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

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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

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