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Local Entrepreneur Invents Magnetic Water Bottle for Bicycles

You've heard us mention many times on this show the annual Ignite! conference from EngenuitySC and its business ideas competition.  Our next guest was a contestant at Ignite! a few years ago and while he didn't win, his idea has gone on to not only fruition but to the verge of national success.

Mike Switzer interviews Anthony Goldman, founder and president of Koala Bottle, a Columbia, SC - based company that makes a magnetic water bottle that attaches to your bicycle.

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.