Charleston Women in Business

Chris McFarlane, manager of Mount Pleasant Mall, is certainly one very busy lady. She oversees the operations of 140 participating vendors – approximately 95 percent of them are women – giving her the opportunity to help keep businesses viable, solvent and secure. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sense of community, Chris revealed that “Many of our vendors are from different walks of life – single […]

CW: When did you decide to go into the business you are in?“The decision was made in 1999 to open a catering business in Charleston while running a successful catering business in Atlanta.” CW: How do you find your passion?“I look at my customers and their needs. Figuring out how we can help is something […]

When Catherine Moorehead first popped in to “Elite Repeat Interiors and More,” she was not searching for a new career path. When she got to know the owner and was asked to work part-time, she was not looking for more, but years of honest service doing something she enjoyed set her on the road to […]

Hannah Hipps didn’t know much about tanning or the tanning business before opening Sun Station Tanning Studios with husband Bryan in 2006. He already owned a small airbrush tanning business when he floated the idea of opening a full-service, high-end tanning salon in Mount Pleasant. Hannah said yes. “Fast forward to to eight years later. We have four locations,” she said. […]

When Karen Boals took a job at a Mount Pleasant frame shop 30 years ago, she had no idea it would become a lifelong passion. “I needed a job and that was that,” she remembered. “I turned out loving it. When I worked for Tom Tanis, there was a little sign called ‘Karen’s Korner,’ and that was where I sat and assembled my work. […]

CW: When did you decide to go into the business you are in?“My business started as a hobby. First, hand-painting children’s clothing and gift items, then I switched to applique. I did pop-up shows in homes, local craft shows and then advanced to holiday markets, etc., across the country before establishing a permanent brick and […]

CW: How did the both of you decide to go into business together? Grayson (daughter): “My parents have been in insurance since 1983. After college, I was truly unsure which career path I wanted to take, so I started off by working that summer as a receptionist in the office. I slowly started to learn […]

Almost 20 years ago, Drs. Leslie and David Steele founded Advanced Animal Care of Mount Pleasant. This neighborhood hospital has earned praise and recognition for quality care and a fear-free approach. “We don’t restrain pets forcibly or reinforce their fear-based behaviors,” said Dr. Leslie Steele. “We help clients gradually condition behaviors with positive interactions, rather […]

You have undoubtedly heard of her restaurants. Wild Wing Cafe. Red’s Ice House. And the latest rave, Tavern & Table. But most folks have never met one of the masterminds behind the wildly successful and fun restaurants. Dianne Crowley, an energetic and passionate business-woman, grew up near the water in Melbourne, Florida. She pursued a broadcasting and advertising degree at the University […]

With a talented team of six dentists on hand at Pleasant Family Dentistry, it’s no wonder that all of their patients feel welcomed with each and every appointment. Dr. Lauren Callison and Dr. Lynnette Shugan have played an integral role in caring for those in the Lowcountry, working hard to “achieve optimum oral health that […]