We had an opportunity this week to connect with Ambergré Sloan, who has been a Charlestonian for almost 8 years. Amber started Charleston’s Most Unique — a word of mouth directory for businesses, people, places and events. We all agree that she is helping to keep inspiration alive in Charleston!

What do you do?
Ready? Well, I run a website called CharlestonsMostUnique.com (magazine too), I work as a prenatal massage therapist at The Momspa, I am an alternative fuel enthusiast working at Southeast Biodiesel and I deliver food for Ken at OM cooking. I’m a floater and I love it.

What are you liking right now?
The hummus plate at Trusted Palate, the temperature outside and Band of Horses.

What inspires you?
Being around like-minded people who want to talk about all the good things that are happening and how great the future is…and trying to contribute to that.

What’s the best thing about Charleston?
I have so many supportive and amazing friends. It’s mind-boggling.

What three things would you tell a friend to do/see in Charleston?
Bike or walk around the old Navy Base in N Charleston…the vibe in there is unexplainable. Absolutely check out the downtown Farmer’s Market (take the culinary tour too) and GO KAYAKING! Drop in on Sullivan’s or James Island and paddle away…we are so lucky to live near the water.

How did you land here in Charleston?
I grew up in NY (brrr), but always knew I wanted to live in the South. So, I moved here in 1997. I would rather sweat than shiver any day of the week… actually enjoy it.

If you ran the region for a day, what would you do?
Put commuter trains on all of those unused rails, put biodiesel in all school and CARTA buses, give walkers and bikers right of way EVERYWHERE and surround Marion Square with a huge mosquito net so we could have movies in the park every week, from March to November.

Finish this sentence….In 2015 Charleston will be______? Underwater if we don’t start taking better care of this planet.

This week we catch up with Jonathan Sanchez, owner of Blue Bicycle Books (a Charleston gem that sells new used, rare and local books) and an inspired writer/poet/performer. Read what Jonathan has to say about living, working and playing around Charleston (you can also learn more about Johnathan on his website).

What do you do?
I’m a writer and bookstore owner.

What are you liking right now?
Swimming – the ocean is flatter this time of year. And my favorite pool, MLK, is nice and cool.

What inspires you?
Tina Fey, Larry David, Scott Fitzgerald. Coming up with stuff to make my wife laugh.

What’s the best thing about Charleston?
Other than the inherent old-school charm and strangeness, I’d say top-notch novelists and graphic designers. Seriously though, they are two areas where we hold our own with any other place. (And if I were a woman I would have to throw in our weddings/parties.)

What three things would you tell a friend to do/see in Charleston?
1. East Battery.
2. Go to an oyster roast. Or at least hit one of the soul-food dives the Lee Brothers are always talking about.
3. Go to a used book store.

How did you land here in Charleston?
I’m from Charlotte. I got a job as an obit clerk at the Post and Courier.

If you ran the region for a day, what would you do?
Integrate the schools.

Finish this sentence…In 2015 Charleston will be…
Hotter, unfortunately. But on a more optimistic note…two hours from Charlotte on high-speed rail.

This week’s GetInspired interviewee is Don Sparks, Professor of Economics at The Citadel and a long-time and very effective bicycle advocate. Read Don’s thoughts on living, working and playing in our fair city.

What do you do?
I am a professor of economics at the Citadel and a bicycle advocate.

What are you liking right now?
I really enjoy cycling over the new Cooper River Bridge, having lunch in Mt P and return. Makes for a nice lunch!

What inspires you?
Creative and dynamic friends here in Charleston.

What’s the best thing about Charleston?
See above.

What three things would you tell a friend to do/see in Charleston?
Visit Magnolia Cemetery; Take a slow bike ride around the city; do anything on the water.

How did you land here in Charleston?
Left DC in 1982 because it was getting too crowded, expensive and wanted a slower pace to raise our daughter.

If you ran the region for a day, what would you do?
Abolish all one way streets, replace most traffic lights with 4 way stops, get all utility lines underground, make King St, George St and Market area all pedestrian only, declare the port a nuclear free zone, establish clothing optional areas in Marion Square, raise taxes to pay for all this and, well that’s a start!

Finish this sentence….In 2015 Charleston will be _______?
The bicycle capital of the southeast.

This week’s GetInspired interviewee is Jenny Badman, creative writer extraordinaire and new marketing/pr manager for Patrick Properties. Read her thoughts on living, working and playing in our fair city.

What do you do?
I write, market, advertise, publicize and otherwise get people psyched about whatever my clients are passionate about. Soon, I’ll be leading the marketing and public relations charge at Patrick Properties who is building a 64-room boutique hotel on Upper King and recently acquired Lowndes Grove. On special occasions, I do a soft shoe number.

What are you liking right now?
I’m liking the weather. This is about my favorite time of year here in Charleston. I’m liking architecture. I’ve been fortunate to be interviewing some fantastic Charleston people for a project for the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. The talent and energy in this city blow me away.

What inspires you?
Good conversation. Stunning physical beauty (one of the main reasons to live here). Being outside as much as possible. A community that comes together on the important stuff, supports independent business, art, culture.

What’s the best thing about Charleston?
There is an opportunity to make your own way here: whether it’s a new business, something artistic, political, environmental. There is room here for expression.

What three things would you tell a friend to do/see in Charleston?
1. Get lost walking around the Battery.
2. Take a house tour in the spring or fall.
3. Be here for Spoleto.
4. Eat local seafood. That’s four, but they’re all important!

How did you land here in Charleston?
In January 2003, I left New Jersey during a sleet storm in my VW packed to the gills. When I arrived in Charleston, it was 68 and sunny. I was on the beach two days later and couldn’t have been happier.

If you ran the region for a day, what would you do?
Build a rail system. Create a teachers’ union. (It would need to be a long day.)

Finish this sentence….In 2015 Charleston will be_________?
More green and more fabulous.

This week’s GetInspired interview is with Tammie Hoy, the director of the Lowcountry Housing Trust. Read on to learn how Tammie’s helping to make housing a reality for residents of our region.

What do you do?
I operate the Lowcountry Housing Trust, a regional non-profit organization committed to ensuring affordable housing opportunities for all citizens in the region regardless of income. We pride ourselves on being advocates, catalysts for change and resource developers to ensure the provision of affordable housing.

What are you liking right now?
I’m liking the fact that there is buzz in the air that we need to do something about Regional planning, that growth is here, more is coming and we have to think smart about the way we plan the future of our communities.

What inspires you?
People. I am amazed at the hearts and souls and visions of people. There is no one person like the other; we all have our unique place and space and purpose. Even if we don’t know it yet. I am in awe of the dreamers and the doers and the dreamers that do, I am humbled by the people that make it happen and no one even knows it, and I am enamored by the people that do great things just because it’s the right thing to do!

What’s the best thing about Charleston?
Its diversity.

What three things would you tell a friend to do/see in Charleston?
1. Go for a bike ride through Wadmalaw Island to Rockville absorbing the beauty of the live oaks and quaint environments.
2. Kayak the ACE basin area enjoying the unique sounds of the South.
3. Get lost on a stroll through historic downtown Charleston imagining it’s the 1800s.

How did you land here in Charleston?
I was destined to be here! Or as most foreigners from the North, I came here to attend the College of Charleston and never left!

If you ran the region for a day, what would you do?
NIMBY (not in my back yard) would be eliminated and all people would understand why affordable housing is critical to the social, economic and environmental well-being of our community. (Remember I’m an Idealist)

Finish this sentence….In 2015 Charleston will be_________?
A place where anyone and everyone would want to be and could be!

What do you do?
I am the public relations associate at the South Carolina State Ports Authority, meaning I wear a lot of different hats (sometimes even a hard hat!), doing everything from writing to event planning and general community relations.

What are you liking right now?
I am liking all the attention on Charleston right now. We recently hosted the Democratic Presidential debate, and NBC and CBS just profiled the city on their nationwide morning shows.

What inspires you?
Knowing that your actions may make a difference in others’ lives is inspiring.

What’s the best thing about Charleston?
It’s truly hard to narrow it down to one best thing! The beaches, the people, the nightlife, the shopping – Charleston has everything someone could ever want.

What three things would you tell a friend to do/see in Charleston?
(1) swing and relax at the pier at Waterfront Park on a calm day (photo by Marvin Preston on left)
(2) visit during a festival, and there are many! Spoleto, Food + Wine, Wildlife – there is a festival for anyone’s interest!
(3) stroll down King Street and window shop – there are some great stores and boutiques

How did you land here in Charleston?
I was drawn to Charleston because I am born and raised a Carolina girl (from Lexington, SC)! It is a gorgeous city steeped in history but forward-moving enough for a young professional.

If you ran the region for a day, what would you do?
I would really focus on reforming public education in Charleston. The graduation rate for kids is way too low, and our region must have an educated, ready work force to remain competitive in a global market.

Finish this sentence….In 2015 Charleston will be_________?
Still deeply rooted in its identity and history, but more advanced and forward thinking. Look at all the industry that is cropping up in the area already. And Joe Riley will still be mayor, I would guess!