Charleston Women in Business

When asked what makes Bistro Toulouse different from otherrestaurants, co-owner Candice Mahala responded without abeat: “The cuisine.” “We serve a lot of classic dishes — like salad Lyonnaise, mussels Mariniere, Cassoulet and dark chocolate souffle — that would be hard to find anywhere else,” she said. Bistro Toulouse has fashioned its place as a neighborhood […]

For Dr. Roberta Gardner, orthodontics is a practice of fulfillment beyond the techniques of dentistry. Seeing the smiles on patients who have just had their braces removed sums up the reason why she hasn’t tired of her career. Following her years of education at the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina, and a residency at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Gardner first practiced in Myrtle Beach […]

For entrepreneur Corrie Silvers, owning her party planning business, Teacups & Trucks, is “a dream.” “I’m 41 and this is my first business,” she said. “I thought it was going to be a little side job, something I would do for fun. But it’s just grown, and it keeps growing. We went from planning kids’ parties to hosting them at our store, teaching […]

Zee Patel was a pro in the restaurant business. As an owner of Quiznos, Cold Stone Creamery and Salsarita’s, she had lots of experience with pleasing people. But a chance suggestion changed her career path and, eight years ago, she found herself taking over as chief executive officer of Charleston’s most exclusive lingerie shop, Bits of Lace. She hasn’t […]

Heather Ackermann is not one to let a good idea escape into the ether. The notion to begin ARTspiration, for example, uttered into her mind while driving through East Cooper traffic with her family – and she was swift to latch onto it. Today, her walk-in art studio is bustling with talented adults and children. “I started this business because local places to create […]

For Caroline Robinson, owner of Drift Charleston, the breeze and tide have always acted as guides, navigating her career in fashion. A lover of the sea, nature and all things tropical, her voyage into crafting earthy yet elegant jewelry and  swimwear was an evident one. Since opening in 2013, Drift has kept the good folks of Mount Pleasant and beyond looking beachy chic in laid-back resort wear and must-have accessories. “The idea for Drift […]

When Debbie Geeter asked her daughter, Taryn Gadbois, if she’d like to be her own boss, Taryn immediately said yes. The two had worked together before and got along well. “We had an amazing, great time working together,” said Debbie. The mother-daughter team opened Eclectic Finds, near Mathis Ferry Road on Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant, in mid-April. The 14,000-square-foot vendor […]

Right off Shem Creek on Coleman Boulevard sits a small conglomerate of children’s clothing stores that have become a staple to the Mount Pleasant community. Those stores are The Ragamuffin Children’s Boutique, Stride Rite Shoes and Radical Rags — all owned and operated by Windi McKeithan for the past 34 years. McKeithan herself is a […]

CW: How do you find your passion? “I always wanted to be a business owner, as I had worked retail (store management/advisory positions) most of my life, but just didn’t know what type of business I wanted to own. I came into the shop looking for a table — it was the existing shop with a […]

New business owners Janis and Jennifer Emplit have experienced life together as mother and daughter and are now excited to take their next journey together with Eucalyptus Wellness Company. “Our store showcases over 2,300 natural products that include vitamins, supplements, herbs, teas and body care products. We find the best products both locally and nationally that are non-GMO (genetically modified […]