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.
Tamajshia
Of course not lol—it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There’ve been plenty of bumps, like struggling to stay consistent or feeling discouraged at times, especially when things weren’t moving how I hoped. But through it all, I’ve learned to stay humble, present, and positive. I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and no matter what, things will always work out exactly how they’re meant to. Read more>>
Yuliia Hoholieva
Hi, my name is Yuliia Hoholieva and I’m originally from Ukraine. I’ve been living in the U.S. for several years now, and my journey into the beauty industry started from a deep desire to help women feel confident, radiant, and truly comfortable in their own skin. Moving to the U.S. was a life-changing step — everything was new. But it was here, in this new chapter, that I chose to fully dedicate myself to the art of permanent makeup. Read more>>
Elijah Godfred
My name is Elijah Godfred, professionally known as DisturbingArt. My journey as an artist began with a deep-rooted passion for creative expression and storytelling, which led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Fine and Applied Art at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. During my time there, I was honored to be recognized as the “Overall Best in Painting (2020/2021 Session)” and the “Winner of the Maiden Gerald Chukwuma Prize for a Burgeoning Creative Painter”—accolades that affirmed my dedication to pushing the boundaries of visual art. Read more>>
Josee Regimbald
What started as a simple Instagram page quickly turned into a growing network of like-minded people who love discovering hidden gems, attending community events, and championing local talent. Over the years, Ottawa Bloggers has grown into a movement—hosting fun networking events, planning unique local experiences, building partnerships, and helping creators and businesses shine. Read more>>
Felipe Ortega
Photography became a part of my life quite naturally. Growing up in Bogotá, Colombia, my family shared a deep love for travelling and discovering new places. My parents always encouraged my sister and me to explore different cultures, people, and environments. I’ve always felt grateful with them and God for that. It also taught me early on that the world is full of beauty and stories waiting to be understood and shared. Read more>>
Charalampos Bilitsis
After several years of hard work and intense studying I completed college and was on my way to a doctorate degree in Chiropractic care. While in chiropractic school I met one of my best friends and current business partners, Dr. Christian Carollo. We stayed in touch for many years after graduation and shared our dreams of opening up our own chiropractic and wellness office together. Well, the next thing I knew- that day came- and Prestige Health and Wellness was born. Slowly over time we have built the business into a 4 location wellness practice. In retrospect I realize that it took a million little steps to create this one giant leap. Read more>>
Bri Heron
I’m Bri, a fitness and nutrition coach, mom of three boys, and founder of Heron Fitness & Nutrition. I’ve been in the fitness world since 2008, but launched my online business after I completed my Master’s in Exercise Science and Sports Nutrition in 2021. During the pandemic, I saw how many women were struggling without in-person support and how much flexibility and impact I could offer by coaching virtually. That shift inspired me to take everything I’d learned from years of in-person experience and bring it online – especially to support women 30+ who are looking for a sustainable, personalized way to lose fat, build strength, and feel confident again. Read more>>
Jessica Eisaman
I had heard of Mary Kay through the years, but it wasn’t until college when I was really struggling with acne & figuring out this whole makeup thing that I tried a foundation & LOVED how it made my skin feel. (I have a crazy before/after pic) Overtime my skin healed using the products & finding my routine. I also learned how to wear makeup that would enhance my beauty not make me feel like a clown. Everything felt amazing… and I started to FEEL beautiful. I Finally felt pretty….and that I was valuable. Read more>>
Kim Russo
I started as a packaging designer in New York City—deep in the creative world, yet always behind the scenes. For years, I lent my eye to others’ visions, never fully realizing I had one of my own. Later, I helped grow my ex’s print shop, where I got my first taste of the business side of creativity. But even then, the idea that I could run a business felt distant. I carried a lot of doubt about whether a lifelong creative like me could also be a successful entrepreneur. Read more>>
Sushil Patel
Long story short, I ended up getting into a world of trouble with the laws. I was sent to a correctional facility in Lexington, Kentucky from the age of 18-24. Art was my way of escape. It was also a way I survived. I had a skill. I was worth something to people. And it kept me out of trouble. My last full year in corrections began spring of 2005, That’s when I began tattooing. In spring of 2006 I returned home to SC, which miraculously was the same year tattooing was made legal in SC. God is always on time. Read more>>
AJ Slambino
I have always loved to entertain. As a life long fan of WWE I began a career in the pro wrestling world in 1999. I continued to wrestle throughout America and still wrestle to this day primarily in the Upstate for Pro Wrestling Turbo. In November of 2019 I decided to start a TikTok page mostly because I was slowing down wrestling and still wanted to entertain. In the summer of 2020 my TikTok page took off. I began to review British food as well as local restaurants and documented my travels throughout the United States and the UK. I’m also a father to 3 kids and partner, as well as working a full time job in corporate America. My passion lies in entertaining which social media and pro wrestling allow me to do. Read more>>
Kelsey Smith
I have always realized that as an owner, I must instill confidence, trust, and a genuine love for those who work with me day in and day out, and achieving this goal has given me satisfaction beyond description. The loyalty of my clients, many of whom have been with me for years, inspires me to keep learning, growing, and offering the services they deserve. I continue to be a role model for young women and especially for my two young boys, who get to grow up and watch their mother succeed through hard work. Read more>>
Ashley Townsend
My journey into the lash industry started awhile back in 2024, As I work from home as well as being a stay at home mom juggling responsibilities and dreaming of something more of myself. I knew I wanted a career that allowed me to express my creativity, connect with others, and still have that flexibility to be present for my family. That’s what led me to enroll part-time at Paul Mitchell The School North Charleston. Read more>>
Margaret Graham
But truthfully, I didn’t like being a teacher. After a couple years as a lead teacher, I stepped back into an assistant role, which gave me the freedom to start making jewelry on the side. I’d been inspired by the intricate jewelry I’d seen while working in a gallery, and I loved how personal it felt, like each artist’s work was a reflection of who they were. That idea stuck with me. Read more>>
Chyna B.
I did some research, found a solid vendor, and decided to move forward. On July 21, 2020, I got my logo made. I didn’t launch right away because I wanted to take time to test out the products. I officially launched my brand on July 8, 2022, but faced some discouragement and stepped back. After taking time to regroup, I relaunched on March 3, 2024—and I’ve been pushing ever since. Everything has been funded out of my own pocket, and my website is now fully up and running. It’s been a journey, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Read more>>
Maisha Lee
I am a hardworking mother who found out the hard way just how little jobs care about their employees. A few years ago I started having migraines and my job fired me. I went to a factory who fired me because I was afraid of heights. Shortly after, I started working from home and my health issues were not going away. My supervisor started micromanaging me and in return I started making videos recapping my day. People resonated with and my platform grew. Once I got fired I started making videos about being a stay at home mom, politics, racism and more. I just found my voice and started speaking out. Read more>>
Amanda Upton
Over time, I fell in love with the way photography could freeze a moment and make people feel confident, seen, and celebrated. In 2009, I officially opened my own studio. I started by photographing families, seniors, and children in our small town of Union, South Carolina. As my business grew, I found my niche in the world of pageantry — capturing headshots and covering major pageant events. Read more>>
Myesha Wicker-Cohen
As the collection gained momentum I realized it was about more than clothing it was about connection. That inspired me to launch the Empowered Moms Hub, a supportive Facebook community designed to give moms a safe space to grow, vent, laugh, and feel seen. We now host weekly themed sessions like Motivation Monday, Wellness Wednesday, and Fun Friday, all focused on motherhood, personal development, and building lasting connections. Read more>>
Jessica Rabon
There I gained more clinical experience which affirmed my decision to work with children and adolescents in a hospital setting. As I was completing my doctoral program, my husband and I decided we wanted to move back to South Carolina, where he is from and where we met in college. I applied to Fellowship at a children’s hospital in the Upstate, got the fellowship and a year later was hired on as a staff psychologist. For the past 6 years I have been splitting my time working medical inpatient and outpatient in our Adolescent Medicine Clinic, serving children, teens, and young adults with a variety of presenting issues including, but not limited to, medical disorders, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, and LGBTQ+ health. Read more>>
Slate Castro Aleman
In 2019, life brought me to Charleston after my daughter was born with some medical complications. Her strength became my motivation. While navigating her early medical needs, I saw an opportunity to use my skills — and that’s when I launched my cleaning company on Kiawah Island. I knew the industry from the inside out and quickly built a trusted business serving high-end vacation homes. Read more>>
Toni Gilliard
As a small brand without millions in marketing or distribution leverage, we quickly realized the need to innovate. The 2024 consumer shift toward low/no-alcohol alternatives presented both a challenge and an opportunity. While we continue to push our original RTD line, we’ve expanded into the non-alcoholic space with RESORT—a line of organic, vacation-inspired mocktail and cocktail mixers. Read more>>
Christina Crosby
While I learned so much and am proud of the work I did, I reached a point where I needed to reflect on what truly mattered to me. What stood out—through all the roles and responsibilities—was how much I loved helping people find their next home and get settled. That was always the most rewarding part. Read more>>
Nicole Fehr
After several roles that sharpened my skills and shaped my career, I realized there was a bigger need I could meet. That’s when Executive Alignment Consulting was born. Unlike most roles, being an assistant doesn’t come with a rulebook. There’s no college course that teaches the art of anticipating needs, aligning with your executive, or thriving in the pressure-cooker of high-level business support. It’s not the “easy” job many think it is—it’s strategic, demanding, and absolutely vital. Read more>>
Bethany Henderson
I’m always learning and growing in photography. The community I’ve built within the photography world has been a huge blessing. I’ve had opportunities working alongside some of the best photographers and have learned so much through the guidance they have given me. From the love and support of so many I’ve been able to continue my passion in photography while continuing to stay home with my toddler and spending as much time with her as possible. Read more>>
Jacob Winslow
Oh not at all. The first 2 years I didn’t know a lot of safety measures when it came to parkour. I broke my ankle within a couple months. It took me out of it for about 6 months, but I started again as soon as I was able! I’ve had quite a few injuries doing what I do. It’s like any extreme sport, there are risks involved in everything we do. We practice our movements hundreds and hundreds of times before ever doing them in a “riskier” scenario. Accidents happen, the goal is to be safe and focused always during your training, and never try anything you’re not ready for. That is why after 4 years of training my team, Phoenix Freerunning and I opened Phoenix Freerunning Academy, and taught kids and adults alike how to safely practice parkour as the Only Parkour gym in all of Michigan for 8 years. Read more>>
William Farrior III
In 2014 I graduated from the College of Charleston R.E.A.C.H. program where I was able to learn and grow while discovering my passion for helping others, including those in the disability community. After graduating from college, I wanted to help other young adults and parents with kids with disabilities navigate their transition through life smoother than mine was growing up. I currently work as a Self-Advocacy Specialist for the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council. I am the coordinator of an in-house program called Partners in Policymaking®. I have been in this position since July 2015. I oversee all the self-advocacy grants and sit on several boards and committees. Read more>>
