Experience Matters
I'm Jeff Banks. I founded South Hickory Holdings, LLC to create generational wealth for my family.
I can help you do the same.
I’ve taken the path less traveled in my business career. I left the military and started a corporate career at USAA, rising through the ranks to become an executive. I left USAA for an opportunity to help monetize data assets at General Motors. I’ve also been blessed to be an executive leader at Meta (formerly Facebook) and Comerica. However, I eventually came to a professional crossroad: Continue in corporate roles or finally put the focus on the hospitality brand I co-founded that was dying on a vine.
I made the tough decision to leave corporate America to focus on my investment partnership, The Four Skillets Group. It’s been a painful journey filled with quite a few mistakes. However, my business partners and I stayed the course. We launched our 8-figure brand, Conversa, in 2024 after a difficult 3-year journey. Now, I’m able to leverage my experiences to expand my real estate and business portfolio and to help busy business professionals start their own.
My Projects and I Have Been Featured On...
I am a Managing Partner in the Four Skillets Group. We invest in hospitality brands and associated products and services. Check out our flagship investment, Conversa Elevated
Selected Brand Development Services
Vision
A great business and/or brand begins with iterating on the art of the possible. There are great opportunities across a number of industries that we can help define for you.
Strategy
A vision requires a clear set of plans and activities that will bring that vision to life. This is much more than creating a business plan. It includes understanding market conditions, regulatory considerations and other factors that we have navigated
Execution
A strategy requires skilled project management and organizational skills to ensure all moving parts come together. We provide project management services to ensure critical resources are aligned and delivering to plan.
Management
Launching a brand or opening a business is just the start. Investments require oversight to ensure the original vision is maintained. Decisive action is required when a brand or business deviates from it’s strategic intent to ensure investor goals remain on track.