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.
Fatima Lewis
I was inspired to become an interior designer by my husband, Curtis. When we met I was a First VP in the compliance department of a bank on Wall Street and a few months later on September 11th 2001, after I walked 4 hours from ground zero to Harlem, he and his brother picked me up and he asked me to marry him. Read more>>
Chloe Heyward
didn’t wake up one day knowing I wanted to work with lashes. It started way smaller than that—just me, a mirror, and a growing curiosity about how something so simple could completely change the way someone feels. I was a single mom trying to juggle kids working in the middle of a Covid pandemic and I knew something had to change. Read more>>
Georgea Thekkethottiyil
I am committed to the highest standards of dentistry and bring over a decade of experience in providing advanced, patient-centered dental care. My journey in dentistry began in India, where I completed my Bachelor’s in Dental Surgery (B.D.S.). Aspiring to pursue a career in dentistry in the United States, I moved to the U.S. Read more>>
Pamela Olenchuk
When I was a young girl, my parents where missionaries in Haiti. I feel in love with the people and culture. We used to go help at a country hospital, and many people were in such need of help. They had terrible medical issues, but just had the greatest attitude. I decided I wanted to become a doctor and return to help these people. Read more>>
Joseph Michael Kelly, Architect and Engineer
I grew up immersed in a love of design, engineering, and adventure, which naturally drew me to architecture and technical problem solving. My professional journey began with a strong foundation in architectural engineering and structural design. I earned degrees in Architectural Engineering Technology, Engineering, Building Services Engineering, and Building Conservation, and I also studied Naval Architecture. Read more>>
Rob Hammond
Started YOUniquely Abstract during Covid, I have been painting for years, but got an inspiration that art is not about the artist, but about the individual hanging it in their home! Everyone should has a story about the art they hang in their home, it should be inspirational and mean something deep to them personally! Read more>>
Ja’Kinna Shi’parri Lynch
I started 25 years ago doing hair in my room at my parents home. As a little child, I would play stylist on my Barbie dolls and mannequin neads. Read more>>
Devin Shanice
I’ve had a passion for hair from a very young age, much of which was inspired by my mother. She always took great care of my hair and even took the time to read books to better understand how to care for Black hair. Before entering the beauty industry, I spent over six years in corporate America and earned my business degree in 2016. Read more>>
Katie Barnett
Greer Church of God has been a cornerstone in the community since 1935. There have been many anointed preachers that have led the church. Pastor Randy Barnett took over as the pastor in March of 2024. Pastor Randy previously pastored for 10 years in Travelers Rest. God opened a door for him at Greer and it’s been an amazing opportunity. Read more>>
Nathan Vannette
The journey to farming started when I was 5 years old, and my parents gave me a corner of the yard to start a flower garden. This sparked a joy and desire in me to spend as much time in nature and outside in the dirt as I could. Read more>>
Gene Dougherty
I have been coaching for over 30 years. I started coaching when I was 18 and my little brother’s football coach asked me to help out to keep my brother from quitting. I immediately knew I had found my calling. I have coached Football, Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Soccer and Hockey. Read more>>
Holly Goshorn
When I was in high school, I was always the one who brought a camera to gatherings. It was a hobby, but I never imagined it would become a full-time career. After graduating from high school in 2010, I took a film photography class at Greenville Tech, where I learned the basic skills of photography. Read more>>
Kelly Stradling
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, where the instinct to build, create, and lead was second nature. That foundation shaped my path early on, and in my twenties I channeled that entrepreneurial drive into businesses rooted in my passion for wellness, movement, and style. Read more>>
Meaghan Pitman
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communications from Manhattan University and spent several years working in marketing, building skills in storytelling, outreach, and community engagement. At the same time, I’ve been passionate about animal welfare since I was a kid. It’s something that’s always been close to my heart. Read more>>
Laurie Dragunoff
Laurie Dragunoff has over thirty years of experience in the interior design industry. She holds a BFA in Interior Design from UMass Amherst. Her work has been featured in multiple publications. Laurie owned a showroom for 16 years in Ct. before moving to Myrtle Beach nine years ago. Passionate about creating unique spaces that are both stylish and comfortable for everyday living. Read more>>
Jen Hassaj
Healthy Intentions with Jen Hassaj was created out of my passion and desire to enable the average person to be able to physically help themselves navigate through either a new or older diagnosis, or simply to their healthiest self in the comfort of their own home. For all of my adult life, I have felt called to help people. Read more>>
Jacquelyn Womble
I grew up as a competitive gymnast with a Registered Dietitian mom who has been practicing for 45 years. Early on, I experienced the critical role nutrition plays in peak athletic performance. Both my parents modeled such great balance at home—I had no idea what that was teaching me at the time because it was just our life. Perhaps they didn’t either. Read more>>
Joseph McLeod
My aspirations to start a computer repair business started early. During my high school years I spent much of my time on IRC (Internet Relay Chat) and even ran a server for about 3 years. Read more>>
Sarah Young
I was a stay-at-home/ homeschooling mama for 16 years before I found myself going through divorce and needed to figure out a way to make a living to support me and my four kids. I had run a Short Term Rental (STR) out of a guest suite in our house for a few years, and I knew I loved hospitality and caring for clients. Read more>>
Kelli Johnston
I was born and raised outside of Detroit, Michigan but fell in love with Charleston in 1999 when I lived here for 10 months for a program (now defunct) called AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. I returned to Michigan to complete medical school at Michigan State University then relocated permanently to South Carolina after graduating in 2005. Read more>>
Abby Leibowitz
I spent the last 20+ years in telecom and contact centers, taking Call Experts from a regional call-handling business to an international operator that blends people and technology to make customer experiences actually work. Along the way I launched tech ventures like Abridged Solutions to push AI and automation into real-world workflows, not just buzzwords. Lately, I’ve been applying that same playbook to hospitality. Read more>>
Diann Shaddox
Diann’s Bio Diann Shaddox was born December 18th in Nashville, Arkansas, and is an author, speaker, a Native American, and a member of the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma. Diann is best known for her published books: “A Faded Cottage”, “Whispering Fog”, “Miranda”, “Spirits of Sacred Mountain”, “The Gatekeeper of Crystal Pond”, “Hidden Dreams”, “Diary of Olivia Bellamead”, and “Small Street”. Read more>>
Jennifer Ebert
With a background as a marketing director in senior healthcare—and personal experience as a caregiver and mother—Jenn understands what it’s like to carry responsibility until you can’t recognize yourself anymore. Her upbringing in a foster family environment shaped her lifelong commitment to advocacy and meaningful support. Read more>>
Jason Shanahan
I served in the Marine Corps for almost a decade before putting down my rifle and picking up a camera for the first time. After my time in the military, I moved home to Maryland, went to college and began a career in water treatment. That job gave me great opportunities to travel, and I took them all. Read more>>
Lara Cavanaugh
My professional journey began in an unexpected yet meaningful way through my own need for chiropractic care as a licensed massage therapist. While searching for a chiropractor in Greenville, South Carolina, I discovered Evergreen Chiropractic and scheduled a new patient appointment. During my initial examination, Dr. Longacre learned of my background in massage therapy and immediately recognized the potential for collaboration. Read more>>
Stephen Jones
I was drawn to construction long before I ever understood it as a career. No one in my family was in the industry, but in high school I took a shop class that eventually turned into our class building a small home. That experience sparked something in me. At first, it was purely about the craft—learning how things are built and why details matter. Read more>>
Scott Dulebohn
My name is Scott Dulebohn, and I proudly served in the United States Air Force from 2005 to 2010. During my service, I sustained a back injury that ultimately led to a medical retirement in 2010. After leaving the Air Force, I worked at Packs River, where I handled filing and other essential office responsibilities. Read more>>
Lyles Cooper
I joined Pee Dee Land Trust (PDLT) in 2015 as the Director of Outreach and was promoted to Executive Director in 2017. My professional experience spans multiple organizations in both the corporate and non-profit worlds. A graduate of College of Charleston with a degree in Corporate Communications and Marketing (2003), I bring a unique mix of skills to PDLT. Read more>>
Casey Breitenbach
I didn’t start in real estate to “sell houses.” I started because I love homes, I love helping people, and I’m wired to solve problems and get things done. Read more>>
Vince Burruano
I’m originally from the Hudson Valley area of New York. I graduated from college without a real plan for life. I had graduate from The Catholic University of America with a degree in Philosophy with plans to go to law school, but I didn’t have the money to continue my education. Read more>>
Sharron Dillard
Mom says I was ‘Horse Crazy’ as a little girl. Stick horses, and model horses. Watching Roy Rodgers on our black and white TV. As I grew we got to go riding at the stables near our home. I got my first horse when I was in middle school. Read more>>
Dwayne Greenhill
I started playing sax in 5th grade band and I bought my first guitar that summer, by mowing lawns. I started my first band in 7th grade and played school talent shows. 8 th grade we played smells like teen spirit and that’s when I knew this was my career path. Read more>>
Christopher Welch
We acquired the Fudge Shoppe in January 2023. We have evolved from a simple sweets and ice cream shop into a family friendly Ice cream Parlor and Bakery. We hand make as much of our products as possible and add a unique artistic touch. Our focus is to be a landmark business for downtown Marion. Read more>>
