Florence Chamber Member of the Month: Brian Higgs, Champion ESP

Congrats, Champion ESP, on being the Florence Chamber Member of the Month!

pictured from left to right:

Kayla Bodkins, Nick Olson, Brian Higgs, Pam Richardson, Marissa McDougal,

Tony Woodberry

CHAMPION ESP

story by Ashley Elvington / photos by Fred Salley Photography

In 1981, Emery Higgs founded Sport Shack. Over the

years, the business evolved into Champion Sport Shop and built a reputation for being one of the leading sporting goods stores in town. Thanks to team sales and inside sales, in-house screen printing was added to the business. In the early 1990s, Emery sold the retail sporting goods business but kept the screen printing aspect, which grew over time. His son, Brian Higgs, started working with his father in the mid-90s. Together, they added embroidery into their line of services. The business began to offer promotional items and laser engraving. While Emery passed away in February 2020, Brian is keeping his father’s legacy alive through Champion ESP.

Through Champion ESP, Brian and his team work with individuals, businesses, churches, and schools – basically anyone who needs help with self-promotion in order to get their name and/or message out to the public. Brian shares, “Our main business is local to regional areas, but we actually have printed shirts for the cast of one of Showtime’s hit series, Billions!” A wide variety of items are sold throughout the year at Champion ESP, such as t-shirts, hats, casual business attire, workwear, advertising specialties, etc. “We normally can provide the customer with about anything they come up with for their product.”

Brian is not alone in his efforts, as Champion ESP now has a team helping it succeed. Pam Richardson handles inside and outside sales, Kayla Bodkins handles inside sales, production management, and is a skilled embroider, Marissa McDougal is head of the graphics department and is also a skilled embroider, and Tony Woodberry and Nick Olsen are in the screen printing department. Brian admits, “The entire staff I have is outstanding!” According to Brian, the business has grown in large part due to the support of locals. “I feel like it is because of what we have to offer – a quality product with a quick turnaround.” This task is easily completed thanks to his staff.

Brian and his t eam are grateful for their time spent with the Florence Chamber of Commerce and are grateful for the honor of Member of the Month. “My father joined a long time ago. I believe some businesses come into this town because of the Chamber, and we have provided them with so many things over the years. They have definitely been relaying so much helpful information about the SBA and the COVID-19 situation.”

FIRE AND ICE OUTDOOR

CUSTOM WOOD WORKING

FIRE AND ICE OUTDOOR BARRY VAN METER

story by Ashley Elvington

Upon hearing about fire and ice, some of you may think of a Robert Frost poem; however, to Barry Van Meter, Fire and Ice Outdoors represents his passion.

Although he is originally from Florida, Barry has spent some time living in both North and South Carolina. He graduated from Tavares High School and proceeded to attend MMI in Orlando. Barry has a wide variety of skills, as he has done everything from HVAC to motorcycle repairs and fabrication, to restaurant management. It was woodworking, however, that would set the course for his career today. He shares, “Our first big wood projects were farm-related. We had a hobby farm for years and started building things like chicken coops, run-in sheds, and milking stands.” According to Barry, necessity inspired this hobby. “I had most of the tools for building projects for the farm. After losing my job in restaurant management, I used what I had to make things to sell. My first creation was a picnic table with an icebox and a lava rock box for Sternos. My kids and I brainstormed ideas for outdoor furniture with elements of fire and ice, which is how we came up with our company name.”

Onc e Barry sold the picnic table, he decided to change the business plan to focus more on portable products that could easily be shipped. He explains, “At first, we contacted other online outdoor companies and sold our products wholesale. Our first farmers’ market was in Camden, where our products did very well. It was probably around that time that we began to see our business as a sustainable long term endeavor.” In addition to the occasional custom table, Fire and Ice Outdoors also creates many wood and leather products, as well as camping gear. “For the home, we make kuksa wooden cups, leather and antler mason jar koozies, wooden measuring spoons, and cutting boards. For camping and outdoor uses, we have a selection of axes, knives, bow saws, flint and steel kits, sling-shots, and lightweight kits for camp cooking.” So far, Barry’s favorite item he has created is the bow saw. “I was able to engineer a design that allows a wooden lightweight saw to be folded in a way to cover the blade so it can be safely packed for backpack camping.” Fire and Ice Outdoors accepts custom orders as well. “We can engrave or burn images onto many of our wood and leather products. We can also paint stunning custom dot mandalas inside of our kuksa cups. Our products are unique because they are handcrafted outdoor products created by people who love the outdoors.” To view more items, visit their website or Facebook page, Fire and Ice Outdoor Furniture.

While COVID-19 has changed the outlook of many business owners this year, Barry is grateful for the path God has led him down. “It has been a challenging year, but God has always provided. What began as a trying situation was really an opportunity to create and grow as a family. Losing my regular job was probably one of the best things to ever happen to me.”

“It has been a challenging year, but God has always provided. What began as a trying situation was really an opportunity to create and grow as a family. Losing my regular job was probably one of the best things to ever happen to me.”

Barry Van Meter currently resides in Bishopville, South Carolina, with his wife and two children. To learn more, visit www.fireandiceoutdoor.com or Fire and Ice Furniture on Facebook. You can catch Barry and family at the Pee Dee

State Farmers’ Market as well as the

Florence City Farmers’ Market.