Finding Joy in the Wilderness Season | The WIP by OrangeWIP

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Every founder hits a season that feels like straight wilderness. Cash gets tight, momentum dips, and even the work you love starts feeling heavier than it should. It’s tempting to assume the desert means you’re off track, but most of the time it’s where the earliest signs of real growth start to surface.

Maybe it’s a small win you almost missed. Maybe it’s a collaborator who instantly gets what you’re building. Maybe it’s an idea that keeps tugging at you even when you’re running on fumes. These tiny blooms matter. They point you toward what’s worth paying attention to and where the next wave of momentum might come from.

If you’re walking through a dry stretch right now, zoom in. The small stuff counts. It might be the beginning of your next breakthrough.

12/15 - Voice of Business Brunch: Legislative Session Priorities

12/17 - MPCC Holiday Luncheon

12/18 - How to Create Sustainable Economic Growth through Capacity Building

Sometimes the biggest shock in your career becomes the start of your best work.

Some endings feel like failure, but the brave ones know they’re often invitations to begin again. Geoff Thatcher, founder of Creative Principles, took the moment he was fired and used it to build a creative studio rooted in speed, storytelling and real leadership. He gets real about being undervalued, letting go of old paths and finding clarity in the chaos of starting over. Hear how he turned chaos into creative freedom and why trusting your value is the first step toward the business you’re meant to build.

Is your voice missing? Speak Up.

Do you have an entrepreneur story to tell? A point to make? An idea to share? We want to hear from you! Sign up to be a Hello Chaos guest today.

You’re in an airport. See the bookstore cashier? The TSA agents eyeballing your stuff? The flight crew hustling to the gate? They might have passed through Intellisoft’s verification and security systems before clocking in. 

That’s because the Mauldin-based identity and access management company has been hunting big fish such as major airports and even the Pentagon since Day One. Now, Founder and President, David Peeples, shares key insights for founders punching way above their weight.

How did you get your foot in the door at major airports and facilities?

We built a product and leveraged the relationships we had in this space to get introductions. I had Johnson Controls (building automation and electronics) taking me into meetings as a subject matter expert with their potential clients, which gave me immediate credibility.

The right community does more than cheer you on. It opens the doors you need.

If you are a Hispanic founder in South Carolina, the SC Hispanic Chamber is one of those doors. They offer events, workshops, and training that help you level up your business, along with the Axeso program for simple access to microloans.

They also create meaningful connections across the state and support future talent through scholarships and workforce opportunities. And membership is free for Hispanic owned businesses.

A strong place to plug in if you want resources, support, and a community that understands your journey.

Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays

Over the next year, Roku predicts that 100% of the streaming audience will see ads. For growth marketers in 2026, CTV will remain an important “safe space” as AI creates widespread disruption in the search and social channels. Plus, easier access to self-serve CTV ad buying tools and targeting options will lead to a surge in locally-targeted streaming campaigns.

Read our guide to find out why growth marketers should make sure CTV is part of their 2026 media mix.

Learn more.