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.
Jashon Simmons
I was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, and my love for food started in my mom’s kitchen. Watching her cook and being a part of that process planted the seed for my passion. Over time, cooking became more than just making meals—it became my way of telling stories and connecting with people. Read more>>
Sierra Hutchison
I’ve always been drawn to capturing moments. Even as a kid, I loved pulling out a camera or phone, framing things in a way that felt beautiful, and paying attention to the little details of design, aesthetic and composition. Fast forward to planning my own wedding and in November 2024 that passion found a new place to live, Moments to Hold. Read more>>
Luciana Tavares
I began my career in a humble role as an office assistant, taking on small tasks and learning the foundations of how an accounting office operates. Over time, my curiosity and determination helped me grow into leadership positions, eventually managing all areas of the company. Along the way, I truly fell in love with the profession. Read more>>
Lisa D’Amato
I always had a passion for real estate but life truly got in the way. I ended up being a single mom of four kids in NJ and I was working as a training restaurant manager for many years. Had to make things happen for them. No time for my own dreams. LOL. Read more>>
Marilia Candeloro
I’ve been living in South Charlotte for 13 years now. It’s the place where I raised my kids – now onto the big wide world -, where I made friends that became family, and where I built my travel business and received so much local support. I’m very passionate about travel. Not only for the fun of it, but for the meaning of it. Read more>>
James (Jesse) Conway
Steve and I both wrote out our personal stories and then the company story follows. Steve I was born and raised in Greenville, shaped by a multicultural upbringing with my mother from Mexico and my father from Germany. Growing up, our family traveled often, and those experiences opened my eyes to diverse cultures and landscapes. Read more>>
Jaquan Horlback
Hi, my name is Jaquan Horlback, and I grew up here in the Lowcountry. I’m 25 years old and passionate about baking. My journey began last year when I started experimenting in the kitchen. One day, I brought some of my creations to work, and to my surprise, everyone loved them. The more I shared, the more people wanted. Read more>>
Kas Janicek
Back in high school, I was torn between two very different paths—medical school and cosmetology. During my junior and senior years, I seriously considered both, but ultimately followed my passion for creativity and hands-on work by choosing cosmetology school. I enrolled and completed the program in 2019, and right after finishing, I earned my cosmetology license. Read more>>
Pamela Staff
Good Day! Allow me to introduce myself to you, I’m Pamela Staff, and my journey to get me to this place and time right now, is a wild one. I’ve always been into art, painting, drawing, story-telling through writing, especially when I was a little girl. But, somewhere along the way I got off track. Read more>>
Celina Weems
Thomas Watson and myself Celina Weems found this property while taking a ride through Pelzer. We wanted to make a difference in this sweet town of Pelzer so we bought the church in 2020, Our vision was for this beautiful church to become a wedding venue as well as a place people could still find peace and comfort. Read more>>
Michela Iriti
My name Michela Iriti and I am the owner and psychotherapist behind Above Water Counseling – a private mental health practice in Mount Pleasant, SC where I work with adults and couples. Read more>>
Cindy Ard
My story started in a small one red light hometown. My mother passed when I was 8 years old due to auto accident. I was then raised by two step parents and to keep it simple, it was abusive in every way one can imagine. Read more>>
Tammy Butler
After working in Human Resources and Payroll for the majority of my career I decided that there had to be more that I could do to effect lives. I enrolled in a Bachelor of Human Services Program that gave me credit for past courses and work experience and graduated in 2 years. Read more>>
Raymond Zayas
I’ve been a web developer since 2006. I used to live in Puerto Rico, but I moved to South Carolina ten years ago. Shortly after arriving, I began working for an insurance agency that serves the Hispanic community. Being bilingual allowed me to assist clients directly in Spanish. Read more>>
Lee Winslett
Came to an interview for Charleston Architectural glass thinking this was a place where they blow glass but learned it was a glass shop that made hand silvered antique mirrors and leaded glass. I then was taught how to silver glass myself and fell in love with the art of hand silvering and then learned the rest of the production process. Read more>>
Gary Woodruff
Grilling has always been more than just cooking for me — it’s been a passion, a way to bring people together, and something I’ve truly enjoyed over the years. But about two years ago, I found myself drawn deeper into the world of smoking meats. Read more>>
Chauntel & Keith Ingalls Techno Cafe
Keith – We started in the coffee business in the 90s with coffee bean; flavoring, blending and packaging in the wholesale sector. In the early 2000’s, we sold our coffee business and purchased one of our largest accounts, which was a deli and convenience store inside a medical center. We were open 24/7 offering both fresh food and beverages. Read more>>
Dysheka Bibbs
Growing up in inner-city Chicago, I was surrounded by despair (addiction, trauma). As a little girl, I didn’t have the language for it yet, but I knew I wanted to help people reclaim their lives and find hope again. Later, I discovered that this calling had a name: becoming a therapist. Read more>>
Red DuMonde
I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. I come from a creative family, and studied painting and photography at the University of South Carolina. Back then my work looked like a Caravaggio and Jackson Pollock collaboration, very figural and textured. After school I felt pretty lost, and for seven years I tried and failed to make a career as an artist. Read more>>
Gen Drummond
I grew up in my family’s healthcare practice. My dad was a doctor, and from a young age I was immersed in the world of patient care, community, and the philosophy behind healthcare. I spent my teenage years sitting in seminar halls at taking notes I didn’t yet fully understand, but absorbing the passion and energy of a profession that served. Read more>>
Wade Williamson
After being charged with Murder & Possession of a weapon during a violent crime I was facing life in prison. I was confined to house arrest while i fought my case. During the fight for me freedom my eyes opened to the flawed justice system. While on that journey I started Crime & Entertainment podcast. v
Pavan Sirona
Through childhood and into adulthood I searched for explanation and experience related to why we are here and what we are really meant to be doing. Right after college I lived in Brooklyn NY and enrolled in a 2 year, in person program in NYC for Holistic Nutrition; to be a Certified Coach. Read more>>
Tayla Schroeder
My story with entrepreneurship really started about 8 years ago when I was in college and began running my own business. At that time, I had the passion and creativity, but I did not yet have the clarity, systems, or confidence to truly sustain it. Read more>>
Heather Holmes
When I was about 11, I got very into two things, web design and writing, and I just never really stopped. My dreams were derailed by single motherhood, poverty, chronic illness, and personal loss, but finally I made my to a university, worked my way through an English degree, and enrolled in graduate school for marketing. I started by, well, starting. Read more>>
Greg Handal
I started Water Music Charters in 1999 when I was a special education teacher in the Charleson County Public School District. I operated my charter business full time during the summer months and during the school year I operated on weekends as well as providing sunset sails during the week. Read more>>
phillip bozzelli
I have worked in HVAC my entire life, my father started an hvac company 50 years ago and I worked for him. When he retired, he sold the company and I started my own business. We work primarily in old historic homes that are 100+ years old. Read more>>
Palmetto Releaf
We opened Palmetto Releaf in 2019 after the passage of the farm bill. After years of dealing with chronic health conditions, Melissa wanted to try to CBD. After visiting some stores in Tennessee, and trying products, we knew we had to bring this to the Charleston area. She was able to eliminate all but one prescription! Read more>>
Ricky Sapp
Born and raised in Bamberg,sc with both parents, two sisters and a brother. I got into sports at an early age. Right away I was talented but I got into a lot of trouble in school leading up to high school 
. I was the middle child and I was looking for attention and I find it by getting in trouble. Read more>>
Keisha Rainey
When I turned 30, I was going through life and career changes. I started to pray about a position of impact and for my next season of life. That is when agriculture was introduced to me. I got a job with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) in 2019 and have been on this food systems ride ever since. Read more>>
Yvette Twum-Danso
I started my entrepreneurship journey after I was a trauma patient. I was 15 weeks pregnant and hit by an 18-wheeler truck. The retained attorney was kind, compassionate, and genuinely concerned for our well-being. After being discharged from the hospital, the case manager visited me at my home. We began considering how my nursing practice could support attorneys. Read more>>
Annie Vola
I am in Pharmaceuticals and live in Mount Pleasant with my husband and teenage son. About eight years ago, I was speaking with my husband about the fact that Mount P could use more fun family establishments so with that said, the idea to open Annie’s Hot Donuts was born. Our store will be celebrating its 8th anniversary in business in October. Read more>>
Shady Rodgers
Growing up in Lake City, I never once strolled downtown. There was no reason to—the storefronts were boarded up, trash littered the sidewalks, and the whole area felt unsafe. Like many teenagers eager for something more, I couldn’t wait to leave. After high school, I set out with no intention of ever looking back. But then something remarkable happened. Read more>>
Matthew Kinard
I’ve always been drawn to solving problems and making things run more efficiently. My career started in operations management, where I had the opportunity to lead large teams and improve processes at scale in both the private sector and state government. Over the years, I specialized in workflow analysis, process improvement, and automation—especially leveraging tools like Excel, macros, and analytics to create real, measurable impact. Read more>>
April Coffey
I purchased Namaste three years ago out of a true passion for health and wellness, and a desire to help others live their best lives. My love for helping people has always extended beyond fitness—I want individuals not only to reach their best physical shape, but also to truly understand nutrition and how their bodies are designed to work for them. Read more>>
Trisha Palmer
I am the Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Greenville-Spartanburg. In my role, I am the NWS’s liaison with external customers and oversee outreach and preparedness efforts. Additionally, one of my primary responsibilities is to ensure that the NWS office delivers the highest quality weather related products and services to our customers and partners. Read more>>
Campbell Davis
After graduating from Clemson with a degree in Graphic Communications, I took a leap of faith into running my own design studio. What started as a love for web design quickly grew into Speared Olive — a branding and Shopify design studio built on the belief that a strong brand must come before a website. Read more>>
Leonora Cox-Skinner
Basically, I was experiencing teacher burnout. I was overwhelmed and frustrated with teaching because it was becoming increasingly more difficult and worse each year, especially concerning student behavior, mainly the disrespectful behavior of the students. During this time, I had been an art teacher for 15 years. Read more>>
Shawna Crabill
I decided to go back to school to become a therapist in 2006. I had just gone through a very painful divorce when my daughter was a baby. I was in therapy for myself and realized how much it had helped me. I have always been fascinated by psychology and relationships, and I decided to take the plunge. Best decision I ever made! Read more>>
Brian Solari
I grew up in an Italian American family and I had a strong obsession with food. I also saw extended family members in Philadelphia having success in the food business. I started in a sandwich shop and then to pizza. at the age of 18. And then continued to work in and out of the restaurant business through the years. Read more>>
kemlyn crowley
With over 12 years in hospitality and 7 years in sales, I’ve always been passionate about creating exceptional experiences for others. As a Certified Wedding and Event Planner, I’ve had the privilege of turning that passion into a career. My husband’s military service meant frequent moves, giving me the unique opportunity to build connections and gain insight into diverse markets and cultures. Read more>>
BUBI GORGEVICH
Started in 2010 in Sacramento CA, from 2011 trough 2022 worked as District Leader, relocated to the East Cost in 2022. Working with all age groups-my speciality is Medicare and Life Insurance. Read more>>
Zoe Daab
I began volunteering and interning for nonprofits while taking psychology classes in college. These experiences quickly led to a desire for understanding the impact of trauma and the factors that influence resilience. When I graduated, I began work full-time at a nonprofit, SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition (now named Project R.E.S.T.) supporting victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Read more>>
donnie morris
I owned a Fabrication shop last year in Alabama but God laid it on my heart to come here and start a church so after dealing with the aiken county planning department for months i finally was able to start selling building which gives me time to visit and study for church and i was able to meet a really great business partner in the Legacy sheds company they are tremendous in customer service and building quality and competitive pricing. that’s pretty much my story Read more>>
Kenny Wohltmann
I started my career back in 2011 working as a Web & Graphic Designer at a print shop in New Jersey. Those early years provided me with a strong foundation in creative problem solving, production and client collaboration. After years of growing my skills and wearing multiple hats, I then began to learn the importance of Marketing. Read more>>
Keith Mosher
I have a Bachelor’s of Media Arts degree from USC, Columbia, 1980. I have held a variety of jobs over the years: Audio Producer / Engineer for USC, Assistant to the CEO of Maurice Bessinger’s Piggy Park, a Law Office Manager, among others. Read more>>
Annastacia Francis
My journey as an entrepreneur began with a simple passion: creating unforgettable moments that bring people together. I’ve always been drawn to entertainment and the joy it sparks in both children and adults, which is what inspired me to launch Star Performers Entertainment. Read more>>
Mitch and Jody James and Sandoval
Mitch was working at a construction company prior to me. Then I came along and we started working together at the same company. After a few years of working together, we decided to work for ourselves. We started Rockin Reno’s early May 2022. I (Jody) am fifth generation in construction and Mitch has over 20 years experience himself. Read more>>
Hollie Harris
I am a private jeweler! I started in 2016 as a gift wrapper at a jewelry store, and the rest is history. it works all corners of the jewelry industry from management to sale to marketing to sourcing. I ended up going to GIA school in New York City AND HAVE WORED ALL OVER THE EAST COAST AND COASTAL cities as a jeweler. Read more>>
Lee Hamilton
I graduated from Clemson University in 2008 and started looking for a job during a recession. I found work but, not a career. While spending time with a friend who sold real estate, I became interested in that field. We spent a lot of time outdoors and he seemed to have a fairly flexible schedule which was highly attractive to me. Read more>>
Kc Williams
Well i started at a really young age. My father was a tattooer himself. Infact I got my first Tattoo when I was only a week old. Long story short the Dr’s didn’t agree with the name my parents wanted for me and in the mix of everything my father tattooed a smiley. Face on the heal of my foot. Read more>>
Kaylea Shuck
Travel has always been part of my life story. Both my parents grew in expat families: my mom in Brazil and Argentina, my dad in the UK and Nigeria. So from early on, I grew up hearing all these amazing stories of living around the world and experiencing different cultures. Read more>>
Ryan James
After graduating college, I was formerly a Wall St. Banker in NYC. I had little experience but I was enamored with the title and the lifestyle. Unfortunately, things would take quite a turn. Just after the financial crisis, I was at a crossroads in my career and I had sort of a ‘coming to Jesus’ moment. Read more>>
Henrique Carepa
I started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1999, and it quickly became the number one passion in my life. In 2010, I was invited to work for the IBJJF (the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation), which organizes tournaments around the world. That opportunity brought me to the United States, where I built a career running competitions and events for the sport I love. Read more>>
Deontae Jenkins
I’ve always been fascinated with cars, even as a kid. I knew my purpose would be connected to the automotive industry. As an adult, when I became an entrepreneur, that’s when I started my own business: Everything Cars, LLC. I began building my brand. In a short span of time my clientele expanded from local to celebrity clients. Read more>>
Marjorie (Marjy Marj) Boafo Appiah
My journey has been filled with incredible support, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. Along the way, I’ve faced stereotypes and biases, both personally and professionally, as I worked to establish my career. There have been moments where I was overlooked, underestimated, or even outright disrespected. However, with the guidance of mentors, the unwavering support of my family, and the wisdom found in some great books, I’ve learned to navigate rejection and setbacks. Above all, my faith, church family, and community have played an instrumental role in my growth and resilience. Read more>>
Tonya Tittle
I’ve been an athlete since age 14 — running cross-country and track through high school and college. Running was more than competition; it was stress relief, focus, and the spark for my lifelong passion for health. Around the same time, I picked up weightlifting — a habit I’ve kept ever since because it’s the key to staying strong, mobile, and resilient. It’s also one of the first things I teach my clients: as we age, strength training isn’t optional. It’s what keeps our joints happy, our muscles firing, and our lives active. Read more>>
