Tammy johnson named sba Young entrepreneur of the yar

​The U.S. Small Business Administration has named Tammy Johnson, the owner of Liquid Catering and The Old Cigar Warehouse, the 2014 South Carolina Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

One of the South Carolina Small Business & Advocacy awards, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year honors an individual under 30 years old whose business has demonstrated extraordinary growth and innovation and a strong commitment to the community.

“In only three years, Ms. Johnson has built a business that has not only experienced tremendous growth, but has also established itself as a force in the hospitality industry. What makes this is even more remarkable is the fact that she accomplished this all before the age of 30,” said Elliott Cooper, director of the SBA’s South Carolina District Office.

Johnson started Liquid Catering in 2011 literally from the garage in her Greenville home after seeing the need in the marketplace for a special event bartending company. She quickly grew from a one-woman operation to having more than 50 employees because of the demand.

In 2012, she undertook renovations of a former auto repair store in downtown Greenville to become the headquarters of Liquid Catering. In 2013, she saw the opportunity for a second revitalization project and opened the Old Cigar Warehouse, an event venue located in a historic building in downtown Greenville as well.

Johnson’s entrepreneurial spirit goes beyond work as she is an active young leader in the community.

She is a past chairwoman of PULSE, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals group, and served on the Chamber’s LEAD committee for two years and was key in that program’s name change. In addition, she served on the Chamber’s Finance Committee, started a two-year term on the Board of Advisors this January and is a graduate of Leadership Class 39. 

In 2012, Johnson was appointed to the City of Greenville Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee. She also serves as volunteer Bar Manager for Euphoria and is a member of the Upstate Bridal Association.
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“I am deeply honored to be receiving this award,” Johnson said.

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This story was featured in the Greenville Business Magazine.