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.
Lauren Chase
I’m Dr. Lauren Chase, and I offer a calm, supportive space where high-achieving women and girls can slow down, exhale, and feel truly understood. I work with clients navigating anxiety, self-doubt, perfectionism, and the constant pressure to hold everything together. Read more>>
Crystal Koehler
To start, I grew up in the part of New York that has more trees than cabs. (Yes, I’m a transplant, but I’ve lived here over half of my lifetime!) At 18 years old I was faced with the reality that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life (no pressure, right?). Read more>>
Cole Erdman
I have always been a car guy and had an entrepreneurial spirit. I purchased an existing Maaco franchise a few years ago and grew that by 40% YOY sales. Last year I successfully purchased the Holt Transmission group which consists of a shop in North Charleston, Summerville and West Ashley. I have continued to drive and grow sales at all shops as well. Read more>>
Ronda Lusch
I have been a realtor for over 20 years. I am licensed in South Carolina & North Carolina. I have 4 generations of Real estate professionals in my family. My grandfather started building homes for World War II Veterans and my father carried it forward as a residential & commercial broker. Read more>>
Aimee Peterson
https://aimee.sites.bhgrealestate.com/ I’m a Charleston local, born and raised in South Carolina, and my perspective on real estate was shaped long before it became my profession. I graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, where I developed a deep appreciation for structure, precision, and accountability, all skills that would later prove invaluable outside of medicine. Read more>>
Amy Evette
My mom had me in a soup kitchen serving around the age of 7 or 8. I would light up. I loved going and I still feel a since of overwhelming passion when I think back on those events. I loved that she didn’t reserve my childhood for simple safe activities. She pushed boundaries — I was by far, the youngest one there. Read more>>
Frankie Ferreira
I didn’t grow up dreaming about ramen. I grew up watching my parents grind, watching a city that teaches you early how to survive, how to move fast, how to stand your ground. Newark doesn’t romanticize struggle you either learn or you get left behind. Cooking wasn’t a plan at first. It was instinct. It was comfort. Read more>>
Dana Lowie
Keeping it close to home…I grew up in the Upstate, went to UGA, then landed in Greenville where I began a career in graphic design. In the early 1990’s, I vacationed in Seattle with Steve Taylor. That incurable “coffee bug” took a big bite, so we brought it back home. Read more>>
Katie Heidecke
I’ve been a licensed massage therapist since 2009, but my real journey as a business owner began during one of the hardest moments of my career. When COVID hit in March 2020, I couldn’t work for months. It was terrifying, but it was also the push I needed. The year before, I had researched locations to open my own studio, but fear held me back. Read more>>
Karen Alexander-Banks
My journey has never followed a straight line, but every chapter prepared me for the work I do today. I began my career as a public school teacher, teaching first grade at James B. Edwards Elementary School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina from 1984 to 1990. Teaching at that level shaped how I see the world. Read more>>
Annie foster
Hello, the way I got into the beauty industry was all apart of my purpose. Read more>>
Lenord Smith
It all started in 1978 I was in the 8th grade and needed a haircut for back to school . My Mom had very little income and couldn’t afford me a haircut. So I knew a man how lived in our apartment complex how cut hair his name was Walter. Read more>>
Zakevia Lewis-Kendrick
Dr. Zakevia Lewis-Kendrick’s life journey is a powerful testimony of resilience, faith, purpose, and unwavering commitment to service. Born with a heart for people and a calling to uplift others, her story reflects a life shaped by transformation, perseverance, and divine alignment. Raised in Miami, Florida, Dr. Lewis-Kendrick was exposed early to the richness of culture, community, and ambition. Read more>>
Jason Brockert
We lost our 14 year old son, Julian, to suicide in 2024. We tried to address the school district directly to effect some changes in the way bullying is minimalized constantly. After the school district continued to maintain its silence, and we had attempted to get other charities involved, we were forced to start our own charity. Read more>>
Nicki Freeman
During my high school years, I was always the friend who you called when you had a formal event, I was the girl for all your makeup needs. As the years passed, I realized that makeup necessarily wasn’t my passion but helping women feel beautiful and confident in the way they looked and felt about themselves was my passion. Read more>>
Kathy Casertano
In the bustling world of beauty and grooming, where chemicals and synthetic products often dominate the scene, I wanted to stand out as a pioneer of natural and organic haircare. As the CEO of an organic salon and barber shop, my goal was to revolutionize the industry by blending sustainability, wellness, and style seamlessly. Read more>>
Matthew Detmer
My first job at the age of 14 in 1997, was washing dishes at a local college dining hall for $4.15 an hour! I saw ‘large-scale’ food production at a place with their own farm, a seating area as big as a football field, and a butcher room in a weird, cultish basement. Read more>>
Rony Ramirez
I started my journey in February 2018. I no longer wanted to work an 8-5 job, I wanted the freedom to choose my own path. I wasn’t enjoying my job anymore, and at 40 years old, I didn’t want to look back later in life with regrets for never starting my own business. I began by taking on small handyman jobs. Read more>>
Ashley Nelson
The decision to start my private practice began with a quiet but persistent calling, a sense that the way I wanted to care for people could no longer fit inside the walls or limitations of someone else’s system. I’ve spent years watching suffering go unseen, trauma go untreated, and individuals blamed for symptoms that were never their fault. Read more>>
Alice Murphy
My journey began with a deep curiosity about myself and the struggles I’ve faced, as well as a fascination with how other people think and feel, why we hurt, how we heal, and what helps us remember who we truly are. Long before I became a counselor, I was the one others came to in moments of pain, confusion, or transition. Read more>>
Jim Rhodes
Founded in 2006, Equine Rescue of Aiken began as a nonprofit with a simple mission; to help horses in need. What we quickly discovered was something deeper and unexpected – the horses were helping people just as much as we were helping them. From the beginning, there was a powerful sense of peace and purpose on the property. Read more>>
Jillian Crabtree
I’ve been an esthetician for 15 years, and from the very beginning I knew I loved sugaring. I saw firsthand how much gentler it was on the skin and how much better the results were compared to traditional waxing. Read more>>
Hollinger Stevens
Growing up, I always knew it was God’s will for me to help people. In December of 2002, I began working with the Department of Social Services in Cherokee County in Child Protective Services diversion. For almost twenty years, I saw firsthand how trauma, substance use, and mental health challenges don’t just affect one person — they affect families, friends, and really the entire community. Read more>>
Rachael TenEyck
I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work from Syracuse University in 1997 and began my career working with adolescents in an inpatient psychiatric unit. Early professional experiences also included work in an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and a nursing home rehabilitation center, allowing me to develop a strong clinical foundation across diverse populations and settings. Read more>>
COLIN HOCKING
I started taking photos at the age of 16 when I got my first SLR. Read more>>
Traude Sander
I was born and raised in Africa which taught me to appreciate and protect nature. I’ve spent my career in the service industry, working for state and local governments and as a private consultant, but moved to the non-profit field in 2021. Read more>>
Rachael Hochberg
Working in the nonprofit sector is actually my second career. I began in New York City as a photography producer and studio manager, working in the commercial product and lifestyle photography space. The work was creative and fast-paced, but over time I realized I wanted to feel more connected to making a positive difference in the world. Read more>>
Shannon Fleischman
I was in retail for 25 years and always had a passion for motorcycles and cars. my father got sick with cancer and I took loa to take care of him from my retail job. Read more>>
Melvin Shaw
My journey has been shaped by service, faith, and a deep belief that people thrive when they are seen, valued, and empowered. I didn’t start with a master plan or a clear roadmap—what I had was a heart for helping others and a willingness to learn along the way. Read more>>
Nickki Stello
For over 36 years, Stello Foods, Inc. has been a family owned and operated specialty food manufacturer & distributor. We not only manufacture our own brands, but we also offer contract packaging and private labeling services to our customers. Read more>>
Mickey Lyles
I was born in Rock Hill, SC in the 1970’s. My parents were from Sumter, SC and returned there shortly after my birth. I grew up in the “country” on a dirt road in Sumter. I started my first business at 23, with more grit than clarity and a lot to learn the hard way. Read more>>
Sharon Chrzanowski
I began a career in Mortgages in the early 90s. When the market crashed, I retired and was able to become a stay at home mom. When my youngest graduated high school in 2022, I felt called to go back to work. I have always enjoyed helping people achieve their housing goals and so I decided to become a realtor. Read more>>
Maria Morris
Therapy Resource Group’s story begins with its founder, Nicki Gaskins. While working in victim services, Nicki recognized a critical gap: families were not receiving the affordable, ongoing support they needed after trauma. In July 2021, she opened the doors of Therapy Resource Group (TRG), a nonprofit dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable mental health services for individuals and families impacted by trauma. Read more>>
Kaitlyn Pickett
I started Sun Ink’d Tanning in September of 2021 with a clear intention: to create a space for people who never quite fit into the polished, cookie-cutter version of beauty. From the beginning, I knew I didn’t want to be just another spray tan artist following trends or playing it safe. Read more>>
Stacy Means
Ever since I was a child, I have always dreamed of living on a farm. We started with goats and chickens and grew our hobby farm from there. About 5 years ago, my daughter Marie said ‘Mom, we have all these sweet friendly animals. Read more>>
