It’s said that necessity is the mother of invention. Necessity inspired Jan Clouse to become the founder of one of the country’s most successful lighting businesses – Carolina Lanterns & Lighting. “In 1999, we were building our own home in Park West. We wanted gas lanterns. At the time, no one was using natural gas – they were using propane,” she explained. After an … [Read more...]

Director of Admissions Lisa Shimakonis and Director of Marketing and Communications Darla Rourk have found their calling at Palmetto Christian Academy. Their roles permit them to practice their strong Christian faith while contributing to their community. They both bring leadership, integrity and passion to PCA, and their influence helps make Palmetto Christian Academy one … [Read more...]

Success comes from hard work, life balance and the willingness to invest in others. Michele Hensel has committed to live out these positive attributes by creating something more than just a local business. At a young age, Hensel saw that achievement didn’t come easy. She watched her father as he struggled in the working world. He eventually took a chance and decided to open … [Read more...]

When Patty Scarafile walked into a real estate office in 1977 to interview for a part-time job, she never dreamed of one day climbing the ladder to become CEO of that company, known today as local real estate market leader Carolina One Real Estate. “I probably would not hire me if I sat in front of me today,” she laughed. “What I was looking for was something that I could do … [Read more...]

Over the years, the Charleston area has earned the title of Silicon Harbor. While you’ll still hear “The Holy City” and “Chucktown” thrown out to describe our growing region, this relatively new label is certainly apropos. With an overwhelming amount of start-ups surfacing and a multitude of jobs sprouting in their wake, it’s no wonder so many flock to our metropolis to launch … [Read more...]

The Woodhouse Day Spa Charleston has been open for two full years, and owner Kimberly Kendell Powell is full of gratitude, pride and enthusiasm for the future. “We love to serve this community, and I’m proud to say that our therapists are true healers and our staff extremely dedicated to superior hospitality,” she said. As the regional developer of the Southeast, Powell … [Read more...]

Stephanie Kelley, the new executive director of East Cooper Community Outreach, has lived in Mount Pleasant since 2011, but she has supported the mission of ECCO for much longer. A self-described extrovert who is “energized by her interactions with others,” Kelley knew that working for her community would satisfy her soul. “Throughout the years, I’ve discovered there are … [Read more...]

Water's Edge Dentistry 1203 Two Island Court Mount Pleasant 843-884-6166 www.watersedgesc.com Dr. Nicole Dahlkemper is originally from Pennsylvania and enjoys the outdoors, whether it is in the mountains or on the beach. She loves spending time with her dogs – Kirby, Sully and Ditka – reading, yoga, kayaking and giving back to the community. She volunteers her time at the … [Read more...]

Bakies 426 W. Coleman Blvd., Sweet C Mount Pleasant  843-881-2364 www.bakiessc.com Did you ever meet someone who is both left- and right-brained? Soon after finishing her degree in accounting, Gail Holdcraft started making cakes. While working for former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley’s father after graduation from college, Holdcraft had one of her first opportunities in … [Read more...]

SalonSalon 897 Houston Northcutt Mount Pleasant 843-849-7005 www.salonsalonofcharleston.com Nine years ago, Rachael Geib’s dream came true when she opened SalonSalon of Charleston, located on Houston Northcutt Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. “I always wanted to be a hair dresser. My grandparents were barbers in the service,” Geib explained. “For my whole life, it has always … [Read more...]

Southern Belles 280 W. Coleman Blvd Mount Pleasant 843-881-1741 www.southernbelleschildren.com The path to a satisfying and successful career is not always straight or easy to navigate. Susie Molony, owner of Southern Belles: A Children’s Clothier, knows this all too well. After leaving her career in hospital pharmacy to get married, she became a stay-at-home mom who felt … [Read more...]

MODE of Mount Pleasant 976 Houston Northcutt, Suite M Mount Pleasant 843-284-8977 www.shopmodestore.com/mtpleasant Back in 2008, Tracy MacKellar’s teenage daughter made an observation at her high school dance that would lead to a new life purpose – and a career in fashion – for the two of them. “She noticed some students hadn’t gone to the dance because they had nothing … [Read more...]

Swift Appliance 625 Johnnie Dodds Blvd Mount Pleasant 843-388-7283 www.swiftappliancesc.com Nancy Swift is quick to tell you that Swift Appliance is a family business. Her father was in the lumber business in New Jersey, and she learned the many different facets of running a business from him. With an associate degree in Fashion Merchandising plus a Marketing degree, she … [Read more...]

Garner Family Dentistry 1059 Chuck Dawley Blvd Mount Pleasant 843-884-6002 www.garnerfamilydentistry.com Dr. Cynthia Garner always wanted to be in the health care field. She chose dental school over medical school because she was drawn to the artistic aspect of cosmetic dentistry. “In my profession, you have to have an aesthetic vision for each patient. To make that … [Read more...]