An Appreciation of South Carolina Businesses, and a Look Forward

South Carolina is a small state, but its business community punches far above its weight.

The Palmetto State has long been a tourism destination, and manufacturing and agriculture have been stalwarts of the economy for decades.

But in recent years, South Carolina has made a name for itself in so many other fields, from life sciences and aviation to automotive and advanced technology.

And the economy just keeps growing as businesses discover new opportunities to invest, innovate, and grow here. Behind every one of these companies are people with ideas, ambitions, and stories worth telling. Telling those stories is at the heart of what we do at Integrated Media Publishing.

There’s much to be proud of, as the 50 Fastest Growing Companies recognition proves. This is our 25th year honoring the South Carolina-headquartered companies that continue to make their mark in the Palmetto State and beyond.

This year’s list of companies runs the gamut from landscaping to health care, logistics to marketing.

Of the 50 companies on this year’s list, we see growth that is nothing short of phenomenal – companies with three-year growth in the triple digits. In fact, all of the top six companies on this year’s list have posted growth of more than 100 percent.

That brings me to some news of my own. 

I am excited to introduce myself as the new editor of Integrated Media Publishing’s five South Carolina business magazines. We’re also headquartered in South Carolina, and I’m so happy that we get the chance to showcase the business community in the Palmetto State.

Before moving into the position of editor, I was associate editor here for five years, and I’ve seen the way South Carolina businesses have stepped up to meet the challenges of everything from tariffs and supply chain issues to the rise of AI, and I look forward to leading our editorial team as we write about what is coming down the pipeline next.

I also worked at The Greenville News for 31 years, covering just about every kind of story that exists, and some of my favorite memories are the interviews I conducted with World War II veterans.

But for much of my time, I was entertainment writer. While it was hard to imagine finding a job I loved more than that – how often do you get paid to interview your favorite musicians and review concerts? – I’ve discovered a love for the business world, from hearing how entrepreneurs take a germ of an idea and, through diligence and hard work, build it into a successful company that can support hundreds or thousands of people.

I've come to realize that the worlds of music and business have more in common than you think. Whether you're building a successful company or pursuing a career in music, success rarely happens overnight. Both require passion, vision, persistence, creativity, and a willingness to keep going when things get difficult.

On the personal side of things, I’m still a music lover, and I’m proud to say I’ve attended more than 200 concerts. I have a 26-year-old son, Michael, who has inherited my grammar-nerd habits and my love of music. He’s my favorite concert companion.

As I begin this new chapter, I have many ideas for stories and subjects I want our magazines to delve into. We plan to resume our popular roundtable discussions, bringing together business and community leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities that face South Carolina.

We'll also continue celebrating the people and organizations making a difference through our 50 Most Influential People recognition and popular features such as SC Top Workplaces, Women in Business, Legal Elite, and Best and Brightest 35 and Under.

But some of our best story ideas come from the people who know South Carolina's business community best — our readers.

And that's where you come in.

What issues would you like us to explore? Which business leaders would you like to know more about? Are there companies or programs doing remarkable things that deserve a wider audience?

What keeps you up at night as a business owner or leader? What could South Carolina do better to help businesses succeed?

We want to hear your ideas, concerns, and suggestions. Our goal is not just to report on South Carolina's business community, but to be part of the conversations that help it grow stronger.

I'm looking forward to spending more time in the communities we serve, meeting the people behind the businesses and discovering the stories that make South Carolina such a dynamic place to live and work.

As we look ahead to 2027, I'm excited about what's next — for our publications and for the businesses and communities we cover.

Don’t hesitate to send me an email or give me a call to share your thoughts. I can’t wait to hear from you.