2024 James Beard Media Award winner KJ Kearney and 2022 Community Business Academy Graduate, will launch his event series titled Bite the Power on Monday, July 29, in Charleston. Billed as “the world’s first traveling Black food storytelling event,” Bite the Power invites speakers to present a story focused on Black food for eight minutes. The first event features Cheryl […]

We recently rotated in the third round of Community Business Academy graduates at our Retail Residency Program hosted at The Station Park Circle. From July through September 2024 you’ll find handmade art from MagikBeanShop, gold plated gems from Amelie Jewelry, empowering, character-building children’s books from Your Mobile Tutor and beautiful leather pieces from Laura Vivian Leather on the Lowcountry […]

En medio del vibrante tapiz de apoyo comunitario y espíritu emprendedor, la Academia Empresarial de Lowcountry Local First (“La Academia”) celebró otro logro notable el 13 de junio. Un total de 17 personas dedicadas, representando tanto a las cohortes de inglés como de español, se graduaron con orgullo del programa intensivo de 12 semanas, elevando […]

Congratulations to LaShaya Norton, graduate of the Spring 2023 Community Business Academy and owner of Wanderland Mobile Grocery for capturing 2nd place and securing $6,000 at the YWCA We 360° Pitch Competition!  Read more    

Hello Entrepreneurs / Hola Emprendedorxs / Olá Empreendedores, Happy May! Spring is here and as entrepreneurs, it’s a great time to do a little spring cleaning for your business. Here are 3 quick tips to help you get started: 1. Tidy up your website Having a great website is a powerful tool for small businesses, but neglecting it […]

Watch Tanya Hearn, Graduate of the Spring 2022 Community Business Academy and owner of Charcuterie Happy Board on Palmetto Life showcasing her beautiful charcuterie boards and cones, the perfect treat for National Picnic Day. View Video

Christina Miller, Graduate of the Fall 2021 Community Business Academy and owner of Bert & T’s Desserts, was recently profiled by the Charleston City Paper. Read her interview and learn more about her passion for baking Gullah and southern desserts inspired by her two late grandmothers. Read More

Brittany moved to Charleston, SC in 2006 when her father retired from the United States Navy, though her mother is originally from Charleston. Falling in love with the stunning aesthetic of Charleston, which was historic and beautiful, Brittany has always prioritized service to others and unity, values instilled by her Jamaican background. Implementing those teachings, […]

Hello Entrepreneurs / Hola Emprendedorxs / Olá Empreendedores,  As I reflect on our journey, it’s hard to believe that a month has passed since the launch of our Spring 2024 Community Business Academy. We’re already at the midpoint of this transformative experience. Sharing this path with all of you has been incredibly meaningful to me. It’s […]

                  We recently rotated in the second round of Community Business Academy graduates at our Retail Residency Program hosted at The Station Park Circle. From April through June 2024 you’ll find handmade polymer earrings from The Featherly Clay, gold plated gems from Glossy Jewellery and heavenly candles from Eradise on […]

PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA 16 de febrero de 2024 Jordan Amaker (843) 801-3390 jordan@lowcountrylocalfirst.org   Charleston, SC –   Lowcountry Local First (LLF), una organización sin fines de lucro enfocada en el desarrollo económico centrado en la propiedad local, está aceptando solicitudes para su Academia de Negocios Comunitarios (CBA) de 12 semanas de duración. La Academia de Negocios […]

Dear Entrepreneurs / Hola Emprendedorxs / Olá Empreendedores,  I’m excited to share something special with you as we continue to provide valuable learning opportunities and foster our community spirit. As many of you know, I have a deep love for books, which have played a significant role in my journey of personal and entrepreneurial development. This […]

On December 1, 2023 we launched a new Retail Residency Program in partnership with The Station Park Circle. Various graduates of our Community Business Academy will now be in rotation on our very own Lowcountry Local First-sponsored shelf. Be sure to go check out what’s available — from Mexican artisan-made decor by La Casa Love, to clean-burning candles […]

Hello friends! It’s been an honor to meet many of you in person, hearing your stories of perseverance and witnessing your unwavering commitment to following your dreams. It’s inspiring to see how we are collectively creating a more beautiful world. We empower and support each other, and in doing so, we witness the power of […]

About the 2023 “¡Preparados, Listos, Pitch!” Event The 2023 “¡Preparados, Listos, Pitch!” event was held for Spanish speaking students on October 7th and gave La Academia Empresarial de la Comunidad graduates the opportunity to share their stories, ideas, vision, and plan and our judges selected one talented and driven individual to receive a $10,000 prize […]

Since the Fall of 2019, the Community Business Acdemy has graduated hundreds of entrepreneurs, creating a lasting impact on the local economy and small business community.

About the 2022 Ready, Set, Pitch Event The 2022 “Ready, Set, Pitch!” event was held on December 13th, 2022 and gave Community Business Academy graduates the opportunity to share their stories, ideas, vision, and plan and our judges selected one talented and driven individual to receive a $10,000 prize to help take their business to […]

Watch Christina Miller, Graduate of the Fall 2021 Community Business Academy and owner of Bert & T’s Desserts, featured on Live 5 News for winning the top prize of $10,000 in the 2022 Ready, Set, Pitch competition, sponsored by Lowcountry Local First. View Video

Andrea Serrano, Graduate of the Fall 2022 Academia Empresarial de la Comunidad and owner of Glossy Jewellery, is profiled in El Informador. Read More

Vivian Chimal, Graduate of the Spring 2021 Academia Empresarial de la Comunidad and owner of La Casa Love, is profiled in El Informador. Read More