December Member Monday Recap
Meet Elizabeth Faughn, Watercolor Artist
I am an acrylic and watercolor artist with an emphasis on fanciful florals and nature. I am based in Kentucky but also consider Mississippi my home. I graduated from Ole Miss, in elementary education, but with a Fine Art minor and have produced art ever since whether for friends and family, commission work or creative projects with my kindergarten students. When we decorated my daughter’s dorm a few years ago, that sparked a new interest for me, upscale dorm art which turned out to be super fun and pushed me to begin learning about pattern production and lifestyle products. When I am not in my studio you will likely find me eating great food, watching Ole Miss football with my family, shopping…of course shopping, and playing Mahjong.
Why did you join TSC Membership?
I heard about TSC from other artists and women in business. I was intrigued because all women in various careers had the same opinion: “You will love it.” “It is such a supportive group of women.” “This will be the best way to grow your business.” I am thankful to be a part of TSC and look forward to getting to know y’all!
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
Allie & Bess, their fun bracelets brighten even the most dull day. Catherine Cartie, her scarves are delightful and she has such a helpful spirit. She has been so kind to me without having ever met.
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
I get quite a bit of inspiration from southern gardens, food, nature, magazines, and women, with of course a bit of the coming season’s trends. Old movies like South Pacific inspire me too as they bring up nostalgic feelings of days gone by. There is so much beauty in the past and in the details. Memories of things and people I care about are definite inspirations. The encouragement of my family and dearest friends is steadfast inspiration. They are the reason I create.
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
The best business advice I have gotten is, to be unapologetically you and paint every day if you can! You learn from others so keep studying. Not all days will be easy, but they will make you better…If not…just paint over it. I have to remind myself of this every day!
Meet Cassidy Van Slyke Blenke of Timeless Grace Lifestyle Wear
Hi, I’m Cassidy! I’m the founder of Timeless Grace Lifestyle Wear, a Heartland-inspired lifestyle brand reimagining the full-coverage women’s apron and the category of luxury utility wear. After more than a decade in marketing and years of creative work behind the scenes, I set out to design a luxury, inclusive apron that celebrates the way women live, move, and shine, because high-end utility wear in women’s fashion has been far too limited. Every woman deserves something beautiful to make her busy days a little lighter.
Our first capsule collection launched in November, and I’m so excited to connect with fellow women who are building beautiful things!
https://timelessgracewear.com/
Why did you join TSC Membership?
I joined TSC because I’ve heard such incredible things about the women here, the connections, the support, and the energy at in-person events. My husband has spent many years in the South, and my sister-in-law in Charleston; I’ve always felt drawn to this community. I’d been waiting for the right moment to lean in, and now felt like the perfect time. I’m thrilled to be part of such an inspiring membership and can’t wait to get to know everyone!
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
Small businesses are in my blood. My grandfather started our family’s insurance agency, which my dad later took over, so I grew up with a deep appreciation for the heart, grit, and creativity behind small business ownership.
I naturally gravitate toward local independent bookstores and resale bookshops, especially the ones where you can stumble upon out-of-print gems. Lately, I’ve been collecting old recipe books from decades past, some pulled from other people’s family libraries. There’s something so nostalgic and intimate about them.
One small business that has stayed with me is The Art Effect, a clothing and gift boutique in the Lakeview/Lincoln Park area of Chicago. It was my go-to in my 20s, when I lived in the Windy City, a perfectly curated mix of unique clothing, books, and gifts. It’s still there today, which makes me so happy.
Beyond bookstores and boutiques, I adore consignment shops, vintage stores, and anywhere I can source one-of-a-kind pieces for styling or inspiration. There’s a special kind of magic in finding something with a story behind it.
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
My inspiration comes from everywhere, but most often from the women I meet who have weathered hardship and still found a way to build something beautiful in the midst of it. Their resilience lights a spark in me every time.
Creatively, I pull a lot from nature, from making art, writing, and letting myself wander through different genres of music. I’ve learned that inspiration shows up in the quiet pockets of life, usually when I’m alone, driving with the windows down, mind moving freely. That’s when the best ideas find me, in the act of creating, producing, or opening myself up to the beauty of the universe.
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
Before I ever stepped into entrepreneurship, I met the owner of a children’s skiwear brand while my family was on vacation in Colorado. I peppered her with questions about manufacturing and her background, but the one thing I really wanted to know was, “Where did you find the courage to actually do it?” She smiled and said, “You just do it.” That line has stayed with me in every challenging moment—sometimes you simply have to leap, trust yourself, and not overthink the next step.
Later, as I moved deeper into building my own brand, I reached out to an acquaintance of mine who has found great success on Broadway, creating and directing musicals. She has this magnetic blend of confidence and creative fire, and her advice was beautifully simple: “Be persistent.” Between the two of them, I learned that courage gets you started, but persistence carries you forward.
Meet Kelly Caron of Kelly Caron Designs
Kelly was born and raised in Boone, NC. After falling in love with the Spanish moss and resort lifestyle of the South, she moved to Bluffton SC and starting her interior design company Kelly Caron Designs, ASID. She is known for capturing the true aesthetics of traditional and transitional Lowcountry interiors. These styles are infused with modern coastal design inspired by nature. The company’s portfolio is a direct reflection of its namesake’s Southern background, with a twist of modern relevance and timeless design. Kelly will transform your space into a reflection of your lifestyle with her high-quality expert interior design experience. Kelly specializes in creating functional, beautiful, and personalized home environments, combining aesthetics with practicality to elevate every corner of your home. Residential to commercial, Kelly’s designs often feature palettes inspired by the authentic beauty of the Lowcountry: from coastal water views and moss-draped live oak trees to the magical interaction that happens in iconic old town squares and wrap-around porches that are hallmarks of the South.
Now and Future Forward: For 20+ years, Kelly and her team both work in high-level residential projects, commercial projects, clubhouse projects, and hospitality projects throughout the Lowcountry and beyond. Kelly also has a full-service design studio in North Palm Beach. Kelly expanded design into lifestyle with CLOVER, her capsule collection clothing label, and jewelry design brand, CLOVER and PALM. Kelly and her husband, Nate, own and run The Design Vault receiving, warehousing, and high-touch delivery facility for all her projects and for other interior designers and vendors. She is a licensing lighting-design partner for Lowcountry Originals and the 2025 Guest Designer for new furniture product with Jessica Charles furniture brand.
Kelly values Interior Design in today’s industry and truly wants the BEST and most thoughtful design for each client she works with. The lasting relationships Kelly creates with her clients and entire build team is invaluable to the success of the business and every project.
Kelly and her husband Nate have 15 year old daughter Emma and long-haired dachshund, Bella. They live in Bluffton, SC and love traveling together and enjoy family time in the Lowcountry and their part-time home in North Palm Beach.
https://kellycarondesigns.com/
Why did you join TSC Membership?
I joined the TSC membership to meet a new leveled-up community of ladies and entrepreneurs who can be a parallel with me in business conversations. I know my interior design business, but I look forward to learning more about business with our new resort jewelry brand Clover and Palm. Lissy, my business partner, and I are thrilled to be a part of TSC. The best part of being a member is the privilege of learning and having new experiences and opportunities with the other owners and leaders in their respective roles and businesses.
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
I love to support businesses between Hilton Head and Bluffton, SC. There is not a favorite, but I do believe that showing up and being present and thankful for small shop owners is what makes a small town vibrant. I love shopping in person in any store in any town or city!
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
I love to travel and I love a brilliant culinary experience that includes the best food and interior design. For me experiences are full of inspiration!
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
Your NETWORK is your NET WORTH. Treat it like a garden.
Meet Brooks Hagee of Collectible Brooks
Starting at a young age, I grew up antiquing with my mother. I was always fascinated by the beautiful pieces she searched for and collected, and over time, I developed my own passion for building a collection of my own. Inspired by her legacy and the joy she found in the hunt, I started Collectible Brooks in 2019 as a side gig alongside my full-time career as a pediatrician. Like many physicians today, I had been struggling with frustration and fatigue, and I felt a strong pull to create something that allowed for more creativity and personal expression. With my lifelong love of antiques and vintage pieces, a luxury vintage home décor business felt like the most natural fit. As a physician with virtually no retail background, I had so much to learn. From figuring out where to source inventory—estate sales, auctions, and antique fairs—to learning how to style pieces for social media and website photos, to building a website and shipping fragile treasures across the country, the early days were a true rollercoaster. And yes, this was all while practicing medicine full time and raising a family! Over time, though, Collectible Brooks became woven into my life. It has grown into a source of pride, joy, and balance—a creative outlet that continues to energize me in ways I never expected. Today, you can find Collectible Brooks online, with new collections of vintage and antique decor and vintage Turkish rugs added regularly. I’ll leave you with a bit of wisdom from my antique-loving mother—words that have guided me since childhood: “If you love a piece, buy it. You will always find a home for it.”
Why did you join TSC Membership?
Becoming a member of The Southern Coterie has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for both my business and my personal growth as an entrepreneur. I’ve had the privilege of attending several Southern C retreats and conferences – one in Birmingham, Alabama, one in Round Top, Texas, and also via online for The Summit (because I was home with Covid) – and each experience has been inspiring, energizing, and full of practical takeaways I could immediately apply to my business. The Southern C community is warm, collaborative, and incredibly supportive. The connections I’ve made through these events have not only opened doors professionally but have created friendships I truly cherish. Each workshop, speaker session, and conversation has left me more confident, knowledgeable, and excited about the future of Collectible Brooks. I am already looking forward to being able to join The Summit this January and continue learning from this amazing network of creatives, entrepreneurs and business leaders. I believe being a part of The Southern Coterie is being part of something very special.
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
As a small business owner in San Antonio, Texas, I don’t have to look very far to gain inspiration from the many other female small business operators and owners in our community. Just to scratch the surface of some of my favorites are Baker Tatum, Feather Fluff and Flings, Fraulein Boots, Maison Miral, TradeCraft Marketing, The Prestigious Mark, Lila Malone Interiors, Julie Bradshaw Interiors, Canvas Style, and Susan Shaw. Many of these businesses are members of TSC and embody the power, creativity, and resilience of women entrepreneurs while also shining a spotlight on the unique style and warmth that southern-rooted businesses bring.
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
As a small business owner specializing in vintage and antique decor and collectible Turkish rugs, I draw inspiration from places where history, craftsmanship, and storytelling come alive. Estate sales are not only a source of inventory, they are also one of my greatest sources of inspiration – I love discovering pieces that have lived full lives and imagining how they’ll continue their story in a new home. I also find endless ideas at antique fairs like Round Top, where the mix of vendors, collectors, and one-of-a-kind finds always sparks new creative energy. Travel, both near and far, fuels my heart and soul for design as well. Exploring historic architecture, visiting charming small towns, and stepping into homes layered with character all help shape my curatorial perspective. And of course, the community of fellow Southern C members offers constant inspiration and support that helps to push my business and creativity forward!
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
One of the most impactful pieces of business advice I’ve ever heard came from a speaker at a Southern C conference who said, “Tell your story.” In my line of selling vintage and antique decor, where every piece has a history, a craftsmanship, and a story, this is not a hard thing to do! I have found that being able to share those stories with my customers transforms selling decor into an experience that frequently changes buyers into long term customers.
Meet Sarah Pixley of Harvest Run & Truth Frequency
I’m a technology professional with a creative, entrepreneurial side. Alongside my work in tech, I run a couple of passion-driven businesses focused on connection, creativity, and conscious living. One centers on helping people discover local farmers markets, ranches, and producers—bringing together local beef, meat, cheeses, and other farm goods in one place, with an option for delivery. It’s called Harvest Run. I also run a consultancy called Truth Frequency, where I offer guidance for people navigating something new—whether they’re starting a new career, leaving an old one, or redefining what they want next. It’s about remembering who you are. I also have a background in photography and currently offer real estate photography and marketing strategies for SMBs.
Why did you join TSC Membership?
I joined TSC because I want to be intentional about every area of my life, my career, friendships, relationships, and personal growth. I’m focused on building a more dynamic, meaningful life, and I value being part of a community that prioritizes purpose, alignment, and real connection.
What is a favorite small business you like to shop or support?
I love supporting artists and creators, people who make things with their hands or use their creativity to bring something original into the world. Designers, makers, potters, painters, and digital creators all resonate with me, especially those building from scratch rather than reselling someone else’s work. One of my all-time favorite small businesses was a broom maker I met in Tennessee—a multi-generational broom-making family using equipment that had been passed down for hundreds of years. That kind of craftsmanship and history is what I’m most drawn to supporting.
Where do you go to get your inspiration now?
I find inspiration by surrounding myself with people who uplift me, people who are grounded, creative, and full of light. I choose to be around those who know how to create, because creativity itself is inspiring. Being in environments where people are building, imagining, and expressing something meaningful fuels everything I do.
What is the best business advice you have ever given or received?
The best business advice I’ve learned is that you don’t always need to reinvent the wheel to do something you love or to be successful. Passion matters. When you’re genuinely excited about what you’re doing and you stay consistent, things tend to unfold. I’m always guided by what feels fun, meaningful, and aligned and I’ve found that when you keep showing up for what you love, success follows.
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