Sales Focus Inc., the global expert in sales outsourcing, enhances infrastructure and local job opportunities with the expansion of its South Carolina Sales Center.
CHARLESTON, S.C., Oct. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Sales Focus Inc. (SFI), the world leading provider of outsourced sales solutions, expanded its Charleston, South Carolina Sales Center to meet the increasing demand for its services and further solidify its commitment to the Charleston area.
The expansion comes as a response to the remarkable growth and success that Sales Focus has achieved in recent years, as well as the increasing need for professional sales expertise. The Charleston Sales Center expansion enhances SFI’s ability to deliver first-class inside sales services to clients, offering a wide range of solutions for businesses seeking to boost revenue and acquire new customers.
Key highlights of the expansion include:
Increased Capacity: The office expansion increases SFI’s available workspace by more than 56 percent, allowing the company to accommodate more highly trained sales professionals. This enhanced capacity empowers the company to take on more clients and deliver exceptional results.
Job Creation: The expansion has already generated a significant number of job opportunities for the Charleston community, with plans for further hiring in the near future. Sales Focus is dedicated to supporting the local economy and providing valuable career opportunities for Lowcountry residents.
Enhanced Training and Development: Sales Focus has always been committed to employee growth and development. The larger facility enables the company to expand its training opportunities and support its workforce, ultimately leading to a stronger team and better service delivery.
“We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Charleston Sales Center,” said Sale Focus Inc. Sales Director Zach Horwath. “This expansion reflects our commitment to providing top-notch sales outsourcing solutions for our clients and our dedication to the local community by creating job opportunities. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients with the highest level of service and expertise.”
The expansion of the Charleston Sales Center is part of SFI’s ongoing efforts to meet the growing demand for its services and maintain its position as the world’s industry leader in sales outsourcing.
For more information about Sales Focus Inc. and its expanded Charleston Sales Center, please visit https://www.salesfocusinc.com/.
Sales Focus Inc.
Sales Focus Inc. (SFI) pioneered the sales outsourcing industry in 1998. Put simply, Sales Focus hires, trains, and manages successful inside and outside sales teams for its clients. SFI utilizes its proven S.O.L.D.™ methodology to develop a sales plan and manage a sales team that excels in client acquisition and revenue growth. Sales Focus guarantees to launch a sales program of any size anywhere in the world in 45 days or less.
The colorful new logo represents the museum’s multidimensionality and new mission of “expanding horizons”
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Sullenberger Aviation Museum, the premier aviation museum of the Southeast, this morning unveiled its new logo and visual identity, marking the final step in its brand evolution from the former Carolinas Aviation Museum to a reimagined transformational exploration of the power of flight with a mission to inspire, educate and elevate the next generation.
The new visual identity signifies not only a personification of the new brand, but an inspiring new vision for the 31-year-old organization. While the new facility – set to open in summer 2024 – will continue to exhibit historical aircraft, it will also serve as an elevated educational resource and innovation center to help shape the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) workforce development pipeline throughout the region.
The logo, created by integrated marketing agency Luquire, mimics the shape of a pilot’s wings and the tri-color visual is indicative of the museum’s varied and multidimensional experiences, while supporting the museum’s promise of “expanding horizons.” Comprised of blue, green and yellow colors, the logo is equal parts a celebration of aviation and an introduction to the new, inclusive space where the next generation of innovators and ambitious changemakers from the Carolinas and all over can learn about the wonder of flight.
“Housing one of the foremost collections of flying machines anywhere combined with powerful multisensory storytelling and interactive spaces, the Sullenberger Aviation Museum truly is a dynamic transformational and memorable experience, and this bright, innovative representation of who we are – unlike any museum logo we’ve seen – brilliantly showcases our mission and vision,” said Sullenberger Aviation Museum President Stephen Saucier. “In a world of seemingly unlimited options for entertainment and fulfillment, people are craving unique opportunities to exercise their sense of play and satisfy their expectations for immersive, interactive narratives – and we know this museum has the capacity to do just that.”
The logo’s bright colors were selected to represent the playfulness and interactivity of the museum and parallel its three distinct locational experiences – the welcome center, a main exhibit hall and a preserved historic hangar complemented by an outdoor plaza – in addition to its three thematic areas. The largest is a themed exhibition zone in the new Main Gallery known as Innovation Nation that presents the history of aviation as a testament to humankind’s capacity for creativity and imagination of possibilities beyond the known. The space will include stories of design, competition and safety while also offering interactive experiences for visitors including vertical wind tunnels, flight simulators, cockpits that visitors can get inside, games and make and take activities.
“Museums are special, offering visitors the chance to embrace and challenge the past while reimagining the future, and the aviation industry is filled with just that – individuals who have altered the course of history though their ingenuity,” said Katie Swaringen, the museum’s Vice President of Collections. “By sharing their stories, the museum will inspire visitors of all ages to pursue their own dreams and goals and explore their own potential.”
Innovation Nation will also house the A320 from US Airways Flight 1549, better known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” and a corresponding exhibit. Flight 1549 has been part of the museum’s collection since 2011, but when the museum reopens it will include new artifacts and mementos, including letters from passengers to museum namesake Capt. C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger, who, along with his crew, landed the plane safely in New York’s Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009.
“The Sullenberger Aviation Museum will not just help us know and understand past achievements, it will enable and inspire us to create a brighter future,” said Capt. Sullenberger.
The museum will also include a makerspace, in which visitors can learn about aviation via interactive, hands-on activities, and a Flight Forward Catalog, which will serve as a vital resource to help students and adults connect to careers in STEM-based industries. Open to all visitors in-person and virtually via the museum’s website, the makerspace will give visitors an opportunity to explore, design and problem solve via hands-on learning experiences and tools, including a paper airplane launcher and target, Lego robotics, 3D printers, snap circuits and more.
Spearheaded by Sullenberger Aviation Museum Vice President of Education Dr. Misty Sweat, the catalog will be complemented by the Flight Forward Program, a conglomeration of North Carolina aviation industry and educational professionals, several colleges and universities, trade schools, workforce development groups and the Charlotte AIR Institute, that will work together to create strategic opportunities for student training, networking and recruitment across STEM-based fields.
“STEM and career-focused exploration and accessibility are at the core of the Sullenberger Aviation Museum’s experiences, and we are dedicated to creating an opportunity pipeline for curious students to deepen their understanding of the diverse people, innovation, and opportunities in aviation, and lean into that curiosity through immersive and interactive touch points.” said Dr. Sweat.
The unveiling of this inspirational new logo is just the first in an exciting series of upcoming milestones for the museum leading up to its opening in summer 2024. For more information, visit www.sullenbergeraviation.org.
About Sullenberger Aviation Museum
Sullenberger Aviation Museum, renamed in honor of Capt. C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger, aims to Inspire, Educate and Elevate by re-imagining the greater Charlotte region as a hub for aviation and STEM innovation and creating more diversity and economic mobility by inspiring and empowering the next generation to pursue careers in STEM, aerospace and aviation. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum receives support from the Infusion Fund, a partnership between the City of Charlotte, Foundation For The Carolinas and generous donors to support the arts and cultural sector. For more information, visit www.sullenbergeraviation.org.
We want to celebrate the place where folks gather to have fun, build a sense of community and love, enjoy some good down to earth food and knock down a few pins.
Ashley Lanes and Tavern is just that place. Whether you are reliving those childhood memories or making your first, Ashley Lanes is a great place to meet and place.
We also, cannot say enough about the warm and inviting staff. They are like family. From the moment you walk in they will set you up with everything you need to make your own lasting memories.
Whether you bowl a 225 average or 91, it doesn’t matter, because Ashley Lanes and Tavern welcomes all. The only thing they ask of you is: “Have fun”.
It’s a trend that began during the pandemic and continues to thrive: An increasing number of Americans are choosing to leave expensive states in search of more space, a lower cost of living and more favorable weather.
South Carolina is more than just a relaxing beach vacation spot with swaying palms and crashing waves. According to our analysis of the most recent census data, South Carlina is becoming a magnet for Americans looking for more space, warmer climates and a cheaper way of life, andremote work has allowed them to do so.The state ranked fourth nationally for net migration per capita, with an influx of 15 newcomers per 1,000 residents, or 165 move-ins for every 100 people moving out.
We’ve also examined the potential gains stemming from the state-to-state switches, including factors such as income and unemployment, home prices and sizes in both the origin and destination states, plus housing inventory, among others.
Among our top findings regarding South Carolina:
Folks from nearby states converge on Palmetto State: North Carolina sent the most people to South Carolina in 2021, almost 35K. It was far more than the second- and third-highest scoring states, Georgia and Florida, with 15,448 people and 14,802, respectively.
Who is moving to South Carolina? Millennials overtake other generations, constituting the age group most on the move to South Carolina. They are followed by Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers. More than 7% of incoming residents are from Gen Z, the youngest generation currently entering the housing market.
Transplants originating from Georgia and Virginia are among the highest earning, with incomes around $145K and $102K, respectively.
Additionally, South Carolina is drawing in a well-educated demographic. A full 29% of its new residents have earned at least a bachelor’s degree. Also, an appreciable 12% of those moving in are working from home.
South Carolina’s affordability translates into 47% of new arrivals becoming homeowners in the first year of residence. Among the US states, the Palmetto State is in fact the 10th best-supplied in terms of housing options, with 0.46 housing units per person.
Potential savings for homeowners making the switch: With the median home price 209% higher in the notoriously expensive Golden State, former Californians (5th most popular originating state) may end up saving over $436K on average if they decide to buy in South Carolina vs. their origin state.
JE Dunn Construction, one of the nation’s largest general contractors, celebrated the official grand opening of its new Charleston office located in the Navy Yard in North Charleston. The event took place on Thursday, September 28, where the rapidly growing team opened their doors to neighbors, partners, and industry friends.
The grand opening marks a significant milestone for JE Dunn in the Charleston market, where the team has maintained a steady presence since 2017 building upon three decades of experience and commitment to providing top-quality construction services in the area. The new location gives the team a home where they can better serve clients and partners in the Tri-County region.
“We are excited to open the doors of our new location in Navy Yard Charleston,” said Janet Bates, Client Solutions Manager at JE Dunn Charleston. “This expansion is a testament to our dedication to serving the Charleston community with excellence in construction.”
About JE Dunn — Charleston
JE Dunn Construction, founded in 1924, is one of the largest general building contractors in the United States, providing construction management and self-perform services through 26 offices nationwide. JE Dunn is recognized for leadership in both sustainable and lean construction practices and for community philanthropy. The company services an array of market sectors, including healthcare, K-12, commercial, industrial, manufacturing, mission critical, and hospitality. The JE Dunn organization is employee and family owned, and today is represented by three generations of the Dunn family in its day-to-day operations. www.jedunn.com.
Results presented at #CHEST2023 in Honolulu, Hawaii
CHARLESTON, S.C. and OR YEHUDA, Israel, Oct. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The results of a clinical study of Synchrony Medical’s LibAirty™ Airway Clearance System showed that the system was twice as effective in clearing mucus from the lungs of patients with chronic lung disease when compared to the standard of care therapy. The findings were announced in an oral presentation at CHEST2023 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The study, led by Dr. Patrick A. Flume at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), randomized patients to receive two treatments: LibAirty™ and the standard of care in random order. Additionally, participants filled out a satisfaction questionnaire, which reported higher satisfaction scores for the LibAirty™ system.
“This study showed a superior performance by the LibAirty™ system when compared to the main device used today in the US. The system was effective and well tolerated by all subjects, which suggests its potential to enhance clinical outcomes in airway clearance for patients with chronic respiratory disease,” said Dr. Flume.
(L) Synchrony CEO Anat Shani and (R) Dr. Patrick A. Flume, the Medical University of South Carolina
The results support the findings of a prior study conducted at Sheba Medical Center, which also showed that the LibAirty™ system was more effective than other available systems and equally as effective as treatment by an experienced chest physiotherapist.
“Synchrony’s vision is to improve respiratory therapy for patients living with chronic lung disease by bringing best practice respiratory therapy to their homes. This successful trial paves the way towards marketing clearance and the commercial launch of the LibAirty™ system,” said Synchrony Medical CEO Anat Shani.
Daily airway clearance is essential for millions of patients living with chronic lung disease to prevent respiratory infections and costly hospitalizations. An effective home use device is the best solution for these patients, given the significant shortage in chest physiotherapists.
About The LibAirty™ Airway Clearance System
The LibAirty™ Airway Clearance System is designed to enable patients requiring airway clearance to clear their lungs with an easy-to-use adaptive wearable device. The system is based on proven principles of airway physiology to enhance secretion movement to thoroughly clear even the smallest, most affected, and difficult to clear airways. A recent case study presented at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference demonstrated how the system already saved the life of a patient in a compassionate use case, as she waited for six months for a double organ transplant.
About Synchrony Medical
Synchrony Medical, a MEDX Xelerator portfolio company, is developing LibAirty™, a next generation, home-use, airway clearance system designed to help patients with chronic lung disease maintain clear lungs with a short, daily, proficient treatment.
MEDX Xelerator is a leading medical device and digital health-focused incubator operating under the auspices of the Israel Innovation Authority. Current partners include Boston Scientific, Sheba Medical Center and other investors.
South Carolina’s Oldest Working Distillery Touts All-Female Production Team For First Time in its History
Six women elevating the work and uplifting women in the distilling industry
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (October 17, 2023) –Firefly Distillery, South Carolina’s oldest working distillery, is celebrating its first all-female production team. Throughout its successful nearly 20-year history, Firefly Distillery has quadrupled in size of distillery and spirits offerings, become a staple venue for live music, and now celebrates the success of the new production department. In an industry that is often dominated by men, a female-led production team is making strides toward gender equality in distilling, and they are seeing notable benefits from it.
“Women have always been an integral part of this family-run distillery, but to see this all-female group start to reshape how we run our production department has been inspiring,” says Ashley Gilbert, production manager of Firefly Distillery. “While we might not have set out to create an all-female team, we are proud to support and elevate women in distilling and offer continued growth opportunities for our employees.”
Women have long been leading departments at the historic distillery, from accounting to gift shop merchandising, events and more, but this is the first time Firefly boasts an all-female production team. The distillery will always hire the most qualified candidate for the position, so the team might not always remain all-female, but there have been great takeaways from this shift, reshaping how Firefly approaches production processes and details.
With this dedicated team, Firefly has seen immense changes that have raised its standards and expectations for production. The distillery has shifted attention to details in labeling, created new processes for organization, developed creative ideas for operations, and opened the door for learning opportunities. Teamwork, collaboration, communication and cohesion allow for Firefly to offer a seamless experience for visitors, from behind the scenes to forward-facing operations. Like other industries, having diverse leadership and teams can draw new perspectives and lead to broader innovation.
As the distilling industry slowly becomes more inclusive, Firefly Distillery is making strides to further uplift women breaking into the industry through mentorship and continuing education. Members of the distillery’s female-run production team are applying to be mentors to guide other women in the industry. The distillery is also supporting its staff by sponsoring continuing education in the field.
Members of the all-women’s production team include:
Ashley Gilbert, production manager
Dagney Bodach, blender
Riley Macmurphy, line lead and purchasing agent
Perrin Hatcher, production associate
Juliana Velazquez, production associate
Hannah Dobbins, production associate
Firefly Distillery is located at 4201 Spruill Avenue and is currently open Monday through Saturday from 12 – 6 p.m., offering tastings and cocktails with live music and food trucks on Saturdays. For more information about the distillery, visit fireflydistillery.com.
ABOUT FIREFLY DISTILLERY
Firefly Distillery is the birthplace of the world’s first sweet tea vodka and produces thirty craft spirits at the 25,000 square foot distillery in North Charleston, SC. The most-visited distillery in the Charleston area, Firefly Distillery provides a unique experience for locals and visitors alike. Firefly is not only a working distillery, but a major concert venue for national touring acts. Visitors can experience the distillation process firsthand, taste craft spirits and signature cocktails, and enjoy live music, food trucks, countless events and a gift shop. All Firefly Spirits are available for purchase, including exclusive specialty spirits and other locally made products. For more information, visit www.fireflydistillery.com.
Spirit Dayis coming up this Thursday, October 19, and it’s a great time to lift up LGBTQI+ youth in the Charleston area by supporting Tri-County-based nonprofit We Are Family!
What is Spirit Day?
According to GLAAD, the organization that founded this movement in 2010, “#SpiritDay is the world’s most visible anti-bullying movement inspiring LGBTQ youth, especially transgender and nonbinary youth to live their lives in their truth and authenticity.”
Thousands of influential voices come together on the third Thursday of October to support LGBTQI+ youth on social media. Looking for a way to support this cause locally? You can directly support the youth in the Charleston community through a donation to We Are Family.
We Are Family’s mission is to support LGBTQI+ youth in the area through direct support, leadership development programming, and community engagement. The organization offers manysocial support groups for youth, parents, and even kids to provide gender-affirming spaces to meet others in the community.
What makes Charleston, SC based Emerger Strategies a valuable member of the Lowcountry community and a long-term ambassador to the preservation of our planet?
Emerger Strategies launched on the mission of helping clients meet their financial and profitability goals while maintaining strong forward thinking sustainable practices.
About Rick Crawford, Founder – Emerger Strategies
Rick Crawford is a sustainability professional with 15 years of experience, which began by installing solar panels out West while also discovering fly fishing in 2008. Crawford then pursued an MBA in Sustainable Business from Marylhurst University and has since gained knowledge and valuable experience as a Sustainability Coordinator while manufacturing biodiesel and spending several years as a consultant working within the green building industry.
In 2016, Crawford decided to marry his passion for fly fishing and sustainability when he founded the sustainable business consultancy, Emerger Strategies, which helps small-to-medium enterprises boost profits by measuring & improving sustainability performance and effectively communicating their sustainability achievements.
Rick is also the creator and host of the award-winning podcast, The Sustainable Angler, which is a platform to provide sustainability education, inspiration and activism by sharing success stories of the people working to protect the fisheries and wild places they love. In 2020, Crawford has founded the Fly Fishing Climate Alliance, which is made up of guides, shops, lodges, brands & nonprofits who have committed to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Rick is honored to have been named “one of the fifteen people, places, and ideas forging the South of tomorrow” by Garden & Gun Magazine, as well one of the “50 Most Influential people in Charleston” by Charleston Business Magazine. Rick lives in Charleston, SC with his family where he enjoys chasing tailing redfish, surfing and protecting what he loves.
Learn their story:
In the summer of 2008, I read Let My People Go Surfing by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, and I just so happened to get introduced to fly fishing at the same time while working at the A Bar A Ranch in Encampment, WY. Inspired by Mr. Chouinard, I wanted to find a way to use business as a tool to protect what I love, and so my dream of marrying fly fishing and sustainability was born, but I had no idea how to start a career in my newfound passions and it’s been a heck of a journey so far…..
Installing solar panels(far right) in Jackson, WY in 2010.
In 2009, I decided to go back to school and earned an MBA in Sustainable Business from Marylhurst University and spent the next few years living in Jackson Hole, WY, trout bumming and installing solar panels. Eventually, I made my way back to the Lowcountry to work at a biodiesel startup and then in the green building industry for a few years, but still wanted to somehow figure out a way to marry my passions for fly fishing and sustainability.
I did some research on the fly fishing industry, and I saw that most companies were giving back to conservation (as they should), but hardly any were doing anything to clean up their own act. Armed with an MBA in Sustainable Business and several years of experience of helping building owners understand the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy and green building, I decided to pursue my dream of marrying fly fishing and sustainability. In 2016, I launched Emerger Strategies in Charleston, SC and the first thing I did was sign up Emerger Strategies to be a 1% for the Planet member.
Our mission is to measure and improve your company’s sustainability performance, all while boosting profits. Since launching in 2016, we have helped multiple companies achieve carbon neutrality and zero waste, as well as significant year-over-year improvements in social, environmental and economic performance. In short, we help companies make the business case for sustainability, which includes: reducing costs, increasing competitive advantage, growing customer loyalty, mitigating risks, attracting & retaining talent and restoring our planet.
Along the way, I createdThe Sustainable Anglerpodcast (2018), whose purpose is to inspire anglers to protect the planet, and even had the honor of interviewing Yvon Chouinard. In 2020, I also founded the Fly Fishing Climate Alliance, which is an alliance of fly fishing guides, shops, lodges, brands and nonprofits committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. I found my life’s purpose when I discovered “sustainability” because it inspired me, fulfilled my need to help people, and a provided a pathway to protect what I love.
I am forever grateful for the gifts I have received roaming this planet in pursuit of adventure with a fly rod always nearby. For example, when learning to read a river and discovering what insects trout are eating, you must learn about entomology, which just so happens to be an excellent crash course in systems-thinking, and understanding systems-thinking is critical when learning about the environmental impact of a business. However, the greatest gift I have received from spending time in nature while fly fishing is love. My love for wild fish and wild places has instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to give back to the resource, which is why I founded Emerger Strategies.
It’s been a fun journey so far, and I look forward to showing your company that doing good is GOOD for business!
“I am ecstatic to turn my passions into another business venture with LashKind,” said Maggio-Fleer. “I continue to be amazed by the work ethic and humility the Blo and LashKind corporate team exemplifies on a daily basis, and was extremely honored to be chosen to spearhead their launch in the U.S. As I look to the future, I cannot wait to see LashKind Mount Pleasant soar, and the impact we can make on the community.”
“The launch of LashKind is off to an exciting start, and we look forward to growing with aspiring and existing entrepreneurs looking to stake their claim in this booming industry,” said Vanessa Yakobson, CEO of Blo Blow Dry Bar and LashKind. “With Lynn’s raw passion for beauty services and dedication shown through her past endeavors, there is no doubt that LashKind Mount Pleasant is in great hands.”
LashKind is a collective of beauty lovers – who also know that beauty means business. Its mission is to make guests look and feel beautiful by providing fun and fabulous bar environments, expertly delivered services and high-quality products, while helping ensure their natural lashes and brows remain healthy.
LashKind is open Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on LashKind in Mount Pleasant, please visit https://wearelashkind.com/lashkind-mount-pleasant/ or call 843-310-8890.
About LashKind
LashKind is an innovative brow and lash franchise concept, grounded in the success of Canadian-based MYNC Beauty Inc. (founded in 2011) and brought to you by the team behind the category disruptor, Blo Blow Dry Bar. With a proven business model in a booming industry, LashKind is designed to stand out and set franchisees up for success. As a collective of beauty lovers, LashKind’s mission is to make guests look and feel beautiful by providing fun and fabulous bar environments, expertly-delivered services and high-quality products, while helping ensure guests’ natural lashes and brows remain healthy. To learn more, visit https://wearelashkind.com/.
About Blo Blow Dry Bar
Blo Blow Dry Bar is North America’s original blow dry bar and the world’s largest blow dry bar franchise. The company transformed beauty norms and reinvented the salon industry when it launched the “no cuts, no color” concept: only blow outs. Since opening its first location in Canada in 2007, Blo has grown to over 150 locations across the U.S. and Canada and continues to expand rapidly. The brand has also evolved over time, adding makeup services, a membership program, and quality retail products to its bars. With a mission to enhance the lives of those in the community through the power of flawless blow outs and beauty services, Blo Blow Dry Bar offers perfectly styled hair and exceptional customer experiences seven days a week. For more information visit www.blomedry.com.
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