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.
April Mudrick
I spent many years in management before leaving my position in January 2020. My children were all grown and for the first time in my life, I felt like it was finally the right time to pursue something just for me. I had a few ideas, but having my own business was always on my mind. Read more>>
Teena Marie Jackson
I have always been fascinated by the questions people don’t ask and the connections they don’t see. Looking back, that curiosity has shaped every chapter of my career. Professionally, I’ve spent more than two decades working in highly regulated industries, helping organizations improve data governance, strengthen decision-making, and reduce operational risk. Read more>>
joshua frierson
I grew up in Kingstree, South Carolina, where music became one of the first places I discovered purpose. That passion led me to South Carolina State University, where I earned my degree in Music Industry and served as Drum Major of the world-renowned Marching 101. Those experiences taught me leadership, discipline, teamwork, and how to perform under pressure. Read more>>
Jenni Lauren
Oh gosh, where do I start? I picked up photography in college, but really didn’t know what I was doing (both as a photographer and being able to market myself). So I put my camera down and went to work for corporate. In 2020, I fell prey to the covid-madness and was laid off. Read more>>
Teresa Cheek
Local Threads began with a simple vision — that downtown Aiken needed something more. Founder Teresa Cheek set out to invest back into the community she loves, creating a store that brings color and beautiful things to the women who work, live, and gather here. From size, material, color and cost, every piece is chosen to be fun, and easy to wear. Read more>>
Ian Cromedy
More than a decade ago, what started as a friendly backyard rib competition with his wife, Emma, changed everything. After cousin Joey declared Emma’s ribs the winner, Ian jokingly vowed to never lose another BBQ battl and that playful rivalry sparked a passion that would become his calling. Determined to perfect his craft, Ian immersed himself in the art of live-fire cooking and traditional barbecue. Read more>>
Diane Prewitt
My background in the therapeutic riding field spans thirteen years, during which I worked with diverse populations, including individuals with cerebral palsy and adolescents receiving mental health support. I soon realized that there was an underserved population that was not receiving these services: active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders. The people who often sacrifice the most need support, too. Read more>>
Donny Gerald
I’m Donny Gerald, owner of Hidden Acres in historic Marion, South Carolina, and a lifelong resident of Marion County. Being born and raised here, I’ve always had a deep love for this community and a desire to invest back into the place that has given so much to me and my family. Read more>>
Jennifer Mosblech
I created Moss and Black in 2017, and we started building the salon in the summer of 2019. When we began the renovation at a time when the world looked completely different. Opening a business felt really exciting instead of scary. By the time we opened our doors in 2021, everything had changed. Read more>>
Orrien Williams
The reason I started the business was after my baby shower. I saved for my baby shower while working two jobs, school and pregnant at same time. I wanted a vintage like baby shower. So my mom, my sister and myself looked on Pinterest for inspiration ideas and were able to decorate my baby shower successfully. Read more>>
Ebony Reid
As a little girl I always had a heart for women and children, I’d say as a child I wanted to be an OBGYN Dr. not knowing that life would take and give me various turns why I chose not to be a Dr. Read more>>
Marilyn Traeger
Ever since I was little, I’ve been happiest when I’m creating. Thanks to the encouraging, supportive environment my parents gave me, I grew up believing that curiosity, creativity, and learning were always worth pursuing. For more than 40 years, I taught art to students of every age, from kindergarten through university. Read more>>
Marcel Wright
I started braiding hair at the age of 12. Styling hair for my family, friends and classmates became my source of income in middle school up until now. When I graduated high school in May of 2003, I attended cosmetology school for maybe 6 months. I was battling depression from losing my boyfriend to a crossfire my senior year. Read more>>
Nathaniel Johnson
I always enjoyed being around cars, but it wasn’t until I purchased my 2012 Acura TSX that things started to take off for me. My very first car was a 1982 Maroon Chevy Monte Carlo. At the time, the car was unreliable and didn’t really feel cool to me at all. My next car was a 2001 Ford Taurus. Read more>>
Jason Henderson
SUNE RECORDS MENTORING WITH MUSIC We are giving our youth an alternative From being in the streets. And introducing them to a life in the studio. Read more>>
Marlo Catroppa
My path to teaching mahjong seamlessly blends my professional roots with my personal life. With a Master’s degree in teaching, I spent years breaking down complex literacy skills as a reading specialist for young children. Read more>>
Hayley Zammuto
My journey with dance began long before Holy City Dance Center ever existed. Like many studio owners, I grew up in the dance world and developed a deep love not only for performing, but for the confidence, discipline, and sense of belonging that dance can provide. Read more>>
Keri Griffin
When I look back over my life, there is no doubt in my mind that God has been writing this story from the very beginning. There were seasons that didn’t make sense while I was living them, but today I can see His faithfulness woven through every chapter. Before real estate, I spent 18 years building a career in marketing and advertising. Read more>>
E’toshia McFarland
My journey into the beauty industry started with a simple passion for helping people feel confident. Before becoming an esthetician, I was a makeup artist who loved seeing the transformation that happened when someone looked in the mirror and felt beautiful. But over time, I noticed so many people were using makeup to hide concerns like acne, dark marks, and insecurities about their skin. Read more>>
Elena Evan
I was born and raised in Athens, Greece, and my home was near Acropolis and Parthenon. The area was full of Artists, Museums, Galleries & Cultural Events from all over the world. I’m a self-taught artist, and I always remember myself painting inside the class and dreaming of my next painting. I started doing portraits and landscapes using charcoal and pencils. Read more>>
Ava Hudson
Throughout my career as a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, I had the privilege of caring for patients through some of life’s most challenging moments. While providing medical care, I noticed a common pattern—many patients left appointments still feeling overwhelmed, confused, or unsure about what to do next. Read more>>
Holly May
I attended Gallaudet University where I studied Mental Health Counseling. It’s here that I also learned about being a professional interpreter. I moved to SC for my internship with the state mental health agency. I worked there for 25 years where I learned a lot of the tools I use in providing therapy and supervision. Read more>>
julia tourville
As first-time business owners, we (my husband, Travis, and I, set out to create something special for our community—a place where people could slow down, connect, and enjoy a thoughtfully crafted cup of coffee. Our dream was inspired by a simple belief: coffee is more than just a drink. It’s a reason to gather, start conversations, build relationships, and strengthen a community. Read more>>
Kimberly Edwards
My name is Kimberly Edwards, and I’m the owner of A Little Squeeze of Paradise, a mobile lemonade trailer built on faith, family, and the dream of creating something meaningful. The idea for my business came from a desire to create something that brought people together while still allowing me to be present for my family. Read more>>
Spencer Scott
My journey into early childhood education and nonprofit leadership wasn’t something I planned, it was something I felt called to do. Throughout my career, I’ve always believed that if we truly want to change a community, we have to start with its children and the entire family. Read more>>
Mikayla Myers
Art became my safe place during a difficult season of life. What started as a way to relieve stress and find peace became a passion that gave me purpose. My mother-in-law saw something special in my work before I did and encouraged me to turn my creativity into a business. Read more>>
Jordan Floyd
I began my career in athletic training and worked 4 years in the NFL while continuing my physical therapy education. I thought I would work in professional sports forever, but I realized the strain that that would place on my family and decided to work to translate those clinical skills that I gathered in the professional sports setting and bring them to my local community. Read more>>
Edwin Lewers
I have been media savvy since I was in high school, doing everything I could to work with different production interfaces on computers while creating music. My favorite music was always in film and my music reflected that. I was unsure of what direction I should go until I took a trip to Germany and purchased a DSLR right before the trip. Read more>>
Avian Burns
Heyyy!! I’m Avian or some refer to me as Young A-V My story begins in a small town called Greenville, South Carolina Early beginnings in church and performing at my 8th grade talent show both contribute to my dream of making it big! I will be 26 years old in July and I’ve been in love with music as far as I can remember. Read more>>
Marybeth Wishart
Over thirty five years ago, as I was driving my kids to school they often asked me to tell them a story. I would create different scenes and characters but one morning, a special story developed! It became a family favorite and is based on my experience as a special education teacher for over 34 years at both the elementary and high school levels. Read more>>
Alison
When I was growing up, my mom always liked to bake, she’d often let me help in the process, even when I made a big mess. This is where my love for baking began. I entered my thirties, I wanted to take a new path and to embrace a career I loved. So I decided to apply for college and get a degree in culinary. Read more>>
Tim Joiner
I’ve been an entrepreneur from my earliest memories. My Dad used to let me help him work on the apartments he owned, and he would teach me how to make invoices. I literally remember making invoices in crayon. ‘Painted 2 closets. 2 x 25¢ = 50¢.’ And my dad would give me my two quarters or whatever. Read more>>
Joy Michelle Grove
I have always enjoyed art and drawing since way back in elementary school. It was something that I seemed to go back to any time I wanted to express my emotions or frustrations. I guess you can say that it seemed to be a form of therapy for me. My love for creating continued into my high school and college years. Read more>>
Devanté Williams
I started my brand with a vision, longevity was the objective and wealth is my end goal. I launched my first collection is 2017, while attending SC State in Orangeburg, I registered and trademarked my brand in 2020 and from there on, everything spoke for itself. Read more>>
Constance Spencer
Originally from Canada, I moved down to the states when I was accepted in the architecture school at Miami where I earned a Bachelor in Environmental Design, with a semester at Cornell and was fortunate to be offered a position at Yale in their Masters of Architecture program. During the required First Year Building Project, I stayed on to work the summer as a carpenter. Read more>>
Ron Leggett
It all started with faith, passion, love for cooking and supportive family and friends. I have always enjoyed cooking and on my days off from DJJ. I would grill and cook for my family and friends events and just because. I would always talk about how I want my own restaurant and food truck. One day during one of our regular old dinners. Read more>>
Lisa O’Dierno
Throughout my undergraduate and graduate studies, I always knew my ultimate goal was to establish and run my own design studio. The day after graduating with my second master’s degree, I legally formed my LLC. At the time, I had no idea it would take years before that dream would fully come to fruition. Read more>>
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>>
