From Hawaii to Upstate Media: Community, Identity & Entrepreneurship | Episode 72 with Eddie King

From Hawaii to Upstate Media: Community, Identity & Entrepreneurship | Episode 72 with Eddie King

Eddie King, Editor-in-Chief of Upstate Community Press, joins Sunday Afternoon Smokes to discuss community, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and the winding path that shaped his life. Raised in Belton, South Carolina, Eddie shares how an unexpected end to his plans of joining the Marine Corps sent him searching for a new direction, eventually leading him to Hawaii. What began as an attempt to escape became a journey of personal growth, identity, and discovering what truly mattered. Chris and Eddie discuss local business, building community, podcasting, media, leadership, cigars, bourbon, and the importance of helping people tell their stories. They also explore the challenges of entrepreneurship, the power of meaningful conversations, finding purpose after failure, and why authentic human connection matters more than ever. Whether you're a business owner, creator, entrepreneur, or simply someone navigating life's unexpected turns, this conversation offers insight into building something meaningful while staying true to who you are. Topics include: • Upstate Community Press • Entrepreneurship and local business • Moving to Hawaii and finding identity • Community building and networking • Podcasting and content creation • Leadership and personal growth • Cigar culture and conversation • Purpose, failure, and reinvention Eddie King Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingeditor/ Upstate Press: https://upstate.press https://www.instagram.com/upstatepress Follow the Show: https://sundayafternoonsmokes.com https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/

From Bottle Lights to Custom Rings: The Art of Experimenting | Episode 71 with Nancy Davis

Nancy Davis joins Sunday Afternoon Smokes to share her unexpected journey from medical transcriptionist to jewelry artist and entrepreneur. What started with handmade bottle lights and alcohol ink artwork eventually evolved into Nancy Davis Studio, where she now creates custom rings, earrings, bracelets, ashtrays, and other wearable art. Along the way, she learned the realities of craft markets, the challenge of valuing creative work, and how following curiosity can lead to opportunities you never saw coming. Chris and Nancy discuss creativity, artistic identity, entrepreneurship, social media, custom jewelry, the business of handmade products, and why many artists struggle with the question of what their work is truly worth. They also explore the transition from traditional employment to self-employment, finding purpose after a career change, and the importance of creating something unique in a crowded marketplace. Plus, Nancy surprises the lounge with custom Sunday Afternoon Smokes crystal ashtrays and a gift unlike anything the show has received before. In this episode: * How Nancy discovered her artistic side later in life * Building a business through experimentation and curiosity * The realities of craft markets and vendor events * Creating custom rings and wearable art * Why artists often undervalue their work * Transitioning from a longtime career into entrepreneurship * The importance of authenticity and originality * Custom ashtrays, jewelry design, and functional artwork Learn more about Nancy and her work at NancyDavisStudio.com and follow @NancyDavisStudio on social media. Follow the show @sundayafternoonsmokes on Instagram sundayafternoonsmokes.com Lounge Partner: The crystal ashtrays featured in the Sunday Afternoon Smokes Lounge are provided by Nancy Davis Studio. Learn more at NancyDavisStudio.com.

Luxury Weddings, Entrepreneurship & Hospitality | Episode 70 with Dallas Vickers

In this episode of Sunday Afternoon Smokes, Chris sits down with Dallas Vickers, owner of the Greenville franchise of Stunning & Brilliant Events, for a conversation about wedding planning, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and what luxury really means. Dallas shares her journey from culinary school and private chef work to building a career in event planning, discussing the realities of weddings, corporate events, client expectations, and creating memorable experiences. The conversation explores luxury versus expense, guest experience, vendor relationships, and why service often matters more than aesthetics. Along the way, Chris and Dallas discuss competition, business ownership, relationships, hospitality, and the challenges of building something meaningful in a crowded marketplace. Whether you're planning a wedding, running a business, or simply interested in the art of serving people well, this is a thoughtful conversation about entrepreneurship, hospitality, and creating experiences that last. Guest: Dallas Vickers Stunning & Brilliant Events – Greenville https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dallasnorvickers/ https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ Follow the Show: https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/

Building Scout’s Doughnuts: Entrepreneurship, Family & Faith | Episode 69 with Ryland Rainsford

In this episode of Sunday Afternoon Smokes, Chris sits down with Ryland Rainsford, co-founder of Scout's Doughnuts, for a thoughtful conversation about entrepreneurship, faith, family, endurance, and building a business with intentionality. Before opening one of Greenville’s most beloved doughnut shops, Ryland worked as a mechanical engineer at Michelin while his wife JP taught elementary school. Together, they spent years wrestling with deeper questions about purpose, work, community, and the kind of people they wanted to become before eventually launching Scout’s Doughnuts from their own kitchen countertop in 2022. Chris and Ryland discuss: * Leaving the security of corporate life * Starting a business from scratch * The story behind Scout’s Doughnuts * Croissant-style doughnuts and the creative process * Family, fatherhood, and intentional living * Burnout, stress, and protecting your health * Running, discipline, and mental clarity * Building community through food and hospitality * Faith, purpose, and playing the long game * Why meaningful work matters more than titles The conversation also dives into the realities of entrepreneurship, the pressure of balancing work and family, and how small businesses can positively shape a community far beyond the products they sell. If you enjoy conversations about business, creativity, faith, family, and building something meaningful, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Scout's Doughnuts: https://www.scoutsdoughnuts.com/ https://www.instagram.com/scoutsdoughnuts/ Follow the show: https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/ https://www.sundayafternoonsmokes.com/

Building Saturday’s Best Sports: College Sports, Entrepreneurship & Taking a Chance on Yourself | Episode 68 with Will Bestermann

In this episode of Sunday Afternoon Smokes, Chris sits down with Will Bestermann — recent Clemson graduate, future physical therapist, and creator of Saturday's Best Sports — for a conversation about ambition, entrepreneurship, sports media, discipline, and figuring life out in your twenties. At just 22 years old, Will is balancing college, physical therapy school acceptance at UConn, content creation, podcasting, social media, and building his own sports media brand focused on college football and basketball. Chris and Will discuss: * Starting a sports media brand from scratch * Consistency and social media growth * Entrepreneurship at a young age * College football and college basketball culture * Learning through repetition and experience * Taking chances on yourself * The pressure of doing too much * Why authenticity matters online * Balancing ambition with quality * Building something meaningful while still young The conversation also dives into Will’s upbringing in a military family, living overseas in Italy and the UK, sports culture abroad, Clemson life, and preparing for the next chapter at UConn’s physical therapy doctorate program. More than just a sports conversation, this episode explores ambition, momentum, self-awareness, and the tension between chasing opportunities and learning when to narrow your focus. Saturday's Best Sports: https://www.instagram.com/saturdaysbestsports/ Saturday's Best Substack: https://saturdaysbest.substack.com/ Saturday's Best Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saturdaysbestsports Sunday Afternoon Smokes: https://sundayafternoonsmokes.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sundayafternoonsmokes/