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Local Guitarist Teaches His Way to Success

Our next guest started playing guitar in bands in high school 23 years ago, eventually forming his own groups, and then 14 years ago started teaching guitar after reuniting with his high school instructor.  Some of his students have gone on to become nationally signed acts, win awards, and have songs in major movies and television shows.  Recently, he has also began teaching via Skype with students as far away as Japan.

Mike Switzer interviews Don Russo, founder and owner of Freeway Music in Columbia, SC.

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After almost 20 years, Mike Switzer retired from Wells Fargo Securities in 2001 as Senior Vice President/Investment Officer and Certified Portfolio Manager. In 1999, he and his wife, Maggie, purchased and operated for eight years the Baskin Robbins ice cream store on Forest Drive in Columbia. They grew the store from a bottom-tier operation in the Baskin Robbins franchise system to one in the top 5% nationwide within three years, tripling sales along the way. While operating the ice cream store, Mike and Maggie received patents for a portable ice cream sink and fold-down sneezeguard they invented and in 2002 started Magnolia Carts, an ice cream cart manufacturing company, which they sold in 2013.