So Can I – Details, episodes & analysis

Today is day two of our special anniversary series + we are welcoming Melissa Ward back to the show! This conversation is from February of 2024, and was one of my favorite episodes! Melissa and I talked about her career in the pharmaceutical industry, how she started blogging, how to always be growing, and not get stuck in your ways. 

Melissa is a mom who lives in North Carolina with her husband and two kids. Armed with a degree in Fashion and Textile Management from NC State University, Melissa's career journey took an unexpected turn when she went to work for start-up pharmaceutical companies for over 10 years following graduation.

In 2020 Melissa begin her own small business journey part-time. Fueled by her passion for finding deals on items for home, style, and kids, she decided to start her own blog and Instagram account, @preppygoods.

Before long, Melissa took the plunge to full-time content creation, transforming her love for discovering budget-friendly hidden-gems into a career. Her curated content revolves around showcasing finds from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, as well as highlighting lesser-known treasures from small businesses.

Whether you're into home decor, fashion inspiration, or kid-friendly goodies, Melissa has you covered. You can explore her curated picks for preppy grandmillennials on her website, www.preppygoods.com, or connect with her on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, all under the handle @preppygoods. Y'all are going to love my episode with Melissa!

Melissa's Website

Melissa's Instagram

Sarah's Smile

Today we are kicking off our special anniversary series with our most popular episode ever! I interviewed Carmen Johnston back in February of 2024, and you all loved the episode!

Carmen is a Georgia-based gardening and lifestyle expert. In this episode, Carmen and I talk about how she started her business, Bespoke Garden Plans -- her virtual customized garden and landscape blueprint business for clients across the country, low maintenance plants, why failing is okay, how social media has helped her business, her experience on the Today's Show with Hoda and Jenna and HGTV's Smart House, and so much more!  Carmen is full of sage advice on life + gardening. You all are going to love her!

Carmen's Website

Carmen's Instagram

Leadership Georgia

Bespoke Garden Plans

Today I am joined by Kate Knowles! Kate is a mom to three boys, an entrepreneur, and a home design blogger. She started her blog and Instagram in 2017 to document her home design journey and life as a stay-at-home mom. In 2021, she and her sister launched Jansen Home, curating well-made home accessories and affordable luxuries to fit every home and lifestyle. 

In this episode, Kate and I discuss how she built her blog + instagram, the business she started with her sister, building a life + career that works for you and your family, and so much more! 

Kate's Website

Kate's Instagram

Jansen Home Website

Jansen Home Instagram

Project Harmony

Lauritzen Gardens

Today I am joined by Haley Jackson. Haley is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Florence, South Carolina, originally from Atlanta, Georgia. She is a medical provider, wife to Kendall, and mom to an almost 5 year old little girl, Sullivyn & 2 year old little boy, Shep. Haley shares pediatric medical research & recommendations, her love for classic children's clothing & the Georgia Bulldogs, health & wellness tips for busy moms, fashion, and her life as a busy working mom/wife. 

In this episode, Haley and I talked about mental health, being a nurse practitioner, her blog, and so much more. You are going to love Haley!

Children's Mental Health Network
Haley's Instagram

Welcome back to the So Can I Podcast! Today I am joined by Lauren Hopkins. A champion of emerging brands and businesses with big stories, Lauren is more than a publicist—she’s a partner with her clients. She founded LBH & Co. to provide an intentional group of clients individualized attention and unmatched passion for their services and crafts.

A graduate of Furman University, Lauren honed her service and networking skills in luxury real estate marketing for the venerable Sea Island Resorts. Her communication skills, account management, and public relations savvy was further cemented during her time with Butin PR, where she managed and maintained high-level accounts. After the birth of her first child, Lauren followed a zeal for the small business and launched LBH in 2013. Lauren values the fundamentals public relations, genuine media relationships, and the unmatched results of persistence.

She and her husband, Lee, are raising their daughter and son on charming St. Simons Island where she is active in their Church, Frederica Academy, and several community organizations that remain close to her heart.

In this episode, Lauren gives us a behind the scenes look at what it is like to work in PR and represent so many beloved female brands. I know y'all are going to love Lauren!

The Gathering Place
LBH Instagram
LBH Website

Today I am joined by Amy Littleson McNitt. Amy is a fashion and lifestyle blogger living in New York City. Amy aims to inspire positivity and dreaming big in women who are navigating their teens, 20s, and beyond!

In this episode, Amy and I talked about the beginning of the blogging industry, how she remains so positive and upbeat, her delusional optimism, how she continues to trust the timing of her life, and so much more. You all are going to love Amy!

Fresh Air Fund
Amy's Instagram
Amy's Website

Today I am joined by Caroline Boone. CC.Boone was founded in 2019 with the heart to create intimate, creative & culinary scenes that nourish the soul. What stemmed from creating artful charcuterie boards & tablescapes at home, led to a creative + culinary lifestyle on the coast.

Caroline's love for culinary forward settings, travel & curated spaces began long before college, but she learned a lot as she attainted her degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Arkansas.

Caroline believes that Everyone deserves to feel a sense of importance and connection to their inner child, nature, & those around them. She believes that her purpose in life is to use creativity & intuition to gift her clients these moments! Hospitality for Caroline, is defined by these special connections. Caroline hopes that her everyday offerings such as  private chef dining fêtes, aprés beach bonfires, beach yoga, & intimate events will bring her client's lives peace & nourishment.

In this episode, Caroline and I talked about the beginnings of CC. Boone, all of the unique and beautiful offerings in her business, all things 30A, and so much more. You are going to love Caroline!

Food For Thought
CC.Boone Instagram
CC.Boone Website

Today I am joined by Margaret Orr. Margaret is a wife to her college sweetheart, Rudd, and a golden doodle mama to their pup, Fern! She has lived in the Carolinas her entire life, and North Carolina’s Blue Ridge mountains are their home. Margaret is the influencer and creator behind Collectively Carolina, a space to discover southern life + style! 

In this episode, Margaret and I talk about her internship in broadcasting, how she started her blog, her advice to aspiring bloggers, how she is able to work two jobs, and so much more. You all are going to love Margaret!

Compassion International
Collectively Carolina Website
Collectively Carolina Instagram

Today I am joined by Allison Evans. Branch Basics co-founder Allison Evans has dedicated herself to helping others reap the benefits of clean living. She, along with her husband and two daughters, recently left Houston for country life as she heals from a recent mold exposure and diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease. You can follow her story on Branch Basic's Instagram and read more about her journey to fertility on the Branch Basics blog.

In this episode, Allison and I talk about her healing journey and how it led her to co-founding Branch basics with her aunt Marilee and best friend Kelly. I got so much out of this episode, and I know you all are going to love Allison!

Pink Ribbon Good 
Branch Basics Website
Branch Basics Instagram

Today I am joined by Jordan Louis. Jordan is the founder and owner of LINK x LOU, which is a permanent jewelry business. After leaving a career in esthetics, Jordan founded LINK x LOU in 2020 and is now a nationwide experience based brand offering permanent jewelry experiences in 55 cities and growing! 

In this episode, Jordan and I talked about her career as a special education teacher and an esthetician, how she came up with the idea to start LINK x LOU, how they have been able to grow so quickly, and so much more. You are going to love Jordan.

Covered Colorado
LINK x LOU Instagram
LINK x LOU Website
Jordan's Instagram