Tia Clark

Eight years ago, amidst a life-changing health journey that included quitting smoking and a remarkable 150-pound weight loss, Charleston native Tia Clark discovered her true calling: crabbing. Though she grew up surrounded by the Lowcountry’s waterways, it wasn’t until her cousin introduced her to the sport that she connected with the ancestral traditions of her Gullah Geechee family. This newfound passion spurred a paradigm-shifting leap of faith, leading her to trade a 20-year food and beverage career for the “office” of a riverside dock, complete with dolphins and lapping water.

In 2017, Tia launched Casual Crabbing with Tia, a guided crabbing and fishing experience that quickly became a phenomenon. Her Airbnb experience, “Let’s Go Crabbing,” was recognized as one of the world’s best within months, drawing guests charmed by her genuine nature and powerful story. With over 600 five-star reviews and features in national publications, Tia is humbled by the attention her small operation receives. She is immensely proud to share the skills of her culture, new to her but deeply rooted in her Gullah Geechee heritage, believing she is exactly where she’s meant to be. Now, Tia is a local celebrity and a force to be reckoned with within her community. She serves on several boards like Charleston Waterkeepers, The Good Catch program with the SC Aquarium and the Marine Advisory Committee for the Department of Natural Resources. She recently became a member of The Explorer’s Club and she is in the 2025 EC 50 class which highlights 50 people changing the world that the world needs to know about. She was also awarded the honor of being a 2025 SCBIZ Women of Influence recipient.

Tia is excited about the future of her company and remains hopeful in her efforts to support conservation, raise awareness, and drive progress. Her passion for local estuaries and marine wildlife fuels her deep commitment to her hometown. She hopes to share that love on a global scale, inspiring others to join her in protecting our planet’s natural resources.