Connected by Community

After starting her basketball career in 8th grade, Marie Marquez never looked back. Marie went on to play basketball in college, went pro, coached for the Junior NBA, and now owns her own sports and training gym, Amplify Sports. Marie coached Junior NBA basketball in China, India, and Asia, before returning home and deciding to stay and open her own gym to help people in her community. Amplify Sports offers training, leagues, and camps for children, teens, and adults, with their athletes ranging from 7 years old to 74 years old. Tune in to learn more about Marie’s journey that led her to Amplify Sports, as well as how their training leaves people feeling better about themselves.

Amplify Sports

Marie Marquez

amplifysportssc.com

Do you have a Long-Term Care plan in place? If you don’t, it might be time to start thinking about it. Today we are joined by Bryan Ballentine, CFP®, CRPC™ and Anthony Colancecco, CFP®, CRPC™, wealth advisors with Ballentine Capital Advisors on why you shouldn’t wait until you need Long-Term Care to start planning for it. They talk about common reasons some people do not plan for Long-Term Care such as the cost, unpleasant feelings associated with it, and not wanting to give up control of their life. Bryan and Anthony also talk about the average cost of Long-Term care in our community, and what insurance can help cover. Tune in to learn more about how you could be at risk if you do not have a plan in place, and how Bryan and Anthony can help you better plan for your future.

Ballentine Capital Advisors

Bryan Ballentine, CFP®, CRPC™ and Anthony Colancecco, CFP®, CRPC™

Today, we welcome back Scott Crawford with UNDUE Medical Debt (previously known as RIP Medical Debt). UNDUE Medical Debt has worked to retire over $12 billion worth of medical debt for families across the United States. This year, Scott Crawford is teaming up with the Upstate, SC Community, and Savannah, GA community to retire medical debt. Scott aims to raise $48,000, which will relieve around $8.5 million of medical debt for almost 8,000 families. 100% of what you donate goes to retiring debt, and just $1 has the power to wipe out nearly $100 medical debt.

Ballentine Capital Advisors, the sponsor of the Connected by Community podcast, has decided to partner up with UNDUE Medical Debt for the second year in a row! Ballentine Capital Advisors is aiming to raise $4,000 to help eliminate medical debt for families in the communities of Upstate, SC, as well as Savannah, GA. Ballentine Capital Advisors will kick off this fundraiser by donating $1,000! Use the link below to donate to their campaign and help them reach their $4,000 goal, which will get Scott closer to his $48,000 goal.

https://www.unduemedicaldebt.org/campaign/ballentinecapitaladvisors-62400/

If you were given $500 for a school project and told to make a successful product with it, could you? Today we are joined by Ryan Frazier Co-Founder of Kanga Coolers, who did exactly that! Kanga Coolers was started as a Clemson University class project, but has since turned into a widely successful brand, which has many product lines that have been featured on Shark Tank and MrBeast. Kanga Coolers are iceless coolers, that act as a koozie for your beer, keeping it cold for up to 7 hours. Kanga Coolers offers the Kase Mate, Pouch, Backpack, a new beer block, and tons of apparel. Tune in to learn where you can get your Kanga Coolers in the Upstate, customize your cooler online, and key details on a new product line dropping soon!

Kanga Coolers

Ryan Frazier, Co-Founder

kangacoolers.com

Greekville returns to Greenville! Come experience Greek culture through food, dance, and music. Be sure to visit their new “Plaka” which features their Taverna and vendors … be “Greek for a Day.”  The community of Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral will celebrate its 38th Annual Greenville Greek Festival  May 17 – 19, 2024.

Last year, we had Tori Zambrano on the podcast to talk about the Greek Fest. Tune in to last year's episode to learn more.

For more information on this year's festival, visit their website.

greekforaday.com

Is it too early to start planning for retirement? Today we are joined by wealth advisors Bryan Ballentine, CFP®, CRPC™ and Anthony Colancecco, CFP®, CRPC™ with Ballentine Capital Advisors, where they talk about how it is never too early to start planning for every stage of your life. Bryan and Anthony discuss the importance of budgets, life insurance, disability insurance, and specifics about purpose-based investing. They go into detail about their unique bucket strategy of retirement income, and how these buckets are personalized to you, and help you plan for not only your future, but inflation. Tune in to learn more about how they can help you reach your financial goals, and even potentially pay less taxes along the way!

Bryan Ballentine, CFP®, CRPC™ and Anthony Colancecco, CFP®, CRPC™

Ballentine Capital Advisors

Balletinecapital.com

Do you know the difference between the economy and the market? Tune in to today’s podcast episode with Bryan Ballentine, CFP®, CRPC™, and Anthony Colancecco, CFP®, CRPC™, wealth advisors with Ballentine Capital Advisors. They dive into why you should turn off the noise, and why being disciplined, and not focusing on outperforming your neighbor is so important. Tune in to learn more about why working with a professional is crucial, and why planning first is key. For more information, read “Wealth on Purpose” by Bryan Ballentine (available for purchase on Amazon).

Bryan Ballentine, CFP®, CRPC™, and Anthony Colancecco, CFP®, CRPC™

Ballentinecapital.com

864-322-6046

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNTX9YMZ

Is buying, refinancing, or renovating a home in your future? Today we are joined by Amanda McCall with PrimeLending. PrimeLending and Amanda’s team can help you buy a home, refinance, renovate, and even explore types of home loans with their simple, hassle-free home loan process. Amanda helps educate clients, helping them decide when to purchase and when to downsize. She goes into detail about renting versus buying and dives deep into interest rates. She talks about how having a high car payment could be your biggest obstacle in getting your ideal home and what she has seen in her 12 years of experience. Tune in to learn more about why having a professional on your side is so important, and how her team can help you find your comfort level when it comes to monthly payments.

Amanda McCall

https://lo.primelending.com/amccall/

864-315-3592

Are you tired of the ordinary? Today we are joined by Vickie Zambrano, owner, and curator of Curean. Curean offers an iconic dining experience unlike any other in Greenville. They create in-house charcuterie, small plate menu items, high-end cocktails, as well as feature private specialty dinners. Curean prides itself in sourcing everything from local high-end partners to bring the very best of the Upstate to your plate. Tune in to learn more about their unique and tasty menu, as well as some of the specialty drinks their mixologist makes!

Curean

Cureangvl.com

864-416-4610

You do not want to miss this year’s Greenville Royale. Today we are joined by Courtney Cromer and Jennifer Riehle with the Red Shoe Society, who are helping plan the Greenville Royale 2024. This year’s royale will feature a night out with hors d’oeuvres from Southern Way Catering, a DJ, and “play money” to partake in classic blackjack and roulette table games. Place your bets on this James Bond-themed evening to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas. Tune in to learn more about how your company can sponsor this event, or where to purchase tickets!

The Greenville Royale 2024

https://rmhc-carolinas.org/participate/royale/