He`s So Original

For Josef, it was a recurring case of procrastination that jumpstarted the idea of Visualive. As a Sony Music marketing rep, he was responsible for papering the Holy City with flyers and posters as well as online promotions for upcoming concerts and music releases. “I loved the online part, because it allowed me to literally wait until the last minute. If I waited until the last minute to distribute posters, I wouldn’t be able to get it all done.

Scottie has taken his fair share of tumbles as a former professional rugby player, but these days he’s more into taking a climb...up to your roof. The New Zealand native works with EcoBilt Energy to install solar electric and hot water systems to private residences and larger properties—like the 21-collector system at the U.S. Marine Corps facility on Parris Island. “I love the technology of solar energy.

Ever wonder who’s behind the gorgeous photos that some of our advertisers use? Some of those are the work of Virgil, a new school photographer with an old school heart. “I love shooting classic, timeless portraits of people on film. My heart skips a beat when I see a moment and I am able to document it with my Rollei. Film has given me energy.” From weddings to fashion and everything in between, Virgil thrives on the little moments in the Holy City. “Charleston is the most charming city on the planet.

Children’s author and illustrator Kevin Bloomfield found his love of children’s books after becoming a father.

By day, as a partner in artist management firm Gold Mountain Entertainment, Jerrod keeps everything in sync. Working to represent the interest of the artist, Jerrod works with labels, agents, publicists, accountants, tour staff and more. But it’s on the weekends that he shakes things up. “I’ve spent a lot of time in New York, and I love the broad spectrum of cultures and ideologies. At the end of a day, I’d find myself around a table debating religion, politics, global issues.” Inspired, he and a friend now host monthly salons.

A few months ago, Baird was in the midst of training for his personal goal of competing in the 35th annual Swim Around Key West (happening June 4). But one day he got out of the pool and it came to him: “I told the Florence Crittenton board that I was going to raise a hundred thousand dollars.

The executive director of the Charleston Parks Conservancy is looking for a little help—and before you protest, he’s confident you don’t have a black thumb (“some people need a little water!”). “I see the quality of our green spaces becoming comparable to the quality of private gardens in this City. A garden is a garden—private and public.” The organization has become an important link between city and the community when it comes to beautifying local spots. “It’s a new approach to have a nonprofit whose sole mission is about our City parks and green spaces.

For Rodrick, success isn’t the ultimate goal, significance is. “So many people make the mistake of aiming for classic success. But success doesn’t leave behind a legacy. Success isn’t what allows your conscience to rest easy.” By his own measure, he’s plenty significant then. The barber, cosmetologist, entrepreneur and business consultant is a national educator and also runs Profile Barber Institute, a preparatory school for hairstyling. But Rodrick goes beyond clippers by also giving advice on colon cancer screenings.

Oliver spent his summers working retail, but unlike the average kid slinging polyblend sweaters, he was sticker-gunning merch alongside his mother, Lily, at Cos Bar, her high-end cosmetics boutique. After a growing interest in finance (even trading stocks from the high school pay phone) dissipated, he changed gears. “I hated the idea that most everything in that industry was numbers on a paper—I wanted to get into something real and tangible.” College internships took him to Clinique and Stila, then Bloomingdales for management training.

Because he cares for the outcast. Because he’s fearless and hopeful. Because he gives girls a fighting chance.

Brad is ending his year with a bang… er, pop, of a cork. The owner of local wine bar Social is launching his own sparkling wine, La Bubbly, in the new year. (With some holiday magic, you might even have it in time for the midnight toast.) Soon to follow are La Chard and La Pinot, with national distribution on the horizon. This pet project is no surprise from Brad, whose family opened Poogan’s Porch in 1976. Although they “did everything in their power” to encourage him to stay out of the high-stress restaurant biz, he realized he had quite the skill set.

A childhood spent slaving over his sister's Easy Bake Oven paid off for Joshua. Born and raised in Pascagola, Mississippi, his father taught him how to cook as a kid. Luckily, his two sisters weren't into the popular play oven they received as a present, and Joshua turned those 100 watts into a cake making machine.

"I used to hand write Debbie Fields and ask her for recipes for her cookies," says the cake wiz. "Yeah, I was that kid."

Confero is Latin for “bringing things together," which is what Christopher’s event design business is all about. With a background in the arts and a natural bent toward organization, he loves planning elaborate parties where the client is the star of their own show. “If you want to do something right, do it yourself,” he says. That's how he got into planning and executing parties.