About Kidding Around®
Wondering who we are and what we do at Kidding Around? You’re in the right place because you’ve found our About page. We’ll tell you how we got started and who we are and what we do today. Then we’ll introduce you to our team members and some ways you can connect with us!
This article includes:
What is Kidding Around®? Our Story
How to Connect With Kidding Around®
Who is Kidding Around®? Meet Our Team Members
Advertise With Kidding Around®
The Kidding Around® Story
Kidding Around Greenville started as a project in 2012 with two friends Bethany Winston and Susan McClure who had a big idea to create a one-stop resource for families in Greenville, SC.
Today, Kidding Around Media is the winner of the 2021 Best of the Upstate’s “Social Media Resource”, 2022 Entrepreneurial Success Award, and offers Upstate South Carolina’s largest family calendar, a popular Facebook page, frequent giveaways, and an ever-growing list of resources and tips for parents in the area.
Kidding Around Greenville is known for tapping into the heart of Greenville and bringing readers firsthand reviews of the best things to do and see in the Upstate and Southeast region. Readers use Kidding Around® to find things to do, places to visit, and businesses and resources they need, helping them to make wonderful memories with their families.
Kidding Around® is now in Columbia, SC! Find us at Kidding Around Columbia, and get ready for lots more to come in the Midlands!
The Kidding Around® Vision
Our vision at Kidding Around® is to be the go-to local family resource for fun, recommendations, dining, and travel.
We are the guide to fun for every generation of kid.
Connect with Kidding Around®
- Subscribe
- Policies
- Advertise with Kidding Around®
- Submit a Restaurant
- Submit a Maker Feature
- Submit an Event
Follow Kidding Around® on Social Media
Greenville/Spartanburg
Kidding Around Greenville on Facebook
Kidding Around Greenville Facebook Community Page
KiddingAroundSC on Instagram
Kidding Around Spartanburg on Facebook
Kidding Around Spartanburg Facebook Community Page
Columbia
Kidding Around Columbia on Facebook
Kidding Around Columbia Facebook Community Page
Coming Soon: Charlotte and Charleston
Kidding Around Charlotte on Facebook
Kidding Around Charlotte Facebook Community Page
Kidding Around Charleston on Facebook
Kidding Around Charleston Facebook Community Page
Meet Our Team
The Kidding Around® Team
Bethany Winston: Owner and Editor-in-Cheif
Bethany Winston is the owner and editor-in-chief of Kidding Around Greenville & Kidding Around Spartanburg. She enjoys exploring parks, discovering local events, and meeting the people who make Greenville an amazing place to live.
Elizabeth Lambert: Client Manager
Elizabeth Lambert moved to the Upstate in 2013 and immediately fell in love with the natural beauty of the area. She enjoys taking her three kids hiking and camping and is an aspiring gardener. As one of the founding Branch Ambassadors of Hike it Baby Greenville, she loves being active in the community and is so excited to continue that by working for Kidding Around Greenville.
Erin Gorges: Assistant Content Manager
Erin is a Greenville, South Carolina native who loves taking her two young daughters on adventures around the Upstate. Erin enjoys gardening, hiking, and dabbling in DIY projects. Her favorite things to do with her husband and kids include sensory activities, swimming, playing with their dogs, and exploring the local state and national parks.
Hunter Saint Germain: Columbia Team Contributor
Hunter grew up on a horse farm in Calhoun County before moving to the Columbia area. She is a mom to one child and three energetic dogs. She loves hiking and spending time in nature with her family
Kayla Simmons: Columbia Team Contributor
Kayla grew up right outside of Charleston, SC, and is a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina. She has lived in Columbia for a combination of 5 years. Kayla has a background working with special needs children, but now enjoys nothing more than being a stay-at-home mom of two. She enjoys keeping her kids busy by finding unique play spaces and events, involving them in hands-on activities, and watching them learn about the world through play. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exercising, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Kelly Johnson: Columbia Team Contributor
Kelly is a native of Hartsville, SC and lives in West Columbia with her husband, two-year-old daughter, and pets George and Gigi. She is now a stay-at-home mom after a long career in beverage sales at Republic National Distributing Company and Sazerac Company. Kelly is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and has a degree in print journalism. She’s passionate about her family, writing, shopping, and any and all crime dramas.
Kristina Hernandez: Social Media and Newsletter, Greenville Team Contributor
Kristina Hernandez is a mom of two girls, freelance writer, and a photographer. Originally from New Jersey, she is in love with the Upstate and could not imagine raising her kids anywhere else. She enjoys hiking to waterfalls, kayaking, camping, cooking, and exploring all that Greenville has to offer. And she really loves baby goats. Follow her on Instagram at @scadventurer.
Maria Bassett: Content Manager
Maria Bassett is a former school orchestra teacher, turned homeschool mom. She and her husband homeschool their 3 sons and 1 daughter, who range from 4th grade through 9th grade. Believing children learn best when they are engaged and having fun, this family loves to take their homeschool on the road, around Greenville and beyond. Their home is run by a spoiled bearded dragon named Frankie, and a ridiculous number of house plants and laundry.
Meagan Carroll: Columbia Team Contributor
I am a born and raised local who has a passion for exploring new towns, hiking, and attending local events. As a mother and full-time web developer, I balance my career and family life while still finding time to travel the world with my husband. My love for trying new foods and visiting breweries keeps my adventures exciting and flavorful! I am always on the lookout for new experiences and so excited to share them with you!
Paula Billingsley: Columbia Team Contributor
Paula Birch Billingsley is a Columbia native who lived a lot of other places before coming back for grad school and is happy to raise her two kids in such a family-friendly place. Paula loves reading, writing, coaching kids’ sports, and taking in too many rescue pets.
Sara Wierer: Sales Assistant
Sara is the newest member of the Kidding Around team! Check back soon to learn about Sara.
Shannon Pruitt: Greenville Team Contributor
Shannon moved to the Upstate after college, and other than a brief few years in Florida, has stayed. A former teacher, she is now the mom of one beautiful girl and works from home as a writer, web designer, and social media strategist. She believes tacos don’t have to be reserved for Tuesdays, shamelessly listens to crime podcasts, and fuels herself on a daily cup of coffee (or two). You can find her on Instagram @shannonroyalpruitt
Golly: Kidding Around Mascot
Golly is always on the lookout with his Golly Goggles. When he puts his hands to his face and peers through his fingers, he’s ready for an adventure! Golly’s job is finding new things to do and see, and places to go!
Advertise with Kidding Around®
Kidding Around helps local businesses, regional travel destinations, and Upstate resources connect with readers looking for the services they offer. Our readers come back to Kidding Around® for ideas and information again and again. Find out how to advertise with us on our Kidding Around Advertising page.