Sept. 5, 2014 UBJ by Community Journals

SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

COMPLIMENTARY

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UBJ MANUFACTURING

SC flexes manufacturing muscle State named one of 10 “Where Manufacturing Still Matters” JOE TOPPE | STAFF

jtoppe@communityjournals.com Accounting for 17.3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013, South Carolina’s manufacturing muscle helped propel the state into an elite top 10 of the industry. A recent report by 24/7 Wall St. placed the Palmetto State in the tenth spot for “States Where Manufacturing Still Matters.” Brian Gallagher, director of marketing at O’Neal Inc., said the Upstate plays a critical role in South Carolina’s manufacturing industry. Gallagher said the Upstate has a strong manufacturing heritage, world-class facilities, international investment, a supportive business community and government, excellent partnerships with the educational institutions, and aggressive economic development agencies. South Carolina, and the Upstate in particular, is poised for manufacturing growth, he said. Lewis Gossett, president and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, said the I-85 corridor and can-do business climate has positioned the Upstate as one of the country’s hottest spots for manufacturing. “It is the least unionized metropolitan area in the state with a dynamic community and a high

WHERE MANUFACTURING STILL MATTERS 10. South Carolina – 17.3%* 9. Ohio – 17.7% 8. Alabama – 17.8% 7. Kentucky – 18.3% 6. Wisconsin –18.9% 5. Michigan –19.0% 4. North Carolina – 20.9% 3. Louisiana – 23.4% 2. Oregon – 29.8% 1. Indiana – 30.1% *Manufacturing share of output

Source: 24/7 Wall St.

“From advanced materials and pharmaceuticals to automotive and aerospace, Greenville County offers an ideal balance of skilled workforce, infrastructure, research initiatives and clustered expertise that make it an ideal environment for manufacturing organizations of all types and across all industries. Manufacturing is an integral component of our region’s past, present and future.” Kevin Landmesser, interim president and CEO, Greenville Area Development Corporation.

quality of life, and when companies are relocating plants, they are also relocating families,” he said. With the addition of the inland port, Gossett said the Upstate has become an engine driving the state’s manufacturing sector. “The Upstate speaks for itself,” he said. GE, Michelin, BMW, the inland port and CU-ICAR all combine to make the area a model for building a strong manufacturing community and economy. Gossett said the state became a hub for manufacturing because of its business climate, port access and the subsequent logistics and distribution opportunities, reasonable regulatory policies, tax incentive programs, and workforce. In conjunction with the many technical schools, the state has been able to deliver a technical and skilled workforce, he said. “Some of the most sophisticated products in the world are made here by South Carolinians.” Data collected by the Wall St. report showed the Palmetto State was a top manufacturer of both durable and nondurable goods, with each contributing 9.8 percent and 7.5 percent to the state’s output. As outlined by the report, much of South Carolina’s durable goods output came from motor vehicle and parts manufacturing, which accounted for nearly $4 billion, or 2.2 percent of the state GDP in 2012.

Accounting for nearly $3 billion, or 1.7 percent of state GDP in 2012, South Carolina was also among the nation’s largest plastics and rubber manufacturers. Gallagher said manufacturing has a multiplier effect on the Palmetto State’s economy. The taxes from manufacturing firms are critical to the local governments and school districts, and “we’ve successfully attracted significant international investment that is increasing,” he said. South Carolina is becoming a key exporter of products. The report is available online at bit.ly/24-7-wall-st.

September 5, 2014

u SOUTH CAROLINA • Manufacturing share of output: 17.3 percent • Manufacturing output 2013: $31.8 billion (24th highest) • 2012 exports from manufacturing: $23.3 billion (20th highest) • 2013 unemployment rate: 7.6 percent (16th highest)

u ADDITIONAL REPORT STATISTICS INCLUDE Economic activity in America’s manufacturing sector rose for the 13th consecutive month this June, according to the Institute for Supply Management. Manufacturing jobs have been on the upswing as well, rising for the 11th straight month in June. Manufacturing accounted for more than 12 percent of the United States’ GDP in 2013, with output from the sector totaling more than $2 trillion.

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

Volume 3, Issue 36

September 5, 2014

Top-of-mind and in the mix this week

WORTH REPEATING

TBA

“Walking into a class and seeing only one or two other females can be intimidating.”

Look for Barre Evolution, a fitness center utilizing a ballet barre, to open in Greenville at McBee Station near Publix in October. The company currently has locations in Mt. Pleasant and West Ashley…

Page 6

“When I left New York, everyone said I wouldn’t last a year. A year later I was saying, ‘Little do you know what I’ve discovered.’ I’m never going back.”

Marco’s Pizza, a national pizza franchise, is set to open soon on Pleasantburg Drive in the BiLo shopping center near North Street in Greenville. Delivery and carryout only…

Page 17

“Every good city has an indie theater. We just need to get one in Greenville.” Page 18

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

September 5, 2014

VERBATIM

On quirkiness… “The most iconic site in this Blue Ridge town is truly off-kilter: Liberty Bridge, in Falls Park, a pedestrian bridge whose 90-foot-tall masts tilt an eye-catching 15 degrees.” Travel + Leisure, naming Greenville No. 17 on its list of “America’s Quirkiest Towns.” Read more at travelandleisure.com/articles/ americas-quirkiest-towns.

Photo Provided

MONEY SHOT: The Greenville Drive recently held its Greenville Chamber of Commerce Night at Fluor Field as the Drive hosted the Charleston RiverDogs. Members got to participate in between-innings games and entertainment, including a tug-of-war between Leadership Greenville classes 40 and 41, won by class 41. See more photos on page 29.

UBJ ECONOMY

Ã Ä Ã Ä Ã

KEY S.C. INDICATORS INCOME

+0.9%

State Personal Income – increased to $173.7 billion in the first quarter of 2014. (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis)

EMPLOYMENT

-1.1%

+0.4%

Nonfarm Employment – decreased by 20,500 nonseasonally adjusted jobs in July from the prior month. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Unemployment Rate – increased from 5.3% to 5.7%, seasonally-adjusted, for July. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

REAL ESTATE

-3.9%

+10.5%

Single-Family Home Sales Price – decreased by $6,777 to $167,000 in July. (South Carolina Association of Realtors) Residential Building Permits – increased by 223permits from the previous month to 2,352 permits issued in July. (U.S. Census Bureau)

Source: South Carolina Department of Commerce

100.5 100 99.5 99 98.5 JUL 14

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SEP 13

MAY 13

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SEP 12

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98 JAN 11

of Commerce is reporting a strong first half for exports, an increase in residential building permits, and an improvement in the state’s leading index. When comparing the first half of

101

MAR 11

The South Carolina Department

Source: South Carolina Department Of Commerce

101.5

NOV 10

jtoppe@communityjournals.com

2013 to the first half of this year, initial data released by the US Department of Commerce show the Palmetto State is up 11.9 percent to $14.59 billion in exports and is on pace for a record high. During the second quarter of the year, the state’s top exports were vehicles at $2.67 billion, machinery at $1.3 billion, aircraft at $548 million and tires at $436 million. Residential building permits were up 10.5 percent in July, increasing by 223 permits from the previous month to 2,352. Permits issued in Myrtle Beach were up 26 percent while Spartanburg experienced an increase of 23 percent. Comparing the last three months to the same quarter in 2013, Greenville, Spartanburg and Myrtle Beach have shown the strongest gains in building permit activity. Home sales declined 2.0 percent during July while the median home sales price dropped by 3.9 percent and foreclosure-filing activity declined 3.8 percent. Home sales in both Greenville and Spartanburg were down in July of this year when compared to the same month in 2013 as Greenville reported 61 fewer home sales and Spartanburg reported 55 fewer. As highlighted by the report, the South Carolina Leading Index (SCLI) gained 0.02 points during July to end the month at 101.46. The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index for the U.S. also showed improvement, gaining 0.9 percent in July to 103.3.

102

JUL 10

JOE TOPPE | STAFF

SOUTH CAROLINA LEADING INDEX

SEP 10

Report: Exports strong, building permits climb

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

UBJ WORKFORCE

Clemson hopes to close STEM gender gap JOE TOPPE | STAFF

jtoppe@communityjournals.com As the demand for skilled labor increases and the spectrum for careers based in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) broadens, Clemson’s director of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) is confident that diversifying the workforce could fill the gaps. The nation’s economic success depends on having a constant supply of highly trained technical talent, said Serita Acker, director of WISE. President Obama set a goal in 2010 to train 10,000 new American engineers each year, and it is vital for the United States to supply them,

male or female, to drive economic growth, she said. While providing a needed diversity to encourage creativity and innovation, educating more female engineers and scientists will add to the talent pipeline that flows into the workplace. Acker said data compiled by the National Science Board shows women make up 27 percent of the engineering and science workforce. A growing body of research is finding that the gender gap is a result of cultural influences, not ability, she said. “Walking into a class and seeing only one or two other females can be intimidating, but the program helps connect female engineering and science majors.”

SERITA ACKER

Acker joined Clemson’s Programs for Educational Enrichment and Retention (PEER) staff in 1995, and

the position led to her involvement with WISE. Recently, Acker received the College-Level Promotion of Education Award by Women of Color magazine and will travel to Detroit in October to accept the honor. Along with her many duties, Acker said WISE’s addition to Clemson’s list of programs would lead to further benefits. “The program is laying the groundwork for the future by offering STEM-focused academic summer camps and outreach programs for students in the K-12 system,” she said. Bosch recently awarded Clemson University $500,000 to establish an endowment in perpetuity for >>

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

September 5, 2014

UBJ WORKFORCE >> automotive engineering fellowships aimed at diversifying the workforce and inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists. In a statement issued by the college, Mike Mansuetti, president of Robert Bosch LLC, said it is imperative to create a workforce of the future. “We see the tremendous STEM-related career opportunities that are available now and in the future,” he said. “If we do not prepare students to move into these careers, as individuals they will not reach their full potential, U.S. innovation and industry will not grow, and that poses a threat to the quality of life for all who live here.” Mansuetti said the Bosch Community Fund strives to identify needs in the areas of STEM educa-

The Proven Choice “The program is laying the groundwork for the future by offering STEM-focused academic summer camps and outreach programs for students in the K-12 system.”

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tion and environmental sustainability with an emphasis on communities in which Bosch has a presence. “We support teachers and parents as they ready the next generation of students to study, learn and successfully compete to fill these positions,” he said. “We are excited to collaborate with Clemson and CU-ICAR, as they understand the need and have the expertise to help close this critical gap.”

Clemson University Master of Real Estate Development Program and CREW Upstate present

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UBJ HOSPITALITY

Batter up Seafood chain Captain D’s prepares for armada of Upstate-area restaurants SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com Captain D’s, a fast-casual seafood restaurant headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., plans to open at least 20 new restaurants in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville area over the next three years. The restaurant chain, which has been in operation since 1969, has

undergone a complete renovation in the last few years, said Michael Arrowsmith, Captain D’s chief development officer. Gone is the wooden, nautical look. It’s now been replaced by a “welcoming beach resort environment,” he said. Menu items still include the traditional hand-battered fish but now also include a selection of cooked-to-order grilled

“The brand is a lot different now than it was. When people come in and try the food, they come back. It’s good.” Michael Arrowsmith

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items that are “premium quality.” Shrimp, chicken, beef kabobs, hushpuppies and desserts round out the menu.

“The brand is a lot different now than it was,” said Arrowsmith. “When people come in and try the food, they come back. It’s good.” >>

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UBJ HOSPITALITY >> He likens Captain D’s to Panera Bread, where customers come in, order and then sit down for a meal with regular plateware and silverware. Most of Captain D’s 520 restaurants across the company are franchises, and Arrowsmith expects the Upstate locations to be franchises. He said they are currently in “very serious conversations with a large franchisee that wants to bring the brand to the Upstate.” The company’s only Upstate location right now is a company-owned restaurant in Anderson, which will undergo an expansion within the next 18 months to reflect the new look. Arrowsmith said he expects to see restaurants open in the Upstate in the “next 12-18 months.” With each new restaurant opening, that brings

“We’re excited because the brand is doing great. GreenvilleSpartanburg is growing and we’re excited to be part of that growth.”

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about 25-30 new jobs to the area. Captain D’s is still looking for additional franchisees in the area and Arrowsmith said Captain D’s has had its fourth year of positive sales – an anomaly in the fast-casual business. “We’re excited because the brand is doing great,” said Arrowsmith. “Greenville-Spartanburg is growing and we’re excited to be part of that growth.”

MAKE YOUR CLOSET AS SUCCESSFUL AS YOUR BUSINESS—FOUR EASY STEPS Planning your business wardrobe is a very important decision in improving your business. Whether you dress in a suit every day or more casually, how you “package” yourself is part of your branding. Your wardrobe is part of your calling card—your brand. So when planning for the next year in your business, you should plan to go through your closet to reorganize it to work for you more efficiently in the coming year. Start with four easy steps in reorganizing your closet: 1. Clean out the closet completely. 2. Take Inventory and inspect your clothes. Start with your business clothes, and move to your casuals. Try them all on to make sure they fit. Inspect for tears, split seams, broken buttons, and frayed edges. For simple repairs, alterations, and proper fit take them to a “trusted tailor.” If you haven’t worn it in years, donate it! 3. Evaluate your needs and invest. Maybe you need another suit, new shirts, dress or casual trousers. Don’t just add items, but plan your new purchases to work with your existing wardrobe. This is where an experienced clothing consultant may help. 4. Maintain your closet. Make sure your garments are properly pressed. Build a good relationship with a trusted cleaner. Your clothing may not always need to be dry cleaned. Ask your cleaner to “press only” your garments and you will extend the life of those items. Make sure your suit and sport coats are on wide wood hangers, not wire hangers. This will maintain the shape of the shoulders of the coats. Keep cedar shoe trees in your shoes and brush and polish your shoes regularly. Rotate your suits, business casual wear and shoes. Don’t wear the same items days in a row. Give them a rest and they will wear and look newer longer. A well planned and organized closet will make your life and business wardrobe more efficient, giving you more confidence in everything you do.

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UBJ AEROSPACE

Aerospace poised to become state’s next economic powerhouse JOE TOPPE | STAFF

jtoppe@communityjournals.com With South Carolina’s aerospace cluster adding the same number of jobs as the automotive industry did following BMW’s arrival in the 1990s, a recent study by the Darla Moore School of Business shows the aerospace cluster in a unique position to become an economic powerhouse in the Palmetto State. S.C. Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt pinpointed Boeing as a catalyst for the state’s emergence in the aerospace industry. Just as BMW accelerated the growth of South Carolina’s automotive industry, Boeing has done the same for the

aerospace sector since coming to Charleston in 2009, he said. The “Boeing boost” will continue to recruit major global suppliers to the state. Joe Frasher, director of Greenville’s downtown airport and board member for the South Carolina Aviation Association, said a properly educated workforce is key to the success of any industry. Workforce development is crucial to the aviation and aerospace industries as they grow throughout the state, he said. “Local schools continue to step up to the challenge in an effort to meet the needs of local employers.” USAeroTech Institute, an Upstate school for aviation maintenance technicians, utilizes a 12,000-square-

➤ NUMBERED

4.2%

annual employment growth in the aerospace cluster from 2002 to 2012

0.3%

growth for the state as a whole during that time

11.4%

annual employment growth in the aerospace cluster since 2010.

1.4%

growth for the state as a whole during that time

19.2%

average annual firm growth of state’s aerospace core

foot hangar, multiple classrooms and a fleet of planes including a Boeing 727 jet to educate students interested in aviation careers. Brett Zukowski, vice president of the institute, said the state’s budding aviation community is creating a demand for a skilled and ready workforce. “A lot of our graduates are moving into Upstate maintenance shops until they gain enough experience for Boeing,” he said. “Once the local jobs are vacated, they are open to new graduates.” The average job in South Carolina’s aerospace cluster pays $70,749 a year – 72 percent higher than the state’s total average of $41,206 and 46 percent higher than the average for >>

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UBJ AEROSPACE >> manufacturing jobs at $48,453. Because aircraft manufacturing focuses on advanced composite materials, precision metal parts, and systems integration, the jobs supported by the aerospace cluster require expertise in many specialized fields related to aerospace science and engineering, according to the USC study. UBJ reported an industry shortage of pilots and maintenance workers in November 2012, and Zukowski said the positions remain among the highest in demand today. Approximately 500,000 new pilots and 500,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians will be hired across the nation over the next 20 years, he said. “Given the industry’s growth in South Carolina, a considerable portion of those jobs could be here.” With many of USAeroTech’s graduates entering careers at Lockheed Martin and Stevens Aviation

➤ NUMBERED

102,271 $70,749

jobs contributed by the aerospace cluster average annual salary in S.C.’s aerospace cluster

$17,4B

total economic impact of the aerospace cluster Source: “Uncovering The Stealth Cluster: The Economic Impact of Civilian and Military Aerospace on South Carolina” by the Darla Moore School of Business

in the Upstate, Zukowski said many find work all over the United States. As the industry grows, “I would suspect that 50 percent will stay in the local economy and 50 percent will find work elsewhere, but it’s getting easier to find work in South Carolina as Boeing’s influence lures aerospace companies to move in,” he said.

(L to R): Rick Hennecy, Greer Community Executive; Jennifer Cash, Spartanburg Private Client Relationship Manager; Fred Williams, Spartanburg Community Executive

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

UBJ ENTREPRENEURS

3 to be honored at Entrepreneurs Forum Gala The Greenville Tech Foundation will honor three local entrepreneurs for their accomplishment in business and contributions to the prosperity of Upstate South Carolina at the Entrepreneurs Forum Gala on Sept. 25. The Greenville Tech Entrepreneurs Forum was created to provide resources and advice for Greenville Technical College as it builds programs to educate and train the new workforce and the next generation of entrepreneurs in the Upstate. Since its inception in 1998, this event has recognized 89 community business leaders “who have helped transform Greenville into the thriving business community it is today,” according to the foundation. MICHAEL BOLICK, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, SELAH GENOMICS INC.

A presentation on carbon-based quantum dots inspired Bolick to launch Selah Technologies. He licensed the technology and created the company to produce Selah Dots. Working with doctors at ITOR, the technology is now in use as a diagnostic tool for cancer. Selah’s Clinical Genomics Center at ITOR was founded to focus on the

mutations, or alterations, in the genes that drive a person’s cancer. Bolick has served as immediate past board chair at SCBIO and on the external advisory board at the NanoCenter at the University of South Carolina. MARK JOHNSTON, FOUNDER AND CEO, COMMUNITY JOURNALS

A self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneur,” Johnston set out in 1999 to deliver a product that would better serve local advertisers and readers. The Greenville Journal was the result, a weekly community newspaper focused on providing local news and a targeted platform for local advertising. Over 15 years, Johnston has expanded the Community Journals portfolio to include At Home magazine, TOWN magazine, and the Upstate Business Journal. In addition, Johnston has actively promoted the Upstate with events like Altitude, Fashion on the Town, the Charitable Giving Awards, and the Who’s Who Awards. Community Journals has donated over $4 million of advertising and services since 2001.

VOM FASS (German for “from the cask”) opened this Thursday. The retailer of cask-aged vinegars, oils, rare spirits, liqueurs and wine is located in the Whole Foods shopping center on Woodruff Road in Greenville.

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

September 5, 2014

JON MCCLURE, FOUNDER, ISO POLY FILMS

McClure founded ISO Poly Films Inc., based in Gray Court, S.C., in 1997 and served as CEO until selling the company earlier this year. Under his leadership, ISO Poly expanded to two manufacturing facilities in South Carolina and Vancouver, Wash. ISO Poly grew to 160 employees, produced more than 100 million pounds of film and generated $115 million in sales in 2013. ISO Poly was named to the Dun & Bradstreet and Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Hot 100” Small Businesses list for two consecutive years. In addition, Ernst & Young named McClure “Entrepreneur of the Year of the Carolinas.”

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YOUR MONEY News and tips for your personal bottom line

Time to come out of hiding? Five tips to take the emotion out of investing Concerned about the stock market? If so, you’re not alone. In volatile markets, it’s common to feel anxious about investing. However, successful investors know that while weathering market moves isn’t easy, it can be rewarding. The key is maintaining a long-term perspective with an investment plan designed to carry you through normal ups and downs. To help you keep your emotions in check during uncertain markets, consider the following five steps. 1. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MARKET OPPORTUNITIES. Stock prices fluctuate for a lot of reasons – disappointing earnings, rising inflation, changing tax laws and economic uncertainty here or abroad. The good news is that these periodic slides have not lasted forever. While past performance is not indicative of future performance, historically stocks have rebounded from setbacks. It is often during times of least confidence in the markets that investors are offered the most opportunity. In fact, during market lows, you may have the opportunity to add to your portfolio with quality investments at attractive prices or rebalance your portfolio to your target asset allocation. Rebalancing allows you the opportunity to sell outperforming asset classes and buy underperforming asset classes, often resulting in risk-reducing and return-enhancing benefits. 2. DON’T TRY TO TIME THE MARKET. For investors, trying to outguess the market is not only a stressful strategy; it can also be an expensive one. By moving your portfolio to the sidelines, you could miss a market downturn, but you could also miss a rally. That’s because most of the market’s gains are often clustered into very short time periods. To benefit from the market’s long-term performance, it’s important to make a plan

and stick with it through market ups and downs. Please remember that no investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. 3. DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR GOALS. Some investors believe they can soften the effects of a market decline by selling off their stocks and buying more conservative investments, such as money market funds and bonds. This could prove a mistake, especially if you’re investing for longterm financial goals like retirement. Often a market decline is followed by a swift recovery – missing out on such a recovery could be devastating to your portfolio’s return. While stock market volatility can try the nerves of even the most seasoned investors, throughout

history, stocks have outperformed other major asset classes. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future results. Although stocks have historically outperformed other asset classes, they also have historically been more volatile. Investors should carefully consider their ability to invest during volatile periods in the market.

4. MAINTAIN YOUR MIX. During difficult markets, it is inevitable that some of your investments will perform better than others. This means that the percentage of your portfolio invested in each asset class may have shifted from your original target allocation. When this happens, the risk profile of your portfolio shifts, too. For instance, balanced investors may find themselves holding excess fixed income after a market correction and have too conservative a portfolio based on their goals and time horizon. That’s why it’s important to review your portfolio periodically and rebalance your holdings as needed to bring your asset allocation back in line with your goals, risk tolerance and time frame.

It is often during times of least confidence in the markets that investors are offered the most opportunity.

5. WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL. A successful long-term investment strategy is a process that evolves as your needs and goals change at different points in your life. An experienced financial professional can be invaluable in helping you take an objective, unemotional approach to investing; keeping your overall performance and goals in sight; and helping you avoid rash decisions during times of uncertainty and navigate the inevitable bumps in the investment road ahead.

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Upstate Business Journal August 22, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

By ROBYN KNOW, SPHR, vice president of human resources, Southern Weaving

WORKING WELL Good health is good for business

Engagement drives momentum for workplace wellness Even though a comprehensive wellness program needs to have foundational elements such as annual health screenings or an on-site wellness clinic in which the return on investment can be easily calculated, these long-term strategies do not always result in true engagement for the majority of employees. After all, what is fun and exciting about having your blood drawn or receiving an annual vaccine? If we truly believe in the business notion that engagement drives success, then we need to offer a variety of wellness-related activities and programs that interest employees. After all, not every program or initiative will appeal to everyone. How do you know what type of wellness activities or programs will appeal to your workforce? The answer is easy: You ask. There are great survey tools available for free, such as the needs and interests survey found at livewellgreenville.org. South Carolina DHEC also offers a free guide to developing worksite wellness programs that includes a similar survey. Many businesses already perform annual employee engagement or job satisfaction surveys, which may be expanded to include some specific health and wellness-related questions. A Wellness Committee is also a valuable source of information, but the members need to be truly representative of your workforce. Wellness programs often focus on tobacco cessation, proper nutrition and weight management, physical fitness, and stress-reduction and mental health. Once you know what types of activities your employees are most interested in, you should be able to incorporate events and initiatives throughout the year that center on these topics. Try to incorporate fun whenever possible. This can be as simple as having someone lead a line-dancing activity during breaks

or having a hula-hoop or jump rope competition between departments. Team sports can also be fun and enjoyable, and Greenville Rec offers several options throughout the year for company sports teams, such as flag football, kickball, and co-ed softball. During our last survey at Southern Weaving, several employees asked for a company bowling league. We researched the health benefits of bowling three games a week and decided to give it a try. We increased from 12 employees participating in a summer league to having 24 sign up for a fall league. Not only are participants burning calories and improving their flexibility, bowling has proven to be a great stress reliever and a tremendous amount of fun for those participating. The excitement and enthusiasm have also spilled over into the workplace and built friendships across departments. To fully engage a large percentage of the workforce, it is crucial to consider an effective incentive structure. To do this, you need to appeal to employees who are at different stages in their readiness to embrace health and wellness. For someone who is just beginning to contemplate a lifestyle change, there needs to be an opportunity for an immediate reward. This may be something as simple as receiving freebies and goodies at a health fair when picking up educational materials. For those who are ready to embrace change, you should consider incentives that encourage them to meet several milestones along their journey or an opportunity to get a fresh start midway through the program if they veer off track. For example, a 12-week weight loss program may provide recognition for reaching intermediate

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

September 5, 2014

weight loss goals, such as losing 5, 10, or 15 percent of body weight. It is important not to neglect those who are already committed and are on the path of a healthy lifestyle. They need longer-term goals and perhaps more challenging activities. These employees can serve as great role models for the rest of your organization, so even though they may be doing all of the right things without your encouragement, you still need their participation to help encourage others. A few months ago, our wellness committee began planning a summer walking program. We had done this in the past, but struggled to maintain momentum. We realized that we had been designing our program around those employees who already had a strong self-motivation to be physically fit. It is a committee’s responsibility to encourage involvement from everyone, including those who have

no desire to walk a half-mile during their morning break and in the heat of summer. Ultimately, the committee considered the various stages of readiness in developing the recognition and incentive structure for the program. The 10-Mile Challenge included door prize drawings at each walk, pictures of the participants on the electronic bulletin boards that were updated regularly, a visual display board where each participant tracked their progress along their journey, an added stair-climbing opportunity midway through each walk for those needing more of a cardio challenge, T-shirts for meeting the 5-mile mark, and a chance to win a Fitbit for those completing the 10-mile challenge. So far, we’ve walked over 600 miles during this initiative, and approximately 40 percent of employees have participated. Many of them have now completed the challenge, but still continue to participate in the walks. They are now asking if we can continue the walk at work program through the fall. That is true engagement. If you don’t already have a wellness program in place at your business, I encourage you to get started as soon as possible. There are a number of resources and organizations available to help you. I highly recommend that you download a copy of the LiveWell Greenville At Work Toolkit to guide you through the process. Once you begin involving and engaging your workforce, you can quickly make strides in improving the overall health and well-being of your organization.

Southern Weaving was a recipient of LiveWell Greenville’s 2014 Gold Level Healthy Workplace Award.

By ANDY DOUGLAS, managing director, private client advisor at U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management

PROFESSIONAL Strategies for honing your professional skills

Nothing succeeds like a succession plan Five things you should consider when building a legacy for your family The Greenville area includes some of the nation’s success stories. While household growth over the next five years is expected to be 5 percent, the number of millionaire households here is projected to increase at nearly five times that rate, 24 percent. However, a new U.S. Trust survey of wealthy Americans finds that poor planning – or even a lack of planning – by many of these affluent families is putting their wealth and income at risk. One stereotype of wealth is that it’s inherited, but the opposite is usually true. Many of those who participated in the 2014 Insights on Wealth and Worth study are selfmade business owners or senior corporate executives, including those with an entrepreneurial bent who are building the new companies seen in Greenville. They are deeply committed to their families, to their employees and to their communities. While they sacrifice for their families and their communities, business owners often end up compromising in other areas. Many are not adequately planning for their own future or that of their business. Business succession is a major challenge for the owners of many

u WHY NO SUCCESSION PLAN? u 54% – have no intention to retire in the near future u 23% – haven’t made important decisions yet u 15% – family and colleagues are aware of plans u 14% – outlined wishes in will u 7% – too busy with day-to-day operations. Source: U.S. Trust survey

companies. More than three-quarters of those surveyed are the first generation to own their business, and twothirds of them actually founded their companies. Most lack experience with transitioning a business from one generation to the next. When it’s time to transition the business, it’s often not as simple as handing over the reins, because only about one in 10 owners expect their children or heirs to run the business. However, if the children aren’t going to take over the business, then what? Selling the business or hiring professional managers to run it while the family maintains ownership requires a great deal of advance preparation. Managing family wealth requires many of the same skills as running a business, yet one-quarter of business owners said they are better at managing effective communication and risk at work than in their personal lives. The impact of this on planning can be seen in the fact that of those business owners who said they have a comprehensive estate plan in place, six in 10 named a family member as executor of their estate; only eight percent have named an attorney and only two percent have named a financial advisor. It’s understandable that owners want people they trust on the basis of family ties to handle these matters. But the reality is that transitioning or selling a business requires skills and expertise that many people lack. Entrusting family members with responsibilities they may not be up to handling may be more of a burden than a blessing. Here are five things business owners should consider to help

➤ NUMBERED

25%

business owners said they are better at managing effective communication and risk at work than in their personal lives

13% 66.6% 70%

expect their children or heirs to run the businesses

ensure their heirs benefit from the businesses they have built: • Be realistic. Some business owners, hard-eyed realists in other ways, remain doggedly optimistic about the value of their businesses or the likelihood of their children taking over. Denial, as they say, isn’t just a river in Egypt. • Set clear goals. Ambiguity about an owner’s intentions isn’t just bad for family relations – it’s bad for business, too. Customers, suppliers and other stakeholders want certainty about a company’s long-term prospects, especially as the owner grows older. • Adopt and implement a business succession plan. A plan that reflects the owner’s business goals and personal objectives will help to ensure a smooth transition that maximizes the value heirs will receive. • Consult with family members and trusted advisors. Business owners need to take the time to discuss their intentions with their families and with those they trust outside the families, such as key employees, their attorney or their accountant, to ensure

September 5, 2014

those 50 and older (closest to retirement) who lack a plan

60% 8% 2%

lack a formal succession plan

have named family members as executors to their estate

named an attorney named a financial advisor Source: U.S. Trust survey

that both business succession and life planning are addressed. • Have the basics of estate planning in place. A will, comprehensive estate plan, durable financial power of attorney and other tools of estate planning should be in place before they’re needed. Succession and estate planning for business owners is an important aspect not only of personal financial planning but of business planning as well, positioning a company for longterm success that will continue after the owner leaves active management. Implemented properly, it allows the owner’s heirs to realize the fruits of their family’s hard work while avoiding disputes or failing to realize the full value of the business. If you’re a business owner, it’s never too early to start this planning. U.S. TRUST 2014 INSIGHTS ON WEALTH AND WORTH STUDY: ustrust.com/survey

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

By DAN GLIATTA, managing director, Cargo

COMMUNICATE Staying on message with your clients and your colleagues

Want to sell tech to SBOs? Quit marketing to them Give small-business owners good information, and invite a conversation instead of forcing a pitch More and more, local startups are catching the attention of tech giants around the world. Need proof? Look no further than Hitachi Solutions’ recent acquisition of Greenville-based tech shop, Customer Effective. The best part is that Customer Effective became 225 team members strong primarily by serving small businesses themselves. Ask just about any global tech brand and you’ll hear the same story – there’s big opportunity in the small-business market. If you’re a technology brand marketer, grab a highlighter. If you know a technology brand marketer, lend them your highlighter – understanding the hearts and minds of today’s small-business owners (SBOs) is one of the most valuable pieces of marketing intel your brand can possess. What do they look for in tech products and services? How do they shop? What motivates them to buy? These are the questions marketers need answers to in order to effectively connect with this passionate, driven, and wildly valuable target. And that’s exactly what we went looking for with the latest installment of our SBO research study. If you target small businesses with your technology products or services, the information gleaned from this study – some of which is provided here – can help

➤ NUMBERED u How familiar are SBOs with new and emerging tech? 44.1% – moderately familiar 11% – not at all familiar 6.9% – extremely familiar

u How do SBOs get information about new tech? 78% – peers 47.1% – industry experts/leaders 28.4% – employees 23% – sales reps 17.2% – resellers and distributors 8.8% – other

they can rely on, as “Quality of Product / Service” and “Proven Results” top both charts, and because SBOs are cautious with their spending, “Value” is also a top consideration.

AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, WE’VE DECIDED TO GO WITH…

open doors. While all SBOs surveyed say they recognize the need to stay current with technology, about 45 percent rate themselves only “moderately familiar” with new and emerging tech products and services. Clearly, awareness and knowledge is lacking, so it seems logical for tech brands to put a sales force on the ground to bridge the gap, right? Not according to the study. Most SBOs get information about new technology from their peers and employees, with far fewer getting information from industry experts, leaders and sales reps. This is likely due to the fact that SBOs do not like being “sold to.” More than 23 percent of survey respondents say they take issue with “pushy sales tactics.”

WE’LL LOOK INTO IT Once an SBO has heard about a new tech product or service of interest, he or she turns to a variety of resources to learn more – predominantly the Internet, with 43 percent turning to search engines like Google and Yahoo. This means brands should make sure resources are available where SBOs are looking, as well as make sure resources are available when SBOs need them, which is typically not during regular business hours. There are several factors for the SBOs’ preference for online resourc-

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

September 5, 2014

es, such as its “ready-when-I-am” availability, but our study may have uncovered a more telling reason. Only 8 percent of SBOs believe sales representatives are more influential in their purchasing decisions than online content. This is a critical insight, and suggests SBOs are still feeling sales pressure from technology brands. We were also curious to know what steps SBOs take to evaluate tech products and services once they determine it may have value to them. Again, most head straight for the Internet. Nearly 85 percent say they conduct online research and over half (55.4 percent) ask a colleague or friend. But busy SBOs are extremely careful about making the right decision the first time, which is why having an opportunity to test or demo a product or service ranks high on their decision-making list (43 percent). Interestingly enough, only 18 percent say they will contact a sales rep, reseller or distributor to evaluate a product or service, another indication of their disdain for being “sold to.” As SBOs search for information on technology products and services, as well as the brands that provide them, there are specific elements they are looking for. Bottom line, they are looking for technology and brands

Once the SBO finishes evaluating the technology options, he begins to narrow his choices based on the research he’s conducted. While the pressure of working at breakneck speeds weighs heavily on SBOs, they still make time to look at multiple options. In fact, 67 percent of SBOs consider 3 brands or more. Once these brands are identified, a decision is typically made within three weeks. This short window to convert the customer means brands must be available when and where SBOs need them. They don’t have time to wait, and they won’t.

SBOS WANT MORE ACCESS, LESS PRESSURE SBOs realize technology can help their businesses, but awareness and knowledge are critical steps in determining exactly what and who to trust. The time-strapped nature of SBOs has them turning to digital channels first and foremost, so a brand’s ability to find them and connect with them online is crucial to their success. But this engagement cannot be so aggressive that SBOs sense sales pressure. This will almost certainly cause the customer to run in the opposite direction. The best approach for technology brands is to keep the door open through extensive online efforts. Make product and service information clear and concise, and try to invite a conversation instead of forcing a pitch. Tech brands that follow this formula are most assured the trust and loyalty of small businesses.

U.S. MICRO-STUDY: Technology: thecargoagency.com

UBJ WHO’S WHO – ONES TO WATCH

Jennifer Stilwell Chief Marketing Officer, VisitGreenvilleSC

By LEIGH SAVAGE | contributor

After growing up on the Jersey Shore and then taking on high-profile advertising jobs in New York City, Jennifer Stilwell did not envision life in a smaller Southern town. Even after being recruited by Leslie Advertising, she wasn’t convinced, but decided to give Greenville a shot – for a couple of days. Twenty years later, “it’s the best decision I ever made,” she says. She ran the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism account at Leslie, overseeing a campaign that won more than 90 awards. After a brief foray at an Atlanta agency, she leapt at the chance to return to Greenville almost three years ago to become chief marketing officer at VisitGreenvilleSC, formerly the Greenville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Social media awareness, print and online coverage and accommodations growth are rising, and Stilwell’s goal is to continue the upward trajectory. “I fell in love with this state,” she said. “I’m one of the biggest advocates for South Carolina.” JENNIFER STILWELL COLLEGE: Rollins College (Winter Park, Fla.) CURRENTLY READING: “Tomorrow’s World” by Clint Laurent, “about the demographic and socioeconomic structure of the world in 20 years.” FAVORITE WEBSITE: “Google is my best friend.” WORKOUT: Recently started running six days a week MOST FREQUENTLY USED APP: Map My Run FUN FACT: “My husband makes authentic replica superhero costumes.”

How did you get your start in advertising? I always knew I wanted to work in advertising. When I was a senior at Rollins College, I found out I had an interview at Young & Rubicam, then the nation’s largest advertising agency. I had to miss Senior Week, but I did the interview, graduated and started working there right away. It was an amazing experience.

What led you to the niche in travel and tourism marketing? After Young & Rubicam I worked at Warren Kremer Paino in New York, which specializes in travel and tourism. I worked for the Four Seasons Hotel, Club Med and properties in the Caribbean, among others. I just fell in love with it. Travel is always fun, and it’s all about experiences. It’s pretty exciting to say, “Here’s this neat experience or community or destination that we want to share with you.”

What brought you to Greenville? I wasn’t looking for a job, and I wasn’t looking to relocate. But a recruiter was very persistent. I had never heard of Greenville before and had absolutely no interest, but the recruiter said, “What do you have to lose?” When I left New York, everyone said I wouldn’t last a year. A year later I was saying, “Little do you know what I’ve discovered.” I’m never going back.

then there is an indirect effect that goes further. The more people you bring to a destination, the more people visit the restaurants and attractions ... there is a direct economic benefit to the businesses and to the community.

What are some accomplishments you and your organization have achieved recently? What a difference a year can make! The hashtag #yeahtthatgreenville has been used 34,000 times. In accommodation growth, we’ve hit the highest mark ever with 68 percent. We’ve increased media coverage by 57 percent and social media by 378 percent. Web traffic and inquiries are up. In a year we’ve

been associated with 86 articles that have made 76 million impressions.

What are your plans for the future at VisitGreenvilleSC? It’s important to keep our eye on the ball, and be strategic and effective with our dollars. In about a year and half, our hotel inventory is going to double. So we can’t maintain the status quo. We have to make sure we are driving demand and awareness to fill those rooms. Our No.1 job is to grow awareness of our destination so that we are in the consideration set. If you aren’t in people’s consideration set, they aren’t going to come.

What advice were you given that helps you in your career? The best piece of advice I got was early on – don’t be concerned with the past and how things have been done. A lot of people do things the way they have always been done. That’s not how I look at anything. Everything that I do is a blank canvas where I can be creative and innovate. Creativity is ultimately the game-changer and what makes people take notice.

How do you view your role at VisitGreenvilleSC? I consider myself a brand architect and a brand navigator. It’s storytelling, and we distill that down into something that is relevant and resonates. There are direct results, such as “heads in beds” in hotels. But

September 5, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

COVER STORY – LAUNCH New businesses seek investors – are you in?

‘It's a film movement’ The team behind The Film House wants to take its passion for indie cinema downtown THE COMPANY: The Film House THE PROJECT: An independent, three-screen, art-house movie theater located in downtown Greenville. WHAT THEY DO: The theater will screen classics, indie films and local films “with a focus on film education,” said Daryn Zongrone, president and CEO. Lecture series and theme nights will highlight certain eras or genres. A small restaurant and bar is also planned so patrons can “linger while they discuss their thoughts on the film.” WHO THEY ARE: Zongrone studied film at the University of South Carolina Upstate and is currently the manager at O-Cha Tea Bar. Jill Brinson is an account manager at BDA and marketing director of The Film House, with more than eight years marketing and project management experience. She has already established a social media presence for the theater and collaborated with The Peace Center to host a major fundraising event. Josh Dean is the theater’s project manager, and Mark Johnson will be in charge of digital content. WHAT THEY WANT: Currently seeking $1.5 million to build the theater. The team is still scouting locations, but the Village of West Greenville is a prime target. To date, $10,000 has been raised, with fundraising now kicking into high gear. CONTACT: Daryn Zongrone at Greenvillefilmhouse@gmail.com.

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

September 5, 2014

SHERRY JACKSON | staff sjackson@communityjournals.com Even without a physical theater, The Film House has been gaining popularity in the downtown Greenville film community. Using locations such as Coffee Underground, The Swamp Rabbit Café, The Hughes Main Library and Thomas Creek Brewery, the theater has had a busy summer showing such films as “Lost in Translation,” “Motorcycle Diaries,” “In Bruges” and “Return to Nuke ‘Em High.”

“It’s a film movement,” said Zongrone, who is passionate about bringing indie, classic and local films to Greenville. Partners Zongrone, Brinson, Dean and Johnson are raising funds to build a three-screen art-house theater in the Village of West Greenville. Zongrone said they looked at downtown locations but The Village is “more suitable with a creative and artsy environment. We’ll be excited to help that grow.” While building an audience at temporary locations, the theater has held Kickstarter and SCCrowdFund

COVER STORY – LAUNCH New businesses seek investors – are you in?

Clockwise from large main photo: 1. Theater 2. Cafe 3. Hallway 4. Daryn Zongrone

LAUNCH

Renderings courtesy of Filmscape/Mark Johnson

campaigns as well as two fundraisers. Fundraising will kick into high gear this month, with a goal of attracting the needed funds by year end and opening the theater in summer 2015, Zongrone said. “Every good city has an indie theater. We just need to get one in Greenville.” September 5, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

FINE PRINT Business briefs you can’t miss

Providence plans SC expansion

In response to an increased demand for in-home and in-facility care, a Greenville health care provider is expanding its presence in the county through a $2.9 million investment into its corporate headquarters, creating 167 new jobs over the next 10 years. Providence Home Care of SC is based in Greenville and provides skilled nursing and personal care along with transportation services to Medicare and Medicaid recipients in South Carolina. The company is also expanding its mission statewide to include skilled nursing to clients in the private sector and will soon be certified to provide additional behavioral health care services to Medicare and Medicaid clients. The health care provider intends to add medication management and medical supply sales to its offerings.

B-cycle expands, offers discounted memberships Greenville B-cycle installed two new stations this week, expanding the bike share network to eight stations and 35 bikes. Station installations were completed at the Greenville Zoo in Cleveland Park and the Hughes Main Library of the Greenville County Library System at Heritage Green with support from the City and County of Greenville. “Our goal is to have at least 10 stations and 50 bikes in the next year or two,” said Greenville B-cycle program director Lisa

Hallo in a statement. B-cycle is offering half-price memberships through Sept. 30. Annual memberships will be $30 when people join online at GreenvilleBcycle.com and use promo code BackToSchool2014, said Hallo. Greenville B-cycle offers adult-sized bicycles that members can check out and return at stations located at the

Greenville Zoo, Hughes Main Library, County Square, Sterling Community Center, City Hall, the Greenville Transit Center and at the corners of College and North Main streets and Rhett and River streets. Day memberships are $5 and can be purchased at kiosks or online. Annual memberships are $60 and can be purchased online only.

ADEX sold to out-of-state equity group After seven years under the same leadership, ADEX Machining Technologies in Greenville has been sold to an out-of-state equity group for an undisclosed amount, UBJ has learned. Originally founded in 1987 as a tool-and-die shop, the aerospace company was acquired and rebranded by Jason Premo (former CEO) and Sean Witty (current CFO) in 2007.

Although he declined to name it, Premo told UBJ the group that bought ADEX has a manufacturing background and was looking to invest in an aerospace company with a long-term vision for growth. “I believe in the motto of working yourself out of a job,” he said. Although Witty will remain with the company, Premo said he would move on to pursue a number of entrepreneurial interests.

“I am fortunate to leave ADEX in capable hands, and I am positive they will reach to even greater heights,” he said. “It’s time for me to create something new.”

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September 5, 2014

Every Game

FINE PRINT Business briefs you can’t miss

2014 InnoVision Award finalists announced Finalists have been announced for the 2014 InnoVision Awards, a program “dedicated to recognizing and honoring businesses, individuals and organizations in South Carolina for demonstrating significant advancements in the areas of innovation and technological progress,” according to a statement from InnoVision. This year’s finalists include: Technology Development: ISI Technology, Milliken Healthcare Products, Sealed Air Corporation Technology Application: College of Charleston, Health

Sciences of South Carolina, Mead Westvaco, Milliken & Company Innovation in Education: ActivEd, Discovery Magnet Program at Spring Valley High School, Furman University, Health Sciences of South Carolina Small Enterprise: ActivEd, Adva-Tech, Inc./Poly-Med, Inc., Recovr LLC, VRM Labs Sustainability: Barber Wind Turbines, ISI Technology, Mead

Westvaco Community Service: Furman University, Horry County Memorial Library, RevenFlow, VoterHeads Inc. Young Innovator Award: Carolina High School, Discovery Magnet Program at Spring Valley High School The Charles Townes Lifetime Achievement Award candidate will be revealed the evening of the Awards Dinner, held at the TD Convention Center Nov. 14. To RSVP, email ahalperin@mcnair. net or call 864-271-4940.

GGC first lab to offer FDA-cleared array The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) recently announced that it is the first laboratory in the U.S. to offer Affymetrix’s CytoScan Dx Assay, an FDA-cleared chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). The product became the first and only CMA to gain clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January. Using a single blood sample, CytoScan Dx Assay can scan a patient’s entire genome for the cause of developmental

delays, intellectual disabilities and congenital anomalies. California-based Affymetrix Inc. partnered with GGC and other laboratories to conduct clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the assay. Additionally, GGC provided

more than half of the 960 clinical samples used for the clinical validation component of the studies. Their findings showed that this CMA technology had improved ability to detect certain chromosomal abnormalities over other commonly used tests, including standard chromosome testing. The GGC Cytogenetics Laboratory, supervised by Drs. Chaubey and DuPont, will offer CytoScan Dx Assay.

Centerplate CEO resigns after kicking dog Desmond Hague, the CEO of Centerplate, a Connecticut-based company with a large Upstate presence, has resigned from the company after a video of him kicking a dog went viral. Chris Verros has been appointed to the role of acting president and CEO, effective immediately, according to a press release issued by Centerplate. “The decision comes as a result of Hague’s personal misconduct involving the mistreatment of an animal in his care,” said the release. Hauge was caught on camera in late July kicking a friend’s one-year-old Doberman pinscher puppy. The video surfaced online in August, leading to extensive media coverage and calls for Hague’s firing. Centerplate operates a hospitality service center at the Independence Pointe office park at I-85 and I-385. The company also manages concessions at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Clems n Every Game September 5, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

Stay in the know.

DEALMAKERS Commercial real estate transactions in the Upstate COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCED:

TheUpstateBusinessJournal

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@UpstateBiz

Richard Barrett, Bob Shaw and Michael Sease were instrumental in the sale of 46,066 SF in four flex Buildings at Golden Oaks Industrial Park LLC. Richard Barrett and Michael Sease, representing the landlord, leased 1,760 SF of flex space at Thomas Center on Smith Hines Road in Greenville. Frank Hammond and Nick Reinhardt represented the buyer, Cothran Properties, in the purchase of 1,700 SF of retail property at 2109 Augusta Road, Greenville. Lyn Tyner represented the landlord, CNL APF Partners LP, in leasing the 3,267 SF former Dennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Landrum.

Bob Shaw represented the tenant, Robert Half International Inc., in leasing 3,393 SF at 100 Dunbar St. in Greenville. Richard Barrett and Michael Sease represented the landlord in leasing 3,200 SF of flex space at 8 Progress Court, Greenville. Givens Stewart and Richard Jackson represented the landlord in the renewal of the lease for 200,000 SF industrial space at 625 S. Old Piedmont Highway. Will Nelson and Frank Hammond represented the seller in the sale of 4,080 SF of multi-family space at 3008 E. North St. in Greenville. Lyn Tyner represented the landlord in leasing 1,800 SF of office space at 117

Carolina Street in Laurens.

in Greer.

Lyn Tyner represented the tenant in leasing 2,239 SF of office space at 2430 Hudson Road in Greer.

Bob Shaw represented Earthlink Carrier LLC in leasing 3,450 SF of office space at 1053 Keys Drive in Greenville.

Richard Barrett and Michael Sease represented the landlord in a lease renewal of 3,271 SF at 4 McDougall Court in Mauldin. Richard Barrett and Michael Sease also represented the landlord in a lease renewal of two additional flex suites at Mauldin Center at 4 McDougall Court of 3,271 SF each. Richard Barrett and Michael Sease also represented the landlord in a lease renewal of 1,925 SF of flex space at 524 Brookshire Road

Bob Shaw represented MSN Healthcare in the leasing of 4,156 SF at 700 Executive Center Drive in Greenville. Richard Barrett and Michael Sease, representing the landlord, renewed the lease for 3,274 SF of flex space at Mauldin Center. Richard Barrett and Frank Hammond assisted Laclede Venture Corporation in the purchase of 3.12 acres of land at Freeman Farm Road near Highway 101 in Greer.

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SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF sjackson@communityjournals.com @SJackson_CJ

SQUARE FEET Real estate deals and developments across the region

Urban-style homes planned for North Main The next step in North Main’s urban transformation will center on a house that sat vacant for several years, located amongst a smattering of older homes-turned-into-officespace on what was the sleepier side of downtown Greenville. Currently the home is being used as the Greenville campaign office of Tom Ervin, who is running for South Carolina governor. But when Ervin’s lease runs out at the end of the year, plans call for the house to be torn down and three new single-family homes to be built in its stead. Developer Tom Croft has filed plans with the city for the three new, urban-style homes.

Carlos and Marie Rhys own the property at 604 N. Main St. and will occupy one of the three homes; the other two will be listed for sale. Croft’s plans did not include an asking price. Each house will be about 4,200 square feet and offer two stories of living space that will feature three bed-

rooms and a home office. A third story will have a rooftop suite and terrace with an outdoor kitchen. If approved by the city, Croft said development can start as soon as Ervin’s lease is up and the Rhyses approve their final design.

The North Main area will occupy the city’s hot seat when the Beach Company breaks ground later this fall on the Stone + Main project that includes 241 apartments and 21,175 square feet of retail space at Stone and Main streets. The Beach Company has also reportedly purchased the Blue Wall REI project at Stone and Rowley that would include 51 new multifamily apartments with 1,900 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

Rendering Provided by Croft Architecture.

FINE PRINT Business briefs you can’t miss

Greenville Drive win marketing award The Greenville Drive have been selected as the winner of the 2014 South Atlantic League Excellence in Marketing Award, league president Eric Krupa announced on Tuesday. This marks the second time the Drive have received the award, which recognizes outstanding marketing and promotions. The Drive previously won the award

in 2010. The Drive and their marketing team at Erwin-Penland came up with a theme for the 2014 season, “Let Yourself Go,” which “encouraged fans to put aside the stress and hectic nature of everyday life and come out to a Drive game for the enjoyment of the experience,” according to a Greenville Drive press release. “Enjoyment can come in many shapes and sizes –

September 5, 2014

whether by eating hot dogs, dancing with Reedy Rip ‘It or heckling the umpires, to name a few.” As the “Excellence in Marketing” recipient, the Drive will represent the South Atlantic League as a nominee for the Larry MacPhail Award, an honor given at the Baseball Winner Meetings in San Diego in December, symbolizing the top marketing effort in all of Minor League Baseball.

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

NEW TO THE STREET The freshest faces on the business landscape

1. Dog Trainers Workshop, located at 207 Greenpond Road in Fountain Inn, recently launched a Day Care Plus service for dog owners that adds dog training to the facility’s day care services. Lessons include training dogs to come, walk on a loose leash, and follow other basic commands. For more information, call 864-862-8626, or visit dogtrainersworkshop.com, or like facebook.com/ DogTrainersWorkshop.

2. Aspen Dental recently opened at 668 Fairview Road in Simpsonville. The location will feature dentist Dr. Loray Spencer. For more information, call 864520-5434, 800-ASPEN DENTAL (800-277-3633), or visit aspendental.com.

recognizing our community heroes

September 11, 2014 A Day of Thanks & Remembrance 8am –9/11 Never Forget Memorial Ceremony @NOMA Square Noon – Heroes Luncheon @Hyatt Regency | 7:30pm – Ana Popovic concert at the TD Stage

For details or sponsorship information www.greenvilleheroes.org Text-To-Pledge keyword HERO1 to 414-44 24

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

September 5, 2014

Presented by JHM Hotels

NEW TO THE STREET The freshest faces on the business landscape

3. Empire Limited Studio recently relocated to 205 Trade St. in Greer. The store offers upscale men’s consignment clothing, shoes and accessories. It also offers custom bow ties, alterations and shoe repair. For more information, call 864-201-4613 or visit empireltdstudio.com.

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September 5, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

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

ON THE MOVE Play-by-play of Upstate careers

ELECTED

HIRED

HONORED

PROMOTED

Randy Potter

Libby Wright

Wade V. King

Carter Smith

Rick Redden

Elected to the First Community Corporation’s board of directors. Potter was most recently the CEO of Savannah River Banking Company, acquired by First Community Bank earlier this year. He cofounded Greenville’s Summit National Bank in 1990, and served as its CEO until it was sold to First Citizens Bank in 2005.

Joined Ten Thousand Villages as marketing and communications manager for its Greenville store. Wright has worked previously with nonprofit organizations in Greenville and Charleston and has a degree in communications from Charleston Southern University.

Joined Fifth Third Bank as a senior relationship manager in commercial real estate with responsibility for the state of South Carolina. King has over 20 years of commercial real estate lending experience.

Named this year’s Upstate Economic Developer of the Year. Smith is the executive vice president at Economic Futures Group, Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce. Notable South Carolina economic development projects he has worked on include BMW, Adidas and Toray.

Named the lead region president for Regional Banking in the Carolinas for Wells Fargo & Company. Redden is a 21-year veteran with the company and has served as the senior banker for commercial banking, South Carolina’s regional corporate banking manager, and regional president in South Carolina.

We Try Cases. LITIGATION ATTORNEYS

We have a commitment to resolving disputes – whether through negotiaCarroll H. (“Pete”) Roe, Jr.

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tion, mediation, arbitration or litigation. Our attorneys have the skill and experience to see matters through to a successful resolution for our clients, both inside and outside the courtroom. We practice in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels in a wide variety of practice areas, including business disputes, civil litigation, commercial/corporate litigation, employment disputes, financial litigation, health care litigation, personal injury litigation, probate disputes and professional liability disputes.

Ad_8.75x5.055_9.5.indd 1 26ROE-1018-UBJ UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

September 5, 2014

8/28/14 2:48 PM

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

ON THE MOVE Play-by-play of Upstate careers

CONSTRUCTION/ ENGINEERING: O’Neal Inc. has hired Mitch Kornman as senior project manager. Kornman has more than 30 years of experience in the engineer, procurement, and construction industry, having worked with the firms of Suitt Construction, Fluor Corporation and Global Performance.

INSURANCE: Herlong Bates Burnett recently welcomed Melissa Hurst as a commercial customer service representative and Erin Kao as an accounting manager. Hurst is a recent graduate of USC Upstate. Kao has experience in public and private accounting and recently moved to the Upstate from Nashville.

LEGAL: Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A. recently welcomed J. Philip Land as an associate. Land was previously the Piedmont regional outreach director for the office of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.

HTI Employment Solutions announced Maria Rhoten will be joining the manufacturing solutions division as a consulting engineer and Casey Baldwin will join the employment solutions division as a recruiting coordinator in Anderson. Rhoten graduated from Florida

State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in nutrition. Baldwin graduated from Anderson University with a degree in human services with a minor in behavioral science.

NONPROFIT: The Friends of the Greenville Zoo Board recently welcomed Eric Jarinko and Chris Manley as its newest members. Manley is the managing partner of Engenius, a Greenville-based Web design and marketing firm. Jarinko is the general manager of The Greenville Drive.

STAFFING: HTI Manufacturing Solutions and

NOW HIRING

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Professional Recruiting Staffing Consulting September 5, 2014 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

THE TAKEAWAY Notes from the best talks you missed

From left: Ben Haskew, Tim Reed, Steve Bailey, Tom Merritt and Steve Bryant

‘If you think differently, you’ll act differently’ OOBE co-CEO Tom Merritt discuses faith, sustainability and the importance of daydreaming Tom Merritt is the co-founder of OOBE Incorporated, an apparel design and manufacturing firm headquartered in Greenville. The Powdersville, S.C., native graduated from Clemson University with a Master of Education in Counseling in 1992. Before becoming the co-CEO of a WHAT: The Greenville Chamber’s Friday Forum Series WHEN: Aug. 22, 2014 WHERE: Embassy Suites Golf Resort & Conference Center FEATURE PRESENTATION: “From Two Guys and a Dream Meeting at Waffle House to Two Guys Leading One of America’s Foremost Strategic Branded Apparel Providers!” with OOBE co-CEO Tom Merritt WHO WAS THERE: 140+ members of Greenville’s business community SPONSOR: PTG

globally recognized brand, Merritt was an English teacher and football coach at Greer High School. He went on to become a guidance counselor at Easley High School, where he coached football and basketball. In 1994, Merritt, and his partner, Mike Pereyo, registered the OOBE Inc. brand name and began to create and grow their business. What started as an outdoor apparel company grew into a major uniform, or strategic branded apparel, provider. As Merritt shares the story of OOBE’s growth, he insists that his three main goals were keeping his business stable, scalable and sustainable.

THE “NONPROFIT YEARS” Merritt and Pereyo were college friends, where they joined the Fellow-

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

September 5, 2014

By Megan Sherard, communications coordinator, Greenville Chamber ship of Christian Athletes (FCA). During their time at Clemson FCA, the two coined the term “out-of-Bible experience,” which they shortened to “OOBE.” Merritt considers his faith an integral part of his relationship with Pereyo, and likewise a major part in the business. When it came time to name their newly founded company, OOBE was only fitting. When Merritt and Pereyo first started out, they used an automotive shop as an office, working long hours and late nights. Merritt calls their humble beginning the “nonprofit years,” but never refers to them as dark times. “It would have been dark if we didn’t have our relationship,” Merritt says of Pereyo. Though they may have failed a couple of times, he says God always raised them up. A significant turning point for OOBE was when they landed Chick-Fil-A as a client.

DISCIPLINED DREAMING After being chosen by Chick-Fil-A to outfit the company, Merritt feared that they would become a one-hit wonder. However, he says, “If you think differently, you’ll act differently,” and that’s what he and his team did. He began embracing a philosophy that he calls “disciplined daydreaming.” In short, this means “counting the cost of building the tower before you begin.” The dreaming part was easy for Merritt, he says. It was the discipline that took practice. During this time of growth, he wanted his business plans to facilitate a company that was not only stable,

but also sustainable. “If you want to maintain your business, you’ve got to be able to adjust your plans.” After all, he says, “the best customers are the ones you sustain over time.” As the saying goes, the best customer is a repeat customer.

MAINTAINING CULTURE Merritt describes the OOBE culture as one of stewardship. “We’re connectors,” he says. “We truly believe in the power of community.” The inside motto at OOBE is “Love and Serve” but Merritt has a personal mantra, too: “Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly.” Merritt embraces this philosophy in every aspect of his life. Through changes and growth, Merritt has tried to keep the company true to its original culture and values. Some of OOBE’s core values include integrity, creativity, quality and excellence. He adds that these core values may be different in a week – they are constantly evolving based on the company’s direction. However, the essence remains the same and the stewardship-based culture is not lost. His advice to maintaining culture through growth is this: Constantly reinforce your values. Under Merritt’s leadership, OOBE continues to grow. When asked about his plans for expansion in the future, he doesn’t divulge too much, other than to say, “Well, I’ll tell you this – the Christmas party won’t be held in the same room this year. We’ve outgrown it.” With a company motto like “Love and Serve,” we think growth for OOBE is a great thing.

E N G A G E SEPT

GREENVILLE CHAMBER FRIDAY FORUM SERIES

Embassy Suites, Greenville With Dr. Jon Wilken, former BI-LO CEO Information: greenvillechamber.org

SOCIAL SNAPSHOT Inside the Upstate’s networking and social scene

OUT TO THE BALLGAME The Greenville Drive recently held its Greenville Chamber of Commerce Night at Fluor Field as the Drive hosted the Charleston RiverDogs. Photos provided by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce

Become a Corporate Member Today! To learn more contact: Joelle Teachey Executive Director 864.313.0765 jteachey@treesgreenville.org

September 5, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

PLANNER Events you should have on your calendar

THE TABLE IS SET, GRAB A SEAT. Reserve a seat at the table and in three weeks you’ll be able to enjoy all you can eat, sip and listen at euphoria2014. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 5 FIRST FRIDAY LUNCHEON Greer City Hall, 301 E. Poinsett St., Greer; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. COST: $10 for Greer Chamber members, $15 for non-members CONTACT: katie@ greerchamber.com REGISTER AT: greerchamber.com NORTH GREENVILLE ROTARY CLUB The Poinsett Club, 807 E. Washington St., Greenville; 12:30-1:30 p.m. COST: Free to attend but invitation required, lunch $16 CONTACT: Shanda Jeffries at 864-228-2122 or sjeffries1@allstate.com

euphoriagreenville.com.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8 GCS ROUNDTABLE The Office Center at the Point, 33 Market Point Drive, Greenville; 8:30-9:30 a.m. SPEAKER: Edward Macmillan, Charter Business TOPIC: My Career Transition Journey Call Golden Career Strategies at 864-527-0425 to request an invitation

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 9 BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS Commerce Club, 55 Beattie Place, Greenville; 7:30-9 a.m. SUPPORTED BY

Upstate Business Journal

COST: $8.50 for preregistration or $12 at the door. Open only to Chamber members.

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

September 5, 2014

CONTACT: Lorraine Woodward at 864239-3742, or if you are a Commerce Club member, contact Dot Drennon at ddrennon@ greenvillechamber.org REGISTER AT: greenvillechamber.org UPSTATE GLOBAL PROFESSIONALS PANEL CU-ICAR, TD Gallery, 5 Research Way, Greenville; 8-10 a.m. SPEAKER: David Stefanich, technical services director of Michelin North America TOPIC: Why 230 international companies have put down roots in the Upstate, making this 10-county region one of the top three international business startup hubs in the United States. COST: $20 per person CONTACT: The International Center at 864-631-2188 or visit internationalupstate.org

CONTRIBUTE: Got a hot date? Submit event information for consideration to events@ upstatebusinessjournal.com. and Mitch Levinson, managing partners at mRELEVANCE LLC TOPICS: Social Media Lab; He Said, She Said Luncheon; and 10 Tips to Rev Up your Social Media Program CONTACT: Christine Poulson at info@ upstatesc.bbb.org or 864242-5052. NON-PROFIT ALLIANCE Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 24 Cleveland St., Greenville; noon-1 p.m. SPEAKER: Ben Riddle, Furman University TOPIC: Design for Change: A Creative Approach for Social Impact COST: Free to Greenville Chamber members and $20 for guests Guests welcome with registration. GSHRM MEMBERSHIP MEETING

TOP 25 SC FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES CEO ROUNDTABLE

Thornblade Club, 1275 Thornblade Blvd., Greer; 5:30-8 p.m.

South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, 1301 Gervais St., Suite 1100, Columbia; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

SPEAKER: Scott Brooks, CRMS Harvard Risk Management

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Bobby Hitt III, SC Secretary of Commerce Lunch will be provided. Seating is limited RSVP TO: Alice Langford at alangford@thecapitalcorp. com or 864-672-8400 BBB SOCIAL MEDIA SEMINARS Hubbell Lighting, 701 Millennium Blvd., Greenville; 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. SPEAKERS: Carol Morgan

TOPIC: Identity Theft in the Workplace and Its Impact on HR COST: $25 per person CONTACT: Daree McDonald at dmcdonald@ greenvillecounty.org FOR INFORMATION: greenvillehr.shrm.org YOUNG PROFESSIONAL TOASTMASTERS

one drink at the bar FOR INFORMATION: visit yptm.toastmastersclubs.org GREENVILLE EVENING ROTARY MEETING Commerce Club, 55 Beattie Pl., Ste. 1700, Greenville; 6 p.m. FOR INFORMATION: greenvilleeveningrotary.org

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 10 PELHAM POWER BREAKFAST Le Peep, 3935 Pelham Rd., Greenville; 8-9 a.m. REGISTER AT: greerchamber.com

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11 SCBIO’S STARTUP BOOT CAMP CU-ICAR, Campus Innovation Building, 5 Research Way, Greenville; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. SPEAKER: Tom Strange, director of research and development at St. Jude Medical COST: $50 for a sponsored student, $100 for SCBIO members, and $150 for nonmembers REGISTER AT: scbio.org. WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK Stella’s Southern Bistro, 684 Fairview Road, Simpsonville; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. SPEAKER: Taryn Scher, “The Sparkle Boss” and CEO of TK PR COST: $20 per person

Commerce Club, 55 Beattie Place, Ste. 1700, Greenville; 6 p.m.

CONTACT: Jennifer Richardson at jrichardson@ simpsonvillechamber.com

COST TO VISIT: $5 to cover meeting space and

Historic photograph available from the Greenville Historical Society.

SNAPSHOT A quick look into the Upstate’s past

From “Remembering Greenville: Photographs from the Coxe Collection,” by Jeffrey R. Willis

Photo Provided

The home of Lewis W. and Margaret Parker, built in 1904 on East Washington Street, shows the early 20th-century neoclassical reaction to Victorian architecture. Later the home passed into the possession of Allen and Mable Graham and then Marion and Zaidee Brawley. The Poinsett Club, which had perviously been located on North Main Street, acquired the residence in 1935.

MARKETING & EVENTS

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

PRESIDENT/CEO Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com

UBJ PUBLISHER

ART DIRECTOR Kristy M. Adair

Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com

OPERATIONS Holly Hardin

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Michael Allen, Whitney Fincannon

Susan Clary Simmons ssimmons@communityjournals.com

MANAGING EDITOR Jerry Salley jsalley@communityjournals.com

SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER Jennifer Oladipo

STAFF WRITERS

Sherry Jackson, Cindy Landrum, April A. Morris, Joe Toppe

CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jeanne Putnam

PHOTOGRAPHER Greg Beckner MARKETING & ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Kristi Jennings, Donna Johnston, Annie Langston, Lindsay Oehman, Pam Putman

Is the outsourcing scare over? Can social media change how we enjoy downtown? Is 3-D imaging the wave of the future?

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

Emily Price

ART & PRODUCTION

1988

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

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 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 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

OCTOBER: LEADERSHIP

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

ADVERTISING DESIGN CLIENT SERVICES Anita Harley, Jane Rogers

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE STORY IDEAS: ideas@upstatebusinessjournal.com

EVENTS: events@upstatebusinessjournal.com

Order a reprint today, PDFs available for $25. For more information, contact Anita Harley 864.679.1205 or aharley@communityjournals.com

DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Who’s building leaders in the community? What are questions leaders should never ask? What can we learn from the military, football coaches and university presidents?

TWITTER: Follow us @UpstateBiz FACEBOOK: TheUpstateBusinessJournal LINKEDIN: Upstate Business Journal

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, AND AWARDS: onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com UBJ welcomes expert commentary from business leaders on timely news topics related to their specialties. Guest columns run 700-800 words. Contact Executive Editor Susan Clary Simmons at ssimmons@communityjournals.com to submit an article for consideration.

u UP NEXT NEXT WEEK: TECHNOLOGY

Kate Madden

DIGITAL STRATEGIST

Photo by Greg Beckner

The home is still in use today by the Poinsett Club.

publishers of

Got any thoughts? Care to contribute? Let us know at ideas@ upstatebusinessjournal.com.

Copyright @2014 BY COMMUNITY JOURNALS LLC. All rights reserved. Upstate Business Journal is published weekly by Community Journals LLC. P.O. Box 2266, Greenville, South Carolina, 29602. Upstate Business Journal is a free publication. Annual subscriptions (52 issues) can be purchased for $50. Postmaster: Send address changes to Upstate Business, P.O. Box 2266, Greenville, SC 29602. Printed in the USA.

PO Box 2266, Greenville, SC 29602 | 864-679-1200 | communityjournals.com UBJ: For subscriptions, call 864-679-1240 | UpstateBusinessJournal.com

September 5, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

TRANSFORMATIONAL THINKING I use what I learned from the Clemson MBA program every day. I rounded out my technical background and learned how to make sound business decisions, build a business from the ground up and keep my business ahead in the industry.

Steven, MBA ‘10