Why We Love

Claudia Atkinson

 / June 8, 2021

I moved to Charleston from D.C 10 years ago without the intentions of staying long term but the charm and abundance of activities made time fly by. The people here are so friendly, the scenery is gorgeous, and the change of pace is relaxing. How can anyone not fall in love with this city?! – Claudia Atkinson

Other Posts

Arts and Entertainment, Business, Business Owner, Entertainment

Pamela Smith

Pamela Smith joined our Charleston community when she moved to Summerville in 2012 for a promotion with Lowes Home Improvement. Born and raised in Camden, South Carolina, Pam graduated in 2011 from “the best HBCU in the land,” Orangeburg’s SC State University with a bachelors in business management. After doing countless party setups for free,...

VIEW POST
Business Owner, Food Industry

Christian Puma

Christian Puma is a transplant from Long Island, NY and the owner of Puma’s Italian Ice Shack & Cafe. Proud husband to his amazing wife Christine, Christian has two amazing children, Christian Jr. (13) and Camryn Rae (9). Together, they make up a tight knit army of four. His family is usually together at the...

VIEW POST
Arts and Entertainment, Business Owner

Shelby Hamilton

Shelby Hamilton is an artist and graphic designer in Charleston. Originally from Augusta GA, Shelby graduated from the University of Georgia with a BFA in Graphic Design and moved to Charleston right after to work for RMS Beauty as their graphic designer. She started her career as a full time artist in 2019 and hasn’t...

VIEW POST
Business Owner, Food Industry, West Ashley

Michael Bond

Michael Bond has been in the Charleston area for 10 years. In that time, he’s called many places home, including James Island and Downtown, but claims that his current location, West Ashley, is his favorite. He owns and operates Dellz, a health food restaurant, originally opened by his mom under the name Retreat with a...

VIEW POST
Business Owner

Melinda Turner

Melinda Turner is the owner of home decor boutique Cotton Down South. Born and raised in Summerville, SC, Melinda has lived here so long that she jokes her blood might taste like Sweet Tea. She has always loved living in a small town and says she has been blessed to have such supportive friends and...

VIEW POST
Education

Katherine Marks

Katherine Marks, Ren to her friends, is Southern to the heart. Born in Georgia, the South is her home, and Kathrine wants to do all she can to make it a progressive and inclusive place where our culture can shine. She moved to Charleston in 2017 to pursue her MFA in creative writing and arts...

VIEW POST
Non-profit

Katherine Brown

Katherine Brown grew up all over the world as a Navy brat, but Folly Beach always felt like her home away from home. Now she is happy to call Summerville home with her husband Justin and their 4 kids. Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family. Justin and I met in college...

VIEW POST
Business Owner, Teacher

Tony DeShan

Originally from Metro Atlanta, Tony DeShan decided to call Charleston home 6 years ago after a wonderful family visit here in the Lowcountry! The charm of Charleston as well as the available territory for Mathnasium prompted Tony to move his family from big city Atlanta to quaint and relaxing Charleston.   Q: Please tell us...

VIEW POST
Business Owner, Hospitality, Real Estate

Christine England

Christine England is a self-proclaimed extroverted introvert, who wants to use her voice to uplift the individuals and businesses in the community around her. Passionate about guiding others to better themselves and find success, Christine always knew she was destined to help, and her various careers have allowed her to do just that. On March...

VIEW POST
Business Owner, Farming, Professional Services

Troy Thomas

Troy Thomas and his family work their acre of land in Summerville, trying to live the most they can by what they grow and raise. Troy’s careers keep him at the fire department and on job sites on average of 75-80 hours per week, while his wife René runs the business aspect of their construction...

VIEW POST
Business Owner, Teacher, West Ashley

Edward Ball

Edward Ball is a native Charlestonian. As co-owner and director of Mathnasium, he works across the Greater Charleston Area but calls West Ashley home. Charleston is Edward’s perfect balance of big city and small-town where he is happy to find himself surrounded by good restaurants and rich history but not shadowed by skyscrapers. It is...

VIEW POST
Entertainment

Keely Enright

Keely Enright is the founding producing artistic director of the Village Repertory Co., a professional theatre company now celebrating twenty years in Charleston. She was born and raised in Southern California, and is a proud alumnus of UCLA. She had been a Gone With the Wind fan since childhood and knew of Charleston only through...

VIEW POST
Home