Charleston Women Summer 2020

www.CharlestonBrides.com | www.ChsWomenInBusiness.com | www.ReadCWomen.com CW - 13 feature W ife. Mom. Local TV host. And now, one of the only female licensed auctioneers in the state. Erin Kienzle won’t boast that she’s a woman who can do it all, but she’s found a way to fulfill her dreams — even accomplish new ones later in life — and be happy doing it. Since 2015, Kienzle has co-hosted Lowcountry Live with Tom Crawford, the city’s most sought-after auctioneer. Serving as a describer, Kienzle worked alongside Crawford on an average of nearly 40 annual events, and, last year alone, they raised more than $10 million. “Tom was the one who said I need to get my license. He had so much work and needed someone else,” Kienzle noted. “Did I grow up saying I wanted to be an auctioneer? Never. But last fall I went to auction school, and now I love it.” The classes in Simpsonville, South Carolina took Kienzle away from her family for 80 hours in 2018 and lasted from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. She went to cattle auctions, car shows and more, then took her test to be a licensed auctioneer in South Carolina. “I’m pretty good at it. It’s a powerful moment to get up there and raise so much money so quickly for these non- profits like SEWE, The Point, Gourmet and Grapes and The Chocolate Affair,” she said. For the past 20 years, Kienzle has worked in television around the country: first as a reporter, then as a meteorologist. But Lowcountry Live is her home. “The show isn’t news; it’s a lifestyle. It’s fun. Every day is different, and we have 2,000 guests a year, so you get to meet everybody,” she said. “Tom and I say we’ve never been this happy working in TV.” When she’s not raising money or hosting Lowcountry Live, Erin, along with her husband, raises four daughters. The 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. schedule allows her the flexibility to pick up “the super sister squad” from school almost every day. “I still think all of us as moms struggle with mom guilt. I can’t go on field trips or have lunches every day and feel bad about that always,” admitted Kienzle. “But I remind myself that doing a job I love and finding something later in life that I love is success. I’m showing my daughters that finding your own passion, your own career and doing something you love makes all the difference. I’m a better mom for them. I’m a happier mom.” BY TERI ERRICO GRIFFIS Going, Going, Gone! Erin Kienzle adds Auctioneer to Her ManyTitles Photo by Erin Turner.