About Us
OUR MISSION
Lowcountry Local First cultivates an economy anchored in local ownership, because local-independent businesses are the cornerstone of our culture, economy, and character.
WHAT WE DO
– Educate the general public on why it’s important to choose local and influence them to do so.
– Work with our elected officials, decision-makers and opinion leaders to foster a better environment for creating and sustaining local businesses.
– Deliver resources, programming, networking, mentorship and more to local businesses of all shapes and sizes.
WHY WE’RE DIFFERENT
We develop innovative models for sustainable and equitable local economies. Our work leverages our understanding of our more than 550 local business members and 12,000 employees across all sectors, and is informed by staff with expertise and on-the-ground experience in local economy building, innovative economic development, entrepreneur support, sustainable agriculture, and food systems. We are connected to local economy and sustainable business organizations throughout the country, granting us access to the best models, case studies and thought leaders.
We value diversity of perspective, identity, and passion and believe we are all better when surrounded by those with unique lived experiences from our own.
CONTACT
1859 Summerville Ave, #800,
Charleston, SC 29405
Call: 843.801.3390 // For Good Enterprises, call: 843.212.6298
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HONORS & RECOGNITION
- 2020 Purposeful Action Award – Lowcountry Association of Fundraising Professionals
- 2019 Coworker Members’ Choice Award for Local Works – Coworker.com
- 2019 Best Of Award: Staff Pick for Best Charleston Email Newsletter – Charleston City Paper
- 2018 Winner Best Non-Traditional Marketing Campaign – Charleston American Marketing Association
- 2014-2017 Winner Growth Accelerator Fund Competition – U.S. Small Business Administration
- 2016 Charleston County Ambassador for Economic Development, Jamee Haley – S.C. Department of Commerce
- 2016 Winner Best Promotional Video and Best Non-Traditional Marketing Campaign – Charleston American Marketing Association
- 2015 South Carolina Small Business Ally of the Year – SC District Office, Small Business Administration
- 2015 Winner Best Event Promotion, Runner-Up Guerrilla Campaign – Charleston American Marketing Association
- 2014 Institution of the Year – Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
- 2014 South Carolina Innovation Fund – S.C. Department of Commerce
- 2010-2012 Best Local Cause – Charleston City Paper ‘Best Of’ Awards
- 2008 Sustainable Communities Award – The Sustainability Institute
ANNUAL REPORTS AND FINANCIALS
* 2019 Annual Report // 2019 Form 990
* 2018 Annual Report // 2018 Form 990
* 2017 State of Local // 2017 Form 990
* 2016 State of Local – Celebrating 10 Years // 2016 Form 990
* 2015 State of Local // 2015 Form 990
– View recent press coverage
– Explore our guiding Manifesto
KEY FUNDERS & STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Staff
Lauren Gellatly
Interim Executive Director & Director of Operations
Lauren loves to say "every dollar we spend shapes our community," and brings her background in city planning, economic development, and nonprofit management to lead LLF's advocacy and operations. After earning a B.A. from the College of Charleston for Preservation & Planning, and a M.S. from Pratt Institute in City & Regional Planning, Lauren found a use for her 20+ year boycott of Walmart and joined the team at Lowcountry Local First in 2013. Today, you'll find her speaking at a city council meeting, leading a quarterly team planning meeting, brainstorming with the keynote speaker for the Good Business Summit, or writing an op-ed.
Barbie Schreiner
Director of Development; She/Her
Barbie brings more than 15 years of nonprofit experience to the organization. From her work with large scale nonprofits like United Way and American Red Cross, to regional organizations like Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy and the College of Charleston, her commitment to the greater good is ubiquitous. Also committed to life-long learning, Barbie earned her Masters of Public Administration for Nonprofit Management from the College of Charleston and now teaches as an adjunct professor in the program. Prior to that, she received her bachelors degree in Public Relations from Ferris State University. She serves on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is a loud & proud advocate for West Ashley.
Jordan Amaker
Director of Marketing and Communications; She/Her
Jordan came to be the lead story-wrangler and cheerleader for the organization in 2015 after 7 years in the full-service marketing agency world. When not touting the local scene, you may find her enjoying time with her daughter, riding her bike, digging in the dirt, or listening to her husband perform spoken word. Jordan has previously served on the board of directors for Charleston Moves and the Charleston American Marketing Association and chaired the 2013 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Raquel Padgett
Good Enterprises Program Director; She/Her
Raquel is a graduate of SC State University, with more than 20 years of experience in marketing, PR and business consulting. She has worked with large entities such as Charleston County Government, Charleston County Parks & Recreation, the USC and MUSC cementing her skills in fundraising, marketing, budgeting, and event management. In her role as Good Enterprises Program Director, Raquel combines her love for community with her extensive experience in business development to help existing and future entrepreneurs achieve economic sustainability through business ownership. As the owner of a business consulting firm, The Peacock Company, Raquel knows first-hand the amount of perseverance and grit it takes to run a successful business. She is a passionate advocate for the minority business community.
C.T. Burton
Program Coordinator; She/Her
C.T. is a firecracker visionary with a people-loving personality that lights up any room. She focused on hospitality and event management while studying at the College of Charleston, and was the recipient of the School of Business’ Outstanding Student of the Year Excel Award in 2011.
She has found great success in the event planning and management world in Charleston, through events like the Jewish Community Center’s KidsFair and the City of Charleston’s First Day Fest. C.T. also served as Market Manager for the Charleston Black Expo and as an event organizer for the 2017 Taste of Black Charleston Chef event that exceeded 1,300 attendees.
C.T. continues to connect local businesses here at Lowcountry Local First. As a small business owner, she understands the importance of relationships and having access to resources in this community.
Steve Fletcher
Community Partnership Manager; He/Him
Steve's personal and professional adventures have brought him to destinations as far-flung as Florence, Italy and to places a little closer to home like Florence, South Carolina. A New Jerseyan by birth, Steve received his BA at the College of William and Mary. He's worked in the private sector as a PR account executive and content strategist, but he's also been a brewery tour guide, a door-to-door fundraiser, a bartender, and a traveling musician. In 2019, Steve graduated from the College of Charleston's Master of Public Administration Program, where he cultivated a deep appreciation for the power and purpose of social entrepreneurship and nonprofit management. When he's not thinking about ways to better steward and support local businesses, you'll find Steve and his wife McKayla walking their dog, Dell, or grabbing some sushi from Aji, one of their favorite James Island eateries.
Kaylee Schuh
Accountant & Business Services Manager; She/Her
Kaylee brings her love of numbers and organization to Lowcountry Local First with a background in nonprofit and small business accounting. She has a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance from the College of Charleston. When not working hard to further the Local cause, she is working on her CPA certification and finding time to enjoy Charleston’s beaches and booming food scene. Her life motto? “If you aren’t happy with something, change it until you are. If you can’t change it, change your attitude about it.”
Maud Bentley
Brand Manager; She/Her
Never one to shy away from bright colors or bold patterns, Maud is the creative crusader at Lowcountry Local First where she brings visual awareness to the local movement in Charleston. Some might call her attention to detail and design fanatical —we call it brilliant. Maud has been conquering the design world since 2013 when she launched her own freelance graphic design business after earning a degree in Art History from the University of Virginia and mastering a multitude of various design courses.
Jamee Haley
Co-Founder and Former Executive Director
Jamee Haley is the co-founder of Lowcountry Local First and served as the executive director for nearly 15 years. A small business owner prior to launching the organization, Jamee owned and operated a product design company featured in national publications and sold through independent retailers across the country and by Neiman Marcus. Under her leadership Lowcountry Local First worked to fill the gap in the business ecosystem through advocacy with both elected officials and the community at large; by providing technical support, training and affordable workspace; and through building a network of businesses that are part of the relationship economy. In 2021 Jamee will launch her own consulting company, travel (once safe to do so) and will be looking to get into good trouble!
Board of Directors
Terri Herubin
Greystar
Chair
David Bennett
Charleston County Parks
Vice Chair
Nicki Root
Grassroots Wine Wholesalers
Past Chair
Jessica Slaughter
FIG/The Ordinary
Secretary
Melonie Hammond-Trace
Tideline CPA
Treasurer
Kerri Chisolm
Ameris Bank
Justin Ferira
Seine Group
Stephanie Hall
Ruth's House Event Rentals
Andy McCarthy
People Surge
Charles McLendon
Laurens Capital
Katherine Perrin
Perrin Woodworking
Jeff Plotner
Brackish Bowties
Employment and Internship Opportunities
Executive Director – Posted January 27, 2021 / Position open until filled
Volunteer
We’re almost always on the lookout for volunteers who can help with event coordination, office work (filing, mailing, phone calls, etc.), business coaching or entrepreneurship support. If you have the time, talents and passion, we’d love to hear from you. Fill out this form to let us know your availability and interest and we’ll reach out to you with any upcoming volunteer opportunities.
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