Celebrate Hilton Head Magazine- August 2020

AUGUST 2020

PLUS A VERY SPECIAL SECTION FEATURING MORE THAN

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LOCAL BUSINESSMEN

DID WE SAY HOT FIREFIGHTERS?!?

HOT ISSUE

IT’S THE

FEATURING

HOT FIREFIGHTERS! | HOT YOGA! | HOT SAUCE! AND WE INCLUDED SOME PRETTY HOT ACCESSORIES!

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32 SOMEBODY CALL 911 C2 chats with local firefighters about what they like most about the job, what they do to stay fit and at what moment on the job they were most afraid.

WHAT’S INSIDE

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A NOTE A FROM MAYOR SULKA

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FIVE DRINKS WITH: THE BLUFFTON BOURBON CLUB

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STEVE RILEY: DON’T CALL IT A LEGACY

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ERIC ESQUIVEL: BREAKING CULTURAL BARRIERS

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THE BOYS ARE BACK: GRAB A BEER AND GET COMFY, FELLAS. THE CLASSIC MEN’S BARBER SHOP HAS RETURNED.

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AJ STALEY: BENEATH THE BRAWN, WILDLY POPULAR FITNESS TRAINER KNOWN FOR MAKING EVERYONE FEEL IMPORTANT

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SHANE MONAHAN: SEB BASEBALL ACADEMY A FIELD OF DREAMS FOR ASPIRING ATHLETES

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PRESENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER: HOW COVID-19 REJUVENATED MY MARRIAGE

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MUSICIANS IN BATHROOMS FEATURING UNICORN MEAT

O N O U R C OV E R S

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BAGS, HATS, SHOES, SUNGLASSES & JEWELS! Summer essentials to complete your look!

64 BILL HERBKERSMAN The Pied Piper of the Promenade.

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MEN BEHIND THE BUSINESS Spotlight on local businessmen who set the standard for success.

Peter Janura of Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue Photography by M.KAT

Bluffton's Bill Herbkersman Photography

by M.KAT

GENIUSES AT WORK Architect of Ideas Maggie Marie Washo

play

Technology Mastermind Carolyn Hunter Kostylo Financial Warden Marion Elizabeth Bowser Influencer-In-Residence Kim Conrad Crouch Culture Maven “Just Kandace” Wightman The Boomerang Morgan O'Banion In-house Jeweler on Retainer Kaila Jeffcoat Intimacy Mentor Lucille Rosita Gonzalez Washo The Gatekeepers Greta Von Bowser Vincent Von Bowser The Cut & Paste Crew Jeff Cline Fran Sherman Robin Ross Catherine Colby Writing Specialists Cheryl Alexander Amy Bartlett Danielle Daily Becca Edwards Linda S. Hopkins Barry Kaufman Lisa Sulka Tim Wood Lighting Experts M. Kat Photography Krisztian Lonyai Michelle Meissen Find Us Here PO Box 22949 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.689.2658 m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com

EDITOR'S NOTE AUGUST 2020

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS… … and by boys I mean MEN. This issue is dedicated to the gentlemen who grace these pages. The guys who get up every morning and go to work, take care of their families, donate what little spare time they have to our community and make our lives a little better.

Our second Men in Business section is almost 30 pages, and Hunter and I had a memorable month meeting all of these hardworking, dedicated entrepreneurs.

As I read through each of their profiles, I nodded in agreement at quite a few of their statements concerning business success and learned a few things in the process.

One of the things we asked the men to share was their personal life mottos. Although it’s so simple and obvious, Larry Baker’s answer just sort of struck a chord with me.

“Never take criticism from someone you don’t respect.” He also shared some thoughts about persistence and how sometimes “no” means “just not right now.” Read his profile on page 56.

John Kautter, owner of a marketing & web design company in Bluffton had some insight on standing apart with this statement: “Marketing isn’t anything new. It’s the processes that make us different.

Don’t focus on being better than the competition; focus on being different.” There’s only one YOU, so make it work to your advantage in every way possible. Check out his profile on page 84.

HUNTER AND MAGGIE COULDN'T RESIST A PHOTO OP IN FRONT OF THE STATION 7 FIRE ENGINE ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND.

We also decided, since August is the hottest month of the year and we live in the deep South, that we would just go with it and feature some other hot things. Like hot yoga. Hot sauce (because everything is better with the hot sauce). Firefighters. Because fire is hot. ;-) In a salute to one of the last places men can be men, Barry Kaufman writes one hell of an article about how local barbershops are making a comeback (see page 45). He also drinks $500 worth of bourbon in one evening at the Old Town Bluffton Inn as he spends some time with the Bluffton Bourbon Club. Can’t wait for that expense report to come rolling in.

There’s just so much to love about this issue. Be sure to check out our features on Hilton Head Island’s Town Manager Steve Riley as he prepares to say farewell, along with features on Bill Herbkersman, La Isla’s Eric Esquivel, and two men whose business is sports: trainer AJ Staley and former pro baseball player Shane Monahan.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we loved putting it all together.

Until next month my friends … love & pixie dust.

MAGGIE WASHO Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

M A Y O R

Bluffton Mayor Photography by Krisztian Lonyai

A Note from Lisa Sulka

CENSUS 2020: MAKE IT COUNT, BLUFFTON!

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his is the year to be counted. The 2020 Census is Bluffton’s opportunity to collect data, which defines our town for years to come. The Census only occurs every decade. This is important because the data collected during the 2020 Census will define our town for the next 10 years and be an important factor in determining funds for schools, highways, parks, business site selection, healthcare facilities, infrastructure, food programs, after-school programs, and recovery efforts from hurricanes or other natural disasters and weather events.

This is my plea to every resident in the Town of Bluffton: please take five minutes and fill out the U.S. Census via my 2020census.gov. The five minutes you take to complete the Census is a benefit to you, your family, your neighbors and the overall community.

The U.S. Census is the one-stop shop for data about every community in the nation, and those figures help determine how big of a piece of the federal and state funding pie Bluffton receives. For example, funds for Bluffton’s sanitary sewer lines, which have replaced septic tanks in Bluffton and

prevented pollution to the May River and surrounding waterways, are provided by grants that are determined by Census numbers. State funding, which has helped pay for the Calhoun Street Regional Dock, parks, parking lots and other amenities, has been allocated to Bluffton due to its population and explosive growth. When the town applies for reimbursement from a hurricane or other weather event, those funds are partly determined by Census figures.

The U.S. Census started this process in March, mailing three reminders to every known address to fill out the Census.

In past decades, Census workers would go door-to-door helping residents fill out the Census if they had not already responded. Due to the global pandemic, Census workers

THE U.S. CENSUS IS THE ONE-STOP SHOP FOR DATA ABOUT EVERY COMMUNITY IN THE NATION, AND THOSE FIGURES HELP DETERMINE HOW BIG OF A PIECE OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING PIE BLUFFTON RECEIVES. have not received the green light to proceed. Additionally, in the past, Census workers have attended numerous community events such as festivals, farmers markets and sporting events to assist residents in completing the forms and increase the response rate. Again, due to the pandemic, these activities have been suspended.

It is estimated that each person brings about $2,900 of federal resources to South Carolina each year. If just 100 people don’t respond to the Census, the state could miss out on approximately $3 million over the next 10 years. The deadline is October 31, however, please respond now.

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5 DRINKS WITH: The Bluffton Bourbon Club Raising a glass to the great American spirit with one of Bluffton’s coolest not-so-secret societies WE’RE DRINKING

BOURBON THAT COSTS MORE THAN MY CAR, INCLUDING BUT IN NO WAY LIMITED TO A 12-YEAR PAPPY VAN WINKLE, A BARREL-PROOF COLONEL E.H. TAYLOR AND THE BLUFFTON BOURBON CLUB’S CUSTOM WOODFORD BLEND.

Article by Barry Kaufman Photography by M.KAT

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Barry takes on the Bourbon Club (from left to right): Bryan Baker, Barry Kaufman, James Atkins, Kevin Sevier and Brian Witmer

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he Bluffton Bourbon Club had already set out the spread of high-end hooch by the time I arrived at Old Town Bluffton Inn. Bryan Baker, Kevin Sevier, James Atkins and Brian Witmer are four of the principals from the 25-member-strong club, which meets regularly to sample some of Kentucky’s finest. As an avid bourbon enthusiast who generally drinks on a freelance writer’s budget, this represented a chance to sip above my station and meet some real experts.

BK: You guys even have your own tasting glasses; that’s so cool. Now I notice you rolling it on its side before you sip, what’s the story there?

Kevin Sevier: To me, it’s more of a game than anything else. Some people will say it lets it open up. The idea behind these glasses is that it opens at the bottom, and then when you drink, it opens it on your nose. When you go to tastings in bourbon country, they’ll take the glass and literally roll it underneath their nose while they’re smelling it.

They’re picking up the nose; to me, with this one I get a little bit of black cherry.

Someone else’s olfactory is going to pick up something different.

BK: I see. So, I am detecting notes of … bourbon. I’m not very good at this.

Brian Witmer: There are no wrong answers. A lot of people will be like, ‘I don’t know what I taste, but I like this.’ I’m looking for something with an interesting nose. I like when it goes down my throat and I can feel it burn. They call it a Kentucky hug. You can taste flavor in that. A really good one, that flavor will stay with you for a while after you swallow it. That’s what I’m looking for. When we do blinds, we usually put out some bottles that are $20 and some that are $300. If you like the $20 best, you’re the winner. I think it’s interesting when we do it that way.

BK: So, what is it about bourbon that drew you guys together?

KS: For most of us, it was something we had experienced in life and maybe had some bad experiences in college because we had cheap stuff. For whatever reason, it’s really a Southern drink, and we all gravitate to it.

James and I went on a trip up to bourbon country with Josh from Corner Perk, and shortly after we got back, we said, ‘We really need to get a club going.’ So, then Witmer was into it and we found a few more, and it was really word of mouth; people we knew were into it. We started off kind of easy. I think we had 10, 12 members the first year we did it.

James Atkins: By the end of the year we doubled it, and then we capped it at 25 because you get 24 1-ounce pours out of a bottle. We taste four bottles at a time and finish them all, but if we have more than that there…

KS: We have to buy multiples, and it changes. I think going to 50 it loses some casualness. We all know each other well enough now, and we have private text chains where we razz each other like guys do. A little locker room talk, y’know. I think if we got to 50, we would lose some of that.

We’ve used this venue. Vince [Harrison, owner of Old Town Bluffton Inn] has been kind enough to share this with us. It’s good for them. It’s good publicity so people in the community can come in and see that this isn’t just for tourists. We’ve used the Roasting Room at Corner Perk. We’ve used the space above my office... It’s not just professionals in the business world. We’ve got guys who are carpenters and guys who are out painting houses. We’re not an elite group of guys, and we’ve never pretended to be that. We don’t want to be that.

BK: That’s pretty keeping with the character of bourbon. There’s sophistication to it, but it’s the working man’s hooch.

KS: Exactly. And we’ll have bottom shelfers

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DRINKS WITH: The Bluffton Bourbon Club

KS: Yeah, that was intentional. The Whistle Pig, Witmer named it; he calls it Christmas. You’re drinking Christmas. It tastes like baking spices, cinnamon … you take a sip and it’s like you just walked in and mom was baking a pie. It has that great potpourri. And because it’s single barrel, it doesn’t taste like any Whistle Pig you’ve ever tasted before.

BK: You mentioned that Josh Cooke was a founding member. So, the new Corner Perk opening up right next to your office—that’s not a coincidence, right?

KS: (pointing to Atkins) Guess who the architect is? Guess who my architect was? Guess who talked me into putting a bourbon room on the second floor of my office?

JA: All I said was you need a large conference room on the second floor.

KS: It was designed as a bourbon room.

JA: We had fun designing it though.

and top shelfers at most of our tastings. Witmer’s in charge of our tastings. He has a great palate for tasting notes and loves research. He’s put some really cool tastings together. We’ve been relying on him to get all of our picks.

BW: I always try and learn something, honestly. There are times when you think because something’s more expensive it’s going to taste better (shakes his head no). And then there are things I never would have bought off the shelf. We put them in lineup; they go for $25 a bottle, and it’s fantastic.

BK: Have there ever been any that just completely missed the mark?

JA: When we did the South Carolina night … those are meant for mixed drinks. That should have been a cocktail night.

BW: I’m hoping Burnt Church Distillery can change the South Carolina landscape. We’ve done some tastings with Sean and Billy [Watterson] and they’re on the right track.

KS: We got to do a tasting with three or four of their products and give feedback. They have one called, I think, the Bluffton Whiskey that’s amazing.

BK: What’s the story behind the Bluffton Bourbon Club bottle here?

KS: We’ve done three barrel picks now: an Old Forester Barrel, a Whistle Pig Rye 14-year-old, and the last one was the Woodford. So, we got to go up and taste six different bottles; we said we just want one individual bottle, and they told us you have to blend two together. We picked two; we blended them on the spot.

When they blend it, they want that consistence of flavor, and then they water it down to their proof. So even if you do a barrel pick from Woodford, they’re going to water it to their proof, and that’s the only way they send it out. We put together a Woodford that does not taste like Woodford. (At this point, someone in the group audibly muttered, ‘And that’s a good thing.’)

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BK: We talked earlier about how expensive bourbon isn’t necessarily the best. This may be heresy, and I don’t want to sound unappreciative, but I didn’t really care for the aftertaste on that Pappy.

JA: We’ve had the opportunity the last couple of years to do a tasting with Julian Van Winkle. One of the years, there was a pretty bad review of their 20 year—arguably, one of their most expensive bottles to buy. One of the reviews went to the words of, ‘It tastes like a wet leather boot.’ When we asked Julian about it, he didn’t say no. He said, ‘Taste it and tell what you think afterward.’

That year, we tasted a 10, 12, 15 and a 20. Everyone wants to gravitate toward the oldest because you think it’s the best, but it was the worst of the four. This was a 2018 12, so this is not Buffalo Trace Juice yet.

BK: What does that mean?

JA: There are only so many distilleries in the U.S. E.H. Taylor is made

by Buffalo Trace, Blanton’s is made by Buffalo Trace....

BW: The other big one is Heaven Hill. They make Evan Williams, Elijah Craig … they’re probably the largest. U.S.-owned brand.

BK: Are there foreign distilleries? I thought by definition bourbon had to be domestic. What are the legal parameters there?

JA: All bourbon has to be under 150 proof to be bourbon. If it’s over that, it has to be dumped.

BK: Dumped? There has to be a market for flammable rotgut.

JA: I’m sure it doesn’t get dumped. I’m sure something gets done with it.

BW: They can call it whiskey; they just can’t call it bourbon.

KS: It has to be 50 percent corn, it has to be made in the United States, and it has to be aged in an American oak barrel—a new American oak barrel.

JA: It’s a very wasteful process. One barrel and then it’s out.

BW: But you can buy the barrel. They’re used for all sorts of different things — whether it’s beer or furniture. I have a bourbon barrel in my house; it’s become a piece of furniture.

Bryan Baker: We have distributors come in and do tastings. We had Old Forester come in and one of their products … they use the exact same recipe as their bourbon in a used barrel and they call it their American whiskey because they can’t call it bourbon. So, if you ever see an Old Forester American Whiskey, it’s exactly the same recipe as their standard bourbon; they’re just repurposing the barrel. And it’s far better.

It’s smooth, it’s a little more mellow... It’s nuts.

BK: Since most of us aren’t dropping this much on bourbon, what are some good approachable bottles you could recommend?

BW: Old Forester 1910 and 1920 are great bottles, in my opinion.

They’re closer to $60, but you can find them on the shelf. Elijah Craig barrel proof is another one. I like the barrel proof stuff; I just think you taste more of the true whiskey. Evan Williams single barrel I think is great. And Early Times bottled in bond, which is $25 per liter. I know everyone’s not a fan, but Wild Turkey makes a very nice bourbon.

Wild Turkey 101 has a nice punch to it. For what you pay, you get a very flavorful whiskey.

JA: Look for Johnny Drum. It’s made by Willett, but it’s under a separate label and I think it’s a fantastic pour for $20. If you want to splurge a little, Booker’s is great. It used to be $49.99; I think it’s $79.99 now. It comes in a wooden box, and it’s all barrel strength.

BB: If you’re not a drinker, though, you’ll typically want something smooth, and that means lower proof. I watched this documentary about the ’70s when everything was going ‘light’ and the younger generation were all drinking gin and clear spirits. So, the whiskey world said, ‘We’re going to have to tone this down,’ so they brought it down to 86 proof. When something didn’t turn out well, they were going to 86 it, and that’s where that term comes from.

They were bringing proofs down to get the younger generation to drink something they thought was their dad or mom’s spirit. That’s why it started to get diluted.

(At this point, we all break into the Colonel E.H. Taylor. As I pour myself what turns out to be a generous portion, all four men visibly shudder. It is immediately clear I have committed a serious error.)

JA: Let’s help Barry understand if he went to a bar and got a one-ounce pour of everything he’s had, what that would cost. The 12year, they’re charging $50 or $60 for a one-ounce pour.

BK: How much would this cost me?

KS: That’s about a 2.5-ounce pour, so around $150.

BK: Woah. If you guys do feel like charging me, I can turn around and expense this to the magazine (NOTE TO MY PUBLISHER: I was totally kidding).

KS: (laughing) No! We say bourbon’s for sharing. Unless we’re buying a bottle, there’s no money that changes hands.

BB: We’re just telling you that so you can tell your friends, I went to this thing and probably drank about $500 worth of bourbon.

We’re going to start calling you Eric. You gotta tell that story.

JA: We went on a bourbon trip; it was me, Kevin, Josh and Eric.

We traveled up, and it was four days of intense bourbon drinking— like two hours of sleep and 40 hours of bourbon drinking KS: So, we get to Willett, and this storm comes in. They told us they were going to cancel the tour.

JA: It’s not good to be in a brickhouse when there’s lightning.

They’re very flammable.

KS: They let us come in and at least let us do a tasting, and it’s the normal pours: Noah’s Mill, Rowan’s Creek, Johnny Drum, Pure Kentucky, Pot Still—all the mid-shelf pours made by Willett. We had met the master distiller Drew Kulsveen at a ham and bourbon pairing with Sean Brock in Palmetto Bluff. We’re sitting there and James is like, ‘Text Drew saying thanks for setting that up.’ So, I text him and he says ‘Are you still there? I can be there in five minutes.’

Drew rolls up in this blacked out Land Rover and says, ‘Do you want a tour?’ We thought the tour was shut down, and he says, ‘No, do you want a tour?’ If there was a mop closet at Willett, we got to see it. We even got to climb up into the brickhouse.

JA: Then rather than going back to the gift shop, Drew took us back to his lab, opened the cabinets, and said, ‘Try anything you want.’

KS: Our buddy Eric runs out to the bathroom, while Drew puts out this spread…

JA: One is 25-year-old rye whiskey. On the secondary market they probably go for three grand.

KS: We’re all trying to be gentle, thanking Drew for the pours. I go for the 25-year-old. If he’s going to let me drink it, I’m gonna go right to the 25-year-old-rye every time. It was a money pour. Eric comes back, we’re all sitting there, he grabs the 25-year-old and he’s like, (pantomiming a pour that puts mine to shame) glug, glug, glug.

We all just jump—‘woah!’

JA: Eric’s like, ‘What did I miss?’

KS: It was probably a 3-4-ounce pour. Drew was just laughing his [posterior] off.

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This & That

C2 Magazine • August 2020 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.

High Tide Restoration and Cleaning welcomes Chris Wells to the team as vice president. A Lowcountry resident since 1997, Wells most recently served as director of operations at Uniform Work & Sport for 12 years; the former high school business teacher is also the head baseball coach at Hilton Head Prep.

The Women’s Association of Hilton Head Island will kick-off its sixtieth year on Tuesday, September 22, with a “Picnic in the Park” at the Mary Ann Peeples Pavilion at the Coastal Discovery Museum from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Stan Smith, Wimbledon and U.S. Open Champion, Adidas tennis shoe great and Hilton Head Island resident. The kick-off luncheon will be a picnic with individually packaged lunches catered by Signe’s Heavenly Bakery. Smith’s keynote presentation will be broadcast on Facebook Live beginning at noon.

WAHHI will also be collecting new medium size, simple style backpacks (black, red, or dark blue) for Backpack Buddies. These empty backpacks will be distributed to schools in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island for students who participate in Backpack Buddies.

The cost to attend the event is $22 for WAHHI members and $27 for guests. The picnic is open to the public and WAHHI encourages women of all ages to consider membership as the organization begins its new year of programming. To register for the September 22 luncheon, visit WAHHI.org or contact Sandee Brooks at reservations@wahhi.org.

ZIPLINE HILTON HEAD OPENS AS DUAL CABLE RACING RIDE

Broad Creek Marina Adventures has reopened the popular ZipLine Hilton Head as a thrill-seeking ride for two people at a time. The ZipLine Ride reopening joins Aerial Adventure Hilton Head’s two-hours of fun through the trees on six courses facing 50 challenge activities. In addition, Broad Creek Marina and Up the Creek Pub & Grill continue to operate at full speed ahead. The waterfront restaurant offers outdoor seating overlooking the marina, marshes and water. Broad Creek Marina Adventures is also in the final stages of planning GoKart Hilton Head, scheduled to open in spring 2021.

If you’re looking for a new, creative way to celebrate someone special, Lowcountry Yard Art has you covered. Lowcountry Yard Art offers custom sign rentals to help celebrate special events such as birthdays, anniversaries, births, graduations, promotions and more! With over 50 boards to choose from, there is something for all ages. Signs are placed in front yards the night before the big day so loved ones can wake up to a giant, front-yard celebration. It is a great way to help celebrate loved ones while social distancing during the pandemic.

While many organizations have had to cancel planned events until 2021, the Savannah Philharmonic (SavPhil) remains committed to delivering entertainment and inspiration to the community. Carefully prioritizing safety above all other considerations, SavPhil musicians are set to delight audiences this fall, as Keitaro Harada, the organization’s music and artistic director, has crafted a compelling, revised schedule for 2020/21.

In addition to his steadfast leadership of SavPhil’s artistic endeavors, Harada has been named Associate Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.

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This & That

C2 Magazine • August 2020 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.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Bay Street Realty Group/Cora Bett Thomas Realty has hired Jackie Estes as executive vice presidentoperations. A graduate of Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, Georgia, Estes has been in the real estate industry since 1983, with extensive experience in REO (real estate owned)/ corporate properties.

Hilton Head Real Estate Partners is pleased to announce that Lisa Anne Randall has joined their sales team. Randall is a Bluffton/ Lowcountry resident, previously from the North Shore in Massachusetts; she is also a certified Hilton Head Island Ambassador and certified Bluffton Ambassador.

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YACHT HOP POSTPONED

In light of recent events, Hospice Care of the Lowcountry made the decision to postpone their annual fundraiser, the Yacht Hop of Hilton Head Island, with a new date to be determined. Area residents are encouraged to continue to support Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 hospice and palliative care organization serving Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties since 1982. Its mission is to give comfort and honor dignity for end-of-life patients and their families through compassionate physical, emotional and spiritual care, regardless of their financial circumstances. To learn more, visit hospicecarelc.org.

This & That

C2 Magazine • August 2020 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.

Heavenly Spa at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa is pleased to welcome Sheila Bracewell as spa director.

Bringing 25 years’ experience in the spa and wellness industry, Bracewell holds a bachelor’s degree in holistic science and was the 2016 Marriott EDGE Award Winner for team-building and excellence in delivering the guest experience

HUB Carolina’s is pleased to announce the new hire of Farrah Snow as commercial advisor.

Farrah comes from the Okalahoma City, HUB office with 15 years of commercial experience. Farrah, her husband, and daughter Syler relocated to Hilton Head Island last fall and are looking forward to making the lowcountry their forever home.

Charter One Realty has announced that real estate professional Courtney Heidik has joined the company as a REALTOR, partnering with Alison Melton of The Melton Group. Hiedik joins the company at their Berkeley Hall office located in Bluffton.

Second Helpings has received $3,000 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation just in time to help feed local neighbors.

Second Helpings will use the funds to purchase fresh food for some of its agencies that are most impacted by the increased need for food during the pandemic.

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Steve Riley:

"Don’t Call it a Legacy"

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At the center of all that growth and l change, you’l , y find Steve Rile a guy who transcended n the role of tow manager to become the conscience of our island.

With “retirement” looming, we look back at Steve Riley’s time with the Town of Hilton Head Island.

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Steve Riley does a walk-through with Chris Darnell, project manager of the new Celebration Park.

Article by Barry Kaufman | Design by Jeff Cline

hink about where this island was in 1991 when a young Steve Riley first came aboard as community development director. Think about where it was in 1994 when he was named town manager. Now think about where it is now, 26 years later. Think of all the challenges this island has faced, whether it’s digging out after Matthew or weathering the storm of financial crises. Think of how much it has changed and how much of that change has been for the better.

At the center of all that growth and change, you’ll find Steve Riley, a guy who transcended the role of town manager to become the conscience of our island. You don’t see too many town managers, for example, serving as grand marshal at their town’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Riley was bestowed that honor primarily for serving as what parade co-chair Alan Perry called “the face of Hurricane Matthew.” But in the minds of many, the honor had been owed Riley long before the storm.

And when that sash was placed on him, Riley did what Riley does best. He shared credit, saying, “If I have to be the face, fine.

But there are literally thousands who have stepped up and brought us to this point.”

When asked about his legacy as he readies for retirement from public life later this year, he’s similarly generous. “There’s nothing that I did—it’s council, staff, citizen volunteers…. I obviously played a role as a spokesperson or band conductor or promoter, whatever you want to call it,” he said, “but it’s always been a team effort.”

Even when asked to define what his legacy might be, he demurred. “I’ve always tried to avoid thinking in terms of legacy,” he said. “I think we’ve had a great team of people who have been able to keep the big picture in mind, protect the essence of the town, and provide a steady hand in what has been an amazing period of time.”

Then there was, of course, the challenge that he met with such famed resolve that it landed him atop a convertible on St. Patrick’s Day: Hurricane Matthew.

Simply put, the man is entirely too humble to recognize—or at least to publicly acknowledge—the tremendous impact he has had on this island. Break his vast legacy down to individual accomplishments, however, and he will at least (if only begrudgingly) admit to his importance.

One of the big improvements to the island under Riley’s tenure has been the proliferation of parks throughout Hilton Head Island. When he took office, essentially every activity or sport you can think of was held at Barker Field. By the 2000s, there were any number of facilities to absorb the activities of a growing population. “We hit a point where I was co-coaching in six-yearold soccer. The third game was at Barker field, and none of the parents knew where it was because no one had ever been to it,” he

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recalled. “That showed how far we’ve come.

For me, the defining moment of that was pretty cool.”

With the hinges loosened, Riley slowly owned up to his transformative presence on the island, or at the very least the great amount of progress the town has made on his watch. Things like land acquisition jump to mind. “That’s something for future generations,” he said. “It’s really a hallmark of this island.” He’ll also point to the partnership that allowed the Coastal Discovery Museum to move from a small building tucked away at the island’s northern tip to the sprawl of Honey Horn. Or the agreements that brought USCB back onto the island. “To me, that’s transformational,” he said. “That will pay dividends for many years.”

Along with the triumphs have come the challenges, with the first coming while he was still acting town manager. A national boycott due to the Confederate flag flying over the State House in Columbia had boiled over into protests, with Hilton Head Island playing host to sizable rallies both for and against the flag. “We ended up dealing with it pretty well,” he said. “We separated into two peaceful rallies; they generally kept things peaceful in many respects.”

“I’m too hyper to do nothing.

I’d like to continue to be productive in some way but out of the limelight.”

Simply put, the man is entirely too humble to recognize—or at least to publicly acknowledge— the tremendous impact he has had on this island.

Then there was, of course, the challenge that he met with such famed resolve that it landed him atop a convertible on St. Patrick’s Day: Hurricane Matthew. For Riley, the response to the storm was already battle-tested long before that fateful day in October of 2016.

“We spent all this time over a period of years sending people to help when other towns had disasters, studying lessons learned,” Riley said.

From urban search and rescue to people on the financial and development side, Hilton Head Island’s team assisted countless towns in recovery, while learning valuable lessons they would take home. “When the whole team came together after Matthew, after all those years and all those lessons, we made the plan work.”

He’s also faced the challenge of Hilton Head Island’s infrastructure catching up to its explosive growth during his tenure, with the latest moves representing a garden he’s planting whose blooms he may never see. “(Expansion at) the 278 corridor, I’ve been saying for 20 years we need to plan for that,” he said. “We’re finally doing that study, and that’s a crucial piece of infrastructure for the future.

The devil will be in the details, but that’s for someone else.”

Who that someone else may be, Riley doesn’t know. He’s stayed actively out of the search for a replacement. Other than putting out a few names, he’s stepped back to allow the town to make its own selection and for the next town manager to establish his or her own legacy.

“We’re finishing the comp plan, which started with the vision process … there’s the parks plan. I think there are some great opportunities” he said. “It’s the perfect time to exit. Here’s the plan, here are some ideas, but take this blueprint and put your mark on it. I’ve helped set you up, now take it and run with it.”

And when that day comes, you’ll find Steve Riley quietly stepping away from the role he’s redefined for decades. But don’t be surprised if you still see him around Hilton Head Island.

“I’m too hyper to do nothing,” he said. “I’d like to continue to be productive in some way but out of the limelight.”

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h C2: What do you enjoy most about the job?

GS: I enjoy helping people and making a difference in our community. It’s great to get out there and work with a good crew. If I’m there, someone’s probably having a bad day, and I like to try to improve it in some capacity.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

C2: At what point in your career as a fireman were you the most afraid?

GS: The first day! Coming in, not knowing what to expect—you have to earn your respect. It was definitely a nail-biting, nerve-racking day.

C2: What do you do to stay fit?

GS: I run and lift weights. I’m one of the assistant coaches for May River’s wrestling team, so I roll around with those guys, and that keeps me in shape. It’s a little longer recovery period lately, but I can do it. Ha! Ha!

DESIGNED BY CAT COLBY

C2: What do you do on a slow night at the fire station?

GS: We’re always cooking. If it’s slow, we’ll watch TV, pick a movie—just hang out together.

C2: What is the most frequent call you get in this area?

GS: We get a lot of brush fires this time of year, in this particular district. But the majority of our calls are medical.

C2: Do you have a family, and if so, how do you manage the strange hours required to be a fireman?

GS: I have three boys; two are in high school and one is going into third grade. It’s a complicated balancing act.

The guys are good about swapping days when needed, or I’ll take vacation days so I don’t miss sporting events.

We make it work.

C2: Is there any other career path you could see yourself having one day?

GS: I went to school and got a biology degree because I wanted to be an anesthesiologist, so maybe an ER physician … something along those lines?

h

FOR AN EPIC TIKTOK VIDEO STARRING THE BLUFFTON FIREFIGHTERS AND THE CH2 GIRLS, FOLLOW @CH2MAG ON TIKTOK AND CHECK OUT THE BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO ON CELEBRATE HILTON HEAD’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

C2: What do you do for fun?

GS: Surf. I’m not good at it, but I try. I work out, spend time with my kids, and I love doing DIY projects around the house.

Years as a firefighter: 18 Hilton Head Fire & Rescue

C2: What do you enjoy most about the job?

BF: The camaraderie with the guys. We work 24-hour shifts, so you get to know people and you get to become friends with them. Also, I grew up on Hilton Head Island, so I like being able to serve the community I grew up in and was raised in.

h

C2: What do you do to stay fit?

GS: We have weight rooms at every station. The town graciously pays us to work out on shift, and we try to do at least an hour or two because physical fitness is so important to our job. A lot of the guys are into CrossFit right now.

Our community expects us to be in tiptop shape!

C2: What do you do on a slow night at the fire station?

GS: There really aren’t a whole lot of slow nights anymore. We used to have time to play cards and watch TV, but now, if there’s downtime, we are just trying to grab a few hours of sleep.

C2: What is the most frequent call you get in this area?

GS: 80 percent of our calls are medical, and most of those are falls. Our

population on Hilton Head Island is a little older, so that makes sense.

C2: Do you have a family, and if so, how do you manage the strange hours required to be a fireman?

GS: I’m married with four children, so yes, it’s challenging. Luckily my wife is a scheduling guru. She’s awesome, and you can quote me on that!

C2: Is there any other career path you could see yourself having one day?

GS: Definitely something in public service … maybe police work, or working for a public utility? I’m a people-person, so something where I would be able to work with the community.

C2: What do you do for fun?

GS: Surf. I’m not good at it, but I try. I work out, spend time with my kids, and I love doing DIY projects around the house.

h

C2: At what point in your career as a fireman were you the most afraid?

BF: A few months ago, when COVID-19 was just picking up in our area, we were working on a cardiac arrest patient who we didn’t know at the time was positive.

Throughout the course of the call, we found out he had COVID-19, so we were able to take the right steps moving

forward with a 14-day quarantine. I guess my biggest fear was that I was going to contract it. Thankfully no one got sick.

h

Years as a firefighter: 6 Bluffton Township Fire Department

C2: What do you enjoy most about the job?

GH: Giving back to the community.

I like to help people on their worst days. I also love the camaraderie I have with the other guys.

C2: At what point in your career as a fireman were you the most afraid?

GH: The first day. The hardest thing was to prove myself to the other guys. The first few months were pretty scary.

C2: What do you do to stay fit?

GH: Watch what I eat! Which is hard around the fire station because we like to cook, and we eat pretty well.

I go to the gym in the morning or at night, and we work out together at the station as well.

C2: What do you do on a slow night at the fire station? Cook? Clean? Read?

Watch TV? Make TikTok videos?

GH: All of the above—plus some unnecessary online shopping.

C2: What is the most frequent call you get in this area?

GH: Because Bluffton is growing so much, we are getting a lot more calls for car wrecks as well as a lot of medical. Lift and assist is pretty common because of our older population.

C2: Do you have a family, and if so, how do you manage the strange hours required to be a fireman?

GH: I do my best to always put my family first. It just takes some planning.

C2: Is there any other career path you could see yourself having one day?

GH: I always wanted to be an astronaut. I don’t ever tell anyone that—especially now with all the cool technology we have. I keep track of NASA and everything they’ve been doing lately. If I could do something else, that would be it.

C2: What do you do for fun?

GH: I play video games. I’m a Call of Duty guy for sure. I’m also learning how to cut hair, so I practice on the guys when they let me. Working on cars is fun too.

h

C2: What do you enjoy most about the job?

LJ: What I enjoy most about the job is being able to give back to the community in which I was raised. As a native islander, I enjoy being a resource for all in the community.

I am fortunate to be a member of a work group within Fire Rescue that is addressing reducing community risks. I have had the privilege to lead Fire Rescue projects that increase our participation and interaction within the community.

Some of those projects include the annual MLK Celebration and working with La Isla magazine to increase awareness about the programs and services we offer. I also enjoy the team concept of this profession. We accomplish more together.

C2: At what point in your career as a fireman were you the most afraid?

LJ: I don’t know that I’ve been afraid. I’ve accepted the fact that there is an inherent risk that comes with this profession.

To me, preparation is the key. My crew will probably tell you that I have a few different sayings. One is, “We prepare in here, so we can perform out there.” The other is, “Knowledge is power. In the words of GI Joe, “knowing is half the battle.”

I place a huge emphasis on arming myself with knowledge.

Knowledge, preparation and past experiences enhance my critical thinking and judgement. What I am most afraid of

is being on duty and hearing a call at the address of my parents. That fear motivates me to treat every citizen as someone’s loved one.

C2: What do you do on a slow night at the fire station?

LJ: On a slow night at the fire station, I listen to audio books, watch YouTube or read about boxing. I enjoy listening to influencers and people who want to positively change the world like Dr. Cornel West. Currently, I’m listening to “What it means to be Human” by Dr. West. I’m a huge boxing fan as well. I often watch classic fighters like Muhammed Ali, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Roy Jones Jr., and many others.

I am currently watching The Last Dance. Michael Jordan, the basketball player inspires me. He said, “I don’t have a gambling problem. I have a competition problem.” Like Michael Jordan, I strive to be the best in everything I do.

C2: What is the most frequent call you get in this area?

LJ: The most frequent 911 call we get depends on the time of the year. Throughout the year, we get many falls, but during peak season, we get a lot of stingray punctures.

C2: Do you have a family, and if so, how do you manage the strange hours required to be a fireman?

LJ: Yes, I have a family. My family consists of my mother, father, sister, nephew and special friend. I love my family.

Their love and support is unwavering, unconditional and eternally loyal. No matter what challenges I face at work or in life, my family’s undying love for me will propel me to succeed. I am blessed and fortunate. I understand that many people in the world are facing challenges right now. I live by the principle, “If it can be done, I can do it.” My family motivates me to be the example.

h Years as a firefighter: 27 Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue

C2: What do you enjoy most about the job?

JH: The camaraderie among my fellow employees. No matter what’s going on at the station, you can always count on your co-workers to pick you up (or put you down … ha! ha!). I really enjoy hanging out with the other firemen.

C2: At what point in your career as a fireman were you the most afraid?

JH: We try not to be afraid, because if you are scared, you can’t think properly or function.

C2: What do you do to stay fit?

JH: Well, every year it gets harder and harder because I’m no spring chicken. But weights combined with cardio is my routine.

C2: What do you do on a slow night at the fire station?

JH: Sometimes we’ll watch a movie together or just shoot the breeze. But if I want some down time, I’ll watch a rugby game in my nice quiet office.

C2: What is the most frequent call you get in this area?

JH: Ambulance service calls: strokes, cardiac issues, general weakness.

C2: Do you have a family, and if so, how do you manage the strange hours required to be a fireman?

JH: I do. A have a lovely wife April and two children, Katie and Eric. I’ve been a firefighter the entire time we’ve been married, so we really don’t know any different.

h

C2: Is there any other career path you could see yourself having one day?

JH: I would love to be a wilderness guide somewhere out West.

C2: What do you do for fun?

JH: My wife and I go the beach or go kayaking. We also like heading to the mountains in North Carolina for some hiking.

h

h Years as a firefighter: 13 Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue

C2: What do you enjoy most about the job?

JH: It’s not a nine-to-five job. Every call is different, and I like hanging out with the guys.

C2: At what point in your career as a fireman were you the most afraid?

JH: I’m afraid that I’m not going to get the fire station clean enough before the pancake breakfast.

C2: What do you do to stay fit?

JH: For sure we do a hang-time challenge on the monkey bars out back and Dance, Dance Revolution.

C2: What do you do on a slow night at the fire station?

JH: Here at Station 4, there is no slow night. But if there is, we watch movies and relax.

C2: What is the most frequent call you get in this area?

JH: Falls with injuries are our most frequent calls here.

C2: Is there any other career path you could see yourself having one day?

JH: I went to school for computer science, but over time I realized sitting behind a desk wasn’t for me.

C2: What do you do for fun?

JH: I like to golf, get out on the water, and hang out with friends and family.

h Years as a firefighter: 15 Bluffton Township Fire Department

C2: What do you enjoy most about the job?

JP: Every third day, I get to hang out and work with my friends.

C2: At what point in your career as a fireman were you the most afraid?

JP: My first fire.

C2: What do you do to stay fit?

JP: I do a lot of walking, pushups and pullups.

C2: What do you do on a slow night at the fire station?

JP: Watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

C2: What is the most frequent call you get in this area?

JP: In Palmetto Bluff, it’s fire alarms going off. But as a whole for Bluffton, it’s lift and assist.

C2: Do you have a family, and if so, how do you manage the strange hours required to be a fireman?

JP: I have two teenage girls who are pretty self-sufficient at this point. If they need something, they call me, but for the most part, they try to avoid hanging out with me whenever they can.

C2: Is there any other career path you could see yourself having one day?

JP: Maybe a dentist or a doctor.

C2: What do you do for fun?

JP: Go to the beach.

E E S Q U I VR I C G N I E L BREAK C U L T U R S A L R E

I R R A B E

ric Esquivel, owner/publisher of La Isla magazine, the premier Latino publication in the Lowcountry, is not only living the American Dream, but is also a product and proponent of that dream. The idea and promise of America served as the foundation of success the Esquivel family cultivated for themselves after moving here in 1983.

Esquivel’s father, a doctor and immigrant from Columbia, and his mother, of German descent from New Jersey, instilled in their children the values that he credits for much of his success. “I learned about the American Dream from my dad,” Esquivel said.

“He taught me the value of hard work, ethics, and innovation.”

EXA YL AL CHER IGN | DES NDER NE F CLI

F

BY JE

Esquivel’s dad came to the United States from South America on a medical scholarship. “My dad was an old-school doctor who made house calls whenever necessary, and sometimes he would bring home okra or watermelons or some other compensation as payment,” Esquivel said. “Because of his values, people loved and respected my dad at a time when there were literally no other Latinos in the area.”

In 1994, when Esquivel graduated from Hilton Head Island High School, he was one of only a few Hispanics. In fact, his dad was the first Spanish-speaking doctor in the Lowcountry, and his older brother was the first Spanish-speaking lawyer on the island.

“We really didn’t know Latino families growing up here,” he explained. “I was taught early on how to be innovative and make a difference.” In fact, one of Esquivel’s mantras is “Adapt or die.”

From his mom, Esquivel learned to be open-minded. When his mom fell in love with his dad, she also fell in love with the Latin culture, he shared. “She was a cheerleader from New Jersey and my grandfather was a renowned coach and referee in baseball, basketball, and football. We were pretty Americanized, but every summer, my mom made sure went to Columbia so we could learn about the culture. She loved it there as much as my dad.”

They spent summers with aunts, uncles, and cousins in South America who taught Esquivel what it meant to be a Latino—who they are, how they live and structure their lives. From them, also, Esquivel learned to speak the Spanish language.

In college, Esquivel learned the value of communication. He attended Hampden-Sydney College in Farmville, Virginia, the third

LE BY ARTIC

“MAKING A CULTURAL LEAP WITHIN YOUR BUSINESS AND ADAPTING YOUR BUSINESS TO A NEW DEMOGRAPHIC CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST GRATIFYING DECISIONS ANY BUSINESS OWNER CAN MAKE THAT WILL INEVITABLY LEAD TO MORE SUCCESSES AND OPPORTUNITIES.”

.”

E I D OR

AS IS R T N MA S ’ L E UIV Q S E OF ONE

T P A D “A

oldest school in the U.S. and the country’s last remaining all-male school, where he graduated with a double major in Spanish and history with a focus on Latin American studies. He chose a small university because he knew he’d get personal attention and be held accountable in ways that might be diminished at a larger venue.

“The school’s motto,” Esquivel said, “is ‘Enter boys, leave men.’”

One of the methods the university employed to mature their graduates was honing their communication skills: four years of rhetoric and communications were required to graduate. So, not only was he bilingual, he was able to refine the skills he would need to communicate the concepts, ideas, and examples of his Hispanic history that he learned in his travels abroad and the business models that he would learn in his future corporate job.

ESQUIVEL BELIEVES THAT EVERY BUSINESS SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THE HISPANIC DEMOGRAPHIC AS A POTENTIAL CUSTOMER, AS THE DEMO CONTINUES GROWING, BOTH INTELLECTUALLY AND FINANCIALLY. During college, he also took advantage of a couple of semesters abroad to immerse himself in the Hispanic language and culture—both in the Yucatan of Mexico, where he studied the indigenous cultures of Central and South America, then, in Granada, Spain, where he studied Spanish history. “It was during these travels,” Esquivel said, “that I gained perspective on how lucky we are to be Americans.”

After graduation, Esquivel took a gap year to decide his future. On a trip to Austin, Texas to visit his best friend, he bumped into one of his roommates from Spain. “I believe in serendipity,” Esquivel said, “and I always listen to divine voices.”

His friend was now working for Dell Computers in Austin and, on the spot, presented Esquivel with an opportunity to work in sales. Esquivel interviewed, was hired, and within three months

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had established himself as a top salesman. He was promoted and moved to Dell’s Nashville offices to help start up the business there. In Nashville, Esquivel met his wife, they married, and he stayed with Dell for four years, cultivating a new operation and gaining business savvy—both of which would soon prove priceless.

“DOING BUSINESS WITH LATINOS IS NOT AS HARD AS EVERYBODY THINKS.”

Meanwhile, back on Hilton Head Island, Esquivel’s brother, the lawyer, was busy uncovering a Lowcountry community that was about to explode. Because he was the only Spanish-speaking attorney on the island, Latinos were flooding his office with questions about legal, business, and general life issues. He was inspired to start a magazine targeted toward the Lowcountry Latin culture, where they could find resources pertinent to them, their families, and their businesses.

The entire family agreed to collaborate, and in November of 1999, the first issue of La Isla magazine was out in print. Esquivel moved back home in 2003 and immediately began to put all the experience garnered at college, in his travels and cultural studies, and at Dell to work on Hilton Head Island for the magazine.

La Isla is now a bilingual (English/Spanish) multimedia company that includes free regional monthly publications, social media, digital media, marketing, advertising, consulting, and events. Since 1999, La Isla has worked to bridge cultural gaps and create new economic growth on behalf of the entire community.

Esquivel believes that every business should be looking at the Hispanic demographic as a potential customer, as the demo continues growing, both intellectually and financially. “Every major company in the world is doing business with the Hispanic population,” he said. “There are 56 million Hispanics in the U.S. with a purchasing power of $1.7 trillion. The median age of the population

in the U.S. is 27 years old, which means they effectively have 56.6 years of buying power ahead of them. That is a powerful market.”

The facts also support Esquivel’s claim that the Hispanics are the most loyal consumers any business can tap into as well as the most referral-driven and multi-generational market.

“Doing business with Latinos is not as hard as everybody thinks,” Esquivel said. “Especially when you partner with La Isla, because we provide all of the infrastructure required to achieve success.”

La Isla works with their clients to help them understand the demographic and the consumer habits, and to make sure they have the proper tools to harness the new clients they get.

The staff at La Isla will assist with cultural nuances, translate documents, and even help create scripts.

“Making a cultural leap within your business and adapting your business to a new demographic can be one of the most gratifying decisions any business owner can make that will inevitably lead to more successes and opportunities,” Esquivel said.

The nonprofit branch of the Esquivel’s business is the Lowcountry Immigration Coalition. It was founded in 2010 with a mission to advocate on behalf of immigrants’ rights, to provide educational opportunities to immigrants, to educate local residents about why immigrants come to the U.S. and why their presence is beneficial, and to push for overall national immigration reform. “In 2012 we challenged our state’s anti-immigrant law SB 20 and Governor Niki Haley,” Esquivel said, “and we won the case to stop the most egregious parts of the proposed law. We lobby at both the state and national level.”

In partnership with The Lowcountry Immigration Coalition, La Isla produces two festivals a year to highlight and share the Hispanic culture: Taco Fest in May and the Latin Music Festival in October. Both events take place at Shelter Cove Community Park and attract thousands of attendees.

For more information, visit laislamagazine.com and/or latinxtoday.com, or call (843) 681-2393.

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THE

BOYS ARE

BACK

Grab a beer and get comfy, fellas.

The classic men’s barber shop has returned.

Article by Barry Kaufman Photography by M.Kat Design by Cat Colby

I

t was 1966 when James Brown sang, “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,” and at the time, that was very true. The patriarchy was at the height of its powers, with men firmly in the driver’s seat both literally and figuratively. To be clear, we are in no way saying it was a better time.

joe gancio, proprietor of joe’s classic cuts in bluffton.

brent and lon nelson at barbers of the lowcountry’s bluffton location.

JOE’S CLASSIC CUTS C

The Mad Men era was defined by its misogyny, from the cinematic chauvinism of James Bond to the laughably sexist advertising of the era, depicting domesticated hausfraus, dutifully ironing their men’s slacks. The backlash to this, in the form of the feminist movement, was almost inevitable. That’s not to say there isn’t still progress to be made, but the playing field between men and women has been significantly leveled since James Brown celebrated male domination in song.

But as the rise of feminism led to greater equality between the sexes, those arenas that had been strictly masculine in nature were opened up to the fairer sex. Women in the workplace meant that water cooler talk and locker room talk became two distinctly different languages. The sports bar was no longer a men-only sanctuary as professional leagues realized they weren’t marketing to half the population. Even bowling alleys became a co-ed affair. Bowling alleys! In short, guys began running out of places to be guys.

But there is one last refuge for the male population, one where women aren’t necessarily unwelcome, it’s just that they don’t have much reason to go there. In this shelter, we are free to have heated discussions about sporting events, sip on a cold beer or a neat scotch, tell the odd risqué joke and generally let our Y chromosome run around for a little bit. It’s the classic men’s barbershop, and it is back in a big way.

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At Joe’s Classic Cuts, owner Joe Gancio has taken great pains to create an environment that welcomes guys of all ages. Here, you’ll find a pair of TVs that run sports and classic movies because, said Gancio “We’re guys. We like sports.”

For the drinking man, Gancio’s offers a spot to show off the latest bottle of high-end hooch you’ve added to your collection by giving customers their own booze locker off to one side. “Guys bring their own bottles of bourbon, scotch, whiskey … I have guys that come in just to grab a drink and hang out,” he said. “No one’s being rude, no one’s getting (drunk), they just come in and have a laugh.”

And if you didn’t bring your own, Joe has you covered with a few select bottles adding to a range of beers, sodas and coffee. “The only thing I tell people is don’t ever ask.

Just take it,” he said.

Those hallmarks of the men’s barbershop – a sense of community and a welcome environment, are key components of the experience at Barbers of the Lowcountry. Owner Brent Nelson has been working with his dad Lou for nearly 20 years, perfecting the art of the male haircut and honing the vintage vibe of the waiting area.

“We’ve always really wanted to make sure we were getting the experience right,” Brent said. That experience means most regulars plan on showing up well before their appointment time so they can dig into some of that day’s made-from-scratch desserts, shoot the breeze with the staff, or pour a glass from the rotating selection of craft beers on tap.

“We started out featuring just local beers, but then we started reaching out and trying other small breweries, which was great because, on top of everything, we get to help out another small business,” Brent said. That philosophy extends far beyond beer. Making connections with the broader business community has been a staple of Barbers of the Lowcountry, where partnerships with local connections is key.

“Those connections run deep,” Brent said. The shop partners with area businesses for a regular sponsorship, giving them props on the beer selection, advertising segments throughout the day on the in-shop radio station, and quarterly meet-ups where businesses can let clients enjoy the famed hospitality at Barbers of the Lowcountry.

BARBERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY B

That experience means most regulars plan on showing up well before their appointment time so they can dig into some of that day’s made-from-scratch desserts, shoot the breeze with the staff, or pour a glass from the rotating selection of craft beers on tap.

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jeff land and dave butler at barber shop bluffton.

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In many ways, the modern men’s barbershop serves as almost a rec room, where they happen to be selling haircuts. At the Barber shop Bluffton, you’re as likely to find a conversation swirling around the shuffleboard table as you will around the barber’s chair.

“We try to cater to young and old,” owner Jeff Land said. “We’ve got fridges of water and Wi-Fi, music going on inside and outside, sports on TV…. We make it comfortable for everyone.”

The hunting trophies across the walls might make you think that you’d wandered into a lodge at the height of deer season, which is funny because Land, like his fatherin-law Rick Tramuta who collected the trophies, doesn’t hunt. Prior to the move to Bluffton, Tramuta and Land cut hair on the island for many decades, building up a clientele and a collection.

“Being in business as long as we have, we have a lot of customers that felt like we were family, who would shoot it and bring it in,” Land said. The skins add to antique memorabilia and weaponry that customers have either donated or bartered over the years, adding their own personal touch to the environment. “One guy’s wife told him, ‘It either goes in the garage or it goes to the barber shop.’”

These are just a few of the places around the Lowcountry where guys can go connect with other guys, be part of a community, talk about sports (or, more accurately, argue about sports), discuss the issues of the day, enjoy a drink, and just bask in the simple joys of masculinity. Oh, and if there’s time, they can get a haircut. 

Barber shop bluffton E

The skins add to antique memorabilia and weaponry that customers have either donated or bartered over the years, adding their own personal touch to the environment. “One guy’s wife told him, ‘It either goes in the garage or it goes to the barber shop.’”

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ARTICLE BY DANIELLE DAILY

WHY I LOVE HOT YOGA W

hy do otherwise sane human beings pay good money to take a yoga class in a room where the climate resembles Dante’s Inferno? For 15 years, I swore I’d never step foot in one of those horrible hot yoga studios. My idea of yoga was peaceful and relaxing, not torturous and sweaty. Then one day, I found myself standing at the intersection of desperation and convenience, so I caved in and booked a class. That was four years ago, and I’ve been hooked on hot yoga ever since!

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HOT YOGA GAVE ME THE IMMEDIATE STRESS RELIEF I NEEDED, AND THE MORE I WENT, THE BETTER I FELT. I WOULD BE LYING IF I SAID I LOVED HOT YOGA IMMEDIATELY.

Yoga has served as a lifeline for me since college when I felt like I might spontaneously combust from the stress of working, taking 50 percent more credit hours than what is considered full-time, and applying to graduate school. I’d heard yoga could teach me to quiet my mind, and since I was stressed to the max all day and having nightmares about my teeth falling out or driving down the road in the dark with no headlights at night, I knew I needed something that would help me manage the demands of my life choices or I would have a breakdown. Yoga was exactly what I needed, and it hooked me from my very first class.

Flash forward 15 years. Instead of the stress of work and college, I was dealing with the stress of a divorce. Desperate for relief, the only yoga studio in town I had not tried offered heated classes.

Throughout the years between college and divorce, yoga remained a big part of my life, but my tried-andtrue gentle yoga practice wasn’t cutting it anymore. My right eye had developed an involuntary twitch—a telltale sign that stress and anxiety were taking an even greater toll on my health. I needed to do something fast before I started having heart palpitations or fell into depression.

Hot yoga gave me the immediate stress relief I needed, and the more I went, the better I felt. I would be lying if I said I loved hot yoga immediately. In fact, it took me almost two years to learn to love it.

Besides being the effective stress reliever I desperately needed, here are five reasons I slowly but surely fell head-over-heels in love with hot yoga and why you will too: 1) Walking into a room that felt like summer, even in February! I learned I could arrive for class 15 or 20 minutes early to roll out my mat, lie down, close my eyes, and imagine I was relaxing on a tropical island. The membership fee was a bargain compared to the expense and hassle of planning a real vacation.

2) Releasing bottled up emotions.

Although I felt tempted to leave once I had to stop daydreaming and start moving, a little voice inside my head told me I needed to be there and that exerting my body was helping me release some of the ocean of grief I was feeling, through my pores as sweat instead of through my eyes as tears. I hate crying because it gives me a headache, so the torture of moving my body in a hot room for an hour to generate sweat seemed less horrible than having to go home to cry it out and endure a headache that would last until I went to sleep. I soon started leaving sweat angels on my mat and later joked to Liba, the studio owner, that if she had any idea how much grief I had released in her studio, she would have charged me extra.

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3) Letting go of vanity. Even the most experienced yogi will look like a drowned rat after a few minutes of practice, so there’s no divide between who looks good doing it and who looks like a sweaty disaster. Everyone looks awful. There is a humorous meme out there about hot yoga Barbie. Google it. You will laugh, and it’s an accurate representation of what everyone looks like by the end of class.

4) Leveling the mental and emotional playing field.

You can’t deny it’s uncomfortably hot once you get moving, and no one has it easy. When you’re suffering from emotional pain, it is easy to start feeling isolated. Being in community with others who were enduring something difficult helped me feel connected. We were all after the same goal: keep going because the only way out is through.

5) Feeling strong! It didn’t happen overnight, but after several months of practice, I had the fittest body I’ve ever had the pleasure of living in. Today, at age 41, I’m able to perform gravity-defying arm balances that make me feel like a kid again!

Hot yoga isn’t for everyone. Check with your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough to practice before you throw yourself into the fire. If you’re cleared to play among the heat hounds of hot yoga, I know you will love imagining your tropical island getaway before class, releasing emotions that feel toxic and heavy through your pores, letting go of vanity as you become a sweaty mess, feeling like part of a community, and building strength that can make you feel like a kid again. I mean, what’s a little heat when you can you get all that plus a great workout in just an hour?

Danielle Daily is a speaker, author, and Host of The Suddenly Single Show podcast. Find her at www.SuddenlySingleShow. com or on Instagram @TheSuddendlySingleShow.

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Bags, Hats, Shoes, Sunglasses & Jewels!

PALMETTOES Shoes: Chocolat Blu $185 Sunglasses: $14.95 Earrings: Selina King $295 Clutch: Hobo $108 Scarf: $75

Summer Essentials to complete your look

PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT | STYLING BY KAILA JEFFCOAT | DESIGN BY JEFF CLINE *Prices change and human error occurs -please see boutique listed for final pricing on all items.

GIGI’S Tote: Michael Stars $84 Headband: $23 Sunglasses: $25 Sandals: Havaianas $40 Bangles: BuDhaGirl $120

Summer Essentials

Summer Essentials

SO SANDRA Hat: Wyeth $78 Shoes: Mark Jenkins $118 Earrings: $32 Dragonfly Necklace: Hilton Head Jewels: $49 Coin Necklace: Senn Designs $64

SOUTHERN TIDE IKAT Backpack $128 Promenade Flip-Flop I’m Metallic Gold $44.50 Mini Skipjack Hat $25 Can Caddie $7.50 Dog Collar $28

Summer Essentials

Handbag: Spartina $195 Earrings: little fish BOATEAK $62 Sunglasses: RHEOS floatable and polarized $55

EGAN + ELLA Hat: $24 Shoes: Top Moda $40 Clutch: $40 Earrings: $20 Bracelet: $30

Summer Essentials

FRESH PRODUCE

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Diffuser: Capri Blue $40 Necklace: Bittersweet Designs $498 Shoes: Soludos $98 Earrings: $58 Canvas Tote: The Birdie James Brand $88

COASTAL BLISS Bangles: $35 Shoes: Coconuts by Matisse $42 Earrings: (red and blue) $38 each

Summer Essentials

BIRDIE JAMES

HOT DADDY’S SAUCE AND OIL CO. IS YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR SAUCES, SEASONINGS, OILS, BALSAMICS, JELLIES, AND MORE.

FROM MILD TO

Wild

GET SAUCED AT HOT DADDY’S OF HILTON HEAD Article By Amy Bartlett

A

s early as Mayans adding pepper to water on their best day ever, or as new millennium as Gordon Ramsey’s cult classic “Hot Ones,” where celebs cry and drink milk on YouTube to prove they can take the heat, people love a good hot sauce. Enter Hot Daddy’s of Hilton Head, located in the heart of Coligny Plaza, with tightly stocked shelves of sauces, dips, and oils, from gimmicky to gourmet.

THE POWER OF FLAVOR Owner and operator Garret Seman said many customers come in looking for a challenge, asking the No. 1 question, “What’s the hottest thing you have in the store?” The aftermath can be read in kill-me-now comments on Google, Yelp, and Facebook, where Hot Daddy’s has an almost perfect record of 4- and 5-star reviews. Mentioning “awesome owners” and “friendly staff,” the

third most common remarks are tales of survival and swagger like “melt my face” or “Don’t Do It Reaper Sauce” or gifts for friends who “aren’t happy unless they’re in pepper pain.”

“A lot of people come in looking for a challenge,” Seman said, “but most just come in looking for recommendations. We know our product, and we try to have a little something for everybody. Starting our focus with the hot stuff, we’ve gradually grown to provide a one-stop shop for sauces, seasonings, oils, balsamics, jellies, and more.” (The “and more” includes grilling, steak, and BBQ sauces; spices and rubs; pickled goods and salsas; and “not-hots” like fruity dessert sauces.) “We believe in the power of flavor,” says the About Us section on their website, which reads like a food blog. “We pride ourselves on having something suitable for any dish known to man. Whether you are making a gourmet surf ’n’ turf dinner or trying to spice up that bowl of ramen.”

Though sampling practices are different now due to added measures of caring for the community’s health, the proprietors are still proponents of the try-before-you-buy philosophy, ensuring sanitary options for tasting tours.

HOW HIGH YOU CAN CLIMB ON THE SCOVILLE SCALE? The shop is organized by heat level, “from mild to wild.” You can brave your way to “can’t feel my face,” hang in the kiddie pool with Cucumber Melon White Balsamic, or pick up a Carolina Cajun rub for the weekend. Not sure? The walls are covered with pairings, and the helpful hosts know how to talk you through your menu. No food shop in the state would be worth their southern salt without a selection of local and regional sauces, and Certified S.C., Palmetto Pepper Potions make great gifts or summer souvenirs for locals or faraway friends.

Basic recommendation for beginners? Seman suggests the go-to Sweet N’ Spicy Peach, which has just the right amount of everything. With reward cards, mini bottles, gift packages, and more, Hot Daddy’s of Hilton Head invites you to stop by the shop and “get sauced.”

For more information, visit hotdaddyshhi.com or call (843) 802-4830.

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ARTICLE BY TIM WOOD | DESIGN BY JEFF CLINE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

H

e may not be a born-there native, but the core visionaries behind Bluffton’s last quarter century of economic growth inevitably bring up one person: Bill Herbkersman. Many newer residents know the 62-year-old fixture of Old Town Bluffton as the longtime S.C. House Representative for District 118, which covers Bluffton and parts of Hardeeville. But those around for the early-2000s growth that created the foundation for the town’s financial boom know that Herbkersman is the brains for what has become Bluffton’s town center, The Promenade.

“It was an idea, a dream. I have always been the guy who wants to identify a need and fill it,” Herbkersman said of the birth of The Promenade.

“That’s how I was raised—to dream, but to go further than the dream, to find the way to turn the dream into a plan and a reality. But I’ve always been that doer. I remember having high school friends who were moving into an apartment, and they said it was going to take them six weeks to get it clean.

I was the guy who cleaned it in two days. There’s always a different, more efficient way to get that dream achieved.”

Those who have seen first-hand how Herbkersman executes a plan say it’s a marvel to watch and be part of. “The guy is a doer; he just doesn’t take no for an answer when he knows there is a yes,” said longtime friend and restauranteur Ted Huffman.

“He’s a force, a machine and just a positive-outcome guy—has been since the day I met him.”

Herbkersman was the 1.0 version of the now-cliched Ohio transplant: a debonair son of the Cleveland suburb of Bedford who headed south for college at the University of South Carolina.

Herbkersman migrated to Hilton Head during summer breaks to lifeguard and bartend, but he didn’t come to the island for an easygoing academic break. He said he had a plan almost from day one.

ant r G a n e R wton, sman in the e N n o t s e W ill Herbker and B Carolina House bioaf.

South entatives in Colum Repres “It’s when the entrepreneurial bug really kicked into high gear. There was opportunity all around me; it was crazy,” he said.

“I looked around and said there are all these resorts and tourists, and they need a better way of getting around than cars.”

After college, he put his USC business classes to immediate use by starting a bike rental business on Archer Road. The shop sold bikes, but more important, rented bikes to resorts and villas all around the island—one of the first companies to offer such a service.

“I mean, we were doing 1,000 bikes a week in rentals. I was always buying, always repairing; it was a new craze that just took off,” Herbkersman said. He opened his first retail location in the old Pineland Station mall at the beginning of the mountain bike

“That’s how I was raised— to dream, but to go further than the dream, to find the way to turn the dream into a plan and a reality.”

era. “We were the first in the area to have this new kind of bike, and people couldn’t get enough of them.”

That one island store rapidly turned into 15 locations from Savannah to Florence and Greenville. He turned a personal dream of flying into a pilot’s license, the perfect way to shrink the geographical divide in visiting all his stores.

“Some more buttoned-up types didn’t get the whole bike thing—thought it was a fad or a nice little side hustle,” he said, remembering one such “suit” who scoffed at the business. “I bartended and worked the door at a place called W.G. Shuckers.

A lady friend brought in a guy that she’d married. He was a VP of a bank and kind of looked down on me when I brought up the bikes.”

wn Kim o y r e v s CH2’ ouch with Bill Conrad Cr n and Charlene Herbkersma G Shuckers in Foss at W Bay Marina, Palmetto circa 1998.

The Promenade was one of the first projects for our historic preservation commission to approve. It was pre-recession, and contentious at times on both sides, but he continued to work with this group as he knew how important this would be in the bigger picture of our ‘old town.’”

—BLUFFTON MAYOR LISA SULKA A few years later, as he prepared to sell all 15 stores, he was in Columbia to finalize the deal and set up the wiring of the money. He went to a bank looking for a manager, and out walked the very VP from the bar.

“He wasn’t looking down on me anymore once he did that transaction for me, I’ll tell you that,” Herbkersman said with a tiny smirk and awkward laugh of a dude not one for bragging.

From there, Herbkersman seized on another opportunity close to his heart. W.G. Shuckers went bankrupt, so he turned his bike profits into funds to buy the restaurant and move the operation to Palmetto Bay Marina.

“At first, we were real nervous. I loved restaurants but had never run one,” he said. “But I saw some inefficiencies and some opportunities. It was slow and scary, but we did all-you-can-eat crabs and crab races and created a fun atmosphere that won folks over quickly.”

By the early ’90s, now married and starting a family, the budding Lowcountry entrepreneur opened Hilton Head Brewing Company with similar locations in St. Simon’s Island, Ga. and Columbia, S.C. Then he opened the Dog’s Breath Saloon on S.C. 46 in Bluffton, his first extended exposure to off-island life that changed his business focus to across the bridge.

“I always had that bug in my head of ‘what’s next,’ and I could see from the first time we spent any time here that this little corridor was next,” he said. “For me, restaurants were part

of my dream but not the endgame. It’s a grind I loved, but I could not live on that rollercoaster forever.”

Herbkersman had gently gotten his feet wet in real estate development while opening a W.G. Shuckers in Jacksonville, and by the early 2000s, parlayed lessons learned there into what he was selling to Bluffton locals as The Promenade.

“At the time, we had just ended the caboose barbecue business we’d run in Old Town, and Bill showed us this legal pad with a drawing of what he envisioned as Restaurant Row on The Promenade,” said Huffman, who would buy into the concept and open a brick-and-mortar location of Bluffton BBQ with his wife Donna that anchors Restaurant Row today.

“The Promenade was one of the first projects for our historic preservation commission to approve. It was pre-recession, and contentious at times on both sides, but he continued to work with this group as he knew how important this would be in the bigger picture of our ‘old town,’” Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka said.

“Once the recession hit, he had to come back and redraw his plans and really presented a much cooler layout of buildings.

He was the first to do the underground water infiltration system, which showed his love for our rivers and the environment. After this project was underway, it allowed the town to start a capital projects list to upgrade our amenities.”

Herbkersman admits that it wasn’t an easy sell at first, especially to the longtime residents of Calhoun Street and the surrounding area around the Promenade land. “I understood it.

I’ve lived on May River Road forever. I don’t want to see our slice of heaven ruined; that was never my intention. We needed a center, a place we could be proud of and build this emerging identity of the town from. That’s what I was selling,” he said.

“Was everyone buying? Metaphorically and literally, no at first.”

Places like Bluffton BBQ, Captain Woody’s, The Gate House, and Cork’s were the initial anchors and rode it out at the worst of the ensuing recession. Much of the mixed-use buildings already constructed sat vacant during the late 2000s, alongside a good chunk of undeveloped land.

Herbkersman sold off small parcels of the project to stay afloat and, when his Florida financiers were ready to cut bait, turned to Monty Laffitte and Palmetto State Bank to be a local partner and a financial life preserver.

“I mean, I can’t say enough about Monty and the bank, about Ted and the Captain Woody’s crew, all the original folks who rode it out—believed in what this could be,” he said. “As we came out of the recession, The Promenade led the way.”

By 2012, every plot, every building was filled, and vacancies

n and a m s r e k b r e H e. his son Col

have been a rarity ever since. The Promenade is thriving, as dreamers like Josh Cooke at Corner Perk have bet big and won big on the property.

“I love to see the next crop of dreamers winning and will do whatever I can to help them to that reality,” Herbkersman said.

Herbkersman has represented the area in the State House since 2002, fighting passionately for small businesses, education funding and most recently, monies to fund better resources for mental health and senior dementia issues.

Most recently, he was one of the first to fly into The Bahamas’ Abacos Islands after Hurricane Dorian devastated the region in September 2019.

“It started as just trying to do whatever I could to help. I flew in, asked a friend I’d met what’s needed, and he noticed I was scratching my eyes. He told me the island was ravaged by pink eye and gave me some polymyxin eye drops,” Herbkersman said of the trip. “I got back to South Carolina and started asking around. MUSC delivered a pallet of polymyxin the next day.

The whole Lowcountry wanted to help. Friends were bringing clothes, gas cards I gave to other relief pilots and what ended FOR EVERY PROJECT HERBKERSMAN IS THE PUBLIC FACE OF, up being 22 tons of supplies over multiple trips. It was just incredible, the power of this area and the heart of the people.”

Herbkersman sees the same heart as he sees folks trying to figure out the best way forward during the pandemic. He is working on COVID-19 relief efforts locally and in the State House, as well as continuing to work on what’s next for the area.

“We’re working on some workforce housing projects now to support the 700-plus jobs that “He has brought the attention of our town we’ve helped bring to the area. It’s a to Columbia, whether it’s the dock at the end vital need, starter housing for the next of Calhoun Street, the Oyster Factory park, wave of Bluffton families,” he said. our May River Road streetscape. Those are all Folks like Huffman marvel at projects that brought more than 10 times in Herbkersman’s tireless efforts and seemprivate development compared to what we ingly endless energy reserves and paid,” Sulka said. resolve. “We weathered a lot of storms For every project Herbkersman is the together and stuck to our guns,” public face of, friends say there are 10 more Huffman said. “He’s a pioneer.” projects or pay-it-forward actions he does “I don’t know about all that, but for others. He has been flying relief missions I believe if there’s a need, and you Herbkersman in Treasure Key, Abacos, for three decades to Florida, the Bahamas and know you can fill it, you should,” delivering medical supplies from MUSC Puerto Rico, transporting organs and humans in Herbkersman said. “From there and need of transplants and much-needed supplies working off that motivation, good after Hurricane Dorian. when emergencies hit. things will always happen.”

friends say there are 10 more projects or pay-it-forward actions he does for others. He has been flying relief missions for three decades to Florida, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, transporting organs and humans in need of transplants and much-needed supplies when emergencies hit.

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BEHIND THE

BUSINESS DAVE MILLER · LARRY BAKER · ROB DILLS · TIM SINGLETON BOB ENGLER · ROB LEMBO · ROB CAVANO AND CHARLES ARRIOLA JIM MAGINNIS · MAREK BELKA · JIM BANNON · JOSH MATTHEWS CHRIS DONELSON · CHRIS SHOEMAKER · PAUL BAILEY II DR. GEORGE SUTHERLAND · JOEY GOMEZ · DAVID BERRY & PATRICK CARR ROB VAUGHN · MICHAEL RAY · DR. BRAD FRAUM & DR. BRIAN MCGINNIS JOHN KAUTTER · JEFF HUNT · NICKEY MAXEY · COLTON MAXEY DARREL QUINN · NATE DIXON · THOMAS W. DOWNLING CHRIS GOMEZ · FRANK AMBROSIC · DENNIS PUCKEY · RYAN LOCKHART MICHAEL KRONIMUS · RANDY ROSE · DANA BRIGGS & WALTER TRIFARI

H E AT I N G & A I R S P E C I A L I S T

DAVE MILLER Superior Services 36 Persimmon St., Suite 202 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 682-2665 GoToSuperior.com

W

hat makes Superior Services the superior choice? The hard-workand-persistence formula that describes owner and lighteningflash personality, Dave Miller. That, and a whole lot of yellow.

If you haven’t seen a flash of yellow from a Superior truck in the Lowcountry today, you haven’t been out long enough.

That color choice signifies more than just the brand identity of a company offering an impeccable reputation, long-term

local history, and 24/7 personal service. A quick Google search describes yellow as “luminous, happy, optimistic, intellectual, creative.” A callout below that should also say “Dave Miller,” for this larger than life, self-professed aficionado of dumb jokes and dumber movies.

Superior-Yellow isn’t just on the company trucks, T-shirts, and business cards, it’s parked in Miller’s driveway in the form of a 700 horsepower Ford Tonka truck that Hagerty Media calls, “the ultimate bro-dozer.” It’s also checked onto flights in his man-sized yellow travel case, which, yes, is filled with yellow underwear.

We checked. Miller approves, with a sip from a yellow Yeti.

All of this is less of an indicator of eccentricity as it is a signifier of being all in, all the time. Just as known-aroundtown, is Superior’s promise that “the customer is always right, and the experts are always there,” which is all the more needed as the temperature rises. “When you get home, we get going,” Miller said of the off-hours rush as clients head home and find systems working overtime (or not working) to keep up with the 80 percent

humidity of the Southeast Coast. It’s also checkout time in heavily populated tourist communities.

With locations now on Hilton Head Island, in Charleston, Bluffton, and branching out into Georgia, Miller is an admitted workaholic, not ready to slow down any time soon.

Miller launched locally in 1999 with “two men and a (likely yellow) truck,” and is just as committed today to building good customer service and a team of skilled technicians. In an industry with a lot of players (providing a high-need service in the Lowcountry’s tropical climate), Miller speaks highly of his competitors, yet confidently of his own Superior Services. “We strive to come out on top, and it serves to make us better,” he said.

Some might say, superior.

Helping clients stay ahead of overloaded supply-and-demand, Miller said, “Get checked out early—stay proactive instead of reactive. It’ll save you time and money in the long run.” In videos, in conversation, and simply by his hands-on example, Miller teaches anyone within earshot that in business as with life, “a little bit of forethought goes a long way.”

REGIONAL SHOWROOM MANAGER

LARRY BAKER Espy Lumber Company Hilton Head Island, SC (843) 785-3821 Okatie, SC (843) 379-5000 www.espylumber.com

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arry Baker, regional showroom manager for Espy Lumber Company, doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. He has specialized in hardware sales for over 20 years and currently oversees the Hilton Head Island and Okatie showrooms.

One of his personal mottos is, “Never take criticism from someone you don’t respect.”

Baker prides himself on making the builder’s job easier by selecting the proper construction supplies and hardware. Espy Lumber Company provides housing materials from the foundation up to the shingles.

As a full line building supplier, Espy Lumber Company has window and door specialists, decking experts and a material estimating team who can successfully meet your building needs.

A potential client once told

Baker that he was satisfied with one of his competitors, at which time Baker went back to the drawing board and made some improvements to his strategy and service. His persistence paid off, and that same client who told him no has been a loyal customer for the last 18 years. Baker truly believes that sometimes the word no just means not now.

Baker proudly served our country in the United States Air Force. He is an active member in the Disabled American Veterans Beaufort Chapter 12 organization.

In his free time, he enjoys running marathons. One of his biggest running accomplishments was running a 50K (Yes, that’s 31 miles!) at Palmetto Bluff a few years ago.

On a more personal note, this year, Baker and his lovely wife Heather (also known as Sugarbaker) celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

Espy Lumber Company has serviced the Lowcountry for over 60 years. Next time you are planning your construction project, contact Baker at (843) 384-5927 or at larry.baker@ espylumber.com. Espy Lumber Company and Larry Baker are two names you can trust.

R E A L E S TAT E A N D B U S I N E S S AT T O R N E Y

ROB C. DILLS Dills Law Firm, LLC 4 State of Mind St., #200 PO Box 1696 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 868-8210 Dillslawfirm.com What services does your business offer?

We are a full-service law firm in Old Town Bluffton with a focus on real estate, estate planning, and business needs— serving Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and the greater Lowcountry area with flat fee and subscription services.

What is your life motto?

Adjacent possibilities. It’s the idea that progress is made in the small steps, not giant leaps. It inspires me to keep moving forward each day in both my personal and professional life. While some goals are not met overnight, continuous work is being done daily to make progress towards my larger goals. There is just something exciting about that.

What are you passionate about?

What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

My clients. The beauty of our expertise areas is that we get to be a resource and partner during your larger life events: when you are buying or selling a house, planning for the future of your family, or starting a new business. These are big moments. Helping to support our clients navigate the legal side of these events is why we love doing what we do.

What are your hobbies, and how do you like to relax?

Spending time on the water, cooking and, more recently, woodworking.

Pre-pandemic, my wife and I loved to travel. This is actually the longest we have ever been in one place! But right now, whenever I am not at the office, you can find me at the beach with my family, working on a house project, or in the kitchen. My Italian in-laws can’t believe how many kitchen gadgets I use vs. the traditional old-school ways—like the sous vide or air fryer. I love trying new techniques and recipes.

And, I finally got around to growing some spicy peppers and herbs. But honestly, I could not be more grateful for where we live and all that our beautiful community has to offer; loving our island is like a hobby in itself.

Favorite book or podcast?

How I Built This podcast. I always find it so interesting to hear how these innovative companies came to be.

R E S TA U R AT E U R

you are leading; it’s only as good as the financial bottom line; it’s only as good as the community you live in. I think it’s a collective mix of all of those things, because, at the end of the day, I think, again it’s a fluid situation. This is a very difficult industry. Every day is a different day, and success is defined in different ways. It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of prayers and a lot of “want to” if you continue to be successful.

What are your hobbies and how do you relax?

My hobbies are also very fluid. There are times in life when I love cooking, like during the pandemic. It brought the chef out of me when I was home every day.

I redid my kitchen in my house several years ago and never really used it, but the pandemic forced me to because my boys were hungry three times a day. I love cooking; I love traveling. But most important, I love being a renaissance man, taking an eclectic view of life and getting involved in a little bit of everything.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

I think about the many tasks I have to complete. I think about the next book or article I’m going to read; I think about financial issues; I think about my kids. My mind is always rolling. That’s probably why I don’t sleep very well.

TIM SINGLETON Ruby Lee’s South 19 Dunnagans Alley Hilton Head island, SC 29928 (843) 785-7825 Rubyleessouth.com

What service does your business offer?

Happiness! We’re a restaurant industry, food and beverage industry, entertainment industry. I think we’re a place where America comes and joins forces together—a “have a great time” industry.

What is your motto in life?

I have several of them, depends on the day, but one that I choose to live by all the time is that you should never ever sacrifice quality.

Favorite book?

I love The Autobiography of Malcolm X; I love to just get a different perspective on life. I’ll tell you one book I read, and I never read three books so fast in my life: Fifty Shades of Grey. I thought that sh*t was amazing, but it was really provocative and innovative. I read a lot of other books; I like autobiographies.

What are you passionate about?

Fatherhood—watching my young black boys become young men and understanding the different levels of life, the different issues that come with becoming a man and being a certain color in life. All those things make me passionate, talking to people, leading my community.

To what do you attribute your success?

Success, I think, is fluid. I don’t think anyone who is successful is content and sits back and looks at themselves thinking they’re successful. I think you need to continue to work and get better.

I work really hard. I’m very focused, loyal to a fault, and again, we don’t sacrifice quality. I think good things come in the end.

How do you personally define business success? Is it money? Freedom? Influence?

Creative expression and innovation?

Something else?

It’s all the above. I think business success comes from and is only as good as your people

What do you wish you had known about becoming an entrepreneur?

That people really define you in that they can push your buttons and turn you into a monster or push your buttons and make you think you’re a global success because you’re being nice or what have you.

Every day is different. I wish I had known the financial side of this industry, and I wouldn’t have struggled so early to make things work. Now I’m on the other side, and I’m real proud of it.

What is your favorite local charitable organization?

I have quite a few that I help privately. The one that comes to mind is the Boys and Girls Club of the Lowcountry—Beaufort, Bluffton and of course of Hilton Head. The other one is Mitchelville. Mitchelville is on the rise, and those guys do an outstanding job in our community bringing our history to folks who have no clue.

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B L I N DS

BOB ENGLER Budget Blinds 880 Fording Island Rd. Bluffton, SC 29910 277 Sea Island Parkway Beaufort, SC 29907 (843) 837-4060 budgetblinds.com/hiltonheadisland

What services does your business offer?

We offer custom window covering including blinds, shades, plantation shutters, and automated products.

What are you passionate about? What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

I would say my family. I am lucky to have a very supportive wife and two great kids. I enjoy spending time with them. I enjoy watching my daughter dance and my son golf.

B R A N D

To what do you attribute your success?

Dedication, hard work, and enjoyment of what I do.

What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax?

I enjoy playing golf—not always relaxing, but it’s a great distraction from anything else going on.

What is one thing you didn’t know when you became a business owner that you wish you had known?

I didn’t know anything about owning my own business when we took the leap. Looking back, that was probably a good thing because there are a lot of responsibilities and a lot of things you need to know and learn. I wouldn’t change a thing! I love having my own business.

M A R K E T I N G

ROB LEMBO Triad Brand Marketing 217 Goethe Rd, Suite 3 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 706-3320 triaddesign.com

What services does your business offer?

We are a brand marketing agency. What does this mean?

In a nutshell, we create a face and establish a voice for your business and then promote you to the world.

To what do you attribute your success?

I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by a great team at Triad. We are all like-minded when it comes to getting the job done. I wouldn’t have any of my success without them.

How do you personally define business success?

For me, it’s all about making our clients happy. Their success is our success. It’s the core of our company culture.

What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax?

I love to entertain. At home, I am the executive chef and cocktail mixologist. Dinner at our house is always an event!

What is the one thing you didn’t know that you wish you had known when you became an entrepreneur?

The obvious answer is how much work it would be and that it is not a nine to five endeavor.

However, what I didn’t know is how much I would love it. It becomes a part of you. Had I known, I might have started sooner ... and I’ve been doing this for almost 25 years now.

C USTOM STON E FA BR I C ATOR S

ROB CAVANO AND CHARLES ARRIOLA Coastal Countertops & Tile 40 Persimmon Street, Suite 101 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-2425 coastalcountertopssc.com What services does your business offer?

We are a custom fabricator/installer of both natural and engineered stone for all countertop applications, both interior and exterior. We specialize in high-end residential and light commercial projects here in the Lowcountry and in the Caribbean.

What is your motto in life?

Have fun! If not now, when?

What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax?

Golf, beach, traveling with family…

What are you passionate about?

What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

Anything related to golf, the Caribbean, the Lowcountry and FOOD!

Favorite local charitable organization?

Hilton Head Humane Association; I believe we have a responsibility to care for animals that can’t care for themselves.

To what do you attribute your success?

My parents, who instilled a tremendous work ethic in me, and my business partner—could not do this without him.

How do you personally define business success? Is it money?

Freedom? Influence? Creative expression and innovation?

Something else?

Stability. Also, ensuring the people we’ve surrounded ourselves with (employees) are taken care of.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

Where’s the next sale coming from … and accounts receivable. I’ve learned they’re both the lifeblood of a small business.

Favorite book or podcast?

Haven’t read a book in a few years, sad to say … no time. What’s a podcast?

What is one thing you didn’t know when you became a business owner that you wish you had known?

Be prepared for long hours; the day doesn’t stop at 5 p.m.!

O R T H O D O N T I S T

JIM MAGINNIS, DMD, MS Maginnis Orthodontics 11 Hospital Center Common, Suite 201 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 1050 Fording Island Rd. Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-9760 maginnisorthodontics.com

What services do you offer?

Orthodontics for children and adults with braces, Clear aligners (Invisalign), and surgical orthodontic treatment.

What is your motto in life?

The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do to you. Be a decent human and treat others well.

What are you passionate about?

What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

I’m passionate about beautiful smiles and seeing amazing results— explaining orthodontic biomechanics

to patients gets me amped up. I feel when patients are educated about what’s going on, they get into the process more and the outcomes are successful.

How do you personally define business success? Is it money?

Freedom? Influence? Creative expression and innovation?

Something else?

To me, success is being able to have the freedom to achieve both shortterm and long-term goals, whatever they may be. There will be bumps along the way, but with proper planning and perspective, they will be just that: bumps in the road that won’t deviate you from your destination.

What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax?

In my free time, I love to be outside, typically on the water. Currently, I’m doing a lot of paddleboarding, but I also enjoy boating, fishing and other watersports and lately, golf has reentered my life.

Favorite local charitable organizations?

Deep Well and Backpack Buddies

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

Since I’m in the car a lot, it can vary from processing what I’m listening to or working out business problems and solutions, while thinking about the future and how that plays in both my business life and personal life.

Favorite book or podcast?

Favorite podcasts: Joe Rogan Experience and Freakanomics; current book: Breath, by James Nestor; favorite books: Turn This Ship Around and Extreme Ownership.

What is one thing you didn’t know when you became a business owner that you wish you had known?

Delegation. At first, I wasn’t good at it. Orthodontists are trained to be control freaks and micromanagers in the mouth. It’s natural that we keep that mentality going in the administrative and other areas of business. Once I was able to put employees and systems in place, a lot of the stress has gotten better, and I’m able to focus on the clinical aspects of my job versus the business side of things.

R E S TA U R AT E U R

consumption. I also love my sailboat and to ride my BMW R1200c.

To what do you attribute your success?

Community support. I thrive on listening to what my customers want. They offer suggestions and insight, and I deliver.

How do you personally define business success?

For entrepreneurs, great satisfaction comes from the process of creation—starting with just an idea and building something that lasts. There is pride of ownership having a business that is successful, and people keep coming back for more.

What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax?

Sailing and riding my BMW motorcycle.

MAREK BELKA The French Bakery & European Cuisine 28 Shelter Cove Ln #120, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 342-5420 www.frenchbakeryhiltonhead.com

What services does your business offer?

There are different types of restaurant service, The French Bakery and

European Cuisine offers an array of delectable desserts and appetizing entrées to satisfy anyone’s needs.

What is your life motto?

Life is uncertain; eat dessert first.

What are you passionate about?

What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

I enjoy what I do, utilizing my creative flair to create savory and sweet creations for your everyday

Favorite local charitable organization?

Palmetto Ocean Conservancy and their Guardians of the Sea kids’ program. They travel to different schools and discuss conservation and sustainability, and that’s what we pride ourselves on. We use eco-friendly to-go items in our restaurant. Save the oceans!

What is one thing you didn’t know when you became a business owner that you wish you had known?

One thing I didn’t know when I started the company was the long hours I would have to put in. Any entrepreneur will tell you, once you start a successful business, you’re married to it. The benefits are happy clients and a valued reputation.

C R I M I N A L & R E A L E S TAT E AT TO R N E Y

JIM BANNON

the Bannon household. I am a past president of The Literacy Center, and my wife Meredith is the current president of Hopeful Horizons. We thoroughly enjoy giving back to a community that has given us so much.

Bannon Law Group, LLC 10 Westbury Park, Unit A Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 428-2166 Bannonlawgroup.com

What do you wish you had known when you started in business?

How exciting each day would be. If someone is thinking about starting a new venture, I am behind it every step of the way. We assist clients in establishing their businesses and believe in supporting other local businesses. There is a blurred line between my work and personal time, but I love what I do. My wife and I arrived in Bluffton 12 years ago and we didn’t know a soul. Now we get to share a business and a life in one of the best places on Earth. I love it here.

What services does your business offer?

We handle criminal defense and real estate closings, and can help people establish their own business.

What are you passionate about? What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

Penn State football, improving my skills in the kitchen and on the smoker, and spending time with my daughter.

Favorite charitable organization?

Oooh, this is a touchy issue in

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JOSH MATTHEWS J. Matthews Construction 211 Goethe Rd., Suite C Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 301-5882 jmatthewsconstruction.com

What services does your business offer?

We can complete any residential construction— anything from a new home, addition to bathroom or kitchen remodel.

What is your motto in life?

Everything is going be alright.

How do you personally define business success?

Is it money? Freedom?

Influence? Creative expression and innovation?

Something else?

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Being happy with the line of work you’re in, being able to afford to do the things you want out of work, and of course being able to pay the bills!

What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax?

I love to fish. The whole family loves to fish. But we most enjoy spending time on the boat at a sandbar or on a nearby beach.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

I typically think about what I need to do when I get back in front of my computer. I keep a pad to write down notes so I can go through my checklist when I do return. I also like to turn the radio off and just watch the crazy driving you see on the roads around here.

Mural by Chris’s nieces Carolanne & Charlotte Ofee

AIR DUCT SPECIALIST

CHRIS DONELSON Air Duct DR 2635 N. Okatie Hwy. Ridgeland, SC 29936 843-645-DUCT (3828) www.AirDuctDR.com What services does your business offer?

We offer residential and commercial dryer vent cleaning; air ducts cleaning; mold/ odor removal; tearing out worn insulation and rewrapping; replacing flex duct lines and dryer vent lines.

What is your motto in life?

I actually have quite a few, but this is what I tell my kids the most: Life isn’t a dress rehearsal; you’re going to mess up but get back up and keep going! You’ve gotta stay alert to stay alive. Time will either promote you or expose you.

What are you passionate about? What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

I am passionate about my kiddos: Mikayla 22, Marcella 20, Mark 19, Luke 11 and Lily 10; my business succeeding and making

sure I’m on the right path; and honoring my fellow veterans and our great country.

To what do you attribute your success?

My faith in God. Falling forward, not quitting and realizing that life is by design or default, I chose design! Also, my fiancé Jacqui for being a great listener and best friend.

How do you personally define business success? Is it money? Freedom?

Influence? Creative expression and innovation? Something else?

Realizing that my “why” in life isn’t just about me. It’s about creating a fun, positive and balanced home/work environment for my family, employees as well as my community. “Help enough other people get what they want in life, and you get what it is that you want.”—Zig Ziglar.

Don’t burn bridges, and always leave people smiling.

What are your hobbies, and how do you like to relax?

I play my Gibson guitar and sing songs I’ve written about this crazy life. I’ve also been involved in theatre, television, and movies—just did my first full-length feature film last year. My favorite thing to do is get out on the boat for some Lowcountry river therapy with my dog, family and friends.

Favorite local charitable organization?

My favorite is Lovable Paws, where

we found our newest family member, Smokey. He is a five-month-old shepherd/lab rescue. Also, St. Jude is always a favorite.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

I call it my mobile office. I’m always on the go, and my mind never shuts down, so I’m checking in on my team, answering custom estimate calls or taxiing my kids around to Tormenta soccer, Boy Scouts or the beach.

Favorite book or podcast?

The Bible because it’s the basic instructions before leaving earth. I’ve lived a full life, and I always get off track when I don’t have a bit of scripture each day, feeding my spirit. Life’s hard enough without having a plan or direction.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you became an entrepreneur?

Timing is everything. I have had so many small businesses and have been involved in so many opportunities that have all made me who I have become. I regret nothing and am grateful for all I’ve met who have somehow formed the ups and downs, good times and bad times. I had to go through what I did so I could, at the particular time, make it happen that awesome way it is.

C H A R T E R

C A P T A I N

CHRIS SHOEMAKER May River Excursions 81 Calhoun St, Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 304-2878 mayriverexcursions.com

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ay River Excursions was started in 2010 with one Carolina skiff doing river tours on the May River and has now expanded to seven boats offering guided fishing trips, water taxis to Hilton Head Island, Palmetto Bluff and Daufuskie.

May River Excursions also offers crabbing, shrimping, and eco/ historic/dolphin sunset tours along the May River. May River Excursions’ fleet consists of a variety of different boats that can cater to groups of any size or age.

Any trip can be customized with almost all trips being private.

The retail store opened on Calhoun Street in 2016 and offers a variety of customized Bluffton apparel and cute souvenirs and gifts. May River Excursions has been a family affair from the beginning.

Captain Chris Shoemaker was born and raised in Bluffton on the May River and started out fishing and shrimping on his father’s shrimp boat. After attending school in Bluffton and graduating from Hilton Head Island High School, he then spent four years in Columbia, South Carolina at The University of South Carolina. After bouncing around at a few different jobs locally, he decided to pursue his dream of working on the river. A lifetime spent on the water and 10 years in business, and his passion for the river hasn’t changed.

ROOFING & BUILDING SPECIALIST

Paul strives to provide the best team with consistent training, while keeping up to date with the newest innovations in the industry.

It is his top priority to offer exemplary service and finished product, while standing behind his work. “I enjoy helping people solve their problems,” he said.

Community involvement is also important to Paul. “I try to give back to the community as much as I can through outreach and being involved with organizations such as the Rotary Club of Hilton Head and Hilton Head Humane Association,” he said.

What services do you offer?

Alliance Roofing is a full-service roofing contractor, taking on projects of all sizes. Our roofing replacement team can complete new roof installations for new construction and existing structures. We have a service team that provides roofing repairs by assessing leaks or damage and repairing, as necessary. Being a licensed builder, we look at the whole problem and not just the roof, as some leaks are more complex. At Paul Bailey Builders, we focus on building high end beach-oriented homes in Sea Pines.

PAUL BAILEY II Alliance Roofing, LLC and Paul Bailey Builders 132 Island Drive Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 689-9400 allianceroofingllc.com allianceroofing2@gmail.com

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lliance Roofing, LLC and Paul Bailey Builders are locally owned and operated

by Paul Bailey, II. Paul has been a Hilton Head Island resident since he moved here with his

family from West Virginia in 1986.

In 2011, he started Alliance Roofing, which is the only locally owned roofing company that is a licensed builder as well.

As a second-generation builder, Paul was introduced to the world of construction by his late father Paul Bailey. “I was taught by my parents at an early age that a strong work ethic is the key to success,” he said. He understands that clients expect and deserve a high level of dedication for each individual project. “Honesty and integrity are always essential not only in business, but also in my personal life.”

How do you personally define business/personal success?

This is one of those questions that seems to change with time. As of today, I define success as having the opportunity to help others and the freedom to be able to take time to enjoy living life.

What is your motto in life?

Elevate yourself and everyone around you!

What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax?

In my free time, you can usually find me out on the boat fishing or enjoying the fresh air on my daily runs.

SPORTS MEDICINE SPECIALIST

DR. GEORGE SUTHERLAND, MD Optim Orthopedics (843)705-9401 georgesutherlandmd.com

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r. George Sutherland, MD is a sports medicine specialist with over 16 years of experience in the medical field. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, he graduated with honors from Eastern Virginia Medical School.

After graduation, he completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Dr. Sutherland received his fellowship training from the Hughston Sports Medicine Clinic in Columbus, Ga. He is trained to treat and identify all forms of injury to your musculoskeletal system including the bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joints. After making a diagnosis, Dr. Sutherland will

A U T O

D E T A I L I N G

JOEY GOMEZ JR’s Auto Detailing (843) 415-2528

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resort to surgery when all other treatment options have already been exhausted or ruled out. His expertise in performing shoulder and knee reconstruction is unsurpassed.

“In my practice, I cover pediatrics, trauma, and sports medicine. I have a lot of experience in an array of different areas,” Sutherland said. This crosstraining between trauma and sports injuries has given him a uniquely well-rounded perspective. Patients might need the attention from Dr. Sutherland for torn ligaments, sports injuries, fractures, sprains, and more.

Dr. Sutherland performs surgery at Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville, S.C., Hilton Head Hospital on Hilton Head Island, S.C., and Doctors Hospital of Tattnall in Reidsville, Ga.; he performs outpatient surgery at Optim Orthopedic Center in Savannah, Ga. He is currently seeing new patients at the Hilton Head Island location.

R’s was conceived during quarantine. My wife Lisa, who owns The Sanctuary Spa on Hilton Head Island, and my good friend Mike Hailey, who has his own construction business, encouraged me to start this business because I love detailing cars and I’m really good at it! That led to my working on trucks and boats and soon, RVs. Having just purchased our first travel trailer and being extremely picky about detailing work, that will now be part of our menu.

As a former Marine and a lead tech at Gulfstream Aerospace, attention to detail, efficiency and perfection are part of the job, and that is why JR’s is taking off so quickly. We come to your home and can literally make your car look and smell like new. We offer a treatment that will remove all the impurities on your vehicle’s

paint surface, so when we wax and polish it, it will stay cleaner longer, even after heavy rain. We treat the interior with UV protection and obviously leave it sanitized. I have taken vehicles that look like they were abandoned and left them looking like new; that is partly why I love detailing vehicles so much.

Having seven kids between us, we love for them to see their parents owning their own businesses and loving what they do. We want them to see that working hard will allow you to go after your dreams.

I came from Puerto Rico and moved to Hilton Head Island 11 years ago. My wife has been constantly supportive and encouraging in the 10 years we’ve been together, and I’m so proud to not only work for a great company, but to now own a business that brings so much satisfaction to me and to my customers.

We are growing quickly and will be adding powder coating services in the near future. We would love the chance to work on your vehicle, no matter what shape it’s in.

Call or text (843) 415-2528.

A T T O R N E Y S

BERRY & CARR 2 Spanish Wells Road Hilton Head island, SC 29926 (843) 686-5432 www.hiltonheadlawyers.com

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ince starting in the Lowcountry in 1985 David Berry and Patrick Carr have dedicated their practice to representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases at multiple locations on Hilton Head Island and in Beaufort.

Founder David H. Berry received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and his law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law. He has since led counsel in well over 100 trials.

Licensed in multiple states and federal courts within those jurisdictions, his areas of expertise include personal injury,

workers compensation, and automobile accidents. Berry is also a Diplomat with the American Association of Justice and is a South Carolina Certified Civil Mediator.

Prior to joining Berry, Patrick Carr was a member of one of South Carolina’s largest law firms for 11 years. A respected litigator and skilled negotiator, he served as lead counsel in nearly 100 jury trials, covering more than a dozen counties. He is a Certified South Carolina Circuit Court Mediator and has been an invited lecturer at continuing legal education programs focusing on automobile accident litigation and civil litigation techniques. Since moving to Hilton Head in 2009, he and Berry have obtained some of the highest personal injury verdicts in Beaufort Country.

Adding to their expertise and experience, Berry & Carr expanded, welcoming Luke Paulick and Michael Bennett. Paulick began his law career in 2013 and ran his own practice working in immigration law, civil litigation and criminal defense. He has since become recognized by the American Bar Association’s Immigration Justice Project.

Associate Attorney Michael Bennett graduated from the University of South Carolina Law School and is admitted to

practice by the Supreme Court of South Carolina, the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Berry & Carr are extensively experienced trial lawyers and savvy negotiators who have built an equally reputable team. Their values are based on bringing dignity and certainty to their clients and their families at their most vulnerable times. When you have the opportunity to meet this team, their experience, professionalism and compassion bring comfort, knowing they are on your side.

“When we approach a case for our clients, it’s never about the numbers. It is always about the quality of life for years to come for them and their family members.” says David Berry. Patrick goes on to say, “Everyone needs certainty in their most uncertain times and our team always views it from a prospective of being in the same situation as our clients. At the end of the day, we want them to know they will be taken care of and their families do not have to carry the burden of other people’s mistakes.”

Committed to their clients above all, Barry and Carr explain, “Reputation and results bring our clients in. Experience, passion, and commitment make them stay.”

P H A R M A C I S T

ROB VAUGHN Bluffton Pharmacy 167 Bluffton Rd B, Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-4999 www.blufftonpharmacy.com

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ob Vaughn answered the call to become a pharmacist a little later in life than most. Originally an advertising executive working with a multi-national agency, he had the opportunity to work with some consultant pharmacists with pharmaceutical clients such as Glaxo Smith Kline and Bristol Meyers Squibb. This sparked an interest that would take him down a long and winding road to switch gears and become a pharmacist.

While working towards his doctorate degree in pharmacy, Vaughn found a passion in helping others in local communities with questions about their health and medications. This passion led him to realize the importance of community pharmacies and being a source of information and understanding to the community’s health needs.

TECHNOLOGY

MICHAEL RAY SNS Technologies 19 Pennington Dr., Suite A Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-7873 snstechnologies.net

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ike Ray of SNS Technologies has been addressing the IT and cyber security needs of clients around the Lowcountry since 1996. The landscape of computer security has changed greatly in the ensuing 24 years, and Ray has kept at the forefront of each development, establishing himself at the vanguard of the industry throughout Beaufort County. Founding SNS Technologies in 2010, he created a business that has gained the trust of countless clients and leads the way in computer networking and security.

Operating under a philosophy of being “More than just your IT Department,” SNS Technologies has emerged as a leading managed service provider, specializing in small-to-medium

After a short time working with other corporate pharmacies, he learned that the best way to positively impact the community was through local independent pharmacies. This way, corporate regulation doesn’t stand in the way of the ability to communicate with people and offer honest answers to health concerns and to drive the cost down for many who do not have insurance.

Vaughn decided to look for opportunities to engage independent pharmacies and took a position with longstanding and trusted Bluffton Pharmacy, offering full prescription and compounding services for customers and pets alike. Under the supervision of local pharmacist Jim Sauter, he learned the local community and how to best support their needs.

After months of discussion and training, Sauter decided it was time to pursue other things and handed the keys to Vaughn, who promised to keep Bluffton Pharmacy the local staple it has always been.

Vaughn lives in Bluffton with his wife and three children and is happy to serve Bluffton and the surrounding area with any and all pharmacy needs.

SPECIALIST

businesses and health care providers.

Managed services represents the next step in true concierge-level computer security, pairing a 24/7 help desk’s remote and phone support with a proactive stance that targets threats and vulnerabilities before they occur. This comprehensive approach not only constantly monitors clients’ valuable data and network infrastructure to prevent disaster, it provides cloud-based backups as an added layer of protection.

It takes a little bit more effort and decades of experience to offer this level of service, but that’s what makes SNS Technologies different.

And that difference has helped launch the company to new levels, from its startup days in Ray’s garage to locations in Bluffton and Beaufort, serving clients on both sides of the Broad River. But regardless of how much they’ve grown, the guiding principle remains the same: constant vigilance against online threats, a commitment to mastering new technologies and a determination to put the client first.

Keep ahead of the latest threats to your digital assets by calling SNS Technologies to schedule a network and security assessment. We are “More than Just your IT Department.”

CHIROPRACTORS

DR. BRAD FRAUM D.C. & DR. BRIAN MCGINNIS D.C. Fraum Center for Restorative Health 1403 Main Street Village Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 fraum.com (843) 681-7777

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hile Restorative Health is indeed “very serious business,” Drs. Brad Fraum D.C. and Brian McGinnis D.C. introduce you to a team DNA of laughter and lightheartedness, building a family with their clientele.

McGinnis joined Fraum 20 years ago, forging a collaboration that

is unique and dynamic within this industry. “We think on the same wavelength,” Fraum said, “bouncing ideas off each other and combining our experience to add value to the patients in our collective care.”

“We take care of patients like we would our own family,” McGinnis added. “Committed to getting to the cause rather than stopping at the symptom, we find out why a certain process is happening and come at it that way.”

With over 60 years of collective expertise (paired with pop culture jokes and odd classic rock references) they run an impeccable practice, while making sure the patient

experience is always positive.

The electricity for life translates throughout the personality of the team and mission. “We want to allow people to add life to years and years to life. We’re here to help them live the life they love,” McGinnis said. “We watch people deal with pain and discomfort for years and accept that as a part of life until it gets to a point where it impacts their activities of daily living, such as climbing a flight of stairs or playing a round of golf.” This mission is why Drs. “Brad and Brian” got together and continue to develop the Fraum Center for Restorative Health you see on Hilton Head Island today.

“Healthcare is changing and evolving, especially now,” Fraum said. “It’s 2020.

Through regenerative medicine, patients are able to regenerate connective tissue and cartilage in their joints, allowing them the youthful mobility they once had.

Things that were in the movies as science fiction are now science fact.”

It’s the dynamic alignment of current events, their partnership, and the practice’s growth and development over time that have brought them where they are today. What began in 1991 with chiropractic has evolved into holistic whole-patient care, adapting and enhancing with regenerative solutions.

Fraum and McGinnis describe a continuous “pushing forward” that hasn’t slowed for decades.

Certified by the International Society for Stem Cell Application (ISSA), Dr. Brian McGinnis D.C. and Dr. Brad Fraum D.C. are the dynamic duo helping patients restore their bodies one cell at a time. For more information visit fraum.com.

MARKETING & WEB DESIGN

JOHN KAUTTER HHB marketing & web design 12A Palmetto Way Bluffton SC, 29910 (843) 471-0253 hhbconnectllc.com

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t only 25 years old, John Kautter is a young entrepreneur who has found success owning Bluffton’s highest rated marketing agency,

HHB Connect. His sharp focus and passion for simplicity and beautiful designs has gotten him to the top of his field.

“Starting a successful company gives me a lot of pride, but what makes me happy and brings me fulfillment is my beautiful sons and wife,” he said.

He believes that since work is going to fill a vast part of your life, the only way to be truly happy is to do exceptional work. The only way to do exceptional work is to love what you do.

For Kautter, being the president of HHB is what he loves.

HHB Marketing & Web Design

offers website design, graphic design, photography, videography, and branding. It is truly the one-stop shop in Bluffton for all marketing needs.

HHB has earned over $ 7 million in gross revenue for their clients in 2019 alone. With more than 60 five-star reviews on Google and a plethora of happy clients, HHB has achieved a great deal in only their third year in business. Located conveniently in the heart of Bluffton, at 12 A Palmetto Way, they are just down the street from the Bluffton Library.

Kautter’s favorite artist is Bob Dylan, and that influence can be seen in the rebellious, free-willed, and artistic team and company culture. He believes that innovations distinguish between a leader and a follower. “You have to be a leader of value; some people are not used to being in an environment where quality is expected,” he said.

His team describes him as a dedicated, hard worker who expects the highest quality for his clients. His drive and determination to succeed inspires them to create the best designs possible. Kautter is known for telling them “Marketing isn’t anything new. It’s the processes that make us different. Don’t focus on being better than the competition, focus on being different from them.”

Kautter has a collection of vintage computers at the office. He believes that having them around is a reminder of how far we’ve come and shows the complex beauty of timeless design. “Simple can be harder than complicated; you have to really work to get your mind clean to make it simple,” he said.

He believes that the end result of design should be greater than the sum of its parts. He wants his legacy to be about the beautiful things he has created, and not his success.

R E A L E S TAT E A G E N T

JEFF HUNT Dunes Real Estate 6 Queens Folly Rd Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Cell: 843-422-5933 Office: 843-842-0896 jeffh.dunesrealestate.com

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or some, the allure of Hilton Head Island lies in its white sandy beaches and its laidback lifestyle. But for many, the true draw of Hilton Head Island is the potential it represents

for creating a better life. Each property represents opportunity, whether it’s to invest now in a place to eventually call home or to create new revenue streams from the always-lucrative rental market.

Jeff Hunt is a Realtor who understands all of those perspectives and has made it his mission to help customers discover their true potential on Hilton Head Island, no matter what form that potential takes.

For more than 30 years, Jeff Hunt and Dunes Real Estate have been at the forefront of Hilton Head Island real estate.

He has established himself as not only an industry leader, but as a leading voice in the local market. It’s a mantle that comes naturally to Hunt, having owned and operated several successful multi-million-dollar businesses over the course of his career.

That business acumen allows him to truly serve as an advisor to his clients, helping them navigate the income potential of a rental or walking them through tax strategies as they prepare to buy or sell property. And that, ultimately, is what it’s all in service to: being 100 percent customer centered.

For Hunt, his role goes far beyond simply serving as an agent for buyer or seller. “For me, that philosophy of being 100 percent customer-centered means walking people through the process, helping them to create value and solving problems,” he said.

That dedication to service extends even beyond his own clients to reach the entire community.

Every year in December, you’ll find Jeff Hunt purchasing bicycles for his annual donation to the Deep Well Project, as well as soliciting donations from his fellow real estate professionals to purchase helmets to help area children experience the joy and freedom of owning a bike. This annual event has become so successful, with 150 bikes donated last year, he’s extended his bike donations to include the Hilton Head Island Boys & Girls Club in years past.

The difference with Jeff Hunt is dedication. Dedication to his fellow real estate professionals, dedication to his community and dedication to his clients, helping them discover their own real estate potential on an island he has called home for 15 years.

R E A L

E S T A T E

NICKEY MAXEY Celia Dunn Sotheby’s International Realty 49 Boundary Street Bluffton, SC 29910 Nickey@nickey.com (843) 247-0001 What services do you offer?

Real estate advisor to buyers and sellers in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

What is your motto in life?

Wealth is the ability to fully experience life every day with my family at my core.

What are you passionate about?

What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

I am driven daily by connecting buyers and sellers. My ultimate goal is making people happy. I just enjoy the art of every “deal,” whether it be helping a client achieve their next real estate chapter, helping friends buy cars, or enjoying local deals on Facebook Marketplace. I negotiate like my life depends on it.

To what do you attribute your success?

A G E N T

I attribute my success to genuinely enjoying meeting new people every day. I treat everyone with respect and kindness like I want to be treated.

How do you personally define business success?

I am truly an entrepreneur at heart. My biggest strength is sales. I dedicate myself to influencing others to reach their own personal goals.

What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax?

When life gets chaotic I like to unwind by hunting and fishing. My perfect day of relaxation includes boating with my family on the May River. The best Therapy for me is spending time with my dog Rambo.

Favorite local charitable organization?

Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

I spend countless hours of my day in my truck all over the Lowcountry. I’m consistently connecting with friends and clients via phone all day long.

The only radio on in my truck is my police radio. Law enforcement is in my blood, and I’ve always enjoyed being a part-time S.C. DNR officer and law enforcement board member for the past 15 years.

E N T R E P R E N E U R

COLTON MAXEY MaxCash Bluffton, SC (843) 422-2009 coltonmaxey@gmail.com What services do you offer?

We provide ATMs for convenience stores, malls, shopping centers and all types of high traffic areas.

What is your motto in life?

To help people and to be successful in business, owning my own business which I do now.

What are you passionate about?

What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

I get super excited meeting new people and putting together a new relationship, and I also enjoy learning from older people.

To what do you attribute your success?

I have worked day to day with my father, learning how to manage and create new business relationships.

How do you personally define business success? Is it money?

Freedom? Influence? Creative expression and innovation?

Something else?

Dealing fairly and helping people makes me happy.

What are your hobbies?

Going boating and hunting are my most relaxing moments Favorite charitable organization?

Helping underprivileged children, especially with the SCDNR Take One Make One program.

Favorite book or podcast?

Ben Shapiro podcast What is one thing you didn’t know when you became a business owner that you wish you had known?

I wished I had more time to work during high school.

J E W E L E R

How do you personally define business success? Is it money? Freedom? Influence?

Creative expression and innovation?

Something else?

It’s definitely NOT Money. When we retired 14 years ago, we fell in love with this paradise, and purchased our home in Bluffton. We closed three jewelry stores (Morrison, Illinois, (1977), Sterling Ilinois, (1987), and Clinton Iowa, (1992) to move here). Then we got bored and decided to open a small store, not like the operation of 26 employees we had up North—personal service.

What are your hobbies, and how do you like to relax?

Spending time with our grandkids, who live in Jacksonville, Fla.: Asher, 9, Audrey 4, and Beckham 1. We see them on an average of two to three times per a month and have had Asher and Audrey at the store twice for a week.

DARREL QUINN Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers 1000 Wm. Hilton Pkwy.

Village at Wexford, G-5 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) DIAMOND 342-6663 diamondland.com What services does your business offer?

I am a second generation, full-service jeweler with 52 years of experience. I started doing repairs and engraving from eighth grade in our family-owned store in Rochelle, Illinois.

After graduating from the University of Illinois with a degree in business/marketing, my high school sweetheart and wife Nancy and I wanted to start our own jewelry store.

My father said that I needed to be certified in everything. I am a diamond setter, goldsmith, horologist (watchmaker—making the complete balance from scratch), designer, Certified GIA Diamond Grader, engraver, and appraiser. I also restring pearls.

What is your motto in life?

I enjoy every day! I never have a bad day! I survived colon cancer and chemo treatment at the age of 43. I love waiting on customers and want everybody to get a chuckle when they come in. I remember when ABC-TV came to our store to do an episode for American Inventors, I asked the producer why they flew from LA to O’Hare. “Could you not find a jeweler closer?” He replied, “We heard you were colorful.”

What are you passionate about?

My love for creating and designing, making a work of art for my customer is what I truly enjoy doing. Gives me a feeling of accomplishment.

To what do you attribute your success?

Education and knowledge. Buying a Diamond is like buying an elephant: you don’t know what you should pay for an elephant, and you don’t know what you should pay for a diamond. I educate and teach you everything about diamonds so you are able to get the best value.

What is your favorite local charitable organization?

We contribute to various charities. One of my favorites is the food drive at Christmas for the Bluffton Food Pantry. We make contributions to the American Cancer Association, being a cancer survivor. We also support Low Country Legal Volunteers.

Right now, we are doing a fundraiser for school supplies.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

How lucky I have been my entire life. If it is meant to be, the Lord will make it happen.

I think about my wife, how pretty and smart she is, my family, and having a very successful business.

What is your favorite book or podcast?

I receive all the major magazines in our industry so I can keep up with the styles. I am always looking for new ideas and new products—like the new diamonds, “Rare and Forever.” Stop by to see them and the hologram inside the diamond. Be one of the first to own one of these new diamonds.

What is one thing you didn’t know when you became an entrepreneur that you wish you had known?

How much work it is to run a business. When you go home, you are still working—thinking how to better yourself and your business, a commitment to everybody.

PHYSICAL THERAPY & PERSONAL TRAINING

DR. NATE DIXON, DPT LAVA 24 Fitness 811 William Hilton Pkwy.

Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 842-3225 LAVA Physical Therapy 811 William Hilton Pkwy. (mid-island) (843) 842-3222 25 Hospital Center Blvd. Suite 106 Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (Medical Pavilion) (843) 689-5282 2 Greenwood Dr., Suite C Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (Sea Pines Circle) (843) 342-5282

What services does your business offer?

LAVA 24 Fitness offers weightloss and physical training services, along with nutritional counseling to help individuals achieve optimal health through a plant-based, Whole Foods lifestyle. We offer educational programs to achieve wellness

and the largest offering of fitness classes on the Island!

And we now offer Online Fitness both live, and on demand!

What is your life motto?

Do no harm. Have fun and go vegan!

What are you passionate about? What makes your eyes light up when you talk about it?

I love talking about how I can help people make decisions so that they can improve their lives by preventing and reversing diseases, using plant-based nutrition. And I love all animals, especially dogs!

To what do you attribute your success?

We live on a great Island with wonderful, smart, and caring people. I’m so thankful to all my friends here who are patients and members of our gym. Our Team greatly appreciates all of their support!

F I N A N C I A L

P L A N N E R

THOMAS M. DOWLING CFA, CFP®, CIMA® Aegis Planning 1000 William Hilton Pkwy., Suite C5 Village at Wexford Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 715-2239 tdowling@aegiscap.com What services does your business offer?

Financial and wealth planning.

What is your motto in life?

“It’s better to be interested than interesting.”

What are you passionate about?

What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

Youth sports. I believe it helps develop life skills that will be valuable and utilized throughout their lifetime.

How do you deal with success? More importantly, how do you deal with failure? How do you work together as a group yet standout as an individual?

To what do you attribute your success?

Honesty and integrity are always essential, but discipline and persistence are very underrated qualities. The ability to have the discipline to be persistent in sticking to your plan even when you have many distractions, in my opinion, has been a key component to my success.

How do you personally define business success?

In my opinion, the definition of success is very personal, and success is a moving target. If you were to ask me that question 15 years ago, the answer would be different than it is today. As of today, my definition of success is accomplishing the goals that I set for my business and, at the same time, spending the maximum amount of time with my family— especially now, while my kids are still young enough to want me around.

Investment products are offered through Aegis Capital Corp, a member of FINRA and SIPC. Investment products are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, are not deposits or otherx obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank or any bank affiliate, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

R E A L

E S T A T E

CHRIS GOMEZ Hilton Head DOT Real Estate (843) 301-2090 chrisgomez.realestate

I

have been living on Hilton head Island since 1973. My father was from Madrid, Spain, and my mother from the same Spanish background but born in Puerto Rico. My parents were both deaf, therefore I grew up learning to communicate in English, Spanish, and Sign Language.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of South Carolina, I went on to work in trade marketing for Coca Cola in Seville, Spain. After three great years, I decided to return to Hilton Head to launch my

H O M E

career in real estate.

I have spent the last several years laying a foundation for business, while focusing on my true passion: real estate. Today, when I’m not working on real estate, I am probably overseeing one of the two other businesses I have on the island: HH Cleaning Services, a full-service cleaning business and Namaste Spa at Marriott’s Barony Beach Club.

While I enjoy business and working with people, nothing comes close to the best job of all—being a dad! I am fortunate to be raising three beautiful kids alongside my wife Kety of 20 years. I’m very proud of my family and look forward to many more happy and successful years on Hilton Head Island!

T H E A T R E

FRANK AMBROSIC Ambrosic Home Theater Designs 35 Wood Duck Court Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 338-5084 ahtdesigns.com What services does your business offer?

Audio and video design, installation, dedicated home theaters, media rooms, virtual reality design, outdoor entertainment, lighting control systems, remote control consolidation, and structured wiring.

What are you passionate about?

What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

Professionally, my business and the industry as a whole. The enjoyment in seeing the client’s eyes when a project is completed makes it worth all the hours put into it. Personally, exotic cars. Love driving them and customizing them.

To what do you attribute your success?

A G E N T

D E S I G N

The challenge of my profession. The audio/video industry is constantly changing and trying to keep up with it all challenges me to always want to do better.

How do you personally define business success? Is it money?

Freedom? Influence? Creative expression and innovation?

Something else?

Being completely honest and having integrity defines my success. If the client I am working with does not trust my ideas/design, then I don’t have a business.

What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax?

I am really good at doing puzzles. I also build Star Wars Lego ships. It relaxes me after a long business day.

I currently have over 20 of the large Lego ships, and they are displayed in my office for all to see.

What is one thing you didn’t know when you became an entrepreneur that you wish you had known?

How much paperwork is involved!

Luckily, I have a really great operations manager to handle that— my wife Kathy.

R E A L E S TAT E AG E N T

clients and being a part of giving an older home a facelift. I was doing this long before Chip and Joanna!

To what do you attribute your success?

I think having a sense of humor is incredibly important—and trust matters a lot to me. I’d rather lose the deal than the client. I don’t put that on my email signature, but it guides my work.

My clients come from referrals, which are indeed the greatest compliment.

Referrals are my lifeblood, and it makes me feel great when a client or friend entrusts their friends and family to me.

How do you personally define business success?

The work is rewarding. The people are rewarding. Knowing that my clients are not only satisfied but trust that I have taken care of their interest is at the top of the list. Put the client first, and everything else will fall into place. I always appreciate and value their encouraging thanks during and after the transaction is complete.

That’s success to me!

DENNIS PUCKEY

it comes to marketing and selling properties in our area, there is one choice: Charter One Realty.

Charter One Realty 11 Park Lane Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 683-6779 CharterOneRealty.com

What is your motto in life?

I am always trying to exceed expectations.

Whether in my relationships with my clients, my family, or my friends, I try go the extra mile and do something that goes above and beyond what is expected.

What services does your business offer?

I have been a real estate professional for over 30 years and with Charter One Realty for 20 years. Our brokerage has been serving Lowcountry residents since 1986, specializing in residential and commercial real estate. When

What are you passionate about?

What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

Renovations! I understand what the value is, where the bargains are, and where the growth will be. I enjoy finding those real estate opportunities for my

What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax?

I love the water and the beach. I make it a point to start my day with a sunrise beach walk. It’s one of my favorite things about living here. There is a reason why our island is the No. 1 island in the U.S. Seeing the island bustling with vacationers is a great reminder to get out and enjoy Hilton Head’s amenities.

Favorite local charitable organization?

I can’t say that I have a favorite, but I have been blessed to have served on the boards of the American Cancer Society and The Children’s Center.

Having two boys who attended Hilton Head Prep, I thoroughly enjoyed my time serving as the president of the Parents Association. Those, along with Mitchelville Freedom Park and my church, Hilton Head Island Community Church, have been a major focus of my charitable time.

It’s rewarding, and I’ve found that I’m connected to everyone and everything on the island—one degree of separation from anyone.

THE BRAND WHISPERER

RYAN LOCKHART group46 1323 May River Road, Suite 202 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 226-7263 grp46.com

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n the variety of ways you’ve likely encountered the influence and impact of Ryan Lockhart, owner of the marketing agency group46, you may not have heard the origins of what started with “a backpack, a one-way ticket, and a credit card.” Those who know Lockhart would tell you that most things Lockhart attempts in business as in life are as adventurous, bold, and sure as that one-way ticket to the United States. Those who don’t know him may find his direct, often brash, Aussie-personality intimidating until they experience his unique philosophy of life and approach to marketing success.

Having grown up the youngest of four with a single mom, and “not the most academic,” Lockhart said, although faced with challenges, learning came naturally. This is fueled by his drive for personal development, physical fitness, health, and living what most would call an intensely passionate life. “Energy creates energy. When you’re physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually strong, everything clicks,” he said.

Coaching and mentoring businesses and clients, helping them down the road through proven marketing strategies, is Lockhart’s most rewarding work.

This focus has paid off for him and the clients he serves, materializing as a multi-faceted brand marketing agency in Historic Downtown Bluffton, representing well over a billion dollars of revenue for clients annually. His primary interest, he said, is “continually wanting to help people achieve their desired success,”— simply put, “helping business owners get discovered, heard, and known.”

Lockhart’s agency, group46, combines a half-century of top-level marketing strategy expertise, with Lockhart at the helm, bringing a successful career that stretches into sales, digital

marketing, and brand development. Of the extensive experience he brings to the table, perhaps the most unique and effective is his sense of resourcefulness, intuition, and entrepreneurial drive, which he applies to his personal and professional pursuits and extends to clients through educational opportunities and what has been described as “having an outsourced CMO (Chief Marketing Officer).”

A single conversation or consultation with Lockhart and the nature of the agency he’s built introduces you to something far beyond the basic, familiar discussion of social media campaigns and refreshed logo packages. As is seen in the agency’s Professional Brand Navigators identity, Lockhart walks clients through a far deeper discovery process to “find their true north,” often coaching them towards their own visions of success.

“Ultimately, what matters in life is who do I love and who loves me; did I contribute more than I took; and did I live congruently to my identity?” This intuitive ability and deeper dive distinctively sets Ryan Lockhart and The Professional Brand Navigators at group46 apart.

AR C H I T E CT

To what do you attribute to your success?

Hard work! Never quit or give up no matter how hard times can be; look for new channels and ideas to make you stand above your peers.

How do you personally define business success?

As previously noted, my success is driven by the appreciation and gratitude of a client upon completion of their personal project— knowing that I made all the smart decisions with them and hopefully made their dreams a reality.

What are your hobbies, and how do you like to relax?

Travel—as much as I can as far as I can go. This helps me learn about other cuisines, architecture, and personalities.

Favorite local charitable organization?

United Way of the Lowcountry

MICHAEL KRONIMUS KRA architecture + design PO Box 2047 7 Johnston Way Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-2021 krasc.com What services do you offer?

Architectural design, land planning and development.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

Usually running down my list of to-do items for the day or week ahead. Currently, I have multiple businesses, and each one has its own goals and ambitions to concentrate on.

What is your motto in life?

Just do it! If you want to make something of yourself, don’t sit back and relax and watch life go by; just do it. Maybe something great will happen.

What are you passionate about?

Architecture: watching people’s expressions upon completion of their personal home or business; what great design can do to stimulate a person’s senses.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you became an entrepreneur?

How it is an endless cycle of new issues, ideas, riddles and obstacles every day. There is no down time, and you must keep moving—understanding new ideas, traits, and personalities of all your clients and projects. I would not change a thing!

HEARING SPECIALIST

To what do you attribute your success?

I attribute my success to the support of my wife Caryn, my belief in being honest, having integrity, listening and strong communication, working hard, and always going the extra mile.

How do you personally define business success? Is it money?

Freedom? Influence? Creative expression and innovation?

Something else?

We are constantly growing with the changes that occur within the business. The hearing industry is always advancing, and we strive to educate ourselves with every advancement.

What are your hobbies, and how do you like to relax?

I love to travel, enjoy time with family and friends, and would love to have time to catch up on reading outside of work.

What is your favorite local charitable organization?

I have multiple favorite charities, but locally I like The Bargain Box and The Litter Box.

RANDY W. ROSE Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers 1505 Main Street Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 547-5832 108 Buckwalter Pkwy., Suite 2G Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 594-1787 rosehearinghealthcarecenters.com What services does your business offer?

We offer hearing tests, video otoscopy, all-make repair and service, accessories and batteries, custom earmolds, and an

array of other services. We carry the most technologically advanced hearing aids, and we counsel on how to hear well again.

What is your motto in life?

Everything works out the way it is supposed to!

What are you passionate about?

What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

I am passionate about my family, friends, my business, and seeing my customers hear well again. What makes me light up when I talk about them is my wife and my grandkids.

What do you think about when you are alone in your car?

I actually laughed a little at this question, but it is pretty simple.

I think about my family and my business and listen to music to unwind after a long day.

What is your favorite book or podcast?

My favorite book is still The Reluctant Genius, by Charlotte Gray. Not much time to catch up on any new reading for a while‌ What is one thing you didn’t know when you became an entrepreneur that you wish you had known?

How much fun it would be to be my own boss.

BREW

MASTERS

DANA BRIGGS & WALTER TRIFARI lot 9 brewing co.

258 Red Cedar Street, Suite 14 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-8659 lot9brew.com Dana Briggs: What is your motto in life?

Work and play hard, help others to succeed, and always be willing to lend a helping hand.

To what do you attribute your success?

I have been fortunate to be surrounded by driven people with positive outlooks.

The words no and can’t were not a

part of my vocabulary, and with a doer mentality, I’ve been able to make things happen with the application of hard work.

How do you personally define business success?

This is a big question and encompasses a lot to me. The initial response is that it’s better being in the black than being in the red. But the road to accomplishment is always about the people, their abilities, happiness, sense of involvement and belonging. When I know people feel as though they are a part of a team, families are whole and healthy, and we as a group are marching in the right direction, then I feel pretty successful.

What are your hobbies and how do I like to relax?

I have a love-hate relationship with golf, and as I get older, I hate it more! I enjoy boating and being around my family and friends. I also enjoy tinkering, making things, being innovative. My mind is always working toward this end. Relax?

What is that? No time to be idle … ha, ha.

Walter Trifari: What services does your business offer?

At lot 9, we specialize in small batch beer (so it’s always at its peak freshness), good conversations, and even better company.

What are you passionate about?

What makes your eyes light up with excitement when you talk about it?

One word: beer. As a brewer for over 20 years, it’s pretty amazing that I’m just as passionate about brewing as I was when I got started.

To what do you attribute your success?

Hard work always wins out. And, never settling for just an “okay” beer. It can always be better!

What are your hobbies and how do you like to relax?

Living is easy in the Lowcountry. I enjoy the beach and have a newfound love of fly fishing.

Article by Linda S. Hopkins Photography

by M.Kat Designed by Catherine Colby BENEATH THE BRAWN, WILDLY POPULAR FITNESS TRAINER KNOWN FOR MAKING EVERYONE FEEL IMPORTANT

When AJ Staley walks into a room, the first thing you are likely to notice is his physique. The former middle linebacker turned

fitness coach/trainer is not someone you would want to run into without a helmet and plenty of padding.

AJ Staley at XP Fitness on a Saturday morning.

AJ staley But beneath all that exterior toughness is a gentle giant with a heart for people and a passion for helping others achieve their goals.

Staley will tell you that fitness hasn’t always been easy for him. He has faced many of the same obstacles his clients are up against including weight struggles, injuries, frustration and lagging motivation.

While Staley has turned his brawn into an asset, he remembers when, as an overweight child, his girth was not his friend. “I know what it’s like to be shamed or to be left out—to feel like you’re not a part of something,” he said. “Growing up, I always struggled with being accepted.

Even as an adult, it’s something that will sometimes try to rear its head. Because I know what that feels like, that’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I always try to make everyone feel included.”

Drawing from his own life experiences, Staley has a way of connecting with clients and meeting them right where they are, instinctively knowing when to administer a dose of tough love and when to offer a touch of TLC. From the young aspiring athlete aiming to improve sports performance, to the middle-aged woman trying to manage her weight, to the octogenarian striving to remain active and independent, he seeks common ground. He prides himself on his listening skills and his ability to dig down to the mental and emotional challenges that may be preventing a client from progressing towards his or her physical goals.

“I try to build a one-on-one relationship so that I can help you get past whatever you’re dealing with. This hour that you have paid for is for you. So, whatever you need in this time, that’s what I’m here for,” Staley said.

(Sometimes a client needs a walk around the building and a good rant and/or cry, he said.)

CAREER PATH It was Staley’s interest in sports that led him to get in shape and ultimately inspired his career. “I played football all my life, from Pee Wee all the way through college,” he said. But the real game changer came in eighth grade when his coach introduced him to strength training. “He was a giant dude. I wanted to look like that, and ever since then, I’ve been lifting weights.”

From that point on, Staley devoured information about exercise and how to build a better body. When he started working out with friends and offering training advice, people began encouraging him to think about doing it for a living.

Staley was born and raised in Decatur, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta. He later moved to Columbia, S.C. and subsequently attended Gardner Webb University in Charlotte, N.C., where he earned degrees in exercise science and business. Upon graduation, he took a detour to culinary school, which landed him on Hilton Head Island.

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AUGUST 2020

C2 MAGAZINE

“HE IS SO ENCOURAGING, HE MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN DO THINGS YOU DIDN’T THINK YOU COULD.” - TARA ANNUNZIATA

“I couldn’t really figure out what I wanted to do in life, so I went to culinary school. I did an internship here at Sea Pines, and when I graduated, they offered me a job. So, I stayed,” Staley said.

From there, he joined the culinary team at a private weight loss retreat. “They found out I had the background in training as well, so I had the opportunity to get back into that.

I’ve been training ever since,” Staley said. He is currently coaching at Orange Theory Fitness Hilton Head and offering personal training at XP Fitness. “My plan was only to be here for a year. That was six years ago.”

MASTER OF MOTIVATION Beyond his sports experience, education, and multiple certifications, it is Staley’s philosophy that drives his mission: “The only limitations we have are the ones we put on ourselves.” He helps people identify and connect to their “why,” which is what will get them through the workout when frustrations arise, he said.

Nudging people out of their comfort zone is probably what Staley does best.

“For most people, seeing is believing. If I can get them to see in their mind that they can succeed, then they can do anything I ask them to do. I’m actually very good at getting people out of their own head and trying something new.”

“He is so good at what he does,” said Amanda Spencer, who met Staley at Orange Theory Fitness. “He’s obviously knowledgeable about fitness, but he’s so motivating as well.

What sets AJ apart is that he really pushes you and helps you get to the next level. He

makes me want to do my best.”

Spencer initially set out to lose weight and then to get stronger and healthier.

She is achieving those goals. “Now it’s therapeutic!” she said. Her two sons, ages nine and ten are training with Staley at XP fitness. “This summer, they were just not getting the exercise they needed, so we enlisted AJ to work out with them a couple of days a week,” Spencer said. “That’s exactly what they needed—to have that great role model and somebody who would help push them to be their best.”

“We all love our AJ. He’s so warm and fuzzy,” added Tara Annunziata, who, along with her daughter, works out with Staley at Orange Theory Fitness. Her son, who plays football at Christian Academy, has also been training privately with Staley to gain the strength and bulk he needs to be a better athlete.

“He is so encouraging, he makes you feel like you can do things you didn’t think you could,” Annunziata said of Staley.

“He’s not only good at his job, he’s just a wonderful person. No matter who he’s talking to, he knows how to relate to them and how to make them feel important.

That’s a special trait for someone to have, and that’s what makes him stand out.”

So, what keeps Staley’s fire lit? “I don’t train anyone the same, but I make sure everyone is getting the same result, which is reaching towards their goal,” he said. “I love it. I will probably be doing this until I drop dead.”  Reach AJ Stanley at (704) 626-9795.

Archery Arrives at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Article courtesy of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Photography by M.KAT

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ilton Head Island residents and visitors can now escape the heat by heading indoors to On the Mark Archery’s air-conditioned range at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. This new addition complements resort favorites such as golf, tennis and pickleball, while offering its own unique challenges and satisfaction throughout the journey to sporting success.

Founder Mark Pirrello, a Level 4 USA Archery instructor, certified by Olympic Head Coach Kisik Lee, will oversee daily operations to help build momentum and establish a foothold on the island. The New England-based organization is renowned for its professional mobile archery classes, events and corporate team-building sessions for individuals and groups to enjoy.

Youths and adults alike will undoubtedly find this activity refreshing and engaging when given the opportunity to experience one of the world’s oldest sports, using traditional wooden recurve bows that require instinctive aiming and discipline to truly master the “Art of Archery.”

On the Mark Archery’s facility in Palmetto Dunes is located at 5 Trent Jones Lane next to the resort’s Robert Trent Jones clubhouse. Lanes for rental to the public were expected to open as early as July.

Pirrello describes archery as a mental sport that involves a focus needed to achieve consistency with the body, mind and spirit all acting in unison.

“We are excited to have the chance to showcase an Olympic sport like archery for residents and visitors of Hilton Head Island to experience something unique and totally different,” Pirrello said. “This is an activity that anyone can succeed in with a little patience and focus, and although it can take years to master, the fundamentals can be learned within a few dozen shots.”

CH2’s Morgan O’Banion shows off her inner Katniss Everdeen at On The Mark Archery.

A selection of bows for target practice.

On the Mark Archery offers classes for private parties, weddings, team building & more.

On the Mark Archery will follow strict COVID-19 guidelines, including: • 5 people maximum per session • Separate targets for each archer • Social distancing between assigned shooting lanes • Sanitization of all equipment Rates: Shooting Lane Rental, $30 per archer / 45 minutes Private Lessons, 1 hour | $100 individual / $200 family lesson (5 people maximum) For more information, visit otma.us/hhi.

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A R T I C L E B Y N I N A G R E E N P L AT E P H O T O G R A P H Y M . K AT D E S I G N E D B Y C AT C O L B Y

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hort of hearing voices in a cornfield like Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams, a bit of baseball magic has appeared in the heart of Bluffton, South Carolina. “Kids should always realize their own dreams,” said Shane Monahan, former Major League Baseball (MLB) player and South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. He is going the distance,

right here in the Lowcountry, sharing his expertise for the game he loves so much.

South East Baseball (SEB) is a powerful baseball academy, new to the Lowcountry and the coastal Georgia region.

SEB and its teams, The Solar Sox, focus on player development, helping each athlete reach his fullest potential.

Passion, attitude, hustle and organization

SHANE monahan are at the academy’s heart, centered on fundamentals and personal player development. Players on the Sox teams for the fall will have an automatic place on the spring and summer roster. Tryouts will occur for athletes coming in after the season start. “We ask each player what they want to achieve,” Monahan said. “We can help them get there.”

Personal commitment level is also a determining factor. Monahan believes competition at the highest level in the country will help players grow as athletes on and off the ball field. This intensifies the sport itself, so to speak, and works to improve their game. A clear mission statement promises to teach “confidence, a winning attitude, how to manage failure, professionalism, strategy, preparation, energy, and how to be a great teammate.”

Monahan’s affection for this beloved American pastime is matched only by his devotion to his players.

“Every kid I have ever coached becomes part of my family. I will always be loyal to them,” he said.

Monahan was a standout from a young age. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves out of high school in 1992 but decided to first attend Clemson University. There, he broke several ACC and collegiate records, and in 1994, led the NCAA with 137 hits—a record still standing today.

He is also an inductee to Clemson’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

During the 1994-1995 seasons, Monahan was a two-time All-American in the ABCA, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, and NCBWA polls.

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The following year, Monahan was the thirty-first pick in the overall draft, swinging for the Seattle Mariners for two seasons. Monahan played on minor league affiliates of the Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Kansas City Royals. His energy and love of baseball helped create the academy, as did his love of family, which brought him to Hilton Head Island.

Born in Syosset, New York and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Monahan comes from a long line of sports greats. His father, Hartland, is a retired Canadian ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL). Grandfather, Joseph (Boom Boom) Geoffrion, a Canadian NHL player and coach, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972 and named one of the top 100 greatest NHL players in history. Although he played ice hockey from a young age, Monahan first put his hands on a bat the year his hometown ice skating rink closed. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Monahan believes competition at the highest level in the country will help players grow as athletes on and off the ball field.

“It’s always been about family,” Monahan said. “I realized the importance of surrounding myself with good people”—a sentiment that carried over to his selection of SEB’s coaching staff. With Monahan’s prowess in outfielding, hitting and base running, he sought to balance out the coaching abilities with four additional professionals, chosen for their skill and character.

Scott Mullen, Chris Seelbach, Junior Delatorre, and Patrick Boulware round out SEB’s impressive staff. Each a seasoned expert in his own right, their selection was not random. “They are positive role models and of the highest moral caliber,” Monahan said. “I have to trust them with each of my kids, so it’s very important.”

Mullen is one of Monahan’s pitching pros. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 1996 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals, spending five seasons in their minor league system before making his MLB entrance in 2000. Mullen played college ball at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and Dallas Baptist University.

Seelbach is a passionate baseball teacher and coach. He spent five years as an MLB player with the Atlanta Braves before being traded to the Florida Marlins.

Delatorre studied at the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB), ranking second all-time in starts (36), innings pitched (257.1), wins (17), strikeouts (200), complete games (6), and shutouts (3). He is presently varsity pitching coach at Hilton Head Preparatory School.

Boulware, an all-around athlete, played three sports throughout his career: wrestling, football and baseball. He received a scholarship to play baseball at Immaculata University in Malvern, Pennsylvania, where he was a five-year starter behind the plate, splitting roles as a closing pitcher. During his time at Immaculata, he was a twotime all-conference catcher.

Prior to moving to Bluffton, Monahan founded a similar academy. He was president of SEB Tigers out of Gainesville, Georgia, coaching their top 16-and-under team. In the fall of 2011, the Tigers started the season with four teams, and by the spring of the final year, there were 12. Monahan and company were able to place 450 kids into colleges. Over 35 players were drafted; 10 moved on to play in the Majors!

College placement and draft opportunities are integral to the academy’s initiative. A referral call made to a university’s coach, or to a Major/Minor league team from a trusted former player can make all the difference in the player’s future.

Monahan will keep hitting it out of the park, working hard for his kids, and building what he hopes will eventually be the largest travel baseball organization south of Atlanta. The Lowcountry may soon discover a field where baseball dreams really do come true.  For more information, visit www.sebbaseball.com.

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× Dr. Thomas P. Lenns, M.D.

to the hospital less; (2) recover from illness faster; and (3) encounter fewer mistakes, primarily in medications.

The doctor is able to know patients better, see them faster, and maintain involvement in all aspects of their life experiences, eliminating the likelihood of duplicated medicines or conflict between prescriptions.

A team effort

AT YOUR SERVICE Thomas P. Lenns, M.D., Internal Medicine ARTICLE BY AMY BARTLETT

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oncierge medicine might not be a household phrase, but choosing concierge as a healthcare solution has proven extensively more beneficial for both patient and household. Once considered luxury medical care or boutique, concierge medicine has become more accessible and cost-effective considering the services available to individual members, paired with the rising costs and limitations of traditional healthcare. Your concierge membership connects you with a physician and team that extends 24/7 direct access and a personal knowledge of your life and individual needs.

Unfinished business When originally establishing his concierge practice, Dr. Thomas Lenns was motivated by the range of improvements he wanted to be able to bring to patients and their care. Describing former conditions where traditional primary care doctors spend an average seven minutes per patient, Lenns stated with concern, “I knew I was walking out of the room with unfinished business.” He also described that natural (or kneejerk) reactions in those settings lead to cookie-cutter treatments without addressing root issues. “It is surprising how often an extra five minutes leads to skipping the prescription—sometimes not skipping, but not stopping there, going the extra step to find the cause.”

Lenns celebrates the ability now to get to know a patient and their families.

“There’s an amazing life connection to illness and ultimately to health,” he said. He built his concierge practice knowing that, in doing so, he would lose some patients when transitioning away from the overbooked nature of general medicine. Limiting quantity, he knew, would enable unlimited quality of care, providing greater proactive (rather than reactive) preventative medicine.

In the 20 years since the first concierge practice was established in Florida, countless studies have shown the advanced health of concierge patients who, (1) go

Beyond the benefits of one-onone access to a physician like Lenns is the handpicked healthcare team that comprises the practice. “You have a team of support committed to your health and personally connected to you—capable, committed people who have invested years and built a shared knowledge where they can know you like they know me.”

Lenns’ wife Carol is the business side of the practice, along with in-house manager Monika Belka, medical assistant Stacey Tindall, and nurse Cheryl Thomas, who has practiced with Lenns for 20 years.

Among the variety of ways this team runs a tight ship are the added safeguards against coronavirus and related concerns patients understandably face.

“The practice has implemented sterile measures in accordance with the CDC guidelines regarding the separation of patients and added sanitary practices.

With this in place, we’ve encountered almost zero cases of coronavirus inhouse, which is a testimony to how rigidly specific we have been in making sure our patients have no need to worry,” Lenns said. Assuring those whose concerns might keep them from coming in, he added, “Ultimately, you’re more likely to be exposed to coronavirus in the supermarket than our offices, and not being seen when there’s a need is more detrimental to your health.”

At every turn, the decision to transition to concierge care as well as daily decisions by Dr. Lenns and team, are all able to be made with the individual patient in mind. “Bottom line,” Lenns said, “concierge medicine is good for the patients. There’s simply no substitute for a doctor who knows you.”

Dr. Lenns’ office is located at 89 Main Street, Hilton Head Island. For more information, visit drlenns.com or call (843) 681-5305.

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A RT IC L E

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e all know that marriage is no cakewalk.

Throw in a global pandemic and stayat-home directive and you have the perfect testing ground. Will it be a second honeymoon or the last straw?

My husband Tom owns a company based in Atlanta and travels for work, which has meant four to five days a week apart since we married and agreed to keep our home base on Hilton Head Island. For the first few years, I enjoyed my solitude, space, and freedom during the week. I could work, play, socialize, and eat and drink as I pleased, with plenty of time for self-care and recreation.

Weekends were like an extended date (except for the laundry and a few household chores).

But after 15 years, I was weary of the arrangement. I found myself growing restless and resentful, while Tom seemed oblivious to the state of our union. Conversations had become stilted and measured, “I love you” hollow and rote. We were

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going through the motions of being married but living two distinctly separate lives.

While I never questioned my husband’s love for me, I often doubted my value to him. As I scrambled to create a meaningful life for myself, often taking for granted the lifestyle I was afforded because of my husband’s hard work and dedication, I often felt unseen, unheard and misunderstood at home—and more recently, a little bit bored and lonely. Our marriage was dying of the disease of disconnection.

Recognizing our need to spend some quality time together, last December, we went on a 10-

“I love you too!”

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HOW COVID-1 9 REJUVENAT ED MY MARRIAGE

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day luxury cruise to relax, reconnect, and have some fun (all things we had forgotten how to do). While we had a good time, the magic didn’t happen. We both came home exhausted and sick with no new insight into how to live together in the real world. Our schedules returned to normal with all the same old problems and misunderstandings … until March, when everything changed.

ENTER COVID-19 Prior to the pandemic, Tom had been entertaining the idea of retiring sometime in the next few years. I must confess that the mere thought of spending more than two days in a row under one roof with him was terrifying to me: too much conflict, not enough in common, too little connection. But here we were, suddenly thrust into the test lab.

The first week of lockdown, I felt like a pressure cooker on the verge of exploding. Forced to confront all the issues, big and small, that years of separation had spawned, my heart threatened to burst out of my chest with the next interruption. Tensions built as all the attention I thought I wanted from my husband became another source of stress and annoyance. His attempts at affection felt like demands, and my tolerance for togetherness revealed a flaccid patience muscle. Overnight, I went from starved to smothered. This was not the life I envisioned, and I began feeling even more hopeless.

Since locking myself in the closet was not a reasonable option and no number of chocolate chip cookies could soothe my nerves, the next I MUST CONFESS THAT THE MERE THOUGHT OF SPENDING MORE THAN TWO DAYS IN A ROW UNDER ONE ROOF WITH HIM WAS TERRIFYING TO ME: TOO MUCH CONFLICT, NOT ENOUGH IN COMMON, TOO LITTLE CONNECTION. BUT HERE WE WERE, SUDDENLY THRUST INTO THE TEST LAB.

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best thing was to talk—face up to differences and problems that had been swept under the rug for far too long. After slogging through a few uncomfortable conversations, something miraculous began to happen. My husband was listening to me—really hearing for a change. He started expressing his love, admiration and appreciation, and I began to feel acknowledged and respected. As a result of the “happy wife, happy life” principle, I became more attentive to his needs and more open to his ideas. (See how that works?) While we both continued working from home, we made a point to stop work at a certain time and share our evenings in a more meaningful way. We enjoyed meals at home and started taking walks and playing board games after dinner. We found ourselves arguing less and laughing more. Before long, we were looking at each other across the table without the distraction of phones and other devices. It was just the two of us, relying on one another for the kind of conversation, stability and support not available in a chat box.

THE REAL MEANING OF PRESENCE Now that the world is beginning to spin again and Tom is traveling, we have made a commitment to find ways to spend less time apart. It has required some compromise on both parts: I am traveling with him on occasion and he is arranging to work from home more often. We also have a brand-new perspective on what it means to be present.

While time together provided the framework for the shift, we have come to realize that togetherness and presence are not synonymous. The opposite of present is preoccupied.

We can be physically present with another yet miles apart, distracted by our devices and to-do lists. On the flip side, we can be miles apart yet together in mind and spirit.

You see, presence is not defined by physical proximity but by a higher form of connectedness, uncompromised by time or distance. Presence is a choice. 

Q SUSAN BURAK ENJOYS SOME DOWNTIME IN HER BACKYARD.

Article by Becca Edwards . Photography by M.Kat

Living Life w ith P ur p o se

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or many of us, the past several months have induced a time of introspection and self-improvement. Some of us have taken on wellness challenges like a weight-loss journey or new physical feat like long-distance biking or running. Some of us finally read that stack of books that, like kudzu, had taken over our bedside table. And some of us channeled our inner Beaker from The Muppets and got resourceful in the kitchen by cooking with pantry castoffs or got scientific in the bathroom with home hair-dying kits.

Living Life w it h P ur p o s e

I opted to take an online course through Coursera titled “Finding Purpose and Meaning in Life: Living for What Matters Most,” by Dr. Vic Strecher. Strecher is a professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health and director for Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship. He is also an award-winning pioneer in the field of behavioral science, who lost his 19-year-old daughter Julia to a rare heart disease that resulted from an infant case of chicken pox. This life event challenged every aspect of Strecher’s personal and professional experience and drove him to an exhaustive search, from ancient philosophy to cutting-edge science, to pinpoint the potential and impact of purpose in our lives. (Check out his book Life on Purpose, which is available in print and on Audible and his app, Purposeful by Kumanu.)

While taking the course, the health, wealth and life benefits of living a life with purpose became abundantly clear, and we will explore this further. But one fundamental concept for you to know upfront is that a sense of purpose can come in many forms. This realization led me to survey multiple people through Facebook questionnaires, Zoom virtual interactions, and socially distanced outings, asking two questions: (1) Did they feel compelled to have a sense of purpose? (2) What was/is their purpose?

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Q SUSAN GIVES A LITTLE LOVE TO HER TWO GOLDEN GIRLS, DALEY & WRIGLEY.

ASK YOURSELF: 1. DO YOU FEEL COMPELLED TO HAVE A SENSE OF PURPOSE? 2. WHAT WAS/IS YOUR PURPOSE?

Some respondents suddenly felt the need to give back to the community by donating to our local food bank and/or supporting local businesses.

Others stated that altruism, at this point, was actually being kind to themselves and getting through the pandemic without over-imbibing, overwatching the news, or over-stressing.

But for local resident Susan Burak, living life with purpose is not situational. It’s not just something you are called to do because times are tough. Instead, it is something that resides in your core that you curate with thoughtfulness throughout your life.

Burak’s mother was Polish Catholic and the youngest of 11 children. As Burak described her mother’s childhood and then her own, it became quite clear that her purpose in life can be summed up in three words: love for people.

Her love of caring for people is the reason she became a successful radiologist. Her love for her husband, Dr. William Burak, led her to be a wife and mother of two children. And her love of spreading joy is the reason why

so many people lean on her for friendship and why her husband nicknamed her “Solution Susan.”

“Oh, yeah, that was a name Bill came up with,” Burak said with a laugh. “Because someone is always calling me saying, ‘Can you walk on the beach with me? I need a friend’, or ‘Do you know a plumber?’—that sort of thing.”

Quoting Mother Teresa, Burak said, “We cannot all do big things, but we can do small things with big love.” She added, “By doing little things every day, it’s cumulative.”

When Burak awakens each day, before her feet hit the floor, she thinks about what she wants to accomplish, and she reiterates her purpose. This morning ritual, as studies show, is exactly what we all should be doing upon waking; it is free and yet perhaps one of the most valuable things we can do for our overall wellness.

Strecher, as well as mindfulness researchers like Dr. Laurie Santos (a cognitive scientist and professor of psychology at Yale University who also offers online classes through Coursera), often discuss the significance of self-affirmation and setting an intention.

“Self-affirmation is the process of reflecting on one’s core values or what matters most in one’s life,” Strecher lectured. “By doing this, you activate the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) or the part of the brain that asks, ‘who am I?’ and ‘what do I value?’”

As it turns out, this form of introspection slows down the deterioration of telomeres, or the caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect our chromosomes, therefore inhibiting or slowing down the aging process.

“Imagine a drug that was proven to add years to your life, reduce risk of heart attack and stroke, cut your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by more than half, help you relax during the day and sleep better at night, double your chances of staying drug- and alcohol-free after treatment, activate your natural killer cells, diminish your inflammatory cells, increase your good cholesterol, and repair your chromosomes. What if this imaginary drug reduced hospital stays so much that it put a dent in the national health care crisis? The pharmaceutical company who made the drug would be worth billions. The inventors of the drug would receive Nobel Prizes and have institutes named for them. But it’s not a drug. It’s purpose. And it’s free,” Strecher explained.

Strecher went on to differentiate between self-enhancing (or hedonic) and self-transcending (or eudaimonic), as well as “be” goals, which answer why we want to do something, and “action” goals, which answer how we will do something.

When setting your purpose in life, self-transcending allows you greater rewards and actually increases antibodies; conversely, hedonic is pro-inflammatory. As a bit of back story for all of you etymologists out there, the term eudaimonia is etymologically based in the Greek words eu (good) and daimon (spirit). It describes the notion that living in accordance with one’s daimon, which we take to mean character and virtue, leads to a good life. Therefore, the idea is to live a life of purpose based on virtues like “love of people” and to set your “be” and “action” goals accordingly.

“My mother lived a long life without an ache or a pain because she had such a strong purpose,” Burak said. “I hope I’m following her example in life.”

If you know Burak, you know she is doing just that. Every day, Burak sets out to help people. She is the first person to greet a new family when they move into the neighborhood.

She remembers the good stuff like people’s birthdays and anniversaries and the bad stuff like people’s chemo appointments.

She (like her husband) is an avid volunteer. She has never met a stranger. She is currently learning the Spanish language as well as finding housing and employment to help a political refugee living in Bluffton. She values making a healthy dinner for her husband every night, not because she is provincial, but because she knows the importance of sharing one’s day over nutritious food.

“I try and help people see and appreciate all they have to offer to the world and to each other,” Burak said, and she truly believes it is more fun to give than receive.  Becca Edwards is a wellness professional, freelance writer, and owner of Female IQ (femaleIQ.com).

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“RESPONSIVE, HELPFUL, AND DILIGENT!” — Ken Kroupa, Carson Realty

“IN QUALITY, AFFORDABILITY, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, OMEGA AND IT’S STAFF ARE SECOND TO NONE AND OUR EXCLUSIVE DESIGN AND PRINTING VENDOR.” — Jan Smith, Development Director

“EXTREMELY EASY TO WORK WITH AND COMPLETED EARLY, I RECOMMEND MICHELLE CAIN AND OMEGA WITHOUT RESERVATION.”

“AMAZING TALENT, EXPERTISE AND RELIABILITY. EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS.” — Amy Metzger, The Greenery

— Darah Latourelle, WAHHI Past President

L E T’S P R I N T !

OMEGA GRAPHICS & PRINT, A FULL-SERVICE PRINT & MARKETING TEAM INVESTED IN YOUR SUCCESS

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here’s no better evidence of excellence than the ringing endorsements of your clients, especially local leaders and businesses who choose to work with you exclusively. Omega Graphics and Print has earned this praise with over 35 years of expert knowledge in all areas of printing, creative design services, direct mail marketing, large format printing, and promotional products.

As an established part of the local climate, Omega knows the demographic and marketing trends and can make informed recommendations. “When doing a direct mail project, we can save hundreds in postage by directing the customer to target the proper community (instead of blanketing a huge area), and with professional design, print, and mailing services all under one roof, we deliver the best value at the lowest rate,” marketing manager Ginna McAuliffe explained.

Omega offers a complimentary consultation, inviting clients to “sit with our graphic designers to collaboratively develop your best creative,” production manager Michelle Cain said. “When clients need help figuring out what paper they want or what kind of brochure makes most sense for their business, they can discuss their project directly with an expert, feel the samples, see the product they’ll receive, and have confidence in the process.”

“Omega’s employees are all members of this community and patrons to many of our accounts,” which raises the sense of ownership and accountability. When we go to dinner at a restaurant whose menus we printed or walk past rack cards we designed, we have pride in the products we put out into our community. This translates to longevity,” owner Steve Sugg said.

“Most of our employees have been with Omega for 10-plus years,” Cain said. “There’s a reason for high employee retention; we truly enjoy our jobs. Customer satisfaction and compliments about our service make coming to work each day a joy.”

Not just local, but locally invested, Omega has an admirable portfolio of contribution, giving back to community organizations and charities through annual efforts: “Poster with a Purpose” offers 50 free posters to all non-profit organizations for one event each year, in addition to discounted pricing for non-profits, military, and schools. Omega also donates a portion of printing and graphic design services to local organizations like Hilton Head Island High School’s youth football camp, Art League of Hilton Head’s annual fundraiser, and Bluffton’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s to name a few. “By helping to eliminate those costs for their organization, the funds raised can then go directly back into the community,” Cain said.

Thriving even through a national health crisis, Omega implemented the Chamber Pledge’s safety protocols, offering contactless Zoom meetings and adding curbside pickup to their already no-cost delivery options. Additionally, Omega stepped up to deliver, at discounted rates, a new line of needed products, from social distancing signage and floor decals, to disposable menus and special-message exterior posters and signs.

Adaptability has always been in Omega’s DNA, tailoring services to meet customers where they are. “Some want to drop off artwork and pick up the finished product. Others want interactive design sessions. Still others want to learn every detail about the design and production process,” Cain said.

At the heart of it, “Working with Omega frees you from the headaches of coordinating vendors, designs, print specifications, file types, and deadlines,” Cain added. “We handle it all, creating and implementing a final product to reach your target market and get the results you need. We save you time and money, but most of all, we’re proud to be part of this community. Our customers’ success is our success. If you can envision it, we can create it. Let’s print!”  For more information, visit omegagraphicsandprint.com or call (843) 342-6360.

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I S CIANS MU in bathrooms B A N D : U N I C O R N M E AT M U S I C I A N S : J O S E P H V I C A R S & J E V O N D A LY

P H OTO G R A P H Y BY M . K AT

YOU CAN WATCH JOS AND JEVON PERFORM AT THE DUNES HOUSE IN PALMETTO DUNES RESORT EVERY FRIDAY FROM 5-8P.M.

Do you tweet, gram or book?

What’s your handle?

UM: UnicornMeet for Insta, Unicorn Meat on FB Who would star as you in the epic retelling of your life on film?

UM: Chuck Norris and Rick Flair, most likely.

ICIANS MUSin bathrooms What’s your sign?

Unicorn Meat: One way. Or the yield sign. We like them both a lot.

Most underrated song that, in your opinion, should be a classic: UM: “What Does the Fox Say?” Biggest compliment you’ve ever gotten from a fan?

UM: “Hey man, nice shorts.”

What is your favorite piece to perform?

UM: “Reese’s Pieces” What do you sing in the shower?

UM: Unicorns don’t take showers. Only glorious bubble baths. But in those situations, we usually have Barbara Streisand, Cher or some other B-list performer sing for us whilst we bathe.

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Favorite cereal?

UM: That’s a weird question.

Don’t really have one. Maybe Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer if we had to choose.

At what venue do you most like to perform?

UM: Carnegie Hall Most requested song at shows?

UM: Old ladies often ask us to play Tupac or DMX songs.

First concert you attended?

UM: The original performance of the 1812 Overture, by Tchaikovsky Favorite artist?

UM: Duh, Bob Ross.

Place you go to get away from it all?

UM: The Dairy Queen in Hoboken, New Jersey.

First instrument you ever learned to play?

UM: The jazz kazoo Song you were thrilled to finally master?

UM: “Master of Puppets” and “Thriller” What do you wish you knew more about?

UM: We know so much already.

We could probably use a lesson in knowing less.

What animal do you most identify with?

UM: Seriously? You really have to ask that? Obviously, it’s an aardvark.

If you got super-famous and had to change your name, what would your new name be?

UM: Terry What famous musician would you love to sing a duet with?

UM: Kanye West. He is so terrible at singing that, by comparison, we would sound incredible.

AUGUST 2020 1 TO DO #1 CELEBRATE DOGUST 1ST: UNIVERSAL BIRTHDAY FOR SHELTER DOGS

2 TO DO #2 HAVE BRUNCH AT THE BRITISH OPEN PUB!

EVERY TUESDAY! SEA PINES FARMERS MARKET

FARMERS MARKET AT HONEY HORN

Sea Pines Shopping Center 10am-2pm

Coastal Discovery 9am-1pm

10 TO DO #3 SIGN UP FOR A SPIN CLASS AT CYCLEBAR!

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WEDNESDAYS THURSDAYS PRIVATE MEDITATION & SOUND HEALING Pure Salt Studio Hilton Head

BLUFFTON FARMERS MARKET Calhoun Street in Old Town 12-3pm

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THURSDAYS

OUTDOOR YOGA

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NATIONAL BEACH DAY!

15 “LIFE IS A JOURNEY TO BE EXPERIENCED, NOT A PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED.” — POOH, WINNIE THE POOH

21 IT’S THE WEEKEND! ENJOY A BEER AT LOT9 BREWING CO.

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TO DO #5

FIRE’EM UP AND CRUISE IN!

CELEBRATE TACO TUESDAY AT HOLY TEQUILA!

I GIVE A PORTION OF MY TIME TO HELPING OTHERS. IT’S GOOD FOR MY OWN HEALTH.

TO DO #4

“YOU MUST NOT LET ANYONE DEFINE YOUR LIMITS BECAUSE OF WHERE YOU COME FROM. YOUR ONLY LIMIT IS YOUR SOUL.” — GUSTEAU, RATATOUILLE

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8 SATURDAY AFFIRMATION

PRIVATE MEDITATION & SOUND HEALING Pure Salt Studio in Bluffton

Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina 9:30am Tuesday and Thursday mornings

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Shelter Cove Towne Centre 5-8pm open to all enthusiasts!

29 DON’T WORRY. SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER!

EVENTS AND MORE COVID-19 INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS

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