Charleston Women-Summer 2021

www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen CW - 9 E ver since I was a kid, I dreamed of owning my own business. At age 6, I served delicious plastic food out of the “Dark Road Restaurant” in my basement. At 10, I published my own newspaper called “The Yogatory.” And at 13, I was producing my own fake radio show out of my bedroom. I considered myself a mini Oprah. But then the creativity waned, and I grew up. It was time to get a real job and collect a real paycheck, so I started my 20-year career in television. It’s funny though, how life comes full circle. When COVID-19 hit, I was forced back into my bedroom. This time I wasn’t producing a fake radio show; I was doing a real TV show – Lowcountry Live – over Zoom. (With four kids, my bedroom is the only quiet spot in the house.) However, I wasn’t alone. So many of you were also stuck at home, forced to use video communication for work. I was inundated with questions about how to set up Zoom, how to look good on camera and so on. Watching my inbox fill, I started to feel that flicker. That spark of creativity was back. So, I started to record videos about how to be confident on camera. I posted the short clips on Instagram teaching folks how to set up the camera, what kind of lighting to use, etc. What I wasn’t prepared for was that these quick tips on social media would launch a new business for me. In just a few months, I had people from across the country asking to work with me. I had no website, no plan, just a creative outlet where I was trying to help others. I now have clients and classes, and I love helping business owners create better videos! I think I can officially say I’m an entrepreneur now. I have my own business. But I’m still small compared to the other rockstar women you’re going to meet in this issue. You’re going to be wowed and inspired by these Charleston Women in Business. They hustle, make bold decisions, take risks and, most importantly, they just show up. Day after day, throughout the pandemic, they’re out there working and growing their business. So read their stories, be inspired, and take it from me that it’s never too late to find your creative spark and launch something new. Erin Kienzle Host, Charleston Women Podcast Instagram: @erinkienzle erinoncamera.com Forward Erin Kienzle charleston women www. Char l es t nWomen . com | ww. Char l es tonWome Podc s t . c | www. ReadCW. com