UpState Buzz

Some wedding planners talk about checklists. Xavier Pearson talks about people. Not just timelines and contracts, but nerves, families, unexpected hiccups, and deeply human moments that make a wedding day what it is. That’s the heartbeat behind Truly—a modern,...

When you meet Katlyn Skinner, you don’t just meet a photographer—you meet a storyteller, a builder, a mother, and a visionary with an eye for transformation. Her business, Assorted Images, isn’t just a brand—it’s a reflection of resilience, creativity, and the power...

The Healing Power of Music: Alison Hughey and the Heart Behind Carolina Music Therapy There are people whose work you admire—and then there are people like Alison Hughey, whose story stops you in your tracks. Not because it’s flashy, but because it’s true. True to the...

From Homelessness to Human Resources: A Story of Service and Resilience Michael didn’t follow a traditional path into business ownership—or even into HR. After being discharged from the Air Force due to colorblindness, he was homeless and working third shift at...

When we stumbled across Murder Mondays, we were immediately drawn in—not just by the haunting stories, but by the voice behind the mic: Nicole Simmons. Hairstylist by trade, podcaster by calling, Nicole’s journey into the world of true crime storytelling began not in...

Behind every great business is a story most people never hear. For Matthew Bates, that story began long before Poor Gamer ever opened its doors. It started in a teenage job at a video game store—one that left him with two things: a love for games and a long list of...

  Tucked away in the upstate of South Carolina, something special is rolling through the streets—turning heads, raising glasses, and redefining what it means to serve. Meet Proud To Serve: a veteran-owned, family-powered mobile bar and hospitality experience, run...

Greenville, SC – From humble beginnings as an 11-year-old running lights at local gigs to becoming a full-scale production powerhouse, Sound Engagement has redefined what it means to craft unforgettable experiences. Founded officially in 2015 in Fargo, North Dakota,...

Some wedding companies take photos. The Ten Oh Eight Co. captures legacies. In a region saturated with trends and templated events, this creative force based just outside Greenville, South Carolina, is building something entirely different: a tailored, immersive,...

Kreative Koala Design: How Colleen Stieb Turned a Spark of Curiosity Into a Thriving Custom Engraving Brand Some businesses begin with a business plan. Others begin with a problem to solve. But Kreative Koala Design? It started with a spark. A little curiosity, a bit...

Imago Dei Bookkeeping: Purpose-Driven Finance, Built with Grit and Grace Some people find their way into entrepreneurship through spreadsheets and strategy. Cameron Davis found theirs through something deeper: conviction. They weren’t chasing numbers. They were...

From Firefighter to Founder: How Jeremiah Parnell is Turning Charity Into a Movement with Fully Involved Events Some people build businesses. Others build legacies. Jeremiah “Jeremy” Parnell never set out to become a business owner. He was already serving—in the U.S....