Okay, let’s tackle this. So Rick Kern has 44 years of experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur. His skills in strategic planning, marketing, and sales management are in demand. However, his experience is not in a high-demand field like tech or finance. Location is Simpsonville, SC, which is a smaller market. Considering his experience and skills, I would estimate his hourly rate to be around $125. This is slightly lower than average for a small business owner with similar experience, but it's reasonable given the local market and his industry. Some small business owners in similar positions might charge $150-$200 per hour, but Kern's experience and skills are more geared towards a traditional retail or manufacturing environment.