South Carolina Business Review

Nonprofits are an integral part of our economy and each year they gather in our state for an annual conference where they discuss best practices and new strategies to help them sustain and grow their social as well as that economic impact.  Mike Switzer interviews Dawn Dowden, president of Homes of Hope and co-chair of the Together SC Summit coming to Greenville, SC Mar. 9-11.

You’ve probably heard of TED Talks, and maybe even TEDx, but you may not be aware that for over a decade, our capital city has not had either.  But soon that will change. Shyam Ganesh Babu is a top scholar at the University of South Carolina and founder of TEDxCongareeVista, coming to Columbia March 14th.

The tariff mess that started a year ago just got more confusing and has been blamed for last year’s weak economic growth.  How does the latest tariff news affect our state’s economy?  Mike Switzer interviews Joey Von Nessen, chief economist at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. 

It’s Monday, and that’s when we like to take a look at current business issues that are trending across our state and discuss them with one of our fellow news media friends.  This week, Mike Switzer interviews John McDermott, business editor of the Post and Courier in Charleston, SC.  John tells us what he’s hearing locally about the recent Supreme Court overturning Trump’s tariffs.  He also share...

It just makes sense that preventing unwanted pregnancies would be beneficial for both workers and employers.  And recently released data from a South Carolina program indeed shows that contraceptive access isn't just about healthcare, it's also now a proven economic development policy.  Mike Switzer interviews Bonnie Kapp, president and CEO of the New Morning in Columbia, SC.  South Carolina's "No...

When our next guest noticed her nursing students struggling to understand congenital heart defects, she realized the issue wasn’t their effort, it was the tools they were using.  So she turned this classroom challenge into an education technology startup.  Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Stephanie Schaller, assistant professor at USC’s College of Nursing and founder of NursEdvance Innovations in Colum...

March Forth, as in “go forth,” is an annual celebration of the legacy of one of our state’s most popular authors, Pat Conroy, who died 10 years ago on March 4, 2016.  It’s a week-long event hosted by the Pat Conroy Literary Center in Beaufort, SC.  Mike Switzer interviews Sean Scapelatto, board chair for the center.

You may have heard of the “Sandwich Generation” — adults caring for aging parents as well as their own children.  This group faces several stressful challenges which is why our next guest says that setting clear priorities is very important.  Mike Switzer interviews Chris Cabri, a certified financial planner with Wells Fargo Advisors in Greenwood, SC.

Mike Switzer interviews Alan Cooper, founder and editor of three online business news websites in South Carolina: MidlandsBiz, UpstateBizSC, and LowCountryBizSC.  Alan updates us on the latest regarding the Scout Motors plant being built in the Midlands.

Late last year, our state’s most recent InnoVision awards were announced and our next guest’s company finished first in the small business category.  Mike Switzer interviews Ben Dillard, CEO of SkilRedi in Greenville, SC.

As the nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, our state, which played a significant role in the revolution, is doing the same.  Which should mean a sizable bump in tourism business.  Mike Switzer interviews Rick Wise, executive director of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust in Camden, SC.  Resources: Liberty Trail and SC 250th Commiss...

While it’s getting to be quite well known that our state is a leader in the number of people moving here, creating record numbers of new homeowners, we are also leading the nation in evictions and foreclosures.  Which is why our next guest’s state agency is working hard to increase the number of affordable homes.  Mike Switzer interviews Clayton Ingram, external relations and policy manager with t...

Tax season is upon us again. The time of the year when we get the complete picture of our tax contributions to our state and federal governments and whether we paid too much or not enough.  And that’s when we start thinking about tax planning for the next year.  But our guest today says that truly impactful tax savings come from year-round and long-term, even multi-generational tax planning.  Mike...

Mike Switzer interviews Jessica Holdman, a reporter with the South Carolina Daily Gazette in Columbia, SC.  Mike and Jessica talk about their recent tour of the Scout Motors plant being built in Blythewood, SC and Jessica gives an update on data centers in SC.

Education has been a hot button issue in our state for quite some time.  Including during the time our next guest was governor of this state.  Which is why 15 years ago she founded an organization focused on improving education outcomes in our neediest communities.  Mike Switzer interviews Nikki Haley, founder and board member of the Original Six Foundation, which this year is celebrating the 10th...

When Hurricane Helene struck the Upstate last year, it inflicted major structural damage. But what about the heirlooms, artwork, and sentimental keepsakes?  Our next guest’s franchise is part of a fast-growing, specialized sector known as “contents restoration” that is involved in bringing back what most catastrophe victims assumed was lost forever. Mike Switzer interviews William Finn, owner of B...

According to our commerce department, Germany is South Carolina’s largest export partner. We don’t have the final numbers for last year yet but in 2024, the trade volume between our state and Germany was $13 billion. And we are currently home to 270 German companies that employ over 44,000 South Carolinians.  Which is why our next guest’s college set up an event to help support and grow that relat...

Financial planning, retirement planning, and portfolio management are all things you can do by yourself.  After all, there is a wealth of information and tools out there these days, thanks to the Internet and AI.  But should you DIY your money?  Mike Switzer interviews Joy Watkins, a certified financial planner with Anchor Investment Management in Columbia, SC.

It’s Monday and that’s when we check in with one of our business journalist friends to get their take on the latest news across our state’s business community.  Mike Switzer interviews Ross Norton, managing editor of SCBiz, which publishes a monthly statewide business magazine

As of the first of this year, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance are now one entity.  What was the impetus for this merger?  Mike Switzer interviews Sara Hazzard, the new president of South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce.

While the certificate of need requirement for new hospitals to be built in our state was mostly repealed a couple of years ago, our healthcare system still faces significant challenges.  One uncertainty may be the impact of the new tax law and other new federal regulations.  Mike Switzer interviews Thornton Kirby, CEO of the South Carolina Hospital Association in Columbia, SC.

The US is facing a massive, historic level of debt and employment is sluggish, yet GDP continues to grow.  What’s in store for the 2026 economy with these conditions?  Mike Switzer interviews Bruce Yandle, Dean Emeritus at the College of Business & Behavioral Science and Alumni Professor of Economics Emeritus, both at Clemson University.  He is also the Distinguished Professor of Economics at...

It’s Monday, and that’s when we like to take a look at current business issues that are trending across our state and discuss them with one of our fellow news media friends.  This week, Mike Switzer interviews John McDermott, business editor of the Post and Courier in Charleston, SC.  John brings us news about Scout Motors, shipping, energy rate hikes, and travel issues.

One of the most popular film festivals in the country is set to begin soon in the Lowcountry, signaling the beginning of film festival season across our state.  Mike Switzer interviews Ron Tucker, director of the Beaufort International Film Festival, coming Feb. 17-22.

Each year, our next guest’s three-day wildlife and nature conservation event generates an estimated $33 million in economic impact for the Lowcountry.  And the next one is coming soon.  Mike Switzer interviews John Powell, president and CEO of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition coming to Charleston Feb. 13-15.