During the recession in 2010, real estate agent Hillary Collins met one of her first clients when she was at the park with her dog on a “day off.” “They wanted to say hello to my dog, and, since I enjoy meeting people, I just started chatting with the couple,” Hillary said. “They were looking for a home in Columbia. Eventually we drove there together to look for a home, … [Read more...]

When Anja Stief moved to the United States from Germany in 1997 as a nanny, she had never dreamed of starting a career in catering. Her husband, however, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, formerly located in Charleston and known for its culinary arts program, had fallen in love with the Holy City during his days at the university and wanted to expand his Atlanta … [Read more...]

Cathi Moorehead had never been an entrepreneur before she and her business partner, Cindy Clark, bought the Mount Pleasant furniture store Next to New five years ago. In that short amount of time, they’ve taken on three employees and expanded twice, growing from approximately 1,200 square feet to 5,000 square feet. They need all that space to show the hundreds of pieces of … [Read more...]

Hannah Hipps didn't know much about tanning or the tanning business before opening Sun Station Tanning Studios with husband Bryan in 2006. He already owned a small airbrush tanning business when he floated the idea of opening a full-service, high-end tanning salon in Mount Pleasant. Hannah said yes. “Fast forward to to eight years later. We have four locations,” she … [Read more...]

When Karen Boals took a job at a Mount Pleasant frame shop 30 years ago, she had no idea it would become a lifelong passion. "I needed a job and that was that,” she remembered. “I turned out loving it. When I worked for Tom Tanis, there was a little sign called ‘Karen’s Korner,’ and that was where I sat and assembled my work. When I opened my own store, he came and said, ‘I … [Read more...]

I didn't think I'd be going into real estate this soon,” said Laura Pape (pronounced “poppy”), a real estate agent at Carolina One in Mount Pleasant. Though she considered studying real estate in college, it wasn’t until her father, an agent with 14 years in the business, asked to mentor her that she made it her focus. "With my own father asking me, I was up for the … [Read more...]

Southern Belles is a charming store in Mount Pleasant offering unique clothing, accessories and toys. The styles are simple and classic, yet updated, reflecting a more genteel time. It has been at its current location in Northcutt Plaza for about 20 years. Susie Molony worked in the Pharmacy Department at the Medical University of South Carolina before turning her talents … [Read more...]

For Gina Schrimer, owning and operating an insurance agency is second nature. She is CEO of Schirmer Insurance Group LLC, located at 1312 Bowman Road in Mount Pleasant. Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, Gina comes from a family insurance background that exceeds 62 years, beginning with her grandfather, Gene Adams, a 40-year Nationwide Insurance agent. A high school … [Read more...]

At a young age, Dr. Leslie Steele knew she wanted to become a veterinarian and worked hard to follow her dream. The Alabama native received her bachelor’s degree in Microbiology before attending Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she met her husband, who was two years ahead of her in the program. After Dr. Steele graduated with honors in 1994, … [Read more...]

You have undoubtedly heard of her restaurants. Wild Wing Cafe. Red’s Ice House. And the latest rave, Tavern & Table. But most folks have never met one of the masterminds behind the wildly successful and fun restaurants. Dianne Crowley, an energetic and passionate business-woman, grew up near the water in Melbourne, Florida. She pursued a broadcasting and advertising … [Read more...]