Ideas aren’t everything, execution matters greatly, but starting often requires an idea and so we asked folks to think back and tell us the story of how they came up with the idea for their businesses. We’ve highlighted some of our favorite stories below.

Trevor Williams | Owner of Righteous Relentless

Long story short I’ve always wanted a clothing brand since a teenager, I almost went to college for fashion at the Art Institute of Charleston, but God had other plans for my life, and that was surrendering my life to Him, and receiving salvation. Years later i after i got married to my wife i started to have an itch of wanting to start a clothing brand, due to the fact that at the time i didn’t see many Christian streetwear brands and if they were Christian clothing brands they weren’t my style. Read more>>

Lauren Donaldson | Beekeeper

The bees found me—twice, actually. In 2016, a swarm of bees made their way under my house and onto my roof. I called a local beekeeper to help me save them, and I fell in love. That very day, I started keeping bees in my backyard. I had several mentors, and each year, the hives continued to multiply. It wasn’t a business until this year, 2024; it was simply my passion. Read more>>

Corrie Mcgovern | Co-Owner of MCG Photography

My business partner – James McGavick – also happens to be my husband and we met in the dark room (old school photography). He was interested and assisting in architecture photography for Architecture Digest and I thought I was going to get my masters to teach photography. While in school, I worked part time at a photography lab and met an inspired wedding photography. She was looking for an assistant and got me hooked. Eventually I ended up pulling James to the people side of photography. We merged our skills, eloped, moved to Charleston and started our wedding photography business that has morphed into including portraits and events. Read more>>

Kirsten Bhattacharyya | Sommelier and Dinner Host

I think the best businesses stem from things you already enjoy or are currently searching to make part of your life. If it’s missing, chances are you can create it! I loved having people over for dinner and beyond that seeing different friend groups enjoy each others company. I also wanted the chance to build skills in wine buying and event design, so why not have a business that allows me to do all three. Read more>>

Maria Fernanda Ramirez | Latina clothing brand owner

The idea of ​​this project started out of a personal need, I had my first baby in 2021. I have always had this spirit of wanting to undertake something that I like and something that allows me to be myself. This was my best opportunity to do it since I was going to be able to take care of my baby and at the same time provide for my family. Read more>>