Impacting Local Economies with Performing Arts

By Mike Switzer

Published June 19, 2019 at 5:47 AM EDT

Most business owners will tell you that a vibrant arts community equals a vibrant economy. Just over a year ago, our next guest took over management of one of our capital city’s oldest performing arts venues that is positively affecting that economic impact.

Mike Switzer interviews Nate Terracio, director of the Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia, SC.

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Mike Switzer

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.

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