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.
Joseph Venitsanos
When winter came and we couldn’t sell kettle corn, a Christmas tree lot setup in the same parking lot. I went to the owner and asked for a job and got one at $8 an hour in 2015. These memories led me to do the same thing in SC. I went to a Christmas tree lot on Lincolnville Road called “Holidays at Mistletoe Lane” and asked for a job on the weekends between my construction schedule just for fun. I quickly became his best worker due to my experience and work ethic and we formed a friendship we still have to this day. Read More>>
John Neel
Even as a child, I loved being on the square in Edgefield and listening to senior males talk about the war and anything that was the topic of the day. One of the biggest early influences in my life was my Grandma “Ama,” Lois Lular Griffis Neel. My grandfather’s, Fred Hurley Neel was a solider from Virginia, who met my grandma while stationed in the miliarity in Columbia. To this day the mountains of Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia just speak to my heart. Interesting enough my wife’s family was not too far away from his home place. It is always such a joy to be in those mountains. Read More>>
Rose Woelker
My business was and still is an important aspect of our financial well-being and we are grateful every day for the opportunity to have and operate a business in the beautiful city of Greenville. We cherish our lessons learned and we are using every day as another opportunity to grow, learn and be the best we can be by providing our guests with a great tour experience. Read More>>
Bethany Vivo
My journey started at The Swedish Institute College of Health Science in NYC, where I dove deep into the world of body mechanics. Over the years, I’ve mastered a variety of powerful techniques, blending them into a unique, cutting-edge approach that helps my clients break free from pain and move with ease. Because here’s the thing—pain, soreness, or that constant feeling of being “tight” often isn’t just about the spot that hurts. It’s about uncovering the underlying stability issues elsewhere in your body. Together, we’ll track down the true source of your discomfort and create a game plan to get you feeling strong, mobile, and pain-free. Read More>>
James Day
Then, 4 years ago we moved to Myrtle Beach and I expanded the company to South Carolina. Myrtle Beach & Charleston brought night clubs, concerts, festivals, etc. I soon found a love for House/ Club/ EDM music. I also soon found requests from all over the country to play for them. Last year, I opened for ALABAMA, MC’s for ESPN, DJ’d for Broadway at the Beach, Lexus USA, CCU, Univ of SC and so many more. I truly have found my voice and passion in music…..and just goes to show, you can start a dream at any age. Read More>>
Jessa Frances
While writing my stories, I traversed across the hills of Scotland and ended up finding much more than just the standing stones and the beautiful highlands; I found myself. I uncovered the programing and the generational trauma that had been holding me and my family back. Since then, I have become a trauma-informed yoga teacher, a non-alcoholic beverage consultant and a memoir writing coach in order to help other women work their way through their shadow work and take on their lives with my mindfulness, clarity, confidence, and authenticity. Read More>>
Andrew Jones
I was 19 when I first stepped into the world of oyster harvesting, introduced by a friend. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with it. There’s something profound about spending your days deep in a creek, surrounded by pluff mud and salty air, knowing you might be the first person to walk those marshes since the Native Americans did. Out there, far from the chaos of everyday life, all that exists are the oysters, the water, and a clear mind. Read More>>
Sara Zimmerman
Years later, I received another camera as a birthday gift, and it reignited my passion for capturing the world around me. As a huge nature lover, I’ve always found peace and solitude in the great outdoors, developing a deep connection with Mother Earth. Whether it was hiking through forests, exploring parks, or simply observing the beauty of nature, I always had my camera with me. There was something special about capturing those spontaneous moments-whether it was the way light played through trees or the movement of wildlife. Photography became a way for me to not only document my experiences but share the quiet, powerful beauty of the natural world with others. Read More>>
Patrick Krohn
The first question most people ask me is why the name “One-Eyed Dog Studios.” I wanted to do something a little different than other photographers and not just use my own name. We had a very sweet, one-eyed rescue dog named Rogue. And I do not have what you would think of as a typical photo studio either. As a visual story teller of nature around Aiken, I think of all the locations I visit and enjoy – even my front yard – as one of my living studios. Read More>>
Melyssa Jaskiewicz
Founding Leveling the Fields felt like the natural culmination of these elements. As a former athlete and someone who’s seen the transformative impact of sports, I recognized the barriers many young girls face when it comes to participation—whether those challenges are access, affordability, or opportunities to develop leadership skills. Every step of my journey has shaped me into who I am, from growing up in an entrepreneurial household to my education and professional roles. I’m excited to continue growing Leveling the Fields and expanding opportunities for the next generation of young leaders. Read More>>
Lexi Pearson
For as long as I can remember – the place I felt I was the best version of myself was on the back of a horse. From age 4, I could be found at a local barn in Massachusetts as often as possible, assisting with whatever chores needed to be completed for a little extra saddle time. There were years of hard work, sweat, tears and broken hearts but if horses teach you anything, it is about grit, determination and a little luck. I knew early on that training horses was not going to be the avenue I pursued, but I hoped that someday, working with horses would find it’s way back to me. Read More>>
Imee Cuison
I was an ICU RN for 10 years before I learned how to code and become a software engineer. I hated nursing from the first day of nursing school, but I went along with it because I didn’t know what else to do. I decided to enroll in a software engineering bootcamp in Charleston and finally go for my dream as an engineer. That was 10 years ago. I am a software engineer, data scientist, and data engineer. I’m also a public speaker and gives talks and workshops about women in tech issues and a stand-up comedian. Read More>>
Anne Abueva
Originally from Chicago, IL, currently living in Charleston, SC. I became an artist by way of interior design. As much as I love interiors, painting is the thing I cannot stop doing- even if I try! Potential paintings pop into my head all the time- when I’m on a walk, watching a movie, cooking or even listening to music. The overlap of creative endeavors and how they relate to and support one another is very inspiring for me. Read More>>
Kaminer Haislip
After graduation, I moved to Charleston, South Carolina and established my studio. I design and create all of my original, handcrafted designs utilizing techniques that have been used for centuries. Inspired by Charleston’s extensive silversmithing tradition, I am dedicated to carrying forth that legacy. In addition to my work as an artist, I am frequently commissioned by individuals to create unique objects and jewelry in silver and gold. Read More>>
Amanda Leidy
I specialize in documentary photography, which can include people, places, animals, and everything in between. My goal is to create art from what is naturally occurring, with minimal or no alteration. Even in the ugly parts of life, there is room to find beauty, and I aim to capture that. Read More>>
Ricardo Rodriguez
I was born and raise in Puerto Rico. I lived most of my childhood and adolescence in Mayaguez, a west coast municipality of PR. After graduating high school in 2005, I wanted to attend a Communications College in San Juan, but growing up in a less than middle class household, with 3 other siblings, I didn’t have the money to pay for tuition. After enrolling in a community college and completing one semester, I realize that this was not exactly what I wanted. Especially not the program I would have prefer on completing. So after dropping college on my second semester of my first year, in 2006, I enlisted in the U.S Army as an 11X recruit. Read More>>
Colin Juffer
When I had arrived at Clemson I was pretty short on money so I started working on friends cars/ trucks to make some side cash. I started to get busier and busier as the weeks went on. I eventually started making business cards and made a website, as time went on it grew bigger. In mid march of 2024 I made it official and started my business LLC (One Stop Shop automotive LLC). I then got to the point where it was time to start leasing a shop, and that’s where I find myself today on 1010 Anderson Hwy Pendleton, SC. Read More>>
Joezy Nelson
I moved to North Carolina two months before my 18th birthday to go to ministry school. Several years later, after graduating, I decided to step out and turn my photography hobby into a business with the hopes of taking it anywhere I went, whether to a different location, or through the seasons of life, like being a mother at home. With the help of another dear Photographer friend, I dipped my toes in the water and got my first professional experience in 2016. Read More>>
Tripp Roche
I definitely wouldn’t call it smooth. There’s been a lot of learning curves with it being my first business. What I have learned is after bringing people in on the board to help me navigate, it’s been much smoother. One thing that I have been grateful for though is all of the fundraising that the club members have done for the equipment. Read More>>
Hannah Edmonds
Since this is my first time managing a business, I have had to navigate the roadblocks and obstacles that come up with owning your own business. However, this has taught me to ask questions of other experts in the field and research heavily to ensure I’m offering the best product possible to my clients. Read More>>
Tyson K. Brown
Years later, I distinctly remember having the opportunity to give the inspirational moment at my school district’s monthly board meeting as a sophomore in high school; and what a pivotal moment that was. Having the opportunity to stand before a group of people who held the responsibility of making difficult decisions that impacted people who look just like me helped me identify exactly what my purpose is in life– and that is to be used by God as a mouthpiece for my generation. Read More>>
Raymond Kirkland
With Faith, Prayer, Love, and being a servant to others, all things are achievable. Since being knee-high to a grasshopper, I have always wanted to work outside. At times I would just sit back and be amazed at all the beauty nature has to offer. Bringing happiness to others has always been one of my First Priorities (no pun intended). Being able to bring smiles to my clients’ faces by simply enhancing their landscape is a blessing in itself. First Priority Landscaping was founded on just those simple principles of making our clients happy. Now, only five years later, we have the same opportunity with First Priority Garden Center. Read More>>
Zoari Brown
It has been a learning journey. Somethings I had to learn within starting my business is marketing , financing and staying consistency while trying to work my 12hr shift job and just keep up with life. Everyday I feel like I learn something new in my business. My business is like my new born baby, I have to learn and understand what my business needs to be successful. I sleep , cry and speak life into my business. Read More>>
Sarah Hunter
Intrigued, I bought one for Ross after researching what their natural environment and requirements were. Once we understood the simple rules for growing them (like in gremlins ha ha), our plant flourished into a bushy pot of flytraps. Around the same time, we learned about different Venus Flytraps cultivars and ordered a few large mouthed ‘B52’ Venus flytraps, which added to our fascination. After a few years, we expanded our already growing collection to include our first sundew (Drosera) and North American pitcher plant (Sarracenia). Read More>>
Dawn Darby
The Therapy Place started as the dream of my friend, Susan Abell, and myself. We were each raising a son with cerebral palsy. We met when our sons were three years old, same age, same diagnosis, and both names starting with the letter C, Cameron and Cooper. My son, Cooper, was benefitting from an intensive therapy that we had found in Atlanta. Susan’s son, Cameron, was improving thanks to a program in Bluffton, SC. We were very busy trying to do everything we could to find and partake of any therapy we could find that might help our sons “overcome” this diagnosis. Read More>>
Penny Raulston
Winemaking started as a hobby about 10 years ago. It evolved over time until family and friends strongly encouraged me to pursue winemaking as a business and I opened Elevation 966 Winery in December 2019 as an urban winery in Greenville. Wine is an art, passion, and science all rolled into one. Read More>>
Juls Lemonds
The road has been a little bumpy at times but nothing too heavy to handle. I have learned over the years how to value myself and my skill, which luckily wasn’t met with any negativity from my clients but I know other professionals have experienced different. It’s taken hard work over the years to perfect the balance between work and life but I have mastered that balance and it is AMAZING. Read More>>
Kozy
Rebellious Chic started as an idea—a way for me to express myself outside the boundaries of what was expected. I was thrifting, upcycling, and turning whatever I could get my hands on into something fresh. Over time, it became more than just me making clothes; it turned into a movement. The brand is about standing firm in who you are, pushing boundaries, and rejecting the idea that you have to fit into a box. Read More>>
Lisa Pontius
My biggest hurdle has been dealing with negative comments and trolls. I think that comes with the territory, with vulnerability comes people who want to tear you down. But the other biggest challenge is one I feel most mothers will understand and that is balancing it all. I have three young children and have always been a stay at home parent, so now having this outlet that takes time out of my day creates a new sort of friction in my schedule that I haven’t had before. As a mother, it is a constant struggle to make sure that the time I am taking from my day is worth it, and balanced with the time I spend fully engaged and present. Read More>>
Peter Finger
I studied the painters of The Hudson River School, traveling in their footsteps and finding the locations of where they painted. During High School and a year before starting college, I entered many outdoor art shows and was able to sell just about every painting. I even won both local, regional and national awards for my work. Read More>>
Megan Manus
In the beginning I struggled with time management. I still had a full-time job that I worked all day and then I would stay up all night working on images because I thought sessions needed to be turned around in 1 day- hahaha!!!! It took a toll on my life and my marriage. I have since adopted a 10-12 day timeframe for galleries to be completed( however most times it’s just a few days). Under-promising and over-delivering is how I like to operate. And my clients appreciate my quick turn around. Read More>>
Ntalia Cruz
Beyond aesthetics, Natalia is the founder of Fit Club Charleston, a women’s fitness community where she leads functional training programs and promotes a balanced, sustainable approach to nutrition. She also runs NatyCruzFitLife, an Instagram platform where she shares valuable insights on longevity, fitness, and nutrition, empowering her audience to embrace a healthy lifestyle without extreme restrictions. Read More>>
Pam White
After that I joined the Grand Bohemian Gallery in Charleston. I have had many shows and openings there. I paint live in their courtyard a couple times each year. It’s an amazing venue and I am thrilled to be a part of it. The more people collected my art, the more I was inspired to change up what I was doing—I dug deeper. I added extra elements into my wax, I began incorporating fabrics. I’ve learned to build up texture of up to 3” off the canvas. I like explaining my process so that people can understand their investment in my work. It’s an exciting time and I’m enjoying the journey! Read More>>
Tracie Joyner
I’ve always had a creative soul, but for many years my artistic passion took a backseat to life’s demands. After losing my son to a rare cancer in 2019, I sought refuge in the creative process. Art became my therapy, a source of healing that helped me navigate my grief. I see life differently now and that view is reflected in my work, where I strive to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Read More>>
Caroline Walter
I have had a passion for events for as long as I can remember. I have always been inspired by Martha Stewart and the art of creating beauty in every aspect of life. I learned early on from my mother the secrets of hosting memorable gatherings, and she really instilled in me a love for elegant entertaining. After my time at the University of Georgia for undergrad, I moved back home to Charleston, SC and began working for a prominent Hospitality Group as their venue and events manager Read More>>
Tamara Brown
I never set out to start a skincare business—JAK’s Essentials was born out of necessity. My kids struggled with eczema and hypersensitivity, and nothing on the shelves worked for them. I was tired of reading labels filled with chemicals I couldn’t pronounce, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I started in my kitchen, mixing natural ingredients, determined to find a solution that would actually help their skin heal. Read More>>
Orlando And Jamal Robinson
Jamal and Orlando Robinson are brothers who decided to embark on the goal of helping people in the Sumter and neighboring communities become healthier. Both brothers are co-owners of the business and they each desired to use what they have learn to educate and help others in the community. For this reason, Smart Guys Fitness was started to help people move and feel better, help individuals in the community reach their fitness goals they have set for themselves, and provide a place all are welcome to come to reach their movement and fitness goals. The business was started on August 16, 2021, and we are celebrating four years of being in business. Read More>>
Adrienne Rainey
I would spend my money I made from babysitting to have all of my photos developed at my local Winn-Dixie and drug store. While in college for Nursing, music and photography were my outlets. I officially started my business in Fall 2010, and have never looked back. Photography is more than a career for me, it truly is a passion of mine. It has taken years of persistence and long, hard hours to get where I am today, but I’m so thankful. Read More>>
Jeff Brannon
Although its roots began in the residential market, Integrity now has a commercial division and has become a leader in that sector as well. Integrity primarily serves the Upstate of South Carolina and Western North Carolina. Occasionally they travel to other states to serve existing customers with their second homes. Jeff has always considered it quite a compliment that his clientele feel comfortable and confident enough in Integrity’s work that they want his team involved in their other projects. “They know we care and will do whatever it takes to make their project a success!” Read More>>
Erin Mitchell
After graduating from University of Arizona with a Communications and Business Degree I was in the Medical Sales Industry for 9 years. Through this company, I gained the knowledge and experience working with a variety of customers within the Hospital and Healthcare environment. Spending two years as a mentor to 8-10 other reps within my company helped to strengthen my leaderships skills. Read More>>
Wendy Melander
When my children were young, I started a small business cleaning houses and baked pies on the side. While my cleaning business was a blessing, my real passion is sharing my pies with others. Over the years, I’ve gone from selling my pies to friends and neighbors to becoming a vendor at many local farmers’ markets and events. Transitioning from one business to another has been challenging, but the feedback I receive from my customers and my love of baking pies encourages me daily. Read More>>
Alexandra Rasmussen
I spent most of my childhood being a writer. It started out with writing notes to my dad and turned into poetry, short stories, and journals. The only thing I could imagine going to college for was writing but recognized pretty quickly that it would he a hard career to actually make money in. My oldest brother was a massage therapist already after dropping out of a four year college, so I decided to skip all of that and go straight to a trade school. I was a model as a child and I always loved the beauty industry. I was also that gross kid that would sit on my other brother’s lower back and pop his pimples while he played video games. Esthetics school was quite literally the best choice for me. Read More>>
Jay Salerno
Too many times, in too many settings in healthcare, providers are burnt out, tired, juggling multiple patients at once, just doing their best given the circumstances of their job. I would know, I was one. Four years into my physical therapy career and I felt I had nothing else to give if nothing changed. Read More>>
Mayra Reyes
My name is Mayra Reyes, and I have been a florist for about two years now. I started making floral arrangements around the summer I was entering my high school senior year. It all started out with one of my close friends asking if I could make a bouquet for their significant other. Shortly after that I found myself making multiple bouquets a week, The summer before my senior year, I created an Instagram page to post the bouquets I’ve made an offer them out to the community. Read More>>
Mike Cannon
I started with a lawn mower trailer and my moms 2002 Ford Explorer delivering furniture around town. I was working two other jobs for the first year, late-night bartending and early morning fitness coaching. As my name got around, I eventually used U-Hauls to do smaller apartment moves, continuing to scale up my services into larger moves as I developed more experience. This process never stopped, and now we do multi-truck moves across the nation with an unparalleled level of services in the upstate. Read More>>
Mercedes Nelson
I started Confidence Within Worth because I was embarking on my self-love and healing journey. I went to therapy in 2019 because I was tired of crying myself to sleep at night or drinking to numb the sadness—I wanted to get help. I knew I wasn’t the only one struggling with a lack of confidence, feeling unfulfilled, or not having a relationship with myself. I wanted to provide insight, tools, and resources to help others figure out how to navigate—or even begin—this long-term, transformative journey. I didn’t want others to feel alone in this process, so I felt called to support them. I also started this work because I was always the friend who offered words of encouragement or was there during difficult times. Read More>>
Robert Ingman
When I was 10 years old, I told my parents that when I grew up I wanted to be a guitar player/singer on Hilton Head . There wasn’t much of that happening on Hilton Head in 1966 but my Grandmother had been here since the early ’50s. I just figured I would live in her old house and play music somewhere. That’s pretty much what ultimately happened. I moved from a very vibrant music scene in Gainesville Florida up to Hilton Head in 1980 to play on a break from college. I continued off and on in college, more off than on, and kept coming back to Hilton Head to play music. I think I am still on a break from school that has lasted 45 years. Read More>>
Whitney Brown
Every product is made in-house and formulated by me, ensuring the best results for our customers. As our brand continues to grow, we remain dedicated to our mission of helping individuals achieve Total+Beauty, both inside and out. With a variety of shades to choose from, our moisturizing and highly pigmented lip gloss is just the beginning. We believe that true beauty is a combination of confidence and self-love, and our equation for Total+Beauty is a testament to that belief. As we continue to expand, we will always prioritize our customers and their journey towards becoming the best version of themselves. Read More>>
Ashley Weller
I started in Social media over twelve years ago never expecting it to grow into what it is today. I knew that I wanted to be a lifestyle influencer that had deep roots in the south. I wanted to share my love of fashion, food, beauty, home decor and travel. My goal is to inspire women to be their best, love life and to know that they are enough exactly the way they are. Read More>>
Elizabeth Robin
I did, in fact, barely scrape inside that 5-year deadline, with one poem in a local magazine in 2015. But others followed, and as my personal life fell apart, I put together a chapbook that Finishing Line Press picked up in 2017. Then another in 2018, and finally a full-length book of poems in 2022, To My Dreamcatcher. Along the way I founded the Hilton Head Poetry Trail, the Island Writers Network Open Mic Night, which I emceed for 8 years, and won two statewide poetry awards. Now I can call myself a working poet. Read More>>
Jalisa Mishoe
My inspiration behind wanting to open an online children’s boutique was my two kids Cameron and Chloe. I have also always had a love for fashion and playing dress up as a child. When I had my daughter in 2020, that’s when the fun really began. I was so excited to be having a daughter to play dress up and do all of the girly things. The thought was always on the back of my mind, to start an online children’s boutique. I decided one day that today is going to be the day that I start my dream business. Read More>>
