Every family business has its next chapter.

For Southern Exposure Sunrooms, that chapter begins in Charleston with Mackenzie Cranna, a marketer, photographer, creative thinker, and, perhaps most importantly, the next generation of a company built on craftsmanship, integrity, and service.

While Southern Exposure Sunrooms has become one of the Carolinas' premier custom sunroom builders over the past two decades, Mackenzie never assumed she would one day help lead its growth. Growing up in Maine, she knew her uncle owned a successful business in Wilmington, North Carolina, but family gatherings were just that—family gatherings. Business stayed at the office.

"I never imagined myself working for him," she says.

Instead, Mackenzie charted her own course. After earning a marketing degree from Fordham University, she built an impressive résumé through internships with Madison Square Garden, the New York Giants, and the New York Yankees before launching a career in corporate marketing and event sponsorships. She loved the work, but after several years found herself looking for something more meaningful—a role where creativity, leadership, and lasting impact could come together.

That opportunity arrived with an unexpected phone call from her Uncle Peter.

Southern Exposure Sunrooms was preparing to expand into the Charleston market and needed someone to lead marketing for the company while helping launch its newest location.

"I guess I asked the universe for a challenge, and the universe delivered," Mackenzie laughs.

Within weeks, she packed up her life in Connecticut and headed south.

Launching a new market has meant much more than creating marketing campaigns. During her first week, Mackenzie assembled conference room furniture, built her own desk, and transformed an empty showroom into a welcoming space she jokingly refers to as her work as "Chief Interior Design Officer." Today, that once-empty warehouse is filled with windows, design inspiration, and a team helping Lowcountry homeowners create beautiful new living spaces.

It's a role that blends creativity with purpose—something she clearly loves.

"I get to own my work," she says. "I love filming our crews, editing videos, photography, graphic design, and creating new campaigns."

While Mackenzie brings fresh energy to the company, the foundation remains the values established by her family.

She speaks often about her Uncle Peter's unwavering integrity.

"He believes integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking," she says. "Whether it's employees, customers, or family, he's someone you can always count on."

That philosophy extends beyond construction.

Although Mackenzie isn't building sunrooms herself, she believes craftsmanship applies to every part of the business—from the quality of the installation to the way the company's story is told. It's one reason Southern Exposure never subcontracts its projects. Every sunroom is built by experienced in-house crews dedicated exclusively to the craft, allowing the company to control every detail from the first consultation to the final walkthrough.

For Mackenzie, however, the real reward comes after construction is complete.

Rather than focusing solely on the finished room, she imagines the life that will happen inside it.

Morning coffee overlooking the backyard. Holiday dinners. Game nights. Grandchildren visiting. Friends gathered long after sunset.

"We hope homeowners immediately begin imagining how they'll use the space and the memories they'll create there," she says.

That focus on relationships feels especially fitting in Charleston, a place she has quickly fallen in love with.

Having moved here without knowing anyone, Mackenzie has discovered a community that's remarkably welcoming. Between local markets, coffee shops, workout classes, and island weekends, she's embraced the social spirit that makes the Lowcountry feel like home.

Outside the office, Mackenzie has another remarkable accomplishment on her résumé: she's a world medalist in Irish dancing.

Beginning lessons at just five years old, she eventually helped lead Fordham University's Irish dance team before reuniting with lifelong teammates to compete at the World Championships, where they earned a coveted world medal.

The experience, she says, taught her far more than choreography.

"It taught me work ethic, confidence, teamwork, and how to accept constructive criticism."

Those same qualities are evident in the way she approaches both business and life.

As Southern Exposure Sunrooms continues its Charleston expansion, Mackenzie is excited to watch the company grow while continuing to grow alongside it. After only a few months in the role, she already sees herself becoming a stronger marketer, photographer, designer, and leader.

For a young professional who came to Charleston seeking a challenge, she seems to have found something even better—a chance to help write the next chapter of a family legacy while building relationships in a community she's proud to call home.