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.
Chaye Alexander
My journey has been anything but a straight line, but looking back, I can see how each chapter led naturally to the next. Music has always been part of my life. In 2009, I launched Chayz Lounge Radio, an online radio station created to give independent jazz and soul artists a platform alongside established artists. Read more>>
Lakesha Quarles
I grew up as one of four children raised by a single mother, and from an early age, I understood what it meant to live with limited resources and face disparities that can shape a child’s opportunities. Read more>>
Whitney Bullock
I started my career with cats as a receptionist at a cat’s only veterinary clinic. After a few years I worked my way up to veterinary technician, and became very skilled at handling all types of cats. While there I also learned that there is a huge need for people who can groom cats- and that there aren’t many cat groomers out there! Read more>>
Jalen Copeland
My story really started in my bedroom in the sixth grade, when I came up with the idea for a company called Nimbus Digital. Originally, I wanted to be a clothing designer, but that interest introduced me to graphic design and eventually photography and videography. Growing up, I played sports, and my parents would record my games. Read more>>
Kenzie Biggins
I did not originally set out to build an Executive Assistant company. In 2013, I owned a social media agency, and clients frequently assumed that because my work was digital, I could help with almost anything that could be handled virtually. They began asking whether I could provide broader virtual support beyond social media. Read more>>
Mossiah Jones
I was blessed with the opportunity to open a recording studio. Even though I didn’t have e any prior experience in the industry, I just relied on my past experiences running nightclubs and promoting events and incorporated that into this new venture. I had dealt with the same type of people like DJs, promoters and artists. Read more>>
Fooly Fooly
South Carolina … single mother who also was a singer & still sings primarily gospel … I come from a strong church background grandmother was a preacher grandfather a deacon so I have a hey Southern church influence… around about 8/9 I started playing Drums in from there I just kept experimenting with music my love grew stronger & stronger … my first introduction to rapping came from being in a group with some friends and family Read more>>
Sulondia ‘Sue-Ham’ Hammond
My journey has never followed one straight line. I’m a Marine veteran, mortgage broker, writer, producer, and entrepreneur, but the common thread through everything I do is helping people move forward. My love for storytelling led me into theatre, where I began writing and producing stage plays. Theatre taught me how to create relatable characters, meaningful dialogue, and stories that reflect real life. Read more>>
Jas Rosales Bastida
My story is really a story about creating something bigger than myself. I was born in New York and eventually made my way to South Carolina, where I built a life, a family, and businesses from the ground up. I’ve never been the person who was comfortable sitting on the sidelines. Read more>>
Caitlin Schumacher
I always loved baking at home throughout my childhood and after college, decided to begin working in restaurant pastry. I thought I would try it out for a year or so, but totally fell in love with the food and bev world! I continued to work in restaurant pastry departments throughout my twenties in San Francisco, and then Charleston. Read more>>
Tee Marie
My story started as a working housewife. After giving birth to my first child I took time off to navigate new motherhood. After returning to work for a short time period, I gave birth to my second child. Entrepreneurship was then introduced to me and I loved working for myself! Read more>>
Katherine Beasley
Hi Katherine started Photography while I was in college in my hometown, where my business quickly grew to the point where I had to drop out of my sorority and gradually a year early so that I could take my business full-time. Read more>>
Amy Gerhardt
My journey to photography wasn’t exactly a straight line. I spent 14 years in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman before eventually finding my way into photography. What started as an interest gradually became a business, and in 2017 I opened my first home studio. Since then, Pink Chair Photography has evolved quite a bit. Read more>>
Ice Pick Willie
Ice Pick Willie started with a simple idea.. to make heavy music that actually means something to us and have a damn good time doing it. We’re a deathcore band out of Sumter, South Carolina, and the band has grown through a lot of hard work, writing, playing shows, meeting people, and constantly pushing ourselves to get better. Read more>>
Beth Kyle
I’ve been an esthetician for seven years, and I spent the first three years of my career working in a medical spa. That’s where I really built my foundation—working with different skin types and conditions and gaining experience with advanced treatments. I always knew I wanted to own a business someday, but I never imagined it would happen at 21. Read more>>
Free
I was a child singing in the choir at church, then the choir at school. I did band and dance team, everything. Then as a teenager I experienced homelessness for the first time. I lived at a college dorm with some friends before I even graduated high school. But after graduation things really started to change. Read more>>
Jax Spencer
Hi, my name is Jax and I am the owner of The Pole Academy in Greenville, SC. We just celebrated our 12th year anniversary! The Pole Academy started as a dream, then a plan and now, here we are so many years later. Read more>>
Kelli Williams
I’m a small-town girl from Mullins, South Carolina, and my story really started with humble beginnings and a deep understanding that your ZIP code should never determine your possibilities. I didn’t start with a blueprint for becoming a political strategist, consultant, advocate, or business owner. I started with a desire to help people and make a difference in communities like the one that raised me. Read more>>
Anna Roura Maldonado
My story began with dance. I was born and raised in Girona, Spain, and from a young age, I knew that the stage was where I belonged. I trained professionally in dance and eventually moved to Germany, where I continued building my career as a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher, and performer. Read more>>
Virginia Connolly
As a girl growing up in South Carolina throughout the 90s and early 2000s, women’s bodies were always a topic of conversation. From magazines and movies to dinner tables and lunch rooms, it seemed like no woman or girl was safe from body scrutiny. Read more>>
h’ELena Pleasant
Dream House Sleepovers actually started with my daughter. I was planning a sleepover for her, and, like most moms, I wanted to make it really special. I loved putting all of the little details together and creating that ‘wow’ moment for her and her friends. Somewhere in the middle of all the planning, I thought, ‘Wait… Read more>>
Victoria Turner
I am the founder of Luxe Home Solutions, a boutique vacation-rental management and property-care company serving owners throughout the coastal Carolinas. Today, I help owners protect and operate their short-term rentals through hands-on property oversight, revenue and pricing strategy, guest communication, listing management, inspections, maintenance coordination and professional cleaning and linen services. However, the company began much more simply. Read more>>
Mike Edwards
My story with House of Vac and Sew is really a story about rebuilding something with purpose, believing in the value of small business, and discovering that the greatest thing you can build isn’t a business—it’s a community. Read more>>
Amy Valukas
My story has definitely not been a straight line. Busias XOXO grew from my love of family, Polish traditions, baking, creativity, and the kind of community I remember growing up with—where the neighborhood store wasn’t just somewhere you shopped. It was somewhere people knew your name, stories were shared, and you felt like you belonged. Read more>>
Olivia Jacobs
Presence On-Site was created after recognizing a growing gap in support for families who cannot always be physically present for a loved one’s medical appointments. Whether due to work, distance, caregiving responsibilities, or other obligations, families often need a trusted person who can simply be there. Read more>>
Nelsy Silvernale
I’ve always loved makeup, but I never really considered it a viable career choice. For a long time, I was working in the restaurant industry and worked my way from hostess to server, to bartender, and eventually started thinking about management. But I just couldn’t see myself doing that forever, especially after having my first child. Read more>>
Samaria Youmans
My name is Samaria Youmans. I’m a 6-year licensed esthetician with a genuine passion for beauty, skincare, and helping people feel confident in themselves. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work in different areas of the beauty industry, from hands-on services and client education to leadership and customer experiences. Read more>>
Dave Berlier
I started working in the pool industry in 2001. When we were living in California, we opened our first pool business out of our tiny home in the East Bay and built it from there. Eventually, we decided to sell the business and move to the East Coast to be closer to family. Read more>>
Ryan Smith
My path to becoming an artist was anything but conventional. I began my career studying neuroscience at Duke University, captivated by the mystery of the human mind and what allows us to heal, grow, and flourish. That curiosity led me to medical school, policy work as the National Assistant Director of the American Medical Women’s Association, and later Executive Director of a startup incubator. Read more>>
Rod Lara
Firstly, thank you so much for this interview. Very much looking forward to sharing my story. My name is Rod Lara. I’m an Australian based actor and mime artist who stumbled into performing at age 13. Here’s my story. I am originally from Chile, When I migrated to Australia with my parents, I was 11 (almost 12). Read more>>
Adelia Spivey
As far back as I can remember, there were two things I knew I wanted to do with my life: make art and save animals. As a little girl, I couldn’t wait to grow up because I imagined adulthood would mean having the freedom to create beautiful things and help animals who needed someone to care about them. Read more>>
Andrea Fabian
I picked up a camera over a decade ago with no idea it would lead me here. Today, I’m lucky enough to photograph weddings across Arizona, Charleston, and incredible destinations around the world. Every place is different, but my approach stays the same—keeping you present while creating images that feel honest, joyful, and timeless. Read more>>
Brittany Albright
My story really starts with a question I couldn’t shake: why is it so hard for people to access care? During college, I studied abroad and saw how other countries approach universal healthcare. It made the gaps in our system impossible to unsee. Read more>>
Tracy L. (Leshon) Miller
Absolutely. For a magazine feature, I’d make it more narrative and reflective while preserving your voice and the important names and history. My name is **Tracy Miller**, and I currently serve as Secretary of the **NAACP Aiken County Branch**, a position I have been honored to hold since 2018. My journey with the NAACP is perhaps a little different from that of many longtime members. Read more>>
Darren Callihan
It all started at Goose Creek High School, in Graphic Technology classes. I signed up for Autocad by mistake! But once in Mrs Moore’s Graphic Technology class, I found my love for graphic design and also printing presses and vinyl making. I did three years of graphic tech classes, becoming a ‘completer’ in Career and Technical education, and getting Adobe Visual Certifications all before college. Read more>>
John walker
my name is john walker. i am from travelers rest, south carolina. i began making flip flops in a barn near the home i grew up in. i built a small shoe factory with rudimentary tools and developed a ‘proof of concept’ factory to test my designs. Read more>>
