People in Business

Charleston is brimming with exceptional talent and thriving businesses. 

Holistic Wellness Collective | Andrea Meier, M.S., LPC, LAC  |  andreameierllc.com

Your Business: Andrea Meier, LLC is a boutique holistic wellness collective offering integrative therapy for individuals, couples, and families by blending clinical expertise with experiential approaches to support deeper healing, growth, and lasting transformation.

Creative Spark: Creativity unfolds in the art of attunement: thoughtfully weaving EMDR, parts work, somatic therapy, and mindfulness into individualized care that honors each client’s unique path to healing.

 Charleston Fit: Rooted in Charleston’s culture of intentional living and connection, our practice offers a refined yet grounded space for healing, honoring the balance of tradition, community, and personal growth.

Shaped by Challenge: My work is shaped by lived experiences with trauma, high achievement, and relational healing; integrating personal depth with clinical training to create a practice rooted in authenticity, compassion, and meaningful transformation.

Outside Inspiration: I’m inspired by grounded, intentional women who embody their values and create lives that reflect balance, authenticity, and purpose, both personally and professionally.

What’s Next: I’m expanding in-house pathways to healing—integrating neurofeedback, breathwork, and curated group and community experiences to offer a more immersive, connected approach to transformation.

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Circa 1886 Executive Chef Marc Collins | circa1886.com

Your Business: I’m the Executive Chef & Co-Owner of Circa 1886 Restaurant.

Creative Spark: Creativity shows up in every plate we create. That includes the visual presentation, the layered taste profiles, and the balance of aromas and textures—everything is designed to engage the senses.

Charleston Fit: With a 26-year history in Charleston, our restaurant has helped shape the local food and beverage scene. We’re proud to have played a part in launching the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, connecting our team and our community through shared experiences.

Shaped by Challenge: We operate with a service mindset, focused on providing memorable and comforting experiences for our guests. The combination of COVID and the rapid growth of Charleston’s restaurant scene created challenges that also push us to continually rethink our role in the city and how we serve our guests.

Outside Inspiration: I’m inspired by my faith in Jesus Christ, and I find inspiration in art, culture, the creative process, and the world around me.

What’s Next: We’re always looking toward the next evolution of the restaurant—continuing to grow, supporting our team, and delighting our guests while staying true to our vision.

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Pitt Street Pharmacy Brandi Sherbert | pittstreetpharmacy.com

Your Business: We specialize in compounding for both humans and pets, creating custom medications. From hormone replacement, pain management, dermatology, tasty pet meds, and beyond!

Creative Spark: I love making new, fun dosage forms and tasty meds for kids, adults, and pets. The more challenging, the better! I love that I get to do something new every day, and interacting with my patients makes it fun.

Charleston Fit: Pitt Street Pharmacy opened in 1937 and is woven into the history of Charleston. We are the place kids grew up going to and now visit with their own kids and families. The soda fountain is a fun throwback to the way things used to be.

Shaped by Challenge: One of the biggest challenges we face is helping new members of the community find us—and a parking spot. We’re tucked into the Old Village of Mount Pleasant, which has a wonderful, family-friendly feel but isn’t always the easiest place to navigate.

Outside Inspiration: Women in business inspire me! I love surrounding myself with powerful women who own what they do and are amazing at it. It motivates me to keep improving year after year.

What’s Next: I’m excited to continue growing the pharmacy and strengthening its presence in Charleston. I want it to remain a community staple for generations to come—welcoming more families to stop in, enjoy a snack or lunch at the fountain, and learn how we can best serve them.

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Natasha Viswanathan Realtor Natasha Viswanathan | REALTOR®  natashacharleston.com

Your Business: I help people navigate the inevitable speed bumps in a real estate transaction so they can focus on what matters most: turning their new house into a home or moving confidently into their next chapter.

Creative Spark: I focus on finding solutions that keep both sides happy while always protecting my client’s best interests. It’s about keeping your eye on the prize—because no one should lose their dream home over something like a TV mount.

Charleston Fit: Sharing this beautiful place and all its gifts with new residents brings me so much joy. The wildlife, the lifestyle, and the culture are all part of what makes Charleston such a special place to call home.

Shaped by Challenge: Transparency and reliability are what my clients expect from me. I’m optimistic but realistic, and I won’t sugarcoat the tough parts. We’re a team working toward the same goal, and I strive to give my clients an experience that exceeds what they may have had in the past.

Outside Inspiration: Nature inspires me—being outside, protecting our waterways, and preserving our wildlife. As an advanced Open Water scuba diver, the beauty of the ocean inspires and motivates me every day.

What’s Next: I love dedicating time to volunteering with the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network and other local nonprofits. The outdoors is the anchor to my lifestyle, so I look forward to giving back where I can.

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Draisin Vision Group Dr. Jennifer Zolman | draisinvisiongroup.com

Your Business: I lead the Draisin Vision Group, a Charleston practice serving patients of all ages with advanced diagnostics, vision therapy, eye disease management/treatment, and neuro-optometric rehabilitation to support lifelong visual health and wellness.

Creative Spark: Creativity shows up in how we personalize care for each patient—designing customized vision therapy treatment plans, solving complex vision/eye health problems, and helping patients see their potential while shining in amazing eyewear.

Charleston Fit: For nearly 55 years, Draisin Vision Group has served generations of Charleston families, helping babies to adults thrive through better vision while partnering with schools, athletes, local organizations, and healthcare providers across our community.

Shaped by Challenge: Evolving visual demands in school, sports, and digital life inspired us to invest in the most advanced technology, expand vision therapy services, and continually innovate to help patients reach their full potential.

Outside Inspiration: I’m inspired by people—especially watching children gain confidence, and families thrive. As a mom of four, I’m reminded every day how support and opportunity can shape a child’s future.

What’s Next: I’m excited to continue growing our impact by expanding more specialized services, investing in the newest technology, and helping even more patients reach their full potential through customized vision care.

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Charleston Medical Spa Lisa Query, CEO | charlestonmedicalspa.com

Your Business: Charleston Medical Spa is a results-driven, luxury aesthetic practice that blends medical expertise with luxury experience, focusing on personalized treatments, long-term relationships, and consistent natural-looking outcomes.

Creative Spark: Creativity is embedded in every aspect of how we operate—from designing customized treatment plans to developing new membership models, elevating marketing campaigns, reimagining the client journey, and approaching creativity as a business tool as well as an artistic one.

Charleston Fit: Charleston is a refined, relationship-driven market rooted in community. We connect with clients by delivering natural, elevated results, building long-term trust, staying engaged locally, and creating a polished, welcoming environment that reflects the Charleston lifestyle.

Shaped by Challenge: Key opportunities that have shaped Charleston Medical Spa today include expanding into medical weight loss (GLP-1 programs), developing membership offerings, investing in team training and education, and refining the overall client experience.

Outside Inspiration: Our clients inspire us daily, and our treatments are designed to help them reach their goals. We prioritize science-driven, proven technologies over trends, focusing on clinical evidence, safety, and results. By looking beyond our industry, we stay innovative and bring elevated treatments and technology to our clients.

What’s Next: Expanding our wellness offerings—peptides, hormone optimization, and weight management—while enhancing the client journey. Our goal is to solidify Charleston Medical Spa as the leading destination for aesthetics and wellness in the city.

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M. Dumas & Sons Gary Flynn, Co-Owner and CEO | mdumasandsons.com

Your Business: We are a better men’s specialty store offering an extensive range of brands spanning from very dressy to casual, moderate to luxury price points. We strive to build long-lasting connections with our customers, both local and from afar.

Creative Spark: It touches everything we do—from curating collections and designing in-store and window displays to tailoring garments and even social messaging. This industry runs on creativity.

Charleston Fit: We’ve been on King Street for 109 years. Like Charleston, we honor our heritage while evolving every day. Staying rooted in where we come from—while continually modernizing—is our goal, and we’re proud to be part of King Street’s historic business community.

Shaped by opportunity: We’ve evolved many times as a business, but our current shift toward luxury came directly from listening to our most loyal customers. who wanted higher-end goods. We pivoted and reshaped our model. That move—listening, refocusing, and serving them better—defines how we operate today.

Outside Inspiration: I’m inspired by innovation, quality, craftsmanship, connection, and value—especially from brands that push boundaries while honoring individuality. Regardless of industry, I admire those who lead with originality and act as true stewards of excellence.

What’s Next:  We’re in the want—not the need—business. Each season, we look for the next thing customers will desire—often before they know it themselves. The future isn’t fixed; it reveals itself daily. We read the signals, trust our instincts, and choose what matters most. That pursuit of what’s next is everything in this business. How exciting is that!

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Flowertown Garden Center Charlene Moore  flowertowngardencenterllc.com

Your Business: We are a retail garden center, specializing in plant material, pottery, statuary, and fountains.

Creative Spark: Everywhere! Our displays are very creative and show our customers how beautiful our products can look when placed together.

Charleston Fit: Charleston’s climate makes outdoor living a way of life, and we help people make their outdoor spaces more inviting. Doing business in Summerville for 16 years has been incredible—we’ve built lasting friendships with many who first came to us as customers.

Shaped by Challenge: One of our challenges is to make sure we have a vast selection of everything. Placing orders for plant material, for example, is so time-consuming it’s like having a second job, and we already work 60 hours a week! Whew!

Outside Inspiration: We are inspired by new trends. We keep up with new ideas like interesting plants for our greenhouses or terrariums and propagation supplies.

What’s Next: We are always excited about adding to our beautiful displays. We have expanded about as much as we can, so changing what we already have is always fun.

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Bohemian Bull Chad Biel | bohemianbull.com

Your Business: As the owner, I am responsible for the overall strategic direction, financial health, and operational success of Bohemian Bull. I am not as involved in daily operations as I once was, but I still enjoy spending time in the restaurants with the staff and guests.

Creative Spark: I oversee the design of new locations—including our upcoming Spring, Texas store—and guide the creation of our quarterly food and drink specials.

Charleston Fit: Community is so important to us. We are actively involved in numerous non-profits in Charleston, including Warrior Surf Foundation, Carolina Children’s Charity, Purple with a Purpose, and Pet Helpers. Additionally, we participate in semi-annual beach clean-ups.

Shaped by Challenge: Rising food and labor costs, along with reduced dining out due to inflation, have challenged the restaurant industry. To adapt, we’ve introduced value-driven options like $9.99 lunch specials.

Outside Inspiration: I surround myself with other great local entrepreneurs who inspire me every day. My wife and kids also provide me with great inspiration.

What’s Next: We are looking forward to our newest location in Texas. Then we have our eyes on a third location in Charleston! 

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Mount Pleasant Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Tyler Letson | mountpleasantjeep.com

Your Business: We serve the community by handling all automotive needs—sales, service, and maintenance for all makes and models. Our goal is a transparent, customer-focused experience that makes the process simple, straightforward, and enjoyable. We believe our work continues long after a vehicle is sold, building lasting relationships with our customers.

Creative Spark: We’re reimagining the traditional dealership experience, starting with the customer. From mobile service to empowering our team to solve problems and improve processes, we look for innovative ways to serve our customers better.

Charleston Fit: Charleston is built on relationships and community, and our locally operated dealership reflects that. Many customers are our neighbors and friends, inspiring us to support local organizations, participate in events, and build partnerships that go beyond business.

Shaped by Challenge: As a newer dealership near Costco in Mount Pleasant, many people don’t yet know we’re here. This has pushed us to focus on community engagement, local partnerships, and word-of-mouth, helping people discover a locally operated dealership committed to serving them long term.

Outside Inspiration: Growing up in a family business taught me responsibility, hard work, and integrity. Living in Charleston, surrounded by service members and veterans, reinforces values like discipline and accountability, which guide how we care for our customers every day.

What’s Next: We’re expanding our mobile service program to bring maintenance, recall work, and light repairs directly to customers’ homes or workplaces. By removing friction from vehicle ownership, we aim to serve customers wherever they are and make their experience as convenient as possible.

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Mara Dermatology Dr. Rahbar and Dr. Mazza-McCrann  maradermatology.com

Your Business: We are a first-of-our-kind direct care dermatology practice focused on personalized medicine, accessibility, and exceptional patient care.

Creative Spark: Creativity drives everything we do—from the way we built our practice to how we personalize each treatment plan. No two patients are alike, and neither are their care plans. Recognizing the shortcomings of the current medical system, we set out to think differently, creating a boutique practice that exists outside the traditional model.

Charleston Fit: Our practice reflects Charleston itself—from its coastal charm to its sunny climate. We consider each patient’s lifestyle, busy schedule, and personal goals to create treatment plans that truly fit. This includes tailored sun protection, prejuvenation routines, and seasonally appropriate aesthetic treatments.

Shaped by Challenge: As healthcare becomes increasingly corporatized, we chose to step off the beaten path. We believe the best care comes from collaboration between physicians and patients—not insurance administrators.

Outside Inspiration: Our community inspires us daily. Caring for our patients—who are also our neighbors, friends, and families—is how we give back to the place we call home.

What’s Next: We’re expanding our impact through national speaking engagements, leading retreats, and community initiatives, with a special focus on skincare during life transitions like puberty and menopause. 

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Carolina Holistic Medicine JP Saleeby, MD & Chris Jackman, NP | carolinaholisticmedicine.com

Your Business: We provide very comprehensive healthcare in a more holistic approach than conventional medicine. We aim to reduce dependence on pharmaceuticals and unnecessary, potentially harmful testing, while educating our patients to be self-reliant.  

Creative Spark: To provide truly individualized care, we avoid a cookie-cutter approach and instead tailor solutions for each patient.

Charleston Fit: We connect with those seeking what we offer: functional medicine. Many patients who have relocated from other areas have had exposure to the type of medicine we practice, and we serve that need.

Shaped by Challenge: Traditional healthcare insurance often comes with limitations. We work around these by offering a broader range of interventions, though this means many patients cannot use their insurance.

Outside Inspiration: For many years, I researched, wrote, and lectured on luminaries in Civil War Medicine. I have recently shifted my history gears to those in the Church: saints, philosophers, extraordinary ministers, and Doctors of the Church.

What’s Next: We are trying to develop a parallel healthcare system that gives patients an alternative to traditional U.S. healthcare. We want them to be able to choose what fits them best physically, emotionally, spiritually, and be able to have control over their health the best they can. 

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Reinvented Resale Beth Cook | reinventedresale.com

Your Business: I own a ladies’ clothing consignment store where Charleston’s best-dressed women consign and shop.

Creative Spark: From our four showcase windows on 847 Savannah Hwy to our welcoming ambiance filled with soothing music, scented candles, and plenty of eye candy, Reinvented is a boutique full of magic!

Charleston Fit: Charleston’s best-dressed women shop at Reinvented for curated quality, timeless style, and a mix of vintage and contemporary fashion at approachable prices.

Shaped by Challenge: We’re not fast fashion—we focus on serving mature women with elevated style, exceptional service, and a touch of Southern hospitality.

Outside Inspiration: I love helping women feel confident and beautiful—whether they make a purchase or not. When you feel pretty, you are pretty!

What’s Next: We’ve launched a weekly Facebook Live every Wednesday at 9:00, showcasing new arrivals on our models at fantastic prices.

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Lowcountry Pregnancy Center & DAZZ Joy Yarborough, CEO | LPCfriends.com

Your Business: To help women and families with life-affirming pregnancy and parenting education services in our three centers in North Charleston, West Ashley, and Orangeburg. I oversee our lead staff and directors, and I am blessed to get to know our passionate donors.

Creative Spark: I am so inspired by how our staff uses the power of unconditional love and compassion to effect change in the lives of our clients.  The resilience and gratitude of the people we see make me value what we do each day even more.

Charleston Fit: We’ve proudly served the Charleston community for 40 years, with more than 188,000 client visits. We’re blessed to welcome everyone who comes through our doors and partner with local social service agencies that may need additional help for their clients.

Shaped by Challenge: Our services are shaped by the needs of women facing unplanned pregnancies—often arriving with fear, confusion, and relationship strain. We continually seek compassionate, faith-guided ways to ease their stress and support them through each step.

What’s Next: We are excited to expand our services with a 24-hour nurse chat line to better serve our clients.

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Cobb Hammett Caroline Lista | cobbhammett.com

Your Business: As a corporate attorney, I provide strategic counsel on litigation, mergers and acquisitions, real estate disputes, and contracts, aiming to be my clients’ lawyer for life.

Creative Spark: Creativity appears in finding practical solutions, negotiating deals, resolving disputes, and drafting agreements tailored to each client’s unique business goals and long-term needs.

Charleston Fit: My team and I guide Charleston businesses through legal challenges every day, providing counsel on growth, start-ups, mergers, and disputes—helping them thrive and contribute meaningfully to the community.

Shaped by Challenge: Navigating complex cases and transactions has taught me to be strategic, adaptable, and client-focused, shaping my approach to provide thoughtful, practical solutions while building long-term relationships.

Outside Inspiration: I draw inspiration from travel, local culture, and exploring new perspectives—experiences that broaden my understanding and remind me to approach challenges with curiosity and creativity.

What’s Next: I’m excited to grow my connections with more local Charleston businesses, expanding my practice to provide strategic guidance and become my clients’ lawyer for life.

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Daniel Island Wealth Management Hoce and Nicholas Kalkas, Founders  danielislandwealthmanagement.com

Your Business: We provide Charleston families with boutique wealth management from trusted local experts, focused on delivering financial clarity and long-term support. Most importantly, we build lasting relationships grounded in trust and an unwavering commitment to our clients.

Creative Spark: Every client’s financial plan is tailored in a boutique manner. We create thoughtful, personalized strategies that account for everything from risk tolerance and major expenses to windfalls, because finances should enhance life, not feel burdensome.

Charleston Fit: Our expert team has experience from JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs Wealth Management, Harvard Business School, and the University of Chicago. We are a local veteran-and family-owned business that provides an unmatched level of personalized and trusted care to our clients, something you won’t find with an out-of-state firm.

Shaped by Challenge: Family friends faced a financial and medical tragedy, leaving them vulnerable to predatory products. After spending years helping them recover, we realized many families face similar challenges and need help making optimal financial decisions. After serving in the military and as U.S. diplomats, we thought finding meaningful work would be difficult, but in helping our clients gain knowledge so they can continue to live their best lives, we’ve found it.

Outside Inspiration: What drives us daily is the impact we have when we elevate a client’s financial situation. Finances should support the life people deserve after decades of hard work. We treat every client like family, providing the care, attention, and guidance that allows them to rest easy and live better because of our partnership.

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Smashley’s Burger Bar Victor Valdivieso  smashleysburgerbar.com

Your Business: I am the chef/owner of Smashley’s Burger Bar, a counter service, made-from-scratch restaurant serving up smash burgers, rice bowls, empanadas, and more.

Creative Spark: I love blending flavors from different cuisines. Originally from Latin America, I’ve always been drawn to Asian food, and that fusion shows up on our everyday menu. I also create 2–3 weekly specials to keep my creativity flowing.

Charleston Fit: Charleston has always been a foodie’s paradise, and we aim to offer something unique—fast, comforting, and always fresh. As the city becomes more diverse, I hope our restaurant brings people together over a good meal. One of my favorite compliments is when guests say our house-made pickles remind them of their grandmother’s—because nothing speaks to the soul like food.

Shaped by Challenge: I’ve been working in commercial kitchens since I was 14, and the chances I took—and was given—have shaped who I am today. I also see the need for quality food fast. Life is busy, and long sit-down meals aren’t always possible. I’m here to provide quick, made-from-scratch meals—nothing frozen—because serving fresh, in-house food is important to me.

Outside Inspiration: My wife is the glue that holds our lives together—my biggest cheerleader. I couldn’t do this without her, and when things get tough, she reminds me why I love what I do.

What’s Next: We own a food truck, Victor’s Lab, recently rewrapped with the Smashley’s brand. We hope to find a permanent home for it soon, bringing our love of food to a new part of town.

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Butter & Crumb Pie Company Kelly and Matt Moreau  butterandcrumbpies.com

Your Business: We craft small-batch sweet and savory pies, gourmet cookies, and desserts using European butter and premium ingredients, bringing an elevated, Southern-inspired experience to Charleston and beyond.

Creative Spark: Creativity shows up in every detail, from seasonal flavor pairings and recipe development to presentation and packaging, elevating classic pies, cookies, and desserts into a refined, memorable experience.

Charleston Fit: Our business is rooted in Charleston’s vibrant food culture, supporting local producers, serving our community, and contributing to a city that celebrates craftsmanship, hospitality, and small, independent businesses.

Shaped by Challenge: Transitioning from corporate careers to entrepreneurship pushed us to refine our craft, while scaling production and shipping nationwide challenged us to maintain quality, consistency, and a truly elevated product.

Outside Inspiration: We’re inspired by travel, coastal living, and Charleston’s rich culture, along with French traditions, artful design, and shared meals that bring people together in meaningful, memorable ways.

What’s Next: We’re excited to expand our seasonal offerings, grow our local presence in Charleston, and continue refining nationwide shipping while staying true to the quality and craftsmanship that define our brand.

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Doc Smith Dr. Sidney Smith | smith.md

Your Business: I specialize in slowing the aging process to help patients lead healthier, longer lives by developing nutraceutical interventions designed to optimize cellular communication and function.

Creative Spark: Studies show the nutritional density of food has declined by up to 50 percent. To help address this, I collaborated with researchers to develop an instrument that measures carotenoid absorption through the fingertip and sourced a comprehensive carotenoid supplement to help bridge the gap many people aren’t getting from modern produce.

Shaped by Challenge: I challenge the medical community to move beyond standard annual exams and basic bloodwork. By using scientifically backed nutraceuticals, physicians can help reduce patients’ risk of major diseases and shift the focus from screening for illness to actively preventing it.

Outside Inspiration: I’m inspired by camellias, which bloom in winter when most plants struggle. Recently, I worked with more than 3,000 students in Savannah to plant over a thousand camellias to help beautify the community and teach the value of creating something positive for others to enjoy.

What’s Next: I’m building a platform that allows physicians to move beyond personality-based marketing and Google ratings, enabling doctors to compete based on proven results in slowing aging. This allows patients to choose providers whose patients statistically live healthier, longer lives.

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Smile Design Charleston Dr. Paolo Incampo | smiledesigncharleston.com

Your Business: As a prosthodontist with over 30 years of experience, I help patients restore and enhance their smiles through cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry—blending science, artistry, and expertise to achieve the smile they’ve always wanted.

Creative Spark: No two smiles are alike. I begin by listening to each patient’s goals, then craft treatment plans that meet their objectives while enhancing the natural character of their smile—a process that is both scientific and artistic.

Charleston Fit: Charleston values beauty, craftsmanship, and timeless design. Prosthodontics mirrors that spirit, helping patients maintain confident, healthy smiles with the precision and care that define the city.

Shaped by Challenge: For over 30 years, our philosophy has been simple: provide the highest level of prosthodontic care while making every patient feel welcomed and valued. Amid corporate dentistry trends, our focus on the patient experience sets us apart.

Outside Inspiration: As the only dental specialty practice in the Charleston area that brings together a prosthodontist and orthodonists Dr. Michael Grosso and Dr. Lindsay Grosso under one roof, our patients can now benefit from comprehensive treatment planning that considers both the structural restoration of teeth and the precise alignment of the smile. This integrated approach shortens treatment timelines, improves predictability, and creates more harmonious results, all in one coordinated environment. Modern, elevated dental care at its best.