LocalBiz Magazine Q1 2023

THINK BIG, START SMALL P. 34 Smart strategies for getting outside your comfort zone

‘AHA!’ MOMENTS P. 40

Recognize a million-dollar idea when you have one

ON THE SIDE P. 60

Visionary side hustles deliver more than just cash

HILTON HEAD  BLUFFTON  BEAUFORT

Hargray, we’re more than

internet provider. We’re a trusted partner.

live and work in the communities we serve and take pride in providing the strongest network at the best price possible. Our promise is to deliver the

business deserves this year and every year moving forward.

Hold the vision, trust the process

AS FLUFFY AS THE WORD “VISION” CAN BE, IT CAN ALSO BE POWERFUL WHEN USED EFFECTIVELY.

IIn the summer of 1950, a brash young law student named Charles Fraser first arrived on a remote sea island to work a few months for his family’s logging operation. The 21-year-old was entranced by this hidden paradise he had stumbled upon — the beautiful beaches, virgin pine forests and rich groves of great live oaks. He envisioned houses, streets, marinas, golf courses — a complete community blended into the land and water of this unspoiled island, without all of the ugliness that inevitably follows the flow of traffic.

Unlike many big dreamers in their early 20s, Fraser formulated a plan to make it happen. After convincing his father to give him a 21-year note on the land and complete legal control, he hit the books at Yale Law School, learning all he could about regulating land use with protective covenants and deed restrictions. He crafted a master plan that was ridiculed by many at the time, but Fraser never lost sight of his vision.

With the help of locals and talented young professionals from all over the country, Fraser not only built his first-of-its-kind community, he also set the benchmark for his industry in the process. His “Sea Pines Style” has been imitated by land developers up and down the coast.

We hope Fraser’s vision and this Q1 issue of LOCAL Biz inspire you to hold the vision you have for your small business. Many successful local owners share their secrets for recognizing big ideas, setting a vision, getting team members to buy in and overcoming challenges along the way. You’ll meet local visionaries, discover visionary tools and learn visionary processes and techniques presented in a style that is easy-to-read, informative and actionable.

With the new year upon us, it’s an ideal time to get out of your comfort zone and reassess the current and future objectives of your organization. The opportunities are out there, as they have always been, but only for those with great vision.

LANCE HANLIN Editor-in-Chief

— JOEL A. BARKER, AUTHOR

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“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”

Q1 2023  VISION

Start. Grow. Lead.

Inspiring stories for the three most important stages of your business.

Faces

Meet three locals who are turning their visions into realities.

Visionary Women

10 76

Meet eight local businesswomen who prove you can climb your way to the top without stepping on people to get there if you are fueled by inspiration and passion.

16

Roundup P. 22

Design pros share the recipe for a brand makeover

Marketing P. 36

How micro-influencers can make a major difference

Sales P. 40

How to recognize a million-dollar idea

HR P. 44

When to explore the world of human resources

Money Matters P. 52

Improve your bottom line by mixing golf with business

Ask the Experts P. 70

A vision board brings a vision to life

Smart Stuff P. 86

Tactical tools, tips and resources

Links P. 91 Bonus content at LocalBizSC.com

After Hours P. 92

Stay on point with 2023 drink trends

Resource Directory P. 94

Good contacts for doing local business

Last Word P. 96

Tips for building the ultimate vision board

BEHIND THE SCENES LOCAL BIZ CONTRIBUTORS

David Cross, writer

What do you do? I am a Realtor; partner agent with 55Places.com How long have you done it? Since 1998. My wife and I have over 40 years of combined experience. For whom do you do it? I lead the David Dale Team brokered by EXP Realty, the fastest-growing agency in the world. We specialize in 55-plus, active living and the Lowcountry lifestyle. Your favorite part of the day? I have two. When I'm with my wife and our two sons, and when I meditate. Both refresh me immensely. Have you ever had a mentor? Yes, I had mentors throughout my life. Best lesson? Several are equally important. See every person's value, see opportunity everywhere, let your imagination go big and live life NOW! What do you wish you had known when you started your business but no one told you? How important imagination is to the creative process and how doing the inner work of developing emotions, thoughts and feelings are to growing and becoming your best version of yourself. What you think, you become; what you feel, you attract; what you imagine, you create. I wish I had known this in the beginning.

Leslie Snadowsky, writer

What do you do? I’ve enjoyed an exciting career in journalism, writing articles (Associated Press, Bloomberg, Reuters); appearing as an on-air TV news reporter in multiple markets, including on WCSC Live 5 News in Charleston and nationally as an investigative reporter on Fox News and “Nancy Grace” on CNN’s HLN; teaching journalism (Tulane and UNLV); and taking photos of rock stars and famous musicians for Splash News. Currently I’m editing and writing stories for LOCAL Life and LOCAL Biz magazines, and I was just named 2022 Practitioner of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America in Las Vegas for my work at a local nonprofit. Your favorite part of the day? In the morning I make a list of everything I need to do, and I also edit my weekly/monthly calendar. It can take a long time, but it helps me be more productive. Have you ever had a mentor? Besides my mom and dad, I can’t say I’ve had a mentor, but I learned a lot working with multiple colleagues over the years in different fields and situations. Many think they already know it all, but there’s a lot of value in watching others in action and emulating the qualities that make them successful. What do you wish you had known when you started but no one told you? I believe the relationships you make when pursuing your career are integral to reaching goals and enjoying success. You need to put in the time to get to know people in your chosen field. I always prefer to call rather than email or text.

Scott Beebe, writer

What do you do? We work with business owners between two and 50 employees to build purposes, people, processes and profit using our proprietary Business On Purpose Roadmap to liberate owners from chaos and make time for what matters most. How long have you done it? Since 2015. For whom do you do it? Business owners between two and 50 employees. Your favorite part of the day? Monday is my favorite day of the week because it is the first day we get to liberate business owners from chaos. Have you ever had a mentor? Tons of mentors. I wouldn't be able to liberate owners from chaos without generous mentors in my past and today. This may not be the "best" lesson, but a powerful lesson is this: If you don't write it down, you don't own it. What do you wish you had known when you started your business but no one told you? Business is far more about people relationships than task completion.

How a start-up shop became a Lowcountry hot spot

THE INTERSECTION OF VISION, PASSION AND HARD WORK

BY JIM HENDRICK

FFox and Olive (or ‘The Fox’ as some the regulars now call it) has become the must-visit shop for florals and home décor. Founder Sean Bishop moved to the Lowcountry from New Orleans eight years ago and opened his new shop on Mathews Drive in Hilton Head in May 2022.

Three key takeaways

1Trust your intuition. Live your passion. It sounds cliché, but for me The Fox and Olive was the vision in my mind’s eye but I could not design and curate what I do if I didn’t feel the passion in my heart.

2Believe in yourself. There were times I did wonder if I could open a new business in a new market where I did not know anyone, but I never doubted I have the skills and energy to do it.

3Be inspired every day. Surround yourself with things and people that inspire you. For me it is my dog, Chestnut, who inspires me to be the best person I can be.

Unique finds If you want something traditional, you are in the wrong place. Fox and Olive specializes in unusual items that have a story. This copper heron is made by a Sea Islands artist.

Sean describes himself as a reluctant entrepreneur. “After selling my business in New Orleans, I moved to the Lowcountry to enjoy the charm and live a calmer life with the stresses of managing people, administration and the details of owning a business left behind.”

After a few years of working for someone else, Sean could not get the visions of unique florals out of his head – most flower arrangements seemed so traditional, and he wanted to create more unexpected and surprising arrangements. He started to envision what his own shop could be. That vision was not to make money; it was not to sell pretty flower arrangements, and it was not to sell gift items. Sean’s vision was to offer beautiful items that elicit emotions and inspire celebration.

“I want to give my customers a different way to buy flowers, and I hope they will buy items as gifts for themselves. I hope Fox and Olive

reflects my personal passion for beauty, grace, style and design.”

Sean named Fox and Olive after the two things he is most passionate about. His dog, Chestnut, brings him joy every day, and he calls her “his blonde fox.” Despite not liking olives, olive trees fascinate Sean because they are hardy, adaptable and add beauty to wherever they grow. “I never planned to open a shop when I moved to Hilton Head, but now I can’t imagine my days not being surrounded by the beautiful things that bring me joy, with Chestnut at my side,” he said.

Sean already has plans to expand “The Fox.” In December he opened Fox and Olive Pantry, a section dedicated to artisanal treats and gourmet delicacies sourced in the Carolinas. Nothing is massproduced or purchased from a distributor.

In 2023 Sean will launch Fox and Olive Home to offer unique furniture and home décor items. ■

A destination store Like an olive tree that beautifies the surrounding area, Fox and Olive brings beauty to a commercial area near the airport. It has become a destination for customers whose five senses are awakened upon entering.

No shortcuts

BRENT NELSEN’S ROAD TO FOUNDING ONE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY’S MOST POPULAR BARBER SHOPS

BY HANNAH MASSEN

BBrent Nelsen, owner and founder of Barbers of the Lowcountry, decided to make his business “bigger than it ever was” during the 2008 recession. Even his co-founder and father, Lou, openly questioned the decision, but Nelsen’s determination to not let his business fail produced the iconic Bluffton barber shop that over 3,000 customers visit each month.

While most Lowcountry residents now recognize the barber shop’s crossed straight razor logo on-sight, Nelsen and his father opened Barbers of the Lowcountry on Hilton Head Island in 1997 as a two-man operation. As more families began to migrate to Bluffton in the early 2000s, the Nelsens moved their business to the mainland and then expanded even more into the Lowcountry with a second location in Beaufort.

But then the “crash” came, and like many local businesses, Barbers of the Lowcountry felt the effects of the recession.

“In 2009 I made the decision that I was not going to let my business fail,” Nelsen said. “What did that mean? I really didn’t know at the time, I just wasn’t going to let it fail.”

Instead of cutting costs to try to save money, Nelsen began to invest in both quality products and quality talent.

While the duo had never sold hair-care products at its Hilton Head location, Nelsen ordered the high-end Truefitt & Hill product line from London, a process that required an interview

A cut above Shave and a haircut aren't all that keep customers coming back to Barbers of the Lowcountry. Camaraderie and conversation are a big part of the allure.

Key takeaways

You have to charge a nominal fee that is worth it for you and enough of a fee to make it a commitment for the student.

Try to collect as much of the fee upfront and if there is a state requirement for them to fulfill in order to be licensed, do not submit the final requirement until all tuition is paid. Have a minimum for them to start.

Develop a structure for your students, including what are they going to do for the day.

Require a set schedule, and hold them accountable.

Give students the same requirement as your employees, such as time-off and daily responsibilities.

before the brand agreed to sell to him. “My dad thought I was nuts,” Nelsen said, as one order from Truefitt & Hill cost more than their rent at the time, but they could barely keep the products on their shelves.

Nelsen later flew a representative from Truefitt & Hill out to Bluffton to train him and his father in straight-razor shaving –a service that almost none of the other local barber shops offered at the time. Those initial training sessions evolved into what is now Barbers of the Lowcountry’s “Luxury Shave,” the shop’s signature razor shave that involves soothing hot towels, pre-shaving oils and aftershave lotion.

At that point, Nelsen knew he and his father were onto something as far as providing their customers with the services they wanted. And as their online booking system was crowded with appointments, he also knew it was time to hire more staff.

Around 2010 the Nelsens began interviewing for new barbers. But even then, good help was hard to find. Many of the people they interviewed didn’t have a hair-cutting license or dropped the ball just weeks after being hired. A few interested candidates asked Nelsen if he offered training services for new hires, but at the time, that was mostly unheard of.

He and his father were just about to throw in the towel when they had one more inquiry from a woman looking to be trained as a barber.

“She begged us to teach her and said, ‘You told me if I take it seriously and showed up when I am supposed to, you would teach me,’” Nelsen said. “I said OK, If you promise to uphold your commitment, we will teach you. So we did. Dina was our very first student, and when she graduated, we hired her. She stayed with us until a month ago when she thought it was time to semi-retire.”

Since then the Nelsens have had nine students and are teaching two more. Six out of the nine are still employees.

The Nelsens charge $8,000 in barber school tuition but give students a $1,000 discount if they agree to pay upfront. Most students receive their licenses in about a year, even though South Carolina requires 1,920 hours of training. Once they meet their hour requirement, students take two state-board tests, a theory and a practical exam, after which they are awarded a one-year apprentice license and are usually offered a job at Barbers of the Lowcountry.

“For paying them as an apprentice, they are required to work in one of our locations for at least one year,” Nelsen said, “but most people stay because we have a culture that is safe, feels like family, and our employees enjoy coming to work. We have no drama in our shops – only love.”

Nelsen hopes to start an official barber college in the coming years, complete with dorm accommodations. This model would allow them to take up to 20 students per instructor instead of only two. Nelsen’s first mission would be to become accredited so that he could offer financial aid to his students and then offer business and management classes to students looking to advance their careers.

He says the best part of his job has been learning from his mentors, including his father, and he enjoys being a mentor for his students in turn.

“I tend to see the potential in people more than they can see it in themselves,” Nelsen said. “I like the challenge of pulling it out of them.” ■

Family business Barbers of the Lowcountry have three generations of barbers with (from left) Anthony, Brent and Lou Nelson.

Get in your hair Two years in the making, Brent Nelson offers a Lowcountry-themed line of hair products with a unique scent profile.

From the ground up

HOW PATRICIA AND RON STRIMPFEL BUILT A 45-YEAR LEGACY – AND ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CUSTOM HOME-BUILDING COMPANIES IN THE LOWCOUNTRY

BY HANNAH MASSEN

AA rustic, curving staircase. An outdoor kitchen overlooking the marina at sunset as idyllic sailboats drift by. High, arched windows flooding the reclaimed wood floors with natural light. As the owners and founders of Reclamation By Design, a custom home-building company based in Bluffton, the couple has helped over 400 families across the Lowcountry realize the vision for their dream homes.

The Strimpfels first visited Hilton Head Island in April 1978. The two had just started their own construction company in Norwalk, Ohio, the previous year but were eager to see the new Hilton Head developments in person they had heard about from friends who were also builders.

They never expected to move to South Carolina, but they were drawn to the Lowcountry for many of the same reasons their clients are: the area’s timeless ambiance, relaxed atmosphere and pristine landscapes.

“Leaving a cold, wet, wintry Ohio in early April and arriving at what we thought was close to heaven – with 80-degree weather, breezes, azaleas blooming and the beautiful beach in Palmetto Dunes – was enough to convince us this was the place we needed to be,” Strimpfel said.

The couple bought a lot in what is now Leamington for $13,000 and got to work on building homes. They told their families up North that if they ever ran out of work in the Lowcountry, they would move home, but Strimpfel says it didn’t take her and her husband long to realize that the Lowcountry was their home now. And 45 years later, the couple is still here and busier than ever.

As one of the oldest homebuilding companies in the area, the Strimpfels have been instrumental in meeting the Lowcountry’s changing housing needs. They mostly built smaller homes in the ‘70s and ‘80s – 1,800 to 2,200

5 key takeaways for starting a homebuilding company

1Work as an apprentice for a framer, mason, electrician, and interior trim carpenter or cabinet maker during your teenage and college years. Learn as much as you can in all aspects so you not only understand but can do the work yourself if it comes to that.

2Figure out what your personal strengths are and then find people to pick up the slack where you are weak. You need a well-rounded team to be able to survive as a custom home builder.

3Network. Join the local HBA or join a networking group like BNI - get out and meet new subcontractors and suppliers. You're going to need a large arsenal of subs to complete projects on time.

4Never stop learning about new building techniques and products. Go to state and national trade shows and find out the latest innovations in building, attend seminars, listen to podcasts – keep educating yourself.

5Learn to adapt. You're challenged during good times when there's more work than you can handle, and you're challenged during recessions when you're competing with 100 other builders for the same job. You have to differentiate yourself from the rest - promote what makes you different, and have a plan for how to survive in both situations.

square feet – for couples looking for a fresh start on Hilton Head Island. But with each passing decade, their build sizes grew, until the couple was constructing 4,000- to 5,000-square-foot homes.

Reclamation By Design’s website promises a homebuilding experience with “greater ease and affordability,” as well as unmatched attention to detail, which are promises that the Strimpfels hold themselves to. They take on six to eight homes per year to work one-on-one with clients on building their custom homes.

In 2003 Joni and Rick Vanderslice hired Reclamation By Design to build a home for them in Spanish Wells.

Joni, an interior designer, wanted to use reclaimed wood from her grandparents’ barn as the second-story flooring and decorated it around the original colors of the wood.

“It was a masterpiece when it was finished – the best of all was the emotional connection to her family’s legacy and history,” Strimpfel said. “Think of all the generations that have experienced that wood in one form or another. That’s something new materials just can’t accomplish.”

The Strimpfels have now spent decades sourcing reclaimed building materials known for their strength, sustainability and character, to combine with modern amenities in every home they build. Strimpfel says she and her husband work best as a team with an architect, builder and interior designer, but they do work closely with their clients to design each home’s interior finishes. They ask clients to put together a series of photos of trim, beams, ceilings, fireplaces, wall treatments, shelving, niches or barn doors to use as inspiration, and the Strimpfels work out a design theme from there.

The couple’s process and attention to detail have earned Reclamation By Design over 125 Lighthouse Awards, given by the Hilton Head Area Home

Builders Association in recognition of quality craftsmanship, and three of the South Carolina Home Builders Association's esteemed Pinnacle Awards, including the “Best New Home” Pinnacle Award in 2022.

While the times and trends have changed, the Strimpfels still look back on the homes they built 20, 30 and 40 years ago with pride, crediting their success to their lasting passion for what they do. But owning a business hasn’t always been without its challenges. Strimpfel says the area has a real lack of master tradesmen, so as master craftspeople themselves, she and her husband decided to do as much work as they could themselves early on.

After over 40 years of home building, they hope to pass their business –and their legacy – on to their children, some of whom already work for Reclamation By Design.

“We are fortunate that all of our kids and grandchildren are here with us, and many are working with us,” Strimpfel said. “We didn’t have the luxury of having family or even a mentor here when we first started. We had to learn the hard way by trial and error. And not to say our kids won’t do the same thing, but at least they have us as sounding boards and advisers (not to mention undoubtedly free labor).”

Strimpfel feels that the friendships they have made with their clients and other local members of the building industry have made working a joy, not drudgery, for her and her husband.

“We try to approach each new project as though it’s unique and personal, just like the individuals we build for,” Strimpfel said. “We want every home to be different and have its own special features. It’s as though we are artists creating new masterpieces, each with our personal signature.” ■

Award-winning design Reclamation By Design won five Lighthouse Awards from the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association: Best Exterior, Best Bath, Best Overall, Highest Degree of Difficulty and Most Innovation of Space.

Leaders with vision

MEET THREE LOCALS WHO ARE TURNING THEIR VISIONS INTO REALITIES.

IIn business, visionary leaders are known for being forward-thinking, planoriented, great communicators and optimistic – as well as known for their creativity and “outside the box,” big-picture thinking. And today visionaries are everywhere – from CEOs at Fortune 500 companies, to small business owners who know how to build teams and businesses – to entrepreneurs with the next “big ideas.”

The Lowcountry is home to so many faces of successful visionaries. As with all visionaries, each saw an existing need and opportunity in the community – and then looked toward the future in filling that need. Wildlife photographer Robert Rommel, owner of the Gallery of Nature in Bluffton, acted on his vision to capture his love of nature through photography. He is now not only the owner of a successful Bluffton gallery, but also takes part in art shows across the Southeast. Kayla DeVito, owner of the Beaufort lifestyle boutique, Amidst the Alders, has turned her early passion for making jewelry and the experience of watching her mother go through a number of reconstructive surgeries to founding a business that could have a positive impact on a woman’s body image. And Natalie Osterman, CEO of the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, is able to use her vision for the future to help Bluffton businesses achieve even greater things in the months and years ahead.

These three faces are just some of the visionaries in the Lowcountry who have turned their visions into realities. There are so many more out there as well, each with their own stories of how the power of their visions, and seeing the bigger picture, have led to clear success for them and their businesses. ■

Kayla DeVito

THE ROAD LESS TAKEN: ONE WOMAN’S JOURNEY TO OPENING ONE OF BEAUFORT’S MOST INSPIRED LIFESTYLE BOUTIQUES

BY HANNAH MASSEN

KKayla DeVito’s lifestyle boutique, Amidst the Alders, is located in the heart of Beaufort, but she designed it for people who prefer to take “the road less traveled.” She says that customers visit her combination retail store, art gallery, consignment shop and all-around creative space to find unique pieces that will bring them joy for the rest of their lives: a solid maple dining table to remind them of a special trip to Romania. A moody oil painting of the marsh that takes them back to a vivid memory. A jacket made from a vintage linen curtain they can wear happily, knowing it was saved from the landfill, or sterling earrings with their daughter’s birthstone.

“People drive from hours away to knowingly stumble into inspiration and a hearty conversation,” DeVito said.

The oil painter and jewelry artist grew up only a few hours from Beaufort, but her husband, Matt, is a native. They’ve lived in Beaufort for over 10 years, calling it the sweet spot of all things lovely in the Lowcountry.

Key takeaways

1Find your niche, and do it better than anyone else. Find what sets you apart and lean wholly into it. Concentrate on quality over quantity. If I’m going to sell the best milkshakes, I’m not going to try to have a massive, elaborate menu with other drinks and food. I’m going to have a menu with classic and unusual milkshakes. Milkshakes made with toppings in a crazy variety. Ice cream that is unmatched. Traditional milkshakes, ones for those with allergies or food sensitivities or ones you can’t find anywhere else.

2Learn as much as you can, especially if your funds are limited. Putting real effort into learning marketing, photography, graphic design, website design, SEO and social media has saved us tens of thousands of dollars. YouTube should be your best friend. Soak up anything and everything from those who are more experienced than you. While sometimes it is absolutely worth it to hire a professional, budgets don’t always allow it. Learn all that you can, so that when it is time to hire a professional, you also can keep up with what they charge and make sure your hard-earned dollars are being utilized to the full extent.

3Social media, and an online presence, are everything these days. (Mostly) gone are the days when one could simply open up and shoppers would flock inside. If you are not utilizing online to the best of your ability, you are losing money and lots of it. Social media and social proof are everything when it comes to running a successful business.

DeVito began her career as a wardrobe stylist in Nashville, Tennessee. When she was 23, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. And while DeVito watched her go through a number of reconstructive surgeries, she became set on founding a business that could have a positive impact on women’s body images.

She’d always had a passion for making jewelry, and looking back, she says that turning her hobby into a career made sense for her mission: bodies and clothing sizes fluctuate, but jewelry always fits.

She sold her jewelry at local boutiques and trade shows and realized that her favorite part of her job was interacting with her customers. It wasn’t uncommon to walk past her booth and find shared laughter or tears among strangers, turned new friends.

“I joke that if I didn’t have to sell things to pay rent, I wouldn’t,” she said. “I love having a place where people of all walks of life feel safe, adored, comfortable, welcome – no matter. No matter. No matter. No matter.”

Tired of the unpredictability of the wholesale business, DeVito opened her first retail store in a minibus named Melvin.

She and her then-boyfriend, nowhusband, sold her jewelry at every trade show and festival that could accommodate the bus, living as frugally as possible to put every extra cent towards realizing her dream of opening a permanent location. In 2019 they signed the lease to Amidst the Alders’ previous location and have since expanded to a larger store just a few miles away.

DeVito prides herself on the attention and dedication that goes into every display, package and corner of her store as well as carrying something for everyone. The store specializes in custom high-end furniture, primitive antiques, fossils, semi-fine jewelry, artwork, leather goods, craft chocolates, skincare and much more. She also works with a local seamstress who takes

vintage fabrics DeVito sources and turns them into one-of-a-kind clothing pieces.

While most of the items she carries are unique and unusual, one of the most common questions DeVito gets is about her store’s name.

“We chose the name of our shop based on my lifelong battles with trauma and illness. It wasn’t until months later that we’d find our little business truly would fulfill its destiny by living up to the symbolic name.” she said.

Poetry was an escape for DeVito as a child, and she clearly remembers

the first time she read Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” in elementary school. While she realized in adulthood that the poem’s meaning is much more symbolic than she understood as a child, the opening line is no less meaningful to her now: “Two roads diverged into a yellow wood.”

Frost was referring to the alder tree, a resilient species that is the first to grow back after the devastation of a forest fire. Not only that, but the nutrients its roots create in the soil as it grows allow other plants to grow as well.

DeVito and her husband, who now works at the store full-time, settled on the name Amidst the Alders in 2019 in tribute to their family’s resilience.

“We barely made it through those tough times,” she said, “but faith and our wonderful Lowcountry community kept us going.” ■

Interdisciplinary artist

Chic boutique Amidst the Alders is a boutique gift shop in Beaufort, full of interesting home decor, accessories, clothing and jewelry.

Kayla DeVito is the visionary of AtA, as well as the designer, writer, photographer, graphic designer, marketer and jewelry maker.

Robert Rommel

LOOKING THROUGH THE LENS: HOW THIS PHOTOGRAPHER BRINGS A VISION TO LIFE

BY HANNAH MASSEN

MMany people say that one of the best parts of having or spending time with children is learning to see the world with fresh eyes again – but perhaps that’s an ability that Robert Rommel, owner of Gallery of Nature in Bluffton, never lost.

Rommel’s earliest memory is stumbling over a garden snake in the yard behind his childhood house. Instead of scaring him away, the experience sparked a lifelong curiosity and appreciation for the natural world, one that would continue throughout his life and photography career. The Lowcountry native spent all of his free time exploring local salt marshes and caves to study the animals that lived there, as well as those that took to the sky or nested in the Earth.

“When I wasn’t outside, I usually was inside reading about fascinating wildlife or poring over an amazing photo from an exotic locale – activities I still do daily,” Rommel said. “I grew to realize that all of life is amazing, from the most common insect to the tallest tree.”

Rommel pursued an ecology and evolutionary biology degree in college, but he realized that much of his career would be spent talking to other scientists about concepts instead of doing the hands-on fieldwork he enjoyed. So he decided to capture his love of nature through photography instead.

After moving to Bluffton from Michigan, Rommel began putting together a rough photography business plan – but admits he had “no idea what [he] was doing.” He took a nature photography workshop to hone his craft, and in 2014 he took his photos on the road.

Rommel began participating in art shows across the Southeast, but many of his early fans were all bark and no bite: the patrons

Key takeaways

Quality over quantity will always win.

The business side of art and the art side of art are two very different hats: focus on 75 percent business and 25 percent photography.

The location of your gallery matters. People need to be in the right mindset to buy. Galleries do best when they are next to other galleries or shops.

job is to make people see why your work is special and unique

Oh Snap Photographer Robert Rommel captures stunning images of wildlife and landscape from South Carolina and other parts of North America. He sells his works at Gallery of Nature in Bluffton and art shows across the Southeast.

who passed by his booth complimented his work but never bought a piece. Instead of abandoning his passion for wildlife photography, Rommel doubled down on his determination to improve the quality of his work and find a price that appealed to him and his clients.

Now 70 percent of Rommel’s income comes from art shows – and he often sells out by the end of the day. He’s also brought home numerous “Judges Choice” awards from these events.

The photographer credits much of his success to the preparation he puts into his shoot days. While he finds creative inspiration from a variety of different sources – including artistic media, novel arrangements of color and shape, and ecosystems – almost all of his field days are meticulously researched and planned.

“All my shots are planned. I scout. I camp. I observe,” Rommel said. “It’s like planning to add a product to your business: you wouldn’t just throw something in there, you would plan for it. That’s how I approach my artwork. I may go to Hunting Island and camp for four days to get the perfect shot.”

Just as much thought goes into his photos too. In order to decide which photos are gallery-worthy, Rommel looks for a few key characteristics. First the photos need to have a universal appeal – something that makes the viewer recognize and relate to the subject without having been there. Next he looks for photographs with a unique artistic expression that may show a common subject in an interesting way. But above all else, Rommel prizes the photos that have an emotional impact: the ones that inspire people to cherish nature as well.

While Rommel has become known as one of the Lowcountry’s most inspired photographers, not all of his photos are taken locally. One of his favorite photography destinations has been the remote cliffs of Newfoundland, overlooking drops that plummet 300 feet to the sea. More than 70,000 seabirds nest in those cliffs, including the northern gannet, which spends the winter months offshore in the Lowcountry but chooses the cold waters of the north for its summer breeding grounds.

Rommel has stood on these cliffs for hours, surrounded by 10,000 seabirds at a time, and remembers the trip as an otherworldly experience.

The Lowcountry’s local birds are some of his favorite photography subjects too and have been captured in some of his most valued shots.

Rommel was on Hilton Head Island when he had the opportunity to photograph an osprey that had caught a large flounder during the changing tides. He ran a quarter mile and crawled military-style the last 200 yards through the pluff mud to get close enough to photograph the bird without disturbing it. The tide was coming in rapidly, but the 3-foot flounder was so large, the osprey couldn't fly with it. Instead, it was forced to drag the flounder up the beach as the water level rose.

Over the course of an hour, Rommel watched as a bald eagle circled overhead and the osprey had to defend its catch. In the end the osprey was able to subdue the flounder, eat a small portion and return to its nest with the rest of the fish.

Another one of his favorite memories also involves a chance encounter and a chase.

“One fall afternoon I was lying on the edge of a freshwater pond in the Lowcountry and photographing three pairs of black-bellied whistling ducks,” Rommel said. “I was focused on the pair closest to me when I heard an enormous splash right nearby. I looked up expecting to see an alligator or more ducks, but instead, there was an adolescent bobcat sitting on the bank. It was drenched but didn't seem to mind. It had jumped into the water trying to catch a duck and failed miserably. It looked around as if to make sure no one saw it, calmly licked itself as clean as it could, and then walked back into the woods from where it came. The bobcat went hungry that day, and I missed the photo, but I was left with a story I'll never forget.”

Over the next few years Rommel intends to open a second gallery location, revitalize his workshop series and expand his mentorship program in hopes that photography will inspire a similar love for nature in other people, as well as a willingness to protect it.

Rommel remembers a Hilton Head that was once teaming with frogs and exotic birds, but that’s no longer the case. While he appreciates the Lowcountry’s economic development, he hopes to restore and protect more of the region’s natural space.

“I want people to see what is precious and what is disappearing in the Lowcountry, because every time I go out to shoot, I see the differences,” he said. “Nature is a limited resource. But as long as we maintain it, [nature] will always be there for us to love and cherish.” ■

Watch and Learn Book a one-on-one nature photography workshop with Robert Rommel at robertrommel.com.

Natalie J. Osterman

THE BLUFFTON CHAMBER’S NEW CEO HAS A VISION FOR THE FUTURE AND FOR EVEN GREATER THINGS AHEAD IN BLUFFTON.

BY ELLEN LINNEMANN

FFor nearly a decade Natalie Osterman has been serving as an advocate and visionary for local businesses throughout South Carolina and Kentucky. Long passionate about the chamber industry, she has served in key roles at the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, the Murray-Calloway County Chamber of Commerce and the Christian County Chamber of Commerce – helping businesses succeed in an ever-changing economy. Today, as chief executive officer of the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, Natalie brings her passion for helping local businesses succeed to the Lowcountry. She spearheads the Chamber’s mission to be the ”voice” of local businesses and provide them with valuable resources and opportunities –while serving as a visionary in creating ways to make businesses in the Greater Bluffton area even greater.

CEO since April 2022, Natalie already created the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Women in Business Awards Luncheon – bringing together over 100 women and men to connect, support, develop and empower women in the Lowcountry. The event, which honored Bluffton restaurateur/businesswoman Leslie Rohland as the first award recipient, was a major success –bringing Natalie’s vision for this event to life and setting the stage for more local businessbuilding events on the horizon.

“Each year we begin with our business awards gala, the Golden Oyster Awards, to honor those businesses and individuals who made substantial contributions to the greater Bluffton community over the past year,” said Natalie. “In addition we’re bringing back the Bluffton Business Expo to further connect businesses to businesses and consumers to businesses as well as furthering our women’s initiatives, planning some exciting round-table industry discussions and working on the second publication of our member directory and community guide.”

Key takeaways

1The world revolves around connections — it's not just about who you know, it's also about who knows you.

Surround yourself with brilliant individuals.

Dream big, take chances, shoot for the stars, but don't be afraid to fail.

Women in business Osterman (right) is pictured with Leslie Rohland.

With her passion for connecting businesses with both individuals and businesses that can help them flourish and continue to succeed, Natalie brings an exciting spark to the Chamber and to businesses throughout the region. A true visionary for the Greater Bluffton Chamber’s future, Natalie also points to how the Chamber has evolved and grown since it was first founded in 2012 – as well as some of the challenges the Chamber faced along the way.

“Since the creation of the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce more than a decade ago, there have been some ups and downs, as there are in every chamber," she said, noting a series of events that created some pauses in momentum, leadership changes and the impact of Covid on businesses and the organization. “Past leadership did a phenomenal job of laying the groundwork and creating a business organization that was needed and wanted by businesses in our community. Ten years later the Chamber is led by individuals who have a strong passion for not only helping our local businesses succeed, but also helping the Chamber to succeed. With a strong, committed team in place, we are eager to show the community why it is so important to have a Chamber devoted to the Greater Bluffton community.

“In the next five years I see a tremendous amount of growth for both the Chamber and our businesses, I envision membership increasing by more than 200 percent,” said Natalie, who notes that her most influential mentor has been Marian Mason, a Chamber CEO at the first Chamber she worked at more than 10 years ago. “In addition, my goal is to continue to make the Greater Bluffton Chamber not only a trusted business resource for businesses but also to the community with value-added programs and events to help everyone thrive and succeed.” ■

SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, with more than 10,000 volunteers in 250 chapters. Since 1964 SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs through free confidential mentoring, workshops and educational resources.

Entrepreneurs who work with a mentor are 5X more likely to start a business than those who do not have a mentor. And small business owners who receive three or more hours of

On a mission The mission of the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce is to be the voice of local businesses and to provide valuable resources and opportunities.

The remaking of a brand

DESIGN PROS AT ALPHAGRAPHICS SHARE THE RECIPE FOR A BRAND MAKEOVER

TTo say choosing one winner in the Business Makeover Contest was difficult sounds cliché, but it is true. After much deliberation, Lowcountry bakery Sprout Momma was chosen as the Grand Prize winner. Sprout Momma is a much-loved bakery that, like many small businesses, has been most focused on running its business and less worried about its brand identity. They say the shoemaker has the worst shoes and in the case of Sprout Momma, the baker had a stale brand.

As part of the grand prize, AlphaGraphics is refreshing the Sprout Momma brand including logo, graphic assets, menus, in-store graphics and more. Barry Wilson, co-owner of AlphaGraphics along with his wife, Rita, provides a peek behind the curtain on the redesigning process that is underway now.

1. Conduct a brand audit. Review your current brand elements and honestly assess if they represent what you stand for.

2. Establish your value proposition and key message. Define in one or two statements what makes your company unique and why someone should do business with you.

3. Develop your creative elements. This includes colors, fonts, logos, imagery and overall style.

4. Implement your strategy at all touch points. Consider how your brand will look in social media, your website, in-store, on printed elements and even vehicles.

5. Analyze and refine your identity. Once you see the elements mocked up together, ensure they convey the message you want.

NEW LOCATION, NEW BRAND

“The timing of this prize could not be better. Sprout Momma is moving into a new location, so we have the opportunity to work with the team to bring the brand to life in the physical bakery,” Wilson said. “Our design team started with a range of logo and color options that we will narrow down to one that will be fresh but enduring.” ■

Why a podcast may be a sound decision for your business

JUST THE STATS, MA’AM, JUST THE STATS

It’s no secret that podcasts are popular, but are they good for business? In some instances, as with podcaster Joe Rogan who earned $100 million from his licensing deal with Spotify, the podcast is his business. In other instances, a podcast can be a marketing or public relations strategy for a company. “LowCountry Leaders” is a podcast that local payment processing company Pay Proudly will be launching this year to bring to life our Lowcountry leaders. Pay Proudly’s founder, Jeff Maine, will interview local business people in a casual forum. “Entrepreneurs want to hear from and about other entrepreneurs who in turn, want to share stories. This will be a forum to connect like-minded people.” Watch for “LowCountry Leaders” hosted by Jeff Maine on your favorite podcast player in early 2023. ■

Do people really listen to podcasts?

According to demandsage.com, they sure do.

• More than 162 million U.S. residentshave listened to a podcast at least once in their life.

• 41 percent of people in the U.S. tune into a podcast every month, and 28 percent do it weekly.

• Around 144 million people in the U.S. listen to a podcast every month.

• 79 percent of people in the U.S. listen to a podcast from their smartphones

• An average weekly U.S. podcast listener listens to eight episodes.

• Households with $100,000 to $150,000income account for about 17 percent of the total monthly podcast listenersin the U.S.

Local, Personal Support

Looking up

ROEL AND JENNIFER HARSTA BRING THEIR VISION FOR YEAR-ROUND FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE AND VERTICAL FARMING TO THE LOWCOUNTRY

BY ELLEN LINNEMANN

TThe pandemic’s disruption on the supply chain was experienced in many ways, both worldwide and locally — including the pandemic’s impact on being able to secure fresh produce. So when local availability and local distribution issues with fresh food products alerted Roel and Jennifer Harsta to a growing need here in the Lowcountry, they decided to take action

and “look up” for a solution, and they haven’t looked back since.

Roel and Jennifer are the co-founders and creators of Hardee Greens – an indoor vertical farm located in downtown Hardeeville, opening this quarter. Their first building, located at 45 Randall St. in Hardeeville, provides year-round fresh local varieties of herbs and greens. In 2,000 square feet they are able to grow 12 vertical acres and use less water than

conventional farming. The vertical farm can produce 1,000 pounds of produce a week year-round – something chefs love because the taste and quality will be consistent year-round. In addition, since indoor vertical farming allows for year-round growing instead of traditional seasonal growing, Hardee Greens is able to enhance and extend the availability of these fresh local products while also being better for the environment.

Vertical angle Jennifer and Roel Harsta are the fouders of Hardee Greens, a vertical farm rooted in Hardeeville.

“If products were able to be grown locally and available year-round, then we could enhance the local market by delivering truly fresh products such as herbs, greens and microgreens and extend their availability all year long.”

“For years we were hearing local food industry professionals speak constantly of the quality of products being shipped in from other states and even other countries, with delayed and lengthy shipping after products were harvested, causing the final delivery product to be inferior and have a very short shelf life,” said Roel, who serves as the managing partner of Hardee Greens. “We started thinking about a way to meet this growing need – coming up with the idea that if products were able to be grown locally and available year-round, then we could enhance the local market by delivering truly fresh products such as herbs, greens and microgreens and extend their availability all year long.”

Born in the Netherlands, Roel has a background in farming and farming techniques. He spent the last 21 years raising his family in the Lowcountry, giving him a deep love for his community and desire to see the area thrive.

The vertical farming growing process at Hardee Greens is versatile, with crops grown in a controlled environment that allows them to grow without pesticides and herbicides and protected from adverse weather like droughts, floods and storms. In addition, the vertical process allows them to save water and energy.

Together with his family, Roel created Hardee Greens as an answer to supply chain disruptions seen during COVID and a desire to help the community

Three takeaways

1Collaboration and networking are key. “Opportunities abound in friendly conversations and a willingness to help one another,” Jennifer stresses.

2

3

Know your team’s individual strengths so they can thrive in their roles.

Be a lifelong learner, and embrace the advice and expertise others have to offer.

become more healthy, sustainable and independent. The idea for the business started as a dinner discussion among the Harstas and their three sons: Eric, 32, who manages operations; Chase, 22, a senior business major at USC Aiken and facilities technician; and Logan, 19, a sophomore business major at USC Darla Moore School of Business, who works in production at the farm. They started the business to run it as a family — using all of their strengths and talents – and are all fully invested in the company, having come up with the vision together.

“The supply chain disruptions brought on by COVID and still felt today inspired the thought behind vertical farming as a solution to make our area more sustainable and self-sustaining and less dependent on outside sources for food,” said Jennifer, who serves as CEO and whose passion for family and serving others has been a driving force behind Hardee Greens. “In addition to supply chain issues, we also were drawn to the idea of vertical farming as a response to larger issues, including the carbon footprint of trucking vegetables across the country, disappearing farmland and the prices and supply of products varying with altered weather patterns from climate change.” Jennifer also developed Hardee Green’s educational outreach program where students can get involved with Hardee Greens through field trips and hands-on learning experiences.

Noting that their goal is to serve and strengthen the community while working alongside area farmers — not as competition but as a complementary and collaborative addition to the local landscape — Roel and Jennifer are continuing with a vision to see local grocery stores stocked with fresh local produce instead of product flown or trucked cross country. In addition, the couple – who have been active members of the Lowcountry community for more than 21 years and have been very involved in a number of successful businesses and

charitable causes--are excited about the growth potential for this new business.

“We are excited for our products to be in select Lowcountry communities, restaurants and grocery stores. We are partnering with the Town of Hardeeville to host the Hardeeville Farmers Market starting in spring 2023 to support our area's farmers and producers,” said Roel, noting that growth plans include a larger operation. “What started as an answer to supply chain disruptions seen during COVID has truly grown into a business that can benefit so many people in the community, and we’re excited to keep growing in every way.” ■

Family business Chase (left) is the facilities technician, and Logan works in production for Hardee Greens. Their older brother, Eric, manages operations.

Why do people go out of their way to fill their gas tanks at Parker’s?

FOUNDER GREG PARKER WILL SHARE HIS BUSINESS INSIGHTS AT AN EXCLUSIVE IN-PERSON EVENT PRESENTED BY THE DON RYAN CENTER FOR INNOVATION

GGreg Parker, founder and CEO of Parker’s and Parker’s Kitchen, stands out as one of America’s leading business innovators. He has earned acclaim for his uncompromising commitment to high-quality food service, his dedication to operating the cleanest convenience stores in the industry and his passion for cutting-edge technology, consumer rights and charitable giving.

Thanks to a connection made when LOCAL Biz interviewed him for a “Leaders” feature piece, Greg Parker will share the story of how he built one of the most successful convenience store chains in the country and business lessons learned along the way, as the speaker at the first “LOCAL Biz Live” event. Only 125 tickets are available for the event March 22 at Venue 1223 in Bluffton.

“In getting to know Greg while working with him on our article about him and his incredible success with Parker’s, we realized how valuable it would be for our local business community to hear his story, and lessons in leadership, at an in-person event,” said Ellen Linnemann, a writer with LOCAL Biz. “We then partnered with our friends at the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, who are now serving as sponsors for this business event and are thrilled to be bringing the event to our local business community.”

Presented by the Don Ryan Center for Innovation

Date: 7:30-10 a.m., March 22

Location: Venue 1223 in Bluffton

Under his leadership, Parker’s has grown from a one-store operation in Midway, Georgia, to a 70-store company with stores located throughout Georgia and South Carolina. Celebrating its 45th anniversary, the company serves award-winning, Southern-inspired Parker’s Kitchen food that is made from scratch daily. Recently inducted into the Convenience Store News Hall of Fame, Parker has been recognized as the Convenience Foodservice Leader of the Year, Convenience Store News Tech Executive of the Year, Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club Citizen of the Year, Savannah Morning News Entrepreneur of the Year and Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2020 Parker was named a Georgia Trend Legacy Leader, which recognizes business leaders across the state who have made a long-term impact on their communities and the state as a whole.

So, if you’ve ever wondered why customers go out of their way to fill their gas tanks, grab a snack or enjoy an ice-cold fountain drink with Chewy Ice at Parker’s, March 22 is your opportunity to find out. We hope you’ll join us and presenting sponsor, the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, to learn firsthand why – and how — Greg Parker built Parker’s into one of the country’s most successful convenience store chains and how his business insights can help you grow your own business. ■

Family man Greg Parker, shown spending time with his children Bennett, Olivia and Lily, is the founder and CEO of Parker's convenience stores.

Growing strong Parker’s, known for fried chicken and Chewy Ice, is one of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

The one presentation you don’t want to miss.

You know the Parker’s name. You may be a Parker’s customer. Now get up close and personal with founder and visionary Greg Parker who will share the secrets to his success.

Community in crisis

MORE THAN 50,000 LOWCOUNTRY HOUSEHOLDS ARE SILENTLY STRUGGLING

BY COURTNEY HAMPSON

OOur community is in crisis. It is all around us and largely invisible. Consider just some of these startling recent statistics:

More than 50,000 households in Beaufort and Jasper counties are silently struggling because they are not making a livable wage, a number that continues to grow out of reach as inflation affects the growing cost of fuel and food, and housing expenses skyrocket in our area.

In Beaufort County 14 percent of our neighbors are living in poverty. In Jasper County this number is 24 percent. Families in poverty are making less than $25,000 per year. They are living in sub-optimal housing and are food insecure. As many as 30 percent have children under age 18.

Vulnerable families (18 percent of our neighbors in Beaufort County and 29 percent in Jasper County) are making $25,000 – $50,000 a year. Scraping to get by, they are one flat tire from crisis. Often faced with the decision of which bill to pay and which bill to skip, they are constantly negotiating with themselves to survive. These are our neighbors who shop for groceries at The Market at Bluffton Self and come to us (and other agencies) for emergency financial assistance.

18 percent of our neighbors in Beaufort and Jasper counties are insecure (making less than $75,000 a year), meaning they may have a little savings, but an illness resulting in lost wages or a large household expense will cause stress and disruption to their budgets.

At Bluffton Self Help 100 percent of the neighbors we serve are at risk. While the rising numbers of our neighbors in need are indeed staggering, what those numbers don’t show are the personal stories behind the statistics. It is these stories and the human connection that we form with our neighbors that not only moves us but motivates us to try to do whatever we can to help.

Every day we hear from our Lowcountry neighbors with stories like these. And every day we work to empower and advocate for neighbors just like these to improve their lives through education and training, basic needs and guided access to a network of community resources.

History of helping

Since 1988 Bluffton Self Help has been providing basic needs and financial support to at-risk members of our community.

A hand up Nearly 6 in 10 households in Beaufort County and 3 out of 4 in Jasper County are economically at risk. Bluffton Self Help provides education and training, basic needs and guided access to a network of community resources.

“I have a full-time job, but sometimes I can’t make it to the end of the month.”

“I keep trying, but I can’t fight cancer and hunger at the same time.”

“After leaving an abusive relationship, it has taken me over two years to get back on my feet. And I struggled every day.”

“The kids need the food more because they are still growing. I tell myself, okay, I don’t eat for today, the kids eat. The kids come first.”

“I have been retired for six years now, but I can no longer afford to buy groceries and pay my bills. At the age of 78 I need to start looking for a job just to get by.”

When someone comes to us in crisis, we know there are multiple other issues currently impacting their situation — it could be unreliable childcare or transportation, a reduction in work hours, an increase in housing costs, a family loss--the list is long.

Eventually it reaches a boiling point. In January 2022 Bluffton Self Help made a strategic and transformational approach to our programming. Through this process we moved from a singular focus to more holistic approach with our neighbors, focused on creating relationships by advocating for our clients. By creating a case management approach, we can learn what the client’s needs are, explore their goals and opportunities and assist them in overcoming challenges.

As our board and staff identify the ways we can assist, we are equally frustrated by the things that we have no control over. In Beaufort and Jasper counties there is a lot of talk around workforce housing and affordable housing, largely problems that are solved at the municipal and county levels.

Courtney Hampson is the CEO of Bluffton Self Help. In her spare time she is a freelance writer and communication instructor at the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

What we don’t talk about are the 36 percent of homes that are sub-optimal, meaning they lack working plumbing, a complete kitchen (think dorm fridge and hot plate), and/or multiple families are living together in one space.In response to this Bluffton Self Help is expanding our emergency financial assistance guidelines and budgets so that we can step in and help people stay in their homes and ensure that they are dry and safe.

The math problem around livable wage is tricky because there is no standard equation for what a family looks like, especially when we know that multiple families may be living together in one household to make ends meet. Regardless of the math, a livable wage is calculated based on what income a family needs to pay the bills. To survive. Surviving is not thriving.

While we do not know what it looks like inside each household, we do know that lack of education is a key indicator for not making a livable wage, so our education programs are essential right now. We have more than 250 adult learners in our ESL and GED programs. That is where we really start to see movement toward self-sufficiency.

However, an important piece of the wage puzzle falls on the employers in the area. Are they paying a livable wage? Will they?Our community is in crisis, and we must do more. We cannot do it alone — our partnerships and working relationships with other nonprofits, the school social workers, local government, county agencies and employers are crucial.

When our neighbors are confident in their ability to provide for their families, their relationships are stronger. They are better employees, better spouses and better parents. They build self-confidence and ultimately have the time and space to be active members of their communities.

When I lie awake at night, wondering what else we can do to alleviate the burden, my brain often shifts to this-what would happen to these families if Bluffton Self Help did not exist?

It is a scary thought. ■

onBuilding a need

BY ELLEN LINNEMANN

AA longtime serial entrepreneur and successful insurance agent who currently owns an Allstate insurance agency in Charleston, Zack Kelly’s path to becoming a true visionary started while simply “sitting in” on a meeting at the request of a friend back in 2014. The friend, a custom homebuilder who was looking for a better way to access and manage the financial data of his business, knew that Zack was tech-savvy — and wanted his opinion, and input about a new software solution that was being presented to him that was being touted as the solution to the custom homebuilder’s financial management challenges.

Two hours into the meeting Zack knew that not only was a software solution not the answer to what his friend needed to grow his custom home-build business, but he had a “vision” of what he believed could really help his friend run his business more efficiently – and how he could help.

“As I listened to this presentation trying to sell my friend a software system, I realized that a software solution doesn’t fix a contractor’s problems when it comes to running their business and effective financial management,” said Zack. “Even if my friend had the most accurate data, the key is knowing what to do with the information and having the tools, and the time, to put the information to use in running a business. Most importantly, I knew that what could really help my friend was having someone do all that for him so that he and his team of builders could devote their time to doing what would truly help grow the business: building homes.”

Zack soon became his friend’s outsourced chief financial officer, working closely with him to help run the business more effectively. Zack provided construction-specific accounting, bookkeeping, financial management and insurance management and served as the company’s off-site CFO. Over the next few years Zack continued to provide his friend with a critical financial management partnership to help the company grow, all while continuing to grow his own insurance agency. However, in 2016 Zack’s initial vision turned into something bigger during an appointment selling a life insurance policy to another custom homebuilder.

“During our meeting the contractor realized that we had a mutual friend in the custom home-building business – and that I was the one who had been serving as the outsourced CFO that he had been hearing about,” Zack recalled. “He began telling me about some of his needs with his company’s financial management and some of the challenges he was facing in running his business. He asked me if I’d be interested in serving as his outsourced CFO as well, and I said yes, turning my initial role of helping a friend into a vision for a business that can help all custom homebuilders run more efficiently.”

Zack has continued to build on his initial vision and meet an existing need in the custom home-building arena, growing and expanding his business at a rapid pace. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and in-person meetings were put on pause, Zack was able to further extend the reach of his services – moving to virtual financial management and expanding to help custom homebuilders throughout the country as well as throughout South Carolina. He founded his company, Home Builders Financial Partners (HBFP), in early 2021 and hired his first employee. By the middle of 2021, he had eight clients (further growing that to 18 clients by the end of 2021.) Today HBFP has grown to 25 clients consisting of contractors and custom homebuilders all over the country.

“Almost 10 years ago I saw a need in the custom homebuilding industry that has continued to grow, where homebuilders were getting bogged down with all of the things that go into running a business,” said Zack, who serves as HBFP’s founding partner and CEO. “By providing contractors and custom homebuilders with the resources and construction-specific financial experts who can help them run their businesses more efficiently, we can free up homebuilders to do not only what they do best, build highquality homes, but help them produce higher profits and returns in their businesses as well.”

As HBFP continues to grow, Zack Kelly is helping custom homebuilders take care of business and, in the process, build his own successful company from his vision. ■

THREE TAKEAWAYS

Have passion, and work within your passion. “When you love working and helping people, it means a better business,” Zack notes.

Don’t be afraid to fail. “With every decision, you have to cross a bridge to get over it,” he points out. “Sometimes you just have to do it.”

Try to do something bigger than yourself. “You’ll experience a lot more satisfaction when you can find people you can help and give them success.”

“The key is knowing what to do with the information.”

Protecting your IP

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COPYRIGHTS AND TRADEMARKS

BY HANNAH MASSEN

WWhat if you woke up tomorrow morning, poured yourself a cup of coffee, began your daily scroll through social media –and discovered something shocking: a company posted your business’s name and logo as an endorsement without your permission. Or worse, another bakery down the street posted the top-secret recipe for your award-winning cookies, trying to pass it off as its own. What do you do?

The answer might depend on whether your work is copyrighted or trademarked, two common forms of intellectual property protection that often are confused with one another.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COPYRIGHT VS. A TRADEMARK?

Copyrights and trademarks protect intellectual property or your business’s “intangible assets” (like inventions, literary or artistic works, designs, names and images used in commerce). Intellectual property can refer to any idea used in business, as well as the processes or services that come with those ideas.

While copyrights and trademarks both offer intellectual property protection, they cover different types of assets and have different registration requirements.

What does a copyright protect?

In general, copyrights protect original creative works and are generated automatically upon the creation of those works. Examples of original creative works include:

• Art

• Research

• Poetry

• Novels

• Other forms of original writing

• Computer software

• Architecture

• Songs

• Movies

• Other forms of audio and video

While you don’t have to go through a formal registration process to benefit from copyright protection, copyrights only protect original works that are preserved in some form. For instance, a written recipe can be copyrighted, but a family recipe that has been handed down orally cannot. Other works that cannot be copyrighted include:

• Ideas

• Discoveries

• Principles Works that are considered "common property," such as calendars or height and weight charts.

There’s one more catch to copyright protection: for original works created by an individual, copyright lasts for the life of the author, plus 70 years. On the other hand, works created anonymously, pseudonymously (under a false name), and for hire, copyright lasts for 95 years from the date of publication or 120 years from the date of creation – whichever is shorter. And after a copyright has expired, the work cannot be copyrighted again.

HOW TO PROTECT A COPYRIGHT

Properly marking: You can make sure your work is properly marked, such as signed or watermarked, to denote the original work as being yours.

Use the copyright symbol: At a minimum, you can use the © symbol to denote a copyrighted work.

Creative Commons: Creative Commons offers free copyright licenses that allow you to mark your creative work with the freedoms you want it to carry.

Register with the U.S. Copyright Office: Completing this process will add your copyright to the public record, and you'll receive a certificate of registration.

WHAT DOES A TRADEMARK PROTECT?

A trademark is a form of intellectual property protection that covers words, phrases, symbols or designs that distinguish a particular brand, such as the Subway “Footlong” sandwich or McDonald's golden arches. Trademarks protect items like:

• Brand names

• Logos

• Business names

• Slogans

While copyrights expire after a set time period, trademarks do not. But it is important to be aware of the difference between a trademark and a service mark. Although they often come in the form of slogans, a service mark is specifically used to distinguish the services of one business as compared to another. An example of a service mark is the United Airlines slogan "Fly the Friendly Skies." Although the United Airlines name might be trademarked, the slogan which defines the service they provide is service marked.

HOW TO PROTECT A TRADEMARK

Be sure your branding is original: Do a trademark search on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website to be sure that your brand materials are not already in use. It’s also a good idea to search on your state’s trademark office website as well.

Complete a registration application: Register your trademark with the USPTO or your state trademark office. Many people choose to work with a lawyer to complete this process.

Use the registered symbol when your application is approved: If you do register your trademark with the USPTO, you'll use the registered trademark symbol to indicate that your property is legally trademarked. if your trademark is not registered through the USPTO, you can use the trademark symbol to signify common-law rights in a trademark, similar to the way copyright law works. ■

Think big, start small

BY HANNAH MASSEN

SMART STRATEGIES FOR GETTING OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE

TThink back to last year’s list of New Year’s resolutions: maybe you swore you’d finally take up kayaking or commit to a Wednesday night Zumba class, but you never got around to it. Or maybe you were serious about starting another business but never made it past the planning stage.

Now ask yourself, was it an actual logistical barrier that kept you from reaching your goal, or did you keep coming up with excuses that kept you from making the leap?

One of the main reasons people don’t put their ideas into action is the terror barrier: the fear of failure or losing control when you step outside your comfort zone. But doing what you’ve always done won’t help you achieve anything new. If you’re hoping to make 2023 that year – the year that you scale up your business, launch a startup or improve your personal life – you need to get comfortable with taking manageable risks.

Here are five smart strategies for getting outside your comfort zone.

Analyzing your boundaries can help you identify key barriers that are stopping you from reaching your goals.

FIND A BETTER REASON THAN “I SHOULD”

If your only reason for taking a risk is that it’s something you feel like you “should” do, chances are you’re going to find a way to back out. Find a reason to accomplish the goal that aligns well with your vision for the future. If you invest in this vision, you’re more likely to stick with it – even when things get tough.

IDENTIFY YOUR BARRIERS

Analyzing your boundaries can help you identify key barriers that are stopping you from reaching your goals. Notice where those barriers are, then come up with realistic strategies to overcome them. For example, you might be apprehensive about starting a business because you’re worried about financial risks. Once you pinpoint that barrier, you’ll be able to come up with a business plan that’s realistic for your funds and timeline.

TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME

Change doesn’t have to mean diving into the deep end (but if that’s your style, we support you, too). If taking a massive plunge is too much for you, break down your action plan into small, manageable steps that you can take one at a time. Try setting SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound) goals that will help you track your progress by providing benchmark measurements for success.

EXPERIENCE SOMETHING NEW

The best way to grow your comfort zone is to put yourself in unfamiliar situations – literally. Taking a class, networking with new people or entering contests will help you learn something new and expose you to new challenges.

BE CONSISTENT

Expanding your comfort zone works the same way as acquiring any new skill: the more you work at it, the easier it will become. Try to find reasons to push yourself on a daily basis, like speaking up more at meetings or being the first to approach a potential business contact. These small changes can build your resilience, increase your personal satisfaction and present more opportunities than ever.

SUPPORTING STARTUPS ON THE PATH TO SUCCESS.

Our program is individualized to meet the specific needs of each of our innovators.

We understand that each company we work with has different areas where they need help, and some may need more help than others.

SERVICES INCLUDE:

• Business licensing and company formation advice

• Business Plan development and execution

• Sales advice

• Marketing advice

• Accounting & Financial advice

• Mentors

• Other services as required by innovator

• Ongoing business/ technical consulting

• Office space & Infrastructure

• Structured bi-monthly team meetings

• 18-month goal planning and execution

• Social media advice and planning

• Website advice and development

• Intellectual Property Search

• Rapid Prototyping Services

DRCI has helped hundreds of businesses in the Lowcountry.

When smaller is better

BY HANNAH MASSEN

They say that bigger is better, but when it comes to influencer marketing, the opposite could be true.

If you’re active on social media – whether it’s Instagram, TikTok or YouTube – chances are, you follow at least one macro-influencer (a social media celebrity with a following of anywhere from 500,000 to 1 million). And if you follow an influencer, chances are, you’ve seen influencer marketing at work: the influencer – let’s call her Sarah – posts a “daily vlog” featuring her morning skincare routine with products from an up-and-coming beauty brand. And while Sarah swears that she would never promote anything that she didn’t truly love, again, chances are the beauty brand paid her several thousand dollars to put their products on display. And that’s just for one video.

While macro-influencers are able to reach a broad audience due to their large following, the price of partnering with one is steep. As follower counts increase, the cost to work with influencers rises, creating a situation where brands must go all-in on a single piece of content. And while many people will see a brand’s sponsored content with a macro-influencer, the number of those followers who will purchase the product is far fewer, limiting the brand’s ROI.

Enter micro-influencers: influencers with a follower count of 10,000 to 50,000 but who tend to get better results for the brands they work with. How, you ask? Here’s a breakdown of the benefits of working with micro-influencers.

HOW MICRO-INFLUENCERS CAN MAKE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE TO YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY

Higher ROI

According to data analytics firm RivallQ, social media engagement rates have hit an all-time low – dropping by a whopping 25 percent in 2021. Now the average engagement rate across all industries is 0.98 percent, meaning that only 0.98 percent of an account’s followers will like, click and comment on a post. But according to a study from Oberlo, Instagram influencers with a following of 5,000 to 20,000 have an average engagement rate of 1.7 percent, while accounts with a following of 1,000 to 5,000 receive the highest engagement rates, coming in at 4.84 percent.

Studies consistently report an inverse relationship between an account’s following and its engagement rates, which speaks volumes to micro-influencers’ ability to connect with their audiences. Here’s why:

Micro-Influencers are perceived as 'people like me'

Oftentimes the traditional influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers can seem more like a celebrity than a friend. With micro-influencers this isn’t the case. Influencers with niche interests and small followings are perceived as more relatable and, therefore, more trustworthy. The level of trust between an influencer and their audience should not be undervalued, as consumers are far more likely to make a purchase based on the recommendation of a “real person” than an advertisement. In fact according to a “Global Trust in Advertising” study from Nielsen, 83 percent of people polled said they trust the recommendations of friends and family, and a similar study found that 92 percent of people trust recommendations from other people –even strangers.

Micro-influencers can better represent your business

Many “lifestyle” macro-influencers migrate toward large cities and campuses and exclusively work with big-name (or big-budget) brands. But microinfluencers have the potential to engage audiences around topics that are specific to a location, industry or a particular interest. Brands can tap into these highly curated communities, enabling a degree of targeting that's almost impossible with macro-influencers.

The days of brands looking exclusively at follower counts to make partnership decisions are long gone. Now influencer marketing revolves around identifying micro-influencers relevant to your marketing objectives and allowing them to promote your products and services in an authentic way. ■

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Top 3 business trends for 2023 and how to prepare

BBusiness owners with two to fifty employees were uniquely affected by the roller coaster of the three years since the pandemic set in and not in ways that most predicted.

Forecasters promoted a simple, linear market decline. What we received instead was a cocktail that was one part bust (primarily the food and beverage and entertainment industries), two parts supply chain and pricing disruption and three parts overheated market demand, all nestled on the rocks of a workforce that was skeptical and staying home.

Something else was brewing under the surface that we all felt: a generational war. The “fight” among the generations will be both confusing and filled with opportunity.

MAKING TIME TO WORK ON YOUR BUSINESS

BY SCOTT BEEBE

Making waves

Surging demand, temperamental workforce and a flooded market: When the pandemic hit, the market reacted unpredictably, and that uncertainty has become our new standard. In the turbulent sea of business, owners are faced with a choice: sink or thrive.

Greedy Boomers are feeling frustrated and overrun by entitled Millennials, while skeptical Gen Xers are interviewing, and unaware Gen Zers are scrolling TikTok in a job interview. For the first time we are all working together in the same businesses.

In his new book A New Kind Of Diversity, author Tim Elmore highlights these generational challenges, saying, “the generation gap is more distinct because new technology creates subcultures. Hence, generations often don’t have to connect to survive.”

There is a noticeable shift in generational culture that already is affecting the place we spend a significant amount of our time and the majority of our headspace: work.

Headed into 2023, you have two choices: resolve to settle for surface-level cliche changes in your life and business that struggle to gain momentum, or muster the courage to build principled, repetitive responses to situational challenges that we know are coming our way. ■

Here are three trends that owners will face in 2023:

Employee and generational realities will be front and center.

During our one-on-one coaching, we are having frequent conversations with business owners to set the expectation that their tasks activity will decrease as their business growth increases. Instead people decisions will begin outweighing task decisions as employees begin to own the tasks that the owners once oversaw. 2023 will be a year to own the reality that people are not cogs, and a person is not the sum of her tasks.

People will demand engagement, and leadership must learn how to respond. Determine a list of intentionally repetitive questions that will provide you with a level of engagement that will speak to all generations and allow their voices to be heard.

Accounting and financial reporting will be non-negotiable business skills.

Over the last three years, as the market revved up and money was flowing, many owners grabbed all they could and sacrificed basic accounting and bookkeeping. This cash flood led some to leverage future customer deposits as payment for past bills. 2023 will be a year where the tide of cash moderates, leaving some without enough of tomorrow’s money to pay yesterday's liabilities. A disciplined solution for business owners

Example questions to use for leadership engagement

How have you seen our mission and values lived out this week/month? (Purpose)

What are you seeing and thinking?

What blind spots do we have?

What do you need from me?

Here is what I see and what I need from you.

is to subdivide their bank accounts so they can immediately subdivide their cash upon receipt and know exactly the destination of every dollar before it is spent.

Once subdivided and swept into your directed accounts, track them weekly on a spreadsheet to watch the flow of cash up or down. Each trend will be a new bit of information you can leverage to make healthy decisions.

Motivation will be driven by meaning rather than money.

History is filled with reminders of the scattered, disjointed reality that exists in a vision vacuum. It is also true that where the vision is not written, it does not exist.

Write a thoughtful, multi-page vision that includes an end date, personal desires, financial desires and details around your ideal team, product, customer and culture. Turbulent seas are now reality for business owners. The challenge will be to make the time to build a better boat while growing one’s skills in navigation.

SCOTT BEEBE is the founder of MyBusinessOnPurpose. com and author of Let Your Business Burn: Stop Putting Out Fires, Discover Purpose, and Build A Business That Matters. Scott hosts the Business On Purpose podcast, sharing real stories of how he and the BOP team work with business owners and their key leaders to build systems, process, and purpose, using the Business On Purpose Roadmap to liberate businesses from the chaos of working in their business and help them get their lives back.

If you had a dollar for every time you thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?” you’d probably be a millionaire already.

Most entrepreneurs spend their careers – if not their whole lives – striving to have the elusive milliondollar idea: the one gadget, gizmo or service that people didn’t know they needed but suddenly can’t live without. But whether it’s come to you at 3 a.m. as a frustrated thought during your morning commute, or as an “I wonder what would happen if…” in the middle of the grocery store, chances are you’ve already had one.

Most unique ideas are born out of common frustrations, needs and desires. Take the story of Sara Blakely, for example. Before she founded her billion-dollar company, Spanx, Blakely was a door-to-door fax machine sales rep. She bought a pair of cream-colored slacks to wear to a party, but didn’t love how they looked in the mirror. She needed a quick solution, so she cut the feet off a pair of pantyhose, put them on under her pants and left for her evening out.

Blakely probably didn’t realize that her quick thinking that night would revolutionize the women’s clothing industry, and it could have been a one-off, had she never thought about it again. The fact that she recognized and pursued her idea is what made all the difference. ■

WRITE IT DOWN

Whether it’s a 2 a.m. thought or a fleeting idea at work, you never know when inspiration will strike. Keep a notebook on hand or a running list on your phone where you can write down ideas before they disappear. Don’t worry about fully fleshing them out at first, because you can always expand on them later.

FEED A NEED

Now that you have some ideas jotted down, start identifying which of them could become a product, service or program that meets a specific need. This will help you narrow your focus and find a solution for which you (and others) have been waiting.

MAKE A PLAN

Not all ideas have cost-effective solutions or customers who are willing and able to pay for them. One of the best ways to tell if your big idea will be successful in the real world is to draft a business plan, including a budget, a business model and marketing strategies.

TEST YOUR ASSUMPTIONS

Use your connections, social media, or interactive blogging to test and tune your idea before spending any money. Are you receiving any constructive feedback that could make your program better or similar concerns about your new product? If the answer is yes, you may need to go back to the drawing board.

THINK BIG

The size of your vision will determine the size of your success. Set your sights high, and remember that failure is not fatal. Embrace it, and use it to your advantage.

Here’s how you can harness your own “aha” moment and turn it into the next big thing.

Winspire and impact the world with vision, purpose and style. It’s focused on becoming one of the most impactful brands in the world, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs and consumers, transforming the eyewear and eye-care industry through design and innovation, considering its stakeholders in everything they do and proving that businesses can scale while doing good in the world and without charging a premium for it.

In 2021 Warby Parker became the first public benefit corporation to go public via a direct listing, and as a public company it remains committed to its core values of integrity, creating positive change and finding fun in what it does.

With more than 160 stores, including one in Charleston, Warby Parker sells glasses that go the distance and are more than what meets the eye.

Eye candy

WARBY PARKER’S VISIONARY BUSINESS MODEL

BY LESLIE T. SNADOWSKY

at 415 King St. in Charleston. Sandy

In 2020 Warby Parker opened a store Gilsenan, Warby Parker’s senior vice president of retail, said the location was a perfect fit.

“We love being a part of this community,” she said. “King Street, specifically, is in the heart of downtown, with the College of Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina and the Citadel nearby. It continues to be a bustling street for shopping, eating, drinking, arts and culture.

“Inside our store customers can find our full optical and sun eyewear offerings, including our new Holiday 2022 collection as well as our first brand of daily contact lenses, Scout by Warby Parker, third-party contacts and a fulltime optometrist. Customers can book exams easily on our website. We also partnered with artist Hampton Boyer to create beautiful custom artwork for this store.”

Fatima in Smoky Pearl Tortoise

Winter 2022 Collection

Going the distance

Warby Parker meets its customers in a blink of an eye, wherever they are in-store, online or at home. Its groundbreaking Home Try-On program allows customers to try on up to five frames for five days for free, without ever having to leave their homes.

“When customers find a pair of eyeglasses they love, they can check out online with their prescription, and we’ll send them a fresh pair,” Gilsenan said. “We’re committed to increasing affordable, seamless access to holistic vision care and removing friction in the glasses and contacts buying process. We’ve found that customers really appreciate this customer-first approach, which has been valuable in retaining loyal and longtime shoppers. Our goal is always to make every touch point exceptional, whether it’s shopping in-store or from home with our Home Try-On program or Virtual Try-On tool, and, in return, we’re able to retain a loyal customer base. Our goal is to make shopping for glasses and contacts easier and more fun than it’s ever been before.”

See the light

Warby Parker also is known for its philanthropy and its “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair” program. The company has donated more than 10 million pairs of glasses globally to date. Plus its Pupils Project works with local organizations and government agencies to give free vision screenings, eye exams and glasses to schoolchildren.

“This model eliminates barriers to access by providing free prescription glasses and meeting children at school, where teachers are often the first to spot vision issues,” Gilsenan said. “Our partners conduct the vision screenings and eye exams right in the students’ classrooms, which make things easy for the children and the parents. On our end we provide prescription glasses designed by our very own team specifically for these students. We know that style and personal expression are critical for everyone and believe that every child deserves the chance to have glasses that make them feel good about themselves. Students can select from more than 55 options. So far, Pupils Project has administered more than 800,000 vision screenings, 200,000 eye exams and provided more than 160,000 prescription glasses.”

Point of view

Warby Parker’s perspective when it comes to magnifying altruistic programs is that it helps grow companies and impacts company culture. It has pioneered ideas, designed products and developed technologies with the mission of vision for all.

“Doing good has been part of our business from the start, and that’s made it easy for us to scale our impact,” Gilsenan said.

“Programs like Pupil’s Project help employees know that their work has a bigger impact, and that can help a business maintain a workforce that is motivated and engaged.” ■

Online not for you?

For many people, nothing beats trying on eyewear before they buy. Every face and head is different and eyewear often needs adjustments to sit just right.

Eyeland Optical is a local eyewear boutique that provides service and stylish frames.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF WARBY PARKER

"Doing good has been part of our business from the start, and that’s made it easy for us to scale our impact."

When to explore the world of human resources

BY LESLIE T. SNADOWSKY

DDriven by a mission to enrich lives by connecting people to exceptional places, products and experiences, Outside Brands’ Outside Hilton Head offers customized group travel services, team-building programs, activities and specialty retail. The company’s Human Resources Director, Susan Edwards, manages up to 140 employees who take clients on multiple adventures including biking, boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing and skiing trips. But Edwards is the guide when it comes to ensuring her company doesn’t waste time or money on its HR journey.

SUSAN EDWARDS, Director of Human Resources for Outside Brands

WHEN TO JUMP ABOARD

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a human resources department can fulfill many business needs, including labor law compliance, employee recruitment, employee engagement and development and compensation and benefits management.

“It could be revenue driven, or it could be needs-based,” Edwards said. “And there are ways to outsource your HR needs while you’re still a small business as well. If you have an HR consulting firm that writes your handbook and does your job descriptions and some of those smaller tasks that you need to have once you really get over that threshold of 35 to 50 employees, you definitely want to have someone on staff just to help keep you legally compliant. But there are ways to remain small and still have your HR needs met.”

Edwards said the general rule is to retain one HR professional for every 100 employees as your company grows.

CULTURE QUEST

Edwards said having HR on staff can save business owners valuable time from performing administrative tasks themselves. Plus it can help create an inclusive company culture.

“Having HR is a huge asset because your culture will be built the way that you want it to,” she said. “With each new hire, they’re driving that culture into everybody that comes onto the team. They’re really an extension of the business owner, assuming that you’re bringing in an HR team or an HR person that matches well with the business owner.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce considers HR the backbone of an organization, defining the company culture and investing in the long-term success of its employees. The Chamber finds 75 percent of employees would stay longer at an organization if they thought the company would listen to and address their concerns. The average cost of hiring the wrong person can top $17,000 annually when evaluating lost productivity and the expense of hiring and training a replacement.

UNDERTAKING THE LIFECYCLE

At Outside Brands Edwards handles the life cycle of an employee from recruitment, new-hire orientation, benefits, performance management, compensation management, legal components, including employee handbooks and job descriptions, making sure Outside Brands is compliant from a worker’s comp standpoint, handling workers’ compensation claims and exit interviews.

“The benefit of having somebody in-house is that there is somebody available to you right then and there,” Edwards said. “Especially if you hire the right person who is well educated

Outside forward During the busy summer season, staff at Outside Brands’ Outside Hilton Head swells to 140 and is made up of captains, guides, educators and visionaries who share the brand's core values of safety, passion, excellence, teamwork and sustainability.

and has the experience level to help you strategically plan about what needs you might have from a business standpoint. There are so many different trending topics, especially with diversity and inclusion and how to know when it’s time for you to include something like that within your organization.”

BUDGETING FOR THE VOYAGE

Edward said the cost for HR should be factored into the labor budget, which is often the most expensive line item for an enterprise.

“If you include HR, knowing that it is an expense, it could save you a lot of money in the long run, especially from lawsuits from different things that you may not even be aware of that you could be at risk of exposure to,” she said. “You always could start small with an HR coordinator and work your way up to an HR administrator or an HR generalist, and then get yourself an HR manager, or an HR assistant director, and then work your way up to an HR director. So, there are a lot of different opportunities in terms of how much money to set aside specifically for an HR person. And any of those titles are going to bring some level of expertise of which the business owner may not be aware.” ■

Engaging your employees in your vision

BY LINDA KLINGMAN

EEvery business needs a vision statement, a clear picture of what you want to look like in a few years. Vision comes from the heart and paints a specific picture of what your business can be.

Once you create your vision, coach others to see where they fit. Ask your managers for feedback about your vision statement and incorporate their suggestions to get their buy-in. Share your vision with all employees so they understand where they fit, as well.

LINDA KLINGMAN, owns HR Coastal, a Lowcountry company specializing in HR issues for small business.

Frame your vision statement and hang it where employees can see it daily. It is and will be everybody’s reference point for years to come. Incorporate your vision into daily conversation. Share it with new employees. The vision conversation should continue.

Keeping employees involved in your vision is called employee engagement, the level of commitment and connection to your business. It drives business success, promotes employee retention, fosters customer loyalty, and improves company performance and value.

Why is employee engagement important? It creates a better work culture, reduces staff turnover, increases productivity, builds better relationships, and affects your business’ profits. Yes, engagement is important!

Gallup offers a twelve-question survey that differentiates between employees who are "actively engaged" (loyal and productive), "not engaged" (average performers) and "actively disengaged" (ROAD warriors, or "retired on active duty"). While not everyone is likely to be actively engaged, you certainly don’t want ROAD warriors to cause a toxic environment.

So how can you encourage your employees to be actively engaged? Some answers are simple. Mentor, reward initiative, look after employees’ wellbeing, and continually share your vision. Vision and engagement don’t happen overnight. They take time and awareness.

Here are some ideas for keeping your vision in the forefront:

• Hold monthly “town halls” to discuss what is going on in the company and the industry.

• Invite employee focus groups to tell you what is going well and what needs to change.

• Encourage everyone to send e-cards showing appreciation for other’s contributions.

• Share news that would interest your workforce.

• Ask fun questions like “What is your guilty pleasure?” or “What did you want to be when you were growing up?” and share the information. Include those who aren’t fully engaged. Showing the lighter side of life might improve an attitude.

Engaged employees are optimistic, teamoriented, and go above and beyond expectations. They are solution-oriented, selfless, committed to learning, share credit, and accept blame. They believe the vision statement and trust you to set the right course to success. Conversely, disengaged workers are pessimistic, self-centered, complain a lot, and have higher absenteeism; they focus on themselves and money, and accept credit but pass on blame. ROAD employees feel little connection to their jobs. They do the bare minimum while watching the clock, unwilling to participate in social events or associate with peers. They may resent their jobs, gripe to co-workers, and destroy morale.

Try to support all your employees. Commit to making your business a great place to work and ensure that employees understand how they fit into your future plans. Recognize that people are your most important resource. Invest to make your employees more successful. Isn’t that what the vision and engagement are about?

Also, make sure that everyone has the tools to do their jobs properly and give your managers appropriate authority. Assign managers to larger, more exciting roles occasionally and accelerate their leadership development. If you do these things, you can expect them to share your vision and help you transform your organization.

Finally, engage your employees by asking five questions.

• How would you like to grow within this organization?

• Do you feel a sense of purpose in your job?

• What do you need from me to do your best work?

• What are we currently not doing as a company that you feel we should do?

• Are you able to do your best work every day?

Heed their answers and you will have an engaged workforce that drives your vision to company success.

■

“Commit to making your business a great place to work and ensure that employees understand how they fit into your future plans..”

A vision statement is important

BUT DON’T FORGET THE WHY

BY DON HARKEY

WWhen I was at 3M, I was assigned to a team to look at the quality and profitability of a longtime product. When the team leader assembled the team, he quickly learned that many of the operators didn’t know what the product was or what it did, even though some of them had been making it for years. So the team leader arranged for a product demonstration. The product was a concrete deck coating. During the demonstration members of the team recognized applications of the product in real life that they and their families had seen but had never been aware of before. The operators were noticeably excited, and some even got emotional. One operator pointed out, “I spend a lot of time at work, and now I can show my family what I do.”

pointed out, “I spend a lot of time at pulled into different directions before we had improved dramatically, and the cost to make the product had

After the demonstration our team was pulled into different directions before we could work on the quality and cost of making the product. We reassembled a few months later to restart the project and took some new baselines for quality and cost. We were surprised to see that since the product demonstration, the quality for the product had improved dramatically, and the cost to make the product had decreased significantly. We hadn’t changed anything other than showing the people who make the product why they were making it.

Reason why

Knowing your why is just the beginning. This example for Apple may help you define yours.

WHY = The Purpose

What is your cause? What challenging the status quo and doing this differently.

HOW = The Process

Specific actions taken to beautifully designed and WHAT =

The Result

What do you do? The result

Apple: We make computers.

Knowing why we do what we do is an important, yet often forgotten, part of our work. When we know why we do what we do, we do it better.

We recently worked with a manufacturing client who makes whiskey barrels. While out visiting its Kentucky Cooperage, our team took an extra day to tour the Maker’s Mark Distillery. During the tour the guide mentioned its valuable partner in the Independent Stave Company (our client) multiple times. Even though we hadn’t started our work with Independent Stave, our team felt a wave of pride as we sampled the bourbon, and the tour guide talked about the importance of the barrel process in the flavor profile.

We shared our experience with the workers at Independent Stave, and they were naturally excited. One supervisor said it was nice to hear the impact they make and so easy to forget. One of the easiest things you can do for your team is to help them remember why they do what they do. Here are a few ways to do that.

1. Share customer stories.

If you don’t get much customer feedback, you should seek it out and share it with your team. Numbers are good, but stories are more powerful.

2. Expose workers to the other parts of the business.

Many workers play a relatively limited role in the production of their product or execution of their service. Allow workers from different departments to share with each other what they do and how it impacts the final product or service.

3. Show the score.

Too many companies fail to share the results of their work with their employees. Don’t assume that employees care about profit. You may have to share how profit impacts them.

4. Create a strategic plan.

People need context for their performance. Create a strategic plan with clear key objectives and a plan for the year so that you can compare progress toward the plan.

5. Establish values.

“Too many organizations haven’t spent time articulating their missions, visions or values. Having these items defined gives leaders daily opportunities to refer to their values when making decisions.” do you believe? Apple: We believe in realize the Why. Apple: Our products are easy to use. of Why. Proof.

Too many organizations haven’t spent time articulating their missions, visions or values. Having these items defined gives leaders daily opportunities to refer to their values when making decisions. The mission, vision and values become language around the “why.”

6. Leaders should refer to the why.

Notice that I say leaders and not managers. Anyone on a team wishing to be a positive influence can do so simply by reminding the team from time to time why they are doing what they do. Little reminders make a big difference and aren’t reserved just for managers. ■

The benefits of burnout

DISCOVERING OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE STRUGGLE

BY SHEILA TUCKER

Cynicism. Exhaustion. Frustration. Oh my. There seems to be a universal agreement that burnout is dreaded, and you're doomed to a long, tedious recovery. That you must do everything humanly possible to avoid, prevent and quickly relieve yourself of it.

I think burnout gets a bad rap.

Yes, this is a very different way of looking at the stress that moves you from energized to exhausted, and from sailing along to oh-so-stuck. Just hear me out.

I started studying burnout years ago during a time when I was totally and utterly scorched, fried and toasted to a crisp. Let's just say I've read countless research articles and blogs on burnout. They usually have titles like "How to Recover from Burnout" or "How to Avoid or Prevent Burnout."

What's intriguing is very few articles mention burnout's benefits. What if burnout isn't as bad as you think? What if the point of burnout is to inform you to consider working and living differently, say, more aligned? An indicator that something's not functioning or sustainable, much like the display lights on your car's dashboard?

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, writes, "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." This, friends, is the intersection where the flames that once burned brightly begin to fade out, and your indicator lights start flashing.

Throughout my studies and personal experience, I've discovered burnout allows you the opportunity to make changes to your systems through restructuring, slowing down, checking in and resting. Let me explain ...

If your display light glows, "monotony."

Benefit: This is your opportunity to restructure your days with more variety and less "groundhog day." Personally I'm more productive and aligned when my schedule varies.

If this isn't you and you desire sameness throughout your week, notice whether you're experiencing too much variety, and then restructure accordingly.

If your display light blinks, "scattered."

Benefit: Slow down. Apply the brakes, permitting time to think and plan. Taking intentional time away has the added benefit of creating momentum to propel you ahead. Think of shooting a rubber band. The further you pull it back, the farther it will fly forward.

Bill Gates schedules "think weeks," where he commits two weeks to thinking, reading and planning. Don't have that much time to spare? Consider dedicating a few hours each week to slow down.

If your display light flashes, "do everything."

Benefit: Tune up your support systems. You don't have to do it all alone. Ask for help. I don't know about you, but there are tasks in my business that I'm not particularly eager to do. There's relief in offloading those responsibilities while freeing up time to do the enjoyable (or "must do") ones.

A tune-up could look like hiring an assistant, reshuffling responsibilities among staff, lowering your expectations or intentionally blocking off time to accomplish tasks. I also suggest carving out time to catch up with friends for an instantaneous mental and emotional health booster.

If your display light flickers, "fatigue and frustration."

Benefit: Integrate any amount of rest (aka play) into your schedule, allowing you to redirect your focus. In this case, rest is any activity that brings you joy. It can be a walk, run, nap, reading a good bookor transcendental meditation, in Oprah Winfrey's case. ■

doesn't have to be a dangerous trap requiring Herculean efforts to free yourself. Instead see it as an indicator light alerting you to the need to reset or adjust something in your system that's no longer serving you. My challenge for you is to lean into the benefits of burnout by finding opportunities within the struggle.”

SHEILA TUCKER is a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Heart Mind & Soul Counseling. She specializes in working with couples and individuals to strengthen their relationships so they can connect more deeply to themselves and each other. When not in the office, she'll be found walking her pups or planning her next vacation with her husband.

“Burnout

Join the club

IMPROVE YOUR BOTTOM LINE BY MIXING BOGEYS WITH BUSINESS

BY LESLIE T. SNADOWSKY

DDoug Weaver, former PGA Tour pro and director of instruction at Palmetto Dunes Golf Academy at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, was playing a round of golf with a professional photographer and someone who managed a local hotel for a national brand. The two players hit it off, and the photographer was soon shooting photos of the hotel for the property manager. Now that photographer is approached by resorts around the country for his photos, videos and branding expertise. Talk about a hole-in-one!

Weaver said this type of networking success is par for the course when it comes to mixing bogeys with business.

“Golf reveals character,” he said. "When playing golf with someone, you can sense ‘would I enjoy working with them in the same office? Would I enjoy brainstorming with them on business ideas? Can I trust them with my money and time?’ When you meet a golfer that you discern has integrity because he kept his score accurately or his index matches his play, then you can do business with him.”

■ PLAYING THE ANGLES

According to career and online recruitment website Zippia, the U.S. golf industry is worth $84 billion, and the U.S. golf course/country club industry had a market size of $26.1 billion in 2022.

“Since the pandemic subsided, there’s been a lot more business travel,” said John Farrell, PGA director of sports operations at The Sea Pines Resort. “Businesses bring in some of their best customers: they go to meetings in the morning, play golf in the afternoon and have dinner in the evening. So it’s a lot of fun.

“Golf is truly a game of a lifetime,” he said. “When playing golf, you can ride in a golf cart and be sociable and do business. If people want to forge better relationships with business partners, internal and external customers, invite them for a round of golf and watch how their relationships will be galvanized and strengthened.”

“Parties let their guard down when playing golf,” Weaver said. “It’s when they find common ground. Building trust playing golf leads to trust in the boardroom.”

Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort is home to the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage (April 10-16). Purchase tickets at rbcheritage.com.

THE SEA PINES RESORT / ROB TIPTON

■ DRIVING TRENDS

Twenty-five percent of female golfers were new to the sport in 2020 and tried it for the first time because of the pandemic, according to Zippia.com, and 27 percent of new golfers are Gen Z, aged between 18-34.

“I’m absolutely biased, but it’s just such a wonderful game to be enjoyed by all different walks of life,” Farrell said. “It doesn’t discriminate based on age, gender or economic background. It’s just an all-inclusive sport that’s to be enjoyed by everyone.

“What’s wonderful to watch is when two people get paired randomly to play golf, they forge a relationship and become friends for life. That’s not all the time, but it’s more frequent than people think.”

The classic “play a round of golf” networking technique has worked for decades and, according to Weaver, is still prevalent along the fairway. “Golf is a social game,” he said. “And golf is self-governing. There are no judges or officials. Rules must be applied with mutual agreement, and a player’s integrity is exposed. Through golf we associate our brand with the passion of our client. Golf elevates our customer relationships and experience.”

■ GOING FOR THE GREEN

“The pandemic has driven people back to outdoor activities,” Farrell said. “All of our resort activities are being enjoyed at high levels. That includes tennis, pickleball and biking. All recreational sports activities here at the resort are enjoying tremendous participation numbers.

“It’s true that you can learn a lot about a person by playing a round of golf,” he said. “When we’re interviewing young men and women to come to work for us, we like to have, at least, a nine-hole golf experience with them. You learn about how they face adversity and what their attitude is like: if they’re self-absorbed or if they’re selfless and if they’re able to stay calm and kind. You do learn a lot about a person’s personality.” ■

Weaver’s on-course observations

Weaver has been consistently ranked among the Top 10 PGA teachers in South Carolina by Golf Digest magazine. He says you can tell a lot about how someone does business by the way they play golf:

■ Someone who says they are a better golfer than they are will most likely say their business deal is better than it is.

■ If a golfer gives themselves putts that are short but testy or they improve the lie of the ball against the rules, they are likely to fudge on their taxes or handle company money in a questionable manner.

■ If they trash talk their opponent, they will likely trash talk their business partners or co-workers.

■ If a person can’t relax on the golf course, they will most likely be uptight in the office or when conducting business transactions.

■ If a golfer causes subtle distractions or talks during your pre-shot routine over and over again, they will likely use the same gamesmanship in the office.

■ Fast golfers make more mistakes. Fast, hurried business people also make more mistakes.

■ A better golfer who helps a lessskilled golfer means they are likely to be a great business partner.

John Farrell, Director of Sports Operations at The Sea Pines Resort.

Doug Weaver, former PGA Tour Pro and Director of Instruction at Palmetto Dunes Golf Academy at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.

SERG SERVES UP VISIONARY GOALS

DDisney, Ford, Walmart ... SERG. Jordan Norris, director of HR at the SERG Restaurant Group, said the above companies are leading innovators because they consistently improve upon their market shares, they never stop reinventing their brands, they’re flexible and change with the times, and they realize their weaknesses and turn them into strengths.

Hungry for success

BY LESLIE T. SNADOWSKY

Norris has no reservations about calling SERG a visionary company, due to its impressive menu of awardwinning local restaurants and catering services including Frankie Bones, Giuseppi’s, Holy Tequila and The Rooftop Bar. Norris said SERG’s signature dish is its loyal and dedicated employees.

“Our founders and our leaders have big ideas, and they’ve built a team under them that has the visionary drive to help place that forward,” Norris said. “We’re always looking for new ways to improve employee satisfaction, and I think that helps grow our team and our goals.”

■ FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Norris said SERG is dedicated to providing guests with quality cuisine, exceptional service and genuine coastal hospitality. The local epicurean company has become synonymous with cultivating an enviable, and visionary, company culture that values its employees.

“We’ve always been forward-thinking,” Norris said. “We have big goals, we’re always looking for ways to improve our current business, and we are constantly coaching our employees on how to better manage the business. I believe we are the benchmark for restaurants when it comes to marketing and employee benefits in the area. And we offer the opportunity for so many to have an ownership stake with support from a team of people. I think that’s visionary for restaurants in the area.”

■ FRONT OF HOUSE

Visionary companies build legacies, have core ideologies and clear goals, are adaptable and strive for employee satisfaction. Norris said SERG employees’ work-life balance is baked into their cake.

“I truly believe the way you treat your employees is the way they’ll treat your guests,” she said. “We’re always looking for something new to add each year for our employees. Last year we started introducing the team rewards program with the idea employees can get points just for working. So if they want to pick up more shifts, the more hours they work, the more points they’re going to get. They also can get points for doing exceptional work.”

Points can be exchanged for hotel rooms, concert tickets, sporting events, out-ofstate trips, AirPods, gift cards and gifts for their friends and family.

“It’s a new program that we hope helps retain our employees as well as give them something that they want versus something they need,” Norris said.

■ COOKED TO ORDER

At SERG Norris said there’s a 100 percent medical insurance option for employees and management team and 88 percent for hourly workers. This year they’re starting to offer pet insurance.

“You have to get creative,” Norris said. “We’ve got a young demographic, and a lot of people don’t have kids. That younger demographic may not think health insurance is important, but a lot of people have dogs and cats, which can get just as expensive.

“It’s hard to operate a restaurant, and I think we’ve put the work-life balance back into restaurants that most people aren’t going to get working at mom-andpop restaurants.”

■ CHEF’S TABLE

SERG's long-term goals include improving what they do every day, adapting to change and building a sustainable culture. Norris said they strive to exceed expectations and focus on their guest experiences, service, teamwork, training and development. When they hire, Norris said they look for people with extraordinary traits and characteristics that they can’t teach. Once they are hired, SERG teaches them skills and provides them with the training to develop those skills to be successful in their job.

“Almost all of our partners have started as servers,” Norris said. “We feel that’s very important for our company.

“We have high standards,” she said, “and we strive to provide an environment that surrounds others with talented people who have a passion for food and embody our coastal hospitality. We want to make it a fun environment and surround ourselves with greatness.” ■

PHOTOS BY SERG

Seeing the light

INVESTING IN VISIONARIES

BY LESLIE T. SNADOWSKY

Bruce Wood has vision.

BThe founder and managing partner of Hilton Head Capital Partners (HHCP) opened his registered investment advisory, fee-only fiduciary firm (RIA) in 2017 when he left Wells Fargo Advisors after 44 years as a banker and wire-house advisor.

He entered the independent portfolio management world to offer his clients expanded estate and trust investment solutions, flexible customized portfolio management, fee flexibility and custodial alternatives, as well as prompt personal support and attention, and extensive resources through strategic partners.

Thomas Fox, managing director of WaterStreet Research Partners, and HHCP’s chief investment strategist and portfolio consultant and strategist, said, “I think all CEOs are visionary to different degrees, but the most important thing is their track record.”

■ DISCIPLINED INVESTING

HHCP is not a stockbrokerage and it doesn’t recommend investment products for a commission. Instead, the company focuses on clients’ goals to establish long-term investment strategies through its fee-only-based portfolios. It designs portfolios to meet clients’ unique investment needs, working with tax, insurance, legal and estate planning professionals to create customized portfolios designed around clients’ wealth goals and long-term family objectives.

Fox said while some investors favor companies they believe in and make products they use, it should only be a small consideration when jumping in to invest. “The most important things are the fundamental characteristics of the company and whether it’s doing well against its peers,” he said.

■ ‘CHARGED’ DIVERSITY

Industries that investors are considering today include biotechnology, artificial intelligence, home technologies, ondemand services, green energy, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, telemedicine and cybersecurity. Fox said for long-term speculative investment, investors should consider electric vehicles (EV), their manufacturers and battery companies.

Fox, who has more than 30 years of experience in the investment business and more than 26 years as a chief investment officer, is an expert in building quantitative investment approaches. He is the creator of numerous successful academically based investment strategies. Fox also has experience in managing large institutional funds, including two mutual funds, and has presented proprietary research to the Federal Reserve Board’s investment committee.

■ RISKY BUSINESS

While many investors want to believe and invest in the passion of business “celebrities,” data and science trump emotion.

Fox said it’s risky to invest in a visionary company when vision and fundamentals do not align.

If clients are looking for visionary investments and money management firms to help them invest their money, Fox said, “I think disciplined money management firms should be the focus.” ■

Thomas Fox and Bruce Wood of Hilton Head Capital Partners

It’s risky to invest in a visionary company when vision and fundamentals do not align.”

When you invest your money in the stock market, it is only natural to want to avoid bear market declines. After all, bear markets can take the value of stocks down 50 percent or more over the course of several years, a disconcerting drop to say the least. As a result, many investors try to time their investments, hoping to get in at the bottom of a bear market and jump out at the top of the next bull run.

Investing 101

BY BONNIE CONRAD

If only investing were that easy. If finding the top of a bull market and identifying the nadir of the next bear were that easy, every investor would be a millionaire, and there would be no reason for anyone to hold down a real job. The reality is that trying to time the market is a loser’s game – one that individual investors play at their peril.

If you doubt the folly of trying to time the market, just consider the miserable track record of managed mutual funds and the highly paid fund managers who pick their stocks. Over the long term, almost 90 percent of those managed funds fail to outperform plain vanilla index funds, which simply buy all the stocks in a given index and hold them forever.

WHY TIMING THE MARKET IS A LOSER’S GAME

Being right half the time simply will not cut it.

When you consider that some of these money managers are paid millions of dollars by mutual fund families, and ultimately by the buyers of those funds, it is easy to see just how difficult it is to be right when trying to time the market. Keep in mind that in order to truly time the stock market and make a lot of money, you need to be right twice – once when stocks are riding high and everyone is a buyer, and again when stocks are at their lowest and no one wants to invest. Being right half the time simply will not cut it – and all too few professionals are able to get it right.

Fortunately, there is a way for ordinary investors to avoid the folly of timing the market and increase their odds of beating the pros in the long run. By simply dollar cost averaging into a quality index fund month after month, savvy investors can accumulate a greater number of shares during those bear markets, and fewer when the market is riding high. It might not be timing the market, but dollar cost averaging is a great way to accumulate significant stock market gains in the long run.

Dollar-cost averaging also has another important benefit, in that it instills fiscal discipline on the investor. By setting up a bank transfer every month, investors force themselves to save and live on less than what they earn, instilling a level of fiscal discipline that will serve them well – no matter what the stock market does in the short term. ■

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On the side

BY LESLIE T. SNADOWSKY

VISIONARY SIDE HUSTLES DELIVER MORE THAN JUST CASH

Kimberly Porter saw the trend coming.

K“About 15 years ago, one of our students decided to go into business with some of his college friends hauling junk from people’s apartments and houses,” said Porter, the director of operations assessment and strategy at Pace University’s career services in New York. “I had not heard of that before, and I remember thinking it was an unusual way to make some money on the side. His business did extremely well, and today junk removal is a multi-billion dollar industry.” Porter said in the current economic environment, visionary side hustles not only help pay the bills, but they can also open doors to new careers.

■ CAREER HUSTLER

According to career and online recruitment website Zippia, the percentage of side hustlers making more than $1,500 per month doubled from 2020 to 2021, and money earned is spent paying bills or saved. The website finds up to 45 percent of all Americans in 2022 were side hustlers, with that number reaching as high as 49 percent for workers under the age of 34.

“Side hustles are not just for adults who need extra money,” Porter said. “It’s a great way for college students to gain exposure to different fields, show initiative, strengthen their resumes, network and build their online brand. These experiences also help with behavioral interviewing as they'll have real-life experiences to talk about, and not just talk about skills they think they possess.”

■ TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Porter said her students, aged 18 to 25, anticipate having many careers, and do not expect to work for one company their whole lives and retire with a gold watch.

“There are many reasons why someone would engage in a side hustle in addition to making some extra money,” she said. “They might be fulfilling a passion that they can’t focus on full-time, like being a part-time community theater director. It’s a way to feed that artistic need. Or they might have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to go out on their own. These days, many people are starting their own businesses because the economic landscape has changed and they have the ability to work right from their home. They like the flexibility, the ability to try new things, and a way of doing things they enjoy.”

■ GIG ECONOMICS

Zippia’s 2022 statistics show the average monthly income from a side hustle was $483, Americans spent an average of 13 hours per week on their side hustles, and the global gig economy was worth $455 billion last year.

Side hustles can include grocery delivery through Instacart, dog walking, being a brand tester or ambassador, online tutoring or visual babysitting.

More visionary gigs can include watching movie previews or taking surveys on Survey Junkie for cash, earning cash back on websites like Rakuten, investing through Robinhood, which gives you a free stock when you download its app, renting out a spare space for someone else’s storage needs, becoming a mystery shopper, getting paid to drink free beer through Secret Hopper, or sign up on RentAFriend.com where you can charge up to $50 an hour for platonic outings like attending a concert or sporting event with someone.

Porter said college students usually gravitate towards side hustles that involve social media, marketing and technology.

“In addition to internships, we welcome side hustles that will help students advance their careers,” Porter said. “They can work on a website or they can oversee an Instagram account for a small business. This allows them to gain experience and fund their education.”

The Center for Student Enterprise (CSE) at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business initiates and coordinates student-run businesses on the Pace Pleasantville campus. Business students interested in starting or managing an entrepreneurial endeavor can meet with like-minded peers and work with professors to see their ideas come to fruition.

“The center provides students with opportunities to gain crucial managerial experience while attending school and managing student-operated businesses,” Porter said. “Driving for Uber is great, but there are other ways that you make money doing things on the side while building your career and your resume.” ■

Sidehustle Millionaire

$1,000 100 Ways

Kimberly Porter, director of operations assessment and strategy at Pace University’s career services in New York, supervises a team that oversees technology, marketing and data collection/ reporting for Pace’s Career Services Department.

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Many people are starting their own businesses because the economic landscape has changed and they have the ability to work right from their home.”

No worries

ENVISIONING A STRESS-FREE RETIREMENT? HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

BY LESLIE T. SNADOWSKY

Retire ready

RRetiring from the workforce is one of the most stressful things you can do. According to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, the psychiatric benchmark for tracking life events and the stress they cause, retirement ranks right behind the death of a spouse, divorce, personal injury or illness and being fired.

So how can you de-stress during what’s supposed to be the best time in your life?

Julie Martin, a local Hilton Head Island certified professional retirement coach, takes a visionary approach with her new business, Retire Ready Hilton Head. Every day in the U.S., 10,000 people come into retirement age, Martin said, and four to five thousand of them will fail at retirement. “There is a dark side to retirement,” she said. “People turn to depression and suicide because most people don’t retire well. My focus is to help people see retirement for what it truly is by taking them through a proven process to follow when planning for the non-financial aspects of retirement. I focus on the mental, social, physical and emotional.”

NO PRESSURE

Before she retired from the corporate world, Martin clocked in more than 32 years at AT&T, Microsoft and Marriott Vacations Worldwide in sales and marketing, human resources with an emphasis on management and leadership development, career development, succession planning and coaching.

Martin’s training to become a retirement coach examined both the art and science of making a successful transition from work life to home life.

“Retirement coaching is my passion,” she said. “Forty-six percent of retirees struggle to find their new purpose when they retire, and it can take up to two years to settle into retirement.

“As a retirement coach, I do not offer financial advice,” Martin said. “I leave that to the financial professionals. I help people replace their work identity, allocate their time and resources and focus on being mentally and physically active. It’s a little easier to stay relevant and connected on Hilton Head because there are so many outlets, such as nonprofit organizations and volunteer opportunities.”

Hilton Head’s Julie Martin, CPRC, helps retirees plan for the nonfinancial side of retirement

GET CURIOUS

Martin finds new retirees say they want to play more golf or Mahjong and spend more time with friends, but after that, they’re stumped and stressed. She advises people not to concentrate on a bucket list or a honey-do list but on a de-stressing curious list.

“Ask yourself how you wish to spend time and energy exploring something that you never thought about doing before,” Martin said. “Some people say they want to sing in a choir or learn how to paddle board, throw clay on a potter’s wheel, work on a farm, understand the science of cooking or learn flower arranging.”

Martin also implements a “no regrets retirement plan” that walks clients through what a perfect day in retirement looks like. At first Martin said retirees run out of ideas on how to fill their days and think they’ll get bored. Martin said that’s when her tools and resources kick in and culminate in clients completing a written retirement wellness plan.

“You’re not going to have that alarm clock go off at 6 a.m., and you’re not going to have to be at work at eight or nine o’clock to start your day. So how are you going to replace your time? I help clients develop a consistent approach, focusing on meaningful activities.”

REPURPOSING PERMANENT TIME OFF

The Mayo Clinic finds the best ways to destress are to get active, eat a healthy diet, avoid unhealthy habits, meditate, laugh more, connect with others, assert yourself, try yoga, get enough sleep, keep a journal, get musical, be creative and seek counseling.

“I wouldn’t take one thing off that list,” Martin said. “But in addition to my curious list, I work with clients on their friends list. That’s what staying connected means because your friends from work won’t necessarily continue to be your friends or become your lifelong friends. Clients identify who they want to start connecting or reconnecting with. It could be childhood friends, and this is usually a de-stressor. I would say to visionaries who are entering into retirement to de-stress by planning ahead on the non-financial aspects of your retirement, and think about how you want to replace your work identity, how you want to allocate your time and your resources and how to focus on the mental, social, physical and the emotional aspects of life after work." ■

Ask yourself how you wish to spend time and energy exploring something that you never thought about doing before.

Clear vision

SMALL BUSINESSES NEED A CLEAR VISION, OR YOU MAY END UP SOMEPLACE YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE

BY KAREN A. CASEY

Describing why you are in business may not be as easy as it sounds. Discussions and brainstorming with trusted advisors can help you articulate your reason.

AAfter much trepidation, you started your business. You have a great customer base, and your sales are growing, but sometimes you lose your way. You jumped in with both feet and did not stop and ended someplace else. You ask yourself, is this what I had planned? Step back and ask yourself, “What is the vision of my business?” Think of your vision statement as a glimpse into your business’s future. While the mission describes your company’s focus and what it does, the vision for your company is its direction and identifies what you want it to become. Think of a mission statement as what you need to do today. The purpose of your vision statement is to pinpoint the goals and outcomes your business was created to achieve and outline how it will get there.

KAREN A. CASEY, CPA, CFP, is a certified SCORE SC Lowcountry business mentor.

Brainstorm with your team with some simple steps. They’ll help you define your ambition and create a meaningful, inspiring vision statement for your small business.

■ Describe the future you want to see. Where do you want to be in 1, 3, 5 or 10 years?

■ Describe why you are in business. Why does your business exist? How do you do things better than your competitors? What do you – physically – do as a company?

■ Describe what success looks like for your business. This is not your profit and loss, but how you might expand, develop new products, become the ‘number one’ in your market or receive the highest number of accolades in a sector.

■ Describe a measurable goal. It doesn’t need to be an easily attainable goal, but it should be measurable in some way. Now create your vision statement. Use your answers to crystalize your long-term goals: your business’s vision. Don’t worry if it sounds ‘too big’ to begin with. And don’t worry about including a list of specific aims. This is supposed to be inspiring. The key is brevity. Make your vision statement punchy and memorable.

EXAMPLES OF VISION STATEMENTS:

■ Iams: We deliver tailored nutrition to keep your pet healthy and happy for life.

■ Uber: We ignite opportunity by setting the world in motion.

■ Patagonia: We’re in business to save our home planet.

■ Starbucks: To inspire and nurture the human spirit—one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.

Whether your business is well established or just starting, if you don’t have mission and vision statements or a set of values to help guide decisionmaking, it’ll be difficult for your company to thrive over the long term, and you may end up in places you did not expect. A mentor can help. There are mentoring services available at no cost. ■

Proper planning prevents poor performance

AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP IS A GOOD START

BY MARK ROSSI

Map quest

A technology roadmap is a planning tool to support strategic and long-range planning, by matching short-term and longterm goals with specific technology solutions. It is expected that roadmapping techniques may help companies to survive in turbulent environments and help them to plan in a more holistic way to include non-financial goals and drive towards a more sustainable development. Source: Wikipedia

TThere is a continuum of approaches to developing a company’s Information Technology (IT) strategy, ranging from “Let’s hold off any planning or spending until something breaks” on one end of the spectrum to “Let’s forecast our needs over the next five years and create a plan and budget” on the other end. You can find your place somewhere in the middle, but we don’t recommend waiting for something to break.

Every company is different in terms of budget, human resources, hardware and software needs. Still, no matter your business, an IT roadmap is an easy yet invaluable planning tool

IT Roadmap

WHAT IS AN IT ROADMAP?

An IT roadmap is a visualization of your objectives, requirements, resource needs and timeline. It can be a chart, graph, infographic or table – the format doesn’t matter. What matters is that you take the time to plan for growth, change and crisis.

WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS?

This can vary depending on your business and industry, but most should have the following basic considerations:

Category – Categories can include basics like hardware requirements, software requirements and security.

Needs – A need is either current or future. For example, hardware needs can include things like “ensure all PCs are in good working order” and “increase server reliability.” Equipment will break, software will need upgrades, and security is always at risk, so these are fundamental needs to plan.

Action steps – These are specific steps to address the identified needs. In the example above, the action steps could include “evaluate cloud server options” and “audit all PCs for age, condition and needed repairs or replacement.”

Responsibility – This may seem unnecessary, especially if the person responsible is you. However, there is an increase in accountability when a specific name is assigned to a task.

Timing – It can be tempting to push off action steps, especially if they are not urgent. Too often we work on urgent but not important things. Technology is both urgent and important.

WHO SHOULD PREPARE IT?

An IT person does not need to be the author but is a critical person on the planning team. The company owner or leader will have direct line of sight to available resources and needs and should partner with an IT expert who has the best understanding of options, risks and level of effort. The tech industry is constantly changing, and your IT leader or partner is your best resource to ensure you don’t overspend or understate risks.

IS IT NEEDED?

Chances are, your company will benefit from an IT audit and/or planning session, after which you can determine the need for a road map. The time and cost invested will be far less than an avoidable issue or expense down the road. Our team at KML is always available for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to discuss your technology vision, plans and risks. ■

Mark Rossi is president of KML Computer Services. Since 1996 he has been immersed in the technology field, working in various positions, from hardware technician and network manager to network engineer and IT consultant.

Congratulations

to the winner of the presented by AlphaGraphics

GRAND PRIZE

• Ad in LOCAL Biz in the month of their choice

• Branding Refresh & Design, Signage and Printing from AlphaGraphics

• Membership in the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce

• Video assets compliments of Hilton Head Island - Bluffton Chamber of Commerce

ALL FINALISTS WILL RECEIVE:

• Business Cards from AlphaGraphics

• Mentoring Session compliments of SCORE SC Lowcountry

Thank you to the finalists and to our expert judging panel:

Good Aura • Hidden Treasures

The G-Free Spot• Cassandra’s Kitchen

• Barry & Rita Wilson, AlphaGraphics

• Susan Fogleman, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce

• Charlie Clark, Hilton Head - Bluffton Chamber Of Commerce

• Lucy Rosen, Smart Marketing Communications

• Karen Casey, SCORE SC Lowcountry

• The LOCAL Biz Team

BY DAVID CROSS

On

TThere is an ancient proverb that states “without vision, people will perish.” Everything begins with a vision. Every great leader has and articulates a great vision that inspires those whom they lead.

Take a moment and look around you. If you are sitting, observe what you are sitting on. Look at the building you are in and the pavement you’re standing on. Everything that has been created by a human first began as an idea, a thought, an image that became a vision of what could be.

From that vision a framework for manifestation was formed until the ultimate fulfillment of the creation was realized for all to see, feel, touch or experience. Someone’s vision became a material expression. If we really think about it, this is a profound truth.

Everything that is visible was first invisible. Opportunity usually finds its beginnings in the invisible. Every disruptor in every industry saw an opportunity in their mind's eye first, then set out to create what they saw.

Steve Jobs saw music delivery apart from a compact disc player and revolutionized how the entire world experiences music. Now there is a generation that will never fully grasp a new release at a record store (a sad thing really, but I digress).

I SEE OPPORTUNITY

As a business owner, I have a vision board that hangs over my desk. In three-inch letters, across the full length of the board, I have the phrase “I SEE OPPORTUNITY.” On this board I have an extensive list of the ideal clients that will love our service. I have written the words to describe the kind of person I want to be and to become over my lifetime.

I use this board to remind myself where I see myself and our business going. Stephen Covey, the author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, says that one of the most important habits a successful person will develop is to begin with the end in mind. That’s called vision. Where are you going? If you don’t know where you’re going, you aren’t going anywhere.

The word develop means to bring something out; to make visible or manifest. Just like envelop means to enclose. As business owners, we must develop a vision of what the end looks like. What does a perfect year look like for you? What are the details of every aspect? What does the perfect product or service look like? What does the perfect process look like? Who are the perfect people for your customer base and the associates with whom you would like to work?

If you are to see opportunity, it is critical to have a vision of what you are looking for so you can spot the opportunity when you see it.

Prominent on my board is this saying: “What you think, you become; what you feel, you attract; and what you imagine, you create. That’s vision.” Take heed to those wise words: “Without vision, people will perish.” What’s your vision for the year? ■

the David Dale Team.

is an author, SC Realtor and team leader of

board A vision board is a collection of images or objects arranged in a way to help you manifest your goals or vision. The board can be physical or digital.

What you think about, you bring about

THIS LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER’S 2022 VISION BOARD CAME TRUE

BY LUCY ROSEN

II’ve been creating vision boards for over 20 years — usually on or around the first of each new year. I’m very purposeful when creating my board — really looking at what I want to create/bring into my work life and home life. What’s interesting to me is that every year my board is a bit different. Some years I’ve been focused on attracting the perfect clients, some years I’ve been focused on learning new skills, and some years there are themes that are woven in that exist year in and year out, such as travel, being the best “me” I can be, discovery, doing positive things in my community and being engaged in my work.

I’M SHARING MY 2022 VISION BOARD WITH YOU:

1. Bear: Alaska. I did that in August of this year

2. Business with a purpose: Interestingly enough, one of our newest clients at SmartMarketing is Pay Proudly, processing payments with a purpose. When I put this statement on my 2022 board, it was the intent to work with companies that were purposeful and meaningful in their work. All of our clients fit that statement.

3. Camera: Pretty self-explanatory, but I wanted more opportunities to take photographs. This year I joined a photography club, entered some photo contests and was awarded with blue ribbons and a sense of accomplishment.

4. Galapagos Islands: You will find me there in March 2023.

5. Entrepreneurs always look to the future: The end of last year was rough. It had been a while since I had written an actual plan for my own business. I wrote quite a few for others, just not ours. I never look back. I always keep my eyes on the future, and this statement reminds me daily.

There are a couple of other images and quotes here. I won’t bore you with meaning, but trust me when I say that my vision boards are intentional and well thought out. I have absolutely no doubt that the saying “what you think about, you bring about” is true. I like what I think about, and I really like what I bring about and can’t wait to experience all that 2023 has to offer. ■

Doing good in our neighborhood

For over 30 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island has served local children ages 6-18 with outstanding educational and recreational programs after school and all day in the summer.

Kids with vision

HOW HARGRAY PREPARES THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND FOR THE

CASE STUDY

FUTURE

BY LESLIE T. SNADOWSKY

WWith a mission to enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens, the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island serves 200 kids a day, aged six through 18, and helps them get connected to the internet.

“When COVID hit and the schools shut down, we knew we were going to have to become a full-day learning pod because so many of our kids that we serve had no internet access at home,” said Kim Likins, director of the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island. “We discovered the very first week that we did not have the bandwidth to handle all of our kids’ devices because everybody was going on Zoom and engaging in distant learning. Hargray stepped in and saved the day.”

Building a brighter future

Each year, the club meets its annual budget through fundraisers, donations and grants. It's 29,000 square foot facility was paid 100 percent from donations by local organizations and private donors.

HISTORY WITH HARGRAY

For more than 30 years the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island has served local children with educational and recreational programs after school and all day in the summer. Likins said her club’s relationship with Hargray began when the regional utility provided cable services for a Super Bowl Sunday party for the kids. “Over the course of the next couple of years, Jose Vargas, who works with Hargray, joined my board, and we went through the process of converting our phone system. Hargray gave us an incredible deal to do that, and over time

we converted our Wi-Fi to Hargray, too.”

“Hargray has been connecting customers to each other and the world for more than 70 years, growing from a local phone company to an industry leader providing residential, business, enterprise and carrier wholesale communications services,” said Vargas, Hargray’s regional manager of sales and retention.

“So partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island is critical to support the new generation of visionaries that will support and move our community to a new level.”

Likins

Save the date

& Girls Club of Hilton Head Island with its fundraising efforts and will be one of the sponsors for the club’s upcoming

TIME TO EXPAND

spring fundraiser at The Westin Hilton Head Resort & Spa from 5-10 p.m., Saturday, March 11.

“There will be a cocktail reception, and during dinner we’ll have local artists perform Broadway musical numbers in between the courses. We’ll also hold live auctions where guests can bid on items like US Open tickets, designer purses, and golf and spa packages. Our kids will be in costume and participate in some of the productions. We’re looking forward to an experiential, interactive evening.

“We deeply value our partnership with Hargray,” Likins said. “They’ve been so good to us, and Jose is an amazing board member. I think it speaks volumes for an organization when they encourage their employees to be engaged with nonprofits and give back to the community.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island hopes to raise $300,000 during the event, a sizable percentage of its $1.3 million annual budget. Purchase your tickets here: www.bgchiltonhead.org/events/the-stars-shine-on-broadway

VISIONARY SOLUTIONS

Hargray installed an extensive fiber platform that was constructed to deliver a 1Gig x 1Gig (1000Mbs x 1000Mbs) internet circuit and commercial-grade managed Wi-Fi that all the kids and staff could join and participate on for school Zoom calls and to surf the web, with the speeds needed to support the more than 200 kids the club accommodates.

Likins said while they were waiting to get upgraded, Hargray set up hot spots so the kids could keep up with their schoolwork.

“Hargray was a big partner in solving our problems and coming up with solutions so that these kids who could have totally been left behind in that year of learning were able to continue school,” Likins said.

Hargray also installed a Voice Over IP phone system (VoIP) and a firewall system. It also provided the club with desks, chairs, tables and an 85-inch TV and Zoom equipment to support the club’s programs. “The club is now able to provide state-of-the-art communication services so kids can connect, learn and become the next visionaries of our time,” Vargas said.

LESSONS LEARNED

Likins said during COVID, the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island relied on Hargray to get them up to speed, ensuring adequate bandwidth and access to the internet.

“When school started back in the spring, there were still many kids whose parents weren’t comfortable with them going back to school yet, so we continued operating as a full-day learning pod in the spring, along with having our after-school program,” Likins said. “Our success at being able to do that and being able to support all of those families through that entire school year was really because of Hargray and everything that they did to make sure we had the technology to handle that.”

“With the volume of kids in the club, there were issues with connectivity and providing the necessary Wi-Fi and internet speeds to support the needs of the children,” Hargray’s Vargas said.

“Even though kids are now back in school, we still have after-school programming, which includes ‘Power Hour,’ or homework hour. Years ago kids used to show up with backpacks full of books. Now they all have tablets, and it’s because of our relationship with Hargray that we have the power of Wi-Fi that allows them to even get their homework done every single day.

“For those of us that are nonprofits, we are so very fortunate to have partnerships with companies like Hargray because we can’t afford an IT department, and we clearly don’t have the expertise,” Likins said. “Hargray ensures we’ll be taken care of, and they’re going to provide us with the best advice on how to stay up to date with the latest and greatest equipment so that our kids and our staff have access to whatever they need, particularly 21st-century learning tools for our children.” ■

Hargray also supports the Boys

“The Stars Shine On Broadway”

— JONATHAN SWIFT

Visionary WOMEN

VVision begins with inspiration – an inspired mind will be open to new ideas, motivated by new challenges and excited about what is possible. An inspired mind sees what others do not. These eight women are leaders but also visionaries who not only had an idea or a dream but they made it happen.

To understand how they succeeded in realizing their dream, we focused on their inspiration and how they overcame challenges. For each woman, their journey to success was unique, but what they have in common are a positive attitude, an unrelenting drive, and a caring heart.

These women prove that you can climb your way to the top without stepping on people to get there.

Meet our eight Visionary Women: Beverly Serral, Karen Ryan, Nicole Gardner, Lynn Michelle, Brantley King, Leah England, Leslie Trenta and Amanda Russ Cifaldi.

“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.”

Look up and keep going

INSPIRED BY CHURCHILL AND CARTER, THIS CREATIVE BUSINESSWOMAN IS DESIGNING HER OWN PATH FORWARD

Beverly, you are skilled at balancing business savvy with creativity. A testament to that is that one of your properties was featured on The Today Show. That is a big deal. How did you come to be both business savvy and inspired creatively? I’ve always had a creative bent. My first career was as a dancer/choreographer/studio owner where I first melded business and art. For my next act I went into straight business mode (real estate) but quickly figured out how to incorporate design and hospitality. This allowed me to combine my passions and skills to create a unique business model blending real estate, vacation rental and design.

Throughout your career, from dancer to Founder to Concept Creator, you must have faced many challenges along the way. Was there a recurring challenge that you learned to overcome? My challenges have often been the challengers — the naysayers, and there have been several. I’ve come to realize that the human tendency to attempt to deter others often comes from a place of envy and insecurity, and that makes it easier to shrug off.

Many young women look up to you as a successful businesswoman and may wonder what they can do to be successful. What advice can you give them? Three quotes on which I lean, and I think everyone can draw inspiration: Never, never, never give up – Winston Churchill; The genius thing we did was, we didn’t give up —J ay-Z; Everything you want is on the other side of fear — George Addair. My advice? Nothing worthwhile is easy. Push through the fear, and don’t give up!

THREE LESSONS LEARNED

1Don’t

helpful

2No one can do it alone. I am my team and my team is my business. Only with a stellar team can your vision come to life.

3Listen more. Speak less. And choose words carefully.

Do you have three favorite lessons that made a difference for you, maybe you learned them the

Positivity is contagious

WHEN THE GOING GOT TOUGH, THIS REALTOR GOT CREATIVE

Karen, real estate in the Lowcountry is big business. You are an established Realtor, own a brokerage, a property rental company and a vacation rental company. What or who was your inspiration to do so much more than traditional home sales? My inspiration was my mom, Kitty Egan. She was an Irish immigrant who came through Ellis Island at just 17 years old. She was a small business owner and handled her business endeavors with grace, honesty and perseverance. She was always involved in the local community and worked to help other women improve and better their lives. She inspired me to serve in the community and lead others as I grew my own businesses. With all of the ups and downs in the real estate industry, you must have faced many challenges over the years. Is there one time that was particularly challenging for you and how did you overcome it? Without a doubt, the biggest challenge I overcame was the 2008 recession! It was especially difficult because we had five offices and many staff, so I felt determined to stay afloat and keep as many staff as possible. We had to pivot our business model to serve foreclosures and short sales. That was the time we opened both rental companies to diversify our portfolio. We are thankful that we were able to overcome the 2008 challenges and grow through it, despite the market. We were creatively diversified. Do you have any good advice? My advice would be to stay true to your vision. Be positive, people want to be around positivity and it is contagious. Hard work, focus, and dedication always pay off in the end.

Karen Ryan

1Always be ready to pivot in business and continuously learn. No matter what industry you're in, it changes constantly and you must stay relevant. Surround yourself with good mentors who help you learn as well.

2Stay

3Surround yourself with positive people who match your energy. You will bring out the best in each other.

Many young women look up to you as someone who made it. What lessons can you share with them?

A recipe for success

THIS

BAKERY OWNER

STARTED WITH INSPIRATION AND ADDED A DASH OF CALCULATED RISK

Nicole, they say 60% of restaurants fail in the first year and here you are, years later, and The G-Free Spot is a thriving bakery. What inspired you to launch a business in such a tough industry? Throughout my life and career, many people have inspired me to grow, take chances, fail and ultimately succeed. They have gifted me in so many ways by showing confidence in my abilities, supporting my risk-taking ventures and challenging me to push myself further than I imagined I was capable of. My children inspire me to grow continuously and become a better version of myself. They are why I chose to be who I am every day and do what I do. Setting the example of holding oneself to high standards and continuous improvement is the best way to impress upon them the importance of it in life.

We have had recessions, a pandemic and many challenges that have plagued local businesses. What has been the most major challenge you have faced? The biggest challenge I have overcome while continuing to struggle with is the feeling of inadequacy. Though it's likely a very unpopular trait for "successful" people to have, it's a reality I deal with. I regularly work through risk assessments and mitigation plans in an ongoing effort to avoid failure. It is the plight of someone who does not like to fail but also accepts that it is a reality we all must come to terms with.

What advice can you give our children, and our readers, to help them stay true to their vision? Don't be afraid to take calculated risks! Plan, prepare, and jump! You'll never be completely "ready"; just know that you're ready enough to make the best of it. Chances are, it will turn out differently than you had plannedlikely even better!

1Not everyone will be in your corner or cheering for you - that's ok; not everyone is meant to be. Own it, accept it, and be thankful for it. You find the most personal growth when challenged by those not cheering you on. These people will push you out of your comfort zone and for that, be thankful.

2Having a plan is great! Having a backup plan is even better. To accept that your life may look nothing like either of those plans is the most honest thing you can tell yourself. That's not to say you shouldn't plan; it’s merely an acceptance that we cannot even fathom what the world has in store for us - and that is the gift that keeps giving. 3Appreciate the ups and downs. Feel confident in who you are as an individual, approach each situation with the best of intentions and the realization that we, as humans, don't always make the best choices. Opportunities are plentiful, as are successes and failures. The loudest voice you hear is the one in your head - make sure she's talking nicely to you and paying you the respect you deserve.

Founder

Nicole Gardner

Have you learned some lessons along the way that you can share here?

Don’t burn the biscuits

THIS PERSONAL CHEF WILL NEVER STOP GROWING … OR COOKING

Chef Lynn, you have become known as “The East Coast Chef.” That is a pretty high pinnacle to have achieved. What inspired you to climb that mountain? My Nanny was my greatest inspiration as a businesswoman and cook. She grew up around the Naval Yard in the Irish, Italian, and Jewish parts of Brooklyn before her family moved to Bergen County, New Jersey. She was a mover and a shaker in her day, being a "Rosie the Riveter" type of gal. Nanny came from a family of strong women who always worked. Her father told her Celtic Irish stories and that she could do anything she put her mind to doing. During WW2, she worked in a butcher shop where they needed to save the extra fat and metals to give to the military during the war. Later, she wanted to drive a semi-truck and the boss said, "Sure, if you can get into the truck cab." Well, at just five feet tall, she put her hand on her hips and said, "Do you need a secretary for your trucking business?" She got the job. She always had extra potatoes to throw into the pot if others stopped by for dinner – she was a great cook and let me cook with her. Her classic advice to me growing up as an entrepreneur was to make sure all of your bills are paid, and if you have five dollars left over, that is a success. The ‘five dollars extra’ has changed over the years, yet the advice and hard work to achieve my goals has never changed.

Of the many challenges you faced during your journey, what would you say the biggest was? Finding balance. I put so much time and effort into building my business that I find it challenging to make time for my personal life. It has been a process and I can’t say I have completely overcome this challenge but by making a conscious effort to make time for friends, family and most importantly, myself, I am on the right track. I think my Nanny would be proud of how far I have come.

You are a role model for young businesswomen and future chefs. What is the one piece of advice you would give them? Never burn bridges. You never know when a previous bridge will appear on your future journey and path.

1Learn,

2“Don't

me to stay focused.

Many young women look up to you as someone who made it. What lessons can you share with them?

THREE LESSONS LEARNED

The appliance king is actually a queen

THIS BUSINESSWOMAN, COMMUNITY LEADER AND MOM LEADS WITH HER HEART

Brantley, you run an incredibly successful business, have a large family and still find time to give back to so many causes. What inspires you to give so much of yourself? My inspiration is my three sons, and I don’t mean the classic television show. My sons, ages 26, 23, and 20, give me their encouragement and support. They are what make me strive to be a better entrepreneur, boss and mom. I didn’t realize it at the time, but raising three boys helped prepare me to be a leader in a male-dominated industry. Nothing phases me anymore. With all that you have done to build Billy Wood Appliance into such an established company, you must have faced many challenges. Is there one challenge that you would call “the biggest?” Definitely being a female owner of a business in a male-dominated industry was, and still is, a challenge. As much as raising my boys helped prepare me, it wasn’t always easy being the only woman in a room or on a job. Fortunately, our industry is evolving, and more women are stepping into leadership roles in our industry.

Have you received one piece of advice that stands out, and you are willing to share? My father always advised me in any leadership role to surround myself with smart people, and I've always taken that to heart. I'm grateful to everyone on our Billy Wood Appliance team. Ronald Reagan said this best — "Surround yourself with great people; delegate authority; get out of the way."

Brantley King

1Change is the only thing we can count on in life. Adapt to changes in the industry and economic environment as quickly as possible. Don't ever get comfortable. For instance, I am constantly updating kitchen vignette displays to showcase both new appliance lines and kitchen trends in my showroom.

2Find people that believe in you. I was working with a bank that wasn't meeting my needs and was unsure of investing in my business and vision. I looked around and found a banker who not only believed in me and my vision, but continues to support me in new ventures to date. I believe it's been a win/ win for both of us. 3Jump right in. Get involved in your industry! For me, it was the Hilton Head Home Builders Association and Professional Women in Building. I have learned so much from both organizations, met wonderful people in my industry, oh, and had a little fun as well.

President Billy Wood Appliance

What 3 lessons have you learned as a businesswoman, community leader and mom?

Building on a legacy

THIS ENTREPRENEUR DRAWS ON GENERATIONAL PASSION FOR COMMUNITY AND DESIGN-BUILD CRAFT

Leah, you are a leader in the male-dominated homebuilding industry, which must not have been an easy feat. What was your inspiration not only to work in the industry but to have the vision to start a company? My family. My great grandfather founded Edwards Construction in 1905 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. My grandfather took over the family business, and my father still operates the company today. My grandmother and mother worked alongside my grandfather, drawing plans; my mother cultivated the company’s client experience and operations processes. Growing up it was impossible to go anywhere without running into someone who lived in a home my family built, or a trade professional who worked with Edwards Construction. I watched with admiration as my family members used those serendipitous moments as opportunities to meet a need. While the men and women who came before me were good stewards of their clients' investments, operated the family business with integrity and took pride in their craft, they were ultimately beloved for being builders of people. They used the family’s construction company to bring out the best in clients, employees and colleagues, minister in times of need and invest in the community.

Of the many challenges you faced in your personal and professional life, is there one that stands out as the most difficult to overcome? My inner critic. I've learned, and am still learning, that I will never master it all and cannot perfectly chart a route toward a desired outcome. This is, paradoxically, liberating. Loosening up on the reins frees me to take the next bold step. Is there one piece of advice you can share to inspire others to achieve their vision? It's common to think only about vision within the context of business. However, it's the vision for your individual life that gives context and energy to your business vision. Start by establishing your personal vision.

Leah England

You carry the wisdom of four generations. What are three of the most important lessons you have learned,

1Be as intentional with failure as you are with success.

what to give up, and focus on doing a few things exceptionally well that will move the needle.

2Give what you did not get, and give more. When you are in a position of generosity, ironically you are also in a position to receive.

or are learning?

Cooking to perfection

CHEF AMANDA WILL NEVER STOP GROWING, EVEN AFTER BEING RECOGNIZED AS A TOP CHEF.

Amanda, you are recognized as one of the top chefs in the Lowcountry as well as a leader in the community. What was your inspiration?

Growing up, I watched my parents teach Italian cooking classes out of our home in Michigan. I watched my mother, ever the entertainer, throw countless euchre parties and holiday gatherings, bake trays of lasagna and take them to sick neighbors, help cook at the church bazaar, using food as her vehicle to show love. My parents cooked us dinner almost every night, and in our home the meals we ate were simple and comforting. The food on the table was a conduit to the connection and the conversations where we would share our days of schoolwork and basketball practices, my parents prodding us with questions and offering gentle nudges toward better results. When I opened Pomodori, I envisioned it being an extension of our family home, where parents can bring their kids and connect over a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, where four spoons can fight over the last bite of tiramisu. I’ve had the privilege and honor of watching this dream come true countless times over the last 11 years, watching children and parents being raised right in front of me. That continued growth for my community is all the inspiration I will ever need, and I am eternally grateful for it.

You must have faced challenges. What was your biggest one? Undoubtedly a lack of experience was my biggest hurdle. I had only worked in two professional kitchens before I opened my own restaurant, which is practically unheard of. Luckily, I had wonderful mentors and guides along the way who helped me hone and shape the restaurant we are today. My own skills and abilities also have sharpened throughout my career, particularly with the advent of Driftwood Catering, a business born solely of my desire to continue growing and evolving in my love of food and entertaining. Where there’s a will…

If you could share one piece of advice to people trying to make it in a pretty competitive industry, what would it be? Treat everyone with respect and appreciation, and you will always have plenty of helping hands.

THREE LESSONS LEARNED

1Pick up the broom. The manager of my first restaurant in Charleston comes to mind when I think of lessons learned. He never asked us to sweep the kitchen; he just picked up the broom and started doing it. Inevitably one of us would go over and take it from him. Never ask anybody to do anything that you yourself are not willing to do. If you lead by example, you will always have someone there to take the broom. 2

Show gratitude to those who help you. One of the reasons I think our restaurant is so beloved by our community is that our staff has stayed the same for over a decade. This wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t love and appreciate every single member of our Pomodori family.

Balance is everything. I am at my most productive when my work life and personal life are in harmony. Prioritizing my wife and kids, my sleep, exercise, and connecting with friends and family frees me up to not only run my company to the best of my ability, but to do so with joy and peace, both of which are utterly contagious.

Amanda

Russ Cifaldi

The intersection of hard work and kindness

THIS INTERIOR DESIGNER IS POSITIVE BY DESIGN

Leslie, you have built a thriving retail boutique and interior design company. Opening and operating one business is difficult, much less two. What inspired you to set your sights so high? Without a doubt, my mother was my inspiration. When I am having a rough day or facing a challenge, I think about what she did to raise our family, and that reminds me that I can do anything. My beloved father struggled with mental and alcohol issues, so the burdens of raising three children and providing for the family fell solely on my mother’s shoulders. She was an incredibly strong and hard-working woman who did everything with such style and grace. She was a positive role model for me as a person and a businesswoman who inspired me to work hard, care for others and never give up, regardless of how big a challenge may seem. I hope that my design and retail businesses reflect her style and grace. Of the many challenges you have faced in your personal and professional life, is there one you recall thinking was the most difficult? I’m not sure if putting myself through college or moving to Washington D.C. without a job was the biggest challenge I faced. Let’s call that one a tie. I never took no for an answer and with hard work and determination, I found my path in life and happiness. I learned to look ahead and not dwell on the past to move forward.

If you could give just one piece of advice to help someone achieve their vision for success, what would that be? Follow your passion while surrounding yourself with positive people.

Rush to conclusions

A spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission

THE WORDS OF A ‘70S ROCKER ARE STILL RELEVANT TODAY

NNeil Peart, drummer and lyricist of the legendary rock band, Rush, was a smart guy. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician and celebrated author looked to philosophy, mythology and fantasy as inspiration for his lyrics and musical vision. Though he was often referred to as a visionary, like most visionaries Peart was also a student. He joined Rush in 1979 and as recently as 2007 took drumming lessons. He was a voracious reader. He embraced technology and launched a website in 2009. Visionaries are always learning. Even if you have a vision like Peart’s drum skills, perhaps it can be improved.

The good news is you can create a vision and can achieve the results you want. Just ask Mama Odie. If you don’t know where to start, try a one-page business plan, or take a crack at a vision and mission statement. Often the most difficult part is getting started. ■

“We sometimes catch a window A glimpse of what’s beyond Was it just imagination Stringing us along? More things than are dreamed about Unseen and unexplained We suspend our disbelief And we are entertained.”

— MYSTIC RHYTHMS, RUSH

Every successful person has a vision. Neil Peart of Rush is a classic example and a classic rocker.

One-page business plan

Writing a business plan does not need to be as daunting as it sounds. This one-page approach captures most of the critical points and will help you gather your thoughts and articulate your vision.

VISION

This section should articulate your hopes and dreams for the business. You can write a vision statement. For example:

• What are you building? What do you see this business becoming in x years?

• How do you plan to grow the business and to what degree? For example, will you hire employees, open up branch outlets, or take the business public?

BUSINESS OVERVIEW (OR MISSION)

The business overview or mission should describe how you intend to achieve your vision.

For example:

• What services will you provide? What is the target market that will buy your services? How will your service offerings address the needs of customers; for example, what is your unique selling proposition? How will you provide your services?

PRICING STRATEGY

The pricing strategy section needs to demonstrate how your business will be profitable. Summarize your projected revenue and expenses:

• How much will you charge for your services? Briefly describe how your pricing will be competitive enough to attract customers but be high enough to generate a profit after subtracting expenses.

• What is your break-even?

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION

This section describes how you intend to get the word out to customers about your services. For example:

• What are the most efficient ways to market your services? For example, will you market them via a business website, email, social media or newspapers?

• Will you use sales promotional methods such as pricing discounts for new customers?

• What marketing materials will be used — business cards, flyers or brochures? Referrals?

OBJECTIVES

This section lists your objectives and metrics for success by time frame as well as potential questions or challenges. For example:

• Capture 20 percent of the local market share by year-end

• Gain five steady customers in the first six months of operation

• Earn a net income of $50,000 for the first fiscal year

ACTION PLANS

Briefly describe the action items needed to achieve your objectives, using milestone dates. For example:

• By "date" a fully equipped home office will be completed.

• By "date" purchase of delivery van negotiated with dealer.

• By "date" social media marketing plan in place and potential customers connected via Facebook.

The hardest part in defining your vision Getting started

AAs with many things in business and life, getting started is the most difficult part. Defining your company’s vision, mission and values can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. All you need is a whiteboard, markers and a cross-section of people on your team. You can make it more complicated, but you don’t have to. Use this cheat sheet and put a long list of words on your board. You will see which ones resonate, then narrow it down. This first step is just that, a first step, but that is usually the most difficult step. Don’t be surprised if you have fun in the process. There are many ways to define mission, vision and values — we thought this graphic provides a simple way to start.

CHEAT SHEET: DEFINITIONS

MISSION STATEMENT

What an organization does and for whom.

VISION STATEMENT

What an organization desires to achieve in the long run (usually 5-10 years).

VALUE STATEMENTS

Beliefs, philosophies and principles that drive your organization.

MAMA ODIE'S

Q1 BusinessScope

WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WORK, A RAISE, OR A PROMOTION, LOOK TO THE STARS TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE IS HEADED.

Aries

Rams are known to act first and think later, but you might surprise yourself with a change of pace this quarter. You’re starting the year on an introspective (and intense) note as you contemplate the goals and resolutions you have for not only 2023 but the next few years of your career. Ask yourself, what is it you really want? If your answer is anything other than what you have – or what you’re doing – right now, then it may be time for some course correction.

Taurus

Keep your eyes peeled, Taurus, and get ready to dodge a curveball you didn’t see coming. Bulls have a reputation for being steady, stubborn and slow to change their minds, but this quarter you might have to rely on the lessons you’ve learned since 2020 about pivoting at a moment's notice. But not all change is for the worse, even sudden change. Sometimes what didn’t work out for you really did work out for you (go ahead and read that again).

Leo

No one needs to tell you to set your sights on a goal this quarter, Leo, but a little encouragement might be nice. You’re not afraid of a challenge, but you don’t appreciate an obstacle course, especially when your hard work and determined efforts get stymied. This quarter things will start to ease up to the point where you can start making real progress on your next project, but be careful that you don’t set things in motion so fast that eventually they run away from you.

Virgo

How about a little rest after a hectic holiday season, Virgo? This quarter you’re finally ready to take your foot off the gas, feel the breeze in your hair and possibly take a much-needed getaway. Virgos are typically “planners,” but everyone needs to loosen their grip on the wheel every once in a while. You could find yourself on a detour – or even a reroute – on your way to achieving your 2023 goals. But be cautious about putting all systems in cruise control; you never know when roadblocks will come up that need to be dealt with.

Sagittarius

Give your indie spirit a short sabbatical this quarter, Sag. This quarter is a fabulous time to build and nurture key connections that will help you get ahead. And with your powers of attraction stronger than ever, new contacts will most likely be coming to you. Go outside your usual circle, and invite a potential mentor, investor or supervisor out to lunch. Be clear about your goals, and remember reciprocity. Make sure you follow up with a handwritten thank-you card. (We know, we know. So last millennium.)

Capricorn

Cue the slow-mo walk-out music, Capricorn. This quarter you did not come to play. Whether or not advancing your leadership skills or taking charge of a committee was on your New Year’s resolutions list, you’ll find yourself stepping up to the plate this quarter. And the best part? People are eager to be on your team. How you manage yourself and others over the next few months will determine your position for the rest of the year, so choose your moves wisely.

Gemini

If someone were to make a documentary about this quarter, it would probably be titled, “Gemini: The Uncut Version,” because you’re ready to tell it like it is. You’re probably known for having the “gift of gab.” But for better or worse, you’re not holding back this quarter. On the one hand, this is an excellent time to finally share that idea you’ve been incubating, agree to be a keynote speaker at your next conference or have those tough conversations with your new hires (you know the ones). On the other hand, check yourself before you say something you might regret later.

Cancer

You know what they say, Cancer: clear desk, clear mind. Well, at least WE said it! This quarter’s systematic star map has you running like a well-oiled machine and could prompt a decluttering spree to help you get even more organized at home and in the office. Streamline, simplify and prioritize, Crab, then pare your to-do list down to the essentials too.

Libra

How’s the weather up there? When the pressure starts building, it’s a good time to bring things back down to Earth (and avoid flying too close to the sun). You might be inspired to put all kinds of plans into motion in the first few months of the year, but launching even two or three new products can lead to an exponential number of meetings, moving parts and deadlines. Instead focus your energies on one project – and only one –until you have the capacity to take on more.

Scorpio

As we say here in the South, get ‘er done, Scorpio! For the first few months of the year, you’re all about getting down to business and tending to the nuts and bolts of your work and finances. To keep things fun, set small goals and then reward your progress along the way. Surely there’s a decadent treat or two that will keep you motivated.

Aquarius

Aquarians are ever the individualists, but this quarter two’s your magic number. Although you're an independent sign by nature, you need people – and now is the time to put a few key players in place to support your mission. This is one of the most social times of the year for you and possibly your favorite quarter because of it. You might be the visionary (it’s like this issue was written for you!), but you’ll need multiple minds and manpower to make it happen.

Pisces

Just keep swimming, Pisces. The beginning of the year feels like a slog for many of us, but you might find yourself wondering, wasn’t the holiday rush supposed to be the hard part? Don’t feel pressured to hit the ground running right after the busiest time of the year. Call in reinforcements, reconnect with your personal interests, and take a mental health day when you need it. Those 2023 projections can wait one more day.

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#Trendingcocktails

2023 DRINK TRENDS

BY IWANA BEVVIE

TThere are fashion trends, color trends and, yes drink trends. Stay on point and be in the know with this look into the future.

Hard seltzers

These ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages will stay popular, thanks to their convenience and variety. Watch for expanded options including a variety of alcohols.

Premium cocktails

2022 saw a rise in the sale of premium spirits, according to a global survey conducted by Bacardi. This trend is expected to continue, despite worries about a shifting economy. Watch for a greater appreciation of a drink’s production and origin.

Low and no-alcohol drinks

As health consciousness continues to grow, so to will consumers’ quests for less alcohol. Watch for venues and restaurants catering to this trend on their menus with new drink options, including CBD drinks.

Spritzers

Thanks to the Aperol Spritz craze that kicked off summer beverage marketing beginning in 2018, younger drinkers’ habits include spritzes year round. Watch for new flavors, pretty garnishes and more RTD options.

Flavored spirits

Flavored vodka is not new, and flavored gin was the big thing in 2022. This trend will continue with more innovative flavor combinations. Watch for small-batch infusions at premium prices.

COCKTAIL CLASSES

Take your cocktail game up a notch with a mixology class (or two) that will leave you inspired to shake up delicious and creative sips like never before. Scan this QR code to browse classes available at Hilton Head Distillery.

Fun stuff

YOU'VE WORKED HARD. NOW LAUGH A LITTLE.

DDo you have a funnier punchline? Now is your chance for 15 minutes of fame. Email your caption to info@localbiz.com, and we’ll share the best submissions on social media.

Brain Tease

Things aren't always what they appear. Not everyone sees the same thing. Does it quack or does it hop?

WHAT DO YOU MEME?

So you think you're funny? Visit quickmeme.com and create a meme. Others will vote, so you can see if you have a career in comedy.

MENSA MONDAYS

Start your week off right by correctly answering a fun and challenging question on LOCAL Biz’s Facebook or Instagram pages (LocalBizSC). Questions are similar to those on the Mensa Admission Test, so be sure to have a pen and paper handy. You will definitely need to write down your thoughts to figure out the correct answer.

©QUICKMEME.COM

"What if, and I know this sounds kooky, we shared our vision with employees."

"He finally had time to develop a company vision."

For ideas and inspo, follow us on:

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Linked In @localbiz-b2b-media-group

LOCAL Biz B2B Marketplace

Welcome to the LOCAL Biz B2B Marketplace. This section was created to help local businesses do business with each other. We are appreciative and proud of every LOCAL Biz advertiser — they are leaders in their industries, and they chose LOCAL Biz as an investment in their growth.These companies and professionals have a lot to offer, and we hope you will consider them when making your purchase decisions.

AlphaGraphics alphagraphics.com

The David Dale Team at EXP Realty DavidDale.com

Beverly Serral Properties beverlyserral.com Billy Wood Appliance billywoodappliance.com

Chef Lynn Michelle, The East Coast Chef cheflynnmichelle.com

Custom Audio Video ustom-audio-video.com

Don Ryan Center for Innovation donryancenter.com

Eagle Creations eaglecreations16.com

Equity Payment equitypayment.com

The G-Free Spot thegfreespot.com

H&R Block hrblock.com

Hargray hargray.com KML Computer Services kmlcs.com

Marsh on the May marshonthemay.com

Pay Proudly payproudly.com

Pomodori Italian Eatery gopomodori.com

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport savannahairport.com

SCORE SC Lowcountry sclowcountry.score.org

Smart Marketing Communications martmarketingcommunications.com

Weichert Realtors karenryanrealtor.com

Expand your business

Does your payment system offer contactless transactions, POS, a broad range of payment options, e-commerce and mobile transactions, all with personal service?

Equity Payments does.

support@equitypayment.com 843-628-0505

MakeMoney@EquityPayment.com

LocalBiz Magazine

Reach 15,000 Lowcountry business decisionmakers by advertising in this magazine. All packages include digital and social media as well as complimentary ad design.

Info@WeAreLocalBizSC.com 843 -802-2258

Localbizsc.com

Proudly Payment Processing

Proudly is a fresh concept business platform for credit card processing for any business owner who provides an extraordinary opportunity to give back to a cause that is important to them at no additional expense to their company.

carla@payproudly.com 843-540-6338

Payproudly.com

Custom Audio Video

From the boardroom to the ballroom, our outstanding products and services provide solid options for any audio, video or integration your business needs.

48 Pennington Drive, Suite B, Bluffton 843-815-5130

Custom-Audio-Video.com

400 Main Street

Turnkey executive office suites from $450/ month. Many include wifi, utilities, cleaning. Parking and close to Main Street Village.

400 Main Street, Hilton Head 843-681-6800

HiltonHeadLongTermRentals.com

Property Owner Lists

Your direct mail will reach the right audience with the most accurate and targeted specialty mailing lists and targeting strategy.

bruce@propertyownerlists.com 843-301-3788

propertyownerlists.com

How to create a vision board

A FUN EXERCISE WITH A SURPRISING OUTCOME

A vision board can be created on anything – a corkboard, a whiteboard, paper or even a word document.

To get started:

1. Create a list of the goals you want to achieve this year.

2. Gather magazines with beautiful pictures (if you don’t want to damage your LOCAL Life magazines, stop by our office and pick up some extra copies).

3. Find images that inspire you, and cut them out.

4. Make a collage with the images. You can put them on the board any way you want, random or categories. Be creative.

5. Put your board where you will see it every day, and work toward your goals.

THOUGHT-STARTER

Here are some categories and a structured format for possible goals for your board.