Easley • Greenville • Greer • Mauldin • Piedmont • Seneca • Simpsonville • Spartanburg • Taylors • TR
LIVE LOCAL
the local people & the upstate businesses that you need to know
2021
DRIFT FLOAT & SPA
Relax and recharge
ESTABLISHED: 2017 WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “What really inspires me and gives me the most joy is getting to know my clients and helping them on their journey to healing and self-improvement.”
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“We take pride in offering extremely effective tools that aren’t readily available elsewhere to create consciousness of self and the community as a whole,” says Caldwell. Floating in an individual pod can relieve anxiety and stress while helping to unlock creativity. The experience allows the individual to escape the
outside world while floating in body-temperature water that creates an environment for clients to lose themselves in relaxation. In addition to floating, Drift offers an infrared sauna, oxygen bar and Lucia Light. Just this year, they have also added massage to their offerings. With four licensed massage therapists, they can accommodate relaxing massages, including Esalen and oncology massages. Caldwell says the best thing about her business is meeting new people and seeing them embark on their own journey of self-healing and self-improvement. “The pandemic has really put into perspective how much I love seeing and meeting my clients,” she says. “We love our community, and that’s why we work so hard to make it a better place.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BONFIRE VISUALS
644 N. Main St., Suite 105, Greenville 864.414.2388 DriftGreenville.com
Kelly Caldwell always wanted to contribute to the community in which she grew up. When she discovered the benefits of floating, she saw her opportunity to share a unique experience that would help individuals in the Upstate and the community at large. Along with her mother, Robin Carroll, she started Drift Float & Spa in Greenville, a completely family-owned local business, to provide locals with an environment for self-exploration, self-care and personal growth.
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Mark B. Johnston President & CEO
Advertising Donna Johnston, Manager of Business Development Hays Sligh, Sales Operations Manager
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Allison Gambone, Marketing Representative Sangeeta Hardy, Marketing Representative Billy Leach, Marketing Representative Mary Placito, Marketing Representative Heather Propp, Marketing Representative
Creative Services & Production Holly Hardin, Vice President of Operations Lizzie Campbell, Client Services Manager
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Camden Johnson, Client Services Manager Kristy M. Adair, Magazine Art Director Michael Allen, Sr. Graphic Designer
Contributing Photographers Bonfire Visuals, bonfirevisuals.net Cameron Reynolds, cameronreynoldsphotography.com Chelsey Ashford, cmaphoto.co Jack Robert Photography, jackrobertphotography.com
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Copy Writers Diane Irving, irving.diane@gmail.com Stewart Campbell, stewartcampbellwriting@gmail.com Vincent Harris, vharris@communityjournals.com
meet the people behind some of the meet the people some of the upstate’s finestbehind local businesses upstate’s finest local businesses
General Manager Susan Schwartzkopf 2018
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Community Journals is always delighted to showcase the people Behind the Counter — as you can see from the past covers above, we’ve been at it a long time. We hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as we enjoy telling them. Any company or organization, of any size, is fueled by the energy, creativity, wisdom and often the fortitude of its people. Local entrepreneurs — and their employees — are the engines driving this business community. Whether the economy is booming, or staggering, or somewhere in between, these folks suit up and show up. In these pages, we share who they are, what they do, and how they’ve created the products and services that make the Upstate everyone’s favorite place to eat, shop, stay, play and, of course, live. In 2020, we rebranded this annual publication, refreshing the design and title with a nod to the people who make us happy to “Live Local.” Don’t just read about them — go meet these entrepreneurs in person. They’ll be happy to see you. Especially now, remember: Eat, Shop, Stay, Play … and Live Local!
mark b. johnston, president & publisher 2
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Finance – Accounting Kristi Fortner Distribution Marla Lockaby
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COMMUNITY JOURNALS PUBLISHING GROUP PUBLISHERS OF GREENVILLE JOURNAL, UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL, TOWN MAGAZINE & AT HOME MAGAZINE. 581 Perry Ave., Greenville, SC 29611 864-679-1200 | COMMUNITYJOURNALS.COM © 2021 Published By Community Journals LLC. All Rights Reserved. All Property Rights For The Entire Contents Of This Publication Shall Be The Property Of Community Journals. No Part Of This Publication May Be Reproduced, Scanned, Stored, Distributed Or Transmitted By Any Means – Whether Auditory, Graphic, Mechanical, Or Electronic – Without Written Permission From The Publisher.
The comfort and reassurance of a second opinion When facing a serious illness like cancer, knowing your options is important. Once you receive a cancer diagnosis and your treatment plan, you may want to get advice from another specialist before you begin treatment, which can include getting a second opinion. Getting a second opinion can give you the comfort and reassurance of knowing that all aspects of your case have been carefully reviewed, and that all appropriate treatment options have been considered. Dr. Amy Curtis, a radiation oncologist with Gibbs Cancer Center, recommends this approach. “Everybody’s journey with cancer is different,” Dr. Curtis said. “Having a second opinion oftentimes allows a fresh set of eyes to look at all
the information, scans, biopsies and procedures to date.” Gibbs Cancer Center offers a formalized second opinion clinic, a team of cancer specialists and other medical professionals who review and evaluate your treatment plan. The team may discover that your case is more complex than it had seemed; recommend additional tests or new treatments; or agree that your current plan is appropriate. Dr. Curtis often seeks additional opinions from her colleagues within Gibbs Cancer Center. “A member of a related specialty will help go through your cancer diagnosis with a fine-tooth comb,” she said. “That, in some ways, is the backbone of our multidisciplinary treatment team.”
ESTABLISHED: Newly expanded
2759 Hwy. 14, Greer 864.530.6400 GibbsCancerCenter.com
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “What drives all of us is treating patients like we would want someone to treat members of our own family.” — Dr. Amy Curtis
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GIBBS CANCER CENTER AT PELHAM
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PELHAM MEDICAL CENTER Working hard to exceed the highest standards of patient care and safety Pelham Medical Center is working hard to exceed the highest standards of patient care and safety, earning national recognition for its spine program. Dr. David Briski, an orthopaedic surgeon, specializes in spine surgery. “It makes things really efficient when you have a hospital like Pelham Medical Center; it allows centralization of care, and that improves outcomes exponentially,” Dr. Briski said. Pelham Medical Center has been recognized with a Five-Star Distinction in Spinal Fusion Surgery for seven consecutive years (2015-2021) by Healthgrades and was designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina in 2020. “Pelham Medical Center is earning a reputation for surgical excellence,” said Walter Bennett, division director of operations for Pelham Medical Center and Western Division for Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. Due to increased surgical volumes in the past two years, Pelham Medical Center recently added to its operating room space, and more expansions are planned. Pelham Medical Center also offers robotic-assisted surgery and computer-guided surgical navigation technology. “We are growing our surgical capabilities and offering a new surgical discipline nearly every month,” Bennett said. “We have a strong orthopaedic and spine presence for a facility of our size.” Dr. Briski’s goal is to help patients return to the quality of life to which they are accustomed.
A Division of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
250 Westmoreland Rd., Greer 864.530.6000 PelhamMedicalCenter.com
ESTABLISHED: 2008 WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “I like looking at a patient, figuring out what the problem is, where the problem is and what their goals are.” — Dr. David Briski 4
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
“Our patients are people who have families, active lives and jobs,” Dr. Briski said. “We help get them back up and running.”
ALEX & ELLIS CRIGLER Everything we touch turns to SOLD! ESTABLISHED: 2006 DID YOU KNOW? Alex & Ellis have a combined 20+ years of real estate experience.
“That move was the end of a multi-year on-the-job interview process,” Crigler says with a laugh. “So we’re really happy to be on this side of it. When you join this team, every day you try to live up to their standards.”
As their careers have changed, the Criglers have also been busy at home with their three young children, Bo, Mary Ellis and Reed. Crigler says that he and Ellis have great role models when it comes to balancing their home and work lives. “Our parents are great examples of how to do it,” he says. “Growing up, they were both in real estate and Ellis’ parents were both in sales. We try to make sure that we’re both at every Little League event, every swim meet, picking up ballet carpool, volunteering at school, those sorts of things. This job never ends. There’s no off switch. It’s 24/7, 365, nights and weekends. Our clients are the top priority, but our parents showed us that you make time for all of your priorities. So, when they have an event, we’re there. They’re the reason that we wake up with a smile and excitement every day.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEY ASHFORD PHOTOGRAPHY
745 N. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville 864.616.3988, 864.458.SOLD ChetAndBethSmith.com
Last year when we spoke with Alex Crigler, his life was about to change. He and his wife Ellis were about to make a move within Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices/C. Dan Joyner Co. Realtors, where Alex previously worked as Broker-In-Charge of C. Dan Joyner Property Management Co. Inc. and in commercial and residential sales for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, and Ellis worked as a residential Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, to lead The Chet & Beth Smith Group, one of the most successful residential real estate teams in the history of our area.
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MASSAGE ENVY Keep your body working
If there was ever a time when we could all use a little self-care, it’s now. This is why it’s a good thing that Massage Envy has three locations in Greenville, offering not just massage therapy but also advanced body and skincare, kinesiology tape, assisted stretch, chemical peels, facial waxing, facials for men and women, and a lot more. It’s also a good thing that things are returning to normal. “Our members and guests have returned after supporting us during the hardest part of 2020,” says Caroline Taylor, co-owner of the Greenville locations. “Most of them had actually come back by last fall. Things are going very well this year. We were very fortunate overall last year. It was hard, but we were able to get through it with the help of our managers and staff—and so we’re excited.” Don Taylor, Massage Envy’s other coowner, says that human connection and self-care have become more important than ever in the aftermath of 2020. “Our business is really based on human connection,” he says, “and as we knew in 2020, that was an area where people really suffered, and that’s what we’re all about. I think that’s why our demand is rebounding so well, because people missed that human connection.”
“People still need to do things for themselves,” Caroline adds. “I think that honestly, all of that stress has motivated people to take care of the people who matter to them. And from a customer standpoint, I think that there’s been a combination of excitement and relief when they’ve come back. We’ve had some members come in and were literally giddy to see their therapist. And we’ve already recovered this year to nearly pre-COVID levels; in fact, we’re actively hiring!” Don and Caroline add that Massage Envy has gone above and beyond to ensure that their therapists and members are as safe as possible. “We worked with an environmental health agency to be able to reopen safely,” Caroline says. “We pretty quickly implemented new enhanced safety and disinfecting procedures that our staff and clients alike have embraced and appreciated. “Health care professionals have come in and been very impressed with the standards that we have set for health considerations,” Don says. “People are feeling a lot more comfortable with a direct contact business like Massage Envy. We really want to thank our members, guests, and our employees, who stuck with us to help us get through it.”
ESTABLISHED: 2007 DID YOU KNOW? Massage Envy’s engagement with the Greenville area goes beyond their services at their Upstate locations: “We take being a contributing part of our community seriously, participating with Relay For Life in honor of our own employees undergoing cancer treatments. It’s been rewarding to come together as a team.” WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “We are inspired by all the people that worked through the pandemic and took risks to provide us with healthcare, food, and services.”
101 Verdae Blvd., Ste 900, Greenville | 864.675.1155 120 N. Laurens St., Suite 100, Greenville | 864. 520.1111 3714 Pelham Rd., Greenville | 864.288.1150 MassageEnvy.com 6 6
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ESTABLISHED: 2019
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DID YOU KNOW? StretchLab now has a MAPS machine that uses 3D sensors to detect anything from arthritis to hip flexor problems to general tightness. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “This has been such a great journey,” says Gondi of starting StretchLab. “I’m glad we took this jump and did this. It’s been so much more than a business.”
1922 Augusta St., Greenville 864.808.3125 | StretchLab.com
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STRETCHLAB Live long and set your body free StretchLab has become part of the Greenville community since opening in 2019. That’s when Ashley and Thomas Gondi, owners of the local StretchLab, brought a new phenomenon to the Upstate. Since then, with the help of General Manager Luke McClellan and the knowledgeable flexologists, people of all ages and needs have been flocking to the assisted-stretching studio. Gondi lives within walking distance of her studio on Augusta Road, and she’s passionate about her business and her community. After trying an assisted-stretching routine while on vacation, the Gondis felt like a million bucks. After some research, she found that stretching can have incredible benefits for the elderly. “After our first 75-year-old member tried our guided stretching routine, she was able to play on the floor with her grandchildren for the first time in years,” Gondi says. “I knew I had made the right choice and wanted to share that with the entire community.”
listen to our members talk about how much better they feel when they get off our bench,” says Gondi, who says that assisted stretching can benefit everyone. For Gondi, StretchLab has become so much more than a business. “I know our members, their children, their grandchildren and their stories because they’ve been coming back since we opened.” Just as stretching has become part of many people’s everyday routine, these clients have become like family to Gondi and the flexologists at StretchLab. After having to close for eight weeks during the pandemic, people were eager to get back to the studio. “People missed us,” Gondi says. “But with the help of the community, we’re stronger than ever.”
In 2019, Gondi opened StretchLab, which provides clients with assisted stretching to increase flexibility, improve balance, extend range of motion and even improve sleep. Those who have tried it just keep coming back. “It’s wonderful to sit on our benches and
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GENCO POOLS AND SPAS
From backyard getaways to commercial paradises For more than 30 years, Genco Pools and Spas has been the premiere installer for luxury pools, spas and water features in the Upstate. Whether it’s in a new hotel complex or a backyard in need of some recreation, Genco’s innovative pools can enhance any space. Todd Edwards, director of sales and business development and marketing, says, “Genco is the pool company of the Upstate. We often get asked to build what no one else can, so many of our pools are unparalleled in South Carolina.”
changed the way pools are designed and constructed.” The rest of Genco’s family is Brandon Parrott, Amber Boehm, Jeremiah Tanuminjada, Wendy Bradley and Farrell Edwards. The team is built on the hard work of Dan Ball, the owner who started as a lifeguard at the age of 15 before building one of the most innovative pool companies in the Southeast.
The experts at Genco are second to none, and their willingness to think outside the box has led to some of the most unique creations in the area. Pieter Vorster, design team leader, takes customers’ dreams and makes them into an executable design. “Over the years I’ve been here, I’ve found Genco to be a family,” Vorster says. “You don’t just buy a pool from us, but you get a friendship as well—a friendship that lasts longer than any pool you can buy.”
One of Genco’s newest projects is the first Goldfish Swim School in South Carolina, located at 607 Haywood Road in Greenville. With a 50,000-gallon pool, Goldfish provides a safe place for beginning swimmers aged from 4 months to 12 years. Bill Baker, coowner of Goldfish in Greenville, was a swimmer growing up. He says, “Our entire team is committed to the cause of teaching swim instruction and we believe we are doing it on the bestavailable platform in a fun colorful environment and with a proven curriculum.”
Rusty Sabo, operations manager at Genco, takes Pieter’s ideas and makes them a reality. “What sets us apart is our ability to construct high-end projects,” Sabo comments. “We build everything from backyard pools to waterparks.” Once it’s time for shovels to hit the dirt, construction manager Josh Laughlin takes the lead. “I’ve been here a long time,” says Laughlin. “And it’s been amazing to see how we’ve
The teamwork between Genco and Goldfish has created a state-of-the-art facility that welcomes the whole family. “Genco has been a great partner, not only in their construction, but they have stayed with us through start-up to make sure the facility operates at a high level,” says Baker. “They have been an important guide, and we look forward to working with them in the future as we expand to other parts of the state.”
ESTABLISHED: 1983 QUOTED: “It’s great for the Greenville community,” says Tiffany Keyser, General Manager at Goldfish. “Our swimmers get more individual attention in an environment that is tailored just for them.” Todd reiterates by saying, “being a part of an industry that creates environments to relieve pandemic tensions is extremely inspiring.”
1217 NE Main St., Simpsonville
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
ELITE TOTAL FITNESS Dedicated training that drives results
Rachael Baldassarra and Brandon Bennett are changing the way athletes and fitnessminded individuals train in the Upstate. When they met five years ago, the duo knew they had complementary skills and a passion for fitness that could make a difference in the community. Rachael’s background in business operations and management and Brandon’s success as a professional athlete made them the perfect team to open Elite Total Fitness, an innovative training facility in Simpsonville. “We were just two people with the same mission who came together and created something really cool,” says Rachael. “We took the best of every gym we went to, and then we got rid of everything we didn’t like about gyms.” Elite Total Fitness provides a unique opportunity for athletes attempting to maximize their potential. Instead of a membershipstyle gym, the facility uses a personal training model that helps new clients get confident in working out and helps experienced clients reach their peak fitness goals. “We can tailor our workouts to meet anybody’s goals,” Rachael says. In addition to fitness training, they offer on-site recovery services to include Normatec Compression Leg Sleeves and Hydrotherapy Contrast Hot/Cold Tubs. Rachael says, “Young athletes are working really hard, and they don’t always know how important recovery is to avoid
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injuries. We provide that guidance and the equipment they need.” Rachael and Brandon have extensive fitness and athletic backgrounds. Rachael is a fitness native who recently ran her first half-marathon. Brandon was a three-sport letterman at Riverside High School, where he was state Player of the Year, and recruited as the #2 running back in the country. He played four years at the University of South Carolina, was inducted into the USC Hall of Fame in 2004, honored as an SEC legend in 2011, and played for 10 years in the NFL for several teams. Rachael and Brandon have made fitness training a part of their personal and family lives. Rachael has four children—Tessa, a tennis player at Greenville Tennis Academy; Derek, an ice hockey player for the Carolina Rage; Angelo, a martial arts athlete; and Richard, a Junior Olympian in Judo. Brandon has two sons—Brandon Jr., who is a triple-long jumper at Limestone University, and Braydon, a football player and hurdler/sprinter at Coastal Carolina. Now, these two fitness professionals are sharing their expertise with the Upstate. In their beautiful 6,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, they are tailoring workouts to youth and adults in a family-like atmosphere. When athletes are ready to reach their elite potential, they can be found at Elite Total Fitness.
ESTABLISHED: 2021 DID YOU KNOW? Elite Total Fitness features personal training, sports performance training, group fitness training, and recovery services.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
300 South St., Simpsonville 864.280.9828 | EliteTotalFitness.com
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Making it easier to enjoy your toys Blake Jones is an avid outdoorsman who loves being out on the water more than just about anything else. That’s probably why he’s so good at his job: General Manager of Take Cover Storage, a unique facility that focuses on the needs of boat, camper and RV owners. In addition to secure, climate-controlled storage, Take Cover provides one-stop convenience with concierge services such as pre-use prep and post-use clean-up; refueling; maintenance, repairs and refurbishing; even transport and dockside delivery. “I think I have a general idea of what people would want if I was in their shoes,” Jones says. “They’re going to want their stuff ready and full of gas; they’re going to want their boats clean; 14
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they’re going to want the batteries to be charged. A lot of our clientele, they drive an hour and they don’t want to mess with anything else other than hooking up the boat or the RV and going.” It’s a pretty perfect setup, which makes one wonder why more places don’t take the comprehensive approach that Take Cover Storage does. “I think for the most part people are surprised about what we offer,” Jones says. “If they’ve never heard of us, they come in here thinking it’s just regular storage, and then they realize what kind of operation we have, and they are surprised. As far as I know, we’re the only business of our kind that’s doing it this way.”
ESTABLISHED: 2018 FUN FACT: Take Cover operates out of 220,000 square feet of repurposed space in the old Covidien factory.
1448 Blue Ridge Blvd., Seneca 864.608.9270 TakeCoverBoatAndRV.com
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Making it easier for people to enjoy an activity that I love so much myself.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
TAKE COVER STORAGE – BOAT CAMPER RV
VIRGINIA HAYES - REALTOR® Knowledgeable, passionate and client-focused Guided by a love of Greenville architecture and a background in marketing and public relations, Virginia Hayes decided to make the move to residential real estate in 2005. And it’s been a positive experience (and a whirlwind) ever since. “Real estate is such a rewarding job,” Virginia says. “Not only do I get to tour beautiful homes, but I’m an active part in helping people realize their dreams of home ownership. Guiding clients through one of the most important times in their life is pretty special.” Virginia has built her 16-year business primarily by referrals which she attributes to going the extra-mile for every client from first-time homebuyers and sellers to seasoned clients buying and selling multimillion-dollar properties.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
“No matter the price point, each client is equally important and deserves my full attention,” she says, “which is why I limit the number of buyers and sellers I represent at a time. This provides ample time for scouting out homes before they hit the market, availability for last-minute showing needs, and the ability to write offers quickly, which is often done from my car! To be successful in Greenville’s fastpaced and challenging real estate market, you need an agent that’s working hard for you 24/7.”
111 Williams St., Greenville 864.313.2986 vhayes@cbcaine.com VirginiaHayes.com
ESTABLISHED: 2005 WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Through hard work in my job and outreach in the community, I am making a positive difference in the lives of others.” DID YOU KNOW? Virginia’s been the Presenting Sponsor of Augusta Road Business Association’s annual “Summer on Augusta” festival since it began in 2013. LIVE LOCAL 2021
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DID YOU KNOW? Jacob Mann was named the #1 agent by volume for 2019 by the Greater Greenville Association of REALTORS®.
Your Greenville Realtor
When it’s time to find the right realtor for buying or selling your home, what’s on your shopping list? What are you looking for? Well, first off, you want someone who will work hard for you, like Jacob Mann, the consistently awarded # 1 agent in sales volume and units for Coldwell Banker Caine. “The market doesn’t determine how hard I work,” Mann says. “I determine that for my clients. I give 100% throughout all the seasons of real estate.” You’ll also want someone with experience, and the knowledge to get you the best possible outcome. “The reason you would go with someone like me as an agent is because of the experience I have in all types of markets for sellers and buyers,” Mann says, “and the strategies I use 16
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to help my clients win. In this market, you have to win in terms and conditions of a contract; it’s how you make your client stand above the other offers on the table. It is not just the price; it is also the conditions. My proven results as a seasoned agent help me put my clients in the best position.” And finally, your list should include someone with a personal touch. “You’re not just their employee for that three-month period of time,” Mann says. “You’re part of what is most likely their largest investment as a family. They trust in you and respect you. We win and succeed together. I’m about the whole family getting excited about this amazing opportunity.” Sounds like our shopping cart is full of just the right ingredients!
111 Williams St., Greenville 864.325.6266 jmann@cbcaine.com
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “To show my family, especially my wife and three sons, what being a dad, husband and loving your career is all about.” Call Jacob Mann today if you are looking to buy OR sell! 864-325-MANN.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
JACOB MANN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
ESTABLISHED: 2013 DID YOU KNOW? Client services manager Beth Munson has won the JoAnne Woodward Best Supporting Actress Award in Greenville nine times! WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “We’re inspired every day to do what’s best for our clients in every situation. It is also exciting to have been chosen to protect many businesses and development projects in Greenville’s beautiful downtown.”
CAINE HAYES INSURANCE AGENCY Dedicated to helping clients find the best solution for their insurance needs
119 Williams St. Greenville 864.551.4267 CaineHayes.com @cainehayesgreenville
Chris Hayes is living proof that you don’t necessarily have to know all along what you want to be when you grow up. The founder of the Caine Hayes Insurance Agency was already out of college before his current career came into the picture. “I’d always been around entrepreneurs and people who work for themselves,” Hayes says. “I went to the University of South Carolina, and studied marketing and management as an undergrad, and finance in graduate school. I still wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do when I graduated.” Hayes says that he more or less “fell
into insurance.” “I started with a firm called Horace Mann, that caters to the insurance and financial needs of educators,” he says. “I was with them for 12 years and fell in love with helping people protect their families. I am a people person that enjoys problem solving, so insurance is a perfect fit for me. Starting my own agency was the logical next step. Caine Hayes Insurance offers over 100 different insurance carriers, and we know that we can find the best solution for each client. We have a great team in place to help individuals, families, and businesses alike.”
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HOSKINS FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY Personalized dental care
Dr. Chris Hoskins wants his patients to feel like family when they enter his office, so he and his team have created a positive and empathetic atmosphere at Hoskins Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. From his own experience, he knows that many people struggle with anxiety when going to the dentist, and he’s committed to relieving that anxiety for his patients. “I had a lot of bad experiences as a kid when going to the dentist,” says Dr. Hoskins. “I was extremely fearful, but I finally went to a dentist who was patient, kind and didn’t cause any pain. That’s why I became a dentist. I wanted to give that positive experience to other people.” To create a family atmosphere, Dr. Hoskins has assembled a team he calls “all-stars”—Sandy, Ashley, Lindsey M., Lindsey E., Samantha, Allison and Shannon. He also counts on his wife, Carrie, for his bookkeeping. Most of his team has been with him for many years and—like his patients—have become like family.
Chris and Carrie Hoskins have two sons—Christopher Jr., who participates in Scouts, fishing and guitar; and Hollis, who is involved with Scouts, soccer and golf. And the broader “family” continues to grow with each patient that walks into Hoskins Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.
429 Roper Mountain Rd. Building 300, Greenville 864.458.3005 HoskinsDentistry.com
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “I’m inspired by seeing the look on people’s faces when they see their new smile for the first time or when we can relieve pain they’ve been struggling with. That makes it all worth it.” — Dr. Hoskins
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEY ASHFORD PHOTOGRAPHY
As a Fellow of the Las Vegas Institute of Cosmetic and Neuromuscular Dentistry, Dr. Hoskins stays on the cutting-edge of
technological innovation in the field. “We live in an amazing time in dentistry right now,” he says. “We are constantly innovating ways to treat those patients that nobody knew how to treat before.” That includes new techniques in treating TMJ pain and headaches.
ESTABLISHED: 2007
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JORDAN LUMBER COMPANY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BONFIRE VISUALS
FOUNDED: 1934 WHAT INSPIRES YOU? The familybusiness is inspired by “continuing three generations of excellence through integrity, fair pricing, and a hands-on commitment to customer satisfaction.”
Serving builders, independent installers, and homeowners
104 Rutherford Rd., Greenville 864.232.9686 JordanLumberCompany.com
If you’re looking for hardwood flooring— traditional or exotic, retail or custom—Jordan Lumber Company has it all. The family-owned company, flourishing since its founding in 1934 by C.G. Jordan, specializes in hardwood flooring, serving builders, independent installers and homeowners. “There are a lot of years of experience in the family,” said David Sweeny, who joined the family and the business after marrying into the Jordan family. Now a vice president, he has been proudly working for 19 years alongside his brother-in-law, vice president Keith Jordan, and his father-in-law, president and owner Gary Jordan. Ben Greene has been in the industry for 15 years and brings his experience to the sales and marketing at Jordan Lumber. “When you’ve got a family-owned and
operated business, the service is different,” David said. “We’re all in the business together, and that creates a trust and a connection with our customers.” As with any long-successful company, Jordan Lumber has adapted to meet the market trends, offering a wide range of options, including wide plank, long length, prefinished, unfinished, European White Oak, live sawn, solid and engineered. “We install a wide array of hardwood floors to meet any taste,” said Keith, who joined the family business in 1997 after graduating from Clemson University. “We have high-quality employees across the board who are very respectful of our customers and their homes,” Keith says. “We treat them well and they treat us well. We really enjoy operating in the Upstate market.” LIVE LOCAL 2021
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Committed to promoting voluntarism and developing the potential of women For more than 90 years, the Junior League of Greenville (JLG) has supported community growth and effected local changes. The organization has been at the forefront of development for many programs and institutions in education, health care and the arts. Today, the JLG’s 1,200 members dedicate their talents to voluntarism, supporting initiatives that help women overcome barriers, and focus on human trafficking and economic mobility. Members also increase their skill sets with training, grow professionally as leaders and connect with other women. Based on national research studies, Greenville has been noted as one of the most challenging places in the country for someone born into poverty to climb the economic ladder. The JLG believes strong and thoughtful partnerships are the most effective way to create lasting community change. As a nonprofit, members make sure to respond to the needs of 20
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Greenville while remaining true to their mission. Throughout their history, the JLG has helped start many organizations, supported over 300 agencies, contributed over $3 million in funds and provided countless hours of volunteer service to the community. There is still so much more to come but they aren’t just looking back proudly at what they have done; they’re looking forward to what they can do in the future.
120 Greenacre Rd. Greenville 864.233.2663 JLGreenville.org
ESTABLISHED: 1929 FUN FACT: The JLG is proud to work with its Community Impact partners: Pendleton Place, The Family Effect, SWITCH and Jasmine Road. DID YOU KNOW? Not everyone knows JLG has had a retail shop for more than 70 years! It’s their largest fundraiser. The Nearly New Shop is located off Laurens Road and is an outlet for the community to purchase great quality clothes and housewares.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEY ASHFORD PHOTOGRAPHY
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF GREENVILLE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
HILLTOP OF GREENVILLE MEMORY CARE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Memory care as it should be – focused on the individual ESTABLISHED: 2017 WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “This is a little bit of paying it forward and there’s some good karma coming in. Hopefully if I ever needed it, someone would do the same for me.” — Nick Jasmon
Caring for patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia is one thing; soothing them is another. Hilltop of Greenville Memory Care, an Assisted Living Community on Pelham Road, is a meticulously planned community designed to do both. “Everything in the building is purposely designed,” says Nick Jasmon of American Healthcare Management Group, LP., the company that manages Hilltop of Greenville, “including the lighting. There’s a condition called sundowning, where a lot of behavior that can come with dementia or Alzheimer’s happens when the sun is rising, or the sun is setting. So we make sure that during those times, our residents typically are having their meals. We make sure that there are activities and spaces where we can
limit that amount of light.” That’s not the only conscious design choice that Hilltop of Greenville made to ensure their residents’ well-being. “We created a building where basically no matter which way you go, you’re going to walk somewhat into a circle so that you can’t get lost,” Jasmon says. “It’s not like you can get stuck at the end of a hallway.” Jasmon says that the residents deserve that extra consideration. “This is the greatest generation,” he says. “They built this country. They are the ones that went to war. They paved the way for all of us to have all of the great opportunities and the great things that we have. So we would be remiss to not want to take care of them.”
352 Pelham Rd., Greenville 864.558.0383 | MemoryCareOfGreenville.com LIVE LOCAL 2021
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NEVAEH REALTY Serving Greenville, Spartanburg, Greer, Taylors, and Travelers Rest since 2009
ESTABLISHED: 2009 DID YOU KNOW?
Kenneth and Nikki Copeland have spent the last 12 years building Nevaeh Realty into a one-stop for all your real estate needs. They’ve handled listings from $50,000 to $1,000,000, and they build and flip houses, too.
work, driving through communities, knocking on doors, just to tell them who I was. I didn’t have any listings handed to me; I laid that foundation myself to try to get established as a realtor. And I just kept using those methods as we grew.”
“We’ve been around since 2009,” Kenneth Copeland says. “We opened our company in the middle of a recession, but we’re still going strong.”
Kenneth adds that Nevaeh Realty also builds and flips houses because the more diversity an agency has, the better.
Neither of the Copelands is a stranger to the hard work it takes to get a house sold, bought or built. “I was with a larger franchise before we stepped out on faith and started our boutique real estate firm,” Nikki says. “I did a lot of leg
“I feel like you have to have your hands in more than one pot,” he says. “You have to have different streams of income and you have to be willing to get out and do the work; you have to get your hands dirty sometimes to survive.”
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “The key ingredient is God. I keep God first. If God is not involved, I don’t do it.” — Kenneth Copeland
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEY ASHFORD PHOTOGRAPHY
806 W. Wade Hampton Blvd. B, Greer 864.469.3599 NevaehRealty.com
Kenneth recently graduated from Greenville Tech with honors, earning a degree in Building Construction Technology.
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ROBINSON FUNERAL HOMES & MEMORIAL GARDENS PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Opening new doors and remembering the moments ESTABLISHED: 1875 DID YOU KNOW? The new expansion creates 200 new crypts, 368 cremation niches and more than 2,500 new ground burial spaces.
1425 Powdersville Rd., Easley 864.442.1800 RobinsonFuneralHomes.com
Robinson Funeral Home is one of the oldest family-owned businesses in the Upstate. Nearing 150 years of helping people say goodbye to their loved ones, the company maintains its tradition of caring, but continues to grow and change to reflect the needs of the Upstate. One important aspect of that is Robinson Memorial Gardens, which has just undergone a large expansion of more than four acres. Robinson Memorial Gardens offers a variety of options, including glass-front niches, a Veterans Garden of Honor, Chapel of Reflection Mausoleum, and plots overlooking more than 80 acres of rolling green hills. The new garden mausoleum offers even more options for Upstate families, including a pavilion that is one of the most unique in the area. Designed for graveside committal services, the
pavilion features a state-of-the-art sound system. “We’re here to provide a comfortable place for families to have a meaningful service that honors their loved ones,” says Chris Robinson, managing owner and a fourth-generation funeral director. “We want them to be able to share memories and remember the moments.” With full-service funeral homes in downtown Easley, Powdersville Road and Central-Clemson Commons, plus Robinson Memorial Gardens being easily accessible to each, Robinson can assist families throughout the Upstate as they honor and celebrate their loved ones. As they have for more than a century, Robinson Funeral Homes is opening its doors to the community, providing them an environment to remember the moments.
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FOSTER VICTOR WEALTH ADVISORS We do things a bit differently
We’ve talked before about Foster Victor’s team approach, and if any year ever called for some good old-fashioned teamwork, it was 2020. So rather than cutting anyone from the team, they went in the other direction and expanded, in a couple of different ways. “It was a tough year,” says Kylie Felker, Principal & Chief Operating Officer of Foster Victor, “but we just tried to remind ourselves that we’re a business that’s going to have a long future, and we wanted to continue to invest in an organization that would attract top talent.” So the team moved to a bigger stadium, if you will. The building, originally known as the Hayne School building, has history dating back to 1919. The Foster Victor team loved the idea of reimagining a landmark and enjoyed preserving a piece of Greenville’s past. “We opened a new corporate headquarters on Toy Sreet, in the Pettigru (Historic) District,” Felker says. “We put in amazing outdoor deck areas, we
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included top-of-the-line tech and we added a bipolar Ionization air system that would clean the building regularly and keep air as pollutant-free as possible.” Once they invested in new digs, it only made sense to do some recruiting. “Within the last year, we’ve added five new specialists to our team,” Felker says. “So we now have 23 team members, with diverse backgrounds and expertise working to provide a well-rounded client experience.” And unlike a lot of other franchises, Felker says that Foster Victor kept their team out on the field competing, as safely as they could. “We really focused on getting people back into the office where we could build camaraderie in a safe way,” she says. “We put protocols in place that enabled us to grow and thrive as a team every day.” Foster Victor is grateful for the opportunity to continue quarterbacking planning services for families and business owners alike and looks forward to their best year yet.
ESTABLISHED: 2016 QUOTE: “Building a thriving organization is dependent on finding great team members. We want to surround ourselves and our clients with positive energy and professionalism.” WHAT INSPIRES US? “Making an impact in the lives of our clients and the overall community.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
10 Toy St., Suite 200, Greenville | 864.720.2000 | FosterVictorWA.com
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ESTABLISHED: 1996
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BONFIRE VISUALS
DID YOU KNOW: From day one we have always strived to not only service the professional trade but everyone in between,” Phillips says. “This philosophy started out of a small brick warehouse on Laurens Road where a Napa Auto Parts stands today and these values still holds true today.”
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WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “How do we as a team take this wonderful business the Martins built to the next level?”
200 Industrial Dr., Greenville 864.232.2545 | ProSourceSupply.com
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PROSOURCE Plumbing, lighting and hardware As attractive as ProSource’s massive 89,000-square-foot warehouse with a 10,000-square-foot state-of-the-art showroom is, it’s the counter sales and inside sales teams that keep ProSource going. ProSource offers a wide selection of plumbing fixtures, door and cabinet hardware and lighting, and they need people who can get all those items to their customers, whether it’s face-to-face at the counter or at the job site. “If our customer is needing material quickly, they’re going to come to our counter and grab what they need and take it straight to their job,” says Drew Roberts, ProSource’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our counter folks, if you think about it, are very much our customer-facing front line. And you have to have the ability to serve the customer very well because sometimes you have to deliver bad news. You have to be able to handle problems in a much more delicate manner than say on the phone or behind an email.” “I like to say that the counter is where I fell in love with the industry many years ago in 2004,” says ProSource’s VP of Operations, Kevin Phillips. “You meet all different types of people with different backgrounds. It’s a very rewarding job, in my opinion.” Inside sales takes a different skill set, Roberts says.
“You have to be very technical,” he says. “You have to know where to look for the resources. Generally if there’s going to be researching that needs to be done or ordering material, a lot of that comes from the inside sales.” “Someone in inside sales typically has to work up to that position,” Phillips adds. “There are a lot of details.” Regardless of the specific position, there is one philosophy that ProSource has operated from since 1996. “I firmly subscribe to the fact that the name on the side of the building isn’t important,” Roberts says. “It’s the people inside the building that drive the customer loyalty. ProSource by itself is just a name. It’s the people inside our business that make it special.” “When I started at ProSource, the previous owners, Grover and Tonya Martin, treated me like family,” Phillips says. “And I think that still holds true to this day. I know about my guys. I know the names of their wives and their kids. They’re not just a number to me. They never have been, and they never will be.”
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Exceptional Agents. Exceptional Results. Spaulding Group was the #1 team in 2020 among all C. Dan Joyner offices in the Upstate. Team leader Carole Atkison attributes this outstanding achievement to her team’s commitment to excellence and dedication to their clients. Atkison has been a realtor since 1987 and says she has never experienced anything like the current market. Due to low inventory and a hot market, Atkison says that buying a home can be very competitive. “Many sellers are receiving multiple offers,” she says, “so it is extremely beneficial for our agents to help our clients navigate these situations successfully. We are committed to providing top-notch service and a successful 28
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transaction for our clients.” Spaulding Group was ranked the #21 large team in gross commission income and #20 in units for 2020 in the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices worldwide network of over 45,000 agents. “Our success is a result of repeat business from loyal clients and referrals,” Atkison says. Agents – Front row: Hailey Miller, Susan Waters, Margaret Marcum, Carole Atkison, Debbie Levato, Heather Tiller; Middle Row: Olivia Grube, Melissa RossMerkel, Kem Swenson, Lapaula Lanier, Pam McCartney, Leigh Irwin, Marie Crumpler; Back Row: Alneshia Sudduth, Kate Anderson, Susan Tallman, Garrett Todd, Susan Raynal; Not pictured: Becky Orders, Toni Leopard, Diana Slashinski, Shelby Jordan, Christina Grube
745 N. Pleasantburg Dr. Greenville 864.787.1067
ESTABLISHED: 1987 DID YOU KNOW? Carole Atkinson’s former real estate company, Spaulding Company, merged with C. Dan Joyner Realtors in 2009. She became team leader of Spaulding Group. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “I am inspired by my team’s willingness to help and support each other. Their hard work and dedication during the unprecedented circumstances of the past year have been truly inspirational.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEY ASHFORD PHOTOGRAPHY
SPAULDING GROUP - BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES C. DAN JOYNER, REALTORS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
ESTABLISHED: 2002 FUN FACT: Two Men and a Truck now has two buildings – one for staff and regular household goods storage and another just for designer services – which expanded their storage ability. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Our focus is employees who love us, customers who trust us and profits that make a difference in our community.” — Rebecca Feldman
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Movers who care When Bryan Feldman started working as a mover at Two Men and a Truck more than two decades ago, he had no idea how much the company would grow. He also didn’t know at the time that he would own 13 franchises across the Southeast. He and his wife, Rebecca, have expanded their franchises over the years, but they’ve called Greenville home since they bought their first one in 2002. While Two Men and a Truck is well-known in the Upstate as a top-notch moving company, the Feldmans have grown the business into much more. With junk hauling services and storage space for renovations or designers, Two Men and a Truck is making people’s lives easier. “We really can problem-solve for
people,” says Rebecca. “It’s not just about what we offer. It’s about how we can help you. You tell us what you need, and we’ll find a way to help.” The Feldmans are committed to helping because their community means so much to them. They have two children who attend St. Joseph’s—Reid, a freshman soccer player, and Caroline, an eighth-grade dancer. “We love Greenville,” Rebecca says. “It’s a wonderful town to raise our children, and we just want to impact things positively.”
107 Sandra Ave., Greenville 864.329.1228 | TwoMen.com
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SAMSON STONE
Stone, stucco and masonry installer For Silas Lewis, building Samson Stone into the largest stone installer in the Upstate comes down to one thing—building relationships. Over the last 15 years, Samson Stone has become a reliable part of the area’s construction industry with high-end stonework and unmatched communication. “The construction industry has continued to thrive in our area, so we have grown with it,” says Lewis. “We’ve expanded our team and strengthened relationships with suppliers in our region.” Developing those relationships helped Samson Stone continue work through a chaotic 2020, when the pandemic shut down many businesses. Working closely with the people who own the land where the materials come out of the ground allowed Samson Stone to continue providing homebuilders and homeowners with top-notch stonework even when supply chains were strained.
Samson Stone’s work can be seen all over the Upstate. In addition to hundreds of residential homes, their remarkable stonework can be found at the Kroc Center, Cancer Survivors Park in downtown Greenville, Lakeside Lodges in Clemson and the pool house at Greenville Country Club. “We create masterpieces by working together with our clients,” Lewis adds. “Whatever vision the client sees, they give us the idea, and we help them turn it into reality.”
205 E. Lee Rd., Taylors 864.729.3538 #SamsonStoneSC
ESTABLISHED: 2005 WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “We are inspired by providing the ‘wow’ factor. When we see how happy our clients are, that’s what inspires us.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
“We were able to weather the storm because of the communication and close relationships we have with our suppliers,” says Lewis, who says his company is a priority for those
suppliers and his team talks regularly with them. “We carry those same values over to our clients. We want to be transparent in our communication to form a solid relationship with them.”
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MELISSA MORRELL Greenville’s Agent 24/7
Melissa Morrell is no stranger to being the best. She’s been the No. 1 Individual Agent for all of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner Realtors for 10 consecutive years. But this past year, she wanted to hit that mark again. Not because she’s highly competitive (though she’ll happily admit she is), but to pay tribute to two very special people in her life. “I’m probably going to cry,” Morrell says, “but winning the award for the 10th year in a row was absolutely priceless.” And as she told her story, sure enough, the tears came. “Last year, I lost my broker, Fritzi Barbour,” Morrell says. “She joined our company seven years ago and she fought ovarian cancer, twice. She died on July 7th, and it rocked me. I had also lost my mother to breast cancer in 2014. Fritzi was just very much like my mother. She was a mentor, she was a friend, she’s one of the smartest ladies I’ve ever met in my life.” Morrell thought she should pay tribute to her beloved mentor by doing what she does best. “I decided I’m going to sell 77 homes this year,’” she says. “I wanted to honor July 7th for Fritzi, and I felt like she’d be proud of that. It was attainable yet aggressive in the middle of a pandemic. So on December 31st, I counted everything up and I went, ‘Oh my, I beat it.’ I sold 83 homes.” And it turns out that 83 was a pretty important number, too.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
“I realized that 77+6 = 83,” she says, still choking back tears. “My mother battled stage 4 breast cancer for six years and 2020 was the sixth year she had been gone. So, I could absolutely honor Fritzi and my mother at the same time.”
864.918.1734 GreenvilleAgent247.com
ESTABLISHED: 2003 DID YOU KNOW? In 2021, Melissa and her husband Tony celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary AND their 50th birthdays. Plus, their oldest daughter (Ashley) graduated from college; their middle daughter (Hannah) graduated from high school; and their youngest son (Ty) will enter high school in the fall. What a year!
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KEEL CONCEPTS Architectural design firm with projects ranging from commercial upfit to multi-family residential KEEL Concepts is an Upstate architecture firm that designs just about any type of building. With heavy experience in restaurants, breweries, commercial upfit, automotive, industrial, fitness facilities and multifamily residential, KEEL maintains a nimble practice completing projects throughout the Southeast. The beating heart of KEEL Concepts is the friendship between Joe Delaney and Adam Roberts. Interestingly enough, Roberts was once Delaney’s replacement many years ago. “I was working at a firm here in town,” Delaney says, “and I was preparing to leave for grad school, so they hired Adam to take my place. After graduation, I came back to the firm and he was still working there, and we quickly became friends.” So when Delaney decided to go out on his own in 2016 there was only one person he wanted to take with him. “After about a year of practicing on my own, I talked Adam into jumping out with me,” Delaney says. “And he joined in the summer of 2017 and we officially became KEEL Concepts at that point.” Roberts says that it’s not just their friendship that makes his partnership with Delaney work. “I’m the more technical guy of the two,” Roberts says. “So I keep a close eye on nuts and bolts and the details, but Joe always has the big picture in his mind. That’s where we balance each other out.”
631 Augusta St., Greenville 864.900.2262 KEELConcepts.com
DID YOU KNOW? KEEL concepts founded the Joe Barron Classic golf tournament which in the past five years has raised over $250,000 to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Simply put: integrity and hard work. We want to go to bed at night knowing we put forth our best effort for our clients, our neighbors and our families.” 32
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY BONFIRE VISUALS
ESTABLISHED: 2016
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
ADAM PETERSON Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
ESTABLISHED: 2017 FUN FACT: Adam was ranked #36 out of more than 1,200 new agents nationwide in his first year for State Farm. DID YOU KNOW? “I’m inspired by taking care of my customers as I would my own family,” — Adam Peterson
Adam Peterson is the perfect local example of State Farm’s nationwide motto—“Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” For the last several years, Peterson has built a reputation in the Greenville area for maintaining a focus on relationships in a market that is increasingly moving online. “Keeping that customer relationship is important to us,” says Peterson. “Our clients know they have someone in their corner they can rely on from a service standpoint.”
Upstate has helped him keep those kind of clients. In addition to helping the community in their times of need, Peterson is working to help develop other State Farm agents through the Aspirant Program. By mentoring newer agents, he is able to extend his message of the importance of personal customer relationships. Whether it’s customers in an accident or aspiring agents needing help, Adam Peterson is there in every time of need.
When the unthinkable happens, Peterson’s customers take solace in knowing who is on the other end of the phone. “We want to earn our customers’ business and keep them for the long-term,” he says, adding that the trust he has built in the
517 South Pleasantburg Dr., Suite C, Greenville 864.605.7733 | SFSouthCarolina.com LIVE LOCAL 2021
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JMONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
THE FAMILY EFFECT
ESTABLISHED: 2008 WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Our clients – seeing resilient women, like Faith, overcome so many challenges and grow into their own strength.” DID YOU KNOW? Treating the family as a whole rather than just the parent or the child helps to truly break the generational cycle of addiction.
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Heal a family and we all get better When Faith came to Serenity Place in August, she was scared. Her life had been marked by trauma: she had survived human trafficking, lost a son to a stillborn death, and lost her father and her stepmother to a deadly car accident. Faith had been in an accident herself and miraculously survived. Faith was struggling, constantly questioning her self worth. She had overdosed six times and was living without stable income and housing. When Faith learned she was pregnant, she was inspired to begin recovery — if not for herself, then for her baby. With determination and the support of her baby’s father and a friend, Faith began treatment. As Faith progressed, she graduated from Serenity Place and
moved to LOTUS, a transitional program that helps clients bridge the gap between life and treatment. She completes the program in April and will be moving with her baby, Sophia, into an apartment. “I never thought I’d be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Faith states, but because both “[Sophia] came into my life and [because of] the opportunity that Serenity Place and LOTUS gave me, I have a bright and beautiful future and so does my daughter.”
1400 Cleveland St. Greenville 864.467.3790 | TheFamilyEffect.org
THE PHOENIX CENTER Not-for-profit substance use treatment For 10 years, Derik identified as someone struggling with substance use disorder. Every day consisted of eat, sleep, breathe, morphine. Longterm recovery seemed to be an intangible goal as all attempts at detox, treatment centers and counseling were unsuccessful. In February of 2018, Derik voluntarily admitted himself into detox one last time. Derik was right; this would be his last time at detox and simultaneously, his new beginning. A staff member at detox told Derik about Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) offered through the Phoenix Center. MAT was Derik’s life raft and for the first time, recovery was anything but an impossible feat. Derik recalls telling his wife Sara about this opportunity to partake in MAT and the tears they shed together … tears of hope. Once completed with detox, Derik embarked on this new journey. With the assistance of medication, counseling and grouptherapy, Derik was on a straight path for healthy, long-term recovery.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JMONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Fast forward three years and Derik continues to embody the meaning of strength and perseverance. With the support of his wife, Derik is an advocate for MAT and a living example of the potential that medicated assisted treatment can offer. Derik’s story is one of triumph over tragedy.
1400 Cleveland St., Greenville 864.467.3790 PhoenixCenter.org
ESTABLISHED: 1973 FUN FACT: Derik and Sara were featured by The Phoenix Center in last year’s Live Local guide, and we wanted to feature them again to celebrate another year of success for the two of them! WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “We are inspired by those we serve because facing your substance use is scary and challenging, so it takes a lot of courage to make a change.” LIVE LOCAL 2021
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
COMFORT KEEPERS
ESTABLISHED: 2006
Care at home when it’s needed most In a year when almost everyone felt alone, Comfort Keepers made sure that seniors in the Upstate had the care and companionship they needed. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down most of the world, the caregivers at Comfort Keepers made adjustments, went to work and continued caring for their clients. “We kept our clients from feeling isolated,” says Erin Couchell, local owner of Comfort Keepers. “We brought joy into clients’ homes when they couldn’t see their children or go to church.” Comfort Keepers provides seniors with personalized care in the comfort of their own homes, allowing them to be safe and independent. While the pandemic put many senior care
communities on lockdown, Comfort Keepers was able to adapt and keep seeing their clients. “That’s one of the unique things with home care,” says Erin. “We’ve been able to step up and help change our clients’ lives in very positive ways.” Erin and her husband, Chris, have owned the franchise for 15 years, and they credit the dedication of their caregivers for the life-changing care they are able to provide. “The pure grit and determination of all our employees is inspiring,” Erin says. “They don’t let fear get in the way.”
1200 Haywood Rd., Greenville | 864.268.8993 ComfortKeepers.com 36
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DID YOU KNOW? The Spartanburg and Greenville franchises were again recognized in 2020 with the President’s Club Award, celebrating the top 25 Comfort Keepers locations across the country. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Senior isolation was so difficult for so many this year. We weren’t just caregivers; we were joy-makers.” — Erin Couchell
ESTABLISHED: 2006
MOBIUS CONSTRUCTION Residential design and build
DID YOU KNOW? The company name is inspired by the mathematical Mobius strip. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Seeing the finished product. One of the nice things about my job is that there is something concrete to reflect on at the end of it. That’s the cool part about my job.” – Matt Ruth
If you want to see any of the stylish, beautiful houses that Matt Ruth and his company Mobius Construction have built, just head over to the Augusta Road area. There are open, naturally lit, spacious Matt Ruth-designed houses about as far as the eye can see. Matt and his wife Wendi, a realtor, live on Sunset Drive, along with a lot of satisfied Mobius Construction customers.
Of course, what else would you expect from someone who’s been doing this since childhood? “The first house I ever drew was when I was like eight years old,” Matt says. “So I’ve always enjoyed doing the drawing. I enjoy doing most of my own design because building the home on paper gives me some key insight into building it on site.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEY ASHFORD PHOTOGRAPHY
720 S. Washington Ave., Greenville 864.444.4263 | Mocollc.com
“We’ve built and renovated a lot of homes within a quarter mile of where we’re sitting. We did our first project in the Augusta Road market in 2009 and we have been living, designing, and building in this area ever since,” Matt says.
“Matt’s homes speak for themselves,” Wendi adds. “They’re very open with lots of natural light, and they’re very comfortable to live in. They’re really great houses for the way people like to live today.”
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAMERON REYNOLDS
JILL CHAPMAN — BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES C. DAN JOYNER, REALTORS Buying or selling — not cutting corners For REALTOR Jill Chapman, actions speak louder than words. It’s her belief that agents should show clients they care. Chapman says, “My clients know by my actions that they always come first, not my paycheck.”
drone videos, Chapman won’t cut corners. She mentions, “It’s my name that goes on the sign in the yard. Cutting corners does not save anything.”
On July 3, Chapman will celebrate her 14th anniversary in passionate pursuit of real estate. Chapman says, “When picking an agent, pick one that truly loves what they do. I love what I do and who I do it with. If you don’t love your career, change it. You must pursue what excites and fulfills you.”
There isn’t much Chapman wouldn’t do for clients and friends including John and Linda Rogers. They’re just one of many couples Chapman has married. On the balcony of their waterfront condo, the couple said, “I DO.” At first, the Rogers didn’t realize Chapman was ordained. They could see she’s a genuine-hearted person without even asking her title.
Chapman can hardly wait to show clients a listing or meet their needs. Whether it’s preapprovals, verifying funds, staging or
As an agent or care pastor, Chapman’s clients truly get to know her by the fruits of her love and labor.
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ESTABLISHED: 2007 WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “I LOVE overcomer success stories and being a part of them. Oh, and tell me that I can’t do something!” DID YOU KNOW? You wouldn’t believe Jill Chapman used to be extremely shy 32 years ago. Then, this bold and bubbly girl suddenly showed up!
705 W. Wade Hampton Blvd., Greer 864.918.9508 | JillChapmanHomes.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
ESTABLISHED: 1979 DID YOU KNOW? Stanley Steemer has developed a new disinfection process using an EPAapproved, non-toxic, non-corrosive spray proven to eliminate viruses, bacteria, mold, mildew, odors and allergens. Now more than ever, a cleaner home or business is a healthier one. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Creating a winning culture!”
STANLEY STEEMER OF GREENVILLE ALLEN AND SARAH D’ANDREA
Living brings it in; Stanley Steemer takes it out!
With four children and a new puppy, Allen and Sarah D’Andrea are well aware of how hard it is to maintain a clean home. “It’s not uncommon to find fingerprints or paw prints on our rugs, hardwood floors, and even furniture,” says Allen D’Andrea, “but the good news is, we can clean all of those surfaces.” Stanley Steemer has long been known as a leader in the carpet cleaning industry, but they have expanded their services for home or office to include rugs cleaned in-home/office or off-site, deep cleaning of hardwood floors, tile and grout cleaning and sealing, as well as indoor and outdoor furniture.
and furniture, most people are unaware of the layers of dust, dander, pollen, and dirt building up in their air ducts. “Our company is certified by the National Air Duct Cleaning Association, so you can rest comfortably knowing we are doing it the right way,” D’Andrea says. Whether you are looking to have one room cleaned or your entire home, Stanley Steemer is ready to make it cleaner and healthier for you and your family. Call for a free estimate on any Stanley Steemer service.
“Our outdoor furniture and rug cleanings are especially popular during the spring, summer, and fall pollen seasons,” D’Andrea says. Not only does Stanley Steemer clean flooring and furniture, but air ducts as well. While we can plainly see the dirt on our floors
1140 Whitehorse Rd., Greenville To schedule: 864.232.7746 | StanleySteemer.com
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Earning trust, protecting assets, providing sound 1031 Exchange advice Banker Exchange focuses exclusively on maneuvering the complexities of Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, which allows investors to defer capital gains taxes on real estate transactions through qualifying exchanges. If that sounds confusing at all, don’t worry; John Boyd, Founder/CEO of Banker Exchange, and his team can explain the complex in a simple manner. “Probably 80% of what we do is educate and try to get the centers of influence up to speed,” Boyd says, “as well as being a resource for our investors who have questions. Before a transaction even starts, we’ve typically 40
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FUN FACT: John Boyd launched a concierge service for boat owners – and in doing so learned to wakeboard at age 54.
consulted with the investor on how the process works, what the options are, and the time frames they’re subjected to as part of the exchange process.” In layman’s terms, what all this really means is that thanks in part to Boyd and his team at Banker Exchange, the Upstate’s development and growth are stronger than ever. “The satisfaction I get is helping Main Street investors, the small community investor, manage their tax liability and leveraging the tax savings to grow their net worth. We did a tremendous amount of work down Woodruff Road, and up at Lake Keowee. People just didn’t know it because we’re kind of behind the scenes.”
ESTABLISHED: 1992
777 Lowndes Hill Rd. Building 3, Suite 110 Greenville 864.271.1449 Bankers1031.com
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “The fact that people trust us with their hard-earned money – and refer us to their clients and colleagues.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
BANKER EXCHANGE
TAX CREDIT MARKETPLACE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
ESTABLISHED: 2013 DID YOU KNOW? TCM has partnered in 20 different Greenville projects including Project ONE, Rocky’s Hot Chicken, The Anchorage, Hampton Station and Markley Station, just to name a few. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Seeing the dynamic redevelopment that results from connecting investors and developers via streamlined tax credit strategies.”
Connecting investors with tax credit opportunities He’s COO of “the project partner you never hear about” – but walk down Main Street, to the West End, or through the Village of West Greenville and you’ll certainly see Josh Workman’s work. “Our role is connecting real estate investors with tax credit opportunities,” says Workman, who heads up Tax Credit Marketplace, “and that, in turn, provides capital to developers who are turning old, abandoned textile and historic properties into exciting new projects.” Workman and his team at TCM are quite busy these days helping investors and developers make their mark on the Upstate.
any one time that qualify for these tax credits,” Workman says. “We’ve got 50% more projects in our pipeline for this year.” Luckily, Workman says he has just the right team in place to make sure the work gets done right. “It’s critical to have a strong team,” he says, “what we do is very specialized, it’s a unique niche, and having folks that understand it, people you can rely on them to make informed decisions, is very important. We all know what we are looking for and the importance of what each person does in the masterplan of the business. We respect each other’s work, and we know that without each other we can’t succeed as a whole.”
“We’re typically tracking 120 projects in South Carolina at
777 Lowndes Hill Rd., Building 3, Suite 110, Greenville 844.825.4337 | TaxCreditMP.com
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llyn strong fine art jewelry Transforming precious metals and gemstones into wearable works of art that bring beauty, inspiration, and lasting meaning to the wearer llyn strong laughed when we asked how long it takes her to create a piece of custom jewelry. “My usual answer for that is 35 to 40 years,” she says. In a way that is true, though it doesn’t take that long to have a piece of custom jewelry made. llyn has been making jewelry for nearly four decades, and she puts all that experience into each piece she creates. “Well, it varies,” she says. “We tell our customers 4-12 weeks depending on how complicated the piece is and how responsive they are, because we have them involved at several steps. I love doing custom work because I get to know my customers and I try to make their pieces very personal. Since they are having a custom piece made, I want to respect their taste.” llyn spent nearly 35 years making and selling jewelry on Main Street in Greenville, and llyn strong fine art jewelry was a familiar fixture downtown. At the beginning of 2021 they moved to a new location on East Washington Street, a space that llyn says she was able to specifically design just like a piece of jewelry. “We have a smaller showroom,” she says, “but our studio is bigger and more organized because we were able to design it from the ground up with the perspective of knowing what worked – or didn’t – in our last location.” “We designed the space to emphasize the fact that we make what we sell,” she says. “It is open throughout the space so people can see that we’re a working studio. This is something that sets us apart from other retail jewelry stores.” llyn says that as she and her staff made the shift toward selling jewelry made in-house (three of her four employees are designers with their own lines), it made sense to design a space that emphasized the studio. Be sure to check out the new llyn strong fine art jewelry at 1322 E. Washington St., Suite C1, to see where the magic happens.
ESTABLISHED: 1989 DID YOU KNOW? llyn strong’s name and business name “llyn strong fine art jewelry” are never capitalized because llyn’s given name is actually Allyn. Early on she dropped the capital “A” and started going by llyn – all lowercase – and kept it up with her business as well. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Life. As my favorite painter, Gustav Klimt said, ‘No part of life is so small and insignificant that it does not offer space for artistic aspirations.’”
1322 E Washington St., Suite C1, Greenville 864.233.5900 | llynstrong.com LIVE LOCAL 2021
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Four decades of fine furnishings Linda Dickens opened Carolina Furniture & Interiors in 1976, the same year her son Will was born. He grew up right along with the business, which has the best collection of home furnishings and accessories in the Upstate, and he also grew to admire his mother’s dedicated work ethic and commitment to customer service. In addition to an unparalleled work ethic, Linda has always had a keen eye for design, which translates to hand-selected pieces from top manufacturers in the marketplace. The goal is for customers to find creative ways to make their homes unique and livable. “We want people to see and feel what it’s like 44
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DID YOU KNOW? Will Dickens is an interior expert and an exterior adventurer – an avid hunter, fisherman and conservationist.
to live in that space,” Will said. Will also noted that his team of interior designers is available for all of your home design needs. Will now handles everyday operations, and after four decades, Carolina Furniture continues to thrive, even in the aftermath of COVID-19. And he pledges the same level of excellent customer service and hard work that his mother provided. Carolina Furniture & Interiors is a family company, and they treat customers like members of that family. “We don’t let anybody down,” Will says. “We stand behind what we do 100%. From the point of sale until we hand deliver and install it, we’re with you the whole way.”
ESTABLISHED: 1976
CAROLINA
FURNITURE & INTERIORS 135 Mall Connector Rd. Greenville 864.963.9536 CarolinaFurnitureInteriors.com
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “We are inspired by helping customers create stylish, livable spaces in their homes that they can be proud of and enjoy with family, friends and neighbors.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
CAROLINA FURNITURE & INTERIORS
DAVID HAWKINS Greenville’s nontraditional PR firm specializing in earned editorial coverage Once upon a time, David Hawkins, the Founder & CEO of the Downtown Greenville based public relations agency MY PR Lab, was living a happy life as a waiter in New York City. Then one of his customers saw something more in him. “There was a lady who would regularly come into the restaurant, and we developed a rapport,” Hawkins says. “She had just left a career in PR to be a stay-at-home mom, and she told me she thought I would be great in PR. So she connected me with someone who then offered me an internship in PR with New York Fashion Week. The rest is history. It was an incredible experience to be invited into a world I didn’t know existed, and then to discover I was good at it and I loved it. What are the odds?” Now, back in his hometown, Hawkins has developed a strong personal bond with the clients at MY PR Lab.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
“They are all immensely special to me,” he says of his clients. “I think the primary connector for me is that a lot of times my clients are at the same level that I am in business ownership. We are new. A lot is at stake, and I inherently get that! I’ve been an entrepreneur as long as I can remember, but MY PR has only been around for about three years. I take a nontraditional, ‘young’ approach to modern business owners in the community. I think that sets me up for a lot of empathy and a lot of excitement for them; it’s really easy to be passionate about them.”
248 N. Laurens St., Greenville MyPR-Lab.com
ESTABLISHED: 2019 DID YOU KNOW? David is a multigenerational Upstate native, and his family’s contributions to the community may never be written about in history books, but they are remembered fondly by many. Much like his entrepreneurial grandfather, he has realized that the best part of his hometown isn’t growth or wealth or riches. Greenville’s heartbeat will always be its support for the humble, hardworking small business owner. David is also a former professional llama trainer. LIVE LOCAL 2021
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GREENVILLE TRIUMPH Together, We Triumph
Imagine that, after years of effort, you’ve managed to successfully launch a professional sports team in your hometown. Imagine that you’ve got fans, sponsors and the city itself on board, and that you even managed to win a championship in your division, despite being a brand-new team. Now imagine that a global pandemic came along and decimated professional sports for months, postponing your season. That’s the position that the Greenville Triumph, the Upstate’s USL League One soccer team, faced in 2020. “I certainly think it brought us some challenges, financially and organizationally,” says Doug Erwin, Vice Chairman and Chief Brand Officer of the Greenville Triumph. “But for us the thing that I come back to is what were we able to learn from it, and what were we able to turn into positives?” And without fans in attendance, Erwin says that some new opportunities arose. “It allowed us to do some cool things like air matches on local TV for the first time when we couldn’t welcome fans back,” Erwin says. “And it caused us to look at how we can make a safe stadium environment, at what we can do to leap forward digitally; at trying to go to mobile pay and mobile ticket sales. Stuff like that
is going to serve us well in the future.” And even if the fans couldn’t be there for the Triumph’s 2020 games (their current season began on April 24 with an away game against the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium), Erwin says the team still felt their presence. “I think we have certainly learned the importance of what we do and the service we provide and how valuable that is to people,” he says. “When we were calling our season ticket holders because we were not sure what was going to happen in 2020, I don’t know if anyone took a refund. Everybody wanted to get back, and even if they weren’t going to come out in 2020, they were still happy to support a local business. It’s so flattering as well that we just developed a deeper connection.” In fact, Erwin says that, if anything, the difficulties of 2020 have proven the team’s motto, ‘Together We Triumph,” to be true. “We wanted to bring people together and create joy for the sport of soccer in the Upstate,” Erwin says, “and create positive change in the Upstate. There is literal Triumph on the field, but there’s also triumph in the community. We preach it as company culture, and it’s the way we approached initiatives during the adversity of last season.”
ESTABLISHED: 2018 DID YOU KNOW? The Greenville Triumph is coached by John Harkes, former captain of the US Men’s National team and member of the US Soccer Hall of Fame. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “The game of soccer and its ability to unite people and communities across the globe.”
OFFICE & TEAM STORE: 22 S. Main St., Greenville STADIUM: 900 Woodside Ave., Greenville 864.203.0565 GreenvilleTriumph.com 46
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ANC GROUP Make a positive difference in the lives of the people we touch.
Trust us when we say that the ANC Group is old-school. These down-to-Earth IT folks have been providing project management, vulnerability testing, data backup, network security and more since long before computers were in every household or every business. “My very first job out of college took me to Washington state,” says ANC Group CEO Brian Daughhetee, “and I was teaching at an outdoor school, running ropes courses, things like that. They installed a computer network, and I was the only guy who could spell ‘PC.’ So they gave me all these Novell (training) books and said, ‘You think you can figure this out?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, sure.’ And so, you know, I was a rock climber and ropes course guy by day and computer guy by night and taught myself.” Over time, Daughhetee figured out that he liked IT more than rock climbing and launched his new career at exactly the right time. “Technology is very ubiquitous now,” he says. “Your phone has more computer power in it than the computers that took us to the moon. Whereas back in the 90s, personal computers were definitely JUST starting to happen, and there was still a lot of mystique and mystery around them. I think my education background helped me a lot because I was able to take what a lot of people perceived as very complex computer
terminologies, and translate them or present them in a way that was very digestible and approachable for people.” Now, with a few decades worth of knowledge under his belt, Daughhetee and his company are able to provide a level of experience when it comes to IT that other groups don’t usually have. “I really wanted a computer company that could be approachable to everybody,” he says. “We understand that computers are not your day-to-day job. You use them, they are tools, just like your microwave. Your microwave needs to work; if it doesn’t work, and you’re not a microwave repair person, you call somebody, right? That’s our role. At ANC we make sure that your tools work properly so you can get about your day-to-day business and do the stuff that you’re good at.” And if any year ever proved that we need technology more than ever, it was 2020. “I always say the tech is there, but the tech ultimately will shift to accommodate the human need,” Daughhetee says. “Last year the very way we humans conduct business (and our very lives) was up ended. It was not perfect or without some headaches, but as a people, we adapted, and some even thrived. It is moments like this that will be looked back on as an inflection point for significant change in our society. I believe we were presented with a challenge and we rose to the occasion.”
DID YOU KNOW? “I never took a single business or computer class earning my bachelor’s degree. It was not until life presented me with a different path that I began to study either of these things. Keep your eyes open, find your life’s purpose and believe in yourself.” WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Helping others achieve their potential by learning something today that I did not know yesterday and encouraging others to do the same.”
14 Progress Rd., Greenville 864.335.8252 | ANCgroup.com LIVE LOCAL 2021
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
ESTABLISHED: 1999
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EMBELLISHME Professional piercing & fine jewelry Rebekah Keenan credits her mom for helping her come up with the perfect name for her body-piercing studio specializing in curated piercings and fine body jewelry: EmbellishMe. “When you embellish something, you decorate it,” Keenan says. “You make it yours. So whenever you come to EmbellishMe, you embellish yourself.” And that means that you and Keenan will come up with some brilliant, colorful, and personalized body piercings that move beyond the oldschool stereotypes. “Typically, when you think of piercings, you think of your typical novelty shop, all-black-everything, a punky kind of thing,” she says. “And that’s cool; that’s definitely still out there. I’m an all-black-everyday person too, but there’s a new way that it’s done, a safer, more professional way of stylizing for middle aged women or kids or anyone who is just looking for dainty and cute and not big and scary and bold. There’s a way to be able to express yourself tastefully without scaring people away.” As confident as she sounds, when you make an appointment with Keenan and her crew, they’re not going to take over the second you walk into her studio. “It’s collaborative,” Keenan says.
“Between Todd and I we have a combination of 36 years of experience, so when people come in and know what they want, we go with their vision. And then some people come in and they want their entire body styled and designed without any ideas at all. That’s where we come in. “It’s like designing a house,” she adds, “when you walk in and think, ‘This is what color the carpets need to be, and the furniture.’ That’s the feeling you get when you’re stylizing someone, and they’re just as excited as you if not more excited. After all, they’re the ones who are wearing it!” And since EmbellishMe has always operated with safety in mind, Keenan says she hasn’t had to change too much about the way she does things. “I opened my first business right before the world shut down,” she says with a laugh. “It was absolutely terrifying, but we survived, we made it, and we’re doing wonderfully now. I was already wearing masks before pandemics were a thing, and I was already working on appointment basis. Now clients are starting to understand and respect the need for appointments and why it’s safer. It keeps things separated, and it allows the clients to get that one-on-one experience.”
DID YOU KNOW? I manifested my future at only 8 years old. I had a “Girl Power Journal” and in it had a page that said, “Draw yourself if you were queen of the world and what your rules would be.” Sure enough I designed my outfit in all black, black streak in hair, piercings, big boots and all. My rules (other than world peace and no one’s hungry): “Tattoos and piercings at any age.”
301 Haywood Rd., Suite 5, Greenville 864.236.1157 | EmbellishMeGreenville.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
ESTABLISHED: 2019
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POE WEST
Modern and thoughtful craft through collaboration and warm experiences
The Furman Co. saw massive potential in the historic 60,000sq.- ft. space that once served as the office, yard, and warehouse for Poe Hardware & Supply Company. Now, as a result of this vision and planning, and with the addition of CBRE to the team, Poe West has a host of high-profile tenants and burgeoning businesses: Greenville Technical College’s Center for Culinary & Hospitality Innovation, 98 Ventures, an executive management services company, Six + Twenty Distillery, Unlocked Coffee Roasters, Carolina Bauernhaus Brewery & Winery, LaRue Fine Chocolate, Eighty/ Twenty Café, and The Junkyard fitness facility. CBRE and The Furman Co. continue to seek out and secure unique users for the remaining Phase II, the “Streetside” building, by combining their knowledge of the marketplace with the Poe West culture, which is now firmly seeded into the Village community. “This kind of real estate I think is really fulfilling. You strive to build
an ecosystem through a giant puzzle / map,” says Blaine Hart, Senior Vice President of CBRE, the company that spearheaded leasing and marketing efforts at Poe West. “We knew right away that we could develop leasable commercial space and it would do well,” says Robert Poppleton, Vice President at The Furman Co., “but we also recognized there was a real opportunity to enhance the greater community with Poe West and offer services like education, that might be otherwise out of reach for some in the neighborhood. We kept hearing that there was a need for a qualified workforce to support our culinary and hospitality industries. Through a series of conversations and a lot of research, we decided to approach Greenville Tech with a vision of a culinary arts anchored community, to really deliver something that Greenville hasn’t seen before.” Hart adds that there’s an exciting level of collaboration and warmth going on at Poe West between the tenants themselves. “We created a vision roadmap and then initiated an effort to get the right tenants and blend them by piecing the puzzle together thoughtfully,” he says, “and the best part is that they’re working closely together in an organic way, which is the ultimate goal. By way of examples, 98 Ventures is supporting Unlocked Coffee Roasters. Greenville Tech is working with LaRue Fine Chocolates. Carolina Bauernhaus is partnering with The Junkyard. They’re all taking it upon themselves to continue the conversation with each other and beyond.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
The Poe West development at 556 Perry Ave. in the Village of West Greenville is the direct result of listening to the needs of the community. Created from The Furman Co.’s vision and desire to enhance the neighborhood for its residents and businesses, the vibrant, mixed-use development focuses on providing a place that is both sustainable and additive for the people it impacts. To meet this objective, The Furman Co. knew from the beginning that the effort must be rooted in collaboration.
ESTABLISHED: 2020 FUN FACT: Poe Hardware was one of Greenville’s oldest family businesses, running from 1876 to 1992. Their Village of West Greenville building, now known as Poe West, was built in 1946 with an addition in 1961. In 2021 The South Carolina Department of Archives and History officially entered the Poe West property into the National Register of Historic Places.
556 Perry Ave., Greenville | PoeWest.com LIVE LOCAL 2021
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GOLDEN STRIP GLASS Golden Strip Glass handles just about any kind of glass-related project you can think of, from your neighbor’s lovely new frameless shower door to the commercial windows at the new AC Hotel in downtown Greenville. And they do it all with impeccable craftsmanship and attention to artistic detail, like they’re working for a member of their family. Which makes sense, because Golden Strip Glass a is family business; co-owners Matt and Michael Abbate took over for their father, Dominick, when he retired in 2018. “My father moved down here from New York and started this business,” Matt says, “and he was really a blue-collar type of owner. He was the one that was on the job, all the time, working with the people making sure it was done correctly and up to our standards. And he really built a reputation with his level of service and work that translates to both Mike and myself to this day.” 54
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In fact, Matt says that you can trace a lot of Golden Strip Glass customers back to Dominick. “Both in the residential and commercial department, we have a lot of the same customers and clients he had,” Matt says. “We’re still doing work with them, and then a lot of the newer clients that we have, we retain because they come back for that same level of service. We all know that ultimately our name’s on it and we always stand behind what we do.”
343 Miller Rd., Mauldin 864.297.9989 | GoldenStripGlass.com
DID YOU KNOW? The Abbates have been fortunate enough to help non-profits such as Soteria, Piedmont Women’s Center, and Pleasant Valley Teen Center by donating labor and materials for new windows in their facility upgrades.
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ESTABLISHED: 1991
Clearly the choice. Reflecting excellence.
ESTABLISHED: 2020
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
DID YOU KNOW? Leaphart started out in the furniture business delivering waterbeds. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “I love when I am able to help a customer find exactly what they are looking for, even if it’s something that I don’t normally carry or have on hand at that moment. When a customer gives you a hug and says thank you, you know you’ve done a great job and that they appreciate what you did for them.”
EAST MAIN FURNITURE A locally owned and operated furniture and mattress store Doug Leaphart took over as owner of East Main Furniture in Easley on January 2, 2020. He had a full line of stylish, functional dining room furniture, comfortable couches, sectional sofas, recliners, loveseats, patio furniture and bedding, virtually all handpicked by Leaphart himself. And he was able to sell them for about two months before COVID hit.
ever since.” That’s right, East Main Furniture is open full-time again, with Leaphart still making sure that you get just the right piece of furniture you need. “Anything that needs doing, we do it,” he says. “When I can help somebody, I don’t mind coming in early and staying late. I love it when you can just see the look on their face and know they appreciate what you do.”
“The doors closed for a month and a half,” Leaphart says, “and all the employees left other than me.” Leaphart has never been one to shy away from hard work, though. “I worked behind the scenes,” he says. “I’d work 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. and if anything needed to be delivered, I would load up with the agreement that I wouldn’t charge them for delivery if they could help me unload it. I finally had enough business to get one of my employees back, and we have been going at it
829 E. Main St., Easley 864.442.6054
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Rethink home
Mark Nyblom, the owner of Rosewood Communities, has been putting his vision into action since 2008: building semi-custom homes with craftsman-style exteriors, high ceilings and energyefficient windows, and creating communities that require as little labor as possible from their residents. In developments like Whispering Meadows in Mauldin, Clemson Cottages, Southpointe Cottages in Simpsonville and more, Nyblom and his team have continued to innovate. “This started from a huge demand for maintenance-free communities,” he says. “That’s what I started with, creating a lifestyle within the communities. The idea was around, but it was more for high-end neighborhoods. What was missing in the Upstate was having that product or lifestyle available to bluecollar residents at a more affordable price.” And don’t ask Nyblom to pick a favorite community that Rosewood has designed and built; it’ll be whichever one he’s 56
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working on right now. “They’re all my favorite at the time,” he says with a laugh, “and then when I find a new one, that becomes my favorite, because I try to do something special in each neighborhood like a walking trail or a gazebo or a fire pit area. We try to make them all unique, because making each one of them different makes it special in its own way.”
109 D Regency Commons Dr., Greer 864.430.8646 RosewoodCommunities.com
DID YOU KNOW? We are one of the smallest builders in the Upstate allowing us to focus on every detail of every house. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Finding the new locations. That’s what really keeps me doing this.” — Mark Nyblom
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
ROSEWOOD COMMUNITIES
CAROLINAS TOTAL STAFFING SOLUTIONS Quality positions, exceptional staff
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
ESTABLISHED: 2018 DID YOU KNOW? CTSS isn’t just about workforce solutions – we do it all. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Our family dynamic and ensuring we reflect that same kind of drive and care in all we do.”
Carolinas Total Staffing Solutions can take a lot of pride in what they do; it’s not just about finding the right employees for the right jobs. “We really focus on the ‘total’ part,” says Karina Blackerby, co-founder and Regional Director of CTSS. “We don’t just focus on recruiting, we don’t just offer workforce solutions. We look to work with different types of businesses. We offer marketing and ad campaigns to get their word out, screenings, background checks, dexterity tests, whatever a client needs to be able to get the right employee or attract more business, we do our best to provide.”
they’ve accomplished. “What we’re most proud of is that we’re a family-owned company, that we’re women and minority run,” Blackerby says. “That’s the most important thing to us, being able to actively say that the person who made this company was my mom (Karen Morales), a first-generation migrant, and our business’s beating heart. And we do business with that dynamic; everyone we do business with or that is an employee of ours feels that same kind of love.”
But they’re even more proud of who they are and what
2514 River Rd., Suite 101, Piedmont 864.731.1345 | CarolinasTSS.com
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MATT THE DRIVEWAY GUY Matthew Jackson doesn’t just go by Matt The Driveway Guy because he’s a guy who pressure washes your driveway. He also wants you to think of him as your neighbor, the guy down the street who will come by and pressure wash your driveway as a friend. “I wanted to create a business that’s based off of that emotion,” Jackson says. “This idea of, ‘This is the guy down the street who’s gonna do a good job of pressure washing your house.’” Jackson sees his approach as the antithesis of the way business is so often done. “Everybody is more commission-minded, and they don’t really focus on the customer experience or customer service. So I wanted 58
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DID YOU KNOW? Matt grew up in Greenville and played college baseball at Anderson University.
to kind of put that on its head and say, ‘I treat everything like it’s my own personal property,’ because you’re gonna go the extra mile when it’s yours.” Jackson only started his business full-time a year or so ago, but he says the experience has been a rewarding one. “It’s been awesome, connecting with people and growing my business,” he says. “A lot of people think I’ve been doing this forever because I have my systems down. Before, when I was working for other jobs, it always felt like I was just chasing time and just punching the clock. And now I’m doing something that I just love, helping and serving people in Greenville.”
864.420.4172 MattTheDrivewayGuy.com
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “To be a light to everyone and leave them better than when I met them.”
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ESTABLISHED: 2020
Professional quality from a friendly neighbor
SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN – GREENVILLE Together, doing the right thing, every time, for every child
PHOTO PROVIDED
ESTABLISHED: 1927 DID YOU KNOW? The Greenville Shriners Hospital is home to the largest team of pediatric orthopedic surgeons in the Carolinas, boasting over 150 cumulative years of trusted experience.
You could fill volumes with stories of how well Shriners Hospitals For Children treat their patients, but there’s another group that the Shriners also care for: the families of the children who so badly need medical care.
950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville 864.271.3444 GreenvilleShrinersHospital.org
“When families walk into our hospital,” says Paul Finelli, the Director of Donor Development for Greenville Shriners Hospital, “they don’t feel like they’re in a traditional hospital setting. It’s a very warm, very inviting, very child-friendly kind of a place. And I think when families bring their kids here and the level of anxiety of their kids is decreased, that has a significant impact on the parents too. I think
they’re able to feel more at ease because their children are more at ease.” It’s not just about the atmosphere, though. Finelli says that the lack of a financial burden helps families heal, too. “When we say we offer treatment ‘regardless of ability to pay,’ that means a family’s economic status is never a hurdle to receiving care,” he says. “Though our mission is charity-based and our world-class doctors treat those who are uninsured, we welcome families with insurance who also want access to our award-winning clinicians. Great outcomes for all children is our sole focus.”
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WANTEC VR There’s a unique business located in the middle of downtown Greenville: a fullmotion virtual reality arcade that is the only one of its kind on the East Coast. Owned by Daria and Stefan Rupp, who moved here from Germany three years ago, the arcade offers a fully immersive VR experience. “We use full-body VR technology,” Daria Rupp says. “Not like most VR places where they track only the movement of your head. We track the movements of the whole body which allows players to immerse completely into a game and feel it as totally real. You’ll have 100% freeroaming, barrier-free gaming experience in our 1,500-square-foot arena. Wantec VR offers several different 60
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shooter games, including Lost Sanctuary, City Z, City Z Survivors, and City Z Antidote, but they also have VR escape rooms and racing simulators. “Everything in the arcade, we chose because it was fun to us,” Rupp says.
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2020
And it’s proven to be so popular that the Rupps have added full bar service, including beer on tap and a coffee bar. They’ve also expanded their hours and are open till midnight on weekends. “We’re very popular with companies for different celebrations, anniversaries, birthday parties and team-building exercises,” Rupp says. “So we offer full service for different types of corporate events.”
928 S. Main St., Greenville 864.509.1077 WantecVR.com
DID YOU KNOW? Daria Rupp also owns Servus Biergarten in Simpsonville.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
Full immersion VR for the whole family
GREENVILLE RUNNING CO. – THE MILLIMAN FAMILY SERVING GREENVILLE SINCE: 1994
HOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
DID YOU KNOW? Jeff Milliman is the recipient of the Runner’s World Golden Shoe Award, for helping thousands of runners enjoy running and avoid injury.
Dedicated to improving the lives of runners Jeff Milliman brings over 42 years of experience in the running business to Greenville Running Co., which seeks to improve the lives of runners through proper footwear, as well as sharing wisdom that comes from having put his hands inside hundreds of thousands of pairs of running shoes in that time. Jeff started running in the 1960s and learned how to come up with innovations to perform better and avoid injury. And when we say innovative footwear, we mean it; the former National Champion has a patent on the use of composite fibers (including Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass, and Kevlar) in running shoe cushioning. Greenville Running Co. offers all manner of performance shoes, apparel, accessories and nutrition, all designed to maximize a runner’s skills and keep them healthy and injury-free. They professionally fit and offer performance and injury prevention modification with any shoe
purchase at no charge. Milliman and his staff are able to use their combined 75+ years of experience to advise runners on the runner’s lifestyle so that running becomes a very important aspect of their life but not their WHOLE life. Milliman and his staff’s passion is helping runners and others follow their own passions and enjoy the journey so that they can achieve their goals. They have devoted their lives to fitting, coaching, competing, inventing, and writing (there’s an extensive series of essays on the Greenville Running Co. site) and growing the sport of running. It’s hard to imagine a better place for the novice or experienced runner to feel at home.
765 Haywood Rd., Greenville 864.631.1154 | GreenvilleRunningCompany.com
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JEFF MEISTER — BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES C. DAN JOYNER, REALTORS Certified Luxury Collection Specialist, a Top Producing Agent since 2012, Chairman’s Circle Gold and President’s Circle Jeff Meister has more than a decade’s worth of experience as a real estate agent in the Upstate market, and at a time when it seems like there are too many buyers and not enough houses, experience is crucial to getting your offer noticed.
don’t know this area. I’m trying to get them contractors, vendors, utilities, trash companies, it just never stops. Right now, there’s a need for agents like me and I try to be there for people when the need comes along.”
“At the end of the day you need an experienced agent to represent you,” Meister says. “The market is moving so fast, it is of the utmost importance to use the skills of an experienced agent to properly negotiate, not only price but all the terms inside the contract.” And that experience is more important than ever, in one of the wildest housing markets anyone has ever seen. “I’m not a 24/7 agent,” Meister says with a laugh. “I’m a 25/8 agent. I’m always available and that’s my strength. I work hard for my clients. I’m looking to help my clients with everything they need, especially if they’re moving here from outside the area, because they
745 N Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville 864.979.4633 | JMeister@CDanJoyner.com
ESTABLISHED: 2010 DID YOU KNOW? Jeff attributes his work ethic to his upbringing: “I believe it comes from something my father taught me — that when you’re employed by someone, you always give them 100 percent.” WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “I’m inspired by being able to help people. Real estate provides me the opportunity to use my work ethic and integrity to find clients the best deal and improve their lives.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
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ESTABLISHED: 2019 DID YOU KNOW? Underwood used to own a fashion accessory and bag brand for men and women that reached an original show featured on Netflix. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Coming up with creative ideas to improve something or making something new.”
JONATHAN DOES DESIGN Enhancing people’s lives through visual art and interior styling “I’ve been a creative person for pretty much my whole life, just like my mom,” Jonathan Underwood says. “She was an interior designer. So growing up, I would watch HGTV with her, and she subscribed to a magazine called ‘Florida Design,’ and looking through that also helped influence me.” Underwood’s decorating style is eclectic, mixing old with new, and is influenced by cinema. He loves the art of set design in television and film and was particularly drawn to the approach of one TV show.
strategic in how they designed these sets. That had an influence on me as well.” Underwood started Jonathan Does Design in 2019, and he says he loves the idea of sharing his vision with others. “Becoming an interior stylist was a way for me to get my artwork in people’s homes,” he says. “I consider myself an artist who knows how to design.”
“There was this show called ‘Gotham’ that used to come on Fox,” he says. “With this particular show, there are a lot of moody types of scenes in there and the set designer was really
864.735.0185 | JonathanDoesDesign.com JonathanDoesDesign@gmail.com LIVE LOCAL 2021
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NICK VAN GORP
The next-gen visionary in Greenville Nick Van Gorp hasn’t been in Greenville all that long, but his successful track record as a real estate agent for Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty has followed him from his former home in Chicago. “I moved my family down here at the beginning of the year,” Van Gorp says. “My fiancé has family here which is what drew us to start visiting Greenville. We fell in love with the city and lifestyle. I see such potential in Greenville and believe it is the future.” Van Gorp says there are a couple reasons why the Greenville housing market is currently in an unprecedented boom period. “We have a ton of clients moving here from Chicago and the east coast,” he says. “When it’s -5 degrees outside for 15 days straight, you start reevaluating where you want to live.” Whether you’re a native or you’re moving in from out of state, Van Gorp says that he’s the right agent to help you buy or sell a home.
1 McDaniel Greene, Greenville 312.877.1174 NickVanGorp.com
ESTABLISHED: 2015 WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Experience. I’ve always been obsessed on how to give others the best. “ DID YOU KNOW? Nick Van Gorp has gone to nationals for weightlifting.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
“I have a proven track record with being one of the top agents in one of the most competitive markets in the country, and I’m very aggressive when it comes to my clients,” he says. “We build processes to make sure the whole buying and selling process is very systematic. We are trying to build the new era to Greenville’s real estate market. Plus we like to have fun. I want clients for life.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
PINK BEE – LEIGH ANN MILLER
ESTABLISHED: The store has been around for almost 25 years but technically we are a new company that was established in June 2020. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Every day, I am inspired by my team and my customers. They are what make Pink Bee GVL so special. I love to watch my girls go above and beyond to help our customers leave the store happy, and I am consistently amazed by the support and kindness of our customers – especially during a trying time in the economy.”
More than just a Lilly store
105 Augusta St. Greenville 864.271.4332 PinkBeeOnline.com
When Leigh Ann Miller took over the Pink Bee clothing and jewelry store from former owner Joanna Sherman last year, she stepped into some big shoes. Pink Bee, a Lilly Pulitzer Premier Specialty Store, has been a popular fixture in Greenville’s West End for 20 years, and 2020 wasn’t exactly the best time to buy a business. “I thought, ‘Hey, what’s a worse thing I could do than buy a boutique during a pandemic when everything is shut down?’” Miller says with a laugh. And Miller didn’t exactly play the long game when it came to becoming the new owner. “I was completing my MBA in entrepreneurship at Clemson when COVID hit,” she says. “And I asked for a part-time job
at Pink Bee. Their previous owner hired me to help build their ecommerce website. I was working eight or nine hours a week, and she mentioned that she wanted to sell, and so we started meeting and negotiating, and finalized the sale on July 1.” Despite the pandemic and the seemingly abrupt transition, Miller says she and Pink Bee are doing just fine. “We’re thriving and surviving,” she says. “All I had to do was step into it and mix things up a little bit; we just did renovations to modernize the store, and my goal is to show people that we’re more than just a Lilly Pulitzer store. We have other brands for the non-Lilly people, we have jewelry, and it’s a fun place to go and hang out.”
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ESTABLISHED: 2015 PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
QUOTE: “When we look at patients, we see people with a story, and they are at the center of everything we do.” – John Collier, Founder & CEO
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787-B E. Butler Rd., Mauldin WRoberts@Proactive.MD | Mauldin.Proactive.MD
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PROACTIVE MD Elevating the standard of primary care When John Collier founded Proactive MD in 2015, his vision was to provide local employees the world-class healthcare he would want for his own family members. He named the company’s service standards “The Harper Standard of Care” after his daughter, Harper, and has committed to transforming the way patients experience the entire healthcare system.
it comes to the patient experience. The 4,000-square-foot Mauldin Health Center boasts not only a beautiful modern design, but also many unique features that help encourage patient comfort: no waiting room (because patients don’t wait), couches and large TVs in the exam rooms for education and counseling, and a large Learning Center for healthy cooking demos and group classes.
Now in 16 states across the country, the Greenville-based primary care provider is doing just that. Its flagship Health Center on Butler Road in Mauldin partners directly with local employers like City of Mauldin and City of Simpsonville to give employees unlimited access to broad-scope primary care, including onsite labs, prescriptions, and patient advocacy, for a flat monthly fee.
Every person deserves access to world-class healthcare, and with Proactive MD’s Health Center model, every Greenville local can have it.
While the model is a healthcare cost savings solution for employers of any size and individuals with any insurance status, Proactive MD spares no expense when
For virtual or in-person Health Center tours, contact Westley Roberts: wroberts@proactive.md. Visit mauldin.proactive.md to learn more about local advanced primary care.
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HOLLIDAY INGRAM Led by Hayes Holliday and Trey Ingram, Holliday Ingram is not your traditional law firm. Headquartered in downtown Greenville, the firm focuses primarily on real estate closings. The team is also intentionally nontraditional — a go-to, friendly, trusted team of relationship-driven professionals dedicated to providing a stressfree, celebratory closing experience. With a competitive market, it’s good to find a team you can trust with your real estate closing, and Ingram is very proud of his expanding team. And since Holliday Ingram takes pride in their non-traditional approach, those new team members are coming from unexpected places. “We have added more than 20 talented team members since the pandemic started in response to the housing demand,” Ingram says. “Some of our best hires were right after the restaurants shut down. They are truly amazing individuals who excelled at customer service in the restaurant industry and now provide exceptional client service in the legal field.” And Ingram adds that they’re just getting started. “We’re a
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young company, with over 40 talented team members that are fully equipped to provide the high level of service and quality of experience that our clients have come to know and expect.” Dedicated to upholding the high standards of a large firm while delivering the personalized attention of a smaller practice, Holliday Ingram is always happy and honored to serve its clients and to celebrate their closings!
25 E. Court St., Ste. 201, Greenville 864.232.3541 | HollidayIngram.com
ESTABLISHED: 2016 WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Our families. And it’s very motivating to build a company with dear friends in a way that helps others and contributes to the health of our community.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA GAULT PHOTOGRAPHY
Real estate law
PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA GAULT PHOTOGRAPHY
THE SPRINGS AT SIMPSONVILLE Celebrating 20 years of exceptional senior care
DID YOU KNOW? All 3 of the wings at The Springs are named after key communities in Simpsonville. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “To know that I can play a role in making sure our residents get the BEST POSSIBLE CARE, enjoy a FUNFILLED day and be immersed in an environment where they know they are DEEPLY LOVED.” — Peggy Masterson
The Springs at Simpsonville is a family-owned, award-winning senior care community that was created with the vision of providing quality senior living in the family’s hometown. The owners, The Howard Family, have always been involved in fueling the strategic growth of the Simpsonville and Fountain Inn areas.
214 E. Curtis St, Simpsonville 864.962.8570 TheSpringsSC.com
In February 2001, the doors of The Springs at Simpsonville opened for the first time. It began with 56 assisted living beds and 12 memory care beds. A few years later, three independent living cottages were constructed on the property. In short order, it became clear that the need for senior care services was abundant and four years later The Springs implemented the first of two major expansions. Today,
The Springs has 75 assisted living beds, 16 memory care beds and six independent living suites. The property improvements continue with the addition of an All-Day Café and Life Stations in the Memory Care community. The Springs story is simply told by describing a community-focused family with the vision of creating a special place that their own family and friends could feel right at home and still get the loving care they deserve. “It feels like a privilege to get to care for the seniors at The Springs at Simpsonville,” says Executive Director Peggy Masterson. “Seniors are sometimes the ‘forgotten age group,’ and yet they have so much to offer and so much living yet to do. They just need a little help.”
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WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED Bring birds back Abbie Pressley and Melanie Moore, co-owners of Wild Birds Unlimited in Greenville, have always had a soft spot in their hearts for birds. For 24 years, Abbie and Melanie have provided the Greenville-area with a one-stop shop for everything bird lovers and watchers need to accommodate their feathered friends that grace backyards across the Upstate. The mother-daughter duo is invested in the bird population of the Upstate, working tirelessly to ensure that birds have a sustainable environment here. Since 1970, three billion birds have disappeared from our environment. That is one in every four birds that have vanished in the last 50 years. By providing backyard birding information and quality products to our community, Wild Birds Unlimited leads the way in preserving and improving bird habitats in private backyards and public places around Greenville.
During the difficult times of this past year, Greenvillians have stayed home and found joy and peace of mind in the simple pastime of connecting with nature through birdwatching. The community has also provided much-needed support to the Seven Simple Steps to Save the Birds. “We have a deep appreciation of our community and know that our clients could have chosen other pastimes and shopped other venues. This local support has allowed us to survive these challenging times. It is our mission to continue to bring joy to our customers and help Greenville Save the Birds.” The Congaree Road store sells everything you might need to support the birds around your home, from feeders and seed to birdbaths and nesting boxes. They also stock a variety of birdrelated gift items for the bird-lover in your life.
ESTABLISHED: 1997 DID YOU KNOW? More than 81 million people feed birds in their yards and spend $5 billion annually on birdseed and wildlife food.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BONFIRE VISUALS
626 Congaree Rd., Greenville 864.234.2150 | Greenville.WBU.com
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RHETT BROWN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
ESTABLISHED: Brown joined Marchant in 2018, but she has 25+ years’ experience. DID YOU KNOW? Brown attended the Fine Arts Center for Visual Art and majored in Art History & Art Management at CofC. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Love. As a brokerin-charge, I loved and fought hard for my agents. For my clients, I do the same.”
The difference is in the details Rhett Brown knows that these words won’t end discrimination in real estate, but people can. “2020 brought about many challenges and opportunities,” she says, “but one in particular hit home to me as both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is discrimination; the opportunity is being part of the solution.” Brown saw the National Association of REALTORS’ implementation of bias training as a way toward that solution. “Having grown up in Greenville, despite it being a small Southern town, I was brought up to see people as people,” she says. “Learning and mentoring are important to me, so when the National Association of REALTORS quickly implemented Implicit Bias Training, standing up for racial equity and more, I jumped
in with both feet. I was taken aback by the subtle prejudice that continues to occur, but more importantly, so proud to be part of an organization that has made it a mission to correct this within the real estate industry.” For Brown, this fight is an extension of her urge to help people. “I am passionate about giving back to our community and industry,” she says. “I serve on the boards of our local association, state association, North Main Community Association, NEXT Schools and serve on the CSPA fundraising committee, as well as the local diversity committee.” As you can see, with Brown, it’s about more than just real estate.
100 W. Stone Ave., Greenville 864.915.9393 | RhettBrown.net LIVE LOCAL 2021
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DWELL CHIC
Interior design that evokes envy Rather than creating a branded look for a client’s space, Dwell Chic strives to bring every individual’s vision and personality to life. Business owner Sarah O’Dell wants homeowners to envision the design presented and step outside of their comfort zone to create a space that exceeds expectations. O’Dell makes each atmosphere unique and gives residents a house they’re proud to call home. Dwell Chic’s competitive edge is a technologyforward approach, which allows clients to visualize the space with realistic renderings. When describing her style, O’Dell says, “My style is more of a combination of textures, patterns and colors to create a layered effect.” In addition to bold décor, she likes to incorporate organic textures and natural tones into her creations. While ambience is most important, Dwell Chic produces designs that not only enhance the aesthetic, but also provide solutions to challenges in clients’ homes. Alongside full-service interior design, O’Dell opened a home décor and design showroom in the Village of West Greenville. She says, “It’s a little bit of a dream come true. We offer home décor and gifts that you can’t find anywhere else.” With tons of fabrics and wallpapers, anyone is welcome to browse the endless possibilities. Whether customers are looking for a quick gift for a friend or the perfect piece to complement a room, the Dwell Chic team gives the expertise needed to accomplish their desired concept.
ESTABLISHED: 2011 FUN FACT: Dwell Chic recently expanded its home décor retail store to include children’s gifts, bath and body products, and so much more. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “The Greenville art scene. I spent three days at Artisphere and that was so inspiring. It’s pretty amazing.” DID YOU KNOW? Dwell Chic is a design center open to the public. It’s open weekly and on Saturdays. 72
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1288 Pendleton St., Greenville 864.214.1856 DwellChic.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
SCORE PIEDMONT
PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA GAULT PHOTOGRAPHY
FOUNDED: 1970 DID YOU KNOW? SCORE Piedmont receives an average of 50 requests each month from entrepreneurs. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Seeing the impact SCORE has when our clients establish and grow their businesses.”
We’re here for the life of your business SCORE Piedmont is an inclusive team of over 40 diverse volunteers with the common goal of helping entrepreneurs start a new business or grow an existing one. SCORE is part of a national network of small business mentors providing resources and education that foster thriving business communities. SCORE is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that hosts entrepreneurial workshops, provides mentors and helps with business plans, all at no cost. Since SCORE Piedmont’s inception the organization has helped over 6,000 new businesses in the 11 Upstate counties it serves. Today there are over 1,300 active, diverse clients including minority, female and veteran entrepreneurs. “The easiest way to think about what we do is that we’re here to help the local small business in any way we can,” says Jerry Smith, chapter
vice chairman of SCORE Piedmont and a third-generation business owner who serves as a mentor. “And that boils down to two main focuses: The first is one-on-one mentoring. And what makes us a little different is that we will take a variety of clients. And then the other focus is our education program, which is mostly done through our workshops.” Fred Raab, another mentor and chapter chairman of SCORE Piedmont, says he sees what he’s doing as a way of helping the business community that helped him. “After retiring, I decided I wanted to give something back,” he says, “and SCORE is an association of over 100,000 people across the country that help people get into business. So that’s why I joined; my real goal was to be a business mentor and I enjoy it a lot.”
31 Boland Court, Suite 150, Greenville Piedmont.Score.org | 864.271.3638 LIVE LOCAL 2021
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PURE ON MAIN AND PURE WELLNESS SPA The Real Deal for HEALTH: Live Pure. Pure On Main and Pure Wellness Spa are growing like a garden to meet the natural healing needs of their communities. The new roots are growing at their new location in Greer to bring plant-based health and natural wellness methods to a new audience. Pure has local wellness experts with decades of experience and education to help you find your roadmap to optimal health and wellness. They take a compassionate, educated, and individual approach to every customer, providing everything from vitamins and herbal supplements to massage therapy, colon hydrotherapy, foot detoxes and organic skin care, plus many other services. “We have a team of 14 experts in the wellness field,” says Betsy Exton, Pure’s owner and executive officer. “We have a naturopathic doctor, a master herbalist, and several specialists that help people on their
journey to wellness. My team is unbelievably dedicated to take the guesswork out of your healing path. We continue to research daily to bring the best, latest and greatest products to our locations. To meet the increasing health needs of our ever-changing world, our expansion to Greer helps us introduce more people to natural wellness and plantbased medicine.” Pure has a remarkable reputation for helping people feel confident in their path to health and happiness. Everyone walks out feeling better and more hopeful than they did before they came in. Our motto has always been “Good In, Bad Out!” We pride ourselves in guiding your detox journey, while also building a nutrient-rich internal environment. Now even offering organic facials and body treatments for better selfcare options.
ESTABLISHED: 2012 (Greenville), 2021 (Greer) DID YOU KNOW? Pure On Main can even help your pet with separation anxiety!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “I was born to do this. I was born to educate people about plant-based medicine and EMPOWER people to learn about their body’s natural way to become and stay healthy.” — Betsy Exton JOIN THE PURE CUSTOMER/CLIENT FAMILY TO FEEL AND LOOK YOUR BEST TODAY!
Pure On Main 233 N. Main St. #105, Greenville 864.991.2726 PureOnMain.com
Pure Wellness Spa 108 Cannon St., Greer 864.655.5079 PureWellnessSpa.com LIVE LOCAL 2021
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Take your health somewhere it’s never been before Traditional medicine doesn’t always provide the relief patients need. Sometimes the remedy includes a trip to Garner’s Natural Life. The vitamin and supplement store has supplied the Greenville community with alternative health methods for the last five decades. Marketing and Assistant Store Manager Susan Ledbetter explains, “We just want to give more options to people. You can use traditional and alternative medicine. They can work together with the advice of a doctor.” To help local families achieve a healthier lifestyle, customers can browse CBD and essential oils, herbs for face masks or tea, natural skincare, vitamins and supplements. Gifts, diffusers and organic pet products are also available. Garner’s Natural Life is locally owned and operated by Candace Garner and her
family. They aim to provide world-class customer service, natural product components and education. Ledbetter says, “The difference in the brands we carry are clean ingredients. We’re going to make sure there aren’t artificial dyes, fillers or binders.” If there are questions about selections, experienced employees are committed to educate customers with a genuine smile. Ledbetter mentions, “We really talk to customers and try to find what the customer needs. We can help explain what a product does.” The most important objective is to point customers in the right direction. It may lead to conventional treatments. Or the route to healing may be a holistic approach.
27 S. Pleasantburg Dr., #20, Greenville | 864.242.4856 1601 Woodruff Rd., A, Greenville | 864.603.5550 GarnersNaturaLife.com 76
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ESTABLISHED: 1969 FUN FACT: Garner’s Natural Life has seven Certified Master Herbalists and six Certified Natural Health Professionals on staff. DID YOU KNOW? Garner’s won Best of the Upstate for four years and was voted Retailer of the Year by Vitamin Retailer. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Our customers! Hearing their stories and seeing how we can help them on their journey to better health.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
GARNER’S NATURAL LIFE
SERVUS BIERGARTEN A true German restaurant experience in the heart of downtown Simpsonville When Daria Rupp moved to the Upstate from Germany three years ago, she had a vision. She wanted to open a biergarten with live music, good German beer and authentic German food. And that’s exactly what she did last December with Servus Biergarten, located inside the Warehouse at Vaughn’s in Simpsonville. Initially, Rupp wanted to build Servus from the ground up in downtown Greenville, but COVID put an end to those plans. Luckily, she found something just as good in Simpsonville. “I changed the concept a little bit and everything came into place,” she says, “and now it’s even better than it was planned. I met the right people at the right time, and the Warehouse at Vaughn’s has different food vendors gathered under one roof, which is so good because it gives us a variety of customers.” In fact, Servus Biergarten, which opened in December of 2020, is doing so well that Rupp already has another, bigger vision for it.
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“The concept now is to franchise it,” she says. “So this place I have at Warehouse at Vaughn’s is my test version. When I have perfected it, I am going to offer it to people who are interested in starting their own businesses. So I hope that next year Servus Biergartens will be present in all states in the United States.”
109 W. Trade St., Simpsonville 864.757.1660 ServusGreenville.com
ESTABLISHED: 2020 DID YOU KNOW? “Servus” is actually a greeting word in southern Germany. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Two people I love more than anything in the world – my children Carolina and Max. They remind me of what it’s like to just be excited about each new day and they inspire my curiosity and creativity.”
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PMI PROPERTY MANAGEMENT The only choice for Greenville property management PMI Property Management strives to make life as easy as possible for property owners, investors, and tenants. Victor Sanchez, the owner of PMI Southern States, brings a lot of experience with him, experience that proves why a company like PMI is so important. “I got into property management because I originally owned some properties myself,” he says. “We were renting properties to people who looked like they would take good care of the property, but at the end of the year, when I was getting these properties back, one tenant had been sub-leasing rooms individually, and someone had built a kitchen in a closet!”
Experiences like that convinced Sanchez to become part of a franchise that has been perfecting and changing the property management industry for over 20 years, and to make sure he provides the best service possible. We are completely transparent with our information,” he says. “It’s broken down by packages to let the owners know this is what I charge, and this is what I’m responsible for, so they can hold me accountable. I work for the owner and the investor, but I also help out the tenant, because you never know when a tenant is going to BECOME an owner or investor in the future.”
DID YOU KNOW? PMI offers an armed services discount, and if you have a service animal and live in a PMI-managed property, there’s no charge for owning the pet. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “It makes me feel really good to put someone into a property that they never thought they’d be able to get into because of their credit history. “
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207 N. Maple St., Suite 1, Simpsonville 864.688.9281 | PMISouthernStates.com
ESTABLISHED: 2021
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GRACE HERLONG LOVELESS 2019 & 2020 President’s Circle Member Grace Loveless has real estate in her DNA. As the daughter of Joan Herlong, Grace grew up learning the real estate business from the comfort of her car seat in her mom’s van. Still, Grace had to earn her entry into the market. “My mom always said I shouldn’t go into real estate before I’d bought my own house,” she says. “You’ve got to personally understand and empathize with the buying and selling process.” After graduating from Furman, Grace and her husband Ryan moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, then to Atlanta, where she worked for BMW of North America. At BMW, she managed the luxury client experience in concert with 100+ dealerships. Greenville is home to their family, so after their daughter was born in 2017, Grace and Ryan traded in hectic big-city life to be close to their families, and to have more time to enjoy their own growing family. They welcomed their son in March of 2020 to complete their family. When Grace went into real estate sales in 2019, she paired her corporate experience with all that she had learned by osmosis growing up: she finished in the top 3 percent of MLS (by sales volume). She was also the company 2019 Rookie of the Year.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOPHER DECKER - FIREWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
Today Grace is busy putting her lifelong knowledge of Greenville and her uncanny ability to communicate to work to deliver the best possible experience for her sellers and buyers.
1 McDaniel Greene, Greenville 864.660.3925 JHA-SothebysRealty.com
ESTABLISHED: 2019 DID YOU KNOW? Grace sold over $9 million in her first year in real estate sales!
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CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS, INC. Big firm opportunities, small firm culture
Environmental Protection Division. The office’s civil/site development group and capabilities grew under the leadership of George Genero, P.E., a principal in the Civil Engineering practice with 23 years of experience in civil/site design, transactional due diligence, and project management for a variety of real estate and public sector clients. Born in Argentina and raised in Florida, George has been in Greenville for 13 years. Then there’s Terron Edwards, a Greenvillian and Clemson graduate, who is a project manager in the Environmental practice with nearly 20 years of experience working throughout the southeastern U.S. on property acquisitions and development projects. The office recently added Matt Mudge, P.G., also a principal in the Environmental practice. Matt has 21 years of experience—eight of which have been spent in Greenville— performing environmental assessments, remediation, and construction observation for hazardous waste sites, industrialbased solid waste pulp and paper facilities, and big mill or plant sites. “All four individuals possess a high degree of wanting to serve,” Isham says, “and that’s what we look for when we hire people. They have the energy, the drive, the conscientiousness—and they all want their reputations to be stellar.” Exactly what you’d expect from a stellar team. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Civil & Environmental Consultants ranks among the top 100 design and environmental firms in the U.S., per Engineering News-Record. They opened a Greenville office in 2016, and Charlie Isham was charged with leading that office after having spent 35 years serving the industrial, commercial, legal, and public sector markets on environmental, regulatory, hazardous waste, wastewater, civil, and transportation projects. The opportunity to build an office from the ground up was the challenge on which he wanted to finish his career. “This is the second time I’ve done this,” Isham says, “and I wanted to find the right people to position the office for growth and sustainability.” The current team he has assembled is doing just that! The growth of CEC’s Greenville office (now 16 employees) mirrors that of Greenville itself, with talented professionals, native or new, choosing to build their careers in a place with an exceptional business climate and superior quality of life. Take Upstate native and Clemson graduate Britney Barnes, for example. A project manager in CEC’s Environmental Engineering & Sciences practice with 23 years of environmental consulting experience, Britney has established relationships with South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control, North Carolina’s Department of Environmental Quality, and Georgia’s
ESTABLISHED: 2016 DID YOU KNOW? CEC’s Greenville office celebrated its 5th anniversary in March. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Hiring high-quality people, placing them in a great setting, and watching them embrace the opportunity to grow in the business community.” — Charlie Isham
530 Howell Rd. Suite 203, Greenville 864.626.3140 | CECinc.com LIVE LOCAL 2021
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A warm environment, thoughtful service, exceptional food and drink You might have eaten some upscale Southern cuisine at Southern Culture Kitchen & Bar (which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year), or done some casual dining at LTO Burger Bar, or had some craft beer at The Habitap, but did you know that all three restaurants are connected?
“Building our brand as a restaurant group is something we’ve been focused on the last year,” says Renee Boyett, the group’s CEO & Managing Partner. “It’s been very rewarding after the year we’ve been through.” “When we went into COVID, it was really hard on all of us,” says Jonathan Mills, Chief Operating Officer. “And that was the first time we took the opportunity as independent restaurants to band together and weather the storm.”
If you DIDN’T know, that’s OK. The group didn’t really begin exploring the bond between the three restaurants until 2020. Since then the group has begun planning a loyalty-rewards program that covers all three restaurants, and they’ve begun uniting
“We took a lot of support from understanding that we’re not alone,” says Heidi Mills, Director of Operations and General Manager of The Habitap. “We’ve really formed a bond with all of our team; we’re very much a big family.”
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DID YOU KNOW? Heidi & Jonathan Mills are husband and wife.
their staff members across all three brands.
They’re all owned by the Southern Culture Hospitality Group, a group dedicated to providing Greenville with thoughtful service and exceptional food and drink.
ESTABLISHED: 2012
Southern Culture Kitchen & Bar 2537 N. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville 864.552.1998 SouthernCultureKitchenAndBar.com Habitap 1325 Miller Rd., Greenville 864.236.8025 | TheHabitap.com LTO Burger Bar 2541 N. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville 864.214.1483 | LTOBurgerBarGVL.com
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Knowing that we are making an impact on people as seen in the smiles on our employee’s faces when they walk in the door to work each day, and the happiness on the faces of our customers as they enjoy their meals with us.” — Renee Boyett
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
SOUTHERN CULTURE HOSPITALITY GROUP
RYAN BEASLEY LAW FIRM Let’s change the outcome For over 20 years, Ryan Beasley has lifted the weight off individuals’ shoulders. They come to Beasley, a criminal defense lawyer in Greenville, with problems big or small. White collar crimes, tax situations, DUI, drug charges and personal injury cases are stressful. Beasley explains, “They hire me to deal with their problems and to get the best results possible.” In 2002, Beasley moved to Greenville and became a prosecutor in the 13th Circuit Solicitors Office. Then, he was an associate at Price, Paschal & Ashmore before becoming partner at the practice. After opening his own firm, Beasley renovated a building downtown to create a synergistic office space for attorneys in various practice areas. One way Beasley has achieved growth is relationship development. He says, “I go the extra steps to develop good relationships with prosecutors and law enforcement.” He’s also actively involved in every case and tries to resolve problems with serious work ethic. Beasley’s positive reputation and diverse experience gives him an advantage. When people are faced with criminal charges and prison or they are a victim of a crime, their lives are dramatically impacted by the court’s decision. When a company is faced with challenges from employee embezzlement to relocating their facilities to South Carolina, Beasley says, “I get to help them.” Sometimes the task is difficult, but he continues to fight for his clients by changing and improving the outcome.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
416 E. North St., Level 2, Greenville 864.679.7777 RyanBeasleyLaw.com
DID YOU KNOW? State Supreme Court Justice John Few is Ryan Beasley’s cousin. His uncle, David Beasley, accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for the World Food Programme. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “My family inspires me. I am motivated to set a good example and maintain a strong reputation for helping others.”
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OF Greenville, FOR Greenville and BY Greenville The Greenville Symphony Orchestra has spent the last 73 years as one of the city’s most devoted community partners and beloved institutions, The GSO began in 1948 as a small group of volunteer musicians performing in the Women’s College auditorium on the old campus of Furman University. It made its home in downtown Greenville’s Peace Center in 1990 and has been led by Russian-born Music Director & Conductor Edvard Tchivzhel since 1999. Programs that generate passion for orchestral music are at the core of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra’s service to the community. Annually, the GSO offers more than 185 different events that reach 51,000 people in the Upstate, including the Masterworks Series in the concert hall and Chamber Series in Gunter Theatre. And the GSO’s Holiday at Peace is a longstanding holiday tradition for many families in Greenville.
There’s an intrinsic bond between Greenville and the orchestra, not just because they attract top musical talent to our city, but also because these musicians live and work here; teaching our students, serving in our churches, and much more. During 2020, the GSO pushed through the pandemic and found ways to continue to serve the community - on line at first through new videos, past recordings, and education clinics, and eventually in person. They’ve emerged from the pandemic reenergized and are looking forward to a very bright future as a partner to Greenville by providing experiences that build community and our city’s growing reputation.
200 S. Main St., Greenville 864.232.0344 | GreenvilleSymphony.org
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ESTABLISHED: 1948 DID YOU KNOW? Edvard Tchivzhel escaped from Soviet rule and has been a United States citizen since 1999. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Being able to visit and educate the orchestra culture in all 51 Greenville County elementary schools annually.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
GREENVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
FIFTH THIRD BANK Focused on your goals
PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA GAULT PHOTOGRAPHY
ESTABLISHED: 1858 FUN FACT: “Fifth Third means we don’t just give 100 percent into everything we do; we do things a Fifth Third Better. That’s 167 percent.” DID YOU KNOW? Estate planning, investments, risk management, lending and payroll services are just a few of the large variety of services offered.
Financial advisors at Fifth Third Bank have deeply rooted themselves in our neighborhood. Not only is the personal, commercial and wealth management bank dedicated to community service; the company plans to expand the Upstate market with local personnel. South Carolina Market Leader Charlie Arndt explains, “The success of our continued growth in this marketplace is driven by our commitment to hiring local people that have deep roots in the community.” Arndt and his team have hooks in community outreach including Meeting Street Academy in Spartanburg. Arndt defines involvement with Meeting Street Academy as, “An effort to provide an even playing field to allow every child to have the opportunity to succeed.” Arndt has also volunteered as a men’s soccer goalie coach
at Furman University for 25 years. Arndt says, “I’ve been fortunate to build long-term friendships with players and the Furman community. That’s been the biggest take-away for me.” The desire to give back is shared by all staff members and relationship banking is their business approach. Arndt states, “We’ve been able to forge some really strong relationships by helping clients grow and build their business.” For Arndt’s team, it’s about making personal connections. He says, “You need to get to know people outside of work to establish sustainable relationships.” Strong partnerships can help clients achieve personal or professional goals.
656 S. Main St., Greenville 864.537.4436 | 53.com LIVE LOCAL 2021
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Best way to make dreams come true – live them! You name it, and Bryar & Company can do it. The company’s owner, Karsen Garrett, can get your logo or message on T-shirts, tumblers, koozies, golf balls, and much more, all from her shop in Pendleton. “I do a lot of engraving, printing, and embroidery – but that is not all I do,” Garrett says. “I have two lasers in the back of my shop that I use to engrave tumblers, serving trays, cutting boards, and more. I also just got into UV printing, therefore I can do full-color print on various surfaces.”
ESTABLISHED: 2019
entrepreneurship through college and as a second job as she began her career out of college. As her small side business took off, she realized she needed to quit her day job to dedicate all her time to this passion she began years ago back in high school. “I finally sat my husband down and told him, ‘I’m going to go full time with Bryar & Company because this is what I am passionate about – this is my dream.”
Bryar & Company (named for Karsen’s little brother) is the culmination of a dream Garrett has been working on since high school. “I’ve always been into designing T-shirts,” she says. “I actually started in high school.” Garrett would design shirts and pre-sale them at school. She continued this 86
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864.642.5696 Bryar-Company.com
DID YOU KNOW? Bryar & Company used to be called “Karsen’s Kustomizations.” WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “I don’t know if I’m inspired more by the actual work I get to create or the people who I get to build relationships with. Both are equally inspirational.” — Karsen Garrett
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
BRYAR & COMPANY
FLAGSHIP PROPERTIES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
Commercial services. Residential Services. Property management.
ESTABLISHED: 2008 DID YOU KNOW? In the winter of 2018, Benji and 3 friends sailed a Beneteau 323, Watermusic, from Charleston, SC to Green Turtle Cay Abacos.
“Commercial, residential, and property management are different divisions of real estate, but there’s great synergy between the three,” says Flagship Properties President & Broker in Charge, H. Benjamin Smith III. Flagship Properties has consistently delivered in all three areas, and they seem to do their best work during difficult times. During the darkest days of the recession back in 2008, Flagship began as a commercial sales and leasing company, with Jon Pickhardt joining Smith as Operating Partner and Executive VP shortly afterwards. Flagship defied the odds and thrived. In 2010, they not only added a residential division with experienced agents, but they also added a property management division through the acquisition of Riverside Property Management. And at the height of COVID-19 in 2020, Flagship acquired Convergent Property Group’s property management business. “This allowed us to expand Flagship’s market share and provided
enhanced services for our clients and residents,” says Pickhardt. In addition, Flagship’s residential agents triumphed in the face of COVID-19 by selling more homes than ever before in the firm’s decade-long history. Pickhardt says, “We braced ourselves for a shortfall and our agents proved to be resilient and persevered through the challenges of the pandemic.” There’s an adaptability to Flagship’s business model that allows them to adjust with the times. “As for commercial, I spent a lot of my time over the last few years focusing on investment properties,” Smith says. “But when COVID hit, we adjusted quickly and catered to selling owner-user buildings, and structuring land deals for new construction of medical office buildings, industrial/warehouse, multi-family, mixed-use, retail, and residential neighborhoods. Now, business is going well across the board.” Once again, Flagship has adapted to fit the times.
33 Market Point Dr., Greenville 888.728.8908 | FlagshipSC.com LIVE LOCAL 2021
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SHARE
Helping people and communities exit poverty and achieve economic stability Pamela Sims President & CEO of SHARE (Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources), is justifiably proud that the non-profit Community Action Agency provides a wide range of services to low and moderate-income residents in Upstate South Carolina. “What I want people to know is that we’re HERE,” she says. “We are the local Community Action Agency that serves Greenville, Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee counties, and we provide services for the entire family, starting with infants and toddlers up to seniors. We assist with basic human needs for eligible individuals and families; and provide training for employment for individuals who want to exit poverty.” There are two central departments at SHARE: Head Start/Early Head Start and Community Economic Opportunity Department. Head Start/Early Head Start is a school readiness program that provides high-quality education and comprehensive services for children, their families, and pregnant women. Head Start/Early Head Start also provides family engagement courses and opportunities and social services to prepare children and families to transition to public school. “Head Start offers a full range of services that support early learning and development in a center-based environment,” Sims says. “Education services include curriculum and assessments to guide learning and school readiness goals for all children. Comprehensive services include health, nutrition, disabilities/ mental health and others to support each child’s unique needs. We encourage fathers and father figures
to participate in our fatherhood engagement opportunities. We provide prenatal and postpartum services for pregnant women. The participation of the pregnant mother will lead to her baby receiving a slot in one of our infant classrooms.” The Community Services Block Grant, under the Community Economic Opportunity Department, is an umbrella for programs like LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), LADDER, General Emergency Assistance, Housing Repair, Homeless Services, Circles and Youth Leadership. “The LIHEAP program assists eligible households with residential heating and cooling,” Sims says. “LADDER is an employment and training program that provides a comprehensive system to support the employment needs of individuals 18 and older in Greenville County. General Emergency Assistance provides emergency interventions to prevent homelessness. Housing Repair provides emergency home repairs. Homeless Services provides transitional housing, supportive services, and intensive case management to assist those individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness to move into an apartment or home. Circles offers a comprehensive program for low-wealth adults who are willing and ready to establish goals and plans that help them exit poverty. The Youth Leadership Program provides income eligible middle and high school students educational opportunities that target improvements in academic, behavioral, and social achievement, all to increase self-sufficiency.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
ESTABLISHED: 1966 DID YOU KNOW? Pamela Sims’ history with SHARE totals 48 years. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “I get great satisfaction out of knowing that, even though I rarely deal with our customers directly, I know within me I am making a difference and doing a job that helps other people.”
AMERICA’S POVERTY FIGHTING NETWORK
254 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville | 864.269.0700 | ShareSC.org LIVE LOCAL 2021
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ESTABLISHED: 2009 WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Solving problems and helping my coworkers grow.” — Stephen Stokes
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
DID YOU KNOW? The size of The Stokes team has grown more than 10 times over the past 10 years.
108 Frederick St., Greenville | 864. 242.1418 | StokesCPAs.com
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STOKES & COMPANY, CPAs Real people. Real connections. Real results.
When the pandemic hit and stimulus funds were made available to businesses in the form of Paycheck Protection Program loans, there was an immediate flood of business owners into their banks, accountants’ offices and payroll offices, seeking relief from the unknown.
staff come highly credentialed and connected—serving in their local communities and certified in any number of services or professional accreditations. Their goal is to enable business owners to focus less on the day-to-day operations, and instead concentrate on growing their business and increasing revenue.
For Stokes & Company—an Upstate-based accounting firm—this was a time to shine. Not only did it mean they were uniquely poised to help their clients take advantage of funds that might help save their business, but the team also got to live out their core values in real life.
To do so, they offer services in accounting and consulting for privately-owned businesses, offering year-round planning and growth strategies to business owners who want to grow, as well as tax planning and preparation for both businesses and individuals, allowing their clients to understand new tax change implications and to take advantage of every opportunity to save money. Additionally, Stokes & Company offers full-service payroll solutions, freeing business owners from having to maintain a constant focus on employee attendance, benefits and payments.
“We believe that when you have real people making real connections, you can see real results come from that,” says Stephen Stokes, president of Stokes & Company. “Our core values—excellence, professionalism, proactivity, integrity and collaboration — all shape how we are able to work alongside our clients in every situation and especially the ones that really affect their bottom lines.” With over 40 staff members across four offices in Greenville, Gaffney and Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Tryon, North Carolina, Stokes & Company has long been focused on supporting small businesses and helping them grow. Many of the
“In practice, we want to be able to support our clients and their businesses in any way possible, no matter what challenges they may be facing or what opportunities they may have in front of them,” says Stokes & Company vice president Allen Hodges. “We want to be the people they can collaborate with and trust—always in their corner — and be of true service to them along every step of the way.”
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COASTAL CRUST
GREENVILLE LOCATION ESTABLISHED: 2019
Wood-fired pizza
“It’s very much not a franchise type model,” says co-owner Brian Piesner. “We customize the menu based on location. Me and the chefs and managers brainstorm about what we think people in the area are going to want.” 92
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Coastal Crust originated in Charleston, but Piesner says that he was compelled to expand into the Upstate, first with a catering truck and then with a brick-and-mortar location. “I was just drawn by the vibrant community, the proximity to the mountains, the people and the place,” he says. “In fact, I kind of wish we’d discovered Greenville before I moved back to Charleston from New York. It only took a couple of visits to the town, but I fell in love with it, and I wanted to be involved, so we started our catering business, and it grew from there.”
DID YOU KNOW? Coastal Crust just opened a new location in Isle of Palms.
1254 Pendleton St., Greenville 864.412.8501 CoastalCrust.com/Greenville
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Creating a space and creating an environment. To see people come in and enjoy what we’ve put out for them.” – Brian Piesner
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Coastal Crust Pizza has several locations around South Carolina, but this isn’t your typical pizza franchise. The menu of delicious wood-fired pizzas is different for each location. The Greenville Coastal Crust location on Pendleton St., for example, has the “Grandma,” a mix of olive oil, crushed tomato sauce, housepulled mozzarella and fresh basil, and the Fig & Prosciutto, which comes with truffle oil, gorgonzola, and house hot honey.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
THE SIDE PORCH SWINGS New Orleans jazz band based out of Clemson ESTABLISHED: 2018 DID YOU KNOW? Both O’Bryant and Howard played in the Tiger Band at Clemson University. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Being able to express myself however I see fit.” — Grant Howard
If you go to see Clemson’s Side Porch Swings band play live, you’re definitely going to hear some old-school New Orleansstyle jazz. You’re almost certain to hear “When The Saints Go Marching In” and “Bourbon Street Parade,” along with lively interpretations of gospel classics like “I’ll Fly Away,” “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” And you’ll hear some more modern jazz tunes as well, most notably a bossa nova version of “La Vie En Rose.” But most of all, you’re going to hear joyous collective improvisation from the group, which can go from a trio to a septet depending on the gig.
“You have your modern-day music that’s heavily edited and produced,” says clarinetist Grant Howard, who forms the nucleus of The Side Porch Swings along with sousaphone player Camden O’Bryant. “In New Orleans jazz, it’s collective improv. You’re coming up with the music on the spot. It’s different every time.” O’Bryant and Howard formed the band at Clemson University back in 2018. “I’m a clarinet player and Camden is a sousaphone player,” Howard says, “and we’re really into jazz. But a lot of straightahead jazz doesn’t really incorporate the sousaphone or the clarinet, but traditional New Orleans jazz does. So we decided let’s play these songs that have our instruments in them, and it’s been a blast ever since.”
615.594.1154
@TheSidePorchSwings LIVE LOCAL 2021
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NORTH SEVENTH PHOTO
ESTABLISHED: 2020
Real estate photos, on demand
The company, which uses professional photo and video cameras, 3D imaging for virtual walkthroughs and drones for aerial views, provides a reliable solution for an issue that realtors often have: The best photographers are often booked solid. “In my years in real estate, that was a common problem: Almost every real estate photographer is a mom-and-pop shop,” says Moses Nickerson, the CEO of North Seventh. “And they’re fantastic artists, but they’re only one person. So as they gain traction, they would be booked out three weeks.” North Seventh solves this problem by recruiting 94
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DID YOU KNOW? Matty Fisher has an extensive background in the film/TV industry and advertising.
and training a team of talented photographers for on-demand service with nearly infinite availability in cities across the Upstate. “Our collaboration is about narrowing down on what realtors really need,” says co-founder Matty Fisher. “Videos, aerials, 3D walkthrough tours, those things help the realtor make a significant impression on potential buyers without them ever stepping a foot in the house.” And they’re working on solving a lot more problems with North Seventh. “We’re working on becoming a marketing company for agents nationwide, and Greenville would be our pilot city,” Nickerson says. “The ultimate goal is to provide any marketing service a real estate agent would need, all through an app.”
19 Verlin Dr., Greenville 864.808.3008 N7th.com
WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “We get to create something new, in a space that no one has really created in.”
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
North Seventh Photo helps busy real estate agents attract more buyers with an all-in-one suite of compelling property photos, videos, aerials, and virtual tours, all with a lightning-fast turnaround.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
CLARE’S CREAMERY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
Celebrate all of life’s little (or big) moments with delicious homemade ice cream
ESTABLISHED: 2020 DID YOU KNOW? Caitlin is the proud mother of three children. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “I really do think it’s the smiles. Even if someone comes in feeling a little bit off, they all leave happy and they’re always smiling.”
Honey Vanilla.
every recipe until we finally landed on the flavors we loved.”
Teddy Graham.
Hayes actually started out on a special ice-cream bike, selling her frozen treats all over the Upstate and learning what people enjoyed. And before that, she learned how to make the ice cream at a very cool place, no pun intended.
Raspberry Chocolate Chip. Cookies & Cream. Those are just a few of the flavors awaiting you at Clare’s Creamery ice cream shop on East North Street, in the Overbrook neighborhood. Hand-crafted by the shop’s owner, Caitlin Hayes, these are flavors she tested out on those closest to her before bringing them to her customers. “All of the flavors on the menu are flavors that my family likes. Between my husband, my sister, my kids and myself, we taste-tested
“I applied for Ice Cream 101 at Penn State,” she says. “Basically it’s a class for either ice cream business owners or people who WANT to be ice cream business owners or hobbyists. They teach you how to make everything from start to finish. I ate some of the best ice cream ever and then, I came back and told my husband, ‘I know I can do this.’ And if that delectable menu is any indication, she was right.
1635 East North St., Greenville ClaresCreamery.com LIVE LOCAL 2021
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ESTABLISHED: 1987
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACK ROBERT PHOTOGRAPHY
DID YOU KNOW? The RED Party is AID Upstate’s annual fundraising event. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Seeing people find their true selves and going after their dreams.”
13 S. Calhoun St., Greenville 864.250.0607 | AIDUpstate.org 96
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AID Upstate Preventing and treating HIV through direct services, advocacy, education and awareness If you haven’t heard of AID Upstate before, there is a reason for that. The Upstate non-profit provides supportive services to people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens counties of South Carolina, and was founded in 1987, a time when there were many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. “There is not a lot of awareness that we exist,” says AID Upstate’s Director of Community Relations, Jose Giocamea, “and that was mainly by design. AID Upstate came to be because of the AIDS epidemic in 1987. Because of the stigma and discrimination during that time, AID Upstate became a safe haven for people who were abandoned by family and friends after being diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. And now, 34 years later, I think now is a perfect time to say, ‘We are here.’” And given the level of care that AID Upstate can help provide, almost always at no cost to the patient, we’re fortunate that they’ve decided to step into the public eye. Their services include HIV specialty and primary care, medical case management, referrals/ payment for medical care, health insurance premiums and copayment costs, food pantry, transportation, pharmaceutical assistance, mental health, addictions counseling, assistance with short-term rent, mortgage, utilities, long-term group housing, adherence and treatment education, risk reduction counseling, and HIV prevention services which includes PrEP, a once-daily pill that is 99% effective at preventing HIV.
Those are vital services, usually provided for free, and ALWAYS provided in a supportive atmosphere. “We are a safe affirming space for everyone. There’s no judgment here,” Giocamea says. “We treat everyone the same: with respect, dignity, and compassion. So when people come to our offices in Greenville or Anderson, they are greeted with smiling, friendly faces. Once they realize they are in a safe space, it allows them to open up and trust us more.” Of course, we aren’t in the dark days of 1987, and Giocamea says that there is often good news for people who seek help at AID Upstate. “The face of AIDS in 1987 is different from the face of HIV in 2021,” he says. “People are living longer healthy lives now, because of the progress made over the past four decades in treating HIV.” AID Upstate’s main priority is getting people tested and ensuring those with HIV receive treatment and live as healthy a life as possible. “Remember, your sexual health is a very important part of your overall health,” says Giocamea. “After what we’ve been through with COVID, we know how important our health really is. Your health and our community’s health are intertwined with equality, gender, human rights, and economic growth.”
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COWART AWARDS We are more than awards
At Cowart, we are committed to providing personable, timely service, products of the highest quality and a level of expertise, resourcefulness and knowledge that is standard-setting in the industry. People are what make Cowart different. We each share a working knowledge of the awards and recognition industry and the know-how and wherewithal to get things done. We are committed to providing quality products you are proud to present, and awards recipients are proud to keep. We come in early and stay late. We ask, Why? We ask, What if? We do more than trophies, plaques and engraving. We innovate. We create. We do name badges, interior signage, apparel or anything requiring custom production. We find one-of-a- kind solutions, because awards and recognition mean something to people. They have impact. They have meaning. They’re worth our time. They are worth our best.
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In order for us to stay competitive in this strong market, we continually look for ways to improve and stay up-to-date with technology. We recently invested in new equipment in order to add capacity and improve efficiency for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These updates have allowed us to better serve our current and future customers as their needs grow and expand with time. And with the addition of new industry-leading technology and machinery, we can provide our clients with even more capabilities. We recently added two high-speed 3D laser marking machines. We can laser etch on any type of metal. With our 5x10-foot industrial router, we can cut most materials in house. We utilize 3D scanning and 3D printing to prototype and create molds for our custom awards. There are not many materials that exist that we cannot imprint, etch, or fabricate. WE DO SO MUCH MORE THAN AWARDS!
ESTABLISHED: 1965 DID YOU KNOW? Cowart Awards has been in business for 56 years. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “Knowing that every trophy has a story and makes our customers smile.”
AWARDSTHATWORK.COM
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK SUSKO VISUAL DESIGN
912 Laurens Rd., Greenville 864.271.9131 | AwardsThatWork.com
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CAROLINA BAUERNHAUS BREWERY & WINERY Handcrafted beverages from the finest local ingredients Keston Helfrich, Brad Thomas and David Thornton, the partners behind Carolina Bauernhaus Brewery & Winery, didn’t have to look too hard to see the potential in their new space in the Poe West development on Perry Avenue in the West End. In fact, they didn’t even have to look inside the building. “When we first saw the space, we totally fell in love with that outdoor area,” Helfrich says, referring to the 3,000 sq ft patio area that the Bauernhaus’ new location has. “We saw the possibilities of that big covered outdoor space.” Of course, that doesn’t mean that settling into their new location was all fun and games. They did still have a pandemic to deal with. “It was an interesting challenge at first,” Helfrich says. “We thought we’d be chugging along but obviously getting people out like they would have done in the past didn’t really happen. So our growth has been a little slower and a lot more organic. But we saw the potential, and once we found out who our neighbors would be and what the opportunities for collaboration would, we were sold on it.” Helfrich, Thornton and Thomas have made it a point to collaborate
with as many of their neighbors in Poe West. “We’ve done chocolate pairings with LaRue Fine Chocolates,” Helfrich says. “We’ve used coffee from Unlocked Coffee Roasters in our beer. We’ve done more health-oriented events with The Junkyard fitness facility. There’s just a lot of opportunity for collaboration and the development has a nice little neighborhood feel.” In fact, Helfrich sees a metaphor in the way that Carolina Bauernhaus has worked with the other businesses around them. “I think it happened organically,” he says, “and it’s kind of like how we tend to work, because it basically goes back to one of our core missions of celebrating the local, seasonal regional ingredients that we use in all of our beers and ciders. It’s been kind of interesting to watch.” And even though they didn’t get to do a traditional grand-opening in 2020, Helfrich says there are plans in the works to change that. “I’m pretty sure we’re going to do a grand-opening event in conjunction with the entire development,” he says. “They wanted to have a big celebration to open but it just wasn’t possible. But we’ll do something here soon.”
ESTABLISHED: 2015 (Anderson, SC); 2020 (Greenville, SC) DID YOU KNOW? Helfrich’s all-time oddest ingredient is spirulina algae — an attempt to go green naturally on St. Patrick’s Day. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “The wealth of natural ingredients all around us inspires me.”
CarolinaBauernhaus.com 556 Perry Ave., Suite B118, Greenville 864.263.3389
115 Federal St., Anderson 864.401.8167
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SOUTHERN TRADITIONS Putting Southern Charm in your home decor When Matt Cobb was in business school at Clemson University, he didn’t know that his own business would one day provide an essential element to the school’s newest building. Cobb, along with Stephen Wisdom and Sandy Williamson, built Southern Traditions into one of Greenville’s leaders in window treatments, installing shutters, blinds, draperies, motorized shades, exterior shutters and even automated awnings. Cobb and his partners at Southern Traditions provided all of the window treatments for the new Clemson University College of Business. At over 175,000 square feet, the project was quite an undertaking that included 400 roller shades. Many of the roller shades are automated, and some controlled shades adjust automatically based on the weather outside. The brandnew building, opened in 2020, required innovative window treatments, which is why they turned to Southern Traditions. The company also outfitted the new IPTAY building in November with top-of-the-line window treatments. The commercial side of Southern Traditions has taken off in the past year, but the company still offers the best in residential work as well.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA PARKKONEN PHOTOGRAPHY
“We carry great products, but above everything else, we value our interaction with people,” says Cobb. “It’s our goal to enhance the lives of our customers and our team members through establishing and maintaining quality relationships.”
30 OId Mill Rd., Greenville 864.286.0044 Shutters4u.com
ESTABLISHED: Matt, Stephen and Sandy bought Southern Traditions in 2012. 6 CORE VALUES: Customer focus, integrity, respect, responsibility, gratitude and profitability. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? “We are inspired by the opportunity to serve people’s needs—to build relationships that coincide with giving people exactly what they want.”
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ADVERTISER INDEX
Junior League of Greenville................................................................................. 20 Keel Concepts.............................................................................................................32 llyn strong fine art jewelry............................................................................. 42-43 Massage Envy .......................................................................................................... 6-7 Matt the Driveway Guy...........................................................................................58
Adam Peterson, State Farm.................................................................................33
Melissa Morrell, C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS....................................................31
AID Upstate.......................................................................................................... 96-97
Mobius Construction................................................................................................37
Alex & Ellis Crigler, C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS.............................................. 5
My PR Lab, David Hawkins...................................................................................45
ANC Group...........................................................................................................48-49
Nevaeh Realty ............................................................................................................22
Banker Exchange......................................................................................................40
Nick Van Gorp, Joan Herlong & Associates/Sotheby’s International Realty, REALTORS................................................................ 64
Bryar & Company Apparel....................................................................................86 Caine Hayes Insurance Agency...........................................................................17 Carolina Bauernhaus Brewery & Winery..............................................100-101 Carolina Furniture & Interiors.............................................................................. 44 Carolina Total Staffing Solutions........................................................................57 Chet & Beth Smith Group, The, REALTORS................Inside Front Cover Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. .................................................. 80-81 Clare’s Creamery........................................................................................................95 Coastal Crust...............................................................................................................92 Comfort Keepers.......................................................................................................36 Cowart Awards................................................................................................... 98-99 Drift Float & Spa............................................................................................................1 Dwell Chic.....................................................................................................................72 East Main Furniture Company.............................................................................55 Elite Total Fitness................................................................................................. 12-13 EmbellishMe.......................................................................................................... 50-51 Fifth Third Bank..........................................................................................................85 Flagship Properties..................................................................................................87 Foster Victor Wealth Advisors.....................................................................24-25 Garner’s Natural Life................................................................................................76 Genco Pools & Spas.............................................................................................10-11 Gibbs Cancer Center at Pelham........................................................................... 3 Golden Strip Glass....................................................................................................54 Grace Herlong Loveless, Joan Herlong & Associates/Sotheby’s International Realty, REALTORS.................................................................79
North Seventh Photo.............................................................................................. 94 Pelham Medical Center............................................................................................. 4 Pink Bee Gvl, Leigh Ann Miller............................................................................65 PMI Property Management...................................................................................78 Poe West ...............................................................................................................52-53 ProActive MD...................................................................................................... 66-67 ProSource..............................................................................................................26-27 Pure on Main and Pure Wellness Spa....................................................... 74-75 Rhett Brown, Marchant Real Estate, REALTORS.........................................71 Robinson Funeral Homes & Memorial Gardens..........................................23 Rosewood Communities........................................................................................56 Ryan Beasley Law Firm..........................................................................................83 S.H.A.R.E. .............................................................................................................. 88-89 Samson Stone............................................................................................................ 30 Score Piedmont..........................................................................................................73 Servus Biergarten......................................................................................................77 Shriners Hospital for Children – Greenville....................................................59 Southern Culture Hospitality Group.................................................................82 Southern Traditions................................................................................................103 Spaulding Group, C. Dan Joyner REALTORS...............................................28 Stanley Steemer of Greenville.............................................................................39 Stokes & Company, CPAs............................................................................... 90-91 StretchLab..................................................................................................................8-9 Take Cover Storage – Boat Camper RV...........................................................14
Greenville Running Co..............................................................................................61
Tax Credit Marketplace............................................................................................41
Greenville Symphony Orchestra....................................................................... 84
The Family Effect .....................................................................................................34
Greenville Triumph............................................................................................ 46-47
The Phoenix Center..................................................................................................35
Hilltop of Greenville Memory Care.....................................................................21
The Side Porch Swings...........................................................................................93
Holliday Ingram..........................................................................................................68
The Springs at Simpsonville.................................................................................69
Hoskins Family & Cosmetic Dentistry...............................................................18
Two Men and A Truck..............................................................................................29
Jacob Mann, Coldwell Banker Caine, REALTORS.......................................16
Vicario Liqueurs and Spirits................................................ Inside Back Cover
Jeff Meister, C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS..........................................................62
Virginia Hayes, Coldwell Banker Caine, REALTORS...................................15
Jill Chapman, C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS.......................................................38
Wantec VR................................................................................................................... 60
Jonathan Does Design............................................................................................63
Wild Birds Unlimited............................................................................................... 70
Jordan Lumber Company......................................................................................19
Wilson Associates Real Estate, REALTORS...............................Back Cover
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The primary mission of Vicario Liqueurs and Spirits is to offer an outstanding taste experience in the glass. If not grown directly by the Vicario family, the herbs, fruits and spices are organically-grown or wild-harvested from the regions and places of the world where the plants are renowned for exceptional quality and taste, presenting the best of terroir in every element. These efforts are recognized immediately when tasted. Well-balanced, highly intriguing, sophisticated and complex, yet simply delightful, Vicario Liqueurs and Spirits stimulate the senses and give pleasure to the table.
800 OLD JONES ROAD, GREER | 864.420.0225 | SALUTELLC.COM
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BONFIRE VISUALS
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t Vicario micro-distillery and farm, Renato Vicario and Janette Wesley create 15 different liqueurs and gin from a considerable compendium of knowledge of the historical, cultural and mythological characteristics of the herbs, spices, nuts and fruits which have been used for many centuries in liqueur making. Inspired by centuries of Italian traditions, Vicario’s products express oldworld wisdom for new-world endeavors. Folks can visit their farm and facility and take a tour where they can see, touch, smell and taste many of the farm-fresh ingredients grown on the property that go into their award-winning liqueurs. The other ingredients come from the family’s other farm in Tuscany, Italy, offering a rich array of estate-grown elements.