What started over tacos turned into something none of us saw coming. Karl had the vision for a purpose-driven networking group that put relationships over referrals. The more the three of us talked, the more we realized we all shared a love for Christ and the same conviction that business could be done with deeper purpose. That common ground was the spark.
From there, everything fell into place. Catherine brought the vision to life visually through branding and design, and Ashley organized every detail behind the scenes to make it all run. Three friends, three very different strengths, and one shared belief that Charleston deserved something better. That mix is what has made this team a powerhouse.
Choosing to build CBX as a nonprofit was intentional. We did not want this to be about profit. We wanted it to be about people, purpose, and lasting impact. Each year, our members vote on a local charity to support with our membership dues, because we believe business should give back to the community that supports it.
Today, CBX is a room full of intentional professionals who lead with integrity, steward their resources well, and care deeply about the impact they make on Charleston. It is proof that when you say yes to God and build on the right foundation with the right people, you create something that lasts.
Founding Board Member
Every great community starts with someone willing to dream it into existence, and for the Charleston Business Exchange (CBX), that person is Karl H. Kuester Jr. The vision for CBX began with Karl, a Charleston-based entrepreneur and community leader with a heart for building strong culture, meaningful connections, and faith-driven leadership. As a founder, he turned that vision into a space where business owners and professionals can grow together both in business and in purpose.
His entrepreneurial journey began long before CBX. As the founder of Anchor Environmental, Karl built one of the Lowcountry’s most respected pest and environmental service companies. His leadership philosophy, rooted in integrity, teamwork, and excellence, guided the company’s growth and ultimate acquisition by Arrow Exterminators in 2024.
Karl’s approach to business has always been about more than profit. He believes that lasting success is built through culture, service, and faith. Whether mentoring other business owners, empowering his team, or giving back to the Charleston community, Karl leads with the conviction that business can be a powerful platform for good.
Today, through CBX, Karl continues to champion that belief by bringing together a network of purpose-driven professionals who are committed to serving with excellence, building genuine relationships, and making a lasting impact that goes far beyond business.
Founding Board Member
Behind every great vision is someone who keeps it all running, and for the Charleston Business Exchange (CBX), that person is Ashley Hutchens. As a co-founder, she is the steady hand who turns big ideas into something that actually works.
As the founder of Open Horizons Bookkeeping, Ashley brings over 20 years of industry experience to her work, providing businesses with clarity and accuracy in their bookkeeping and financials so owners can focus on what they love most. Her team is built on relationships, not transactions. They take the time to understand each client, their goals, and how to help them get there, because they believe great bookkeeping is about so much more than pushing buttons.
What lights her up is helping business owners feel confident with their numbers. She gravitates toward clients who value relationships and understand the kind of clarity strong financials can bring to a business. That same heart for detail and care is what makes her such a powerful force inside CBX, where every moving piece runs through her with intention and purpose.
Above all, faith is at the center of how Ashley leads, serves, and shows up for the people around her. Through both Open Horizons and CBX, she is committed to building genuine relationships, supporting fellow business owners, and creating spaces where people and purpose come before everything else.
Founding Board Member
There is a creative force behind every great brand, and for the Charleston Business Exchange (CBX), that role belongs to Catherine Taylor. An entrepreneur and creative who loves helping business owners build strong brands and show up meaningfully online, she serves as a co-founder of CBX, where she brings the vision to life visually and shapes the way the community shows up across every touchpoint.
In 2022, she founded Syncra Digital, a digital marketing agency that partners with businesses to elevate their brand, website, social media, and overall digital presence. The work spans branding, web design, content, and strategy, all with the goal of building digital experiences that actually reflect who a business is and what they stand for.
What fuels her is hearing a client call to say they just landed their first big contract from a campaign she built, or watching a business take off after the results finally click. Those moments are a reminder that this work is about helping real people and creating life-changing opportunities. She genuinely cares about the business owners she works with and loves building systems and strategies that make their lives easier.
Faith is the foundation of everything she does, from how she builds relationships to how she runs her business and shows up for her clients. Through CBX and Syncra Digital, she continues to champion the belief that business and faith belong together and that the best work is built on purpose, integrity, and real connection.
Charleston Business Exchange is a nonprofit business community built around faith, service, and intentional connection. Members come together weekly to encourage one another, steward opportunities well, and use business as a way to live out Kingdom values in everyday life. Our purpose is bigger than referrals or transactions. We exist to grow in fellowship, strengthen one another, and create real impact in Charleston through meaningful relationships and collective generosity.
Stewardship. Integrity. Faith in action. Showing up with purpose and building one another up through encouragement and accountability.
Meaningful relationships over transactions, unity over competition, and generosity that creates real impact in Charleston.
Faith-driven business professionals who show up to build real connection, not just transactions.
Our Company Mission
The Charleston Business Exchange is dedicated to fostering a thriving and inclusive business community built on the principles of honesty and Integrity. We are committed to uniting diverse voices, empowering local entrepreneurs, and creating opportunities for all to prosper. Guided by a spirit of service, we actively support charitable organizations that strengthen our community, ensuring that our collective success extends beyond business and contributes meaningfully to the well-being of Charleston and its people.
Join us on Tuesdays at 12 PM at The Harbor Club at WestEdge. You’ll see the difference the moment you step in the room.
