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Two College of Charleston sophomores from Chicago walk into the Lowcountry with a big dream: revolutionize how people fuel their bodies for training.

Declan Norris (finance & entrepreneurship) and Hailey Orr-Depner (marketing & entrepreneurship) join host Bill Billotte to share the story behind Zips Functional Squeezie — a clean, caffeine-free pre-workout squeeze packed with purpose.

Every pouch delivers organic raw unfiltered honey for steady energy, beetroot for blood flow and endurance, creatine monohydrate for strength and cognitive support, L-theanine for calm focus, Ceylon Cinnamon for antioxidant & anti-inflammatory benefits, vanilla bean antioxidants, and pink Himalayan salt for hydration. No jitters. No crashes. Just functional, nature-powered performance.

In this raw conversation, Declan and Hailey open up about launching their first company while still in the business school, the passion that drives them in the fitness and health space, and their mission to replace caffeine addiction with smarter, sustainable fuel.

Whether you're a student entrepreneur, weekend warrior, or seasoned founder, this episode is packed with lessons on staying true to your “why,” building a product that actually solves a real problem, and chasing a dream in Charleston’s supportive startup community.

Tune in for inspiration on turning classroom knowledge into a real-world product — and proof that the next generation of Lowcountry innovators is already squeezing every drop of potential out of their ideas.

https://zips-usa.com/

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Ashlee Jack, CEO and President of Charleston-based Arvaya AI Automations Consulting, joins Lowcountry Revolutionaries to show how AEC, infrastructure, and government organizations in the Lowcountry are finally closing the gap between people, legacy systems, and real intelligent automation.

After years at the center of fast-moving organizations, Ashlee now helps leaders turn overwhelming complexity into clear structure — building practical AI governance, intelligent workflows, and automation strategies that create genuine momentum instead of just more hype.

If you’re operating in the built environment and want to modernize without losing the human element, this episode delivers concrete, no-fluff takeaways for scaling smarter in Charleston and beyond.

Tune in for a raw conversation on the future of work in one of the Lowcountry’s most important industries.

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Join Bill Billotte (aka the Podfather) and Campbell Wiltshire, Vice President of Business Creation at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. With over a decade of experience in sales, project management, and public relations, Campbell leverages his extensive local network to help Lowcountry businesses gain confidence, build revenue, and achieve lasting success.

A true Charleston native with a passion for the arts, entertainment, and travel, Campbell brings sharp communication skills and rhetorical insight to every conversation — creating practical, engaging solutions that help small businesses grow, thrive, and reach their full potential right here in the Lowcountry.

In this episode, we dive into the Chamber’s work on business creation, the real challenges and opportunities facing small businesses across Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, and beyond, and how strong relationships and strategic support are fueling the next wave of Lowcountry entrepreneurship.

If you’re a founder, small business owner, or ecosystem builder looking for real-world ways to scale with confidence in South Carolina, this conversation delivers actionable insights and local connections you can use today.

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Join Bill Billotte and guest Peter Jordan, Co-Founder of Carolina Venture Studio — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched in 2025 with a bold mission: to empower economic and social impact across South Carolina through the charitable creation and launch of technology startups.

Peter brings more than 30 years at the intersection of enterprise infrastructure, capital strategy, and international business development. From early roles at Clariion (Data General) and Sun Microsystems — where he helped position Data General for its acquisition by EMC — to 14 years as Operating Partner at HighBar Partners scaling venture-backed companies across North America, LATAM, Europe, and APAC, and contributing to a $200M institutional fundraise.

Now he’s redirecting that global exit expertise and fundraising playbook into a radically different model: building tech companies for charitable good right here in the Lowcountry. Through Carolina Venture Studio and his work with Seed2Exit, Peter is aligning growth strategy with measurable social and economic outcomes — helping small businesses and communities thrive through innovation that serves South Carolina first.

This conversation explores how decades of Silicon Valley-scale execution are now fueling “Silicon Harbor” momentum: reimagining startup creation, creating public benefit through nonprofit-driven ventures, and proving you can build with both impact and excellence in mind.

If you’re a founder, investor, policymaker, or ecosystem builder passionate about blending technology with real community uplift in South Carolina, this episode delivers actionable insights on the next chapter of Lowcountry entrepreneurship.

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Kelly Waldren, local mom and entrepreneur, is the founder of One Party Rental — the Lowcountry’s newest one-stop platform for stress-free celebrations — recently spotlighted on Lowcountry Revolutionaries with host Bill Billotte (aka the Podfather), featuring guest Amanda Busby Codney, known as The Lifestylist.

Launched just last month, One Party Rental is transforming how Charleston-area families plan events by connecting them with trusted local vendors — from bounce houses and luxury picnics to balloon artists, cakes, entertainers, and catering — all in one seamless, easy-to-use platform. Parents can browse by date and location, book everything in a single cart, and skip the endless vendor back-and-forth so they can focus on what matters most: making joyful memories.

As Community, Client & Events Director for One Party Rental, Amanda brings her signature Lifestylist approach — elevating clients and brands to the next level through thoughtful experiences, refined storytelling, and meaningful community connection. In this conversation, she shares the vision behind the platform, why it’s a game-changer for both families and vendors, and how Kelly’s mission is creating a more connected, supportive events ecosystem across the Lowcountry.

Whether you’re a parent looking to simplify party planning or a vendor ready to grow your business, this episode offers insight into how One Party Rental is redefining celebrations — and why it’s just getting started.

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Jenny Trudeau, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Parents Partnership, joins Lowcountry Revolutionaries to share her powerful journey from corporate career and homeschooling mom to building a grassroots movement that's keeping Lowcountry families together.

After stepping away from the corporate world to raise her children, Jenny felt a deep calling to help parents who were struggling—not because they lacked love, but because they lacked support. Together with co-founder Megan Brown, she launched Parents Partnership, a family preservation nonprofit rooted in one simple belief: whenever safely possible, children belong with their parents.

In this raw and inspiring conversation, Jenny reveals:

• How a personal “village” mindset led to a nationwide network of grassroots parent support groups
• The development of their new app that lets families share childcare, transportation, housing, and everyday resources to save money and reduce stress
• The real challenges of transitioning from corporate life to nonprofit founder in Charleston
• Why building personal networks and community support is the most effective (and overlooked) form of family preservation

Parents Partnership is proving that when parents are supported, families stay together—and children thrive. This episode is a must-listen for any Lowcountry founder, nonprofit leader, or entrepreneur who believes community is the ultimate competitive advantage.

EVENT: MayFest 2026 in Carnes Crossroads! -- 2 May 2026

https://parentspartnership.org/event/mayfest-2026-in-carnes-crossroads/

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Most baby and toddler food claims "organic" — but White Leaf Provisions goes further with certified biodynamic and regenerative farming. Co-founder Meghan Rowe sits down with Bill to unpack how she and husband Keith built a family-powered brand that's now in major national retailers, all while staying based in Mount Pleasant.

Hear the unfiltered path from spotting a gap as new parents, to navigating supply chains, distribution wins, and the challenges of purpose-driven scaling in a competitive category. Meghan breaks down why regenerative practices matter for nutrient-rich food and planetary health, and how the Lowcountry became the perfect home base for their mission: pure, transparent nourishment made for families, by a family.

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Host Bill Billotte dives deep with F.A. Johnson, II, Esq., the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of CLIMB Fund—Charleston's own powerhouse CDFI and South Carolina's #1 SBA microlender for five straight years. With more than 30 years steering finance, redevelopment, and community investment, F.A. reveals how CLIMB Fund is dismantling barriers to traditional financing by delivering accessible loans, free technical assistance, and real pathways to growth for overlooked entrepreneurs across the Palmetto State.

Hear the unfiltered stories behind sparking over 475 jobs, the gritty realities of mission-driven lending, and why accessible capital acts as rocket fuel for Lowcountry dreamers turning ideas into thriving businesses. If you're a founder navigating financing hurdles, an investor eyeing local impact, or anyone passionate about propelling South Carolina's entrepreneurial ecosystem forward, this candid conversation uncovers the partnerships, hard-won lessons, and relentless drive creating sustainable change—from Charleston to every corner of the state.

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Join host Bill Billotte for a wave-calming conversation with Holly Hillman, founder of Soothe Sailing—the Lowcountry's pioneering wellness sailing retreat launched in 2024. From her six years in the Navy and work with Warrior Surf Foundation to SCUBA dives, oyster reef restoration, and becoming a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, Holly's life has always circled back to the healing power of water.

Now she's blending guided breathwork, meditation, and the natural rhythm of Charleston Harbor's winds and waves into immersive sailing experiences that reconnect participants to nature, community, and self. Hear the real story behind starting this unique venture in the heart of the Holy City: the triumphs of creating something truly one-of-a-kind, the challenges of building a woman- and veteran-owned business on the water, and the vision driving Soothe Sailing to make mindfulness accessible under sail.

If you're inspired by founders turning deep personal passion into tangible Lowcountry innovation, this episode is your reset button. Book your own sail at soothesailing.com and tune in for lessons on resilience, blue-mind healing, and why sometimes the best office is a boat in Charleston Harbor.

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In this raw conversation, I sit down with Gillian Zettler, co-founder of The Drop In, to dive into their journey from pop-up experiences to landing their first permanent home at 1118 King Street. Gillian and her co-founder Chandler Frisbie have spent nearly a decade turning a shared vision into reality: a hybrid movement and experience studio that blends rhythm-based indoor cycling, somatic mat work, dance elements, sculpt, and sweat—all in a music-driven, phone-free space designed for cathartic release and real human connection.

What stands out is how they've scaled a nontraditional concept without chasing transactional fitness norms. Instead, they've stayed laser-focused on inclusion, accessibility (think BOGO intro offers, locals' first-week unlimited deals, and even HSA/FSA reimbursements via partners like TrueMed), and fostering belonging. "You belong here" isn't just a tagline—it's the heartbeat of The Drop In, creating a community where people drop in to move, release tension, build resilience, and connect on a deeper level.

We talk about the triumphs and grit of evolving from pop-ups to a buzzing permanent studio on King Street (grand opening vibes kicked off around February 2026), the intentional design of the space for joy and grounding, and why prioritizing community over competition has helped them stand out in Charleston's growing wellness and innovation ecosystem.

This one's all about turning passion into a vessel for experiences that move people—literally and figuratively—while contributing to the Lowcountry's reputation as a hub for creative, purpose-driven ventures.

Check out The Drop In at https://www.thedropin.com, book a class, or follow along on their Instagram @thedropin__ to feel the energy.

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