The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below.
Rebekah Truett
My journey into the event industry started with a deep love for creating beautiful, memorable experiences. I always enjoyed arranging flowers for family and friends and curating special meals for gatherings. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a passion. I realized how flowers, food, and décor can completely transform an event, and I wanted to share that beauty with others. Read More>>
Thomas Bierce
It has been anything but a smooth ride but if it was easy then everyone would be doing it. I’d say the permitting was the biggest obstacle. since I was one of the first in the state to apply for such an operation, I faced some public push back mostly from people who owned property nearby but I didn’t want to let them set the president that would make it harder for the next guy to overcome so I pressed on. Frank Roberts and Julie Davis of Ladys Island Oyster Co were very helpful as mentors and advocates as well as Cody Lenhardt who recently passed away is someone I definitely owe a lot of gratitude. Read more>>
Teagan Litten
I grew up in South London as the middle child between two brothers, and I had a happy, lively childhood. In 2008, my family moved to Virginia, and since then, I’ve been hopping between different states across the U.S. My dad was always behind the camera, documenting everything, which sparked my own passion for filming. I started posting on YouTube at a young age, sharing everything from hamster DIY projects to homemade music videos. Oversharing has always come naturally to me—I love the idea of creating a digital diary to look back on. Read more>>
Wendi Hill
I credit the longevity of Market Momentum to constantly evolving and always learning. Her services include advertising development, branding packages, graphic design, content development, digital marketing, social media management, event planning, website development and more. I started a weekly podcast in 2024 called “Confessions from the Home Office” which I shares tips and tricks for marketing professionals all while sharing her life working from home. I also started a series of online courses which help give interested professionals the keys to a virtually marketing background. Read more>>
Dr. Ryan Teten
Any new job comes with its own set of challenges. As executive director, I think our main challenge was sharing the amazing classes and educational programs that we provide with the community at-large. SAM not only rotates four exhibits of national artists during the year, we also teach classes on everything from beginning watercolors to advanced ceramic wheel throwing. I feel that a very large part of my job is to supply continuing education to all of the diverse members of the surrounding community and provide valuable classes, educational outreach and contemporary exhibits that spark discussion and, importantly, expose patrons to different ways of viewing the world. Read more>>
Heaven Powell
Thus, Cookie Heaven was born. Or at least the idea of it. I knew I needed more than just a chocolate chip cookie to work with. So I got to working on some other cookies that I felt would knock people’s socks off and reach cookie lovers all across the spectrum of cookie flavors. As a result of lots of experimenting in the kitchen I arrived at our signature six, consisting of the Russell, Freda Mae, Geraldine, Ruthie Pie, Bobo and Silly Willy. These cookies are the foundation of Cookie Heaven. In addition to our signature six, I aim to release at least one new cookie every month in hopes of keeping my creative juices flowing and to keep people coming back for more. Read more>>
Pippin Schupbach
These weren’t just important, but foundational to my wellbeing. I also had the good fortune to study art and art history at a small college in the San Juan Mountain range in Colorado. After graduating, I lived in different cities and worked non-creative jobs, but eventually attended design school in San Diego and this led to a job in publishing doing layout and design for several magazines. It’s only been the last five years that I’ve made being an artist my focus. Currently, I’m living in Asheville, North Carolina with my husband, a philosophy professor at Clemson University. When I’m not in my studio, I enjoy exploring Blue Ridge Mountains which provides such incredible inspiration for my artwork. Read more>>
Romy Flor
I can’t leave aside my uncle John, he was a fundamental part of my childhood, he used to have a summer school where they mainly taught art, working with clay, oil painting, dance and many other formidable arts, for around 6 years he taught me to model figures and paint, today what I learned with him is a fundamental part of my art, he will always be my favorite uncle. Read more>>
Gervase Kolmos
I now have 11 years experience under my belt helping women untangle who they actually are from who the world told them to be. I hold deep space for women in their unlearning and then their inevitable homecoming back to themselves. I teach women to create deeply satisfying lives that honor not just the culture’s ideals and expectations but their body and soul wisdom. It’s so rewarding to remind women of their own inner knowing and return them to their power to reclaim their lives from the conventional choices they stumbled into or felt pressured to make (like me feeling like a failure for not hacking it as a working mom that first time!)—everything from motherhood to how to be in relationship to what success truly looks and feels like. Read more>>
Sydney Lavarnwy
What sets me apart is that, at just 16 years old, I own an online apparel company and have an ambitious goal: competing in the 2026 Youth Olympics. My dedication is unwavering—I wake up almost every day at 5 AM to train, attend school, and then train again in the afternoon. My commitment to success extends beyond athletics; I am graduating a semester early to dedicate even more time and energy to achieving my dreams. Read more>>
Nadezhda Semenova
I am inspired each day how it transforms and changes peoples lifestyle and perspectives in a better way . Read more>>
Elizabeth Castleberry
Three years into the hustle as a full-time art director with a demanding side-gig, an opportunity from one of my clients was presented to me which would change my trajectory from my current position to establishing my own company, E.C. Creative, in March of 2022. Some of my previous connections that I made over the years became part of my regular clientele and have graciously referred me to others where I have been afforded the chance to prosper from an abundance of profitable and professional opportunities. Three years into this phase of my career, I am grateful for those connections I’ve made which continue to keep me busy and steadfast in my profession. Read more>>
Dr. Ericka L. McKnight
Dr. McKnight (Brown) is the owner of ELM School of Real Estate (first African American female to open up a real estate school in southeastern region), ELM Realty (United States & International) & ELM Developer Group. Dr. McKnight (Brown) is a 22x worldwide bestselling author and course/curriculum creator. Her extraordinary career spans over 22 plus years of experience in the real estate industry, coaching, mentorship, training and as a Graduate Degree Studies-Professor at some of the most prominent colleges worldwide. Read more>>
Suzanne Engel
I’ve always been great with numbers and problem-solving, so accounting was a natural fit. But as I worked with business owners, I kept seeing the same frustrating patterns—people making good money but not understanding how to manage or grow it, overpaying in taxes, and getting generic advice that wasn’t actually helping them build wealth. Read more>>
Taylor Johnson
I am very lucky to have had mostly amazing clients and projects. Running a business is always hard, but I have a great group of other designers, family and friends who encourage me and offer advice when needed. The biggest struggle was probably related to when to leave my corporate job. It was hard leaving a steady paycheck and benefits. Read more>>
Sunny Dublick
After graduation I went on to work for a large agency focused on gaming and hospitality. A year or so later I got the itch to learn more and expand my career goals so I went internal at a corporate marketing job… unfortunately that itch kept coming back and despite changing jobs and loving what I did I never found a place I was truly happy. At my last corporate job I was part of a round of layoffs and figured I would just freelance in the meantime until I got a fulltime job again. I would up loving it so much I parlayed it into creating my own business. Read more>>
Tarsya Mercer
Beyond that, balancing everything can be overwhelming at times. As women, we naturally take on multiple roles, and while we are deeply passionate about the work we do, maintaining that balance between our careers, families, and growing Ashé & Company can sometimes feel like a juggling act. Read more>>
Dawn Billeci
Another major obstacle has been securing funding, especially when it comes to implementing these programs in places where they are needed most. Many communities, schools, and organizations are eager to integrate wellness practices but face financial constraints. Finding sustainable funding to ensure these programs are accessible to those who would benefit the most is an ongoing challenge. Read more>>
Darren Hartford
Along the way I met my beautiful bride and we raised 2 wonderful kids. In 2017, we decided it was time to retire from the Air Force and I asked my wife–who had endured 18 different moves — where she wanted to live. Without a moment’s hesitation she let me know we would be moving to Charleston. We had been stationed there as one of my last duty stations so it was almost like coming home when we moved back. Read more>>
Andrea Bednar
Growing up I always loved anything creative but aside from one summer art class in my teens I never had any training and would have never considered myself an artist. In 2017 I was in a car accident that could have been fatal but I didn’t even break a bone. The accident did, however, leave me bedridden for three weeks. Out of boredom I start to draw and realized how much peace and joy it brought me. From there I experimented with other mediums and fell in love with painting. 8 years later I am pursuing art as more of a profession on top of being a mom of three boys and a hairstylist. Read more>>
Savannah Watson
I opened in December 2023 with the idea of creating a space where people could connect through creativity. The store has three parts: a front area where local artisans rent shelf space to sell their handmade goods, a middle section where I serve boba tea and coffee, and a back studio where I teach art classes and offer walk-in crafts. It’s a mix of everything I love, and while it hasn’t always been easy, it’s been an incredible journey. Read more>>
Hanna Biasonava
In Europe, I dedicated years to perfecting the sugaring technique, attracting clients who were seeking a gentler alternative to synthetic wax and laser procedures. Sugar paste became my professional choice due to its versatility—it’s suitable for sensitive skin, for people with vein issues, for pregnant women, and even for teenagers. Hypoallergenic and less painful, it offers a solution for virtually everyone. Read more>>
Paul Rossi
After losing everything in a drunken moment of stupidity, I’ve also been a Military Security Contractor and lived and worked for a year in Southern Afghanistan fighting the Taliban. I worked on a maritime security response team on a Department of Defense contract with the Missile Defense Agency. I was also on a personal protection contract as a Diplomatic Security Contractor for the Department of State and worked for the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, Kurdistan. I’m now over 20 years sober and my Acting Career is getting better and better. Read more>>
Lauren Chambers
After being a teacher for 12 years and feeling as though I wasn’t being fulfilled. I felt as though I needed a creative outlet and had a calling to help people. It was at this time I decided that God had a 2nd calling for my life. I decided I wanted to own my own business. I thought through my passions, what I liked, what I desired in a career, and concluded an event planner was the correct route for me. With no knowledge, marketing, and/or business background I just figured it out along the way. I networked and found couples that took a chance on me. I believe that my hard work and dedication to my business has gotten me to where I am today. Read more>>
Shelby Fonseca
For me, jewelry always held some sort of memory to it. when you wear it all the time, it gets worn out and even break at the clasp. most of the time when this would happen, you end up losing the piece which can be heart breaking. my dad passed in 2017 and i wear a necklace with his ashes in it, never take it off, not in the shower or swimming. So, why not make it permanent so i never have to worry about it breaking off? once i heard of permanent jewelry, i had to learn for myself so i can make memories permanent for other people too Read more>>
Meg Indy Hayley Price
Not entirely—and honestly, we wouldn’t want it any other way. Building The Founders Society has been a classic case of building the airplane while it’s in the air. We didn’t have a perfectly mapped-out business plan when we started, and we definitely weren’t experts in running retreats or cultivating a creative network at this scale. But we believed in what we were creating, and we knew that figuring things out along the way was part of the magic. Read more>>
Jason Colby
She found herself helping many patients who were suffering from mold sickness. While treating patients, she would refer them to local mold testing companies and mold remediation specialists, but found that the industry standards were often inadequate. This left many people without solutions, still exposed to mold, and unable to heal. With 15 years of experience in mold remediation before transitioning to functional medicine, she saw a gap in the industry and knew she could make a difference. Determined to address this issue, she dove deep into mold science and within six months, developed a company that would provide a more thorough inspection for an affordable cost. She often jokes that I fell in love with her because of her microscope. Read more>>
Natalia Jackson
Over the years I also chose to continue my “on-going” education and became certified to do advanced brows, advanced lip blushing, and paramedical tattooing. I have had many opportunities to help people who are wanting scars camouflaged with their own skin color. I have also helped those who have had cleft lips or scars on and around their mouths. I love to help people feel confident about their appearance and create a transformation for them that goes beyond the surface by creating a positive change within them. Read more>>
Sonia and Amy Jaworski And Hill
Tri It For Life Greenville was founded by friends Sonia Jaworski and Amy Hill. The ladies have previous triathlon experience and mentored together for a virtual Tri It for Life program. When Amy relocated to Greenville from Charleston, they became determined to launch a new chapter. Both believe women in the Greenville area will benefit from the empowerment, support and sense of achievement earned from this organization. Read more>>
Calissa Earle DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Wow! This is a great question. My journey started years ago as a residential assistant, where I visited elderly patients in their homes for a few hours daily. At around the age of 18, the company decided to transition all employees to 1099 contractor status. I was apprehensive about tracking my own mileage and recording tax information, which led me to choose the option to end the assignment. Read more>>
Krystl And Pete Schmidt
Every dream worth chasing, comes with challenges. Growing our business has taken both passion and perseverance. At times it has been exciting, fulfilling, and rewarding, but it has also been challenging, exhausting, and sometimes downright discouraging. What keeps us pushing through is the belief in what we are building and creating for others to experience. The long days, the setbacks, and the sacrifices are all part of the journey. Success doesn’t happen overnight, it’s built through persistence, resilience, and the willingness to keep going even when it feels impossible. Read more>>
Malika Eberhardt
My name is Malika Eberhardt, and I’m from Norfolk, VA. Since the age of three, dance has been my passion. I danced anywhere and everywhere I was allowed—street battles, dance teams, recreational programs, middle and high school cheer and dance teams—you name it, I did it. But beyond my personal love for dance, I always dreamed of something bigger. I wanted to create a space where young girls, especially those from backgrounds like mine, could find purpose, mentorship, and a positive outlet through dance. Read more>>
Jenn Dipirro
In August of 2024, I underwent a craniotomy to repair the hole in my skull. The surgeons placed metal plates to hold everything in place, ensuring that my brain was protected. The procedure was intense, and the recovery even more so. For six weeks, I focused on healing, allowing my body the time it needed to recover from something I never could have anticipated. Read more>>
Laurin Legare
Co-founding a food business gave me firsthand insight into what it takes to stand out in a competitive industry, especially in spaces where word-of-mouth alone isn’t enough. I saw how strategic branding and digital marketing could completely change the trajectory of a business—not just attracting customers, but building a loyal community. Read more>>
Cat Wondergem
Each medium has different tools and techniques which has allowed me to explore and build on each new endeavor with a more creative approach. When I moved from the mountains of Asheville, NC to the low country of SC in 2005, my work made the transition from fine craft so prevalent in the Appalachian area to gyotaku (Japanese fish printing). I have been pursuing some form of printmaking ever since. My current body of work is linocut relief prints that are enhanced with watercolor. Read more>>
Esprit Oree
As a child, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. I just knew that I wanted to help people, I wanted to be happy, and that I didn’t really want a job (lol). Or at least I didn’t want it to *feel* like a job. And I have found that thing. Being able to connect with people and help them find mobility, relief from pain and discomfort, develop body awareness and even release some deeply buried emotions and weight has been such a rewarding experience. To be able to hold space for them to come back to their home, their body is truly a blessing that I do not take lightly. Read more>>
Todd Smith
Following a brief hiatus, Todd returned to the BBQ scene with a bang, launching an impressive 14,000 square-foot, two-story restaurant on Main Street in downtown Spartanburg. This new venture showcases his signature smoked meats and delightful sides, drawing in crowds eager to experience his renowned BBQ daily. Todd’s commitment to quality and flavor continues to inspire both aspiring pitmasters and BBQ enthusiasts alike. Read more>>
Maegan Romanello
I started researching blogs and recipes and eventually was able to write my own after a lot of trial and error, then I was posting blogs with outfits and recipes that I had created. One day, a coworker asked if I could make her twin daughters birthday cakes and it hit me, maybe I could turn the baking into a business. I did more research and learned that I could get a permit through the county to legally operate a cottage bakery from my home. Then came time to come up with a name, it came so organically I almost missed it. I’m one of those people who talks to themselves when they work and I said something like “My name is Maegs and I bake cakes” and a name was born, Maegs Bakes Cakes. Read more>>
Quinnesha Winters
Dr. Quinn relocated to the Greenville area in 2021 and pivoted to providing wellness services as she gained some footing in the upstate. Mobility Matters made a pivot to providing pelvic and sexual health physical therapy services in 2024 as she saw a need for the community to break past taboos of not speaking of changes that happen over the lifespan in regards to pelvic health. We opened our clinic space Mid 2024 to serve the Greenville community through physical therapy and wellness services in addition to community engagement/education. Read more>>
Ian Holt
Natural Roots was founded in 2015 by a master gardener, He started to notice the demand for Eco-friendly pest control and Natural Roots was born. It all stated with one man and one truck. Fast forward to 2025 we now are the leading eco-friendly pest control and wildlife company in the midlands we now have 4 trucks, perform services all over the area, and are rapidly growing. Read more>>
Estafany Figueroa
I guess you can say she taught me to be a compassionate attorney and to do the job to help people, not to take advantage of the situation. To this day, there are times, I cannot in good conscience take a fee on a case. I suppose that is what sets me apart. I also speak Spanish, and although there are others who speak Spanish there are only very few who are also Latinos and understand the culture and circumstances, there are unspoken truths we live with. Read more>>
Patro Ulmer
What sets me apart is my lived experience. Being colorblind forces me to see the world differently, and that translates into my art. I don’t just paint what I see; I paint how I feel, how I interpret the world around me. This unique perspective, combined with my dedication to my craft and my passion for sharing my knowledge, makes my work distinct. I’m not just creating art; I’m creating a dialogue, a connection, a shared experience. Read more>>
Stephanie Smith
I am proud of starting this business with little to no knowledge of how to run a business and being where I am now. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my husband Travis and my friends and family who supported me along the way. I am also proud of running this business while working a part time job and raising 3 handsome boys ages 6, 4 and 1. Read more>>
April Harvey
This past year has transformed me so much that I decided to go back to school for Hollistic Practioner and Hollistic nutrition . God has changed my life in the past year with guidance and faith and I can’t wait to share with others what I have learned and teach others the importance of learning your surroundings and the health benefits that has been placed in things such as a sweet gum seed . The next generation needs to know you can make everything you need all the way to the medicines we take and the food we eat and be bountiful . Read more>>
Lexi Smith
When I first moved to Columbia, I had many worries, “Will I be able to keep up doing photography while in school?” “How will I even get clientele here? All my peers are in the Upstate..” “Am I making the right decision coming here?” I started out with some free shoots in the area, then partnered with my friend’s personal training gym for exposure… that same year during grad season, I booked over 25 graduates! I also had an opportunity to intern at a local welding school for a social media management position. I really couldn’t believe it, all I could do was thank God and know I had made the right decision. Read more>>
Laura Jayne Powers
Because of this, we learned the ins and outs of swimwear: what’s functional, what’s stylish, and what’s needed to enhance your lifestyle. In addition to the logistics and style details, we’re passionate about empowering ourselves while enjoying the beautiful world around us. We value the outdoors, family, friends, making memories, eating good, sharing our journeys, and expressing ourselves. Our bikinis are crafted to embody each of those values and make others like us feel confident, comfortable, and happy in their own skin. Read more>>
Ruslan Millinhton
A local studio in Sumy, Ukraine, noticed my work and immediately offered me a position as a tattoo artist. That’s where I gained my first real experience. After some time, I moved to Kyiv, where I established myself as a top artist. From there, my career kept evolving, leading me to work internationally, including my current position at Ghost Tattoo Studio in Charlotte, NC. Read more>>
Sridevi Kanduri
Fantastical Wicks LLC started as a passion project fueled by my love for reading in cozy atmospheres. As someone who lived under the clouds of Seattle for years, I’ve always been drawn to the candles to lift and set my mood while studying, watching shows with my family, or reading on my own. Candles truly did bring about a feeling of coziness. Eventually, with K-12 education and college, reading for entertainment completely fell to the wayside, and it was not until a few years after graduation that I started lighting a candle and reading just for the joy of reading again. I wanted to create something that blended my love for reading with the creativity that I felt in making candles, and hand-poured book-themed candles felt like the perfect medium. Read more>>
Jennifer (Lainey) Aprile
I still love what I do all these years later and I still believe I have one of the best jobs in the world! Some of my highlights while being in the industry – being nominated and voted Best Stylist by Best of The Upstate, nominated Best Salon, working with Guy Tang, Martin Parsons, Candy Shaw, being featured in Short Hairstyles Magazine, being featured in Inspire Magazine (an international magazine) & meeting/ serving the people! I truly believe when you’re doing what you’ve been called to it doesn’t feel like work but more like an opportunity to use your gifts to inspire, serve others! Read more>>
Dr. Cerrissa Hugie
Determined to advance, I applied to MUSC, where I was waitlisted but later accepted just six weeks before the semester started. I pushed through, finishing in the top five of my class. While I had already worked as a therapist and had a deep passion for mental health, discovering psychiatric nursing felt like finding home—it was the perfect blend of my natural ability to connect with people, my clinical skills, and my passion for mental and emotional wellness. Read more>>
Daniela Guerrero
In my early teens, my father gifted me my first film camera, and 18 years later, I’ve never put a camera down. It was clear to me from the start that this was my path. Though my vision has evolved, photography will always be my guiding force. I began exploring documentary photography during my travels, and after a long journey—physically, mentally, and emotionally—backpacking through South America, the path led me here, where I became a mother. I was learning a new language, a new culture, and a new way of life, so foreign to what I was used to. Read more>>
Evan Carr
Modeled on similar outreach efforts across the country, Spartanburg Shares opened its doors to the community on October 13, 2012. In October 2011, an organizational board began meeting to establish a working model and enlist community stakeholders. Since then, several critical local agencies and organizations have pledged their support. The closet is located in space generously donated by the Episcopal Church of the Advent. The Advent Outreach Center is located at 137 S. Dean Street in downtown Spartanburg. Our loan closet is the only one of its kind in the Upstate and in South Carolina, and one of three in both Carolinas. Read more>>
Alena Popova
The journey of running a newborn photography business comes with its own set of challenges. Marketing effectively, standing out in a market filled with budget photographers, and ensuring that skills and expertise are properly valued can be difficult. Reaching the right audience takes time and strategy, and meeting Charleston’s licensing requirements adds another layer of responsibility. Read more>>
Kristi Outland
After meeting in 2005, these passions have blossomed in so many ways. As they say, “birds of a feather, flock together.” After Chris ‘popped the question’ in 2008, he knew the only gift for his girl would be a joggling board, where they could sit outdoors and enjoy each other’s company on the porch of their first home. Although Chris is a perpetual procrastinator, he did start looking for a joggling board well before their wedding date and kept hitting dead ends. Rather than find a more attainable gift, he decided to put his woodworking skills to good use by designing and building his bride a joggling board. Read more>>
