What happens to your business if something happens to you? And if you plan to sell one day, how early should you start preparing?

In this episode of the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast, we sit down with attorneys Phillip Martin and David Thompson of Merline & Meacham to break down the legal planning every business owner should be thinking about long before a crisis—or a sale—is on the horizon.

We discuss why a business is often an owner’s largest asset, the estate planning documents entrepreneurs should have in place, how operating agreements can prevent costly disputes, and what can happen when a business owner dies or becomes incapacitated without a succession plan.

Phillip and David also share practical advice for owners considering buying or selling a company, including why clean financial records matter, when to bring attorneys and advisors into the process, the risks of signing an LOI too early, and why the best time to prepare for a sale may be years before you actually want to exit.

In this episode:

• Why estate planning matters for business owners

• Wills, powers of attorney, operating agreements, and other key documents

• What happens to a business when an owner dies without a plan

• How to begin succession planning

• Preparing your company for a future sale

• Why clean books can make or break an acquisition

• When to involve attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, and M&A professionals

• Common estate planning myths

• The most overlooked legal document for business owners

• Career and professional advice for young entrepreneurs

Whether you’re building a company, preparing to pass it to the next generation, or thinking about an eventual exit, this conversation provides a practical framework for protecting what you’ve built and planning for what comes next.

In this episode of the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Dimple Patel, Chief Product Officer and Head of Global Marketing at Sawgrass, a Charleston-based leader in digital decoration and product customization.

Dimple shares her journey from finance into product development, how Sawgrass helps entrepreneurs and businesses create personalized products, and what it takes to lead innovation across more than 120 countries. She also discusses the importance of embracing AI, listening to your team, leading by example, finding strong mentors, and having the confidence to step outside your comfort zone.

From building new printing technology to helping creators bring their ideas to life, Dimple offers practical lessons for entrepreneurs, technology professionals, and emerging leaders.

Tune in to learn why her advice is simple: trust yourself, embrace new technology, and be as fearless as possible.

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders, Cristina sits down with Vic Mills, co-founder and CEO of Southeastern Development Associates, to discuss the vision behind Charlestown Farms, a conservation-focused community that is redefining what thoughtful development can look like in South Carolina's Lowcountry.

Vic shares his journey from banking to real estate development and reflects on nearly five decades of experience building communities across the Southeast. The conversation explores the rich history of the land that became Charlestown Farms, the importance of preserving Charleston's natural beauty, and the decision to place more than 3,100 acres under permanent conservation easement rather than pursue a traditional large-scale residential development.

They also discuss Charleston's rapidly growing real estate market, the balance between growth and stewardship, and why more buyers are seeking privacy, open space, and a deeper connection to the land. Vic offers a fascinating perspective on leadership, long-term thinking, and the responsibility developers have to future generations.

Whether you're interested in real estate, entrepreneurship, conservation, or the future of Charleston, this episode provides an inside look at a project designed to preserve the past while thoughtfully shaping the future.