Support Small Business Initiative
Now more than ever, the backbone of America — small businesses just like us — need the support of one another and the community. In our effort to do what we can to help our fellow entrepreneurs and business owners not only survive but thrive, we decided to start the Support Small Business Initiative.
Each week, you’ll receive an email spotlighting a different small business and how you can support their efforts. In addition, throughout the week, we’ll be sharing various small businesses and entrepreneurs on Facebook and Instagram. Make sure you follow us!
Each week, you’ll receive an email spotlighting a different small business and how you can support their efforts. In addition, throughout the week, we’ll be sharing various small businesses and entrepreneurs on Facebook and Instagram. Make sure you follow us!
Augusta Cole, Wedding and Event Planner
Augusta Cole has over a decade of extensive experience in producing one-of-a-kind events across the world. She recently took her knack for producing these incredible occasions (think: multiple-day destination weddings, high-caliber corporate programs, intimate dinner parties...) and launched her own event planning business, Augusta Cole.
We caught up with Augusta to hear about her new business and hear a few tips for the 2020 brides. Augusta also let us in all the secrets to throwing the perfect at-home dinner party, click here to read!
You just started a new business, tell us about it!
Yes! I launched my own event planning and design business at the beginning of 2020 - Augusta Cole Weddings & Events.. While I am mostly known for weddings, I am excited to produce celebrations and corporate events of all shapes and sizes. What a year to launch, but I am steadily inspired by our resilient industry, flexible and mindful clients, and the ingenuity that results in the wake of challenges. You can find more information about my business at augustacole.com and Instagram via @augustacole.
You have planned weddings and events all over the world, what have been your three favorite locations?
I'm so fortunate to have planned in fabulous places, it really is hard to pick! Montenegro will always hold a special spot having done two wedding weekends at the Aman Sveti Stefan. Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming is wild and wonderful and has that nowhere-else feeling! Working in Thailand was an amazing experience, on top of the natural beauty and cultural stimulation, the people are so warm and lovely.
Do you have any advice for 2020 brides?
Lots but most importantly, it is so critical to stay flexible. In such uncertain times, it is hard but paramount to keep an open mind about last minute changes. If you are staying the course for a 2020 wedding, remember why you are getting married in the first place. Whether that happens with less than 10 people or your desired number, the key point is that you two are choosing to start a life together. If the big celebration needs to come a little later, imagine what a party that will be!
For a very practical tip, be sure you have a complete email list for all of your guests. It is a good time to start communicating with your guests electronically so you can quickly inform them of up to date adjustments. Most likely, your guests will not be checking the wedding website with enough frequency to catch real time changes. Paperless Post offers wonderful custom options to use your existing branding/graphic designs to keep a cohesive feel to the digital communications.
How does fitness fit into running your own business?
In my opinion, a regular fitness routine directly correlates to focus, positive energy, and a healthy mindset. For me, a morning workout is key! I try to limit business zooms, calls, or meetings until after 9 AM to ensure we can fit in time for AM exercise.
What is your favorite part of Longevity Fitness?
Where do I begin?!? Jennie and the team have created an environment where you immediately feel better and healthier when you walk in the door. The spa influence is obvious and inspires a great experience from hello. I am totally hooked on Sweat Therapy for a fun/intense session, but I also love the skilled work involved in all of the Pilates classes. The virtual classes have been fueling me during these socially distant times!
We caught up with Augusta to hear about her new business and hear a few tips for the 2020 brides. Augusta also let us in all the secrets to throwing the perfect at-home dinner party, click here to read!
You just started a new business, tell us about it!
Yes! I launched my own event planning and design business at the beginning of 2020 - Augusta Cole Weddings & Events.. While I am mostly known for weddings, I am excited to produce celebrations and corporate events of all shapes and sizes. What a year to launch, but I am steadily inspired by our resilient industry, flexible and mindful clients, and the ingenuity that results in the wake of challenges. You can find more information about my business at augustacole.com and Instagram via @augustacole.
You have planned weddings and events all over the world, what have been your three favorite locations?
I'm so fortunate to have planned in fabulous places, it really is hard to pick! Montenegro will always hold a special spot having done two wedding weekends at the Aman Sveti Stefan. Brush Creek Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming is wild and wonderful and has that nowhere-else feeling! Working in Thailand was an amazing experience, on top of the natural beauty and cultural stimulation, the people are so warm and lovely.
Do you have any advice for 2020 brides?
Lots but most importantly, it is so critical to stay flexible. In such uncertain times, it is hard but paramount to keep an open mind about last minute changes. If you are staying the course for a 2020 wedding, remember why you are getting married in the first place. Whether that happens with less than 10 people or your desired number, the key point is that you two are choosing to start a life together. If the big celebration needs to come a little later, imagine what a party that will be!
For a very practical tip, be sure you have a complete email list for all of your guests. It is a good time to start communicating with your guests electronically so you can quickly inform them of up to date adjustments. Most likely, your guests will not be checking the wedding website with enough frequency to catch real time changes. Paperless Post offers wonderful custom options to use your existing branding/graphic designs to keep a cohesive feel to the digital communications.
How does fitness fit into running your own business?
In my opinion, a regular fitness routine directly correlates to focus, positive energy, and a healthy mindset. For me, a morning workout is key! I try to limit business zooms, calls, or meetings until after 9 AM to ensure we can fit in time for AM exercise.
What is your favorite part of Longevity Fitness?
Where do I begin?!? Jennie and the team have created an environment where you immediately feel better and healthier when you walk in the door. The spa influence is obvious and inspires a great experience from hello. I am totally hooked on Sweat Therapy for a fun/intense session, but I also love the skilled work involved in all of the Pilates classes. The virtual classes have been fueling me during these socially distant times!
Jahde Leather Atelier
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Jahde Leather Atelier is a Charleston-based design studio founded by Andrea (Andy) Jahde. Andy uses age-old leatherworking techniques and high-quality, American-sourced materials to create her one-of-a-kind, handcrafted leather goods. Her collections include jewelry, wallets, clutches, and structured handbags, all designed, shaped, sewn, and created by hand in her studio located at 68 Queen Street.
In addition to her retail pieces available both online and in-store, Andy works one-on-one with clients to develop artistic and personalized products, whether it’s a custom pair of shoes or a handmade knife roll for Charleston’s best chefs. Jahde Made has been featured in The Art Mag, Charleston Magazine, and Charleston Weddings. |
In her free time, Andy loves working out at Longevity Fitness. A client since 2012, her favorite class is TRX, but she doesn’t limit herself to just that. She enjoys everything Longevity has to offer!
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Spring Sample Sale
Right now, Andy is having her biggest sale ever! Save up to 60% on many of her one-of-a-kind pieces. Shop Now at JahdeMade.com. You can also follow Andy on Instagram and Facebook (@jahdemade) to see all of her gorgeous leather handmade creations. |
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Handsome Properties' Debbie Fisher
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Always friendly and a joy to be around, Handsome Properties’ Broker-in-Charge Debbie Fisher lights up Longevity Fitness every time she walks through the door. A friendliness and joy that drove her to create Handsome Properties. She wanted a real estate company where she could market through positive messaging and assemble a team of agents who shared that positive outlook and market knowledge. And she’s done just that.
Located at 285 Meeting Street, Handsome Properties is the premier luxury boutique real estate firm in Charleston, offering exclusive properties both on the peninsula and throughout the surrounding areas. The agents are connoisseurs of lifestyle, understand the nuances of the marketplace, know the hidden gems in town, and work diligently to ensure a successful transaction. Seeing that same passion for hospitality and caring for clients is what drew Debbie to Longevity Fitness. She is an avid Pilates practitioner, noting that the highly skilled instructors and clean, relaxing environment with views of downtown inspire and motivate her. |
Debbie specializes in historic properties, downtown residences and condominiums, and waterfront estates and has won achievement status as a Realtor of Distinction in the Executive Circle and the Presidents Circle for several years running. She is a member of the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, the South Carolina Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors.
To give back to the community she so loves, Debbie has held positions on the French Quarter Neighborhood Association Board, the Jewish Museum Board of Kahol Kadosh Beth Elohim, and the Charleston Concert Association Board. She is also actively involved with the Historic Charleston Foundation, Preservation Society of Charleston, and the Charleston Chamber of Commerce.
If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Charleston, please call Debbie’s office at (843)727-6460 or visit her website HandsomeProperties.com. You can also follow Handsome Properties on Facebook and Instagram (@Handsome_Properties) to experience the stunning properties they offer.
To give back to the community she so loves, Debbie has held positions on the French Quarter Neighborhood Association Board, the Jewish Museum Board of Kahol Kadosh Beth Elohim, and the Charleston Concert Association Board. She is also actively involved with the Historic Charleston Foundation, Preservation Society of Charleston, and the Charleston Chamber of Commerce.
If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Charleston, please call Debbie’s office at (843)727-6460 or visit her website HandsomeProperties.com. You can also follow Handsome Properties on Facebook and Instagram (@Handsome_Properties) to experience the stunning properties they offer.
Personal Stylist Elizabeth Gumb
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A personal stylist since 2013, Elizabeth Gumb lives on Isle of Palms with her husband Jack (featured below) and their three children, Jack 10, Myers 7, and Ellis 4.
If you’re like us, you may be curious as to everything a personal stylist does and why they’re helpful to all of us, not celebrities getting ready for the red carpet. Elizabeth’s services include shopping, wardrobe consultation, and closet edits and organizing. Elizabeth explains people reach out to her for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they had a milestone birthday; their bodies have changed; they started a new job and need to dress a different way; they have an upcoming wedding; they need help with what to wear for an upcoming dream vacation; or they just do not like to shop or are overwhelmed at to what is worth their money. Whatever the reason, Elizabeth works with clients in their closet to figure out what items they already have that suit them best and then “shops their closet” putting looks together with items they already own. “I've been told it's like waving a wand over their wardrobe! It's magic! I live for that moment when the client looks in the mirror at themselves and smiles, and then smiles back at me with gratitude.” It certainly feels like magic when Elizabeth sees someone win back their confidence and feel good about themselves from within. |
This same confidence boost is what she loves about Longevity Fitness. She knows the trainers truly care and want clients to be happy with themselves and achieve their goals. She also enjoys the gorgeous space, top-notch classes, and sense of family.
Her favorite class is definitely A.B.A. at 12:30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Because the class is only 40 minutes, it easily fits in her schedule, is non-stop intensity the entire time, and Elizabeth quickly saw results.
Give Your Closet (and Yourself) Some TLC
Right now, Elizabeth is running a special for $350 for her 4-Hour Introductory Closet Package (typically $400).
To schedule your time with Elizabeth, head to her website EditedByElizabeth.com or call her at 843-860-5410. And be sure to follow her on Instagram @Edited_By_Elizabeth to see all her favorite looks.
Her favorite class is definitely A.B.A. at 12:30 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Because the class is only 40 minutes, it easily fits in her schedule, is non-stop intensity the entire time, and Elizabeth quickly saw results.
Give Your Closet (and Yourself) Some TLC
Right now, Elizabeth is running a special for $350 for her 4-Hour Introductory Closet Package (typically $400).
To schedule your time with Elizabeth, head to her website EditedByElizabeth.com or call her at 843-860-5410. And be sure to follow her on Instagram @Edited_By_Elizabeth to see all her favorite looks.
Realtor Jack Gumb
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A Charleston native, Jack knows the ins and outs of this region and wants to help others experience the same lifestyle Charleston has blessed him and his family. Jack lives on Isle of Palms with his wife Elizabeth (featured above) and their three children, Jack 10, Myers 7, and Ellis 4.
Jack is passionate about maintaining the integrity of Charleston’s historic district and the region’s natural resources and quality of life. To further those causes, Jack is actively involved with Carolina Youth Development Center, Coastal Conservation Association, Spoleto Festival USA, Hibernian Society, Porter-Gaud School Alumni Board, National Association of Realtors, and Charleston Trident Association of Realtors. Jack is a member of Applegate Real Estate, a boutique real estate firm in downtown Charleston specializing in historic downtown, the expanding upper peninsula, the waterfront of the Lowcountry, and surrounding neighborhoods just over the Ashley River and Ravenel Bridges. |
Despite quarantine, Jack has found himself super busy because people are still ready to and wanting to move. Admittedly, though, one of the things Jack is missing most right now are his private training sessions at Longevity Fitness with Dan Heenan and especially “Thunder Thursdays” (a group of clients who all have the same time with their trainers on Thursday morning and have grown to become great friends).
If you’re ready to call Charleston home or are looking for a new home or real estate investment opportunities, you may wish to email Jack at [email protected] or call him at 843-860-2020.
If you’re ready to call Charleston home or are looking for a new home or real estate investment opportunities, you may wish to email Jack at [email protected] or call him at 843-860-2020.
Ibu Movement
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Ibu Movement founder and owner Susan Walker is an inspiration and mentor to women worldwide, including Longevity Fitness Charleston’s founder and owner Jennie Brooks.
Her King Street store is filled with luxurious clothing and home goods all handmade by women artisans all over the world. Susan eloquently explains that “as they spin, dye, and weave their stories in cloth, Ibu artisans craft more than beauty; they craft their own independence, educate their children, lead communities. They change futures.” Fill Your Home with Inspiration Ibu invites you to fill your home — and life — with these stories of inspiration. Your purchase will not only be beautiful and artfully crafted but also economically benefit women across the globe. |
Right now, enjoy 25% off all items on Ibu’s website!
Head to IbuMovement.com to start shopping!
Head to IbuMovement.com to start shopping!
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Susan’s Inspiration to Jennie
On the Islands of Indonesia, “Ibu” is a woman of respect. And Susan and the women she works with definitely live up to that name. Susan has been a client of Jennie’s since 2011 and was an incredible mentor and sounding board through Jennie’s creation of Longevity Fitness. Just as Jennie was building Longevity Fitness, Susan, too, was expanding Ibu into a brick and mortar store, and the two often commiserated on the challenges of construction and opening a business. Be sure to follow Ibu on Instagram and Facebook (@IbuMovement) to see their latest clothing and home goods and the inspiring stories behind these one-of-a-kind pieces. You will also be introduced to the talented women who benefit from your purchases. |
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HEALTHY TAKE-OUT OPTIONS IN CHARLESTON
Kairos Mediterranean (provided)
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Being quarantined under stay-at-home orders can make it difficult to stick to a healthy eating plan. Many of us are finding ourselves mindlessly snacking throughout the day and — with grocery delivery times prolonged and wanting to stock up on food we know won’t go to waste — eating more packaged shelf-stable goods.
To help you maintain and perhaps even enhance your health, we searched the Charleston area for quick, healthy, fresh meals to-go that are sure to satisfy your cravings and hunger. And best of all, when you order from any of these businesses, you are supporting local! |
HEALTHY TAKE-OUT & DELIVERY OPTIONS IN CHARLESTON
1. Kairos Mediterranean Kitchen
Offers curbside pick-up and free delivery on Ubereats and Doordash.
2. Gnome Café
Offers curbside pick-up, delivery on Ubereats, and 50% off for medical workers.
3. Huriyali
Offers pick-up and free delivery on the peninsula.
FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE & PANTRY ITEMS
For the at-home chef, we found three places (in addition to Gnome Café) offering produce and pantry items from local farms whose businesses have also been affected by restaurants closing.
1. Babas On Cannon
In addition to groceries, Babas also offers daytime and dinner-for-two menus.
2. Spade and Clover CSA
Produce is available for pick-up on James Island, Johns Island, and Downtown.
3. The Daily by Butcher & Bee
Offering both delivery and pick-up of their full menu plus grocery items (including wine!)
For Locations, Menus, and Hours of Operation CLICK HERE.
James Ascher
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As a busy mom of a toddler son, Jennifer Snowden knows firsthand you don’t have tons of time to shop. That is why she created James Ascher boutique for women.
The 3-season Southern Charm star is always being stopped in the street by women asking her where she purchased different outfits and accessories. A lifelong lover of fashion, Jennifer decided to open an online store where anyone could shop the looks she loves. |
Named after her precious baby boy, James Ascher offers affordable yet highly fashionable clothing and accessories for women of all ages. The site provides dedicated one-on-one customer service to make each customer not only feel good about the clothes they wear but also about the shopping experience itself.
“While our clothes do not define us, they certainly add an air of confidence when we feel good about the way we look” is Jennifer’s mantra.
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And feeling confident is what brought Jennifer to Longevity Fitness. After having her son, she came here not just to lose baby weight but to be healthier and feel better about herself inside and out, allowing her to be the best mom, wife, and businesswoman she can be.
While currently an e-commerce business, James Ascher is set to open its first retail location on East Bay Street in downtown Charleston this summer. The shop will provide free parking, space for events, and the best clothes and accessories you’ll want to buy them all. Style Yourself for Less Today Right now, James Ascher is offering two specials so you can shop the perfect warmer weather looks for less.
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Visit JamesAscher.com & Start Shopping!
Be sure to follow James Ascher on Instagram @JamesAscher and like their Facebook page @JamesAscherCharleston.
La Cerise
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La Cerise is your beauty and skincare personal shopper. Whether treating yourself or someone you love, these precious gift boxes are loaded with meticulously curated products, sure to make all your skincare dreams come true.
La Cerise is a Charleston-based business, proudly owned and operated by one of Longevity Fitness’s clients Sabrina Langenegger. This busy mom of two successfully combined two of her passions — skincare and gift giving — into a one-of-a-kind business. As the owner of an online business, Sabrina is blessed to be able to be a mom and an entrepreneur… and to squeeze in her favorite workouts Sweat Therapy and Pilates Reformer… all in the same day. |
We know you’ve been cooped up, and a pretty package delivered to your door is just what you or a friend need right now. Self-care in times like these is more important than ever.
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Be sure to follow Sabrina and La Cerise on Instagram at @la.cerise.beauty for her latest product picks and best beauty and skincare tips.
You & La Cerise Can Help Our Healthcare Heroes La Cerise is taking donations for our brave and hardworking local healthcare heroes. To donate a self-care box to these workers who deserve to relax and pamper themselves, head to LaCerise-Shop.com, purchase the Self-Care Box for $150, and indicate “healthcare donation” or a specific healthcare worker’s name in the recipient field. Sabrina personally ensures these are delivered. You may also donate any amount through Venmo to Sabrina du Pont-Langenegger, and La Cerise will match all monetary donations. |
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