Press Release
EO Charleston hosted an entrepreneurship celebration event on March 24th at Hall's Signature Events and presented several awards to local business owners in front of nearly 100 guests, including some of SC's Inc. 5000 winners. Chris Singleton was the keynote speaker, providing attendees with an inspirational presentation about resiliency and being motivated to achieve goals. Special guests included Congresswoman Nancy Mace, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, EO members from the U.S. East Region and Morgan Brady from Inc. 5000.
Patrick Bryant, the co-founder of the Harbor Entrepreneur Center and Code/+/Trust, was presented with EO Charleston's inaugural Hall of Fame recipient award. Bryant is a founding member of EO Charleston, which was established by Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), the world's largest peer-to-peer network of entrepreneurs. In addition to serving on the EO Charleston board as community outreach chair, Bryant is actively involved in promoting a local culture of supporting entrepreneurs in a variety of ways.“Patrick has dedicated his life's work to helping entrepreneurs thrive not just in Charleston but across the country,” stated Brannon Poe, EO Charleston board chair and founder of Poe Group Advisors, an international accounting brokerage firm headquartered in Charleston. “EO Charleston is pleased to announce the debut of the Charleston Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and on behalf of EO Global, the EO U.S. East Region and our local chapter and board of directors, I am honored to name Patrick as our inaugural recipient.”
Singleton EO Charleston also recognized Christina Lock, CEO of Charleston-based, Inc. 5000 winning business, Catch Talent, for being the only female-owned business from the Lowcountry on the 2021 Inc. 5000 list. Congresswoman Mace presented Lock with her award. Mace was the first female graduate of The Citadel, one of only two female congresswomen to serve South Carolina's 1st congressional district and the first female Republican to serve. “Christina is an inspiration to every female entrepreneur in our community,” said Jessica Munday, EO Charleston's president-elect and CEO of Trio Solutions Inc., a marketing community agency based in Mount Pleasant. “Entrepreneurship is alive and well in the Lowcountry and I trust that Christina's trailblazing approach to running her business will inspire others to break through the barriers so more women-owned businesses can reach the Inc. 5000 milestone. It was an honor to have Congresswoman Mace join us and truly fitting for her to present Christina with her award.” “Together, both of these successful women are inspiring future female leaders. Our chapter intends to grow the diversity of our membership and welcome minority-owned business owners to reach out about how EO Charleston and our partners can support them in the growth of their business.”
South Carolina is home to 58 businesses currently on the Inc. 5000 list. EO Global and Inc. 5000 are partnering together to establish an annual celebration event for all local businesses that reach the prestigious milestone status. EO Charleston has been selected to serve as a model for other EO chapters around the country that wish to recognize Inc. 5000 winners in their respective communities.
