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.
Shayna Wrighten
That endeavor of creating my first children’s book, From Axon to Zebrafish…The ABCs of Neuroscience, led me to creating my business to promote science among young children and their caregivers. Now, Little Sapiens is home to multiple books – and more in the works – as well as science-themed apparel. In addition to selling my work, I am committed to bringing my products to those who may not otherwise be able to afford them. To do this I have a ‘Pay It Forward” program that allows people to purchase products for donation to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access to them. I want people world wide to know that science is about and for all of us! Read more>>
Teresa Cheek
Opening this lovely place has had some challenges. I returned more apparel in the first 60 days than I have bought in 6 months. It was important for me to find quality fabric and clothing that was also at an affordable price. This would allow me to pass that savings onto the customer. My store is in an area where there has not been a steady line of foot traffic so that offers daily a challenge on how to get the word out. When customers find us they say it is so worth it! We are literally less than 50 steps from the hustle & bustle of our busy downtown but we are facing challenges of people knowing we are here. I pray a lot and have turned to social media to help with this challenge. Read more>>
Vivica Stocker
Then during the COVID shutdown, I was talking with a few friends about finding a hobby to pass the time, and several of them suggested that I should look into photography. At first, I laughed it off. But the more I thought about it, the more it started to make sense. I did some research on professional cameras and eventually settled on the Canon T7. I even ran the idea by my good friend Faith, who’s also a photographer, and she gave me the encouragement I needed. Next thing I knew , I was picking up my first camera from Target. Read more>>
Jenniffer Weller-White
I had not planned to go into clinical social work, I’d actually worked my whole adolescence and most of college plans focused on journalism, but I couldn’t stop taking sociology classes during my undergraduate experience – I was so interested in learning about humans. I eventually made the decision to focus on sociology and I graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2008. Not knowing what that meant for my future employment plans, I started speaking to professionals in positions focused on helping others. Eventually someone suggested I look into social work and I impulsively applied for the Master of Social Work program at USC. In my first week of internship, I realized I’d been set on my correct course. Read more>>
Alo Fails
My name is Alo Fails. I am from the DMV area, but relocated to S.C. back in 2023. I’m a self-taught artist who has made discoveries in how my art creates togetherness. I’ve always had the drive to self-motivate and teach myself because I know I am supposed to be helping the world heal through my journey and art. I’ve been drawing since the age of four. I remember coloring on my mom’s brand new piece of furniture and just having the time of my life. Read more>>
John Schaefer
Well, two weeks turned out to be a year, and in the downtime I turned from repairing wood furniture to taking a chance on myself and making a small hobby, a small business. I spent the entire year off from filming going to school at the University of Youtube and learning all I could, from leather choices, specific tools needed, and perfecting my techniques. I am a very fine touch orientated person. I feel my desire to go the extra step for all my goods really sets me apart from all other leather artisans. Read more>>
Azl Leak
Ever since I was young, I’ve had a deep love for fashion—mixing colors, experimenting with outfits, and creating my own style. I’ve always been a creative person, and fashion was my way of expressing that creativity. But growing up, I noticed something that stuck with me—there were rarely any fashion games or outlets for boys interested in style and design, and that always bothered me. It made me realize how important representation and individuality are. Read more>>
Destiny Cruz
But it wasn’t until after having my second baby that plants took on an even deeper meaning. I found myself in a tough season postpartum depression had taken a toll on me. In the middle of all that, I started turning to my plants. I didn’t plan for it to be anything big… it just felt good. Caring for them, watching new leaves pop up, seeing them thrive it gave me a little spark of hope when I needed it most. It reminded me that healing isn’t instant, and that even the smallest steps forward matter. Read more>>
Penny Moss
My journey began with a deep passion for All Natural Skincare Spa, which started as a young child and slowly grew into something more serious. I took my first steps by Training at National Aesthetics Institute in Charlotte, NC, and from there, I kept building. It wasn’t always easy—there were challenges, setbacks, and plenty of learning moments—but each one pushed me to grow. Over time, through persistence, support from others, and staying true to my vision, I’ve been able to reach a place where I can do what I love and hopefully inspire others along the way. Read more>>
Shelley Cade
My impressionist work came out a need for distraction. A time in my life when several close friendships unexpectedly came to an end. I sought an escape; or more, to avoid the pain of my new reality. I was hurt, confused and not in a place where I could sensibly sort out my thoughts. These new openings in my schedule urged me back into my quiet studio — a studio which, at the time, was mainly used to plan and create for others. Amidst this emotional storm, I went in to create for me. A needed distraction, expressed through fast paced brushstrokes and the heeding of impulse. Read more>>
Chuck Driskell
While in the Army, I learned the values of hard work and discipline. I was also fortunate enough to be stationed in Germany for about three years, a place I would visit time and time again. (Still do!) Following my time in Europe, I was stationed at Fort Bragg and attended Airborne school. This opened my eyes to a completely new thrill: jumping out of airplanes. Thus, while I was a military paratrooper, I also became a recreational skydiver and found an appetite for all sorts of thrill-seeking activities. Read more>>
Des Brown
Within a year, I had drastically improved my skills. I knew I had found a sport I would play for the rest of my life. I wasn’t new to competition—sports had always been a major part of my life. Football was my first love, and I earned a full scholarship to play quarterback at Johnson C. Smith University, where I led the team for four years. I’ve always loved to compete, and pickleball gave me a way to compete every day. Read more>>
Martha Kester
My love for exercise and nutrition slowly became a thing and definitely didn’t exist when I went into college in 1996. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life so I went with lawyer. While in college I started running and going to aerobics classes. When senior year came around I decided against law school and went on to graduate school to earn a MPA from George Mason University. At GMU, I started lifting weights and focusing on cooking more meals at home and cutting back calories from starchy carbs. I ran my first marathon and this was my first experience with the power of food on performance. After I graduated I moved on to New Jersey to live with my college roommate. Read more>>
James Odom IV
In middle school, I gave my life to Christ and discovered a deeper purpose. My faith became my foundation, and I felt called to share God’s love—through words, actions, and service. I began posting faith-based content on TikTok and Instagram, speaking to classmates about Jesus, and seeking ways to serve others. My relationship with God fuels my desire to care for people and be a light in my community. I want to be a vessel of Gods love and live my life in a way that honors God, and inspires people Read more>>
Sara Wallace
I began my career in broadcast journalism as a television news producer, but over time, I felt a pull toward work that allowed me to serve more directly. That shift led me into ministry roles. One of the most formative chapters in my life was serving as a missionary and program director in Guatemala. There, we helped raise more than $220,000 to support local students, established a scholarship fund, and launched a feeding program during COVID. I also partnered with Blackbaud to provide students with laptops, tools that opened new doors for their futures. Read more>>
Lindsay Cunningham
Opening the store was a dream, but I was still deep in startup debt when COVID hit. It felt like trying to keep a boutique afloat in quicksand. But if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s a pivot. I don’t let roadblocks define the route—I just reroute. That’s when I launched Livro. Between that and some social media and marketing changes, the store started taking off in a whole new way. By the end of 2020, we were not only afloat—we were thriving. Debt-free and finally breathing. Read more>>
Nicole Gero
What sets me apart is probably my fascination with learning. When I don’t know how to do something, I learn how to do it on my own. Because I’m obsessed with figuring things out, I’ve accidentally become a jack-of-all-trades. I often get hired for one thing, like managing social media, and get contracted for more hours when people find out I can also build their website, manage their CRM system, create their drip campaigns, and connect them with local PR outlets. Read more>>
Colleen Lemma
Having already worked in the areas of domestic violence, sexual abuse, substance abuse, disabilities, and heath and wellness, this is when I started to take other classes and learn things, or remember things from other lifetimes, such as astrology, numerology, tarot, Reiki, crystal healing, hypnotherapy and past lives, working with the Higher Realms, Higher Self, the Akashic Records, and many other modalities. Read more>>
Catherine Jordan
That didn’t last long until I entered school. Reflecting back since no one else was like me, I knew I was very different from the other kids because I wanted to be a kid. A lot of the kids around me wanted to grow up fast. I was also mixed so I was bullied for it too. So ended up being a people pleaser to fit in, I wanted to be what people expected me to be. Until a few years ago as I worked on myself, my own growth and how my authenticity is great and I don’t have to be like someone else…I can just be me and not care what anyone else thinks because their opinions have nothing to do with me it has everything to do with them. Read more>>
Tiquita Stewart
Recognized as a trusted and impactful chronic disease prevention expert, Mrs. Stewart’s educational background consists of an AS in Exercise Science specializing in Personal Training, BS in Nutritional Science and pending Master’s Degree in Coaching Psychology. Her professional credentials include being a highly recognized and respected National Board Certified-Health and Wellness Coach, Certified Community Health Worker Training Specialist and Certified National Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Coach (Master Trainer Select). Read more>>
Karly Cunningham
On the technical side, launching and growing a mobile app always comes with surprises — from fixing bugs to improving the user experience based on community feedback. And of course, balancing a big vision with limited resources as a small, independent business has been a learning experience of its own. Read more>>
Amanda Hardwick
Somehow, in the midst of my needing help, I found yoga on Youtube and started doing it to lose some weight. But it didn’t take long before it wasn’t about my weight anymore, but about how amazing I mentally felt after each class. I didn’t act or feel like the same person before and after the classes. Each class lifted the weight that was presently holding me down. Read more>>
Tawanna White
In November 2018, laying in a hospital bed, I felt like I had reached my lowest point. I was a single mom, taking care of my two daughters with no support. I had broken up with my long term partner of 13 years. I was in a child custody battle. My house and car was taken from me. I felt life could not get any worst at that moment. Due to the amount of stress I was under, my health was starting to be affected. I had reached “rock bottom.” I had two choices – swim or drown. I decided in that moment I wasn’t going to do either – I decided to fly instead. Read more>>
Isabel Bornstein
I’m grateful to have grown up in a household where art and design were a constant presence, with both of my parents working in the arts. Attending a Rudolf Steiner Waldorf school nurtured my love for nature and working with my hands—an influence that continues to shape my creative process. Read more>>
Lyric Gibson
My journey began in high school, where baking became a therapeutic outlet for me during a very difficult time in my life. It wasn’t just a hobby, it was a way for me to cope, create, and bring a little joy into an otherwise chaotic world. I found comfort in the kitchen, and I found purpose in sharing what I made with others. I would often bake for teachers and friends, not just to practice, but because it made them happy. Helping others feel joy became one of the ways I was able to heal. Read more>>
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>>
