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.
Mina Roth
I was born and raised in Turkey to a Turkish mother and American father who funny enough didn’t listen to music. I started getting into songwriting at 8 years old but I didn’t start taking it seriously until around 12. It wasn’t something that felt optional. It was a necessity in processing everything I thought and felt. Read more>>
Tawanda R. Wilson
My journey started from a place of pain, silence, and survival. I grew up in a single-parent home and always desired a relationship with my father. At 13 years old, I finally had the opportunity to spend time with him, believing I was entering a safe space. Instead, I experienced sexual abuse at the hands of the person I trusted most. Read more>>
Danielle Himsey
My husband and I started The Carolina Girls Promos, LLC out of a passion for both people and conservation. We both grew up around the outdoors, he graduated from Clemson and became a farmer and shortly after meeting him, I fell in love with agriculture too. Over the years I became heavily involved in conservation work through organizations, local districts, and community outreach. Read more>>
Baker Rogers
I’m, Baker Rogers, founder, CEO, and co-owner of Queer Haven Books in Columbia, South Carolina. I was born and raised in South Carolina and always wanted to create a queer space in Columbia. I started Queer Haven Books with the goal of being a safe and inviting third space in South Carolina. Read more>>
Caleb Murphy
The oldest of five siblings, I developed a love for barbecue as a kid. My parents would volunteer to cook what seemed like an endless supply of ribs or pork butts to raise money for various sports my siblings and I were involved in. As I got older, I began to expand my culinary skills (as a hobby) to help with my dad’s non-profit organization. Read more>>
Lydasia Prather
The Greene Street Vegan was born from my love for food, culture, community, and healing. My journey started in the kitchen, creating plant-based meals that didn’t feel limited or boring, but full of flavor, soul, and tradition. I wanted to show people that vegan food could still be comforting, bold, and deeply connected to our roots. Read more>>
Brent Bauer
Brent Bauer’s path in construction began years before Transform Charleston. He grew up in Ohio working in his family’s roofing business, where he learned the industry from the ground up and developed a deep respect for craftsmanship, hard work, and doing things the right way. Read more>>
Margie Gerald
How I started my business was 6 years ago, I wanted to learn a new hobby to make a little extra money. It started off a little rough because I was looking for supplies in bulk, to keep me from spending money just about everyday for supplies, especially when I needed them right away. As time processed I learned the ropes and it became easy. Read more>>
Ann Harvey
I became a nurse in Michigan 28 years ago and have always loved the OB part of healthcare. Working in labor and delivery as well as the maternity side, I found I loved making connections with new moms and being able to follow the unique journeys they were on during their pregnancies. Read more>>
Richard Mathis
My path into fine art photography has been anything but traditional. Before fully committing myself to art, I spent more than four decades working as a psychologist, consultant, and clinical director in North Carolina. Much of that work involved helping people navigate trauma, identity, addiction, and human struggle. Looking back, I realize those years deeply shaped the way I now approach visual art. Read more>>
AmberLee Dixon
We Care Home Care is a trusted provider of compassionate, client-centered home care services dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals of all ages. Serving minors, young adults, adults, and seniors, We Care Home Care is committed to helping clients maintain comfort, independence, and dignity in the place they call home. Read more>>
Shalini Iyer
My story really begins as a military brat. My father was an officer in the Indian Navy, so I grew up across India, mainly in Mumbai and Vizag. That upbringing gave me adaptability, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for people, cultures, and experiences. Can you imagine doing 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade, each year in a different school, in a different city? Read more>>
Ember Byrd
After having my daughter in 2021 I started the Fort mill food blog which is an instagram account and website focusing on dining, small businesses, and community life in Fort mill, SC and the Carolina’s. Theres always so much going on in town and I wanted to be a source to keep people informed, and a source for marketing for local businesses. Read more>>
Shaletha Richard
My journey has been rooted in both purpose and calling. I have always had a heart for helping people, especially those navigating stress, trauma, and major life transitions. That passion led me to pursue my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and become a Licensed Professional Counselor. Read more>>
Sherena Timmons
My story begins with being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2016. After finishing Chemo and Radiation, my hair didn’t grow in completely. It grew back in spots. I had bald spots about a quarter size in some spots. I started trying products in hair supply stores. Those didn’t help. I thought ‘ What if i make my own’? Read more>>
Shelby Wilson
I started learning piano from a young age and was inspired to play by friends and family. I always knew that I wanted to be a musician and participated in piano, choir, and jazz band in high school. Read more>>
Elizabeth Piner
I owned a restaurant in the past then worked for an alcohol distributor for 18 years. During Covid, I was working more than ever and creating business plans for other people that had the same dream as me. Read more>>
DEBI Lynes
My daughter wrote this for my 70 th birthday….I was so humbling and meaningful and encompassed a broad overview of some of my story .Dr. Debi Lynes has never been particularly interested in staying in one lane. Designer. Therapist. Television host. Writer. Speaker. Wellness advocate. Podcast creator. Animal lover. Grandmother. Curious human being. Read more>>
Cara Cartee
My foray into event planning began at Tulane University, where the city of New Orleans became the ultimate training ground for a career built on creating unforgettable experiences. Since 2001, I’ve designed global events and travel for groups ranging from 1 to 6,500 guests. Read more>>
Jacob Rogers
After graduating college in business studies and moving back to the US, my father and I were approached by a franchisee called Any Lab Test Now! At first I was hesitant and wanted to learn more; however, the more I learned the more I believed in the service that we were going to be providing. Read more>>
Wayne O’Bryant
I am an author & historian. My story started in the historic city of Charleston, SC, where I was born in 1960 and raised by 3 generations of educators. My forebears began teaching me African American History when I was a toddler because they knew that I would not learn it once I began school because it wasn’t in the school’s history text books. Read more>>
DJ Whitesell
Mad Moose Equipment was started in response to the demand for fair pricing and a desire to provide better than industry standard customer service. We felt like there was an opportunity in the market to offer a better rental experience and simplify the entire process. Read more>>
Jerrod Sutcliffe
It all started after doing a 6 year term in the Navy, during that time I was diagnosed with PTSD and a TBI as well as other issues that made me unable to continue my time in the Navy. This created a perfect storm of mental and emotional degradation, leaving me hopeless and abusing alcohol to ease the issues this caused. Read more>>
Ashley Greene/Lambert
I’m Ashley Lambert, the owner and photographer behind Carter Alivia Photography. My journey into photography began through motherhood and the deep desire to preserve the little moments that pass by far too quickly. What started as simply documenting my own children slowly turned into a passion for capturing genuine connection, emotion, and the beauty in everyday life. Read more>>
Samantha Clarke
I’m the owner of Greenville Rental Studio, a creative studio with multiple backdrop and set design options, but my journey actually started behind the camera over 16 years ago as a photographer. I built my photography business, Samantha Clarke Photography, by creating elevated wedding and branding experiences for clients all over the world. Read more>>
Malinda Griffin
After my son was born in 1990, I began title abstracting with a friend. I didn’t want a full time job and I needed flexibility. A couple of years into this, my Dad suggested I diversify my growing business and become a Real Estate Appraiser. After doing some research, I agreed it seemed like a good fit for me. Read more>>
KeriAnn Rizzo
Through my own healing journey, I have been introduced to some of the modalities that we now offer at The Healing Lotus. I suffered from debilitating anxiety and agoraphobia and have been on a healing journey for 11 years. Read more>>
Mattie Porter
My journey as an advocate for organ donation began through my family’s experience with my mom’s kidney disease and transplant journey. My mom was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease at just 8 years old and has been in renal failure her whole life. Since there is no cure, we always knew a transplant would one day save her life. Read more>>
Jennifer Flanagin
I was born and raised in Charleston, SC and attended Buist Academy and the Academic Magnet High School. I went on to study Philosophy at Davidson College in North Carolina and graduated with a fabulous degree and not a clue of what to do with it! Read more>>
Lauren Busman
I grew up in South Georgia and developed an interest in photographing the rural landscapes. My camera and I went everywhere together. When I moved to Columbia, SC for college at the University of South Carolina, my friends and classmates asked for graduation photos and professional headshots. I started building a business that kept growing, and soon after, I got into wedding photography. Read more>>
Nina Standifer
Moving across the country to a small town in South Carolina in the year of 2020 meant new beginnings. With fresh ideas and a basket of hope, my husband and I decided to collaborate our entrepreneurial efforts and bring CrossFit to this tiny town we now call home. Read more>>
Rob Redziniak (Red)
I grew up in a small town in upstate New York—a place where people showed up for each other. That community shaped me. Because when I was at my lowest, they didn’t turn away… they stepped in. As a teenager, I was lost. I dropped out of high school. I found myself homeless, just trying to survive. Read more>>
Sergiy Pustogarov
I started writing poetry during highschool as a reaction to what was going on around me in life, and as a manner of escapism and healing. I continued to amass collections of poetry hidden within my bedroom and have continued to write through all of life since that time, with each new collection chronicling a different section of being and humanity. Read more>>
Shaniqua Lesesne
My journey into this work didn’t begin as a business idea. It began as a calling. From early on, I found myself drawn to people’s stories, their pain, their resilience, and their desire for something more. That natural pull led me into the mental health field, where I spent over a decade working closely with individuals and families navigating life’s most difficult seasons. Read more>>
Chris and Dani Seymour
Chris has been in restaurant business for over thirty years in management and operations. He worked 15 years for Ruby Tuesday from 1993-2008 and a Florida based ‘NY style Jewish Deli/Bakery’ called TooJay’s for 15 years from 2008-2023. Dani started her career at Panera Bread in 2005 and ended her time there as the Director of Catering for the Orlando market. Read more>>
Jennifer Thomas
I have been a licensed massage therapist since 2005, and my practice has changed and grown quite a bit in that time. Over the years I gathered experience in personal training and health coaching as well. As someone with a history of chronic pain and autoimmune illness, my work has always been results-driven with a focus on movement and pain relief. Read more>>
Kaylee Cuthbertson
I attended the University of South Carolina, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. After graduating, I began planning events for friends and family simply for the joy of it. As I shared those moments on social media, inquiries began to follow. Read more>>
Sylvia Corley-Drennan
When I reflect on my life, I can’t help but marvel at how different it turned out from what I imagined as a young girl. Never would I have guessed that I would dedicate so much of my time to volunteering and organizing events for my community and surrounding communities, especially without any expectation of financial gain. Read more>>
