CH2/CB2 Magazine: August 2021 Issue

CH2 CELEBRATE HILTON HEAD!

AUGUST 2021

IT’S THE 2021 EDITION OF

PLUS

GUARDIANS OF THE SHORE TOUGH AS NAILS

COULD A GOOD PEDICURE CURE A MAN OF TOXIC MASCULINITY?

AUGUST 2021

MUSICIANS IN BATHROOMS

FEATURING BEN JONES AND ELLIE LENTZ

WOMEN IN BUSINESS FEATURING

75+

LOCAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

ROAD TRIPPIN’ ON THE HUNT FOR SOMETHING INTERESTING…

SIDE HUSTLES ARE ‘THE NEW BLACK’

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JULY 2021

C2 MAGAZINE

C2 MAGAZINE

JULY 2021

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C2 MAGAZINE

JULY 2021

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C2 MAGAZINE

JULY 2021

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16 THE GUARDIANS OF THE SHORE Meet the men and women who make sure every day at the beach is... well, a day at the beach.

WHAT’S INSIDE

25

NEGOTIATING AND NETWORKING: STRATEGIES TO FIND YOUR VOICE AND BE SEEN

33

A FLOCKING GOOD TIME: THE BIGGEST EVENT YOU PROBABLY HAVEN’T HEARD OF, PLEDGE THE PINK, RETURNS

36

HEATHER PRICE: THE COMMUNITY CONNECTOR

94

WOMEN INSPIRED BY MORE

103

TOUGH AS NAILS: COULD A GOOD PEDICURE CURE A MAN OF TOXIC MASCULINITY?

107

WHISPER CREEK SPA: YOUR DESTINATION FOR THE ULTIMATE BLISS

112

THE CHILDREN'S CENTER: TEACH THEM WELL AND LET THEM LEAD THE WAY

126

TOP DAWG TAVERN: THERE'S A NEW RESTAURANT IN SHELTER COVE HARBOUR & MARINA

131

TOMMY PRINE HAS SOMETHING TO SAY... AND HE WILL BE AT COLIGNY THEATRE ON AUGUST 5.

40 C2 FASHION: ROAD TRIPPIN' In a car on the back roads of South Carolina... in search of something interesting.

53 WOMEN IN BUSINESS Featuring Over 75 Local Women Entrepreneurs.

Meredith Bannon of Bannon Law Group at The French Bakery.

O N O U R C OV E R S

116 ON THE CH2 COVER

ON THE CB2 COVER

Shore Beach Services Lifeguard David Murphy Photography by M.KAT.

Model Caroline Molloy outfitted in Palmettoes.

Photography by M.KAT.

A SUMMER WIND FOR ALL SEASONS We explore a Court Atkins house with water views on Distant Island.

Don't worry, Jevon. We didn't forget about you!

GENIUSES AT WORK Vibe Manager Maggie Marie Washo

play

Head of Quietly Judging Carolyn Hunter Kostylo Master of Coin Marion Elizabeth Bowser

Umm.. What is that on your head?

Rainmaker Kim Conrad Crouch Master Handshaker “Just Kandace” Wightman Lead Door Knocker Morgan O'Banion Director of Attracting Talent Kaila Jeffcoat

It's called hair.

You heard of it?

Intimacy Mentor Lucille Rosita Gonzalez Washo W.I.B in Training Jevon Daly The Gatekeepers Greta Von Bowser Vincent Von Bowser The Cut & Paste Crew Jeff Cline Catherine Colby Aspiring Novelists Cheryl Alexander Linda S. Hopkins Barry Kaufman Paula Magrini Hannah Massen John McCann Libby O'Regan Lisa Sulka Tim Wood Lighting Experts M. Kat Photography Krisztian Lonyai Photography by Anne J. Savage Gibson & John McManus Find Us Here PO Box 22949 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.689.2658 m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com

E D I TO R' S

I

N OT E

I

I H AV E A Q U E S T I O N

have a question. Where did all the people who want to work go? We have a real estate shortage in the Lowcountry because humans are moving here in droves after rethinking their lives in cities after months of quarantine.

And yet, there is no one here to work. Where are these people’s jobs? Did everyone retire last year?

Am I the only person who is not independently wealthy? I personally don’t know anyone at home collecting unemployment … but where are all the people who want to work?

This has absolutely nothing to do with our issue this month; it’s just a question I’ve been pondering for a while now as I talk to our business partners who are so swamped, they can barely keep their heads above water and maintain their sanity.

Please email the answer to m.washo@ celebratehiltonhead.com if you know. Thanks.

In other news, while we are hearing reports of women leaving the workplace due to lack of childcare, you wouldn’t know it by reading through this, our sixth Women in Business issue.

Hunter and I photographed OVER 100 WOMEN for this issue. Thank goodness our stellar sales team (made up of all women) started selling to this special section back in March, so we had enough time to get everyone in. Well, almost everyone. There’s always August 2023, ladies.

9.2021 This is always one of my favorite issues.

I love reading through the dozens of profiles to be inspired and entertained. There are some witty answers as well as some heartfelt, profound thoughts. More than that though, I welcome the opportunity to network with these ladies as we make our rounds, filming and photographing. Our schedule was intense these last two months, sometimes with up to eight photoshoots a day, but I wouldn’t trade it.

These Lowcountry ladies are kicking butt in the workplace, figuring out how to raise children with limited school and childcare options, all the while being supportive wives and giving back to the community.

I am humbled to be able to tell their stories through this issue. Please read it cover to cover and don’t email me about why there’s a guy lifeguard on one of our covers. When you feature over 100 incredible women in one issue, how do you possibly choose which one to feature on the cover?

We didn’t.

MAGGIE WASHO Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

Be sure to follow us on Social Media

Instagram - @ch2hhimag Facebook - facebook.com/ch2magazine TikTok - @ch2mag YouTube - youtube.com/celebratehiltonhead

GUARDIANS OF THE

Shore Meet the men and women who make sure every day at the beach is... well, a day at the beach.

N

OT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES.

Some wear SPF-40, sunglasses, and a smart-looking red swimsuit and carry a rescue can. And sadly, it can be easy to forget these heroes are even there. The biggest disaster we’ll usually ever face during a beach day is a sunburn or a punctured football.

However, “usually” doesn’t mean “ever.”

There are innumerable disasters just past the shoreline waiting for the law of averages to call their number. Undertows that suck even the strongest swimmers under. A stingray caught off-guard by an errant footfall. Jellyfish that sizzle your skin, ensuring their place as the jerks of the sea.

And there is just one thing standing between you and them. Come meet a few of the heroes who are always on the lookout for the worst moments of your best days.

CAITLYN RICHMOND

Where are you originally from? Mebane, NC Years/months on HH? This is my first-year working with Shore Beach Services, and I’ve been with them since mid-March of 2021. I took the year off from college because of COVID, so I had the opportunity to start working with the company during the off-season.

Describe a typical day as a team member with Shore Beach Services.

ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT DESIGN BY JEFF CLINE

A typical day as a rental guard starts with me waking up at around 6:15 a.m.

I like to get to the beach between 7:00-7:20ish to begin my setup. I finish setting up by 8:15 most days, and I like to shower all the sand and sweat off and eat my breakfast right before I have to return to the beach. For me, I enjoy having a little bit of downtime before I have to start at 9 a.m. When 9 a.m. rolls around, the umbrella is up and I begin the day taking reservations for our rental equipment while also watching the water, doing first aid, and answering and checking in on customers and other patrons on the beach.

Five p.m. is when I start my breakdown, putting all the chairs, umbrellas, and

guard equipment back in its place and reporting back to the office to finish up the end-of-the-day paperwork/report.

When I’m in the high chair I start a little later. I get to the beach around 8:40 a.m. to set up my high chair and restock the medkit and update my message board. I’m in the chair ready to go at 9 a.m. Throughout the day, I will move the chair back and forth with the tides to ensure that I am as close to the water’s edge as possible. I remain at that stand primarily watching the water and giving first aid when needed in my area. At day’s end, I put all the equipment away and assist any of the rental guards with breakdown and report back to the office to turn in radios and complete paperwork.

What is your favorite thing about Hilton Head Island?

I really enjoy how all the shops and restaurants are mainly local businesses. It’s a great way to support and give back to local businesses but also a good way to get to know the Hilton Head community.

What is the most incredible thing you’ve ever seen happen on a Hilton Head Island beach?

The most incredible thing that I have ever seen happen on the beach at Hilton Head are the dolphins. Not every day, but every few days, we might get a few dolphins that roll in. They always draw attention, and before you know it, you have a crowd of people down by the water with cameras trying to capture the moment. The best part is when they begin to jump out of the water and start putting on a show and everyone is so excited; the kids are jumping around, and then before you know it, they are at your stand telling you all about it.

DAN

JAROZ

Where are you originally from?

Moved to Hilton Head Island from Dallas, Texas.

I’m originally from Buffalo, N.Y.

Years/months on HHI? Nine years and seven months Describe a typical day as a team member with Shore Beach Services.

We begin our day at 6 a.m. in order to remove litter from the beach. Our route is from marker 38 to mar– ker 97. As needed, we respond to visitors’ questions.

What is the most incredible thing you’ve ever seen happen on a Hilton Head Island beach?

I’ve been lucky enough to witness a mama loggerhead turtle lay her eggs on the beach and then return to the ocean. I also got to see baby loggerheads make their way to the sea.

What is the most frequently asked question you get from beach visitors, and what is your answer?

A lot of visitors from the Midwest are not familiar with tides, therefore, based on what they experience in a previous visit, they wonder why the ocean is either so high or low.

What is the most frequently asked question you get from beach visitors, and what is your answer?

What is one thing you wish more people knew about your job/the island/our beach?

The most frequently asked question that I get from beach visitors is good places to eat and what to do besides just the beach. For activities off the beach, my favorite is going over to Shelter Cove.

It’s family-friendly, you get a lot of good restaurants, and there is always some type of event going on. In late June, they start up fireworks in the evenings, and it’s always a great way to wind down and relax after a long day on the beach.

Favorite restaurant/bar on the island and why?

What is one thing you wish more people knew about your job/the island/our beaches?

All the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that the summer months go as smoothly as possible. That’s not just all the work that we as lifeguards put in, but all the work that turtle patrol, the sheriff’s office, and other departments put in. Throughout the summer, we take care of all the trash and beach items (chairs, umbrellas, tents, etc.) that get left behind every day. We also have to set up and break down all the equipment. Lastly, all the offseason work we do like beach matting, bringing chairs, umbrellas, and boxes out to the beach, and building and fixing them each season.

Favorite restaurant/ bar on the island and why?

Bad Biscuit. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a hidden gem right near our office. They make all their biscuits fresh each day, and they are huge and fluffy, plus the service is fairly quick. My other favorite is The Purple Cow. The donuts are my favorite thing on the menu. The donuts are made to order so they bake them fresh with each order, and you can customize the donut however you wish. The best part is the first bite because the donut is still slightly warm but also topped with all your favorite toppings.

What do you like to do for fun on your days off?

I like to sleep in just a little bit if I can, but I’m an early person so it doesn’t always work out. We will also sometimes get bikes and ride them up and down the beach and just enjoy being off. Of course, we also like to do a little shopping here and there just to spend some time away from the beach.

As the litter patrol in the morning, we wonder why some visitors leave the beautiful beaches so littered.

Tio’s, Giuseppe’s, Harold’s and Poseidon.

What do you like to do for fun on your days off?

Go to the beach or play golf on one of the great golf courses on the island.

MYSHEL

Where are you originally from? Bluffton, Indiana Years/months on HHI? On/off 11 years.

Describe a typical day as a team member with Shore Beach Services.

RODENBECK

Usually getting to the beach around 7 a.m., setting up rental equipment for the daily or weekly reservations, and then continue my morning by passing out radios and change to my area guards. Most of the time, there are small hiccups throughout the morning, whether it’s a guard needing help with locks, answering questions from beach patrons, or making sure all of my guards are set up by 9 a.m. Some days, there may not be any emergencies, missing children, etc., which is a dream come true. Other days it’s like all hell breaks loose, and you don’t know if you’re going to be able to take a bathroom break let alone a lunch break (laughing). At the end of each day, we return to the office to check in/turn in our paperwork and make sure all of our reservations are prepared for the next day.

The main thing, at the end of each day, we are a team and we do depend on each other in a lot of what we do.

What is your favorite thing about Hilton Head Island?

The two different lifestyles of the island; the tourist side, (usually during the summer months) and the local side (the shoulder season) when a lot of festivals and community events take place; you really get to see how the island residents come together.

What is the most incredible thing you’ve ever seen happen on a Hilton Head Island beach?

It’s difficult to state just one incredible thing, because I have seen so many. Most of the things I have seen involve marine life, whether it’s seeing a beached dolphin or baby sea turtles sand “paddling” towards the ocean. A different “incredible” perspective would be some of the emergencies I have experienced. No need to go into detail; let’s just say they were unforgettable.

What is the most frequently asked question you get from beach visitors, and what is your answer?

“Are there sharks out there?” My answer will vary (small chuckle), most of the time I answer with a straight answer, “Yes, it is the ocean.” Other times I may wittingly tell the beach patron, “I’m going to have you think about the question you just asked me,” while giving them a small smile.

What is one thing you wish more people knew about your job/the island/our beaches?

It’s not a job where you bask in the sun all day just to get a tan. This is mentally and physically a draining job. Consider sitting for about eight hours in a highchair; it’s extremely hot and humid, you have hundreds of people out in the water or around your area …you MUST be alert at all times because you don’t know when something could occur. Also imagine being asked the same question(s) repeatedly, knowing all too well you can’t move from your spot. You have to mentally discipline yourself not to snap or get irritated with beach patrons even though you have answered the question a hundred times. The physical aspect is just as draining.

Again, imagine sitting in your chair and you notice someone needing rescued; you swim out, rescue the person, bring them back to shore, and return to your stand … no big deal, right? Consider the possibility of doing that several more

times a day or other emergencies. By the end of the day, you will be both mentally and physically exhausted.

The island has so much history. Gullah people … I won’t say anymore because this is a part of HHI that people need to discover for themselves.

What is one thing you wish more people knew about your job/ the island/ our beaches?

What do people need to know about our beaches? We (lifeguards) do not remove debris from the beach; we do not clean the spartina grass from the beach…we let the beach take care of itself. An addition would be the beach ordinances; it’s always nice to see a beach patron take the time to read the beach ordinance signs that are posted by majority of the accesses. The two ordinances that I have seen tourists and even some locals completely ignore are: no glass, and no animals on the beach from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., beginning the Friday of Memorial day through Labor Day. Taking the time to become familiar with the island’s laws and beach ordinances will make our job and the patron’s vacation a lot more enjoyable.

Favorite restaurant/bar on the island and why?

Restaurant: Fat Baby’s Pizza | Bar: The Other Sister’s Wine Bar

What do you like to do for fun on your days off?

Either eating breakfast at WATUSI or going to Hilton Head Social Bakery when the store opens. I thoroughly enjoy the smaller crowds, and I get to enjoy the morning knowing I don’t have to be anywhere.

What is one thing you wish more people knew about your job/the island/our beaches?

Where are you originally from? I was born in

Favorite restaurant/bar on the island and why?

If I wanted to go to a bar, I would either choose Black Marlin or Sea Salts because they seem to be less crowded than other bars and I know some of the people there. I really prefer a nice cozy restaurant, though, with good drinks and food. Frankie Bones is my go-to for steak or seafood, and Mangiamo is my number one for pizza and pasta.

What do you like to do for fun on your days off?

Years/months on HHI: I’ve been on HHI since the summer of 2018, so this is my fourth season here on island.

Describe a typical day as a team member with Shore Beach Services.

What is your favorite thing about Hilton Head Island?

I like the fact that Hilton Head is very familyoriented and friendly to everyone. You definitely feel very safe here in all aspects.

I also really like the urban design and how everything is built here.

What is the most incredible thing you’ve ever seen happen on a Hilton Head Island beach?

My second season working on HHI, I had the opportunity to see sea turtles hatching around beach marker 110 along with many waterspouts!

What is the most frequently asked question you get from beach visitors, and what is your answer?

The No.1 question is always about jellyfish and how to treat one’s sting. My advice to our beach patrons is, if they do not have any allergic reaction symptoms, to pack the spot with wet sand and flush it with ocean water for the best result. The second most common question I get is probably about beach ordinances. I always provide them with our most updated rules and regulations.

A third common question I get is where to eat on HHI. I always try to help them based on the type of food they are looking for.

MIRZAEI

My day starts around 6:10 a.m. when my alarm goes off. I have to use my flashlight to get out of bed because it’s still dark outside.

I leave home around 6:30 a.m. to go to the office where I check to see if I have any notes from the night before, and I restock my medical supplies and needed forms/ paperwork. After I finish, I put the rescue board on top of my truck rack and grab both of my radios. Then I hook the trailer to the truck and head to the beach!

My off days are usually spent running errands and resting, but doing things like shopping at the outlets or catching some waves on days when the surf is high can also be a fun way to enjoy a day off work!

ARSHAM

Tehran, Iran and raised in Karaj, Iran. My hometown is in the mountains, located in the state of Alborz, which is named after the Alborz mountain range that covers the northwest through northeast of Iran. It’s highest peak, Damavand, is 18,500 feet. Even though my town is located in the mountains, it is only a four-hour drive to the Caspian sea and a little bit less than a day to the Persian gulf where we can swim in the beautiful crystal waters of the Indian ocean.

Most of the beach patrons that I have faced within the past four seasons have had a decent amount of general knowledge about HHI beach patrol and the island in general. The only thing I wish people realized is that simply cleaning up your own small area on the beach after you’ve spent the day there can help us, the wildlife, and themselves. It helps the beach last longer and stay beautiful for future generations.

Where are you originally from?

I was born in Ohio, but we moved to Ridgeland, S.C. when I was one year old.

Years/months on HHI? Growing up nearby, I’ve worked and played on Hilton Head my whole life; however, I’ve now lived on the island for almost 7 years.

Describe a typical day as a team member with Shore Beach Services. Organized chaos!

COURTNEY

What is your favorite thing about Hilton Head Island?

I’m a coast girl, so while I may take it for granted every now and then, being close to a beach at all times is a must for me!

What is the most incredible thing you’ve ever seen happen on a Hilton Head Island beach? I have been fortunate enough to visit many different beaches throughout the U.S., and I have to say I am amazed every single day at how clean our beaches on HHI are in comparison to others. I don’t think anyone truly understands the extraordinary amount of time and effort that goes into keeping the beaches as pristine as they are, but it is definitely something I take pride in when I tell people where I live.

What is the one thing you wish more people knew about your job/the island/our beaches? The same thought that runs through all my staff’s minds when the phone rings: “Please let this caller know where they are on the beach.” We manage approximately 13 miles of beach, and I can’t even begin to tell you how many beachgoers have no idea where they are when they step on to one of our beaches. Not only would it be helpful for us to know when calling in for rentals, but in the event of an emergency, it is dangerous to not know your location on the beach. There are numbered beach markers at just about every single access for this exact reason!

Favorite restaurant/bar on the island and why?

The Black Marlin’s Hurricane Bar is hands-down my favorite! The staff is amazing, there is always a good mix of live entertainment, and there is a little bit of everything on their menu. Being close to home also makes for a short Uber trip if needed.

What do you like to do for fun on your days off?

Since I spend my work days inside, on my days off, you can almost always find me at the beach or pool with a book!

VACHA

What is the most frequently asked question you get from the beach visitors?

That’s a tough one! We certainly get a lot of strange questions when people call into the office. Aside from rental questions, I’d say the most FAQ is either, “Are the jellyfish/sharks out today?” or “What is the Sea Pines Beach Club having for lunch today?”

“I’d say the most FAQ is either, ‘A re the jellyfish/sharks out today?’ or ‘What is the Sea Pines Beach Club having for lunch today?’’

ALAN

REECE

Where are you originally from?

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Years/months on HHI? Forty-five years, 43 years with Shore Beach Services

Describe a typical day as a team member with Shore Beach Services.

A typical day in season (March through October) is heading to the office following, up on the previous day, checking my game plan for the day, heading out to the beach, evening check in with the staff, and home.

However, few days are typical when you work closely with Mother Nature. Offseason days (November through February) are more predictable. A typical day is spent in the office in preparation for the upcoming season.

What is your favorite thing about HHI? Still finding remote spots throughout the island that offer unobstructed views and allow you to imagine how life was in a time past, before bridges and automobiles, when islanders were dependent on water transportation.

What is the most incredible thing you’ve seen happen on a Hilton Head Island beach?

What most people think is incredible, I’ve most likely seen more than once on the beach. From the prehistoric sturgeon, alligators, dancing dolphins, downed aircraft, space debris, mysterious packages in the surf, navigational failures and trying to explain in an interview how my office has sand as a floor covering and an unrestricted view of the Atlantic ocean. However, sunrise tops the list.

What is the most frequently asked question you get from the beach visitors?

“What is your favorite restaurant?” Followed by, “Do you really live here all year long?” My response is usually dependent on the cuisine and atmosphere one is looking for. And yes, I live here all year long.

What is the one thing you wish more people knew about your job/the island/our beaches?

Working in small business and seeing the island grow in many different ways over the years can almost create a new answer as each beach season passes. Overall, Shore Beach Services has a mission to help protect the general public using the beaches and ocean waters on Hilton Head. Our staff is dedicated in helping preserve the beach environment for years to come. If, in general, the beachgoers realize the importance of the ecosystem along our waterfront and display a sense responsibility, our island will sustain for years to come for many more generations to enjoy.

Favorite restaurant/bar on the island and why?

Some of my most memorable restaurants are long gone. The SERG Group restaurants are regular stops these days, but nothing beats dining at home with family.

What do you like to do for fun on your days off?

Days off are a challenge in season; I enjoy competing in long-distance triathlon and bicycle road racing, so a good morning workout starts off most days.

KATELYN

Where are you originally from?

Years/months on HHI: This is my second summer.

Describe a typical day as a team member with Shore Beach Services.

HOLMSTROM

Rice Lake, Wisconsin

In my opinion, there’s no such thing as a typical day as a team member with Shore Beach Services.

Every day is different depending on what role you’re in, whether that’s high chair, rotator, or rental guard.

Most commonly, I spend my days as a rental guard.

I arrive on the beach as early as 7 a.m. to begin setting up nearly 100 umbrellas and 200 chairs. When the clock strikes 9 a.m., my beach patrol umbrella pops up, and I begin meeting people from all over the world, renting them umbrellas and chairs. When I’m not interacting with renters, I am scanning the water, attending to first aid, advising patrons, maintaining a pristine-looking beach by picking up trash, enjoying wildlife, and soaking in each moment.

What is your favorite thing about Hilton Head Island? My favorite thing about Hilton Head Island is how unique it is: the history, the growth, the beaches, the food, the shops, the tourism attractions.

What is the most incredible thing you’ve ever seen happen on a Hilton Head Island beach?

Out of all the incredible things I’ve witnessed on the beach like weddings, proposals, wildlife, and fly overs, the most incredible would be the time I watched two dolphins jump out of the water and put on a show as seen at an aquarium.

What is the most frequently asked question you get from beach visitors, and what is your answer?

The most frequently asked question I get on the beach has to do with ocean life. Most people are concerned about what’s in the water. Are there sharks in the water? Anybody been stung by a sting ray today? How bad are the jelly fish today? As always, I tell beach visitors that there are sharks, sting rays, jelly fish, and other sea creatures in the water because the ocean is their home and we’re just swimming in it. But, to limit the risk of being stung by a stingray, do the stingray shuffle! I also assure nervous patrons that we, as lifeguards, are prepared to handle wildlife-related situations and injuries.

What is one thing you wish more people knew about your job/the island/our beaches?

I wish more people knew to fill in their holes so we can protect our lovely loggerhead sea turtles and allow them to nest with ease.

Favorite restaurant/bar on the island and why?

My favorite restaurant/bar is San Miguel’s because of the food, atmosphere, and location. Located in the Shelter Cove Marina area, there’s live music, shops and boats to browse while waiting, and fireworks on Tuesday nights! The chips and salsa and spinach quesadillas with chicken are my absolute favorite!

What do you like to do for fun on your days off?

On my days off, I love having the opportunity to enjoy everything this island has to offer and take the chance to be a tourist for the day! Some of my favorite things to do are riding bikes around the island and on the beach, relaxing on the beach, trying new restaurants, visiting the surrounding areas, such as Savannah, Ga., Charleston S.C., as well as Daufuskie Island, and just taking the opportunity to soak it all in!

Where are you originally from?

Years/months on HHI: 10 summers

and handling whatever else comes at us. It’s a cliché, but the one constant in this job is that there will always be a new challenge.

Describe a typical day as a team member with Shore Beach Services.

What is your favorite thing about Hilton Head Island?

A typical day starts with us setting up the umbrellas and chairs, and after that it’s a bit of an improvisational dance between responding to emergencies, clearing garbage and debris, locating missing kids (and sometimes non-kids),

For such a popular vacation community, Hilton Head does a great job of preserving and highlighting the natural beauty of the island.

Delta, Colorado

DAVIDSON

What is the most incredible thing you’ve ever seen happen on a Hilton Head Island beach?

MURPHY

Last summer, several beachgoers mistook a surfacing sea turtle as a swimmer that had gone under and not resurfaced. Out of an abundance of caution, the decision was made to start a search and rescue effort, which is a highly stressful and physically intense thing to do. It’s something we train extensively for, but (obviously) rarely have to do here in Hilton Head. In the end, we were able to confirm unequivocally that what the beachgoers saw was indeed a turtle, but the response by the lifeguards and the support of so many helpful vacationers and locals was truly amazing—totally reinforced my belief that the people who choose to live and vacation here care about one another.

What is the most frequently asked question you get from beach visitors, and what is your answer?

“Is the tide going in or out?” My answer depends on whether the tide is coming in or going out.

What is one thing you wish more people knew about your job/the island/our beaches?

Keeping the beaches clean is a difficult job, and broken/mangled canopies aren’t easy for us to remove (they also tend to be surprisingly sharp-edged).

Favorite restaurant/bar on the island and why?

This is a hard one because HHI has so many amazing restaurants, but I have to go with Amigos. The food is always fantastic.

What do you like to do for fun on your days off?

Explore the Lowcountry with friends.

ARTICLE BY CHERYL ALEXANDER

Negotiating and Networking ST R AT E GI E S TO FIND YO U R VO ICE AND B E S E E N

C

areer success is increasingly defined not just by how many hours you spend at your computer, but also your ability to advocate for yourself and to connect to others.

Respectfully pushing back, incorporating outside perspectives, and navigating groups are essential skills in today’s ultra-connected society. It’s up to you to connect the dots between self-worth, ideas, businesses, and people. If your goal is to have a seat at the table where your ideas can be heard, it’s not enough to simply be successful and sociable. Instead, you must be deliberate in your efforts to advocate for yourself and grow your sphere of influence.

NEGOTIATING Thankfully, more and more women are speaking up at work—for equal opportunities, equal compensation

and a workplace free of harassment—as it should be.

However, while women are boldly asking for what their teams and colleagues need, many are still reluctant to negotiate for themselves. Some critical strategies can help: • Be prepared. If you are caught off guard by an unexpected conversation, whether it’s about a new role in the company or an unexpected demotion, buy yourself some time to regroup so you’ll be able to approach the discussion knowing what you want and how you’ll ask for it. It takes time to make sure the right issues are on the table. Highlight your uniqueness and be ready to clearly communicate the value you contribute. And avoid talking only about salary, as this single-issue discussion can damage the relationship. Visualize or practice by C2 MAGAZINE

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role playing the negotiation in advance to further entrench your skills and readiness for the conversation, increasing your chances of success.

• Cultivating positive emotions. A positive outlook helps foster effective negotiation because it heightens our willingness to seek mutually beneficial solutions and improves our ability to engage in creative thinking.

Research shows that people in good moods tend to collaborate rather than compete. Prior to a negotiation, engage in positive priming (thinking about something positive or engaging in a joyful activity) to increase positive emotions. The result will be greater creativity, openness, and willingness to collaborate—all essential elements of successful negotiation.

• Think beyond yourself. Always frame your offering in terms of what the other side needs. Like it or not, women can suffer in negotiations because focusing on their own needs causes others to view them as bossy and aggressive. To overcome this, frame a negotiation as though you are negotiating on behalf of a group or another person. Research says that women who adopt an “I-we” strategy, in which they show concern for the other person’s perspective, can minimize the social cost of negotiation.

A collaborative or communal mindset—enhanced by preparation and a positive mood—can help you find an I-we strategy that is good not just for you, but also for the company or for some larger cause that you and the other party both believe in. Consider the interests of the other party and suggest integrative solutions.

• Increase emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence involves an awareness of your own emotions and the emotions of others, which will boost your confidence in negotiating.

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This awareness results from deliberately pausing to take a deep breath or two. It lowers the intensity of emotions and reduces reactivity by providing a moment in which to consider how best to respond. This emotional control helps you negotiate more successfully and gives you greater self-assurance, especially in difficult situations. Emotional intelligence can be developed through mindfulness—paying attention to the present moment—and mindfulness can be cultivated through meditation. Focusing your attention on something like your breath, and bringing it back each time your mind wanders, even for a few minutes a day, builds your ability to stay focused.

NETWORKING Along with the skills required for effective negotiation, the ability to network strategically stands out as another important and valuable component for success in business.

Surprisingly, though, among women, networking is either badly or underutilized. How so? Well, many women network too much just for the sake of “getting themselves out there” and end up spending valuable time and resources with people or groups who are not essential to their shortand long-term goals. Every call you make and every event you attend should be with a goal in mind. If something doesn’t align with your success goals, then learn to say no.

Studies also show that when women do network, they tend to do so mostly with other women rather than men, which can be a real setback—even a revenue trap. Here’s why: If you’re relying on mostly female networking groups, you aren’t reaching all demographics. Since men typically hold more senior-level positions, this means women are less likely to get access to people who can open doors for them.

Keep in mind, we aren’t just talking about opening

doors; we’re talking wallets, too. By attending only women’s networking groups, you are potentially cutting off half your potential customers: men. Mixed networking groups provide you a low-cost, low-risk opportunity to discover what marketing messages work with a male market or whether you even need a separate marketing message.

How effective your product/service pitch is with both men and women informs you of the value of your offering. When you can nail it in both groups, you can’t go wrong, and you’ll enjoy the exponential results of opening avenues of untapped revenue, an improvement to your marketing messages, and you’ll have men as advocates for your company.

Once you’ve assessed your current networking habits, begin to refine your approach. Though it can be tedious and awkward, according to LinkedIn, 85 percent of jobs are filled through networking. Networking isn’t just about finding a new or different job. Face-to-face interactions within your current company are important to the trajectory of your career. In fact, a recent Women in the Workplace report revealed that women get less access to senior leaders than men do. Yet employees who interact regularly with senior leaders are more likely to ask for and receive promotions, stay at their companies, and aspire to be leaders.

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE NETWORKING: • Make networking smart. Define your career/business goals and only attend or spend time on the phone with those people or groups who can move you toward those goals. Then make your goal-defined networking a priority.

Strategic networking also requires you to get clear and intentional about your goals before each event, so, (1) have an agenda; (2) know why you’re attending, to whom you

may want to talk (and why), and what you’re going to talk about; and (3) formulate a plan.

• Share the wealth. Prioritizing networking and paying it forward to the connections you’ve made can make all the difference in the long-term. For example, never ignore a request from a previous employee, no matter how long it’s been since you worked together. This can open doors to new relationships and career opportunities for yourself and others. Consider mentoring. Mentoring can be both formal and informal (through networking) when you are passionate about sharing what you’ve learned.

• Turn negatives into opportunities. Intentional networking also requires you to see the opportunity in what you may deem a negative situation. Be prepared to get a little uncomfortable. Don’t go to events to hang out with folks from your own company. Instead, make it a point to mingle with as many new people as possible. Most of us hate the small talk and avoid it. Instead, use small talk as an icebreaker, then quickly focus on what you can learn from the person to whom you are speaking. By approaching each interaction as a learning opportunity, you may discover a business tool that could bring greater efficiency to your workplace or knowledge of a new technology that could benefit your industry. Then, after any event, try to follow up within 24 hours. Whether it’s a phone call, an email, or a social media connection, postevent outreach is a great way to keep the relationship open for years to come.

Done right, negotiating and networking allow women to identify role models, find or become mentors and sponsors, and expand their business opportunities. As they rise in their careers, they can also pay it forward by helping others coming up behind them. 

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Article by Cheryl Alexander

AN ETERNAL EVOLVING EQUATION Achieving work/life balance

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emale entrepreneurs and women in the workplace impact the world in far-reaching ways. Many, too, are caring for our families or loved ones. Women constantly juggle personal and professional commitments and responsibilities, which makes finding balance difficult.

Despite evidence that proves working long hours can be harmful to both employees and employers, many women professionals still struggle to overcome assumptions and acutely ingrained habits that they must work harder, produce more, put in more hours

than their male counterparts and maintain their obligations outside of work.

The Harvard Business Review recently conducted a study in which participants described their jobs as highly demanding, exhausting, and chaotic, and they seemed to take for granted that working long hours was necessary for their professional success.

The research showed that achieving better work/ life balance boils down to increased self-awareness and intentional role redefinition. And importantly, the study also suggests that this is not a one-time

AN ETERNAL EVOLVING EQUATION fix, but rather a cycle that must be continuously engaged in and updated as circumstances and priorities evolve.

What does it take to free yourself from these unhealthy patterns and reach a more sustainable, rewarding work/life balance? Here are some tips: 1. Pause. Then proceed. Stop and ask yourself, “What is currently causing stress, creating unbalance, or dissatisfaction?

How are these issues affecting my job and my personal life? What am I prioritizing/sacrificing/losing?” After you take a mental pause and acknowledge these factors, you can begin to tackle them. When you start to feel like you’re not doing enough, remind yourself that everyone faces challenges, and no one is perfect.

Keep a collection of motivational quotes and compile a list of your favorites that include plenty of humor. Then, the next time you begin to self-doubt, chase those gremlins with a good old deep breath, a hearty laugh, and phrases that will uplift you.

2. Pay attention…

• To your emotions. After you’ve paused and assessed, examine the feelings you have around the situation. Do you feel energized, fulfilled, satisfied? Or do you feel angry, resentful, sad?

As important as a rational understanding of the decisions and priorities driving your life is the capacity to recognize how you are emotionally affected, which is essential in determining the changes you want to make in your work and in your life.

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• To your calendar. Many successful professionals say it’s easier to create personal balance when you can see the whole picture. A desk calendar helps because then you can track everything, whether it’s a business meeting or a birthday. Get yourself one that fits your personality, color-code it, and use it to update your phone. Most importantly, block out one weekend every month for doing nothing except recharging.

• To the seasons. You already know your company’s and your home’s busiest seasons. For example, just before the holidays, things might get hectic at work and that coincides with school breaks. Notice seasonal changes that might undo your best laid plans for organization and be ready for when your personal and professional lives collide. Be prepared to delegate.

3. Share the load. Work/life balance demands delegation. Plus, it’s good for everyone. Delegation streamlines everyone’s schedule, makes a positive difference for customers, and helps everyone get back to their families or other obligations sooner.

As well, delegate at home. Remember that you routinely delegate assignments at the office and in the field. Apply that same professional talent to organizing your family. Build a strong home team by showing them how they can pitch in.

4. Reprioritize. Increasing cognitive and emotional awareness puts things into perspective and allows you to adjust priorities. What are you willing to sacrifice, and for how long? If you have been prioritizing work over family, for example,

Take real time outs. Relax once you’re home. why do you feel that it is important to prioritize in this way?

Is it necessary? What regrets do you already have, and what will you regret if you continue the current path?

5. Consider your alternatives. Before jumping into solutions, consider different ways you can better align with your priorities.

Are there components of your job that you would like to see changed? How much time would you like to spend with your family or on hobbies? Here are some ideas to start: • Network with purpose. Track your attendance of luncheons, conferences, and awards ceremonies, then add up the time you spend. Think about your long-term personal and professional goals. If an event does not serve your professional or personal long-term goals, then forego it. Learn to say no.

Doing this will allow you to attend events that are important without losing time in your personal life.

• Work out at the office. You know that physical activity reduces stress and improves health, yet it can be a challenge to make it to the gym or yoga studio. Why not work out in your office? Do some chair yoga or take 10 minutes to walk up and down the stairs in your building.

• Take real time outs. Relax once you’re home. As aforementioned, delegate household chores and keep things flexible. Maybe cook four nights a week, then serve leftovers or let the kids order pizza. Schedule a date night, an evening with friends, or take some time for self-care.

6. Implement changes. Once you’ve defined priorities and considered options for improvement, act. This can mean a “public” change—something that explicitly alters your colleagues’, customers’, or employer’s expectations, such as taking on a new role that’s less time-demanding or allowing for a shorter work week—or a “private” change, where you unceremoniously modify your work patterns without necessarily trying to change the expectations of others. Both types can be effective if they’re sustainable.

7. Quit trying so hard. Finally, realize that trying to harmonize your personal and professional life isn’t supposed to be a full-time job. Allow that one bad day doesn’t define you; give yourself permission to be perfectly imperfect; and internalize that finding work/life balance is easier when you stop worrying. It really is okay to relax and stop trying so hard.

Work-life balance is a cycle, not an achievement. Notably, the steps above are not a one-time activity, but rather an eternal and ever-evolving cycle of continuous re-evaluation and improvement. For many professionals, it can seem impossible to find that sweet spot between work and home.

Remember that you’re likely already doing your best, and that’s always enough. 

A FLOCKING GOOD TIME THE BIGGEST EVENT YOU PROBABLY HAVEN’T HEARD OF, PLEDGE THE PINK, RETURNS

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here are some events that dominate the calendar here on Hilton Head Island. Sure, the usual run of things has been disrupted over the last year or so, but as we return to normal, we know exactly what to look forward to in any given month. You know exactly when your favorite food festivals are, when you’re going to get to check out some classic cars at the Concours and when your opportunity to get some PGA autographs will be.

We know these events not just for the fun we have, but for the sheer numbers of visitors they

bring to the island. (And we know that because they’re not shy about letting us know).

But there’s one event that has quietly drawn thousands of people to the Lowcountry every year, welcoming visitors from every state of the union.

It’s called Pledge the Pink, and while you may not have heard about it, legions of faithful “flock stars” certainly have.

“We are the second biggest event in the Lowcountry,” Pledge the Pink founder Laura Morgan said, “second only to the Heritage in terms of heads in beds and ATAX.”

A FLOCKING GOOD TIME In essence, Pledge the Pink is three days of wildly entertaining frivolity in service of raising funds for breast cancer treatment.

Participants walk, run or push a stroller through a trio of 10-mile courses where the aim isn’t necessary to be the fastest, but to have the most fun along the way. You won’t find too many diehard competitors, but you will find plenty of pink frilly tutus and heartwarming laughter.

“We’re here to raise money and we’re here in memory of those we lost, but we’re also here to just share in the joy of life,” Morgan said. “There’s a real bond that forms every year. It’s like meeting up with 1,500 of your dearest friends.”

And those funds are saving lives. The vast majority of money raised through Pledge the Pink stays in the Lowcountry, going to organizations like Volunteers in Medicine, Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health Service, Beaufort Memorial Hospital, and Hollings Cancer Center, among others. Morgan is hopeful that this year’s Pledge the Pink will hit the $1 million mark, collected almost entirely through voluntary contributions.

No one who participates in Pledge the Pink is required to raise funds. They just do. “I am constantly in awe of how generous everyone is,” Morgan said. “Our new thing we started last year is if you raise more than $5,000, 80 percent of it can go to a charity of your choice. That’s been very successful, and it gives us the opportunity to put Pledge the Pink’s name all over the country.”

And with that notoriety will come even more guests from all over the world visiting the Lowcountry. On average, you’ll find people from 47 states in attendance each year. “We had all 50 states one year, and Puerto Rico,” Morgan said. And those thousands of visitors stay an average of 5.4 nights each, booking vacation rental homes, villas and hotels rooms and patronizing local businesses. “We have a lot of great partnerships with local restaurants and retailers.”

While previous years have seen Pledge the Pink courses run through Daufuskie Island, Fripp Island, Dataw Island and Old Town Bluffton, this year will see the entire event held exclusively on Hilton Head Island. Day one will guide flock stars through Port Royal Plantation, with Shelter Cove hosting day two and the final day running between Coligny Beach and the Omni.

That’s to say nothing of the events that wait at the end of each day’s course, like the after-party and the always raucous Drag Queen Bingo. “You’d think everybody would be worn out after 10 miles on the trail, but it turns into a real party each night,” Morgan said with a laugh.

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It may be a party, but for the women who receive vital treatment when they need it most through funds raised, and for the local businesses who enjoy a few thousand more guests because of Pledge the Pink, it’s serious business.

Or as serious as anything can get when you’re wearing a pink tutu.  Pledge the Pink happens October 14-17, 2021 on Hilton Head Island. Visit www.pledgethepink.com for more information or to register.

“You’d think everybody would be worn out after 10 miles on the trail, but it turns into a real party each night.”

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Heather Price, founder of the Bluffton / Hilton Head Island Ask & Answer group on Facebook is photographed by the CH2 crew in Ridgeland

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ARTICLE BY TIM WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

Heather Price: T H E COM M U N I T Y CON N E CT OR

THE FOUNDER OF A POPULAR FACEBOOK GROUP HAS MADE IT HER BUSINESS TO MAKE NEW NEIGHBORS DAILY.

H

eather Price isn’t running a typical business.

For most of her life, she has been in the business of helping people and connecting folks both with each other and with resources to make their lives better.

As the Lowcountry slowly emerged from the late2000s housing crash and recession, the Hilton Head Island High School graduate and USCB human services degree holder began to see that her neighbors didn’t talk as much as they used to. Her friends were so focused on stabilizing their lives, in-person connections took a back seat. The more she used Facebook, she saw an opening to create a new community online.

Thus, the Bluffton/Hilton Head Ask and Answer group was born in 2014. Today, it is the largest locally focused Facebook discussion group in the Lowcountry, a source for recommendations, for connecting with others and arguably the most important and influential news source in the area.

“I had this idea of a small-town coffee shop, where people go in, get the latest news, see an online bulletin board item, read about a lost dog, help wanted, ask about where I can get this or that,” Price said. “At first, it was a lot of folks asking about the best dry cleaner or the best spot for sushi. I asked all my friends to join, and for a while, we hovered around 2,500 members—and that was incredible.”

That all changed when Hurricane Matthew hit the area in 2016. The group became a lifeline for so many in the area—a way to connect, to find out how to evacuate and find a shred of normalcy in a world turned inside out.

The trained paramedic and current sentencing and mitigation specialist for the 14th Circuit Court has always had a knack for assessing needs and creating order and systems to fill the need. Matthew became a life-altering moment to utilize those skills, and Ask and Answer was her platform.

“I stayed behind, so I was connecting folks with official information from the county or the most current media stories, giving them real-time information on the best evacuation routes,” Price said. “When we knew the bulk of people had evacuated, it became about helping those left behind. We did live video streaming on Facebook, showing folks their houses, hitting up houses where relatives had stayed behind or where pets were stranded.”

As folks returned after Matthew, Price started Hurricane Buddies, a program to connect evacuees and displaced residents with inland homeowners wanting to provide shelter and help and also providing a full array of Christmas gifts and cheers to 50 kids heavily impacted by the hurricane.

“We found we could fill voids where those who needed help were smothered in bureaucratic red tape just by leaning on the kindness of others,” Price said. “It was a very special level of goodness and hope to try to distract and minimize the tragedy of it all.”

The platform grew from a couple of thousand to closer to 10,000 members in months, as word spread of the resource that Price had created. The sprawl brought the sad norm of social media negativity, sparking the need to bring on help to moderate the comments and posts.

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Price turned to her friend, Toni Ellison, as one of the initial moderators.

“Toni was a godsend and so needed to keep folks in line and, honestly, to keep me sane and keep me from lashing out at the hateful folks,” Price said.

Price much prefers the role of angel to enforcer, but she knows it’s necessary so members know that, even as membership has bulged to over 25,000, it is still a safe haven for civil community interaction. Ask and Answer is a private group with a screening process to ensure members are not trolls and truly have a connection to the area.

Potential members must agree to a set of strict rules like no bullying, no advertising, and no political harassment.

Price and Ellison have recruited a team of moderators that includes long-time group members Michael Weiss, Lyndsey Densmore, Christy Smith, Brant Huegel and Kelly Housaman—a crew essential to manage the group’s growth.

“Sometimes the trash needs to be taken out, but we’re focused on making this a positive oasis and a force for good for Bluffton and Hilton Head,” Price said. “I have had an incredible team that has been focused on keeping that coffee shop feeling, that community-building vibe.”

Discussions get heated at times when local issues are discussed, but Price is committed to maintaining a level of civil discourse often not seen in today’s online landscape.

“We can talk to each other like humans with respect, it’s still possible. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” Price said of the mission. That can get especially tricky when creating conversation between two communities known for not crossing the bridge much. “It’s fun to find the topics we all share interest in. We all have a love for this region in common. When debates get unruly and nasty, we cut

commenting off and some folks are kicked from the group.”

Price is not a trained journalist and mostly leans on official announcements and links to media stories when important news breaks. “With a hurricane, for example, we publish the statements from the county about what’s happening, what’s expected.

I have a relationship with Bob Bromage and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, so when things happen, we lean on fact to set the tone. We never approve posts speculating on what happened or that might be disrespectful to victims.”

Price tries to publish media reports first, but with local coverage resources waning dramatically, she has found herself often being the first to publish official news—such as the recent fatal shooting of Bluffton teenager D.J. Fields.

“We are extremely careful to only put out facts, but in situations like that, connecting folks and sharing information folks may know can provide the immediate solace and comfort the community needs,” Price said. “The media too often focuses on what might happen, sensationalizes stories.

We try to cut through that noise and focus on being a resource immediately.”

The group founder has two kids—a grown son and a six-year-old daughter—a thriving career, and a deep support system of family and friends. She sees Ask and Answer as providing the support for those struggling to build a Lowcountry life and that support system of their own.

P r i ce h a s b e co m e k n ow n a s a clearinghouse of help. If there is a family hurting trying to find a dog or a beloved electrician in need of a community boost, Price is quick to mobilize the giving.

“So many folks want to give things, and sometimes, things are needed. I helped during 9/11 in New York. The city was overrun with all the water donations, piles sitting outside of churches,” she said. “We try to keep it simple. An Amazon or Visa gift card, giving folks flexibility to get what they truly need, that’s often the best thing that potential donors can give in times of need.”

Many of her most ardent fans contacted us, telling of how they had talked to Price privately for help with a divorce attorney, where to send a kid for rehab or domestic violence issues. Through her public service career and her full adult lifetime spent in the Lowcountry, she has the means to connect needs to solutions.

“This is my honor; it’s my purpose,” she said. “Sometimes, it’s heavier things we help with. But sometimes, it’s still that trusted recommendation for dry cleaners or sushi.

Help is help, big or small. That’s the beauty of the community we’ve built.”  C2 MAGAZINE

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trippin STOP Dress: Inoah $102, Earrings: $16, Necklace: Pam Coffey Morris $102, Clutch: Hobo $138, Personal shoes .

Available at Eggs ’n’ Tricities

For this month’s fashion feature, we decided to hop in the car and head down the mostly untraveled roads of South Carolina in search of interesting backdrops. When was the last time you just got in the car and went on a drive for the pure joy of exploring small towns and places you’ve never been before?

Our travels took us through Ridgeland, Hampton, and Allendale. When we came upon an old building that had seen better days, or a creative mural, we just hopped out and took a few photos. There may have been some random dancing as well … and a trip to an adorable little coffee shop in Ridgeland called PJ’s.

Follow us on Instagram (@ch2hhimag) and Facebook (Celebrate Hilton Head) for some behind-the-scenes clips of our day. We encourage you to go get in the car and take a drive. You know, to see what you can see.

Photography by M.Kat Modeled by Caroline Molloy Styled by Kaila Jeffcoat Hair & Makeup by TrueBeauty by Joanna Marie

Dress: Lucy Paris $87, Shoes: Sperry $100, Earrings: $22.

Available at Maggie & Me

trippin

Dress: Celia B $363, Personal shoes.

Available at Copper Penny

trippin

Top: Blush $38, Skirt: Kancan $44, Hat: Ruggine $30, Shoes: SODA $40.

Available at Egan & Ella

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Top: Southern Tide $88, Shorts: Southern Tide $79.50, Shoes: Southern Tide $59.50.

Available at Southern Tide

S

Dress: Show Me Your Mumu $158, Personal shoes.

Available at Coastal Bliss

Dress: By The River $60, Earrings: Saylor Betty $14, Necklace: $24, Clutch: Kaylee NY $68, Personal shoes.

Available at Haskins & Co.

trippin

Dress: KLD $118, Cuff: Selina King $390, Earrings: Selina King $390, Shoes: Soludos $158 Available at Birdie James

trippin

Dress: HIHO $98, Necklace: Leslie Curtis $52, Bag: prene LOVE $105, Shoes: Charleston Shoe Company $90 Available at Fresh Produce

Top: Whisper by Brodie $165, Blazer: Dolce Cabo $125, Pants: Tribal $85, Shoes: Donald Pliner $195 Available at Palmettoes

in M E N W O

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FEATURING.....

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Kelly Greene • Georgia Holaus • Lucy Rosen Angela Mandigo • Cassandra Schultz • Heather Nix • Tisha Chafer • Silja Meier Burns •Amanda Russ Cifaldi Kaci Hollingsworth • Latia Nelson • LAVA 24 Fitness Trish Beck • Afton Ryan • Jennifer Bromley, MD & Judith Peros, MD • Lisa Sulka & Bonnie Bogart • Tracy Moss • Heidi Daly & Shay Moree-Dew • Ashley Gasiorowski Cynthia Groff • Lisa Cornelius Meredith Bannon • Kim Seaglund • Chef Lynn Michelle • Cindy Creamer Shanel van Jaarsveld • Tess Luechtefeld • Penny Vaigneur • Sheri Nixon & Shannon Sheehan • Butler & College, LLC Amy Kiasch, Wendy Harvey, & Amy Sullivan •

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Renee Woodall • Amie Baima • Martha Stichweh & Kathleen Moran • The Beautique • Linda Prosser Michelle Pearson • Jane Misra • Assured Partners • Ali Heavener • The Art Cafe • Ashley Douglas Optical Solutions • Kelsey Allison • Sarah O’Leary Takacs • Laura Wuller • Steph Cauller, Janice Ross & Katie Oliva • Heather Rath • Lauren Dills • Lyndi Leary • CH2/CB2 Magazine • Jennifer Green • Julie Parsley • Keller Williams Realty • Erika Waronsky Heather A. Baker • Michelle Meissen • Kelly Caron

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KELLY GREENE Anderson Insurance Associates Describe a typical day in your life.

During the week, I am out and about, meeting with clients and Realtors or talking on the phone to all the wonderful people buying property (and insurance) in the Lowcountry.

Weekends, I just want to be outside—fresh air and vitamin D are good for the soul!

path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Just be 100 percent authentic and have fun. Fail, learn, try again.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Coffee. Preferably two cups, and a quiet hour on the porch watching the birds wake up.

Guilty pleasure?

Chocolate? Yes! Pizza? Yes! Long naps on a rainy day?

Yes! Life? You bet … I like it all.

Gimmee!

Did you have a mentor— someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

I can’t say there is a single mentor, but many people have given me great guidance and advice over the years.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a rock star.

And I am a rock star in my car. You’ve probably seen me rockin’ down the road—next time HONK!

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career

Mountains or ocean?

Why pick just one? My dream house sits on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

Somewhere.

10 Bow Circle, #5892 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 725-4915 aiasc.com/main/agents-details/ Kelly-Greene

GEORGIA HOLAUS Eggs ’n’ tricities

Describe a typical day in your life.

Coffee, work, wine, relax, repeat.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Loving my job! I could never have imagined how exciting and fulfilling owning Eggs would be.

I love the shopping, the women I work with, our amazing customers, and did I mention the shopping?!

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Trust yourself; do not let

others make you question what you already know.

Mountains or ocean?

Ocean all day every day!

Guilty pleasure?

Ding Dongs. At this point in my life, I may be part Ding Dong; I am a little squishy in the middle!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Teacher. Both my parents were teachers.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Confidence, flexibility, and humor.

5 Lawton St. Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-3446

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

The possibility that I will make a difference in someone’s life—whether it’s a client, friend, or someone I meet that day.

Did you have a mentor?

I’ve had many mentors, some that happened organically and some that I “stalked” and asked to be my mentor when the time felt right.

Without the support, encouragement, knowledge, wisdom, and kicks in the ass when I needed them from the people who have been mentors over the years, I am 110 percent convinced I wouldn’t be where I am, both professionally and personally.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. Hire people smarter than you. Hire people who are different from you, whether that means a different skill set or a different way of working; coming at a project or a task in more ways than one is a really good thing. I could also say what I say almost every single day to clients or would-be clients or young women we are mentoring: You absolutely can’t do it all alone.

You can’t handle your sales, accounting, legal, marketing, social media—and have a life. Get help or acknowledge that something is going to “give.”

Usually it’s us; we get sick, burned out, feel guilty if we are a mom because we work too much, feel guilty if we have to do everything in general.

There are a lot of emotional and pragmatic issues for women in business—much different from being a man in business. Understanding that is key. Doing something about it is even better.

Mountains or ocean?

Luckily, I get both because of our clients in other parts of the country! But, if I have to choose which one I like best, it would be mountains.

Guilty pleasure?

I have absolutely no guilt over anything that brings me pleasure!

LUCY ROSEN

SmartMarketing Communications, LLC Describe a typical day in your life.

Up at 4 a.m. to read all the news I can online, read all the alerts on clients, check all email accounts, quickly scan our clients’ social accounts for anything that may have happened overnight— specifically looking for a Maggie/Jevon video drop I may have missed. Coffee, and then water all my container plants, which seem to be multiplying. I love

them all, and so do the deer…. Look at my ongoing/ever-changing list of things to do/take care of/check on— and then start emailing (because it’s only 5:30 a.m. and there are only two other people I know who are up at this time, so I can’t really call anyone).

If I need to write something—a letter, article, or proposal—now’s the time to do it, before 8 a.m. I try really hard to not book appointments before 8:30 a.m. or after 3 p.m. so that I can be available if there is an immediate client need or a team member need.

Because of the diversity of our client base, no day is typical. We have clients all over the world with different needs and expectations. So, as much as we all try as a team to have a “typical” or coordinated day of some sort, it rarely happens.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A professional photographer.

What three qualities does a leader need to have?

Ability to listen, ability to make tough decisions, and ability to keep teams of people motivated and engaged.

What is one thing you are looking forward to doing when you retire?

Why only one? I don’t EVER see myself “retiring,” but I do see us expanding more deliberately than we have in the past into the much-needed services here in the Lowcountry that startup businesses or people thinking of starting businesses need.

SmartMarketing Communications, LLC 20 Towne Center Drive, Suite 203 Bluffton, SC 29910 (888) 587-4593 or (516) 410 0423 smartmarketingcommunications.com

ANGELA MANDIGO Circle of Life LLC & Gardenias Floral Design

Describe a typical day in your life.

PRAYER AND COFFEE! Feed Jack (our black older cat) and then the other feral cats waiting outside. Kiss my husband and off to the studio! Meet with my A Team and clients. Onto designing for our upcoming events through proposals, floral ordering, and especially getting my hands into flowers and plants—the best part! Work until 7:00 or 8:00 or later. Dave, my husband of 30 years, has dinner made. Thank goodness or we both would starve! Grilled salmon, or are the sweet and sour pork chops the best?

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

New challenges of the day.

Without challenges, life would be boring! My team keeps me excited with their energy and eagerness to do great things for our clients and help build a strong foundation for the business.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Time management, a good action plan, and go with your gut feeling.

Stay the course as there are many things that can take away precious time and your plan. Talk over business ideas with people in similar businesses as they can give you pros and cons on what they are doing that will help you in the long run. Major decisions: take time and don’t jump!

Mountains or ocean?

Love both! The mountains have ever-changing life from plants and flowers in nature. The ocean is endless, dreamy and ongoing.

Guilty pleasure?

Dark chocolate with sea salt and almonds from Sam’s Club!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A veterinarian, but chemistry got in my way! Go figure that my daughter would graduate with a degree in biochemistry.

So, changed my major and graduated in business and hospitality from the University of Tennessee.

14 Vine Street Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 837-6602 gardeniashhi.com

CASSANDRA SCHULTZ Cassandra’s Kitchen

Describe a typical day in your life.

Much of my day revolves around my kids, getting them to school and after-school activities. In the morning, I squeeze in a workout and head to work. At work, I’m ordering new products, helping customers, and keeping up with the day-to-day tasks to run the website and store smoothly.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

New challenges excite me. Having just opened a store for the first time has been thrilling. Now, seeing customers face to face and seeing their reactions to our products continues to drive me to grow the business.

Do you have a mentor?

I’ve paid close attention to many women business owners along the way, learning from their successes and failures. I’ve paid particularly close attention to Ina Garten, who took a risk to follow her passion. She opened one little fine food store and has grown into the author of 12 best-selling cookbooks.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Delegate tasks to others. You can’t do it all!

Guilty Pleasure?

York Peppermint Patties.

Mountains or ocean?

I grew up at the ocean and loved it, but there is something peaceful about the mountains. I could easily be converted.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Police officer. I went as far as getting my degree in criminal justice.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Great leaders are present, resilient, and empathetic.

258 Red Cedar Street, Unit 17 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-3500 cassandraskitchen.com

what drives me. I’m also driven by money. Life is expensive. Just being honest.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

Definitely my husband, Kenny Nix. For years I handled all the administrative aspects of our business, but he was the one with all the skills and talent. I’ve never seen someone so passionate about their work. He’ll talk your ear off about grout lines, shower pans and waterproofing systems because he really enjoys educating anyone who will listen.

It’s inspiring.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Eighty percent of business partnerships fail. Don’t do it.

Instead, look into joint venture.

Mountains or ocean?

The mountains with my family— especially in the fall.

Guilty pleasure?

Probably going out to eat too much.

HEATHER NIX Realtor w/ The Melton Group & Co-owner of Nix Flooring & Design, LLC

Describe a typical day in your life.

There are definitely no typical days in my line of work. But I can tell you that my favorite kinds of days are started with a good cup of coffee with my husband at a local coffee shop.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

I’ve always been pretty selfmotivated. I find a lot of joy in little things throughout the day.

And I genuinely love working and productivity. Every day is a new opportunity for me to learn, grow and develop. That’s

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A professional ballerina in the New York City Ballet.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Wisdom, passion, and common sense The Melton Group, Charter One Realty 1024 Berkeley Hall Blvd Bluffton, SC 29909 (843) 384-4769 heathernixhhi.com

TISHA CHAFER Lowcountry Skin Revision Describe a typical day in your life.

Coffee first, then it’s nonstop. I am a one-woman show so I am answering emails, booking appointments, social media posting, cleaning, and performing all the best skin treatments, including my newest modality, Procell Therapy Microchanneling.

What drives/makes you excited to start the day?

Every person has different skin goals. My passion is formulating unique treatment plans utilizing combination therapies to achieve the maximum results, within my client’s budget. Battling acne also is a passion. Seeing the skin heal and transform is rewarding.

Yes, I love pimple popping!

Did you have a mentor?

My dad planted the seed to be my own boss. He had his own law practice so I was exposed to business ownership early. I liked the freedom it gave him; that has always been a draw for me. I am the only person who can fire me!

Tell us something you wish you had known when your started

on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

I started this business at 51 years old. I decided at 49, after a long career as a local Realtor, to go back to school and get my esthetician license. I was the oldest in the class, but I didn’t care. I just held onto the belief that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and do something that you are truly passionate about.

Mountains or ocean?

Mountains. We have two huskies; they appreciate the cooler temps.

Guilty pleasure?

Reality TV. Give me a good Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion show with a bowl of popcorn.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A television newscaster. I thought I was going to be the next Barbara Walters. Obviously, life took me in a different direction.

39 Pearce Road Bluffton, SC (843) 384-1645

SILJA MEIER BURNS Dancing Hammock Pilates & Movement Describe a typical day in your life.

After my morning wake-up routine (five minutes on the mini trampoline, a shower and a smoothie), I get to studio and teach from 8 a.m. until 2 or 3 p.m., and often return for evening classes/ sessions. When I’m not teaching, I spend time with my kids, either with a bike ride, errands, or preparing dinner. Squeeze in there some light household and studio chores (clean, cook, shop, etc.), a short workout (with Pilates equipment, and an inversion on the hammock), study time/reading/computer/studio work, and then chill time watching a show or listening to music. Oh, and I try to remember to eat too!

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Knowing I’m working with some of the best people in Bluffton as my clients, creating challenging workouts to stimulate their bodies and minds. I get excited when I feel that I am making a positive impact on their lives, because it is so much better to give than to receive! I am grateful that I can make a living doing what I love.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

I have had many mentors and inspiring people in my life, but I would have to say my mother, Signe Gardo, has been my greatest influence. She is a model of grace, longevity, and strength. She has kept her business running my entire life, so it’s such a part of me, too.

She’s like the Energizer bunny!

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Know your own value and never underestimate it or sell yourself short! Have a safety net of people who support you and your dreams, and just because you are good at doing what you sell, does not mean you are good at selling it! Read Anything You Want, by Derek Sivers; it’s a game changer!

Guilty pleasure?

Dark chocolate, red wine, and a hot bath while binge-watching a good series on Netflix. I am not sure how guilty I feel about it though!

162 Bluffton Road, Suite 102-103 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-5757 dancinghammock.com

AMANDA RUSS CIFALDI Pomodori Italian Eatery / Driftwood Catering

W

hen I think of women in business, I’m immediately transported back to the Valhalla conference room at The Holiday Inn in Niles, Michigan, where on any Monday night you could walk in and see a room full of enthusiastic, empowered women in red jackets dancing and clapping to Mariah Carey’s “Gonna Make it Happen.” They would walk down the aisle of folding chairs to be recognized for hitting milestones and earning gifts, jewelry, trips to Bermuda and cars for their

hard work. They would cheer and applaud and encourage each other. They would recognize the efforts and support through the struggles.

My mother was a senior sales director with Mary Kay Cosmetics for all of my formative years, and I was raised in that room of unbelievable women, every Monday night, my dad deejaying the Mariah Carey and Gloria Estefan while running the lights and sound of my mother’s career after putting in a full day of his own.

For me, women and business

have always been synonymous, conjoined, inseparable. I am so grateful to my mother for raising me in that room and for instilling the importance of solidarity and strength in other women. We are all standing on each other’s shoulders to reach the stars. Just keeping looking up, ladies. It’s ours for the taking. And thank you, Mom. 1 New Orleans Rd., #1G Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 686-3100 gopomodori.com

KACI HOLLINGSWORTH Weichert Realtors® - Coastal Properties

Describe a typical day in your life.

Imagine trying to herd cats, while also trying to extinguish a grease fire, while maintaining control of your facial expressions. That pretty much sums it up. The hardest part is maintaining control of my facial expressions. All jokes aside, this career is so fulfilling once the fires are out and the cats have been corralled, resulting in someone realizing their dreams of homeownership.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Coffee. I mean, helping people is pretty cool too, but definitely coffee.

Did you have a mentor— someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

Yes. Karen Ryan has been the most incredible mentor and role model I could have ever asked for on this journey. She has taught me everything

I know and has modeled what it is to be a successful entrepreneur.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

A bit of advice is to connect with a mentor as early in your journey as you can. The support and guidance you can glean from a mentor is invaluable. No matter what field you are in, go all-in and get as involved as you can in your community.

Mountains or ocean?

Ocean. I tried moving away from the beach during college; it didn’t stick.

Guilty pleasure?

Reading comment threads on NextDoor. They are mortifying, but oh-so entertaining.

1250 May River Rd. Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 422-3552 KaciHollingsworth.com

LATIA NELSON BB Boutique + Co.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

The fact that God blessed me to start my day motivates me to seize every opportunity the moment I open my eyes.

My goals and desires make me excited to start my day.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path – a bit of advice for other women in business.

I wish that I had known how complex things become as your business grows. I now realize that I can’t do everything by myself, and I need a team of support as my brand matures.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I really wanted to be a singer, but I was so shy.

What podcast do you listen to for inspiration?

I am an avid Clubhouse listener these days. I enjoy motivation from the “Hustler Club” room.

What is one thing you look forward to doing when you retire?

I have a heavy desire to be a philanthropist when I’m a retired billionaire. The wiser I become, the more I understand the importance of humanity through my own looking glass. I really want to give back to women and young girls.

Pooler, GA 31322 bbboutiqueandcompany.com

From left to right : Lluvia Arcos, Myranda McAfee, Olga Dolgova, Sammi Burns, Arleigh Thorp, and Julie Jilly.

LAVA 24 FITNESS MYRANDA MCAFEE

What is your favorite part about working at LAVA? My favorite part about working at LAVA is being surrounded by such inspiring people. I get to learn from the other staff and also the members, who are like role models to me.

Why did you choose this field?

My passion is wellness, and at LAVA, I have been given the opportunity to lead multiple different types of programs that incorporate topics related to fitness such as massage therapy, nutrition coaching, accountability in all aspects, stress management, and more!

and even switch up the environments that we train in. My co-workers work as a team, and we help each other out! And probably my most favorite part is the doggies that are there :) What is your favorite snack?

An apple with peanut butter.

JULIE JILLY

What is your favorite part about working at LAVA? I love the family culture at Lava. It’s a dynamic group, and we celebrate each other’s successes and enjoy our time together. That culture is one of our core values.

SAMMI BURNS

What is your favorite quote to share with clients?

To the world, you may be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. Be a positive impact on others

What is your favorite nutrition tip?

“If you can’t pronounce it, don’t put it in your body.”

What is your favorite part about working at LAVA? My favorite thing is the team spirit that all staff members have. I feel like I have another family away from home :)

What is your favorite part about working at LAVA? We are always laughing with a close group of friends who are like family.

ARLEIGH THORP

What is your favorite part about working at LAVA? My favorite part about being a LAVA staff member is that my day is never the same. I get to work with different people, do different workouts

OLGA DOLGOVA

Do you think nutrition is as important as exercise when it comes to losing weight?

I think nutrition is more important. No matter what your goals are, you won’t change anything without tailoring your nutrition as well..

LLUVIA ARCOS

What is your favorite part about working at LAVA? My favorite thing about being a LAVA staff member is that I get to meet so many different people that eventually become friends. Also, getting to hear about everyone’s unique fitness journey and what keeps them motivated!

Why do you choose a whole-food, plant-based diet?

A few years back, I realized I was not happy with the way I was treating my body. I started weight training and getting serious about my health, and I realized how everything I was putting into my body was affecting me. After meeting Nate and learning more about how a whole-food, plant-based diet can have a positive impact on not only my body, but the environment and our animal friends, I was very curious to give it a try.

After four years of no meat and finding a balance with my lifestyle and training, I decided to put my hard work to a test and compete in my first bodybuilding show on a strict whole-food, plantbased diet. Coming in second place in both of my classes not only motivates me to keep working hard but also goes to show that you can be a successful athlete on plants!

811 William Hilton Parkway Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 842-3225 lava24.com

TRISH BECK Trish Beck Events

Describe a typical day in your life.

That's part of why I love what I do. Every day is a little different.

Though I’m in my home office the most, my work can take me to some truly beautiful places. As a wedding planner and designer, my days are spent creating personality-driven event designs and managing a ton of incredibly detailed logistics.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

I absolutely love designing experiences for my clients.

Weddings are a chance to truly show a couple’s personality.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

I have had so many wonderful influences in my life—people who have helped me reach where I am. My support structure consisted of my husband and kids, previous bosses, family, and my local Lowcountry Wedding Pros community.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

I was always told that owning your own business can be draining, but I never fully understood the emotional roller coaster until I experienced it myself. A tiny bit of advice: try to keep yourself grounded. Strong roots and a great support system will get you through the hardest times (even a pandemic)!

Guilty pleasure?

A great story, be it via Netflix or a great book. I love getting wrapped up in a good story.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A judge—very oddly specific. It was a judge or a superhero, but I figured the first one was more financially stable. I was on the path all the way through high school and my freshman year in college when I first found hospitality and events. I course corrected and couldn’t be happier as a wedding planner and business owner.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Passion; willingness to both learn and teach; and decision-making skills. trishbeckevents.com

AFTON RYAN EGAN + ELLA Boutique

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Food, money, and love— not necessarily in that order. In all seriousness, though, just being able to wake up and achieve my goals is something I never take for granted.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A chef. Luckily, cooking is still a passion I am able to explore outside of work.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Community over competition is everything.

Find a support system of like-minded individuals who have your back.

Creating positive relationships amongst your peers is the best resource you can have.

If you could learn any skill, what would it be?

Piano. People who can play are so effortlessly cool, and I’ve been chasing that kind of lifestyle my whole life.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Charisma, drive, and anxiety.

135 Towne Dr. Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 707-9820 eganandella.com

JENNIFER BROMLEY, MD & JUDITH PEROS, MD Georgia Eye Institute JENNIFER BROMLEY, MD

Describe a typical day in your life.

With three kids and a husband who teaches and coaches, my daily life is hectic. Typically wake up and exercise around 5:30 a.m. after walking the dog. I get the kids up, fed and off to school then go to work. After work, it’s pickup from various sports and after-school activities, dinner, reading, or unwinding watching TV, and bed.

okay that you can’t (and won’t) make everyone happy all the time.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A math teacher or doctor.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Discipline, empathy, and preparation.

JUDITH PEROS, MD

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

I love my job and the people I work with.

Describe a typical day in your life.

I start with a strong cup of coffee, then spend about 20 minutes training my show dogs, then off to the office.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

My mother. She taught me so much about being a working mother.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Knowing that I will probably make at least one patient’s life better.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

It’s okay to say no; know your limits. It’s

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

My dad. He was a CPA who specialized in physician groups.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

You need to stand your ground, make your decisions based on past experiences and the best evidence you can gather, and go forward from there.

Mountains or ocean?

Ocean. My happy place is on my boat.

Guilty pleasure?

Aged truffle-infused pecorino cheese.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A modern-day Ansel Adams.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Confidence, compassion, and the ability to listen to others.

109 Persimmon St. Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-4400 gaeyeinstitute.com

WONDERING WHO THIS GUY IS? CALL US! Give us three qualities a leader must have.

LS: Ability to listen to all sides; always available; service to all.

BB: Integrity, a heart for service, and a strong belief system.

LISA SULKA & BONNIE BOGART Sulka Bogart Team

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

LS: Knowing a client may call ready to move to the best place on earth: Bluffton!

BB: Meeting people from all walks of life.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

LS: Understand that confidence in yourself is important and know how to handle yourself when you may be the youngest or only female in the room.

BB: Real estate is a 24-hour a day business. Your time is valuable, and you have to learn how to manage it. Life is short; take time to smell the roses and keep your priorities right.

Did you have a mentor— someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

LS: There are several, but the main one is my mom. She recently passed away, but she was a broker until the day she passed; she ran for mayor, and she owned her own business and taught her daughters how to be independent.

BB: I worked as a sales assistant for two of the top Realtors when Belfair opened in 1995. I learned the business from the best: Johnny Ussery and Reggie Bray.

Carson Realty 2 Hampton Hall Blvd.

Bluffton, SC 29910 Bonnie: (843) 338-7710 Lisa: (843) 384-8462 sulkabogart.com

TRACY MOSS The Haven Boutique

Describe a typical day in your life.

I get up, make coffee with a bunch of creamer, check Instagram, get in the shower, go to the store; the day goes by in a flash, then it starts over again.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

It’s always different: different customers, different clothes, different situations.

Did you have a mentor— someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

I did. She was my manager at The Gap when I moved here 20+ years ago. She taught me everything I needed to know about business, but I’m still learning every day.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of

advice for other women in business.

There’s a lot of work in owning your own boutique, but it’s definitely worth it!

Mountains or ocean?

Ocean.

Guilty pleasure?

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to own a Gap franchise, but then I found out it was owned by corporate, so I managed it instead.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Accountability, integrity, empathy.

6 State of Mind Street Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 707-9198 havensc.com

HEIDI DALY & SHAY MOREE-DEW Advanced Aesthetics Academy

W

ho better to inspire you to follow your passion than other successful entrepreneurs who are doing just that? At Advanced Aesthetics Academy, Heidi Daly and Shay Moree-Dew live and teach that mantra. Their team is dedicated to empowering people with education and the tools they need to further their careers and become successful individuals.

She recently shared the following updates: • We will be expanding and moving into a new location in January 2022 and are excited to be announcing it soon.

• We will begin our massage program in the early part of 2022, which is only an eight-month program.

• In addition to our current six-month aesthetics program, we also provide continuing education classes for esthetics and cosmetology.

We look forward to offering advanced aesthetics classes in the near future.

• Our spa menu (services performed by our students under direct supervision of an instructor) consists of signature facials, hydro-dermabrasion, micro-dermabrasion, nano needling, chemical peels, full body waxing, ultrasonic dermaplaning, lash lift and tint, lash and brow tint, massages, and body treatments.

Heidi Daly is the CEO and lead instructor, with Shay Moree-Dew serving as COO. With 100 percent pass rate for state board testing and licensure, they invite YOU to follow your passion.

(843) 784-3376 176 Dermis Ave. Hardeeville, SC 29927 theadvancedaestheticsacademy.com

ASHLEY GASIOROWSKI Independent Benefit Advisors, Inc

Describe a typical day in your life.

I love to start my day by taking an exercise class before work; this kickstarts my day on a positive note, and I am ready to take on whatever comes my way. Most of my day is spent in the office.

Thankfully I have a great staff, and that includes my dog Tique.

Selling new health insurance policies, resolving customer service issues, educating clients and new prospects on anything and everything related to health insurance is the bulk of my workday. I love being outside, so I usually end my day doing something outside with friends or my pup.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path – a bit of advice for other women in business.

I wish someone had told me to grow a compassionate thick skin.

The person sitting in front of me or on the phone is not always going to meet me at the same high and kind energy level I have. I know it’s okay to be me. People are going to have all types of personalities and even be mean and rude. I have learned not to take those things personally; it has absolutely nothing to do with me.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

I am blessed to wake up on this beautiful island every single morning and am excited to make the next day better than the last.

Guilty pleasure?

Scary movies and ice cream.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

My dad is my mentor. He has a great business mind and a strong work ethic. I have been fortunate enough to work side-by-side with him and really learn how to run a business from the ground up.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Humility, integrity, and perseverance.

Mountains or ocean?

Ocean.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Anesthesiologist.

61 Arrow Rd., Suite F Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 681-7400 schealthbenefits.com

CYNTHIA GROFF, CCMA Sativa Health Products

Describe a typical day in your life.

Getting orders out from the night before; packing up products and driving to one of our locations; unloading the car; setting up the tent as I’m outside. Once the tent and displays are up and ready, I’m looking forward to helping customers choose the right CBD or Delta 8 products for them. After the business of the day is done, I tear it all down and pack it all up to do it again the next day.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Helping people. I love giving people an alternative choice for dealing with sleep, pain, and anxiety issues.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

Yes, my husband. He’s given me suggestions and pointed me in the directions many times over the years.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Starting out, I wish I had had a better understanding of insurance, banking and taxes. Know what’s required to run your business properly. If

you don’t know these things, find someone who does. It will make your new venture run smoothly.

Mountains or ocean?

Both. I love the Lowcountry and our coastline. But I recently took a trip to Maine and the mountains were spectacular. I look forward to visiting the mountains of North Carolina soon.

Guilty pleasure?

Traveling/RVing and birding. I go every chance I get with my husband, our Lab and my kitty.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A veterinarian I love animals.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Willingness to jump in and get it done; accountability; good communication skills.

What is your favorite tech toy—for work or play—that you can’t live without?

Photoshop.

5 Lawton St. (in the courtyard of Eggs ’n’ Tricities) Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 683-3692 sativahealthproducts@gmail.com

Not really, yet my parents raised all of us with a “never quit” attitude. I’ve owned my own business since I was 21. I’m very self-motivated. I guess I like to boss myself around.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

I had such a burning desire to succeed that the amount of work that goes into owning your own business is just a part of it to me.

I’ve never really known anything different. I love the sense of achievement. I would say you really need to be goal-oriented.

Mountains or ocean?

Ocean, for sure!

Guilty pleasure?

I’m not sure I really have one.

Homemade pasta!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I have to laugh. I love animals and I was bound and determined I was going to be a veterinarian.

Then I realized there’s also sadness with that; it’s not just cuddling puppies!

LISA CORNELIUS Simply Southern Homebuilder, LLC

Describe a typical day in your life.

I’m an early riser, so I can get a jump on things. Yet I never know what the day will unfold. It can be extremely hectic, therefore, I have to be very organized, which I definitely am. I pretty much work non-stop until I crash every day, just to get up and start all over again!

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Definitely the goal of completing a home so I can deliver it to my client! The excitement they have is very rewarding.

Did you have a mentor— someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Dedication, perseverance, and a whole lot of patience—especially in this industry during these times.

8 State of Mind St., Suite B-2 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 368-4164 simplysouthernhomebuilder.com

MEREDITH BANNON The Bannon Law Group, LLC

Describe a typical day in your life.

I spend most of my day working with clients and our business partners to make certain our clients are taken care of. The actual practice of law is typically done once the phone stops ringing and my daughter is supposed to be asleep.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Each day is a new adventure, so I never get bored.

Did you have a mentor— someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

Everyone needs a hype man.

I married mine! Seriously, finding people that you can root for professionally that you know cheer your successes makes life much sweeter.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career

path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Chin up, buttercup! The good times will outweigh the bad, and the problems that keep you up at night are never the problems that will bring you down.

Mountains or ocean?

We live in the greatest part of the country—ocean for life!

Guilty pleasure?

Reality TV and true crime podcasts.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I’m living the dream, baby!

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Empathy, practicality, and a sense of humor.

10 Westbury Park Way, Suite A Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-4505 bannonlawgroup.com

From left to right : Madyson Mardon, Emily White, Brittany Bentz, Aimee Batka, Cassie Palmer, Kim Seaglund, Samantha Oliveira, Madison Conner, Amy Ramirez, Erica Horton

to really learn how to give myself that personal time.

It’s really important to have that time to regroup and recharge.

Mountains or ocean?

Ocean.

Guilty pleasure?

Cake! I don’t eat it a lot, but I do love it.

KIM SEAGLUND Describe a typical day in your life.

A typical day starts with coffee, social media posts, and going over goals for the day.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

My parents. They always believed in me and told me there was nothing I couldn’t do if I set my mind to it.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

My talented salon team and our clients. I love talking with all of our clients throughout the day.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

I think how to balance my work and personal life. I tend to never stop working, so I’ve had

Salon Karma

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A rock star! I sang in a band for many years.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Good communication skills, the ability to motivate and to create a positive work environment.

12 State of Mind Street Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-5762 salonkarmasc.com

to be the most influential mentor in my life. She works with me and is a constant presence in my business (wouldn’t have it any other way).

I’ve been more than blessed with an abundance of very smart women and men in my life who have offered support, encouragement, words of wisdom and their experience. Without my mentors, I would have been adrift without guidance and that would have made my road to success a lot bumpier than it has been!

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Some areas of your career may need to be on hold while you raise your family. Different ages and stages require different attention. While you may try to do it all, it may be impossible, and that’s not your fault.

CHEF LYNN MICHELLE Describe a typical day in your life.

Busy all day long … I’m always doing something, whether it’s shopping/prepping and cooking for one of our special clients or creating recipes for next season (always changing and adding recipes to our offerings.) I also spend a lot of time talking to clients who have events coming up to make sure everything is exactly the way they want it—coordinating staff schedules, ironing chef coats and more!

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Life in general excites me. New ideas excite me, so does meeting new people, which is an opportunity I am fortunate to have almost daily! There are always new adventures to have and new culinary delights to explore, and that’s what excites me most: the adventures of culinary exploration.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

I’ve had so many mentors in my lifetime; they always seem to find me exactly when I need one! My mom was and continues

Mountains or ocean?

That’s a tough one. I choose both!

Guilty pleasure?

Hopping in my car, turning on some great tunes (loud) and heading on a long road trip (not necessarily planned).

What did you want to be when you grew up?

An airline stewardess Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Passion for people (life in general), tenacity, and dependability.

21 Mathews Drive, Suite 8, Sutlers Square Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 422-5480 letseat@cheflynnmichelle.com cheflynnmichelle.com

CINDY CREAMER Dunes Real Estate

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

That email or two that lands in my inbox from a new buyer or seller eager to partner together on their next real estate adventure. Keeping a keen eye on the market is the key to success in real estate; it’s about knowing there’s a listing before there’s a listing.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

Yes, I have had several during my career. First, I’d like to give Mark Creamer a nod for talking me into getting into real estate. Without this suggestion and his continued belief in me, I’m not sure I would have taken the chance. Early in my career, I met Frank Nero, who became a friend, client and mentor.

Sadly, Frank is no longer with us, but I will always be grateful for the time and conversations we had discussing real estate and the economic markets. As for my leadership involvement and leadership roles, I would give a big thank-you to David Kent from Charleston. Not only is he a great

Realtor and friend, but also a great role model and leader for our industry. I believe in working hard in my business but also believe in giving back to my profession.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

The best advice I can give is to believe in yourself, or no one else will! Never stop learning because knowledge is key. Be committed, surround yourself with likeminded, positive people. Empower others, and if you want to make a difference, get involved!

Mountains or ocean?

Ocean for sure! Don’t get me wrong; I love visiting the mountains but being by the ocean is my happy place. After all, I have called Hilton Head Island home for more than 40 years!

6 Queens Folly Road Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 298-2356 cindycreamerrealestate.com

SHANEL VAN JAARSVELD

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Kids College

hanel van Jaarsveld is the proud owner of Kids College childcare center located in Bluffton S.C. She is a single mom to her two children and is the epitome of living the American dream.

A South African ex-pat, Shanel arrived in the States 21 years ago with $200 in her pocket. She has a lineage of educators on both her mother’s and father’s side, and when her daughter Gabby was born, now 17, she identified a need in the Bluffton area for quality childcare in a good location.

Inspired and supported by her mom (a lifelong educator and business woman as well), who loaned her the startup money, she opened Kids College in 2008 with seven children enrolled and three staff members in a 9,000-sq.ft. building, having signed a five-year lease. It was a huge leap of faith … a “build it and they will come” moment that paid off in huge way all these years later. She now has over 100 children enrolled. She has

had to face many obstacles but through hard work, strong faith and determination, she has remained focused on the mindset that: “If you can dream it, you can live it!”

Shanel enjoys living here in the Lowcountry and the difference she gets to make in the lives of so many children and families. Kids College celebrates 13 years this month and has been fortunate to not only survive but thrive during the pandemic.

A regular motivational speaker, Shanel reminds people that we have the ability to create the life of our dreams if we are willing to work hard, make the sacrifices and believe in ourselves—and most important, have a determination to never give up. Her faith sustains her through whatever life throws at her, and she is excited for what the future holds.

17 Goethe Rd. Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-9150

studio, being greeted with hugs and hearing, “Mama Tess” (that’s what they call me) fills my heart. I am so grateful to have something this special to work toward each day.

Did you have a mentor— someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

Mentorship has been a big part of my life since college.

I continue to seek out those connections. One that comes to mind is a studio owner in Oklahoma. She has helped me navigate many unique challenges that come along with owning a business like this. She and I have a similar perspective on work ethic, goal setting, detailed training, and faith. I hope to be that same kind of mentor to others around me—especially my students.

TESS LUECHTEFELD Carolina Collective Dance

Describe a typical day in your life.

Starting my day with a workout sets me up for a productive and positive day. From there I get to work on business tasks from my office. At the studio, I either teach, continue working pending items, or pop in class to encourage our dancers. I close up around 9 p.m., when the last students are picked up, and head home.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

There is a quote I have written on the back door of the studio that says, “Be captivated by your purpose.” I live by that motto. I am here to make an impact in the lives of young dancers. I work every day to make this studio the best possible place for them to grow, be challenged, and feel loved. That is my purpose. If I can touch one little heart, I have accomplished that mission. Walking into that

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Be picky about your tribe.

Surround yourself with good people who inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

It has taken me a while, but I have found my people. They inspire me, lift me up, and regularly challenge me to be the best person I can be.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Integrity, determination, and perseverance.

What podcast do you listen to for inspiration or to learn from?

We Can Do Hard Things, by Glennon Doyle; The Happiness Lab and Super Soul, by Oprah.

70 Pennington Drive, Suite 14 (843) 290-3955 carolinacollectivedance.com

PENNY VAIGNEUR

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Copper Penny

ative Charlestonian Penny Vaigneur, former model, breast cancer survivor, mother of three boys and philanthropist, opened her first store in Charleston in 1987. Penny was a stay-at-home mom who loved fashion. Her husband Fred was a commercial fisherman who shrimped and fished out of the local waters of Shem Creek as well as the coast of North Carolina and Florida until the industry was hit hard by new

Copper Penny Hilton Head at Shelter Cove Towne Centre began as a franchise location in 2015. In August of 2019, the Copper Penny Hilton Head location was taken back into the corporate structure and is now part of the seven family-ownedand-operated locations. It is locally run by Vanessa Hoffman, who started with Copper Penny Savannah in 2008 and maintained a relationship over the years with the Copper Penny family and clientele. Stop in and let them help you, and shop designer lines like Trina Turk, Citizens of Humanity, Farm Rio, Lilla P, Cosabella, Sheila Fajl and Whitley V (a family-owned-andoperated jewelry design business regulations. As the fishing industry changed founded by Vaigneur's son Bryan directions, so did Penny and Fred. Together they and his wife Liz, named after rented a location in Mt. Pleasant and started a Penny's granddaughter). small ladies clothing business. The husband and wife duo worked long hours between caring for 38 Shelter Cove Lane, Suite 123 their three boys and building a new business Shelter Cove Towne Centre to help support the family. This was the start of Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 what now is known as Copper Penny. www.shopcopperpenny.com Penny Vaigneur’s desire was to offer stylish on-trend fashions along with personalized service. She did this by creating a unique ladies’ boutique, offering a stylish yet eclectic mix of clothing, accessories and shoes. Personalized customer service has always been her priority and business model for Copper Penny.

SHERI NIXON & SHANNON SHEEHAN The Sheri Nixon Team/ Keller Williams Realty

Best decision you have made for your business?

Hiring Shannon Sheehan, 11 years ago, to be my buyer’s agent was the greatest decision for my business and for my quality of life. She has been a true blessing, with her strong work ethic and dedication to serving our clients. She is a great listener and is detail-oriented. Most important, her joyful personality makes all who meet her know that they matter, and they are heard. This is what all buyers need.

Describe a typical business day.

Shannon and I share the same core values yet have complementary strengths. Shannon starts her day at 4 a.m., by enthusiastically answering our clients’ questions via email and then she methodically goes through the new and delayed listings in search of the perfect home for our buyers.

I, on the other hand, will work into the early morning hours looking at comparable sales for our buyers and for pricing our listings. Shannon enjoys every moment of driving our clients around and introducing them to all the different neighborhoods in Bluffton and on the island. This frees me up to write and negotiate

contracts. It also allows me time to track all of the details from "contract to close" to ensure a smooth final transaction.

Has your business been growing?

Yes, it has been doubling over the last few years: $15 million sold in 2019; $30 million in 2020; and then in the first half of 2021, our closed business is already over $25 million.

What is a favorite aspect of your job?

I always get the biggest thrill out of a past client calling to use us again or asking us to help a friend buy or sell. It makes me know that Shannon and I must be doing things right!

Who has been your business mentor?

Gary Keller created Keller Williams, the largest real estate company in the world, on the philosophy of giving back. So many KW agents across this country have shared their knowledge and best business practices with me. I am constantly awed by the KW culture.

(843) 301-2688 SheriNixonTeam.com

ASHLEY ADAMS BROWN, MACKENZIE O’LEARY, JAMIE JESCHKE, JEN BLACKMON, KATHY O’LEARY Butler & College, LLC

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utler & College, LLC is a firm that focuses our practice on helping businesses, individuals, and families with their real estate and estate planning needs in a manner that is honest, affordable, and customer-oriented. We are committed to establishing long-term relationships with all of our clients. Our firm has deep community ties, with six convenient locations along the coast of the Carolinas, stretching from Calabash, N.C to Bluffton, S.C. Meet our local team: Our Bluffton location is proudly an allfemale enterprise. Ashley Adams Brown is the managing attorney for the Bluffton office, where she focuses her practice on residential real estate and estate planning matters. Ashley is married to Zachary Brown, a designer for KRA Architects and Design. They have a daughter, Hayden Grace, and two dogs, Bisbee and Reese.

Mackenzie O’Leary is a new mother to son, Lennox. Mackenzie is the administrative assistant who greets our clients and coordinates general office functions. After years in the food & beverage industry, her nature is to be of service to our clients and start their transaction with the care they deserve.

Jamie Jeschke is a U.S. Navy veteran and newlywed. She is the title paralegal. Her attention to detail makes our office run efficiently. She is also a wealth of knowledge for our clients with questions about the closing process.

Jen Blackmon is our closing paralegal.

Jen is a happily married mother of three, who is equally dedicated to providing an excellent client experience and producing accurate closing documents.

Kathy O’Leary is our post-closing paralegal who helps distribute post-closing information to our clients including deeds and title insurance policies. Kathy is a mother of three and married to Pat O’Leary of Movement Mortgage. If you have met Kathy, you know that engaging her warm personality is the perfect ending for our clients’ experience.

How did we get here?

Ryan Butler & Andrew College, LLC took a leap of faith and allowed Ashley to open the Bluffton office to service the greater Bluffton, Hilton Head and Savannah areas.

When it comes to real estate, it is important to understand the role of an attorney in buying, selling, or refinancing a home. Ashley and her team are with you from contract to closing.

Though many clients never see them except for the day they sign their closings documents, it is important to understand how much your real estate closing attorney and support team are working for you behind the scenes. From researching the history of your title to making sure the right documents have been executed correctly, Ashley and her team have their clients’ best interests at heart to make sure things go smoothly on closing day.

Ashley is also passionate about estate

planning based on her personal life experiences.

She and her team provide estate planning products because they know that no matter where you are on your life’s journey, you have undoubtedly worked hard to build your personal and financial legacies. They are also aware that you would want to protect those legacies and that you worry about what would happen to your family if you were to become disabled or pass away. When you create an estate plan with Ashley, you can worry less. Butler & College offers free estate planning consultations so that the customer will know their options and the cost before they commit.

Ashley’s advice for other women in business How you treat people will propel or hinder your career. Work product can speak for itself, but kindness makes all the difference in a transaction and creates clients for life. This includes being kind to yourself. As women in business, we tend to be hyper-focused on perfection at work and in our personal lives.

Remember that personal relationships are our why, and work is our how. Setting realistic expectations for clients during the workday allows you to honor your own time and invest in yourself.

10 State Rd. S-7-50 #401 Bluffton, SC 29909 (843) 284-8676

and that we are the doers. Women get the job done and always find a way without overthinking situations.

We are stronger mentally, physically, and emotionally than the world has portrayed us to be in the past, and we are capable of great accomplishments. Know your worth, and do not settle for second best.

Mountains or ocean?

Amy K: Mountains Wendy: Mountains Amy S. Ocean Guilty pleasure?

Sweets.

WENDY HARVEY, AMY SULLIVAN, & AMY KINASCH Windermere Insurance Group, LLC

Describe a typical day in your life.

We all commit eight-plus hours to our job, get a workout in, and take care of and spend time with our families/dogs.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Pride in growing our office and clientele base and providing a good life for our families, while providing excellent customer service to our clients.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

Amy K. has amazing and successful role models in both her parents. Wendy’s grandfather owned an insurance agency where she worked while in high school and college and learned the value of customer service and integrity. Amy S.’s parents owned insurance agencies, which showed her the value of customer service and a strong work ethic.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Women rule the world. We need to know our worth

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Amy K.: Veterinarian or Sea World whale rider.

Wendy: Police officer, K9 handler, or married to Bon Jovi.

Amy S.: Pharmacist of teacher.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Communication, integrity, ability to delegate.

2 Palmetto Bay Rd., Suite 200 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 341-0080 windinsgroup.com

RENEE WOODALL Silhouette Hair Studio

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Interacting and building relationships with so many different people in my chair is something that makes my job so fun. Making people feel and look their best is the ultimate reward.

There’s no better feeling than making a difference in someone else’s day just by simply doing my job.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

My aunt has been a huge mentor to me. She has been in the hair industry for over 30 years and taught me so much about hair and running a salon. My dad is also an entrepreneur and taught me the ins and outs of business—no matter what type: Show up, work hard and never give up.

What is the one thing you are looking forward to doing when you retire?

Traveling! My husband and I try to do as much as we can now but

look forward to the day when we can pack up and leave with no responsibilities.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

I wish I had known earlier that change brings opportunity and is not something to be afraid of. Some of my greatest accomplishments have come from being forced out of my comfort zone. Also, learn from your bad days, appreciate the good days, and always keep your eyes open for opportunity.

Mountains or ocean?

Ocean! I grew up in Upstate New York where it is gloomy, cold and snowy. Living in the Lowcountry has opened up a whole new way of life, and it’s something I enjoy every day.

53 Persimmon St. #102 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-2130 silhouette843.com

Photography by Anne

KELLY CARON Kelly Caron Designs, ASID

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Take some business classes in college. Interview multiple CPAs. Learn more about taxes!

Describe a typical day in your life.

Very early alarm, 5:30 a.m.! Get to work after 7-7:30 a.m. Emails, meetings, check in with design team. Follow ups and design work until about 5:30 p.m. Home, walk, love to cook dinner and family time. NO TV IN OUR HOUSE!

Mountains or ocean?

I grew up in Boone North Carolina. I am a mountaineer who loves the Lowcountry sunshine.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

My happy employees and team of designers. We all need each other to make the dream work! I love to see accomplishments—personal and business.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Fashion designer or architect.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

Yes, very bad bosses! I had a clear vision of who I wanted to be as a boss, leader and designer. I hope to be a current mentor to our designers and design staff.

Guilty pleasure?

Fashion and fabulous lighting.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Empowerment, accountability, and emotional intelligence.

5778 Guilford Place Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-4737 kellycarondesigns.com

AMIE BAIMA

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Skillets Café & Grill

f there’s anyone who has experience as a woman in business, it’s Amie Baima.

She has been at the helm of one of the oldest, most popular breakfast spots on the island for almost 30 years.

Skillets Café & Grill started in a small space in Coligny Plaza in 1993 and has flourished ever since. Even a fire that started in an adjacent restaurant and reduced the entire shared building to ash couldn’t keep her down. The restaurant was rebuilt bigger and better than ever two and a half years later.

Baima decided to add dinner at that time, expanding Skillets’ offerings beyond their popular breakfast and lunch.

As anyone knows, when you are the chief cook and bottle washer of a business, you have to know how to do everything.

In the restaurant business, that means one day you could be playing hostess, and the next you are behind the line

cooking because one of your team members called out sick.

When there is a plumbing issue, sometimes you have to “think like a girl,” roll up your sleeves, and get sewer water all over you.

(Note: this happened last week.)

When asked what advice she would give other women wanting to own and run their own business, “Marry rich,” Baima joked. “But in all seriousness, make sure you have a good support system, whether that be family, friends, or employees you can rely on to wear different hats and help run your business smoothly when needed. Be prepared to work long hours, but know that you can’t keep up an insane pace forever. All women need a time out.”

Coligny Shopping Center 1 N. Forest Beach Dr., J Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 785-3131 skilletscafe.com

MARTHA STICHWEH & KATHLEEN MORAN Pilates Hilton Head

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

MS: Knowing I am going to spend the day doing something I absolutely love—teaching Pilates!

KM: I love everything about teaching Pilates. I love working with people, the workout, the apparatus, and the beautiful studio where I work.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

MS: It is never too late to begin a new adventure!

KM: There is no one right way.

Focus on your goals and be open to the various paths that may come about.

months later due to a merger, ended up as an assistant to the regional director of human resources and training and found I loved it.

KM: A school teacher. I ended up getting a business degree and had a career in business first, but I am teaching now!

What podcast do you listen to for inspiration or to learn from?

MS: There are so many out there. I do not have just one. I love them all.

KM: TED Talks Daily, The Core Conversations, and Pilates Elephants.

Guilty pleasure?

MS: Chocolate ice cream sundae.

KM: Ice cream!

What is one thing you are looking forward to doing when you retire?

MS: I have already retired twice, but I always end up going back to work.

Working is a pleasure for me.

KM: Traveling, hopefully with friends and family.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

MS: I had no idea! I had taken a position as an assistant to a regional director of sales and, six

1000 William Hilton Parkway, Unit E-2 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 715-4545 pilateshiltonhead.com

THE BEAUTIQUE Amanda Ellis, Sarah Rhoads-Howlett, & Jessica Lowther

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his trio of cosmetically minded, scientifically driven moms (yes, we said moms) has one goal in mind, and that is your self-care.

More than a decade in the making, The Beautique (home of Permanent Cosmetics HHI, May River Made Up, and Derm and Design Studio) goes beyond the skin to leave you looking your best in a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Here, you can enjoy everything from microblading, and HydraFacials to Botox® and fillers. The ladies at this micro-medical spa focus on safe, up-

to-date and results-driven treatments.

The unparalleled customer service and personalized visits are the cherry on top.

Sarah, Jessica and Amanda are lovers of all things beauty, and they believe that your skin is your first line of health defense and deserves to be taken care of. Whether it is a peel, customized medical grade skincare regimen, permanent cosmetics, or antiaging injectables, The Beautique offers treatments to pamper you and your skin.

Sarah Rhodes-Howlett, a former cosmetology instructor from Ohio, combines her 10+ years of permanent makeup experience and over 5,000 procedures in the Lowcountry alone. She has both technical skills and the artist’s eye to make every procedure a truly one-of-a-kind experience for her client. She offers permanent brows, eyeliner, or lip color. Her services also encompass scar camouflage, corrective services, and post-breast reconstruction tattooing.

Jessica Lowther is a boardcertified nurse practitioner and the Lowcountry’s best-kept beauty secret. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of South Carolina. Her medical career has encompassed intensive care, family medicine, and experience in the specialty areas of dermatology and plastic surgery. Aesthetic medicine has allowed her to combine her medical knowledge with her artistic and creative side.

She believes in subtly enhancing your natural beauty and has an eye for detail. An injection or laser appointment with her leaves you refreshed, not stressed.

Amanda Ellis, a licensed esthetician for 12 years, rounds out the trio of incredible women.

Makeup- and skincare-obsessed, she offers a whole array of facial services, on-location makeup with May River Made Up, and so much more. Believing skincare is part of a person’s lifestyle, listening to her clients and their needs is her passion.

The Beautique is a medically supervised micro-spa in the Sheridan Park area. We look forward to welcoming you in soon!

The Beautique Micro Med Spa 55-A Sheridan Park Circle thebeautiquebluffton.com (843) 608- 5475 Permanent Cosmetics HHI permanentcosmeticshhi.com (843) 422-4141 May River Made Up mayrivermadeup.com (843) 227-5501 Derm and Design Studio dermanddesignstudio.com (843) 227-5501

LINDA PROSSER Alfred’s Restaurant

Describe a typical day in your life.

Wake up, coffee, walk dogs in the woods; work on financials, postings, reconciling, bill paying, payroll, etc.; social media, answer reviews, website updating. Then, on to the restaurant: call and confirm reservations, answer phone messages, order/receive wine/liquor, dinner prep & service, clean up, then come home, drink a glass of wine, kiss my hubby and crash.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

We are living our dream—been married 31 years and talking about owning our own restaurant just as long. Finally doing it!

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

F&B mentors: Roger and Jennifer Lienhard, Grand Hyatt Melbourne.

Entrepreneurship: Josh and Julie Lynch of Crush Entertainment and Jamie and Liz Bodie of JLK Events.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Take the plunge to work for yourself. In all my years of “working for the man” as they say, I’ve never been as fulfilled or financially stable. Just knowing that my situation is a direct reflection of my own decisions has given me indescribable peace of mind. Oh, and check out the book Profit First. It works!

Mountains or ocean?

Love them both! And the woods and the wide-open plains— anything outdoors and natural.

Guilty pleasure?

I’d like to say reading a book, but more often it’s binge-watching TV. I like to do both every now and then on a rainy day off.

807 William Hilton Pkwy., Suite 1200 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 341-3117 alfredshhi.com

MICHELLE PEARSON Interior Motives, Inc.

Describe a typical day in your life.

Coffee! Create, design, have fun, and do the right thing. Pray often and be grateful. Been in business for 21 years and still going strong …we always have a stocked showroom!

Joni at JBanks Design.

I will be forever grateful to her for hiring me when I moved here 29 years ago.

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

48 Pennington Dr. Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-6747 interiormotiveshhi.com

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other What drives you/makes women in business. you excited to start the Have patience and learn day? as much as you can.

Through design, I am able to make a family’s Mountains or ocean? home a home.

Ocean. Duh! LOL

JANE MISRA Dog People

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here is no denying that there is a special connection between humans and dogs.

Everybody can give you reasons, but at the core of all of these is unconditional positive regard and loyalty. We have all heard many remarkable stories of dogs and their owners that illustrate this. It is this bond that is the driving force behind the vision that drives dog people.

Jane Misra is the lead female force behind dog people, the premier mobile grooming business of the Lowcountry. Dog people has taken the dog grooming shop model, deconstructed it, and reconstructed it into a lean mobile business that delivers an exclusive luxury grooming experience unlike anything else in the Lowcountry!

But there is more to the vision Jane has than just a successful mobile business. It is her intent to make a much bigger mark on the industry, and she has just the plan to do it with her congruent endeavor, mobile up.

The grooming industry is a predominately female industry filled with extremely talented women who may or may not have fit the traditional four-year college model, and it is an unregulated industry that

is piecemealed at best, producing a lot of underpaid, overworked, groomers facing burnout and exhaustion.

Jane is taking mobile dog grooming to the next level in a way that has never been done before. “We are creating a pathway to success for dog groomers that is unprecedented,” she said, telling us of the project she is launching called mobile up. Jane, with an endorsement from Hanvey, nationally recognized groomers, business leaders and industry disruptors, is creating a platform of tools resources and support to eliminate a lot of the problems groomers, business owners and solopreneurs face with a three-prong approach: (1) Create a baseline standard of excellence in collaboration with an expert team of advisors to ensure higher standards are produced out of mobile grooming units, especially Hanvey. (2) Provide a platform of tools resources and support for groomers nationwide to enable them to automate the back end of the business more effectively. (3) Create a financial resource that enables young groomers a clear pathway to van ownership without the financial barriers that currently exists in securing sixfigure financing. Mobile up is also bringing a line of proprietary mobile grooming tools to the market in early 2022.

It’s all for the love of dogs—and dog people.

807 William Hilton Parkway, Suite 100 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 341-3322

and French would be my choices.

Danyelle Barrow: Skateboarding KH: A foreign language.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

CH: A teacher DB: Lawyer RH: A veterinarian What is your favorite tech toy— for work or play—that you can’t live without?

CH: iPhone DB: AirPods—use them every day!

KH: iPhone—can’t live without it.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

DB: Great communication, patience, and honesty.

A S S U R E D PA RT N E R S

Christina Horton, Rebecca Hall, Kay Hallman, and Danyelle Barrow What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Kay Hallman: Working with our great team!

Rebecca Hall: My Family. I have a chance everyday to set a good example for my kids. It is another chance to do great things.

Guilty pleasure?

KH: Reality TV RH: watching Hallmark Christmas Movies and snacking.

If you could learn any skill, what would it be?

Christina Horton: I would love to learn to speak another language; Spanish

What is one thing you are looking forward to when you retire?

DB: Travel.

KH: Not setting my alarm.

RH: Spending time with my husband in a cabin or lake house and traveling.

1323 May River Rd., Suite 101 Bluffton, SC, 29910 (843) 706-2438

ALI HEAVENER Lennar

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

My family. I have always strived to make them proud of who I am and what I have accomplished. It is important to me to show all three of my children that learning from life’s lessons and a good moral compass will take you far in your career. It is especially important to me that my daughters know that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.

environment/culture. Find a company that encourages your professional and personal development, aligns with your professional goals, and provides a good work/life balance.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

It is entirely possible to have a successful, and I would add, demanding career while raising a family.

All it takes is the right

Guilty pleasure?

Shoes, without a doubt!

Mountains or ocean?

Depends on the season.

I love both. By the way, Lennar builds homes across the nation, so whether you are looking for mountains or ocean, you will find a home you love.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Gratitude, integrity, and learning agility.

(843) 505-7275 lennar.com

THE ART CAFÉ

Ginny Whitehead, Brittany Scheriff, Stacey Whitehead, and Melissa Whitehead

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he Earth without art is just ‘eh.’”

This Demetri Martin quote sums up why owner Ginny Whitehead is so passionate about her woman-owned, not to mention family-run business, The Art Café.

Ginny has always had a passion and calling for the creative world. Her love for art runs deep like the rivers of our Lowcountry, and her love for family runs even deeper.

Ginny has been operating the Art Café on Hilton Head Island for 14 years, in three different locations. Ginny and her husband, Rocky Whitehead, who own Rockfish Seafood and Steaks at Bomboras (located right below the Art Café), moved here 16 years ago from Cincinnati, Ohio. Ginny has always had a strong desire to own a pottery painting studio. Fortunately for Ginny, with the help of her family, that desire and dream came true.

Ginny and her two daughters, Brittany Scheriff and Stacey Whitehead, handle the daily operations of the Art Café, while their newest addition Melissa Whitehead, Ginny’s daughter in law, handles marketing affairs.

The Art Café is a fun place for all ages to come and paint pottery. You don’t have to be a Van Gogh to enjoy this wonderful place and experience! The Art Café is popular among locals and tourists alike (some tourists visit annually and have pieces collected to remember their special vacation on Hilton Head together). So, next time you are looking for a fun experience for yourself and others, come in to the Art Café, and the women behind it will make certain you have a memorable pottery painting experience!

5 Lagoon Rd. Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 757-5525 artcafehhi.com

HEATHER A. BAKER (SUGARBAKER)

ERA Evergreen Real Estate Company

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’m often asked who the big influences in my life were/are. As I reflected, I recognized that women were at the top of my list.

My mama is my No. 1. She is a true example of love. Her compassion is something to be admired—a true southern lady with the biggest heart.

She made many sacrifices for her children to succeed in life!

My first job after graduating from Winthrop University was at WSOC FM 103 radio station in Charlotte, N.C. That is when a mentor by the name of Valerie Gladden entered my life. Valerie taught me the value of teamwork and multitasking. She could really be in two places at one time (well, in spirit)! Valerie was the definition of a “go-getter.” She even assisted me in planning my wedding in South Carolina while managing a very demanding job and her sweet family.

What a blessing to have the honor to be taught by Vickie Austin while working at Wilson World Hotel in Spartanburg, S.C. Vickie exemplified the meaning of work ethic while balancing her family life. She could make magic happen while selling out

ASHLEY DOUGLAS Paws On Learning

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shley Douglas, a certified professional dog trainer, is the owner of Paws On Learning on Hilton Head Island. Ashley has always had a passion for working with animals and was a dog owner long before she became a trainer. Her years of volunteering at animal shelters and her work at veterinary hospitals and a law enforcement dog

our hotel, even when our computer system said otherwise. The love of her family showed through her every action.

Then, Becky (Smith) Colburn entered my world in 2004. I was in real estate school and interested in a design consultant job with Centex Homes in Bluffton. After interviewing with Becky and expressing my interest in being a Realtor, she encouraged me to step right into sales. So I did. and that was the best advice ever!

Becky taught me leadership. She could lead and still does. She thrives on the success of her sales people.

Becky mentors people without even knowing it.

These women always believed in me. They always encouraged me.

They always pushed me. And most importantly, they always loved me.

I love each of these women and am truly grateful for their contribution, making me the woman I am today. This issue is about women in business, and these women paved the way for me!

ERA Evergreen Real Estate Company (843) 441-2787

how dogs learn. Over the last few years, Ashley has attended the International Association of Canine Professionals conference in Florida, Puppy Potential Workshop in North Carolina, Hope Service Dogs Service Dog Training in Florida, and is currently participating in the Training Between the Ears online course.

She loves being an entrepreneur and is grateful for the support friends and family have contributed along the way. While she started the business entirely on her own from a financial standpoint, she attributes a great deal of her success to the love and support of family, friends, and returning clients.

Ashley utilizes her years as a professional teacher training facility inspired her to change careers. and her formal education Ashley spent 18 years as an upper elementary and experience training dogs school teacher. In 2017, she attended National K9 Dog to help people in the Hilton Trainer School in Columbus, Ohio, where she became Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. In 2018, she Savannah area reach their dogs’ started Paws On Learning’s daytime board and train potential. facility.

As Paws On Learning grew in popularity, the business quickly outgrew its space, and in April of 2021, relocated to a larger facility.

4 Hunter Road, Suite 4C Ashley’s love for working with people and their Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 dogs motivates her to continue to engage in new (603) 540-2614 and different ways to approach animal behavior and pawsonlearning.com

Photography by Lily Strickland

OPTICAL SOLUTIONS

1st Row: Lizet Gutierrez, Susan Fernandez, Marlyn Rivera, Karimen Ambrocio, Angela Fears 2nd Row: Alessandra Vega, Dr. Tara Baideme, Maria Loera, Toni Fernandez, Alex Cheyne, Tara Petracco, Mariel Ortiz 3rd Row: Haley Rainboth, Katherine Holt, Briana Hernandez, Mikaleen Lawrence, Brenda Jimenez

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f you are a current customer or a new patient at Optical Solutions, you will meet a few of the amazing women who work as a cohesive team (the operational “glue”) alongside Dr. Michael Campbell. All these women play essential roles and perform their individual jobs with the utmost skill and professionalism to ensure your best eyecare experience. Whether it is for a routine exam, glasses, contact lenses, or for ocular disease, the professionals at Optical Solutions will treat you with the attention and personalized care you deserve.

Office Manager, Alessandra Vega, has been employed with Optical Solutions for over six years and loves working for this local, family-owned business. According to Vega, many of the employees have spouses and family members working together at Optical Solutions, and it is a healthy environment for everyone.

Tara Petracco will soon reach her one-year anniversary with Optical Solutions and couldn’t be happier. “The Campbells have created a wonderful work environment, and I’m looking forward to long-term employment,” she said.

What sets Optical Solutions/Dr. Michael Campbell and Associates apart from other eyecare practices is their teamwork, respect for their fellow coworkers, and the friendly environment that contributes to positive patient relationships and successful outcomes.

The positive work environment empowers women so that they can rise to the challenges.“This environment allows us to deliver more personalized care to you, the patient, and allows us to know you and your visual needs better,” Vega said.

Optical Solutions has been established in the Lowcountry for 33 years. Starting with one location in

1987, the business has expanded to include three state-of-the-art facilities.

They are the only full-service lab in the area providing same-day service on emergency eyewear.

“Like our employees, our patients become our friends,” Vega said. “We work professionally and efficiently to make your visit the best!”

10 Hospital Center Commons, Suite 100 Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 681-6682 50 Shelter Cove Ln., Suite G The Plaza at Shelter Cove Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 785-8008 27 Mellichamp Dr., Suite 100 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 706-0607 drmichaelcampbell.com

MICHELLE MEISSEN Palmetto Ocean Conservancy We are the Guardians of the Sea

Describe a typical day in your life.

I spend my morning with my loved ones. I head out for salty air and morning coffee at The French Bakery. My days are busy; I do my best to take some time out to enjoy the view.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Oceanographer.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

That I’m able to make a difference, working in a teamwork atmosphere, learning daily.

What podcast do you listen to for inspiration or to learn from?

TEDX, People Who Built America (History Channel).

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

My parents. If I wanted something, I had to work for it.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Be myself; always trust my instincts; I’m stronger than I think; never settle; chin up.

Guilty pleasure?

Rocky Road ice cream.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

Vision, focus, and keep going, no matter what.

What is one thing you are looking forward to doing when you retire?

Retire? I’m not sure if I want to retire.

If you could learn any skill, what would it be?

Process and memorize (long-term and short-term).

What is your favorite tech toy—for work or play—that you can’t live without?

My phone.

(816) 352-2781 Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram @ palmettooceanconservancy

KELSEY ALLISON Kelsey Allison Designs

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

Knowing that I get to get up and do my dream job every day. It sounds cliché, I know, but it’s so true. I get to design + create the best day of my clients’ lives, and it’s so much fun dreaming up new ideas that are going to be unique to them for their day. I’m so passionate about what I do, and I know I’m exactly where I am supposed to be. It’s exhilarating!

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

My dad, Joe Zokan, has been my biggest mentor along my path to entrepreneurship. He is a successful entrepreneur and has been in business 30+ years. So, I guess you could say it’s in my blood. My dad’s wisdom and guidance have been a huge support and inspiration to me. I’m grateful to have him to look up to. I am also fortunate to have a huge support system to lean on, especially my very patient husband, Aaron, who has been alongside me, encouraging me every step of the way.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Set goals, and slow down. You don’t have to get it all done in a day. You don’t have to be the best at everything right away, so when you’re not, don’t let that deter you.

Good things take time, but amazing things can take even more time.

Remember to enjoy the journey and celebrate each milestone, big or small, along the way. I still have to remind myself of this!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A news anchor! I went to college majoring in telecommunications but switched gears to hospitality by my second year. I knew right away that I had made the right decision.

If you could learn any skill, what would it be?

Calligraphy! I’m a lefty, so it would be a big challenge for me, because it’s very difficult to not drag my hand through my work when I’m writing.

(803) 608-8847 kelseyallisondesigns.com

SARAH O’LEARY TAKACS The Heritage Library

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHERE HILTON HEAD ISLAND IS HEADED, YOU HAVE TO START WITH WHERE IT’S BEEN.

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n the constantly shifting landscape of Hilton Head Island real estate, the most powerful tool a real estate professional can bring to the table is knowledge. Context is key, and knowing what forces have shaped the market is vital to knowing how best to capitalize.

“I’ve been a licensed Realtor for 40 years, and when I first started, the appeal of the island was strictly the beach, golf and tennis,” Takacs said. “Lately,

people want to investigate other areas of Hilton Head. They’re very interested in exploring the island’s history and how Hilton Head came to be what it is today.”

That rise in cultural tourism dovetails with Takacs’ own passion for history, a passion which led her to serve as vice president of the Heritage Library as one of its most energetic volunteers. Through her efforts, the island’s history has become a vital part of its appeal for visitors, with her work on the advancement committee helping restore Zion Chapel of Ease Cemetery’s famed Baynard Mausoleum to its former glory.

Takacs is one of many volunteers who have helped The Heritage Library emerge as one of the most vital genealogy and historical research organizations in the state. Through their work, not only are islanders discovering their own history, but they’re also forging connections with the island’s past that tell Hilton Head’s story.

“I have long had an interest in the history of the island, and people like native islander Henry Driessen and our former mayor Martha Baumberger really helped me explore those possibilities and share them with my clients,” Takacs said.

LAURA H. WULLER Coastal Long-Term Rental Company, LLC

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t’s quite possible you haven’t met many people who are from a ranch in Montana. Shady Lane Ranch, outside Bozeman, Mont., is where Laura Wuller grew up. Daily chores included feeding the cows, sheep and horses, stacking wood or hay bales, and helping her family with whatever work was needed. Although she’s the first to admit she didn’t love the chores, Laura knows that this is how she gained the valuable asset of a strong work ethic. Laura has applied that work ethic throughout her career and now to her long-term property management business, Coastal Long Term-Rental Company, LLC. Coastal Long-Term Rental Company is a full-service, professional property management firm.

Specializing in long-term rentals (12-month leases), they provide experienced, knowledgeable support to homeowners and tenants. Laura took ownership of the company in 2013 and acquired a Bluffton firm in 2018. With this expansion, she has added valuable employees, with combined experience of 45+ years in property management.

The current market is like nothing Laura has seen before. With so many

people moving to our area, Coastal is seeing high demand year-round. This higher-than-normal demand is coupled with very low supply, which has forced rental rates higher. When a new property is joining her program, Laura has been able to line up tenants before buyers even close on the home.

Laura attributes much of her success to the support of her husband, two children, and her relationships with local realtors, some of whom she has worked with throughout her career on the island since 2003. They know they can count on Coastal to take great care of their clients who either have a property they want to lease or need a rental themselves. Visit Coastal’s website today to find out more about their program!

18 Executive Park Rd, Ste 2, Hilton Head, SC 29928 (843) 842-4546 7 Simmonsville Rd., Suite 100A, Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 706-7368 laura@coastalltr.com CoastalLTR.com

From left to right: Stephanie Cauller, Katie Olivia, and Janice Ross,

STEPH CAULLER, JANICE ROSS & KATIE OLIVA Hilton Head Home Group of RE/MAX Island Realty

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e do things a little differently at Hilton Head Home Group of RE/MAX Island Realty.

We rely heavily on technology and intuition. As women in business, we know what a balancing act it can be, thus we have a team. We support

each other in business as well as in life. With backgrounds in education, marketing and food & beverage, plus the seven children combined, we are experts at typing emails, prepping dinner, making sure everything is covered, showing property and not

missing a beat. We learned a lot through years of working in food and beverage, public education and product representation to Costco and QVC. The patience of an elementary teacher plus a server who rarely gets in the weeds has trained us for anything thrown at us. Add in a mix of passion and expertise, and that is a recipe for success. If you are just getting your “Women in Business” shoes wet, find your recipe for success.

Passion will take you places you could only dream about. Expertise is priceless, and you can never add too much patience.

Janice Ross, our California girl, has been an island resident for nine years; Steph Cauller formerly of Malvern, Pa., moved to the island in 2010; and Katie Oliva had the privilege of a Lowcountry childhood. A Beaufort local, Katie is a wealth of knowledge of all things Lowcountry.

(843) 415-7738 HiltonHeadHomeGroup.com

HEATHER RATH Heather Rath Consulting

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n the Lowcountry, there are movers and shakers. And helping to move and shake them all, you’ll find Heather Rath.

All around the Region, there’s a sense of renewed energy, a forward dynamic that is pushing us as a community toward something better — while ensuring that “us,” in fact, means “all of us.”

You'll see it in the creation of dazzling public spaces like the Lowcountry Celebration Park and Squire Pope Community Park and the planning of the highly anticipated "Mid-Island

Tract. You’ll see it in the rekindled zeal for the island’s history, and in the push for a new airport terminal. You’ll see it in the greater role the Gullah community has taken in conversations about people and place.

To be clear, Heather Rath was not behind all these positive changes, nor would she ever claim credit for them. But it’s no coincidence that her name comes up in conversations about all of them.

"True advocacy for me is stepping in, when asked, to partner with those needing to effect change. But it is also

realizing that authentic change requires true ownership and accountability.” she said. “I guide, I direct, and I help lay the groundwork for that change. But ultimately my goal is for the people involved to have ownership and their voice heard.”

It’s a philosophy of principled direction and advocacy that has made her a regular force at town council meetings, community events, and at the Statehouse.

There are wonderful things happening in the Lowcountry.

Heather Rath isn’t responsible for all of them, but a lot of them would not have happened without her. hrath@heatherrathconsulting.com (843) 415-5978

LAUREN DILLS Pure Salt Studios

Describe a typical day in your life.

Every day looks a little different as a small business owner! Most days I am in the studio facilitating halotherapy and infrared sauna sessions, coordinating massages and yoga classes with instructors and therapists, sourcing products from other small businesses, styling and directing shoots, managing social media and emails ... the list goes on. It even includes raking salt!

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

The thought of welcoming clients into the studio! We are providing a space for people to breathe, to let go of stress, relax, heal, and enjoy time for themselves or those they are with.

It’s amazing to be able to witness the before and after transformations every day.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

Be open to opportunities that present themselves. Coming from a

supply chain + design management background, I never in a million years thought that I would be the owner of a salt studio. You never know what the universe has in store. Lean in and trust in the bigger plan.

Mountains or ocean?

Ocean for every day and mountains to get away. I grew up on Long Island, N.Y. After moving around a bit for my career after college, it quickly became clear that living near the ocean was a must for me!

What podcast do you listen to for inspiration or to learn from?

How I Built This. This podcast provides amazing raw insight across an array of industries of how they got their start and ended up where they are today. I am constantly dreaming up new ideas and directions for myself. This one always motivates and inspires me!

9 Harbourside Lane, Unit B Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 715-2825 puresaltstudios.com

LYNDI LEARY Lyndi Leary Photography; Fine Art and Portraiture

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yndi Leary is a Bluffton based photographer with a passion for capturing light and creating beauty in a timeless way.

“I’m an artist at heart, always have been. In 2006, I graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and have enjoyed photography as my main concentration for the past 11 years. Few things are as rewarding for me as capturing the beauty of this life, whether it is the innocence of childhood, the love of a family, or the stunning awe of the natural world. The camera is simply the medium I use to create imagery and capture precious moments. I believe that in order to succeed as an artist, you must constantly challenge yourself, continuously push yourself out of your comfort zone, all the while maintaining and developing your own aesthetic. My goal is to use light to create something beautifully unique but in a tangible way that is easily relatable and that others will appreciate.

My husband and I were married in August of 2014, and shortly thereafter, we relocated to Bluffton from the upstate of South Carolina. Fast forward

several years, and currently, my two young daughters are my biggest inspiration. Not only are they the best reason to get up at the crack of dawn every day and do my best, but loving them allows me to identify with other parents in a way that was not possible before.

The personal experience of motherhood, and the utterly indescribable range of emotions that accompanies it, has inevitably and undeniably enhanced my work on all fronts. I know how important the fleeting moments are and how much beautiful images of them mean to a family. So, while becoming a mother has enhanced my work in a very literal sense, the desire to be an example for my girls is the strongest driving force for my success. My hope is that one day my accomplishments will give them the confidence to pursue their dreams, the initiative to develop their own skills, and the knowledge that they can and should use their God-given talents to create a life they love.”

Bluffton, SC (770) 845-3800 lyndileary.com

CH2 MAGAZINE CELEBRATES 15 YEARS NEXT MONTH!

CH2 & CB2 MAGAZINE

Kaila Jeffcoat, Kim Crouch, Hunter Kostylo, Morgan O'Banion, Kandace Wightman and Maggie Washo What are you looking forward to in retirement?

MW: I am never going to retire. They are going to have to drag me by my ankles out of this office.

HK: Traveling all over the world! If it’s by a beach, I’m going there.

KC: I would love to travel with my kids and family. Being able to spend quality time with my family and experience new places together, I would be in heaven!

MO: Traveling. I’d love to get a camper van and travel and explore!

If you could learn any skill, what would it be?

MW: I would love to just learn how to relax and just dial it in like 70 percent of the world’s population.

HK: To play the piano. There is something about a piano that I just love.

KC: I have always wanted to learn how to play the violin.

KJ: I would love to be fluent in four or five languages! But that would take a lot of patience, determination, and wine!

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

MW: Emotional intelligence, work ethic, and flexibility.

KC: Good communication, being respectful, and patience.

KJ: I think a good leader has excellent communication skills, is open-minded, and has the ability to empower others.

MO: A leader must lead by example with a strong work ethic, have patience, and show appreciation to their team when success has been achieved.

KW: Communication, confidence, and creativity.

Mountains or ocean?

MW: Mountains HK: Costa Rica, lol. It has mountains and beaches. Best of both worlds!

KC: Both! Love the ocean; it’s good for the soul.

But I also love to ski out west. California might be my place one day.

KJ: Mountains MO: Mountains, Mountains, and more Mountains…

KW: Beach. Being born and raised up north, I definitely appreciate a warm ocean breeze.

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started off on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

MW: Everyone is making it up as they go along.

In life, in business, in relationships. There is no map, no guidebook. If someone acts calm, cool, and collected and says they have everything under control, they are liars. Run!

KJ: It’s okay to make a change. Just because it was what you studied in college or specialized in doesn’t lock you into that career forever. If you have something that interests you, pursue it! I remember this lady in her 70s who went back to school to be a nurse because it was something she always wanted to do after spending her life being a teacher. It’s never too late!

MO: In your “work world,” disasters can happen.

These things can probably be fixed; if they can’t, then start over with a positive outlook.

Don’t let the bumps in the road consume you to the point where it changes you or affects your relationships with the people you love.

Last program you binged-watched?

HK: Ted Lasso! So funny MW: Loki. Marvel all the way, baby.

What is your guilty pleasure?

KW: Cheesecake. A good ol’ slice of New York style cheesecake.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

KW: Something in the forensic field. I love watching Dateline and murder mystery shows.

(843) 689- 2658 m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com www.celebratehiltonhead.com

JENNIFER GREEN, APRN-BC AHC MedSpa . Affordable Health Care

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fter years working in institutional and private medicine, Jennifer Green identified a need for a different kind of care: care that combined both compassion and affordability. In 2008, she turned that vision into reality when she started Affordable Health Care.

For the past 13 years, Jenny has continued to expand the original practice mission by adding components of total wellness, with the intention of assisting patients in their efforts to be fit from the inside out.

As the era of self-care began spreading to medical provider practices in the form of medical spas, Jenny recognized an exciting opportunity to expand her business again. To that end, she added injectables to her repertoire of in-office procedures and began offering a full menu of spa services administered by certified aestheticians. This unique approach to primary medicine, one that offers patients the option to have access

to total self-care in one location, is innovative and progressive.

Post COVID-19, Jennifer has taken the aesthetics portion of her practice to the next level with the recent purchase of a broad band light laser for skin rejuvenation, redness reduction, hair removal and more! This new technology reduces the amount of time needed for both treatment and recovery.

In addition, it is a less painful alternative to many skin renewal procedures offered today. With this exciting technology, Jenny and the AHC MedSpa staff are moving into the future with renewed purpose: to expand the options we offer for patients to experience total selfcare in one location.

150 State St. Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-5559 affordablehealthcare.com

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

The Top 10 women at KW closed more than $430 million in combined sales volume over the past 12 months.

Left to right: Sheri Nixon, Amy Aurelio, Daryn Vucelik (Team Leader), Beth Drake, Allison Greco and Beth DeAngelis.

Women in the Top 10 not pictured: Joan Kelly, Colleen Sullivan, Leah Melvin, Shae Chambers Helms and Lisa Sisko.

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eller Williams is not only the number one real estate franchise in the Lowcountry; it is also the premiere home for women in real estate. Named one of America’s Best Employers for Women by Forbes for three consecutive years, it’s no surprise that the women leading our local real estate market have found their ideal home at KW. In fact, Keller Williams has more women in the Hilton Head MLS Top 50 Agent rankings than any other real estate company.

“The community of successful, supportive women I have found at KW has made all the difference in my business,” said agent Sheri Nixon, whose team closed more than $47 million in sales in the past 12 months.

“The international referral network at Keller Williams, along with our local support system, has been a gamechanger.”

That supportive culture, alongside industry-leading technology and training, has allowed Keller Williams Lowcountry agents to serve more than 1,700 families in the past 12 months.

“As women, it can be challenging to grow a big business while balancing our personal and family lives.

That’s why at KW, we focus on providing our agents the training, technology and support to reach their

goals,” said Keller Williams Team Leader and CEO, Daryn Vucelik. “I am so fortunate to work alongside this group of incredible businesswomen who challenge one another to dream big. The opportunities for business and personal growth are truly endless here at KW.” KW Women closing more than $5 million in sales volume over the past 12 months: Aimee Brasington Allison Greco Amy Aurelio Angela Huser Angelina Singleton Annie Powell Annie Tracy Amber Morgan Arline Fasano Beth DeAngelis Beth Drake Calynn Altizer Carey Ann Kelley Carol Keller Carol O'Brien

Carol Rutgers Chris Spirer Christy Diller White Colleen Sullivan Courtney Marine Dana Advocaat Deanna Coyne Gerrie Pravetz Glenda Satterly Happi Beisser Jamie Peart Jennifer Wells Jessica Teague Joan Kelly Karen Hair

KKay Sonberg Leah Melvin Lisa Sisko Nadine O'Quinn Shae Chambers Helms Shannon Sheehan Sheri Nixon Stacy Applegate Stephanie Harris Sue Remble Tanya Sjodin Taylor Lomprez Valerie Keating Wendy Goller

8 Lafayette Place, Suite 203 I Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 I (843) 682-8100 I kwlowcountry.com

Tell us something you wish you had known when you started on your career path—a bit of advice for other women in business.

This business is really hard…. I wish that my skin was thicker and I didn’t take everything so personally, but that is so hard to do. You put everything that you have into something, take the biggest risks of your life and pray that you survive. There will always be someone out there who doesn’t want you to [succeed]. Don’t pay too much attention to them, and at the end of the day, just be a good person! It will all work out if you make the right choices for you!

Mountains or ocean?

Oceans, always. I grew up in the beautiful mountains of W.V., but as soon as my feet hit the sand on Hilton Head Island, I knew this would be home!

Guilty pleasure?

Prosecco What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to live in New York City and be a lawyer. I have no idea why because I did the opposite and moved to the beach and love the restaurant business.

Give us three qualities a leader must have.

(1) Patience. You can’t lose your mind over everything or everyone or you will literally lose your mind! (2) Keeping your cool.

Stressful situations will hide around every corner. Keep calm and your employees and customers will too—most of the time. (3) Compassion & empathy. Always remember that this is your forever, but it might not be your staff’s forever. Always understand what is happening in their lives just like what is happening in yours. Life is crazy and throws us curveballs all the time; understanding all situations and being non-judgmental is key.

We are all human!

ERIKA WARONSKY The Sandbar Beach Eats & Carolina Coffee & Crumbs

Describe a typical day in your life.

My day starts with reassessing the prior day.

How did it go? What was good, bad and ugly, and how can we make today better? Then comes kids, drop offs, cleaning restaurants, banking, any employee issues, orders, customers and the remaining goes to putting out as many fires as possible.

What drives you/makes you excited to start the day?

My kids! We work really hard schedules, and my kids do such a good job of keeping me grounded and reminding me why I do this every day. I love seeing them in the mornings, no matter how tired I am from the late night before! I also love checking items off my neverending “to do “ list. Maybe someday I won’t have one!

Did you have a mentor—someone who really helped you along the path to entrepreneurship?

I have had several mentors in my life. Most important were my parents. My dad quit his teaching job and went to medical school at the age of 34 in order to give us a better life.

My mother taught school for 40 years and was really good at it. I have always admired them and their work ethic. From a professional standpoint, the only other job I have ever had was working for Dale Augenstein at Steamer Seafood in Coligny Plaza. I worked for Dale for almost 17 years, and I give him the credit for teaching me basically everything that I know about the restaurant business. He was and still is a true entrepreneur. He was always problemsolving, assessing current situations while always looking ahead for what was next.

What podcasts do you listen to for inspiration or to learn from?

I really don’t listen to any podcasts. This is just something I never really got into but maybe should. I try to keep up with world and local news, food trends, costs, etc., but no favorite podcasts.

What is one thing you are looking forward to doing when you retire?

Waking up to no alarm and traveling as much as possible!

If you could learn any skill, what would it be?

I would love to learn to play the piano. I played the flute for years, and wish that I still did, but I have always wanted to master the piano.

What is your favorite tech toy—for work or for play—that you can’t live without?

I cannot live without my laptop. It has everything in my life on it and I could not function for long without it.

101 Pope Ave HHI 29928 (843) 342-SAND (843) 342-4800 sandbarhhi.com carolinacoffeehhi.com

ARTICLE BY LIBBY O’REGAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

WOMEN INSPIRED

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he workplace today is unlike anything we have ever seen. Millions of people lost their jobs or “voluntarily” exited the workforce because of childcare constraints. Women were hit particularly hard with job loss. While the unemployment numbers were roughly equal between men and women before the pandemic, at its peak, the unemployment rate for women was nearly two percentage points higher than that of men. Today, unemployment for women remains 1.9% higher and above pre-pandemic level. In September 2020, when schools resumed (many with remote learning), an astonishing 80% of the 1.1 million people who exited the workplace were women.* As much as the workplace has changed and the numbers look disappointing for women in particular, what we have found on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton are women who are not only juggling fulltime careers but who have chosen to add more work to their plate and start a side business. And that is in addition to their family and all that life is throwing at them! These women give us hope. Inspired by more, these women help tell a brighter story about where women are in the workplace and how their ambition can lead the way as we get back to pre-pandemic levels of employment equality.

* Source: https://fortune.com/2021/02/13/covid-19-women-workforce-unemploymentgender-gap-recovery/ & US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

VALERIE SHYBLOSKY

FULL-TIME JOB: Special Education Assistant with Beaufort County Schools SIDE BUSINESS: Sign Dreamers of Beaufort County

Passionate about teaching and making people smile, Valerie Shyblosky balances her career as a special education assistant at Beaufort County Schools and her celebratory yard sign business, Sign Dreamers. Born out of quarantine, Sign Dreamers has birthday, baby, graduation, and custom large format signs that appear in the client’s yard—most often as a surprise to the person being celebrated. The excitement and joy that the recipient feels are what keep Shyblosky installing signs in the middle of the night.

On top of teaching full time and her Sign Dreamers business, Shyblosky is a mom of two and a wife to her husband of 23 years. Their eldest daughter is 17 years old with epilepsy and is developmentally delayed. To say this is a challenge is an understatement. And yet, her family (including her younger daughter) is thriving.

It is incredible then, with teaching full-time and a special needs child, that Sign Dreamers of Beaufort County was even founded and that Shyblosky is able to make occasions special for other people. We had to ask: Aside from making people smile, where does one person get that drive and work ethic?

With all that on your plate, why add more? Shyblosky says it comes from her parents who recently retired from their 30+ years of teaching in the public-school education system. Supported by her husband and her two daughters, she says without their help, she would be up all night with all the things that she has to accomplish on any given day.

We are amazed by this one woman’s ability to “do it all” plus more.

JULIE RICHARDSON

FULL-TIME JOB: Middle School Math Teacher at Hilton Head Christian Academy SIDE BUSINESS: Certified Life Coach

As someone who has always loved helping others and as someone who has a passion for working with children, Julie Richardson is fortunate to be pursuing both. She is a middle school math teacher at Hilton Head Christian Academy and is also a certified life coach. She coaches women, often getting them “un-stuck” and living a purpose-filled life. Many of the women she has worked with say that they wish they had done coaching sooner in life and are surprised to learn that it’s small changes that make a big difference.

“People think they have to drastically alter their life,” Richardson said, “when really, it’s just about tweaking a few things that aren’t working.”

Married to her husband for 15 years, Richardson has three children. As if life

wasn’t “eventful” enough, she learned this year that she has stage 3 breast cancer.

She recently finished eight rounds of chemo (for a total of 16 weeks) and has surgery scheduled for this August, after which she’ll undergo radiation and another surgery.

Miraculously, it seems Julie is able to find the good even in battling cancer.

“This journey is not always easy, but I continue to be amazed by all of the good that has happened over the last few months,” she said. Her husband and family have rallied around, and she feels stronger than ever. Family members, from New Orleans, have made trips to the Lowcountry to help.

Richardson has also found a unique way to tackle difficult questions. The children each have a journal where they write questions that may be hard to ask face-to-face. They leave their journals for her to write a response. She says the insightful questions have led to positive communication. This has also allowed the children to have a deeper understanding of all that is going on.

Juggling all of this—teaching, owning her own business, family and breast cancer—cannot be easy. And yet, we’re incredibly inspired by Richardson’s sense of purpose, her sincerely positive outlook, her faith in God, and the strength she finds in her family.

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LALIE MOLE FULL-TIME JOB: Lead Singer of “Amazing and Good, Too” (Est. 2015) SIDE BUSINESS: A Nanny Singing is like breathing to Lalie Mole. She can’t recall a time in her life when it wasn’t part of her day-to-day.

Mole never imagined she could make singing a full-time career, but when she started her band in 2015 and they were booking gigs, she felt fueled by the opportunity of fulfilling her dream to do it full time. The road to singing full time wasn’t easy. For years, the only place that Mole felt comfortable singing was in church. Today, her band, Amazing and Good, Too, plays at several restaurants including Calhoun’s, Captain Woody’s, and Southern Barrel, as well as poolside at the Marriott Grand Ocean, private events for corporations, and weddings.

As a side business, Mole is a Nanny to several Hilton Head Island children and vacationers. She recently joined “Hilton Head Nannies,” founded by Jennie Krogulski in 2007. Mole feels Photo by Jenn Beck @jbmariephotography

CAITLIN SMITH & KELLER WELCH FULL-TIME JOB: Realtor SIDE BUSINESS: Interior Design & Staging

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Caitlin Smith and Keller Welch are Realtors who have spent the last few years in the Lowcountry relocating individuals and families to Bluffton and Hilton Head Island. On the selling side of real estate, like many agents, they have been passionate about helping their clients get the most for their property. Through time and experience, however, they learned they had more success selling their clients’ homes when well-designed inside (or even staged). Because staging and good interior design can yield their clients a greater profit, their side business was born. They’re calling it High Bluff Designs.

Smith and Welch initially sought out a career in real estate for more flexibility in their schedules. Smith was in software sales for eight years in a corporate environment, and Welch was a wine rep who knew that when she had children, she would want to be able to pick them up from school. They both searched for ways to be present with their families and have a career at the same time. Real Estate fit the bill.

Today, Smith and Welch are busy moms (Smith has three children and Welch welcomed her first child in December) and feel lucky to have incredibly supportive family and friends. Their husbands both share in the workload at home, while juggling their own careers and businesses, and are encouraging their new side business. Both Smith and Welch have parents with successful businesses who taught them a strong AUGUST 2021

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fortunate to be part of this phenomenal group of caring and giving women.

Having four children ranging from 4 to 18 years old, she truly loves being with children and being a caretaker. Seeing children grow, thrive, and be happy is what keeps her interested in this side business. Plus, Mole is thrilled that this side business is getting her closer to her financial goals. When she’s “bored,” sometimes she even picks up an Instacart run or two. Another step closer!

Juggling both a singing career and side business as a nanny isn’t a cake walk, but in talking to Mole, she is clearly driven. It’s a drive that she attributes to her mother who passed down a strong work ethic. Her mother taught her to work every job with integrity, to love God, love all people, and treat everyone the same— whether they are the janitor of the CEO. It is with this integrity and hard work that she plans on getting to her dream of building her house.

Mole’s oldest daughter Jada, who graduated from Bluffton High School in 2021, sings part-time with her in the band. This also ignites her soul. “The family harmonies give me goosebumps,” said Mole, who feels incredibly fortunate to be able to sing with her daughter.

The support of her husband of 20 years and her four thriving kids, along with the desire to reach her financial goals, is what fuels this driven woman.

We find her goal setting, ambition, and her hard work to get there more than inspiring.

work ethic, which has been valuable as they get started with their new business.

Aside from yielding more profits for their clients, High Bluff Designs was also founded by Smith and Welch because they are passionate about design. They cite the challenges of the pandemic as reasons to fulfill their dreams because “life is short.” It’s something they’ve both gravitated towards and wanted to do.

They have started with a few clients and say that the process is creative and exciting. You can follow their journey at @highbluffdesigns on Instagram.

We find it inspiring that these busy moms and full-time Realtors have the capacity to take on starting an interior design and staging business.

This is a short list. These are just four stories and five women we found (and truthfully, there were dozens more we wanted to include). The statistics tell us that, since the pandemic, women have lost steam in the workplace. Whether they have exited voluntarily or not, the numbers are significant. But we know that many women are managing to work full-time, have a side business, and gracefully handle the challenges of life. They give us hope that the workplace future in our area is bright. If we look, we can find many more examples of women in business who have an incredibly strong work ethic and have a story to tell that is equally inspiring.

Share your stories of women in business, side businesses and more with us on CH2’s Instagram & Facebook pages.

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Side Hustles Are ‘The New Black’ Article By Hannah Massen

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PUTTING YOUR PASSION TO WORK

E

veryone knows someone (either in real life or online) who seems to have it all—and just a little bit more. In addition to holding down a day job, she spends weekends “researching” fabulous destinations, earning passive income while sitting on the beach, or posting about the lux PR pages she gets in the mail. How does she do it? A side hustle.

Side hustles are “the new black,” so to speak, and you’ve probably heard of them before. A side hustle is an opportunity for you to follow your passions or hone your professional skills while making a little extra cash. While they take time to start, and there’s no guarantee your blog, startup, or Etsy shop will blow up overnight, having a side hustle could be a good pathway to becoming your own boss.

Organize and prioritize: You can get a side hustle up and running quickly, but only if you make it a priority. Schedule at least one hour a week, or more if you’re in a hurry to get started. It’s been proven time and time again that organizing and prioritizing is key to starting a successful project of any type.

According to a recent Bankrate study, 37 percent of adults in the U.S. have a side hustle that brings in an average of $700 a month. No wonder another study from the Harvard Business Review shows that two-thirds of Americans would consider diving into the side hustle business in addition to their current jobs, including mothers who are looking to re-enter the workforce or start a passion project from home (just Google “moms” and “side hustles” for thousands of ideas). If you want your next passion project to earn you a paycheck, use these tips to start creating your side hustle: • Review the fine print. Before you start putting together a plan for your side hustle, take a look at the contract you signed for your existing job.

It may contain stipulations (like a noncompete clause, exclusivity clause, or nondisclosure agreement) that would prevent you from doing related work on the side. If you’re not sure about what these stipulations might mean for your side business or what activities may or may not constitute a breach of contract, it is wise to talk to an attorney first. Keep in mind that contracts are negotiable, and many employers are happy to remove or adjust noncompete and exclusivity clauses from employment contracts.

• Start with your passions. You have a day job, but what about your daydream? If you’re going to put extra time and effort into another professional endeavor, it may as well be based on something you’re

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passionate about. If you’re a travel enthusiast or in-the-know about local hotspots, why not start a blog? If you have a knack for graphic design or copywriting, how about you sell your services on the side? You have the talent, so why not put it to work? How? Spend an hour with a SCORE mentor; you’ll be surprised by how much knowledge you will gain.

• Organize and prioritize. You can get a side hustle up and running quickly, but only if you make it a priority. Schedule at least one hour a week, or more if you’re in a hurry to get started. It’s been proven time and time again that organizing and prioritizing is key to starting a successful project of any type. Create a master list of tasks you need to tackle, like “register web domain” or “research software options,” then schedule specific times on your calendar to complete

Side Hustles Are ‘The New Black’ each task. This will help you make the most of your time (and give you the satisfaction that comes with crossing an item off your to-do list).

• Find your funding. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money, but where that initial funding comes from is up to you. Self-funding your business from savings is usually where women start.

Funding your business yourself could be beneficial because you won’t be starting your business with debt. But if paying out of pocket isn’t an option, you can take out a bank loan, find an angel investor (or borrow from a family member), or set up a profile on a crowdfunding site. It’s easy to say don’t let a lack of funding stop you from starting, but there are plenty of ways to come up with the money you need.

• Treat it like a business. Your side hustle might not be your main gig, but you should still treat it like the business it is, especially if you hope to take your passion project full-time someday. You should have a plan, but it doesn’t need to be 100 pages long. Instead, it should focus on key things you need to know, have, or do to get your side hustle off the ground. When you put your budget, brand guidelines, audience analysis, service descriptions, and goals in writing, you’ll have a clear roadmap in mind and be able to better plan for your business’s future. Speaking of brand guidelines, it’s never too early to decide how you want your side hustle to be perceived. A strong brand will help you gain traction with your target audience, so it’s worth choosing a logo, picking a color palette, and building a website right away.

Starting a successful side hustle takes time, effort, and commitment, but it could be one of the best ways to create options for yourself. If you have a talent or passion that could be making you extra money, it’s time to stop waiting and put it to work.  Hannah Massen is a content creator for SmartMarketing Communications, LLC. C2 MAGAZINE

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ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN . PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

Tough as Nails COULD A GOOD PEDICURE CURE A MAN OF TOXIC MASCULINITY?

Nate Zeedyk and Michael Hays get pedicures at Lash N’ Nail Spa.

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am calm. I am at peace. I am the still waters of a tranquil koi pond amid a bamboo forest. I am riding a wave of bliss emanating from the massage chair. I am ignoring the increasingly impatient woman currently grinding away at my toenails with a Dremel tool.

“Look at this,” the woman says, placing a sliver of ingrown toenail slightly larger than a dinosaur bone on the towel before me. “Look at what I have to dig out of you.”

I am at a spa receiving the first pedicure of my 41 years, and I say nothing in response to my gnarly toenails, for I am at peace. But I know she’s right. My toes are, clinically speaking, a nightmare.

And yet here I am, not only flaunting them in the middle of a spa but having them cleaned and polished by a professional who is rightly flabbergasted at what I’m giving her to work with. And so far, she’s only

worked on the nails, all ten operating under various stages of growth and/or putrescence.

She hasn’t even gotten to the craggy surface of my heel, with its alkali lakebed-texture making it look like some kind of alien moon. When she gets there, her exasperation boils over to impatience. “You need to soak longer,” she tells me as she walks away, but not before gently placing my feet back into a bowl of what I can only assume is industrial-grade solvent.

Meanwhile, my eight-year-old daughter is jubilant as she has her piggies worked on in the next chair over. She has selected an electrically sparkly shade of blue for her toenails, and there are heavy hints afoot that she may ask daddy to get his painted to match.

Daddy will not, at least on this trip.

This pedicure was a first for me, but I was not the first for them. “Are you kidding me?” responds the

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Tough as Nails

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Scott Pritchard gets a facial at Namaste Spa.

woman when I ask if she gets a lot of men in here. “Man, woman … everyone loves a pedicure.”

It’s hard to argue with her. Once she’s finished, my feet almost resemble those of a human being. Say what you will, males with fragile egos and those suffering from masculinity poisoning, but it’s not a bad way to spend half an hour. And as far as being the only guy, I’m way behind the curve.

“It’s good for your soul,” said local Mike Hays, who is no stranger to the pedicure chair. “And I feel like a woman is more comfortable with a guy who’s in touch with himself. Because if you’re okay with it, you’ll probably end up taking her out for a pedicure as well.”

Hays, a bartender at the Tiki Hut and island institution in his own right, started getting regular pedis when a female acquaintance invited him along

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for a spa day. “I went with her, sat down, and I was like, ‘This is the (best).’ They’re rubbing my feet, cleaning them up… I’m on my feet 10-15 hours a day, and after that, my feet just felt better,” he said. “I decided next time I’m going all in.”

Going all in meant crossing the bridge I wouldn’t: getting his piggies painted.

Going well beyond just a simple solid color, he gets a little creative with it, testing out designs from the stars and stripes to the South Carolina flag on his toes. “I’ve bounced around to a few places, and now I go to Lash and Nail in Shelter Cove,” he said. “The girl who does my toes, Kim, is almost an artist.”

But what about his guy friends? Surely, he catches 10 shades of hell from them, right?

“Oh, 1000 percent. Especially when we’re 75 miles offshore fishing,” he said.

“But there’s male confidence, and then

Going well beyond just a simple solid color, he gets a little creative with it, testing out designs from the stars and stripes to the South Carolina flag on his toes.

“I’ve bounced around to a few places, and now I go to Lash and Nail in Shelter Cove,” he said. “The girl who does my toes, Kim, is almost an artist.” there’s male ego. Confidence is knowing who you are, and I know who I am.”

His confidence is catching, as he’s since been able to convince a handful of his guy friends to join him for a man date at the spa. “My buddy Nate [Zeedyk] has some of the worst toes I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Hays, since he hasn’t seen mine. “But when he went the first time, he loved it.”

Like a lot of guys, Zeedyk had to get over himself somewhat before he could brave the chair and the lingering notion that men don’t get pampered.

“That’s what we grew up with. That was always a known thing, that guys don’t do that,” Zeedyk said. “Then you realize it’s just relaxing. It feels great. I have no problem doing that. I’m comfortable enough with myself.”

And like me, Zeedyk had another hurdle to get over: showing off his nasty toes in public. “The first time I went, I felt really bad,” he said. It’s a huge difference the first time between when you go in and when you leave.”

He’s a relatively newbie, but he’ll be back. He might even bring a few more converts who are secure enough in their manhood. “We’ll just have a guys’ day where we can relax, talk about sports, whatever,” he said. “I was talking it up to a buddy of mine and he said, ‘Next time, I’m in.’ So, we’re up to four.”

So let this be a lesson to my fellow men. It’s okay to relax. It’s okay to be pampered. It’s okay to let a stranger try to straighten out the mess you’ve made of your feet. You may catch a little grief from the other guys, but let them walk a mile in your shoes and realize how much more comfortable you are in them.

It’s not about feeling girly. It’s about feeling your best, and maybe spending a few hours talking about sports. What could be manlier than that? 

So let this be a lesson to my fellow men. It’s okay to relax.

It’s okay to be pampered. It’s okay to let a stranger try to straighten out the mess you’ve made of your feet.

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THE SPA MENU INCLUDES CUSTOMIZABLE FACIAL AND BODY TREATMENTS, INDULGENT NAIL SERVICES, AND DELIGHTFUL ADD-ONS.

Whisper Creek Spa N Your destination for the ultimate bliss ARTICLE BY LINDA S. HOPKINS

obody said life on Earth would be easy. Some days, it seems that the very air is charged with invisible stress ions that try our patience, tense our necks, wrinkle our faces and ravage our bodies. Have you ever wanted to stop the world and get off?

Now you can at Whisper Creek Spa. Thanks to owners Jennifer and Robert Wolfe, your mini-vacation is just around the corner—in Bluffton. Over the past year and a half, while the world was shut down, the husband/wife team pushed forward with their vision and plans to convert what was once a Golden Corral restaurant into a magnificent day spa. Their faith and hard work paid off as mandates were lifted just in time for their recent opening.

Step inside the reimagined building and prepare for a smorgasbord of a different kind. Whether you need facial services, a massage, nail care, a hot sauna,

a warm bath, a cool drink, an hour or so of peace and quiet, or a venue for a special event, Whisper Creek serves it all to order, creating an exclusive experience unlike any other in the area.

The space, unrecognizable from its former life, is not only grand in size but thoughtfully designed, with men’s and women’s locker rooms, cozy treatment rooms (including duet rooms for a shared experience), private VIP nail rooms, and quiet relaxation areas tucked well away from the large “beauty bar,” where groups are invited to gather—think business, club, or team meetings, wedding parties, reunions, celebrations and more.

“It is such a big building, we were trying to be creative in how we would use the space effectively,” Jennifer Wolfe said. The beauty bar, which includes two shampoo bowls, is designed so that a group can enjoy hair services such as blowouts or styling.

“It’s not the intention for it to be open all the time like a beauty salon but used for special events,” Wolfe explained. “We see this as a versatile event space. We can host our own as well as rent it out to other people.”

The possibilities are endless at Whisper Creek Spa. For example, accommodations are perfect for a bridal party to be pampered and get dressed or for your bridge group to meet for lunch and game time followed by spa treatments. Meals and snacks can be provided upon request, along with beer, wine, and champagne as the spa is licensed to serve alcohol.

The spa menu includes customizable facial and body treatments, indulgent nail services, and delightful add-ons such as hot stone massage or a soak in the tub room, complete with rose petals and your beverage of choice. Infrared saunas are available for use before or after any service, and a salt inhalation room is coming soon.

“Whether you are on Hilton Head Island, in Bluffton, Savannah or Beaufort, this is a destination spa. It is a true experience to come here,” Wolfe said.

“You’re going to have that full relaxation— the plush robe, the slippers, the relaxation lounge, a glass of wine or champagne….”

Bluffton resident Joyce Webber has visited the spa three times in the two months since it opened and is eager to spread the word about all that Whisper Creek Spa has to offer. “I was here with a girlfriend two weeks ago, and we closed the place down,” she said, admitting to extended enjoyment of the ladies’ relaxation lounge, where it’s easy to lose track of time. “They’re so kind here; it’s so beautiful. I would like to move in if I could.”

Need a time out, a respite from your responsibilities, a break from the daily stresses of life? The ultimate bliss awaits when you make Whisper Creek Spa your destination.

Whisper Creek Spa is located at 1196 Fording Island Rd., Bluffton. For a list of services and more information, visit whispercreekspa.com or call (843) 9600100 for appointments.

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ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

SWEET SOUNDS ROSE HEARING HEALTHCARE CENTERS IS DOING FAR MORE THAN JUST SELLING HEARING AIDS. THEY’RE CHANGING LIVES.

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f all the things we take for granted, perhaps nothing has a greater impact than our hearing.

Many of us share the same story: One day we start noticing that it has become harder to follow conversations in a noisy restaurant.

We start finding ourselves turning the volume up a little bit higher on the TV, or even flipping on the closed captions. Then one day we realize we’ve been nodding in agreement to a story despite not having heard a word of it, and we realize that the hearing we took for granted is slipping away.

Whether you’re just starting to need some help with your hearing, or your hearing loss has advanced, there is hope. Randy Rose of Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers brings more than 42 years of experience to bear for each patient he sees, coupling his extensive knowledge of the science behind hearing loss with a dedication to staying on the cutting edge of technology.

But crucial to the different approach Rose takes is his dedication to the patient first. It’s not about just helping them hear better. It’s about the impact better hearing can make on their lives.

The Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers Team at their Bluffton location: (from left to right) Randy Rose, Bitsy Pfeiffer, Caryn Rose, Rebekah Campbell and Steve Krehbiel

CINDY STRADT One of the most common problem areas for those suffering hearing loss is trying to pick out individual voices in noisy environments. As a second-grade teacher, Cindy Stradt knows all about noisy environments.

“It was really hard to teach the kids, and I work with English-as-a-second-language learners,” she said.

Diagnosed with moderate hearing loss at 28 years old, Stradt at first just tried to cope with her problem. She eventually got hearing aids but found they didn’t quite get the job done. “The old ones physically hurt, and they just made things louder, not clearer. I stopped wearing them after a year.”

Relying on lip reading to fill in the gaps proved difficult during COVID’s mask mandates, so Stradt decided to give hearing aids another chance. “I saw an ad for Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers and said, ‘I’m going to give something different a try,’” she said. Rose began by working with Stradt’s existing hearing aids, but after a few months she realized it was time to try something more high tech, opting for a Widex 440.

“They’re amazing. It has made a world of difference … and their customer service is just incredible. They fixed what someone else couldn’t.”

Now, not only can Stradt hear her students better, she’s practically a superhero in their eyes. “It’s supersonic hearing, that’s what I tell my kids it’s called.”

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DON KOACH Advanced hearing problems call for advanced solutions, something Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers excels in. Don Koach has spent the last 24 years struggling with his hearing, reaching a point where he became legally deaf in his right ear, with 30 percent hearing in his left. Over the years, he has seen three different audiologists, but Rose went above and beyond.

“Randy has helped me to hear better … but the main thing I can say about him is that Randy’s service is a 10,” Koach said. “There’s never been a time when I had a problem with my hearing aids, and he couldn’t help me within 24 hours.”

Rose worked alongside Koach to assess his individual hearing loss and point him toward a hearing aid that worked for him. “It was really such an improvement because he recommended the right hearing aid—not the most expensive, not the cheapest, but the one that worked for me. And he adjusted them to give me more power to hear. That was a plus for me.”

Rose also helped point Koach toward an innovation that has changed his life. Available free to anyone with a hearing loss, Koach’s phone will actually display text generated by the person on the line’s speech. “It has really helped me understand what’s being said, spelling out exactly what the person was saying,” Koach said. “It’s a great tool.”  Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers has locations on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton. For more information, visit rosehearinghealthcarecenters.com or call 843-8022957 (Hilton Head) or 843-836-5554 (Bluffton).

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On a Saturday in July, the CH2 crew visited The Children’s Center to take photos for this story. The kids were excited to show off their wall climbing skills for the camera.

article By Barry Kaufman // Photography by m.kat

Teach Them Well and Let Them Lead the Way For the last 54 years, the Children’s Center has been quietly leading a revolution in early childhood development.

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sk any business owner you know, particularly anyone who owns a restaurant, and they’ll tell you in no uncertain terms: We are in the midst of a labor crisis on this island.

Companies can’t find workers, because workers can’t find the support they need to work here. There are no easy answers, either, making this crisis one that may take years to solve. And while the debate rages over things like affordable housing and fair wages, one aspect of this crisis has been overlooked: the children.

Let’s say you’re a worker and a parent and you do want to commute onto the island to work. What do you do with your child? Can you afford daycare on a place like Hilton Head Island, or do you find somewhere on the mainland and pray that you can beat the bridge traffic every day to pick them up on time?

There may not be any easy answers to the labor crisis, but to this one aspect we can at least steer you toward a solution.

“The thing people don’t realize is that childcare is an economic driver. Right now,

we’re in a real employment crunch, but that crunch is made worse when there aren’t enough daycare options,” said Jody Levitt, executive director of The Children’s Center.

Established in 1967, the center provides care for up to 200 children, ages six months to eight years. “Right now, we have 50 kids on a waitlist, and that’s 50 people who can’t work on our island. It’s foundational when it comes to economic vitality.”

Of course, when you’re providing childcare for the workers of Hilton Head Island, affordability is key. “The thing that makes us unique is our sliding-scale tuition,” Levitt said. This sliding scale takes in a number of factors, from family size and income to current poverty levels, and creates a way forward for parents struggling to afford childcare. Factor in that The Children’s Center partners with the state of South Carolina to accept tuition vouchers, and you have daycare that’s within reach for parents at any income level.

“There are multiple ways to make it affordable, and our rack rate is probably lower or as low as anyone else in the

Teach Them Well and Let Them Lead the Way

The children sit quietly and smile for a photo before the Saturday morning concert starts.

Lowcountry,” Levitt said. “We work really hard to make it affordable to start with.”

And while making childcare affordable is a part of the mission, delivering a quality pre-school education is the true goal. “We really are an early education center,” Levitt said. “Our goal is that when kids leave here, they’re ready for kindergarten. We don’t want to see children in a situation where they’re just watching TV all day.”

To achieve this, The Children’s Center has spent the last year and a half piloting a revolutionary new developmental measurement tool. Built in

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conjunction with Dr. Ron Erdi at USCB, this tool creates a database of innumerable points of data, comparing them against state standards and letting each teacher and parent know exactly what kind of progress a child is making.

“We give out reports quarterly, letting parents know what they can do at home and what they can keep an eye on,” Levitt said. “That way parents get to be involved in it just as much as we are. The children’s brains are developing at their fastest right now. If we don’t keep them caught up now, they’re behind for the rest of their lives.”

Of course, it takes a little extra effort to create such a well-rounded educational atmosphere, and it takes a little help to make that exceptional instruction affordable.

Through special events, grant writing and individual contributions, The Children’s Center has to raise somewhere near 50 percent of its revenue to sustain itself. “Fortunately, we

R Kenny laughs as famous local musician Jevon Daly sings about a seagull stealing his sandwich on the beach.

RThe children are in awe of

a dancing shark who shows up just in time for Jevon Daly’s smash hit, “Sharks are our Homies.” live in an amazingly generous community,” Levitt said. “We’ve been around for 54 years, so we’re actually the second-oldest non-profit on the island.”

In addition to events like the annual gala to be held in April of next year and the annual Swing for the Future golf outing in Long Cove every September, The Children’s Center recently unveiled its newest (and quite possible cutest) event, the Tot Trot.

“We were looking for a way to reach out to nontraditional donors,” Levitt said. “We thought, why not encourage our kids to enjoy the outdoors, get exercise and we can engage parents and sponsor a classroom to walk around Jarvis Creek Park?”

The event not only saw the cherubic student body at The Children’s Center playing in the sunshine around Jarvis

Creek Park, but it helped raise funds that went directly back into the classroom. “We had a goal of $1,500 per classroom. We ended up with $2,250,” Levitt said.

It’s these supporters who have helped keep The Children’s Center molding young minds for 54 years, but it ultimately all comes down to the folks interacting with those young minds every day.

“The passion that I see from these teachers, that’s the key to making it all work—having the right passionate people,” Levitt said. “They’re not just babysitters. They really engage with these kids.”

The result is children who are ready to take on the challenge of kindergarten and parents who can get back to work and help ease the labor crisis.  To learn more, visit thechildrenscentersc.org.

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“The house is intended to be a blend of casual and graceful Lowcountry elements with wraparound porch, integrated dormers and a sweeping panoramic outdoor living environment.”

— C O U R T AT K I N S

Article by Paula Magrini | Photography by J. Savage Gibson & John McManus | Graphic Design by Jeff Cline

A Summer Wind FOR ALL SEASONS

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heir new Beaufort enclave features more amenities than traditional neighboring waterfront homes: indoor hydrotherapy pool and hot tub; fully equipped fitness center; golf simulator, golf workshop and putting green; stylish state-of-the-art billiard room. And yes, even their own signature “Pelican Bar.” John and Lisa Cregan dreamed big when they decided to build in coastal South Carolina. It all began on the golf course.

“John first brought me to Beaufort to play a round at Secession Golf Club. I immediately fell in love with the incredible beauty of the Lowcountry and knew right then I wanted to live here,” Lisa said.

The couple shopped around for a while, exploring other Lowcountry communities and keeping an eye on less trendy, more authentic qualities in their potential new neighborhoods. In the end, an intuitive Realtor led them to a remote corner of Beaufort along the Port Royal Sound.

“We chose our new neighborhood because it offers everything we wanted: deep water access and the ability to have a private dock, easy access to the Intracoastal, golf, shopping, restaurants and beaches within minutes of our new home,” Lisa said. “Beaufort is a wonderful historic town with great people and abundant remarkable wildlife,”

Putting green

Relaxed casual flow inspires frequent entertaining with cocktails at the full-service Pelican Bar, featuring the artwork of interior designer Margery Berringer Schuran.

A Summer Wind FOR ALL SEASONS

she added. It’s also a welcome change of pace for Lisa, who maintains a critical leadership role as a Managing Director for the global wealth management firm, Morgan Stanley.

She and John selected Court Atkins Group to steer the architectural design of their island home. Since they purchased the property in 2004, they had plenty of time to create a wish list. Once they had their preferred local builder, Powell Brothers Construction, in place they provided a vision statement to CAG president William Court, describing how they hoped their new home would flow and feel.

“The Cregan residence rises on a remote southern-facing marsh front with a fabulous cove adjacent to the outdoor screened living area,” Court said. “So, the house is intended to be a blend of casual and graceful Lowcountry elements with wraparound porch, integrated dormers and a sweeping panoramic outdoor living environment.”

CAG associate Jen Foster teamed with Court on the home design and noted the intentional separation of living spaces. “In order to ensure we didn’t overpower the main

Open-concept living allows multiple dining options from the sweeping kitchen island to the glass-encased dining room.

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A little Asian, a little Lowcountry and a lot of elegance in the Cregan's master suite, which offers soothing nature and water views. house, the garage and carriage house spaces are separated into a series of components that are connected by breezeways and lower roof formed elements,” she explained.

Washington DC design maven Margery Berringer Schuran guided the Cregans’ approach to interior choices. “She is magical with colors and actually created the artwork for the etched Pelican Bar mirror,” Lisa said. “She helped us select our palette, all the finishes and furniture, from master suite to the centerpiece, our main entry,” she said.

John Cregan, a PGA Teaching Professional, said he and Lisa

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enjoy the reaction of visiting friends and family when they walk through the front door. “The house is designed to maximize our beautiful water and marsh views, and it does just that … the entry hall glimpses are breathtaking,” John said. “Our friends love how comfortable the house is and how many fun things there are to do.” Among his favorite indulgences when he’s not instructing golf students is sipping a cold beverage at the prized Pelican Bar or indulging in evening cocktails on “Martini Landing,” outdoors on the dock.

The Cregans have affectionately named their Beaufort

retreat “Summer Wind,” keeping in mind the familiar song lyrics by beloved crooner Frank Sinatra. They admit there is a special story behind the name they chose for the full-service custom Pelican Bar, though John insists it’s better left a secret. “Let’s just say the bar’s named after a memorable encounter with a feathered friend during an earlier escape to Mexico,” he joked.

It’s safe to say John and Lisa have found their quintessential escape along the shores of South Carolina’s intracoastal.

They recently relocated—permanently—to their sprawling Beaufort compound and are prepared to play all summer long with countless guests at Summer Wind.

It's all about the water at this resort home, complete with indoor SwimEx pool, porchside hot tub and, of course, dockside dining plus ski boat at the ready.

A Summer Wind FOR ALL SEASONS

“Our friends love how comfortable the house is and how many fun things there are to do."

—JOHN CREGAN

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ARTICLE BY TIM WOOD

FAR MORE THAN A CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT A BUDDING LEADER HOPES HER MISS SOUTH CAROLINA WIN IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF A LIFETIME OF IMPACTING SOCIAL CHANGE.

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ulia Herrin is the crown-wearing embodiment of taking advantage of opportunity. At age 13, the shy piano-playing middle child of Lowcountry musical entrepreneurs Jeff and Jennifer Herrin decided to forge a completely foreign path by trying to become Miss Teen Hilton Head Island.

“My best friend, my mom, convinced me to try. I laughed it off at first. Me in pageants? I would never win, so why even try?” said the now-19-year-old Bluffton resident.

She didn’t win that first try, didn’t even place. But she “got bitten” by the competition bug, and five tries, one second runner-up and two first runner-ups

later, Herrin has hit the big time. On June 26, she was named Miss South Carolina 2021.

“It was absolutely surreal, still is. My little sister Jenna tells me every day, ‘You know you’re Miss South Carolina, right?’”

Herrin said of her victory at Columbia’s Township Auditorium.

She is now in her second month of a year-long full-time job, traveling the state to promote both the organization and her platform of empowerment to women of all ages.

Herrin, a piano performance and communications double major at Auburn, wowed the judges with her flawless performance of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement.

“I’ve learned so many instruments, but I never played for anyone—not even my parents,” she said of her piano solo.

“Now, I can’t wait to get on stage and perform. The stage fright is gone. I know that’s where I feel most alive.”

She impressed the panel even more with her track record of giving (at age 15, she founded a local nonprofit to collect and distribute books to underprivileged kids and mentor struggling third graders on how to read) and her meticulous plan to execute her platform. #RealNotPerfect is a message for young people to fight back against the cesspool of negativity on social media and learn the tools to make it a positive experience that builds self-esteem and makes them catalysts for change in the community.

“I was 12 when I got my first social media account. My parents had no roadmap for coaching me there; I was online, seeing all the photos and all the hashtags and the focus on this fakeness,” Herrin said. “Being part of this organization for five years now, I have learned life skills and communication skills that have transformed me. I know now that my worth doesn’t change because of a random tweet or insult; there’s no pressure to fit a certain mold, and who I am is enough.

“And now, I have the confidence to understand the business behind social media—the positives I can make out of having a worldwide megaphone—and I own my brand and my message. I want to show teens how to be authentic, to maximize social media for good and not be dependent on validation from online ‘friends’ to find their self-worth.”

Herrin graduated from high school as a product of the Classical Conversations homeschooling program. She had outlets locally to hone her piano skills and join groups such as the Debate and Mock Trial Club, but as the last of the Lowcountry pageants shuttered after her first year of competing, she had to travel the state to battle for any more sashes and crowns.

Miss South Carolina rules allow for anyone without a local competition to represent any area around the state for a year.

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FAR MORE THAN A CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT So, Herrin was the 2016 Lexington and 2017 Clarendon County Crimes Against Children Task Force in Columbia, headlined representative in the Miss Teen South Carolina competitions. an event in Greenville, helped crown the first 2022 Miss Teen She was state first runner-up in 2018 and 2019 representing winner in Camden, and then finished back in Charleston Columbia and Georgetown before returning to Clarendon at a joint appearance with reigning Miss America 2020, for 2020, her first year competing in the adult competition. Camille Schrier.

She used the facetime with Schrier just as she had in Due to the COVID pandemic, she had to wait more than a talking to former Miss South Carolinas ahead of the June year to try to earn the statewide title.

“My family has given me the strength and belief in competition to research what it takes to earn the title.

Most of her days will be spent between myself to keep trying and doing what I love with this organization. I have been so “I WANT TO USE MY SKILLS her home base of Bluffton and the organization’s headquarters in Columbia focused on getting over that runner-up AND MY PASSIONS FOR hump for the past couple years. Getting GOOD TO IMPACT CHANGE ahead of representing the state in the one hundredth Miss America competition through this crazy year, I just decided AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. in December. to go in there, tone down my drive and AND I’M SO PROUD AND Herrin is determined to get intensity and just have fun and soak up HONORED THAT BEING MISS competitions restarted in Bluffton, Hilton the experience—be me to the fullest,” SOUTH CAROLINA IS PART Head and Beaufort and will meet with Herrin said.

OF THAT JOURNEY.” local officials to espouse the importance Herrin won the overall talent portion of Miss South Carolina beyond the dated of the event en route to besting Miss Spartanburg Lindsey Burrell to become the youngest Miss pageant stereotypes of years past.

“This is a completely volunteer organization of strong, South Carolina since 1999. She won $66,000 worth of scholarships in three days in Columbia and is now taking confident leaders—women who earned master’s degrees, a year off from Auburn as part of her full-time job fulfilling doctoral candidates and career professionals,” said her role as Miss South Carolina—zigzagging the state, Herrin, who plans to be a lawyer after earning her Auburn helping to both encourage new participants statewide and bachelor’s, with dreams of becoming an entertainment to recruit sponsors, while spreading her platform messages lawyer, a White House press secretary or even a legal advisor to the president. “I want to use my skills and my in daily appearances around the region.

Consider her schedule from one recent week alone: passions for good to impact change at the highest levels.

Herrin led business development and recruiting sessions in And I’m so proud and honored that being Miss South Charleston, met to partner with the South Carolina Internet Carolina is part of that journey.” 

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Enjoy a cold brew and a delicious cheeseburger at the newest waterfront restaurant in Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, Top Dawg Tavern.

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ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN - PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

The New Dawg in Town THE FAMILY DINING CONCEPT THE ISLAND HAS BEEN HUNGRY FOR IS UNLEASHED AT SHELTER COVE HARBOUR & MARINA

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he biggest question any restaurateur faces is, “Will there be demand?” You can build the finest menu, the most welcoming experience and the most hospitable atmosphere, but ultimately success or failure comes down to the fickle tastes of the dining public.

It’s a question that was answered with a resounding “yes” even before Top Dawg Tavern technically opened its doors in Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina.

“We were able to get our licensing pushed through so we could at least open the patio bar for the Fourth of July, and so many residents told us, ‘Just keep the bar open.’ So, we kept it open to give people a place to go before and after Shannon Tanner shows,” said Brett Summers, co-owner of Top Dawg Tavern along with his wife Renee. “We’ve never done that before.”

And there have been a few openings during the couples’ lifetime. The Hilton Head location represents the fifth Top Dawg Tavern

the couple has opened since unleashing the concept outside the fabled dawg pound of the University of Georgia almost nine years ago. A sixth, planned for Jacksonville, Fla. will open soon.

It’s a resounding success story, given what the last few years have meant for the restaurant industry. “It was a gut check,” Brett said. “But we were able to flip a switch in terms of what we have to offer.”

And what they have to offer is one of those restaurant concepts that seems so blindingly obvious in terms of appeal, you wonder how the island went without one for so long. The name Top Dawg Tavern, with its oblique reference to UGA athletics, plus the TVs that ring the dining room broadcasting a world of sports, might make you think that you were entering a sports bar.

Make no mistake, Top Dawg Tavern isn’t a sports bar. There are sports, yes. And a bar.

But that’s not the half of it.

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An open-air deck area with abundant seating overlooks Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina.

“It’s more of a gathering place,” Brett said. “We make it more family-friendly, with a focus on the kids…. Our whole thing is, we didn’t want you to say, ‘I’m taking my family out on a Saturday night to a sports bar.’”

Parents, you already have your guard up and we get it.

You’ve been burned before. You think family-friendly, and your mind goes racing to visions of animatronic rats and highchairs sticky with dried Pepsi. Top Dawg Tavern isn’t that either. This is the place where the parents can unwind with a few beverages and some great food, while the kids enjoy some fun of their own in the “Little Dawghouse.”

“The space we’re in used to have this big wood-fired oven for pizzas. That’s space you don’t want to lose, so we decided to make that into the kids’ room,” Renee said. Inside, it’s a private VIP club just for the SpongeBob set, with a bubble machine, strobe lights and interactive games projected from the ceiling to keep the kids good and worn out.

“So far our daughter has loved it,” Renee said. “She brings in every kid she can. And that’s going to be good for the adults, because it keeps the kids active and doing something besides looking at electronics.”

And as one parent to another, I should tell you about three beautiful words that appear on the menu: $5 kids meals.

As a parent of three, the author realizes that may be all you need to know.

“That value piece is part of the whole menu,” Brett said.

Having spent years in the restaurant industry at an executive level, Brett was able to create relationships with suppliers that have given him the purchasing power of a large chain. The result is a

A House Divided As you’d expect from its Athens, Ga. roots and its name, Top Dawg Tavern owes much of its pedigree to UGA. But as Brett is an Oklahoma Sooner fan, the restaurant’s name is also a reference to OU’s basketball mascot Top Daug.

With Renee being a die-hard Georgia fan, you can imagine what the Summers house was like during the two programs’ sole meeting, the instant classic that was the 2018 Rose Bowl. While Oklahoma dominated in the first half, after two overtimes it was the Dawgs who came out ahead.

“We had a party over, too. A whole bunch of Georgia fans,” Brett said. “I’d rather lose to Georgia than to Texas, I’ll tell you that much.”

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R The Ahi Tuna

appetizer, sesame crusted and seared rare, served with Wasabi dipping sauce.

Renee and Brett Summers with their daughter are photographed right before the grand opening of their Hilton Head Island location.

R The Tavern Cobb

salad with Ranch dressing

menu priced like a chain but prepared with the dedication of the momand-pop eatery that Top Dawg Tavern is.

A restaurant with a pedigree like Top Dawg Tavern will naturally draw you in with pub fare like wings and burgers, and you’ll find some truly inspired selections on the menu to accompany any big game.

But as with the concept itself, you’ll find so much more, like filet bites, stir fry, fish and chips, and the build-your-own-salad.

“The menu is definitely something that has developed as the concept has grown,” Renee said. “We’re not just a sports bar, so you need to offer something different.”

Putting a bow on the whole package is the dazzling waterside location for Top Dawg Tavern. While their Augusta location is right outside the gates of Augusta National, their Hilton Head Island restaurant represents the first placed in a spot constantly bustling with both residents and visitors. For the couple, who live in Mt. Pleasant with their nine-year-old daughter, it was a natural fit.

“We love Hilton Head so much,” Brett said. And their Shelter Cove location represents a rare opportunity to test out a family dining concept.

“It’s a beautiful setting … and I’ve loved working with the people at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina and Greenwood Communities & Resorts. They’ve been absolutely brilliant partners.”

And as far as a test of concept goes, you can’t ask for a better result than diners demanding you open weeks before you’re actually open.  Top Dawg Tavern is located at 13 Harbourside Lane in the heart of Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. Visit topdawgtavern.com to find out more.

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W O O D Tommy Prine sings onstage with his father, the late John Prine.

THE SON OF A SINGER-SONGWRITER LEGEND IS KICKING O F F H I S F I R S T - E V E R T O U R O N H I LT O N H E A D I S L A N D .

Tommy Prine H A S

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his is a moment years in the making. It’s a lifestyle Tommy Prine was born into, but a spotlight he had to earn his own way.

Being backstage at venues like Ryman Auditorium, The Troubadour, Bonnaroo and Radio City Music Hall watching his dad, legendary folk singer-songwriter John Prine, was everyday normal for Tommy.

“We had music industry folks, singer and songwriter friends, over to the house all the time just to have dinner,” said Tommy Prine, who is kicking off his first-ever tour with a show at Coligny Theater on Thursday, Aug. 5. “When you’re a kid, you take in the world as you see it. Being around this, being backstage, I grew up thinking this was what life was like for everybody. Now I know it’s a very niche lifestyle.”

He’s had a guitar in his hands since he was 10, but it took him a while to figure out if he could ever outshine the shadow of his dad, or if he even wanted to try.

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“My dad was just the kindest soul. He was just this normal, humble dude—never acted big time but you just felt special to be in his presence,” Tommy said of his father, who passed away due to complications from COVID-19 on April 7, 2020. “He was a superhero to so many—a core influence on so many performers—but he just loved writing and singing. He had no idea how much he endeared himself to a crowd; he just got up and told stories and it was just magic right away.”

And that is a lot to live up to.

“I never wanted to try to live up to it. I had to figure out if I could make my own path,” said the 26-year-old son of Prine and Fiona Whelan.

His first time performing on stage was playing with his dad at age 18 at the Ryman, an October 2014 show he was told about in August.

“It was a horrific four months, a lot of sweating and panic, but when I got up there, started picking and singing,

Tommy Prine it just felt like home,” he said of his debut. “I just told Dad to never give me that much time to think about it again.”

Tommy spent much of the next four years bouncing around, far from a normal college experience. He started at a school in Fort Collins, Colo. as a freshman, then moved home to work for the family record label, Oh Boy Records.

At the same time, he started volunteering for a Nashville nonprofit, Thistle Farms, a residential program for women rescued from sex trafficking, prostitution and addiction, and became friends with founder Becca Stevens and her son, Caney Hummon. He’d later introduce his mom to the program (she’s an ardent supporter to this day).

He finished up his college years at nearby Belmont University, living the stereotypical college life. “Being in Colorado and Belmont, making new friends outside my bubble, working at Thistle, I started to experience life a bit, the highs and lows,” Tommy said. “I’ve always written songs; it’s always been an inherent spiritual thing for me.

Now I started to write more to get my feelings out, and being out on my own, I started to realize how special this lifestyle my mom and dad had earned truly was.”

It wasn’t until he attended a holiday party at his family’s house with his long-time girlfriend, Savannah Hallmark, two and a half years ago, that Tommy thought he had the kind of talent to make a career out of music. He played an original,

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“Something Like an Angel,” a song about his friend, Max Barry, who had died of a drug overdose. The piercing emotion in the words and his unique guitar picking caught the eye of one of his dad’s record producers, Dave Cobb.

“Dave asked if I wrote that. I said I had, and he said, ‘That’s the level of song other people really need to hear, Tommy.’ My mom and dad thought everything I did was amazing, but that’s parents. To hear it from Dave, who doesn’t sugarcoat for anyone, it’s the moment I thought maybe I can make a life of this.”

Tommy played intermittent encores with his dad around the world for John’s final four years, including much of 2019—many times playing one of the family’s favorites, “Paradise,” a song about John’s birthplace in rural Kentucky.

His dad had survived neck cancer in 1996 and lung cancer in 2013. Both times, he was back out touring in six months.

“The lung cancer, his doctor had this unique rehab. I’d come home from lacrosse practice thinking I’m gassed, and he’d be running up two flights of stairs with his guitar, then he’d sing two songs,” Tommy said. “That’s him. He’s the hardest working person I’ve ever seen. And you know, you survive that much, you start to think he’s invincible, even into his 70s.”

A virus hit Whelan in February 2020, a flu unlike she’d ever experienced. The concept of “coronavirus” was just starting to surface. She quarantined, but John soon began developing similar symptoms that only got worse.

“It was just brutal. His health was never great, but he’d never let you know. But this … just hard to put into words,” Tommy said of seeing the impact of COVID-19 first-hand.

John Prine was one of the first big U.S. celebrities to pass from COVID. It became worldwide news immediately.

“We had 45 minutes together as a family before the news hit the airwaves. It became politicized immediately. I had to grieve and fend off all this bullshit politics; it just wasn’t right,” Tommy said. “It was almost bittersweet, those times on stage with him were so perfect. It was too good to last. Those four years playing with him were the best years of my life, hands down.”

Tommy has popped up on YouTube from time to time playing originals like “Ain’t Felt Like Me in a While,” a song about surviving his dad’s death during the pandemic. “Those six months, they felt like 10 years,” he said. “That was just trying to get some of that out to the world.”

He’s played mini-sets at places like the All Best Festival in the Dominican Republic in May, where he played with his older brother, Jack (don’t look for the Brothers Prine though; Tommy said Jack’s made it clear as of now, he’s not ready for the music path and is focused on staying clean after battles with addiction).

The Coligny show is the first gig of an official tour with Tommy Prine on the billboard. It’s in support of his first album being released later this year, thanks to the help of Cobb, producer Ruston Kelly and Oh Boy engineer and producing favorite Gena Johnson, and his dad’s booking agent and long-time friend, Mitchell Drosin.

Tommy had the chance to make a much bigger splash, likely could have ridden a wave of posthumous love for his dad and his family and translated that to skipping a few steps on the career-building ladder. But that’s just not what he was taught—not in his DNA. He wants his self-described “Jack Johnson meets John Mayer to sing some folk and Americana” songs and playing style to attract its own tribe.

“There were a lot of offers, sure, but I want to earn everything. I want my own fanbase built organically with a small circle of support.” Hallmark is his PR director. His mom and brothers Jack and Jody Whelan popping in are about as big as the entourage will get.

“Spots like Coligny, that’s right where I want to be right now, and I’m proud to have even gotten on Hilton Head’s radar,” Tommy said with trademark Prine humility. “I’ve been to Hilton Head once with Savannah and friends; absolutely loved it, just my vibe. I can’t wait.

“Dad was always honest, it was never ‘let me hook you up with this guy,’,” he said. “Mom always told me, ‘Your last name might get you in the door, but you have to have something to say.’ Our family earned everything, every step. That’s the only way this life is ever going to feel right.”  C2 MAGAZINE

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Maggie and Jevon get a photo-op with the giant adirondack chair at the Westin Resort.

The Westin Resort’s View 32 Low Country Burger with pulled pork, bacon, cheese, fried onions, Morgan County white bbq sauce on a toasted brioche bun.

Jevon, Maggie and Hunter finish the day at Coast, Oceanfront Dining at the Sea Pines Beach Club.

BURGERS + BIKING EDITION The team continues their biking journey to Ocean Blu at the Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa.

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iking around Hilton Head Island is top on the list of things to do for many of our visitors. With over 60 miles of leisure paths available for exploring, you will be hard-pressed to hit them all on your week’s vacation. But we suggest you veer off those paths and do a little beach biking for an even better time.

In the latest online episode of Maggie + Jevon Doin’ Lowcountry Stuff, the CH2 crew took to two wheels and biked from the Sea Pines Beach Club to The Hilton Head Island Westin Resort & Spa, sampling a burger and a signature cocktail at each spot along the way.

Things to note if you decide to take on this adventure: • Rent a bike: Bike rentals are available up and down the beach at various locations, so you can hop on almost anywhere. We rented from Sea Pines, because we wanted to start on the south end of the island and work our way up.

• Watch the tides. This is an adventure you want to do during low tide—more hard-packed sand and fewer sunbathers to dodge. And we strongly encourage you to do this September through May before the hordes arrive.

• Prepare to walk through water. There is a spot between Mile Marker 97 and 98, (on Burke’s Beach) where you will have to walk your bike through a patch of ankle- to knee-high water, even at low tide. Plan accordingly.

• Drink plenty of water (stay hydrated) along the way. We clocked over 13 miles on our adventure, from the Sea Pines Beach Club to the Westin, and then back again.

• Wear sunscreen. Duh. • Prepare physically. You should be in some sort of good physical condition to take on this journey. Biking against the wind after drinking several cocktails is not for the uninitiated.

Maggie and Jevon snap a selfie at the directional destination sign at Coco’s on the Beach.

M+J and Hunter with A Welcome Distraction (Jos Vicars and Candice Skingley) at the Dunes House.

Dunes House Burger with pimento cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato served with chips and fruit.

Follow our day with stops and burgers at The Sea Pines Beach Club, Sweet Cane Bar & Grille (at the Sonesta Resort), The Dunes House, Coco’s on the Beach, The Tiki Hut and more on CH2’s Facebook page.

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This & That

C2 Magazine • August 2021 Edition A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items.

You know…this and that! If you would like to submit something for this special section, please email hunter@celebratehiltonhead.com. If we have room and it’s appropriate for public consumption, we’ll be happy to oblige.

Palmetto Animal League is giving people the power to rescue homeless pets during their most important fundraiser of the year.

The Bid for PAL Online Auction will take place Thursday, August 5, at 8 a.m. through Sunday, August 8 at 8 p.m. It’s a must-see virtual experience for those who love shopping almost as much as they love animals!

“As we re-emerge from this pandemic, PAL’s online auction is a fun and impactful way for people to help animals and learn about local businesses that support animal rescue,” PAL president Amy Campanini said.

People can bid on a variety of items and gift certificates from popular restaurants, shops, and service providers. Each item in the auction represents life-saving support for PAL’s compassionate, no-kill rescue programs.

“When you go online to browse and bid on the wonderful items featured in our online catalog, you are saving an animal just as sure as if you were wrapping your arms around them yourself,” Campanini said. “Your participation in this fundraiser means life for a pet waiting for rescue.”

Bid for PAL showcases some of the most sought-after products and services our area has to offer. With just the click of a few keys, folks can find themselves relaxing in Bluffton, dining in Beaufort, wine tasting on Hilton Head Island, or shopping in Savannah!

“After the auction, you can pick up the items you win at PAL and visit with the adoptable animals you are helping,” PAL development coordinator Stephanie Bashaw said.

From golf rounds at renowned clubs to restaurant certificates, travel getaways, clothing, jewelry, home decor and more, PAL’s online auction has something for everyone.

“If you don’t want to shop for yourself but still want to help, you can bid on essential equipment for the PAL Adoption Center that will help animals for years to come,” Bashaw said. “We also offer animal sponsorships where you can sponsor a special-needs pet, a hospice pet, or even a freedom flight saving dozens of animals at once!”

PAL recommends browsing now so when the auction goes live, community members can stake their claim on some of the most popular items donated by big-hearted Lowcountry businesses.

“We love that bidders get to see the small businesses that are supporting animal rescue, even while times are tough, so they can feel good about patronizing these companies in the future,” Bashaw said.

The Bid for PAL Online Auction goes live on August 5 at PALauction.org. Let your heart do the bidding, and shop with the satisfaction of knowing that you are saving animals in need of rescue.

Jodi Baganz (contest winner), Maggie Washo, (CH2 Magazine), Daniel Moskowitz (broker-in-charge, Dunes Real Estate), and Jevon Daly (famous local musician) visit The Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island to present a check to Kim Likins, director.

WE HAVE A WINNER

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ongratulations to Jodi Baganz, who was the first winner of a monthly Dunes Real Estate contest, in partnership with CH2 & CB2 magazine. Baganz watched a video tour on CH2’s Facebook page and was entered to win the following: a $300 check from Dunes Real Estate to the charity of his choice (he chose the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island), a sunset dolphin cruise with Jack Crouch and Reel Easy Charters, and lunch with Maggie and Jevon at the local restaurant of his choice (he chose Fishcamp).

This monthly contest can be found on Dunes Real Estate’s Facebook page and will feature a $200 gift certificate to a locally owned business, a $300 donation to a local charity, and lunch with Maggie and Jevon at the restaurant of the winner’s choosing.

The current contest video features a “Maggie + Jevon Doin’ Lowcountry Stuff” video tour of a private island just a 10-minute boat ride from Harbour Town. Find it on CH2’s or Dunes Real Estate’s Facebook page and drop a comment to be entered to win. This month’s featured local business gift box is $200 to Little Fish Boateak, a popular nautical jewelry line by Lissy Rawl.

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This & That

C2 Magazine • August 2021 Edition A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items.

You know…this and that! If you would like to submit something for this special section, please email hunter@celebratehiltonhead.com. If we have room and it’s appropriate for public consumption, we’ll be happy to oblige.

Join Forsythe Jewelers for a presentation of Gurhan’s newest collections featuring an exquisite selection of one-of-a-kind pieces and handcrafted designs in high karat gold and sterling silver, August 5-7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Enjoy a complimentary gift with your Gurhan purchase.

Please RSVP to Andrea@ ForsytheJewelers.biz or (843) 671-7070.

POCKETS FULL OF SUNSHINE TO HOST FUN IN THE SUN FOR EVERYONE

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un in the Sun for Everyone is scheduled for Saturday, September 11, from 9 a.m. to noon and includes beach activities for people with special needs, their families, and friends. All ages and abilities are invited to join in the community fun!

This annual event gives all community members, no matter their age or ability, the opportunity to enjoy the beach in a safe and inclusive setting. Activities will include paddle boarding, boogie boarding, surfing, beach games and relaxation. Lifeguards and volunteers will be included in the event to ensure a safe environment for all. Adult/caregiver supervision is required for all attendees.

Shuttles from the parking lot to the beach will be provided. Beach access is wheelchair accessible.

Fun in the Sun for Everyone has been built off a 2015 Special Needs Surf Day, started by local high school surfer James Bartholomew, who wanted to provide a fun day of surfing for his sister and her classmates with special needs. The event continues to grow; in 2019, over 250 people attended. The 2020 event was canceled due to COVID-19, but Pockets Full of Sunshine partnered with Forest Beach Surf to provide an opportunity for the “Rays” to enjoy the water, despite a pandemic.

Pre-registration is encouraged so participants can request a T-shirt size and sign the event waiver. Volunteers should also register in advance on the website. Visit pocketsfullofsun.org for more information and to register online.

About Pockets Full of Sunshine Since 2014, Pockets Full of Sunshine has been working to make the Lowcountry a sunnier place by providing social and vocational opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities. PFS programs enhance the lives of exceptional adults (our Rays), by increasing exposure and interactions within our community, promoting independence, growth, a sense of belonging, and personal pride.

Founded by Dayna Dehlinger and Laurin Rivers, partnering with Carol & RJ Bartholomew, PFS has a goal of bridging the gap between the general population and individuals with special needs.

Pockets Full of Sunshine was inspired by recycled material from an automotive label company that looks like a small yellow sunshine. The ‘sunshines’ are recycled and repurposed by adults with disabilities who turn them into greeting cards, gift tags, magnets and stationery. Funds raised support community-based activities and vocational opportunities, such as screen printing, for adults with special needs. Pockets Full of Sunshine is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization.

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The Coastal Discovery Museum will host “Off the Wall” with Sheri Farbstein and Maxine Uttal August 26 through October 17. A three-dimensional artwork exhibit showcasing sculpture, pottery and functional forms but with a twist on talent is what you will see. This is all about students, taught by professional artists Sheri Farbstein and Maxine Uttal, exhibiting their talent and creativity in clay that wasn’t apparent before attending classes.

The opening reception is August 26 from 5-7 p.m., and the public is invited. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.3 p.m. The museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive on Hilton Head Island.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Bay Street Realty Group is thrilled to announce the hiring of Brooke Coyne as a real estate agent. As a Realtor®, she will provide guidance and assist sellers and buyers in marketing and purchasing properties.

This & That

David J. Lunin recently opened Evolve Furniture Studio in Beaufort. He specializes in antique restoration and reproductions, as well as construction and design. He will hold an opening reception at his workshop, 110 Middleton, St., Beaufort, S.C. from 5-8 p.m.

Aug. 6.

The 2021 Women’s Summit of the Lowcountry will take place on October 15, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Country Club of Hilton Head. The 2021 Women’s Summit is an allday conference that features expert speakers on a variety of topics including innovation, marketing, mental wellness, physical strength, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

The Winnovation Agency® is building community over competition for women business owners in the Lowcountry!

Join us for the most exciting networking event of the year!

For tickets and more information, visit winnovationagency. com/event-detai

God’s Goods Thrift Store in Bluffton celebrated its eleventh anniversary and its more than 500 volunteers who have served over the last decade on July 31.

Over the last decade, God’s Goods has generated just over $3 million for the mission field. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the thrift store benefit mission work locally, nationally, and internationally. In addition to the money raised and given to mission projects, God’s Goods also has given hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of goods to those in need in the Bluffton community, around the nation and across the globe.

The store, located at 15A Centre Drive in Bluffton, remains staffed solely by volunteers and managed by an all-volunteer leadership team.

More information • Shopping hours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday • Donation hours: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Saturday • For larger donations, please fill out the form at https:// godsgoods.org/donate • To volunteer, email Linda Tompkins at linda.tompkins@ godsgoods.org • Find God’s Goods on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/GodsGoodsThrift

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Hilton Head Island Mayor

M A Y O R

Photography by M.Kat

A Note from John McCann

PLANNING BEST-INCLASS PROJECTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY

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ne of the community’s goals in “Our Plan,” the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, is to identify opportunities for redevelopment or new construction to provide best-inclass facilities in the town. When Town Council adopted the fiscal year 2022 budget in June, we approved $28 million in funds supporting capital projects with that goal in mind. Capital projects are undertakings that help us improve or maintain a town asset. Projects may be new construction, expansion, renovation, or replacement of existing facilities or equipment.

Funding for capital projects is achieved by identifying the needed capital improvements, the cost of projects with ongoing maintenance and operating requirements, and funding support for the projects.

The town’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is comprised of public infrastructure projects and capital needs. Many of these projects were identified as needs in “Our Plan” and prioritized through the work of staff, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission, and Town Council. Projects are organized into

< Bluffton Mayor

the following categories: beach management, pathway management, roadway management, park management, facility and equipment management, fleet management, and land acquisition.

Key projects in this year’s CIP include ongoing beach management and monitoring in preparation of

A Note from Lisa Sulka

M AY O R

SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS

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s the mayor of Bluffton along with our town council, we have always supported our local businesses in many ways. The Don Ryan Center for Innovation (DRCI) is one of the most visible ways we demonstrate this local business support.

Bluffton small businesses are always seeking ways to improve and grow their businesses, and having access to local mentors is a critical part of that growth. Mentors are seasoned professionals who have “been there, done that.”

They’ve likely already had success in starting their own business, possess the specific expertise you lack and are direct but supportive. From insightful advice to moral support, having one or more experienced guides by your side can give you an enormous advantage. The DRCI has a program that can provide mentors to our local business owners through their multiple programs that are available.

But how do you separate the people who would make great mentors from those who just want to pitch in their two cents? Ask yourself these five questions to know if you’ve found the right mentor.

• Do they align with your goals? Finding the right mentor for you will largely depend on what you expect to get out of the relationship. Are you looking for someone to walk you through the startup process step-by-step, or do you need a shoulder to lean on when times get tough?

• Do you share common values? Just like any personal or professional

Photography by Krisztian Lonyai

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an upcoming beach renourishment project; new-and-improved pathways to expand our existing 64-mile pathway network with a focus on safety and accessibility; streetscape improvements along William Hilton Parkway and Pope Avenue; new-andimproved parks and recreation facilities; stormwater projects including the Wexford pump station; and Fire Rescue apparatus replacement.

Soon we will kick off two major projects: the Mid-Island Tract Park and Redevelopment Strategy and the redevelopment of Chaplin Community Park and Crossings Park. World-class consultant teams have been hired for these projects. The community will be invited to join elected officials in giving input on the project development.

This year, we have made a major shift in our CIP with the creation of a Capital Projects Division in the town’s Infrastructure Services Department. The division will be staffed with a team of project managers who are dedicated to working with our consultants and engaging community to advance these important projects. The team will also be tracking and reporting on the status of projects so that you and I know how and where the budgeted funds are being spent.

I hope you share my excitement as we start the planning and construction of projects that meet our best-in-class standards and meet the current and future needs of our community.

A Note from Lisa Sulka continued relationship, you and your mentor should have common values and a shared vision for your business.

• Is there a clear line of communication? Communication is vital in all professional situations – including mentor/mentee relationships. Some people are great at what they do but not effective at teaching others. Keep an eye out for people who explain things in roundabout ways, provide minimal details, or whose email responses are few and far between.

• Do they challenge you? If not, this person isn’t the right mentor for you. You won’t learn anything new if your mentor doesn’t get you to consider new perspectives.

• What’s their track record? There’s nothing wrong with learning alongside other new entrepreneurs (in fact, we encourage it), but a mentor should be someone who has a few success stories under their belt.

At the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, they believe that having a great mentor makes all the difference in ensuring growth and success in your business. When you sign up for one of their programs, you will be matched with a mentor in your industry who has years (if not decades) of relevant experience to share. They will provide you with all the business expertise, support, and contacts you need to gain an edge in your field .

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I S C IANS MU in bathrooms M U S I C I A N S :MUSICIAN: BEN JON E S ASTEVENS ND ELLIE LENTZ ZACH P H OTO G R A P H Y BY M . K AT

What’s your sign?

Ben Jones: Libra Ellie Lentz: Taurus Most underrated song that, in your opinion, should be a classic: BJ: “In Between Days,” by The Cure EL: “Reflection” and “Teach Me to Become the Sky,” by Naytiv Biggest compliment you’ve ever gotten from a fan?

BJ: One of my favorite compliments was about the way I combine various genres of music into one set.

EL: Someone asked me for my autograph on their napkin at The Jazz Corner when I was like 14.

What is your favorite piece to perform?

BJ: “Ain’t it Fun” by Paramore EL: “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper What do you sing in the shower?

BJ: Probably some ’80s ballads or some No Doubt songs.

EL: The shower is the only place I don’t sing.

Favorite cereal?

BJ: Special K, hands down EL: I don’t like cereal, but if I had to choose, it would be Special K. At what venue do you most like to perform?

BJ: The Big Bamboo EL: The Jazz Corner Most requested song at shows?

BJ: “Brown Eyed Girl,” by Van Morrison EL: “Brown Eyed Girl” First concert you attended?

BJ: Zac Brown Band EL: Hannah Montana Favorite artist?

BJ: Arctic Monkeys EL: Vance Joy or Kanye West Place you go to get away from it all?

BJ: Either my dock in my backyard or the mountains.

EL: Pinckney Island Do you tweet, gram or book?

What’s your handle?

BJ: My Instagram is @ben_jones 852 EL: Book @Ben & Ellie Music; Gram @ellie_g_lentz Continued on next page

ICIANS MUSin bathrooms Who would star as you in the epic retelling of your life on film?

BJ: Lincoln Pearson. Look him up; there’s a resemblance.

EL: Me. I’m an actress.

First instrument you learned to play?

BJ: Acoustic guitar EL: Piano Song you were thrilled to finally master?

BJ: I loved being able to master “Soul to Squeeze,” by RHCP, on the bass guitar back when I first started to pick it up.

EL: “Chega de Saudade” What do you wish you knew more about?

BJ: I wish I knew how to play the saxophone.

EL: The undiscovered parts of the ocean or space What animal do you most identify with?

BJ: A sloth EL: Manatee If you got super-famous and had to change your name, what would your new name be?

BJ: Derek Rogers EL: I would just drop my last name.

What famous musician would you love to sing a duet with?

BJ: Sarah Bareilles EL: Miley Cyrus

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AUGUST 2021 ALL MONTH LONG! MAMMA MIA! Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Through August 22, 2021 Best For Ages: 5 and up 7:30pm and 2pm Matinee The Sunniest of All Musicals ...

Just in Time For Summer! artshhi.com

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15 PICKLEBALL AT PALMETTO DUNES Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Center 9am-6pm palmettodunes.com.

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MON-SAT KIDS NIGHT OUT The Art Cafe 5:45- 7:15pm $38/child reservations required

EVERY TUESDAY! SEA PINES FARMERS MARKET

FARMERS MARKET AT HONEY HORN

Sea Pines Shopping Center 10am-2pm

Coastal Discovery 9am-1pm

JEVON’S KIDS’ SHOW

GURHAN TRUNK SHOW

Coligny Center Stage Every Wednesday and Sunday. ALL SUMMER LONG! 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Forsythe Jewelers August 5-7 10am-5pm Please RSVP 843-671-7070.

PICKLEBALL AT PALMETTO DUNES Palmetto Dunes Pickleball Center 9am-6pm palmettodunes.com.

MOVIE NIGHTS Shelter Cove Towne Center at 8:30pm AUGUST 5: Shrek AUGUST 12: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom AUGUST 19: The Lion King

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Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina Fireworks: August 3, 10 & 27 Shannon Tanner: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday through Sept 3 two shows at 6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Cappy the Clown: Monday - Friday Through Sept 3 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m www.sheltercoveharbourfest.com

GREGG RUSSELL Every Monday – Friday PLUS Sunday, July 4 under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town 8-9:30PM

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PARROT PALOOZA WITH SHANNON TANNER & THE OYSTER REEFERS Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina Thursdays, Through August 19 at 7 p.m.

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Shops at Sea Pines Center 4-6:30pm Meet the Artists of Sea Pines

THURSDAYS FRIDAYS

sheltercovetownecentre.com

HARBOURFEST 2021

FIRST THURSDAYS ART MARKET

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PICKLEBALL ‘SUNSET AT PALMETTO CELEBRATION’ DUNES 2021 SUMMER Palmetto Dunes CONCERT Pickleball Center SERIES 9am-6pm Shelter Cove Community Park 7-10pm AUG 6: Target the Band featuring The Headliner Horns AUG 13: Cranford and Friends AUG 20: Deaz-Guyz Free and open to the public. Pets welcome

palmettodunes.com.

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TUESDAYS

THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS

ZION CEMETERY & BAYNARD MAUSOLEUM COSTUMED CEMETERY TOUR Tuesdays 10:30am HeritageLib.org/ tours

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Expect the unexpected with The Flying Karamazov Brothers, four self-proclaimed eccentrics spicing things up with a zany showcase, filled with laugh-out-loud comedy, wild theatrics, and astonishing juggling feats .Tickets: $62/$49

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HAPPY NATIONAL BEACH DAY!

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