The South Carolina Healthy Business Challenge (SCHBC) is a collaborative, statewide initiative designed to help organizations create work environments that foster well-being and support a thriving, healthy workforce. With guidance from a dedicated leadership team and the support of partners across the state, SCHBC empowers employers to build cultures of health from the inside out. Heritage is a proud sponsor of SCHBC and its mission to improve workplace wellness across South Carolina.
We sat down with Susan Johnson, founder of SCHBC and member of its Executive Leadership Team, to learn more about the program’s beginnings, its impact and the growing role of nature-based wellness in the workplace.
Q&A with SCHBC Founder Susan Johnson
What inspired you to found the South Carolina Healthy Business Challenge, and how did your work at MUSC shape your vision for a statewide workplace-wellness program?
My time at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) sparked a passion for transforming the built environment to support health—from our Urban Farm and tobacco-free campus to outdoor fitness parks, meditation spaces, and community partnerships. That experience showed me the power of policy, place, and people in driving well-being. In 2015, I co-founded the Charleston Healthy Business Challenge as a collaborative, free program to help employers create healthier workplaces through shared learning. What started locally is now a statewide initiative—expanding into Upstate and Midlands regions—with a new focus on nature-based health promotion in commercial and medical settings. We believe that connecting people to green space at work is not just good for health—it’s essential for thriving communities.
Are there any Challenge success stories so far that you are especially proud of?
Mount Pleasant Waterworks stands out as a model participant since our earliest days. They’ve created a vibrant wellness culture—from on-site yoga and cooking classes to building outdoor trails and a new gym. Their team has not only earned our top-level recognition, but also shared their journey at national conferences and were recognized with our Exemplar Award last year at the Best Places to Work event. Brian Head, their wellness champion and current SCHBC Fellow, calls our program their “wellness compass,” helping guide strategy and connection for nearly a decade. It’s a great example of how consistent effort and the right support can build a healthier, more engaged workforce.
In your experience, what are the most common obstacles businesses face when trying to build a culture of wellness, and how does the Challenge help them overcome those hurdles?
Time is one of the biggest barriers—especially the time it takes to research best practices, vet resources, and figure out where to start. Many organizations also struggle with leadership buy-in or reaching hybrid and remote teams. The Challenge helps by streamlining that process—we curate tools, spotlight real examples, and bring in expert speakers on timely, relevant topics. Through our partners, stakeholders, exhibitors, and networking opportunities, we connect participants directly to trusted resources. It’s all designed to reduce the guesswork and help employers take meaningful, informed steps toward a healthier workplace.
How does SCHBC foster peer-to-peer learning and networking among participants?
We intentionally design our events to spark connection. From member spotlights and regional seminars to our Fellowship program and partner-hosted events, businesses learn directly from each other. That kind of real-world, peer-driven learning is where some of the most inspiring ideas—and lasting collaborations—begin.
As you look to the future, what new initiatives or expansions are you most excited about for the Healthy Business Challenge over the next 3–5 years?
I’m so excited about Nature at Work—a new statewide movement we’re launching this summer, helping employers activate nature-based strategies to improve health, productivity, and connection in the workplace. It is supported by the SC Nature, Health & Business Group, a collaborative network advancing this work through membership, programming, and partnerships that help employers reimagine how they support their people—by bringing nature into the way we work, connect, and lead. We’re building statewide partnerships to activate green spaces, promote outdoor engagement, and inspire healthier people and healthier places. It’s a natural evolution of our mission and a bold step toward creating workplaces that truly support whole-person health.
Closing thoughts
Our partnership with Heritage Landcare has been a powerful example of mission alignment in action. From co-presenting at the SC Resiliency Conference and collaborating on the SCHBC Happy Hour Highlight series with Sustain SC at Mark Anthony Brewing, to their ongoing support as an exhibitor and thought partner, Heritage continues to lead by example. Their commitment to healthy people and healthy places mirrors the very heart of Nature at Work—our shared belief that nature-based strategies can transform the workplace for the better. As we expand this movement across South Carolina, we’re grateful for Heritage’s leadership and excited about the new opportunities ahead to inspire, educate, and activate employers to reconnect people with nature—at work, in communities, and across our state.
To learn more about SC Healthy Business Challenge, click here.
