Small business leaders are navigating a complex mix of economic pressure and opportunity, balancing inflation, rapidly increasing operating costs, workforce shortages and much more. While there is much uncertainty in today’s business climate, business owners in varying industries are staying resilient and adaptable. Whether it is adopting new technologies, focusing on how to forge stronger customer relationships or identifying out-of-the-box growth strategies, businesses across the Southeast are committed to growing and remaining competitive, no matter what challenges or trends come their way.

Some members of the South Carolina 500 weighed in on how things are going on the small business front.

Challenges and Opportunities

Britton Briley, CEO of Ghost Brands, believes that small business owners are talking about one word more than anything else right now: pressure. That could mean on margins, payroll, pricing, customer acquisition or keeping up with the latest technology.

Briley shared, “In the Southeast specifically, I think owners are still optimistic, but they are much more cautious than they were a few years ago. The days of ‘growth at all costs’ are over for a lot of small businesses. Now the conversation is more about smart growth, sustainable systems, better cash flow and making sure every dollar spent has a purpose.”

Katie Collins, president and CEO of Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the growth that defines the Upstate. And while that growth is exciting, it has also impacted small business trends and challenges.

“Greer alone has grown from roughly 25,000 residents in 2010 to more than 50,000 today, and that number continues to climb,” she explained. “That momentum is creating opportunity, but also putting pressure on workforce needs, housing and infrastructure. Workforce availability, rising operating costs and more selective consumer spending remain top concerns.”

And while leading with passion is key to scaling sustainably for many business owners, it is not the only thing that can bring success. Nicole Johnson, CEO and co-founder of Boyd Cycling, said that the biggest challenges they face right now are managing growth, rising costs and increased complexity — all without losing control of the business they’ve worked so hard to build.

“The conversations I’m having with other founders aren’t about big ideas (well, we still have BIG ideas) — they’re about cash flow, discipline, and how to scale without putting the company at risk. We’re also doubling down on our core: great product, a strong brand and a customer experience that stands out. Because trends will change. Markets will shift. But if those fundamentals are strong, the business can evolve with them.”

A shift in tradition

Marketing and advertising are also big topics that businesses are discussing right now. Amy Chico, senior vice president of HLA, said her team is rethinking typical efforts in those areas.

Chico said, “Is the time spent on creating a social media presence going to advance our business, and how? We aren’t cutting costs; we are trying to rebalance our spending so it’s more intentional and mindful.”

At Charleston public relations firm CBPR, where marketing and PR are at the core of its operations, Charlotte Berger, founder, explained that traditional media opportunities have become more limited and competitive. This shift has changed how they do business and how they serve their clientele.

“Clients are looking for a more cost-effective, hands-on approach that still delivers strong regional and national press, while also prioritizing local partnerships and community-driven strategy,” Berger said.

Her company has expanded into new industries and has doubled down on adding more digital advertising capabilities across Google and Meta. “We’re firmly in a growth phase. Our focus is not just on scaling, but on maintaining the quality of our work and the strength of our internal culture.”

Briley agreed that investing in a strong digital presence is a trend that is likely not going away any time soon.

“Small businesses are realizing they cannot afford to look small anymore,” Briley said. “Whether you are a restaurant, contractor, municipality, medical group, retail brand or sports organization, your digital presence is often the first impression. Businesses investing in brand, content, websites, social media and customer experience are the ones separating themselves from competitors. The opportunity is in building brands with structure: clear messaging, strong visual identity, consistent content, better storytelling, smarter advertising and a customer experience that matches the promise.”

Looking ahead

While business leaders traverse a dynamic landscape, their focus remains on building something that stands the test of time.

Karina Garrison, senior vice president at Pinnacle Financial Partners said, “Small business owners show up every day with resilience, grit and incredible commitment to their teams and communities. That’s exactly why it’s so important to support them

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In 1985, Tracey Richardson and Kellye Wicker’s father opened a restaurant called The Rib Shack, with menu items featuring a ribs entree for $4.89 and a seafood platter for $5.29.

Though The Rib Shack has long since closed, and taken its $5 ribs with it, the flavors of its menu are carried on through Richardson and Wicker’s Lillie’s of Charleston, a retailer of sauces and spices inspired by Lowcountry cuisine.

The sister duo, along with Richardson’s husband, carries the workload of the small business entirely on their own shoulders.

Lillie’s is sold in large chain grocery stores, Charleston and Columbia airports, markets, and Amazon. The products are also used nationally, with South Carolina locations in colleges and universities, hotels, resorts and restaurants. Recently, the trio added popcorn to their portfolio, which Wicker said puts them back into a startup funding mindset.

“We’re competing against the other consumer product goods companies that have big marketing budgets and influencers, whereas we don’t have that to be able to get our brand out there. So, that’s a challenge in terms of the growth,” Wicker said.

Across the state of South Carolina, businesses like Lillie’s are taking out loans, purchasing a brick-and-mortar, and opening the door each day to both fresh and seasoned small businesses.

Qualified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as an establishment with less than 500 employees, small businesses make up for 99% of businesses in South Carolina. Between 1998 and 2022, small businesses in South Carolina increased by 21%, with the population growth around 40% in that same period, according to Federal Reserve Economic Data.

For Frank Knapp, president and CEO of the South Carolina Small Businesses Chamber of Commerce, a major focus for the chamber is to address financial strain, like the increase in the cost of energy and access to affordable health care for owners and employees. To keep South Carolina businesses afloat, Knapp notes that these strains have been a fight for most of his career.

Between March 2023 and March 2024, SBA said small businesses contributed a net increase of 25,358 jobs in that time frame, 71% of the total job growth in the state.

“We’ve got to remember that our employees are the customers of small businesses, and we want them to have money to spend in the local economy,” Knapp said. “That has been our work for the past 26 years and it continues today.”

Making up for 43% of employes in the state, small businesses employ 863,326 South Carolinians. According to SBA data, of the 530,402 small businesses, 83% operate with no employees and 98% have less than 20 employees.

Richardson said that even with the accessibility to grow a business in the state, there are still struggles to managing Lillie’s.

“I think South Carolina is a great state to be a part of that actually supports small businesses because there’s opportunities to have manufacturing locations here and offices’ headquarters,” Richardson said. “I think that one of the main things I would like to see is more support for health care. We have to pay for our own health care, so there’s not a lot of options and there’s also very high thresholds.”

Knapp said that South Carolina is a great place to start a small business; the sector is performing well. He said there is no lack of success for small businesses in the more urban areas of the state, but the rural areas require a bit more attention to maintain a strong small business presence.

“Overall, I do not hear a lot of complaints from small businesses. Maybe some have their concern about this and that, but in general, small businesses are healthy, and their numbers are growing in South Carolina. That’s a good thing, and our job is to be an advocate for them,” Knapp said.

Founded in 1953, SBA opened following World War II to help revitalize the country’s economy by making sure those that returned had opportunities for wealth development, as well as job opportunities.

Melissa Lindler, district director of the SBA of South Carolina, said that though the country may not be recovering from a war, the purpose remains the same, connecting business owners with information and direction to capital.

As some industries, such as manufacturing, thrive in the state, sectors such as retail and agriculture are seeing more struggle. At the end of the day, Lindler said the primary challenge remains capital.

“I think one of the biggest struggles right now is trying to figure out tomorrow by understanding where you are today,” Lindler said. “That tomorrow may not look like it does today for you, but it may be what’s needed in terms of adjustments that will help you survive and continue as a small business owner.”

Top industries for the state include scientific and technical services, administration and waste management, real estate, transportation, health care, and retail. In 2025, 1,042 loans totaling $692 million were granted to top industries of food services, retail, health care and construction.

Lindler said the South Carolina government has done well to both draw new businesses into the state, as well as helping to sustain the businesses that are already here. Small businesses have a lot of room to play a role in the larger companies’ operations by understanding the needs and aiming to fill the hole for products that could begin being made in the U.S.

“That’s one thing about our small businesses here in South Carolina; they’re strong, they’re resilient, but they’re also constantly looking for ways to modify, pivot and make sure they’re ready for what’s to come,” Lindler said.

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Bowers Ace Hardware is opening a new location in the growing Elgin-Pontiac area.

The new store marks the fifth location for Bowers Ace Hardware, formerly known as South East Ace. A sixth store is expected to open later this year on Broad River Road in Irmo and will mirror the Pontiac location.

The freestanding Pontiac store includes 12,000 square feet of retail space and a 4,000-square-foot garden center.

“Our goal has always been simple — take care of the customer better than anyone else,” Claude Bowers, president of Bowers Ace Hardware, said in a news release. “From knowledgeable associates on the floor to dependable product availability and delivery, everything we do is centered around service. We’re excited to bring that approach to the Elgin community.”

Bowers said a grand opening on June 13 will feature specials, grill giveaways, room makeover allowances and other promotions. Vendor representatives also will be on-site to showcase products, and the event will include a cookout. In addition to traditional hardware supplies and the garden center, the store will feature an extensive grilling selection.

The Elgin location also will join the company’s other stores as one of the only full-line Benjamin Moore Premium/Pro paint providers in the Midlands.

“We are uniquely positioned to service both homeowners and contractors with both inside and outside sales reps, and delivery,” Bowers said in the release. “This unique partnership is not available to all Ace Hardware stores and is complemented by Benjamin Moore’s expert reps.”

Boyer Construction of Columbia served as the contractor for the project. Gray Engineering was the site engineer, and Larry Woodrum of Heyward and Woodrum was the architect.

With the additions of the Elgin and planned Irmo locations, Bowers Ace Hardware will operate six stores, including:

• 815 State St., Cayce
• 2085 N. Beltline Blvd., Columbia
• 2028 Augusta Highway, Lexington
• 3714 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island
• 118 Spears Creek Church Road, Elgin
• Broad River Road, Irmo (planned)

Bowers Ace Hardware was founded in 2016 as South East Ace Hardware when Bowers acquired the Cayce and Beltline Boulevard stores, according to the release. The company acquired the Johns Island store in 2019 and the Lexington store in 2026. Earlier this year, the company rebranded all locations under the Bowers Ace Hardware name, and signage is being updated across the portfolio.

The company is headquartered in Cayce. It is part of the Ace Hardware cooperative.

The grand opening for the store at 118 Spears Creek Church Road in the Food Lion-anchored Pontiac Towne Center is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 13.

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After more than 10 years in the cocktailer mixer industry, Bittermilk is investing $8.2 million in new Charleston County operations.

Joe and MariElena Raya began the company from the small space of their original business; The Gin Joint. Today, the pair operates four lines: Bittermilk, Barcoop Bevy, Drinkmanship and Tippleman’s.

“We’re proud to continue growing Bittermilk in Charleston County, where our business began and where we’ve built strong roots over the past two decades,” Joe and MariElena Raya, Bittermilk owners and co-founders, said in a news release. “Being born and raised in Charleston, and growing up in the food and beverage industry here, has given us a deep appreciation for this community. It’s an honor to keep building our future here while continuing to make high-quality, American-made products.”

The expansion to a new facility located at 5340 Savannah Highway in Ravenel will create 12 new jobs while remaining family owned and operated, the release said. Currently, the team manufactures their all-natural products in a North Charleston facility.

“Bittermilk is a South Carolina success story, and their expansion is great news for the state. Forward-looking small agribusinesses are essential to the future of the industry, and we celebrate their growth,” Hugh Weathers, commissioner of agriculture, said in the release.

The new facility will be 12,000 square feet and is expected to be online this summer.

“Bittermilk’s expansion underscores how Charleston County is both an ideal location to establish operations and plan next-step opportunities that support long-term growth,” Joe Boykin, Charleston County Council chairman, said in the release. “This investment in Ravenel brings significant potential for future facility development, while creating high quality workforce opportunities and new amenities for the community.”

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A new men’s boutique on Charleston’s King Street is rethinking what a storefront can be, blending traditional retail with a private, speakeasy-style social club tucked behind a double library door.

The Greyson Clothiers concept, now open at 529 King St. on the ground floor of The Nickel Hotel, has been in development for about two years, said Chris Brancato, vice president of retail for Greyson Clothiers and former executive at Krewe eyewear.

Brancato, who has long been familiar with Charleston through family time on Isle of Palms, said he connected with Greyson founder Charlie Schaefer while exploring expansion opportunities in the market.

The space functions as a hybrid retail and hospitality environment for both men and women, though men’s apparel leads the assortment.

The front of the shop leans into a sport-driven lifestyle aesthetic shaped by Charleston’s golf and court culture.

Greyson originally built its following through wholesale placement in golf resort shops, but the King Street location has broadened its reach beyond that core audience.

Behind the retail floor, a concealed entry opens into a members-only lounge that doubles as a private event space for customers, brand loyalists and invited groups. The room includes a golf simulator, shuffleboard, dartboards and a bar setup designed for catered gatherings.

Access is tied to the brand’s loyalty program, which unlocks exclusive product drops, experiences and access for loyalty members traveling to the area. As Brancato described it: “You could bring your pack, rent it out, get it catered and have a blast.”

The space is also available for private bookings, from corporate outings to bachelor parties, bringing entertainment-driven retail to King Street.

“We haven’t done anything like this anywhere else,” Brancato said.

Within its first two months, the store has already seen strong traction — with one surprise standout: suiting, which has emerged as an early best-seller alongside performance wear.

The storefront itself is built around experiential retail, with its King Street window installation forgoing mannequins for a taxidermied wolf, the mascot of the brand, and a hand-painted nature mural scene.

The Charleston opening followed an extensive site-selection process. The location beneath The Nickel Hotel was a natural fit. The hotel property welcomes guests for weddings and events, but also draws steady corporate travel thanks to rooms with kitchenettes and flexible layouts for longer stays.

That mix allows for an accessible shop for whatever someone might need, whether it’s a last-minute outfit, suiting for an event, or elevated casual wear, Brancato said. It also presented the opportunity to be on one of the Lowcountry’s busiest corridors.

“King Street was important,” Brancato said. “When we had the opportunity to look at the commercial space and the new development which became the Nickel Hotel, we jumped at it.”

He added that rising rents have shifted strategy toward the middle stretch of King Street.

“There was a little bit of a risk going where we went versus further down King where maybe some of our traditional competitors are,” he said.

Randall Cook, CEO and co-founder of Method Co., which developed The Nickel, called the addition a natural fit: “We think this flagship adds a dynamic, design-forward retail element to the property.”

Brancato said with that upper stretch of King Street currently more entertainment-focused with restaurants and bars over traditional shops, the hospitality-retail concept fit in.

“In-person retail is not antiquated,” Brancato said. “Brands have to have stores to bring the human element to a brand. If it’s just (e-commerce), I think it’s too easily replaceable with another product. It’s akin to your favorite restaurant or bar — what makes your favorite bar your favorite bar? It’s usually the bartender.”

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Walmart chose 29 stores across South Carolina to remodel, investing more than $536 million statewide over the past five years.

The upgrades to the locations include changes to layouts, technology and services to offer faster and more convenient shopping. The retailer will now offer free pharmacy delivery and a store-based app to navigate the stores and to book services at Walmart’s auto center.

“Our stores have long been part of communities across South Carolina, and we’re excited to keep investing in their future,” Annie Walker, senior vice president of the east business unit at Walmart, said in a news release. “By modernizing our stores, we’re making shopping faster, easier and more convenient, all while empowering our teams to serve customers better and creating local opportunity. We’re proud of our legacy here and look forward to helping families save money, time and live better every day.”

The South Carolina remodels are a part of more than 650 remodels of supermarkets and neighborhood markets throughout the United States.

In South Carolina over the past year, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation donated more than $31 million to local nonprofits, including providing more than 15 million pounds of food to help fight hunger, the release stated.

The remodeled locations include:

• 2035 Whiskey Road, Aiken
• 265 Sea Island Parkway, Beaufort
• 1250 Bennettsville Square, Bennettsville
• 4000 Hwy 9, Boiling Springs
• 1355 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce
• 1286 Eighteen Mile Road, Central
• 680 Old Greenville Hwy, Clemson
• 7520 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia
• 251 Andover Place, Darlington
• 805 Enterprise Road, Dillon
• 605 Saint James Ave., Goose Creek
• 4400 U.S. Hwy 278, Hardeeville
• 1180 Dutch Fork Road, Irmo
• 3685 Ladson Road, Ladson
•  805 Hwy 9 Bypass Wes, Lancaster
• 922 E Main St., Laurens
• 115 E Church St., Leesville
• 305 Commerce Drive, Marion
• 3000 Proprietors Place, Mount Pleasant
• 541 Seaboard St., Myrtle Beach
• 3650 Walton Drive, Myrtle Beach
• 1705 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach
• 3915 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach
• 7400 Rivers Ave., North Charleston
•  550 Hwy 17 N, North Myrtle Beach
• 4875 Old York Road, Rock Hill
• 1401 W Georgia Road, Simpsonville
• 1616 Central Avenue, Summerville
• 343 Pinewood Road, Sumter

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A new collection of mixed-use buildings is turning Hanahan’s town center into a community hub.

Blackwells Corner will break ground in June, adding six buildings to the current TideLine Aquatics storefront. According to a news release, the property will include dining, retail, fitness studios, salons and office space, all spanning more than 40,000 square feet, with a central lawn and outdoor dining areas.

“Through the city’s resident surveys, it became clear how much Hanahan needs a true town center,” Chuck Woodward, a project leader and Hanahan local, said in the release. “We see Blackwells Corner as an opportunity to help bring that long-discussed vision to life in a way that truly serves the community.”

The mixed used center was named after Blackwells Hardware, a family-owned store previously on the site for over 75 years which closed at the beginning of 2025.

In addition to Woodward, real estate representatives Michael Sivel and Jennifer Rinella have partnered to work on the project. SeamonWhiteside is the land planner, Bello Garris Architects is the project architect and Hill Construction is the builder.

“It is a proud moment for our community to see this vital, historic part of Hanahan come back to life,” Hanahan Mayor Christie Rainwater said in the release. “This transformation into a walkable district provides the sense of place our residents have long requested and deserve. I am thrilled to see a developer with local roots honor our heritage while creating a vibrant space for business owners and families to flourish together.”

The release said the Blackwells Corner project was guided by a resident survey to align with Hanahan’s long-term vision, and to create a recognizable downtown. The town center will host a grand opening in fall 2027. Pre-leasing is available now.

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Seamist Commons, a 68-acre mixed-use center in Summerville, has completed phase one of construction with leasing for retail space now available.

Stone City Capital, a real estate development firm, designed and developed the property, according to a news release. Once finished, the development will have a village-style retail and restaurant space, offices, apartments, golf cart accessibility, EV charging, and 28 acres of preserved forest with future trailheads.

“Seamist Commons is more than a shopping center—it’s a lifestyle destination designed to bring people together,” a Stone City Capital representative said in the release. “Our vision is to create an open-air environment where residents can shop, dine, work, and connect in a walkable setting that reflects how communities want to live today.”

The development is located on U.S. 176 near Nexton, Cane Bay and Carnes Crossroads master-planned communities. The release said Seamist Commons will serve roughly 20,000 local houses and be accessible to about 25,000 vehicles passing per day.

Seamist Commons is inspired by Birkdale Village in Huntersville, North Carolina, right outside of Charlotte. The release said the design follows an “open air” retail experience with central greenspace.

The Shoreline Center is now available for retail leasing with spaces between 1,400 to 11,900 square feet. The next phase, Core Commercial, will break ground in early 2027 to build the Commons and Seamist Commons Boulevard.

“Today’s retail environment is about experience, connection and placemaking,” the representative said in the release. “Seamist Commons represents Stone City Capital’s commitment to delivering high-quality developments that strengthen communities while meeting the evolving needs of retailers and residents alike.”

Leasing and sales information is available with the Charleston Commercial Specialty Group or Coldwell Banker Commercial Atlantic.

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A series of high-profile sporting events has led to more jobs in Spartanburg County. Adidas is adding 300 full-time positions to its Spartanburg  distribution center. The Portland, Ore.-based company is hiring warehouse operations associates and forklift operators across all shifts with most openings for night shift.

The distribution center currently employs about 1,500, according to a company spokesperson.

The company said in a statement that shifts include days, nights and weekends.

The company is offering pay starting at $19.75 per hour for warehouse operations associates, $22 per hour for forklift operators and $27.50 per hour for senior forklift operators, plus benefits including health, vision and dental insurance, up to four weeks of flexible time off, 401k matching, tuition reimbursement, performance program and adidas discounts.

“Our distribution centers are the backbone of our operations,” said James Furlong, senior vice president of supply chain management for Adidas North America in the statement. “Adding 300 new positions strengthens our network and enhances our ability to meet increased consumer demand with the speed and quality our customers expect, especially during moments of global excitement like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics.”

Job seekers can learn more and apply for the open roles online at adidas.com/careers. Adidas is also hosting in-person hiring events at Spartanburg Community College’s Tyger River Campus-Spark Center through May.

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A West Ashley retail center has sold for more than $22 million.

Continental Realty Corp., on behalf of Continental Realty Fund IV LP, has completed the $22.57 million sale of West Ashley Shoppes, a 136,000-square-foot retail power center at 946 Orleans Road in Charleston, to Ziff Real Estate Partners.

During its 10-year hold period, CRC executed a leasing strategy, including 10 new leases totaling nearly 44,000 square feet and four tenant renewals covering about 21,000 square feet, while implementing proactive asset management program that added value, according to a news release.

Tom Kolarczyk of JLL represented CRC and procured the buyer.

“The sale of West Ashley Shoppes represents the successful execution of our business plan and the realization of the value our team created throughout the hold period,” Haley Gallagher, chief operating officer of Continental Realty Corp., said in the release. “Through a disciplined leasing strategy and proactive asset management, we strengthened the tenant mix, backfilled the Bed Bath & Beyond anchor space, and positioned the center to serve a well-established retail corridor. This disposition also marks an important milestone for Fund IV as it is the last sale in the retail portion of the portfolio.”

Located in Charleston’s West Ashley retail corridor across from Citadel Mall, the center is anchored by Ross Dress for Less, World Market and Dollar Tree, which recently opened in the repositioned anchor space, and includes a mix of retail and service-oriented tenants.

Since entering the Charleston submarket in 2016, CRC has expanded its retail footprint to more than 600,000 square feet in the region, including the acquisition of the 510,000-square-foot Mount Pleasant Towne Centre; Sweetgrass Corner, anchored by Trader Joe’s, HomeSense and Golf Galaxy; and The Shops at Towne Centre Way.

The company also owns and manages four multifamily communities in the area totaling more than 900 units, including Central Island Square on Daniel Island, Sweetgrass Corner and The Six in Mount Pleasant, and Elevate at Brighton Park in Summerville (Nexton), which was acquired in early 2026.

CRC owns and manages a national portfolio of more than 8 million square feet of retail space and over 10,000 apartment homes across 15 states, with a total value of nearly $4.5 billion.

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