Author Gary C. Cooper articulated a business approach from two varying perspectives, Tuesday at the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Business meeting, at Stone River in West Columbia.

Cooper, who lives in Pawleys Island, is the Executive Chairman of Palmetto Infusion. It’s a multi-million dollar home healthcare business that operates in six states. Cooper is also the author of The Success Paradox: How to Surrender and Win in Business and in Life. 

C-WC Chamber President and CEO Tim James said he read Cooper’s book and was touched by Cooper’s ability to value other people. He also described the author as transparent and genuine. Before speaking Tuesday, Cooper was presented with a motion from Rep. Russell Ott and the SC House of Representatives in recognition of his successful business operations and development of servant leadership. 

In his address at the Chamber Breakfast, Tuesday, Cooper said he drove himself early in life.

“I worked hard to get what I wanted,” Cooper said. He is a graduate of Wofford College, with a graduate degree from the University of South Carolina. Cooper’s father died when Cooper was 28, leaving him to run a home health care business with 500 employees. In response to the responsibility, Cooper began a path of workaholism and alcoholism, he said, that nearly cost him his business and his family of a wife and four children. He also said he was told he would not live long if he didn’t stop drinking.

“I was chasing cars, money and success,” Cooper said. He said he was drinking heavily while building six companies, running 60 miles a week and not resting. At one point he sold a business, he said, for $20 million, but “felt like a loser” because he didn’t get as much as someone else who sold their business.

His pastor advised him to go home and be grateful because he had a car, a roof over his head and food. 

Cooper said he couldn’t say “no” and put on different personas depending on which crowd he was associating with; from rednecks to business associates or social encounters. “I was a chameleon,” Cooper said.  He also said:  “I ended up doing some terrible things. I was running against the wind.”  But then he decided to make a change. 

“I’ve been in recovery for seven-and-a-half years,” Cooper said. “I’ve had a network, a group of 15 around me and God.” As a part of recovery, Cooper said he has learned to surrender and to be kind and caring. Cooper also said he does not run from the pain he has experienced. “Never shut the door on your past,” he said. “Turn into the pain. Don’t run from it. Grow from it.”

Cooper also said he’s learned to say “no” and to find out if someone is hurting and help them if you can. He also said he makes sure to rest and stays quiet and works to help others look good.