Carolina Spark Magazine

10/14/2024

A note from Carolina Spark:

Our team has been devastated by the impact of Hurricane Helene on the Carolinas. Most of you know that our magazine is headquartered in WNC. Like many in our community, several members of our team remain without power.

Due to the severity of the damage in both North and South Carolina, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our next issue. This was a difficult decision, but ultimately, we believe our time and energy are best spent at this time helping our community rebuild.

Our publisher, Crystal Pressley, has been on the ground working to meet the needs of her neighbors. If you would like to support her in this, we have posted her Venmo information in our previous post. Please keep her and the WNC community in your prayers as they continue the process of recovery.

If you are an advertising partner, we will reach out by the end of the year to reconcile any outstanding advertising campaigns. For any questions or concerns in the interim, please reach out to our editor Rebekah McCubbins at [email protected], and she will coordinate with the rest of our team.

We hope you all stay safe, and we look forward to connecting with you soon. 💛

10/14/2024

Our hearts are full! 🧡 💙 💚
Last Monday, our new warehouse was completely empty. By Friday, thanks to all of you, the 84,000 sq. ft. warehouse is nearly full.

Shipments from all over the US have made their way here. Private citizens driving Uhauls full of water and food, long haul truck drivers with generous donations from corporations, all of these amazing people showing us the true nature of humans: At our core, we CARE for one another.

Now, we work to get all of this food and supplies out to the 16 counties of Western North Carolina.

10/02/2024

We are devastated by the tragic disaster that has affected our community last week during Hurricane Helene. While the team at Carolina Spark Magazine and North Carolina Magazine are safe, that is not the case for hundreds, if not thousands, of people in WNC and the surrounding areas.

Our owner and publisher, Crystal L Pressley, is trying to help gather supplies for her community impacted by Hurricane Helene.

We would greatly appreciate any donations to help her accomplish this! You can find Crystal on Venmo or on Cash App as $crystallp1981

Any donations go straight to people who are bringing in supplies to help.

Thank you & we hope all of your family and loved ones are safe during this devastating time for our community.

09/20/2024

Did you know we're accepting cover women nominations for our next issue? Nominate your everyday hero! 🧡

Carolina Spark is committed to shining a spotlight on women of all walks of life in the Carolinas. That’s why we are proud to announce a new initiative: on each of our future
covers, alongside the incredible cover women, we will feature an everyday hero! 🧡 These will be women whose hard work often goes unnoticed and unappreciated. From stay-at-home mothers to community leaders, we want to shine our spotlight on the women who quietly shape our communities. And we want your help!

We want to hear who you think should be on our next cover! To nominate a woman for this opportunity, please email [email protected]. Use the subject line “Everyday Hero,” and tell us a little about the woman you are nominating. Include her name, contact information, and why she inspires you. Or, fill out the form on our website: https://carolinasparkmagazine.com/nominations
Our team will carefully review submissions and choose the woman we believe best exemplifies an everyday hero.✨

*Nomination of a woman does not guarantee that she will be featured, and Carolina Spark Magazine reserves all rights to determine who will be featured. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions or for more information.


Image by freepik

09/19/2024

WTF Music Festival is coming to Salvage Station on Sunday, September 29th, 2024! Featuring over 50 female musicians, as well as women owned businesses vending, and non-profits who serve women on hand to share resources, WTF is a music festival dedicated to celebrating Women.
The primary goal of WTF is to shed light on the inequalities that exist in the music industry, and to work towards change. Everyone is welcome. 💕

Find out more information on their facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/412036928069460/

09/13/2024

In 2017 Writer Auburn Lily found herself answering a new and exciting call to share her magic and most importantly, inspire others to do the same! She published her debut book "Appalachian Witchcraft for Beginners" in 2023 and she now works in the healing arts.
"Now that I have a book out in the world, it’s clear to me that there is nothing more rewarding than having another person truly resonate with the work that I pour my heart and soul into. I’ve had readers reach out to me and bring tears to my eyes with their sweet messages. It’s life-changing to connect with people in this way." - Auburn Lily

Lily shares a glimpse into her process and inspiration in the new issue of Carolina Spark! ✨ Read it here: https://carolinasparkmagazine.com/summerfall-2024/spark-spotlight-writer-auburn-lily

Learn more about Auburn Lily Healing Arts : https://auburnlily.com/

Auburn Lily found her home in Appalachia nearly fifteen years ago. A dormant mystic, the magic in the mountains awakened her from a spiritual slumber. Fueled by a curious mind and psychic bloodline, Auburn began her spiritual journey through the lens of mysticism and magic. Introverted by nature, fo

09/06/2024

Introducing Sienna Fitzpatrick, one of our Classy + Confident Cover Women! 🧡 Sienna has always been a lover of concerts, and as the Event Coordinator for Ingles Markets she stays connected to the music scene and her community.
"I didn’t really stop to think about how invested in the community Ingles was until I started working for Ingles. Now, it blows my mind." - Sienna Fitzpatrick

She credits her job and the staff with giving her the confidence she needed to be successful and she shares her career journey in the NEW issue of Carolina Spark ✨ Read it here: https://carolinasparkmagazine.com/summerfall-2024/event-coordinating-makes-sienna-fitzpatricks-dreams-come-true

Find your local Ingles: https://ingles-markets.com/

Photo Credit: Brooke Parker Photography
Hair and Makeup: Fab Flawless Makeup Artistry
Location: Honeysuckle Hill

09/03/2024

Are you a woman-owned or operated business on the art scene? 🎨 We want to highlight you in our upcoming January 2025 issue! Reach out to us at [email protected] to learn more about this exclusive advertising opportunity.

08/29/2024

Ever wonder who shoots the cover of Carolina Spark? Look no further than Brooke Parker Photography! 📸 From stunning family portraits to unforgettable cake smash shots, Brooke's keen eye will help you capture timeless memories and get you the highest quality of photography services. Check out more on her website and book your session today: https://buff.ly/3sdjf0l

Visit my gallery to see samples of the work I have done for my clients. Each photo is a reflection of my commitment to capturing the beauty of life. Take a look and see for yourself the quality of my work.

08/28/2024

Collette Coggins is not just a business owner; she is a trailblazer! As a Native American woman entrepreneur, she has paved the way for others in her community and beyond! Her journey from the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina, to being the proud owner and operator of Native American Brewing and Native Brews Tap & Grill, is a testament to her determination, vision, and unwavering commitment to her roots.💚

Colette shares her story of determination in Carolina Spark! Read it here: https://carolinasparkmagazine.com/summerfall-2024/collette-coggins-creates-native-brews-in-wnc

Photo Credit: Jessica Wi******er

08/27/2024

Take a photo of yourself with your copy of Carolina Spark and be entered to win 5 tickets to the North Carolina Zoo and have your photo in the January 2025 issue of Carolina Spark! Check out the details below!

We love our readers and we want to show you off in the next issue of Carolina Spark! ✨🧡 Share a photo with us of you holding your copy of the magazine and be entered to win 5 free tickets to the North Carolina Zoo AND have your pic in the January 2025 issue of Spark!

To enter:
- Like our page 👍
- Comment a photo of yourself holding a copy of Carolina Spark Magazine ✨
- Share this post 😁

Contest ends September 30th and the winner will be chosen at random and announced via facebook on October 2nd. Must have a valid email address.

08/26/2024

Artist Andrea Leigh loves leaving a positive difference in the world with her designs! She counts herself blessed to be a creative and earn a living in a constantly changing field while also getting to build relationships with her customers and see their dreams come to fruition.
"I want to tell a story. I am typically very detailed, so I want everyone to be happier after seeing my art." - Andrea Leigh

Leigh shares a glimpse into her work in the new issue of Carolina Spark! ✨ Get your copy of our new issue here: https://buff.ly/47WBTbQ

Read her story online 🎨 : https://carolinasparkmagazine.com/summerfall-2024/spark-spotlight-artist-andrea-leigh

Andrea Leigh holds a great appreciation for design and loves her work because she is blessed to be creative and earn a living in a constantly changing field. She also loves building relationships with her customers and seeing their dreams come to fruition. Andrea has over twenty years of cabinetry d

08/23/2024

Carolina Spark is committed to shining a spotlight on women of all walks of life in the Carolinas. That’s why we are proud to announce a new initiative: on each of our future
covers, alongside the incredible cover women, we will feature an everyday hero! 🧡 These will be women whose hard work often goes unnoticed and unappreciated. From stay-at-home mothers to community leaders, we want to shine our spotlight on the women who quietly shape our communities. And we want your help!

We want to hear who you think should be on our next cover! To nominate a woman for this opportunity, please email [email protected]. Use the subject line “Everyday Hero,” and tell us a little about the woman you are nominating. Include her name, contact information, and why she inspires you. Or, fill out the form on our website: https://carolinasparkmagazine.com/nominations
Our team will carefully review submissions and choose the woman we believe best exemplifies an everyday hero.✨

*Nomination of a woman does not guarantee that she will be featured, and Carolina Spark Magazine reserves all rights to determine who will be featured. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions or for more information.


Image by freepik

08/21/2024

Meet Brandy Lampke and Katie Smith, co-owners of Coastal Wellness NC ! Two of our Classy + Confident Cover Women, they provide mobile IV therapy and wellness services to people in need of hydration and vitamin supplements, as well as making individualized long-term plans to improve their clients’ overall health, beauty, athletic abilities, immunity, and mental prowess. “We’re two women that started from the ground up. I’m really proud of this vision that we had and were able to build on, not losing sight of why we started.” - Brandy Lampke & Katie Smith

Read more about Coastal Wellness NC and how these two women provide one-on-one care and build trust with their clients in the NEW issue of Carolina Spark ✨: https://carolinasparkmagazine.com/summerfall-2024/brandy-lampke-amp-katie-smith-bring-coastal-wellness-nc-to-the-mountains-of-wnc

Get Connected with Brandy Lampke and Katie Smith: https://coastalwellnessasheville.com/

Photo Credit: Brooke Parker Photography
Hair and Makeup: Fab Flawless Makeup Artistry
Location: Honeysuckle Hill

08/20/2024

Win 5 tickets to the North Carolina Zoo and have your photo in the January 2025 issue of Carolina Spark! Check out the details below!

We love our readers and we want to show you off in the next issue of Carolina Spark! ✨🧡 Share a photo with us of you holding your copy of the magazine and be entered to win 5 free tickets to the North Carolina Zoo AND have your pic in the January 2025 issue of Spark!

To enter:
- Like our page 👍
- Comment a photo of yourself holding a copy of Carolina Spark Magazine ✨
- Share this post 😁

Contest ends September 30th and the winner will be chosen at random and announced via facebook on October 2nd. Must have a valid email address.

08/16/2024

McKenzie Dillingham is the CEO and Owner of M.G. Dillingham - Residential Construction, a construction company that specializes in luxury home renovations and commercial interior upfits. She is also the Board Chair for Haywood Street Community Development, which is a nonprofit organization in Asheville that builds deeply affordable housing.
"It is well known that women in this industry have a keen eye for detail, excellent communication skills, and a passion for their work – it will pay off in the end to get involved in any aspect of the construction industry."
- McKenzie Dillingham

Dillingham shares her story in the new issue of Carolina Spark! ✨ Get your copy of our new issue here: https://buff.ly/47WBTbQ

Read her story online🧡 : https://carolinasparkmagazine.com/summerfall-2024/spark-spotlight-construction-company-owner-amp-ceo-mckenzie-dillingham

McKenzie Dillingham has spent almost 15 years in the luxury custom home industry in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. McKenzie is a native of Weaverville, NC and has a degree in Construction Management from Western Carolina University. After graduating college, she moved back to Ash

08/15/2024

Discover the authentic flavors of Latin America at La Rumba Restaurant Latino! From delicious classics to vegan and vegetarian delights, their dishes are unmatched. Check them out in Asheville, NC. 🍽️ 😋
Explore their menu here: https://larumbaavl.com/

La Rumba stands proud as Asheville's #1 Latin American restaurant. Dive into a rich tapestry of authentic flavors, top-tier service, and a spirited ambiance that epitomizes the best of hispanic dining. Whether you're seeking traditional Hispanic cuisine or vegan friendly options, our restaurant in A...