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.
Tanja Keller
I grew up in northern Germany in a tiny, old town (est. 1512) close to the danish border. It was common to start an apprenticeship after graduating from school. Since I loved art my whole live I I found a place to teach me the ancient trade of Goldsmithing. Read more>>
Andrea Reece
We started Ellalilyetc in our garage at home. We did embroidery for friends & family. The opportunity came open for me to rent space close to my home and I jumped on it. We are celebrating 10 years this month! Year after year we have grown our inventory and our embroidery customers. Read more>>
Lindy Fabyanic
I founded Dance Conservatory of Charleston (DCC) in the summer of 2017 with the goal of offering the highest caliber dance education in the Charleston area in a warm, inspiring and supportive environment. Read more>>
Shelley Tucker
I was a divorced mother of three children, working full time while putting myself through college. I graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and I worked in that field for 10+ years. One morning while sitting at my desk, I prayed and told the Lord that I wanted to help people. Read more>>
Gaurav Sangal
The STEM Lab didn’t start with a business plan. It started with a conviction. After getting a Master’s in Electrical Engineering, years of working in telecom and public-safety engineering, and later earning an MBA, I kept coming back to the same question: why are kids not getting exposed to technologies that will define their lives? AI, robotics, coding, engineering – these aren’t electives. Read more>>
Rusty Gaskins
I actually got started my role as the Business & Economic Services Manager for the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments in a pretty unexpected way. I began my career in event management with the Florence Center (a 10,000 seat arena with hockey and concerts), then spent several years working in finance before being laid off during the housing market crash. Read more>>
Haley Schiek
Ten years ago, I was barely holding it together. If you’d met me then, you probably wouldn’t have thought, ‘this girl’s going to graduate valedictorian, get a degree in psychology, end up running two companies, living on her own in Puerto Rico, helping women recover from eating disorders and trauma while giving professional talks—in a second language—for aerospace companies to celebrate Women’s History Month.’ No. Read more>>
Ingrid Lathan
I started my journey in the life insurance industry nearly 20 years ago, working closely with families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. Early on, I realized that what people truly needed wasn’t just an insurance policy – it was guidance, clarity, and someone they could trust to help them make important decisions. Read more>>
Aminah Hehn
I started in 2024 in the spring. I purchased one inflatable nightclub then people would ask me do I have tables and chairs to go in it. Then they would ask me could I make balloon columns to go outside of it. One thing led to another and I purchased some Photo Booth and here. I am now a whole party rental business. Read more>>
Zipporah Poznyur
I started my career as a small business owner creating custom luxe cakes for weddings and special occasions. It was an art that let me express my creativity, learn the hustle of running a business all while cultivating relationsips from all over the state. Read more>>
Rhiannon Mack
Photography has been a passion of mine since childhood. I pursued my interest in college and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Photography from Winthrop University. Upon graduation, I remained in the area and opened my own portraiture business, specializing in children and pets. Read more>>
Terry Roberts
I started performing at a very young age, 14 and still perform today. I perform all genre of music from classical to commercial music. I have lived in Europe performing and now reside in Florence, SC where I am Professor of Music at Francis Marion University and the Music Director of the Florence Symphony Orchestra. Read more>>
Kelley Bailey
As Director of Enrollment I am so excited to share about Greer Preparatory Academy in Taylors, SC! Greer Preparatory Academy was founded in 2024 with the idea of providing additional educational opportunities to our community and to establish a feeder school to Greer Middle College Charter High School. Read more>>
Amanda Martin
Wow! Where does one start? I honestly believe that our story began with simply having a heart’s desire to serve the community. Gary and I tossed around the idea of many business opportunities. Read more>>
Reba Purdessy, Ed.S, LPC
It’s never too late! I started college at 33 years old when most people might think they’ve already chosen their path or it’s too late to make a change. For some careers are established, routines are familiar, and the idea of starting over can feel more intimidating than inspiring. But for me, 33 yrs old wasn’t a conclusion—it was a turning point. Read more>>
Quanisha Fowler
I actually started my journey in beauty back in 2012 when I finished cosmetology school. I was doing hair and nails and honestly, esthetics wasn’t even on my radar at the time. Read more>>
Steven Biggs
In 2024, I began experiencing financial hardships and was in jeopardy of losing my home of 10 years. I had a little over $2,000 to my name and no immediate resolution in sight. While troubleshooting some ideas and venting to my photographer friend, he abruptly interrupted. He said, ‘ I have a 360 Photo Booth that I’ve never used. Read more>>
Randy Middleton
My daughter started a farm a few years ago. While visiting she talked me into buying the 5.46 acres next to her with a new house. (That’s my story and I am sticking to it.) I figured it would be an okay short term rental and legacy add acreage to her farm. Read more>>
Preston Marion
I have been around boats and on the water my whole life. I began working in the new boat manufacturing world in 2017 for Xplor Boatworks in Columbia, SC. In 2023 I had an opportunity to get into fiberglass and gel coat repair in Anderson, SC. Absolute Marine was founded then. Read more>>
Laura Condenanza
I was born and raised in Argentina and later moved to Mexico, where I spent over a decade building a career in advertising. Living in different countries shaped how I understand identity, belonging, and the quiet ways women learn to adapt. From the outside, my life looked successful. But over time, I started to feel disconnected from myself and knew something needed to shift. Read more>>
Wayne Gosnell
My name is Wayne Gosnell. I started my career when I was 18 years old at a Company called Mascot Homes Inc. This company built Mobile Homes and Modular Homes. I started out as a Draftsman. I obtained my Architectural Engineering degree and finally advanced to VP of Operations during my 22 years at Mascot. Read more>>
Antwan Cummings
I started my journey as a creative through storytelling—first through performance and later through media. Early on, I found my voice in theatre, where I developed confidence, discipline, and a deep appreciation for connecting with audiences. That passion grew into leadership roles, including serving as president of my theatre ensemble, where I not only performed but helped create opportunities for others to express themselves. Read more>>
Lisa Rist
I was working in the corporate world and felt that I needed something more, something rewarding that would help others. I went back to school in my 30s as a single mother to finish my undergraduate degree in Human Development. After I finished, I went to work as a social worker. Read more>>
Roxana Massie
A lot has changed since my last feature. What has this season looked like for you? So much has changed. Read more>>
Kenneth Sass
My background spans multiple industries. The thread through all of it has been the same question: what is money really worth, and how do you protect it? I started educating myself on the global financial landscape back in 2007, specifically the precious metals space. What I found changed how I think about everything. Most people have a fundamentally broken understanding of what money is. Read more>>
Taurean Stokes
My journey into acting started early, back in high school, where I first discovered my passion for performance. That interest stayed with me through college, where I chose to minor in theater and continue developing my craft. After graduating, I stepped into the workforce and, like many people, found myself putting that passion on pause for a period of time. Read more>>
jorge Rolim dos santos
We started Myrtle Party & Fun Rentals as a family-owned business with a simple goal: to bring safe, clean, and fun entertainment to our community here in the Myrtle Beach area. Everything began when we purchased a bounce house for our son’s party. The event was a big success, and seeing the joy it brought to the kids and families truly inspired us. Read more>>
Jamie Richardson
Jamie Richardson is a South Carolina native from Columbia and a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he developed both his professional foundation and lifelong support for the university. Inspired by his father’s 30+ year career in the insurance industry, Jamie began his own journey immediately after college with Nationwide Insurance as a claims adjuster. Read more>>
Liz Munn
I have been an aesthetician since 2007. During that time I have had the privilege of working with many different Skincare companies, performing different types of treatments, learning about traditional Chinese medicine, working with native South Carolina Lowcountry plants and plant medicine. I believe that every person is different and every face is different. Read more>>
Rickell Green
So I’m in original native of Beaufort, SC and I’ve been working in the beauty industry for a little over 11 years now ever since I graduated from ACE as an Esthetician in 2013, but it wasn’t my original interest to be in this field at first. Read more>>
Russell Turner
I received my insurance license in 2008, and I was helping clients with final expense life insurance. I kept running into clients that needed help with their Medicare. I realized that it is a confusing maze, and I wanted to help them understand what Medicare is, how it works, and be able to show them all of their Medicare options. Read more>>
Malai Roper, PhD
My story really started before Peaceful Pause Healing ever had a name. I’m originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and I come from Gullah Geechee roots. Being around women who understood care, intuition, and tending to others shaped me in ways I didn’t fully realize at the time. I didn’t grow up calling it “healing work,” but looking back, it was always there. Read more>>
Janice Smith
Many things brought me to where I am today, like all of us… For most of my life I’ve worked high pressure jobs, all centered around commercial real estate, commercial real estate finance, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. After graduation from Seton Hall University, I started my business career learning the basics in that field from a mortgage banking company in Chatham, NJ. Read more>>
JODIE JONES
I’m a family nurse practitioner and the owner of Top Care Concierge, an integrative and concierge-based primary care practice. My journey really started during COVID—it was a time where I saw a huge gap in how patients were being cared for, especially when it came to prevention, education, and truly individualized care. I didn’t come from a business background. Read more>>
Nicole Musap
I didn’t take a traditional path to where I am today. I’ve always been entrepreneurial at heart and spent years working in different areas like marketing, health coaching, and business consulting. A lot of my work has always been centered around people…understanding them, helping them grow, and creating meaningful connections. Read more>>
Ross Hill
My name is Ross Hill. I am the founder and director of Mariner Learning Collaborative. I have over 15 years of teaching experience in public schools, charter schools, colleges and homeschool. I have taught in a variety of settings from pre-K and elementary age children’s church, VBS, and youth ministry, to middle school students, high school, college, and adults. Read more>>
Lance Collins
Our company started in 1989 when Jim Collins retired from the South Carolina Highway Patrol. He was a pioneer in the driver training business in South Carolina, starting the business before it was made a requirement in 1994. Read more>>
