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 India saw this problem firsthand and decided to build a solution. Their program, Take the Lead, is designed to equip emerging managers with the real-world skills they need to lead confidently, communicate effectively, and build high-performing teams.

We dive into how they launched a business in record time, what makes their leadership program different, and why investing in managers is the fastest way to transform an organization. You’ll also hear powerful insights on mentorship, managing stress, and the mindset shifts required to become a great leader.

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 that helped them outperform larger competitors while maintaining a strong culture and community focus.

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 building one of the Upstate’s most trusted moving companies.

We dive into the early days of MoveCrew, leadership lessons from Chick-fil-A, building teams that can run major multi-state moves, and how Tristan created a business where others can achieve their dreams inside of his.

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 the rich golf culture of Pinehurst, often called the cradle of American golf.

Jamie also talks about his unexpected journey into the golf industry, lessons learned from working with iconic brands like Starbucks and Callaway Golf, and the leadership principles that have helped him scale a global business while maintaining a small-town culture.

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 23, navigating the 2008 recession, and eventually growing to own nine businesses. Along the way, he discovered that many entrepreneurs don’t actually own a business—they own a job. In this conversation, he explains how business owners can shift from working in their business to working on it.

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 trusted technology and cybersecurity partner serving businesses across finance, law, manufacturing, nonprofits, and government. Ashley offers a front-line perspective on sales leadership, relationship-driven growth, and helping small and mid-sized businesses make smart, proactive technology decisions.

Together, we dive into:

• Why cybersecurity is no longer optional for small and mid-sized businesses

• Common mistakes leaders make when outsourcing IT and security

• The real-world impact of ransomware, reputational risk, and compliance failures

• Outdated security practices that are still putting companies at risk

• How remote work, VPNs, SASE, and behavioral-based security are reshaping protection in 2026

• The importance of long-term technology planning and trusted partnerships

This conversation goes beyond technology to explore leadership, entrepreneurship, trust, and what it means to deliver true peace of mind to business owners. If you’re a leader trying to future-proof your company while navigating an increasingly complex tech world, this episode is a must-listen.

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 investing in young workers. Hear their insights on hiring, maintaining company culture, and overcoming financial hurdles as they scaled P&F Construction.

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 insights into how business owners can recover from major setbacks, the importance of loving what you do, balancing multiple demanding careers, and leveraging a platform for genuine community impact. He also delves into his experiences on 'America’s Got Talent,' revealing the behind-the-scenes reality of the show and how it shaped his career. Through Benton's story, learn how to transform challenges into opportunities and build a life of resilience and influence.