Discover the heartbeat of Mount Pleasant's business community as Kathi Herrmann, chamber president and marketing maven at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, engage in a vibrant conversation with Rebecca Imholz and Mike Compton. Rebecca, steering the Chamber of Commerce, and Mike, the creative force behind rūmbo Advertising, join her to unfold the narrative of our local Chamber from its modest beginnings to the vigorous, influential body it represents today. We take you on a journey through the East Cooper area's blossoming landscape, tackling the hurdles of urban expansion and the critical balance of nurturing a family and business-friendly environment. The recent pandemic has reshaped our perspectives on work-life equilibrium, and we're expanding the conversation to encompass the broader East Cooper communities, all while maintaining the close-knit spirit essential for thriving businesses.
This episode isn't just a look back; it's a gateway to action-packed insights for anyone with an ear for entrepreneurial wisdom or a hand in fostering community connections. As we spotlight the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce's role in boosting local business and communal bonds, we also illuminate the Chamber's invaluable initiatives. From scholarship programs to creating platforms for burgeoning professionals and women in networking, we're championing growth and empowerment. With support from public figures and our partnership with the East Cooper Hospitality Commission, our podcast emerges as a beacon for those seeking to align with the pulse of community engagement and business innovation. Join us and feel the energy of our volunteer board and marketing committee as we propel this community narrative forward.
Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce
Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions
Production Sponsor: RMBO.co
Design Sponsor: DK Design
Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Immediate Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Chair | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs
Ben Nesvold | Co-host | In-coming President | Edward Jones
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Well, hello and welcome to Building a Business
podcast powered by the MountPleasant Chamber of Commerce.
We're recording in theCharleston Radio Group studios
while Kyle's Films is behind thecamera Both big supporters of
the Mount Pleasant Chamber ofCommerce, so thank you to all of
you.
Kathy Herman's here, I am yourcurrent chamber president and I
(00:22):
am also the marketing directorat Mount Pleasant Town Center
and I'm really excited to behere, uh, for episode one of our
business build buildingbusiness podcast, powered by the
mount pleasant chamber ofcommerce.
So thank you so much for joiningus.
Listeners, um, I'm joined heretoday by two very important
guests.
No, really, you are very, veryimportant guests.
(00:46):
I'm excited to have you bothhere Rebecca Imholtz and Mike
Compton.
We're going to start withRebecca.
Tell them a little bit aboutyourself, rebecca.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Well, thank you so much for having me, Kathy, and
so glad to have you, Mike, todayas well.
What can I say about myself?
I'm the director of the MountPleasant Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
And that's why it's so important to have you here
today.
That's why it's important thatI'm here.
You're the important one here.
I'm the important one.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
But I am very appreciative of getting this
podcast together and to help theworld know what wonderful
things the Mount PleasantChamber of Commerce is doing to
encourage business and communitysuccess east of the Cooper.
We're having a lot of fun.
This is a really great time ofyear.
Any time of the year is a greattime of year for the Mount.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Pleasant Chamber of.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Commerce, because we always have so much going on.
I'm sure we'll be talking aboutthat throughout the podcast.
Yeah, so I have been thedirector of the chamber for four
years and before that I was avolunteer.
I actually have served on a lotof committees with the chamber.
We'll be probably talking alittle bit about that today as
we have our discussion, and I'velived in Mount Pleasant for
(01:56):
gosh over 20 years, seen a lotof changes was involved with the
chamber.
Before it was a chamber wasinvolved when it was a Mount
Pleasant Business Association.
Before it was a chamber wasinvolved when it was a Mount
Pleasant Business Associationand before that it was an East
Cooper Merchants Association andit was established to encourage
people to shop at the holidaysin Mount Pleasant.
So that was about 1992 or soand then we became a business
(02:20):
association and in the early2000s and then under the
leadership of Chris Stobbs, webecame a Chamber of Commerce in
2017.
I remember that day very fondly.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Do you remember that day?
I do, because when I, when wejoined for Town Center, it was
still the Mount PleasantBusiness Association, and I
actually still have the bumpersticker in my office, do you
really?
It's a relic.
Now I wonder if it's worthsomething.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
It definitely is.
It's worth something to all ofus.
But yes, isn't that fun?
Time goes by so quickly.
It really does.
Well, I've been here for fouryears now.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
My name is Mike Compton.
Hi listeners, how are you?
Speaker 1 (02:54):
I was just going to introduce everyone.
Here's Mike Compton.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Marketing chair for the chamber, membership director
for the AMA and my day job is apresident of Roomba advertising
goroombacom.
But I'm really interested inthe history of.
I didn't know that.
So, I'm such a rookie.
You've been here for how long?
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Eight years.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Eight years, so that's double when I've been
here and you've been here forwhoa a lot longer than I.
The growth factor of MountPleasant has been ridiculous
from your eyes.
Can you talk about that?
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Well, it has grown quite a bit.
I think when I moved here therewere about 35,000 residents in
Mount Pleasant.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
And.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
I believe now there's about 95.
But still the heart of thecommunity is the same.
We're a really strong community.
We're very supportive ofbusinesses and each other.
That has not changed.
Yes, we're bigger, but we'restill a very vibrant, supportive
community that embracesfamilies and small businesses,
(03:54):
because that really is the heartof our business.
Community is small business andthat's how we have continued to
thrive.
So that has all stayed the same.
What has changed?
Traffic has changed.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Oh boy, I mean traffic's bad in any city.
You go to right Likeeverybody's got their own issues
on their traffic.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Yes, and we are actually working with the town
of Mount Pleasant and some otherbusiness leaders to talk about
how can we address trafficissues.
How can we address trafficissues so that people who don't
live in Mount Pleasant can workin Mount Pleasant and still get
(04:34):
home at a reasonable hour to bewith their families Because
that's so important with aworkforce that they are able to
spend quality time, have thatwork-life balance that we've all
heard about.
It's certainly changed becauseof COVID, because remote working
is more acceptable.
But people, there are many,many jobs that require somebody
to be physically present everysingle day.
So how do we address that andkeep the quality of life for
(04:56):
everyone?
The Mount Pleasant Chamber Ithink one of the things in
talking with the community.
I don't know if people realizewe're more than just Mount
Pleasant.
We're the Mount PleasantChamber of Commerce but we go
out into the East Coopercommunity so we have members
from Daniel Island and Almondawand as that area's grown I came
(05:16):
here today, 41, clements Ferrywe have businesses in that area
as well.
So it's really an exciting timefor our chamber as we are
growing and embracing andgetting folks from not only the
low country area that grew uphere, been here a long time, but
folks such as yourselves, kathyand Mike, that come from other
places far off, Cummins, is thatwhat you call it, cummins?
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Yeah yeah, my children are Not from us.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Yeah, not been here.
Been here, been here yeah yous,yeah, been here, I believe, is
how you're Been yous Sorry, beenyous, I don't know, been yous
and then come yous.
But regardless, regardless, welove having the fact that we do
have people from outside thearea who didn't necessarily grow
up here, and they bring theirperspective too of where they
have grown up.
I I recently met a young ladywho happened to be at one of our
(06:04):
events and she moved here fromHawaii.
So I'm like why would you dothat?
Speaker 1 (06:10):
That would have been my first question.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
But she wanted to experience a different culture
and as my children have grownthey have also moved away to
experience a different culture.
But they also realize what agreat place this area is to grow
up in and to have a businessand to be a part of it.
So I'm really, you know, wecould not have a chamber without
Mike and Kathy and all theother wonderful volunteers on
(06:33):
our board and in the chamber.
It's so refreshing andwonderful to have people join
the chamber that get it thatrealize how supportive a chamber
is of the community.
We're not just about going tonetworking events that is super
important, but there are manyother things that a chamber does
to make a community vibrant,livable, effective, because you
(06:57):
want to make sure that you arecommunicating well with your
elected officials, and ourchamber does that very well.
We are very involved with ourlocal elected officials as well.
Chamber does that very well.
We are very involved with ourlocal elected officials as well.
Yes, and I'm very proud of that.
That's some area that I reallylove in fact when I was, when I
joined the Business Association,one of my interest areas was
governmental relations andgetting to know what's going on
(07:19):
at the Statehouse and within thetown and the county and helping
to communicate that to ourmembers and getting them to meet
our elected officials.
Particularly this year it's anelection year we all have to pay
attention.
I know we're going to bebombarded here really soon with
ads, but I really feel it's veryimportant for our members to
know their elected officials,particularly the ones that
(07:41):
aren't from here Right.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
And now, mike, you've only been here four years, not
only but four years.
So when you moved here, youimmediately got involved in the
chamber.
I did, and not only just comingto events and things, but you
became a chair of the marketingcommittee.
What?
Two years after you got here,maybe, maybe, and I mean, that's
jumping in.
That's what we're all about,and that's it.
(08:08):
I'd love to know what was itabout the chamber that you saw
immediately?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
that you wanted to get so involved right away.
Well, so my business partnerand I that's what we do in
Roomba we get involved with thecommunity as many ways as we can
without overextending ourselves, and sometimes overextending
ourselves.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
Clearly, we're all guilty of this, aren't we?
Yes, we are.
I think anybody who's active inan organization is guilty of
that 100%.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I can't say no, unfortunately.
So, listeners, ask me anythingyou want.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Can you give them your number?
Speaker 2 (08:36):
I remember being at a luncheon and it was at Alhambra
Hall and I think it was like aholiday luncheon, right, because
that's one of the ones that youdo and you give out the
trophies, you give out thethings I'm like.
I like the vibe in that room somuch I just liked what I saw.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Well, that was definitely a good first lunch to
go to.
It was a good first lunch.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
I love the fact that we do the Pledge of Allegiance.
I love the fact that we do, youknow, prayer, and then
everybody kind of stands up.
Everybody kind of is like itjust felt like a very vibrant,
yet like caring community andI'm like I'm going to be getting
one of those one day.
And then it was the next year,I think it was Like, yeah, so
(09:19):
now I've got like four of them,but they're great and they all
mean something.
To like giving back to thecommunity is like we're just
trying to better everybody else.
I'm not trying to take yourmoney, I'm not trying to.
Networking is great.
We're trying to buildrelationships and partnerships
with people, right, I mean,that's what we're all about, is
commerce, and that's what theChamber just felt like to me.
So I'm like all right, I'm in.
(09:40):
What do we got to do?
Speaker 1 (09:45):
And so not only has Mike been busy with everything
else that the Chamber's beendoing, but he decided that he
was going to start a podcast,and here we are, and so here we
are in episode one.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Sorry.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
No.
So I mean, mike, I'd reallylove to hear your thoughts about
why you started this podcast.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Don't you love podcasts?
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Well, I love hearing myself talk, so, yes, I love
being here.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
I'm the opposite of that.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
But I am very excited about getting to speak to some
of our planned special gueststhat will be here this year.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
That's what it's all about Again building the
community, sharing knowledge.
I want the listeners to be ableto take notes and get leads
from this podcast, becausethere's going to be business
owners that you're going to belike oh I want to go to there
Because I've heard theirsmoothie bomb was amazing or,
you know anything right theirpizza, like.
Let's talk to a local pizzaowner and talk about their
(10:38):
trials and tribulations ofbuilding a business here All the
way up to a corporate companylike Pinnacle or something like
that let's talk to a big bank,medium-sized bank, small bank,
whatever, I want the listener totake value away from this
podcast.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
So that's, once we stop giving value, then we stop
podcasting well, we are going tocontinue to podcast forever
because we're always gonna, we,we will always be able to give
value with the membership thatwe have in the chamber and um
strong leadership like you too.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Yes, I'm really excited, yeah well, I'm excited
too, and I know that we've gotum some great people in the
works to speak to in theupcoming episodes.
I believe I mentioned it in theintro episode, but of course,
our favorite Mayor, mayor Haney,I'm sure will make a guest
appearance.
We love speaking with him andhe is so very supportive of the
(11:31):
Chamber, as well as the currenttown council as well, so I'm
sure we'll have, uh yeah, somegreat discussions um with the
government of mount pleasantwe're happily involved with the
town of mount pleasant are we inthe meetings too.
As far as affordable housing isconcerned, as far as hospitality
and tourism, we've actually thechamber's actually worked with
the town to create the eastcooper hospitality commission,
(11:54):
uh, which I am proud to be apart of.
Rebecca sits on it as well, andit's a group of food and bev
and hospitality vendors and weall just get together and
discuss issues, discuss goodthings, bad things, how we can
fix this.
What's working for one of us,hopefully it could work for you.
Right, and that was all abrainchild of Matt Brady of the
(12:17):
town.
So, yes, the answer is yes.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
Matt, the economic development manager for the town
of Mount Pleasant, so yes,thank you, matt, for helping us
get that together.
So I'm really excited, too, tobring a group together where we
are talking about issues butwe're doing something about it.
So that is a value of a chamber.
Well, the foundation too right.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
I mean how much we give a scholarship away every
year right To a smarty, astudent.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
We do Every year a high school senior in the area.
We solicit for applications andnominations for a senior that
is pursuing some sort of adegree in the business arena
marketing, communications, lotsof different types of fields of
study, and it's a veryheartwarming experience.
(13:07):
We've done it for many years.
The foundation funds that, andwe've just had some wonderful
recipients and I'm reallylooking forward, as they grow
and mature, to find out whatthey've done.
Because a chamber wants toinvest right.
We want our businesses to investin the chamber because that
allows us to invest in thecommunity, and I think that's
very vital, particularly withour young people.
(13:28):
We have started a youngprofessionals group now in the
chamber and they are having agreat time.
They network monthly and, asthey have grown and gotten
stronger, I'm really lookingforward to seeing what they want
to do in the rest of 2024 aswell, because that age group, by
the way, is 21 to 40.
That's a phase of life, if Ican try to remember back then,
(13:52):
but my goals were different thanthey are now at this point in
my life, so it's important torecognize them, too, as future
leaders and contributors to ourcommunity.
And, kathy, I would like foryou to talk about the new
women's networking group that wehave started.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
One of the things that Jennifer Maxwell, who is
our immediate past president,and I had discussed was a
women's group.
Our immediate past presidentand I had discussed was a
women's group because we do.
We're members of other localchamber chambers as well and we
thoroughly enjoyed attendingsome of their events when we
realized that there's we've gotsome amazing women that belong
(14:27):
to our chamber.
So our our group is called Riseand we are really kicking it
off great with our new chair,kendall Costi.
She is just such an incrediblewoman and right now we're
looking to do quarterly events.
I do hope that it becomes sosuccessful that we almost have
to do a monthly.
(14:47):
I know Rebecca's looking at me.
We do a lot.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
We do a lot.
What does Rise?
Speaker 1 (14:52):
stand for.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Yeah, what does?
Speaker 3 (14:55):
Rise.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Ah, you would empower I was letting rebecca do it
yeah reach inspire, support,empower love it, love it.
Is that amazing?
And, of course, darius made themost amazing.
Let's talk about darius.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
We've got a really talented marketing committee.
We do.
Yes, I'm just here to lead,like just kind of give ideas,
but these guys do the work, likeSocial ABCs, amanda Bunting,
coleman, darius Kelly, jake Coz,coz Moore with no E Coz Films,
I usually spell his name wrongand they're just super, super
(15:34):
talented and they're willing togive their time, like I'm
willing to give, like we're allwilling to give our time which
is amazing.
And it's kind of infectious at atime.
You know where you get like allthese really talented people
that want to donate their time.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
A lot of people don't realize that, especially for
our size of chamber, that theboard and all of the chairs are
all volunteer.
Rebecca and Marion and Tamaraare paid employees and they're
fabulous and we could notsurvive without them.
But the rest of us are allvolunteers and we have full-time
(16:10):
jobs.
I mentioned I'm the marketingdirector at Town Center, so I
start working 60-hour weeks atthe holiday time and still find
time, because I love thischamber and I love what we're
doing for the community and youwere talking about the community
before.
Not only do we have thefoundation, rebecca, but we also
have a community engagementchair, so we have an entire
(16:31):
committee just focused oncommunity engagement, which
shows how important it is to usto be involved with the
community.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Remember when we gave money away in COVID.
That was a touching time.
We sure did we went to thathotel right and had a thing and
the mayor was there.
I think I forget what was.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
What we did is that was a really unusual time.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
It was a very difficult time.
Speaker 3 (16:59):
And we knew that the food and beverage hospitality
workers were struggling.
And so so thankful to have achamber that recognized that and
gave out some funds to helprecognize folks that had
overcome tremendous obstaclesand hardships to continue to
(17:24):
work during a very difficulttime.
It's almost like our lives havebecome before COVID and after
COVID Everybody stepped up.
So that was a wonderfulopportunity for the chamber to
give back to our community and,yes, community investment is
very important with ournonprofit members and our
(17:44):
community at large but alsoproviding some education
programs that I'm really excitedabout, too, to support our
businesses, to help them grow,particularly folks.
We have a lot of members thathave moved into the area and
this is their second career,like they've had a career
somewhere else and they movehere and they're like now I want
(18:05):
to do this because we're neverdone.
I used to have a radio show forseven years and a lot of really.
It was called let's TalkBoomers and it was sort of about
that.
Next we used to call it ournext best phase of our lives.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Let's Talk Boomers, that's what it was called.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Let's Talk Boomers and I had so many guests that
well, yeah, I did that, you know, in my earlier part of my
career, but now I'm doing this.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
And it's really exciting to know that you can do
something else.
And look at, I've always wantedto do this or that and now I'm
just going to do it and achamber can help you do that,
because we're going to helpintroduce you to other folks
that can help you grow what yourdream is and follow your
passion, because work is notwork if you enjoy it and it's
your passion.
(18:55):
So, chamber, yes, it's a job,but it's a passion of mine.
It's something that I getexcited about, that motivates me
.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
I think everyone can see that, Rebecca.
I mean not only listening todayto the passion in Rebecca's
voice.
But if you have not had thepleasure of meeting Rebecca in
person, you need to, becauseit's the same exuberance in
person that it is on this showright now.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
I do have to blame her for this right joining very
quickly as well, because she'sasked me to.
I'm like what we just met.
All right, let's go.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
Because I know how wonderful the chamber is, so
it's easy when it's go.
Because I know how wonderfulthe chamber is, and so it's easy
when it's heartfelt.
Right when we're doing theright thing, yeah, and doing the
right thing, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
So we are so excited about this podcast everyone and
we really look forward tospeaking with our members and
sharing their stories with you,and, of course, I'm there to
help.
If you have anyone has any uhrequests, we will certainly uh,
we can send them in to rebeccaand we can certainly take a look
at them.
But we're really excited aboutlaunching this podcast.
(20:01):
We could not have done it againwithout mike, or without darius
, or without cause films, orwithout um amanda, bunton, coman
at social abc.
So again, thank you all so verymuch, and and our host,
charleston Radio Group, who'shere, of course, with us today,
making us sound so good for you.
But before we leave, we justneed to again thank all of our
(20:24):
sponsors.
If you want to be a sponsor ofour podcast, of course you can
reach out to Rebecca and shewill get back to you.
Most importantly, make sure tolike and subscribe to all of our
media channels.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
I don't want to miss any.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
Spotify, itunes, youtube, instagram, facebook and
LinkedIn.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
That's amazing Thanks to our huge marketing team.
Exactly that is because of ourmarketing committee.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
I cannot thank you enough, Mike and Rebecca, for
being here on our first episodeand again until next time, mount
Pleasant.
Until next time, listeners you.
Well, hello and welcome to Building a Business
podcast powered by the MountPleasant Chamber of Commerce.
We're recording in theCharleston Radio Group studios
while Kyle's Films is behind thecamera Both big supporters of
the Mount Pleasant Chamber ofCommerce, so thank you to all of
you.
Kathy Herman's here, I am yourcurrent chamber president and I
(00:22):
am also the marketing directorat Mount Pleasant Town Center
and I'm really excited to behere, uh, for episode one of our
business build buildingbusiness podcast, powered by the
mount pleasant chamber ofcommerce.
So thank you so much for joiningus.
Listeners, um, I'm joined heretoday by two very important
guests.
No, really, you are very, veryimportant guests.
(00:46):
I'm excited to have you bothhere Rebecca Imholtz and Mike
Compton.
We're going to start withRebecca.
Tell them a little bit aboutyourself, rebecca.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Well, thank you so much for having me, Kathy, and
so glad to have you, Mike, todayas well.
What can I say about myself?
I'm the director of the MountPleasant Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
And that's why it's so important to have you here
today.
That's why it's important thatI'm here.
You're the important one here.
I'm the important one.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
But I am very appreciative of getting this
podcast together and to help theworld know what wonderful
things the Mount PleasantChamber of Commerce is doing to
encourage business and communitysuccess east of the Cooper.
We're having a lot of fun.
This is a really great time ofyear.
Any time of the year is a greattime of year for the Mount.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Pleasant Chamber of.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Commerce, because we always have so much going on.
I'm sure we'll be talking aboutthat throughout the podcast.
Yeah, so I have been thedirector of the chamber for four
years and before that I was avolunteer.
I actually have served on a lotof committees with the chamber.
We'll be probably talking alittle bit about that today as
we have our discussion, and I'velived in Mount Pleasant for
(01:56):
gosh over 20 years, seen a lotof changes was involved with the
chamber.
Before it was a chamber wasinvolved when it was a Mount
Pleasant Business Association.
Before it was a chamber wasinvolved when it was a Mount
Pleasant Business Associationand before that it was an East
Cooper Merchants Association andit was established to encourage
people to shop at the holidaysin Mount Pleasant.
So that was about 1992 or soand then we became a business
(02:20):
association and in the early2000s and then under the
leadership of Chris Stobbs, webecame a Chamber of Commerce in
2017.
I remember that day very fondly.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Do you remember that day?
I do, because when I, when wejoined for Town Center, it was
still the Mount PleasantBusiness Association, and I
actually still have the bumpersticker in my office, do you
really?
It's a relic.
Now I wonder if it's worthsomething.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
It definitely is.
It's worth something to all ofus.
But yes, isn't that fun?
Time goes by so quickly.
It really does.
Well, I've been here for fouryears now.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
My name is Mike Compton.
Hi listeners, how are you?
Speaker 1 (02:54):
I was just going to introduce everyone.
Here's Mike Compton.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Marketing chair for the chamber, membership director
for the AMA and my day job is apresident of Roomba advertising
goroombacom.
But I'm really interested inthe history of.
I didn't know that.
So, I'm such a rookie.
You've been here for how long?
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Eight years.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Eight years, so that's double when I've been
here and you've been here forwhoa a lot longer than I.
The growth factor of MountPleasant has been ridiculous
from your eyes.
Can you talk about that?
Speaker 3 (03:27):
Well, it has grown quite a bit.
I think when I moved here therewere about 35,000 residents in
Mount Pleasant.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
And.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
I believe now there's about 95.
But still the heart of thecommunity is the same.
We're a really strong community.
We're very supportive ofbusinesses and each other.
That has not changed.
Yes, we're bigger, but we'restill a very vibrant, supportive
community that embracesfamilies and small businesses,
(03:54):
because that really is the heartof our business.
Community is small business andthat's how we have continued to
thrive.
So that has all stayed the same.
What has changed?
Traffic has changed.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Oh boy, I mean traffic's bad in any city.
You go to right Likeeverybody's got their own issues
on their traffic.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Yes, and we are actually working with the town
of Mount Pleasant and some otherbusiness leaders to talk about
how can we address trafficissues.
How can we address trafficissues so that people who don't
live in Mount Pleasant can workin Mount Pleasant and still get
(04:34):
home at a reasonable hour to bewith their families Because
that's so important with aworkforce that they are able to
spend quality time, have thatwork-life balance that we've all
heard about.
It's certainly changed becauseof COVID, because remote working
is more acceptable.
But people, there are many,many jobs that require somebody
to be physically present everysingle day.
So how do we address that andkeep the quality of life for
(04:56):
everyone?
The Mount Pleasant Chamber Ithink one of the things in
talking with the community.
I don't know if people realizewe're more than just Mount
Pleasant.
We're the Mount PleasantChamber of Commerce but we go
out into the East Coopercommunity so we have members
from Daniel Island and Almondawand as that area's grown I came
(05:16):
here today, 41, clements Ferrywe have businesses in that area
as well.
So it's really an exciting timefor our chamber as we are
growing and embracing andgetting folks from not only the
low country area that grew uphere, been here a long time, but
folks such as yourselves, kathyand Mike, that come from other
places far off, Cummins, is thatwhat you call it, cummins?
Speaker 2 (05:39):
Yeah yeah, my children are Not from us.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Yeah, not been here.
Been here, been here yeah yous,yeah, been here, I believe, is
how you're Been yous Sorry, beenyous, I don't know, been yous
and then come yous.
But regardless, regardless, welove having the fact that we do
have people from outside thearea who didn't necessarily grow
up here, and they bring theirperspective too of where they
have grown up.
I I recently met a young ladywho happened to be at one of our
(06:04):
events and she moved here fromHawaii.
So I'm like why would you dothat?
Speaker 1 (06:10):
That would have been my first question.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
But she wanted to experience a different culture
and as my children have grownthey have also moved away to
experience a different culture.
But they also realize what agreat place this area is to grow
up in and to have a businessand to be a part of it.
So I'm really, you know, wecould not have a chamber without
Mike and Kathy and all theother wonderful volunteers on
(06:33):
our board and in the chamber.
It's so refreshing andwonderful to have people join
the chamber that get it thatrealize how supportive a chamber
is of the community.
We're not just about going tonetworking events that is super
important, but there are manyother things that a chamber does
to make a community vibrant,livable, effective, because you
(06:57):
want to make sure that you arecommunicating well with your
elected officials, and ourchamber does that very well.
We are very involved with ourlocal elected officials as well.
Chamber does that very well.
We are very involved with ourlocal elected officials as well.
Yes, and I'm very proud of that.
That's some area that I reallylove in fact when I was, when I
joined the Business Association,one of my interest areas was
governmental relations andgetting to know what's going on
(07:19):
at the Statehouse and within thetown and the county and helping
to communicate that to ourmembers and getting them to meet
our elected officials.
Particularly this year it's anelection year we all have to pay
attention.
I know we're going to bebombarded here really soon with
ads, but I really feel it's veryimportant for our members to
know their elected officials,particularly the ones that
(07:41):
aren't from here Right.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
And now, mike, you've only been here four years, not
only but four years.
So when you moved here, youimmediately got involved in the
chamber.
I did, and not only just comingto events and things, but you
became a chair of the marketingcommittee.
What?
Two years after you got here,maybe, maybe, and I mean, that's
jumping in.
That's what we're all about,and that's it.
(08:08):
I'd love to know what was itabout the chamber that you saw
immediately?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
that you wanted to get so involved right away.
Well, so my business partnerand I that's what we do in
Roomba we get involved with thecommunity as many ways as we can
without overextending ourselves, and sometimes overextending
ourselves.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
Clearly, we're all guilty of this, aren't we?
Yes, we are.
I think anybody who's active inan organization is guilty of
that 100%.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
I can't say no, unfortunately.
So, listeners, ask me anythingyou want.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Can you give them your number?
Speaker 2 (08:36):
I remember being at a luncheon and it was at Alhambra
Hall and I think it was like aholiday luncheon, right, because
that's one of the ones that youdo and you give out the
trophies, you give out thethings I'm like.
I like the vibe in that room somuch I just liked what I saw.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Well, that was definitely a good first lunch to
go to.
It was a good first lunch.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
I love the fact that we do the Pledge of Allegiance.
I love the fact that we do, youknow, prayer, and then
everybody kind of stands up.
Everybody kind of is like itjust felt like a very vibrant,
yet like caring community andI'm like I'm going to be getting
one of those one day.
And then it was the next year,I think it was Like, yeah, so
(09:19):
now I've got like four of them,but they're great and they all
mean something.
To like giving back to thecommunity is like we're just
trying to better everybody else.
I'm not trying to take yourmoney, I'm not trying to.
Networking is great.
We're trying to buildrelationships and partnerships
with people, right, I mean,that's what we're all about, is
commerce, and that's what theChamber just felt like to me.
So I'm like all right, I'm in.
(09:40):
What do we got to do?
Speaker 1 (09:45):
And so not only has Mike been busy with everything
else that the Chamber's beendoing, but he decided that he
was going to start a podcast,and here we are, and so here we
are in episode one.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Sorry.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
No.
So I mean, mike, I'd reallylove to hear your thoughts about
why you started this podcast.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
Don't you love podcasts?
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Well, I love hearing myself talk, so, yes, I love
being here.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
I'm the opposite of that.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
But I am very excited about getting to speak to some
of our planned special gueststhat will be here this year.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
That's what it's all about Again building the
community, sharing knowledge.
I want the listeners to be ableto take notes and get leads
from this podcast, becausethere's going to be business
owners that you're going to belike oh I want to go to there
Because I've heard theirsmoothie bomb was amazing or,
you know anything right theirpizza, like.
Let's talk to a local pizzaowner and talk about their
(10:38):
trials and tribulations ofbuilding a business here All the
way up to a corporate companylike Pinnacle or something like
that let's talk to a big bank,medium-sized bank, small bank,
whatever, I want the listener totake value away from this
podcast.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
So that's, once we stop giving value, then we stop
podcasting well, we are going tocontinue to podcast forever
because we're always gonna, we,we will always be able to give
value with the membership thatwe have in the chamber and um
strong leadership like you too.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Yes, I'm really excited, yeah well, I'm excited
too, and I know that we've gotum some great people in the
works to speak to in theupcoming episodes.
I believe I mentioned it in theintro episode, but of course,
our favorite Mayor, mayor Haney,I'm sure will make a guest
appearance.
We love speaking with him andhe is so very supportive of the
(11:31):
Chamber, as well as the currenttown council as well, so I'm
sure we'll have, uh yeah, somegreat discussions um with the
government of mount pleasantwe're happily involved with the
town of mount pleasant are we inthe meetings too.
As far as affordable housing isconcerned, as far as hospitality
and tourism, we've actually thechamber's actually worked with
the town to create the eastcooper hospitality commission,
(11:54):
uh, which I am proud to be apart of.
Rebecca sits on it as well, andit's a group of food and bev
and hospitality vendors and weall just get together and
discuss issues, discuss goodthings, bad things, how we can
fix this.
What's working for one of us,hopefully it could work for you.
Right, and that was all abrainchild of Matt Brady of the
(12:17):
town.
So, yes, the answer is yes.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
Matt, the economic development manager for the town
of Mount Pleasant, so yes,thank you, matt, for helping us
get that together.
So I'm really excited, too, tobring a group together where we
are talking about issues butwe're doing something about it.
So that is a value of a chamber.
Well, the foundation too right.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
I mean how much we give a scholarship away every
year right To a smarty, astudent.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
We do Every year a high school senior in the area.
We solicit for applications andnominations for a senior that
is pursuing some sort of adegree in the business arena
marketing, communications, lotsof different types of fields of
study, and it's a veryheartwarming experience.
(13:07):
We've done it for many years.
The foundation funds that, andwe've just had some wonderful
recipients and I'm reallylooking forward, as they grow
and mature, to find out whatthey've done.
Because a chamber wants toinvest right.
We want our businesses to investin the chamber because that
allows us to invest in thecommunity, and I think that's
very vital, particularly withour young people.
(13:28):
We have started a youngprofessionals group now in the
chamber and they are having agreat time.
They network monthly and, asthey have grown and gotten
stronger, I'm really lookingforward to seeing what they want
to do in the rest of 2024 aswell, because that age group, by
the way, is 21 to 40.
That's a phase of life, if Ican try to remember back then,
(13:52):
but my goals were different thanthey are now at this point in
my life, so it's important torecognize them, too, as future
leaders and contributors to ourcommunity.
And, kathy, I would like foryou to talk about the new
women's networking group that wehave started.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
One of the things that Jennifer Maxwell, who is
our immediate past president,and I had discussed was a
women's group.
Our immediate past presidentand I had discussed was a
women's group because we do.
We're members of other localchamber chambers as well and we
thoroughly enjoyed attendingsome of their events when we
realized that there's we've gotsome amazing women that belong
(14:27):
to our chamber.
So our our group is called Riseand we are really kicking it
off great with our new chair,kendall Costi.
She is just such an incrediblewoman and right now we're
looking to do quarterly events.
I do hope that it becomes sosuccessful that we almost have
to do a monthly.
(14:47):
I know Rebecca's looking at me.
We do a lot.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
We do a lot.
What does Rise?
Speaker 1 (14:52):
stand for.
Speaker 2 (14:55):
Yeah, what does?
Speaker 3 (14:55):
Rise.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Ah, you would empower I was letting rebecca do it
yeah reach inspire, support,empower love it, love it.
Is that amazing?
And, of course, darius made themost amazing.
Let's talk about darius.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
We've got a really talented marketing committee.
We do.
Yes, I'm just here to lead,like just kind of give ideas,
but these guys do the work, likeSocial ABCs, amanda Bunting,
coleman, darius Kelly, jake Coz,coz Moore with no E Coz Films,
I usually spell his name wrongand they're just super, super
(15:34):
talented and they're willing togive their time, like I'm
willing to give, like we're allwilling to give our time which
is amazing.
And it's kind of infectious at atime.
You know where you get like allthese really talented people
that want to donate their time.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
A lot of people don't realize that, especially for
our size of chamber, that theboard and all of the chairs are
all volunteer.
Rebecca and Marion and Tamaraare paid employees and they're
fabulous and we could notsurvive without them.
But the rest of us are allvolunteers and we have full-time
(16:10):
jobs.
I mentioned I'm the marketingdirector at Town Center, so I
start working 60-hour weeks atthe holiday time and still find
time, because I love thischamber and I love what we're
doing for the community and youwere talking about the community
before.
Not only do we have thefoundation, rebecca, but we also
have a community engagementchair, so we have an entire
(16:31):
committee just focused oncommunity engagement, which
shows how important it is to usto be involved with the
community.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Remember when we gave money away in COVID.
That was a touching time.
We sure did we went to thathotel right and had a thing and
the mayor was there.
I think I forget what was.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
What we did is that was a really unusual time.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
It was a very difficult time.
Speaker 3 (16:59):
And we knew that the food and beverage hospitality
workers were struggling.
And so so thankful to have achamber that recognized that and
gave out some funds to helprecognize folks that had
overcome tremendous obstaclesand hardships to continue to
(17:24):
work during a very difficulttime.
It's almost like our lives havebecome before COVID and after
COVID Everybody stepped up.
So that was a wonderfulopportunity for the chamber to
give back to our community and,yes, community investment is
very important with ournonprofit members and our
(17:44):
community at large but alsoproviding some education
programs that I'm really excitedabout, too, to support our
businesses, to help them grow,particularly folks.
We have a lot of members thathave moved into the area and
this is their second career,like they've had a career
somewhere else and they movehere and they're like now I want
(18:05):
to do this because we're neverdone.
I used to have a radio show forseven years and a lot of really.
It was called let's TalkBoomers and it was sort of about
that.
Next we used to call it ournext best phase of our lives.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Let's Talk Boomers, that's what it was called.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Let's Talk Boomers and I had so many guests that
well, yeah, I did that, you know, in my earlier part of my
career, but now I'm doing this.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
And it's really exciting to know that you can do
something else.
And look at, I've always wantedto do this or that and now I'm
just going to do it and achamber can help you do that,
because we're going to helpintroduce you to other folks
that can help you grow what yourdream is and follow your
passion, because work is notwork if you enjoy it and it's
your passion.
(18:55):
So, chamber, yes, it's a job,but it's a passion of mine.
It's something that I getexcited about, that motivates me
.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
I think everyone can see that, Rebecca.
I mean not only listening todayto the passion in Rebecca's
voice.
But if you have not had thepleasure of meeting Rebecca in
person, you need to, becauseit's the same exuberance in
person that it is on this showright now.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
I do have to blame her for this right joining very
quickly as well, because she'sasked me to.
I'm like what we just met.
All right, let's go.
Speaker 3 (19:29):
Because I know how wonderful the chamber is, so
it's easy when it's go.
Because I know how wonderfulthe chamber is, and so it's easy
when it's heartfelt.
Right when we're doing theright thing, yeah, and doing the
right thing, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
So we are so excited about this podcast everyone and
we really look forward tospeaking with our members and
sharing their stories with you,and, of course, I'm there to
help.
If you have anyone has any uhrequests, we will certainly uh,
we can send them in to rebeccaand we can certainly take a look
at them.
But we're really excited aboutlaunching this podcast.
(20:01):
We could not have done it againwithout mike, or without darius
, or without cause films, orwithout um amanda, bunton, coman
at social abc.
So again, thank you all so verymuch, and and our host,
charleston Radio Group, who'shere, of course, with us today,
making us sound so good for you.
But before we leave, we justneed to again thank all of our
(20:24):
sponsors.
If you want to be a sponsor ofour podcast, of course you can
reach out to Rebecca and shewill get back to you.
Most importantly, make sure tolike and subscribe to all of our
media channels.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
I don't want to miss any.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
Spotify, itunes, youtube, instagram, facebook and
LinkedIn.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
That's amazing Thanks to our huge marketing team.
Exactly that is because of ourmarketing committee.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
I cannot thank you enough, Mike and Rebecca, for
being here on our first episodeand again until next time, mount
Pleasant.
Until next time, listeners you.
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