Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run restaurant, join a boutique gym started by a local fitness champ or we could keep giving away our money to the handful of giants who already control so much of our commerce. Our daily decisions impact the kind world we live in; if we want a world where small businesses are growing and artists and creatives are thriving then we should support them with our time, money and attention. We’re proud to highlight inspiring creatives and entrepreneurs each week in Hidden Gems series. Check out some of our latest local gem features below.
Sarah Schools
In 2023, I took an intense course called Life\Work Design that helped me reevaluate what I wanted out of my career. I loved my job and working with Ruth, but I realized that if I ever wanted to pursue painting seriously, I needed to free up time to focus on it. The course helped me craft a plan: take on a part-time design role to create stability while spending the rest of my time painting. I found a part-time graphic design job with a wedding stationer in Charleston, South Carolina, and began dedicating my afternoons to developing my art. Read more>>
Marc DeLoach
Delmar Charters came out of a desire to offer a different kind of charter experience in Charleston. Not the packed party boats or cookie-cutter tours, but something more intimate—where the focus is on quality, connection, and the simple joy of being on the water. I wanted to give people a chance to slow down, disconnect from the noise, and experience the Lowcountry from a fresh perspective. Read more>>
Florencia Schilling
The subsequent steps involved securing necessary permits, designing branding, and establishing sales channels through local businesses and farmers markets. Today, I’m pleased to report significant growth, culminating in the construction of our own commissary kitchen to expand production and reach a wider customer base. We are so grateful to be part of a robust community of makers and can’t wait to expand and keep growing. Read more>>
McKenna Hutchinson
What I’m most proud of is the experience I create for my couples on their wedding day. From the planning process to the final sendoff, it’s never just about the photos. It’s about helping them actually enjoy the day. I’m all about building in space for the moments that matter: taking that extra five minutes to soak in the sunset together, spending intentional time with their favorite people, and feeling fully present. The result? A gallery full of candid, documentary-style images mixed with creative, artistic portraits, and a wedding day that doesn’t just look beautiful, but feels it, too. Read more>>
Rosalie Hovencamp
I started church ministry at the age of 10 singing in the church choir. When I was 13, I was leading the youth choir on the organ. I was a choir director, and I am currently a worship leader in contemporary music at Trinity United Methodist Church in Anderson. I am also the communications coordinator. I am an award-winning singer-songwriter, a mother of 3, an entrepreneur, a video creator, a producer and just an ordinary person trying to learn as much as I can. Read more>>
Hayley Kruth
Originally from Kentucky, I made the move to Charleston with my husband, our dog, and our bearded dragon, Henry, in 2020. At first, I was focused on helping small businesses with social media marketing, but it wasn’t until 2021 that I realized my true passion was in building brand identities for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits. That’s when Moxie Made was born. With a background in Public Relations, Marketing, and Branding, I combined the best of all three to create a process that is both collaborative and efficient—designed to help small businesses, solo-preneurs, and nonprofits present themselves in a thoughtful and visually impactful way. Read more>>
Myra Morant
For many years now, I have had a passion for shopping “small” and supporting local businesses. I enjoy shopping at cute little boutiques and shops when I travel. I also like to be very thoughtful and intentional when giving gifts to friends. A few years ago, I started wanting to buy more gifts that represented black culture and began researching companies where I could find those items. This was as simple as trying to find greeting cards with images of black women and families. This eventually turned into a pursuit to incorporate as many black-owned products into my everyday life and gift giving as I could. Read more>>
Dr. Tarah Davis
I experienced my first taste of alternative medicine when I was 13. I became really sick, had diarrhea twenty times a day, and it continued for over 6 months. I saw so many specialty doctors, but no one could really give me any answers, except “its IBS”. One doctor offered a long-term medication, but my mom wasn’t convinced. One day she told me that we were going to go see a chiropractor and it was a last-ditch effort, so we went… That chiropractor gave me some supplements and put me on a diet. A diet. A WHOLE FOODS DIET. After 2 weeks, the diarrhea went away. I could be a normal teenager again. I later learned that healing from this setback, would take many more steps. Read more>>
Markesia Smith
The road to success has not been easy, Sunflower Girl Aesthetics was born from a journey of resilience. I’ve navigated the anxiety of limited startup capital, learned to wear every hat—from marketer to administrator—and battled self‑doubt as I built trust in a competitive wellness and real estate market. Securing the right certifications, mastering new technologies like the hyaluron pen, and balancing client care with closing real‑estate deals taught me the power of perseverance and adaptability. Read more>>
Ryan Albertson
We scoop poop but wait, there is more! We are innovating the pet waste business by keeping plastic bags of poop out of the landfill, we are keeping the water clean buy scooping the poop and we are now starting the composting of the poop to keep it out of the landfill and turn it into something useful. There is also a biomass plant being built locally which may also be a good use of the poop. Read more>>
Christian Filgueiras
After several years of travel nursing, we realized that while hospital work was rewarding, it also came with a glass ceiling for growth and creativity. That realization sparked a shift in our careers. Stephanie was halfway through her Nurse Practitioner program at the time, and together, we began exploring opportunities in aesthetic medicine, a field that combined our passion for patient care with a new, empowering direction. Read more>>
Leslie Sue Zoslow
This art knowledge is of great benefit to any professional practicing artist hoping to make a living from their creative work, and or continue to make a living for established artists particularly when new exciting changes and developments are taking place in their art journey, as well as those who represent artists and aim to educate and celebrate a given artist (s) work in a collection or gallery space. Art n’ Talk video archives include art business owners, visual artists, musicians, writers, poets, authors, novelists, dance studio owners, photographers, sculptors, 2d & 3d artwork, textiles, and more! What a great honor it has been and continues to be for me to connect with, interview, and share conversation with such amazing artists! My gratitude extends to the many artists I have had the privilege to interview and those that I will! Read more>>
Krystal Cau
My overall area of focus is to ultimately increase awareness of organ, eye and tissue donation—educating our community and bringing awareness to the importance and impact donation can have on so many lives. Three years ago I launched our first state-wide targeted digital campaign aimed at increasing donor registrations in South Carolina counties with the lowest registration rates. Last years campaign resulted in a 145% increase in website traffic and generated over one billion media impressions nationwide. March of 2024, our team executed our 20th Annual Race for Life, a pivotal annual event that brings together our donor families, recipients and passionate advocates for our donation mission. Read more>>
Assata Amani
I am a musician and content creator for various brands. I specialize in song-writing as well as editing. I am most proud of my song-writing capabilities because there was a time when I couldn’t write a verse. I just lacked confidence and vulnerability. That turned into me going to therapy and starting to learn how to navigate my stressors. Yet, my ability to create has been in me since a little girl. For that I am grateful. Read more>>
Katherine Seeber
I wanted to continue my education because I saw how archaeology can address the gaps in our collective historic narrative where Indigenous and Black voices should be. I saw archaeology as a chance to create real social change, to address social problems we are navigating today. Many of my peers and professors viewed archaeology more like a sterile science where people were reduced to statistical projections in a model or the act of studying archaeology as an unnecessary but fun “project” without a deeper purpose. Read more>>
Heather Wilson
Massage Oasis was all of that. I started off with a small suite and things took off so within a year my husband, Wes, decided to come on board, and hiring other experienced massage therapists and esthetician, together we took on a bigger space to branch off into more holistic ways to help people look and feel amazing. We have decorated our space with local artists artwork for sale and always looking for any opportunity to support other local businesses. Massage Oasis became everything we hoped for and more. Read more>>
Denise Fumega
I spent all my life in Connecticut in the wine business. My last position was on the import side of all Italian wine. I represented ten different vineyards in Italy which allowed me the opportunity to travel to various regions. Due to corporate changes, my position was eliminated. The next day I decided it was too cold and too expensive to stay in the North. After selling, giving everything away, I packed what was left in my car and headed to Charleston. This was not a random move as my two youngest daughters attended the College of Charleston. I knew Charleston was a magical place to visit. It did not take long to realize that Charleston is truly a magical place to live. Read more>>
Ashley Wilson
I started in 2020 with little to no knowledge. I’ve been learning and growing with each event and bouquet I make. In the last year or so I’ve learned more than I’ve could have imagined. In 2025 I finally feel confident and stable in my floristry. I enjoy every aspect of being a florist. I love the small orders just as much as I love weddings and events. Being able to craft something that brings joy to people has been such a blessing. Read more>>
Sharon Smith
She is the founder and director of **Potters of Eden LLC**, a compassionate home care agency established in April 2021. Built on over a decade of caregiving, administrative, and leadership experience, Potters of Eden provides personal care services to seniors and vulnerable adults, emphasizing dignity, faith, and quality of life. Sharon’s journey into healthcare began in childhood under the loving mentorship of her grandmother, laying the foundation for a life devoted to caring for others. Read more>>
Taylor Withrow Michael Withrow
Things were going well until we were unexpectedly forced out of our marina. At the time, Island Head was under contract to be sold, but when that deal fell through, we had to pivot quickly. We relocated the company and, in many ways, had to start over from scratch. It was one of the most challenging chapters in our journey, but it also ended up being one of the most defining. Read more>>
Camila
Beginning my career as a Travel Professional has been a smooth road and I’ve met amazing people that are helping me figure things out along the way. There isn’t a clear road map on how to start your own travel business and how to transition from one career to another, but I work with mentors within and outside of the industry that have helped me set SMART goals. I am also actively involved in the world’s leading association of travel professionals, ASTA, which has allowed me to travel to conferences and expos for training sessions and network. Read more>>
Lana S
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I think that’s part of what makes the journey meaningful. One of the biggest challenges early on was confidence — putting my work out there, especially as a freelancer, can feel vulnerable. It took time to trust my skills and to understand that growth comes with practice and persistence. Read more>>
Larissa Siebert
Growing up in Chicago, life took an unexpected turn early on with young motherhood and then navigating the challenges of divorce. But those early years ignited a fire in me. I knew I needed to build a stable future, and my creative side led me to cosmetology. Getting my license and then working as a stylist at Trump Tower was an incredible experience. It was fast-paced, demanding, and taught me so much about connecting with people, understanding their individual needs, and delivering a service that made them feel good. In that world, it was all about the details, about listening, and about making someone feel seen – skills that, surprisingly, have become cornerstones of my success in real estate. Read more>>
Lisa Lee
After watching the SOMM, a 2012 American documentary following the attempts of four candidates to pass the extremely difficult Master Sommelier examination, I decided wine was something I wanted to pursue. The following week, I signed up for the WSET Level One Award in Wines course. Once enrolled, I realized how much I loved learning about wine and knew that I wanted to pave a career path in the industry. I completed two more Levels with the WSET, gaining a Level Two with Distinction and a Level Three with Merit. From there, it was time for me to start looking for somewhere to work. Read more>>
Shonda McCray
That’s why I founded F3 Women Empowerment—a movement and safe haven for women who are ready to step out of survival mode and into the fullness of who they are. Through F3, I provide mentorship, motivation, and meaningful connections to guide women toward healing emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and financially. I believe that healing begins the moment someone feels heard without interruption, and I’ve made it my mission to offer that kind of listening, understanding, and support. Read more>>
Heather Lancaster
After stints in environmental design in New York and Atlanta, I had my three children. I started drawing again when they were very little, during nap times and late at night. I made small renderings for them, meant to encourage quiet dreaming and a sense of awareness and responsibility for the environment. Now my work is larger in scale, but still completely inspired by nature. The natural world has always played a significant role in directing my life and perspective, how I raised my children, and what informs my work. Read more>>
Abigail Franken
I had never really shared any of my writing with the world, other than analytical reports for my day job. A few years earlier, I had put together a poetry book for my mother’s birthday that contained a number of original pieces. I figured that was a good place to start. From there, I began compiling all of my favorite poetry and short stories I had written over the years, and I realized there was a clear theme—feminine relationships and growth. Read more>>
Viktoriya Statska
After moving to Charleston, I started teaching and taking classes and quickly realized how restrictive the environment could feel. Many students didn’t feel at home—they felt judged, tense, and unable to fully express themselves. I also saw instructors struggling to find and embrace their own style. That’s when I knew I wanted to create something different. A space where people could feel free to be themselves, where they could walk in with any mood and still feel supported, safe, and welcomed. Dance Your Life Studio was born from that vision—like a second home, where everyone is free to move, grow, and just be. Read more>>
Stephanie Darbyshire
I think working together with Christi has made it smooth! Each of us grew and learned a lot on our own as business owners but when we teamed up together everything just got so much easier. We are able to divide up tasks in our business and play to our strengths. We try to meet up at least once a month in person to get business tasks done and we have developed a system of dividing up tasks when we get inquiries and work with clients. It has been a lot of fun! Read more>>
Cara Singletary
I was a kid that always loved technology and tinkering with computer components when they unexpectedly failed. I can remember taking off the computer cover and investigating what could have possibly gone wrong with the physical components if my software troubleshooting didn’t resolve the issue. That desire was always present, so when I went to college I decided to study computer engineering. I worked in corporate America for over a decade primarily as a computer engineer and cybersecurity engineer. During that time family and friends would occasionally ask me to develop a website for them. I enjoyed the process of using my technology skills to bring an idea to life, which was also helping someone to grow and reach their goal. Read more>>
Coach Tesh
The road hasn’t been without challenges—there’ve been delays and detours, some caused by my own will, others perfectly orchestrated by God’s timing. Entrepreneurship has brought its own lessons: learning the seasons of business, adapting, growing, and sharpening my skills. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. Betting on yourself requires courage, faith, and the willingness to pivot—but those are the very steps that brought me here. Staying teachable and faithful? Those are key. Read more>>
Dominique Hodge
I knew I wanted to be an artist from a young age. I spent my youth drawing inspiration from some of my favorite animated shows like Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z, and Naruto, filling countless notebooks with the characters. By the time I was in the 6th grade I had decided I wanted to pursue art as a profession in the form of cartoon animation. This passion for art continued as I progressed through grade school, where upon completion I went off to The Art Institute of Charleston, where I studied graphic design. It was in college that I first discovered black representation in art, something I did not see often growing up. This pivotal point sparked the revelation that I could create artwork that reflected myself and those who looked liked me. Read more>>
Katy Wiggs
SC Career Kids was founded by educator Katy Wiggs, whose passion for connecting children to their communities and future dreams took root in a moment of real need. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as schools shut down and families scrambled for stability, Katy launched a small learning pod inside the Irmo Chamber of Commerce. What began as a creative solution for virtual schooling quickly evolved—thanks to the overwhelming support and response from the Irmo community. Read more>>
Liz Fast
I grew up in a large family full of strong, successful individuals—people who were confident in who they were and what they brought to the world. Being the youngest, I looked up to them as heroes. I deeply admired them but also struggled with the desire to carve out my own path. Even as a little girl, people would gravitate toward me. I was the one others felt safe with, the one they said made them feel truly seen and understood. That became a recurring theme throughout my life, and while I always held space for others, I often didn’t feel that same level of understanding in return. That contrast shaped the deep empathy I now bring to my work. Read more>>
Cathleen DeCourcy
Part of our efforts to keep our area rural was performing research on the historic property. The deeper I got into the research the more convinced I was that it deserved protection from urban sprawl. A portion of this plantation was once part of the Heyward Family holdings. Daniel Heyward, father to the signer of the Declaration of Independence, accumulated a massive amount of the land in my area. The area, during colonial times, was named Euhaw. One of the most patriotic areas outside of Beaufort and Charleston just prior to the Revolutionary War. In 2023, I was approached to join the Jasper County 250 Committee. The County Committee is an arm of the South Carolina 250 Commission. Read more>>
Payton & Emma Thornton & Parker
We definitely faced some struggles along the way. We had experience working for our self, but being first time business owners in an actual salon studio, we didn’t know everything that came along it. We had complications with maintenance issues, our licensing, bookkeeping and learning each others strengths and weaknesses, which all ended up making us a stronger team. These are all skills we had to learn together through research, trial and error and having faith that it would work out. Read more>>
Mark Connelly
Eventually, I went off to college at the Citadel in Charleston and from there started down a career path of my own. Even though life was busy, I always kept at least a few hives back home. I ended up settling down in South Carolina and that’s where I met the owner of an organic blueberry farm along the Edisto River in Branchville, SC. That blueberry farm, called Black Pearl Blueberry Farm, is where Edisto Gold Honey was formed in 2019. Today we are a Certified SC brand in over a hundred stores statewide. We sell to customers online throughout the country and have made lots of friends along the way. Read more>>
