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.
Keiko Striplin
I joined a year later design and making garment for her southern colorful charming brand. Forward 9 years, I’m ready to starting my own brand finally! This year. Being a mother is a huge sacrifice for others to be successful and so rewarding. And never a moment of wasted experience but always growing mature. God has brought me this far. I will be 60 years old this year and I am pursuing my freedom to design and wear what I really want from now on forward! Read more>>
Morgan Mattson
I have had some bumps in the road, as most artists do. Selling online (which is what I prefer) is not easy. Creating an online following is not a fun thing to do but unfortunately that is the world we live in now! Clay is also a very challenging and humbling material to work with. It likes to crack, warp, and just be weird whenever it pleases. I wouldn’t trade clay for any other material though. Read more>>
Rachelle Brown
My journey started in high school when I attended cosmetology school and discovered my love for beauty and helping others feel confident. From there, I became a professional makeup artist, working with clients in the beauty industry. Over the years, I expanded into content creation, managing social media, and building my personal brand. Today, I create lifestyle, wellness, and fashion content, sharing my passions while helping brands connect authentically with their audiences. It’s been a journey of growth, learning, and constantly evolving, and I’m excited to keep building my platform and career in this space. Read more>>
Benjamin Lucas
By my thirties, I started thinking about how to build a more sustainable future. I wanted work that was meaningful and manageable—something that would allow me to have a family, protect my time, and still leave room for weekends with future kids and a wife. My girlfriend (now wife) and I decided to go back to school together and reimagine our lives. I took a year off and completed a two-year Computer Programming degree at Trident. That opened the door to a new career and gave me the flexibility to earn my Bachelor’s from Western Governors University in my spare time. Read more>>
Ebony Brewster
As I’ve grown, I’ve faced my own set of challenges—especially around managing health issues like PCOS, which can quietly impact your energy, emotions, and overall balance. Navigating those personal hurdles while also building a career and now a family hasn’t been easy, but it’s taught me the power of consistency. I’ve learned that progress often comes from simply showing up every day, even when you don’t feel at your best. Read more>>
Roxana
Now I’m back in Portugal, but my music continues to travel far beyond. I work internationally, mainly in R&B and Pop, collaborating with artists from all over the world. I started out in Dance music – one of the highlights being “Love Letter,” my collab with Pedro Cazanova that hit #1 in Romania and aired on MTV. And today, even though R&B is my foundation, I still love to explore genres that share a similar energy. A great example is “Fall,” my new Afro House collaboration with PADÉ and Edward Maya. Read more>>
Jordan P
I wasn’t a confident girl—bullied, overlooked, and burdened by more than my share of abuse and trauma. After enduring yet another painful and destabilizing situation, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life: at 21, I entered a single-woman shelter on my own. I spent all of 2024 there, juggling two jobs and creating art wherever I could—sometimes in a friend’s living room, other times in a broken-down bus I rented from another artist, which also became a place for me to sleep when I had nowhere else to go. All of this while caring for my sick mother. It was a lonely, painful chapter—but one that shaped me in profound ways. Read more>>
Giovanni Serra
This led me to play continuously and at a professional level throughout Sardinia and in some areas of Italy (Millennium, Newave). I have also collaborated actively on a compositional level with various bands, including Terrorway and Acts of Tragedy, with whom he recorded several albums that received excellent international reviews, and participated in various tours and opening performances together with great international names of metal music (Soulfly, Jinjer, Cannibal Corpse, Marduk, Pain of Salvation, M-Pire of Evil and many more). Read more>>
Jessica Glynn
I earned my bachelor’s degree in 2014 while raising my first child. Motherhood became my full-time focus, but I stayed connected to the behavioral health world. I had my second child in 2017—the same year I lost my brother to suicide. That loss changed me deeply. I had seen him struggle for years. I tried to help, to support him, but he wasn’t ready to receive that help. After grieving and healing over time, I felt called back—more clearly than ever—to the work of helping others feel seen, supported, and not alone. Read more>>
Renee Woodard
Throughout college I would still make treats for my family & friend’s birthdays. After attending University of South Carolina-Columbia and attending Johnson & Wales University-Culinary Arts arts program I worked for 3 years as a cake decorator at Whole Foods grocery store. It was there that a co-worker suggested that I sell baked goods at local farmers markets. I attended my first farmers market in October of 2021 and still continue to this day. I went from attending 1 market a week to now attending 3-4 markets each week. We have leased a space for our bakery in Columbia, SC and are anticipating to open in August. Read more>>
Mistina Chambers
But then there was “Coffee Coffee.” That was different. That was code that a storm was brewing. It meant a broken heart, a devastating job rejection, the loss of someone close to us, or a relentless string of bad luck that left us feeling suffocated. Coffee Coffee was the outpouring of our deepest emotions – our dreams laid bare alongside our rawest fears. It was the messy, vulnerable process of healing, of finding our way back to the light after life had thrown its punches. In essence, we believed, and continue to believe that coffee, in its various forms, can help heal almost anything. Read more>>
Yates Jarvis
I have been enjoying the worlds of both math and art for as long as I can remember. I chose a liberal arts education at Wake Forest in lieu of a math-oriented focus at MIT as means for developing more of the human-side of problem solving. This itch culminated educationally at Case Western Reserve’s Weatherhead School of Management via a Masters focused on strategy, transformation, and change management – complex human-intertwined math. Read more>>
Carrie Nicholas
After 10 years of working at different chiropractic offices, doing vacation coverage for other doctors and moving four times. I started my chiropractic business in Camden, SC in 2018 and began working only 3 mornings a week; when my youngest child started pre-school. Slowly but surely the practice has grown immensely over the past 7 years thanks to the support of the community as well as my friends and family. I’m so grateful for all the people that I’ve seen over the years and the connections that I’ve made along the way! Read more>>
Dani Mathews
So my @healthyishdani journey started January 2022 when I decided to post my first video. I was posting so many recipes when one of my breakfast casseroles went viral. Then more and more of my breakfast recipes, specifically EggWraps, would go bananas. In April 2022, I felt confident enough to start sharing them on Instagram too (because this is where all your cousins, mom’s neighborhood friends, random people from high school, are going to start seeing your cringy, silly little videos). Read more>>
Beth Velner
After a few ownership changes, the house was last owned by Margaret Duncan Gilstrap, a prominent business woman in Pickens. Margaret was an entrepreneur, a real estate investor, as well as the owner and operator of the Pickens Flower Shop. While she owned the house, Margaret was known to host elaborate Christmas celebrations and tours at the house. After Margaret passed away, her family put the house up for sale. At that point, the property was in need of repair. The roof was leaking, the termites were feasting, and the house needed love. Read more>>
William Pepper-Alston
One of the biggest obstacles for me has been learning not to compare myself to others. In the beginning, I definitely found myself doing that, but over time I realized that the real challenge is staying focused on my own growth. It’s not about being better than anyone else — it’s about being 1% better than I was yesterday. It’s me versus me. Once I shifted that mindset, the next biggest thing was consistency. Making time to practice and staying committed to improving — that’s where the real progress happens. Practice makes progress. Read more>>
Phor Ellis
Phor is a self-taught artist, painter and muralist whose journey began not in galleries, but in a personal search for healing. Based out of Anderson, South Carolina, Phor has been on a profound art journey. Since 2019, painting has served as both therapy and expression-an outlet for transforming pain into passion, solitude into connection. The ex collegiate athlete turned inspired artist. Read more>>
Razaeau Cooper
Hello. I am a multi specialist who provide many services . Now I have also picked up a hobby of content creating. I found love in the beauty industry, went to school to get licensed and have been consistent ever since. I’d like to say I have a heavy presence on social media which has help contribute to the success of my business. With that reach I’m able to ship products all over the world. I’d like to say my marketing and quality of service / products have helped get me this far to have an established ongoing business Read more>>
Myriam Martinez
I was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and moved to the United States about 18 years ago with my two daughters. I am a professional Auditor and Systems Analyst with an emphasis in Software Development. Three years ago, together with a group of friends who shared the same passion and love for our planet, wildlife, and animals, we founded Mujeres Latinas de Carolina del Sur. As the president of the organization, I dedicate my time and energy to raising awareness and promoting positive change in our community. We believe that the best way for people to truly understand the importance of protecting the environment and the planet is through education and community campaigns. By informing and inspiring others, we hope to build a more compassionate and sustainable future for everyone. Read more>>
Mario
In 2005, I met my current wife, and she told me: Take up painting again, but I didn’t… I was confused. 2009 was a turning point in my life, as we had the joy of having a son. Seeing his mother during pregnancy and then seeing and feeling that defenseless creature in my hands made me question many things, and from then on, I took up my brushes again; they have been my driving force until now. I currently live in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Three times a year, I visit Mexico City, where I collaborate with three art galleries. Read more>>
Armani
Alongside me is my wife, Heather Taylor, the creative visionary behind so much of what we do. Her ability to dream boldly and execute with heart continues to shape our path. And then there’s Naim Bell; a quiet force with an unmatched knack for making things happen. Together, we’ve launched the sole, rooted in authenticity and purpose. It’s a community built to serve, uplift, and connect. Along with us there’s Peyton Dixon a creative force and Dan Keller MR RUNCLUB himself; a safe space in the running community. Read more>>
Stefany Pedroza
When I arrived in the United States from Colombia at just three years old, I had no idea how profoundly that decision—made by my parents—would shape the course of my life. They came here undocumented, driven by a single, unwavering goal: to give me the education and opportunities they never had. Like many immigrant families, we didn’t talk about mental health. It wasn’t part of our cultural vocabulary. But even as a child, I was captivated by the question of why people think, feel, and behave the way they do. Read more>>
Bobby Hazen
People don’t understand what the problem actually is. All parents think they are the perfect parent until they are not. No one thinks it will happen to them. Raising Funds, raising awareness, changing legislation is definitely not easy! Read more>>
Erica James
In the beginning, it was a challenge few do secure funding and a location for a concept that was brand new. Not a lot of people beloved in combining two elements that typically didn’t go together (exercise and alcohol). Not to mentioned they thought it would be limiting to only focus on a female demographic. The second challenge was with growth. We started out leasing a place downtown greenville. With the rising costs of commercial leases on Main Street I knew I’d need to save to purchase our own building if I wanted to feel secure and stable long term. Luckily that happened! We moved into our new building that I own late last summer. Read more>>
Jon And Kelly Kirkman
We purchased our restaurant space in February 2020. We were signing papers in the lawyers office watching Covid unfold overseas not expecting what was ahead for us. We had to completely regroup and decide how we could keep the business afloat with no food truck and no catering options available. We decided to try out a preorder system from our Peachland location and folks could drive-through to pick up their orders and we would pop it in their trunks. We were only offering this on Saturdays and somehow folks were driving from all over the Carolina’s and beyond to pick up their orders from us. And that’s how “Barbecue Saturday” was born. Read more>>
Amanda Barnhart
To branch out owning my own design studio, I started by doing both things at the same time: I was still at my day job 9-5, but also began to build the foundation to secure 2 clients on the side. I had long time client from a previous work experience already under my belt so i really just needed to find one more. I put some feelers out and through a connection i was introduced to another client that needed daily marketing emails. This was easy to automate and incorporate into a morning routine. Read more>>
Brittany Lawrence-Jeatter
Inspired by the devastating loss of her best friend, Dr. Brittany launched her grief coaching business alongside two powerful books: Grieve Good and her newly released guided journal Healing While Hustling: A Grief Journal for the Generation That Can’t Pause. These works are aimed at millennials and communities of color who often feel unseen in traditional grief spaces. Read more>>
Chase Fincher
I really started my journey in Asheville, where I went to school for herbalism, permaculture design, and business. Just being in a place where the art of herbalism is cultivated so heavily made a world of difference for my work, I really felt like I got the ‘book smart’ and ‘street smart’ experience all in one. I got to learn about the technical world of botany and plant medicine, while exploring some of the most beautiful and inspiring gardens that were cultivated to teach and heal. These spaces laid the foundation for what my future garden and practice would look like. Seeing the many different avenues open to me in this field, I knew I wanted to try a bit of everything. Read more>>
Madilyn DuBois
A pivotal moment occurred in London, where a chance encounter with my now supplier who shares the same commitment to quality and intentional design sparked the birth of A Bag Concept. This sustainable bag company aims to create functional, beautiful, and reusable bags tailored to the needs of busy women. This venture represents a fusion of the founder’s design background with a passion for everyday objects, applying the same level of thoughtfulness used in designing healing spaces to crafting beautiful and practical bags. Read more>>
Eugina Jordan
I was a single parent for six years. During that time, I juggled raising my son, building my career, and finding my footing in a Cirporte America — often all at once. It wasn’t easy, but it shaped me. I learned how to be resourceful, resilient, and fiercely focused. Years later, I met my husband, a true partner in every sense. He’s steady, supportive, and never once asked me to be smaller. Together, we’ve built a home filled with love, laughter, and mutual respect. My family is my greatest gift and my constant source of strength. Read more>>
