Savannah Chamber Connect

This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect features 2026 Chamber Business Awards Small Business Advocate of the Year -  George Freeman of Kombative Academy of Traditional Martial Arts, who shares his Army background, networking advice, and leadership of the Chamber’s Ribbon Cutting Council, which helped increase ribbon cuttings from 85 in 2024 to 112 in 2025, along with his volunteer work and goal to train 100 women for free in self-defense and promote a June 6 Crimson Cocktail Block Party.   In the Hot Seat, Savannah State University President Dr. Jermaine Whirl discusses his first-year priorities, strategic planning, executive team hiring, community engagement, and securing $42.8 million in state funding for campus facility projects, plus raising $400,000 at his gala and joining the Chamber board.   Industry Council spotlights SEDA and RISE’s regional workforce efforts following the Hyundai Meta Plant project, addressing retention challenges and initiatives like Succeed in Savannah and Industry Insiders.   Superstar Spotlight highlights film veteran and Leopold’s Ice Cream owner Stratton Leopold on filmmaking, community preservation, and maintaining original recipes.   Events include Small Business Week (May 4 ribbon cutting, Eastern Wharf mixer), a May 13 small business job fair, May 28 federal contracting workshops, and a May 22 Savannah Steel game networking event.   IMPORTANT LINKS: Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Explore upcoming events From Bert’s Hot Seat: Dr. Jermaine Whirl, President of Savannah State University From the Winners Circle: George Freeman Kombative Academy of Traditional Martial Arts Small Business Advocate of the Year What’s Up: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce Superstar Member Spotlight: Stratton Leopold, owner and operator of Leopold’s Ice Cream - producer, director and actor Industry Council Update: Zachary Ott, Director of Existing Industry, SEDA and Maria Whitfield Director of Employer Engagement, RISE MEET OUR PRODUCTION TEAM MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD Follow for updates: INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK   FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Savannah Chamber Connect Intro 01:16 Small Business Advocate Spotlight 02:19 George Freeman Origin Story 04:47 Ribbon Cutting Council Impact 08:04 Community Giving And Referrals 10:30 Advice For Small Businesses 11:59 Hot Seat With SSU President 16:00 First Year Priorities At SSU 17:39 Winning State Funding For Campus 19:55 Investiture Weekend And Gala 23:29 Industry Council Workforce Focus 24:21 How Rise Was Launched 27:13 Employer Engagement Backgrounds 30:11 Retention Challenges And Regional Strategy 31:49 How Industry Can Get Involved 32:05 Rise Working Groups 32:40 Succeed in Savannah Brand 33:07 Industry Insiders Outreach 33:29 Magic Wand Fix 35:14 Superstar Spotlight Intro 36:31 Film Career Origins 40:08 Leopold’s Legacy 43:38 Quality Over Profit 44:49 Preserving Savannah 47:30 Favorite Films Stories 50:57 Breaking Into Film 53:25 Ice Cream Favorites 54:38 Legacy Business Advice 55:47 Small Business Week 57:19 Job Fair and Contracts 58:55 Savannah Steel Networking 01:00:01 Sponsor and Wrap Up  

This episode of Savannah Chamber Connect from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce - hosted by Dee Daniels, features 2026 Chamber Business Award winner Adam Finns of Friedman’s Framing, named Small Business of the Year, discussing the company’s 124-year, five-generation evolution, its focus on customer service and quality control, new custom framing innovations, and upcoming happy hours and meet-the-artist events at its Eisenhower and Waters location.   In the Hot Seat, Chamber President/CEO Bert Brantley interviews Alderwoman Carol Bell about reviving the Summer 500 youth summer jobs program, including school-system partnership, a four-week commitment, soft-skills training, employer matching, and sponsorship options for students to work in nonprofits.   Superstar Spotlight highlights Savannah Steel Head Coach Coretta Brown previewing the new professional women’s basketball team’s May 15 season opener and May 22/24 home openers at Enmarket Arena.   The What’s Up segment covers the May 21 clay shoot funding military affairs advocacy, the Chamber relocation guide updates and advertising, a April 21 podcast launch party, and Small Business Week events including a May 5 mixer, reverse trade show, May 13 job fair, and May 28 military contracting workshop.   IMPORTANT LINKS: Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Explore upcoming events From Bert’s Hot Seat: Carol Bell  From the Winners Circle: Adam Fins, Friedman’s Framing Small Business of the Year  What’s Up: Samantha Wilkins, Small Business & Events Manager, Savannah Chamber of Commerce Erica Backus, Director, Communications & Social Inclusion, Visit Savannah  Jared Downs, Vice President, Governmental Affairs, Savannah Chamber of Commerce  Superstar Member Spotlight: Coretta Brown, Head Coach, Savannah Steel MEET OUR PRODUCTION TEAM MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD Follow for updates: INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK   FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:  00:00 Savannah Chamber Connect Intro 01:09 Small Business Winner Interview 01:58 Friedmans Framing Legacy 03:30 Customer Service Secrets 04:40 Quality Control Process 06:04 Innovation And Advice 09:24 Hot Seat Summer 500 10:51 Program Impact And Data 12:35 Relaunch Partners And Plan 18:24 How Employers Can Join 20:18 Superstar Spotlight Savannah Steele 21:32 League Details And Growth 22:11 Open House And Players Arrival 22:54 Hometown Hoops Roots 24:10 Savannah Steel City Love 25:00 Coaching Beyond The Court 27:29 Players Who Come Back 28:36 Home Opener Hype 30:44 Clay Shoot For Military 33:35 Relocation Guide Insider 40:19 Launch Party And Small Biz Week 46:45 Sponsor Thanks And Next Steps

The first episode of Savannah Chamber Connect - from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce - hosted by Dee Daniels, introduces the podcast’s focus on Savannah’s business community through conversations with civic, nonprofit, and business leaders.   In “The Hot Seat,” Chamber President and CEO Bert Brantley interviews City Manager Jay Melder about year-round planning for St. Patrick’s Day, including public safety coordination, sanitation cleanup, and city service impacts.   The episode also spotlights 2026 Chamber Business Awards Cornerstone winner Julie Wade, executive director of Tharros Place, a residential program for human trafficking survivors ages 12–17, discussing awareness, trauma-informed care, staffing, and community support needs.   An advocacy update with Jared Downs covers state legislative priorities and funding, including Riverwalk repairs, a robotics academy at Georgia Tech Savannah, and tax credit and arts exemption bills.   Superstar Member Spotlight features Emily McCarthy, who shares the growth of her design and retail brand and new Victory Drive headquarters, including the Joy Club wine bar.   The “What’s Up” segment previews Chamber events such as speed networking, coffee chats, member benefits bootcamp, and a Chamber Connect launch party.   IMPORTANT LINKS: Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Explore upcoming events MEET EMILY MCCARTHY MEET THARROS PLACE MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM MEET OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: STERLING SEACREST PRITCHARD Follow for updates: INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK   FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Welcome to Chamber Connect 00:30 Episode Roadmap 01:48 Hot Seat Begins 02:16 St Patrick's Day Planning 04:23 Cleanup and Public Safety 06:09 Sanitation Ride Along 08:03 Why Savannah Matters 09:28 Chamber City Partnership 11:37 Cornerstone Winner Spotlight 12:27 What Is Tharros Place 14:03 Trafficking Awareness Reality 16:25 Trauma Informed Care 18:09 Staffing and Small Wins 20:42 Programs and Community Support 24:17 Advocacy Update Starts 24:58 Budget Wins for Savannah 26:49 Bills to Watch Next 27:04 Historic Tax Credits Update 27:22 Hub Council Statewide Push 28:20 Fine Arts Ticket Exemption 29:01 Capitol Check-In and Wrap 29:39 Emily McCarthy Spotlight 30:38 From Stationery to Storefront 33:22 Clothing Line and Pandemic Pivot 35:24 New HQ and Joy Club Bar 39:32 Customer Led Design Lessons 41:25 Creativity Balance and Inspiration 44:04 Hot Items and Signature Style 46:26 Chamber Events Speed Networking 47:53 Coffee Chats at SCAD Cafe 50:05 Member Benefits Bootcamp 52:13 Launch Party and Small Biz Month 53:42 Sponsor Thanks and Closing

Savannah Chamber Connect, a podcast from the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, brings you inside the conversations shaping Savannah’s business community. From candid conversations with local leaders and entrepreneurs to insights on economic growth, advocacy, and innovation, each episode connects you to the people and ideas driving the region forward. Featuring segments like The Hot Seat, The Winner’s Circle, Advocacy Update, Superstar Member Spotlight, and What’s Up, you’ll hear directly from those making an impact across Savannah. Whether you're a business owner, professional, or community leader, this podcast keeps you informed, inspired, and connected. Subscribe or follow now and be part of the conversation shaping Savannah’s future. Learn more about the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Explore upcoming events Follow for updates: INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK