Summary

In this deeply personal episode "BIGGIE Dreams, Bigger Legacy," Angel Holmes sits down with her dad, Ernie Passailaigue, the entrepreneur and public servant who transformed Charleston into the thriving destination we know today. When Angel mentions her dad's name and people respond "who?" it breaks her heart—because this is the man who has a connector named after him, helped build the Cooper River Bridge, created the Charleston RiverDogs (originally the Rainbows!), and launched the South Carolina State Lottery from absolute scratch.

From his days as a CPA to owning Charleston's baseball team to serving in the State Senate for over a decade, Ernie shares the untold stories behind Charleston's biggest transformations. This father-daughter conversation reveals what real public service looks like, how to start major ventures with nothing but vision, and why his greatest accomplishment isn't any bridge or business—it's his family of seven kids and 14 grandchildren. Their story demonstrates how dreaming BIGGIE while staying grounded in service creates lasting legacies that impact generations.

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Takeaways

• True public service means representing everyone in your community, regardless of party affiliation
• Starting major ventures from zero requires vision, persistence, and strategic relationship building
• Fighting for your community's fair share of resources takes patience and calculated persistence
• Family relationships should be prioritized as your ultimate measure of entrepreneurial success
• Documenting your journey helps future generations understand how foundations were built
• Creating memorable community experiences builds lasting traditions and connections
• Building coalitions across political lines requires focusing on shared values and common goals
• Honoring those who came before while building for those who come after creates true legacy
• Waking up each day with gratitude transforms how you approach business and life challenges
• The fragility of life reminds us to appreciate every opportunity to make meaningful impact
• Real leadership involves listening to constituents and taking detailed notes on their actual needs

Chapters

00:00 Introduction - Why This Episode Matters Most

02:53 Meet Big Ern - Charleston's Unsung Hero

05:11 From Porter Military Academy to USC and The Citadel

07:01 CPA Days and Building a Practice in Charlotte and Charleston

08:03 Charleston Royals/Rainbows Baseball Team Ownership Story

15:19 Running for State Senate - The Political Journey and Philosophy

20:04 Major Accomplishments - Bridges, Lottery, and Legislative Wins

25:14 The South Carolina State Lottery Launch from Scratch

29:05 Biggest Dreams Come True - Family as Greatest Legacy

31:34 Role Models and Life Influences That Shaped His Journey

35:53 Future Dreams, Daily Gratitude, and Final Thoughts

Have ideas, questions, or comments? Email us at [email protected].