Nelson's Neighborhood

As we approach Thanksgiving, I have to stop and reflect on all the wonderful things around me and in my life. Yes, this post is going to be one of those "warm & fuzzy" posts so prepare yourself...ha!

Anyway, over the last year I have started my own company, met so many wonderful folks and been able to explore the world of owning a business...it's been a crazy, yet awesome year. I'm thankful for all of the clients I've had so far...it started off with just one, East Cooper Medical Center, thanks to the persistence of my lovely marketing guru confidant, Carol Cottrell. Along with her, I learned how to open a brand new hospital. I had never done medical marketing in any way before and she has been my "Mr. Miyagi" when it comes to all that I learned in this year. Along with East Cooper Medical Center came Lowcountry OB/GYN-- talk about some of the coolest ladies you've ever met!! (And one wonderful man too - Dr. Osborne!) I enjoyed working with them…

One of the newest clients at Nelwater Consulting has a childhood twist....and brings a new aspect to our agency..introducing Ripple Effect. Early childhood expert Jessica Shields Flowers, CCDI, founded Ripple Effect in 2008 with the mission to improve the opportunities children have to learn, develop and flourish in a safe and healthy environment guided by a strong team of parents and educators.

Since I'm not a parent yet, I enjoy learning all these aspects of parenting from Jessica and seeing how some of my wonderful mom friends are utilizing the ideas. I consider Jessica the "Parent Whisperer" because her teachings/workshops are based on Dr. Becky Bailey's Conscious Discipline® which is a highly effective, evidence-based program for children, parents, and teachers based on the latest in brain research. It was developed by the renowned educational and development psychology expert Dr. Becky Bailey, author of the nationally acclaimed Easy to Love, Difficult to Discip…

It’s a blessing for all wine lovers at Charleston’s only vineyards and winery, Irvin~House Vineyard at the 8th Annual Blessing of the Vine Festival on Saturday, November 13, 2010 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.. The public will get their chance to witness the blessing of muscadine grapevines by a priest, enjoy live music from The Hawkes, food and drink all while admiring the charming setting of Irvin~House Vineyard. The event is open to the public, admission is $5.00 per car. The Blessing ceremony will start promptly at 2 p.m.

Located at 6775 Bears Bluff Road on Wadmalaw Island, the public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to picnic on the expansive lawn. Wine and food will be available for purchase. Burger lovers will enjoy the 2nd annual "Battle of the Burger" Cookoff Contest, where one lucky burger recipe will win $500.00 in cash and prizes. Judges include Father Greg Snyder from St. John’s Episcopal Church, Chef Fred Neuville from Fat Hen and Ryan Nelson. Limite…

In Charleston, there's always a reason to celebrate. Heck, living in the Lowcountry is a perfect reason to raise a glass. But on December 2, Firefly Vodka is teaming up with The Spa at Charleston Place for the first Cocktails for a Cause!

I'm very excited about this because as the local PR representative of Firefly Vodka, I am on board to help plan this fabulous event and of course, I want it to go off perfectly! Here's a little bit about the event:

Firefly Vodka and the Spa at Charleston Place are teaming up in support of melanoma awareness and skin cancer research on Thursday, December 2 at Cocktails for a Cause. The soiree cocktail party is part of the “I Will Reflect” Melanoma Awareness and Prevention Initiative to educate Charleston residents about the dangers of melanoma and tips for prevention.

The event will include the unveiling of a signature Spa at Charleston Place Firefly Cocktail, a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and items, signature nail po…

Saturday's weather better be delightful because hundreds of our closest Lowcountry friends will descend upon Windwood Farm Home for Children for the first Firefly Distillery Southern Spirit Festival.

Just in time for the autumn weather, Windwood Farm Home for Children will open their gates to the public on Saturday, Nov. 6 to celebrate the first Firefly Distillery Southern Spirit Festival, a blues and bluegrass festival to raise awareness and funds for the non-profit, which provides residential support to boys throughout South Carolina that have been abused or neglected.

The event begins at noon and concludes at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door, children 10 and under are free and can be purchased online at www.windwoodfarm.org.

Located at 4857 Windwood Farm Rd. in Awendaw, gates will open at 11 a.m. with local and national performers taking the stages at noon. Musical entertainment includes the 2010 BMA Traditional Blues Album of the year winner, James 'Super…

Last week, the site for Nelwater Consulting went live thanks to the wonderful group at Geeks in a Box. I have worked on content for other companies' websites and it has always come so easily but when I was handed the CMS for my own website, I felt as if all the brain cells had disappeared. I stared at the computer waiting for inspiration, yet found nothing. Believe it or not, but it's much harder to market yourself when you're marketing everyone else. I'm sure every marketing person that is reading this (or the 2 people that do) are shaking their heads saying "what are you doing admitting you have a hard time marketing yourself?" but it's true.

When I left the ABC affiliate I worked for here in Charleston, I really didn't know what path I was taking. I knew I had some wonderful jobs in the past that have taught me more than I could've ever expected but after 5 1/2 years of hosting and producing a daily hour-long variety show, now I had even more …