The Fine Art of Running a Business

Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina, sits Helena Fox Fine Art Gallery.

On the exterior, you’ll find a street lined with vintage gas lanterns and decorative window boxes spilling over with bright florals. However, the true character lies with the art collection itself. Throughout her gallery, Helena Fox has created an ecosystem where artists near and far can display their works and connect to spectators and potential patrons.

Fox, a fourth-generation art collector, immigrated from Sweden to the United States in 1999. Three years later, she decided to plant roots in the South Carolina low country. After spending 15 years in the film industry, she knew it was time to follow her true passion and open the doors to her own gallery.

Specializing in American Representational Fine Art, Fox’s gallery contains a diverse collection of works that co-mingle national and international award-winning American artists with various styles and mediums.

You can find work from renowned artists like West Fraser, known for beautifully recreating the lush landscapes of Charleston and other beloved coastal communities in the southeast for more than 35 years. Edward Rice, an iconic southern contemporary artist known for his stark portrayal of architectural designs, is also represented in Fox’s studio – along with 17 other local and nationally acclaimed artists.

Whether you’re just stopping by to gaze at the current display, or you have been a collector for decades, Fox takes pride in carefully selecting pieces that make her visitors feel something. “The art we present in my gallery is art that I want to display in my home,” Fox says.

A Financial Partner Who Understands My Needs

Throughout Fox’s entrepreneurial journey, relationships have always been imperative to her. “I have both a personal and professional relationship with every artist I represent in our gallery,” she says. Her focus on relationships led her to SouthState. She knew she wanted a local banking partner who was dedicated to her overall success.

“I have worked with big national banks in the past, but now that I’m with SouthState, I have the confidence and peace of mind that my bank cares about me and my business,” says Fox. “SouthState honestly strives to understand and help my business succeed. I know when I walk into my bank, I am not a number, but I am a person.”

Fox knew she needed a local bank with sophisticated, in-house solutions to elevate her business operations. A small bank feel with big bank capabilities. Fox’s relationship with SouthState has given her access to a robust suite of payment solutions to streamline the payment process for her clients. Today, she utilizes SouthState’s Merchant Services to process her credit card transactions.

Prior to making the switch to SouthState, Fox felt her business was often misunderstood by larger institutions. “For almost 15 years I used a national merchant services company, but customer service and rates were always a challenge as they never took the time to understand my type of business,” says Fox. “When I decided to transition to SouthState Merchant Services, my banker took the time to listen to my business needs and catered the solutions to my unique business. If I have an issue, SouthState Merchant Services are always there and eager to assist to make the transaction seamless.”
 

Gearing Up for the Holidays

Fox and her staff are busy gearing up for Small Business Saturday and a busy holiday season. While the holidays are often a busy time of year for many retailers, Fox’s relationship with SouthState gives her the confidence to take on the hustle and bustle. “The SouthState team makes the time to assist me with any issue that arises in my business. They are professional, thorough, and willing to explore and create solutions for my business needs – my bank has my back,” she says.

Read more about Helena Fox Fine Art.

Learn more about business banking and merchant services with SouthState.