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.
Kamise Washington
It all started while I was working for an industrial, construction/painting company back in 2018. My supervisor and co-workers were training me on how to tape up ,prepare and paint. As I was learning things just started to come together like I already could do it. Never in my wildest dream I thought that I would be actually painting for real. Read more>>
Lav Hysa
ZARDIN began as a simple idea rooted in something very personal a garden, a table, and a way of eating that felt nourishing, vibrant, and real. Inspired by both my partners and I upbringing in our garden! Read more>>
Zach Fain
I began my career with a degree in Industrial Electronic Technologies from Spartanburg Community College and jumped into the fast-paced world of PLC programming, machine installation, robot programming, and maintenance. Over a decade, I worked my way up from maintenance technician to Control Engineer, then into maintenance management, and eventually engineering management. Read more>>
Lindsey Donohue
I went straight into cosmetology after high school, starting my career at just 18. I began as a booth rental stylist which, looking back, wasn’t the easiest path. My clientele consisted mostly of friends and family, but instead of leaving during slow hours, I stayed. I watched. I listened. I learned. Read more>>
Angela Elmhorst
I’m a Charleston native with a background that started far outside of real estate. I earned my degree in Public Health and spent years in dentistry as an insurance manager, where I became deeply skilled in navigating complex systems, advocating for patients, and breaking down information so people could actually understand it. Read more>>
Kendall Williamson-Carpenter
I didn’t start with a nonprofit or a master plan—I started with a burden. I’ve always had a heart for people on the margins, especially those dealing with food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of access to resources. What began as simply helping where I could—feeding people, connecting families to services, and showing up consistently—eventually grew into something larger than me. Read more>>
Dewight Crowley
From Drifter to Disciple: How One Man’s Journey Sparked a Ministry of Hope For most of his life, Dewight was a man of the open road. He caught his first ride at fourteen years old, beginning a drifting journey that would span nearly five decades. “Being a drifter was a choice,” he says. Read more>>
Patricia Floesheimer
Trudi, my business partner, and I have been best friends since we met at a wine dinner in 2007 and we haven’t run out of things to talk about since. Neither of us was aware of the other’s need of an escape hatch from our lives in the cold, cold north until after a few visits with my oldest daughter who was attending CofC. Read more>>
Jeremy Packer
I started as an electrician right out of highschool working for a solar company on the west coast. I thoroughly enjoyed working with my hands and developing an understanding of electrical systems. I would eventually attend a technical college and relocate across country to where we are now in Myrtle Beach. Read more>>
Dr. Andi Mackin
Becoming a chiropractor has been a long time coming for me. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to go into healthcare, but I never really knew where I wanted to end up. I grew up in an active family and was always involved in sports, so working with athletes seemed like second nature to me. Read more>>
Bryan Payne
When I retired from the Air Force I felt a little lost and needed to find ways to keep busy but also to get some satisfaction from. I still have a corporate career, and needed to do things that would give back to the community. Read more>>
Jo Kokri-Bhatt
My studio began in my hometown of Spartanburg, SC, where I moved back to reorient in my 20s and start my business, teaching and performing music. It had modest beginnings out of my house, slightly out of town and mobile. During that time, I also addressed a health issue and managed to go to school part-time in Music Business and Marketing. Read more>>
Amy Ehlen-Brekke
I am a lover of all things art and have been since early childhood. Acrylic painting is especially my favorite medium to work with. Before I became the owner of For the Love of Art, I was one of its loyal customers. I would often enjoy Paint & Sip classes with my family and friends there. Read more>>
Ailsa Foulke
Platform – A Consciousness Studio started 2 and a half years ago as a place to Breathe. I wanted a place where I could practice mindfulness offerings such as sound baths, breathework, guided meditations and mindful yoga on a consistent basis. The idea hit, let’s bring this all under one roof and Platform was born! Read more>>
Brandon Stewart
A true local, Brandon was born and raised in Mount Pleasant. He was in the band at Wando High School and graduated from Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina. With his new culinary degree, he made his way back home spending most of his early adulthood cooking, serving and managing restaurants. Read more>>
Ashley Higgins
I was inspired by an associate in the field that was a neighbor to the company that I worked for at the time. I spent time with her, assisting with managing her job responsibilities. She began to tell me her story, and I realized that her work ethic and reasoning aligned with my values and peaked my interest. Read more>>
Lisa Marie Beaty
Both Joe and I are lovers of water and sun. Both of us have the astrological sign Cancer – (the Crab), and where do you find crabs? At the beach. So, it was very fitting that we both met in South Carolina. Joe is originally from Clayton, Alabama, southern to the core. He can make a mean cornbread. Read more>>
Marva Morris
I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, after moving from Cleveland, Ohio when I was in elementary school. As the only girl in a household with my two older brothers, I became independent and self-reliant early on. I spent a lot of time observing the world around me, reflecting, and writing, habits that would later shape both my voice and my career. Read more>>
Morgan Echanique
I was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina and went on to earn my Doctor of Pharmacy degree from South University. After graduating, I worked in large chain retail pharmacies, which gave me valuable experience but also showed me the limitations of that model. Read more>>
Gharrye Commander
My journey started with a simple desire to help children understand their emotions in a healthy way. I noticed that many kids struggle with big feelings like anger, sadness, and frustration, and often don’t have the words to explain what they’re experiencing. I wanted to create a story that felt relatable and comforting while also teaching emotional awareness in a fun and engaging way. Read more>>
Nora Vargas
I am a mother of three daughters, an immigrant, and an entrepreneur. I was born and raised in Venezuela, and seven years ago I arrived in the United States with my family, a strong work ethic, and a deep desire to build a better future for my children. Like many immigrant women, I worked multiple jobs in the cleaning industry. Read more>>
Rina Tell
My Journey Into Barbering My passion for cutting hair started long before I ever picked up a pair of clippers. Growing up, I watched my grandmother, my uncle, and my father cut hair at home. There was something about it that completely drew me in the focus, the transformation, and the confidence it gave people. Read more>>
Barbara Ellison
I am a speaker, author, show host, Transformational Life Mentor, and the founder of Wellness Playroom | For the Best Version of Your Life! After the death of my husband, I came to the honest realization that I needed to reconnect with who I truly was in order to move forward with my life. I also knew I did not have to do that alone. Read more>>
China Facchini
I graduated high school in 1997 and went straight into the culinary industry, working at a high-end restaurant, The Bee & Thistle Inn in Old Lyme, Connecticut. While I was there, I met a coworker who was attending massage therapy school. Read more>>
Allison McDade
About 21 years ago, I left the US for Ireland to clear my mind, my heart, my soul, and figure out ‘where do I go from here’. After my sabbatical, I returned home. I had sold everything before I left, so I was back in my mom’s house. I was going through the classifieds just to see what was out there. Read more>>
Michael Thompson
I was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, the youngest of three kids, with two loving and supportive parents. My mom stayed home with us, and my dad worked in sales, so I grew up watching what consistency, hard work, and showing up for your family really looked like. Around the age of eight, I began the dream of becoming a dentist. Read more>>
Demetrica May
My journey into the spa industry started with a genuine love for skincare and helping people feel confident in their own skin. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a calling. Read more>>
Forrest (Woody) Aurentz
In 1988, my wife (Janet) and I were at Ft Knox, KY where I was stationed in the Army. My daughter was one of 60 children and chaperoning adults riding a church bus to the Kings Dominion Amusement Park in Ohio. Read more>>
Megan Rome
After graduating from physical therapy school, I noticed something that would change the direction of my career. My mom was still experiencing pain at her C-section scar more than 30 years after giving birth to me and my sister. That moment sparked my curiosity about cesarean scars—and more importantly, how little care and attention they receive in postpartum recovery. Read more>>
Debra Guthrie-Joyce
As a child I always liked church. I would go to all the churches with anyone who would take me and I was genuely interested in everything that was said. When I was a teen I was heavly involved with a Penecostal church. I was also wrestling with the idea of sexuality and how I fit. Mostly, I was thinking I did not fit. Read more>>
Zachary Bowen
My stepfather was captain of one of the Charlotte fire departments. On his off days he painted houses.. that’s how it started for me and then I ended up working for some other friends and acquaintances as I got older. Read more>>
Colin Rick
I started painting professionally in 2001. I was introduced to a man named Tom Cox. He is an extraordinary man and a fantastic painter (perhaps the best I’ve ever meet). He was willing to hire me and teach me the trade. Over the next several years, I worked for Tom and learned a lot more than I ever thought I would. Read more>>
Jeska Keenan
Makeup asked the questions < Skincare gave me the answers. I found my way into the beauty industry through movement & glam. The line for lashes & glam started early-making sure every face was flawless before we hit the floor. I grew up in competitive cheer, dance, & gymnastics. Read more>>
Rebecca Aikens
I was raised with a strong work ethic in a rural farm community in North Carolina. We were taught to respect our elders and to obey God. My faith grew along with a desire to please people. I looked for acceptance and strived with everything to live a godly life. As a young adult, I felt incomplete like I was missing something. Read more>>
Walter Lanier
I began my journey in community involvement a little over 10 years ago. I began to notice a rise in crime and poverty in my community. That is when Ken Swilling and I formed Homeland Park Community Watch. Read more>>
Mattie Weingarten-Pardy
I’m a born and raised Charlotte girl and did all of my higher education in Asheville before returning home to the Queen City. I started my career as a therapist doing what a lot of clinicians do early on — working hard, learning on the job, and trying to figure out how to do meaningful work without burning out. Read more>>
Aimee Duffy
Dr. Aimee Duffy is a renowned expert in functional hormone health, dedicated to helping women break free from the health challenges that hold them captive. Whether it’s the weight of chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, sleepless nights, or emotional overwhelm, Dr. Duffy provides personalized solutions that transform her patients’ health and lives by addressing the root causes of their symptoms. Dr. Read more>>
Angel Heaven Lee
My journey really started with burnout. I was diagnosed with ADHD later in life, after years of trying every planner, productivity system, and time management trick that was supposed to work. On paper, I was doing everything “right,” but nothing ever stuck. Instead of feeling supported, most tools left me feeling like I was failing at productivity itself. Read more>>
Marci Millsap
I’m a retired veteran with 3 children, wife gym lover who enjoys all things outdoors. Hiking, walking and chasing waterfalls. Upon retirement I saw a since of a community needing to be built. Along with my father passing in 2023 I decided that I will heal myself through nature and that is how let’s hike South Carolina began. Read more>>
Emilee West
Greer Community Ministries (GCM) began in 1972 by the late Reverend Johnny Stack, along with a group of concerned citizens. GCM started as a gap-filler for Meals on Wheels – Greenville had a MOW program and Spartanburg had Mobile Meals, so GCM completed the circle by offering Meals on Wheels in between the counties. Read more>>
Nick D’Allesandro
My brother, Ben, and I opened our pizza restaurant in June 2006 at 229 Saint Philip Street in Downtown Charleston. We knew how to make pizza and were both ‘young and dumb’ so we decided to try opening our own shop while we were young. Read more>>
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art was originally named the Halsey Gallery in honor of William Halsey, a celebrated Charleston native and modernist painter whose work was shown at major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others. Read more>>
Natalie Beck
I started out as a professional dancer, performing for almost 20 years. Being on stage taught me how important storytelling and connection really is. Like so many people, everything shifted during the pandemic. Overnight, the world I knew disappeared, and I found myself reevaluating what life would look like off stage. Read more>>
Malik Franklin
Creative Technical Solutions (CTS) started from a simple belief: people with great ideas shouldn’t be held back by broken systems, outdated technology, or a lack of visibility. Read more>>
