Southern Spotlight

founder as the flavors of her product. Daysie is a Public Benefit Company, which means Tara can make decisions on behalf of the good of her mission versus just the bottom line.

She has started her movement by sharing 2.1% of their post-tax profits with vetted organizations that provide grants to female owners of CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) businesses. Why 2.1%? “That percentage is our symbolic call for the need to raise more than 2% of the venture capital historically invested in women-owned businesses,” she states. “I know firsthand how hard it is to acquire capital while working multiple jobs to get to my launch, with only using my own dime. I’m certainly not saying that I should have been handed money, but women need to be given equal access to the funding and resources that are made available for men.” Tara hopes that Daysie’s contributions will become a catalyst for change and maybe even inspire others to do the same. She believes in sharing the stage with other women that are starting, owning, and operating their businesses so they can learn from one another. Tara’s brand has launched, but that doesn’t mean she’s done dreaming. She wants to continue growing the company so she will be able to donate more towards funding women founders as her own empire grows and would love to collaborate with women that have made brands and businesses of their own. Another goal is looking into ways to build an even more sustainable product than she already has now. She can’t wait to see what people do with her syrups, and says they can enhance so much more than coffee. She recommends using them as a drizzle for desserts or putting a dash or two in a cocktail. And as far as new flavors go? The sky's the limit.

Tara says she is 100% focused on creating a variety of flavors and has a pipeline of some limited edition flavors she hopes to release as soon as possible. Tara explains why she has held back on certain flavors saying, “I started Daysie with flavors that felt approachable and ones that consumers would recognize. I want customers to trust me in the basic flavors so they are willing to go on flavor adventures with me in the future. We believe that any brand worth following should take you somewhere worth the trip.” The ultimate goal? To see her product on the shelves of Whole Foods. “That is the day in which I know I’ve made it because it was that moment without an option on the shelves that set this girl on fire.” AM

You can find Daysie locally at The Daily and Mercantile and Mash in Charleston. Purchase Daisy online: www.enjoydaysie.com

Photographer Justin Parsons takes thoughtful, timeless dog portraits that resonate unconditional love and the substance of man’s best friend.

by Eliza Chapman Bailey

Parsons' portraits capture the personality of each pup V isual storytellers, photographs capture moments in time. They arouse emotions, evoke memories, inspire, anger, and elicit Amens. From the mundane to the spectacular, photojournalists use images to historically solidify decisive moments. Artists employ the medium of photography for self-expression and creativity. Social media snapshots graphically make a statement, induce solidarity, inject humor or points to ponder. Individuals take pictures to record events, places, and subjects significant to them. Dog owners take pictures of dogs because their canine companion is more than a pet; they are family members. Articulating how our dogs have earned our love and respect is challenging at best. To photograph the intrinsic value of

Puppy Love Continued

their contribution to our lives is near impossible. Photographer and owner of Splootin Studio, Justin Parsons takes “classic, timeless, and personal portraits for those who believe their dog is not just a pet but a family member.” His portraits havea panache for authentically capturing a dog's character one click at a time.

Parsons, an Air Force photojournalist, chronicles the lives and wartime efforts of the United States Air Force’s servicemen and women. On off days, he moonlights with his wife, Lauren (also a military photojournalist) photographing weddings and elopements. Their studio, justinandlauren.co, specializes in telling a journey through candid moments. He and his wife talk shop a good deal. One conversation centered around his fascination for pet photography. Being the proud parent of a pocket Pitbull, Oakley, and an English bulldog, Luna, the notion of telling their stories through the lens was compelling. Prompted by a challenge from his wife, Parsons made a makeshift studio in his living room, corralled “the girls” and started shooting. Frame by frame, he captured their nuances. Documenting each distinctive characteristic ignited an artistic sense of self and style he wanted to share with others.

1895 Bacon’s Bridge Road Summerville, SC 29485 (843) 875-4650

111 Central Avenue Goose Creek, SC 29445 (843) 553-2259