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.
Brighid An Lasair
Eventually, I was able to step into the work full-time, and in 2016 we moved into our first storefront. From there, Labyrinth Walking evolved into something even bigger—offering classes, services, community rituals, and events that really supported people on a soul level. In 2023, we moved again into a much larger space in the heart of Myrtle Beach, just ahead of our 10-year anniversary. Now we have a dedicated room for workshops and gatherings, and a growing community that feels like family. Read more>>
Brookelynn Little
I thought to myself, how can I help to eliminate this problem, and assure struggling young women, “You are capable.” I have seen my confidence grow throughout my life experience– I want to serve as the role model I would have wanted at a young age. I believe that confidence can open doors to innovation. Through this non-profit I strive to touch the lives of everyone involved, to motivate and inspire. My mission is to motivate young black girls towards confidence, education, and transformative mindset– despite any circumstances. Read more>>
Rachael Van Dyke
I confessed that I didn’t feel like an artist because my work happens so quickly; so spontaneously. I questioned, “Is it good enough? Is it valid?” He placed his two hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. He said very slowly and very assuredly, “Rachael, your artwork took you a life time to create.” In a single moment, through that one simple statement, my artistic expression was fully received finally by me. I had to embrace my own journey, my own voice, my own experiences. There is no one like me, there is no one like you. We each have a life of experiences that make us who we are, what we think, and what we need to express. Read more>>
Whitsa Jean
For a long time I wanted to escape my life living in a country with mostly cold weather and very little sunshine. My attempts to move out of Canada had always been deterred by my considering other people’s needs before my own. Of course, I will never regret choosing my children as they have been the driving force behind every good thing that I wanted, even for myself, but my soul was struggling. I felt trapped and experienced seasonal affective disorder for a good 5-6 months out of every year. It affected every aspect of my life negatively until I finally took the leap in 2023. I sold everything I owned in Canada, left my corporate job after 24 years of service, and moved to Mexico. Read more>>
Tiffany LaShá
We started Season 1 with just 17 athletes and one team. By Season 2, we had grown to 40 athletes and 3 teams — all of them national champions, including our very first team , Team Reign, who were crowned Global Champions. In Season 3, we soared to 125 athletes and 8 teams, all earning national championship titles. We also launched our Half-Year Program and began working with high school athletes. Now, at the end of Season 4, we’re still going strong — every one of our teams is once again a national champion. Read more>>
Michel Micó
Because of this work I was promotion to be a President of the International Action Art of the department of Cuba. And Through that institution and the Master John Kenn, I was able to do different exhibitions and coordinate activities of arts. I fulfilled my dream of having my first exhibition in Greece and then doing it in my country. At the moment I am in Egypt working, and although my greatest passion is painting oil paintings At the moment I am working on contract, making academic pencil portrait drawings Read more>>
Charles Bach
He has appeared all over the world, including performances at the Magic Castle in Hollywood and Branson. He has also been seen on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us, on the E! Entertainment Channel, the Discovery Channel, and has made many other appearances on international TV around the world including England, the Netherlands, Norway and Taiwan. Charles’ creativity in magic has been called on to make CEO’s appear or levitate for numerous companies and he has consulted and created magic for ballet companies and other theatrical productions Read more>>
Lucus Faulk
As time went by, I began to include hunting content and various historical information regarding the outdoors on my page as well. I would spend every day after work, which I continue to do so, in the Francis Marion National Forest and abroad, engaging in a myriad of outdoor activities for content use. What started out as 10 followers, then 100, then 1,000, then 10,000…. has now reached over 56,000 followers. I’ve put countless time and consistency into doing what I love, and it has paid off tenfold. If I could go back – I would do it all over again without hesitation. My dream has always been to be self-sufficient in doing something I truly love and enjoy. Read more>>
Kiana Mackinnon
I’ve always been very sentimental and have treasured memories, experiences, and friends above everything else. Since a lot of my life has been spent moving from place to place, I’ve usually kept a pocket-sized sketchbook with me at all times, and that’s how I’ve gotten addicted to working small. I like art that is travel-friendly so you can take the things you want to remember with you wherever you go no matter how small your luggage or your living space might be. Read more>>
Alesandra
Our goal was to offer a one of a kind venue with everything included that services anyone’s budget with no surprise add-on costs and offer upgrades for free and included in one price. Bridal suite, 2 limo golf carts, security, cleaning, use of fire pit with the wood, extra hours, abundant outdoor lighting just to name a few so that couples can stay on budget. The venue sits on 4-1/2 acres so there is ample room for guests to roam through a large meadow that connects all the features. Read more>>
Leslie Clark
Through word of mouth and an amazing group of women we have grown into a chapter of over 100 members. The concept is simple and efficient which has made the growth smooth and rewarding. The only struggle has been trying to secure a location for our meeting each quarter. Read more>>
Jamia McKinney
One of the biggest challenges has been the financial strain of launching and sustaining a grassroots organization from the ground up. The need is overwhelming, but the funding doesn’t always meet us where we are. Programs like the Village Diaper Program are in high demand, yet every diaper, every wipe, every event is funded by pure hustle, community support, and a deep belief in our mission. There have been times when I’ve had to pull from my own pockets just to make sure we could show up for our mamas. With our Village Diaper Program, I am working primarily out of my home and garage, making personal deliveries to drop off diapers every month to continue to show up for my community. Read more>>
Summah Lei
Today, Summah Lei is in her early thirties and has achieved many great things. She is an accomplished author, a skilled communicator, and a natural leader who inspires others to be their best selves. Her experiences have taught her the importance of perseverance, empathy, and compassion, and she brings these qualities to everything she does. Despite not currently having children, Summah Lei has an open heart and is excited about the possibility of starting a family someday. In the meantime, she is focused on her writing and sharing her message of hope and faith with the world. Read more>>
Delvin Washington
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most journeys worth taking, mine came with its share of obstacles. Balancing school while working and building a presence in fashion promotion was challenging—there were times I felt stretched thin, mentally and emotionally. Supporting small businesses meant being resourceful and constantly adapting, especially when resources were limited or things didn’t go as planned. At the same time, pursuing a career in law enforcement meant confronting self-doubt and facing the pressure of stepping into a field that demands discipline, strength, and resilience. There were moments I questioned if I could juggle it all—but every setback pushed me to grow, stay grounded, and keep moving forward with purpose. Read more>>
Raymond Pearson
Really came into fruition during the the Covid 19 pandemic as it was decided that we would an had to turn a negative into a positive and take this opportunity for all around growth musically to actually build this project from the ground up Buy using many avenues of talent, music, marketing strategies, recording time, editing photos videos, travels, tutorials, partnering, consulting, purchasing, investments, upgrading of equipment, avenues of target marketing, geographic demographic, economic, spiritual aspects beliefs and faith, transportation as well other avenues to get to the growth and accomplishments we have attained as of current Read more>>
Miyosha Streets
One thing I’ve always believed—and love to encourage others to embrace—is the importance of accepting who they are, where they are, while maintaining a positive mindset and striving to become the best version of themselves. Life is about thriving, not just surviving. We have the power to create the life we want. We can pivot and change as many times as we want, and I’m living proof of that. Read more>>
Dan Bardloom
My journey into the world of photography was born from a deep and inexhaustible curiosity about people. From a very young age, I’ve always been captivated by the idea that a single facial feature could hold a lifetime of experiences. I didn’t just see a nose, an eye, or a wrinkle, but an echo of laughter, sorrow, joy, and challenges overcome. For me, faces were never just physical characteristics; they were authentic ‘windows to the soul.’ Read more>>
Michael Watts
No it hasnt, but i wouldnt have it any other way. I think thats the most important part of any journey is the struggles that are experienced through the processes. i worked my whole life for someone else so everytime something would get in my way id just say ” i use to do it for someone else for an hourly wage, this is my future” Read more>>
Alan Pearce
Immediately following college, I entered the workforce with a large scale commercial interiors contractor and worked on jobs ranging in size from small tenant improvements to large scale hospital work. After this I assisted a small family owned interior renovation business get its roots established in the Upstate. Read more>>
Lori Gammon Megginson CPCN, CHPHC, BRNC
Following Ike’s passing, I immersed myself in studying animal aromatherapy, essential oils, and canine massage. With a background in pediatric nursing, I felt a calling to shift my career towards something that aligned with my growing passion for holistic pet care. I became certified in Animal Aromatherapy through the Ashi Holistic Center and earned my certification as a PetMassage Practitioner from the PetMassage Training and Research Institute. Read more>>
Merrill Fowler
I have been in the mortgage business for 6 years and my wife sells real estate. We noticed a need for more home stagers in the upstate SC so we bought the Showhomes franchise late last year. Read more>>
Kristina DiDomenico
Together with my business partner Joe Kohler we decided to open a locally owned art gallery. We met at a previous location I was managing and with my background in art and his in sales we went off on our own. I am also a local photographer in Horry county and have taught art for 5 yrs previous. We first opened a smaller location in downtown Myrtle and were there almost a year before realizing we needed to expand. Still in the new downtown art and innovation district just more centrally located. We currently have 50 local artists who are present in the gallery. Read more>>
Farin Doran
It was the only time I had ever had ice cream at a wedding and it was amazing. Fast forward to now and we are now catering mostly weddings and giving newly married couples a chance at having ice cream at their own weddings in the form of a hand crafted cookie ice cream sandwich. We took this idea we had 18 years ago and made it better with an adorable Charleston themed ice cream bike and custom flavors. What started as a “this would be a fun job” turned into a full blown catering business where we are now serving at weddings, events and parties. We absolutely love our job! Read more>>
Paradise
In the beginning everything seemed to be going smoothly but you know life happens a lot and it always gives you setbacks my struggles were becoming an single parent kids when it one parent left to do everything by yourself kids require lots of attention the lack of support I had to put my dreams and life on hold until I could find room to live my dreams and be a parent at the same time but everyday I look at my kids and I tell myself I can do it because they are the ones I’m doing it for they are my motivation Read more>>
Aaron Lucas
But a desire to get back to really focusing on creating drove my decision to leave the sawmill and go back to my one man circus, with a new focus however. Acoustic instruments seem to be one of the most difficult things a woodworker could do and it seemed that in creating acoustic guitars the creative menu would be never ending, so I ran for it. Paying the bills was another matter so a combination of cutting wood for the use in instruments and building acoustic guitars is slowly evolving. The “tonewood” that I focus on is sinker cypress, which I have named “Dark Forest Cypress”. Read more>>
Tomas Villar
Because of this financial growth we started investing in real estate we started with flipping houses then later we moved to building new houses and after years in business i learnt how to create an investor’s portfolio, that at the time gave us more capital to create better investments so after that we went from building low income homes to building more luxurious homes and created a brand that now and days people recognize. (today, we have a real estate portfolio, a custom cabinets business, and a private investors portfolio.) Read more>>
Jamaine Holmes
My stage name is 2Fingerz because I only play bass with 2 of my fingers and only pluck with my thumb even though I have all my fingers lol. And I’m endorsed by a company called Snazzy Allure which Alisha Gardner is the CEO and I sell loops and merchandise on that companies website which is 2Fingerz.Co. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Right now I attend as the Ministe Of Music at The Destiney Worship Center under the leadership of Dr Larry Goss and also and my grandads church as the Music Director at Little Bethel Pentecostal Reform Holiness Church under the leadership of Bishop Aaron Elliott. Fees free to ask more questions if you have them Read more>>
Janice Myers
We are a retired military family, and the heart and soul behind Go-N-NUTZ. We have always had a driven desire to think outside the box and be creative. From this desire our baby(GO-N-NUTZ) was born. Our love for boiled peanuts and flavors collided and created our first flavor which was lemon pepper. And shortly after 9 more flavors came . Thereafter we found out that not only did our creation taste amazing but, had also became a craze in the city . At this point we realized that a tent and our ten pots were not enough so we purchased our first mobile trailer. The demand continued to sky rocket so we had to purchased a second trailer, to meet, request and multiple locations. Read more>>
Audrey Shaw
For years, I tried to run from the pain of my abortion. God had me in the very place that fights for the life of the unborn. I attended a Bible study for abortion recovery through the another pregnancy center, Piedmont Women’s Center and my life was completely changed. I saw everything differently and found forgiveness for myself. Now, nine years as the Executive Director at Anderson Pregnancy Care, God has blessed our center with a bigger building, more staff, and more volunteers. I’ve walked in the gifts God has given me, facing my deepest hurts and using them to help others. I have been clean for 19 years now. Daily I lay down my reputation to help others find healing. God has redeemed and restored my life, truly turning ashes into beauty. Read more>>
Kiersten Brown
I started my own business focused on personalized, high-quality pet care. When I relocated to Charleston, I had zero clients and a stack of bright yellow business cards. No website, no social media following—just hustle. I chased down people with dogs at parks, chatted up anyone with a leash, and slowly, one client turned into five, then ten. I built trust by treating every dog like my own (and mine are very spoiled). I didn’t just walk dogs—I created a lifestyle of enrichment, adventure, and connection based on each client’s needs. Read more>>
Jennifer Winkelmann
Books and Beyond is dedicated to helping children in the Lowcountry build home libraries by providing access to free, high-quality books. Through our Free Book Fairs at elementary schools and community events, we’ve been able to reach thousands of children with a joyful, empowering experience centered around choice and literacy. In 2024 alone, we distributed more than 37,000 new books to children from birth to age 10 in Charleston and the surrounding areas. Read more>>
Chelsea Wade
My journey began with a solid foundation in Marketing and Communications, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 2012. Following graduation, I gained valuable experience working with various agencies and publications, specifically focusing on digital advertising strategies. I then transitioned to automotive sales for seven years, where I discovered my true passion for social media marketing—every vehicle I sold was directly attributable to my social media campaigns, which simultaneously helped me build a substantial personal following. Read more>>
Tom Hartnett
While raising our three sons, a family friend and former House member, Chip Limehouse, approached me about running for his seat. At that time, my focus was on my family, and I had little interest in politics, so I declined. However, as the challenges of 2020 unfolded with the onset of the Covid pandemic, I was called upon by many seeking assistance, despite my limited capacity to help. I felt a calling so I decided to embark on my political journey after deep discussions with my family. Read more>>
Davonne Reaves
I began studying the business behind hospitality and made it my mission to change the face of hotel ownership. Eventually, I went from hotel employee to hotel investor and then to hotel owner. Today, I’m the founder of The Vonne Group, Vesterr, and Stay Black Experience, all focused on helping people — especially Black professionals — invest in hotels, commercial real estate, and themselves. Read more>>
Nika White
I decided to speak up and approached the President/CEO, with whom I had a good rapport, and candidly asked why there weren’t more people who looked like me at the agency and why we weren’t doing more. He listened intently and responded, “Yes, Nika, I agree; you’re right. We’re going to do it. And you’re going to lead it, now tell us how.” I wasn’t prepared for that challenge, but I was passionate and willing to learn. I immersed myself in DEI work, balancing it with my client services role, and began reading and studying everything I could. This dual role eventually led to more opportunities, and I learned the importance of aligning skill with will to create effective, impactful change. Read more>>
Riley & Ariane Anderson
The road has been pretty good for how long we’ve had our business and how much we have going on. So far, we’ve been awarded with the Kid entrepreneur of the year award back in 2023. Things kind of slowed down because we started getting more involved with school and church activities. We’ve started to pick back up with business. Read more>>
Ashley Wingo
Chef Ashley began her professional career, completed her internship requirement, and was hired at High Cotton of Charleston where she enhanced and acquired additional fine dining skills. While working at High Cotton, she quickly went up the ranges and continued to further her education. After moving from Charleston back to Spartanburg in 2015, Chef Ashley started her own company called Grace Catering. Grace Catering meets the needs of customers seeking a unique, fine dining experience that serves all events; from baby/bridal showers and weddings, to corporate luncheons and events. Read more>>
Marquetta Cason
After years of observing and preparing behind the scenes, I stepped fully into entrepreneurship. I launched two businesses that reflect different pieces of who I am: financial protection through The Cason Group Insurance Agency and soul work through Better Balance Holistic Wellness. Each one allows me to serve others in meaningful ways whether it’s helping someone secure their family’s future or get in tune with their most highest self. Read more>>
Moses Nyagota
l relocated to South Africa from my home country Zimbabwe 10 years ago to look for greener pastures. l was working at a construction company that does different works like constructing new buildings and doing maintenance on high voltage pylon lines or substations. In my line of work I enjoyed it. The goal was to raise money for college. Unfortunately l worked all these years got a lot off experience but never got paid. l was left without hope but l had to keep going. Read more>>
Sarah Baldoni
After working in high-acuity medical environments, I felt called to create something different—something beautiful, intentional, and empowering. That vision came to life with the opening of Baldoni Aesthetic, where I fused my clinical expertise with an artistic approach to skin and wellness. From day one, my mission has been to offer a luxury experience grounded in real medical knowledge, where every service is both results-driven and exquisitely curated. Read more>>
Tamara Siders
If you had told me a year ago I’d be running a charcuterie business with a storefront on the way, I never would’ve believed you. My journey started from a deeply personal place. As a mental health counselor, a special needs mom, and someone navigating the emotional milestone of my son’s graduation, I found myself needing an outlet—something creative, something just for me. Read more>>
Chezrekist Simmons
living and doing the things that I done and got exposed to.The population of Daufuskie Island wasn’t what it is today and the Gullah community was a very tight knit close community. I Earned the Nick name Fuskie through my life travel and friends. I am proud to be a Island Representitive Especially of the Gullah Community. and DIS Daufuskie Island Public School.and Every one that lives here Today. We aren’t a Large Community of people with Dallas Tx. population but we are a Strong community and that’s all that matters to me. I love and embody Daufuskie Island South Carolina until I’m resting in Maryfield Cemetery on Daufuskie Island reunited with all of my family. Read more>>
Alicia Leeke
As native South Carolinian I spend my fun time between Columbia, Charleston and North Myrtle Beach.
My artistic career began at Columbia College. While there, I began taking French, biology, zoology and genetics; as well as drawing and painting classes for electives. During my sophomore year, an opportunity to travel abroad with my French class arose. As part of this trip, I visited the Musee ‘d Orsay and fell in love with the French Impressionists – and the most inspiring spot in France, Montmarte. Read More>>
