If you’ve ever stared at your phone in disbelief because it’s sunny at your house and storming five miles away, you’re not imagining things. We’re joined by Rob Fowler, Storm Team 2’s chief meteorologist and a familiar voice in the Charleston area for decades, to explain what makes Lowcountry weather so tricky and why “local” still matters when the forecast is on everyone’s screen.

We talk through how a real TV forecast gets built each day, from the data and computer models to the graphics that tell the story in plain language. Rob breaks down why national outlets can sound vague, how social media “storm maps” turn into misinformation, and what you should look for in a weather source you can trust. He also clears up one of the most misunderstood numbers in any Charleston weather forecast: the probability of precipitation, and why it never meant “it will rain on everyone all day.”

Then we get into the bigger topics that hit close to home: flooding and sea level rise, how development changes runoff, what climatology can teach us about patterns, and how AI may improve forecasting while the human element remains essential during high-stress events. Finally, we head into hurricane season with practical preparedness tips, hard-earned lessons from Hurricane Hugo, and a few off-camera stories that will make you appreciate live TV even more.

Subscribe for more local business and community conversations, share this with a friend who argues about rain chances, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director 
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications
Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

A routine traffic stop. Flashing lights. A terrified autistic teen trapped in fight-or-flight. That moment could have ended in tragedy and instead it became Rio’s Law, a first-in-the-nation autism/neurodivergent identifier license plate designed to help first responders slow down, reduce sensory triggers, and keep everyone safe. We’re joined by Layla Luna, founder of Just Bee (JustBeBeeTheChange.com), to tell the full story behind the law and the bigger mission it serves.

We talk about what families actually live with when autism is invisible: the stares, the assumptions, the public meltdowns, and the way siblings can become “glass children” as the whole home revolves around regulation and safety. Layla breaks down the simplest shift that changes everything: stop trying to force the person to fit the environment and start adapting the environment to fit the person. That mindset powers sensory-friendly hours, autism training for businesses, and community events that include a real reset space like The Beehive, a mobile sensory trailer that helps families stay present instead of having to leave.

You’ll also hear how Mount Pleasant becomes the first certified autism-friendly town in the Lowcountry, why that work helps communities win on a national stage, and how Rio’s Law is expanding state by state with a push for mandatory first responder training. If you care about inclusion, disability rights, public safety, or practical ways to serve the neurodivergent community, this conversation offers a roadmap you can copy in your own town.

Subscribe for more community builders, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review that tells us what city should be next.

Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director 
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications
Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

The best local marketing advice rarely comes from a textbook, it comes from the people who physically put the magazines on the racks and watch what disappears first. We’re live at the Chamber expo with publisher Bill Macchio, talking about how community magazines and local podcasts are built from the ground up in Mount Pleasant and across the Charleston area. If you care about small business growth, local advertising, and real community storytelling, this one is packed with practical insight. 

We get into the behind-the-scenes decisions that make a publication work: how distribution actually happens, how you learn which locations move copies fastest, and why an “extended” Best Of issue can create more value for readers and advertisers. Bill also shares a surprisingly simple layout idea that leans into marketing psychology, putting strong editorial front and center while still helping ads perform better over the life of the magazine. 

Then we zoom out to podcast strategy and discoverability. Bill breaks down why YouTube is now a top platform for podcast listening and why it matters for search, naming, and audience growth. We also talk about the power of local business relationships, chamber involvement, and showing up in person to strengthen a media brand. 

If you enjoyed it, subscribe for more conversations with builders and operators, share this with a local business owner, and leave a review so more people in Mount Pleasant and Charleston can find the show. What’s your go-to place to discover new podcasts?

Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director 
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications
Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

Starting a business can feel like you’re carrying the whole thing alone, and that’s exactly the problem the Harbor Entrepreneur Center is built to solve. We sit down with Grady Johnson, Executive Director of the Harbor in Mount Pleasant, SC, to talk about their mission of creating “collision” moments where entrepreneurs meet, swap real stories, and slowly build something more valuable than a contact list: a trusted peer-to-peer advisory network.

We get specific about how the Harbor supports founders at different stages, from simply showing up to happy hours to joining structured programs that help you pressure-test an idea before you blow past the one question that matters most: will anybody buy this? Grady walks us through the Startup Workshop, the two-day Boot Camp, and the long-running Accelerator Program designed to help companies with traction sharpen product-market fit, tighten go-to-market strategy, and prepare for pitching when equity investment is the right path.

We also dig into what’s changing right now for startups and small businesses across the Charleston entrepreneurship scene, especially the AI shift. AI is crushing timelines to MVP, lowering the barrier to building, and creating new opportunity for founders who move fast. But it also threatens many entry-level office jobs, raising hard questions about how people learn the craft of work. Finally, we talk Harbor Forge and how the team can help businesses connect systems, automate inefficiencies, and level up with practical software solutions.

Subscribe, share this with a founder who needs a stronger network, and leave a review so more entrepreneurs can find the Harbor story.

Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director 
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications
Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

Shelters don’t have to feel bleak. They can be bright, smartly designed hubs where families learn, kids dream about becoming vets, and animals get a real shot at life. Sitting down with Kay Hyman from Charleston Animal Society, we trace the full journey from intake to adoption and spotlight the systems that make lifesaving scale: free adoptions for dogs one year and older during capacity crunches, a foster network that mirrors the shelter’s headcount, and a medical program built to AAHA standards.

We talk about Angel the puppy, hounds rescued from a cruelty case, and what it takes to prepare each pet for home—vaccines, microchips, spay or neuter—often totaling more than the adoption fee. Kay unpacks Paws Around Town, an initiative that hands you a backpack and a dog-friendly itinerary so you can take a shelter dog out for the day or overnight. That real-world experience de-stresses animals, fuels authentic photos and notes, and dramatically boosts adoptability. Education is everywhere: sold-out vet camps, birthday parties on-site, and even “boredom busters” families can craft at home to enrich kennel time.

We also dig into partnerships and practical help. Sponsors like Crews Subaru fund lifesaving work, while local businesses host adoptable pets to draw crowds and create social buzz. If you can’t adopt, you can foster, donate, sponsor a specific animal, or simply share a profile. And if you’re curious, browse adoptable pets at charlestonanimalsociety.org and toggle between the Charleston and Berkeley campuses to meet your match. From stress-reducing kennel layouts to a five-stall barn ready for unusual guests, this is animal welfare reimagined—evidence-driven, community-powered, and full of heart.

If this conversation moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves animals, and leave a quick review to help more people discover these stories. Your next click might be the one that gets a pet home.

Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director 
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications
Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

Ready to sell your business without derailing the company you built? We sit down with Michael Purcell, senior advisor at Viking Mergers and Acquisitions, to map out a practical, three-phase path from early planning to a confident close. We talk plainly about what buyers actually value, how to price to the market instead of emotion, and why asset purchases dominate in the lower middle market. If you’ve ever wondered when to start planning, what documents you need, or how to protect your team’s culture through a sale, this conversation delivers the playbook.

Mike breaks down EBITDA and seller’s discretionary earnings in simple terms, showing how clean books and thoughtful add-backs paint a truer picture of cash flow. We explore the 250-item diligence checklist and why a seasoned advisor lets you keep your foot on the gas while they manage confidentiality, buyer screening, and contract assignments for leases, vendors, and customers. You’ll also hear how Viking balances price with fit, helping owners choose between individuals, strategic buyers, and private equity—each with different expectations for your post-close role. The takeaway: prepare three years out, build processes and KPIs, empower managers, and make your brand less dependent on you to increase transferability and value.

This is a grounded guide for founders, contractors, agency owners, manufacturers, and service leaders across Charleston and beyond who want a no-nonsense path to an exit. We share red flags that can sink deals, the role of local market knowledge, and how Viking’s success-based model aligns incentives. Thinking about your five-year plan, curious about your company’s valuation range, or fielding buyer outreach thanks to AI-fueled prospecting? Join us, get practical next steps, and walk away knowing exactly how to make your future sale smoother. If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with a fellow owner, and leave a quick review to help more entrepreneurs find us.

https://www.vikingmergers.com

Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director 
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications
Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

The room buzzes like a power line—sold-out booths, rapid-fire intros, and a hum of deals waiting to happen. We’re on the floor at the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Community and Business Podcast Expo with the mayor of Mount Pleasant, digging into what makes a local economy both magnetic and humane: policy that protects small shops, partnerships that actually show up, and a tech strategy built for limited industrial space and unlimited talent.

We map the path from farmers’ markets and ribbon cuttings to real growth. The makers market isn’t just produce and crafts; it’s a launchpad where first customers become loyal communities. We talk candidly about why the expo sells out, how the town earned top marks as a municipal coastal economy, and why blending national retailers with strong local campaigns like Eat Local and Mount Pleasant Made keeps money and momentum close to home. Zoning choices matter here—reserving space for mom-and-pop businesses so they get a fair shot alongside big names like Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Publix, and Harris Teeter.

Then we zoom into the future of work. With scarce industrial land, Mount Pleasant doubles down on FinTech, health tech, and bioscience, backing the Harbor Entrepreneur Center to fuel founders, create jobs, and connect talent through coffee, collisions, and a regional innovation corridor. We tackle affordability head-on and share a clear aim: help residents live, work, and play in one place, and give our high school grads a reason—and a pathway—to stay. Along the way, you’ll hear how public–private teamwork turns accolades into action and why gratitude for chambers, startups, and production partners isn’t fluff—it’s infrastructure.

Hit play to hear a grounded, hopeful blueprint for local prosperity that scales without losing its soul. If this conversation sparks ideas or pride, share it with a neighbor, leave a quick review, and subscribe for more on-the-ground stories that move communities forward.

Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director 
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications
Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

Joy can be a business strategy. We sit down with Emilie, the host and executive producer behind Palmetto Life on Live 5, to unpack how a positive, community-first lifestyle show became an Emmy winner and a real engine for Charleston’s small businesses and nonprofits. From law firms and roofers to restaurants and health pros, Emily shows how a conversational format turns “ads” into stories people actually want to watch—and how that authenticity converts into foot traffic, donations, and long-term trust.

We trace her path from New Jersey to Northwestern to Charleston, including internships at NBC’s Today show and Philly’s lifestyle programming, plus her formative years as a one-woman-band reporter. She shares a candid, step-by-step look at the 9 a.m. broadcast: arriving at 7, shaping scripts, welcoming guests, managing live interviews, and ad-libbing when the teleprompter drifts. Her guest philosophy is simple and effective—make it feel like a real conversation, remind people they’re the experts, and guide them through the nerves so the message lands.

The heart of the episode beats in the community stories: Dragon Boat Charleston’s cancer survivors racing and caring for one another; the way a single segment sparked a $20,000 donation for homeless veterans; and the show’s cheerful rulebook—no politics, no doom, just useful, local good news. We also nerd out on modern media and marketing: hyper-local targeting, in-house production, and the measurable ways TV collaborates with digital to reach the right viewers at the right time. Expect Charleston picks too—Wine + Food, downtown walks, and the eateries worth your reservation.

If you’re a founder, marketer, or nonprofit leader, you’ll come away with a live-TV playbook: craft one clear message, bring a timely hook, and trust the host to help you shine. And if you’re a viewer who misses genuine local storytelling, you’ll find a reason to tune in at 9 a.m. weekdays. Hit follow, share with a friend who loves Charleston, and leave a quick review to tell us who you want to see on the mic next.

Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director 
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications
Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

Ever wonder why a TV station would set up shop at a business expo? We’re here to show how broadcast has evolved into a full-funnel growth engine for local brands. With guest Delaney Keppner of Live5, we break down the modern media mix—connected TV, OTT, Google Ads, retargeting, and geofencing—and how each piece works together to turn scattered attention into steady demand.

We talk through the big misconception that “no one watches TV anymore.” Viewers are watching more, just differently. Streaming puts your brand on the biggest screen in the house, while social and search fill the gaps between curiosity and action. Delaney explains her shift from on-air reporting to sales and why she prefers building campaigns that meet real people in their real moments. The two non-negotiables: know your target deeply and craft creative that feels human. If you’re in home services or any trust-heavy category, showing the actual owner or technician on camera can lift response and reduce friction at the door.

We also get tactical: how to define tight audience segments, when to use geofencing around neighborhoods or events, and what to measure so you can prove lift beyond vanity impressions. From attribution views on CTV to search spikes after a flight, we map the signals that confirm your message is working. Most of all, we lean into a local advantage big brands can’t buy—authentic presence. If you want your next campaign to move from noise to results, this conversation lays out a clear, testable playbook.

If this sparked ideas for your business, follow the show, share it with a local owner who needs a nudge toward streaming, and leave a quick review so others can find us. Got a question or a win to share? Drop us a note and tell us what you’ll test first.

Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director 
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications
Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones

What does it take to turn a $7,000 trailer and a first client into a catering company trusted by universities, wedding venues, and 40,000‑person music festivals? We sit down with Robert Patterson, CEO of Top Shelf Catering, to trace the journey from Marine Corps grit to five‑star service standards, and how those values fuel growth without sacrificing flavor or accountability.

Robert shares the pivotal lessons he learned at a luxury resort and during a tough Olive Garden turnaround, then shows how those systems became Top Shelf’s backbone: answer fast, arrive early, cook close to service, and treat every guest like a regular. You’ll meet Chef Kim, the Johnson & Wales–trained engine who starts at 2:30 a.m., nails lowcountry staples like shrimp and grits, and still pulls off fork-tender beef tenderloin at scale with a rich brandy peppercorn sauce. We dive into practical playbooks on pricing, budget-first menu design, plated pre-selection, and how to avoid the prep traps that crush timelines—yes, skewers, we’re looking at you.

The conversation also tackles what most caterers gloss over: post‑pandemic costs, bar insurance, and risk. Robert lays out a clear approach to additional insured certificates, one‑day event coverage, and why honest line items for disposables protect both margins and clients. Then we open the festival binder: how Top Shelf rescued a super VIP program, earned backstage hospitality for national artists, and now runs multi-day, multi‑menu operations across states using local vendors, mobile kitchens, and ruthless timing. Along the way, you’ll hear the war stories—seating charts gone wild, fragile glassware and tight aisles—and the simple seasoning mantra that keeps food broadly loved in a world of dietary needs.

If you’re building a hospitality brand, planning corporate events, or just want the behind‑the‑scenes truth on great catering, this conversation is packed with strategies you can use tomorrow. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a planner, chef, or small business owner who needs a real-world operating manual for service that scales.

Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Episode Sponsor: Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪Pollen Social‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Podcast Committee | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director 
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | MPCC Marketing & Communications
Benjamin Nesvold | Co-host | MPCC President | Edward Jones