Grandee Ann Ray - President
"I love what I do and am driven to be the best at what I do...coming in second place is just not good enough."- Grandee

Originally from Atlanta, Grandee has always been driven to succeed. She put herself through nursing school and college, eventually receiving both a Bachelors and Master's degree in nursing from the Medical College of Georgia and MUSC respectively. Her professionalism, drive and work ethic were rewarded when she became the youngest female and the first nurse to be named Clinical Services Administrator (similar to a COO) at the same time as being the CNO and Administrator of the Heart and Vascular Center of Excellence for a major academic medical center.

Through a series of life changes, Grandee decided to start her own business, Grand Ideas, using her core talents and management experiences. Grandee is a "people person" valuing relationships above all else. Her personal beliefs, coupled with her relentless energy, are translated into Grand Ideas' mission statement - "Growth through unsurpassed customer service." With this as the guiding principle, a cell phone, computer, and her car as storage and showroom, Grand Ideas was born in 2001. Grandee has assembled an incredibly awesome team, ultimately creating a promotional product and branding company that provides service to the customer unlike any in the industry.

In 2003, Grandee recognized an ever-growing demand for South Carolina-themed products and saw a 'grand' opportunity to provide unique items to meet this demand. Thus began her second related, but independent, new business endeavor - Palmetto Ideas. Similar to its parent company, Palmetto Ideas has seen tremendous growth and now supplies over 200 South Carolina-themed products to retailers and wholesalers across the state. She sold the  warehoused inventory in 2014 when the corporate branding demands became heavier.

Grandee has received awards of recognition from the Charleston Advertising Federation and the Charleston Regional Business Journal, including the CBJ's "The Roaring 20" award in 2006. Additionally, the SC Governor's Office of Small and Minority Business Assistance recognized Grand Ideas as a certified minority-owned small business, and specifically as an up-and-coming, female-owned company. Additionally, Grand Ideas is certified by Charleston County as a Small Business Enterprise. Grand Ideas is a member of the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI).

The success of Grand Ideas is not Grandee's only focus. Being a mother to her daughter, Aryn, a graduate of Boston University, currently living and working in London, UK digital and media advertising, planning and brand management, is by far her passion as is her husband, Phil, a retired Lt. Col. in the USAF and then secondly from Delta Airlines. When not working, Grandee enjoys the competition and physical demands of dragon boating, an ancient paddling sport. She is an active competitive member of Dragon Boat Charleston. Grandee's other interests include involvement in organizations which promote women's issues, mentoring College of Charleston interns and The Citadel School of Business students. Grandee's philanthropic endeavors include Darkness to Light, Water Missions International,  Dragon Boat Charleston and SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. When she does take the time for "free time," she enjoys traveling, reading, sailing, hiking, kayaking, playing cards and watching sports.

Eighteen years later, Grand Ideas continues to grow. It's continued success is due to the harnessed energy and entrepreneurial spirit of ALL team members which fosters creative solutions and innovative approaches to doing business.