CHARLESTON Winter 2024-25 SHE SHINES EDITION www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | FB & Instagram @CharlestonWomen She Shines Awards Where Women Win The 2024 Idea House Southern Living Spills the Sweet Tea Her History Extraordinary Women Past and present Teal Divas Team-up to Tackle Uterine Cancer Photo by Stephanie Selby Photography. By Charleston Women Magazine www.CWSheShines.com
1 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen CELEBRATE WITH US! NOVEMBER 9TH FROM 5-8PM Join us this holiday season in the heart of the Old Village District Mount Pleasant for the OLD VILLAGE HOLIDAY STROLLS! Located on historic Pitt Street in the Old Village. Come experience all the village has to offer this holiday season including kids activities, live music, holiday shopping and so much more! November 30 from 3-7PM - A Night of Thanksgiving December 7 from 3-7PM - Making a List, Checking it Twice December 14 from 3-8PM - Community & Carolers December 21 from 3-8PM - Santa is Coming to Town shopoutofhand.com | 113 Pitt St. Mt. Pleasant, SC Join us for a night of food, fun, and over $20,000 in raffle prizes as we thank our friends and neighbors for 30 wonderful years!
2 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Located on Morgan Creek with its own 120 foot deep-water dock. This NEW construction home will be approximately 6,808 sq ft with 6 bedrooms and 7 full and 2 half bathrooms. Designed by local architect Carl McCants and built by King and Society Construction, careful thought and consideration has gone into the planning and creation of this home to maximize the views and exposure to the surrounding environment. FOR SALE - Est. Completion January 2025 kingandsociety.com • 1012 Ewall St, Unit B Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 • 843-388-4674 Call Misti, Today! Misti Cox, Selling Agent (843) 754-7826 mcox@kingandsociety.com 34 Waterway Island Drive The Ultimate Deepwater Dreamhome
3 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Features History of Extraordinary Women..........12 The Grimke Sisters...................................15 Charleston Women in Business She Shines in Business...............................................18 Kira Stewart’s Many Hats...........................................20 Stephanie Postell: Giving Back to Business.............21 Unique Women in Business......................................22 Charleston Women at Home She Shines at Home....................................................27 Southern Living’s Idea House...................................28 Charleston Women in Style She Shines in Style......................................................32 Collaboration.............................................................. 33 Lounge With Us..........................................................34 FLY Modern Apparel.................................................35 From the Team......................................................................... 7 Our Contributors..................................................................... 8 About the Cover....................................................................... 9 Social Buzz..............................................................................10 Corks and Connections........................................................11 11 Winter 2024-25 Table of Contents 12 21 22 28 32
4 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen HAIR & MAKEUP WARDROBE STYLING MASTER RETOUCHING GUIDED POSING WWW.STEPHANIESELBYPHOTGRAPHY.COM 843-256-4427
5 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen 54 Winter 2024-25 Table of Contents 49 Charleston Women in Wellness She Shines in Wellness..............................38 Tatum Dentistry.........................................40 Teal Divas Fight Uterine Cancer.............41 Longboard Dental.....................................43 Charleston Women in Food She Shines in Food....................................46 Not Your Average Wings..........................47 Fleet Landing Celebrates 20 Years...........49 Charleston Women in the Arts She Shines in the Arts...............................52 Leah Soltis’ “Heartless”.............................53 Teresa Fine Art...........................................54 Summerville Orchestra.............................55 Caroline Cleveland’s “When Cicadas Cry”... 56 Charleston Women in Philanthropy She Shines in Philanthropy......................58 Dee Norton Center....................................59 We Are Charleston Women She Shines...................................................61 We’re influenced........................................62 Women in the Making..............................63 We Are Charleston Women.....................64 63 61 59 41
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7 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Winter 2024-25 • Vol. 11, Issue 4 MANAGING EDITOR LORNA HOLLIFIELD ART DIRECTOR DANA COLEMAN COPY EDITOR ZACH GIROUX PRODUCTION MANAGER BETHANY LONG AD DESIGNERS BETHANY LONG KIM HALL WRITERS SARAH ROSE MARY COY • CARI LAWSON MAURICE J. FRAZIER • KATIE FINCH BROOKE WATSON PHOTOGRAPHER STEPHANIE SELBY BRAND AMBASSADOR STACEY MCLOUGHLIN STACEY@CHARLESTONWOMEN.COM INDEPENDENT MEDIA CONSULTANTS SARAH ROSE SARAH@CHARLESTONWOMEN.COM ALLYAH HARRAR ALLYAH@CHARLESTONWOMEN.COM DIGITAL DIRECTOR BRITTANY GEORGE ADMINISTRATION & BOOKKEEPING GINGER SOTTILE SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER JOHANNA ROGERS DISTRIBUTION U.S. POST OFFICE • HARRIS TEETER • PUBLIX • CVS Charleston Women Magazine is published locally by a team of independent contractors. Charleston Women Magazine is published four times per year by Media Services, Inc. 1013 Chuck Dawley Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Copyright © Media Services 2024. 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 Magazine P.O. Box 22617, Charleston, SC 29413 843-881-148 Every issue of Charleston Women is special in its own way. Each theme shines a light on some place in society, or in business or in the home where women are doing amazing things. We hyperfocus on something unique every time, whether it be design, entrepreneurship, fashion or some other arena (the sky is the limit) where women are proudly wearing their crowns. This volume, our “She Shines” issue, is so distinguished because it showcases extraordinary women in all walks of Lowcountry life. Each of our sections includes a list of “shining women” in their respective fields. Winners and finalists in each category were selected by our readers’ votes, with no exceptions. We at the magazine feel it is important for the actual women of the greater Charleston area to make the selections. Real women speaking up to declare another woman as the best in her field is the ultimate compliment and truest showing of the opinions of the fabulous females this publication represents. We are proud to lend a platform to raise your voices. On top of the women chosen as shining stars in each category, this issue aims to highlight women who have shined throughout Charleston’s rich history. Women like the Grimke sisters, the Pollitzer sisters, Septima P. Clark and many others paved the way for us to easily own businesses, cast political votes and stand up as strong public leaders. The least we could do was celebrate them by printing their names once again. It’s our way of saying, “We remember what you did for us, and we thank you.” As you thumb through these pages, consider tipping your daintiest hat to our trailblazers while toasting your contemporaries. Then let it all inspire you. Find your moment, and shine on with us. Sincerely, Your team at Charleston Women From the Team Stacey McLoughlin Lorna Hollifield Sarah Rose Dana Coleman Brittany George Bethany Long Zach Giroux
8 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Cari Lawson is a school counselor by day and writer by night. Writing provides an outlet to connect further to the community, which she serves as former president of the Junior Service League of Summerville and current board member of Dorchester County Community Outreach. She loves to spend time with her husband, toddler and puppy in her free time. With a bachelor’s degree in journalism on top of having traveled and lived all over the world, Sarah Rose brings a local and global perspective to her freelance writing, editing and independent researching. Her decadeslong career in interior design also adds to the wealth of knowledge Rose brings to Charleston Women. When she is not working on a project, you’ll find her spending time around town with her husband, daughter and puppy. Emily Moody is a health and fitness enthusiast and the owner of Pure Barre Summerville. She also has 15 years of experience in the publishing industry, which most recently includes projects with LexisNexis and the Savannah College of Art & Design. She lives in Savannah with her family, including four kids, two dogs, a flock of chickens and shelves and shelves of books. Mary Coy is an expert on Charleston history. Not only has she published several books on the subject, she can also be found giving tours of the Holy City in her free time. She has written for Mount Pleasant Magazine for over a decade. An Alabama native (War Eagle, anyone?) and a small business owner, Katie Finch loves connecting with local Lowcountry business owners while putting her marketing degree to use. On the weekends you can find her golf carting around The Old Village with her family or visiting local parks. Brooke Watson is a College of Charleston student born and raised in Mount Pleasant, where she studies both creative writing and classics. When not writing or studying, she does her best to collect an assortment of hobbies like watchmaking or resin crafting to fuel that spark of creativity. Contributors Interested in contributing to Charleston Women Magazine? Email your contact information (name, phone, mailing address) and one sample of work you have created (or a link to your work online) with the subject “Aspiring CW Contributor” to Editor@CharlestonWomenMagazine.com.
9 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen This cover is about one thing: the celebration of women in Greater Charleston. The entire issue focuses on honoring and recognizing the amazing women of our area, past and present. Our She Shines awards, highlighted throughout each section, showcase various fearless females who shine in their fields. We have featured a handful of those winners and finalists on our cover, shot by a winner herself, Stephanie Selby. These aren’t models, but actual women who make a difference in our Lowcountry communities in fields of wellness, style, arts and food service. The concept of the cover is always a collaborative effort within our team. We start tossing around ideas and often come up with unique locations with editorial themes. Many times, they are very involved. We’ve built scaffolding, pulled permits, commissioned local celebrities and shut down roads to get the perfect shot. However, this time, we found ourselves longing for a simple statement. We wanted to exude feminine energy in a powerful and festive way which represented the women our readers voted as women who shine. The look of the cover, with every shade of pink — tones as varied and delightful as women can be — spoke volumes in an understated way. The confetti in the air was just a little bit of icing on top, the women themselves the flavor. Sometimes it’s better to just show what we want to in the simplest form. We wanted to show women shining, celebrating their victories together. I believe we did just that. About the Cover About the Cover CHARLESTON Winter 2024-25 SHE SHINES EDITION www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | FB & Instagram @CharlestonWomen She Shines Awards Where Women Win The 2024 Idea House Southern Living Spills the Sweet Tea Her History Extraordinary Women Past and present Teal Divas Team-up to Tackle Uterine Cancer Photo by Stephanie Selby Photography. By Charleston Women Magazine www.CWSheShines.com On the cover: Teresa Jones (Teresa Fine Art), Dr. Victoria Tatum (Tatum Dentistry), Anja Stief (Dish & Design), Margie Sutton (FLY Modern Apparel), JaNay House (Nicht Boutique and real estate agent), Lizzie Mears (local actress).
10 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Here at Charleston Women, we like to think of our social media platform as a place where our readers’ voices can be heard. We want to know what you all, the subjects of our magazine, think about all things “women” going on in the greater Charleston area. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @CharlestonWomen to join in on the conversation. We want to hear everything you have to say; you might even see it shared right here! For our “She Shines” issue, we are featuring outstanding women in our community. We decided to take to Instagram and ask women what the best piece of advice they’ve ever gotten from another amazing woman was. It’s important to celebrate woman who share and shine for one another, not just in the public eye. Here is what they said. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Social Buzz social buzz #WeAreCharlestonWomen “It’s OK to not be everyone’s perfect fit. But, for the right person, you’re their dream.” — @tight_knot_events “Confidence is sexy!” — @rideandrollcycling “Don’t forget your roots.” — @beautibybev.beautibasics via her mother Bev Murphy “Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is take a nap.” — @queen.bee.witched “When people show you who they are, believe them.” — Samantha Blanks, @samk.b www.RadRydz.com | 843-972-8525 | Chad@RadRydz.com | 857 Coleman Blvd., Unit E Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 (behind REV Financial) Now Available Exclusively at RadRydz Enjoy cruising on the street or beach in your new RUST PROOF, all aluminum and warrantied Atlas Cart LSV. @RadRydz
11 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Tell us about yourself. I’m Alexandria Nicole, the founder of Alexandria Nicole Consulting, a firm that helps business owners attract more clients by strengthening their marketing strategies and network. I also founded Elevate Your Growth, a community-driven platform focused on helping professionals thrive both personally and professionally. I’m passionate about creating genuine, collaborative spaces where people can grow together, connect meaningfully and support one another in their journeys. Why did you create Corks and Connections? What’s it like? I created Corks and Connections to offer a unique experience for women to network in a fun, relaxed environment. Traditional networking can often feel formal and rigid, so I wanted to create something that allowed women to connect on a deeper, more personal level. Corks and Connections is an event where women come together over good wine, great conversation and meaningful interactions that foster both professional and personal growth. It’s also an event with purpose, as we raise money for the Children’s Recovery Center, a nonprofit that advocates and supports children that have been physically and sexually abused — a cause close to my heart. This adds another layer of meaning, allowing us to contribute to something impactful while building genuine connections. Should we expect more events? Absolutely! Corks and Connections is just one of many. We’ve seen such an incredible response from the community that we’re excited to continue hosting these events and expanding them even further. Each event brings new opportunities for business owners and professionals to connect, collaborate and elevate one another. We plan to keep that momentum going with even more unique experiences. This is our She Shines issue. Who influences you to be the shining woman you are? God is my greatest source of inspiration and the reason I am filled with strength, resilience and grace, which I strive to embody every day. I’m also deeply inspired by the incredible women I’ve had the privilege of connecting with through Corks and Connections and Elevate Your Growth. Their stories, determination and ambition motivate me to keep growing and shining in my own journey. What is something you took from the event? One of the most rewarding aspects of Corks and Connections is seeing how open and supportive everyone is. One key takeaway is that when you create a space for authentic connections, women naturally uplift each other. A memorable connection I made was with a woman who initially came in feeling unsure about networking but left feeling empowered and confident in her abilities. Watching her transformation and knowing that our event played a part in that was incredibly fulfilling. Networking with a Mission Alexandria Nicole’s Corks and Connections Feature Lots of laughs at Corks and Connections. Alexandria Carns.
12 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Extraordinary ELIZABETH MATTHEWS HEYWARD AND LOIS HALL During the British occupation of Charleston from May 12, 1780, until Dec. 14, 1782, Charleston’s population was divided in half between loyalists and patriots, many of whom were arrested and sent to St. Augustine for imprisonment. One such nationalist was Thomas Heyward, Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence. His wife Elizabeth Matthews Heyward and her pregnant sister Lois Hall (whose husband had also been arrested) were left behind with their children in the house at 87 Church St. on the embattled peninsula. Under British rule, an illumination decree was established, requiring Charleston residents to place a lit candle in their windows in celebration of Redcoat victories near and far. When news of a win in North Carolina arrived, Heyward refused to light candles and place them in the windows. Soon came a knock at the door from a soldier, demanding Heyward comply with the ordinance. However, Heyward stood firm. When she was informed of the next British triumph, she did not illuminate again. On this occasion — according to historian and board member of the Charleston Tour Association Lee Ann Bain — a mob of royalists convened on the house, threw trash at its walls, smashed the windows with bats and broke down the door. During the siege, Hall was in the throes of giving birth and whether from pain, fear or a combination of both, tragically, she died. When soldiers came to the house the next day offering to make repairs to the property, Heyward turned them away since they had known there were two women alone in the house, yet they had done nothing to ward off the rioters. Because of her bravery and conviction throughout the occupation, Heyward was given the title “Queen of Love and Beauty” by George Washington at a ball in Philadelphia, where she moved to reconvene with her husband who had been freed but was banned from Charleston. SEPTIMA P. CLARK Nearly a century later, just after the Civil War ended in 1865, the Avery school on Bull Street in downtown Charleston was established as a private institution for educating Black teachers. In 1955, the school closed when students transferred to state-funded Burke High School. The building remained empty until 1980 when the College of Charleston partnered with the community Feature Eras of Extraordinary Lowcountry Women Well-behaved women rarely make history BY SARAH ROSE PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CHARLESTON WALKING TOURS
13 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen to save the structure, which survived threats from the KKK in the 1960s as well as abandonment. In 1985, the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture opened. Dr. Tamara Butler, Ph.D. and executive director, said of the center’s extensive archives and impressive library, “Our job is to bring history home.” Indeed, some of our nation’s most important leaders in social justice attended Avery, including Septima Poinsette Clark. After her graduation in 1916, Clark couldn’t afford college tuition. At age 18, she took a state examination that gave her the opportunity to teach, although local law dictated that only white educators could teach Black students on the peninsula, and Black teachers had to work in sea island communities such as Johns Island. In 1919, Clark began working with the NAACP and spent the next four decades establishing “citizenship schools” where she taught literacy to thousands of interracial people so they could read the constitution and understand their rights. “I believe unconditionally in the ability of people to respond when they are told the truth. We need to be taught to study rather than believe, to inquire rather than to affirm,” Clark said. In 1945, Clark helped win equal pay for Black teachers. Then when South Carolina passed a law in 1965 banning city and state employees from any involvement with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Clark refused to give up advocating with the NAACP for the integration of public schools. Consequently, she was fired, lost her pension and was thrown into prison on several made-up charges such as illegal alcohol possession. The accusations were later dropped. When Clark was released from jail, Martin Luther King Jr. invited her to work with him by expanding her model of citizen schools across the South. In 1987, at 87 years of age, Clark passed away and was buried at her Old Bethel United Methodist Church. She leaves behind a legacy as the grandmother of the Civil Rights Movement, of which she said, “The air has finally gotten to the place that we can breathe it together.” THE POLLITZER SISTERS While Clark was starting her journey in the fight for civil rights, the Pollitzer sisters Mable, Carrie and Anita were arguing for women’s suffrage. The eldest sister, Mable, graduated from Columbia University in 1906 and returned to her hometown of Charleston where she became a teacher at Memminger for the next forty years, creating the natural science department and the first sexed program for her female students in their senior year. A charter member of the Charleston Equal Suffrage League, Mable later joined the National Women’s Party (NWP) as South Carolina’s state chair. In the 1930s, along with Laura Bragg, director of the Charleston Museum, Mable also established the first free library to serve both Black and white residents. Meanwhile, since women who were pursuing a higher level of education were forced to leave the state, Mable’s younger sister Carrie petitioned men’s organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce to allow women to attend the College of Charleston. According to Bain, by 1918, Carrie won the battle and the first women were admitted. At 25 years-old, the third Pollitzer daughter, Anita, was the youngest of the NWP officers to serve. As secretary of the legislative committee of the NWP, Anita’s claim to fame was her work that helped to pass the 19th amendment, which was codified into the Constitution on Aug.26, 1920, after decades of suffragettes overcoming violence and resistance from authorities and spectators. These stories don’t begin to scratch the surface of the strong women of Charleston who pioneered the past, laying the foundation for the present. May we preserve their hard work for the future. To learn more history about our local femmes’ fatales, visit WalkCharlestonHistory.com. Feature Photo provided by WalkCharlestonHistory.com. The famous Sepitma P. Clark. Photo provided by CharlestonWalkingTours.com. The Pollitzer sisters circa 1910.
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15 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Feature Where would American politics be without women? This doesn’t just apply to those intrepid souls of all parties who run for public office but references the voice of every woman who is an integral part of the political process. Women comprise the largest voting bloc in the country. That wasn’t always the case, of course, since women have only had the right to vote for less than half of our country’s history. That right didn’t come without a fight — and two of Charleston’s own were on the front lines of the battle. If you’ve lived in the Lowcountry a while, you’ve likely heard of the Grimke sisters, the famous abolitionists who grew up in a local slave-owning family in the early 1800s. Pioneers for Women Charleston’s Grimke Sisters BY MARY COY Angelina Grimke. Sarah Grimke. Photos cred/ Library of Congress.
16 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Feature What you may not know is that they helped to ignite the national women’s movement nearly a century before women achieved the right to vote. The family lived downtown at the HeywardWashington House on Church Street and later moved to 321 East Bay Street where the sisters spent their formative years. As adults, the two sisters moved to Philadelphia and were introduced to the Society of Friends (Quakers). They embraced the church’s views on the abolition of slavery and saw women in ministry positions. However, a woman speaking in public was otherwise unheard of in the 1830s. Therefore, their activism in the anti-slavery movement initially limited them to small gatherings of women in the homes of other abolitionists. The two helped to establish the New York Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women in 1837 and became known for their brilliant speeches. Eventually, they were compelled to begin a speaking tour, often addressing thousands of both men and women at packed venues. The idea of two women speaking publicly to large (and gender-mixed) audiences brought them prominence as well as controversy. Even among abolitionists, there was debate as to whether women should take the stage. The anti-slavery movement eventually split into two factions over “the woman question,” with one group excluding women from participating at all. The sisters distanced themselves from the church when male Quaker ministers preached of “the dangers which at present seem to threaten the female character with widespread and permanent injury” and urged women to remember their “appropriate duties.” But that didn’t stop the Grimke sisters. Angelina addressed a committee of the Massachusetts State Legislature in 1838, turning her anti-slavery speech into an argument for woman’s suffrage. She asserted that if women had the right to vote, they could help end slavery, claiming “What can woman do for the slave when she is herself under the feet of man and shamed into silence?” She made history as the first woman in America to speak before a legislative body. As a result, other women were inspired to speak out about a woman’s right and responsibility to participate fully in society. Sarah drew a parallel between the disenfranchisement of women and of enslaved Africans, writing in her “Letters on Equality of the Sexes and the Condition of Woman” that both groups were deprived of a formal education in a male-dominated society that labelled them as mentally inferior. She argued that the subjugation of women benefited men, comparing it to the benefit that plantation owners received from the enslavement of Blacks. At the first women’s rights convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848, prominent suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony led the group’s initiatives for constitutionally guaranteed rights to adopt its Declaration of Sentiments which was influenced by the writings of the Grimke sisters. When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, Angelina stated that, as women, “True, we have not felt the slaveholder’s lash; true, we have not had our hands manacled, but our hearts have been crushed … I want to be identified with the Negro; until he gets his rights, we shall never have ours.” The following year, the two women moved to Boston with Angelina’s husband, the famous abolitionist Theodore Weld, and the couple’s three children. By then, Sarah had retired from active participation in the women’s movement. But the publication of British philosopher John Stuart Mill’s book, “The Subjection of Women,” in 1869 posed many of the same arguments the sisters had pushed for decades — and prompted the 77-year-old Sarah to walk through her Hyde Park neighborhood selling 150 copies. In the general election of 1870, the sisters led a group of 42 women to the polls to vote at Hyde Park Town Hall. The flummoxed town official did not stop them but rather put their ballots in a separate box which were, of course, not counted. The publicity from this event led other groups of women to take similar stands, fanning the flames of the feminist movement. When the Massachusetts Woman’s Suffrage Association was established, Sarah and Angelina both served as its vice presidents at the ages of 78 and 66 respectively. Neither woman lived to see the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920 but are remembered as possibly being the first leaders in the women’s movement. They are buried in Boston’s Mount Hope Cemetery where a historical marker was installed at their graves several years ago. A bridge in Hyde Park was named for them in 2019. The best-selling novel by Sue Monk Kidd titled “The Invention of Wings” as well as a reprint of the landmark non-fiction work, “The Grimke Sisters from South Carolina,” have catapulted the sisters into the national limelight in recent years. And local tour guide Lee Ann Baines offers a tour of downtown Charleston that focuses exclusively on these remarkable and courageous women. When you soon make your voice heard in the voting booth, think of the Grimke sisters whose fight for the rights of women helped to make your vote count.
17 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen The greater Charleston area abounds with savvy businesswomen. Women dominate the real estate, health, education, recruitment and customer service fields. They are breaking into fields not-sotraditionally associated with women as well, fields like waste management, heating and air, construction and so much more. Women in our area are proving daily that there isn’t anything they can’t do. In a region dotted by both corporate and small businesses, they have shown up not only to contend but to win. What does it mean to “win” in business? We believe that means to become a leader in the market, to serve the community, to achieve success and to pave the way for others to do the same. It isn’t about crushing the competition, but about bettering the industry or commerce climate while helping others to succeed. It is about becoming a light to brighten the path for those following. Our business section, meant to both educate and inspire, highlights females from many industries, especially entrepreneurs. Our hope is that our readers will not only learn about some incredible businesses but will become inspired by the women behind them. The idea is for women to support women, and that idea is brought to fruition by first making a connection. Keep reading and make a new connection here. We are all part of the same network. Our She Shines winners are simply the ones holding the torches, leading the crowds. Explore them throughout this section. Charleston Women in Business 280 WEST COLEMAN BLVD. 843.936.6997 | INTERIORMOTIVESMP@GMAIL.COM
18 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Shining Digital Marketing Professional As a business or brand owner, you need a team. That team might put you on multiple platforms to be seen, craft a cohesive website that is easy to navigate or digitally expose your brand to millions of people. Meet Caroline Hendry from TRIO-Solutions. Hendry said, “This award is a testament to the hard work, creativity and dedication that goes into every campaign. Digital marketing is ever-changing, so I am excited to stay on top of what is trending to make our clients shine.” Other Finalists: Kim Russo, Nikki Kuniej, Alex O’Neil Shining Business Mentor Jessica Munday believes mentorship and having a support system are huge elements to help navigate life in business. She stated, “As an entrepreneur, I’m driven by the chance to make a difference beyond my own personal gain. Mentoring students, young entrepreneurs, team members and fellow business owners allows me to find joy in sharing life experiences, supporting their growth and helping them achieve their personal and professional goals. There’s a unique fulfillment in being part of someone else’s journey toward success.” Other Finalists: Heather Valeri, Stephanie Postell, Jessica Brewer, Erin Pratt, Angel Holmes Shining Realtor Interest rates have finally started to drop. So, if you’re looking to make a move, our readers have spoken. Voted shining Realtor, Charlise Mills understands the volatile market and can guide you through your journey of owning or selling. She’s associated with one of the top real estate teams in Charleston through Keller Williams Realty & The Chatman Group. Mills said, “My faith is what keeps me anchored. My favorite quote comes from 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Let all that you do be done in love.” Other Finalists: Kathleen DeWitt, Haley Ebersole Shining Mortgage Professional Ellen Frazier, of Frazier Lending Group, has two decades of experience and dedication in the mortgage industry. A seasoned professional and entrepreneur, Frazier recently earned the title of mortgage broker. Her mission is to redefine the narrative around home financing while weaving mindfulness and balance into both her professional and personal realms. Frazier Lending Group is committed to empowering female real estate investors with creative financing solutions. Other Finalists: Shakelia LeBlanc, Tracy Searson Causby Shining Social Media Professional It’s been a true honor for Ashlyn Crowell to fulfill the role of social media specialist at Trio Solutions, Inc. Crowell has enabled herself to channel her passions for incredible clients across the Lowcountry and northeast. “Social media is constantly evolving as a dynamic platform where brands can connect with their audiences like never before, and I am deeply committed to shaping this landscape,” she offered. “From launching innovative social campaigns to crafting engaging TikTok Caroline Hendry from TRIO-Solutions. in Business
19 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen videos, there’s always exciting tasks at hand to keep the creative juices flowing.” Other Finalists: Christina Pitcher, Amanda Comen, Brittany Pohl, Lynn Solon Shining Financial Advisor “Guiding you with expertise and compassion, I’m committed to helping you achieve your financial goals through tailored strategies that reflect your values and aspirations,” said Jenny Phillips of Northwestern Mutual. Phillips is the advisor to put you at ease and is that light on your financial journey to guide you to your prosperity. She is from a small town in Illinois that instilled hard work, commitment and integrity into her values. Other Finalists: Shari Rash, Jenne Sevilla, Angele Garten Shining Lawyer Since 1997, Bleecker Family Law has represented thousands of individuals in the South Carolina Family Courts with compassion and confidence. Anne Frances Bleecker, voted the shining lawyer, is passionate about her clients and committed to serving their every need. “I am especially grateful for the trust they have placed in our law firm,” spoke Bleecker. “It has been my great privilege to serve so many wonderful clients, and I look forward to continuing to serve with immense pride in all we do here at Bleecker Family Law.” Other Finalists: Megan Moody, Charlene Green Shining Insurance Professional Karla Combs of Insurance Office of America is committed to protecting clients on both professional and private levels. “I feel truly blessed to work for a company that not only supports but also encourages my passion for community service. At Insurance Office of America, our commitment to faith, employee wellbeing and community involvement paves the way for everyone’s success,” said Combs. Let Combs focus on your risk so you can focus on your dreams. Other Finalist: Sarah Wiggins Shining Wedding and Event Planner Keri Seay of Keri Seay Events is Charleston Women’s shining event and party planner. Seay offers full, partial or day-of planning services for weddings and more. Coming from a family legacy of event planners and caterers, planning is in Seay’s blood. For an extra pop for your party, reach out to the number one planner according to our readers. Other Finalists: Shannon Hodges, Kala Williams, Jessica Cheney, Elaine Sevarese, Brittany VanAllen Shining CPA Serving both Long Island, N.Y. and Charleston, S.C., Nicole Florio of Florio CPA & Co. is dedicated to client satisfaction and ready to use her comprehensive skill sets to help clients understand technical accounting transactions and regulations with ease. Florio is a Certified Public Accountant who received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Townsend School of Business at Dowling College. With over seven years of experience, she is ready to be the middleman between you and that pesky Uncle Sam for both individual and corporate tax preparation. Charleston Women in Business `Jenny Phillips of Northwestern Mutual.
20 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Charleston Women in Business Some might call her a renaissance woman, because Kira Stewart has an “x-factor.” She makes the complex simple because, in her mind, that’s what she is. However, the fruit from trees she’s planted tell the rather extraordinary story of a dynamic entrepreneur, volunteer and mother. She trucks along, even when in doubt; and that’s what we call belief. Not many women say they are a mom of seven and Junior Service League member who owns two businesses — and fewer say it with a humble spirit. Stewart relayed, “Life may seem extraordinary from the outside looking in, but to me, it’s normal, and I enjoy every minute.” Initially, Stewart felt her purpose was to strictly raise children. While she loves being a mom, began to hear another calling. Listening, she opened The Dainty Welder, a gorgeous permanent jewelry service. Concurrently, Stewart began to frequent an establishment offering nutritional shakes and teas, which helped her kick a 12-diet-cokes-a-day habit. Realizing her passions for both jewelry and wellness, Stewart opened a store front to house The Dainty Welder and Jedburg Nutrition, a venue as multi-faceted as Stewart herself. It has a sense of place where people can relax in a lush, decorative atmosphere. They can work on projects while sipping detox teas or get memorable pieces of art welded on to feel meaning and beauty at once — or they can just be. Stewart has created a space for people to take their personal sojourn like she did. She has invited people into her fabulous world for the same reason she created it: to thrive. For more on The Dainty Welder and Jedburg Nutrition, follow @kira.stewart.xo on Instagram. Discover Yourself Meet Kira Stewart BY LORNA HOLLIFIELD SHAKES. TEAS. VIBES. Clean Energy Teas • Protein Shakes Protein Coffee • Protein Shakes HEALTHY NUTRITION SUMMERVILLE Your Local Permanent Jewelry Artist Follow @kira.stewart.xo to learn more about our neighbor businesses @jedburg.nutrition & @thedaintywelder.xo 2885 W 5th N St. Summerville, SC | daintywelder.com | w IN-STUDIO APPOINTMENTS PRIVATE PARTIES & EVENTS Healthy Hangout
21 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Charleston Women in Business Stephanie Postell has traveled around the states attending and presenting the successful stories of her own heating and air companies from the ground up. She’s been invited to conferences and podcasts to share her extensive knowledge of marketing and managing business. However, as a native Charlestonian, Postell could never forget where she started, and after much time spent traveling the states, she decided to make more of an effort to encourage the local leaders at home. This led her to start an annual conference called the She Means Business, a women’s conference facilitated with her friend Jenny Ladd. 75 women gather to hear successful experiences from female Charleston business leaders, showing up to listen to triumphs, pitfalls and the many routes of starting a successful business. Postell could see the tangible effects of these conferences. Women now have a space dedicated to turning their skills into a company, and with the help of the expertise surrounding them, they can hone their business acumens into powerful companies. In doing so, they can then pass along this knowledge to newer business owners, creating a cycle of women empowering each other and giving back to their communities. The conferences serve to hold women accountable to grow a company out of their hobby or skill. They are invited to showcase what they can do and are given help on how to improve upon it —either in the skill itself or on the business side of things. While business is a focus, it can be a great place to find volunteers or to volunteer themselves, and far more important, is the inspiration and strength women can get from each other. Because of her innovation and hard work, Postell was awarded two She Shines awards. She topped the Shining Home Service and Repair Professional category and was one of the Shining Business Mentor finalists. Naturally, she is proud of the accomplishments, but Postell’s goal has always been to give back to her community. As the owner of Anchor Heating and Air, to receive recognition means that she is also recognized as a female leader in a maledominated trade. Using that title in conjunction with the wide acknowledgement of being a strong mentor, she can empower other women who she knows are more than capable of doing the same. Furthermore, Postell hopes other women will see how successful they can be and can then feel inspired to take those scary and exciting first steps of becoming a business owner. Postell has already been planning the next conference for spring of 2025, and she hopes to see many returning women and new business leaders attend. Based on her own experiences, Postell knows how hard starting a business is, but the shared experience of other Charleston leaders will be able to empower women to reach their goals. For more information, visit anchorheatingandair.com or call 843-564-7777. Encouraging Female-owned Start-ups Meet She Shines winner Stephanie Postell BY BROOKE WATSON
22 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Charleston Women in Business Thanks in part to the following women who have stamped their unique passions onto our collective legacy, Charleston gracefully functions within a juxtaposed space of preserving soulful history while embracing cultural changes and modern practices. CHRISTINA BUTLER, BUTLER PRESERVATION Growing up binging on “This Old House”, Christina Butler took every building class she could in high school. As one of only two girls enrolled in a two-year trades program, she learned construction, carpentry and project management. At 18, Butler moved from her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio to Charleston for the exposure to architecture and to attend College of Charleston, where she earned a degree in preservation and community planning. After graduation, Butler became an archivist in the Main Library South Carolina Reading Room, where she said she became a stronger researcher and writer. That’s when she realized she wanted to become a teacher, and so she obtained her master’s in American history. Now dean of the American College of the Building Arts and owner and founder of Butler Preservation, Butler’s passion is educating students, architects and contractors about historic buildings. “I love learning the human backstories of who lived and died in these houses, and who used the buildings and how,” Butler said. Thanks to Butler’s lifetime commitment to the trades and recording her findings in books and academic press, countless histories and mysteries of Charleston will be preserved for eternity. To learn more about Butler’s work, visit ButlerPreservation.com. BRITTANY LAVELLE TULLA By utilizing resources such as family papers, letters, journals, diaries, calendars, wills, death records and photo archives from the Charleston Library and Museum, architectural historian Brittany Lavelle Tulla builds timelines for her clients that reveal the story of their building’s origin and evolution. Whether Lavelle Tulla is opening up walls in a stately old home South of Broad to discover fragments of 18th century wallpaper Preserving Charleston Then and Now The five most unique women-run businesses BY SARAH ROSE Christina Butler in her workshop. Photo by Beth Phillips.
23 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Charleston Women in Business or studying buildings on upper King —where in the late 19th century to the Jim Crow era — black families were opening businesses alongside Greek, Italian and Chinese entrepreneurs, Lavelle Tulla peels back the layers of Charleston’s diverse history. Documenting the stories that have never been told before, she exposes truth and understanding by honoring the past in a powerful way. To book a consultation with Lavelle Tulla, visit BVLHPR.com. NANCY TERREBECKI-SMITH, PLANT BUS CHARLESTON When Charleston’s Nancy Terebecki-Smith sprouted the unique idea to buy a retired school bus, circa 2002, she transformed the interior into a mobile plant shop and started popping up in neighborhoods all across town. “Everyone leaves the bus with a plant they can look after,” Terebecki-Smith said. Although Terebecki-Smith wasn’t looking for brickand-mortar retail space, the downtown shop found her when a broker connected through Instagram. Splashed across an entire wall of the boutique, which opened in August of 2024, is a giant mural depicting a creature party, painted in loud, bright colors by local artist Taylor Faulkner of Redux. Surrounded by greenery ranging in price from $3 for a tiny plant to $65 for a fiddle leaf fig, Terebecki-Smith said, “I try to keep prices affordable and accessible so that no one is priced out or excluded from a plant collecting hobby. People also shop with me because they can come hang out and ask questions.” Terebecki-Smith added that she is most excited about holding free workshops to share her knowledge about propagating and repotting to show that like history, gardening can be messy and imperfect. Visit PlantBusCharleston.com to schedule your class and see where Terebecki-Smith’s plant bus will be popping up next. NYSA HICKS, NYSA CREATIVE Ever since she was a child, Nysa Hicks revered horticulture and its role in the environment. Now as a muralist and founder of Nysa Creative, Hicks paints urban settings such as public sports courts (tennis, Brittany Lavelle Tulla in “preservation mode.” The charming Rooted in Charleston bus. Nysa Hicks.
24 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Charleston Women in Business pickleball, basketball) and pedestrian walkways where real plants might not be able to grow or thrive. Incorporating nature such as animals, vegetation and flowers, Hicks’ art beautifies and modernizes these areas with color and vibrancy. Furthermore, as city rooftops are often an eyesore, Hicks collaborates with developers and city planners to create huge shifts in how cityscapes look above. As Hicks said, “Bright patterns and colors can be used to create surprise-and-delight scenes on rooftops.” Hicks is also passionate about partnering with local poets and schools to incorporate their work into her murals, lending rich local color to preserve what’s occurring in the present, which Butler said keeps history alive in a way that “is cool enough to preserve 80 years from now.” To learn more about Hicks’ creative projects, visit NysaCreative.com. ASIAH MAE As the second oldest daughter of seven siblings, Asiah Mae reflected on being the girl with a book in every room and several in the car, but one who didn’t necessarily know that she wanted to be a writer. When she excelled at a poetry project in second grade, her teachers encouraged her to keep reading and learning within that genre. By sixth grade honors class, Mae was reading Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales,” which she said helped her learn forms and how to write sonnets. Mae added that studying Shakespeare taught her to write beautiful poetry that would transcend time and space. Now as Charleston’s only poet laureate, elected by a committee of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Mae explained that she draws inspiration from two sources: her own life and her maternal ancestry, of which she said, “It’s my duty to share their stories and what they survived. I am a vessel for the words to come through. It’s a special gift to relay hard information with a soft landing.” To learn where Mae will be holding her next poetry readings, visitAsiahMae.com. Through craftsmanship, history, nature, arts and poetry, these five women have followed their passions to make a difference in preserving the past and the present in ways that will be woven into Charleston’s dynamic future. Dominique Jefferson, REALTOR® “The Luxe Experience” 912-844-3880 DominiqueJefferson.com SC & GA licensed Realtor & Wine Consultant PROVIDING AN OPULENT EXPERIENCE TO HOMEOWNERSHIP. Welcome to 407 Seaside Trail! Located in the prestigious Four Seasons community within Cane Bay Plantation, this exquisite Lewes model home offers the perfect blend of comfort, and convenience in an active adult 55+ community. $599,900 3beds, 2.5 bath, 2,449ft2 We’re coming in hot - here to bring a new, innovative upbeat experience to the James Island community. it’s a workout. it’s a family. it’s intense. it’s fun. it’s dancing on a bike. ride. roll. repeat. rideandrollcycling.com | (843) 566-5664 15% OFF Code: WOMEN15 *one time use *only on a drop in Asiah Mae.
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