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.

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders, Heath sits down with Brian McKay, CEO of Spero Financial, and Jessica Baker, Chief Retail Officer, to discuss their leadership journeys, the credit union philosophy of "people helping people," and how intentional culture-building has fueled Spero's growth across South Carolina.

Brian and Jessica share how investing in employees, creating transparent communication, and empowering future leaders have helped Spero become one of the best places to work in South Carolina. They also discuss community impact initiatives, lessons for young professionals, and how they're embracing AI while keeping banking personal and relationship-driven.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Brian and Jessica built their careers from the ground up• Why culture must be intentionally scaled as organizations grow• The leadership principles that drive employee engagement• How Spero Financial supports local communities across South Carolina• Advice for young professionals navigating their careers• Why AI should enhance - not replace - human relationships in business

Whether you're a business owner, leader, or professional looking to grow your career, this conversation offers practical insights on leadership, culture, and building organizations that make a lasting impact.

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 and family life.

Gabriel and Laura share how they went from simply enjoying Airbnbs while traveling to purchasing and renovating their own properties, learning construction and DIY skills on the fly, and creating unique guest experiences that stand out in a crowded Airbnb market. They also discuss the realities of Airbnb ownership, including the challenges, hidden costs, marketing strategies, and why short-term rentals are far from “passive income.”

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 insurance agencies. We explore the advantages of working with an independent insurance advisor, common coverage gaps that many business owners overlook, and how local relationships help clients make better decisions when it matters most.

We also dive into some of today's fastest-growing risks, including cyber threats, wire fraud scams in real estate transactions, rising insurance costs, umbrella policies, and strategies for protecting both personal and business assets.

Whether you're a business owner, homeowner, entrepreneur, or simply looking to better understand your insurance coverage, this conversation is packed with practical advice and valuable insights.

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, affordable housing initiatives, scholarship programs, and the organization's recent expansion into Greenville. He also discusses the future of Family Trust, including new business banking services designed to support small business owners across the Carolinas.

Whether you're a business owner, community leader, or simply looking to improve your financial future, this conversation offers valuable lessons on leadership, growth, and making a lasting impact.

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 all shape the way leaders and teams respond to pressure, change, and growth.

The conversation explores practical ways leaders can reduce decision fatigue, improve communication, stay grounded under stress, and create stronger alignment within their organizations. Jennifer also shares simple tools leaders can use immediately, including hourly check-ins, breathing practices, and reconnecting with their core values throughout the day.