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.
mimi kline
I have always loved to work with my hands. My mom taught me to knit at a very young age, and that began my interest in arts and crafts. I always wanted to go to art school, but that wasn’t going to support me so I went in a different direction. Read more>>
Sabrina Jackson-Cunningham
I started out as a teen mom at just 16 years old, but I was determined not to become a statistic. I graduated from Richland Northeast High School—on time, might I add—and made a promise to myself that my son, who’s now 14, would have a great life and never go without. Read more>>
Sara Nelson
I guess you could say I spent the first three decades of my life following the blueprint society told me would make me happy, earn the college degree, get married, build a successful career, buy the house, have the kids. By all traditional standards, I had “made it.” But at 35, that version of success I was sold, began to crumble. Read more>>
Roslyn Kay Parker
I’m Roslyn “Roz” Kay Parker, and real estate for me is more than a profession—it’s a calling. Over the years, the principles I learned growing up in a U.S. Naval family—discipline, commitment, service—have become the foundation of how I lead my work and serve my clients. Read more>>
Madison Brigham
My journey started long before The Beau Charleston ever opened its doors. I grew up surrounded by the beauty industry. My mom moved to the U.S. from Germany and built a successful salon from the ground up. Read more>>
Dallas Gunn
I was a remediation contractor for 20 years. We grew the business with heavy emphasis on commercial work. We worked many of local government, educational and manufacturing facilities. We were performing mold remediation projects at highly technical levels. We were always being testing by other testing companies for verification of success. Read more>>
Codi McIntyre
Throughout my life I have always worked or been around Sports & Entertainment. After graduating from College of Charleston, I went and worked for my family’s business that manages and operates large entertainment venues throughout the country such as NFL stadiums, NBA arenas, and MLB facilities. Read more>>
Lisa Price
I was born and raised in Oak Island NC. I moved to Conway in 2002. When I was growing up education wasn’t a priority, work was, in my household anyways.I didn’t graduate high school and never really thought that much about it. I also had jobs that really didn’t matter rather you graduated or not. Read more>>
CARMEN VLAD EA
In August 2025, I published the book–Business Owner in the US: Professional Complete Guide for Investors in the U.S. The book serves as a complete roadmap for anyone starting or growing a business in the United States, with a special focus on helping foreign investors and new entrepreneurs navigate the complex U.S. tax and business system with confidence. Read more>>
Jackie Bogac
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, I felt somewhat lost like many young people do. I studied and graduated with a degree in something that I decided wasn’t meant for me after all. I started working full time at UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) within their Insurance division as a customer service representative. Read more>>
Mike Lambert
I’m Mike Lambert. I am a husband, a father of two, and I’ve worn many hats over the years: an Aikido Shodan (Black Belt), a certified private pilot, and a musician, alongside my earlier career as a programmer and business owner. Music was my early passion, but after some time touring, I felt drawn to a new field. Read more>>
Dr. Jim Overton
After retiring after 25 years as a school counselor at Spring Valley High School, Columbia, SC, I started College Consultants of South Carolina, LLC. My goal was and is to provide in depth assistance for college panning assistance with all aspects of the college search, application, and final decision to attend following acceptance. process. Read more>>
kimana littleflower
I had been in the F&B industry in Downtown Charleston since 1999. That meant late nights and late mornings, which meant late breakfast! Not many breakfast all day spots existed in 2014 outside of Ihop or waffle house. So I saw the need, along with no breakfast spots in Park Circle, our beloved neighborhood. Read more>>
Sean Faustina-Smolak
In 2020 I was living in Southern California and working as Director of Sales in the Special Events division for Live Nation Worldwide. I was responsible for booking and producing everything from Pride Festivals to Naturalization ceremonies at two historical venues. But everything changed on March 13, 2020. Read more>>
IHope Christian Care and Counseling Center
In 2017 iHope opened for counseling. It was a ministry opportunity that began at Sandhurst Church when it was noted that Christians who had mental health disorders wanted to be able to receive care but with biblical perspectives. iHope is a 501C3 non-profit that operates on the generosity of our wonderful donors. Read more>>
Ellen Frazier
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be running two thriving businesses — a mortgage brokerage and a women’s empowerment community — I would’ve laughed and poured another glass of wine. My story really began in the middle of burnout. I was a successful mortgage broker, but behind the scenes I was exhausted, disconnected, and numbing myself just to keep going. Read more>>
Chloe Thomas
Pencil Path began with a simple observation I made while working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the school system. Much of my work focused on fine motor development and handwriting skills, helping students improve their ability to write with confidence and control. Over time, I began to notice something important — it wasn’t just students receiving special education services who struggled with handwriting. Read more>>
Adam Morrow
Sure thing! Regarding my career as a pirate historian, people often inquire about this and I often state that being born in the early 90s, I was the perfect age to grow up with the line of pirate Legos while wearing out Muppets Treasure Island on VHS, haha. Read more>>
Madison Cheatham
I started dance lessons when I was two years old. Years before I was born, my parents learned their wedding dance from Brenda Cranford. She casually offered them to send their children to her studio for classes one day, if they decided to have any. Read more>>
Bre Pontecorvo
I’m Bre Pontecorvo, the founder of Mood Haus. I started this space because I wanted beauty to feel like art again. After more than ten years behind the chair, I learned that transformation is never just about appearance. It’s about energy, story, and connection. My background crosses a lot of creative ground. I’ve worked in color, photography, design, and direction. Read more>>
Donivol Blue
I started my health career as an athlete the evolved into becoming a personal trainer. After a number of years working with people to improve their quality of life, I decided to go to massage therapy school in order to further assist those in need of a more functional lifestyle. Read more>>
Nicole Kelly
I moved to Summerville, SC 3.5 years ago from Northern New Jersey. I’m a mom to two awesome kids, Luca & Thea. Years ago, I had a professor( Mrs. Bowes) who said that becoming a notary was always something good to have under your belt. Shortly after moving to SC, in particular my neighborhood, I noticed the need for a notary. I thought about what my professor said years back and took it as a sign to become a notary. SC is one of only a few states where a notary can officiate weddings. I’m a people person, I love to write ( i specialize in custom tailored vows) so I decided to give that a shot and fell in love with it. Read more>>
Julie Lauman
Over time, this personal approach and dedication have helped Happy Hounds grow through word-of-mouth and community support, earning recognitions like “Best of South Carolina” and “CommunityVotes Platinum.” But for me, the true reward is the relationships I’ve built — both two-legged and four-legged — and the joy that comes from knowing I’m making a difference in the lives of Charleston’s pets and their families every day. Read more>>
Jessica Blanchard
I’ve always believed that food is more than just something we eat — it’s how we connect, how we heal, and how we celebrate. Growing up, I saw firsthand how meals brought my family together, and that passion carried into adulthood. Read more>>
Melissa Goulette
For over three decades, I’ve built my career on a simple belief: the most powerful marketing doesn’t just sell products, it creates connections that matter. My journey from regional marketing executive to entrepreneur has been defined by this philosophy, weaving together brand strategy, community impact, and the pursuit of experiences that bring people together. Read more>>
