Lowcountry Revolutionaries
Lowcountry Revolutionaries is the Charleston, SC entrepreneur podcast spotlighting the raw, real journeys of bold founders and innovators shaping the future of the Lowcountry. Each episode dives into the triumphs, failures, and hard-won lessons from Charleston’s top startup leaders, tech pioneers, nonprofit builders, and creative visionaries in the Chucktown Startups community — the unfiltered stories that turn Charleston into a global hub of ingenuity.
Official merch now live. Every royalty is split with NeoHERO Foundation (neoherofoundation.org), our Lowcountry nonprofit partner equipping first responders with neonatal resuscitation training and life-saving equipment. Wear the movement, back the heroes who protect what we’re all building, and help keep these episodes free for qualified local entrepreneurs.
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Hosted by Bill Billotte (aka the Podfather), founder of Veritas Exoscience and a lifelong translator of complex ideas into actionable insight, this show brings together the grit, determination, and practical wisdom propelling South Carolina’s entrepreneurial scene forward.
Whether you’re a Charleston founder scaling your venture, an operator navigating growth, someone considering a move to the Lowcountry, or simply someone who loves authentic business stories rooted in place, subscribe for weekly conversations that challenge assumptions and spark real momentum.
Episodes
78 episodes
Mastering Hard Conversations with AI: Jada Willis on Leadership, Exits, and Her New Toolkit
Jada Willis — entrepreneur, CEO strategist, author of Pantless Nation, and co-host of the Lead Through It podcast — joins us to talk about her latest innovation: The Hard Conversations AI Toolkit.After founding a...
From Global Appliances to Ohmic Innovation: Fred Pirenne on Scaling OhmIQ’s Revolutionary Heating Technology in Charleston
Belgian-born entrepreneur and international marketing veteran Fred Pirenne joins us to share how he’s bringing game-changing technology to the Lowcountry as CEO of OhmIQ.With deep experience managing the $1.2 billion AEG br...
From Therapy Tables to AI Voice Agents: Colin Highland on Building Workforce Wave in Charleston
Physical therapist turned self-taught AI builder Colin Highland joins us to share the raw journey behind Workforce Wave, a Mt. Pleasant, SC-based enterprise voice-AI company that’s redefining how businesses handle customer calls.C...
Networking That Actually Works: Lowcountry Wisdom Mixtape – Real Advice from Bold Founders
Hey Lowcountry builders — in this special "mixtape" episode of Lowcountry Revolutionaries, we’re cutting straight to the heart of what every founder needs: real, battle-tested networking strategies that actually move the needle ...
Spanglish Momentum: Roxana Massie Returns for Latina Pitch Live & Building A New bilingual ecosystem “WE ARE THE BRIDGE CONNECTOR” in the Lowcountry
In this dynamic return episode of Lowcountry Revolutionaries, we welcome back bilingual marketing powerhouse Roxana Massie — Cumulus Media marketing consultant, founder of Spanglish Connector (powered by the Spanglish Sma...
From Homeland Security to Bed Builds: Dean Martin’s Mission to End Childhood Bed Poverty in Charleston
After a distinguished 37-year career in federal service — including time in the U.S. Air Force, Bureau of Prisons, and 28 years with U.S. Customs and Border Protection — Dean Martin retired in December 2025 and answered a new calling: ensuring ...
Delivering Hope: Crystal Bovell on Scaling Meals on Wheels of Summerville to Nourish Neighbors & Build Community
In this heartfelt episode of Lowcountry Revolutionaries, Bill Billotte sits down with Crystal Bovell, the new Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Summerville. What began in 1982 as a grassroots effort by dedicated community leaders, clergy...
Pitch Power in Spanglish: Roxana Massie on Honing 10-Minute Pitches for Latina Pitch Live
In this powerful return episode of Lowcountry Revolutionaries, we welcome back bilingual marketing powerhouse Roxana Massie — Cumulus Media marketing consultant, founder of Spanglish Connector (powered by Spanglish Small Business Associa...
From Controller to Connector: Roxana Massie’s Resilient Return with Spanglish Connector & Latina Pitch Live powered by Spanglish Small Business Association
After more than 20 years as a finance and accounting leader—including her role as Plant Controller at a Charleston manufacturing facility—Roxana Massie walked away from corporate stability in late 2021 after losing her job to chase entrepreneur...
From Farm Kid to Bed Revolution: Luke Mickelson on Building Sleep in Heavenly Peace and the Power of Humans Helping Humans
In this powerful episode of Lowcountry Revolutionaries, Bill Billotte sits down with Luke Mickelson, founder and Executive Director of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) — the global nonprofit on a mission to ensure no child sleeps on the floor in o...
Talk to Real People – Stop Guessing, Start Listening
(Lowcountry Revolutionaries “Advice Mixtape” Series)In Charleston’s startup scene, the fastest way to kill a good idea is to build it in isolation. Too many founders hide behind spreadsheets, assumptions, and late-night research...
Dream Big, Start Small
The myth of the “all-in” entrepreneur is loud in startup culture—but in the Lowcountry, the tides turn fast and the bills don’t wait. The smartest founders here don’t mortgage the house on a hunch. They keep a day job a little longer, launch sc...
Don't Wait for Perfect
This is a special episode which brings together the advice from six founders who have been on previous episodes:Lindsay SpurgeonHelen HudsonCourtney LohmannDavid TimmermanGeoff WeberJack Teitel
Fuel Without the Crash: Declan Norris & Hailey Orr-Depner on Building Zips Functional Squeezie — Caffeine-Free Performance for Everyday Athletes
Two College of Charleston sophomores from Chicago walk into the Lowcountry with a big dream: revolutionize how people fuel their bodies for training.Declan Norris (finance & entrepreneurship) and Hailey Orr-Depner (marketing &...
Afraid of AI? This Female Founder Will Change Your Mind: Ashlee Jack on How Arvaya AI Automations Consulting is Reimagining AI
Ashlee Jack, CEO and President of Charleston-based Arvaya AI Automations Consulting, joins Lowcountry Revolutionaries to show how AEC, infrastructure, and government organizations in the Lowcountry are finally closing the gap between people, le...
Powering Business Creation in the Lowcountry: Campbell Wiltshire on Helping Small Businesses Thrive at the Charleston Metro Chamber
Join Bill Billotte (aka the Podfather) and Campbell Wiltshire, Vice President of Business Creation at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. With over a decade of experience in sales, project management, and public relat...
How Carolina Venture Studio is Lifting up Technology Startups across South Carolina
Join Bill Billotte and guest Peter Jordan, Co-Founder of Carolina Venture Studio — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched in 2025 with a bold mission: to empower economic and social impact across South Carolina through the charitable crea...
Making Happy Memories for Lowcountry Families: How One Party Rental Is Simplifying Birthday Magic
Kelly Waldren, local mom and entrepreneur, is the founder of One Party Rental — the Lowcountry’s newest one-stop platform for stress-free celebrations — recently spotlighted on Lowcountry Revolutionaries with host Bill Billotte (aka the Podfath...
Building Villages That Keep Families Together: Jenny Trudeau on Parents Partnership & the Power of Community Support
Jenny Trudeau, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Parents Partnership, joins Lowcountry Revolutionaries to share her powerful journey from corporate career and homeschooling mom to building a grassroots movement that's keeping Lowcountry fami...
Pure & Regenerative Food: Scaling White Leaf Provisions in the Lowcountry
Most baby and toddler food claims "organic" — but White Leaf Provisions goes further with certified biodynamic and regenerative farming. Co-founder Meghan Rowe sits down with Bill to unpack how she and husband Keith built a family-powered brand...
Catch the Rising Tide: Unlocking Capital for SC Entrepreneurs with CLIMB Fund's F.A. Johnson, II
Host Bill Billotte dives deep with F.A. Johnson, II, Esq., the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of CLIMB Fund—Charleston's own powerhouse CDFI and South Carolina's #1 SBA microlender for five straight years. With more than 30 years steer...
Healing on the Harbor: How a Navy Vet Built Charleston's First Wellness Sailing Retreat
Join host Bill Billotte for a wave-calming conversation with Holly Hillman, founder of Soothe Sailing—the Lowcountry's pioneering wellness sailing retreat launched in 2024. From her six years in the Navy and work with Warrior Surf Foundation to...
Building Community at The Drop In
In this raw conversation, I sit down with Gillian Zettler, co-founder of The Drop In, to dive into their journey from pop-up experiences to landing their first permanent home at 1118 King Street. Gillian and her co-founder Chandler Frisbie have...
Rie to the Rescue: Bringing Data and a Better Life to People with Autoimmune Diseases
Bill sits down with Stephen Golubieski, Founder and CEO of Olu Health, a Charleston-area wellness startup redefining daily support for autoimmune conditions. With more than 30 years in product design and health tech—including leadership roles a...
Impactful Appreciation: How a Charleston Couple is Revolutionizing Teacher Gifts
Get ready to be inspired by a chat with Matt Grason, the founder of Level Up Video (levelupvideo.org), a creative AI-powered video tool company based in Mount Pleasant. Matt and his wife, inspired by his wife’s daily life as a teacher, teamed u...