Itâs said that necessity is the mother of invention. Necessity inspired Jan Clouse to become the founder of one of the countryâs most successful lighting businesses â Carolina Lanterns & Lighting. âIn 1999, we were building our own home in Park West. We wanted gas lanterns. At the time, no one was using natural gas â they were using propane,â she explained. After an … [Read more...]
Lisa Shimakonis and Darla Rourk of Palmetto Christian Academy
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...]
Michele Hensel of Lowcountry Beauty and Wellness Spa
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 didnât come easy. She watched her father as he struggled in the working world. He eventually took a chance and decided to open … [Read more...]
Jane Milner of William Means Real Estate
Honesty and reliability â these are traits that matter most to local real estate agent Jane Milner. Milner attributes her success as a Realtor to her immaculate attention to detail, her integrity and her ability to nurture relationships with clients from all over the country. As an agent with William Means Real Estate, Milnerâs credits in the industry include Realtor of … [Read more...]
Carolina One CEO Patty Scarafile: A Believer in Vision
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. âI probably would not hire me if I sat in front of me today,â she laughed. âWhat I was looking for was something that I could do … [Read more...]
Leading Ladies in Tech: There’s an App for That
Over the years, the Charleston area has earned the title of Silicon Harbor. While youâll still hear âThe Holy Cityâ and âChucktownâ 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, itâs no wonder so many flock to our metropolis to launch … [Read more...]
Kimberly Powell of The Woodhouse Day Spa
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. âWe love to serve this community, and Iâm proud to say that our therapists are true healers and our staff extremely dedicated to superior hospitality,â she said. As the regional developer of the Southeast, Powell … [Read more...]
Stephanie Kelley of East Cooper Community Outreach
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 âenergized by her interactions with others,â Kelley knew that working for her community would satisfy her soul. âThroughout the years, Iâve discovered there are … [Read more...]
Dr. Nicole Dahlkemper: Water’s Edge Dentistry
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 â Kirby, Sully and Ditka â reading, yoga, kayaking and giving back to the community. She volunteers her time at the … [Read more...]
Gail Holdcraft: Bakies
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 Rileyâs father after graduation from college, Holdcraft had one of her first opportunities in … [Read more...]
Rachael Geib: SalonSalon
SalonSalon 897 Houston Northcutt Mount Pleasant 843-849-7005 www.salonsalonofcharleston.com Nine years ago, Rachael Geibâs dream came true when she opened SalonSalon of Charleston, located on Houston Northcutt Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. âI always wanted to be a hair dresser. My grandparents were barbers in the service,â Geib explained. âFor my whole life, it has always … [Read more...]
Susie Molony: Southern Belles
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 Childrenâs 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...]
Tracy MacKellar: MODE of Mount Pleasant
MODE of Mount Pleasant 976 Houston Northcutt, Suite M Mount Pleasant 843-284-8977 www.shopmodestore.com/mtpleasant Back in 2008, Tracy MacKellarâs teenage daughter made an observation at her high school dance that would lead to a new life purpose â and a career in fashion â for the two of them. âShe noticed some students hadnât gone to the dance because they had nothing … [Read more...]
Nancy Swift: Swift Appliance
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...]
Dr. Cynthia Garner: Garner Family Dentistry
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. âIn my profession, you have to have an aesthetic vision for each patient. To make that … [Read more...]