Carolina Business Leaders

Jennifer Watson: Leading with Resilience in an AI-Driven World | EP 60

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.

Closing the Leadership Gap with Management School | EP 59

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders, we sit down with the powerhouse founders behind Management School LLC—Emily Watrous, Traci Newkirk, and India Martin—to unpack one of the biggest gaps in today’s workplace: the lack of training for new managers. Too often, top performers are promoted into leadership roles with little to no guidance—left to figure it out on their own. Emily, Traci, and India saw this problem firsthand and decided to build a solution. Their program, Take the Lead, is designed to equip emerging managers with the real-world skills they need to lead confidently, communicate effectively, and build high-performing teams. We dive into how they launched a business in record time, what makes their leadership program different, and why investing in managers is the fastest way to transform an organization. You’ll also hear powerful insights on mentorship, managing stress, and the mindset shifts required to become a great leader.

Sharon Wilson and Nick Carlson: How Wilson Associates Built a Top Real Estate Firm | EP 58

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders, we sit down with the founders of Wilson Associates, a leading real estate firm in Greenville, South Carolina, to unpack what it really takes to build a high-performing, service-driven business. From launching their firm with a people-first philosophy to navigating one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country, they share the strategies that helped them outperform larger competitors while maintaining a strong culture and community focus.

Tristyn Peterson: How Early Hustle and Leadership Created a Premier Moving Company | EP 57

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders, we sit down with Tristan Peterson, founder of MoveCrew, the upstate moving company redefining what great service looks like in an industry known for mixed reputations. Tristan shares how he went from marrying his high-school sweetheart at 19, grinding through college on scholarship refund checks, and hustling with yard sales and side jobs to building one of the Upstate’s most trusted moving companies. We dive into the early days of MoveCrew, leadership lessons from Chick-fil-A, building teams that can run major multi-state moves, and how Tristan created a business where others can achieve their dreams inside of his.

Jamie Ledford: Building and Leading a Global Golf Brand | EP 56

In this episode of Carolina Business Leaders, Heath and the team sit down with Jamie Ledford, President of Golf Pride, the global leader in golf grip innovation. From its roots in rubber manufacturing to becoming the most trusted grip in professional golf, Golf Pride has remained the #1 brand in the industry for decades. Jamie shares how the company continues to innovate while staying grounded in the rich golf culture of Pinehurst, often called the cradle of American golf. Jamie also talks about his unexpected journey into the golf industry, lessons learned from working with iconic brands like Starbucks and Callaway Golf, and the leadership principles that have helped him scale a global business while maintaining a small-town culture.