When Paige Sawyer and Ginny Mason signed up for a taxidermy class at Beaufort County Community College, neither expected it to lead to a business venture. One was a lifelong hunter looking to expand her skills, the other a high school science teacher with a passion for natural history. Both discovered a talent for taxidermy and turned it into a growing side business, thanks in part to the support of the college’s Small Business Center.
Taxidermy Class Sparks Entrepreneurial Drive
Paige Sawyer had some experience mounting deer but took a duck mount personal enrichment class at Beaufort CCC to expand her offerings.
“I wanted to open up a new variety of clients and be able to offer something new,” she said. “The class helped me do that.”
Ginny Mason came into the waterfowl taxidermy class with no business plans. A science teacher for 18 years, she saw the class advertised on a campus sign and signed up out of curiosity.
“I thought it would be a cool thing to do,” she said. “I come from a family of duck hunters, and I figured I could mount a few ducks for them.”
Small Business Center Provides the Tools
What began as personal interest quickly turned into opportunity. As friends and family shared their work, both women began receiving more requests than they expected. That was when they turned to Beaufort CCC’s Small Business Center.
Through free classes and personalized support, Sawyer and Mason learned how to register their businesses, market their services, and manage the financial side of entrepreneurship. Sawyer worked with staff to set up her Google Business page and handle essential paperwork. Mason enrolled in the “Finding the Entrepreneur in You” course and the Seed & Sow pitch program, winning the pitch contest and gaining confidence as a new business owner.
“They helped me with everything—from business cards to optimizing my website,” Mason said. “It was all free, and they were so eager to help.”
Paige echoed the impact of that support. “It’s been a learning process, but they really helped with things I hadn’t even thought of,” she said.
Shifting from Hobbyist to Professional
For both women, one of the biggest changes was internal—learning to see themselves as professionals.
“The Small Business Center looked at me and said, ‘You have a business,’” said Mason. “That helped me shift how I saw myself.”
Sawyer also navigated a traditionally male-dominated field. “Most of my clients are men, but they’ve been supportive,” she said. “It’s been a really positive experience.”
Today, Mason continues teaching at Beaufort County Early College High School while building her taxidermy brand. Sawyer is growing her clientele and business skills while continuing her education.
Turn Skills Into Success at Beaufort CCC
Their stories are a reminder that interest and opportunity often meet in unexpected places. With hands-on enrichment classes and practical business support, Beaufort CCC helps individuals like Sawyer and Mason turn passion into paychecks.
Check out other personal enrichment opportunities or free small business support through the Small Business Center.