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Tina Heath-Shuttenberg, Beautiful South

Tina Heath-Schuttenberg is an AZ native who moved to Charleston, South Carolina in 2015, eventually co-founding Kwei Fei and Beautiful South, both extremely popular Asian inspired local eateries. Creative Mornings Charleston is proud to have her as the featured speaker for the April 2024 theme: Spicy.

1. What do you love most about what you do?

There's so much to love, but it's the people. First of all my Partner, David. We balance each other. The team, we're incredibly lucky to be able to work with a dedicated group who works with care, humor and creativity. The guests, when you work in a restaurant you're brought into people's lives in these really important moments. People leave with a memory, we just hope it's a good one. The community, our fellow restaurateurs are our lifeline. 

2. What inspired you and how did you become involved in your current career(s)?

It was out of necessity.  We started a pop-up and someone had to work the register. I spent my youth working retail, so I knew I could work the front.  I also knew I wouldn't be great, but I was working for free. A few months later I was laid off from my full-time gig. That meant that Kwei Fei had to work. There was a point before we opened Kwei Fei at The Pour House where I was able to ask myself if I wanted to continue down this path. There was a talented team who wanted to work with David. I could move along if I wanted. When I thought about it, I knew that I wanted to be on the ride with David. I also really love a challenge and this fills that need.

3. How do you start your day?

I wish I was one of those early birds who jumped out of bed ready to go. I am not. I wake up a bit later, check social media with cat cuddles then move onto coffee. I hope to be a full functioning human who's tackling the world by 11am. 

4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment.

Other than being a Mom, it's opening Beautiful South. We opened that space without an investor and with no first hand experience. It was (and continues to be) the hardest thing we've ever done. 

5. Do you have a hidden talent?

I wish! 

6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration?

A challenge. I love digging in and seeing how we can create an opportunity. 

7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order?

Cold Brew. Hot Beverages make me gag, so it has to be cold. Maybe warm. Not hot.

8. What is your favorite place in Charleston?

My back porch. She's seen weekly Sunday hangs, girls nights, family dinners and lounging in the sun with piles of neglected magazines. 

9. How do you unwind or de-stress?

Read about fashion, dig for archival pieces and sell clothes. I'm not in the industry anymore, but I pretend the restaurant floor is a runway.

Be sure to join Creative Mornings Charleston on Friday, April 19, 2024 from 8 to 9:30 AM at Beautiful South in downtown Charleston to hear more from Tina Heath-Schuttenberg as she speaks on this month's theme: SPICY.

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Joey Welling, Ethos Athletic Club

Joey Welling was born and raised in Charleston, SC and is a graduate of Bishop England High School and The Citadel. He’s been in the fitness industry for 19 years, working his way up from folding towels to becoming a personal trainer to traveling to NYC, ATL and Nashville, to finally co-owning his first gym in 2016 and later delivering his dream to his hometown in 2021 through Ethos Athletic Club. Joey is passionate about 3 things: health, hospitality and the New York Yankees. And he still folds towels to this day.

Joey entered the fitness industry because he fell in love with the environment of a gym. All of the “wrong” jobs he held taught him to appreciate the power of a positive environment and good people. This soon collided with his desire to better people’s days through health and wellness. The eagerness of the teen who mopped floors led to the entrepreneur who founded an athletic club based upon character, community, creativity and a fundamental “WHY”: make someone’s day better.

Ethos Athletic Club was established in the chaos of 2020 – in part to add positivity and health to a world full of negativity and fear. Joey took a leap to build a brick & mortar business when the gym industry as we knew it was threatened to ever exist again. Instead of following the trends of the time, he decided to go directly toward the obstacle - not reinventing the wheel, just spinning it in a different direction. 

Joey believes, and has instilled in both his Team and the members of the Ethos community, that we all have a responsibility to do good – to create a positive impact that goes beyond the individual and the walls of Ethos Athletic Club. 

Own it.

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Tripp Brower, Apparent Winds

A Lowcountry native, Tripp grew up constantly submerged in the waterways and culture that make up the coastal regions of South Carolina.

In 2014, Tripp founded the Lowcountry Maritime School (LMS), a 501©(3) non-profit organization dedicated to teaching young people math and science skills using boat building as a teaching platform. The mission, still to this day, is to inspire the Lowcountry’s younger generations to reach their full potential through boatbuilding and exploring maritime culture.

In 2019, his passion for the natural environment, the belief in the connectivity of people, and a desire to gain a broader perspective on coastal regions worldwide inspired Tripp to co-found Apparent Winds. He resigned from LMS to set sail on a two-year circumnavigation and film project. Tripp is taking lessons from that journey and leading a new iteration of Apparent Winds.

Apparent Winds is a 10-year global expedition dedicated to collecting and sharing environmental and cultural preservation stories while conducting marine research aboard the sailing vessel ‘Resilience.’

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Lee Pringle, Founder & Artistic Director - Colour of Music Festival

A visionary leader with a bold depth of field and admired among his peers for accomplishing the unimaginable for many players and patrons in the classical music world, Lee Pringle has mastered cultivating and curating programs including but not limited to spirituals, gospel, chamber, and orchestral presentations that span the evolution of his life experiences. #cmchs #creativemornings

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Marissa and Clay Carlisle of Bevi Bene Brewing Co.

Co-owners and husband-and-wife duo Clay and Marissa Carlisle opened Bevi Bene Brewing Co. in June 2022 in the heart of Charleston’s brewery district. Bringing together their passions for the outdoors, entrepreneurship and living well, Bevi Bene is Charleston’s first authentic lager and hard kombucha brewery.

Let's get to know our speakers:

Clay Carlisle:

1. What do you love most about what you do?

Seeing people enjoy something we've created. 

2. What inspired you and how did you become involved in your current career(s)? 

I like to create things and try to perfect them. Making beer and kombucha gives me that outlet, and figuring out how I can make them better inspires me to keep going. 

3. How do you start your day? 

Make breakfast for the family, grab a coffee and head to the brewery. 

4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment. 

Anytime my kids make a joke. 

5. Do you have a hidden talent? 

I can count backwards. 

6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration? 

Marissa. 

7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order?

Cold brew, black. 

8. What is your favorite place in Charleston? 

The beach. 

9. How do you unwind or de-stress? 

A beer or kombucha!

Rapid Fire:

Morning person or night owl? Neither. Afternoons. 

Summer of winter? Summer.

Mountains or beach? Beach.

Pancakes or waffles? Pancakes.

Fiction or nonfiction? Fiction.

+++

Marissa Carlisle 

1. What do you love most about what you do?

Having a creative outlet and control. Talking, selling, drinking a product I believe in and working with a kickass team who feels the same way! Love our team. 

2. What inspired you and how did you become involved in your current career(s)? 

Travel for sure. When Clay and I travel and want to explore the city, we always check out their local brewery scene. Clays been brewing for a while but this is what inspired and created Bevi Bene. Figuring out what exactly we wanted for the tap room by experiencing different breweries, vineyards, tasting rooms and hotels. 

3. How do you start your day? 

Get our girls up & dressed (without arguments if possible) ;) drop off to school, have a coffee and a piece of toast, head to Longevity!!! Then immediately to The Daily for a burrito. Then head to Baba's on Meeting to do work on my computer for the brewery. Can't imagine a better day! 

4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment. 

 Proudest day would probably be the first week we were open when customers came in, drank the beer, liked it and came back!! 

5. Do you have a hidden talent? 

I wish, sadly none. 

6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration?

Local artists, whatever city we lived in, I've always pulled inspiration from the city that I'm in. Immerse yourself in your current culture. 

7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order?

Oat milk latte with honey. Hot!

8. What is your favorite place in Charleston? 

Home. But if I had to pick somewhere else, I'd say walking the Battery by myself or eating oysters with my family.

9. How do you unwind or de-stress? 

Walking! One foot in front of the other. 

Rapid Fire:

Morning person or night owl? Morning

Summer or winter? Summer

Mountains or beach? Beach

Pancakes or waffles? Pancakes!!

Fiction or nonfiction? Nonfiction 

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Movement with Yuriy Bekker

What do you love most about what you do?

I love making music in so many different ways. I love the violin and I enjoy practicing. Conducting has always been a great dream of mine. I feel very fortunate that I am able to do it in Charleston. I love that through music we can express so many emotions. What makes me even more happy is that through music we can connect to our listeners on a deeper level. 

How do you unwind or de-stress?

I love to watch a good show on Netflix and an occasional glass of wine. Does not happen often, but getting out to walk on the beach is a great de-stresser. Spending time with friends is a great too. I love people and spending time with good company is always fun and relaxing.

What is your favorite place in Charleston?

I have so many. Charleston has so much to offer. I love the beaches, the battery, waterfront park. During the holidays I love to visit Charleston Place because their holiday display is so beautiful and my kids love the trains

Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order?

I am a big coffee drinker. I drink a lot of coffee during the day and I love my new Nespresso Vertuo machine. My favorite is a cortado with oat milk.

Who or what gives you creative inspiration?

I love to listen to the old recordings of the great violinists and conductors. I love the “old- school”. It is so inspiring to hear violinists David Oistrakh and Isaac Stern. I look up to my teachers and would often remember and think about their comments about various ways of practicing and playing. 

Do you have a hidden talent?

I am really good with puns. 

Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment.

Most recently, I had to step in and conduct a masterworks on a few hours of notice. The conductor was sick and I was asked to step in. It went so well and it pushed my conducting and music making to a much higher level. Overall, this was an incredible experience and something a learned so much from. 

How do you start your day?

Coffee and kids!!

Rapid Fire

Morning person or night owl?

Night owl definitely

Summer or winter?  

Spring

Mountains or beach?

Mountains

Pancakes or waffles?

Waffles 

Fiction or non-fiction?

Non-fiction and biographies. Historic facts

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Sanctuary with Kate Ledbetter

Redux has been a sanctuary for creatives in the Lowcountry for years, CreativeMornings included, which is why we are thrilled to kick off 2023 with Redux’s new Executive Director, Kate Ledbetter. We chatted with Kate to know her a little bit before our January talk.

1. What do you love most about what you do?

Being immersed in an endlessly creative environment. It's a lot of energy!

2. What inspired you and how did you become involved in your current career(s)?

We have always been huge fans of Redux and followed along with the growth and careers of the studio artists over the years. I have worked in non-profits in Charleston over the past 20 years and the opportunity to serve Redux in this way was a natural fit.

3. How do you start your day?

I start every day with meditation, burn some incense, play music...and then it's off to the races. With two young sons our mornings start early and require copious amounts of coffee.

4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment.

I am very proud of our kids. When a wild piece of art I created was accepted into the Redux auction in 2020 I felt very accomplished. When I first heard my radio show, Easy Does It, on Ohm Radio I felt proud.

5. Do you have a hidden talent?

I love growing and arranging flowers and foraged greenery. My grandmother was an avid and talented arranger of flowers. Giving flowers is my love language.

6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration?

I find creative inspiration in sitting still.

7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order?

YES! At home we brew coffee provided by my sis in law who owns a fabulous coffee shop in the North Georgia Mountains. I add Laird mushroom creamer and a splash of oat milk. At Redux, we work within dangerous proximity of the Harbinger where my go-to is an oat milk latte.

8. What is your favorite place in Charleston?

I have always loved King Street, the whole way up and down.

9. How do you unwind or de-stress?

Meditation, listening to Ram Dass lectures, yoga, walks, time in nature.

Rapid Fire:

Morning person or night owl? Morning person, for sure!

Summer of winter? Summer

Mountains or beach? Beach

Pancakes or waffles? Pancakes. All the pancakes.

Fiction or non-fiction? Fiction. Lots of it. Hard copy, on Kindle, Audible--gimme, gimme!

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Folklore with Tyler Page Wright

Founder of Walk & Talk Charleston, Tyler Page Wright, graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in History and a secondary focus in Art History. She is a certified guide and a proud member of the Palmetto Guild and Charleston Tour Foundation. A born New Yorker with deep southern roots and island ties, Tyler was drawn to Charleston for its people, its beauty, its history, and its hospitality. We think that may be why you’re here too! Let her show you around the town!

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Ripple with Andy Manzi

Ripple with Andy Manzi

This March, we’ll hear from Andy Manzi, founder of the Warrior Surf Foundation, on the topic of Ripple. A perfect match, if you ask us.

A little about Andy:

After returning from tours overseas with the USMC, Manzi found myself working through the effects of TBI, PTSD and depression. Through a good friend he was introduced to surfing, and from his first ice cold winter surf, he knew he had discovered something important. Surfing changed his life and helped him to overcome those difficulties. It wasn't long before he knew this was something that other veterans could benefit from, and so they launched their program. Over time it has grown to serve more veterans, but they stay true to their roots - veterans serving veterans.

1. What do you love most about what you do?

I love the fact that every day I work towards making the world a better place. Simple.  A million ways we can do it. Choose one. 2. What inspired you and how did you become involved in your current career(s)? 

I believed that surfing gave me a chance to live a full life and walk around with a full heart after a tough childhood and a tough war experience. I witnessed many go through a transformation during surf lessons I was teaching on Folly Beach and I was sick of all the clinical bullshit I tried to do to get better. I was tired of so many of our people committing suicide, having issues with the law, and pretty much living shitty lives, etc. I didn't want anyone like me to live in a secret prison in their minds as I did at times. A pill is only the beginning of the end for some. So I was like, screw it- let's get a specialist to helps us provide therapy on the beach and we will give free surf lessons. A lot has happened since. 3. How do you start your day? 

My mornings used to be very chaotic, actually really hard for me to find clarity especially with a load of life stuff to knock out every day. Over the past year and a half I've found myself waking before sunrise no matter where I am; just enjoying the quiet, whether it's breathing, surfing, or just sitting with a cup of coffee while looking at the sun. I feel those few hours in the early morning are crucial for your quality of life throughout the day. I'm blessed to have autonomy when it comes to my schedule, so I take a few hours for myself every day in the morning. One of the best options we have in this chaotic life. 4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment. 

I have a lot to be proud of. I've done so much. Tons of accomplishments but honestly the fact I learned to surf decently is truly the greatest accomplishment, because without it the last 12 years of my life would have been very different. *The fact that I'm in the process of passing off this Foundation to someone else** is a huge accomplishment, most NGO's never get there or fail because Founders won't give it up. 5. Do you have a hidden talent? 

I uses to think I didn't have any lol, but I actually have a few and they will stay hidden. :) 6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration? 

We are all creative in our own ways. Some with paint, others with food, for me this it’s this Foundation. My creative drive comes from wanting to see a change in the world, especially when there is an option to do so. Knowing that people need to be led through experience that propels them forward in a life that they are in control of, and one that they love. 7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order?

Cold drip all-day 8. What is your favorite place in Charleston? 

Honestly, I love Queen Street grocery and the corner it sits on, I call it my secret spot lol.  I love sitting there early morning or late afternoon. I love that corner. 9. How do you unwind or de-stress? 

Cooking a nice meal alone or with close people, which is probably one of my love languages. Sitting quietly outside by the water. Surf and yoga. Now the guitar, so peaceful. Rapid Fire:

morning person or night owl? morning person

Summer of winter? Quick to say summer but I have to winter because I'm always somewhere beautiful in the winter

Mountains or beach? beach

Pancakes or waffles? waffles

Fiction or non-fiction? non-fiction-- I wish that was opposite

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Transit with Megan Mills

TRANSIT WITH MEGAN MILLS

We are so excited to hear from Megan Mills during this month’s virtual event, on the theme of Transit!

Megan is heading up the Friends of the Lowcountry Lowline’s community outreach efforts and was recently hired as the Executive Assistant to the Board of the Friends of the Lowline. Prior to her current position, she was the Community Engagement Manager position at Charleston Parks Conservancy, developing and implementing the Conservancy’s community programming including events and educational programs. She received her bachelor’s degree in communications studies from the College of Charleston. Living in Charleston for the past 14 years, Megan is active in the community volunteering at Picnic in the Park and Compassionate Friends. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, riding her bike, and spending time with her husband, Eric and their dog, Trout.

Photo by Amaris Photo

The Lowline:

Today, the Lowline is a vision. A vision to reclaim 1.7 miles of abandoned railway track and neglected highway corridor along the backbone of the Charleston Peninsula. A vision to transform this forgotten stretch of urban space into a centralized regional park. The Friends of the Lowcountry Lowline are working alongside the City of Charleston to put together a plan for the space that highlights the surrounding neighborhoods, addresses city-wide flooding, and gives pedestrians and bikers a safe dedicated path. The linear park will have three different “districts” along its route; the urban core, the parks, and the North Central Corridor, each with their own unique characteristics.

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Spectrum with Allyson Sutton + Joel Sadler

SPECTRUM WITH ALLYSON SUTTON + JOEL SADLER: 9.18

Allyson Sutton and Joel Sadler are the founders and co-owners of Sightsee, a travel-inspired retail shop + coffee bar nestled in the Elliotborough neighborhood of downtown Charleston.

Sightsee aims to inspire a sense of adventure in everyday life. By blending the energy and community of a cafe with the joy of product discovery, Sightsee introduces you to new finds in a way that breaks traditional retail categorization.

The concept began as a pop-up shop in 2018, making multiple appearances around North and South Carolina. After finding the perfect home at 125 ½ Line Street and gathering tremendous community support through Kickstarter, Sightsee opened its first brick-and-mortar space in September 2019. Since launching, Sightsee has featured 20+ specialty coffee roasters from around the globe, introduced customers to 40+ emerging brands (most of which are sustainable and/or woman-owned), and spotlighted countless local makers and artists through regular events in their space. Most notably, Sightsee is proud to have become a go-to stop for the finest musicians, artists, poets, lawyers, doctors, parents, students, skaters, tinkerers, and business owners in Charleston and beyond.

In addition to running Sightsee, Allyson and Joel are also the co-founders of Huskwell, a specialty cascara importing business, and Playswell & Co., a creative consulting firm.

Photo by Ryan Belk

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Underdog with Kate March

UNDERDOG WITH KATE MARCH: 7.24.20

Kate March is a performance artist, painter, poet, and choreographer. With a Bachelor’s in Dance from Connecticut College and a Master’s in Choreography from Middlesex University in London, Kate’s creative practice spans the fine art and commercial realms. She weaves together live performance, visual art, fashion, poetry, and creative technology to produce distinctive experiences and concepts that draw audiences into her outré world. 

Described as immersive, provocative, inclusive, and feminist, Kate explores her artistic voice through live painting performance solos where she creates large scale paintings with her body dancing on the canvas. She has performed around the world and in 2019, she was selected as the guest artist for the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation’s Center for Art & Culture in Portugal for their International Festival of Performative Arts. 

In addition to her solo work, Kate is the founder and creative director of MARCH : an art house dedicated to making edgy, inclusive, and experiential art for diverse audiences; a metaphysical home for feminist creativity. Her poetry collection: Thirst of Pisces, will be published in February 2021. 

Photo by Amaris Photography

1.  What do you love most about what you do? 

I love having the opportunity to inspire, connect with, and move other people by using my artistic voice. When someone feels a strong emotion because of my painting, my poetry, or my movement expression — I feel like I have fulfilled my life purpose.

2. What inspired you and how did you become involved in your current career(s)? 

I’m 35 and have been dancing since I was 3 years old. I was naturally very good and was supported from a young age to really take dance/performance seriously. I can’t really remember a time where art wasn’t a strong aspect of my life. But I do remember choosing between a path in dance or neuroscience in senior year of college and knowing that I had to try the path of being an artist or I would regret it forever. The different iterations of my career path have been inspired by intuitive choices and honoring my creativity no matter how much uncertainty was involved.

3. How do you start your day? 

I’m not a morning person so I can’t start working right away. I have a cup of coffee, big breakfast, and take my dog on an hour long walk before I do anything else.

4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment. 

In the context of my career: I have so many proud moments; I’ll give you three. The first of my proudest moments was the successful execution of one of my evening length immersive dining concepts:  An Evening of Meat, in London, England for 55 shows. It’s a huge undertaking to successfully produce that many shows and consistently receive positive feedback from a wide audience. My whole team and I really put in so much work to make it one of the best performance concepts I’ve ever created. Secondly, I have had the privilege of performing for so many wonderful audiences including celebrities but one of the most memorable was when I performed for Leonardo DiCaprio in the Maldives for a private event.  Thirdly, this year I received a publication offer for my poetry manuscript: Thirst of Pisces which will make its debut next year in February!

Photo by Amaris Photography

5. Do you have a hidden talent? 

I can run backwards really, really fast. Probably faster than some people sprint in a forward direction lol.

6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration?

Being in nature is my greatest inspiration especially very remote places where you can’t but feel humbled. I also find inspiration when I’m travelling around the world and discovering new places, cultures, traditions, foods, and rituals (or when I used to travel I mean, thanks Covid-19!). Finally, my body and it’s many cycles of  wellness or pain has been a constant source of inspiration.

I’m also inspired by people I would consider renaissance men and women — people who follow their natural curiosity, are always trying to innovate in their fields, and aren’t afraid to look at the universe’s mystery with awe and exploration. (Think Albert Einstein for example - an incredible scientist who also appreciated and valued humanity from all angles including music, art, spirituality, and matters of the heart. I love finding people like this throughout history and being inspired by the connective web of their many interests.)

7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order? 

Medium Skim latte — pretty boring, but gets the job done!

8. What is your favorite place in Charleston? 

Folly Beach at sunset or early morning.

9. How do you unwind or de-stress? 

True Crime podcasts; reading a ton of books; and having a glass of biodynamic wine with my husband on our porch.

Rapid Fire:

Morning person or night owl? 

Night owl

Summer of winter? 

Autumn

Mountains or beach? 

Beach

Pancakes or waffles? 

Pancakes

Fiction or non-fiction?

Both

[creativemorningscharleston]

Insecure with Julia Deckman: 6.12.20

Julia Deckman is a self-taught visual artist who fell in love with this city after attending College of Charleston. An Annapolis, Maryland native, she initially worked in administration for several years after moving here, but then made the leap to pursue her passion and build her own business. 

Her inspiration is light and color and her aim is to translate the surprising beauty of everyday moments with her oil paints. She was awarded the 2019 Griffith-Reyburn Lowcountry Artist of the Year.

We’re so excited to welcome Julia to speak (virtually) to our CreativeMornings community!

1. What do you love most about what you do?

I am completely fulfilled by my career as an artist. I am challenged, excited, and humbled every day. I also feel like little parts of my history (my artwork) live with loved ones, acquaintances, and strangers alike. It’s a huge honor and I’m so grateful.

2. What inspired you and how did you become involved in your current career(s)?

I was feeling completely lost, unfulfilled, and imprisoned by a “9-5”. I realized I have a passion and the drive to pursue it. Past experiences had also revealed that life is short, and I can only rely on myself to create a life I am proud of. So I started to create artwork, to spend all of my spare time and resources working towards building a career as an artist. It has been a long journey, but worth every moment and hardship.

3. How do you start your day?

Too slowly! I am NOT an early riser, but I try to start my day either with some physical activity or some quality time with my animals. Coffee is also a must

4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment.

Last year I was awarded the Griffith Reyburn Lowcountry Artist of the Year grant, and it was a freaking dream come true. I try not to depend or count on moments of validation, but when they happen, I try and let myself feel all the feels. To be recognized by my creative community is such a way was overwhelmingly wonderful.

5. Do you have a hidden talent?

I can eat WAY too much in one sitting

6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration?

My environment supplies so much of my creative inspiration, so I would say Charleston is my greatest source to date. Light, color, architecture, and shared experiences all inspire me, and this city keeps on giving.

7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order?

We drink strictly counter culture in our home. During the summer there is nothing better than a Muddy Water’s cold brew.

8. What is your favorite place in Charleston?

Too many to choose from! I’m very obsessed with this town. But here’s a list of a few:

·  Restaurant for sharing: XBB

·  Restaurant for girls night: 167 Raw

·  Bar for cocktails: Belmont

·  Street: Montagu

·  Shop: Artist and Craftsman Uptown

·  Beach: Folly

·  Tourist Trap: Rainbow Row/The Battery

9. How do you unwind or de-stress?

Wine in PJs surrounded by my animals

Rapid Fire:

Morning person or night owl?

Night owl

Summer of winter?

SUMMER

Mountains or beach?

beach

Pancakes or waffles?

Pancakes

Fiction or non-fiction?

Non-fiction

[creativemorningscharleston]

Nature with April Magill: 5.15.20

April Magill is the Principal Architect and owner of Root Down Designs, a progressive and forward-thinking design firm dedicated to responsible architecture and building. She founded the small business to bring sustainable and regenerative architecture to the south; inspired by natural building projects from around the world and grounded by the roots and knowledge of her past experience.

We can’t wait to see you all (virtually) on May 15!

1. What do you love most about what you do? 

Helping people achieve their dreams in an often confusing process, and watching the empowerment happen in building workshops and classes

2. What inspired you and how did you become involved in your current career(s)? 

I have always been inspired by natures, it just took me 15 years to figure out how to merge nature and architecture. i am insipred by the notion that we can create shelter through the use of natural materials, and a knowledge base which has existed for thousands of years. i became invovled in my current career 9 years ago when someone in India mentioned the words 'NATURAL BULDING' to me; and thus the seed was planted and rooted and already growing.

3. How do you start your day?  

Well, these days in the covid-19 style, it's a bit different than in the real world where i have a 6 and a 4 year old who has to get to school on time. these days i start with coffee and headstands.

4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment. 

Each time a community-building project comes together

5. Do you have a hidden talent? P

hotography and (sort of) playing my fiddle

6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration? 

All of my natural building artisan colleagues (especially the women) around the world who are doing incredible, beautiful, work

7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order? 

Drip coffee, black

8. What is your favorite place in Charleston? 

Hampton Park

9. How do you unwind or de-stress? 

Hot baths, quietness. i'm an introvert, so just give me a quiet space and i'm good.

Rapid Fire:

Morning person or night owl? 

morning

Summer of winter? 

spring....ok, summer

Mountains or beach? 

mountains

Pancakes or waffles? 

waffles

Fiction or non-fiction? 

non-fiction

[creativemorningscharleston]

Identity with Greer Gilchrist

Identity with Greer Gilchrist: 3.6.20

Chef Greer Gilchrist is co-owner of The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery, in the North Central area of the city, and the newly-opened Harken Cafe, in the French Quarter. A pastry chef, Greer will also be sharing her talents at the 2020 Charleston Wine + Food Festival - which we’re kicking off at our Creative Mornings event!

We can’t wait for you to hear Greer’s story, and learn more about her below:

1. What do you love most about what you do? 

I love interacting with our community and our team every day.

2. What inspired you and how did you become involved in your current career(s)?

I love caring for people and cooking/baking for people is the best way I show it. I spent my whole life expressing my affections through sugar so it was less of an inspiration and more of a natural path

Greer (left) and her business partner Cameron Neal (right). Photo cred: Ruta Smith

3. How do you start your day?

With the promise of coffee after a bike ride up to work.

4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment.

When we opened The Harbinger. For so long, even all through the build out, it felt like a dream still. No matter how much we worked on it I could never fully visualize what it would become, it never felt real because it was something I had dreamed of my whole life. So that moment when Cam and I flipped the “Open” sign was incredibly special to me and a very proud moment. And it never gets old. I never forget that feeling. These days I’m not often the one to flip the “Open” sign but when I walk in and the cafe is open, bustling, the team is happy and greeting me - it all goes back to that moment when Cam and I did it and accomplished our first dream.

5. Do you have a hidden talent?

No. I am void of talent. I’m willing to do anything but I’m not good at anything. I’m a great participant. But a poor performer.

6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration?

Everything can be an inspiration. My life, my family, books, movies, traveling, the familiar, the unfamiliar...it’s all around. More important I think is giving your mind the access to inspiration - allowing yourself to see it everywhere and dreaming big enough that you think of something creative, exciting and different.

7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order?

Black coffee at The Harb or Harken -Methodical has my heart. Through the rest of the day, it’s espresso - the team knows the way to my heart is a shot of espresso and they show up sporadically (or by request) on my prep stations throughout the day.

8. What is your favorite place in Charleston?

My bed. The Harb kitchen. The Terrace Theater.

9. How do you unwind or de-stress?

I try to breathe deeply. When I was younger I let stress and other people’s stress get the best of me, I would work myself up, which is so self-destructive. My Mom worked with me a lot on breath and how to use it to calm down, get perspective and to be pro-active. I use my stress or anxiety now to help fuel me and solve problems, rather than get me down.

Rapid Fire:

Morning person or night owl? Both - I hate waking up early but I’m productive in the morning, I like to stay up late and get a second wind in the pm.

Summer or winter? WinterWinterWinter.

Mountains or beach? Mountains

Pancakes or waffles? My Dad’s Pancakes from The Joy Of Cooking.

Fiction or non-fiction? Both - I love ALL literature.

[creativemorningscharleston]

Invest with Gillian Zettler

Invest with Gillian Zettler

We’re so excited to welcome Gillian Zettler, Executive Director of Charleston Wine + Food, as our February speaker on the topic of Invest. CHSW+F has been praised as one of the top five wine + food festivals in the country by Forbes Traveler and melds Charleston's culinary excellence with the world's most celebrated chefs, winemakers, authors, storytellers, artisans and food enthusiasts. 

Gillian has been at the helm since 2013, and has helped make it into one of the most anticipated events of the year!

We had a chance to chat with Gillian about her job and what powers her.

1. What do you love most about what you do?

My team. While I love the process of planning events, my real passion comes from building and working with my amazing team. Nothing is more inspiring to me than watching people who love what they do, collaborate together. They are an insatiable group of problem solvers and I learn from them each and every day. No two days we spend together are alike and that is because they are always driving towards new goals and lifting each other up. They fill my cup to the brim.

2. What inspired you and how did you become involved in your current career(s)?

My career path has certainly been more of a zig zag - not a straight line. I think I’ve always been inspired by the idea of motivating people to think big. I love dreaming up things that have never been done before and making it my mission to bring my ideas to fruition.

I landed in radio mostly through happenstance after college. My degree was in education and a new Program Director (who quickly became my mentor) gave me a chance to get my feet wet in events. It was all learning by doing and he gave me plenty of space to try things without fear of what would happen if I failed. I try to carry that same philosophy into my leadership style today.

I was head-hunted from my radio gig and did a short stint as a record rep/AR for Universal Music Group. I ultimately decided to be more present for my son, taking the helm as the Event Director for the soon-to-open Children’s Museum in Greenville, SC. I was given a blank slate to design new events for the museum, overhaul fundraising events and write the playbook for event revenue opportunities - eventually selling venue space to euphoria Greenville (a smaller food, wine and music festival).  That sale prompted applying and landing the job as euphoria's Executive Director for 3 years, which in turn opened the door for my current role in Charleston.

*Photo by Kate Thornton Photography*

3. How do you start your day?

With a workout. I teach part time at Charleston Revolution and I’m a card-carrying member of The Works tribe. I’ll begin my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Sarah Frick at the end of the month! I feel like a good sweat gets my mind and body ready to take on whatever comes my way and I try not to start a day without dropping into my body, doing some breath work and a solid dose of good music.

4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment.

Becoming a mom for the very first time. I was a young mother, having my first child during my sophomore year at Clemson University. Ethan was born over Christmas break on December 23rd, in my home state of Vermont, and came back with me to South Carolina where I was back in school by January 8th. He’s a magical kid - incredibly smart, compassionate, and wise beyond his years. I am almost certain I learn more from him than he learns from me.

5. Do you have a hidden talent?

I sang quite a bit in college and still believe that music is what fills my cup the most. While I don’t make the time to draw as much as I’d like, I love when I do! I Had a portfolio pulled together, was recruited by SCAD, and ultimately decided on a liberal arts path and became a Clemson Tiger.

6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration?

Traveling and actively listening and learning from the stories of others. I try hard to connect with individuals outside of the industry I’m in and firmly believe that we are more alike than we are different. I love to strike up conversations with people I don’t know and love to travel without an itinerary. Getting lost in a different city always leads to a great story, a new connection or something I’ve never experienced before. I’ve never gone on a trip and come home without a fresh idea or inspiration to share with my team.

*Photo by Kate Thornton Photography*

7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order?

At the moment it’s oat milk or coconut milk lattes - cinnamon on top.

8. What is your favorite place in Charleston?

My house. My husband and I take a lot of pride in making our home somewhere that is comfy and cozy. We love spending time together as a family and nothing is better than pulling into my driveway at the end of a long day and being greeted by my daughter. My husband is also an amazing cook and being home usually means he’s made something delicious to share.

9. How do you unwind or de-stress?

A trip to Sullivans Island with my family. We pack lots of great snacks, books, and a bluetooth speaker, and head out to the far end of the island. The only thing that can make an SI beach day better is ending it with a meal at The OD or Home Team. Off season it’s still the best - early morning dog walk (we have two Rhodesian Ridgebacks) and a hot cup of coffee. Nothing says unwind more than the sound of the ocean on Sullivans.

Rapid Fire:

Morning person or night owl?

Morning

Summer or winter?

Neither. Fall! It’s the best.

Mountains or beach?

Mountains (I’m a Vermont girl at heart)

Pancakes or waffles?

Pancakes, specifically, my mother's :)

Fiction or non-fiction?

Fiction, but I love a good inspirational read or memoir

[creativemorningscharleston]

Roots with Corey Alston

Corey Alston knows all about our January theme, Roots. He is a fifth-generation sweetgrass basket weaver from Mt. Pleasant and started weaving when he was a teenager. His baskets display a variety of patterns and designs, and he’s even taken the time-honored tradition into the modern world with online design creation and beautiful photography. 

We are proud to feature Corey at this month’s event on January 24th!

1. What do you love most about what you do?

Creating one-of-a-kind pieces.

2. What inspired you and how did you become involved with your current career(s)?

Learning the art from family, it inspired me to do more and get more involved/inventive.

3. How do you start your day?

My mornings start with me waking my daughter up for school, and my first cup of coffee. I drop off my 7th grader to school and then head into work. 

4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment.

One of my proudest moments was becoming 2018 Artist of the Year.

5. Do you have a hidden talent?

I’m a great father, awesome husband, man of God, and a business man.

6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration?

Realizing my art is rare and the state handcraft of SC.

7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order?

A double shot of espresso, topped off with coffee, room for sugar and cream.

8. What is your favorite place in Charleston?

Anywhere I can fish at.

9. How do you unwind or destress?

A couple of margaritas, nachos and salsa.

Rapid Fire:

Morning person or night owl?

Morning

Summer or winter?

Summer

Mountains or beach?

Beach

Pancakes or waffles?

Waffles

Fiction or non-fiction?

Non-fiction