December 2025: Rising Tide Issue 11

Re:Purpose Savannah - Kristin Mulzer, Woodworker

Re:Purpose Savannah preserves historic buildings and transforms salvaged materials into sustainable solutions. Most of our salvaged material goes back out into the world as repair material, era appropriate to local homes, and to literally be repurposed into furniture, stairs, flooring, and more. We produce interior accents like floating shelves, mantels, and countertops. I personally focus on smaller kitchen wares. Scraps that are less than 3 feet are harder to reuse in new construction, so I try to give them life as charcuterie boards, bottle openers, bath mats, etc.

How does your business align with innovation, sustainability, or community engagement?

Re:Purpose is all about sustainability, community, and historic preservation.

Our focus is to advocate, educate, and provide a climate-conscious alternative to conventional demolition that mitigates environmental and public health impacts. 

We strive to connect best practices for structural removal with historic preservation, emphasizing research and documentation to preserve the diverse histories in our community.  

Share some stats about the impact of your business in the community.

By the end of 2024, Re:Purpose has saved over 4,500 tons of material from the landfill. Those materials, that have incredible historic value, would have been lost forever but instead have found another purpose in local, regional, and eastern coast homes, restaurants, and buildings. In the past year, RPS has worked on local projects to save the materials and the stories of two residential dwellings, a government building, and two downtown brownstones. 

Let’s take the opportunity to debunk any misconceptions that may come up when people are introduced to your business. What message can we share? 

Deconstruction is a wonderful way to save our community’s history. Re:Purpose works with other organizations to retain photos and historical records to ensure that while the building may be gone, the story remains.

How is this organization different than other construction industry businesses?

 Re:Purpose prides itself on being an organization for nontraditional workers in construction and woodworking to learn and refine their skills. RPS has been the first chapter, as well as the final professional chapter for many women+. Some of the staff have been with the organization so long, their employee number is a single digit.

Many of the leadership staff have been invited to speak at industry conferences, facilitate deconstruction and material processing training, and consult for out of state projects. Re:Purpose’s goal is to continue to share and educate on deconstruction and material management.

Salacia is all about relaxation. What do you do to recharge yourself? 

While each of us approaches this differently, I personally am a fan of sauna, cold plunge, and massage for physical recovery. As for decompression, all of us love trees and spend a lot of time out in nature.

November 2025: Rising Tide Issue 10

Savannah Stocking Company - Alex Bowles

Savannah Stocking Company makes Christmas gifting easy and fun. They curate ready-to-gift stocking stuffer packages filled with high-quality, small-business, locally inspired items for women. Each collection comes beautifully packaged and ready to slip right into a stocking… so all you have to do is Click, Stuff, and Hang!

We interviewed Alex and asked her to share more about her concept and what made her start your business.

I’m a nurse (still working full-time while building SSC), and like so many in healthcare, I reached a point where I was pretty burned out. I love caring for people, but I needed a creative outlet that gave something back to me, too.  After becoming a mom, that feeling only grew stronger. I want to show my daughter what it looks like to build something for yourself. 

But I have to give my husband some credit too… it was initially his idea!  He never stuffs my stocking and I knew I wasn’t alone. Moms spend weeks if not months making the holidays magical for their families and Savannah Stocking Co. is my way of making sure these women get a little of that magic back. Moms deserve a stocking too!

I hope to expand the business in years to come to include men’s, kid’s, and even pet stocking stuffers. It’s all about giving busy people an easy way to make gifting thoughtful again, without the hassle of going to all the different stores.  We will stuff their stocking so you don’t have to!

We love this concept. What is the one big takeaway you want people to remember after hearing about your business?

That thoughtful doesn’t have to mean complicated. You can give a gift that feels personal and special without spending hours shopping or wrapping. Every Savannah Stocking Co. package supports small businesses and spreads a little Christmas cheer, both to the person receiving it and the community behind it.

Alex has also offered our readers 15% off with code SAVSTOCKCO1 at her website to try out her service and selection.

Everyone loves a stocking! What makes it such a fun tradition?

Stockings are pure magic! They’re that perfect mix of nostalgia and surprise… like being a kid again, but with grown-up goodies. They’re often the first thing opened on Christmas morning and the part everyone secretly looks forward to the most. 

How does your business align with innovation, sustainability, or community engagement?

I have made it a mission of Savannah Stocking Co. to include mainly stuffers from small-businesses.  Bonus points if it’s run by a woman/mom!  I want to strive to keep more dollars in our communities and out of the big-box stores.  We also use mostly recyclable packaging materials and stay away from plastics as much as possible. Plus, for every $150 and $300 package sold, we donate a $30 stocking to a local women’s substance abuse residential facility.  It’s important for me to make sure these women feel seen and appreciated during what can be a very difficult time of year for many.  

Salacia is all about relaxation. What do you do to recharge yourself? 

Taking a nap is top of the list! But I also enjoy taking walks and consider myself a pretty avid reader.  When I’m really in need of some intense self-care, I have recently discovered the head-spa treatments offered at Temple Day Spa. Talk about relaxation!

FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE

This month's  Southern Charm Subscription Box subscribers will be spoiled with a $30 stocking package from Savannah Stocking Company – or use it towards a more expensive package.  

Order a subscription box now through Nov 30 — it’s only $35, and after 5 months, your 6th box is FREE! 🎁🙌 Treat yourself (or someone special) to a monthly moment of wellness. 💛

October 2025: Rising Tide Issue 9

Meet Laura Potts-Wirht of Sweet Georgia Fuyu Persimmons

Tell us about your business and the many ways this fruit can be used. 

I celebrate the Fuyu Persimmon!  We’ve grown the Fuyu Persimmon at our farm in Glennville, Georgia since 2015, and I love to work with the fruit to create products!  I have a line of Fuyu Persimmon food products that I started creating in 2016.  

I sell these products in person, on my website, at festivals and events, at retail stores along the coast, and of course at our farm.  We are members of Georgia Farm Passport and also have U-Pick fruit at our farm during our short fruit season in October & November.

However, I’m not done creating products!  There are so many ways to use this wonderful fruit!  For example, I’m certified as a hard cider maker.  As a hobby, I make Fuyu Persimmon Cider.  And, because it has such a mild honey sweetness, I can also flavor it with other fruits we grow at our farm.  Plus, there are other persimmon products in development.

What made you start your business?
We bought the farm in 2015 as we also farm in California and missed being there once our sons started school. Our youngest son started Kindergarten after having been in pre-school part-time. So, I knew I would have some extra time apart from my other job and decided I wanted a new business challenge.  Once we planted the persimmons, I naturally wanted to do more with the fruit in a culinary way.  I love to cook and creatively work with food.  My business was born!

Does the persimmon seem to hold a mystery or remain elusive to many of us in the South? Why and what are you doing about that?
Yes, the fact that the Fuyu Persimmon is new to people makes my job more fun!  Since 2017, I’ve sold the fruit at farmers markets and festivals offering samples and info cards to customers - and really anyone who shows an interest.  The biggest hurdle to get past is that many people in the south only know the wild persimmon which can be bitter if not ripe. I’m always happy to discuss these differences with people so they can learn about the different varieties of persimmon and why the Fuyu is the always sweet variety - never bitter.  

I also give educational presentations about the fruit to civic groups, garden clubs, and classrooms, and on farm tours.  We also sell the fruit to schools where we also educate the kids  about the fruit.  And, I’ve also educated people about the fruit through cooking shows, TV Farm Shows, podcasts, social media, magazine, and newspaper articles

I’m passionate about this delicious fruit!  Many of my customers tell me it is their favorite fruit.

How does your business align with innovation, sustainability, or community engagement?
Oh, wow!  This is an exciting business for these areas.  

As far as innovation goes, I make products with persimmons you literally cannot find anywhere else in the world!   And, I’m still innovating for the products in development and those to come.

For farming, we practice conservation through water management, erosion control, no-till farming, natural cover crops, encouraging animal habitats, composting, and no pesticides. And, our thousands of trees are great for the environment! We also have bee hives at the farm!

Community engagement is something we really enjoy.  As I mentioned, we educate people about the fruit through presentations, farm tours, and a variety of media and social media. School, church, and other groups come to the farm for tours and for U-Pick.  We also engage through the local schools, farmers markets, and festivals.  From the beginning, we always focused on engaging with our surrounding community and coordinating with local farmers.   

Laura is offering a free gift-sized jar of Persimmon Jam in this month's Southern Charm Subscription Box.  Plus, all new subscribers who commit to 6 months of our Subscription box will automatically receive the 6th one free after their fifth transaction! 

Send a message to orders@salaciasalts.com for 20% off Sweet Fuyu Persimmons, good for October 1st - November 15th (persimmon season!).

Kristen Brown, Photographer, Samba to the Sea. Trading in NYC and high heels for sunsets and surfboards. 

August 2025: Rising Tide Issue 7

Meet Jennifer Signh, Owner of The Happy Peach

Tell us about your business and how you got started.

The Happy Peach is a Lifestyle Boutique offering a unique set of products to be used from day to night and everything in-between! The boutique itself is staged to look like different rooms in a home. It’s a unique way of selling our merchandise because we have a full kitchen set up and a walk-in closet! 

I started the business as an online boutique. I ran it from a spare room in our house and would sporadically ship orders whenever they came in. It quickly became a side gig as I found myself competing with the entire internet. This was not my intention!! I moved the business forward by participating in a number of pop-up shops in Savannah. Almost every weekend my husband and I would pack up the truck with a tent, chairs, tables and products and brace whatever weather we could to push the business along. We learned so many new techniques, met some wonderful people along the way and were finally starting to see a slight profit. But once that died down, I was left with “what now?” I randomly decided to start researching retail locations and educate myself on how to start building a brick and mortar. Honestly it was my boredom that led me to my extraordinary little space!

Careerwise, I come from a very corporate background but I always knew I was meant to create my own source of income. Something where I could make decisions and not have to “run it by someone else”, something flexible and something I could pass along to my children. A true boss lady! That’s my WHY!  I am the proud daughter of immigrant parents and as I was growing up, I knew I wanted to use my position as a woman of color to bring inclusion and diversity into whatever I do. As a Guyanese-American I have the opportunity to fuse my culture and heritage with my upbringing in Long Island, NY. It’s a really cool blend, I think, and it’s truly showcased in my boutique. 

I always say that I started my business with one intention- to fulfill a lifelong dream with the core of it focusing on happiness. I’m honored to say it has truly turned out to be exactly what I envisioned and so much more! 

What’s your REAL JOB title?

HINGES!!! This has been an on-going joke since the day I signed my lease. The front door to the shop never fully closes all the way so every time customers come in and leave, I wait a few seconds and then close it completely. It’s mainly because I don’t want bugs sneaking in and I don’t want the AC/ heat escaping but I always think of it as a blessing. You see, we’re tucked away in the “secret” garden and many people ask if we get any foot traffic. I always laugh and say “Well, you found me!” Our door is always revolving with tourists and locals alike so, yes, I will always pick up the slack on the door hinges because it means “We’re open for business!” 

What’s the most FUN thing about your day job as a business owner? 

Getting dolled up! I love that I have a purpose now to wear my jewelry and put my make up on. I was a stay-at-home mom for a little while and now I feel as if I'm back in the game. Getting dressed in the morning and using the good perfume really means something to me. 

How does your business align with innovation, sustainability, or community engagement?

Some of our best-selling products are the ones that are handmade, locally made, or ethically designed. We have sleep/lounge wear that is made from 95% bamboo fiber and linens that come from a free-trade company. The jewelry brand that we carry is a zero-waste company that donates a portion of sales to their own foundation for education assistance for young girls. We’re pretty conscious about where we source our products!

We’re fairly new to the community and still learning it’s ins and outs but totally happy to have planted roots here. We have a handful of local products that we carry and we’re proud to only have one brand per product type. It may seem odd but we want to give each company a chance to stand out in their own category. Competition is high and we’re happy to provide a spotlight opportunity in store. 

At Salacia, we’re all about relaxation. What does relaxation look like for you? 

A hot shower, freshly washed pajamas, a yummy snack and a good (preferably K-Drama) series on Netflix (with lots of interruptions of kisses from my kids!) 

Southern Charm Subscription Box subscribers will be receiving a voucher for FREE SHIPPING for any items from The Happy Peach - and an invitation to the Rising Tide social in August!

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Owner: Jennifer Singh
@thehappypeachshop

July 2025: Issue 6

Meet Kay Wolfersperger, Artist

Tell us about your business and how you got started.

I make kitchen towels, stationery, pin-back buttons and stickers featuring my original illustrations. I became an illustrator in the most winding way, originally studying graphic design and fibers at The Savannah College of Art and Design. I took my favorite parts from the two disciplines over the years and applied them to illustration and making products, my way of sending joy pings out into the world!

How does your business align with sustainability and innovation? 

My business aligns with innovation because I am a team of one so I have to be scrappy with my resources, the most important of those being time! I tend to be clever in my solutions and am able to do a lot with a little. My kitchen towels are a great tool to achieve sustainability. Why use a paper towel when you can liven up your kitchen with beautiful, functional art? I love pattern work and kitchen towels are such a beautiful and sustainable way to bring art into the kitchen. 

What’s the hardest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?

The hardest challenge I’ve had to face is learning how to scale! I used to screenprint and cut and sew all of my kitchen towels BY HAND. This was not a good path to scaling up my production. I overcame this challenge by trying a lot of different fabrics, vendors and methods until I finally found a really great manufacturer who can produce the towels for me so I can confidently scale up now, no matter the size of the order! Testing many manufacturers was how I navigated scaling in general and it was expensive and time consuming but well worth it. 

Tell me something I would never guess about you!

I’ve done a triathlon!

At Salacia, we’re all about relaxation. What does relaxation look like for you? 

Cozying up with a good snack and a book which typically leads to a nap.

Southern Charm Subscription Box subscribers will be receiving a tea towel from Kay’s recent summer-inspired launch and a bonjour postcard - plus a discount code for future purchases online!

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Owner: Kay Wolfersperger
@kaywolfersperger
Website: www.kaywolfersperger.com

June 2025: Issue 5

Meet Maggie Lilly, Chief Granola Officer

What made you start your business?

I started making granola for me and my family when our now 18 year old son was 7 and our now 14 year old twin girls were toddlers. I felt like we were always in the car and stopping too frequently at convenience stores and drive-thrus. I was spending way too much money and we were consuming too much junk. I had a vegan cookbook with a granola recipe inside so I decided to give granola baking a try.  It was delicious, but super crumbly. After lots of ingredient tweaking and experimenting, I created a clean, delicious recipe of my own that sticks together, is perfect for carpool and table dining alike!  

Current flavors, in order of creation, are The OG (cinnamon, vanilla, dried cranberries and pepitas), Lemon Blueberry, Peanut Butter, Mint Chocolate, Cherry Almond, and Banana Walnut. 

What’s the hardest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?

Today?! Just kidding. Deciding to take the leap from a cottage food business to a commercial business. Moving into a commercial kitchen was crucial in order for me to grow my business, but it required rent. I have full confidence in my product and just needed to trust that with a great product, unmatched customer service and a strong work ethic, POH was going to be worth the leap of faith! 

Tell us something that most people wouldn't guess about you. Give us something personal!

EEK. Confession time? I went to UGA right after high school and made some of my best friends there. I had a lot of fun. A lot. I did not do well academically so I had to come home after the 1st semester of my sophomore year. After living at home and waiting tables, trying UGA again, moving out west for a couple of years and then moving back home, I graduated from college when I was 26 years old and pregnant with our son. 

How does your business align with innovation, sustainability, or community engagement?

I created Party of Hive granola to satisfy a need for a nutritious and convenient snack for me and my kiddos. When I realized my friends and family were looking for something similar, I worked really hard to scale my recipe and fill that need for them and others. I use local honey, supporting regional agriculture and reducing environmental impact. My use of other locally sourced, clean/natural ingredients are minimally processed and align with eco friendly practices. As for community engagement, I’m incredibly proud to be a part of the small business family in Savannah. I was born and raised here and the personal connections I have are very important to me. I love participating in local events like the Isle of Hope Art and Music Fest furthering my connection to locals and visitors. I’m always up for collaboration and lifting up other local small businesses!

At Salacia, we’re all about relaxation. What does relaxation look like for you? 

Ahhh. A couple of hours of pickleball followed by beach or screened porch sitting, glass(es) of rose, good music and friends. 

Party of Hive granola offers made-in-Savannah granola. Each of the 6 (and counting) flavors is crafted and hand mixed by owner and CGO, Maggie Lilly. She uses local honey, certified gluten free oats, and only the best ingredients to make Savannah’s favorite granola. Unlike other granolas on the market, Party of Hive granola is hunky enough to dip into smoothies and yogurt or to  pass back to the kids in the car.

Southern Charm Subscription Box subscribers will be receiving a free bag of Party of Hive's newest flavor Banana Walnut - plus a discount code for future purchases online!

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Owner: Maggie Lilly, Chief Granola Officer
Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn: @partyofhive
Website: www.partyofhive.com

May 2025: Issue 4

Owner: Sidney Lance
Contact: Instagram/ @rhootmanco • Facebook/ Rhoot Man Beverage Company  Website: Rhootmanco.com

Sidney is a dear friend of our founder Cari Phelps. She recalls running into the 21 year Savannah local and Army Vet, right after the onset of COVID in the spring of 2020. Sidney was working at a local distillery and was earning a name for himself in the craft cocktail scene in Savannah. Like all of us, the pandemic shifted his world and he immediately took action, launching a line of shrubs. Cari was familiar with the history of this drink and celebrated Sidney, a Food & Beverage industry veteran since 2006, taking on the tradition with an innovative twist. You'll always get a infectious laugh and a huge bear hug when you run into Sidney. Sidney lives in Savannah with his "wife and two wonderful teenage daughters, and yes, we can’t forget Nucky, our little fur baby."

The Shrub is no longer history.
Shrubs, a historical drink, evolved from a method of preserving fruit in vinegar, especially popular in 17th and 18th century England. They gained popularity in colonial America as a non-alcoholic alternative to traditional beverages. Shrubs were a common and popular drink, often made with local fruits like berries and cherries, and used as a refreshing beverage. Shrubs faded out of favor with the advent of refrigeration and commercially produced drinks but have experienced a resurgence in recent years as part of the cocktail revolution. 

Tell us about your business Rhoot Man Beverage Company.
Rhoot Man Beverage Company makes all natural vinegar based syrups designed to enhance cocktails or mocktail. What’s so unique about my product is that it’s good for your heart and gut health. Along with it be able to be used for salad dressings, glazes and marinades.

How is your business innovating within the beverage category?
Through my many years of being in the Food & Beverage Industry, I saw how creating  cocktails was an process that was entirely too long; that took away from the guest experience. This would ultimately cut into guests returning and business owners struggling to get more return customers. With Rhoot Man Beverage Company Shrub, all it takes is two to four ingredients to create any cocktail or mocktail experience. This not only allows our guests at the bar to get a quick flavorful cocktail before their food arrives, but it also allows those home bartenders to create the same experience with ease as well. 

Savannah's Refillery Gem – a bright little shop making sustainability feel possible (and even fun). From refill stations to eco-swaps, their zero-waste store is changing the way people shop, and think, about their daily habits.

Lite Foot Company

Owner: Katie Rodgers-Hubbard
Location: 2400 Bull St Suite 4, Savannah, GA 31401

If your company had a theme song, what would it be?
Lighthouse by Stevie Nicks

People carry a lot of expectations and pressure on themselves of not knowing how to do  “the right thing” for the environment. How does Lite Foot make the task more approachable?
I place a strong emphasis on the importance of trying. No one, including me, is doing everything correct in terms of caring for our environment. We just need to push ourselves to learn and make changes where we can. Just do and don't beat yourself up. My experience is that that approach makes it less overwhelming and more attainable to people. 

I have heard the adage that we should not bear the burden of being responsible for everything we do personally as it relates to the environment, but rather pick one thing and stick to it. Consistency and commitment will make a greater impact. What are your thoughts around this?
I think it's a delicate balance. Our culture isn’t set up to even allow us to have full control over our choices. We can’t be zero waste in savannah, b/c there lacks the systemic infrastructure to support it. But we do have control over some things and those things I do think can choose to take on responsibility for. 

What is the most interesting or unexpected product in your shop?
I think people are most shocked by deodorant cream and hairspray. We sell a deo cream that is one of our best sellers. Hairspray is another one that shocks people. By simply moving away from aerosol you are making an impact. It's such a simple swap. 

We always talk about relaxation in this series, so…
If we could grant you one wish to make your life and world more relaxing, what would it be? Anything goes! 
I would love to have 2 days off that coincides with my family and friends days off. I’m extremely extroverted and relationship oriented and believe I could rest and relax better if that was instituted. (also my best friend has to move here)

FOLLOW LITE FOOT ON INSTAGRAM for the MOST AMAZING, HILARIOUS CONTENT! We promise you'll enjoy Katie's humor and antics. 

Ordinary Magic & Savannah Yoga Center

Owner: Kelley J Boyd
Location:  509 Barnard St, Savannah, GA 31401

To start, tell me a bit about yourself and your businesses.
I'm a Savannah, GA native, an artist at heart, and a nature-loving witch—a rare breed these days! It's true, we Savannah unicorns are becoming quite scarce. My passion for yoga blossomed 25 years ago, and my studio celebrates its 23rd anniversary this March! Even before that, at my very first job at age 15, I discovered a deep love for crystals, minerals, and all things natural.

We just entered into Savannah’s luckiest month of the year. What role does luck play in your life, products or business?
I believe in magic, especially the magic found in everyday life. So, it might surprise you that I also believe love, passion, and hard work create opportunity and what some might call "luck."

The name Ordinary Magic is a fun play on words. How did you come up with this name?
"Ordinary Magic" is actually a very literal name! There's so much magic all around us, but sometimes life experiences can make us lose sight of it. It's often found in what we consider mundane: a flock of birds perched on a power line, the rising of a full moon, or the dewy, sparkling spiderwebs that sway on the marsh grass tops on my way to work in the early mornings of March and April. I wanted the name to reflect that and remind others of the magic all around us!

What's the perfectly magical day look like for you? And do you have a favorite spot or thing about Savannah you’d like to share with our audience?
My perfect magical day is any time I can be outdoors, whether I'm digging in the dirt of my home garden, exploring a trail in search of mushrooms and native plants, or enjoying an early morning boat ride and the wonderfully familiar, earthy scent of the marsh in May!