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.
Mary Beth McCarthy
If someone had told me twenty years ago that I would become a children’s author, I would have smiled and said, ‘Not a chance.’ For 43 years, I was a cellular and molecular biologist in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Connecticut. Read more>>
Alissa Anderson
I grew up in south-central Texas. I was obsessed with animals from a young age (especially dogs and horses!) and knew I wanted to make caring for them my vocation. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology from a small liberal arts school, Hendrix College. In 2014 I graduated from Oklahoma State University with my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Read more>>
Brooke Daniels
I’m Brooke Daniels, entrepreneur, community builder, and founder of BetterHER—a wellness brand dedicated to helping women build a lifestyle they can actually maintain.” Like a lot of women, I spent years building everyone else’s life while putting myself last. I’ve worked in corporate America, managed teams, raised four children, owned businesses, and helped entrepreneurs build their brands. Read more>>
Sarah Wharton
As a child I was always skeptical of pharmaceutical drugs, even though it seemed to be the only option for whatever ailment I was going through. Whether it was seasonal allergies, severe growing pains, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), sports injury, torticollis, or just plain pain, the option always was to take a pill for it. Read more>>
Larissa Noto
My story has unfolded through many seasons of becoming. I began my professional life in law, drawn to advocacy, language, and helping people navigate complex systems. After a major chapter working in New York City and in the corporate world, yoga and mindfulness became more than something I practiced for stress relief — they became a way of living, healing, and coming home to myself. Read more>>
Savion Pauling
Wassup yall everybody call me Sa I’m from Columbia Sc. I started on SoundCloud in 2014 and grew over the years to makes songs with bigger artists like Juice Wrld, SZA , an Dave East. Read more>>
Samie Worthington
I never actually set out to build an agency. Honestly, my journey started simply because I saw someone struggling and wanted to help. I graduated with a communications degree right into the aftermath of the 2012 recession. I tried the corporate route for a bit, but I quickly realized it just wasn’t for me. Read more>>
Naudia Priester
I’ve always been interested in nails from the time I was 6 years old it was always my dream to run my own nail business whether it was my own shop or just working for myself or even working in a salon and just work my way up! Read more>>
Tara Brown
For more than two decades, I have dedicated my life to understanding the psychology behind canine behavior. My passion began in childhood with a simple curiosity: Why do dogs do what they do? That curiosity has grown into a lifelong mission to help dogs and the people who love them better understand one another. Read more>>
Sarah Messner
I’ve always had a passion for photography. In high school, my dad bought me my very first camera, and that’s really where it all began. I went on to take photography classes in college, but it wasn’t until years later, after moving to South Carolina, that I decided to turn my passion into a business. Read more>>
Nathaniel Perkins
Started off djaying at the age of 16 doing notable events for high schools and college around the Columbia area. Then elevated to nightlife events and then towards radio in 2015 starting off at IHeartRadio. Transitioning from IHeartRadio to Radio One in 2020. In between that time I’ve done concerts and festivals with the biggest names in the hip hop industry. Read more>>
Leah Ayvazyan
My photography journey began in high school when I took a photography class, using a cheap camera that was collecting dust in my home. At the time I lived in Boise, ID. My love for photography quickly grew, turning into a hobby, and a creative outlet. At the age of 18, I opened up a business page, thinking it would not go anywhere. Read more>>
Tori Hughes
I began wedding planning for friends during the pandemic, helping out with re-doing wedding details that had to change because of social distancing guidelines. Needless to say, I fell in love with weddings. It wasn’t long before I opened ‘Something New’ to the public in May 2022. Read more>>
Shanovia Gillard
I can pinpoint the exact moment I entered this world. It wasn’t in a shiny corner office, but rather at a crowded folding table during my very first tax season. The client sat across from me, clutching a manila envelope stuffed with receipts. I had my textbook open, a red pen in hand, and a mild panic in my chest. Read more>>
Jason Sutton
I grew up in a small town in West Virginia called St. Albans where I played all sports. I stumbled into golf at 12 years old and the journey began. I played golf at Glenville State College for 4 years before turning professional in 1992. Read more>>
HopeEllen Turner
Art has always been a constant thread throughout my life. Growing up, my mom was extremely creative. I am one of seven children and my mom was notoriously known for her hallmark “igloo” lunch boxes she painted for all my siblings and I. She was also phenomenal at science project display boards as well. Read more>>
Bryson Miller
Rebellion Roads began with a simple goal: providing high-quality e-bike rentals so people could experience Charleston in a unique and enjoyable way. As our customer base grew, we saw an opportunity to offer something even more memorable, and we became one of the first companies to lead guided e-bike tours throughout the Charleston area. Read more>>
Erin Cronin-Webb
Since I was old enough to hold crayons, I have been drawn to creative arts in one form or another. I originally pursued theatre arts entering college as a theatre major in 1959. A college marriage, motherhood and divorce propelled me towards teaching as a necessary step to survival. Read more>>
Ryan Biddulph
I began blogging in 2008 to build a location-independent business online. I previously worked as a security guard involving long hours and little vacation time. Blogging seemed like a fun way to help people and travel the world. The journey was difficult at times but I persevered. I eventually became a pro blogger who guides others to live their dreams through blogging. Read more>>
Erik Harris
My journey into photography and videography started with a simple passion for capturing moments and telling stories. What began as a hobby quickly turned into an obsession with learning everything I could about filmmaking, photography, drone cinematography, and editing. I spent countless hours practicing, exploring new locations, and refining my craft. Read more>>
Ms RKB
I’m Ms. RKB, and I’m happy to introduce myself and share my journey. I’m a small town girl who has always had big dreams. My path began fresh out of high school when a hobby for being behind the camera evolved into my business, RKB Productions, where I specialized in photography, videography, and film directing. Read more>>
Vince Anthony
UNIMA-USA is the United States branch of the international theater organization Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA). Established in 1929, UNIMA was founded for all people worldwide concerned with the Art of the Puppet Theatre, to serve the idea of peace and mutual understanding without distinction as to race, political ideas, or religion. Read more>>
Kamara Campbell
Exodus 12 Productions was launched on July 7, 2020, after the Lord instructed me to start the company. The name comes from Exodus chapter 12 in the Bible, where God gave His people specific instructions that ultimately led to their deliverance. That chapter has always represented obedience, freedom, and God’s power to set people free, which became the foundation of our mission. Read more>>
Neil Sy
I inherited my first (Canon) film camera when I was 8 years old. This is when it all started for me. My journey with photography has really been a story of curiosity, connection, and learning to see things differently. I didn’t start out with a perfectly mapped-out career path — photography began as something that pulled me in naturally. Read more>>
Sherika Cremedy
I fell in love with acting and theater when I was in 8th grade. I’ve done school plays and musicals since I was in elementary school, but 8th grade solidified my love for the craft. I took a break from acting but got back into it in 2022. Read more>>
DELDRAS Sewell
My Story – Forever 17 My name is Deldras Sewell, founder of Forever 17, a nonprofit organization created in loving memory of my son, Kamel Seveion Sewell. My son went to work on his day off and never returned home. Kamel was only 17 years old, living his best life. Read more>>
jackie laughridge
Started out as a way to earn a little extra money to help put my daughter through college. Bought a few pieces of furniture at auctions with my boyfriend at the time (Joe). Learned to paint furniture in basement of my home in Greenville and did a few pieces and sold them on Marketplace. Read more>>
Emily Johnson
South Carolina Chic really started as a way for me to connect more with my school and school community. I was a fairly new teacher and the school that I worked for had just been through three principals in three years. School moral was pretty low and I was looking for a way to boost school spirits. Read more>>
Kristin Flaherty
Some of the best stories begin unexpectedly, and ours started at Keowee Key Country Club, where a chance meeting quickly revealed a shared love for hard work, family, and creating meaningful experiences—setting us on a path that would shape not only our future together, but everything we would go on to build. Read more>>
Erin Edwards
It all started while visiting some friends in South Florida. They wanted to take us to do something fun and suggested a Pinball Museum in Delray Beach Florida. Read more>>
Fox Black
I grew up outside of Philly. I ran away from home when I was 17 and never went back. I spent some time in Vermont making some pretty rad choices. I visited the UK and just never got on the plane back. I was out there for about a year before being forced to come back to the States. Read more>>
Raleigh Phillips
Lorenz Esposito and Raleigh Phillips founded Republic Event Rentals in Charleston, South Carolina, in September 2025. Charleston is one of the premier destinations in the country for weddings, corporate events, and special celebrations, making it the perfect place to launch an event rental company focused on exceptional service. Both founders brought valuable experience to the business. Read more>>
Emily Fournier
I moved here in 2023 from Austin, Texas and bought two buildings on N. Main Street in which to build my hospitality dreams. After experiencing significant delays due to structural issues, we finally opened our first concept in October of 2025 – The Pantry by Emily’s Table – at 241 N Main Street. Read more>>
sharika Nealy
I didn’t come to real estate the usual way. I came to it because of my mother. Patricia was the kind of woman who could make a rental apartment feel like an estate. She understood something I didn’t fully grasp until later: that a home isn’t square footage or a school district or a list price. It’s the place where a family becomes a family. Read more>>
Mary Edwards
I started my LLC on 12/31/2020, I had no idea what I was doing. I just had this idea which was given to me by a realtor friend and a love for photography and strong desire to run my own business. I hit the ground running learning everything I could about real estate photography. Read more>>
Janee’ Roach
My journey to where I am today began in 2022, the year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, there was another significant challenge taking place beneath the surface. Just one month before my cancer diagnosis, I completed a rehabilitation program for alcohol and pill addiction. Read more>>
Katrina Newton
I’m a trauma therapist, certified divorce coach, and founder of Empowering Divorce Coaching . My journey into this work wasn’t just professional—it was deeply personal. For over 20 years, I worked in the mental health field helping individuals navigate trauma, anxiety, relationships, and major life transitions. Read more>>
Paul Radice
My business started in 2012 as a side hustle, a way to make a little extra money from home to supplement my 9-5 job. Read more>>
Jordan Ibekwe
When I was a little girl, I always enjoyed making music. I remember getting my first piano when I was around seven years old and beginning to write my own songs. Even at a young age, I believed that music would become a major part of my life because it allowed me to tell stories and share my voice with the world. Read more>>
Jaiden Miles
I started out young, growing up in a very rough neighborhood, living from home to home with my mother. Watching her have to drive an hour from our house every day just to make a way for us made me never want to see my mother have to work that hard and be in pain again. Read more>>
Joyce Smith
Yes, absolutely! Well, my name is Joyce Smith. I am Haitian and was raised in Miami, Florida. My business name is Doux Anni. It’s pronounced Doo Ah-nee. As a child, I grew up watching my mother bake cakes for the Haitian community. I would often flip her cake pans upside down and practice pipping around the edge of her pans. Read more>>
Dr Shaneen Brown
I intially I started Southern Palms Chiropractic and Wellness as mobile provider. From there clientel grew and with in a year of graduating I opened a brick and mortar. Read more>>
Miranda Gist
Content creation first sparked my interest in 2021. In the beginning, I shared a little bit of everything; hair tutorials, makeup content, and everyday vlogs. While I enjoyed creating, it wasn’t until 2024 that I truly began taking it seriously. I started thinking intentionally about my brand, the audience I wanted to reach, and the type of content I wanted to be known for. Read more>>
May Gossett
May Gossett was born and raised in Chesnee SC. She inherited her love of music from her great grandmother who played the piano for the local church. Her first taste of music was at home in form of country music, which her mother would play while preparing family meals. Read more>>
Becki Ahl
People are often surprised when they hear how I became an income tax accountant because my life originally revolved around motocross racing. My children were deeply involved in the sport, and most family time was spent traveling to races, training, and supporting that lifestyle. Read more>>
Sebastian Moreno
I was born and raised in Venezuela, where I first discovered my passion for hospitality. I started working in the industry at 16 years old, and even at that age I was fascinated by the way food, drinks, and genuine hospitality could bring people together and create meaningful experiences. Read More>>
Ginger Gray
For more than two decades, Doodlebugs Children’s Finery & Gifts has been dedicated to helping families celebrate childhood with beautiful clothing, thoughtful gifts, and exceptional customer service. After many years of retail experience and a degree in retail management and marketing from the University of SC, I knew that I wanted to have my own business at some point. Read More>>
