Charleston Women in Business

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 […]

For Jordan Eads, makeup artist and franchise owner of Merle Norman Cosmetics, a business built on beauty and color was a clear choice. Fueled by a love of bringing out the best in others, she makes daily transformations in her studio on Coleman Boulevard. “I really enjoy the work I do – helping women look and feel beautiful. It’s rewarding getting someone in […]

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 […]