Craig Conover is an American television personality, attorney, and businessman best known as a main cast member on Bravo’s reality series Southern Charm since 2014. He transformed his pillow-making hobby into Sewing Down South, an eight-figure business now sold in Kroger stores nationwide with 30 employees.
Who Is Craig Conover? The Southern Charm Breakout Star
Born February 9, 1989, in Fenwick Island, Delaware, Craig Conover grew up as the elder of two sons to Craig Conover Sr., an entrepreneur, and Martha Conover, a teacher. Standing at an impressive height of 6 feet 3 inches, the Delaware native would eventually become one of reality television’s most successful entrepreneurial stories.
Conover attended Selbyville Middle School and Indian River High School, where he won a national championship in a business competition. This early achievement foreshadowed his future success in the business world, though his path would take several unexpected turns before he found his true calling.
His athletic family background shaped his competitive nature. Conover graduated from the College of Charleston with his Bachelor of Science degree in 2010, then attended Charleston School of Law, graduating in 2014. However, his legal journey hit an initial roadblock when he struggled with completing his thesis paper, delaying his bar exam success.
The Southern Charm Journey: Building a Reality TV Empire
Conover made his television debut on Bravo’s Southern Charm as a main cast member from the first season, which launched on March 3, 2014. The show follows Charleston socialites navigating relationships, careers, and Southern traditions, and Craig quickly became a fan favorite for his authenticity and vulnerability.
His decision to join the cast wasn’t made lightly. Craig spent time Googling whether he should do a reality show, and when he found no helpful results, he reached out to Cameran Eubanks from The Real World on Facebook, asking if he could pick her brain about reality TV. This connection proved pivotal, as Cameran had also been asked to join Southern Charm, and they both decided to leap together.
The show documented Craig’s struggles with law school, relationships, and finding his professional identity. Conover earns $25,000 for each episode of Southern Charm, which has led his earnings from the show to grow to $3.2 million after 131 episodes. Beyond the financial rewards, the platform gave him something invaluable: a stage to build his brand and connect with millions of viewers.
Conover has appeared on Summer House in a guest capacity since the fourth season, which launched on February 5, 2020, and appeared as a main cast member on Winter House for the first two seasons. These crossover appearances expanded his reach across Bravo’s reality ecosystem and introduced him to new audiences.
From Law Clerk to Lawyer: The Legal Career Path
Craig’s legal career had a rocky start that played out publicly on Southern Charm. After working as a litigation assistant at Anastopoulo Law Firm, he faced criticism from castmates who doubted his commitment to becoming a lawyer. The turning point came when viewers watched him struggle with the bar exam and his professional direction.
Conover passed the South Carolina Bar exam on April 17, 2017, and was sworn in by the South Carolina Bar on February 20, 2018. This achievement silenced his critics and proved his determination. He founded The Craig Conover Law Firm, based in Charleston, on March 18, 2021.
Despite his legal credentials, Craig discovered that practicing law wasn’t his passion. He gained popularity on Bravo TV’s Southern Charm beginning in 2014, and used his public persona for philanthropic efforts, spending time in Haiti and lending a hand with hurricane rescue and support across the Carolinas. His work as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing abused and neglected children, demonstrated his commitment to using his legal education for meaningful causes.
Sewing Down South: The Business That Changed Everything
The origin story of Sewing Down South has become legendary among Southern Charm fans. When Craig went through a breakup, he needed an escape and remembered how to make a pillow from a home economics class in seventh grade, so he started sewing old shirts into pillows. What began as a therapeutic hobby would transform into a multi-million-dollar enterprise.
His initial Instagram post showcasing his handmade pillows sparked unexpected interest, with everyone messaging him asking if he made them himself and if they could buy one. This organic demand validated what would become his signature business venture.
The business launched officially in April 2019, but not without significant skepticism. Craig said if he had listened to his friends back then, Sewing Down South wouldn’t exist, as no one thought it was a good idea except him. His castmates openly mocked his sewing hobby on the show, with some questioning whether pillow-making was a legitimate career path for a lawyer.
The Growth Trajectory of an Eight-Figure Business
In four years, Craig was able to take Sewing Down South to an eight-figure business, with products sold in Kroger stores across the country and 30 employees with health insurance. This remarkable growth came from strategic partnerships, savvy marketing, and Craig’s authentic connection with his audience.
The business expansion included major retail partnerships. Sewing Down South created a coconut collection with RumHaven Caribbean rum spirits, featuring a tropical special edition pillow print with a large green leaf and mermaid design, plus a coconut candle and set of four coasters. These creative collaborations helped differentiate the brand in a crowded home goods market.
In 2024, Craig opened his second Sewing Down South storefront in Nashville, Tennessee, and expanded his line to Kroger grocery stores nationwide. The Nashville location was a strategic choice, as one of his business partners, Amanda, lives there, and the city reminded him of Charleston’s vibrant energy.
Physical retail presence became crucial to the brand’s identity. Sewing Down South has 15 employees, with seven full-time receiving benefits, which Conover said was important for him to offer after he saw his dad, a business owner, offering that incentive to employees. This commitment to employee welfare reflects Craig’s values-driven approach to entrepreneurship.
Product Evolution and Brand Expansion
The company evolved far beyond decorative pillows. Currently, the brand sells indoor and outdoor pillows, apparel, blankets, totes, accessories, kitchen pieces, and dog gear, among other items. Each product line reflects Craig’s personal aesthetic and Charleston’s coastal lifestyle.
In October 2025, Craig announced a new “mod” collection of pillows featuring designs with blue shades ranging from white to navy, which were already at high risk of selling out online. The rapid sellout demonstrated the loyal customer base he’d cultivated through authenticity and quality products.
Strategic partnerships amplified growth. Craig announced a holiday clothing line in October 2025 as part of his longstanding partnership with the department store Belk, with MaryAnne Morin, President and Chief Merchandising Officer, stating the partnership embodies the spirit of Southern style and hospitality.
Beyond Pillows: Craig’s Expanding Business Portfolio
Craig’s entrepreneurial ambitions extend well beyond home goods. In September 2025, Conover launched Plaid Horse Productions with plans to launch his own slate of reality series. This move positions him as a content creator behind the camera, leveraging his decade of reality TV experience.
Conover stated that after spending over a decade in front of the camera, it feels awesome to be stepping behind the scenes and getting involved from day one, helping shape the vision, build out the programming, and connect with the right people. The production company represents a natural evolution for someone who understands reality television from the inside out.
Restaurant ventures have also captured his attention. The reality TV star owns two restaurants, Carriage House and By The Way, and is also an investor and project manager in Gentry Bourbon Business. These diverse investments demonstrate his willingness to explore multiple revenue streams.
In June 2025, Craig headed to Washington, D.C., for the Small Business Showcase at the U.S. Capitol, where he and other business owners presented their companies to several lawmakers, explaining how their efforts have contributed to the local and nationwide economies. This recognition validates his journey from reality TV personality to legitimate business leader.
Personal Life: Relationships in the Public Eye
Craig’s romantic relationships have been central storylines on Southern Charm and its spinoffs. He was in a relationship with Naomie Olindo between 2014 and September 2017, followed by a relationship with Natalie Hegnauer from early 2020 to early 2021. Both relationships played out on camera, with their ups and downs documented for millions of viewers.
His most high-profile relationship began on reality TV as well. Craig was in a relationship with Paige DeSorbo from October 2021 to December 2024. The Summer House star and Craig became a fan-favorite couple, with their long-distance relationship between Charleston and New York City becoming a recurring theme.
Conover addressed his breakup from Paige in a video statement, calling it very unexpected and saying it happened right before the holidays, indicating Paige may have been the one to make the ultimate decision, as he was very shocked by it all. The mature handling of the split, with both parties emphasizing their mutual respect, showed Craig’s growth since earlier relationships.
In June 2025, Craig appeared on The Toast podcast, confirming that he is single at the moment, noting he had been seeing someone after Paige but wasn’t ready to date and didn’t know that until the relationship progressed. This honest self-reflection demonstrates his commitment to personal growth before pursuing new relationships.
Net Worth and Financial Success
Craig Conover has a net worth of $1 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. However, this figure likely underestimates his actual wealth, given his business’s eight-figure valuation and multiple income streams. The conservative estimate doesn’t fully account for the value of Sewing Down South as an operating business.
His income sources are diverse and substantial. Beyond his Southern Charm salary, Conover serves as the CMO and co-founder of the home goods company Sewing Down South. The company’s retail partnerships, direct-to-consumer sales, and wholesale distribution create multiple revenue channels.
Real estate investments have also contributed to his wealth. In September 2017, Craig paid $460,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, which today is worth roughly $900,000. This property appreciation reflects Charleston’s booming real estate market and Craig’s smart investment timing.
Life in Charleston: Home and Lifestyle
Charleston serves as Craig’s home base and inspiration for his business aesthetic. The historic city’s coastal charm, vibrant social scene, and growing economy create the perfect environment for both his reality TV persona and business ventures. Craig explained that the company is tied to Charleston because that’s where their warehouse, store, and design studio are located.
Craig enjoys spending time in his incredible backyard and maintaining his fitness, sharing looks at his home’s outdoor pool area and intense workout regimens on Instagram. This balance between work and wellness reflects his maturity and commitment to sustainable success rather than burnout.
His Charleston lifestyle extends to community involvement. Craig’s company has fulfilled over 100,000 orders in four years and donated more than $200,000 to charities around the world. This philanthropic approach demonstrates that business success means more to him than just personal wealth.
Career Milestones and Recognition
Craig’s journey from a doubted law school graduate to a successful entrepreneur has earned widespread recognition. In June 2025, Craig reflected on his business success in an Instagram Reel, reminding fans to remain resilient and never abandon their goals, noting that he told them sewing was his hobby and he wanted to turn it into a business.
The transformation has been remarkable. Cameran Eubanks told Entertainment Tonight that after calculating how much money Craig actually made from selling pillows, she wanted to vomit, discovering he’s making way more money than an attorney. This validation from a skeptical friend perfectly encapsulates his unlikely success story.
Publishing added another dimension to his portfolio. Craig authored a memoir titled “Pillow Talk: What’s Wrong With My Sewing?” in 2022, which details his journey from reality TV participant to entrepreneur. The book offers insights into perseverance, dealing with criticism, and finding your passion despite others’ doubts.
Craig teased a cookbook in October 2025, asking his followers if they were ready for one. This potential project would leverage his love of cooking and entertaining, creating another touchpoint with his audience.
The 2025 Business Landscape
Craig revealed in December 2024 that Sewing Down South is at an inflection point where they’re at 25 employees and need to figure out how to continue growing, noting that there are just three people at the management level. This growth challenge represents the kind of problem successful entrepreneurs hope to face.
Just days after launching his first-ever fabric collection in association with Sewing Down South Textiles in October 2025, Craig announced a brand new collection of pillows. The fabric line represents vertical integration, allowing Craig to control more of the supply chain and create truly unique products.
In October 2025, Craig decked the halls at his flagship store in Charleston and his Nashville location for the holidays, filling the spaces with Christmas trees, pine garland, and holiday-themed merchandise, including seasonal clothes and tumblers. The seasonal transformation demonstrates sophisticated retail merchandising and marketing.
Lessons from Craig’s Success Story
Craig Conover’s journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone facing skepticism about unconventional career paths. His story proves that authenticity, persistence, and willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities can lead to extraordinary success.
The importance of staying true to yourself emerges as a central theme. Craig stated that you’re never gonna have a happy person putting you down, and someone happy where they are won’t criticize your dreams. This wisdom helped him navigate years of mockery on Southern Charm while building his business.
Finding the right partners made the difference between hobby and empire. Craig acknowledged that for a year, he tried to do his business on my own, but it wasn’t until his partners came on board that things really started to take off. His advice to find partners who complement your skills and be open to collaboration resonates with successful entrepreneurs everywhere.
The role of reality TV as a business platform cannot be understated. While many reality stars struggle to monetize their fame, Craig used his platform strategically to build genuine customer relationships and showcase his authentic passion for his craft. His success wasn’t about being the most dramatic castmate—it was about being real and relatable.
FAQs
How old is Craig Conover?
Craig Conover is 36 years old as of 2025, having been born on February 9, 1989, in Fenwick Island, Delaware.
Is Craig Conover still practicing law?
Craig passed the South Carolina Bar in 2017 and opened his law firm in 2021, but he now focuses primarily on his business ventures, including Sewing Down South and Plaid Horse Productions.
How successful is Sewing Down South?
Sewing Down South has grown into an eight-figure business with products sold in Kroger stores nationwide, two flagship retail locations, 30 employees, and partnerships with major retailers.
What is Craig Conover’s net worth?
Craig Conover’s estimated net worth is $1 million according to Celebrity Net Worth, though his eight-figure business valuation suggests his actual wealth may be significantly higher.
Is Craig Conover dating anyone in 2025?
As of June 2025, Craig Conover confirmed he is single following his December 2024 breakup from Paige DeSorbo and a subsequent brief relationship earlier in 2025.
Craig Conover’s transformation from reality TV personality to successful entrepreneur demonstrates that unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary destinations. His eight-figure pillow empire, built despite widespread skepticism, stands as proof that passion, persistence, and authenticity can overcome any obstacle. As he continues expanding into production, textiles, and new markets, Craig’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to pursue what truly makes you happy—even if that means sewing pillows.
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