We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Tipton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, why did you pursue a creative career?
It’s who I am! I have always been artistic & creative, so pursuing a career in this field fulfills me in a way that other careers hadn’t. I’ve had jobs I enjoyed or even loved in the past, but they lacked a crucial piece of what makes me who I am & brings me joy – which is art.

I knew from a very young age that I wanted to own my own business or “be my own boss” as little me used to say, but I didn’t know exactly what I wanted that to be. I think that’s because I was searching careers that didn’t suit who I was, such as an accountant or lawyer, so it never felt right. I was looking at what would create good income rather than what would create great joy.

I figured out at a young age that I didn’t want to always be on someone else’s time with my life & happiness in their hands. I wanted to use my time, the one thing you can never get back, to build a life I loved, that fulfilled me creatively, gave me purpose, & made me feel excited for the next day! I did exactly that & I am blessed to say it’s the best decision I’ve pursued!

What should our readers know about your business?
My business, Purpose Under Palms, was named with the intention of doing what I love & living with purpose. I didn’t want to be stuck in the daily routine of life, living the same day every single day. I needed something to fulfill me creatively & I wanted to use my talent to bring others joy, so I started painting commissions, selling my original artwork, & painting live at weddings + events!

I took a giant leap of faith by quitting my job & putting every second of my time into getting Purpose Under Palms built from the ground up. There were many tears shed & doubts felt, but I believed in myself – I knew what I was capable of & while it wasn’t always easy, sometimes very confusing, I stayed focused to keep my dream alive!

There are many lessons learned along the way, but the biggest takeaway that others can learn from is to do it scared. There’s never a “right time” because the right time is now. Time doesn’t pause until you get the courage to face your fears – do it scared! You’ll find it’s usually not as scary as it seams, & if it is… you at least have something to be proud of because you did it anyway!

Chase your dreams, face your fears, & live with purpose!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The city that holds my heart is Charleston, SC! There are endless things to do both in & around CHS, but my favorite things involve coffee, food, & as much scenery as I can get!

In Mount Pleasant, SC:
Brown Fox Coffee
Pitt St Bridge
Shem Creek Park
Red’s Ice House for lunch on the water
Palmetto Islands County Park
Mt Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park (Walk the bridge! At night too!)
Sullivan’s Island
Poe’s Tavern
Coastal Crust
Obstinate Daughter

Downtown Charleston:
Hampton Park
The Battery/White Point Garden
South Carolina Aquarium (especially the sea turtles, my favorite!)
Joe Riley Waterfront Park
Poogan’s Porch
Harken Cafe
Charleston Gaillard Center
Charleston City Market (A fun stroll if you’ve never been!)
Shopping on King St

West Ashley/Johns Island/James Island:
The Tattooed Moose
Magnolia Plantation (Beautiful scenery, flowers, animals, & an alligator tour!)
James Island County Park
Home Team BBQ
Bowen’s Island
Charleston Pour House

Folly Beach:
The Crab Shack
Pineapple Hut

Can’t forget the boat rides, battle boarding, lighthouses, & so. much. more. These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg, but some of my favorite things to do!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A special thank you to my husband for your support in helping me chase my dream, along with all of the other wonderful, selfless, & encouraging friends or family that have volunteered, assisted, or lended a helping hand! You are the reason Purpose Under Palms has become a success in a short period of time & no words will ever express the gratitude I feel. So thankful to have you in my corner!

Website: https://purposeunderpalms.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purposeunderpalms/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purposeunderpalms/

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@purposeunderpalms

Image Credits
Tia Jenkins Photography
Laura & Rachel Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.