Growing up, I didn’t always recognize that my father was teaching me business lessons. I just knew that he ran a building materials store in Charleston and that wherever we went, someone seemed to know him.
Now, years into my own career working with colleges and universities across the country, I realize how much his approach shaped the way I show up professionally. My dad, who owned and managed Carolina Building Materials & Salvage Co. for more than four decades, didn’t just run a store. He built relationships.
His shop sat on a busy road, surrounded by homes, churches, and small businesses. It wasn’t in a flashy location, but it was a fixture in the community. That didn’t happen by accident.
My dad made a point of learning each customer’s name. He asked questions, remembered details, and made people feel seen. He didn’t view service as a transaction. To him, it was about trust, respect, and community.
He even had a tagline in his local commercials that still makes me smile:
“We know what it is, we know what it does, and we know where to find it.”
That clarity mattered. But what mattered more was the experience people had walking through the doors.
Today, I lead academic and partner relations work with Knack, supporting campuses as they build student-centered academic support systems. On the surface, it’s a completely different industry. But the foundation remains the same. How we connect with people, listen to their needs, and work together toward something meaningful is what drives success.
At Knack, we believe peer tutoring is about more than academic performance. It’s about connection, confidence, and belonging. My dad believed that selling building materials was never just about product. It was about people.
Relationship-driven work isn’t a niche strategy. It’s a core value that elevates every kind of business. Whether you're selling lumber or supporting students, the principle holds true. When you focus on people first, better outcomes follow.
And if I ever need a reminder, I think back to the way my dad did business. Those lessons continue to guide me, every single day.
Thanks, Dad.
