulting firm.

June 05, 2012
Do You Need an Umbrella?

Most people would agree that lawsuits have become commonplace in today's world. And that's why an unfortunate accident can jeopardize your family’s financial security and peace of mind. Our next guest says that the protection you need may come from what is known as an umbrella insurance policies.

Mike Switzer interviews Bethany Griffith, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, South Carolina.

June 04, 2012
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

June 01, 2012
Building Arts College in Charleston Seen as Heroic

Southern Living magazine recently named our next guest's institution a “Hero of the New South”.

Mike Switzer interviews General Colby Broadwater, president of the American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, SC.

May 31, 2012
Local Filmaker Finds Success With Documentaries

Several years ago, our next guest was introduced to a group of cancer survivors who participated in a special kind of boat racing sport known as dragon boat racing.  The experience impressed her so much that she decided to start working on a documentary film about it.

Mike Switzer interviews Liz Oakley, a South Carolina filmaker and her film, Awaken the Dragon, has recently been making its way around the film festival circuit.

May 30, 2012
Golfers Swamp Upstate for Bi-Lo Charities

According to Golf Magazine, the largest one-day charity golf event in the country is the upcoming Bi-Lo Charity Classic. Soon there will be approximately 1,300 golfers playing at 11 courses across Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina.

Mike Switzer interviews Mike Byars, Bi-Lo's CEO and he joins us by phone from his company's headquartes in Mauldin, S.C.

May 29, 2012
Local Museum Wins Top Five National Award

Our next guest's institution was one of only ten recipients of the 2011 Gold Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and it's located in Columbia, SC.

Mike Switzer interviews Catherine Horne, executive director of our state's children's museum, EdVenture.

May 28, 2012
Local Writer Finds Success with e-Books

A lot of people will tell you that they have a novel inside them that one day is going to be written. These days, with the Internet and e-books, more and more people are doing this.

Mike Switzer interviews McKendree (Mike) Long, a writer from Blythewood, S.C. who is doing just that.

May 25, 2012
Local Entrepreneur Finds Success with Online News

Since our next guest appeared on our show about two years ago, his Midlands S.C. business news website has expanded across the state and, despite the challenges, has continued to find success.

Mike Switzer interviews Alan Cooper, owner and founder of http://midlandsbiz.com/, http://lowcountrybizsc.com/ and http://upstatebizsc.com/.

May 24, 2012
Lowcountry Housing Trust Helps Small Businesses with Financing Needs

Our next guest's organization is helping small businesses in our state's Lowcountry by providing financing when they may not qualify for credit from traditional lending institutions.

Mike Switzer interviews Michelle Mapp with the Lowcountry Housing Trust in North Charleston, S.C. http://lowcountryhousingtrust.org/

May 23, 2012
Piccolo Spoleto Returns for 34th Year on May 25

It's that time of year again when art, culture and entertainment fans from around the world converge on Charleston, S.C. for the annual Spoleto festival. And a very popular part of this annual event is it's sister festival, Piccolo Spoleto.

Mike Switzer interviews Ellen Dressler Moryl, Piccolo Spoleto's executive director at Charleston's Office of Cultural Affairs. http://www.piccolospoleto.com/

May 22, 2012
The Pros and Cons of Borrowing from Your 401k Plan

Sometimes, when you have to borrow money, wouldn't it be great if you could just borrow from yourself and pay yourself the interest? Well, if you have a 401k plan, you may be able to do just that.

Mike Switzer interviews Manuel Martinez, a certified financial planner with Charleston Wealth Advisors. http://charlestonfinancialadvisors.com/

May 21, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

May 18, 2012
Charleston Company Brings in The Green With Efficient Lighting

The South Carolina Ports Authority says it has become brighter and more energy efficient, thanks to our next guest's company.

Mike Switzer interviews Dan Gould, vice president of technology and implementation at Green Lighting Group in Charleston, SC. www.greenlightinggroup.com

May 17, 2012
Myrtle Beach To Host US-Canada Trade Conference May 20th

South Carolina will host the 5th Annual Southeastern U.S. - Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS-CP) trade conference in Myrtle Beach on May 20-22. where more than 300 Canadian and U.S. business and government leaders will connect to promote trade and investment opportunities.

Mike Switzer interviews George Patrick, Deputy Secretary of the SC Dept. of Commerce. www.sccommerce.com

May 16, 2012
Communication Deficits Can Disrupt Efforts To Succeed

In case you didn't know, May is Better Hearing and Speech Month. Most of us would agree that speech, language and hearing deficits can be extremely disruptive in a person's efforts to lead a productive and successful life. Our next guest is trying to do something about that.

Mike Switzer interviews Sally Asquith, President and Clinical Director at Carolina Speech and Language Center in Summerville, S.C. www.mycsal.com

May 15, 2012
Free Personal Finance Resources Available From State Credit Union

Personal finance can be an ongoing learning experience. Fortunately there are many resources out there to help.

Mike Switzer interviews Suzette Morganelli, manager of Financial Counseling and Education at the State Credit Union. www.scscu.com

May 14, 2012
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

May 11, 2012
Lowcountry Financial Services Firm Finds Success with Global Charity

Most successful business owners will tell you that community involvement is a big part of their success. Our next guest defines community in a more global context.

Mike Switzer interviews Britt Gilbert, owner of Commonwealth Financial Group, a Daniel Island, S.C.-based financial services firm that has begun a charity that is currently helping women and babies in Uganda. http://www.commonwealthcares.org/ and http://www.palmettomedical.org/

May 10, 2012
Power of the Purse Helps Charities

Each year, more than two hundred women who are business executives, community leaders and entrepreneurs in the Midlands of S.C. participate in a live and silent auction of purses to raise money for women's and children's charities.

Mike Switzer interviews Stacy Lindenburg with the Columbia organization, Women in Philanthropy, and Karen Blackmon, honorary chairperson for the WIP's annual event: "The Power of the Purse." http://www.womeninphilanthropy.com/

May 09, 2012
Salute To Small Business on May 16 in Columbia

South Carolina's ninth annual Salute to Small Business is coming to Columbia on Wednesday, May 16.

Mike Switzer interviews Anna Huntley with the S.C. District office of the US Small Business Administration. http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/2/3145/news/138031

May 08, 2012
Are Reverse Mortgages a Good Choice for Income?

With interest rates at all-time lows, many retirees are struggling to find ways to generate income from their retirement accounts. However, many are finding that one resource may be the equity they have in their homes. That equity could be accessed via a stream of income known as a reverse mortgage. Reverse mortgages have not received favorable reviews in the past because of high costs, but our next guest says some of those costs have dropped significantly. Is it time to reconsider a reverse mortgage?

Mike Switzer interviews Alex Chastain, a certfied financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, S.C. http://www.abacusplanninggroup.com/home.html and http://www.aarp.org/money/credit-loans-debt/reverse_mortgages/ and http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD and http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/federal_housing_administration and http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/moneymatters/your-home.shtml and http://www.ncoa.org/

May 07, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

May 04, 2012
Pension Forum Coming to Greenville

Our next guest says that a number of recent studies are indicating that most workers in this country are not on track for a secure retirement. Social Security has it's issues, of course, and he says people and companies aren't contributing enough to 401k plans, and the defined benefit pension plans that still exist are under severe stress.

Mike Switzer interviews Chip Hunt, with PrimeTrust Advisors, a Greenville, S.C.-based company that specializes in retirement plans. http://www.primetrustadvisors.com/ http://www.pensionmanagementforum.com/

May 03, 2012
Entrepreneur Resource Center at USC Has New Director

Did you know that almost three-quarters of our nation's high school students say that they want to start their own company some day. And why not? One million new ventures are started each year in this country. And many resources abound to help them, from the Internet to our next guest's organization.

Mike Switzer interviews Dirk Brown, Director of the Faber Entrepreneurship Center at the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. http://www.moore.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/researchcenters/faberentrepreneurshipcenter.aspx

May 02, 2012
Lebanese Restaurant Finds Success In Columbia

Restaurant owners are usually the type of people who really love what they do. They pretty much have to because most will tell you owning a restaurant is a lot of work. Our next guest will tell you that specialty restaurants have their own unique set of challenges.

Mike Switzer interviews Elie Herro, owner/operator of Pita's, a Lebanese/Mediterranean restaurant in Columbia. http://www.pitasofcolumbiasc.com/

May 01, 2012
Bucket Investment Strategy Might Work for Retirees

Many retirees follow the rule that financial advisors have prescribed for decades: Invest in a diversified mix of stocks and bonds, then withdraw about 4 or 5% of the portfolio value each year. But with record low interest rates and a stock market that has gone sideways for more than a decade, does this strategy still work?

Mike Switzer interviews Rob Dehollander, a certified financial planner with Dehollander and Janse Financial Group in Greenville, S.C. www.djfinancial.com

April 30, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

April 27, 2012
Franchises Find Champion In Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Our next guest is a Lowcountry entrepreneur who says he's passionate about changing the rules of an established, multi-million dollar industry. The industry he competes in generates leads for franchises.

Mike Switzer interviews Dave Schwartz, President, CEO and Founder of Franchise Clique in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. www.franchiseclique.com

April 26, 2012
SCORE Helps Wedding Planner Succeed in Charleston

It's that time of year when event planners across the state begin to get very busy. How do they deal with the spring and summer rush of business and then cope with the downtime later?

Mike Switzer interviews Tanis Jackson, who runs an event planning operation in Summerville, S.C. and is our SCORE success story for this month. SCORE is the all-volunteer small business counseling arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration and they have chapters all across South Carolina. www.score.org www.tanisjevents.com

April 25, 2012
State Committee Announces Unfavorable Education Results

The S.C. Education Oversight Committee recently announced the state’s progress toward improving K-12 education during its annual report to the media. Unfortunately, the numbers weren't good.

Mike Switzer interviews Neil Robinson, board chair of the Education Oversight Committee. www.eoc.sc.gov

April 24, 2012
Many Factors Can Affect Your Life Insurance Application

Most people may not realize that when they apply for life insurance, many factors can come into play. The insurance company may look at your medical records, your driving record and other databases. How can you optimize your chances of getting a decent life insurance policy?

Mike Switzer interviews Molly Thomas, a registered para-planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia. www.mib.com www.weissrating.com www.abacusplanninggroup.com

April 23, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

April 20, 2012
More Businesses Offering Long-Term Care Insurance Benefit to Employees

When the Obama health care bill became law, many people were looking to an option in there known as the CLASS Act for their long-term care planning. But the CLASS Act is now no longer a part of the larger health care reform bill, so we're back to people needing to think about how they will pay for long-term care themselves. Our next guest says that now, it's even more important to get employees engaged in looking at long-term care benefits while they are still in the work force.

Mike Switzer interviews Barbara Franklin, owner of Franklin & Associates, a long-term care planning company in Charleston, S.C.

April 19, 2012
Residential Arts High School Succeeds in Upstate

South Carolina is unique in the country in that it is home to two publicly supported residential high schools that offer high-level and nurturing learning environments for our state's gifted and talented students. One is the math and science school in Hartsville, and the other focuses on the arts, where our next guest is located.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Bruce Halverson, President of the SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville.

April 18, 2012
Business and Art Work Together In Annual Columbia Festival

We've been told many times by guests on our program how important the arts are to the business community. Quality of life is always high on their list and cultural activities play a big part in that. Our next guest says that some businesses even go so far as to enthusiastically participate with the arts community and these events.

Mike Switzer interviews Sarah Luadzers, director of the Vista Guild in Columbia and they are preparing for their 21st annual Artista Vista.

April 17, 2012
Saving For College Can Cause Anxiety

Graduation season is fast approaching and it is undoubtedly causing many parents a little anxiety. Tuition costs are increasing each year and funding your child’s college education can be one of your largest expenses.

Mike Switzer interviews Abby Donevant, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia.

Federal Student Aid

SC Future Scholar

College Board

Saving For College

April 16, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

April 13, 2012
Indie Grits Film Festival Keeps Growing

You've heard us talk about the growing popularity of film festivals across South Carolina recently. One of the biggest and most unusual is the Indie Grits festival coming soon to Columbia. In it's sixth year now, this event has grown to 11 days and partners with outside organizations such as the South Carolina Philharmonic, Slow Food Columbia and a new partner this year, ConvergeSE, a conference for web designers and developers, that has become very popular in its own right.

Mike Switzer interviews Andy Smith, director of the Indie Grits film festival.

April 12, 2012
Annual Food and Wine Fest Returns to Columbia Benefitting 11-County Charity

Nonprofits often turn to festivals as a source for fundraising, and our next guest's organization is no different.

Mike Switzer interviews JoAnn Turnquist, President of the Central Carolina Community Foundation which will be bringing it's annual wine and food fest to Columbia on April 17.

April 11, 2012
Darlington County Schools Set Example for State

The S.C. Education Oversight Committee recently announced the state’s progress toward improving K-12 education and fulfilling its 2020 Vision. Unfortunately, the numbers revealed that South Carolina is not progressing in most key areas. Could this be a wake-up call that new strategies and tactics may be necessary? One bright spot is the story of what is happening in one part of the Pee Dee area of our state.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Rainey Knight, School District Superintendent for Darlington County.

April 10, 2012
Recycled Fashion Comes to Columbia

Everybody knows that  "fashion" is big business, but how many of you are aware that our state's capital is home to a group that continues to capitalize on the growth of the fashion industry each and every year? The Columbia Design League is once again bringing their annual recycled fashion show and fundraiser, known as Runaway Runway to the Township Auditorium in Columbia on April 21st. 

Mike Switzer interviews Anna Redwine, President of the Columbia Design League.

April 09, 2012
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

April 06, 2012
Furman University Students Walk for Water

Water shortages have been making global headlines for several years now, and our next guest says that this problem can only be solved by entrepreneurs developing better filters and better sanitation devices, and constructing water facilities in underdeveloped countries. And to that end, Furman University is sponsoring a water walk in an effort to raise money to fund a water project they are involved in, in Guatemala.

Mike Switzer interviews Bruce Clemens, associate professor in the Business and Accounting Dept. at Furman in Greenville.

April 05, 2012
Beaufort Screenplay Writer Finds Success

Film festivals are becoming more and more popular across South Carolina, and there's one in particular that offers something that most don't: a table-read of screenplays.

Mike Switzer interviews Teresa Bruce, a South Carolina screenplay writer who won the Best Screenplay award for her work, The Wedding Photographer, at this year's Beaufort International Film Festival. Teresa lives and writes in Beaufort, S.C.

April 04, 2012
It’s Film Festival Time in Charleston!

One of South Carolina's upcoming film festivals is moving its venue this year into what also happens to be one of our state's oldest cinemas, the Sotille Theatre in Charleston, which played host to the S.C. premiere of Gone With the Wind.

Mike Switzer interviews Summer Peacher, co-founder and president of the Charleston International Film Festival.

April 03, 2012
Alternative Investments Gain Popularity

With today's low interest rate environment and stock prices that seem high when compared with where they were two or three years ago, many investors are looking for new places to put their money. So what comprises the "alternate investments" category?

Mike Switzer interviews Neil Brown, a CPA and certified financial planner with Burkett Financial Services in West Columbia, S.C.

April 02, 2012
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

March 30, 2012
State Agency Works to Attract Filmmakers to S.C.

All you need to do to see what a breathtakingly beautiful state we live in is to visit the Web site of our next guest.

Mike Switzer interviews Tom Clark, director of the South Carolina Film Commission, part of the state Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, who says his office stays busy year-round recruiting filmmakers to South Carolina.

March 29, 2012
Local Writer Finds Success

A lot of people will tell you that they have a novel inside them that one day is going to be written. These days, with the Internet and e-books, more and more people are doing this.

Mike Switzer interviews McKendree (Mike) Long, a writer from Blythewood, S.C. who is doing just that.

March 28, 2012
Local Filmmakers Building Resume

You may have heard about the cat that has been correctly predicting the deaths of elderly residents of an assisted living village in New England. Our next guest heard about it, and he and his sister decided that it would make a great theme for a movie.  And so, with assistance from the South Carolina Film Commission, they made it...and it recently played and was nominated for two awards at the Beaufort International Film Festival.

Mike Switzer interviews Brian and Jocyln Rish, brother and sister residents of S.C. and the co-writers and producers of the short film, Saying Goodbye.

March 27, 2012
Last-Minute Tax Strategies for 2011 Tax Returns

Even though we are well into 2012 now and right in the middle of tax season, many people may not be aware that there are still some things you can do that can positively affect your 2011 tax returns.

Mike Switzer interviews Jon Robertson, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, who helps us this morning with some last-minute tax strategies.

March 26, 2012
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure, based in Greenville, S.C.

March 23, 2012
Financial Planners Practice Self Regulation

From time to time, we hear about unethical investment practices but rarely do we hear about the self-regulation that goes on in the investment industry.  Our next guest has recently been appointed to serve on a Washingto DC-based commission to oversee the ethics of Certified Financial Planners.

Mike Switzer interviews Chris Beard, who received a degree in Financial Management from Clemson University, where he now mentors students in the University’s College of Business and Behavioral Science.  He has 17 years of experience in the financial planning industry and is currently a Vice President with Gateway Wealth Strategies, a division of the Bank of Travelers Rest, SC.

March 22, 2012
Video Technology Company Lands in Columbia, SC

New technologies continue to be developed that allow businesses to take advantage of marketing opportunities on the Internet.

Mike Switzer interviews our next guest, who is the holder of 25 patents, some of which can help a company accomplish branding goals through personalized and interactive experiences.  Prior to co-founding his current company, Pandoodle, Dr. Dirk Brown was CEO of Neoconix, a venture capital-funded electronics technology company serving Fortune 100 customers worldwide.  Dirk is also the current Director of the Faber Entrepreneurship Center at the Moore School of Business at USC in Columbia.

March 21, 2012
National Tennis Tournament Stoking Lowcountry Economy for 40 Years

South Carolina has been home to the Family Circle Cup women's tennis tournament since 1973, which has the distinction of having the longest running title sponsor in either men's or women's professional tennis. The event brings a nice economic boost to our state's LowCountry each spring and always features some of the biggest stars in women's tennis.

Mike Switzer interviews Bob Moran, the Tournament Director and he joins us by phone from his office at the Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island, S.C.

March 20, 2012
Furman University Provides Sustainability Assistance To Businesses

Furman University’s Center for Corporate and Professional Development is introducing a new corporate sustainability program that they say can help businesses lower operational costs in the areas of energy, water and waste management while also positively impacting the community.  The program is called BEST (businesses engaging in sustainability for tomorrow) and is also made possible through a grant from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.

Mike Switzer interviews Brad Bechtold, Director of Continuing Education at Furman University.

March 19, 2012
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

March 16, 2012
Sustainability Conference Coming Soon to Greenville, S.C.

GM has stopped production of the Chevy Volt, solar companies are going bankrupt...is the green era over? Our next guest says that sustainability continues to be a way of life these days for businesses and the U.S. Green Building Council is doing its part to get the word out. In fact the S.C. Chapter will soon be holding its annual SustainSC conference in Greenville.

Mike Switzer interviews Denise Sherman, a LEED Accredited Professional with Agru America in Georgetown, S.C. and the USGBC SC Chapter Chair.

March 15, 2012
Trustees Have Serious Responsibilities

At one point or another, most people come into contact with a trustee, whether that is through a family trust, a charitable trust or as an investor in a mutual fund. So what exactly should the average person know about the responsibilites of a trustee?

Mike Switzer interviews John Winthrop, a graduate of Harvard University and Columbia University's business school who has many years experience as a trustee and is now practicing in Charleston, S.C.

March 14, 2012
Open Source Software Conference Coming to Columbia

The Palmetto Open Source Software Conference will soon be coming to Columbia again to discuss the latest issues for technologists, business and government IT leaders, and educators. Last year, around 500 people from 24 states, 30 colleges and universities and 100+ business and government organizations participated.

Mike Switzer interviews Todd Lewis, the Palmetto Open Source Software Conference chair.

March 13, 2012
Can the Stock Market Keep Climbing?

The stock market recently hit post-recession highs, and many investors are asking their advisors how much higher can it go? In fact, our next guest says that is usually the first question he hears these days.

Mike Switzer interviews Mario Nardone, a Chartered Financial Analyst with Morris Financial Concepts in Charleston, S.C.

March 12, 2012
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

March 09, 2012
Don’t Proscrastinate Estate Planning

Death is something most of us don't like to think about, and financial planners say that's probably one reason most people don't have an estate plan. Our next guest says that even if you don't have a sizable estate though, you should still have a plan.

Mike Switzer interviews Troy Barrentine, a certified financial planner with Oak Capital Management in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. www.oakcapitalmgt.com

March 08, 2012
Women Business Organizations Still Thrive

In today's age of sexual diversity in the workplace, do women, for example, still need their own separate business organizations?  An Upstate SC chamber of commerce believes they do.

Mike Switzer interviews Kris Burris, chair of the Greenwood Chamber's Women’s Leadership Council. www.greenwoodscchamber.org/womens-leadership-council

March 07, 2012
S.C.-Based Magazine Winning National Awards

A few years ago, we featured a story about the first woman publisher of New Yorker magazine, who moved to Charleston, S.C. and started a new magazine about the South that has since become a highly successful, award-winning publication. 

Mike Switzer interviews Rebecca Darwin, President and CEO of Garden and Gun magazine based in Charleston, S.C. www.gardenandgun.comP

March 06, 2012
Midlands Veterinary Hospital Brings New Radiation Therapy to SC

A local veterinary clinic has completed construction on a state-of-the-art intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) facility for dogs and cats who are being treated for cancer.  The center will be the only IMRT facility for pets in South Carolina and one of a handful of such facilities in the Southeastern United States.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Brett Feder, with South Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Columbia, SC. www.scvetspecialists.com

March 05, 2012
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

March 02, 2012
How Do Retirees Cope With Low Yielding Investments?

Interest rates are low, the stock market has been flat for more than a decade.  How are retirees going to generate income from their investments?

Mike Switzer interviews Rusty Cagle, a certified financial planner with ASE Advisors in Greenville, SC.

March 01, 2012
Upstate Chamber Nurturing Entrepreneurs

Since 2006 Upstate South Carolina has been working to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem that nurtures the start-up and growth of globally-impactful, knowledge-based companies.  It's called the NEXT initiative and it is being spearheaded by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

Mike Switzer interviews John Moore, with the Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

February 29, 2012
Businesses Pin Their Hopes on New Social Media

Social media continues to grow in popularity, as many businesses search for ways to reach out to customers and prospects in a cost-effective way. And new types of social media continue to be created to meet this demand. One you may not have heard of is Pinterest, which recently passed Google Plus in its traffic count.

Mike Switzer interviews Lyn Mettler, a social media expert with the PR/marketing firm of Step Ahead, based in Charleston, S.C. www.stepaheadinc.com

February 28, 2012
NonProfit Works to Bring Talent to Columbia

According to our next guest, her organization's vision is to create an innovative, energized and successful community that attracts, inspires, develops and retains the best talent in the world. Sounds like something all communities would want.

Mike Switzer interviews Katherine Swartz, Executive Director of Columbia Opportunity Resource. www.ourcor.org

February 27, 2012
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

February 24, 2012
USC’s Third Largest College Among SC’s Largest Career Launchers

Tourism is now the number one industry in South Carolina, responsible for more than $17 billion dollars in spending and employing more than 200,000 people – that's roughly 10% of South Carolina’s workforce.  Careers in tourism in SC sometimes get their start through the University of South Carolina's College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management.

Mike Switzer interviews the college's dean, Dr. Brian Mihalik. www.hrsm.sc.edu

February 23, 2012
LowCountry Resident Launches Credit Card Comparison Web Site

You may have noticed that as the economy has slowly been improving, those old credit card offers that mostly disappeared during the recession have started to show up in your mailbox again. And just so you know this time which ones are better than others, our next guest has created a web site that allows users to compare credit cards side-by-side.

Mike Switzer interviews Charleston, SC resident Chris Mettler, founder of CompareCards. www.comparecards.com

February 22, 2012
SCANPO Hosting Conference in Columbia Feb 28, 29 and March 1

In a lot of cases, non-profit organizations face the same struggles that their for-profit counterparts face, and some that are very unique, which is why they will be gathering in Columbia soon for a series of workshops. 

Mike Switzer interviews Mac Bennett, President & CEO of United Way of the Midlands, part of the S.C. Assn. of Non-Profit Organizations, known as SCANPO, the group hosting the upcoming event. www.scanpo.org

February 21, 2012
SC Investment Firm Launches Family of Mutual Funds

Our next guest's company goes back fifty years, originally beginning as the Investment Division of Greenwood Mills, a leading textile manufacturer of the time. Today, Greenwood Capital has grown to become one of the largest registered independent financial investment firms in the Southeast. Yet after 25+ years of providing investment management solutions to institutions and high net worth individuals, Greenwood Capital has decided to enter the mutual fund business with their family of Crescent Funds.

Mike Switzer interviews John D. Wiseman, Director of Fixed Income for Greenwood Capital, and Walter Todd, the firm's chief investment officer. www.greenwoodcapital.com

February 20, 2012
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

February 17, 2012
The Right Research Can Bring You Closer To Your Customers

Many companies are looking for strategic direction in this tough economy. Our next guest says they are not going to find it in tea leaves, crystal balls or in anecdotal feedback from their sales team.  He says they should aggressively seek closer alignment with their customers and markets.

Mike Switzer interviews John Barrett, CEO and founder of Priority Metrics Group, a Spartanburg-based research consulting group. www.pmgco.com

February 16, 2012
Local Apparel Company Wins Design Award For YMCA Uniforms

A locally grown textile company was this year's big winner in the uniform industry's big annual awards ceremony known as the Wearables Design Awards. Two of the three awards this company won were for employee uniform pieces designed for the YMCA of the USA.

Mike Switzer interviews Tom Merritt, founder and Co-CEO of OOBE, Inc. based in Greenville, S.C. http://oobe.com

February 15, 2012
Columbia Incubator Hatches Successful Businesses

Since its inception in November 1998, our next guest's organization has helped entrepreneurs commercialize their ideas, produced successful, financially viable and freestanding businesses, and created hundreds of additional jobs in South Carolina.

Mike Switzer interviews Agata Chydzinski, Director of Operations for the USC-Columbia Technology Incubator. http://incubator.research.sc.edu

February 14, 2012
Do You Have Money Saved For Medical Costs After Retirement?

Our next guest says that a recent study shows most people are not adequately saving for retirement and that could mean most people are also probably not going to be prepared to handle their health care costs in retirement either.

Mike Switzer interviews Neil Brown, a CPA and certified financial planner with Burkett Financial Services in West Columbia, SC. www.burkettfs.com and www.hsaadministrators.com

February 13, 2012
S.C. Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

February 10, 2012
Local Company Dispatches Success Nationwide

You may not be aware of this, but one of our country's leaders in providing communications systems to the transportation industry is based right here in South Carolina.

Mike Switzer interviews Mike Branning, president of Avtec, Inc. based in Gilbert. www.avtecinc.com

February 09, 2012
Personal Budgeting Often Overlooked

We are now into the second month of 2012 and perhaps some of those New year's resolutions are working for you and maybe some are not.  Our next guest says that one resolution you should make a part of your life every year for a healthier financial life is to create and maintain a budget.

Mike Switzer interviews Cheryl Holland, a certified financial planner and principal with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, SC. www.abacusplanninggroup.com and www.mint.com  Quicken.intuit.com

February 08, 2012
Film Festival Returns to Beaufort

If you are a regular listener of this show, you know that over the past several years, S.C. has become home to more and more film festivals, some of which are becoming quite successful. One such festival is the Beaufort International Film Festival.

Mike Switzer interviews Ron Tucker, the festival director. www.beaufortfilmfestival.com

February 07, 2012
Teaching Teachers How to Teach Economics and Personal Finance

Those of you who have children in South Carolina's public school system are probably aware of the economics tool teachers use known as the stock market game.  That takes place because of our next guest's organization, which is involved in teaching teachers how to teach economics and personal finance.

Mike Switzer interviews Helen Myers, president of SC Economics based in Columbia. www.sceconomics.org

February 06, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

February 03, 2012
Are You Using The Internet Efficiently?

The Internet has been with us, in use by the masses anyway, for about two decades.  During that time, it has become a massive vehicle for information dissemination. Our next guest says many people are far from using the Internet efficiently.

Mike Switzer interviews David Vine, a seminar, workshop, and webinar instructor on all things Internet, based in Aiken, SC. http://davidvineassociates.com

February 02, 2012
Boeing and SC Electric and Gas Team up For Largest Solar Array in Southeast

You've probably heard about or seen the pictures of the largest single rooftop solar panel installation in the Southeast recently put in place by South Carolina Electric & Gas on the new Boeing plant in North Charleston.  In fact it's one of the largest in the United States generating 2.6-megawatts of renewable energy, through more than 18,000 thin-film photovoltaic solar laminates covering 10 acres of Boeing's 14-acre roof on the 787 Final Assembly building.

To find out how it all came about and how they did it, Mike Switzer interviews Bob Long, general manager of resources planning for South Carolina Electric & Gas in Columbia. http://sceg.com/en/

February 01, 2012
Health of S.C. Physician Workforce Improving but More Needed

A report released late last year by the South Carolina Office for Healthcare Workforce Analysis and Planning shows that although the training and growth of physician manpower in our state is improving, we still will experience doctor shortages over the next decade.

Mike Switzer interviews Lynn Bailey, a health care economist practicing in Columbia, S.C.  Lynn Bailey is not associated with the Office for Healthcare Workforce, but was speaking today as an independent analyst.  We will be interviewing someone soon who will disccuss Ms. Bailey's comments and the report from a different perspective.  Stay tuned...

www.officeforhealthcareworkforce.org

January 31, 2012
Need New Year Financial Stress Relief?

As the new year continues to unfold, many of you may be looking at your holiday credit card bills, your W-2 forms, and wondering if there are some strategies out there for relieving the financial stress you may be feeling. 

Mike Switzer interviews Jim Agostini, a certified financial planner with First Command Financial Planning in Columbia. www.firstcommand.com/adv/search/getOffice.do?officeID=CSC

January 30, 2012
SC Business Update From John “SwampFox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

January 27, 2012
Greenville Group Helps People Find and Keep Good Jobs

In today's economy, it has become more important than ever to be prepared to find and secure a good job. Our next guest is part of a workforce training program that is doing that for people in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors.

Mike Switzer interviews Ginger Lawrence, who serves on the Workforce Readiness Council of the Greenville Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. greenvillehr.shrm.org

January 26, 2012
SC Playground Company Hits Pay Dirt

20 years ago, our next guest started a small, family-run business manufacturing wooden playground structures in rural Lexington County for local schools and parks. As the business grew, it became a supplier to the US military, making playground equipment for military installations around the country and eventually to international bases and schools.  However, 10 years ago, they closed their manufacturing plant in Red Bank, SC, and our now a distributor for that same equipment made by other companies.

Mike Switzer interviews Grace Keller, President and CEO of Creative Outdoor Designs in Ballentine, SC. www.creativeoutdoordesigns.com

January 25, 2012
World Beer Festival Returns to Columbia

In just a few more days, the World Beer Festival will be back in Columbia, S.C. for the fourth year in a row. Columbia's Mayor, Steve Benjamin, says the festival has an impact on the local economy of about $1.5 million, and our next guest says Columbia was chosen as a festival site because it had all the ingredients of a growing beer culture that was about to take off.

Mike Switzer interviews Daniel Bradford, president of All About Beer magazine, the host of this event, and he joins us by phone from his office in Durham, N.C. www.allaboutbeer.com

January 24, 2012
SC Financial Advisor Predicts Good Year For Markets

The economy and stock markets are always of interest to our listeners.

Mike Switzer interviews Doug English with Carolinas Retirement Specialists in Charleston to hear his 2012 market outlook. www.carolinasretirementspecialists.com

January 23, 2012
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

January 20, 2012
Local Band Supports Children’s Shelter

No, that is not Elton John you hear singing on today's show, but our next guest, a local musician who performs an Elton John tribute every year in Columbia to help raise money for the Nancy K Perry Children Shelter.

Mike Switzer interviews Greg Bickley, lead singer and keyboard player with Tokyo Joe. www.tokyojoe.net

January 19, 2012
USC Engineering College Driving New Research

You may not be aware of this but the College of Engineering & Computing at the University of South Carolina in Columbia contains some of the foremost researchers in the country, driving technology in materials, energy, and something called "condition-based maintenance". Our next guest says all of this is attracting not only more engineers to our state but new industry as well.

Mike Switzer interviews Tony Ambler, Dean of USC's College of Engineering and Computing. http://cec.sc.edu

January 18, 2012
Local Scientist Believes Cars Will Run on Carbon Dioxide

As hybrids and now electric cars become more and more commonplace on our roads, our next guest says he has come up with a new way to fuel automobiles: using waste carbon dioxide, such as that produced by power plants.

Mike Switzer interviews David Doty, Founder, President, CEO, Chief Scientist, and Chairman of the Board of Doty Scientific in Columbia, S.C. www.dotyenergy.com

January 17, 2012
Midlands Construction Firm Founder Named Business Person of the Year

Over the last couple of years, our next guest's company has received numerous awards, including being named as one of SC's fastest growing companies three years in a row and one of America's fastest growing engineering companies.  Their most recent award was when the company's founder and leader was named the 2011 Small Business Person of the year by the US Small Business Administration.

Mike Switzer interviews Dan Dennis, president and CEO of the Dennis Corporation, based in Columbia, SC. www.denniscorporation.com

January 16, 2012
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

January 13, 2012
Upstate Organization Assists International Businesses

If you are a regular listener of this show, you know that South Carolina is home to several nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to expanding our state's international business opportunities.

Mike Switzer interviews Whitney Walters, who is the head of one such organization, the International Center of the Upstate. www.internationalupstate.org/ICUgala.html

January 12, 2012
Columbia Chamber Wins With Community Development

Local Chambers of Commerce are often involved in community development, working to make the city or town an attractive place to be for both businesses and consumers.  And as with most activites like this, a lot of planning is involved.

Mike Switzer interviews C. Grant Jackson, the person in charge of community development for the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce who was recently presented the City Center Partnership's Chairman's Award for his work developing a three-year strategic plan and a 10-year Business Improvement District (BID) Renewal Plan. www.columbiachamber.com

January 11, 2012
Ultrasound Institute Succeeds at USC School of Medicine

When you think of the word ultrasound, you probably are reminded of the tiny images of your child before he or she was born. But our next guest says that with the rapid advances in ultrasound technology in making machines smaller, cheaper and smarter, ultrasonography as a clinical tool could very well be the stethoscope of the future.

Mike Switzer interviews Richard Hoppmann, Dean of the University of South Carolina's School of Medicine in Columbia. http://ultrasoundinstitute.med.sc.edu

January 10, 2012
Does Financial Planning Work Anymore?

In the face of an uncertain economic outlook for 2012, and the flat performance of most investments over the past 10 years, even the most optimistic people may be becoming a little concerned about the value of investing and financial
planning at all.

Here to help us with this topic this morning is an admittedly biased Rick Van Der Noord, a certified financial planner in Greenville SC. www.fpasouthcarolina.org

January 09, 2012
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

January 06, 2012
Excerpts from USC Economic Outlook Conference Part 9

Mike Switzer provides audio excerpts from the recent Economic Outlook Conference hosted by the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Today's excerpt is from the South Carolina Economic Outlook by Bobby Hitt, Secretary, South Carolina Department of Commerce.

http://mooreschool.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/researchcenters/divisionofresearch.aspx

January 05, 2012
Excerpts from USC Economic Outlook Conference Part 8

Mike Switzer provides audio excerpts from the recent Economic Outlook Conference hosted by the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Today's excerpt is from the South Carolina Economic Outlook by Bobby Hitt, Secretary, South Carolina Department of Commerce.

http://mooreschool.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/researchcenters/divisionofresearch.aspx

January 04, 2012
Excerpts from USC Economic Outlook Conference Part 7

Mike Switzer provides audio excerpts from the recent Economic Outlook Conference hosted by the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Today's excerpt is from the South Carolina Economic Outlook by Dr. Doug Woodward, Director, Division of Research, Darla Moore School of Business.

http://mooreschool.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/researchcenters/divisionofresearch.aspx

January 03, 2012
Excerpts from USC Economic Outlook Conference Part 6

Mike Switzer provides audio excerpts from the recent Economic Outlook Conference hosted by the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Today's excerpt is from the South Carolina Economic Outlook by Dr. Doug Woodward, Director, Division of Research, Darla Moore School of Business.

http://mooreschool.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/researchcenters/divisionofresearch.aspx

January 02, 2012
Excerpts from USC Economic Outlook Conference Part 5

Mike Switzer provides audio excerpts from the recent Economic Outlook Conference hosted by the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Today's excerpt is from the South Carolina Economic Outlook by Dr. Joseph Von Nessen, Research Associate, Division of Research, Darla Moore School of Business.

http://mooreschool.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/researchcenters/divisionofresearch.aspx

December 30, 2011
Excerpts from USC Economic Outlook Conference Part 4

Mike Switzer provides audio excerpts from the recent Economic Outlook Conference hosted by the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Today's excerpt is from the South Carolina Economic Outlook by Dr. Joseph Von Nessen, Research Associate, Division of Research, Darla Moore School of Business.

http://mooreschool.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/researchcenters/divisionofresearch.aspx

December 29, 2011
Excerpts from USC Economic Outlook Conference Part 3

Mike Switzer provides audio excerpts from the recent Economic Outlook Conference hosted by the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Today's excerpt is from the South Carolina Economic Outlook by Dr. Joseph Von Nessen, Research Associate, Division of Research, Darla Moore School of Business.

http://mooreschool.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/researchcenters/divisionofresearch.aspx

December 28, 2011
Excerpts from USC Economic Outlook Conference Part 2

Mike Switzer provides audio excerpts from the recent Economic Outlook Conference hosted by the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Today's excerpt is from the Keynote Address: The Economy Rolls Into an Election Year: Results and Rhetoric by Dr. John Silvia, Chief Economist Wells Fargo.

http://mooreschool.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/researchcenters/divisionofresearch.aspx

December 27, 2011
Excerpts from USC Economic Outlook Conference Part 1

Mike Switzer provides audio excerpts from the recent Economic Outlook Conference hosted by the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Today's excerpt is from the Keynote Address: The Economy Rolls Into an Election Year: Results and Rhetoric by Dr. John Silvia, Chief Economist Wells Fargo.

http://mooreschool.sc.edu/facultyandresearch/researchcenters/divisionofresearch.aspx

December 26, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

December 23, 2011
Crinum Bulbs are Big Business for Midlands Farmer

A Midlands farmer makes his living primarily through growing and selling crinum bulbs, but he also stays busy in all facets of the horticulture business.

Mike Switzer interviews Jenks Farmer, owner of Lushlife Nurseries in Columbia, SC.  www.jenksfarmer.com

December 22, 2011
Local Beekeeper Ships Bees Nationwide

A Midlands man became interested in local, raw honey in 2001 to help his wife with her allergies. But after encountering a swarm of bees and then consulting with a long-time beekeeper in Camden SC, he began keeping bees as a hobby, with just two colonies. He is now a commercial beekeeper with over a thousand honeybee colonies scattered all over South Carolina.

Mike Switzer interviews Craig Bell, owner of Bell Honey in Rembert, SC. www.bellhoney.com

December 21, 2011
Guitar Pedal Company Finds Success in Columbia, SC

Our next guest says his industry is practically recession proof and is one of the few products where global consumers will pay a premium for American manufacturing.  No, it's not liquor and it's not ice cream.

Mike Switzer interviews Philippe Herndon, founder of the Caroline Guitar Company, a Columbia, SC manufacturer of no, not guitars, but effects pedals for musicians, mainly guitar players. www.carolineguitar.com

December 20, 2011
US Army Reserves Recruiting is Successful in SC

We've done plenty of programs about various career fields one might think about getting into these days, but I don't think we've ever talked about the military as a career so today...

Mike Switzer interviews Sgt. 1st Class Richard Humbertson, a US Army Reserve Recruiter in Sumter, SC. www.goarmy.com/locate-a-recruiter.E-V-NA-29150.result.html

December 19, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

December 16, 2011
New Jobs Available in Financial Services Industry

While the economy is showing signs of improving and unemployment has been coming down, many people will tell you that jobs are still hard to find.  Our next guest, though, says that her industry is hiring.

Mike Switzer interviews Elise Bidwell, the South Carolina regional representative for Edward Jones, a St. Louis-based financial services firm.  And we also need to let you know that she was appointed recently by South Carolina's governor, Nicky Haley, to the ETV Commission. www.edwardjones.com

December 15, 2011
Business Coach Sets Up Shop In Low Country

Our next guest says she often hears that most people think it's hard to be successful because they believe a lot of the myths out there like: "It's hard to make a living doing something you love to do."...or "It costs too much money for marketing and PR, consulting, and coaching for me to think about that for my business."

Mike Switzer interviews Suzanne Evans, a South Carolina native who now makes her living as a nationally recognized expert on business and success coaching.  She joins us by phone from her office in Murrell's Inlet, SC. http://suzanneevans.org/

December 14, 2011
Is Your Retirement Plan Still On Track?

As the economy continues to muddle along, more and more people are looking at their retirement planning and wondering if they’re still on track. Our next guest says that this time of year is, in fact, a great time for a retirement plan check-up.

Mike Switzer interviews Rob DeHollander, a certified financial planner with DeHollander and Janse in Greenville, S.C. www.djfinancial.com

December 13, 2011
Local Doctor Opens Lab Test Franchise in the Midlands

Most people have heard of good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, but our next guest says that you may not be aware of a test for lipid particles that are more dangerous than cholesterol.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Peter Zvejnieks, owner of Any Lab Test Now in West Columbia, S.C.  www.anylabtestwestcolumbia.com

December 12, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

December 09, 2011
Lab Chemical Business Grows In Charleston Despite High Metals Prices

Most people are aware that precious metals prices have skyrocketed over the last few years.  And these price increases haven't just affected the jewelry business.  Our next guest says they have also affected the cost of the chemical products they make for laboratories.

Mike Switzer interviews Connie Hayes, CEO of High Purity Standards in Charleston, SC.  www.highpuritystandards.com

December 08, 2011
New Immigration Laws Affect Employers Jan. 1

Immigration laws have been changing around the country, including South Carolina, and as a result, many businesses are finding themselves facing new hiring regulations. Jan. 1st is the start date for the amended "Illegal Aliens and Private Employment" law that will require every employer in this state to verify their new hires through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify system. Companies that fail to comply can lose the right to operate their business.

Mike Switzer interviews Jim Knight, the administrator for the S.C. Office of Immigrant Worker Compliance at the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.  www.llr.sc.gov/immigration/index.asp?file=E-verify.htm

December 07, 2011
Grain Lady Finds Success With Help From SCORE

After learning about natural whole grains and then becoming fanatical about using them in her cooking and baking, our next guest became known around Irmo as The Grain Lady. Cindy Kroske, along with her husband, Mark, now own and operate My Favorite Things, a brick and mortar grain store and Internet business in Columbia, near Irmo.

Mike Switzer interviews Cindy about their business, which is also our SCORE success story for this month. SCORE is the volunteer small business counseling arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration.  www.score.org and www.GrainLady.com

December 06, 2011
Year-End Tax Planning May Pay Off

It's that time of the year when families are preparing for the holidays, but our next guest says it's also a good time to look at what you can do before the end of the year to help your bottom line from both a tax planning and a retirement planning perspective.

Mike Switzer interviews Jeb Zoller, a certified financial planner with First Command Financial Planning, Inc. in Columbia, S.C.  www.firstcommand.com

December 05, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

December 02, 2011
CPA’s “Green” Conference To Be in Columbia Next Week

Even with the difficulties you hear from solar companies these days, the green revolution continues to roll along. Even CPA's are getting involved now. The South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA) is inviting business leaders (people?) to attend an upcoming conference on emerging trends in accounting involvng corporate sustainability.

Mike Switzer interviews Erin Hardwick, the executive director of the South Carolina Assn. of CPA's.  www.scacpa.org/sustainabilityconference

December 01, 2011
Is Your Company’s Web Site Mobile Friendly?

First there were Blackberries, then the iPhone and Androids, and now a vast portion of the population is using a smartphone in one form or another. And if you have one, you may have noticed that when you use your phone to browse the Internet, some websites are easier to view than others.

Mike Switzer interviews Kevin Tavera with Capital Software Consultants, a Columbia, S.C. business that is helping businesses develop those mobile-friendly websites.  www.capsoftinc.com

November 30, 2011
Annual Economic Outlook Conference is Next Week in Columbia

It's that time of year again when the University of South Carolina's Moore School of Business puts on its annual economic outlook conference.

Mike Switzer interviews Joey Von Nessen with the Moore School's Division of Research about this year's event, scheduled for Dec 7th. 

November 29, 2011
Bennettsville Paper Mill Wins Silver Crescent Award

The Silver Crescent Awards for excellence in manufacturing in South Carolina were handed out recently at a luncheon in Greenville. The winner in the mid-sized company category for 2011 is the Domtar Paper Mill in Marlboro County.

Mike Switzer interviews Bill Edwards, company VP & the Mill's Manager.  www.paperbecause.com

November 28, 2011
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

November 25, 2011
S.C. Endowed Chair Program Helping Seniors

S.C.'s Centers for Economic Excellence program has one center that is up and running but still searching for a researcher to take the position of its endowed chair.

Mike Switzer interviews Deb Krotish, the executive director of SeniorSmart, based at USC in Columbia. www.seniorsmart.org

November 24, 2011
Upstate PR Man Goes Solo With Success

With the economy about to take a nose-dive a couple of years ago, an upstate marketing and public relations specialist was just breaking out on his own after working for someone else for years.

Mike Switzer interviews Sam Patrick, President of Patrick Marketing & Communications in Greenville, S.C. www.patrickmkt.com

November 23, 2011
S.C. Doctor Develops Special Needs App

Two lowcountry S.C. parents of children with special needs have developed a health social network and organizer for the Web and your smart phone.

Mike Switzer interviews Florence & Kwame Iwegbue, founders of iBiomed. Kwame is also a Physician at Roper Hospital in Charleston, S.C. www.ibiomed.me

November 22, 2011
Can Boomers Afford Retirement?

As the largest segment of our population, known as the baby boomers, continues to roll into their retirement phase, many are wondering if they will be able to afford retirement, especially with today's global political and economic uncertainties. If you haven't retired yet, how will you know when and if you are ready financially?

Mike Switzer interviews Heath Bartlett, a financial advisor practicing in Lexington, S.C. www.bartlett-financial.com

November 21, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

November 18, 2011
Seniors Advised to Review Medicare Options

The average 65 year-old couple without employer health coverage will spend approximately $200K in health care costs during the balance of their lives.  And medical costs continue to rise 6% annually on average. Our next guest says that's why it's very important, after you turn 65, to make sure you spend the time to analyze your options during what is known as the open enrollment period.

Mike Switzer interviews Laura Scharr-Bykowsky, a certified financial planner and Principal with Ascend Financial Planning in Columbia.  www.ascendfinancialplanning.com and www.medicare.gov

November 17, 2011
Grants Available to SC Exporters

As the world continues to grow smaller through globalization and interconnectivity, many small businesses are understanding the need to look at exports as a way to grow their business. Our next guest says that there are three new opportunities available now for small businesses to take that leap.

Mike Switzer interviews Fred Monk, President of ECI/Find New Markets, a non-profit export assistance organization based in Columbia, SC.  www.findnewmarkets.com and www.sccommerce.com

November 16, 2011
Charleston Company “Grows” Roof Business

We haven't talked about the green revolution in a while, but we were introduced to a company recently that believes one of the best ways for a business to reduce their energy costs is to put dirt and plants on their roof.

Mike Switzer interviews Michael Whitfield, President of Green Roof Outfitters based in North Charleston, SC.  www.greenroofoutfitters.com

November 15, 2011
AT&T’s SC Leader Wins Chamber Award

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce recently announced their 2011 Business Leader of the Year award. Mike Switzer interviews this year's recipient, Pamela Lackey, President of AT&T's South Carolina operations, based in Columbia.  www.scchamber.net/mediacenter.aspx?article_id=17 and www.att.com

November 14, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

November 11, 2011
How to Maximize Your Giving

The last two months of the year, besides being the holiday season, are also known as the peak season for charitable giving. With so many charities out there, how do you know who to give your money to? Which charities are the most efficient at using your money to accomplish its goals?

Mike Switzer interviews Cheryl Holland, an award-winning certified financial planner and principal with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia.  www.abacusplanninggroup.com and www.charitynavigator.org and www.bbb.org

November 10, 2011
S.C. Prepares for a Major!

Less than a year from now, the state of S.C. will play host to its first ever major golf championship when the 2012 PGA Championship comes to Kiawah Island. What is involved in preparing for such an event and what does it mean economically to our state?

Mike Switzer interviews Brett Sterba, the PGA Championship director, by phone from his office at Kiawah.  www.PGA2012.com

November 09, 2011
Businesses Save with Their Own Health Clinics

In today’s world, health care costs continue to increase, even as health care reform evolves.  Our next guest says the best way for some organizations to deal with this is to install their own health and wellness clinic.

Rick Gantt is a vice president with Benefit Controls Companies in Greenville, S.C.  www.benefitcontrols.com

November 08, 2011
Artists’ Loft School: SCORE’s Success in Charleston

Sometimes budget cutbacks by one organization can lead to a business opportunity for another.  One such venture has occurred in the Low Country that's filling an arts gap left by public school program cutbacks in recent years. Joan Body is co-owner of "The Artists' Loft School," our SCORE success story for this month.  If you don't know, SCORE is the volunteer small business counseling arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Mike Switzer interviews Joan by phone from her office in Charleston, S.C.  www.theartistsloftschool.com

November 07, 2011
S.C. Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast www.innoventure2012.com based in Greenville, S.C.

November 04, 2011
Midlands Company Helps College Libraries Save Money

Libraries, like all government agencies are feeling the pinch of budget cuts. Our next guest says that the average university library can spend about $200,000 per year on their library catalog system.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Anthony Snell, President of SnellPro in Columbia, S.C.  www.snellpro.com

November 03, 2011
Non-Married Couples Need Financial Planning

Our next guest says that financial planning should always play a big part of any relationship, but when couples decide to either delay marriage or not to get married at all, a whole new set of financial planning issues can develop.

Mike Switzer interviews Jon Robertson, a financial advisor with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, S.C.  www.abacusplanninggroup.com

November 02, 2011
Award Winning Non-Profit Helps Lower School Violence

The Central Carolna Community Foundation recently held its annual Philanthopy Awards and the big winner this year was a small non-profit organization that helps kids learn about and deal with abuse by introducing them to abused  animals.

Mike Switzer interviews Adele Little, director of The Healing Species, based in Orangeburg, SC.  www.healingspecies.org

November 01, 2011
Fast Growing New Sport Brings SC Teacher Business Opportunity

Our next guest says there is a new sport that is exploding with popularity and he has launched a business that he hopes will be the place to go in central South Carolina for everything you need to know about this new sport.

Mike Switzer interviews Steve Fisher, a high school teacher in Irmo, SC and the owner of California Republic SC, a business dedicated to standup paddleboarding.  www.californiarepublicSC.com

October 31, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

October 28, 2011
Is Now the Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?

Not too long ago, you may have heard about the Federal Reserve's new program aimed at reviving the economy, called “Operation Twist.”  It's focus is to continue to lower long-term interest rates.  Does that mean that if you haven't refinanced your mortgage yet, should you continue to hold out for even lower rates?

Mike Switzer interviews Heath Bartlett, an investment advisor and mortgage loan officer in Lexington, SC.  www.bartlett-financial.com

October 27, 2011
Low Country Automotive Supplier Wins Silver Crescent Award

The Silver Crescent Awards for excellence in manufacturing in South Carolina were handed out recently.  The winner in the Large Manufacturers category for 2011 is the Robert Bosch company in North Charleston.

Mike Switzer interviews Larry Lautenshlager, the company's technical plant manager.  www.silvercrescentsc.org and www.bosch.us

October 26, 2011
Diabetes Research Grows in SC

With South Carolina's high incidence of diabetes, many of you may be aware that October is national diabetes month.  But did you also know that SC is home to a company that is conducting a lot of clinical research right now on
diabetes?

Mike Switzer interviews Nancy Durham, President & CEO of Mountain View Clinical Research in Greer, South Carolina.  www.mvcresearch.com

October 25, 2011
New Economic Strategy for LowCountry

In these times of tight budgets and lower economic activity, industrial recruitment hasn't been easy.  Some local economic development organizations are coming up with new out-of-the-box strategies.

Mike Switzer interviews Steve Warner, VP of Global Marketing/Regional Competitiveness for the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, who is helping lead their brand new economic development strategy for the LowCountry's tri-county region.   www.crda.org

October 24, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

October 21, 2011
SC Plastic Surgeon Concerned About Breast Reconstruction Education

If you've been seeing a lot of pink ribbons recently, it's because October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Over 230,000 new cases of breast cancer are expected in the US this year, and our next guest says that he sees the need to help women get more educated about their options for breast reconstruction.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Ram Kalus, a plastic surgeon in Charleston, SC.  www.plasticsurgerycarolina.com

October 20, 2011
Healthy Vending Machines are Now in Upstate SC

Most of us have heard the news reports about South Carolina's high obesity rates and at the same some of you may have noticed the vending machines in our schools and workplaces filled with what most nutritionists would say are unhealthy snacks.  Our next guest and his wife decided to do something about that.

Mike Switzer interviews Buck and Meggie Bradberry, owners of Upstate Healthy Living in Greenville, SC.  www.upstatehealthyliving.com

October 19, 2011
Student Transport Company Foundation Sponsors Nationwide Tour Golf Championship on Daniel Island

South Carolina is the only state in the country that owns and maintains its own school buses.  And you may have heard that our governor, Nikki Haley has made study the privatization of our state’s school bus fleet a priority. Our next guest's company had made it their priority to be a part of this implementation.  They also have a student education foundation that is sponsoring this year's Nationwide Tour Golf Championship coming next week to Danieal Island, SC.

Mike Switzer interviews Pete Pearson, an executive vice president with Student Transportation, Inc.  and president of the Student Transportation of America Education Foundation.  He joins us by phone from his company's regional headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA.  www.sta-ips.com and www.pgatour.com/h

October 18, 2011
Too Many Black Swans in the Stock Market?

Many of you may have seen "The Black Swan", the bestselling book and movie about a ballet dancer struggling with the balance of good and bad in her performances. Our next guest says that in financial markets black swans are something entirely different.

Mike Switzer interviews Doug English, a financial advisor with Carolinas Retirement Specialists in Greenville SC.  www.carolinasretirementspecialists.com

October 17, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

October 14, 2011
Orangeburg Company Wins Silver Crescent Award

The Silver Crescent Awards for excellence in manufacturing in South Carolina were handed out recently at a luncheon in Greenville.  The winner in the small company category for 2011 is Cox Industries of Orangeburg.

Mike Switzer interviews Keith Harris, the company's Vice President of Marketing.  www.silvercrescentsc.org and www.coxwood.com

October 13, 2011
Technology Conference Coming Soon to Columbia

If you are looking to enhance your information technology skills or maybe just explore careers in IT, you may want to know about the Carolina Technology Conference coming Tuesday October 18th the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Mike Switzer interviews the conference director, John Davis.  www.carolinatechnologyconference.com

October 12, 2011
Low Interest Rates Make Investors Unhappy

In today's low interest rate environment, borrowers are happy, if they can get a loan.  Yet investors and savers needing income from CD's and bonds are far from happy.  Where do these people turn for income now?

Mike Switzer interviews Neil Brown, a certified financial planner with Burkett Financial Services in West Columbia, SC.  www.pimco.com and www.investinginbonds.com and www.morningstar.com

October 11, 2011
Another “New Idea” Contest Comes to Columbia

Our next guest's organization is hosting a contest right now to collect ideas via YouTube to find the best homegrown idea to start or enhance the next big movement in Columbia

and give them $5000 to do it.

Mike Switzer interviews Greg Hilton and Frank Avery with EngenuitySC, the host organization for Ignite 2011.  www.engenuitysc.com/ignite

October 10, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

Additional Business Resources:

SC Business One Stop www.scbos.com

SCORE  www.score.org

Small Business Development Center  scsbdc.moore.sc.edu

October 07, 2011
Upstate Non-Profit Launches Efforts To Educate Employers on Poverty

After 24 years of directing the non-profit organization: United Ministries in Greenville, SC, our next guest retired from that position to teach, preach and write about the lessons she learned working to alleviate poverty.

Mike Switzer interviews Beth Lindsay Templeton, who is now the director of "Our Eyes Were Opened", a poverty education program for individuals and businesses.

www.oureyeswereopened.org

October 06, 2011
Former Radio Host Helps People Find Jobs

In today's economy, many people are having trouble finding jobs.  Could one factor be a person's inability to get themselves an actual job interview in the first place?  If so, our next guest is trying to rectify that problem, while at the same time promote his new book via a contest entitled:  The Worst Interview.

Mike Switzer interviews Andy Thomas, a South Carolina radio personality whose recent book is entitled:  "The Job I Need, Needs Me".  He now does seminars and workshops around the Southeast.  www.andythomasproductions.com

October 05, 2011
Richland County Hires First-Ever Economic Development Director

In case you hadn't heard, Richland County recently hired its first ever Director of Economic Development.  The new director has been charge with recruiting new industry and retaining and expanding existing industry.

Mike Switzer interviews Nelson Lindsay, who graduated from Wofford College and got his Masters in public administration from USC and is a graduate of the Economic Development program of the University of Oklahoma.  Prior to his new position at Richland County, Mr. Lindsay was the Economic Development Director of Kershaw County since 1997.  www.richlandonline.com

October 04, 2011
Do You Have an Investment Battle Plan?

To help keep this country safe, the Pentagon maintains a file room of ready-to-use battle plans for just about any possible scenario that could ever arise. Our next guest says that to some extent, a person’s financial plan should be just as proactive to possible changes.

Mike Switzer interviews Rick Van Der Noord, a Certified Financial Planner in Greenville SC.  www.fpanet.org

October 03, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swamp Fox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

September 30, 2011
Southern Living Taste of Charleston Coming Soon

Downtown festivals and events continue to be a big hit with local businesses. One such event is coming soon when the Charleston Restaurant Association partners with Southern Living Magazine for the Southern Living Taste of Charleston on Oct. 8th and 9th.

Mike Switzer interviews Kathy Britzius, Executive Director of the Charleston Restaurant Association.  www.CharlestonRestaurantAssociation.com

September 29, 2011
Columbia World Affairs Council Honors SC’s Senior Statesmen

The Columbia World Affairs Council has named South Carolina’s two senior statesmen as its Global Vision Award recipients for 2011.  Congressman Jim Clyburn and Senator Lindsey Graham will be honored at a black-tie gala on Monday, October 10 at the Columbia Marriott.

Mike Switzer interviews Fred Monk, the chairman emeritus of the Columbia World Affairs Council.  www.columbiawac.org

September 28, 2011
Leadership Conference for Women Coming Soon to USC

You may not be aware of this but research shows that companies with a higher percentage of women in top management also experience a higher return on equity and sales.  Erin Wolf has lectured across the country at various universities and major corporations on the role of gender in today’s workplace. Ms. Wolf has a recently published book entitled: Lessons from the Trenches: A Woman’s Guide to Winning the Corporate Game. She is a graduate of Duke University and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Mike Switzer interviews Erin Wolf this morning about a two-day leadership program for women coming to USC's Darla Moore School of Business next week.  http://mooreschool.sc.edu/events.aspx?start_date=9%2f23%2f2011&end_date=10%2f23%2f2011&appointment_id=729

September 27, 2011
Should Estate Planning Be On Your Radar?

In my 20-year experience as a financial advisor, the one area of financial planning I saw most people procrastinate with was estate planning.  When should you start working on this?  Age 30, 50?  

Mike Switzer interviews Rusty Cagle, a certified financial planner with ASE Wealth Advisors in Greenville, SC.  www.aseadvisors.com

September 26, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

September 23, 2011
Ex-Offenders Find Job-Hunting Difficult

In today's environment of high unemployment, the people who are having the hardest time finding jobs are probably the same people who always find that task most difficult...those who have been released from prison.  Our next guest runs a non-profit organization that provides transitional assistance for ex-offenders and their families.

Mike Switzer interviews Steve Harbin, president of Changing The Way. He's also president of MRP Inc., a for-profit licensed employment agency.  www.changingtheway.org  www.focusjobsearch.com

September 22, 2011
Are Humans Not Wired for Investment Decision-Making?

Have you been having trouble makiing investment decisions lately?  The markets have been acting kind of crazy...or maybe it's just us.  Our next guest says the new scientific research in the behavioral finance field suggests that the human brain may not be wired to make optimal investment decisions.  

Mike Switzer interviews Andrew Jones, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia. www.abacusplanninggroup.com and www.myrisktolerance.com

September 21, 2011
Harvard Professor Returns to Columbia for Celebration

On September 22nd, New Carolina, the organization leading the cluster economic strategy in our state, will be celebrating it's 7th Anniversary, and doing so with a major event at the Marriott Hotel in Downtown Columbia.  Harvard professor Michael Porter, the man credited with planting the cluster strategy seed in SC, will be the keynote speaker.

Mike Switzer interviews George Fletcher, the director of New Carolina.  www.newcarolina.org

September 20, 2011
Myrtle Beach Insurance Agency is SCORE Success Story of the Month

When our next guest decided to open an insurance agency, he turned to his local chapter of SCORE for help in developing a business plan.  SCORE is the volunteer small business counseling arm of the US Small Business Administration.

Mike Switzer interviews H. P. Bryan, owner of the Bryan Insurance Agency, our SCORE Success Story for this month.  He joins us by phone from his office in Myrtle Beach, SC.  www.score.org

September 19, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

September 16, 2011
SC Home to New “Green” Clothing Company

As the green revolution grows across our country, South Carolina continues to participate. Our next guest's company is making a line of 100% recycled polyester clothing including both filament and spun yarns which he is currently turning into medical scrubs and t-shirts. 

Mike Switzer interviews Jack Miller, CEO of SustainTex, based in Greenville, SC.  www.mantrameds.com and www.earthspunapparel.com

September 15, 2011
Viva La Vista Returns to Columbia for 4th Year

SC's economy usually profits when business and government work together.  An example is when hospitality tax money is used to support the businesses that help generate that tax.  The 4th annual Viva la Vista, is one such event, which was created to highlight Columbia's Vista-area restaurants.  This year's festival is Sunday, September 25th.

Mike Switzer interviews Sarah Luadzers, the new executive director of the Congaree Vista Guild.  www.VistaColumbia.com

September 14, 2011
Patents, Copyrights & Trademarks Workshop in Columbia Next Week

An important part of our economy is new business formation and an important part of new business formation is intellectual property: patents, trademarks, and copyrights.  For those of you with an interest in this area, help is on the way.  The Midlands chapter of SCORE, the volunteer small business counseling arm of the US Small Business Administration is holding a seminar on this topic in Columbia on Sep. 20th.

Mike Switzer interviews the presenter for this workshop, John Perkins, an attorney with the Greenville, SC office of Metcalf, Perkins and Atkinson.  www.scoremidlands.org

September 13, 2011
Local Organization Seeks to Eliminate Illiteracy in SC

In case you didn't know, this is National Literacy Week and our next guest's organization is aggressively involved in stamping out illiteracy in our state.  

Mike Switzer interviews Ellen Hinrichs, the director of community philanthropy for the Central Carolina Community Foundation.  www.yourfoundation.org

September 12, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

September 09, 2011
Are Your Property Insurance Policies Adequate?

With hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters occurring these days across the country, it might be a good time to check your property and casualty insurance policies.  Our next guest says there's no point in optimizing your investment portfolio and saving properly for retirement if you don't have adequate P&C coverage.

Mike Switzer interviews Molly Thomas, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia.  www.abacusplanninggroup.com  www.floodsmart.gov  www.freeflood.com  www.weissratings.com

September 08, 2011
Antiques Roadshow Host is Distinguished Graduate from Florence , SC

It will probably come to no surpise to most of our listeners that Antiques Roadshow is the highest rated primetime series on PBS and has been for the past sixteen years.  But you may not be aware that the Emmy-nominated show's host for the past seven years is a 1980 graduate of South Carolina's West Florence High School.  He started his television career as an assistant at Dick Clark Productions and quickly moved in front of the camera as the announcer for the popular game show “Shop Til You Drop”, followed by hosting many other successful shows until finally landing at Antiques Roadshow in 2004.

Mike Switzer interviews Mark Walberg, who will be in Florence, SC on Sep. 29th, where he will be receiving a Distinguished Graduate award from The School Foundation in Florence.

September 07, 2011
New Cataract Laser Arrives in Charleston, SC

In case you missed it, August was Cataract Awareness Month and if you didn't know, cataract correction is actually the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States, with more than 3 million surgeries each year. In fact, according to the National Eye Institute, more than 20 million people in the U.S. older than 40 have cataracts and more than half will develop cataracts by age 80.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Kerry Solomon, who has been performing cataract correction surgery since 1990 and has been named one of the “Top 50 Opinion Leaders in the Fields of Cataract and Refractive Surgery” worldwide.  And he was recently chosen to be one of the first to use the brand new laser technology for cataract correction.  Dr. Kerry joins us by phone from his office at the Physicians Eye Surgery Center in Charleston.  www.AllAboutVision.com  www.LenSxLasers.com  www.drkerrysolomon.com  www.carolinaeyecare.com

September 06, 2011
Free IT Workshop in Columbia Tomorow

Information technology continues to be a growth industry in SC and local professionals will have an oportunity this week to learn how to best leverage the latest advances in IT.

Mike Switzer interviews Lonnie Emard, executive director of IT-Ology in Columbia.  www.gartnerinfo.com

September 05, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

September 02, 2011
Multiple Money Managers May Reduce Portfolio Volatility

With all of the volatility in the markets lately, we thought it would be a good idea to continue to check in with local financial planners to get their perspective.

Mike Switzer interviews Scott Edgerton, a certified financial planner with Core Advisors, a fee-only financial planning and wealth management firm in Chapin, SC.  www.coreadvisors.com

September 01, 2011
SC Company Brings Science to Fishing

The fishing industry has always been big in SC.  How has it dealt with the Great Recession and where does it go from here?

Mike Switzer interviews Glenn Young, national sales manager for ZMan Fishing Products in Ladson, SC.  www.zmanfishing.com

August 31, 2011
An Update From SC’s Electric Car Guru

For several years now, our next guest's organization has been pushing for the development and acceptance of electric cars in South Carolina.  That goal is now becoming a reality with electric cars being produced nationally now by major automobile companies and electric car charging stations sprouting up across our state.

Mike Switzer interviews James Poch, the executive director of Plug In Carolina, based in Charleston.  www.plugincarolina.org

August 30, 2011
Local Grocer Promotes Local Vendors

Most of us have probably heard the mantra: Buy Local.  And we all understand that when we buy local products and services, the local economy usually does better.  Our next guest says his grocery store has decided to take that strategy to heart.

Mike Switzer interviews John Owens, Assistant Vice President for Business Development for the Piggly Wiggly Carolina Company in Charleston, SC.  www.thepig.net

August 29, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

August 26, 2011
Small Recycling Company Targets Businesses

How many times have you been to a restaurant or other business and seen plastic bottles, cardboard, aluminum cans, glass bottles just being thrown into the trash when they could have been kept out of our landfills and recycled instead?  In fact, it's hard to believe that in today's day and age, many businesses still feel their only choice is to pay, through monthly garbage hauling and container fees, to place their recyclable materials in the landfill.  But our next guest says there is another option.

Mike Switzer interviews Nancy Ogburn, founder of Tomato Palms, a recycling company for businesses, based in Columbia, SC.  www.tomatopalms.com

August 25, 2011
Technology Idea Class Coming to Columbia

Are you a raving technogeek with the next big idea? Or just someone with a technology idea that you feel pretty good about.  If so, you may want to know that assistance is available through a 14-week education program in SC known as TechVenture.

Mike Switzer interviews Greg Hilton, a Senior Project Manager at EngenuitySC in Columbia. 

www.techventurecolumbia.com
www.engenuitysc.com

August 24, 2011
Mobile App Idea Could Win SC Prize

If you are a computer programming student or professional with an idea for a mobile application for i-Phones or Android phones, you may want to know about an upcoming event that will award cash and other prizes to the winning app developer.

Mike Switzer interviews Amanda Noyes, a software developer at SPARC, the company sponsoring the first annual Hackathon event in Charleston.  hackathon.sparcedge.com

August 23, 2011
Businesses and Non-Profit Join to Help Elderly and Disabled

This summer, a local non-profit organization has been busy making repairs to many homes of elderly or disabled homeowners. And local businesses are jumping on board.  

Mike Switzer interviews Hank Chardos, executive director and founder of Home Works, based in Irmo, SC.  www.homeworksofamerica.org

August 22, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

August 19, 2011
Planning Is Essential for New Businesses

Current business studies have shown that in today’s economy more and more people are considering starting a new business.  If you are starting a new business (or even thinking about it), there are many factors to consider—from
tax benefits and incentives to the form of business you plan to establish. Investigating the potential for a new business and getting the business started can be an expensive proposition and proper planning from the beginning is the key.

Mike Switzer interviews Angel Marvin, a CPA and personal financial specialist with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia.  www.abacusplanninggroup.com

August 18, 2011
Naval Research Excels in SC

You may not be aware of this, but there are 9 Navy Centers of Excellence in the US developing and applying new technologies to keep our Navy the most technologically advanced

in the world. Because of a premier SC non-profit organization, 2 of the 9 are headquartered here in SC.

Mike Switzer interviews Bill Mahoney, the President and CEO of SCRA, formerly know as the SC Research Authority.  www.scra.org

August 17, 2011
Once Bankrupt Publications Provide Upbeat SC Business Outlook

Regardless of what you hear or read, SC's business community remains vibrant and opportunistic.  If you are a subscriber to any of our next guest's publications, you

would probably agree.

Mike Switzer interviews Andy Owens, Managing editor of SC Biz News, the publisher of Charleston Regional Business Journal, Columbia Regional Business Report, GSA Business,

SC BIZ Magazine, and a jobs and employment web site.  www.scbiznews.com

August 16, 2011
Local Advisor Expects Positive Year for Financial Markets

The economy and financial markets are certainly on investors minds these days.

Mike Switzer interviews Doug English, a certified financial planner with Carolinas Retirement Specialists in Greenville, SC.  Doug shares his perspective on the current situation and an outlook for the

rest of the year.  www.carolinasretirementspecialists.com

August 15, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

August 12, 2011
Attn:  Young Entrepreneurs!

If you have school-aged children, you may want to know about an organization that is working to help teachers teach personal personal finance, economics.  And right now they are accepting nominations for their Young Entrepreneur Award.

Mike Switzer interviews Helen Meyers, president of SC Economics.  www.sceconomics.org

August 11, 2011
Worrying About the Economy?

The recent US debt crisis certainly stirred up concern about our economy.  Now that the debt ceiling has been raised, should we stop worrying about the economy?

Mike Switzer interviews Steve Slifer, who has been an economist for almost 40 years, serving with the Fedral Reserve in Wash. DC and as the Chief US economist for Lehman Brothers.  Now he runs his own consulting firm, Numbernomics, out of Charleston, SC.  www.numbernomics.com

August 10, 2011
European Bands Find Success in SC

About 4 years ago our next guest launched a music promotion business in SC in an effort to bring some French musicians to the US to share their music.  It has been successful enough that bands have been coming back every year and they recently announced this year's tour.

Mike Switzer interviews Rodney Cord, co-founder of Blue Mouth Promotions in Florence, SC.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Mouth-Promotions-LLC/196747020357137

August 09, 2011
Planning for Eldercare

It’s no secret that our population is getting older. Today, approximately 13% of the US population is over age 65. That number is expected to jump to about 20% by the year 2030. So it’s a pretty safe bet that a lot of us will eventually have to care for an aging loved-one and oour next guest says it's imperative that proper planning up front is better than waiting until you receive that “crisis” phone call.

Mike Switzer interviews Michael Baughman, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, SC.  www.abacusplanninggroup.com

Also:

1. State Department of Insurance website www.doi.sc.gov consumer guide to long term care
insurance
2. NAPGCM –National Association of Geriatric Care Managers www.caremanager.org
3. www.carf.org : Consumer Guide to Understanding Financial Performance and Reporting
4. www.Livingto100.com offers a life expectancy calculator with a good variety of input
5. www.retirementcommunity.com : locator for different types of retirement communities
6. The National Alliance for Caregiving www.caregiving.org
7. www.benefitscheckup.org Benefits Checkup includes more than 2,000 public and private
benefits programs
8. www.eldercare.gov Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging
connecting you to services for older adults and their families.
9. The North American Securities Administration has some great senior investor protection
resources. www.nsaa.org

August 08, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

August 05, 2011
Being Too Conservative Can be a Deadly Investment Strategy

Ever since the great recession started three years ago, investors have leaned towards the cautious side.  Even with the big comeback stocks have made.  But being too conservative can be a deadly investment strategy.

Mike Switzer interviews Bryan Ballentine, an investment advisor practicing in Greenville, SC.  www.ballentinecapital.com

August 04, 2011
Multimedia Business in Aiken Prospers

Multimedia can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people, including business owners where it can mean anything from audio-visual equipment for office presentations to webinars.

Mike Switzer interviews Jeff Siler, owner of CSRA Multimedia in Aiken, SC.  His business is also our SCORE success story this month.  SCORE is the volunteer small business counseling arm of the US Small Business
Adminstration with offices all around SC.  www.score.org and www.csramultimedia.com

August 03, 2011
SC and Israel Announce Economic Collaboration

A major economic initiative in SC was recently announced by the Southeast Region of the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce.

Mike Switzer interviews Jonathan Zucker, president of The Intertech Group in Charleston.  www.sc-israel.org

August 02, 2011
SC Solar Organizations Merge

The solar energy industry continues to grow in the US and in SC.  Recently, SC's Solar Council and the SC Solar Business Alliance voted to merge in an effort to strengthen their legislative efforts in our state.

Mike Switzer interviews Andrew Streit, founder of the SC Solar Business Alliance, based in Columbia.  www.solarbusinessalliance.com

August 01, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

July 29, 2011
Many Business Owners Turn to Peer Groups for Assistance

In today's economy, many small business owners are turning to peer groups for ideas and motivation.

Mike Switzer interviews Terry Weaver, who runs one of those peer groups in South Carolina: Chief Executive Boards International, based in Greenville.

www.chiefexecutiveboards.com

July 28, 2011
Many Business Owners May Need Help With Strategy

Companies that are looking to raise money from investors need to be healthy enough to show the capital markets that they have solid revenue growth, nice profitability and strong enough momentum to continue to move forward.  
But many business owners may be lacking other standards that the capital markets require, such as expertise in the fields of strategy, market positioning, executive leadership, and innovation.

Mike Switzer interviews Dr. David Furse, who has over 30 years experience as a strategy consultant, entrepreneur and professor and is currently a Senior Consultant with Watermark Advisors in Greenville, SC.  www.watermarkadvisors.com/new/pages/davidFurse.html

www.surveymonkey.com/s/Are-You-Ready-For-Strategy

July 27, 2011
SC Organization Named Non-Profit of the Year

SC Launch was recently named Nonprofit Organization of the Year by the 2011 American Business Awards.  This national award, known as The Stevie Award, recognized SC Launch for their role in leading collaborative entrepreneurial and economic development efforts in SC.

Mike Switzer interviews Bill Mahoney, CEO of SCRA, formerly known as the SC Research authority and the parent company of SC Launch.  www.sclaunch.org

July 26, 2011
Lending Money to Family and Friends Can Be Tricky

With the current economy, and banks' tight credit standards, people often turn to friends and family for loans when they need money. 
But lending money to your family and friends can be a delicate subject.  Yet, our next guest says investors may be more willing
to lend money to friends and family because of current low bond yields.  

Mike Switzer interviews Abby Donevant, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, SC.  www.abacusplanninggroup.com

July 25, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

July 22, 2011
Do You Have An Up-To-Date Estate Plan?

One often overlooked aspect of an individual’s financial plan is a review of his estate plan to make sure that the plan still meets the individual’s needs.  Why should someone review their estate plan?

Mike Switzer interviews Jon Robertson, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, SC  www.abacusplanninggroup.com

July 21, 2011
LowCountry Company Offers Electric Vehicles to Public Service Agencies

SC's LowCountry is home to a new venture that is taking off across the U.S. by establishing the only national sales and service network
of electric vehicles for public service agencies. These electric cars, which are designed for police, fire, EMS, campus security, mall security, etc. can
cost as little as $10/month to operate.

Mike Switzer interviews Warren Miller, VP Product Development for Eva Safety & Security on Daniel Island, SC.  www.eva-safetyandsecurity.com

July 20, 2011
A Local Nonprofit Provides Non-traditional Business Loans

A Midlands organization was established in 1958 by the South Carolina State Legislature to promote business and industry within the state.
And yet, you may not have even heard of them.

Mike Switzer interviews Edwin Lesley, president and CEO of the Business Development Corporation of SC (BDC), which
provides promising businesses a source for commercial loans not usually undertaken by traditional lending institutions.

www.businessdevelopment.org

July 19, 2011
Midlands Architecture Firm Wins Award for Adaptive Use

As words like sustainability and green become part of our everyday vocabulary, businesses continue adopt these strategies as well.
One example is when an existing building is converted into a one with a different purpose than previously.  It's called "adaptive reuse".

Mike Switzer interviews Tripp Riley, vice president with Studio 2LR, a Columbia architecture and interior design firm that recently earned
recognition from Historic Columbia Foundation for the firm’s work on adaptive use of a mixed-use development in downtown Columbia.
Mike also interviews Robin Waites, executive director of Historic Columbia Foundation.

www.studio2lr.com

www.historiccolumbia.org

July 18, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

July 15, 2011
Midlands Company Pushes LED and Induction Lighting

By now, we are all familiar with energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, known as cfl's.  And you may have also heard of the next generation of energy efficient lighting know as LED and induction.

Mike Switzer interviews Sammie Taylor, co-owner of the GreenWay Group in Columbia, SC.  www.thegreenwaygroupllc.com

July 14, 2011
Chimes Ring Up Dollars for Bluffton Woman

A LowCountry woman is the inventor of patented instructional aids for playing music without knowing anything about reading music.

Mike Switzer interviews Mary Scovel, owner of Bluffton, SC-based Chimers Charts, our SCORE Success Story this month. SCORE is the volunteer small business counseling arm of the US Small Business Administration. 

www.chimerscharts.com
www.score.org

July 13, 2011
Crinum Bulbs are Big Business for Midlands Farmer

A Midlands farmer makes his living primarily through growing and selling crinum bulbs, but he also stays busy in all facets of the horticulture business.

Mike Switzer interviews Jenks Farmer, owner of Lushlife Nurseries in Columbia, SC.  www.jenksfarmer.com

July 12, 2011
Financial Impact of Marrying Later in Life can be Complicated.

At any age, marriage is an important decision that impacts almost every aspect of life. For older individuals, marriage presents even more unique challenges and opportunities. One of these challenges deals with finances. The financial impact of marrying later in life can be complicated.

Mike Switzer interviews Susan McCants, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, SC.  www.abacusplanninggroup.com

July 11, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

July 08, 2011
Early Tax Planning Can Make a Difference

Tax season is over and many of us won’t even think about taxes again until next year or maybe around the end of this year.  But an Upstate financial advisor says that tax planning early can make a big difference in your annual tax bill.

Mike Switzer interviews Rusty Cagle, a Certified Financial Planner with ASE Wealth Advisors in Greenville, SC.  http://www.aseadvisors.com

July 07, 2011
Green Businesses See Demand in Recession

Relying on her business management skills, a Mt. Pleasant, SC woman left the concrete jungles of corporate America two years ago to start a new business in Charleston, SC.

Mike Switzer interviews Sharon Harvey, founder of Charleston Naturally, a retailer of environmentally-friendly personal care products.  www.charlestonnaturally.com

July 06, 2011
Workplace Flexibility Workshop Comning to Greenville, SC

On Tuesday, July 12, the Women's Bureau of the National Dept. of Labor will co-host a half-day workshop in Greenville about flexibility in the workplace.
This is a popular program that has been happening in cities all across the country.

Mike Switzer interviews Leanne Fuller, the Senior Human Resources Manager at Baldor Electric in Greenville, S.C.  She is also program chair for the Greenville Society of Human Resource Management.   http://NDWFgreenvilleSC.eventbrite.com

July 05, 2011
Hiding Towers is Big Business

Wireless communications have become a mainstay of everyday life.  And the wireless industry continues to erect tall towers for their antennas at the risk of spoiling the aesthetics of our countryside.  There's a company in Charleston that has been working since 1992 to hide these antennas.

Mike Switzer interviews Sean McLernon, CEO of Stealth Concealment Solutions, Inc.  http://stealthsite.com

July 04, 2011
What Separates Successful Business Visionaries from the Rest of Us?

Replay of a previous show: A former Wall Street Journal and Fortune magazine writer is living and writing in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Mike Switzer interviews Erik Calonius, author of the new book: Ten Steps Ahead: What Separates Successful Business Visionaries from the Rest of Us. calonius.com

July 01, 2011
Quality = World-Class for Many SC Businesses

To a lot of companies, terms like ISO, TS and AS are not just registrations or certifications. They're the difference between being recognized as a "world-class" organization and the rest of the pack. But the same things that make these designations so respected also make them extremely intimidating to obtain...they require a lot of time, energy, and effort.
Mike Switzer interviews Dennis Gillian, a Business Development Associate with AQA International in Columbia, SC.  www.aqainternational.com

June 30, 2011
Medical Transcription Business Booms

After her son was diagnosed with a sever learning disability, a Columbia sleep clinic employee started her won medical transcription business from home, which has now grown into a stand-alone business.
Mike Switzer interviews Angela DeCosty, founder of Alacri-Tech Solutions.  www.alacritechsolutions.com

June 29, 2011
“Who’s In Charge of You?”

A professional speaker and author from Clemson challenges people to take responsibility for their own actions and take the steps necessary for success. Mike Switzer interviews Steve Edwards, author of Who’s In Charge of You? Answer That & Everything Changes.  www.theamazingfactor.com

June 28, 2011
Midlands Woman Creates Modular Medical Apparel

A Midlands woman began her company after her husband's death in 2007 and came out of her experience in dealing with his illness
prior to his death.  Mike Switzer interviews Liz Taylor-Barry, founder of Barry Basics, a maker of “modular medical apparel”.  www.albarryfoundation.org and www.barrybasics.com

June 27, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.
Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

June 24, 2011
Killing Mosquitos Can Be Big Business

A local resident was so fed up with mosquitos that he decided to try a relatively new technology that was derived from fly spray systems that were used to protect expensive racehorses. He says it worked so good that he decided to buy the marketing rights to sell the product where he lives.

Mike Switzer interviews Barry Bettenhausen, owner of Greenville Mosquito in Greenville, SC.  www.greenvillemosquito.com

June 23, 2011
Frozen Yogurt Business Makes a Comeback

With the help of SCORE, the volunteer small business counseling arm of the US Small Business Administration, a new frozen yogurt business has opened in Columbia, SC.

Mike Switzer interviews Raees "RK" Kahn, owner of Yoghut Premium Frozen Yogurt.  www.yoghut.com

June 22, 2011
South Carolina is Home for a Real “Character”

A British citizen and accomplished actor, author, educator and museum curator living in Columbia, SC makes his living traveling around (mostly in SC) performing historical character monologues for libraries, museums and other organizations.

Mike Switzer interviews Howard Burnham.  www.howardburnham.com

June 21, 2011
Financial Planners Believe in Financial Education for Kids

Teaching your children the skills and knowledge to be financially self sufficient can be just as important as saving for college.

Mike Switzer interviews Cheryl Holland, a certified financial planner and founder of Abacus Planning Group in Columbia.  www.abacusplanninggroup.com  and

Raising Financially Fit Kids – Joline Godfrey and

Money Savvy Generation  (www.msgen.com)

June 20, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

June 17, 2011
Local Attorney Believes College Students Should Learn the Art of Negotiation

Throughout a long and fruitful career, a business leader constantly uses the delicate skill of negotiation.  Yet college business students rarely focus on developing that skill, and as a result are unprepared for negotiations with vendors, clients, bosses, and even potential employers.  What characteristics make up a skilled negotiator, and what principles must you learn in order to negotiate great deals?

Mike Switzer interviews Melinda Davis Lux, a corporate transactional and M&A attorney from The Wyche Law Firm.  Melinda spends part of her time teaching a class on negotiation to USC-Upstate business students. www.wyche.com

June 16, 2011
Health Care Reform Workshop for Businesses Coming to Columbia Next Week

Last year's health care reform law still has many business owners confused. Fortunately, the Midlands chapter of SCORE has decided to do something about it by scheduling a workshop entitled: "Small Business Survival Guide for the Recent Health Care Reform". If you don't know, SCORE is the volunteer small business counseling arm of the US Small Business Administration.

Mike Switzer interviews the presenter for the workshop, attorney Michael Ott with the Charlotte office of Malone, Thompson, Summers and Ott, a labor, employment & benefits law firm based in Columbia, SC.  www.scoremidlands.com

June 15, 2011
A SC Beekeeper Rents his Bees Out Across America

A Midlands man became interested in local, raw honey in 2001 to help his wife with her allergies. But after encountering a swarm of bees and then consulting with a long-time beekeeper in Camden SC, he began keeping bees as a hobby, with just two colonies. He is now a commercial beekeeper with over a thousand honeybee colonies scattered all over South Carolina.

Craig Bell is owner of Bell Honey in Rembert, SC.www.bellhoney.com

June 14, 2011
A LowCountry Family Seafood Business Gets Creative in a Struggling Industry

A LowCountry family has been in the seafood business since 1970. They now own 3 shrimp trawlers and 5 oyster boats and are coming up with new ways to grow the business as SC's seafood industry struggles.

Craig Reaves' business is called Sea Eagle Market in Beaufort, SC. seaeaglemarket.com

June 13, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

June 10, 2011
June is Micro Enterprise Development Month in SC

Micro enterprises are the smallest of businesses (less than 5 employees) and according to the SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce, they make up 87% of our state's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews SC state representative Kenneth Hodges, who is the sponsor of this resolution and Haidee Stith, the former director of the former S.C. Women's Business Center, and currently a consultant with On Point Services in Lexington, SC and a board member of the SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce. www.opservices.us and www.scsbc.org

June 09, 2011
How About a “Cocky Pop”?

A Mt. Pleasant, SC company recently acquired the first and only collegiate license for molded university and college mascot lollipops. Mike Switzer interviews Mark Lenhart, co-founder of Team Candy Suckers. www.teamcandysuckers.com

June 08, 2011
Greenville, SC Has a New Water Boss

As we head into another warm season, many have stated that water will be the new oil as battles over water rights between municipalities continue to persist. Mike Switzer interviews David Bereskin, the former CEO of the North Las Vegas water system and the new CEO of the Greenville Water System. www.greenvillewater.com

June 07, 2011
A Local Financial Planner Believes Interest Rates are Heading Higher

Interest rates continue to remain low and while that's good for borrowers, many retirees are wondering how long they can go on earning practically nothing on their fixed income savings accounts like bank cd's.

Mike Switzer interviews Neil Brown, a CPA and CFP with Burkett Financial Services in West Columbia, SC. www.pimco.com and www.investinginbonds.com and www.burkettfs.com

June 06, 2011
SC Business Update from John “Swampfox” Warner

A weekly update of the news, events, and issues facing South Carolina's business community.

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

June 03, 2011
SC Electric Cooperatives Trying to Bring Big Industry to Mega Site

Large industrial investments require large parcels of land.  Mike Switzer interviews Ralph Thomas, president of the SC Power Team, representing SC’s 20 non-profit electric cooperatives and Santee Cooper in their industrial recruitment efforts, including with the new I-95 1,920 acre Mega Site located near Dillon, South Carolina. www.scpowerteam.com

June 02, 2011
Roller Derbies are Experiencing a Revival

A SC non-profit organization is using a sport that is experiencing a re-birth to not only promote sportswomanship and female empowerment but also community consciousness through charity involvement.  Mike Switzer interviews Leah Miller, Executive Director of the Columbia QuadSquad Rollergirls skate team. www.columbiaquadsquad.com

June 01, 2011
A LowCountry CPA Finds Success as a Screenwriter

A screenplay entry at the recent Beaufort International Film Festival is being marketed in Hollywood.  Mike Switzer interviews Marcia Chandler Rhea is a screenwriter and CPA in Charleston. www.beaufortfilmfestival.com

May 31, 2011
Will You Outlive Your Money?

      Stockmarket volatility, inflation, increased life spans, and costs of assisted care living often scare those in retirement and those planning for retirement that they don’t or won't have enough money saved for retirement. Mike Switzer interviews Andrew Jones, certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, SC. www.abacusplanninggroup.com and www.ssa.gov/estimator and www.longtermcare.gov

May 30, 2011
National Labor Relations Board May Bring Changes Soon to the Workplace

(replay) Business owners and employees are concerned about recent events in Wisconsin, Ohio, and South Carolina and about possible new changes coming from the National Labor Relations Board.
Mike Switzer interviews Mason Alexander, partner at the labor law firm Fisher & Phillips in Charlotte, NC and Brett Bursey, executive director of the SC Progressive Network. www.nlrb.gov and www.laborlawyers.com and www.scpronet.com

May 27, 2011
Encouraging more capital investment in SC

Recent proposed legislation is intended to encourage more angel capital investing in our state. Mike Switzer interviews Matt Dunbar, Managing Director of the Upstate Carolina Angel Network in Greenville, SC. www.upstateangels.org

May 26, 2011
SustainSC 2011

The South Carolina Chapter of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) will be hosting their annual conference and expo called SustainSC 2011 on June 2nd and 3rd at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.  Mike Switzer interviews Adam Bernholz, the USGBC-SC Chapter Chair. www.usgbcsc.org

May 25, 2011
Slather it on

A LowCountry woman’s passion for food finally led her to follow her dream of being a food entrepreneur. Mike Switzer interviews Robin Rhea, co-owner of Slather Brand Foods in Charleston, SC, a purveyor of heirloom BBQ sauce. www.slatheriton.com

May 24, 2011
Commodity investments

Commodity prices, like oil and gold and corn, have been going up. Should you add these types of investments to your portfolio?
Mike Switzer interviews Robert DeHollander, a Certified Financial Planner with DeHollander & Janse Financial Group in Greenville, SC. www.djfinancial.com

May 23, 2011
Swampfox update

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

May 20, 2011
Total Care

A LowCountry, SC, homebuilder recently acquired a franchise that specializes in home warranty and property maintenance for full-time, part-time and totally absentee residents based on software that was created by students at Clemson University.  Mike Switzer interviews Steve Tilton, owner of Tilton Group Signature Homes and a Total Care franchise in Bluffton, SC.

May 19, 2011
Family businesss

A marriage can sometimes be strained when two married people are operating a business entity together. Mike Switzer interviews Ron Reece, a psychologist in Greenville who works with closely-held businesses and family-owned businesses.

May 18, 2011
Author Erik Calonius

A former Wall Street Journal  and Fortune magazine writer is living and writing in Mt. Pleasant, SC.  Mike Switzer interviews Erik Calonius, author of the new book: Ten Steps Ahead: What Separates Successful Business Visionaries from the Rest of Us. http://www.calonius.com

May 17, 2011
Planning for college

Parents and students are finishing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, and sitting down with Financial Aid Representatives at colleges and universities, trying to figure out how to pay for college.  Mike Switzer interviews Jeb Zoller, a Certified Financial Planner with First Command Financial Planning, in Columbia. www.ed.gov and www.firstcommand.com

May 16, 2011
Swampfox update

The pulse of the SC business community is being monitored through news, blog comments, and events at http://www.swampfox.ws, a weekly feature on the SC Business Review.  Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

May 13, 2011
Non-profits in the economic downturn

Since the economic downturn of 2008, not only have businesses had to tighten their belts, but non-profit organizations as well.

May 12, 2011
Tax planning for next year

There may be no time better than right after you have filed last year's tax returns to start doing some tax planning for the new year.

May 11, 2011
Celadon Fine Arts Festival

Beaufort, SC will soon host a new economic opportunity for creative artists at the Celadon Fine Arts Festival.

May 10, 2011
Award winning documentary film maker

A SC native who now lives in Los Angeles, CA recently won the award for Best Screenplay at the Beaufort International Film Festival for a film entitled 180 Proof, the story of a notorious Carolina moonshiner.  www.adamsumner.com

May 09, 2011
Swampfox update 05-09-11

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

May 06, 2011
SCORE success story of the month

Mike Switzer interviews Alicia Floyd, a Citadel Outstanding MBA Student of the Year and co-owner of Floyd Fence in Charleston, SC.  www.floydfence.com  www.score.org

May 05, 2011
Social entrepreneurship

Mike Switzer interviews Davis Folsom, professor of Economics and Business at USC-Beaufort.

May 04, 2011
Metering fees from utility companies

Mike Switzer interviews Michael Smith, manager of energy programs for Central Electric, representing SC electric cooperatives.  www.cepci.org

May 03, 2011
The health care overhaul

Mike Switzer interviews Michael Baughman, a certified financial planner with Abacus Planning Group in Columbia, SC.  www.abacusplanninggroup.com  www.healthcare.gov  www.medicare.gov  www.kff.org

May 02, 2011
Swampfox update

Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.

April 29, 2011
Small Business Administration

Anna Huntley, Public Information Officer for the SBA's South Carolina District Office.

April 28, 2011
Salute to small business

Laura Scharr-Bykowski is a cfp and principal with Ascend Financial Planning in Columbia, SC. She tells us about this year's Salute to Small Business, from the US Small Business Administration, coming to Columbia on May 4th

April 27, 2011
Upstate Spice of Life Show

Jacqui Bomar is President & Owner of JBM & Associates, a producer of consumer shows across South Carolina and Georgia. She talks with Mike about three simple things one can do to improve your investment success.

April 26, 2011
Artista Vista

Jeffery Day, former arts writer for The State, who is now curating the installation and performance component of Artista Vista.

April 25, 2011
Swampfox update

Mike talks with John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast based in Greenville, SC.

April 22, 2011
Sibling Partnerships

Sibling Partnerships

April 21, 2011
Regional Education Center of Pendleton

Narrative: A former school teacher recently won an award for his work with schools and businesses in the Upstate of SC.

Description: Mike Switzer interviews Rick Murphy, coordinator for the Regional Education Center in Pendleton, SC. http://www.scpathways.org

April 20, 2011
USPS regulations change

Narrative: Effective January 2011, there was a major change in postal regulations that may help the marketing efforts of many small businesses.

Description: Mike Switzer interviews Tim Williams, a Mailing Solutions Specialist with the United States Postal Service in Richmond, VA and Debbie Olavarria, SC’s local USPS retail marketing manager. http://www.usps.com and .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

April 19, 2011
Upgrading the look of a restaurant

Narrative: One of the challenges the fast food industry faces is staying relevant and appealing to its customers.

Description: Mike Switzer interviews George Sensor, owner and operator of thirteen McDonald’s restaurants in the Midlands-SC area.

April 18, 2011
Swampfox update

Narrative: The pulse of the SC business community and the Southeast Innovation Corridor is being monitored through news, blog comments, and events at http://www.swampfox.ws, a weekly feature on the SC Business Review.

Description: Mike Switzer interviews John Warner, founder and publisher of http://www.swampfox.ws and CEO of Innoventure SouthEast (http://www.innoventuresoutheast.com) based in Greenville, SC.