Entrepreneur Minute – Karen Yip, Yip Premier Real Estate

The Who’s on the Move Entrepreneur Minute is an interview series exploring how South Carolina businesses and organizations are innovating to stay competitive in a rapidly changing world. Each episode features leaders from a wide range of industries—including private companies, nonprofits, education, healthcare and manufacturing—who are embracing new ideas, technologies and strategies to drive growth and create lasting impact. In 2026, innovation is no longer optional. Organizations that fail to adapt risk becoming irrelevant, while those that innovate are shaping the future of their industries and communities.

We would like to thank our sponsors of this video series:

• NP Strategy
• First Community Bank

Karen Yip, Founder & Principal Broker, Yip Premier Real Estate

Karen’s parents immigrated to Columbia and began pursuing their American dream just blocks from where Yip Premier Real Estate recently opened its new headquarters. Karen launched the brokerage in 2013 from a spare bedroom and has grown it into one of the region’s most recognized independent real estate firms.

At a time when much of the industry is consolidating, Yip Premier Real Estate has remained locally owned, family-owned, and independent. The firm recently completed a $1.5 million investment in a historic building in Columbia’s Cottontown neighborhood and was recognized by Historic Columbia for its preservation efforts.

Beyond the business milestones, Karen has a thoughtful perspective on entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience, community investment, and building a company around relationships.

Below is our full and separate conversation with Karen Yip. You can also listen to this as a podcast on Apple and Spotify. Just search for the WhoOnTheMove SC podcast and please consider subscribing.