Entrepreneur Success Stories in Greenville, SC
Once a hidden gem, Greenville is now recognized as one of the region’s foremost cultural and economic hubs, but also as an ideal place for entrepreneurs to launch their own enterprises.
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Fresh Takes, New Bakes
Jersey City native Mary Walsh relocated to Greenville after her husband accepted a new job. She immediately noticed that the city’s four distinct seasons were ideal for local agriculture, but there was a distinct lack of specialty markets. Walsh says her friend and co-owner, Jacqueline Oliver, decided that “Greenville needed a place where you could go seven days a week and buy all the things you can normally get at a farmers market.”
Tie that in with the city’s shortage of bakeries or cafes that sourced local ingredients, and the idea for the Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery was born.
While the team had some personal savings, they benefited greatly from a $30,000 grant from the Greenville City Economic Development Corporation . They also received free mentorship from local lawyer Chris King.
“All of those factors combined have helped us launch our business and stay in business,” Walsh says. “In 2026, we celebrated our 15th anniversary.”
From Corporate to Orthotic
Celeste Purdie found herself in Greenville after moving from Chicago to accompany her sister. Following a car accident, she decided to leave corporate America and start her own business.
During the pandemic, she was offered the opportunity to open a franchise of Foot Solutions, a specialized wellness brand offering custom orthotics to those with foot and joint pain. Because South Carolina wasn’t home to a Foot Solutions and both she and her husband had foot problems, Purdie seized the prospect. Even the timing was auspicious, she says, because the business was medically focused and could stay open despite COVID regulations.
Today, Purdie says she’s proud to be part of such a robust entrepreneurial scene. She credits Greenville’s wealth of business resources to Foot Solutions’ success.
In addition to networking with Upstate Warrior Solution, Purdie says the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Business Accelerator program was also a huge help. “There are all types of businesses sprouting up to support the diverse community,” she says. “It just goes to show that Greenville is a welcoming city for people to thrive and start businesses.”
Better With Age
Growing up near the Finger Lakes region helped Josh Jones develop a love of wine. Upon moving to Greenville for a job opportunity, Jones says he immediately connected with the city. But when he decided to indulge in local wines, he discovered there wasn’t much in the area besides the newly opened City Scape Winery. On a visit there, he bought some winemaking supplies and began making wine at home, giving bottles away for gifts and wedding favors.
After several years, he and his wife expanded their casual in-home winemaking to 500 bottles a year. By this time, the owners of City Scape Winery wanted to retire and offered the couple the opportunity to take over the business. In 2015, they did just that. But it wasn’t until 2017, when Jones decided to host a ticketed viewing party at the winery to see the solar eclipse, that things really took off.
“We worked with Visit Greenville to help promote tickets,” he says.
Afterward, a regional manager for the Fresh Market approached him about the prospect of selling his wines in the store. That momentum helped propel him to compete in the 2018 Palmetto Wine Competition, where eight of his 10 wines were awarded gold medals, including Best in Show.
The Boys are Alright
After graduating from Clemson University, Bryan Boykin fell in love with her new home of Greenville. Coming from an entrepreneurial family, Bryan and her sister, Garris, had always dreamed of running their own boutique. Once Garris graduated and moved in with her, everything clicked.
“We were in full swing planning for The Boys,” Bryan says of the storefront.
She credits the city and its residents as a vital part of being able to realize that dream. “In the three years that I have been here, I have been able to watch the city grow and flourish. The people definitely make the place. Everyone’s willingness and want to help is unmatched,” Bryan says.
Among others, the sisters appreciate the Greenville Chamber and Augusta Road Business Association for guiding their endeavors. Ultimately, Bryan says she can’t imagine living out her dreams anywhere else. “Greenville has been the perfect place for us to start a business,” she says.
Get to Know Greenville, SC
Want to learn more about living and working in Greenville, SC? Check out the latest edition of Livability Greenville: Live Here. Love Here. Career Here.