Over 1,000 people came to the Columbia International University campus to hear Dr. John Maxwell speak last week. Maxwell is a best-selling author and coach who has sold more than 26 million books in 50 languages. Using humor and personal experience, he discussed being intentional in relationships. “Either you are a plus in your relationships or you are a minus,” Bob Holmes of CIU reported. “You are either adding value to people on a daily basis, and they can hardly wait to be around you, or you are subtracting and pulling value out of people,” Maxwell said.

TV prices going up

All of us may feel the impact of the proposed tariffs on Chinese and other imports. This includes a 25% tariff on Chinese-made TVs and electronics. Two trade associations say this could lift TV set prices here 4% overall and 25% on those from China. A 55” TV for $350 could cost $80 more or $435. As a result, TV buying could fall 8%.

More problems

If you bank with Wells Fargo, you may need to know the US. Labor Department is examining whether the bank pushed low-cost corporate 401(k) plan participants to roll their holdings into more expensive individual retirement accounts.

Starter homes needed

The housing shortage hasn’t hit here yet but real estate people tell us starter homes in the $70,000 to $100,000 range are in demand by Millennials for their first homes.

Amazon update

Are you an Amazon.com Prime member? Your annual fee will rise 20% to $119 a year due to gas prices.

• Last quarter, Amazon topped $1 billion in profit for the second straight quarter. This quarter, it should post a more modest profit as it targets longer-term investments. Amazon may overtake Apple as the largest U.S. firm. Amazon’s value is about $785 billion with stock trading at $1,584.74 a share. A 4.6% drop in Apple shares put it at about $820 billion.

• Amazon, Google and Microsoft are staying out of banking. Banks are emerging as big potential customers and they don’t want to alienate them by becoming direct competitors.

Star power

A former Lexington High and USC baseball standout has a new sales job. Kip Bouknight has joined BB&T-Boyle Vaughan Insurance as an agent. The Lexington native has over eight years insurance experience. Bouknight played professional baseball nine years with five major league teams. In four years as a starting pitcher with the Gamecocks, he compiled a 45-12 record.

New chamber members

At the April 24 breakfast at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce welcomed new members Dawn Cotner and Tiffany Herring of Swatch Graphics, Josh Whitlock of Ezekiel Ministries, Martin Lagasse of It Works and Daniel Andrews of Network In Action. New member also included Jen Thompson of Light House for Life and State Farm agent Jennifer Wilkes. Jantz Bryant of Saluda River Academy was recognized as Student of the Month and Susan Young, an English as a Second Language teacher at Saluda River Academy, was recognized as Teacher of the Month.

Business news to note

• Recent rains have relieved the drought in Lexington County, a break for local farmers. Spring rain in the Midlands has less than 60% of normal since December 1.

• Enmark Stations bought two Batesburg-Leesville area convenience stores from Brabham Oil Company for $1,885,000.

Got a news item for us? Call 359-7633 or email JerryBellune@yahoo.com.