Charleston Season of Love: I Love the Way You Love – Original Poem

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By Mark A. Leon

The dance in the middle of the park without music, without an audience but a story of a princess and the ball running through your head
The mornings when the aroma of coffee and the warmth of the rising sun remind me of home

It is in the heart that you share
The compassion for the weak that makes you strong

If I could feel the love you feel, I would know the answers I have sought as I journey to this sunset
On this horse named Hope, I ride without direction
Listening for your heartbeat

You hug as if it is the first time seeing me
Holding tight, reminding without words the importance of touch

You laugh with the strength of Hercules; cry with the devastation of Pompeii

Patience
So much patience
One step at a time
Birth to twilight

When you close your eyes as the wind brushes back your hair, there is a connection with nature most can never understand

I love the way you love
All things
All dreams

In the rain, you see re-birth
A cleansing of the soul
The rest run

At night, you embrace the silence
In the crowds and the screaming, the embrace of life

I love that you believe in the greater good
Humanity is a gift you unwrap once strand at a time
Mental nakedness lets you feel

I love the way you love
In you, I continue to learn

1223 Ben Sawyer Blvd. Redevelopment Nearing Completion; First Tenant Announced 

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MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — Mount Pleasant resident and Charleston Commercial managing director Joshua Schaap is redeveloping 1223 Ben Sawyer Blvd. into a retail space for two tenants. 

The property — previously family owned for two generations — had fallen into disrepair. The two small buildings at this location are being combined into one building. The plans approved by the Town of Mount Pleasant include vaulted ceilings, dormers, additional windows and improved sidewalks. The overall site plan has been improved while maintaining the original buildings’ design integrity. The renovations will be complete this fall. 

One of the two available spaces has been leased by Mulberry & King, an online retailer with a small showroom currently located at 1470 Ben Sawyer Blvd. Owners Megan Masters and Meredith Murphy, both of whom live in Mount Pleasant, sell women’s clothing, shoes and accessories at affordable price points while creating a personal shopping experience in their showroom. 

“We wanted to be easily accessible and visible for our customers and continue to offer them a personal, one-on-one shopping experience when they come visit our showroom,” Masters said. “The space at 1223 Ben Sawyer has so much character and already feels like home, we can’t wait for our customers to feel the same way when they come shop with us.”

The second, and smaller of the two spaces, is available for lease. There are several other local companies that would like to move in as well. 

“I live and work in Mount Pleasant so when this piece of property became available, I wanted to keep it local,” Schaap said. “Now 1223 Ben Sawyer Boulevard is locally owned and already one of the two available spaces is leased to a local tenant. I really believe in and value local businesses, and this new space will be a wonderful home to locally owned tenants.” 

About Charleston Commercial
Charleston Commercial is a fully integrated commercial real estate group located in Charleston, S.C., specializing in commercial brokerage and asset management for a wide range of property types, including retail, medical office, office, multi-family, hospitality, urban infill, and industrial properties. The firm offers a broad range of incorporated services to see assignments through from start to finish. Services range from market prospecting, acquisition, value creation (including entitlements, zoning, approvals, and development oversight), leasing, asset management, and disposition. 

Charleston Marketing Powerhouse, Stingray Branding, Acquires netGalaxy Studios

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CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Local digital marketing powerhouse, Stingray Branding, has acquired netGalaxy Studios, the premier full-service mobile app development company based in Charleston, SC. Founded by Larry Collet in 2010, netGalaxy Studios has served a wide clientele ranging from local startups to regional public entities such as schools and police departments, and even large enterprises such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

The acquisition combines the digital marketing expertise of Stingray Branding with the native app design capability and proprietary web design of netGalaxy Studios. Additionally, both companies have, traditionally, been very connected and involved with the local community, something that is sure to continue as they work together. With this merger, Larry Collet will be transitioning to a full-time role; managing Charleston Leaders alongside Ruthann Hipps, while netGalaxy Studios will become part of Stingray Branding.

Alan Thompson, Founder, and CEO of Stingray Branding, now the owner of netGalaxy Studios as well, is looking forward to a continuance of the history of excellence and service that has been the core of both of these great companies.

The Stingray Team;

  • Jennifer Thompson, COO
  • Ambrya Baldwin, Marketing Director
  • Mia Pingatore, Project Manager/Graphic Designer
  • Megan Evanosky, Digital Marketing Executive
  • James Getches, Web Developer,
  • Matt Hampton, Copywriter
  • Kaprice Dyson, Social Media Manager

Want to welcome netGalaxy Studios to the Stingray Team! They are eager to begin working on building an amazing future together.

Stingray Branding is a full-service marketing and branding agency dedicated to serving entrepreneurs and small businesses that want high-quality internet marketing at a reasonable price. Utilizing a team of subject matter experts from a diverse set of marketing specialties, Stingray offers a unique approach to building your ideal brand without compromising the quality of function or design.

You can learn more about Stingray Branding, their team, and their services at www.stingraybranding.com.

Season of Charleston Love: Effortless Spooning – Original Poem

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By Mark A. Leon

Two familiar lovers find refuge in euphoric haven of one another
In the near distance, rain pours from the evening sky
Crashing into the window
A sound so comforting

Outside the patter of raindrops, an infrequent silence void of the chaos of life dawdles
Soothing sounds of heaven’s shower slipping into the pull of gravity
Only our breath fills the crisp air

The resistance to leave the soft fragrant sheets clinging to the pours and hugging every curve is powerful
With effortless spooning, our bodies draw near

Your timeless beauty and natural skin caress this weary soul
This morning will wait
For just a little longer
Closer I pull until we are one

Safe from a work of responsibility
Safe from the dangers and risks

Bound by a love, pure as the blue skies

One more moment
Just a few more hours to embrace the night

With you, effortless

A whisper in your ear
“Close your eyes my dear and let one more dream fill your mind with lemon drops and cotton candy”

Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Announces Expansion of Their Charleston, South Carolina Office

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CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, a well-known business brokerage firm serving businesses in the Southeast, has officially announced the expansion of their Charleston, South Carolina office. Ben Knight, Managing Partner of Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Charleston, recently announced the expansion. “As we continue to build on the success we have experienced since entering the Charleston market 18 months ago, we recognized the need for more space. A larger office, approximately three times the size of our current office, recently became available in the eWall Street complex, so we responded accordingly.”

Knight continued, “This expansion aligns perfectly with our goal to provide the most professional representation to business owners seeking to exit their business in the Low Country. In addition, we will soon announce the addition of a least one more broker to our staff.”

About Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Founded in 1996, Viking Mergers & Acquisitions was established with the vision of providing customized exit strategies and M&A mitigation to small and middle market business owners. Since their inception, Viking Mergers & Acquisitions has sold over 500 businesses across the Southeast. Their intermediaries have hundreds of years of collective experience in business transactions and over 50% have owned a business of their own. Viking proudly boasts a closing rate that is 3x the national average and businesses that sell for 96% of their asking price.

To learn more about Viking Mergers & Acquisitions Charleston, please contact their office today at (843) 405-8575 or visit their website www.vikingmergers.com to see active business listings or request a valuation for your business.

Contact:
Elizabeth McCarty
8434058575
220291@email4pr.com

SOURCE Viking Mergers & Acquisitions

Charleston Solar Eclipse Two Year Later – A Look Back

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Two years ago today, August 21, 2017, the country got swept up in a rare celestial event and at the heart was Charleston South Carolina.  The total solar eclipse that had all of us staring at the sky just after 2:00 PM was a life time event for many.

Businesses closed, couples got married, we rallied in parks and beaches with neighbors and friends and frantically looked for the right glasses.

Even up to the event day, the weather was uncertain, but the gift from the angels made it possible to be part of this rare event.

It truly was a day we will never forget.

Here is a look back in pictures and video

www.intagram.com/cindybranscomephotography

www.instagram.com/cindybranscomephotography

www.instagram.com/jencruittdesigns

www.instagram.com/ksuiter1101

www.instagram.com/mickeybaggphoto

www.instagram.com/lashleigh294

www.instagram.com/clint444

www.instagram.com/agthorn1981

www.instagram.com/nicholasgoreweddings

www.instagram.com/graciedcurtis

www.intagram.com/nuvoimages

www.instagram.com/whereigoagain

Header Image Photo Credit:  www.instagram.com/lsuttonstudio

Local Charleston, SC Business Spotlight: Dance Conservatory of Charleston and its passionate and accomplished founder, Lindy Mandradjieff

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Elite Training; Community Warmth

At the Dance Conservatory of Charleston, the mission is simple:

“Our mission is to combine the elite technical training of a preeminent American dance academy with the heart of a community dance center.” — Lindy Mandradjieff, founder and owner, Dance Conservatory of Charleston”

The conservatory offers:

  • Dance Classes – Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Modern
  • Master Classes
  • Visiting Artists
  • Summer Programs
  • Performances
  • Competitions

Follow the Journey and Be Part of Something Special

Meet Lindy Mandradjieff – Founder and talented inspiration behind this vision in personifying dance and helping others find courage, poise, confidence and excellence on the dance floor and life.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Lindy received the majority of her training on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet. At age 17, Lindy began her professional career with the San Francisco Ballet before joining The New York City Ballet, where she was regarded by critics as one of the hardest working dancers of her time.

Professional Achievements

While at the New York City Ballet, Ms. Mandradjieff danced featured roles in David Allan’s Reunions; George Balanchine’s Coppélia (Waltz), George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (Marzipan and Dolls), Raymonda Variations, La Sonnambula, and Walpurgisnacht Ballet; Peter Martins’ Eight Easy Pieces, The Sleeping Beauty (Eloquence and Ruby), and Swan Lake (Pas de Trois and Pas de Quatre); Jerome Robbins’ Interplay; Richard Tanner’s Soirée; Helgi Tomasson’s Prism; and Christopher Wheeldon’s Mercurial Manoeuvres and Polyphonia. She also originated a featured role in Peter Martins’ Viva Verdi and corps roles in Melissa Barak’s Telemann Overture Suite in E Minor, Susan Stroman’s Double Feature, and Christopher Wheeldon’s Carnival of the Animals. In 2002, Ms. Mandradjieff appeared in the nationally televised Live From Lincoln Center broadcast New York City Ballet’s Diamond Project: Ten Years of New Choreography on PBS, dancing in Mercurial Manoeuvres.

Education and Instruction

A dancer as well as a scholar of dance, Lindy graduated with a B.A. in Dance from St. Mary’s College in California and obtained a Public and Professional Writing Certificate from the University of Pittsburgh. She has nearly 15 years of teaching experience at the community and university level, including at the prestigious Point Park University. Ms. Mandradjieff was also the private ballet instructor for the dancers on the Lifetime’s hit show, “Dance Moms.”  In addition to teaching, she has the rare privilege to stage works from both the George Balanchine Trust and the Peter Martins Trust.  Her students have been accepted into the top training programs, universities, and professional companies in the country and internationally.

Family Life

Ms. Mandradjieff is married to Matt Fabyanic.  Together they have three young boys, Mason, Parker and Hudson.  As a mother herself, one of Lindy’s most important roles is as a mentor to a whole new generation of dancers and art enthusiasts.

Charleston, SC Based Ceterus Among Inc. Magazine’s Annual List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies

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Ceterus Appears on the Inc. 5000 list for 4th Consecutive Year

CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Inc. magazine today revealed that Ceterus is No. 2110 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

(PRNewsfoto/Ceterus)
(PRNewsfoto/Ceterus)

Ceterus provides a done-for-you accounting and benchmarked reporting solution for entrepreneurs as well as an accounting technology solution for CPA firms.

“Empowering entrepreneurs to realize their potential by providing them with an accounting solution that provides financial insights is why we do what we do. To continue our growth trajectory and be recognized a 4th time by Inc. 5000, moving up each year, is a great bonus,” said Levi Morehouse, Ceterus Founder and CEO.

Over the past three years, Ceterus has experienced 191% revenue growth. Other notable achievements include recognition as one of the 40 fastest-growing companies in South Carolina by SC Biz News, one of the best tech start-ups by Tech Tribune, and Ceterus Edge, a mobile app, won the 2019 Mobile Star Awards in three separate categories.

“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have followed so many different paths to success,” says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. “There’s no single course you can follow or investment you can take that will guarantee this kind of spectacular growth. But what they have in common is persistence and seizing opportunities.”

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000.

Ceterus Quick Links:

About Ceterus

Headquartered in Charleston, SC, Ceterus empowers entrepreneurs with done-for-you accounting and benchmarked reporting and provides CPA firms powerful technology to fuel their firms. Ceterus pairs technology with people to deliver a one-stop solution for entrepreneurs and the CPA firms that support them. For more information, visit http://www.ceterus.com.

CONTACT:       
Elizabeth Mitchum
Marketing
220061@email4pr.com
800.571.6119

SOURCE Ceterus

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Flies in Vietnam: Vietnamese flag carrier to put largest Dreamliner on some of the world’s busiest destinations

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787-10 is the most efficient twin-aisle jet flying today and can cover more than 95 percent of twin-aisle routes

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the first of eight 787-10 Dreamliner airplanes to Vietnam Airlines today via lease from Air Lease Corporation [NYSE: AL]. The Vietnamese flag carrier plans to put the 787-10 – the most fuel-efficient twin-aisle airplane in the industry – on the busiest routes in its expanding network.

“Welcoming the largest member of the 787 family to our growing fleet ensures we continue to boast one of the youngest and most modern fleets in Asia and also adds a competitive edge to Vietnam Airlines’ operations. We appreciate the unbeatable efficiency performance with reduced fuel burn and outstanding passenger comfort and amenities,” said Pham Ngoc Minh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines. “On our journey to become a 5-star airline, we are confident that the Boeing 787-10 fleet will further elevate the customer experience on the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh route as well as many international routes.”

The new 787-10 will complement Vietnam Airlines’ existing fleet of 787-9 jets. Both feature the Dreamliner’s ultra-efficient technology and passenger-pleasing comforts. The 787-10 is longer than the 787-9, providing the space to carry 40 more passengers and more cargo and helping it offer the lowest operating costs per seat of any twin-aisle jet in service today. Vietnam Airlines is outfitting its 787-10 models with 367 seats (24 in business class and 343 in economy class). In addition to its size and fuel efficiency, the 787-10 can cover long distances. With a published range of 6,430 nautical miles (11,910 km), the 787-10 can fly more than 95 percent of the world’s twin-aisle routes.

“ALC is extremely pleased to announce this important first 787-10 delivery to Vietnam Airlines with Boeing and be the first lessor to introduce the airline to the -10,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “This first of eight 787-10s from ALC will significantly contribute to Vietnam Airlines’ ongoing major widebody fleet upgrade with the latest technology. ALC values our long-time role as an advisor when planning the growth and replacement of Vietnam Airlines’ fleet to maintain the airline’s leading position in Southeast Asia and worldwide.”

With the delivery to Vietnam Airlines, the 787-10 continues to expand its global presence. More than 30 of this Dreamliner model have been delivered to six operators since the airplane entered commercial service last year. Airlines are deploying the 787-10 around the world, especially in Asia as it is home to more than half of all 787-10 destinations.

“Vietnam Airlines has achieved impressive growth in recent years and helped power the rapid rise of commercial aviation in Southeast Asia. We see even greater potential ahead and the 787-10 brings the perfect combination of size and efficiency for Vietnam Airlines to serve high-demand routes, while the longer-range 787-9 delivers the flexibility to connect the world’s major cities with popular destinations in Vietnam and surrounding countries,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing of The Boeing Company. “We are excited to partner once again with ALC to bring a state-of-the-art airplane to a valued customer. We are confident the 787-10 will help Vietnam Airlines continue to grow its regional and international network and improve its award-winning service.”

To optimize the performance of its 787 fleet, Vietnam Airlines uses Boeing Global Services solutions such as Airplane Health Management (AHM) to capture real-time flight data and enable predictive maintenance. AHM is powered by Boeing AnalytX, a collection of software and consulting services that transform raw data into greater efficiency during every phase of flight.

About Vietnam Airlines:
Vietnam Airlines – a member of SkyTeam Alliance – is the flag carrier of Vietnam and the major carrier in the South East Asia, operating 95 routes to 22 domestic and 29 international destinations with an average of 400 flights per day. Skytrax – the world’s leading airline and airport rating organization – has ranked Vietnam Airlines as a 4-Star Airline for four consecutive years. Positioning itself as a modern carrier with an internationally recognisable brand characterised by Vietnamese traditional culture, Vietnam Airlines aims to achieve 5-star status and become a major airline in Asia.

City of Charleston Files Suit Against Opioid Manufacturers, Distributors

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Charleston, S.C.—Today, the city of Charleston joined other South Carolina jurisdictions in filing a complaint (attached) in the Court of Common Pleas Ninth Judicial Circuit against manufacturers and distributors of opioids, seeking to end the destructive effects the opioid epidemic has had on the Charleston community and to recoup tax dollars spent as a result of
the defendants’ illegal marketing, sales, and distribution of opioids.
According to data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, an average of 248 pain pills was distributed for every Charleston County resident each year from 2006 to 2012.

Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said, “We have seen far too many cases of overdose, addiction, hospitalization and other devastating effects of the opioid epidemic here in Charleston. Put simply, enough is enough. By bringing action against those who have contributed to this problem, we hope not just to recover the costs of our ongoing response to this crisis, but to help our citizens whose lives have been damaged by opioid use and to prevent this epidemic from wreaking further havoc on our community.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

  • Jack O’Toole, Director of Communications
  • Media Relations/Public Information
  • (843) 518-3228
  • otoolej@charleston-sc.gov