INSIDE // BOWLING IN SPARTANBURG • KEOWEE BREWS • FINDING A BIZ COACH
MARCH 30, 2018 | VOL. 8 ISSUE 13
SCORE! SOCCER SOARS IN THE UPSTATE, AND THE ARRIVAL OF NEW PRO AND SEMI-PRO TEAMS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
Michaela Andress of Spartanburg-based youth soccer club Carolina FC Will Crooks / Upstate Business Journal
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TOP-OF-MIND AND IN THE MIX THIS WEEK
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VOLUME 8, ISSUE 13 Featured this issue: Cargo’s new Main Street Greenville home................................................................4 Boutique bowling rolls into downtown Spartanburg............................................6 How to find the right business coach........................................................................15
As previously reported by Upstate Business Journal, Charleston developer The Beach Co. plans to put 100 apartments into the eight-story, 140,000-square-foot BB&T bank high-rise at 301 College St., Greenville. Plans also include a grocery and retail and restaurant space, as well as houses and townhomes, on parking lots across the street currently used by the bank. A recently submitted application for the certificate of appropriateness included proposed renderings of the mixed-use project. Read more at upstatebusinessjournal.com.
WORTH REPEATING “I have always loved the idea of marrying historic renovation with hip, contemporary experiences.” Sean McEnroe, Page 6
“I often see some of the same stress I have when buying a car in their faces as I talk to them about their website.”
VERBATIM
On exports and tariffs “ China’s list raised the possibility of 15 percent tariffs on American cherries, almonds, wine, ethanol and steel pipes, and 25 percent on pork meat and recycled aluminum.”
Chris Manley, Page 16
“There seems to be a renewed focus on making soccer accessible to all.” Rich Dixon, Page 11
CNNMoney’s Nathaniel Meyersohn, on a recently revealed list of 128 U.S. exports that China may target with tariffs as a response to President Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum
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The new headquarters’ open floor plan allows for increased collaboration and conversations. Photo provided
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Cargo expands business, moves to larger location ARIEL TURNER | STAFF
aturner@communityjournals.com Cargo, a marketing and advertising agency founded in Greenville in 2006, has moved across the street from its original location at 640 S. Main St. to a new space at 631 S. Main St. on the fourth floor of the former Brazwells location to accommodate a growing team in response to expanded client business. The new 4,500-square-foot, dog-friendly office offers the team a view of Falls Park and the new space more than doubles the agency’s footprint. The new Greenville headquarters features an industrial and open space, mimicking the vibe of Cargo’s Toronto office. The open floor plan allows for increased collaboration, conversations, and a game area with cornhole and more. 4
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The new location also provides additional meeting space, including a formal conference room overlooking Falls Park; a smaller gathering room looking out to the West End with a peek of Fluor Field; a private, oversized phone booth that can also be used for podcast recording; and other open seating areas throughout the office. The new kitchen includes booths that allow for casual conversations or an in-office lunch break, beer on tap, and a fully stocked bar. “In the past few months, Cargo has undergone a lot of growth – from new business wins to new staff hires,” says Cargo’s CEO and founding partner Dan Gliatta. “And now, we’re settling into a space that maximizes our creative and strategic thinking, from conference rooms that overlook Falls Park and the West End, to
the addition of house-built video game consoles, beer on tap, and more.” Cargo recently added five new team members to handle growth within several of the agency’s accounts including Lenovo, Bridgestone, Detroit Reman, Mercedes-Benz, 3M, and more. In total, Cargo has 21 employees, 19 of which are located in the Greenville office, and two employees up in the Toronto location. “New client wins and the hiring of staff to support the new accounts meant we needed more space,” says Hays Sligh, new business coordinator. “And we needed a space that truly inspired and accommodated our employees, to give them a platform to make work better.”
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C L E M S O N
HEALTH CARE
M B A
| NEWS
P R O G R A M
Greenville Memorial Hospital achieves Magnet status ANDREW MOORE | STAFF
amoore@communityjournals.com Greenville Health System’s Greenville Memorial Hospital has been granted Magnet recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program is the highest national honor for nursing excellence and distinguishes organizations that meet rigorous standards for delivery of care, according to a news release. Just 471 out of over 6,300 U.S. hospitals have achieved Magnet recognition. Greenville Memorial is the fifth hospital in the state and second hospital in Greenville County to achieve Magnet recognition. Other South Carolina hospitals to achieve the status include AnMed Health in Anderson, Bon Secours St. Francis in Charleston, Greer Memorial Hospital, and MUSC Health in Charleston. “Magnet designation is the outcome of a commitment to quality and excellence, providing the best care possible for each patient and family we serve. On behalf of more than 2,500 nurses, we are extremely proud. We are now among the elite group of hospitals that are Magnet designated, and I am grateful to the clinical nurses and nurse leaders whose relentless pursuit of excellence is apparent every day,” said Lori Knarr Stanley, chief nursing officer at Greenville Memorial. Magnet recognition is the gold standard for nursing excellence and is a factor when the public judges health care organizations, accord-
ing to a news release. Research demonstrates that Magnet recognition provides specific benefits to health care organizations and their communities, including higher patient satisfaction with nurse communication, a lower risk of 30-day mortality and lower failure to rescue rates, and higher job satisfaction among nurses. The ANCC evaluates hospitals by their quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care, according to a news release. To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that requires widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on Magnet Recognition. “Magnet designation is so important because it’s professional, international validation of what we already know — that we deliver excellent care and have been for decades,” said registered nurse Jeff Everett, who joined the staff at Greenville Memorial in 2014 and served as a peer leader for the Magnet designation’s Champions of Excellence committee. “I was inspired by the nursing staff as a family caregiver and as a student, and now as a professional I’m proud to serve alongside this group of exceptional nurses. The community should be proud of them as well.”
3.30.2018 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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The 118-year-old building will house an eight-lane bowling alley and event center capable of accomodating nearly 500 people. Photo provided
RETAIL & HOSPITALITY
Boutique bowling alley planned for downtown Spartanburg TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF
tanderson@communityjournals.com A trendy boutique bowling alley, restaurant, and event center concept is headed for a 118-year-old building in downtown Spartanburg. Sean McEnroe, co-owner of the former Kimbrell’s Furniture building at 127 W. Main St., said Friday, March 23, the eight-lane bowling alley and event center capable of accommodating nearly 500 people will be operated by a team led by Howard Dozier, co-owner of Greenville’s Stone Pin Company. Dozier said he plans to hire 35 to 40 people from Spartanburg for the bowling alley and event center operations at the venue. “We’re in a very unique location now [in Greenville] and we’ve been very successful there,” Dozier said. “We’re excited to go to Spartanburg. I feel like we’re getting in on the ground floor of downtown’s growth.” McEnroe said he and his brother, PJ 6
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McEnroe, also a co-owner of the building, are in the process of narrowing down their choices for the restaurant, which will occupy 5,000 square feet of the nearly 26,000-square-foot building and provide food for all three venues. It will also have a 1,500-square-foot mezzanine level for small, private events. The event center space will occupy about 9,000 square feet and will be similar to the Revel Event Center in Greenville, but with its own Spartanburg flair, according to the McEnroes. Dozier said the event space will be able to host corporate gatherings, weddings, concerts, and other events. There will also be a craft cocktail bar. The bowling alley will be in about 12,000 square feet and feature the “latest in social-media-compatible bowling technology and inspired interior design.” Dozier said a name for the bowling alley and event center will be determined during the coming months. The brothers purchased the building in 2015
after it housed a series of failed nightclubs. “We have been patient and diligent,” Sean McEnroe said of securing a bright future for the building. “It was always our goal to bring something that really attracts people to downtown. Some of the criteria included being open daily, having an entertainment aspect, and having broad appeal. We really think this project has hit all of those goals.” Sean McEnroe said the brothers anticipate investing up to $5 million in the project. He said construction is expected to begin this spring, with the restaurant and event center opening in spring 2019. The bowling alley should open in summer 2019. “This is a very exciting announcement for downtown Spartanburg,” said Jansen Tidmore, executive vice president of Spartanburg’s Downtown Development Partnership. “We often talk about creating that 24/7 vibe downtown, meaning there are people living, working, and playing downtown, and this helps elevate our ‘play.’ From our families to young profes-
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sionals to college students, this business is geared to succeed and boost the quality of life in all our targeted sectors. This investment in our community continues to demonstrate that Spartanburg is on the rise and we welcome it with open arms — and likely a few gutter balls with the way I bowl.” The McEnroes said four Spartanburg-based companies, including McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, Clerestory Projects Group, Dunbar Construction, and Sandra Cannon Interior Design, will lead the project’s design.
in downtown, such as the new AC Hotel, Montgomery Building renovation, and Aug W. Smith redevelopment, has benefited downtown. He said he is more encouraged, however, by the recent acceleration of “smaller storefront openings” throughout downtown’s central business district. “Spartanburg needs a density of options for walking traffic,” McEnroe said. “Spartanburg needs venues that attract people. The 127 W. Main project fills 60 feet of a storefront at the center of Morgan
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The building at 127 W. Main St. will undergo a historic renovation that includes restoring its facade to the way it looked when it housed The Leader Department Store. Photo courtesy of Sean McEnroe.
Construction will include a historic renovation of the building. The work will focus on restoring its façade to the days when it housed The Leader Department Store and giving its interior some modern features but maintaining the historic character of the building. “I have always loved the idea of marrying historic renovation with hip, contemporary experiences,” Sean McEnroe said. “Ensuring that we keep the authentic flavor of Spartanburg’s history while introducing fun, chic elements to the palate of downtown has been a great conversation. I am excited about what this design team is putting together.” McEnroe said the momentum generated by other large projects
Square with three venues that actually bring new people into the city center. We think these concepts are the perfect accelerator for an already booming downtown.” Assistant City Manager Chris Story praised the McEnroes’ patience and persistence in landing the project. “We’re excited about it,” Story said. “That building is in a vitally important location on [Morgan Square]. It has a relatively large footprint so it has been a unique challenge to figure out the right use. Sean has worked long and hard to figure out how to make it work in a way that would really added some much-needed offerings to downtown.” A Service of Blue Ridge Electric Co-op 3.30.2018 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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COLUMN
The Spark Happenings in Upstate Biz with Trevor Anderson In a pond dominated by large tech giants, TPM Inc. might appear to be a small fish. But the Greenville-based enterprise has continued to punch above its weight with its focus on providing a depth of resources, innovation, and quality customer service. On March 19, TPM announced another addition to its repertoire of software and training solutions, and the company believes the news could have a positive impact on manufacturing and engineering operations in the Upstate and beyond. TPM said it has partnered with Texas-based Nine Dot Connects to
begin offering SOLIDWORKS PCB. PCB stands for “printed circuit board.” According to TPM, SOLIDWORKS PCB, powered by Altium, is software that allows designers of printed circuit boards to develop efficient schematics for their board layouts. The software allows the PCB design to be integrated into SOLIDWORKS CAD, or computer-aided design, models, “creating a best-in-class workflow to link the electrical design process with the mechanical design process,” TPM said.
“TPM is excited about this new partnership,” said Chris Fay, vice president of TPM, in a statement. “This allows us to be able to offer a complete set of design solutions built around the SOLIDWORKS platform to the manufacturing market.” “Nine Dot Connects brings a long history and wealth of experience in the PCB area that we can now bring to our customers,” Fay added. TPM said with growth in areas such as the internet of things, which is a term typically used to describe devices connected to each other via the internet, PCB design is “becoming a much more prevalent part of the design and engineering process.” The company said by integrating PCB with the mechanical model, organizations can benefit from a more “efficiently managed” engineering process to “keep them at their most productive level.” “As the integration between mechanical and electrical design becomes increasingly interwoven,
we are elated to be working with TPM to assist their customers in their design efforts,” said Christopher Chae, founder of Nine Dot Connects, in a statement. “Our focus is on electronic design with a firm knowledge of mechanical interaction. This partnership is far more than another tool offering. It is the opportunity for TPM customers to explore the idea of adding electronics to their products in a successful environment.” That isn’t too shabby for a 45-year-old family-owned company originally founded as a manual drafting print shop for blueprints with $700 by Greenville entrepreneur Jerry Cooper. Today, TPM boasts 3,000 customers across the Southeast. Headquartered at 1003 Laurens Road, TPM has 100 employees, five divisions, and five satellite offices located in Columbia, Charleston, Atlanta, and Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C.
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REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION
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The five-barrel brew house gets its name from Lake Keowee, which is close to the brewery and the source of water for its beer production. Rendering provided by Oconee Economic Alliance
Keowee Brewing Co. to open in downtown Seneca ANDREW MOORE | STAFF
amoore@communityjournals.com Another brewery is coming to the Upstate. The Oconee Economic Alliance announced last week that Keowee Brewing Co. will establish operations in downtown Seneca by the end of the year. Located at 401 E. Main St., the five-barrel brew house gets its name from Lake Keowee, which is a few minutes from the brewery and is also the source of the water for its beer production. The brewery is owned and operated by Alex Butterbaugh, who most recently worked as a brewer at 3 Sheeps Brewing Co. in Sheboygan, Wis. “My wife, Allison, and I grew up in Spartanburg and attended Clemson University. While our jobs after college took us away from South Carolina, we always knew that coming home would be a priority. We are very excited about returning to
the Upstate and becoming an integral part of the community,” Butterbaugh said in a press release. “Downtown Seneca already has some of the best restaurants and bars around, and we hope to add to the draw of the downtown area.” Keowee Brewing Co. will offer 12 beers on tap, with a focus on IPAs, stouts, and pilsners, among others. It will have an indoor tasting room along
with a large outdoor biergarten with a patio for concerts, community events, and other social gatherings. The company also plans to partner with nearby food establishments to allow outside food to be brought in, as a way to encourage the local food movement and work with area food trucks to offer local ingredients. “This is going to be such an impactful type operation for our area beyond the jobs and capital investment we typically talk about in economic development projects,” said Richard K. Blackwell, executive director for the Oconee Economic Alliance. “Keowee will play off the localism concept, help to diversify our local economy, and push forward the revitalization movement in downtown Seneca. This is the beginning of a great story.”
3.30.2018 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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SOCCER UPST TE SOCCER BUSINESS
words by trevor anderson
IN THE UPSTATE O
pportunity. That’s what Steven Short and Josh Keller, executives of the United Soccer League’s newly minted Division III, sensed when they arrived in Greenville this past summer. The purpose of their trip: to meet with Upstate entrepreneur Joe Erwin and his leadership team at Erwin Creates to discuss Greenville’s potential as an expansion city for the league’s inaugural season, which kicks off in March 2019. That meeting and others that followed culminated March 13, as USL awarded Greenville and Erwin Creates with franchise rights for the D3 league’s third team in addition to South Georgia Tormenta FC and FC Tucson. “We can look at spreadsheets; we can look at numbers, and it all looks good,” said Short, senior vice president of USL D3. “Once you set foot in a city, that’s when you really know. There was just an energy in Greenville.” “It’s a great soccer city,” Short added. “We’re excited to bring pro soccer to the Upstate. … We were huge fans of Joe and his team from day one. It’s not a Joe Erwin project. It’s something for the region. We were impressed with their vision and the way they were able to convey it. They want a first-class product on the field — some-
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thing that would set the bar for the league. We know they’re going to do it right.” Leaders in the Upstate’s soccer community said the market is primed, and has been for some time, for a top-level professional franchise. Short said 22,000 youth soccer players are registered in South Carolina. Within a 50-mile radius of Greenville, there are at least 11 collegiate soccer programs, he said. “The opportunities for pro soccer in South Carolina are great,” Short said. “Our fans are fanatic and passionate. We certainly see the potential in Greenville. It is another element the city will be able to offer its residents and visitors.” Past attempts to bring professional soccer (above the amateur or semi-pro level) to the region have not been successful. The most notable efforts include the South Carolina Shamrocks and the Greenville Lions. The Shamrocks, owned by Spartanburg businessman Sean McMahon, competed from 1996 through 1999 in the USL’s D3 Pro League, or U.S. Independent Soccer League. The team’s franchise rights were revoked by USL before the 2000 season due to financial performance issues. In 2001 and 2002, the Greenville Lions played in the USL D3 Pro League. The Lions competed in the USL’s amateur Premier Development League in 2003 and then folded due to financial issues. But there are several reasons why USL and Upstate soccer leaders are bullish
about the new D3 team’s long-term success. And those reasons add up to provide an optimistic outlook for the game’s future in the region.
Growth at the national level Soccer has continued to see a steady rise in popularity at the national level since the United States served as the 1994 host of the World Cup, the world’s largest international soccer tournament. In January, a Gallup poll showed that soccer is the fourth most popular spectator sport in the U.S., with 7 percent of Americans saying it was their favorite sport to watch behind football (37 percent), basketball (11 percent), and baseball (9 percent). According to the industry publication Soccer Stadium Digest, the average attendance at Major League Soccer (the nation’s highest level of professional soccer) games in 2017 was 22,109. That number has already increased to 22,674 in 2018. Atlanta United FC, an MLS expansion franchise, averaged 48,200 fans per game during its inaugural season in 2017. The team set an MLS record with more than 70,000 fans during a game against Orlando City in September, according to published reports. US Youth Soccer, a nonprofit organization that bills itself as the largest member of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF), the nation’s governing soccer body, said participation among players
22,000 youth soccer players in S.C.
ELEVEN
collegiate soccer programs within a 50-mile radius of Greenville
4X SIZE
how much Carolina FC has grown in 2 years
$10M
estimated 2015 economic impact of U.S. Youth Soccer Regional III championships
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between ages 5 and 19 has continued to increase during the past three decades. The organization said its number of annual registered players rose from 103,432 in 1974 to 3,055,148 in 2014. Most American soccer fans would admit that the recent failure of the U.S. Men’s National Team to qualify for this year’s World Cup — the first time it hasn’t qualified for the global event since 1986 — is unequivocally the low point for the domestic game. There are some, however, who believe it will be a defining moment similar to 2014 World Cup winner Germany’s overhaul of its youth development system following a series of disappointing showings at the tournament during the 1990s. Rich Dixon, athletics director for Greenville County Rec, attended the USSF’s annual general meeting in February in Orlando. Dixon serves on the board of the South Carolina Amateur Soccer Association (SCASA), a recognized member of the USSF. Because of that, he was able to cast a vote
But economic growth in the region has fueled population growth, particularly among international residents, many of whom hail from countries that highly value “The World’s Game.” Dixon said he’s also seeing a trend where American “kids of the ’80s and ’90s” who grew up playing soccer are moving back or relocating to the Upstate. “Their first question when they move here is, ‘Where can I play soccer?’” Dixon said. According to its website, Greenville County Rec’s amateur soccer league is the only league in the area sanctioned by SCASA. It caters to men and women age 15 and older. Dixon said the league typically registers 30 teams during the winter months and anywhere from 60 to 80 teams during the spring, summer, and fall. There are a few other leagues in Greenville County, Dixon said. He hopes the new USL D3 team will help unify the soccer community in the Upstate. Pearse Tormey, co-executive director of Greenville-based Carolina Elite Soccer Academy
USL D2 team that currently averages about 3,000 to 4,500 fans per home game, as well as the now-defunct Shamrocks and the Lions. He said the level of competition at the youth level has grown tremendously since the early 2000s. “[Soccer] is a game everybody can play at a young age for a relatively low cost,” Tormey said. “You can continue to play it relatively inexpensively, or you can choose to pay a little more and advance to a higher level.” He said players on CESA’s most competitive teams have access to more comprehensive, professional coaching that includes not only skills and an understanding of the game, but other things like nutrition, and speed and agility. Tormey said those players are also training year-round and more frequently during the week. He said he believes the team led by Erwin Creates is a positive for local soccer, but its success is not assured. “At the end of the day it comes down to what
“It was a great experience seeing where soccer is nationally. Not making the World Cup, at least from a U.S. Soccer perspective, has rejuvenated the base. There is a new vested interest in the game in America. There seems to be a renewed focus on making soccer accessible to all.” Rich Dixon, athletics director for Greenville County Rec
during an election that resulted in longtime Goldman Sachs executive Carlos Cordeiro being named the new president of the federation. Cordeiro succeeds Sunil Gulati, who had served as USSF president since 2006. Dixon said there’s hope that, under new leadership, the game will soar to new heights. Potentially even the nation’s first World Cup victory. “It was a great experience seeing where soccer is nationally,” Dixon said. “Not making the World Cup, at least from a U.S. Soccer perspective, has rejuvenated the base. There is a new vested interest in the game in America. … There seems to be a renewed focus on making soccer accessible to all.”
Growth at the grass-roots level For decades, soccer has taken a back seat to other popular sports in the Upstate, including football, baseball, and basketball. 12
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(CESA), said his club has grown at about 3 to 4 percent annually during the past several years. CESA can trace its roots back to 2000 when Greenville’s Downtown Soccer Association merged with Golden Strip Soccer Club to form Greenville Football Club. In 2004, Greenville Football Club merged with St. Giles Soccer Club to form CESA. The club started with 2,500 players ranging from ages 4 to 19. Today, CESA serves more than 4,000 players. That’s a 60 percent increase in 14 years. In addition to the region’s population growth, Tormey said youth soccer fans have the ability like never before in history to watch the world’s top leagues, such as the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, or Italian Serie A, on television or a mobile device. Tormey emigrated from Ireland to play soccer for Clemson University, where he was a member of the Tigers’ 1987 national championship team and was twice named an All-American. He played pro soccer for the Charleston Battery, a
the product is on the field,” Tormey said. “What is the location [of the stadium]? How do the spectators relate to that team? Everybody wants to see something new. … Will people travel on the road to go watch them? Can you get fans to watch you at home?” Rafe Mauran became director of the Spartanburg-based youth soccer club Carolina FC in 2015. At the time of his arrival, the club had 264 registered players. This year, the club has more than 800. Mauran said the launch of a recreation program, the introduction of new programming, and better teamwork in Spartanburg’s soccer community has helped the club grow. “We made a conscious decision to do things a little differently,” he said. “We wanted to make sure we offer everything a kid would need to get to the next level. … We’ve seen the [competitive] level of our teams continue to rise during the past couple years.” Short said the Upstate, Greenville County in
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“ We wanted to make sure we offer everything a kid would need to get to the next level. … We’ve seen the [competitive] level of our teams continue to rise during the past couple years.” Rafe Mauran, Carolina FC director Photo by Will Crooks
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particular, has become a destination for local, state, and regional youth soccer tournaments. “Tourism on the soccer side is already strong,” he said. “The infrastructure is already there.”
New semi-pro teams in the Upstate The American soccer landscape is divided into two categories: professional and amateur. Three USSF-sanctioned leagues that are ranked by division populate the professional category. The top tier belongs to MLS, followed by USL D2 (the Charleston Battery’s division), and USL D3, where the new Greenville team will compete. All of the teams that compete in these divisions are recognized by the USSF and FIFA. The amateur category is composed of two subdivisions: amateur and youth. USL defines the term “amateur” as collegiate and nonprofessional leagues that offer no player contracts recognized by FIFA. Those leagues include the NCAA, NAIA, PDL, NPSL, UPSL, USASA, and ASL. Excluding college programs in the NCAA and NAIA, most of the other leagues are viewed as the fourth tier of American soccer. Short said many of those leagues fall into the loosely defined “developmental” category, meaning they are designed to give emerging players a taste of pro soccer while still enabling them to maintain their eligibility to compete at the collegiate level.
Three teams competing in various leagues not associated with or sanctioned by USSF have already or soon will begin playing in the Upstate. The list includes the Upstate Strikers in Anderson, Greenville FC, and Spartanburg-based Sparta 20/20. Upstate Strikers is an independent indoor soccer team that hopes to compete in the Major Arena Soccer League, a not-for-profit indoor soccer league with teams in the U.S. and Mexico. Greenville FC will kick off its inaugural season in May, competing in the developmental National Premier Soccer League’s Southeast Conference. The team will play its home games at Furman University. In August 2017, the amateur United Premier Soccer League announced the addition of Spartanburg-based Sparta 20/20 to its Southeast conference. Co-owned by Kendall Reyes and Raymond Curry, the team is currently playing its home games at Spartanburg Day School. Greenville FC’s proximity to the Greenville USL D3 franchise has sparked a misconception that Greenville FC is the county’s first professional team. Based on the USSF’s definition, Greenville FC is actually an amateur team. However, Short said Greenville FC’s presence in the market will be a boon for soccer in the area. “We definitely think there is space in Greenville for both leagues,” Short said.
Just around the corner Erwin said a site for his team’s permanent home, as well as its name, colors, and logo, will be announced later this year. He said he expects the team will play its first season at a temporary venue that should be secured sometime in the months ahead. Erwin said the team’s ownership, which is also composed of his son, Doug Erwin, and Erwin Creates Managing Partner Shannon Wilbanks, is committed to building a “first-class facility” from scratch, if need be, for its permanent home. He said seven sites are being considered for the stadium. The sites include downtown Greenville, Greenville County, and multiple municipalities. The company said it has hired veteran sports manager Chris Lewis, who previously served as team president of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team, to serve as president of the new soccer team. Short said USL D3 is poised to have 12 to 16 teams competing in its inaugural season. Those teams could be divided into two conferences, East Coast and West Coast. “March 2019 is just around the corner,” Short said. “We’ve got a lot to do. It’s an exciting time.”
Photo by Will Crooks 14
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STRATEGIES FOR HONING YOUR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
| PROFESSIONAL
Finding the right business coach — an untested quarterback can’t just have a team hire the coach they want — a small business can hire the coach that best suits them.
By JIM WIGINTON president and managing partner, Broad Insights
What do Tom Brady, Brett Favre, and Joe Montana have in common? Easy answers come to mind. Each is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. Each won an MVP Award. Each was considered the best quarterback ever at one point in his career. And each floundered until he found the coach who took his unique skills and honed him into a champion. Montana never started for a full season at Notre Dame before Bill Walsh tapped him to lead the San Francisco 49ers dynasty of the 1980s. Favre was glued to the bench for the Atlanta Falcons before Mike Holmgren and Ron Wolf of the Green Bay Packers traded for him. Like Montana, Brady was a part-time college starter before Bill Belichick saw he was the person to lead the New England Patriots to an unprecedented run of NFL dominance. How many great quarterbacks never got that one coach who believed in them? That one coach who took their talents and made them better? For a moment, think about your business and other businesses. How many have failed and are failing because no one was there to guide them to the next level? While we see the success of and need for coaches in the athletic world, most business owners tense up at the idea of hiring a business coach. A major reason for this angst is not because they don’t think they need a coach; it’s just they are not sure how to find the best coach. But that fact can be an advantage for a business owner. Unlike Brady, Favre, and Montana, who had to wait for the right coach to find them
A good business coach will both motivate and teach you. A great business coach will do both of those, plus get results and care personally about you.
But what should someone look for when hiring their business coach? EXPERIENCE MATTERS Don’t hire someone fresh out of college who has never run a business of their own. That sounds logical, but a lot of people fall into the trap of listening to someone with little experience in the actual business world. They fall for flashy pictures and big promises. The best bet is to find a coach who has experience building successful companies for themselves and clients in the industry or fields you are working in. BE SKILL-SPECIFIC Are you look for an ear to bend? Or someone who can talk to you about increasing sales? Or a coach who can give new thoughts on how to create better long-range plans? Look for the coach who matches what you think you need to get done, but also can help you with the things that may
come up. And as any business owner knows, unexpected things arise all the time. COMPATIBILITY A good business coach will both motivate and teach you. A great business coach will do both of those, plus get results and care personally about you. The key is finding a coach who can lead you, not steamroll or placate you. A COACH IS NOT A CONSULTANT There is a big difference between a consultant and a coach. A consultant is someone you hire for a short-term project or crisis. Many times they will give you options, and you make a decision. They are there for a standby or to give you advice. Think of a coach as more long-term and as someone who will help you make the best decisions over and over again. At the end of the day, finding the right business coach means finding success for your business. It’s about embracing growth and embracing change. Whether you’re struggling with an insurmountable problem or just trying to improve your organization, a coach can help. Coaches are an objective third party, so you don’t have to worry about revealing too much or maintaining a good image. Jim Wiginton is president and managing partner of Broad Insights, which is one of the leading business coaching and strategy companies in the nation. With a team of more than a dozen coaches, Business Insights works with mid-sized companies that are looking to create more effective leadership, enhance employee engagement, clarify strategy, and increase customer satisfaction. Learn more at www.broadinsights.com.
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PROFESSIONAL |
STRATEGIES FOR HONING YOUR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
How buying a website is like car shopping By CHRIS MANLEY CEO, Engenius
Have you ever felt intimidated when buying a car? If you’re like me, you’re not a freelance mechanic. You don’t follow the car industry with avid fascination, but you get to the point where your current wheels just aren’t cutting it and you need something new. So you go to a few dealerships and check out cars that (as far as we can tell) all look the same, smell the same, and drive the same. We assume that the $40,000 car does something better than the $20,000 car, because, well, it’s more expensive. The features we can make sense of are often the cheapest to incorporate, like cup holders, all-weather floor mats, and backup cameras.
It’s hard to tell the difference between seat fabric that’s made to last versus seat fabric that’s made to look great but lasts only six months. How about the safety features, all hidden within the framework of the car? And the engine quality — the most expensive part of fixing a vehicle over time. Will it still work well in a year? Two years? Three? I’ve always enjoyed the experience of driving a new car. But picking one out and thinking through all the options leaves me a little exhausted. I’m not a car expert, and often the salespeople use fancy mumbo-jumbo that leaves me feeling even more ill-educated than I already am. This isn’t the 1950s when everyone changed their own oil and was their own backyard mechanic!
Don’t ask for references; just call up some of their current clients and ask for their candid experience. Nearly all web design firms will have a portfolio. Start there. Cars are far too complicated nowadays, with advanced electronic systems and all. I don’t care to understand exactly how the car works; I just care greatly about it working consistently. In spending nearly two decades working with business owners and leaders, I often see some of the same stress I have when buying a car in their faces as I talk to them about their website. Comparing what first seemed like apples to apples now turns into needing to understand the difference between Fuji, gala, golden delicious, red delicious, granny smiths, and more. It’s never as simple as it seems. Is there any hope? Perhaps. Here are a few tips to make this experience less painful for you down the road: 1. Past performance foreshadows future results Talk to other clients. Did they buy a clunker? Has this company worked well with them? Don’t ask for references; just call up some of their current clients and ask for their candid experience. Nearly all web design firms will have a portfolio. Start there. 2. Look for patient teachers There are two kinds of experts in the world: those that make you feel really dumb and those that have the patience to help you understand. Seek out the latter. If you talk to the former, you’re probably not at the right place.
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UBJ | 3.30.2018
3. Are they upfront and honest? Does the firm you’re talking to own up to the fact that they’re not perfect? Ask them how they’ve corrected mistakes they’ve made in the past. That is an indicator of how they’ll treat you when something goes awry. 4. Seek transparency Are they an open book about how they work and being forthcoming about what is and isn’t working for you? Are they giving you the numbers so you can see for yourself — and helping you understand them? People who hide things often have a reason, and it’s never good. 5. Is it clear who is doing what? A great plan is key to great execution. Has this firm thought about what you’ll do, versus what they’ll do? How many details are in their plan? Is it well structured and proven? A solid plan will lead to a painless process. These tips won’t guarantee 100 percent success, but they’re some of the questions I don’t hear being asked enough from those buying a new website. Chris Manley is the CEO of Engenius, a marketing firm specializing in helping businesses navigate digital marketing through strategic web design, search optimization, and digital advertising. You can contact him at chris@engeniusweb.com or by visiting www.engeniusweb.com.
PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS
PROMOTED
APPOINTED
HIRED
HIRED
| ON THE MOVE
PROMOTED
BILL SIMS
ANNA T. LOCKE
ALEX YOUNG
MCCLAIN TALLEY
CODY EDGAR
Has been promoted to shareholder of NAI Earle Furman. Sims joined NAI Earle Furman in 2007 and has been a vital member ever since. Sims is a graduate of Clemson University and has over 18 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry.
Has been appointed to the Countybank board of directors. Locke has over 20 years of experience working in a variety of fields. Locke attended Clemson University and later earned her CPA.
Has been hired as a performance service specialist by Jackson Marketing, Motorsports & Events. Young will provide inventory and sales support for the International Motor Sports Association racing series.
Has been hired as marketing and communications coordinator at the Greenville Chamber. Talley will assist with the Chamber’s marketing and communications efforts, especially in digital outreach. Talley attended the University of Georgia.
Has been promoted to project manager at Engenius. Edgar previously worked as Engenius’ premium services coordinator. Edgar has been with the company since 2015 after he graduated from Furman University.
VIP ALICE RATTERREE Alice Ratterree joined the Metropolitan Arts Council in July 2017 as director of operations. Ratterree is responsible for MAC’s quarterly project grant application process and oversees the annual programs of Open Studios and Flat Out Under Pressure. She is also a member artist and an award-winning children’s book illustrator. Ratterree is also a regular contributor to Community Journals. “When Kim Sholly, our previous director of operations, resigned to move to Buffalo, N.Y., I was convinced there was only one appropriate replacement, Alice Ratterree,” said Alan Ethridge, executive director of MAC. “She has a comprehensive knowledge of both visual and performing arts, and her organizational skills are superb. MAC is very fortunate to have her on its team, and she has stepped into the position with efficiency and aplomb.”
EDUCATION Greenville Tech Foundation has added several members to serve a three-year term from 2018 to 2021. The new members are Lynn Faust, Steve Hall, Luke Hardaway, James D. Jordon, and Dmitry Kopytin.
MARKETING Crawford Strategy received three ADDY Awards from the American Advertising Federation of Greenville. The awards were silver ADDYs for Haywood County - Website Redesign, The Innovate Fund - Website Development, and United Community Bank - “United” Culture Video. Dave McQuaid, vice president of creative and digital at VantagePoint Marketing, has been awarded the Silver Medal Award by the American Advertising Federation of Greenville. The Silver Medal Award, the highest honor awarded by the AAF’s local clubs, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advertising, been active in furthering industry standards, exhibited creative excellence, and supported community development. BRIGHT + CO Marketing received 12 ADDY Awards from the American Advertising Federation of Greenville. The awards are Highlands Food & Wine Fiddle Ad (Gold), Highlands Food & Wine Banjo Ad (Gold), Highlands Food & Wine Trumpet Ad (Gold), Highlands Food & Wine Drum Ad (Gold), The Avant Launch Video (Gold), Highlands Food & Wine Ad Campaign (Gold & Special Judges Award), Lowes Foods Polar Beer Poster (Silver), Harper Corporation Video (Silver), Miliken Breathe Video (Silver), JVC Fundraiser Video (Silver), and Highlands Food & Wine Generous Pour Logo (Silver). Jackson Marketing received five ADDY Awards from the American Advertising Federation of Greenville. The awards are Harlem Globetrotters - Integrated Brand Identity Campaign, Senior League World Series - Sequential Billboard Campaign, Stoney’s Barbeque - “Bigger Belt” Stoney’s Barbeque T-shirt, Trijicon Optics - Regional/National TV Campaign, and Trijicon Optics - Electro Optics Launch.
CONTRIBUTE: New hires, promotions, & award winners may be featured in On the Move. Send information and photos to onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com. 3.30.2018 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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#TRENDING |
INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW
THE WATERCOOLER 1. Pet Paradise to open first South Carolina location in Greenville
2. Boutique bowling alley concept planned for downtown Spartanburg
3. New $13M Peterbilt dealership rises at ‘intersection of commerce’ in Spartanburg
4. Armin Oehler’s German family tannery led to a Greenvillebased shoe design company
5. Neo Burrito opens March 23 after numerous delays
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EVENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE ON YOUR CALENDAR
DATE
PRESIDENT/CEO
Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com
EVENT INFO
Thursday-Friday Clemson University’s Men of Color National Summit
4/12-4/13
| PLANNER
WHERE DO I GO?
HOW DO I GO?
TD Convention Center 1 Exposition Drive April 12: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. April 13: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: $179 general, $50 high school students, $100 high school chaperones, $50 Clemson University students For more info: www.clemson.edu/inclusion/ summit/; menofcolorsummit@clemson.edu
UBJ PUBLISHER
Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Susan Schwartzkopf susans@communityjournals.com
Tuesday
Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Gubernatorial Lunch series feat. Gov. Henry McMaster (R)
Greenville Marriott 1 Parkway E 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: $40 investors, $80 general admission For more info: kbusbee@greenvillechamber.org; www.bit.ly/2EFDFF1
Sunday
Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Upstate Chamber Coalition Democratic Gubernatorial Debate
Furman University 3300 Poinsett Highway 7–9 p.m.
For more info: www.bit.ly/2DEg1Dq; kbusbee@greenvillechamber.org; 864-239-3748
Thursday
4/26
Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Summit
Greenville One Center 2 W. Washington St. 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: $40 investors, $80 general admission For more info: www.bit.ly/2DKBGdb; tmiller@greenvillechamber.org; 864-239-3743
Tuesday
Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship Small Business Awards
Cascades at Verdae Ballroom 10 Fountainview Terrace 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 For more info: www.bit.ly/2DKBlap; tjames@greenvillechamber.org; 864-239-3728
Thursday
Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship Small Business Seminar
Greenville Technical College Northwest Campus 8109 White Horse Road 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
For more info: www.bit.ly/2ucYJ0K; tjames@greenvillechamber.org; 864-239-3728
4/17
MANAGING EDITOR
Emily Pietras epietras@communityjournals.com
ADMINISTRATIVE EDITOR
Heidi Coryell Williams hwilliams@communityjournals.com
4/22
COPY EDITOR Rebecca Strelow
STAFF WRITERS
Trevor Anderson, Cindy Landrum, Andrew Moore, Sara Pearce, Ariel Turner
MARKETING & ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Emily Yepes
MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES John Clark, Donna Johnston, Jonathan Maney, Heather Propp, Meredith Rice, Caroline Spivey, Liz Tew
CLIENT SERVICES
Anita Harley | Rosie Peck | Jane Rogers
ART & PRODUCTION VISUAL DIRECTOR
5/1 5/3
Will Crooks
LAYOUT
Bo Leslie | Tammy Smith
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Holly Hardin
ADVERTISING DESIGN
Kristy Adair | Michael Allen
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Kristi Fortner
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MAY 4 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ISSUE
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
UBJ milestone
UBJ milestone jackson Marketing Group’s 25 Years 1988 Jackson Dawson opens in Greenville at Downtown Airport
1988
1997 Jackson Dawson launches motorsports Division 1993
1990 Jackson Dawson acquires therapon marketing Group and moves to Piedmont office Center on Villa.
>>
JUNE 1 INNOVATION ISSUE
Chairman larry Jackson, Jackson marketing Group. Photos by Greg Beckner / Staff
Jackson Marketing Group celebrates 25 years By sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com
JUNE 29 LEGAL ISSUE Got any thoughts? Care to contribute? Let us know at upstatebusinessjournal.com/submit.
Solve. Serve. Grow. Those three words summarize Jackson Marketing Group’s guiding principles, and according to owner Larry Jackson, form the motivation that has kept the firm thriving for the past 25 years.
Jackson graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in video and film production and started his 41-year career in the communications industry with the U.S. Army’s Public Information Office. He served during
Vietnam, where he said he was “luckily” stationed in the middle of Texas at Fort Hood. He left the service and went to work in public affairs and motorsports at Ford Motor Company in Detroit. After a stint at Bell and Howell, where he was responsible for managing Ford’s dealer marketing and training, the entrepreneurial bug hit and he co-founded Jackson-Dawson Marketing Communications, a company specializing in dealer training and product launches for the auto industry in 1980. In 1987, Jackson wanted to move back south and thought Greenville would be a good fit. An avid pilot, he
learned of an opportunity to purchase Cornerstone Aviation, a fixed base operation (FBO) that served as a service station for the Greenville Downtown Airport, providing fuel, maintenance and storage. In fact, when he started the Greenville office of what is now Jackson Marketing Group (JMG) in 1988, the offices were housed on the second floor in an airport hangar. “Clients would get distracted by the airplanes in the hangars and we’d have to corral them to get back upstairs to the meeting,” Jackson said. Jackson sold the FBO in 1993, but says it was a great way to get to know Greenville’s fathers and leaders
>>
with a majority of them utilizing the general aviation airport as a “corporate gateway to the city.” In 1997, Jackson and his son, Darrell, launched Jackson Motorsports Group. The new division was designed to sell race tires and go to racetracks to sell and mount the tires. Darrell Jackson now serves as president of the motorsports group and Larry Jackson has two other children and a son-in-law who work there. Jackson said all his children started at the bottom and “earned their way up.” Jackson kept the Jackson-Dawson branches in Detroit and others in Los Angeles and New York until he sold his portion of that partnership in 2009 as part of his estate planning. The company now operates a small office in Charlotte, but its main headquarters are in Greenville in a large office space off Woodruff Road, complete with a vision gallery that displays local artwork and an auditorium Jackson makes available for non-profit use. The Motorsports Group is housed in an additional 26,000 square feet building just down the street, and the agency is currently looking for another 20,000 square feet. Jackson said JMG has expanded into other verticals such as financial, healthcare, manufacturing and pro-bono work, but still has a strong focus on the auto industry and transportation. It’s
2003 motorsports Division acquires an additional 26,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space
1998
2009 Jackson Dawson changes name to Jackson marketing Group when larry sells his partnership in Detroit and lA 2003
1998 Jackson Dawson moves to task industrial Court
also one of the few marketing companies in South Carolina to handle all aspects of a project in-house, with four suites handling video production, copywriting, media and research and web design. Clients include heavyweights such as BMW, Bob Jones University, the Peace Center, Michelin and Sage Automotive. Recent projects have included an interactive mobile application for Milliken’s arboretum and 600-acre Spartanburg campus and a marketing campaign for the 2013 Big League World Series. “In my opinion, our greatest single achievement is the longevity of our client relationships,” said Darrell Jackson. “Our first client from back in 1988 is still a client today. I can count on one hand the number of clients who have gone elsewhere in the past decade.” Larry Jackson says his Christian faith and belief in service to others, coupled with business values rooted in solving clients’ problems, have kept
2009-2012 Jackson marketing Group named a top BtoB agency by BtoB magazine 4 years running
him going and growing his business over the years. He is passionate about giving back and outreach to non-profits. The company was recently awarded the Community Foundation Spirit Award. The company reaffirmed its commitment to serving the community last week by celebrating its 25th anniversary with a birthday party and a 25-hour Serve-A-Thon partnership with Hands on Greenville and Habitat for Humanity. JMG’s 103 full-time employees worked in shifts around the clock on October 22 and 23 to help construct a house for a deserving family. As Jackson inches towards retirement, he says he hasn’t quite figured out his succession plan yet, but sees the companies staying under the same umbrella. He wants to continue to strategically grow the business. “From the beginning, my father has taught me that this business is all about our people – both our clients and our associates,” said his son, Darrell. “We have created a focus and a culture that strives to solve problems, serve people and grow careers.” Darrell Jackson said he wants to “continue helping lead a culture where we solve, serve and grow. If we are successful, we will continue to grow towards our ultimate goal of becoming the leading integrated marketing communications brand in the Southeast.”
2011 Jackson marketing Group/Jackson motorsports Group employee base reaches 100 people
2008 2012 Jackson marketing Group recognized by Community Foundation with Creative spirit Award
pro-bono/non-proFit Clients American Red Cross of Western Carolinas Metropolitan Arts Council Artisphere Big League World Series The Wilds Advance SC South Carolina Charities, Inc. Aloft Hidden Treasure Christian School
CoMMUnitY inVolVeMent & boarD positions lArry JACkson (ChAirmAn): Bob Jones University Board chairman, The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center board member, Gospel Fellowship Association board member, Past Greenville Area Development Corporation board member, Past Chamber of Commerce Headquarters Recruiting Committee member, Past Greenville Tech Foundation board member David Jones (Vice President Client services, Chief marketing officer): Hands on Greenville board chairman mike Zeller (Vice President, Brand marketing): Artisphere Board, Metropolitan Arts Council Board, American Red Cross Board, Greenville Tech Foundation Board, South Carolina Chamber Board eric Jackson (Jackson motorsports Group sales specialist): Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board
November 1, 2013 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal 21
20 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal November 1, 2013
AS SEEN IN
NOVEMBER 1, 2013
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