Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run restaurant, join a boutique gym started by a local fitness champ or we could keep giving away our money to the handful of giants who already control so much of our commerce. Our daily decisions impact the kind world we live in; if we want a world where small businesses are growing and artists and creatives are thriving then we should support them with our time, money and attention. We’re proud to highlight inspiring creatives and entrepreneurs each week in Hidden Gems series. Check out some of our latest local gem features below.
Daniel Hunnicutt
I came to Horry County out of law school to work for a firm in Myrtle Beach. A couple of years later, I moved to Conway and started my own firm. Read more>>
Matt Dingledine
About me, Matt Dingledine: I am a music educator, advocate for the arts, guitarist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist in Greenville, South Carolina. I am Professor of Jazz Guitar and Director of Jazz Combos at Furman University since 2019, and I am the owner of Music on Mitchell where I have been teaching lessons for guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, lap steel, and music theory since 2006. Read more>>
Dallas Trull
This service center was built by my father 26 years ago for his parents and has been owned and operated by my family since then. Larry Trull, my grandfather who is a Vietnam veteran has always had a passion for mechanical and cars. Read more>>
Elizabeth Lombardo
I was born to a south carolinian mother and an italian-born father in 1996. I grew up in Chester, SC and went to local public schools. In first grade, I received an award for ‘classroom mediator’-or at least that’s what my mother told me. Read more>>
Joshua and Brianna Pruiett
It’s sort of a crazy story actually. I (Josh) had been medically retired from the Army in 2015. My wife and I decided to move back home to Anderson so that we could be near family. My previous job experience included working in kitchens, merchandising, and working on helicopters. Read more>>
Jennifer Schultz
Becoming a doula is something I fell into organically, or maybe was led into. It wasn’t something I had even considered before a young coworker of mine became pregnant. My two sons were graduating high school, and pregnancy, birth, and babies were merely a memory at that time. Read more>>
Joshua Thomas
Every great brand begins with a vision — and for JT Identity & Design, that vision was decades in the making. Josh, a lifelong artist, has spent over 25 years mastering the craft of graphic design and more than 20 years working across every corner of the sign industry. From design desks to fabrication floors, installation sites to boardrooms, he’s done it all. Read more>>
Chrissy Shipmon
Making a pivot after 35 is no easy task. Pivoting at all is no easy task, but I’ve learned it’s important to master, sooner than later. My entrepreneur story begins in Denver, CO where I stared my first business. It was a cosmetic business call “Elevation Cosmetics” and I became very succeeding for 4 years. Read more>>
Jesse Begley
Jesse Begley brings over two decades of expert craftsmanship to Begley’s Butcher Block. After years in large chain grocery stores, Jesse grew frustrated with declining meat quality and the loss of the experienced butcher role. He saw an industry problem and knew he had the solution. ‘Let’s go back to the basics and revive the meat industry,’ Jesse says. Read more>>
Emilee West
Growing up, my mom always planned the most special and elaborate birthday parties for me. Every year I looked forward to the creative games, mystery stories that we had to solve, the decor, the list goes on. One day, I started helping her plan the parties. From that moment on, parties and events become a guilty pleasure. Read more>>
Kaitlin O’Connor
I am originally from Scranton Pennsylvania. I moved to Columbia South Carolina in January of 2020. I’ve been in the hair industry for 10 years. I started out at Great Clips back home in Pittston Pennsylvania. Once I move to Columbia I started working at Sport Clips to focus more on men’s haircutting and grooming. I became manager after about 9 months. Read more>>
Colleen Martin
I’ve always loved bringing new life to old pieces. I started dabbling in furniture refinishing when I was a teenager. Taking something broken and used and giving it new life spoke to me on a level I didn’t even understand then. I moved to York County over 20 years ago. My family is here. Read more>>
A. Troy Brazzle
The passing of my mother was a devastating time for me. She was an outgoing loving individual who’s departure was greatly felt. In honor of her my sister and I went to decorate her final resting place. Read more>>
Kathryn Jones-McCaw
I was adjusted the 1st day I was born. My father was a Chiropractor and he inspired me and my 3 siblings to become Chiropractors. I took over my dad’s practice in 1997 and have helped thousands of people achieve better health and greater mobility, as well as maintain longer independence. Read more>>
Jonathan Garces
I’ve been in Graphic Design and Web Design since 2001 when I went to college for Digital Media at UCF. While I was in college I got a job doing 3d modeling for training simulation, and at the same time started a clothing company with a friend. Read more>>
Deonaco Norris
D’lightful D’sserts LLC By Mrs. Deonaco Norris – A Taste of Passion and Purpose ‘Our D’sserts are Handcrafted and Made with Love’ “I want everyone to enjoy the sweeter side of life.”* – D’lightful D’sserts Founder D’lightful D’sserts began two years ago in my home kitchen with a simple mission to share the joy of homemade desserts that bring people together. Read more>>
Chris Russo
My name is Chris Russo and I’m originally from West Hartford, CT. I left CT to go to college with really only golf and girls on my mind. Then, through a crazy experience on December 12th of 2000 during my freshman year, I became a follower of Christ and my life was completely transformed. Read more>>
Selena Blackston
I didn’t set out to be a media company owner. I was working in corporate America, doing the “safe” thing, but I knew deep down that God was calling me into something greater. It wasn’t a dramatic leap—it was a steady pull. Read more>>
Jessica Pallitto
After completing my forensic psychology degree in 2008, I initially planned to work for the FBI. However, during my fieldwork, I was exposed to the results of severely disturbed criminals. This kind of trauma wasn’t something I was comfortable having as part of my future. Read more>>
Amber-Drew Foster
My story starts a little differently than most! I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a love for creativity. My journey began in college when my dad gave me my first camera, sparking what would become more than 20 years in photography. Over the years, I’ve captured everything from weddings and senior portraits to beach photography—each experience deepening my passion for storytelling through images. Read more>>
Kari Bingham
I come from a background in Hospitality and have always enjoyed baking. I decided to go to Culinary School in my mid twenties and really enjoyed my time. Once I graduated I went back into the retail world working for Trader Joe’s for 10 years and when landing in Greenville I realized this may be my opportunity. Read more>>
Samuel Johnson
Hello! My name is Samuel Johnson and I am 30 years old. When I was 6 months old my family from Arkansas to Michigan to join a para-church ministry. For the next 18 years, my family traveled around the country for 6-9 months out of the year and served alongside a team in local churches all across the country. Read more>>
Tye grisel
I grew up in a small town in central Illinois and moved to Texas as a teenager. I spent about 20 years in the restaurant industry, which taught me a lot about people, hard work, and creativity under pressure. Read more>>
Jamie JC” Hopkins”
We want you to be 100% happy with your purchase and we want you to get exactly what you want – therefore if we aren’t able to provide that then we would rather NOT sell you a car that you won’t be happy with. We can’t be perfect of course, but our recipe has been pretty successful. We just treat people fairly, provide quality inventory that is highly reliable, and our prices are almost impossible to beat in most cases. We have been successful only due to the principals we live by, as well as our close relationship with Jesus Christ! Read more>>
Lori Lesnansky
Some dreams begin quietly, with a whisper. Others arrive like a warm coastal breeze, impossible to ignore. Beach Hippie Coffee was one of those dreams — born on the sugar-white sands of 30A, long before Myrtle Beach ever knew it was coming. What started as a family move to care for a father-in-law became the unexpected beginning of a new chapter. Read more>>
