Author: Shelia

In many places around the country, the real estate market today is considered “soft,” with more houses offered for sale than there are willing and able buyers to purchase them. Though this may cause some angst for the seller, it places the buyer in a good position to negotiate a good deal. However, having such … Continue reading Be the Best Negotiator You Can Be

It was the driver’s erratic behavior that caught the attention of USAA member Connie Summers. As she drove in the left lane of a four-lane highway, she noticed that the driver in the right lane kept staring at her, pacing his car to her speed. Suddenly the other driver swooped into the left lane ahead … Continue reading Insurance Fraud Is No Accident

Jack Hanna Revisits Charleston By Shelia Watson “Charleston is the perfect venue for an event about wildlife,” says Jack Hanna, the nationally known animal expert. “Part of the purpose in an event like this is to promote conservation and care for the natural setting, whether it’s animals or landscapes or birds. And you have an … Continue reading It’s a Small World After All

By Shelia Watson The American philosopher Williams James once noted that “there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” Nowhere is this more evident than in Charleston, where, following its pre-Revolutionary English roots, afternoon tea is still considered a refined and dignified ceremony. The … Continue reading As for me, make mine tea

By Shelia Watson The city has long been a favorite vacation spot, but these days Charleston is not only a place to escape for a week, but also a location for events, conventions and conferences. From historic homes and elegant hotels to grand plantations and charming parks, the plentiful options in Charleston make the city … Continue reading Destination Charleston

By Shelia Watson At first glance, the concept behind Furniture Rentals Inc. may seem obvious. But whereas renting furniture is not a new idea, the company’s abilities to stay ahead of trends and develop new avenues for serving its clientele are innovative. As the sister company of Select Corporate Housing, which offers temporary flexible housing … Continue reading Innovative pest-detection system is man’s – and company’s – best friend

By Shelia Watson Imagine a job that requires just that: imagining. Imagining improved methods, better results, more innovation, faster production. And if you did, you just put yourself into the world of O.Z. “Ty” Tyler, inventor, chemist and owner of several patents, who daily ponders the “what-if” questions that often lead to something big. “I … Continue reading New technology process makes spirits faster, better

By Shelia Watson Creating apps and plug-ins to make the world’s most popular software for nonprofits even better and more valuable is not what Jeff Montgomery, managing partner of Omatic Software, envisioned as his future. But it’s what he’s doing – and doing extremely well, with a workforce of roughly 40 people out of a … Continue reading Jeff Montgomery: Developing Technology with Soul

By Shelia Watson Chris Campeau has gone through a lot of training to do what he does. The road hasn’t been easy: a rigorous certification program through several state organizations, a long apprenticeship, periodic testing, eating. Eating? “Lots of eating,” he said. “An incredible amount of eating.” That’s what it takes to be a certified … Continue reading At work with Chris Campeau

By Shelia Watson Proponents of wellness programs say that if you keep your employees healthy, they’ll be happier and more productive. I’ve heard that some companies even register their employees for fitness events like walk-a-thons and bridge runs. All I can say is: Boy, am I glad I don’t work in those places. From the … Continue reading The health and fitness trend: culture or cult?