The Upstate Conversation

Running an organization means making decisions every day—but the quality of those decisions often depends on two things: the information you have and the support surrounding you. This week on The Upstate Conversation, we introduce Chantal Buard, CEO and Co-Founder of Impact Atlas, and Jessica Davis, Business Performance Advisor with Insperity. Impact Atlas helps mission-driven organizations turn f...

When most of us hear the words professional lighting company, our minds probably go straight to Christmas. For Gina Lopez, owner of Humbug Lighting of Greenville, Christmas is where the story begins—but certainly not where it ends. In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma shares how Gina and her team are taking the hassle out of holiday decorating while expanding into permanen...

For Melissa Hennon, a mortgage has never been simply about getting someone approved for a loan. It's about helping someone build a future. Melissa began her career with Hanover Mortgage in 2014 as a processor, but she quickly realized she wanted to become a loan officer and work directly with the people behind those applications. Today, with a decade of experience as a loan officer and a lifetime...

You spend years building a business, creating a home, raising a family, and working toward a future. But have you ever stopped to ask one important question? How well is everything you've built actually protected? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma introduces us to two professionals from Kenneth Rhodes & Associates, Inc. who approach that question from two different dire...

Sometimes the people who make the greatest impression on us don't realize they're helping shape our future. For Lauren Danner, a real estate agent with SERHANT., that person was the REALTOR who helped Lauren purchase her own home in 2008—and turned what could have been an overwhelming transaction into an experience Lauren still remembers today. In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Ter...

You're posting. You're networking. Maybe you're advertising. People are seeing your business—but somehow, all that attention isn't consistently turning into customers. In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, Terry Palma, host and Joan Weisman, guest, explore the gap between being visible and being chosen. From clearer marketing and stronger messaging to trust, consistency, and follow-up, they...

For many of us, health insurance is something we think about once a year, choose a plan, check the box, and hope we don't have to think about it again. But what happens when you actually need help? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights Eric Ager, a licensed insurance agent with HealthMarkets, whose own experience as an insurance client completely changed the dire...

What if a cup of coffee could do more than wake you up? What if it could create a moment of connection, spark a conversation, and leave someone smiling? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights Luke Schneider, founder of JoyBlast Coffee, a Greenville-based mobile coffee catering company that's redefining what it means to serve great coffee. With handcrafted espresso...

Life has a way of changing in an instant. A divorce, an empty nest, a career shift, or a move to a new city can leave us asking one simple but deeply personal question: Who am I now? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, Terry Palma introduces listeners to Andrea Daley, coach, author, speaker, and founder of a coaching practice dedicated to helping women rebuild their identity after life's...

If you're a business owner, chances are you've worn more hats this week than you can count. CEO. Salesperson. Marketing Director. Customer Service. Bookkeeper. Scheduler. Content Creator. What if technology could take some of those hats off your head—without taking away your leadership? In this special edition of The Upstate Conversation, Terry Palma explores why one platform called MIDAS has capt...

What if your financial statements could do more than report where your business has been? What if they could help guide where it's going? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights Salena Mulliken, CPA and Founder of The Sage Perspective, a Growth Consultant dedicated to helping small business owners gain clarity, confidence, and direction. After nearly three decades...

What if the most valuable thing your bank could offer wasn't a loan or a checking account—but a trusted relationship? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights Brittany Hilbert, Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor with Pinnacle Financial Partners. Brittany shares how a passion for helping businesses solve complex financial challenges led her into commercial b...

What if choosing a contractor was about more than finding someone to repair your roof or install solar panels? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights Redemption Solar and Roofing and Branch Manager Brandy Murrah. More than a construction company, Redemption Solar and Roofing was founded with a mission to bring integrity, transparency, and faith-driven service to a...

What if the most valuable thing a handyman business offered wasn't just repairs—but trust? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights Home and Handy Handyman, owned by Charlie Owen. What began as a property management business has evolved into a unique company offering both handyman and professional housekeeping services—all built around exceptional communication, kin...

What happens when a healthcare professional decides that the traditional system isn't delivering the results patients deserve? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights Dr. Ryan Friend, owner of Body Evolution, and the journey that led him to create a different approach to physical therapy and wellness. After nearly two decades as a physical therapist, Dr. Friend bec...

What happens when a personal search for better health turns into a 13-year mission to help others live their best lives? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights Jody Whitaker, an Independent Representative with Isagenix, and the story behind her passion for wellness, community, and helping people achieve their health goals. What began as a personal journey to find...

What happens when a husband-and-wife team combines specialized expertise, a passion for serving families, and a vision for building community? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights Our Patch Family Chiropractic, founded by Dr. Ashley Gonzales and Dr. Ian Barwick in Greenville, South Carolina. From the inspiration behind their unique pumpkin patch-themed practice...

Success in business and life often comes down to two things—having the right perspective and having the right plan. In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights two Upstate professionals helping individuals and businesses move forward with greater clarity and confidence. First, we meet Salena Mulliken, CPA and Growth Consultant with The Sage Perspective, a company focus...

Sometimes businesses are built from opportunity—and sometimes they’re built from a moment that changes everything. In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights High Caliber Solutions and the story behind co-founder Wil Herrera and Chief Operations Officer Kya Hazzard. What began as a commitment to help a struggling friend evolved into a company focused on integrity, hon...

What if self-defense wasn’t really about fighting—but about awareness, confidence, and making it home safely? In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights Joe Borovicka, owner of Safer Sooner – Self Defense in Greer, South Carolina. Joe’s approach goes far beyond traditional self-defense training. Through one-on-one coaching, public speaking, youth programs, and practic...

Financial independence means different things to different people—but understanding how money truly works can change everything. In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma sits down with Krystale Conley of Primerica to talk about financial education, protecting families, and helping middle-income households build a stronger future. Krystale shares what inspired her to enter the...

Creativity has a way of shaping not just what we do—but how we live. In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma sits down with Olena Petyurenko, owner of O-Drapes in Greenville, South Carolina. From her roots in Ukraine as a fashion designer to building a custom window treatment business in the Upstate, Olena shares her journey of creativity, family, and entrepreneurship. O-Drap...

Success isn’t just about how you show up in business—it’s also about how you show up for yourself. In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights two Upstate professionals helping individuals and businesses thrive in very different—but equally important—ways. First, we meet Cee Mi Agency, led by owner Michael Gross, a company focused on helping businesses increase visibil...

In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, we spotlight two Greenville professionals who are making a meaningful impact by serving those often overlooked in their industries. Eric Ager of HealthMarkets shares how he helps small businesses—especially those with just a handful of employees—build customized, affordable group health coverage solutions that larger providers often ignore. Melissa Henn...

How money moves—and how it’s managed—can make all the difference for both businesses and individuals. In this episode of The Upstate Conversation, host Terry Palma highlights two Upstate professionals helping clients take control of their financial picture. First, we explore ATeam Credit Card Processing, with partner Lynn Chavez, a company focused on helping business owners better understand, opti...