Meet Andrew Gergley

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrew Gergley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrew, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
From an early age, I learned that hard work and dedication can take you anywhere. For me, the key lies in trusting that perseverance and continually raising my own expectations will lead to success. While giving up might seem like the easier path, it’s never been an option in my mind. True growth comes from pushing through challenges and staying committed to the vision of what’s possible.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’ve learned that being taken seriously isn’t always easy. There have been moments when I’ve felt overlooked, taken advantage of, or not given the consideration I deserved. Instead of letting it discourage me, I use those experiences as fuel to push myself even harder—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. That drive, however, has shown me that I’m capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. About a year and a half ago, I applied for an internship at a local marketing agency. I was so excited and confident, thinking I had it in the bag. I was mutual friends with the interviewee and we had a fantastic discussion. Turns out, I didn’t even get a call back. That frustration and the nagging question of ‘what’s wrong with me?’ became the spark that motivated me to start my own business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Columbia has an incredible food scene, and I’m always discovering new places to try. I even keep a notes tab of must-visit spots and date night ideas—though I often find myself returning to my tried-and-true favorites. If I were hosting a guest in Columbia, we’d start the day with coffee in Five Points at Drip or Azalea Coffee. Brunch would follow at my all-time favorite, The Gourmet Shop. Afterward, we could explore the boutiques along Devine Street or catch a USC athletics game for a true local experience. To cap off the evening, we’d head to Hendrix on Main Street for cocktails and tapas—the perfect way to end the day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Everything I do is dedicated to my mom, who instilled in me the values of perseverance and always doing the right thing. I owe so much of who I am to her guidance. I also want to give a heartfelt shoutout to James Agens, my incredible partner, whose unconditional support and encouragement have been invaluable.

Website: www.riterbyers.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riterbyers?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Other: email- andrew@riterbyers.com