#WeAreCharlestonWomen www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | FB & Instagram @CharlestonWomen CHARLESTON Summer 2022 C H A R L E S T O N W O M E N I N B U S I N E S S * S O U T H C A R O L I N A W O M E N I N R E A L E S T A T E
Bi-partisan Bill Means Hope for HumanTrafficking The Many Faces of Building Business, Preserving
CharlestonWomen Discover theHistory of Female Entrepreneurship Eliza Limehouse Making Her Own Mark History, Raising Families
www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 2 Personalize your ideal body. FAST, 15-MIN TREATMENT OPTION 24% AVERAGE FAT REDUCTION 1,2 UP TO 30% INCREASE IN MUSCLE MASS3 CONVENIENT NO DOWNTIME NO REPORTED CASES OF PAH Info@CharlestonAestheticClinic.com | 1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 310 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 www.CharlestonAestheticClinic.com | 843-765-4333 BEFORE AFTER BEFORE AFTER
www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 3 About the Cover........................................................6 From the Team...........................................................7 6 30 Table of Contents Summer 2022 Features She Tris. ..........................................................................14 Meet Eliza Limehouse..............................................19 Shopping Through History on King Street......20 Preserving the Past with Pearl Ascue.................23 Meet Tessa Spencer...................................................25 Hope for Human Trafficking..................................26 Growing StrongWomen.........................................29 Wine I Don’t Like Chardonnay, but…. ...................................30 14 26 20 23
www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 4
www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 5 Table of Contents Summer 2022 Women in Business Salty Oak Women’s Event............................................... 8 History of Female Entrepreneurs. .............................10 Dish and Design’s Anja Stief........................................34 Savi Cucina andWine Bar.............................................35 Vanity Salon......................................................................36 Endless Options at Haven’s Furniture......................37 Hope Financial’s Hope Sullivan..................................39 Meet Stephanie Selby. ..................................................41 No Creative Limits with On Brand Designs............42 Southern Belles Children’s Clothier..........................43 CHS Coastal Charcuterie...............................................44 Baldwin and Associates................................................45 8 77 41 63 Women in Wellness Charleston Aesthetic Clinic. ....................................................61 Sweetgrass Pharmacy and Compounding........................63 Water’s Edge Dentistry..............................................................64 Stick Fix...........................................................................................65 Meet Dr. Julie Lynch Sasson....................................................66 Fresh Meds....................................................................................67 Sewee Dental. ..............................................................................68 Coastal Nanny..............................................................................69 Happy Hearts Therapy. .............................................................70 Kari Ryan Dentistry.....................................................................71 Women in Real Estate Katherine Cox Team...................................................................74 Set in Stone...................................................................................77 Ruthie Ravenel.............................................................................79 Holly Culp. .....................................................................................81 Suzie Smith. ..................................................................................73 Michelle Austin............................................................................84 Seaside Restoration....................................................................85 Sandra Patrick of Lowcountry Contractors........................86 Zelda Bryant..................................................................................87 Patti Blackstock of Lowcountry Contractors.....................88 Katherine Brickell and Alexandra Little of Lowcountry Contractors..89 Lifestyle Real Estate....................................................................91 Charleston Fine Homes.............................................................93 Don Dawson Team. ....................................................................94 Paul Smith Team..........................................................................95 Rebekah Grubbs ..........................................................................96 Planning the Party with YOJ Events. ........................46 Meet Candice Cohen.....................................................47 Sena Café...........................................................................48 Meet Jenara Noel at Veris CPA....................................49 Green and Gucci at Jolie Luxury Consignment....50 Southern Bear Catering................................................51 Rad Rydz.............................................................................53 Joey Bag A Donuts. ........................................................54 Bubbles and More Bubbles.........................................55 Tiny to Teen at Ragamuffin Boutique......................56 Debra Ohstrom is Empowering Women. ...............57
www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 6 One of the best parts of putting out Charleston Women is that it’s so much fun. Not only do our staff get the chance to mingle with the faces behind the stories, but the women within these pages get the chance to meet and pour into one another. In the end, that’s what it’s all about. We hope you noticed the logo on the front of the magazine. It’s more than a logo to represent the brand that so many women are a part of; it’s an idea to represent an entire movement. We chose the phrase, “We are Charleston women” because we cannot exist separately. We are all a part of the same community, and the idea is to thrive together. We want mothers, businesswomen and leaders of the female community to join this effort. We love seeing you all build one another up, cheer one another on and help one another to succeed. That’s the meaning behind Charleston Women. The ladies on the cover represent Charleston women in business, and South Carolina women in real estate. These are some of the hardest-working women in the area, and you’ll find their stories inside. Each story is different. Some stories are about starting from scratch; some are about starting over and some are about continuing legacies. The important thing is that they show what any woman, from any walk of life, can do with a spark of inspiration. Those individual sparks became a united flame burning brightly at the cover shoot that took place on the cotton dock at Boone Hall Plantation. It was a glorious thing to watch. We invite you to become a part of that flame that’s getting brighter by the minute. Join us by reading along, or by sharing your own story. If you think you’d make a great fit for a future issue, contact editor@ mountpleasantmagazine.com with Charleston Women in the subject line. Thank you for joining us for another great issue. About the Cover Left Side: (Top): Anja Steif (Middle row, left to right): Kim Coleman, Felicia Baugh, Lindsay Kale (Bottom, left to right): Hope Sullivan, Michele Hensel Right Side: (Top row, left to right): Stacey Markovitz, Monique Semper, Rhetta Cloyd (Middle row, left to right): Kelsey Pettus, Pearl V. Ascue, Kari Ryan (Bottom): Andrea Leary The incredible women who graced the cover are as follows:
www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 7 Spring 2022 MANAGING EDITOR LORNA HOLLIFIELD COPY EDITORS DENISE K. JAMES COLIN MCCANDLESS ART DIRECTOR DANA COLEMAN PRODUCTION MANAGER BETHANY LONG AD DESIGNERS BETHANY LONG KIM HALL REBECCA SOTTILE TECHNOLOGY GEORGE CONKLIN BRIAN SMITH GENE PHAN WRITERS ISABEL ALVAREZ ARATA • EILEEN CASEY MARY COY • BILL FARLEY DENISE K. JAMES • SHERRY WHITING LEAH RHYNE • MADISON BROACH MADISON HAILE • L.C. LEACH III DEBORAH SLEDZIONA • GINGER SOTTILE COLIN MCCANDLESS PHOTOGRAPHERS MARK STAFF PAUL VALENTINE BRAND AMBASSADOR STACEY MCLOUGHLIN STACEY@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM INDEPENDENT MEDIA CONSULTANTS ANDY BIMONTE ANDY@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM MANDY WILLIS MANDY@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM KATIE FINCH KATIE@MOUNTPLEASANTMAGAZINE.COM ADMINISTRATION & BOOKKEEPING GINGER SOTTILE DISTRIBUTION U.S. POST OFFICE • HARRIS TEETER • PUBLIX • CVS Charleston Women is published locally by a team of independent contractors. Charleston Women is published three times per year by Media Services, Inc. 1013 Chuck Dawley Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Copyright © Media Services 2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction electronically or in print format without the expressed written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited and a violation of U.S. copyright laws. Inquiries to: Charleston Women P.O. Box 22617, Charleston, SC 29413 For marketing information, email: GetMore@CharlestonWomenMagazine.com It is always a joy to put together an issue of Charleston Women because of the energy females in the Lowcountry bring to this publication. Women in this area are banding together more than ever to celebrate one another, and it’s a pleasure for all of us at the magazine to be a part of that celebration. We’d like to think we are one of the cultivators of that growing culture and will continue to nurture an environment where women thrive. This is the “women in business” edition. Women in real estate, wellness and more dot these pages with their unique brands of business savvy and wisdom. Though these women are go-getters in the workplace, you’ll also find their stories are about mothers, wives, community leaders and philanthropists. Most successful women change hats frequently, sometimes all in one day. All these facets are what make them so inspiring to watch and read about. That can also be done online at ReadCW.com. Speaking of inspiration, turn to page 14 to learn about Charleston’s all-female triathlon. Then continue to page 25 to read about a local woman working hard to preserve the history of an entire culture. Continue on to check out a host of female entrepreneurs and business leaders, starting at page 31. Then pop by women in wellness, beginning at page 59, before wrapping up with women in real estate, starting at page 73. For more stories, motivation, tips and laughs, please visit CharlestonWomenPodcast.com. Enjoy your journey reading about Charleston Women. The Team at Charleston Women From the Team 31 59 73
www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 8 On an unseasonably crisp Thursday morning in May, professional women from all over the Charleston area hopped in their cars and drove north on 17. Dozens of ladies with busy schedules, long to-do lists and weighty decisions to make set aside this special time to network, learn and brunch at Salty Oak Farm. The event promised delicious food catered by Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit, a mimosa bar from Squeeze Cocktail and Beverage Catering and a panel of impressive local women: Terry Haas, Carolyn Murray and Kimberly Powell. As I drove onto the property, a smile emerged that never left my face. We all got checked in, proudly wrote out our name tags and began shaking hands and making connections. With drinks in hand, we followed Farmer Alex on a tour of the farm. We learned about their regenerative approach to farming while we watched chickens, cows and ‘party’ goats play. The banter had begun, and true friendships were forming as we walked the grounds (and carefully watched our step). Carolyn later commented something proving true as we mingled when she said, “Your true friendships are built BY KAT I E F I NCH Women Supporting Women Salty Oak Farm women in business Char l es ton bus i nes s women at Sa l t y Oak Farm.
www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 9 outside of social media.” After the tour, we refilled our drinks, prepared our plates and settled in for conversation. The sounds of laughter from professionals from throughout the area echoed from beneath the scalloped tent, and I couldn’t help but notice the juxtaposition with the sounds of birds chirping, cows mooing and chickens squawking. We leaned in and listened to stories and personal anecdotes from our three accomplished guest speakers. We heard stories about everything from pickleball to medical diagnoses to binocular-wearing, bird-watching mornings. We heard it all. We connected. We learned. We left encouraged, inspired and ready to take on the world (or at least the Lowcountry). The overall message was that we are all Charleston women, and we are all in this together. We need to lift one another up, straighten each other’s crowns and continue to put one foot in front of the other. Thank you to everyone who carved out time to connect, and a special thank you to Salty Oak Farm for hosting us. We will see you again in the fall. Make some room in your closet and make some cash! BRING US YOUR LUXURY ITEMS SHOP & CONSIGN TODAY! 624 LONG POINT RD. BELLE HALL SHOPPING CENTER @butterflyconsignmentboutique FOLLOW US FOR DAILY FABULOUS FINDS: MOUNT PLEASANT (843)884-8577 THE SHOPPES AT SEASIDE FARMS 1960 RIVIERA DRIVE, SUITE E MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (843) 981-9177 The Guiding Light Behind Our Desire To Own And Open Izzy’s, Our Very Own Family-Owned And Family-Operated Business. @izzys_scoopsandsweets women in business Seated in Front : Caro l yn Mur ray ( WCBD T V ) Standing Lef t to R ight : Ter r y Haas ( Ter r y & Tim Haas Centur y 21 Proper t i es ) , Stephan i e Czerwi nsk i ( Sa l t y Oak Farm) , Stacey McLough l i n (Char l es ton Women Magaz i ne ) , K imber l y Powe l l ( Woodhouse Spa ) .
1695 Hannah English Williams, America’s first woman naturalist 1708 Henrietta Johnston, America’s first woman professional artist 1738 Elizabeth Timothy, America’s first woman publisher and editor 1744 Eliza Lucas Pinckney, successful indigo planter TIMELINE FOR SOME OF CHARLESTON’S WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 10 BY MARY COY Female Entrepreneurship CENTURIES in the Making PAVING THEWAY FOR CHARLESTONWOMEN
1832 Caroline Howard Gilman, writer and publisher of nation’s first children’s magazine 1804 Catherine Coates, owner of a tavern on East Bay Street 1896 Elizabeth Waites Allston Pringle, owner of two rice plantations www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 11 Over the ages women have been called “the weaker sex” and stereotyped as such in novels, television and movies. Though female voices are arguably being heard more now than ever, the fight started long before the efforts of recent generations. Women right here in the Lowcountry have been speaking up for longer than many realize to fight for a place in social and business worlds. In a letter to the editor of a Charleston newspaper in 1743, one female reader demanded that if women could not have more freedom, then men should have less. A male writer countered that she should find herself a husband. However, even centuries ago, there were local women who didn’t allow that mentality to stand. Female researchers, artists and entrepreneurs began making their marks on the area from the time of its founding. One notable name is Hannah English Williams. Williams came to the Lowcountry as it was just being settled. Considered the first woman naturalist in America, she catalogued flora and fauna on her husband’s Ashley River plantation in the 1690s. She sent samples to the preeminent Royal Society of Scientists in London. Reptiles, insects and even live birds were shipped. A few species of American butterflies are named for her. Another early Charleston resident, Henrietta Johnston, was America’s first professional woman artist. As an Irish widow and mother of two young children, she earned income by painting portraits. She moved to Charleston feature Dr. Pr i o l eau’s or i gi na l of f i ce. “Whatever women do, they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.” – Charlotte Whitton, former mayor of Ottawa
1901 Henrietta Aiken Kelly, entrepreneur in local silkworm industry 1908 Huldah Josephine Prioleau, one of the state’s first Black woman doctors 1931 Hannah R. Axelmann, Charleston’s first woman lawyer 1915 Susan Dart Butler, founder of Dart Library www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 12 in 1708 with her second husband, the rector of St. Philip’s Church. He acknowledged that if not for the money she made painting portraits in the new world, “I should not have been able to live.” Johnston painted a number of prominent local figures and introduced the use of pastels to American artists. About 40 of her portraits remain, including some at the Gibbes Museum of Art. Two decades after Johnston moved into the area came Elizabeth Timothy. In 1734, this trailblazing Philadelphian arrived in Charleston when her husband founded the newspaper, South Carolina Gazette. She was pregnant with their ninth child when he died in 1738, and she continued publishing the newspaper that he and Benjamin Franklin had started, thereby making her America’s first female newspaper publisher and editor. She bought out Franklin’s stake in the paper and ran the publication for five years, while caring for her large family. Once her son Peter took over, she operated a separate enterprise, printing legal documents, posters, advertisements and stationery. She also owned a bookstore. After Peter’s death, she helped her daughter-in-law continue to publish the newspaper. Though women such as Timothy were already shattering glass ceilings, it was difficult for a female to begin or inherit a business in the 18th and 19th centuries. If a man owned a business, his wife did not inherit it unless it was stipulated in his will. Conversely, if a woman business owner married, her business automatically became her husband’s property. But in 1817, Catharine Maria Sasportas, a biracial woman in Charleston, was granted a deed by her husband to run her own business. Mr. Sasportas made his wife the sole proprietor, agreeing that he would not be involved in any of the dealings. It was likely a shop, since married women were restricted from operating any business other than a bakery, grocery, restaurant or retail enterprise. However, more changes were on the horizon. Elizabeth Waites Allston Pringle was born in 1845 to a wealthy Lowcountry family. When her father died, she and her mother ran a boarding school until his estate settled. She married years later, but her husband and son died shortly thereafter. Pringle purchased her husband’s plantation from her in-laws and inherited her father’s land after her mother’s death. Thus, she became the owner of two plantations. With no agricultural feature E l i zabeth Wa i tes Al l s ton Pr i ng l e.
1972 Ann Worsham Richardson, owner of Birds I View Gallery and internationally recognized artist and naturalista 1945 Josephine Pinckney, renowned novelist 2022 Today -YOU! What will you do for womankind? www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 13 experience, Pringle somehow managed the two rice plantations. When local rice production died out, she reinvented the business by planting peach orchards and renting land to hunters. She wrote a column for the New York Sun about being a woman planter, and her articles were later published in the book, “A Woman Rice Planter,” a bestseller. By the 20th Century, Susan Dart Butler began making waves for women of color. Butler studied at the Avery Institute, the prestigious local school for Blacks. Her father, a prominent Baptist minister, had founded a vocational school for Black children in Charleston. She became its director after his death in 1915 and converted her father’s personal library there into a lending library. With donations from wealthy benefactors, she expanded it to 3,600 books. The Dart Hall Library eventually became part of the Charleston Free Library, the predecessor of the Charleston County Public Library. Another graduate of Avery, Huldah Josephine Prioleau, was one of the state’s first Black woman doctors. After finishing medical school at Howard University in 1904, she returned to Charleston and opened a private practice on Spring Street, purchasing two adjacent houses— one as her office and the other as rental property. Prioleau also ran a wellness program from her home, taught medicine at the Cannon Street Hospital and helped establish the Charleston County Medical Association. Today’s women entrepreneurs continue to establish businesses in male-dominated fields. Womenowned businesses come in all shapes and sizes. For example, Erin Williams, owner Charleston Towing and Roadside said, “I grew up around heavy equipment and got my CDL at 19.” Now Williams manages the office duties while operating tow trucks. She works hard to gather clients, maintain machinery and run the business. Because of the precedents set by those who came before her, she can succeed a little more easily today. It doesn’t matter that her field is maledominated; it matters that she saw a place to make her mark on the world. It matters that women stood up for her hundreds of years before her birth. It matters for every woman alive today. feature Or i gi na l Dar t L ibrar y.
www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 14 A New Way to Triathlon She Tris The energy was ablaze at The I’On Club on May 21. The Crews Subaru of Charleston She Tris Sprint Triathlon, which women of all ages participated in, is an event that is meant to change the face of triathlons by making them accessible to any woman who wants to “tri.” She Tris was founded by Angi Klick in 2015 to fill a void in beginner women’s triathlon events in South Carolina. She has since built a community of female participants of all ages and fitness levels who train together to reach their goals and realize their athletic potential. Klick completed many triathlons and, for years, managed a local triathlon store. Female customers routinely sought out her advice while training for races. Klick recognized an opportunity for events that focus on and cater to female participants. Moved by this realization, she approached race directors and committees on which she served to pitch the idea of women-only races. “I don’t even like to call it a race,” said Klick. “I prefer to call it an event because race implies that you have to be fast and we want to take out all of the intimidation, which is what makes these events so different.” Klick recalled having competed in over fifteen races of varying distances, including an Ironman, by the time she became a mother. After giving birth, she knew that her body wasn’t the same as it was before. She recognized that she didn’t look or feel the same and accepted that the demands of motherhood presented training challenges. Still, Klick sorely missed the triathlons that had become a way of life for her. Inspired by her slightly competitive spirit, Klick got a group of about 10 friends together to train for a race in North Carolina. Simultaneously, she co-founded the Charleston Chapter of Tri It For Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to “empowering women of all ages, sizes, backgrounds, and abilities to develop healthier lifestyles through triathlon training, mentorship and community.” Tri It For Life is a 12-week mentoring program that prepares women for their first triathlon. Klick put on She Tris’ first official event in 2016, a month before her third daughter was due. She was confident that other women would embrace the sport of triathlon and participate in the low-pressure event. Yet, peers in the triathlon community weren’t so sure. The production company Klick hired to organize the race BY I SABEL ALVAREZ ARATA feature
www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 15 feature warned her that the concept may not take off. Two months later, the She Tris race was sold out. There have been multiple She Tris events since — the I’On and Hamlin Plantation events in Mount Pleasant and the Carnes Crossroads event in Summerville. All of them now take place annually. Perhaps it was a change in mindset that fueled the enthusiasm. “When people think of triathlons, they think of Ironman or Ultra Triathlons, which are three Ironman races in one day,” Klick clarified. She Tris’ events are different. They feature the shortest recognized triathlon distances, each with different courses and distances, ranging from a 200 to 250-yard swim, an 8–9mile bike and a 2 to 2.5-mile run. The courses are spectator friendly so that the women can connect with their families and supporters along the way. Most participants train for eight to 12 weeks to prepare for race day. They dedicate anywhere from five to eight hours a week working off of a training plan that is provided by She Tris organizers upon event registration. “We try to eliminate all barriers,” said Klick. “Anybody that hasn’t completed a training program before or isn’t connected with a group can follow our coach-designed program.” For Klick, changing the face of triathlons means creating a welcoming and supportive environment for women and girls who want to complete a triathlon, www. oy s t e r c a n d l e com pa n y. com 2 1 6 s cot t s t r e e t & col eman b lvd - s h em c r e e k Oyster Candle Company & Coastal Gifts The Best and Most Unique Shopping Experience in Mt. Pleasant! ®
www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen 16 regardless of their level of experience. The events are open to special needs participants, pregnant women, girls as young as 4 years old and elderly women. In the effort to make the event more inclusive, there are no penalties for taking breaks or for walking. Participants may choose their preferred swim stroke, and bikes as well. She Tris recently added relays, which allow teams of three to complete the course together, reducing the cost per participant and making participation more attainable. They also offer a “duathlon” option, which removes the swimming element and creates a run/bike/run course. She Tris also has a virtual option, in which participants from all over the world join in the event from their location. All participants, local and virtual, receive an event t-shirt, goodie bag and completion keepsake pendant necklace designed by a local jewelry artist. As with most races, post-race events include award ceremonies, celebratory adult beverages, sponsor booths and revelry. While the festivities are a great way to end the day, it’s the sense of accomplishment that has made She Tris’ events what they are today. Encouraging women, building a supportive community and creating an inclusive environment for participants to “tri” alongside their mothers, daughters, neighbors and friends inspires women to put themselves first and create their own journey to becoming a triathlete. GraniteBridgeWealth.com 843 400 4050 Life Offers Bridges of All Kinds WALK CONFIDENTLY ACROSS WITH BRIAN DIFFILY AND BRIAN HARTMANN OF GRANITE BRIDGE WEALTH MANAGEMENT Securities offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. 290 West Mount Pleasant Ave., Suite 2300, Livingston, NJ 07039 (973)716-7581. feature
17 www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen Women in Real Estate INSIDE! THE BELLES OF BELLE HALL www.CharlestonWomenMagazine.com Women in Business Small Businesses Still Thriving CHARLESTON IT’S ALL HEART AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION: www.CharlestonWomenMagazine.com The Women in Red CHARLESTON SPR I NG 2021 LOCAL WOMEN Accomplished and Diverse www.CharlestonWomen.com Keep Your Cool Coping with Hot Flashes Thrill of the Hunt Real-life American Picker “Different” Children’s Book Inspired by Loss Google Lens Me CHARLESTON Women in Business INSIDE! SUMMER 2020 COMING TOGETHER WOMEN SUPPORTING EACH OTHER’S BUSINESSES www.CharlestonWomenMagazine.com Leading the Way Ladies Sheltering Animals in Need Professional Tips on Summer Skin Care CHARLESTON R 1 Behind the Uniforms WOMEN AND THE MILITARY GlassShattering Breaking Barriers and Achieving Goals Winter Reads The Perfect Book for Cozy Nights The Future is Now Exciting Times for Genetic Counseling CHARLESTON Wi nter 2021-22 Back on a Roll! THE LOWCOUNTRY HIGHROLLERS ARE GAME ON Strong Leading Ladies In School, After School Spring Soiree Planned? Our Best Tips CHARLESTON Spr i ng 2022 WI NTER 2020 Gentle Lady Sips with the COCKTAIL BANDITS www.CharlestonWomen.com Shift Careers and Follow Your Dreams Decorate or Renovate: Endless DIY Possibilities RBG: A Local Tribute Google Lens Me CHARLESTON W O M E N I N B U S I N E S S • W O M E N I N M E D I C I N E • W O M E N I N R E A L E S T A T E Women in Business INSIDE! SUMMER 2020 STARTING THEM YOUNG www.CharlestonWomenMagazine.com Meet the Director of the CVB A Socially Distant ‘I Do’ CHARLESTON #WeAreCharlestonWomen www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | FB & Instagram @CharlestonWomen www.CharlestonWomen.com CHARLESTON Summer 2022 We Are Wellness + We Are Business For Distribution and Marketing Information Call Stacey at 917-208-5633 or email Stacey@MountPleasantMagazine.com
18 www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen EXPERT REAL ESTATE ADVICE TAILORED TO YOUR GOALS. CALL OR TEXT SUSAN 843·800·0921 Are you wondering whether a renovation will add value to your home or how long this seller's market will last. I'm here to answer any real estate questions, Complimentary. No obligation. SUSAN MATTHEWS Realtor of Distinction East Cooper Top Producer President's Circle
19 www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen A Generous Heart Meet Philanthropist and Businesswoman Eliza Limehouse feature Eliza Limehouse and I are talking about our horoscopes – she’s a Capricorn, and right away, I see how the sign suits her. The ninth-generation Charlestonian is no stranger to hard work. Starting at age 7 she embarked on years of helping with her family’s hotel business, Limehouse Properties. A natural lover of people, young Eliza thrived at the hotel front desks, chatting with friendly guests who came and went. She also helped with social media, marketing and interior design. It’s likely readers recognize her name from guest and star appearances on seasons four and six of the Bravo show “Southern Charm,” but Limehouse has since decided to move on to other projects. Today, the future looks bright for this 25-year-old and, thanks to her generous heart, bright for many others as well. Limehouse’s jewelry business, Snaffle Bit Bracelet Company (named in honor of her love for all things equestrian) was originally a side hustle while she continued working with the family business. However, it has taken on a life of its own. What started with beaded bracelets soon flourished, and now Snaffle Bit offers a wide array of baubles, from the original bracelets to finer jewels. But the company isn’t just about adding the perfect necklace, ring or bracelet to accessorize an outfit; its impressive philanthropy gives back to worthy causes across the Lowcountry and the whole globe. “I have trouble picking just one thing I’m passionate about,” Limehouse confessed. “So, every month, [the company] selects an organization or a cause in need— we have done everything from Hurricane Dorian relief to breast cancer mammograms in partnership with MUSC.” Typically, one special bracelet supports a singular cause — just recently, for example, a pineapple bracelet supported fertility treatments for women, since pineapples are a symbol of IVF. However, by the time you read this, the Snaffle Bit Bracelet Company will have not one but three new bracelet designs to support disaster relief in Ukraine. The idea sparked when one of Limehouse’s friends, who serves in the military, was helping Ukrainian refugees and met the founder of a nonprofit called the Human Kind Fund. Monies from these three bracelets by Snaffle Bit Bracelet Company will assist the nonprofit in helping refugees locate safe spaces for themselves and their family members. “I wanted to provide disaster relief for Ukraine with a bracelet but didn’t know how at first,” Limehouse noted. “Once these bracelets are made, they will help provide more hotel rooms for more refugees.” Limehouse’s personal philosophy is that we make time for what matters to us — and clearly, a great deal matters to her, as a successful business owner, philanthropist, wife and mother. Even her off-duty time is far from idle; new and old passions are always calling. “I’m passionate about helping anyone I can,” she added. “I only wish I could do more.” BY DEN I SE K . JAMES
20 www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen feature Along with its history, charm and scenery, Charleston is home to one of the most famous shopping streets in the country. The secondmost historically and architecturally significant street downtown after Meeting Street, King Street originated as the main road in and out of the city. Though people from every walk of life enjoy King Street, it is a place that calls to women as both a stomping ground and land of opportunity. From the beginning, the street centered around trade. Until the late 18th century, this was mostly port trading. It was not until after the railroad was built that the street turned toward retail and dining. It then started focusing on creating an enjoyable atmosphere for locals and tourists. It also became the site of some of the first female-owned businesses in the area, as women were only permitted to run retail shops or bakeries in Charleston’s earliest days. BY MAD I SON BROACH Welcome to King Street Shopping Through History
21 www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen feature Today, King Street has blossomed into one of the most iconic places to visit in Charleston and is consistently named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the country’s “Top 10 Shopping Streets.” On any given weekend, King Street attracts thousands of people, largely because of the variety of stores represented in an area that is also rich with culture and history. There is no place quite like it. It is a place to gather where women shop in packs, families explore and businesses thrive. There is something for everyone along the famed cobblestone streets. Everything from independent art galleries to luxury brands is showcased. King Street is divided into three distinct sections. Lower King spans from Market to Broad and is known as the antique district. Dozens of antique stores can be found, offering a beautiful walk down memory lane. Middle King is the fashion district. It is complete with a variety of Famous K i ng St reet . Julie Neira Local Real Estate Resource Julie Neira is a different kind of Realtor®. Though she is highly skilled and boasts a host of accolades like being featured in the NYC Journal story “Top 20 Realtors to look out for in 2022,” she is more noteworthy for her humility and philanthropy. She works with many non-profits and donates to veteran-focused organizations with every sell she makes. She lives by Proverbs 18:12, “Before one’s downfall, one’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.” Real estate transactions can be stressful, and these knowledgeable Charleston professionals understand how to successfully support you through the process. Connect. Communicate. Close. For marketing and distribution information, call 917-208-5633 or e-mail Stacey@CharlestonWomen.com. JulieHelpsVeterans.com @juliehelpsveterans 843.246.4164
22 www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen feature different types of retail stores, from average to the highend price points. Upper King Street is known as the design and dining district. It highlights both the swanky and quirky sides of Charleston fashion, along with highend dining experiences. Beyond the goods available, King Street has a friendly feeling that is undeniable. Visiting Florida residents Lily Dechen and Hailey Hartle were amazed by their unique shopping experience. Dechen said, “When you are inside the stores, you feel like you are at the average mall, but the second you step outside, you are back in the historic, beautiful streets, which make it a cool experience.” Hartle of Jacksonville said, “I really liked the layout of King Street and how you could go in between stores that everyone knows and boutiques that are unique to Charleston. It created a different type of shopping experience.” Although it has almost every national brand imaginable, what makes King unique are the stores that can only be found in downtown Charleston. One of these local favorites is Collard Greens, an Americanmade clothing brand that captures the preppy fashion of Charleston. The owners are a married couple who moved to Charleston from Virginia and fell in love with that King Street factor. Co-owner Sally Bullock described her love for King Street when she said, “It is not an outdoor mall, but you get that experience, and you get stores that are unique to Charleston. We wanted to be on a premier shopping street in the country, and I think that’s what King Street is.” Little stores like Collard Greens that appreciate how special King Street is to the community allow for the street to grow while retaining the small hometown feeling that it always had. They also pay homage to the countless family-owned businesses on the street, not to mention female-owned. Even though it has attracted nationwide fame, King Street is attentive to its locals and hosts events to help bring the community together. The most well-known event is the monthly Second Sunday on King Street. On the second Sunday of every month, the street is closed off to car traffic from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., allowing shoppers to stroll down the historic road while enjoying special shopping events and festivities. It is ultimately a fun day of food, shopping and entertainment that beckons people from many places to come support local business and appreciate a preservation of history. It is a history rooted in creating smiles, providing goods and offering business opportunities to all…especially those tenacious Charleston women we so enjoy celebrating. Summer is for “Loafing” Around! 264N. Shelmore Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 843.881.2364 info@bakiessc.com | www.BakiesSC.com All of our baked goods are made with love! We make everything fresh to ensure the best taste and highest quality.
23 www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future Meet Mount Pleasant’s Pearl V. Ascue feature There is a woman in Mount Pleasant who quietly goes about her life. She raised a family with her husband of 57 years, retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs and went on to help the family business. Many people think of her as a friendly face at Ascue’s Body Shop. They don’t realize that the Mount Pleasant native is working diligently to preserve the history of an entire people, not only to honor the past but to better the future. Pearl V. Ascue was born and raised in what is referred to by natives as “two-mile.” It’s an area about two miles from downtown Charleston near The Old Village. It was also zoned for Laing Elementary when Ascue was growing up. She attended the school, which was the first opened for Black children post-Civil War, until junior high. The school started in a defunct Presbyterian church that had been riddled with bullets during the war. It was championed by an abolitionist named Cornelia Hancock and brought to fruition with the help of some local benefactors who knew children of color needed a place to become educated. Ascue said, “It was an innovation at the time. Black and white folks came together to make sure Black children got an education and to acknowledge they are now a part of the United States.” The school did more than teach basic reading and writing; they taught trades to ensure those who matriculated there would be able to join the workforce. Training in woodworking, shoe repair, sewing, brick masonry and more was made available. It was also the first school in South Carolina to welcome veterans back after service. The school solely served the Black community until the time of integration in the 1960s. Today, descendants of Laing’s students still benefit from the education provided to their ancestors. It opened options for entire bloodlines. “The school gave us a chance in every realm of life,” Ascue affirmed. Laing is now a middle school made up of children from many different backgrounds. However, people like Pearl Ascue are working hard to make sure its legacy is never lost. Pearl is part of The Laing School Association, which campaigned for the commemorative plaque to be placed at the school’s original site. She has also been a part of efforts to encourage former attendees to keep the history of Laing alive, while educating current students on the school’s rich past. The entire day was devoted to teaching the students the history of the school on its 150th anniversary. In the words of Ascue, “The legacy of Laing means opportunity.” That’s a message that she never wants to see fade. The Laing School Association is now working to form scholarships for students who want to attend any college originally founded for Black students. In addition to honoring the history of Laing, Ascue is also working to keep the culture of Mount Pleasant’s Ten-Mile community alive. Once a part of Awendaw and now annexed by Mount Pleasant, this community began as a “settlement community.” These lands were often developed by Blacks near plantations in which they were formerly enslaved. They grew into selfsustaining communities where people of color could live, work and play. In recent years, sprawl, development and rising real estate prices have started driving out native residents of these areas. As president of the Ten-Mile Neighborhood Association, Ascue is working alongside Charleston County to preserve the culture of her community by making it a historical preservation district. She stressed that this is being done in a positive way. “We, as a people, are proud of our community. The culture here means a lot, and we are working to save it,” she noted. Salvation may be the theme of everything Pearl Ascue does. These communities and schools were lifelines for so many. She doesn’t want to simply revere that. She wants to sustain the legacy and grow it for generations to come. BY LORNA HOL L I F I ELD
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25 www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen feature Renaissance Woman ABC News Four’s Tessa Spencer Tessa Spencer is a mother—a Gulf War veteran…a former professional cheerleader…a master numerologist…an ABC News Four anchor…a radio personality. She doesn’t like avocados or peanut butter and jelly, which she says sheepishly, knowing the country is against her here. She is generous, entertaining and truly kind. Markers of a life lived in a spotlight? Yes, but also of a journey guided by faith, determination, curiosity and perhaps a little serendipity. Take the Army, for example. “It was something I did while I was in college,” she said. “My friend and I wanted to do something exciting, so we joined the Army Reserve.” Following her graduation from Baptist College (now Charleston Southern), her unit was called to fill in for activeduty soldiers sent overseas during the Gulf War. Spencer went to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas and would have stayed, but the only job available following her tour involved flying in helicopters, to which she relayed, “I’m not a fan of flying.” So Spencer went on to launch her career in broadcast journalism in Charleston. When her career took her to Nashville as she neared her 30s, a new challenge presented itself: the Tennessee Titans cheerleading squad. “I wanted to see if I could do it,” she said. “I didn’t really cheer in elementary school and not at all in high school. In college, my roommate made me try out with her. I made the varsity; she didn’t. We weren’t roommates for much longer.” Her tryout for the Titans squad was equally successful. She made the team and enjoyed the hobby while continuing to build her career. Once in Charleston again, Spencer spent two more decades in broadcasting: television, radio and voiceover. It wasn’t always easy, but she made it work. “A cousin recently told me, ‘I admire your strength’,” she recalled. “It’s funny when people notice you have a strength, but you don’t know it yourself. I’ve been wired to survive. I’ve been wired to make it happen.” However, it’s not always easy. Spencer dealt with deep depression. After the birth of her second son, she didn’t think she could keep going, but that strength kicked in. She fought back. Time taught her how to manage her symptoms and recognize triggers. “People don’t talk about their struggles,” she said. “Other people look at you from the outside and think you have it all together. But I’m also human. I’ve experienced low periods in my life. I don’t always feel strong, but if someone sees that and it helps them in some way, then amen. My strength comes from helping other people.” After 30 years in broadcasting, many women might happily rest on their laurels. Not Spencer. Her next venture—a podcast she can create, define and ultimately own—aims to tell stories in a new way. “What makes me happy is hearing other people’s stories, especially their spirituality,” she said. “I love seeing how God has worked in your life and connected all the dots. The podcast is called Testimonies. I believe God wants people’s stories to be told and heard, and that’s my true purpose.”. BY LEAH RHYNE
26 www. Char l es tonWomenPodcas t . com | www. ReadCW. com | www. I ns tagram. com /Char l es tonWomen There are certain universal truths in life that all people encounter or understand. For instance, a smile can be interpreted by newborns and knows no language barrier. Then there is oxygen; all humans need it to sustain life. Breathing in and out is innate, and the air is readily available, though it has no visible form or discernable aroma. It is simply among us. However, there are other connections less beautiful that tie people from all walks of life together. One of them is a 150-billion-dollar industry that, according to the U.S. Department of State, affects 24.9 million people annually. It is a business fueled by the darker motivations of mankind, rooted in sex and money and carried out in plain sight. Like the oxygen that all people share, it filters in and out of everyone’s lives, rarely noticed. It is the practice of human trafficking. Many people think of human trafficking as something that happens in other countries to wayward women whom the “average joe” citizen would never encounter. They don’t think it’s happening in the hotel room next door, the airplane seat beside them, their favorite steakhouse or the playground in suburbia. They don’t realize it is forced labor, indentured servitude and sexual exploitation of all ages. They don’t realize that common traffickers can run legal businesses, are middle- or upperclass Americans and have families. However, nothing could be further from the truth. It is happening in every walk of life, in every community. South Carolina is no exception, with Charleston and Dorchester counties making the top 10 list of the most trafficked counties in the state. According to a March 2022 press release from the team at Congresswoman Nancy Mace’s office, human trafficking in South Carolina is up a whopping 15% from last year. There were recent raids in both Summerville and Goose Creek, the latter resulting in 28 arrests. Mace, a native of Goose Creek and South Carolina District 1 representative, was appalled to hear of such an enormous operation taking place in the sleepy town where she grew up. This stoked a fire that was already burning for her since taking office. Mace shared with Charleston Women that one of her first briefings, from both Homeland Security and the FBI, was about the growing network of human trafficking operations in the Palmetto State. She was educated on the organizations and numerous local “stash” houses lurking among the palm trees, sandy beaches and historical ambience South Carolina boasts. An avid champion of human rights and civil liberties, Mace later teamed up with officials from both sides to promote the bipartisan Human Trafficking Prevention Act of 2022. The bill was introduced by Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and is being advocated by Karen Bass (D-CA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA). Representative Mace is the Republican lead. Hope for Human Trafficking BY LORNA HOL L I F I ELD Congres swoman Nanc y Mace. Congresswoman Nancy Mace Champions Bipartisan Bill
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