Category Archives: Learning and Development

Happy Holidays from Beer and Napkins!

First we want to wish each of you a happy and relaxing holiday season!

What can we say for 2015 other than WOW! What a journey this year has been! We were very fortunate to have met and interacted with so many talented people in the Upstate. We realize there is so much going on around the area it is tough job keeping up with the changes. We hope we have enlightened you on some of the emerging topics this year. We covered a lot of ground with the explorations of craft beer, maker’s technology, environmental issues, biotech industry, and women leading in entrepreneurship and business. Our aim in 2016 is to continue focus on brewing ideas through the building of knowledge communities in informal environments. Included in our plans are expansion of collaborations, Communities of Growths (CoGs), and events with more creative experiences directed at personal and entrepreneurial growth.

We wish you a wonderful holiday season full of imagination and dreams. Please remember to stop by one of your favorite local breweries and pubs with your colleagues and friends. Share your dreams and ideas. Maybe you can doodle them on one of those trusted cocktail napkins and share with the Beer and Napkins family in 2016. We look forward to seeing you all!

TonyPhil

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Sam Konduros, Brewing a Biomedical Innovation Revolution

A revolution in healthcare is brewing in the upstate!

The number of biomedical and heathcare technology startups, collaborations, and innovations is accelerating at a rapid pace in the upstate. The brewmaster at the epicenter of this technological shift is Sam Konduros. Sam is the Executive Director of the Research Development Corporation (RDC), supporting organization of GHS dedicated to improving the health of upstate South Carolina and beyond by being the engine of growth for medical and healthcare delivery advancements.

Sam will share his entrepreneurial story in economic development and the exciting developments in biomedical and healthcare technology. He may even throw in a few of his motorcycle adventure stories.

The agenda will close with a question and answer session and participants will have the opportunity to engage in an ideation session focusing on key challenges in the healthcare and biomedical technology area.

Tickets include choice of craft beer (over 21 only) and pizza will be served.

About our Speaker

Sam Konduros serves as Executive Director for Greenville Health System’s Research Development Corporation, focusing on industry collaborations and partnerships, development of intellectual property, and mission-supporting economic development strategies. Konduros also served as President of Greenville, South Carolina-based SK Strategies, LLC, from 2004-2014, which specialized in innovation strategies, integrated marketing, economic development, public/private partnerships and strategic planning – including the creation of visions & brands, “strategic roadmaps” and market penetration strategies – for numerous corporate, governmental and university entities which have included Greenville Health System, Clemson University, CU-ICAR, and Kent Worldwide among others. Konduros has been actively engaged in state, regional, and local economic development initiatives since 1989.

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My #WomenLeadGVL Story

Strong and determined women have inspired me since childhood. From my wife, mom,  and my grandmother (see 7 Things I learned from my Grandmother) to two of the  most impactful bosses of my career, I’ve personally learned and grown through the mentorship and guidance of women. Regrettably, until lately I have not given much back.

My company Beer and Napkins started with the philosophy of diverse ideas, diverse environment, and diverse people. Yet our board of advisors was made up of close friends and colleagues… and they were all men. This imbalance was painfully apparent after I shared our company with a colleague and she pointed out the lack of a diversity on our board. Furthermore, after coming across a New York Times article by Sheryl Sandberg and her call to action for men “It’s time for men and women alike to join forces in championing gender parity”, my genuineness was challenged. Did I really believe in a diverse group? Though we touted diversity I was not living it! The profound awareness of my inattentiveness to inequities prompted a drive to lead by example. After deep reflection, my business partner Tony Miller and I assessed our current situation and realized we needed to take action.

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Sheryl’s #leanintogether inspired me to use our resources, talents, and Beer and Napkins platform to support women in leadership and entrepreneurship. #WomenLeadGVL was born. It was a way of locally honoring women who have contributed to our growth.  We took few key actions to set in motion our vison.

  • Our #WomenLeadGVL initiative was started to support and encourage women in leadership and entrepreneurship through meetups, events, and other projects.
  • We diversified our board adding two talented women agreed to become part of our organization. Both Pamela Wood Browne and Veronica Schoell have enriched our organization with ideas and support as we grew. They have embraced our #WomenLeadGVL initiative and progressively moving our organization forward.
  • Started a video campaign for #WomenLeadGVL. Here are a few inspirational words from Greenville SC women entrepreneurs and leaders:

June McCreight, COO of Coba Enterprise Management

https://www.facebook.com/BeerNapkins/posts/940076262720355

Amy Roe, Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce

https://www.facebook.com/BeerNapkins/posts/939000449494603

 Jordana Megonigal, Publisher of Business Black Box

https://www.facebook.com/BeerNapkins/posts/935223486538966

Kimberly Carroll, Director of Unusual Circumstances English for Life

https://www.facebook.com/BeerNapkins/posts/934214186639896

Veronical Schoell, Business Coach and Leader in the upstate automotive industry

https://www.facebook.com/BeerNapkins/posts/933734806687834

This is just a start and we have much more to do! Women have worked hard for their current place in leadership positions, equal pay, and entrepreneurship. On this Labor Day and the future, I ask you to reflect on all the women who have contributed to your growth in your career and life and I challenge all men and women to use their resources, talents, and skills to support women’s personal growth, leadership, and entrepreneurship. We encourage you to use our #WomenLead__ and replace the last three letters with your community and spread the encouragement.

Phillip A. McCreight, MHRD, SHRM-SCP
Founder
Beer and Napkins, LLC
M 864-430-0903
[email protected]
www.beerandnapkins.com
Have Ideas for Engaging Women in Leadership and Entrepreneurship share here https://beerandnapkins.imaginethat.io/womenleadgvl  #WomenLeadGVL

CAKE&WHISKEY: A #WomenLeadGVL idea mixer

Wednesday, August 12th 6:30 pm  at Human Technologies, Inc. 105 North Spring Street
Greenville, SC 29601

As part of our #WomenLeadGVL initiative we will be having a dynamic collaboration withCake and Whiskey Greenville Group!  Ashley Clark and Veera Gaul will be sharing their entrepreneurial story and how they started Cake in Whiskey in Greenville!  And yes cake and whiskey will be served! Heavy hors d’oeuvres and craft beer will also by available.

Ashley Clark is a 2012 graduate of Clemson University and the co-owner/operator of Kilwins Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream in downtown Greenville, SC. In addition to running the business, Ashley is very active in the community. She serves as the Co-Chair of Downtown Greenville Holiday Happening, volunteers as a Girls on the Run SoleMate, is an Area Organizer for CAKE&WHISKEY. She is also an Associate Commissioner with Greenville Count Soil & Water Conservation District and is the Area Chairman for Ducks Unlimited. Ashley is married to Landon Clark, who is Manager of Production at the store. Together, they enjoy volunteering at The White Horse Academy, a residential treatment center for boys age 13 to 17. There they coordinate special events, care for the organic garden, and teach a weekly class on personal finance. When she isn’t working or volunteering, Ashley enjoys spending time with her two black Labrador Retrievers, Dex and Mac.

Veera Gaul is a trained chef whose passion for food led her into the hospitality business and further into higher education at Johnson & Wales University — known for its culinary and hospitality programs. She began at JWU as a graduate student and went on to be a faculty member, assistant dean, vice president of operations for the Providence campus and Provost overseeing all academic programs and faculty. Veera is a “people-person” who had responsibility for an $87M instructional budget and over 500 full time faculty over four campuses across 6 colleges and schools.

She left JWU in March of 2013 and decided to join her husband Joe Gaul, in his entrepreneurial venture. Together, they own Oil & Vinegar a “culinary gift shop” concept in Downtown Greenville that brings together specialty olive oils, vinegars and a wide range of international foods and ceramics in a Mediterranean-style store.

She co-chairs Downtown Greenville Holiday Happening, is the Area organizer for CAKE&WHISKEY, and volunteers with Loaves & Fishes.

Our board members Pam Wood Browne and Veronica Schoell will also be sharing our crowdsourced ideas for engaging Women in Leadership and Entrepreneurshiphttps://beerandnapkins.imaginethat.io/womenleadgvl

This event is a celebration of Women Leaders and Entrepreneurs but open to all guests.

Thanks to our Sponsors Human Technologies, Inc., Six and Twenty Distillery, and Birds Fly South Ale Project. 

Parking is availabe near HTI for $5 or the Riverstreet Parking Garage

For more information contact Phil McCreight or Tony Miller