Carolina Business Leaders

What does it really take to build a successful Airbnb business from scratch? In this episode of the Carolina Business Leaders podcast, Heath sits down with Gabriel and Laura Valk, a Greenville-based entrepreneurial couple behind The Jireh House, to talk about their journey into short-term rentals, home renovation, hospitality, and building additional income streams while balancing full-time work a...

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders, we sit down with Chris Hayes, President and Owner of Kane Hayes Insurance, to discuss how business owners and families can better protect themselves in an increasingly complex risk environment. Chris shares his journey from the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business to building one of the Upstate's leading independent ins...

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders, Heath Gerrald sits down with Ryan Harvey, CEO of Family Trust Federal Credit Union, to discuss his journey from computer science graduate to CEO, the unique differences between credit unions and traditional banks, and how Family Trust has built a member-first culture for nearly 70 years. Ryan shares insights on financial literacy, community investment,...

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders , Jennifer Watson joins the show to discuss how leaders can perform at a higher level in an increasingly fast-paced, AI-driven world. Jennifer shares why companies cannot focus only on adopting new technology while ignoring the human side of performance. She explains how resilience, communication, nervous system capacity, decision-making, and alignment...

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders , we sit down with the powerhouse founders behind Management School LLC—Emily Watrous, Traci Newkirk, and India Martin—to unpack one of the biggest gaps in today’s workplace: the lack of training for new managers. Too often, top performers are promoted into leadership roles with little to no guidance—left to figure it out on their own. Emily, Traci, and...

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders , we sit down with the founders of Wilson Associates, a leading real estate firm in Greenville, South Carolina, to unpack what it really takes to build a high-performing, service-driven business. From launching their firm with a people-first philosophy to navigating one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country, they share the strategies...

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders , we sit down with Tristan Peterson , founder of MoveCrew , the upstate moving company redefining what great service looks like in an industry known for mixed reputations. Tristan shares how he went from marrying his high-school sweetheart at 19 , grinding through college on scholarship refund checks, and hustling with yard sales and side jobs to buildi...

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders , Heath and the team sit down with Jamie Ledford , President of Golf Pride , the global leader in golf grip innovation. From its roots in rubber manufacturing to becoming the most trusted grip in professional golf , Golf Pride has remained the #1 brand in the industry for decades. Jamie shares how the company continues to innovate while staying grounded...

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders , we sit down with Mickey Lyles , Founder and CEO of Immeasura Growth Partners. Mickey is a serial entrepreneur who has built, bought, and sold multiple companies and now helps service-based businesses scale sustainably through better leadership, systems, and financial discipline. Mickey shares lessons from his journey—from opening his first business at...

In this episode of the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast , we sit down with Brian Daughhetee , CEO of ANC Group , and Ashley Sage , Director of Sales, to unpack what it really takes to protect and scale a business in today’s fast-changing cybersecurity landscape. Brian shares the story of launching ANC Group more than 25 years ago—from his early days as a middle school teacher to building a truste...

Will Prescott and Steve Foushee of P&F Construction share their journey of choosing partnership over competition to build a successful construction business in the Southeast. They discuss the challenges they faced, including the early years of working without pay, the importance of maintaining a strong partnership, their people-first approach, and how they have tackled the labor shortage by in...

Benton Blount, a musician-turned-politician, shares his remarkable journey of overcoming failure and turning setbacks into success. Faced with the devastating loss of his record deal just days before releasing his hit single 'Carolina,' Benton chose to refocus and redirect his energy, eventually becoming a celebrated musician and a South Carolina County councilman. In this episode, Benton offers i...

One whole year. 50 episodes. So many conversations. 🎙️✨ Join Heath and Cristina Gerrald as they recap Year 1 of Carolina Business Leaders and share behind-the-scenes insights plus exciting plans for Year 2! 🎧 Streaming now on all podcast platforms. Cheers to a new year and what’s ahead! 🥂 

Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette recounts her inspiring journey from founding Quality Business Solutions to scaling it beyond $1 billion in revenue. She shares her experiences transitioning to public service, discusses the crucial relationship between government and small businesses, and provides insights into her gubernatorial campaign. As a unique politician with no prior campaign experience, E...

Join us in this episode as we chat with Jeremy Wanamaker, CEO and founder of Complete, a successful cybersecurity firm. Jeremy shares his journey from bootstrapping his business 18 years ago to scaling it to over 200 employees. Learn about his early ventures, the importance of finding product-market fit, and how he transitioned from a corporate job to becoming a business owner. Discover how AI is...

In this episode of the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast, we sit down with LaTonya Phillips, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County. Recently honored as one of Greenville Business Magazine's Women in Business for 2025, LaTonya shares her journey from corporate roles in healthcare and banking to leading a nonprofit organization. She discusses the mission and vision of Habita...

In this episode of the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast, we interview Robin Grable, a US Navy veteran and the founder and president of the Ascend Collective. We discuss her extensive work in empowering veterans, women, and underserved communities by implementing inclusive hiring and career transition programs. Robin shares her insights on the importance of a skills-first approach in hiring and th...

In this episode of the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast, we delve into the inspiring journey of Ronald Harvey, a retired US Army veteran with over 34 years of leadership experience. Ron is the co-founder and vice president of Global Core Strategies and Consulting LLC. The discussion covers Ron's transition from military service to becoming a successful business executive, his podcast 'Unpack,' an...

In this episode, Senator Alexander discusses his extensive career in politics, his dedication to public service, and his role in economic development in South Carolina. He shares his journey from being elected to the House of Representatives in 1986 to his current role as the President of the Senate. Senator Alexander also touches on his business experience, the importance of education, and recent...

Didi Caldwell, CEO and co-founder of Global Location Strategies, joins the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast to share her journey and expertise in site selection and incentive negotiation. Didi explains how her firm helps companies find the best locations for expansion, relocation, and new facilities globally. She discusses her accidental entry into the field, the impactful projects she's overseen...

Frank Farmer, Councilman on Greenville County Council, and Matt Alexander, a candidate for Greenville City Council, join the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast to discuss their experiences in politics. They share candid thoughts about their ongoing and past campaigns, challenges faced, and the intricacies of managing community issues. They also reflect on Greenville's growth, the non-partisan natur...

David Zimmerman, Founder of Reliable Acorn and Fractional Chief Marketing Officer, joins the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast to discuss his journey in digital marketing and providing effective strategies for businesses. Zimmerman shares how he helps clients clarify their message, reach the right audience, and track marketing effectiveness to drive growth. He provides insights into working with d...

Steve Nail, the Dean of the College of Business at Anderson University, shares his extensive professional journey in this episode of the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast. Steve discusses his transition from corporate roles at Michelin and Hubble Lighting to academia and his recent foray into politics as a candidate for the South Carolina House of Representatives, District 21. He delves into his e...

Kevin Johnson, CEO of CloudFactory, discusses the groundbreaking work of human-in-the-loop AI technology. Kevin shares insights into CloudFactory's role in enhancing AI accuracy and scalability, details his journey from a farm in Iowa to leading a technology company, and emphasizes the importance of intentionality and adaptability in achieving success. Discover how CloudFactory is transforming ind...

Matt Gabriel, co-founder of Tech Wheelhouse, joins us in this episode to discuss the latest technological advancements and the future of tech innovation. Discover how Tech Wheelhouse is pioneering new solutions with cutting-edge technologies, and get inspired by Matt's expert insights on emerging trends, startup challenges, and the impact of technology on our daily lives. Don't miss his fascinatin...