Charleston Women in Business

It was an internship in college at a domestic violence shelter that piqued Heather Hartoin’s interest in law. She was actually double majoring in physical therapy and psychology at Valparaiso University in Indiana, but, while interning, she became fascinated with the legal side of what the families at the shelter were going through. On a […]

Being surrounded by strong women throughout her developmental years and witnessing power in numbers left lasting impressions on Rhetta Cloyd. “With each and every step I have taken, I have strived to be the leader that I always wanted to have myself,” said the co-owner and chief marketing officer of Charleston-based In the Black Marketing […]

CW: When did you decide to go into the business you are in?“I knew at the age of 14 that I wanted to be a dance teacher and eventually own my own studio. Although I love performing, it is so very rewarding to share my passion and love for the art of dance with young […]

If you haven’t yet picked up a copy of “This Island,” a coffee table book by Lowcountry nature photographer Margaret Burns, consider adding it to your collection. Photography and nature always make a perfect pairing, and Burns is no stranger to either one. “I have played with still life photography since I was about 10 […]

Kim Embler and her husband Mitch have been bringing sparkle to people’s lives since 1989. Their family business, Embler’s Jewelers, is a full-service jewelry shop located in the Shops at Mount Pleasant. The Embler family takes pride in their dedication to helping shoppers enjoy the experience of finding the perfect gift. “We travel annually to […]

For 18 years, Baby Bloomers has been making those first precious days for a new family — as well as the months before and years after — as special and comfortable as possible. It’s no surprise that Baby Bloomers has earned first place for baby goods in Mount Pleasant Magazine’s Best of Mount Pleasant for […]

Lillie’s of Charleston found success through what started as love for food and family. Tracey Richardson and her sister, Kellye Wicker, found their niche when they continued what their father began many years ago in his aunt’s kitchen. The early 1950s in Charleston had the two sisters’ father, Hank Tisdale, cooking with his relatives. During […]

As director of the middle and high school choirs, Kathy Thames leads Palmetto Christian Academy’s music program. When she first started at the school in 2003, there wasn’t yet a high school, so she helped build the program from the ground up. A longtime lover of music, Thames received her bachelor’s degree in music education […]

When did you decide to go into the business?My husband has always been in the food business. When we decided to move to Mount Pleasant, we knew that it would be the perfect place for our dream to come true. We opened a small coffee shop where we can share our favorite coffee and food […]

CW: When did you decide to go into the business you are in?“I have had a passion for wine for many years, and I love building relationships.” CW: How do you find your passion?“Visiting vineyards across the country and some places in Mexico. I also worked in an urban winery in San Diego and was […]