Archive for month: March, 2022

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Legacies & Credentials LLC Joins the Chamber

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Legacies & Credentials LLC held a ribbon cutting Monday, March 7th to celebrate joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce in the James Allen Plaza in downtown Florence.

Owner Jennifer Coker cut the ribbon and was joined by her husband, Christopher, Chamber staff and ambassadors.

In business for approximately two years, Coker offers business plan and grant writing services for both for profit and nonprofit entities.

“I love what I do,” she told those present for the ribbon cutting.

Coker said she is dedicated to helping for profit and nonprofit organizations develop and strategize successful business plans and help with grant writing. Additional services include customized graphics and images, logos and customized T-shirts to help businesses and organizations to promote themselves.

To read the full story, click here.

Kooper Leadership Academy Joins Florence Chamber and Celebrates with Ribbon Cutting

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Kooper Leadership Academy held a ribbon cutting in the James Allen Plaza on Monday, February 28th celebrating joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Joining owner Gary Kooper and family were Chamber staff and ambassadors. Kooper said he started the consulting business because of his passion for people.

“I have always had a passion for people,” he said.

He said the mission of Kooper Leadership Academy is to “engage the hearts and minds of individuals, empowering them to consider the value they bring to themselves and others on a daily basis.”

He said “every person has the power to lead through their thoughts, words and actions.”Kooper said leadership begins from within.

Through his part-time consulting business, Kooper conducts workshops for companies, schools, organizations and private individuals. After the initial meeting, he customizes the training to the client’s needs.

He said we all have the ability to make a difference through “time, focus and effort.”

It is just how you decide to give back, he said.

“I do a lot of mentoring and coaching,” Kooper said.

He works with Francis Marion University’s Leadership Series, which is open to all students; Coker University’s leadership group, which is by application; the Coker basketball team and Cypress Adventures and others.

His wife, Teri, said it is not about benefiting the employer but the employee. She said it is all about wanting more for yourself, streamlining and making the most of your time.

Kooper helps people to be the best version of themselves. He focuses on leadership, starting with themselves and how you do this is with behavior, emotion and drive, he said.

Kooper said if you have the ability to motivate people you can work with people in all walks of life from business to industry to education. He said you just need to understand what motivates people.

Kooper is employed full time with Sonoco Products Company in Hartsville as director of operations in the Supply Thermoforming Food Division.

The couple has lived in Florence for approximately 20 years. They have four children, Mary and Anna, who attended the ribbon cutting; Rose, who is at Clemson, and Eric and his wife, Katie, in Florence, Alabama.

For additional information, contact KooperLeadership Academy@gmail.com

MassMutual Representative Joins Chamber

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Cory Stemshorn, Financial Services Representative with MassMutual, celebrated joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, March 3rd with a ribbon cutting in James Allen Plaza. Chamber staff and ambassadors joined in the celebration.

MassMutual’s home office in South Carolina is in Greenville. It is a full-service financial service, including life, disability, long-term care, annuities, retirement and other services.

Stemshorn is a new Florence representative. He works from a home office.

Stemshorn said he had been in Florence for four years. He was born and raised in Greenville and graduated from Clemson University with a major in hospitality management.

Stemshorn said he is passionate about helping people make important life decisions. He is caring and wants to build a relationship in Florence County.

Joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce is way to network with the community, Stemshorn said.

“I want to connect with other local businesses and to get our face out in the community,” he said.

Stemshorn said he hopes to become involved in chamber activities and programs.

Stemshorn said he has no set hours. He is available any time by cell phone 864-593-2423 or email at www.SouthCarolina.MassMutual.com

Movement Mortgage Looks to Make a Difference in the Community

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Movement Mortgage celebrated joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, March 2nd. Movement Mortgage opened at its 1222 S. Cashua Drive location in Florence in October.

“We are a national mortgage company,” said Nathan Ballantine from the corporate headquarters in Indian Land.

Movement Mortgage deals with residential mortgages and has locations all over South Carolina and the United States. This is the second office in Florence.

Ballantine said the company is dedicated to building better communities.

One way it does this is by building charter schools in the United States and outreach centers in other countries. The company also does mission work and partners with nonprofit groups and others.

Sandra King, one of two loan officers at the Florence office, said Movement Mortgage was started by Casey Crawford and Toby Harris in 2008 after one of the biggest financial meltdowns in American history.

According to its website, the company set forth on a mission to create a change in the “industry, in corporate cultures and in communities.” It set out to make a long-term positive impact in communities both close to home and around the globe.

“We want to be more involved in the community,” King said.

That is one reason for joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. She said the company looks forward to becoming involved with the Chamber and its projects.

Loan Officer Jamie Huggins said, “We are very happy to be back with the company we began our career with.”

The staff of three includes Lee Brockington, Loan Officer Assistant.

Smoothie King Owner Says Focus Is On Fitness

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Smoothie King held a ribbon cutting Wednesday, February 16th to celebrate its opening at 960 Pamplico Highway in Florence on Jan. 9 and joining the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Joining in the ribbon cutting were Chamber ambassadors and staff.

This new Smoothie King is owned and operated by VetVen LLP, an investment group of Army veterans and local Marion/Mullins graduates Christopher Shelvin, Letrone White and Keith Fore.

Shelvin, who owns other Smoothie King locations, said this one in Florence is special because he opened it with his longtime friends, all from the Marion area, and it is a chance for them to give back to the area where they grew up.

White is the general manager of the Florence location. He works with a 17-member team that is trained in making smoothies that support a healthier lifestyle for their guests. Shelvin said they refer to their employees as team members, who are all part of the Smoothie King family, and their customers as guests.

To read the full story, click here.

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