Jo Anne & Tony Rizza
Hilton Head Real Estate Partners
Jo Anne and Tony Rizza are living proof that shared vision, hard work, and deep mutual respect can create something truly exceptional, both in life and in business. Partners in every sense of the word, Jo Anne and Tony have carved a unique path on Hilton Head Island as entrepreneurs, Realtors®, and longtime community supporters.
Jo Anne began her real estate career on Long Island, gaining 10 years of experience before moving to Hilton Head Island in 1997. That same year, Tony made a life-changing transition after 35 years in a successful broadcasting career in Pittsburgh, running station groups for different companies. He became a licensed Realtor® and followed his heart – and the sunshine – to Hilton Head as well. Though they arrived separately, fate brought them together, and in 2008, Jo Anne and Tony were married.
Shortly after tying the knot, Jo Anne and Tony bought the direct mail marketing franchise RSVP Hilton Head. Over the course of 18 years, they built it into one of the area’s most effective and respected marketing platforms. Known for its high-quality, targeted approach, the business gave them an insider’s view of the Hilton Head market and a deep understanding of the needs of local homeowners and business owners alike.
In 2009, combining their shared passion for real estate and their entrepreneurial spirit, Jo Anne and Tony founded Hilton Head Real Estate Partners. What started as a vision quickly became a boutique-style real estate company known for its concierge-level service, professionalism, and personal touch. Now home to 14 dedicated agents, the firm has grown under their leadership while still maintaining a tight-knit, client-first philosophy.
In 2024, Jo Anne was named Realtor® of the Year by the Hilton Head Area Realtors®, an honor that reflects the very heart of what she and Tony have built together. Additionally, Jo Anne will serve as president of that organization in 2026.
Whether negotiating deals, mentoring agents, or giving back to the Lowcountry community they love, Jo Anne and Tony are a true team. Their journey has been defined by growth, adaptability, and an unshakable belief in each other.
From Pittsburgh and Long Island to the heart of Hilton Head Island, Jo Anne and Tony Rizza continue to inspire with their partnership, proving that when the foundation is strong, there’s no limit to what a dynamic duo can achieve.
Tristan O’Grady & Rick Saba
The Rick Saba Team, Coast brokered by EXPrealty
When two great minds work together, they can accomplish anything, as evidenced by the fantastic array of dynamic duos featured on these pages. Tristan O’Grady and Rick Saba are perfect examples of this, having combined their forces as preeminent real estate professionals to build COAST Brokered by eXp. But they’ll be the first to tell you that behind every dynamic duo there is at least a terrific trio, and occasionally a septuagint (that’s a group of 70, for all you language nerds).
“We’re kind of the front men. It was our vision, but the success we’ve had has really been an effort of the team itself – the agents and our support team,” O’Grady said. “That’s about 70 Realtors between our office and the Bluffton office led by our partners, Tisha and Liz.”
“It’s such a team atmosphere and the culture here is incredible,” Saba said. “It feeds our success and we hope it feeds their success.”
The trio that works closest with O’Grady and Saba are Donna Gilmore, Kasie Leroux, and Caroline Rankin. As director of operations, Gilmore leads the charge and has been a key factor in COAST’s growth. “Without them, the path to success would have definitely been more complex,” O’Grady said.
Kasie Leroux, Caroline Rankin, and Donna Gilmore
Leroux serves as a liaison between COAST and the eXp, helping every agent at COAST take full advantage of the support, lead generation, and new products offered by the global brokerage. As listing manager, Rankin seamlessly manages every aspect of the process, keeping everyone on track.
“They all have their own roles. Together we succeed,” Saba said. “And together, we built the No. 1 volume team in South Carolina for eXp brokerage. We’re very proud of that.”
Frederika & Michael Feketé
Java Burrito
It’s one thing to balance the dynamic of business partners and spouses. When you throw in the dynamics of being new parents and living where you work? It takes real chemistry to keep that many balls in the air. But for Frederika and Michael Feketé, owners of Java Burrito on Hilton Head Island and in Savannah, it was all a labor of love.
“We lived above our restaurant in Savannah. It was a really amazing time in our lives in an old school kind of way, but tough to establish a real boundary of where work ended and home life began. Michael knew if he needed to be downstairs for any reason, he could be there in two minutes, which has pros and cons for sure,” Frederika said. “Now that we are back on Hilton Head Island, having that work/life boundary feels a little easier.”
For 13 years, the couple has worked hand-in-hand creating their shared vision of a place where mouth-watering fast, fresh, casual Mexican cuisine and gourmet coffee coexist in a community setting. Their efforts have created one of the most popular spots for locals and visitors to grab a cup in the morning and a bite in the afternoon. And they’ve built it on the strength of the unique chemistry that has made them a family.
“It’s an organic working relationship. We think it’s a lot of fun. And we’re probably a rare breed,” Frederika said. “We’re both driven, we both played college sports, and I think that competitiveness creates that drive factor we both go after.”
And having built their empire together, while finally giving themselves a little space to breathe by moving out of the restaurant building, they are ready to take the time to keep that dynamic moving.
“Being entrepreneurs, there’s no one to replace you. But we have a great team,” she said. “I’m trying to figure out how to capitalize on slower times to book those vacations. We’re figuring out that rhythm.”
Hilton Head Island 1000 William Hilton Pkwy., Ste. J6 (843) 842-5282
Savannah 420 E. Broughton Street (912) 298-5282
javaburrito.com . @javaburritocompany
Darrel & Nancy Quinn
Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers
Darrel and Nancy Quinn aren’t just spouses and business partners. For the past 50 years (an anniversary they celebrated this past June), they have been the yin to one another’s yang. Darrel’s boisterously youthful energy truly resonates with Nancy’s reserved brilliance, angling off one another in a multitude of facets that sparkle under the light of the business they’ve created together.
“But I know who the boss is,” Darrel said. “I think the secret is that I make her laugh every day. Sometimes I make her cry, but for the most part I make her laugh. Our first Christmas together, I gave her a really nice set of pots and pans and she cried.”
“Your mom and dad owned a jewelry story. Wouldn’t you expect jewelry for your first Christmas?” Nancy said with a wry smile. “My pots and pans ended up with dents in them.”
Their laughter harmonizing across glass cases of sparkling jewelry, Nancy then mimed hitting Darrel on the head with an imaginary frying pan.
Laughter like this, and the ability to poke fun at one another, has sustained their marriage beyond their golden anniversary. But it’s their keen ability to play into one another’s strengths that has helped make Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers what it is.
“We have our own departments,” Darrel said. “But I get fired maybe twice a day.”
“I do most of the buying, and he comes in on the diamonds. We both have degrees from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) but his went more in-depth on diamonds and grading,” Nancy said. “So, if someone has a lot of questions about diamonds, I’ll call him in … a lot of times we’ll ping-pong.”
Their ability to seamlessly hand off customers to one another, trusting that the other can better serve that particular customer, isn’t just something that they organically developed. At one point, they hired a consultant who laid out exactly why their dynamic works so well in the store.
“The consultant told us Darrel goes in a serpentine pattern where he goes in for the sale then talks about anything but the sale. Sports, life history … then he’ll eventually close it. And he told us I’m a little more direct,” Nancy said. “I have customers that are more comfortable with me, and he has customers that are more comfortable with him.”
Having built their business together for the past 48 years on the strength of that dynamic, they’ve come to know those customers. And that relationship is a big reason why the Quinns take such painstaking care of them. Policies like their 100% trade-in on diamonds and their lifetime guarantee keep those relationships strong.
“You can’t go wrong. The customer is a winner, and we’re a winner. You look like a hero when they break a chain and can take it back in,” Darrel said.
While you’re in getting it repaired or trading it in for something new, you can enjoy the beautiful chemistry of a couple who have enjoyed 50 years of love, laughter, and sparkling jewelry.
Village at Wexford – 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, Suite G5 (843) 342-6663 diamondland.com
Randy Rose & Steve Krehbiel
Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers
How long have you known each other, and how did you meet initially? We have known each other since 2018. We met because I approached Steve to come work for me. We were very busy at the office and Steve was willing to join our team.
At what point did you decide to work together and why? When Steve and I met and started to work together, we just meshed well.
What strengths do you each bring to the business? Steve and I both have decades of experience of helping people to hear and understand speech better.
What happens when you both strongly disagree on something? How do you work through that? We generally do not disagree. We always put the patients first and we both have the same goals in achieving patient satisfaction.
Tell us one thing about the other that makes you really enjoy working together. We both have a great sense of humor and are able to not take things personally.
Hilton Head Island 1505 Main Street, (843) 476-4038
Bluffton, 108 Buckwalter Pkwy., Suite 2G
, 843) 476-4038
rosehearinghealthcarecenters.com
Scott Evans & John Sturm
John’s Music
In the world of guitars, there are essentially two schools: electric and acoustic. The electric sound can fill an arena, but it requires an intricate knowledge of voltage, current, resistance, and wattage to ensure you don’t blow a fuse. The acoustic sound relies only on ancient knowledge of vibration, resonance, and the acoustic properties of various types of wood.
Each is an artform unto itself, but despite their differences, they have one thing in common: you can’t rock without them.
This dynamic of electric and acoustic, analog and digital is what has made Scott Evans and John Sturm such a perfect pairing in running John’s Music. When Evans purchased the iconic New Orleans Road shop in 2010, he realized that his sound harmonized perfectly with Sturm.
“We agreed to work for a couple of years together after the purchase. He was just going to show me the ropes of retail because I’d never worked retail before,” Evans said. “After a while we realized this is kind of a two-man job and we work well together, so why don’t we stick to it.”
Sturm, who had been running the shop solo, found that this new dynamic let him focus on the part of the business he loved.
“I like to work on acoustics. Electrics, I never paid a lot of attention to. And Scott’s like a master setting them up,” Sturm said, adding in his own colorful way that “At least, no one ever [complains] about it, right?”
That last quote was, obviously, edited for print. But if you’ve been to John’s Music and have seen the stage show put on by the intersection of these two big personalities, you know that it had them both laughing.
23 New Orleans Road – Hilton Head Island, (843) 842-5225, johnsmusichhi.com
Senny & Steve Powell
Island Child
How long have you known each other, and how did you meet initially?
Senny: I was hired as the art teacher at a junior high school and Steve taught English, speech, and drama next door. He was president of the teachers union and they went on strike. I was grateful to have a job and crossed the picket lines. That was 48 years ago. The rest is history!
Steve: We were both teachers. Our classrooms were next door to each other. That was in the mid-’70s in Chicago.
At what point did you decide to work together and why?
Senny: When a fellow teacher announced that they were expecting, I began making a baby quilt. I love to sew and my gifts were well received. I began creating appliquéd T-shirts, complete nursery decor, a selection of personalized pillows for babies and children. Steve began hand painting fabric and I would make it into clothing or pillows. The teachers encouraged me to take my products to stores. I wasn’t comfortable doing that so Steve took them to the shops … we had them all over Chicago and suburbs. We even had them in a shop at Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue. We began doing craft fairs all over Chicago and the suburbs. From March through December, we packed up our station wagon and sold our wares every weekend. We worked together from the very beginning.
Steve: It was natural that we worked together. We started the small cottage industry together. When we moved to Hilton Head Island and bought an existing retail store, we continued to spend our time and energy together.
What strengths do you each bring to the business?
Senny: I love selecting the clothing and curating a collection of items for babies and children that celebrates the sweetness and innocence of childhood.
Steve: I like the business side and working with technology and the marketing of our business.
What happens when you both strongly disagree on something? How do you work through that?
Senny: We listen to each other and work through to a solution.
Steve: I typically give in.
How have your individual roles evolved since you started working together?
Senny: I work out front helping customers make their selections. I organize and rearrange the store as new merchandise arrives. I make most of the buying decisions, however I always ask for Steve’s opinion before making it final.
Steve: I stay behind the scenes and put out the fires.
What advice do you have to people going into business together?
Senny: Work as a team. Confer and discuss every crossroad together. Listen and respect each other’s opinion, even if you disagree.
Steve: Make sure the other person knows you value them.
Tell us one thing about the other that makes you really enjoy working together.
Senny: I love his creative, innovative spirit. I could have never done this without him!
Steve: Senny has an incredible ability to just know what is the best merchandise. I marvel at her.
Village at Wexford – 1000 William Hilton Parkway, (843) 686-5437, shopislandchild.com
Linda & Heath Prosser
Alfred’s Restaurant
For those locals who have become fervent followers of the culinary magic at Alfred’s, there is no need to introduce Linda and Heath Prosser. The couple have been the face of this island institution since taking over ownership five years ago.
Theirs was a fascinating journey to the island, starting with their working on a cruise ship, where she was a purser and he was training under chefs from all over the world. Moving to the island in 2000 after Heath gained his certification under Austrian chefs, they each worked at several places before taking the reins at Alfred’s.
They got the keys just in time for COVID lockdowns.
“We did whatever we needed to do to make it through, from charity meals to putting veal chops in a box! We made it through, and we actually increased our business by adding outdoor seating,” Linda said. “Now we’re busy most nights and guests have to book two weeks in advance for prime time slots.”
Their success at Alfred’s is a direct result of the unbeatable chemistry of this husband-and-wife team.
“We complement each other well. He’s an excellent chef, he makes everything from scratch with his team, negotiates with the purveyors, and works the line most nights, and I do pretty much everything else,” Linda said. “Marketing, payroll, accounting – the actual running of the business side of things. … In the beginning I was in the restaurant more, but now I’m more out of the spotlight.”
As Linda moves out of the limelight, their managers, brothers Trent and Ian Jones – another Dynamic Duo – have taken on the front of the house role.
“Now we’re all working on the business,” Linda said. “My job is to make sure we’re full, the Jones brothers give excellent service, and Heath’s job is to keep people coming back for the amazing cuisine. It seems to be working and we are loving it.”
807 William Hilton Pkwy., Suite 120, (843) 920-3026, alfredshhi.com
Dennis Jaworski & Chuck Hall
Palmettoes
How long have you known each other, and how did you meet initially? Dennis Jaworski: We met in 1998. Chuck was a customer of mine at Acorn (formerly a men’s and women’s store in Sea Pines Center), and he became a friend.
At what point did you decide to work together and why? DJ: Once I learned of Chuck’s background as a buyer for Neiman Marcus, I thought there might be an opportunity there. I asked if he would assist me in the buying for Acorn. He decided to come on, and that was the beginning of a long friendship and work partnership.
What strengths do you each bring to the business? DJ: My background was in menswear and Chuck’s was in womenswear, so we were able to meld those two specialties together to create a winning team. In 2005, we decided to break away and start our own business, and Palmettoes was born. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years.
What happens when you both strongly disagree on something? How do you work through that? DJ: This most often happens when we are on buying trips. If we don’t agree on a line or an issue, we pass on it. We’ve found that things just work better if everyone is on the same page.
How have your individual roles evolved since you started working together? DJ: My role has changed in that it now involves a lot more office time. Chuck has become the lead on the floor, making sure our customers feel welcome and well taken care of.
What advice do you have to people going into business together? DJ: First of all, be sure you have compatible personalities so you understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I tend to be really good at merchandising (dressing the floor in an attractive way to bring customers in). Chuck is charming and fun to be around, and that is really an asset to the store.
Tell us one thing about the other that makes you really enjoy working together. DJ: Becoming known as “the boys” in the community — as the faces of Palmettoes. CH: We work great as a team and strive to make people happy in our store.
The Shops at Sea Pines Center, Hilton Head Island, 71 Lighthouse Road – (843) 363-6800
Jonathan & Claudine Vaughan
Evergreen Pet Lodge
The love and support shared between the husband-and-wife duo Jonathan & Claudine Vaughan has been the driving force behind Evergreen Pet Lodge since they bought the business 11 years ago. Which only makes sense – their love affair started right at the front desk, 35 years ago.
“I was boarding my dog there. We obviously shared a love of animals,” said Claudine.
“What’s really cool about Claudine and I is that we don’t just love each other, we really like each other,” added Jonathan. “We’re each other’s favorite person.”
Their union, forged at the front desk at the business they now own, has seen them build on Evergreen Pet Lodge’s already vaunted reputation of high-quality care, deep roots in the community and a playful spirit. Today, through their boarding, grooming, and daycare services, they’ve built a true family around Evergreen—fueled by the pride they take in creating lasting relationships with every client.
With their recent expansion, having purchased the former Red Rover on the South End, they now launch into the next phase of their professional lives. The launch of Evergreen South, expected around Christmas, will not only give Claudine her chance to run the show, it could also completely change the game when it comes to animal care.
“I’m going to be more hands-on, but what I’m really excited about is the way we’re renovating it into a boutique boarding facility with some real state-of-the-art equipment,” she said. That includes high-tech enclosures, cutting-edge grooming and cleaning equipment, and modern cleaning protocols. “Since COVID, the industry has blown up and there are so many new things that have come out to help us in this boarding industry.”
The couple’s exhaustive search through trade shows and manufacturers has resulted in the cream of the crop when it comes to new technology. At Evergreen South, automatic cleaning systems will take care of messes in a heartbeat. Advanced canine grass and updated play equipment in the expanded exercise yard will let dogs run to their heart’s content while allowing for easy cleanup. And a UV system will ensure no germs survive to harm your furry friends. And don’t think they’re going to let the dogs have all the fun – the all-new “cattery” will give feline guests a chance to enjoy some pampering.
It’s going to be a whole new experience at Evergreen South. The only thing that won’t change is the dedication to giving your pets the very best. “If you thought Red Rover was special, wait until you see what we’ve done,” Claudine said. “It’s truly one-of-a-kind for the Lowcountry.”
Hilton Head Island N 105 Dillon Road, (843) 681-8354, evergreenpetlodgehhi.com
Hilton Head Island S 25 Bow Circle, (843) 671-9274, theredrover.info
Anna Pepper Hewett & Emily Burden
Gigi’s
If you want to see the sisterly dynamic that has helped Anna Pepper Hewett and Emily Burden become such great business partners, you need only to step inside Gigi’s Bluffton, the boutique they opened 17 years ago and have turned into a favorite Lowcountry shop.
“We tell our customers all the time, feel free to just come and hang out,” Anna Pepper said. “That’s why we have barstools at the counter, sit and stay a while!”
To Anna Pepper and Emily, the store has always been about the people and the relationships cultivated amongst employees, customers, and the community.
To better understand the duo is to know that, while the Vaux sisters are at the helm, their faith and family are the driving forces, and the commitment to their clients is carried by the ladies who work at Gigi’s.
When asked them about being a duo, however, they quickly responded that they are actually a trio, with God being at their center. “God gave us all different strengths,” the ladies both said. “Anna Pepper focuses more on the merchandising and creative side, while I’m more on the numbers and business side,” Emily said.
What else works for this partnership? “Being respectful of each other – which may mean swallowing our own pride, owning a mistake, and apologizing,” Anna Pepper said. “A lot of our relationship is being open to learning and growing, which at times isn’t always roses and can be uncomfortable, but it has made us stronger.”
And it’s this special recipe that keeps the customers coming back again and again. The laughter (check out their fashionably candid and hilarious Instagram Lives every Wednesday), styles, and age-spanning sisterhood all hinge on the most golden of rules: “Just treat people like you want to be treated,” Emily said. “Oh, and tell your mama we said ‘hey’!”
40 Calhoun Street – Bluffton, (843) 815 4450, gigisbluffton.com
John & Tim O’Gorman
Okatie Ale House & Daddy O’s
There are few bonds closer than the one that exists between brothers. That indelible bond can be a huge benefit when brothers decide to go into business with each other – just ask the Warner brothers, Walt and Roy Disney, or Wilbur and Orville Wright. If you need a more current example, just follow the crowds to the Okatie hotspot where Okatie Ale House and Daddy O’s Beer, Wine & Spirits keep the vibe pulsing. There you’ll find the two-pronged empire of the famed O’Gorman brothers, John and Tim.
“What’s funny is that we’ve been business partners for the last 25 years, the last 18 of which have been running Daddy O’s and Okatie Ale House,” said John. “And even though we’re on either side of a parking lot, sometimes it feels like miles away.”
The division of labor sees John running the liquor store while Tim runs the restaurant, a natural outgrowth of John’s side hustle as an in-demand solo artist and member of Vannah and the Rump Shakers.
“The key is, John got the liquor side of the partnership because he’s an entertainer and the liquor store closes at 7,” said Tim. “Then he can go to a gig or play at the bar.”
Those gigs, along with regular lunch meetings between the brothers, help make that parking lot seem a little smaller and keep these brothers’ shared business ventures humming along.
Bluffton 25 William Pope Drive, (843) 706-2537,okatiealehouse.com
Daddy O’s 6B Young Clyde Court, (843) 757-2522
Dr. K. Craig Boatright & Dr. Jeffery Reuben
Spine Institute of the Carolinas
Behind every great medical program is a team of remarkable people – and at Novant Health Hilton Head Medical Center, the success of the award-winning orthopedic spine surgery program is anchored in one of the most enduring and effective partnerships in modern spine care: Dr. Jeffery Reuben and Dr. Craig Boatright.
Together, these two renowned surgeons lead a program that’s not only setting clinical standards but also reshaping what’s possible for patients suffering from complex spinal conditions. Their journey – rooted in mutual trust, respect, and more than two decades of friendship – has become a blueprint for what true collaboration in medicine can look like.
Dr. Reuben and Dr. Boatright first crossed paths during their fellowship interviews at Emory University. A professional connection sparked instantly, and so did a friendship. They quickly knew they wanted to work together someday.
That someday came in 2008 when the opportunity arose for Dr. Boatright to journey to the Lowcountry of South Carolina and join Dr. Reuben’s practice. Thus, the Spine Institute of the Carolinas was born, uniting their expertise under one shared vision.
Novant Health Hilton Head Medical Center’s spine program was the first in the state of South Carolina to receive the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Spine Surgery. The team’s use of state-of-the-art technology, including the Globus Robotic System, allows for highly precise, minimally invasive procedures.
From complex neck and back surgeries to cutting edge treatments for spinal disorders, the program consistently delivers top-tier outcomes. But what sets it apart isn’t just innovation, it’s the foundation of trust between its leaders.
“We’ve never had a disagreement we couldn’t resolve,” Dr. Boatright said. “We operate like brothers. When we differ, one of us takes the lead and the other becomes the advisor. We both respect where the gray areas are and each other’s judgment.”
Both surgeons bring impressive credentials and rigorous training from prestigious institutions, but it’s their work ethic, dedication to patients, and their ability to complement each other’s strengths that truly define the program’s success.
“We’ve learned each other’s surgical style, how we think, how we make decisions,” Dr. Reuben said. “And more importantly, we rely on each other. When I am uncertain, I have someone whose opinion I deeply trust. That makes me a better doctor and a better person.”
Dr. Boatright agrees. “That level of trust is rare,” he said. “I know that if I go to Dr. Reuben for advice, it’s going to be thoughtful, honest, and grounded in experience. It’s helped both of us grow.”
When asked what advice they’d give to anyone going into business together, their answer is simple but profound: Choose someone you respect.
“If that respect isn’t there from the beginning, it won’t last,” Dr. Boatright said. “Respect is the foundation for everything – how you communicate, how you disagree, and how you grow together.”
The spine surgery program at Novant Health Hilton Head Medical Center continues to grow, offering patients a full continuum of care from diagnosis to rehabilitation. With a dedicated spine unit, a specialized recovery team, and an unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, the program is improving lives across the region – but its heart remains the partnership that built it.
Orthopedic Spine Surgery Program, Spine Institute of the Carolinas, 40 Okatie Center Blvd S | Okatie, (843) 379-7746 . spineinstituteofthecarolinas.com
