Please help us celebrate the 6-month anniversary of @womenofclt — scoopcharlotte’s sister site where we profile the Women of Charlotte.
Who’s a Woman of Charlotte? She’s a strong, ultra-focused, running-circles-around-the-rest kinda girl. She’s from all walks of life. She’s bold. She’s brave. She’s seen some stuff.
And she’s doing spectacular things in CLT.
Follow @womenofclt to see us profile a new Woman of Charlotte each day. Learn how they do what they do. And why. Everyone has a story. Read for inspiration, good vibes & to stay in-the-know.
Below we’re sharing a small selection of the women we’ve profiled over the past six months.
Women of Charlotte are making Charlotte what it is.
Fabulous.
Life Coach Bea Moise started her journey by going to school to become a mental health therapist. She took those principles and applied them to helping parents understand how to become more empowered and informed about their children, and to create a better connection.
On her journey she’s reignited her passion for writing … she’s now a writer for some wonderful national publications and has a book coming in the fall. She realized that her whole journey was preparing for this next adventure. “Author Bea” has a nice ring to it.
More Bea Moise inspiration can be found here: @achildlikemine
Katie McKiever knows all things social media. She offers social media consulting and strategy to women leaders through one-on-one services, group coaching, and workshops. Every social media strategy needs two things – a strong personal brand that consists of clear messaging, positioning, audience, and goals; and a strategic consistency plan which means platform selection, types of content, and optimal posting schedule.
Her mission is to empower women, in a fun and uplifting way, to communicate their expertise online. So many women have expertise and knowledge that can serve others and they want to express that, but they don’t know where to start. Katie sees it all the time.
Katie listens to women’s stories and their passions and helps them reach more people with their message. She’s their biggest cheerleader. Whether a business owner, executive, thought leader, everybody has something to say and Katie has the experience to help women maximize their voice online.
Katie’s been working in the social media industry for more than ten years and has helped teach more than 1,000 others the benefit of using online platforms.If you’re trying to advance in your professional life, social media can help that at scale. Katie is here to ease overwhelm, instill confidence, and help showcase all of your magic, power, and goodness on social media.
You can find Katie on most social media platforms: @katiemckiever
Priti Patel is the owner and operator of Le Petit Spa. She’s been in esthetics for 19 years and is one of the most knowledgeable. Seen glowing skin around Charlotte? It could very well be Priti’s work.
When Priti was 7 months pregnant with her daughter, her previous employer shut down for good. She rose to the occasion and decided to go out on her own. Le Petit Spa was founded in 2010. 11 years later she opened up her second location and launched a men’s line – LPS4men.
She’s currently writing a book on skincare to be launched by the end of this year. Le Petit Spa has consistently won Charlotte’s Best of the Best (BOB) awards for waxing, threading, facials, & the Charlotte Elevate Awards for each of the past ten years.
Impressed but not surprised.
Originally from Montreal Canada she’s also a proud mom of two kids who keep her extra busy. Find all the skincare tips and tricks and mesmerizing videos @lepetitspaclt
She’s one of the best. For a reason.
Melissa Herriott is owner of M. Herriott Designs. She’s an artist and interior stylist. What makes her unique? She encourages clients to boldly choose what makes them happy, regardless of what choices others are making.
That’s practically our motto.
Melissa believes art and interior design should be accessible to everyone. For some clients, she simply finishes off spaces & with others she sources everything from furniture and art to dishes & bath towels.
For 18 years Melissa worked as a technology recruiter in the financial services industry. In 2018, when she was 38 years old, she went home to upstate NY for her 20-year high school reunion. She was able to walk back into the art room she used to spend so much of her time in.
Everything changed. She missed it.
A few weeks later, her husband took her to the art store. She started painting and soon after she quit her corporate job to become a full-time creative. The interior styling happened less than a year ago, almost by accident. Clients would come to her house to pick up their finished commissioned paintings and ask who decorated her home.
Isn’t it funny how the right things find you?
When Melissa’s not in the loading lane at Homegoods with 4 carts and her flashers on — you can find her relaxing in the evenings proudly listening to her dentist husband score music in media for major brands like Nike.
Stunning style here: @Melissaherriott
Cristina Rojas Agurcia is owner of The Batch House. We watched her bakery wash away last year and we’ve cheered as she recently reopened. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Heartbroken no longer.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Batchmaker insta account started as Cristina shared creations she was making at home while she was waiting for her green card and couldn’t work. Once that passed, she started slowly selling on Instagram which led to a website and an email & then to her first shop opening in 2019.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Cristina is proud The Batch House has become a place filled with love — not just sugar. Being in the kitchen and creating new treats is what keeps Cristina feeling her best — the process helps with her anxiety.
Cristina’s from Honduras & doesn’t have any training in baking. She went to school and grad school for clinical mental health & married her high school sweetheart — the person that encouraged her to take her baking to the next level. Cristina was initially embarrassed about baking and posting about it to her friends and family.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
She’s not embarrassed any longer: @thebatchmaker
Our secret is out. Marissa West & Heidi Hillman and their West Kept Secret gives us a high-intensity interval-based workout that fuses together different workout focuses into one dynamic format: cardio, strength training, and Pilates.
We likey.
Marissa started her personal training business after graduating college, which allowed her the chance to fine-tune her own methodology. Through the local Charlotte fitness scene, Marissa met Heidi who became a personal training client turned business partner.
Anyone is welcome at West Kept Secret. From absolute beginners to professional athletes and everyone in between — it’s a great friends and family vibe. Their trainers are pros at catering workouts to your fitness level so you always feel accomplished walking out of their doors.
Recently named the Official Trainers of The TopCats, they have a lot to be proud of. Well done ladies.
All the secrets: @westkeptsecret
Shamyra Parker Evans is the Woman of Charlotte behind Born Boundless International & SIS (Sisters-In-Self-care). She’s a self-care evangelist and educator + Parental & Professional Burnout Prevention Specialist.
It’s as if she knows us.
She is also a Holistic Healing Advocate who shows high-achieving and high-impact Black women and women of color (WOCs), who are ready to stop suffering in silence, how to achieve balance. Shamyra shows her clients practical and easy-to-implement strategies in managing their energy in order to make self-care a non-negotiable.
This year, Shamyra signed with SPARK Publications for her next book for/about Black women — examining the historical and epigenetic context of why Black women have a hard time practicing or simply do not practice self-care. She looks at how that can impact their health, well-being, lifespan, & quality of life, by delving into her 7 dimensions of self-care.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We’re reading: @iamshamyraparker
Seti Byrd was born in Ethiopia, graduated from Myers Park High School and now owns Skyview Dental – a beautiful modern dental office in Uptown. Uptown girls are some of the best.
Seti started her practice 6 years ago. Her motivation was to create a dental office unlike any other — somewhere people look forward to coming to and somewhere people love working at.
Mission accomplished.
As a female-owned office she caters to the busy professional as well as the even busier mom. She provides blankets, a massage chair, Netflix with noise canceling headphones and THE skyline view.
All the Uptown teeth views: @skyview.dentistry
Jackie Andolino Fogartie is owner of Fogartie Events, where she offers full-service wedding planning mostly, with some smaller social events sprinkled in. Jackie also provides hourly consulting to wedding and social clients for vendor recommendations and general planning expertise.
After originally wanting to be an attorney Jackie worked at a law firm post-college. While she enjoyed the experience, she knew that working in an office just wasn’t for her. She needed more social interaction and less of a routine schedule.
We feel that.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jackie’s own wedding planner was her inspiration. She ended up tagging along with her and picking her brain before starting Jackie Fogartie Events in 2010. Jackie makes the process fun. She helps clients achieve their event vision and execute a wedding that represents them and their families. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jackie takes meetings at wine bars and breweries, and spends time getting to know her clients personally. She prides herself on being a partner and collaborator with her clients, not someone that comes in and completely takes over. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
How planning should be.
Jackie had a mother-of-the-bride once tell her she leads with a ‘Velvet Hammer’ and she thought that was the perfect description of her style. She’s firm — but nice.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We are stealing that.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You can find Jackie hanging at Foxcroft Wine in SouthPark with her husband Stu, or taking her toddler Hank to Green Brothers for a smoothie. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We met Jackie recently and instantly knew she was a Woman of Charlotte: @jackiefogartieevents
Molly Grantham introduces herself as a great Tetris player. Actually, she’s an anchor, author, mom, and speaker. But—like many women—her specialty has become fitting life schedules into other life schedules and keeping lists straight and functional, because if she misses a piece, lots of things might topple. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sounds about right.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
By night — she anchors the early evening newscasts at WBTV News & solo anchors their award-winning 11pm show. When Molly jumped to the Charlotte media market from Kentucky in 2003 she could have never imagined she’d still be here in 2021. But, that’s Charlotte.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This city.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Nearly 2 decades after first sending a VHS resume tape to WBTV, Molly’s married, has 3 children, has written 2 phenomenal books… and acquired 2 Emmys. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Molly’s grateful to have a job where she crafts stories about the people who live here in CLT & to be on the front line when it comes to asking tough questions of those in charge: @molly_grantham
Brittany Stewart, MBA / Founder + CMO of The Next Stop Collective is a 6x Airbnb Super Host. The Next Stop is a luxury vacation rental company that provides short-term stays in North Carolina & Virginia. Brittany and her fiancé enjoy exploring new cities and sharing experiences with people they love. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
They have 2 Airbnbs renting in Asheville, NC, currently, & 1 launching soon in Wintergreen, VA. Brittany’s goal is to make every guest feel right at home, away from home.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And… booking.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The business started with their very first rental home in 2019. The idea was simply ‘let’s buy rental homes in our favorite cities so we always have somewhere to stay when we visit.’ But, this turned into much more than that. ⠀
Brittany is marrying her college sweetheart, Carolina Panthers safety, Juston Burris, in June. So obviously you’ll find Brittany at Bank of America Stadium on some weekends though.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
That’s also one of our favorite destinations.⠀@bnstewar @thenextstopcollective
Felicia Bittle is a Charlotte style consultant known for her standout, perfectly done looks. Felicia is trained in fashion and style, knowledgeable about designers, and up on trends, helping her clients achieve their desired image.Through wardrobe consultations, personal shopping, and virtual consults, Felicia creates a polished, personalized image for her clients.
As a Charlotte native, she has seen local fashion evolve. Felicia’s father would sit her down every Saturday evening to help him pick out his look for church on Sunday.
How great is that?
Felicia liked how it felt to have a voice in those moments — she was encouraged to defend why she liked a look. Felicia learned about fit, complimentary colors and patterns, textures and seasonal wear. And about what lit her soul on fire — helping others.
Felicia is also continuously inspired by her beautiful, late grandmother Sadie Bell who believed how you dressed and presented yourself was representation of who you are — and so, to be deliberate in looking good.
We strongly agree.
Find your fab style: @stylingbyfab
Marinn Bengel is doing good things. As the 35th Gather and Give Luncheon Chair for Good Friends Charlotte she’s stepping in to make things happen for those in need.Good Friends Charlotte is a non-profit organization focused on grants to assist working families with small needs that can be ultimatley life-changing.
Their 4 founding women realized that a number of small needs in the community were going unmet by local non-profits. They envisioned hosting a one-day fundraising luncheon, asking their Good Friends to ‘Gather and Give’ & then using the money to solve issues that can help a family move from fragility back to stability.
Very good things, indeed.
Marinn was born and raised in the foothills of North Carolina and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill’s Kenan Flagler School of Business. She moved to Charlotte after school and has lived here for 33 years.
Marinn believes that we can take the Good Friends approach even in our own lives. Learn to take ‘what happened’ and turn into a ‘how can we help.’
We all can be a Good Friend: @goodfriendscharlotte
Ariel Perry is Ariel Perry Photography, an internationally-acclaimed senior portrait photographer who knows the power of young people. She has a passion for capturing the promise and potential of the next generation. ⠀
Through her photography and her mentorship programs, Ariel has helped both seniors and aspiring photographers find the confidence they need to step into their dreams. Ariel also specializes in branding for businesses. ⠀
Ariel Perry Photography, founded in 2014, is based in Charlotte, NC, and boasts multiple features in nationwide publications including US Weekly, InStyle, Yahoo, and Senior Style Guide. ⠀
When she was fresh out of college, Ariel didn’t know what she was going to do (same girl same) and she started shooting family and friends for fun. Her dad saw her passion for photography and encouraged her to start her own business.
Encouragement goes a long way — especially from dad.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Molly Ruggere and her Counterculture Club has us intrigued. Counterculture Club is a global alcohol-free community based in Charlotte that offers group and private coaching, monthly memberships for women & alcohol-free events. Her target folks? Anyone who wants to build authentic relationships with like-minded friends and counter the mainstream idea that alcohol in our social interactions is necessary to have a great time.
We can respect that.
Molly started Counterculture Club in 2020 because as a non-drinker, she found it challenging to find like-minded friends and social spaces where alcohol wasn’t the focus. She figured others felt the same but couldn’t find any groups in Charlotte.So she created her own.
Good work being done here: @counterculture_club @mollyruggere
Someone asked Jenn Andrews recently why she started her own nonprofit instead of just supporting an already established one. Her answer without hesitation was that she saw a gap that so badly needed to be filled.
Jenn’s journey began after having a mass removed from her foot that tested as a sarcoma. It returned to her entire foot and amputation was the only option to give her the best chance at a cancer-free life.
The #MoveforJenn movement was born in 2018 after she called for those who could, to MOVE, while she was having surgery. Folks in Charlotte and far beyond embraced her ask – this led her to realize that amputees who wished to remain active would find difficultly without ample means of funding. Most insurance covers only one prosthetic per person.
Jenn’s mission with The Move For Jenn Foundation is to raise funds in order to issue grants to those who need protheses. We are behind her.
Move with her: @moveforjenn
Brittney Bogues is the PR mastermind behind Bogues Group – a boutique consulting agency that provides strategic communications and event planning solutions for nonprofits, public figures, entrepreneurs and corporations.
What makes her stand out? Her ability to deliver a custom approach with design, data and detail in mind for each project or client.
Currently only 10% of CEOs are women and only 2% are women of color — she wants to change the narrative.
Let’s learn more: @brittbogues & @boguesgroup
Pretty amazing group, right? Wanna know who else is on our list?
Follow @womenofclt
For the scoop.
