April 1, 2016UBJ by Community Journals

APRIL 1, 2016 | VOL. 5 ISSUE 14

Upcountry Provisions' bakery and bistro rooted in a sense of community - page 12

2 | UP FRONT

UBJ

04.01.2016

CJ’s new brand of journalism draws interest across the US, world

29601

864.561.4031

info@parkplaceonhudson.com

www.parkplaceonhudson.com

Sales Item One: New approach, same intent, and the opportunity to create. We are a 17-year-old company that tells stories about the Upstate. We have a targeted yet diversified readership, so we have to try our best to have entry points for a variety of readers, both young and old. From readers who just put down the Financial Times to those who are checking out Wired on their phones. We have to deliver in-depth AND time-sensitive, breaking information – while also getting and holding people’s attention, even when 15 people send out the same press release to 15 other people. We must entertain and inform at the same time. We now live in a sea of modernized content and distribution, where media consumers spend their time on Snapchat and Instagram, “liking” pictures of lattes

for a recent posting we had for a “modern-day” storyteller here at Community Journals. This job description (http://bit.ly/22ZnmVZ) was built around two major selling points:

Greenville, SC

I am sitting on 68 legitamate job applications

rjohnston@communityjournals.com

and double rainbows. These days, everyone is both an authority and an author. Editorial staff seldom understands how appreciated their work is; they are immediately corrected by our readers when it is not perfect; and the job changes daily, because the industry will have changed by the time this goes to press. This is not the newsroom of the ‘90s. This business is not for everyone. But I think we are seeing that this change is actually exciting the journalists of tomorrow instead of deterring them. Anyone who has ever worked with me or my father knows we like to change direction, invent new product offerings, and respond to customer and reader demands. Our customer demands are changing, so we must change right with them; but they don’t always know exactly what they want either. Readership studies don’t work. I agree with Henry Ford, who believed that if he were to ask the customers what they wanted, they would’ve asked for a faster horse. So we have to make some bets. 104 S. Hudson Street

RYAN JOHNSTON | PUBLISHER

We want these writers – and 68 job applicants –to be a part of placing those bets, and I think that is attractive to them. Sales Item Two: Doing the above here in Greenville. We posted the job for two weeks in the Upstate Business Journal, listed it on Glass Door and Linkedin, and solicited interest through word-of-mouth. Here’s a geographical breakdown of where the applications came from: • International: 10 • NYC/New England: 11 • Midwest: 5 • West Coast: 5 • Southeast: 14 • Greenville: 23 First hand, I see that we at Community Journals are doing something right; and it got me excited. We reached beyond what we thought we could grasp and found a lot of hands reaching back. So if you’re in the market for some new talent, maybe your company will too.

xperience in old Greenville. ience in Greenville’s coveted West End District? A place at once steeped in the

thoroughly forward-thinking in its conception and vision for the future. A place

s storied downtown setting, and also points the way to a dynamic, one-of-kind-

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igned, original townhomes.

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What if there was a vibrant, new living experience in Greenville’s coveted West End District? A place at once steeped in the history and charm of old Greenville, and yet thoroughly forward-thinking its conception and vision for the future. A place that celebrates all that has come before in this storied downtown setting, and also points the way to a dynamic, one-of-a-kind-lifestyle that’s altogether unique. This is the best of both worlds: a rich heritage and a modern living experience, all bound together by a collection of 24 thoughtfully designed, original townhomes.

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4 | THE RUNDOWN |

UBJ

TOP-OF-MIND AND IN THE MIX THIS WEEK

04.01.2016

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 14 Featured this issue: Endeavor co-work project starts to fill up 2016 Class of Who’s Who revealed Ink N Ivy aims to be a feast for all the senses

6 9 10

Greenville Tech’s Center for Manufacturing Innovation is taking shape and this week they unveiled their new logo. They also announced a $1 million gift to add two entrances to the campus. Read more about that in The Greenville Journal this week.

WORTH REPEATING “One of our core goals is to be a home not just to Upstate creatives and companies, but to attract professionals from outside this area, ultimately expanding our creative class.” Page 6 “Part of our mission is to take care of underserved patients, providing the highest quality of care.” Page 8

TBA

VERBATIM

On Greenville restaurants Bids are in for the Greenville County owned 1.176-acre parcel of land at 301 River St. which had been slated as a site for the now defunct visitor center project. The county has until June 11 to consider the offers from Illuminati, Inc., Hughes Investments, Avison Young/Buckhead Investments, NRE Property Group and Windsor Aughtry Commercial Group.

“Greenville is often overshadowed by the Antebellum glamour and decadent Lowcountry dishes of South Carolina’s major food center, Charleston. What it lacks in population and James Beard awards, it makes up for stunning Blue Ridge Mountain scenery, small-town charm and fantastic fare. It’s like the perfect lovechild of Chucktown and Asheville.” Zagat naming Greenville one of 16 “Under-the-Radar Southern Food Destinations”. Read Zagat’s story: http://bit.ly/greenville-foodie

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Storagewith and utilization of that data is ed aevery network dedicated businesses need a network with dedicated Start planning Start planning additional workloads that once resided only the cloud best served in thethat cloud. can withstand the or Big Data connectivity for Big Data that can withstand the within the enterprise transition to the cloud.” Guard against BYOD mands of the constantly expanding bandwidth demands“The of the constantly price expanding of not investing “The price in of high-capacity not investing in high-capacity network demands ofEnterprise 2.5 quintillion bits of data are created organizations will continue to benefit by volume - Ted Chamberlin, principal advisorwill and analyst as gotal Data. of Big Data.Gigabit-plus networking Gigabit-plus will become networking steep become steep as the public and privateofcloud ry day.using Storage and utilization thatnetworks data is for the for Custom Shop Strategies additional workloads that additional once workloads resided that once only resided only Virtual desktop infrastructure, tablets and smart following workloads: served in the cloud. within the enterprise transition within the enterprise to the transition cloud.” to the cloud.” phonesagainst are great productivity ainst BYOD Guard BYOD tools, but each puts

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6 | NEWS / NEWS |

UBJ

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

04.01.2016

New Endeavor co-work venture draws creatives from broad area ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF

aboncimino@communityjournals.com Joe Erwin’s co-working venture, Endeavor, has signed on its first nine creative services members, with plans to co-locate in the ONE building in downtown Greenville in May. Erwin announced the venture in early March after ending his 29-year career with Greenville-based advertising firm Erwin-Penland. “Our initial focus has been on members who’ll occupy permanent space within Endeavor — to build a foundation of thriving creative companies before layering in an even broader range of members,” said Erwin. “We’re especially excited that several of these charter members are from firms who’d been operating outside of Greenville. One of our core goals is to be a home not just to Upstate creatives and companies, but to attract professionals from outside this area, ultimately expanding our creative class. It’s exciting to see that already starting to happen.“

Members extend to those outside the Greenville market looking to expand locally, including Spartanburg-based A-LINE Interactive, as well as Savannah, GA,-based DX Marketing. The nine initial members span a variety of creative services specialties, including video production, web development, brand marketing, commercial printing and media planning and buying. Erwin plans to offer training opportunities, networking events, business consulting and mentorship to member, and to leverage companies’ experience to support other Endeavor members. Each member will have office space or a private desk with 24/7 access to the 20,000-square-foot space. The co-work offers 24/7 memberships ($450 per month) as well as daytime memberships during work hours Monday through Friday ($125 per month). Membership includes access to conference rooms, office equipment, Internet, an in-building gym and networking events.

A-LINE Interactive Spartanburg-based digital marketing and web development

BootCut Media Digital and traditional media planning and buying services

Donohue+Co. Brand marketing communications

Happen Associates Inc Consumer marketing and business consulting

Skyline Video Productions & Lingo Films Video production

Upper West Creative Advertising, marketing and branding

DX Marketing Targeted marketing

Eleven Events Event marketing

Erwin Creates Business consulting, education, training and civic activities

Upstate groups plan for foreign direct investment ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF

aboncimino@communityjournals.com Upstate SC Alliance plans to boost wages and spur economic growth by attracting more foreign direct investment to the region, leaders announced during its annual meeting in Greenville. “What we’re seeing is to be unconnected is to fall behind,” said Upstate SC Alliance Director of Research Elizabeth Feather. Though foreign firms represent 5 percent of total US employment, they represent 19 percent of corporate research and development, 20 percent of total US exports and pay employees significantly higher salaries than average, she said. The plan includes five strategies for growing foreign direct investment, including forming taskforces, building a technology exchange platform and creating a talent attraction app to market the region. The foreign direct

investment strategy tacks on to en export growth plan announced last year. The five-year joint project with the Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase aimed to help Upstate companies recognize and plan for export opportunities. “There’s been a dramatic increase in foreign direct investment…but the US is flat as a whole,” said Markek Gootman, director of strategic partnerships and the Global Cities Initiative for the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. “There needs to be a deliberate effort… and this region is one of the undergoing an intentional international strategy.” Upstate SC Alliance recognized the crippling effect of the Upstate’s weak professional services sector. Businesses in the Upstate look for out-of-region professional services at twice the rate of Atlanta and Charlotte. The lack of a strong services sector contributed to

Sealed Air’s decision to relocate 700 Upstate jobs to Charlotte, according to the report. Upstate metropolitan areas already rank relatively high for share of workforce with foreign-owned companies, with Spartanburg third (18 percent), Anderson seventh (13.4 percent) and Greenville 67th (6.1 percent). The average foreign company share of domestic employment in the Upstate sits at 10.6 percent, said Upstate SC Alliance Director of Business Recruitment Jacob Hickman. Gootman said the dominant form of foreign direct investment today came in the form of mergers and acquisitions, but more was possible through partnerships and expansions. “This region is one of the first undergoing an intentional international strategy,” he said. “Through this process, there’s been the realization that any city can be a global city.”

Key takeaways from the regional foreign direct investment plan: • While known for big wins, the Upstate’s FDI also reflects national trends • Collaboration is what companies are seeking, and where the Upstate excels • The region’s manufacturing base and FDI success position it as a key hub in the global value chains of its target industries • The region’s underdeveloped service sector hinders its competitiveness as an international business location • The emerging innovation ecosystem is an opportunity for advanced materials • The most important firms are the ones we already have • Attracting and retaining talent is increasingly important

04.01.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

Technology exchange will connect companies in need with available patents ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF

aboncimino@communityjournals.com Research institutions, individuals

FYI

and companies of all sizes could soon have their very own technology marketplace, one that leverages expensive, untapped resources to catapult the Upstate’s technology reputation. At its core, the program – or the technology exchange platform – connects companies with problems to others with solutions, with an initial focus on the advanced materials industry. Organizations often have unique technologies and patents that they’re not using or underutilizing. This lets them find buyers – thus offsetting initial costs – that then can save on expensive in-house research and development. “The big piece of it is there are companies ready provide solutions all the way across the world,” said Elizabeth Feather, director of research for Upstate SC Alliance. “They’re already looking at, where is the problem and how do we solve it. We want Upstate companies to start looking to where the opportunities are.” The platform is part of the organization’s larger strategic plan to boost foreign direct investment in the Upstate, which can lead to local wage growth and a more vibrant economy bolstered by global connections. Companies with strong intellectual property under their belts are highly attractive to foreign firms, and can encourage international companies to invest and expand in the Upstate, said Doug Kim, a specialist on intellectual property for McNair Law Firm who has worked closely with the project. One go-to example for Feather was

NASA’s open contest for new testing protocols for Mars-destined spacesuit materials. A blacksmith from Batesville-Leesburg, SC, won the contest, she said, with little to no experience in that specific industry. “It’s a reminder to big companies that solutions can come from anywhere. You just need to open the channels of communication,” she said. “The nimbleness of a smaller company to adapt and change quickly … that may also be an advantage.” The idea rests heavily on the growing acceptance of open technology practices, as well as trends toward collaboration and partnerships between firms, she said. “Think of how closed-in these R&D operations have been in the past,” she said. “I remember going down the highway and seeing the Michelin R&D center, and there was no sign…It’s similar with Milliken, which has been so closed and insulated for so long. They’re now opening up a little bit.” The program is still in the fact-finding stage, but the first step after that might be to find and recruit key players to lead the charge. Feather said Upstate SC Alliance plans to help start the project before handing it off to a leadership consortium to direct future development. Feather expects to spend time educating the industry about the concept and opportunities, and hope to create resources to guide successful collaboration on both sides of the negotiating table. “Collaboration is the new competition. Anything we can do to encourage our companies to figure out how to work together in win-win ways, the more competitive we can be as a region.”

Lizard Thicket, a franchised women’s clothing boutique, opened its first Greenville location earlier this month. The retail store is located at The Shops at Greenridge at 1125 Woodruff Road, next to White House Black Market City Range Steakhouse on Haywood Road in Greenville closed Monday (March 28) for renovations. The restaurant is planning to reopen in early April with a fresh new look inside and new menu items.

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

| NEWS | 7

$5,000

SCHOLARSHIPS Full-Time MBAe Students

RULES AND DETAILS 5 scholarships of $5,000 each are available for students in the full-time MBAe program ONLY. Must apply to the program by April 15th, Answer these 2 questions in 500 words or less: 1. Describe a time when you engaged in an entrepreneurial passion. What about your actions can be considered entrepreneurial? 2. Tell us about a challenge you’ve faced in life and how you overcame it. Email your answers to our Admissions Director, Kristin Allen, AFTER you have applied to the program: klallen@clemson.edu

www.clemson.edu/mba

8 | NEWS |

UBJ

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

04.01.2016

Bon Secours purchases North Hills Medical Centers

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Lou Lou Boutique, a fashion accessory, jewelry and bags store with locations across the north and southeast, is planning to open in April at the corner of West North Street, fronting Main Street in downtown Greenville.

is purchasing the five North Hills Medical Center locations for an undisclosed amount, expanding the health system’s primary care reach in Greenville County, says Dr. Anselmo Nuñez, chief executive officer of Bon Secours Medical Group. The acquisition will enhance Bon Secours St. Francis’ mission to provide convenient care to areas and populations where people have limited access to health care, Nuñez says. “We serve all patients and have contracts with almost all payers in the Upstate, but one of the areas we have to focus on is this this area of patients who don’t have access to care,” Nuñez says. North Hills, which has had clinics in Greenville since the mid-1970s, has about 20,000 patients, and between two-thirds and 75 percent of these patients have Medicaid coverage, Nuñez says. Medicaid pays a fraction of the actual cost of care, so patients with this type of government health insurance often have difficulty finding specialists and primary care providers who will accept their insurance, he explains. Now that North Hills Medical Centers will be part of the Bon Secours network, their patients will be

The five North Hills sites will be added to Bon Secours’ 36 primary care locations in Greenville County and 72 total locations. The North Hills facilities are in good condition, but there are plans to update their interiors, Nuñez says. Current Bon Secours patients also might benefit from having access to the North Hills locations, which have diagnostic capabilities, such as CT-scans, MRI, mammograms, bone density tests, ultrasounds, and echocardiograms. “We’re very glad that we’re able to partner this way with North Hills Medical Center, and we’ll continue to serve the community,” Nuñez says.

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Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

referred, as necessary, to Bon Secours specialists and providers, so their access to care will improve, Nuñez says. “We found in Bon Secours St Francis Health System, a partner whose mission was most closely aligned with that of North Hills Medical Center, through our decades of service in the community: a mission of providing timely access to caring and affordable healthcare, especially for the underserved population,” said Dr. Nayan Desai, one of the North Hills partners. “Part of our mission is to take care of underserved patients, providing the highest quality of care,” he says. “What we do is see as many patients who need our care as we can, and we make sure our physicians and care teams are compensated for providing that care.” Current North Hills’ staff of about 155 will become employees of Bon Secours when the acquisition is finalized in July 2016. North Hills Medical Center has five locations in Greenville County, including its largest facility on Pelham Road. There also are clinics in Greer, Mauldin, and downtown Greenville. About 10-15 percent of North Hills’ patients whose insurance coverage does not include Bon Secours, will need to find a new primary care home when the change takes place, Nuñez says. “It is our intent to see if we could become a participating provider for these patients,” he adds.

myoung@communityjournals.com

W ad

MELINDA YOUNG | CONTRIBUTOR

North Hills’ locations in the Upstate

Walking easy: Clemson student’s new design aims to be ‘Nike of crutches’ ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF

aboncimino@communityjournals.com

FYI

Despite the leaps and bounds of modern healthcare technology, Clemson MBAe student Devin DeAngelis says some things don’t get enough attention. Like crutches. Not only can they wear out in two weeks, but they’re incredibly inefficient in terms of motion and energy, he says. With the right design, “You can make the weight work for you,” he says. And that’s what he and business partner Ismet Handzic think they can build a business around. In contrast to traditional flat-bottomed crutch tips, Handzic developed MTip, an enhanced medical device that reduces the energy required to move forward. The design uses spiral-like patterns that actually general a passive force and motion, he said, which boosts walking efficiency and stability. “If you step on a spiral it automatically wants to roll,” he said. “The equation that I came up with can predict what the spiral is in relation to the motion … Why not attach that kind of spiral shape onto a crutch?” Handzic – a Ph.D candidate at the University of Florida, Tampa – originally used the design in shoes

that aided stroke victim rehabilitation. Stroke patients can develop asymmetric walking patterns when parts of the body don’t respond correctly, he said. While patients typically use treadmills to correct it, using shoes means they can work on recovery more frequently. DeAngelis and Handzic have conducted trials through eight product iterations, and plan to target chronic crutch users to start. Up until now, funding has been limited to small grants, but they hope to begin fundraising and using local resources as they ramp up production. The first pre-orders will ship in this month. “This is really going to help people,” said DeAngelis, who said one option down the line could be user-specific models. “This could be a company that’s a Nike for crutches.”

04.01.2016

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

upstatebusinessjournal.com

| WHO’S WHO | 9

2016 Who’s Who winners announced 7 business and community leaders selected from 149 nominees

The Who’s Who Selection Process included a social media vote for wild card

Seven leaders, including one selected by the social media community, have been named to our 2016 class of Who’s Who. Chosen from 149 nominations after a thorough vetting process, this group represents the innovation, commitment and excitement that is the hallmark of the Greenville Business Community. You’ll meet them all in our April 29 special edition. For now, here’s a teaser.

Nominations

The Legend: Minor Shaw President, Micco, LLC

Nominations were open to the public from February 5, 2016 to March 6, 2016, through online submissions to the UBJ website. In total, 149 people were nominated. Selection process

The Entrepreneur: Peter Barth CEO, Iron Yard

The Closer: John Warren Founder/President, Lima One Capital

Researchers vetted up to 15 names per category and submitted them to the panel for their deliberation. Extensive research and interviews were conducted in order to provide the panel with plenty of information to evaluated. The panel scored each nominee 1-5 in these areas: • 2015 accomplishments • Overall resume • Above and beyond

The Boss:

The Wild Card*:

Pamela Evette President/CEO, Quality Business Solutions

Todd Horne VP of Business Development, Clayton Construction * The Wild Card winner was chosen by voters on social media. After the selection panel narrowed down the field to six candidates, their names and bios were publicized on social media.. 32,711 participated in the Facebook Wild Card campaign and digital voting site with 1,054 likes/comments/shares and 4,054 website votes.

The Young Gun: Robert Hughes, III COO, Hughes Development

The panel then held a meeting on March 16th, to discuss the top scorers in each category and made their selections for the Who’s Who honors in the first six categories. The Celebration The seven members of the 2016 Class of Who’s Who will be honored in a special edition of the Upstate Business Journal that will publish on April 29, 2016 and at a cocktail party on Thursday, April 28th. Corporate sponsorships and blocks of tickets are available by contacting Kate Madden at kmadden@communityjournals.com or (864) 679-1254.

The other wild card candidates were:

The Company: Scansource

• Scott Dobson, Co-Owner, Parkside Pediatrics • Zach Eikenberry, CEO, NEXT High School • Shay Hauser, CEO, Greencloud Technologies • Krish Patel, President/CEO, Wireless Communications • Allen Smith, President, Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce

For more information on the Who’s Who program: upstatebusinessjournal.com/whos-who/

10 | RESTAURANTS |

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

FIRST LOOK

Making its mark Ink N Ivy: 4 stories capped by a 12,000 square foot rooftop bar SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com Hand-painted wall, floor and ceiling murals, tattoo-inspired artwork, unique chandeliers and roll-up doors offering indoor/outdoor seating are just part of Ink N Ivy, a new bar and restaurant concept by restaurant group, The Bottle Cap Group. Ink N Ivy, located in the former Corner Pocket space on Coffee Street, is slated to open the end of May. The Upstate Business Journal got a “first look” at the space this week, which will include several bar areas, including one on the roof, and two floors of restaurant space that will serve “classic American food but with an edgy twist and attention to detail and quality.” The menu will include chef-inspired seafood, steaks and small plate items. “It’s casual enough but also a place to come have a great dinner,” said Britton McCorkle, president and CEO of the Bottle Cap Group. “Ink N Ivy will be a place that caters to everyone,” said McCorkle. Five bi-fold doors on the first level will open onto Brown and Coffee Streets, allowing for an outdoor dining experience. Several TV’s will also be placed throughout the building, although McCorkle is quick to point out that Ink N Ivy is not a sports bar. Exposed and repurposed brick, recycled wood and the original metal ceiling have been retained in the $3 million plus renovations to the historic building. As part of the décor, Artist Michael Boudreault of Artisan Rooms is hand-painting murals everywhere including the walls, ceilings, glass elevator shaft and floors. A full bar area will be located on each level of the three-story-plus-rooftop venue, and Ink N Ivy will offer classic cocktails and an extensive drink menu. On the third floor, The Bottle Cap Group hopes to provide an ultra-lounge called Vine, which will cater to Greenville’s nightlife. On the roof, a 12,000 square foot bar will open later this summer and offer great views of the city and where the restaurant hopes to provide a weekly raw oyster bar. This will be the North Carolina-based Bottle Cap Group’s second downtown Greenville restaurant. Brazwells Pub opened earlier this year in the former Ford’s Oyster House & Cajun Kitchen space on Main Street. The group is also working on Diner 24, Greenville’s first 24-hour diner with ‘50s-style décor, jukeboxes on the tables and sparkly booths in the former Charlie’s Steakhouse location, also on Coffee Street. It is expected to open this fall. Ink N Ivy is actively hiring for all positions, including a chef. For more information, http:// greenville.inkanivy.com/

UBJ

04.01.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE YOU NEED TO KNOW

WALT WILKINS

On winning and losing: “I don’t judge lawyers (in my office) by wins and losses. I don’t even know what the stats are. I’ve lost cases and I’m open about it. You can’t just take the slam dunks. If you’re not losing, you’re not trying”

13th Circuit Solicitor and former U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, is a “young gun.”

Contributor

He does not shoot from the hip. He’s thoughtful, values fairness and looks issues over from all sides. He doesn’t tally up wins and losses. Instead, he focuses on how justice is meted out. Here’s his view of law and order, with a hefty dose of realism. Running the Solicitor’s office must keep you out of the courtroom. How do you feel about that? I’ve been in the prosecution business since 2005. I’ve chased drug dealers around the world. Loved it, had a great time. Then I became U.S. Attorney and was more of a paper pusher, a manager and a policy setter. I crunch numbers, understand problems and set policies so that our criminal justice system in general can be perceived as functioning fairly, with fairness, justice and equality. .. I get to try one or two cases a year (that) are high profile, complicated cases, with expert witnesses and complex evidence that need my attention. How has crime in Greenville changed – or is continuing to change? Organized crime has gotten much more sophisticated. We have gangs that have realized that if they point a gun at you and steal your wallet, they’re going to jail for 15 years to life, but if they socially engineer you, steal your identity, take your credit cards and Social Security number, they can steal a lot more money and risk a lot less time. Individuals who historically would have been engaged in violent crimes are now turning to white collar crime. Cybercrime, computer crime, and identity theft are absolutely rampant. Are we getting more serious about fighting cybercrime? We’re fighting a war. From an international perspective, the conversation is starting. But are we prepared here in Greenville County? Absolutely not. Are we prepared in South

Carolina? Probably not. Our agencies are wide open. We are getting better. But it can be costly and the government is having a tough time focusing on the problem with adequate resources. We’ve got to fix roads, we‘ve got potholes, and nobody wants to talk about cybersecurity. We get mad about it when it happens and then we forget about it. Federal government does a little bit better job, but the state of South Carolina has a ways to go. Will body cams, now mandated for law enforcement statewide, change much? [This interview was conducted before the death of Officer Allen Jacobs]. The body cams have a lot of positive qualities, and I believe they will protect the police officers as much as they will protect potential victims of excessive force. I’ve reviewed hundreds and hundreds of cases of potential excessive force and maybe 1-2 percent are prosecutable. Ninety- eight to 99 percent of all police officers who engage in force against a person are within their legal rights. What about the role of video in the courtroom? The reason for body cams is that officers are not trusted in the courtroom any more. Back in the ‘80s if a law enforcement officer said something, people believed it. A couple of bad apples along the way, a scandal here and there, have now created this sense that cops are dirty. In my experience, I don’t believe that is even remotely true. So now the body cams will actually show us what is going on. [Note: Of the hundreds of cases involving police using force that Wilkins has reviewed, he said he’s prosecuted 12 police officers.] What are you most proud of in your tenure so far? I try to exude transparency and communication with the public that I serve, to let the public know everything that I am doing. I shouldn’t be doing anything, cutting any deals unless I’m willing to stand up and

Photo by Carol B. Stewart

LAURA HAIGHT

| WHO’S WHO: ONES TO WATCH | 11

THE WILKINS FILE • Family: Wife Donyelle and three children, ages 5, 7, 9. • Education: Wofford College (’96), University of South Carolina School of Law (’99). • Languages: Fluent in Spanish. First job took him to Argentina, leaving the US – and Greenville – for the first time in his life, to work for Lockheed Martin in Cordoba. “I was always looking for an adventure, but it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.” justify it. Giving a sense of fairness, justice and openness with every case - that’s what every prosecutor’s office should be about. What is the job you haven’t done yet? I haven’t done it yet, and it is going to require courage, strength and leadership from me. But I am going to revamp the way we handle (the 800 to 1,000) minor drug possession cases we deal with each year. We have got to get to the root of the problem with counseling, drug rehab, medical care and law enforcement all working together. I want to get rid of drug addicts and the crimes they commit. Everyone is on drugs; about 80 percent of the cases we see have a drug nexus. My biggest regret is not taking this on yet, because people are dying right

and left and we are going to be like Vermont and New Hampshire [where 25 percent of population is on heroin] soon. But I’m going to do it, and I’m going to sell it because the war on drugs is going to require it.

ONES TO WATCH: The judges could only choose a handful of winners from the more than 130 nominees for Who’s Who in 2015. Throughout the year, UBJ has been introducing you to a dozen more whose work is worth keeping an eye on.

12 | COVER

UBJ

04.01.2016

Ba k

d u o y grow re d a a p d t n a heir t h t iwcu stomers

Cheryl and Stephen Kraus have grown their business by adapting to the needs of customers and identifying trends.

SHARON PURVIS | CONTRIBUTOR

Since the opening of the Swamp Rabbit Trail in 2009, the number of businesses in Travelers Rest has exploded, and on a beautiful spring day, those businesses are bustling with tourists. Among them is Upcountry Provisions Bakery and Bistro, owned by Cheryl and Stephen Kraus, and while they certainly get a number of the Swamp Rabbit tourists, their immediate community is a bigger focus. Cheryl grew up in Taylors but moved to Travelers Rest while she was a student at Furman (studying business with a focus on social entrepreneurship), living in a house with her future sister-in-law. Stephen’s family is from St. Louis. His parents owned the house Cheryl was living in. Their long-distance relationship eventually led to marriage and putting down roots in Travelers Rest. Those roots produced Upcountry Provisions Bakery and Bistro, and the community has responded. Cheryl’s mother-in-law was the first to suggest that Travelers Rest needed a bakery, and that idea appealed to them. Stephen had a head start in his

knowledge of bread baking, his wife says, since he had worked in the pizza business, but “we both have an entrepreneurial streak, and we had been talking about what we could do.” Initially, the couple looked at a franchise model of Great Harvest, and they traveled all over the country visiting Great Harvest bakeries, stopping at a lot of independent bakeries along the way, too. Ultimately, they decided they didn’t want to be limited by a franchise recipe book. Part of the Great Harvest model included sending franchise owners to bread baking school. Cheryl learned that they could just as easily get their own education and be free to have the kind of bakery they wanted, so they enrolled in the “serious amateur” program at the French Culinary Institute in New York City. Cheryl’s initial idea was to have a commercial bakery but one of the qualities that make the couple successful in their business is their willingness to be attuned to what customers want and being flexible enough to give it to them. “What was happening was, people were coming for the sandwiches, and then they would buy cookies to take home,” she says. That flexibility and willingness to adapt came in

handy when, six weeks after Upcountry Provisions opened, they learned Cheryl was pregnant. “I took on a more administrative role while Steve built out the bistro part of the business, focusing on menu items that the community responded to and fit with our production capabilities.” With only one baker, the labor-intensive danish had to go. Two babies and nearly four years later, they have a flourishing business with four full-time and four part-time employees, and they are poised to take it to the next level. “We had looked at opening in West Greenville, but … we have decided to stay in TR and build on our existing restaurant and grow with our local community,” Cheryl says. Boxed lunch catering has grown organically from their customer base: “We had regular customers who would ask, ‘Can I get a bunch of these sandwiches for a meeting that’s coming up?’” Cheryl says, >>

COVER | 13

upstatebusinessjournal.com

SMALL BITES •

Signature item

•

The story of the logo

•

Best selling non-food item

•

Most valuable lesson from baking school

Peanut Butter Diablo—an oatmeal cookie sandwich with peanut butter filling. 10% of profit benefits a missionary family in Cameroon—the recipe was from their daughter. Stephen Kraus has a background in graphic design, and he designed the logo. The motorcycle is a drawing of a vintage motorcycle model given to him by his college roommate. Hand-made dryer balls that a customer makes and sells. “Now we say that if something sells well, it’s selling like dryer balls,” Cheryl says.

Lavash, an Armenian flatbread, is one of the building blocks of the sandwich menu.

Photos by Carol B. Stewart

04.01.2016

>> and Stephen jumps in: “And we always say ‘yes’.” That part of the business has been steadily growing, and Cheryl hopes to bolster an already brisk farmers market business — she’s applied to three additional markets for this year, and if they’re accepted, she will hire a seasonal crew to staff them. Last fall, they purchased a wooded lot next door, and their vision is to keep it park-like, with no permanent structures, as an event space for weddings, parties, concerts, or just overflow for people to take their lunch and sit outside. Currently, there is a pile of logs on the lot that will be turned into rustic seating. That will happen in time for Bovinoche, a porkthemed event that has in the past been held in Simpsonville, but is moving to TR and will be held at Upcountry Provisions. Food will be provided by chefs Greg McFee of Restaurant 17 and Steve Goff of the Blind Pig, along with pit master Jeff Bannister, and the event will benefit the Green Beret Foundation and Meals on Wheels. Learn more: bovinoche.com/ Of their success, this far, Stephen says, “The difference between making it and not making it is social capital. We have jumped in and traded projects. If we need something we have a support group that we can call, and they’ll help us, and we’ll help them.” Cheryl agrees: “For each new thing we do, new connections get made. Even though we own it, it really feels like a community space. The whole place has been built by the community.”

14 | SQUARE FEET |

UBJ

REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION

SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com |

04.01.2016

@SJackson_CJ

The Upper Room has a NY feel with good Greenville bones After seeing an outline of what might have been a door to an adjacent building in her downtown apartment, Jane Kelley was curious on what was on the other side. She mentioned it to her family, which just happens to include son Zach Hines, a commercial real estate agent at Spencer Hines Properties. Hines took her to look at the 1920’sera building on College Street and Kelley immediately saw potential in the space which still had original terrazzo flooring, wood beams, and original windows.” It had beautiful bones,” she said. “It was pristine-almost untouched-but it had no HVAC, no plumbing. It was just this beautiful room.” So Kelley and her husband purchased the entire building located at 7 College Street. Current building tenants, Gizmo Bar, Blue Martini Lounge and Sushi Go will remain. At first, Kelley had thought about using the 2,400-square-foot second floor space to house a church, similar to one she founded at Lake Keowee. But after discussing with daughter-in-law Erin Hines, the two decided to join forces to create a new event space called The Upper Room. “It’s been a huge project,” said Erin Hines, who quit her job as a teacher last year to become Director of Events

Below, Jane Kelley, owner, and Erin Hines, Director of Events -The Upper Room. The new event space on College Street is undergoing a $500,000 renovation.

for The Upper Room. “To be part of one of these historic buildings and developing it. It’s kind of surreal.” Construction is still ongoing but Kelley and Hines are planning to start hosting events by the end of May. They already have two bookings just by word of mouth and are hoping their location on the North end of Main Street, with close proximity to the Hyatt and Aloft hotels will set them apart from other

venues. The space has “a historic feel and is unique, with a New York loft impression,’ said Kelley. “It’s new and different but is old Greenville,” said Hines. Cost of the renovations will exceed $500,000 when completed and The Upper Room will have 2,000 rentable square feet and seating for about 100 people, and standing room for 150. A robust audio visual package will be

available for presentations. “We want this to be a really special, upscale space,” said Hines. A rooftop garden will come a little later in the fall. Kelley, an avid gardener, plans to transform the roof with container gardens and an arbor, offering customers an additional space for events. Also an artist, Kelley also plans to have studio space and may host art shows in the future. Two additional spaces are available for lease at the 7 College St. building. The former Cianciola’s space and an additional upstairs space that may be converted into office space after The Upper Room construction is completed. For more information, visit theupperroomgreenville.com.

Planned AC Hotel in Spartanburg gets $10 million in tax credits Greenville New Markets Opportunity II (GNMO II), a Community Development Entity managed by taxadvantagegroup and Greenville Local Development Corporation in Greenville, has deployed a $10 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation to OTO Development for the construction of a 114-room AC Hotel by Marriott in downtown Spartanburg. Since its inception, GNMO II has been awarded $73 million in allocation of NMTC’s. GNMO II’s mission is to serve and provide investment capital for operating businesses and real estate development projects in low-income communities across South Carolina. “This project is a wonderful example of the

benefits New Markets Tax Credits can have on a local economy,” said Tammy Propst, president, taxadvantagegroup, which administers the GNMO II fund. “We are indebted to U.S. Senators Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham and U.S. Congressman Trey Gowdy for helping to secure the GNMO II allocation, and to our local partners for their support of targeting these funds for thousands of deserving citizens in Spartanburg County.” The new AC Hotel is expected to bring 130 permanent jobs paying a wage significantly higher than the area’s average income, according to a press release. To encourage accessibility of jobs to local residents and to cultivate a highly-skilled workforce, OTO Development will establish an apprenticeship

program with Apprenticeship Carolina and Spartanburg Community College. Construction on the full-service hotel has already begun and will include a signature AC Kitchen restaurant, fitness center, business center, approximately 2,500 sq. ft. of meeting space, and typical back-of-house services and facilities. It is expected to be the first AC Hotel to open in South Carolina with an anticipated opening date in mid-2017.

04.01.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION

SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com |

| SQUARE FEET | 15 @SJackson_CJ

New tenants for Erwin Penland building, garage on schedule When the new Erwin Penland building currently under construction is completed in September, it just might be a sort of musical chairs for downtown office space as several tenants are planning to relocate their existing offices to the new building. New tenants at the five-story, 125,000 square foot office building located at 110 East Court St. will include Erwin Penland, Parker Poe, Cherry Bekaert, Hughes Commercial and Centennial American Properties. “The building is about 73 percent leased right now,” said, Jackson Hughes, president of

Hughes Commercial Properties, which is developing and managing the building. Office space is being marketed for approximately $30 per square foot and the project is on schedule with the first tenants, Hughes Commercial and Centennial American Properties, slated to move in in September. The Broad Street Parking Garage will open first, sometime the first week or two of May, and will includes 630 new parking spaces. Approximately 150 of those spaces will be available to the public, along with additional nights and weekend spaces,

said Hughes. Access to the garage will be available via Broad and Court Streets. The new building and parking garage will also serve as the catalyst to the city’s new “North of Broad District” and signage will be throughout the new project notating the new district to draw awareness. As part of the project, Hughes Commercial Properties will refurbish the area under the Church Street Bridge from McBee Avenue to Broad Street with walking paths, landscaping and public outdoor gathering spaces.

The new Erwin Penland building will include: • Parker Poe 6,000 sq. ft., second floor • Erwin-Penland 48,000 sq. ft., third and fourth floors • Cherry Bekaert 12,000 sq. ft., fifth floor • Hughes Commercial Properties 6,000 sq. ft., fifth floor • Centennial American Properties 6,000 sq. ft., fifth floor Also on site: • Office space still available, 11,000 sq. ft., second floor, and 17,000 sq. ft., first floor, marketed by NAI Earle Furman • 3,750 sq. ft. retail space, first floor. Not yet leased but likely to be restaurant space • 7,200 sq. ft., event space for corporate events, weddings, rooftop

Plots for flex and office sapce on Airport Road

16 | DIGITAL MAVEN |

UBJ

THE TECHNICAL SIDE OF BUSINESS

04.01.2016

A ho-hummer for Apple; a questionable future for Twitter By LAURA HAIGHT president, portfoliosc.com

In spring a young man’s thoughts lightly turn to thoughts of … yes, love. But love of a different kind: tech love, specifically the biannual release of new Apple products. Apple is the Donald Trump of tech companies - the least little bit of activity, much less a center-stage performance by CEO Tim Cook, sucks all the air out of the room and sends the tech press breathlessly pounding out stories about what new products will be. “Will it be smaller, lighter, faster, or will they move the headphone jack?” Last week, however, the most notable thing about the Apple product announcement was how blasé it was. A smaller iPad Pro, a smaller iPhone, some cosmetic updates to the Apple Watch and a new iOS update. Zzzzzzzzzzzz. Apple turns 40 today, though, and even though last week’s event was a

bit of a ho-hummer, it doesn’t change the fact that we are a different world today because Apple showed us a life we never imagined we would have and we bought it and bought into it. Happy Birthday, Apple. Let’s see if the earth moves for us this summer at the next product launch. In the meantime, some other stories struggled for attention last week while the tech world focused on Apple. Here are a few nuggets. Twitter at 10: Still a loveable loser Twitter, the still-a-superhero sidekick in the dynamic duo of social media - Facebook and Twitter - also had a birthday, turning 10 last week. Still cool, still relevant and, yes, still losing money. That seems hard to believe, but despite the 305 million active monthly users claimed by Twitter, the efforts to turn those thumbs into revenue have not paid off. Sponsored tweets, partnerships and efforts to attract more revenue from

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businesses seeking a higher profile for their tweets have not broken through. Unlike Facebook, which is able to really ratchet down how much reach can be achieved “organically,” forcing businesses to invest in paid campaigns to make any significant gains, Twitter either can’t or won’t take similar steps. Twitter, however, is a social media platform with a conscience, while perhaps not a solid bottom line, and the world needs it. Throughout the third world, the tumultuous Arab Spring, and the attendant refugee crisis, Twitter has been a critical communication method. It has given voice to political movements, been indispensible in capturing global events and showing their true face and connecting users around the world. In fact, although we may define Twitter by the Kanye Wests and Donald Trumps of the Twitterverse, the U.S. made up ony 24 percent of Twitter users; the rest is a global audience. And Twitter is still outmatched by Instagram, which has 400 million active monthly users. A burner credit card for the rest of us Do you cross your fingers every time you enter a credit card number on a website? Do you sign up for subscriptions and forget about them until they auto renew? Privacy could be for you. It’s a new startup with a promising idea. Privacy is a browser extension (Google Chrome or Firefox so far) that generates a brand new credit card number for each transaction you make on the web. You connect your bank

account or Visa card to the Privacy service. The company discusses its security measures to protect your financial transactions and stored data in painful detail here: privacy.com/ security. And the service is free to the consumer; the company receives a percentage of the transaction fees. An encryption from the other side We’re very worried about breaking encryption used by terrorists and cyber criminals, but let’s take a moment - as The Los Alamos National Laboratory has - to consider the reasons why we need encryption. It’s simple: cybercriminals and hackers are eating our lunch to the tune of $400 million in global losses last year, and a projected $90 trillion by 2030. At Los Alamos, they’ve taken steps toward developing a tiny device the size of a fruit chew that would sit on a motherboard and use a quantum random number generator to encrypt all transactions. The science behind random number generation is a field all to itself and the key is in the randomness of the numbers. The quantum generator being developed and now miniaturized by Los Alamos would be the only one of its kind in the world, to generate truly random numbers the increase encryption security to a level potentially truly unbreakable. There’s a reason why I put this item at the end -- so I don’t have too much room to get in trouble by trying to explain it. But for the science geeks, you can read more about it here: http://tcrn. ch/1Sd5386.

04.01.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

MOVERS, SHAKERS AND DISRUP TORS SHAPING OUR FUTURE

| INNOVATE | 17

SC angel investors may be coming back down to earth, stats reveal By MATT DUNBAR managing director, Upstate Carolina Angel Network

Amid the madness of March and signs of spring, it’s also time for two other important milestones on the calendar for early stage investors – tax time and annual reporting season. The Angel Resource Institute and the National Venture Capital Association recently released their annual reports for 2015, and the South Carolina Secretary of State recently reported 2015 numbers for the state’s Angel Investor Tax Credit. A quick study of the data reveals several insights and trends worth noting for those of us working to improve the environment for early stage capital formation in the Upstate and beyond. By many measures, 2015 was a record-setting year – but beneath the surface, disturbances began to create waves that entrepreneurs and investors shouldn’t ignore. Venture Capital Cresting 2015 was a landmark year in venture capital, with a total of $59 billion deployed in 4,380 deals, yielding an average of $13.5 million per investment. The investment total is the second highest mark of all time - trailing only the peak of $105 billion at the height of the dot-come bubble in 2000. The average investment level in 2015 did set a new high water mark, edging the $13.1 million per investment in Y2K. However, a significant portion of the funding growth in 2015 was driven by an upswell of later stage investors like major financial institutions and corporate venture arms. Many of those firms helped create over 100 so-called unicorns – venture backed companies valued at $1 billion or more but not yet public. The drastic increase in funding drove valuations to extreme heights – while exit events (acquisitions or IPOs) declined substantially in the latter half of the year. The imbalance reached a tipping point in the fourth quarter, with a sudden and drastic pullback in venture investments. Many in the venture world are now

warning entrepreneurs that we have entered a new downcycle and that funding has suddenly gotten much tougher and valuations have returned to earth. Here in South Carolina, that’s nothing new. Last year, South Carolina attracted $54 million in venture capital across only seven investment rounds. Comparatively, Georgia attracted $836 million in 71 deals, while North Carolina attracted $676 million in 64 deals. On a per capita basis, North Carolina and Georgia brought in seven and eight more venture capital than South Carolina’s $11 per person. But all is not lost here at home. While we clearly have a long way to go to attract a level of venture capital commensurate with our growing ability to deploy it, we have also avoided the hype cycle that has negatively impacted investors and entrepreneurs in other markets – and therein lies opportunity. The Halo Effect On the angel investing front, the massive growth in venture capital funding had significant spillover effects. The 2015 Halo report from the Angel Resource Institute indicated that valuations for seed stage investments increased over 50 percent from 2014 to $4.6 million, while median round sizes jumped 67 percent from $510k to $850k. The report also showed that average angel round ownership remained in the 20-25 percent range and that angels continue to prefer investing close to home, with roughly 75 percent of investments remaining in the angels’ home region – consistent with our experiences here. As with the venture capital data, the summary Halo report masks important distinctions. While valuation pressures have increased significantly in traditional hot spots for early stage capital, they have remained much more stable in markets like ours where risk capital is more scarce. Accordingly, angel investors in South Carolina who are planting the seeds for viable new ventures to take root here are able to enjoy much more attractive pricing for investments than in over-

heated markets elsewhere. At the same time, with the progress of efforts like the South Carolina Angel Network and Palmetto Angel Fund – which now include over 200 investors across nine angel investor groups from Asheville to Greenville to the coast – our local angels are banding together to help fill larger angel rounds. That solidifying foundation will help more of our companies build the traction necessary to attract more venture capital. Angel Credits Working Another strong piece of evidence for an improving funding environment in South Carolina comes from the Secretary of State’s data on the 2015 angel investor tax credit. Last year, angel investors applied for $5.4 million in tax credits for $15.4 million of investments in qualified startup businesses – which for the first time exceeded the total available allocation of $5 million. The 2015 total was up

85 percent over 2014 when $2.9 million in credits were claimed by 92 investors for just $8.2 million in investments. Collectively, those qualified businesses have created over 500 jobs at an average pay of roughly 2.5 times the state’s per capita income. Clearly the credit is having the intended effect on capital - and job - formation. We certainly have a long way to go to attract and deploy the levels of venture capital needed to fuel South Carolina’s future, but it’s a long game and we’re making progress. With a growing and more efficient angel market, an evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem and several promising exits on the horizon, we should expect to see more early stage capital supporting new ventures across the state. We are excited to be part of that promising trend, and we invite interested investors to contact us to learn how to join the effort.

18 | ON THE MOVE |

UBJ

PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS

HIRED

APPOINTED

HIRED

04.01.2016

HIRED

Sally Williamson

Taylor Allen

John A. Miller Jr.

Joe Peer

Bob Rubin

Named as member services specialist with Endeavor. Williamson has over 20 years of experience in client services and management. She previously worked with Erwin Penland and Palmetto Legal Copy Group in Greenville, and was also part of the start-up team at HGTV and The Food Network.

Named as a brokerage associate at Colliers International. Allen specializes in landlord and tenant representation. He also serves on the Clemson’s Young Alumni board and United Way Loaned Executive program where he assists in the annual campaign for United Way of Greenville.

Joined the Greenwood Genetic Center board of directors. Miller is a graduate of Duke University with a master’s degree in healthcare administration. He has served on boards throughout South Carolina for organizations involved in healthcare, economic development and community initiatives.

Named as senior project manager with O’Neal Inc. Peer has over 30 years of project management experience working with Moss and Associates and KBR Building Group. He earned a bachelor’s degree in construction management from the University of Nebraska and an MBA from the University of North Carolina.

Named as CEO and president with Solid Gold Pet. Rubin has 28 years of experience in the consumer products industry working in brand management, finance, general management and strategic brand growth. He most recently served as CFO and chief strategy officer for an independent brand in the pet food category.

DEVELOPMENT O’Neal Inc. hired Andrew Bell as controls engineer. Bell has over six years of experience as a controls engineer and is a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He previously worked with Jacobs Engineering and International Paper.

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MARKETING/PR Infinity Marketing was named a Google Badge Partner. The certification recognizes marketing companies that Google trusts with its products and services. Partner status helps generate new clients through Google Partner Search and gives access to new tools in AdWords before they are released to the general public.

REAL ESTATE

CLOSE MORE DEALS. Over 100,000 readers look to the UBJ every week to help them close more business.

DRINK UP!

The Cartus Broker Network named Coldwell Banker Caine a Platinum Award winner for its outstanding performance during the last year. Recognition is based on performance results related to goals including customer service, cost management and effective analysis and marketing of homes.

Valerie Miller Reappointed to the GreenvilleSpartanburg Airport Commission. Miller is a real estate sales executive with The Marchant Company and has been with the agency for 12 years. She has been recognized as part of the 2015 Signature Team of the Year and has received top sales awards from 2007-2015.

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

04.01.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

THE FRESHEST FACES ON THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

Open for business

| NEW TO THE STREET | 19

1. Bank of Travelers Rest recently opened at 1041 Verdae Blvd., Greenville. For more information, visit bankoftravelersrest.com. 2. Once Upon A Child recently opened at 1450 W O Ezell Blvd., Spartanburg. The store buys and sells gently used children’s apparel and baby equipment, among others. For more information, visit onceuponachildspartanburg.com. 3. Dillard-Jones Builders recently opened at 1429 Crowe Creek Road, Six Mile. For more information, visit dillardjones.com.

CONTRIBUTE: Know of a business opening soon? Email information to lgood@communityjournals.com.

Virtual Dementia Tour® Virtual Dementia Tour® at the springs at simpsonville

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Your window into their world Tuesday, April 5, 2016 G FIFTEE NY ATIN BR EA LE

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4 to 6 PM

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The Virtual Dementia Tour® is a simulation that replicates the cognitive and physical effects of Dementia based on modern medical understanding. It is designed to reproduce physical conditions such as loss of hearing, central and peripheral vision, sensory nerves and fine motor skills, as well as the onset of arthritis and neuropathy.

The Springs at Simpsonville

Tuesday, April 5, 2016 4 to 6 PM

214 East Curtis Street, Simpsonville, SC

Please R.S.V.P. to Ashley at 962.8570 to reserve your time slot!

The Springs at Simpsonville

About the Virtual Dementia Tour® SP V designed to build sensitivity and awareness in individuals caring for those with dementia. Created by P.K. Beville, The Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT) is a scientifically proven method RIN of training N GS AT SIMthe PSOVDT® enables caregivers to experience the physical and mental challenges facing those with dementia. Second Wind award-winning geriatric specialist and founder of Second Wind Dreams®, Dreams® is an international, nonprofit organization committed to changing the perception of aging through the fulfillment of dreams and through educational programs. For more information about Second Wind Dreams® and the Virtual Dementia Tour® visit www.secondwind.org, www.Facebook/SecondWindDreams and @SecondWind.

The Virtual Dementia Tour® is a simulation that replicates the cognitive and physical effects of Dementia based on modern medical

214 East Curtis Street, Simpsonville, SC

20 | THE FINE PRINT |

BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS

UBJ

04.01.2016

Methodical Coffee plans to go national

Methodical Coffee, owned by Marco Suarez, David Baker and Will Shurtz, and The Community Tap owners Ed Buffington and Mike Okupinski have announced a partnership in a new roasting-and-retail venture slated to open in late May/early June. Located at 3 McBeth St., directly across the street from the Monaghan Mill in Greenville, the 4,000-squarefoot location will enable Methodical to roast beans on-site as well as sell retail coffee under their Methodical Coffee brand. The Community Tap owners will lend their expertise and connections in helping Methodical distribute its retail coffee brand. The collaboration is a first for both the coffee shop and the beer and wine purveyor. “We are thrilled to align with The Community Tap as partners in this venture,” said Suarez. “We feel that associating our brand with theirs is a perfect combination, as we share a similar client base; people who are interested in purchasing the best products from knowledgeable vendors.” Methodical will feature beans from top-quality farmers and producers in Ethiopia, Kenya and Columbia and other locations, based on seasonal availability. They will be the first Greenville-based coffee company aiming at national distribution for their brand, the company said in a release. Plans for the future also include retailing their signature “cold brew” bottled coffee. They also plan to provide barista training – for professionals as well as the general public – and tastings known as “coffee cuppings.”

Presented by

ScanSource Networking and Security expands networking offerings

Conversations with Upstate Professionals

631 S. Main Street Downtown Greenville

Wednesday, April 13 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm

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ScanSource Networking and Security, a global provider of physical security products and networking solutions, and a unit of Greenville-based ScanSource Inc., entered into a distribution agreement with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). By becoming a U.S. distribution partner, ScanSource will offer customers an expanded portfolio of networking solutions including wired, wireless, campus and data center networking solutions, routing and switching, as well as network management and security, according to a release. “We are excited to expand our networking capabilities,” said Christie Hamberis, senior VP of ScanSource Networking and Security. “This new agreement with HPE will allow us to expand our portfolio of hardware and services with additional solutions that complement the products we currently sell, enabling us to deliver an even broader set of leading-edge networking solutions to our reseller partners.”

Addison Homes wins 2015 Bridge Award for Green Building

Addison Homes, a Greenville builder specializing in sustainable construction, received the 2015 Southern Home and Garden Bridge Award for Green Building for its model home in the Trailside community. This is the third consecutive year the builder has won this award. The winning project, notable as the first Zero Energy Home in Greenville, integrates next-generation high-performance with a simple aesthetic that appeals to today’s homeowner, according to a release. “We envision this as so much more than the typical model home in a new community – indeed, it’s designed to showcase Zero Energy as an attractive, attainable option for mainstream consumers everywhere,” said Todd Usher, Addison Homes president. “While there’s always been a niche for extreme efficiency, our goal is to expand that market with appealing examples of building science innovations.”

04.01.2016

BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS

upstatebusinessjournal.com

Proforma Business Impact partners with Under Armour

Greenville-based Proforma Business Impact, a promotional products, printing and digital publishing company, has signed a partnership agreement with Under Armour Inc., the global sports apparel brand. Under the agreement, Proforma Business Impact will offer clients exclusive access to 43 styles of Under Armour merchandise throughout the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama. “Under Armour is the fastest growing brand in the athletic apparel market and the brand we get asked about more than any other by our corporate customers,” said Will Quinn, Proforma owner. “We’re proud to have been selected by Under Armour for this opportunity.”

CBRE Group Inc. named to Forbes magazine’s Best Employers list

California-based CBRE Group Inc. was ranked 15th on the list of 500 U.S.-based companies in Forbes magazine’s 2016 America’s Best Employers list. CBRE is one of the largest commercial real estate services provider in South Carolina with three corporate offices in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville. Forbes surveyed 30,000 employees at mid-size and large companies. Respondents were asked to rate their employer, as well as other companies on the quality of the work environment and whether they would recommend their company to potential employees.

| THE FINE PRINT | 21

“CBRE’s Forbes ranking is a testament to our commitment to supporting top talent and empowering our people though a collaborative work environment,” said Bob Sulentic, president and CEO. “Our strategy relies strongly on ensuring our employees have every opportunity and resource to advance their careers and generate exceptional client outcomes.”

LS3P and Dawson Architects announce merger

Charleston-based LS3P, an architecture, interiors and planning firm, and Georgia-based Dawson Architects announced a merger of the two firms as of April 1, 2016. This merger brings LS3P’s total number of offices to eight, expanding the firm’s presence, portfolio, and expertise in the region. LS3P provides services nationwide from its offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, and Charlotte, Raleigh and Wilmington in North Carolina. For a transitional period of one year, the Savannah, GA, office will be known as LS3P Dawson. “LS3P has always had a coastal heritage and a culture that is rooted in the Southeast,” said Thompson E. Penney, LS3P chairman, president and CEO. “Dawson Architects has a very compatible culture, with diverse experience and a strong focus on design excellence, client service and community involvement. This merger gives us a stronger presence in Savannah and coastal Georgia, and allows us to combine strengths with a well-respected citizen, architect, and friend.”

JOIN US FOR THESE UPCOMING APRIL EVENTS! 4/6 Coffee & Connections 4/6 Manufacturing Roundtable 4/8 Joint Legislative & Transportation Issues Committee Update 4/12 Upstate Chamber Coalition Advocacy Day 4/12 Business After Hours at Dave & Buster’s 4/13 Greenville Women at Work “Path of the Professional Woman” 4/14 Nonprofit Alliance “Capacity Building” 4/15 Joint Legislative & Transportation Issues Committee Update

4/20 Sales Roundtable “Speed Networking” 4/21 ACE Leadership Symposium 4/26 Joint Legislative & Environmental Issues Committee Update 4/28 Pulse Young Professionals Ballpark Bash 4/28 Healthcare Issues Committee Update 4/29 Friday Forum featuring Rick Reames

Learn more & register at www.greenvillechamber.org.

22 | #TRENDING |

UBJ

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

OVERHEARD @ THE WATERCOOLER

RE: TODD HORNE – WHO’S WHO 2016 WILDCARD WINNER > Angela Marese Boyle “Congratulations to your both...an award so very well deserved!!!” > Mary Holmstrand “Good for you Todd! You are most deserving of this award!!!!” > Chris Hill “Atta boy Todd!”

RE: METHODICAL COFFEE PLANS TO GO NATIONAL > bobSmithe upstatebusinessjournal.com “<3 it!! AMAZING coffee made by amazing people”

>> CONNECT WITH US We’re great at networking. LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/ UPSTATE-BUSINESS-JOURNAL FACEBOOK.COM/ THEUPSTATEBUSINESSJOURNAL @UPSTATEBIZ @ashleyboncimino

@jerrymsalley

@SJackson_CJ

@clandrum

@theladylety

MARCH 25, 2016

| VOL. 5 ISSUE 13

FRONT ROW

Inside

> Richard Peck upstatebusinessjournal.com “First rate assessment. Congrats on your article. We moved to Greenville from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2004, expecting to meet smart, young entrepreneurs, along with a small cadre of investors who made their money in other industries—but were at least willing to risk seed money, pre-first round venture capital, backing great ideas. We were badly mistaken about the latter. Your article seems to suggest it is not very different today? Don’t misunderstand: this isn’t sour grapes. We weren’t personally seeking funding. We just love know technology, understand venture investment, and talked with a number of entrepreneurs who were smart people, trying to launch or grow businesses at the time. We met a lot of great people in Greenville. But for tech startups, I fear your point about the GOOGLE method is accurate: Get Out Of Greenville Look Elsewhere.”

04.01.2016

BIZ BUZZ

Distilled commentary from UBJ readers

RE: TECH STARTUPS FACE AN UPHILL FUNDING BATTLE IN THE UPSTATE

at the Greenville Planning Commission meeting NAI Earle Furman’s Jon Good is

ONE TO WATCH

Startups IGNITE

with Upstate’s Can tech catch fire investors? brick-and-mortar

p. 15

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

>> WEIGH IN @ THE UBJ EXCHANGE Got something to offer? Get it off your chest. We’re looking for expert guest bloggers from all industries to contribute to the UBJ Exchange. Send posts or blog ideas to eprice@communityjournals.com.

RE: NOSE DIVE TO CLOSE FOR ‘TOTAL TRANSFORMATION’ > Maggie Blair “Keep the grits bar!!”

The top 5 stories from the past week ranked by shareability score

>> 1,042 1. Methodical Coffee plans to go national

>> 318 2. Nose Dive to close for ‘total transformation’

>> 156 3. ONES TO WATCH: Jon Good

>> 118 4. First Look: Will Embassy Suites, Ruth’s Chris at Riverplace up the city’s hotel profile?

>> 61 5. Tech startups face an uphill funding battle in the Upstate

> Katie Guptill “Things are #gettingcrafty in downtown Greenville! Stay tuned for the project we’ve been working on for the past couple months!”

RE: FIRST LOOK: POUR TAPROOM – GREENVILLE

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAILS

> Swamp Rabbit Inn and Properties “Welcome Pour Taproom: Greenville!”

Follow up on the Upstate’s workweek in minutes.

> Lori MacLachlan “Ready,set, Pour!” > @Galley99 “Hipster Heaven ;)”

RE: FIRST LOOK: INK N IVY > @SJackson_CJ “New downtown restaurant and bar, Ink N Ivy, coming along”

Subscribe to our emails & receive The Inbox – our weekly rundown of the top 10 local biz stories you need to know – as well as breaking news alerts. It’s the best way to stay informed on the go. >> upstatebusinessjournal.com/email

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04.01.2016

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EVENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE ON YOUR CALENDAR

| PLANNER | 23

DATE

EVENT INFO

WHERE DO I GO?

HOW DO I GO?

Monday

Risk Management Association CEO Panel hears from local banking executives on today’s banking topics

Peace Center 300 S. Main St., Greenville 3-6:30 p.m.

Cost: $20 RMA mambers $30 nonmembers Register: bit.ly/rma-april2016

Piedmont SCORE Basic Small Business Start-Up workshop

Spartanburg Community College: Tyger River Campus 1875 E. Main St., Duncan 6-8 p.m.

Cost: Free Register: bit.ly/score-march2016

Spartanburg Chamber Doing Business Better: Growing Your Business Through Acquisition workshop

Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce 105 N. Pine St., Spartanburg 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Cost: $20 Chamber members $40 nonmembers Register: bit.ly/dbb-april2016

Tech After Five Networking event for tech entrepreneurs and professionals

Pour Lounge 221 N. Main St., Greenville 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Cost: Free Register: bit.ly/taf-april2016

Greenville Chamber ACE Leadership Symposium

TD Convention Center 1 Exposition Drive, Greenville 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

More info: bit.ly/ace-april2016

4/4 Tuesday

4/5

Wednesday

4/20 Thursday

4/21

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

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

ART DIRECTOR

APRIL 29 WHO’S WHO Meet the latest class of game-changers in the Upstate.

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

PHOTO COORDINATOR/LAYOUT PRESIDENT/CEO

Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com

UBJ PUBLISHER

Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Jerry Salley jsalley@communityjournals.com

STAFF WRITERS

UBJ milestone

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

Tammy Smith

1988

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

OPERATIONS Holly Hardin

ADVERTISING DESIGN Kristy Adair, Michael Allen

1997 Jackson Dawson launches motorsports Division 1993

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

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

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

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

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

Vietnam, where he said he was “luckily” stationed in the middle of Texas at Fort Hood. He left the service and went to work in public affairs and motorsports at Ford Motor Company in Detroit. After a stint at Bell and Howell, where he was responsible for managing Ford’s dealer marketing and training, the entrepreneurial bug hit and he co-founded Jackson-Dawson Marketing Communications, a company specializing in dealer training and product launches for the auto industry in 1980. In 1987, Jackson wanted to move back south and thought Greenville would be a good fit. An avid pilot, he

learned of an opportunity to purchase Cornerstone Aviation, a fixed base operation (FBO) that served as a service station for the Greenville Downtown Airport, providing fuel, maintenance and storage. In fact, when he started the Greenville office of what is now Jackson Marketing Group (JMG) in 1988, the offices were housed on the second floor in an airport hangar. “Clients would get distracted by the airplanes in the hangars and we’d have to corral them to get back upstairs to the meeting,” Jackson said. Jackson sold the FBO in 1993, but says it was a great way to get to know Greenville’s fathers and leaders

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

1998 1998 Jackson Dawson moves to task industrial Court

also one of the few marketing companies in South Carolina to handle all aspects of a project in-house, with four suites handling video production, copywriting, media and research and web design. Clients include heavyweights such as BMW, Bob Jones University, the Peace Center, Michelin and Sage Automotive. Recent projects have included an interactive mobile application for Milliken’s arboretum and 600-acre Spartanburg campus and a marketing campaign for the 2013 Big League World Series. “In my opinion, our greatest single achievement is the longevity of our client relationships,” said Darrell Jackson. “Our first client from back in 1988 is still a client today. I can count on one hand the number of clients who have gone elsewhere in the past decade.” Larry Jackson says his Christian faith and belief in service to others, coupled with business values rooted in solving clients’ problems, have kept

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

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

him going and growing his business over the years. He is passionate about giving back and outreach to non-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

MAY 6 QUARTERLY CRE ISSUE The state of commercial real estate in the Upstate.

David Jones (Vice President Client services, Chief marketing officer): Hands on Greenville board chairman mike Zeller (Vice President, Brand marketing): Artisphere Board, Metropolitan Arts Council Board, American Red Cross Board, Greenville Tech Foundation Board, South Carolina Chamber Board eric Jackson (Jackson motorsports Group sales specialist): Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board

November 1, 2013 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal 21

20 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal November 1, 2013

AS SEEN IN

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

CLIENT SERVICES Anita Harley, Jane Rogers

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Kristi Fortner

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Copyright ©2016 BY COMMUNITY JOURNALS LLC. All rights reserved. Upstate Business Journal is published weekly by Community Journals LLC. 581 Perry Ave., Greenville, South Carolina, 29611. Upstate Business Journal is a free publication. Annual subscriptions (52 issues) can be purchased for $50. Postmaster: Send address changes to Upstate Business, P581 Perry Ave., Greenville, South Carolina, 29611. Printed in the USA.

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Limited bLock of tickets avaiLabLe. contact kate madden for information. 864.679.1254 or kmadden@communityjournaLs.com attire: business best

2016 Class of Who’s Who:

The Legend

Minor Shaw

The Entrepreneur

Peter Barth

The Boss The Young Gun The Company The Closer The Wild Card

Pamela Evette Robert Hughes, III Scansource John Warren TODD HORNE