Men Behind the Business

JEFF HUNT, Dunes Real Estate, 6 Queens Folly Road, Hilton Head Island, (843) 842-0893

If you need to understand what sets Jeff Hunt apart as a real estate professional, you could look at the results of the RealTrends Verified rankings. Those numbers tell quite a story, ranking him first for volume in the Hilton Head Island area, seventh in the state of South Carolina, and 842nd in the entire country. 

The numbers tell a story, but they only tell part of the story of what sets Hunt apart.

“For me to stand on a stage and say, ‘I’m number one’ is a bit of a falsehood,” said Hunt. “Nobody is successful on their own. It’s my wife, Christine. It’s my assistant, Jenny Filkins. It’s the agents in my company, my attorney, my inspectors … everyone gives me something that makes me better every day.”

And Hunt doesn’t merely rely on those around him for success. He reciprocates, making his successes theirs. 

“His approach is always collaborative, never combative,” said Filkins. “He treats all clients at all price points with the same unwavering level of respect. He takes time out of his day to thank the janitor and remind our support staff exactly how crucial they are to our success. He treats me, as his employee, more like a partner and has created a workplace that has built my confidence as a Realtor as well as a woman in business.”

That collaborative approach has created a community of success around Hunt, extending to those with whom he does business and even to Realtors who would technically be his competition.

“I love working with Jeff. He is a true professional who cares deeply about his clients and takes the time to thoroughly understand their needs,” said Kieron O’Grady of Movement Mortgage. “A big part of this is that he has assembled a strong team to handle all aspects of the transaction – for example, an attorney, mortgage lender, insurance agent, inspector, etc. This professionalism and care lay the groundwork for repeated smooth closings. Basically, Jeff sets up his clients for success.”

Jenny Wells of Keller Williams Realty added, “Jeff is an exceptional realtor known for his outstanding ability to collaborate effectively with other agents. His approach is marked by open communication, mutual respect, and a genuine commitment to achieving the best outcomes for all parties involved. …  Deals close (often within 30 days) because great Realtors, like Jeff, make it seem easy.”

JOHN MALLETT, State Farm Insurance, 15 Mallett Way, Bluffton, (843) 825-488

Even though it’s a business that he’s made his calling for the past 53 years, John Mallett will be the first to tell you that he entered into insurance with more than a little trepidation. 

“I started on April 1, 1971, fresh out of college, and figured it was something I could do until I could find something better,” Mallett said. 

In case it isn’t obvious, insurance turned out to be all the “something better” Mallett needed. “I didn’t think I’d like working in contractual law, but insurance isn’t about contracts. It’s about people, their needs, and aspirations. This business is about helping them meet those needs and get through their problems.”

With that as his guiding star, Mallett has spent 53 years in the people business. And that includes the people he’s gathered around him as staff who have grown to be so much more than just employees. “I’m loyal to them, and I always look forward to coming to work with them, because it’s like working with family,” he said. 

Mallett was going to be in insurance only until something better came along. It turned out, State Farm was the best thing that would ever happen. 

“I’ve never worked a day in my life,” he said. “I love what I do and I do what I love.”

MIKE RAY, SNS Technologies, 49 Pennington Drive, Bluffton, (843) 757-7873What makes your business unique? At SNS Technologies, we believe in a tailored approach to IT solutions. Each client’s needs are unique, and we excel in creating customized solutions that provide not just functionality but flexibility. Our proactive approach sets us apart, as we continuously monitor systems to preemptively resolve issues, minimizing downtime and enhancing system reliability. Moreover, our expertise and extensive experience across IT management, cybersecurity, and cloud services empower us to offer not just solutions, but strategic insights that drive business success.

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most? One of the aspects I enjoy most is working directly with new clients. It’s incredibly rewarding to help them understand how strategic technology solutions can not only protect and grow their business but also enhance how they interact and communicate with their clients securely.

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working? When I’m not at work, I love to spend time outdoors, particularly on the water. Taking the boat out around the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area with friends and family is a favorite pastime. 

What is the best business advice you were ever given? The best piece of advice I’ve received is straightforward but powerful: Do what you say you’re going to do, and show up when you say you’re going to show up. It’s about reliability and trust, the foundations of any successful business relationship.

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to? One organization close to our hearts at SNS Technologies is the Hilton Head Humane Association. Their commitment to making a difference in the community inspires us, and we encourage everyone to consider how they might help. It’s a great reminder of the impact compassionate service can have.

JEFF BRADLEY, Edward Jones Investments, 94 Main St., Suite 101, Hilton Head Island, (843) 342-6918

When Jeff Bradley was a youth growing up in Alabama, his father, the plant manager of a large manufacturing enterprise, often brought home members of his staff for dinner. Each time, his father expected Jeff to shake each guest’s hand, look them in the eye, and memorize their name.

“My dad was larger than life to me,” Bradley said. “I watched him closely. Lessons like that built in me an expectation of what a man was supposed to do to be successful.”

Bradley learned his lessons well.

Today, Bradley has built a successful career as a financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments, rated among the top five financial services firms in the USA. Here, he helps people of all ages plan for their financial future by evaluating their personal goals and risks.

Aggie Schmidt, senior administrator for Bradley’s office, said, “Jeff knows how to build trust with our clients by taking a holistic view, which usually leads to more comprehensive, sustainable solutions.”

Bradley is also a highly respected legislator in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He represents District 123, which includes Hilton Head Island, Daufuskie Island, and the southern portion of Jasper County.

Serving since 2014, Bradley has been appointed to several significant leadership roles. He is chairman of the House Regulations and Administrative Procedures Committee, which influences nearly every industry in South Carolina. He is also vice chairman of the House Education Committee, with oversight of the state’s K-12 programs. And, more recently, he was selected as chairman of a newly formed AI, Cybersecurity, and Cybercrime Committee, dedicated to addressing the rapidly developing technologies of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in the state. 

Rep. Shannon Erickson of Beaufort, chairman of the Education Committee, said Bradley’s business skills lend themselves to good constituent service. “He’s easy to work with and can be trusted,” she said. “He has an innate ability to quickly cut to the heart of what any person he is speaking with needs to have solved.”

Lee Lucier, COO of The Richardson Group on Hilton Head agrees: “Jeff has been a champion for our hospitality industry. He is always a good sounding board for our issues. He helps explore options and consistently provides honest assessments and good guidance.”  

During the legislative session, from December to June, Bradley travels to Columbia three times a week. Days begin at 6:30 a.m. and end at 10 p.m. He claims his key to success is “time management and surrounding myself with competent people.”  

“Cooking and boating are my therapy, plus saving quality time with my wife,” Bradley said. “Anne is my rock. I never want to disappoint her.”

MATTHEW TENWOLDE, Carolina Veterinary Critical Care, 21 Buck Island Road, Bluffton, (843)m 706-9200

It can be hard for anyone to resist the temptation to bring their work home. As much as we’d like to draw that dividing line between our professional and personal lives, those lines can sometimes become entangled. 

When one works with animals, drawing that line can be nearly impossible. In veterinary medicine, “bringing work home with you” sometimes means adding a new member to the family.

“I try not to do that. Otherwise, we’d end up with a serious menagerie,” said Dr. Matthew Tenwolde with a laugh. “But that’s part of being a vet.”

His family cat is testimony enough to that. Boo Boo Kitty, as he is now known, was a Carolina ditch cat in need of the kind of specialty care that the experienced vet had made his career. “I don’t know what had happened to him, but he needed 10 different surgeries to put him back together,” Tenwolde said. 

As the owner of Carolina Veterinary Critical Care, Tenwolde provides the full array of veterinary services. This does not mean regular checkups and prevention, but emergency services and surgical intervention when your animal is in critical need. He has been doing so for Bluffton’s pets since arriving here in 2019. If anyone could help Boo Boo Kitty, it was him. 

Boo Boo Kitty wouldn’t be the last time the good doctor would bring his work home. Miss Lima Bean, a 10-week-old golden retriever, is the latest addition to the Tenwolde home.

 “She’s a cute little thing,” Tenwolde said. “She was a relinquishment from a client and the kids love her.” 

After a week at Carolina Veterinary Critical Care, she was all fixed up and ready for her forever home. But what does Boo Boo Kitty think?

“He’s very accepting of the new puppy,” Tenwolde said. “I had no idea how it was going to go, but I think they’re going to be good friends.”

But before he expands his menagerie any further, Tenwolde is focusing on expanding his practice. Currently operating primarily after hours and weekends with staff on hand 24/7, he will soon expand into a new facility to allow for that same emergency care around the clock.

“This will allow us to push out our hours and add specialty service,” Tenwolde said. “We’ve recently added a new ER doctor, Madelyne Pieroni, and she’s been a great addition.” 

The location is still a work in progress, but once completed, it will allow Tenwolde and his team to help pets across Bluffton – just like Boo Boo Kitty and Miss Lima Bean.

SCOTT ODOM, Sir Grout Lowcountry, (843) 920-5559

If you study the great titans of industry, you’ll find one remarkable shared trait. Whether it’s the oil and steel tycoons of the Gilded Age or the future-focused tech gurus of today, they all began building their empires the day they started working for themselves.

It’s a trait you can see in Scott Odom, owner of a Sir Grout empire of franchises here as well in Scottsdale, Arizona. His entrepreneurial spirit has not only helped him launch these businesses, but to grow them into some of the most successful franchises in the company. And it all started when he decided to bet on himself.

“I worked for a big Hewlett-Packard distributor for a while, and I just got burned out sitting behind a desk,” Odom said. Discovering the possibilities of the Sir Grout franchise model set him on a trail that, for the first time, he would be blazing for himself. 

Beginning with a franchise in Charlotte, he asserted himself as a dynamic entrepreneur in this highly specialized field. Upon making his way to the Lowcountry, he would eventually sell the Charlotte franchise while opening Sir Grout Lowcountry, operating it alongside his other business, 1st Floor Surface Care. 

He not only launched these businesses, but also he has proven that he can run them with results that speak for themselves.

“For the past year, Sir Grout of the Lowcountry has been the No. 2 franchise in the entire country,” he said. “I also own Sir Grout Phoenix in Arizona, and that’s a Top 10 franchise.”

It’s an impressive feat in a company that has led the way in the science of restoring stone and tile through proprietary technology and a focus on service. 

“The core of our business is resealing and refinishing travertine and marble,” Odom said. “But we still do an awful lot of tile and grout. Not only cleaning, but also color sealing, so we can change the color of grout without changing out grout. And this is not a Band-Aid solution. As long as it’s maintained, it will last indefinitely.”

Of course, like any titan of industry, Odom knows that an entrepreneurial spirit and a quality product are only part of the recipe for success. The key ingredient is getting the right people around you.

“Every person on my team has been with me a couple of years at least, and I have a great GM in Jonathon Russell, who has been with me for almost eight years,” Odom said. “I couldn’t grow my business unless I could trust these guys.”

TOM PRICHARD, SHAWN PRITCHARD, Absolute Merchant Services LLC, Tom @amscc.net, Shawn@amscc.net, (843) 341-6700

Hilton Head Island offers one of the most unique ecosystems in the world when it comes to business. We’re not a center of industry in any sense of the word, and we’re notoriously resistant to corporations. As such, it is fertile ground for growing a small business on the strength of our community’s tight network. 

Every one of those small businesses will tell you the same thing – they need to accept credit cards as payment, even if they have to hold their nose while paying the associated fees. For Tom and Shawn Pritchard, brothers and co-owners of Absolute Merchant Services, this created the ultimate opportunity to help small businesses succeed by offering processing that works for them.

“Hilton Head is the only place I’d want to do this, because it’s a relationship type of business,” said Tom Pritchard. “It’s really about being hands on and making life as simple as possible so our clients can just run their business. And if something comes up, they have someone here to help them instead of some customer service rep in another state.”

He’s so sure they can help small businesses, he’ll even offer a free audit of their processing. 

“There’s no risk, it’s completely free,” Pritchard said. “We just want to make sure you have the best relationship with your credit card processor.”

DOUG HOOVER, Stone Restore, Hilton Head Island, (842) 422-6799

What makes your business unique? The specialized skills, and the years that it takes to attain them, make our business unique.

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? Did you have a mentor? Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps instilled a work ethic and desire to attain excellence at a very young age, and that has served me well through my business life.

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most?  Generally, I love every aspect of my business, especially the physical act of polishing stone.

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working? I enjoy boating, hunting, and camping – I love the outdoors.

What is the best business advice you were ever given? You’ll never be late if you’re early.

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to? Veterans organizations in general, specifically Wounded Warriors.

What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again? I would start my business at a much younger age.

DARREL QUINN, Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers, 1000 William Hilton Pkwy, G-5, Hilton Head Island, (843) 342-6663

In the world of diamonds, where lab-grown gems have exploded in popularity and caused shockwaves throughout the industry, the value of something is often found only by looking closely.

“When lab-grown diamonds hit the market, I went back to school to learn everything about them,” said Darrel Quinn, the ebullient owner of Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers. “I had to buy special equipment that’s able to distinguish whether a diamond is lab-grown or earth-mined. Most places aren’t going to invest in that kind of equipment.”

With factories overseas pumping out lab-grown diamonds that are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, causing prices to plummet, most jewelers have taken a hard-line stance against them. Quinn looks at it differently, simply seeing another option for customers. 

“If you want, you can buy a lab diamond, and if you want better quality, you can buy a mined diamond,” Quinn said. “We went through this same trend with cubic zirconia. We survived that, Moissanite, Yehuda…  We’ll get through this and I think the diamond market is only going to increase.”

That perspective is one that Quinn has earned over more than 50 years in the jewelry business, following a family tradition that goes back generations. He has seen the industry inside and out, and he has learned what stones create lasting value and become treasured heirlooms. And he’s also learned that the true value of a jeweler lies in the knowledge they bring to the table, and the trust they earn with each customer.

“You have to trust the place you’re buying a diamond from,” Quinn said. 

Earning that trust is a matter of going above and beyond. “I had a customer just yesterday pick out their diamond. I ordered the mounting yesterday and he picked it up two hours ago,” he said. “You can’t get that at most stores; they don’t have the schooling and many years of experience that I have accumulated. A lot of times I will put the diamond in its setting right in front of the customer so they know they’re getting the stone they wanted.”

Looking closely at a diamond is the best way to reveal its true brilliance. And it’s the same way with Quinn. When you walk into his store, greeted by his wide smile and array of fascinating quips, jokes and stories, you see a natural showman. But when you look closely, you see a true master of his craft and an expert with decades of experience. 

“After graduation, my dad told me, ‘You’re here to entertain the customer,’” Quinn said. “And by golly I give them a show.”

CHARLES RUSSO III, Russo’s Fresh Seafood Bluffton, 246 Red Cedar St., Bluffton (843) 837-7000, russosfreshseafood.com

What makes your business unique? Russo’s Fresh Seafood Bluffton is a complete processing facility. You can find our team at the docks buying the whole fish directly from the captains, breaking it down for wholesale and retail, all in-house. We control the entire process, eliminating unnecessary chemicals for a purer product. Our store offers spices, pasta, and sauces, as well as wine and beers, that pair perfectly with our seafood.

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most? I truly enjoy building and maintaining relationships with our local fishing captains. It’s more than just business – their knowledge of the waters ensures the freshest seasonal catch reaches our shores, and ultimately, your plate. By collaborating with chefs, we can translate the ocean’s bounty into innovative seasonal menus. This, in turn, ensures responsible fishing practices and prevents overfishing. It’s a win-win for everyone: vibrant menus, happy customers, and a healthy ocean for generations to come.

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working? The ocean has always been a part of my life. When I’m not at the market, there’s nothing I enjoy more than being out fishing and spending quality time with my family.

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to? This year, we proudly supported the Palmetto Animal League with our successful oyster roast. We look forward to continuing this event every year.

JUDD TRACY, Charter One Realty, The Reed Team, (843) 290-1833

When you’re buying a home in the Lowcountry for the first time, a real estate professional you can trust is something that you want. But when you’re buying a home in the Lowcountry from hundreds of miles away, that trust becomes something you need.

Earning that trust is something around which Judd Tracy has built his real estate career.

“It’s just a matter of taking that extra step to be there for clients,” Judd said. “Most people don’t live here, so I get very hands-on, serving as their ‘boots on the ground’ and getting them all the information they need.”

His thorough knowledge of the Lowcountry comes from the 18 years he’s lived here, raising children and becoming a part of the community. And even then, he goes above and beyond by combining that local knowledge with insights gained during his previous career in banking.

“My background in banking is beneficial because I can point them in the right direction toward whatever it is they’re looking to do,” Tracy said. “Having worked in the business, I know which lenders are going to be the best fit for their needs.”

That broad base of experience has provided a foundation for a career with Charter One that has let Judd serve as an ambassador for Hilton Head and Bluffton and a valuable local guide to countless clients across the country.

BRIAN KINARD, Dunes Real Estate, 6 Queens Folly Road, Hilton Head Island (843) 301-0814

Of the Lowcountry’s many titans of industry, there are few who wear as many hats as Brian Kinard. Regular readers of C2 may remember him as one of the “Surf Gods with Dad Bods” profiled in June 2024. 

An avid outdoorsman and surfer, Kinard is raising the next generation of the island’s surfing community, having been drawn to the island to work as a boat captain after teen years spent in the rodeo. 

These days, he’s left the rodeo and the captain’s hat behind and entered an entirely new arena as one of the island’s most serially involved real estate professionals. 

“Getting contracts to the closing table for buyers and sellers and working alongside other committee members in shepherding real estate legislation is definitely harder than roping calves,” Kinard said with a laugh.

But to hear him talk about it, and to hear the excitement in his voice when talks about the work he does for the real estate community, you can see he’s having just as much fun now as he ever did in the rodeo. As he has built his career and his reputation at Dunes Real Estate as a trusted service-oriented real estate advisor, he has immersed himself in leading the business behind the scenes. 

“I think we have an obligation to serve our professional body and to serve our community,” Kinard said. “It’s not about what you sell, it’s the whole picture. I just think it’s important to give back and to be a servant leader.”

A past president of the Hilton Head Area Realtors organization, he has served on committees and boards that have advocated for better flood insurance coverage, crafted a strategic vision for the island’s next 30 years, and worked with legislators at the state level to benefit homeowners.

“I enjoy the policy and politics side of it,” Kinard said. “That advocacy is an area in which the association of Realtors really excels and does a lot of good, not just for the Realtor member, but also for homeowners and the community at large.”

In recognition of all the work he has done, not just for his clients but for his colleagues and community, he was named Realtor of the Year in 2022. This well-earned accolade adds one more hat to Kinard’s head, and another dimension to a father, surfer, Realtor, and vital asset to our community.

LARRY SETOLA JR, Hilton Head Furniture Company, Just Cushions & Upholstery, 45 New Orleands Road, hhifurniture.com

It’s one thing to hang out your own shingle and launch a business that’s all your own. It’s quite another to carry on a legacy by taking the family business, and supersede it while honoring the generations that came before you.

It was precisely this tightrope that Larry Setola Jr. began walking over a decade ago when he joined the business that his father, Larry Sr., founded 30 years ago. A third-generation crafter with a needle and thread, Larry Sr. launched Just Cushions & Upholstery in 1994 as a shop where the traditions of his craft could continue. Reupholstering furniture to bring older furniture to new life and crafting custom cushions, Larry Sr. built a business that has become an institution on Hilton Head Island. 

Larry Jr. joined the firm with an eye on the future. This meant expanding beyond the niche trade in which the generations before him specialized by escalating their offerings to include home furnishings and new, custom, American-made furniture that would live up to the family’s high-quality standards.

“Through Just Cushions, we were seeing the reprehensible ‘quality’ of newer furniture coming through our doors, and I knew that we could find better quality products for our clients than what was being offered out there,” Larry Jr. said. 

Underpinning this expansion was the personal service and commitment that Larry Sr. had established. 

“We began doing something new, but I instilled the generational core principles in the forefront. We’re still in the business of educating our clients, offering top-quality products, all while going above and beyond on the customer service side of things,” Larry Jr. said. “It’s a mix of our old school philosophies with my new school vision.”

It was immediately evident that Larry Jr. was on the right track. In just a short time after finding a worthy and exclusive North Carolina-based custom furniture manufacturer, he began offering new 100% American-made furniture to their clients in 2018, starting from a catalog. Then in 2020, he expanded into a 1,500-square-foot showroom, cutting into the vast warehouse space at the rear of the storefront. 

And now they’re expanding again.

“By the fall of 2024, we will have converted 90% of our 7,000-square-foot building into our showroom and design center space that will showcase our custom American-made new furniture,” Larry Jr. said. “We’re still going to have our upholstery shop; we’re just going to condense the workshop area to maximize our retail space.”

Just as he has for 30 years, Larry Sr. will continue to use his seasoned craftsmanship to tailor custom cushions and reupholster furniture. But now, he’ll do it surrounded by his son Larry’s new and improved furniture showroom, which will exhibit furniture that meets even his stringent standards, revealing how the next generation is leading the family business into the future.

JIM BUSER, SA Sports, Inc., Sports Addiction, 200 Okatie Village Drive, Bluffton, (843) 815-8281

Of the many ventures that Jim Buser now runs, which includes Old Town Bike Barn, Hilton Head by Boat, and Golden Isles Bike Rentals, his first taste of success came when he opened the cycling and fitness store Sports Addiction. As such, you’d assume that the name of the firm under which he runs it all, SA Sports Incorporated, draws from that first venture. 

But the SA in SA Sports Incorporated doesn’t stand for Sports Addiction. It serves as a constant reminder to Buser to Stay Active. 

“That’s the whole premise behind all my businesses, staying active. That’s what I’m all about,” Buser said. “Keep moving, keep living – whether it’s playing sports, biking, swimming, running, or whatever.”

It’s not just a slogan, it’s something he lives every day, whether it’s the hour-long bike ride every other morning or the three days a week he spends swimming, he’s always on the move. 

“My wife Marri says I walk around with a tail, because I never sit down,” he said with a laugh. And while he’s under strict doctor’s orders to cut back on the running, he gets more than his steps in running his various business ventures. 

There is, of course, Sports Addiction, the flagship enterprise he founded more than 20 years ago. A full-service cycling and fitness equipment store, it has become the destination for people in the Lowcountry who, like Buser, are always on the lookout for ways to stay active.  

Then there’s Old Town Bike Barn, the iconic little blue structure in Bluffton’s Promenade that rents and repairs bicycles. Hilton Head by Boat followed, a fleet consisting of the center console Triton and the 26-foot Hurricane Godfrey, offering sunset sail and dolphin cruise charters. And his latest venture, Golden Isles Bike Rentals, sees his empire expand beyond the Lowcountry and into St. Simons Island, Georgia. 

And while the purpose of most empires is to conquer, Buser sees it as a rising tide that lifts all ships. “There’s so much more opportunity now than when I was starting out, so I’m always trying to help someone else who’s trying to open their own business,” he said. That includes occasionally referring customers to the cycling club run by a rival bike outfitter or pointing them towards other charter companies.  

“When I was running, I just worried about myself, not about my competition,” Buser said. “If I concentrate on myself, I’m going to be OK and the guy next to me is going to be OK.”

MARK ANTHONY, Musician/Entertainer, Hilton Head Island, markanthony55@gmail.com, (706) 714-4402, markanthonyhhi.com

What makes your business unique?  My music is unique because I can play songs that date back 50 years – from Frank Sinatra to Jimmy Buffett. I also use a loop that allows me to have drums and bass accompany me – so my performances sound more like a full band than just guitar. I am very conversational and love to mingle in the audience as I play.

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? Did you have a mentor?  I began playing in my church at a very young age and later developed into several bands that actually paid my way through school. I was on a music scholarship as well at the University of Georgia. 

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most? I absolutely have to wear many hats in the music business. I am very easy to work with and am very flexible yet professional when it comes to details. I have to rehearse old songs and learn new ones to be the best at entertaining. I have learned to read an audience and can choose my songs based on their satisfaction. I also have to keep fit, because moving equipment is hard work. But I love the people mostly, and it is absolutely all worth it to make my audience happy. 

What would you like to never do again if you didn’t have to?  I am very content in being a solo performer – I do not want to play in bands again. Depending on other people to give their best at every job can be disappointing. 

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working?  I love to ride my bicycle on the beach – it’s one of my favorite things! I am a for-fun golfer (I don’t take it too seriously). I also love to cook. When my wife had her knee surgeries, I took up cooking and now I love it. But my greatest love is playing music for my family. They are my biggest fans. 

What is the best business advice you were ever given?  My mother and father gave me probably my greatest advice in this business. They said, “Son, you will not be the greatest guitarist or the greatest singer – but if you choose the greatest songs, people will love your music.”

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to?  I have always thought it was important to give back to one’s community. I support Tunnels to Towers as well as the YMCA and, of course, my church and several organizations that distribute the Gospel. I love to play at senior living homes because I know such a diversity of songs and they love to hear songs they grew up with.

MATHEW EPPS MD, Matthew Epps MD Plastic Surgery, 29 Plantation Par Dr Suite 302, Bluffton, (843) 707-7060, matheweppsmd.com

Returning home to the beauty of the Lowcountry with a family of six is a dream realized for Dr. Mathew Epps. He brings with him decades of accomplishment and unmatched training in his field of aesthetic plastic surgery. Dr. Epps, a third generation Blufftonian and third generation physician, left his home behind as he chased his calling in plastic surgery.

Not only did Dr. Epps earn his medical doctorate alongside a graduate degree in medical pharmacology, he pursued the type of advanced education that few achieve while working alongside legends in the field of plastic surgery. While most plastic surgeons complete their training in three years, Dr. Epps realized his passion for facial plastic surgery and pursued further advanced training for an emphasis on facial, oculoplastic (eyelid) and aesthetic breast surgery. 

His endeavors took him, with his family in tow – including at one time four children 5 years old and under – all over the East Coast, including Long Island, New York, and Atlanta. All the while, Dr. Epps has felt a pull back home, recalling “the beauty of the Lowcountry, our friends and family, Southern manners, and the river. It’s also a wonderful place to raise children.”

As fate would have it, Dr. Epps and his family relocated from Atlanta to Bluffton, which is now their home. Mathew Epps MD Plastic Surgery/FACE Aesthetics Medical Spa opened a few years ago, where Dr. Epps offers non-surgical and surgical treatments for facial rejuvenation. 

The practice is unique to this area as it offers expert advice and direct supervision from an advanced trained plastic surgeon to ensure patients receive the best treatments, techniques, and results. The concierge style of the practice allows Dr. Epps and his staff to spend ample time with patients. It allows Dr. Epps to focus on the art of facial plastic surgery and procedures that drove him to become a plastic surgeon, including facelift, brow lift, and eyelid surgery. 

The true honor for Dr. Epps is seeing the confidence he gives his patients. 

“These folks come out so happy, it’s life changing,” Dr. Epps said. “They’re all active, social, and they want to look the way they feel.”

Mathew T. Epps MD, MS, DABS is a triple fellowship trained aesthetic plastic surgeon specializing in facial, eyelid, and breast surgery. Visit matheweppsmd.com or email info@dreppsmd.com.

RANDY ROSE, Rose Hearing HealthCare Centers, 1505 Main St., Hilton Head Island, (843) 547-5832, 108 Buckwalter Pkwy, Ste 2C, Bluffton, (843) 594-1787

What makes your business unique? We are considered medical retail, providing Class III medical devices. We are licensed to provide hearing evaluations and hearing aids to help those afflicted with hearing loss. 

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? Did you have a mentor? I was fortunate. I was working at the Tinnitus Research Center just out of college and an audiologist named Ron came to learn about what we did. He and I hit it off, and he invited me to visit his office in Oregon. During the visit, I watched him help people hear better, and their happiness was inspiring. As I was leaving, he asked me to come and work for him. I said yes! Now, 45 years later, I still love what I do.

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most? My wife and I had multiple offices in California before moving here, and what was hard was dealing with employee issues. When we landed here, all I really wanted to do was work with patients to help them find a better life with better hearing. So, my wife handles the books and the advertising. I handle everything else, mostly providing treatment for the hearing impaired. Having built a great team I could not do what I do without the support of my team, we have synergy!

What would you like to never do again if you didn’t have to? I truly have no regrets; we have had a great time. Someone once said, “If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.” I found my place!

What do you do for fun when you are not working? We love to travel, walk on the beach, read, listen to music, play games, ride bikes.

What is the best business advice you were ever given? The harder you work the luckier you get!

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout out to? The Bargain Box, The Litter Box, God’s Goods, and Bluffton Self Help

What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again? I pondered this question a lot, and I cannot think of anything. We are who we are by what we go through in life, and I love my life.

JEFF REHLING, Hilton Head Preparatory School, 8 Fox Grape Road, Hilton Head Island, (843) 715-8506

What makes your business unique? While teaching at the University of South Carolina, I was frustrated with the lack of business acumen from our freshmen. Hilton Head Preparatory School approached me about leading a new business program and I accepted. The school’s approach to curriculum and their flexible schedule gives me the freedom to build the program in the best interests of the students, which is unique and at the heart of Prep’s entire college preparatory focus. We are just getting started, but it will be a unique business program with innovation integrated throughout. Our goal is to create a next practice learning experience unique not only to the island, but to the region and the entire state.

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most?  I love the creative side of business, including building new things, solving problems, and telling stories. It’s what I enjoy about Prep – every day is different, so there are definitely many hats, although that’s also part of the challenge and opportunity.  

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working? No better place than Hilton Head for my lifestyle! I enjoy playing pickleball and golf, being on or in the water, biking, or walking our dog, Rona. Fishing is next on my list. We also enjoy traveling and spending time with our four kids.   

What is the best business advice you were ever given? My dad told me early in my career, “Everyone says you have to earn a person’s respect. That’s not true. Everyone is born with respect – it’s yours to lose.”   

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to? First is Hilton Head Prep. Besides teaching, I’m involved in community outreach, mentoring, and much more. I also volunteer at Deep Well, which does great work in our community. We’re relatively new to the area, so I’m still learning about new ways to get involved.

DAVE MILLER, Superior Services, 36 Persimmon St., Unit 202, Bluffdton, (843) 604-3014

To become superior at what you do, one has to be consistent at getting things done, and doing the right things. At Superior Services, owner and president Dave Miller has gotten this right this for a quarter century, growing the business, taking chances, and building a team with a combined 500 years of expertise to deliver on the promise that “The customer is always right, and the experts are always there.” 

To Miller, “always” means always, all the time, which over the years has become the well-known Superior Services calling card. Customers know they’ll receive all-inclusive, all the time, 24/7/365 support from the team, a vision that Miller birthed and is proud of. He is quite aware that in order to keep an “always” promise, you need a superior team, cultivating a culture of buy-in to that level of commitment. This takes setting the tone from the top, from the leader. To forge a superior team, it takes a superior leader. 

Miller remembers a time in his teens when he “borrowed” his father’s boat and got it stuck on a sandbar. Instead of waiting for the tide to rise, his father brought him a shovel to dig it out of the sand to get it back to shore sooner, not later. This lesson taught Miller the value of problem-solving and never settling or giving up. This spirit of perseverance has been priceless in Miller’s journey. 

Starting with just a single pickup truck, a keen business sense, and a lot of hustle, Miller built the company on a foundational understanding that residential and commercial heating and air conditioning services are always needed, especially in the sweltering summers and wet winters of the Lowcountry. 

After establishing a recognized name throughout the area, Miller could have let it ride, maintaining the pace of success. Instead, he took the risks necessary to level up. Drafting a team of experts that has grown into a 100-member organization, Miller succeeded at connecting multiple home services (adding plumbing, electrical, air quality, water filtration, restorative services, and more) providing everything his customers need to bring a home to life, under one brand.

Maintaining this level of precision performance has not been easy but worth it, according to a community of satisfied clients and Miller. Miller said the one consistent factor through the years is the understanding that, “Life is going to throw everything at you, but it’s not how many times, or how hard it’s thrown, it’s how many times you get back up. I am committed to getting back up again and again, persevering through any challenges in business and in life. It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”

That philosophy mirrors what Superior Services delivers to clients: Life throws the unexpected at you and your home. And when it does, the team at Superior helps get your systems back up again (or provides preventative care) to keep your home running, responding to “always needed” by being “always there.” All led by someone who won’t be sitting down on the job, but found leading by example and forging through the obstacles to a superior success.

LIAM CRONIN, The Lowcountry Group, Engle & Volkers Hilton Head, 800 Main St., Suite 110, Hilton Head, (843) 290-7770

What makes your business unique?  We are a cohesive brokerage of full-time agents with tremendous energy. One of our differentiators at Engel & Volkers is our expansive national and global presence. Our esteemed brand recognition and robust networking capabilities set us apart, enabling effective marketing outreach beyond the Lowcountry to tailor our clients’ homes to specific target markets. It’s one thing to track where (in the country) our buyers are coming from and another to reach out directly to that market and create relationships with shops and realtors. 

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? Did you have a mentor?  I’ve been fortunate to have had several mentors throughout my life who have helped me prepare for the future, long before my real estate career began. They know who they are, and if I’ve done my job, they know how deeply grateful I am for their guidance, lessons, encouragement, unwavering support, and drive. 

 Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most?  Having a past client reach out for help or referring me to a neighbor, friend, or family member has got to be at the top of the list for most enjoyable and rewarding. It says everything you need to know about how you are conducting your business and the value you provide.

What would you like to never do again if you didn’t have to?  I don’t like turning my socks right side out; guess I’m not old enough. (Jevon plug) 

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working?  I love spending time with my wonderful family; my beautiful and talented wife, Candice Rae, keeps a busy schedule with her jazz band Folderol (shameless plug) and our adorable son, Caleb. We thoroughly enjoy Sunday golf cart rides to brunch and a sunset cruise on the May River with friends. 

What is the best business advice you were ever given?  Focus on the relationships, not the transaction, and be consistent with your activities. 

What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again?  Honestly cannot say that I would do it differently. I am grateful for the lessons I’ve learned and proud of the business and relationships I have created. Both of those take time, energy, and intention – not something that can be fast-tracked. 

RYAN LOCKHART, group46 Marketing, 1323 May River Rd., Ste 202, Bluffton, (843) 540-0567

A brand visionary and innovator in the advertising landscape, Ryan Lockhart has spent 15 years sculpting identities and devising strategic marketing initiatives. He summarizes his success in one unwavering principle: “Simple things done consistently over time create extraordinary results.”

According to Lockhart, president of the results-making brand development agency group46 marketing in downtown Bluffton, that’s the core cure on which he has built the business. It’s also one of the top tactics he teaches his portfolio of high velocity clients and companies he serves as a fractional chief marketing officer. 

“Not much works in life in bursts or sprints. You can’t brush your teeth for 24 hours straight and quit for the year,” Lockhart said. “You must create patterns and disciplines you can deliver on with regularity and dependability. The consistency of the actions you take in life can bring the results and growth you’re looking for, no matter what’s going on in the world. Times may be uncertain; business doesn’t have to be.” 

Watching so many businesses try to get off the ground with short-term vision and die out, Lockhart is on a mission to explain why that’s not sustainable and exchange that plan for one that lasts. 

“Success breeds complacency. Someone with a goal of losing 20 pounds may get to 15 and reward themselves with cake. Students get lax before graduation,” Lockhart said. “In business, we see when sales and cash flow is high, complacency sets in and marketing efforts relax. We believe in setting goals that take years and breaking them down into simple steps that can be consistently done. Set a deliberate plan and work towards it over time. Your growth will be not just dependable, it could be exponential.” 

Practicing what he preaches, Lockhart has maintained consistent wins all over, constantly moving the goal marker forward. “Goals should make you nervous while challenging you,” he said. “Being an Ironman athlete is a great example of a goal that takes me a year to prepare for, for a competition that lasts just one day.”

“Raise Your Game” serves as his company’s mission statement – one for himself, as well as for the clients he encourages to set a goal, all while helping them get to that goal and pushing them to see beyond the finish line towards more. For Lockhart, this means engaging on a level deeper than superficial transactions, building relationships with his clients and community. 

“This philosophy is important in business, in life, and in faith. The world is so transactional today. Fast-food relationships. Fast-food business. Fast-food faith,” Lockhart said. “In my personal life, in raising kids, and as a follower of Christ, I’ve learned it doesn’t get easier. Commitment is a consistent uphill climb, but you get stronger on the level you’re at and discover heights you didn’t have in sight before. I am grateful to understand that I need the supernatural strength and wisdom of God and not just myself.”

The enthusiasm with Lockhart is a fire starter that trades flash-in-the-pan for long-term plan and with a faith-filled belief system. It’s not five seconds of fame, nor is it a sprint, but a life marathon. It’s lighting an Olympic flame and carrying it far beyond a finish line. 

MICHAEL GONZALEZ, B-Jack’s Deep South Mercantile, ERA Evergreen Real Estate, 16 Church St., Ste. 101, Bluffton, (843) 816-2624, michael@bjacksdeepsouth.com

What makes your business unique?  As the owner of ERA Evergreen Real Estate for 25 years and the broker for many of those, I was looking for another business to put my creativity in. I got my inspiration for B-Jack’s Deep South Mercantile from my kids, Braeden and Jack. They are both outdoor boys and May River rats, with Jack being the fisherman and Braeden being the sporting clays enthusiast and a member of the Cross Schools Sporting Clays Team. There really wasn’t anywhere to get what I call “Bluffton-wear” in Old Town for men or boys, so the idea for the store came from trying to fill that need. Our space on Church Street opened up unexpectedly right next to my Bluffton real estate office so I went for it! We did also start selling a large selection of women’s Free Fly Apparel soon after opening.

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most?  Being a real estate broker and retail business owner are definitely two different animals. Real estate requires a lot of contract and legal knowledge and the ability to manage 45 agents and four offices. The store is where I can express my creativity, from the store design to the selection of inventory. Really, I enjoy both, because they allow me to use my knowledge of real estate to help clients buy and sell homes, but I get to have fun with the store.

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working?  It can be a lot of work but we really enjoy getting out on the river on the boat and heading to Hudson’s for brunch, then the sandbar and Daufuskie. Also, golf carting around Old Town Bluffton is one of our pastimes. 

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to?  Both companies are huge supporters of the Bluffton Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association. We also support the Lowcountry Autism Foundation and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, as well as various other fantastic charities.

ROBERT MOUL, Moul Enterprises, 1132 May River Road, Bluffton, (843) 321-9036

What makes your business unique?  As a real estate investor, short term rental operator, owner of a local real estate brokerage and resident of the Lowcountry since 2007, I can provide a unique insight into the local market, whether you are looking to buy or sell property for personal or investment reasons. 

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? Did you have a mentor?  I have had several mentors over the years during key times in my career development. Rich Pesce was my first boss in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, who always said “If you accept second best, you’ll always be second best.” And my father, Bob Moul, has always been an instrumental figure in my life as a serial tech entrepreneur forging his own paths in Philadelphia. 

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most?  I love the real estate investing side of the business – specifically in the development side, from purchasing property for renovation and sale as well as rental investments. My wife and I own seven local Airbnbs, all of which we renovated completely and staged. And she now manages the rental side full time, while staying at home with our two boys.

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working?  My wife always says I work too much and I need a hobby, so I’ve recently gotten into the classic car scene and made my first purchase – a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach I. I spent the past 10 months having it renovated in Daytona Beach and I’m excited to get it on the road! 

What is the best business advice you were ever given?  I’ve gotten lots of great advice over the years. But I think finding The Secret – using the power of positive attraction – really changed my life. 

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to? We actually have our own charity program, The Moul, REALTORS® Heroes Program, where we give back to our local heroes – teachers, firefighters, police officers, EMS, doctors, nurses and our wonderful military. We have two ways of giving back: We provide a 25% rebate of our commission when a hero buys or sells a property; and we also give back directly through our donations program by funding lunches for our local heroes and school supplies for teachers, for example. 

What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again?  Get into sales sooner. Success comes from not being the best but doing your best every single day, consistently, over and over. 

NUNZIO PATRUNO, Nunzio Restaurant + Bar, 18 New Orleans Rd., Hilton Head, (843) 715-2172, www.nunziohhi.com

What makes your business unique? Nunzio is in the business of making people happy and we love what we do. 

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? Did you have a mentor? There were many great people who influenced me along the way, but in the end it came down to one person, Maribel Patruno. Chef Angelo Consoli was my mentor as a chef. Michele Piepoli was a business visionary, and under him I learned everything is possible as long as you are committed to the vision you want to realize. 

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most? What would you like to never do again – If you didn’t have to? I enjoy putting together the entire concept to be a great restaurant. I would like to never be in a business partnership. 

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working? I like to spend time with my wife traveling and visiting friends.

What is the best business advice you were ever given? Pick your field, establish your reputation, and capitalize on it. 

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to? We work with many good organizations. The Italian American Club of Hilton Head is one that we support with their work in raising funds to help underprivileged youth. 

What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again? I would not change anything. I always look forward.

CHARLIE TAYLOR, May River Mattress Company, 1060 Fording Island Rd, Suite B, Bluffton, (843) 836-2337

What makes your business unique?  Mattress shopping can be incredibly confusing. Under normal circumstances someone generally shops for a mattress every 10 years or so, which means there’s very little that’s going to be similar to the last time you purchased one. Our approach is based in education and tailored to the person’s specific sleep style. We guide you through the process and tell you what to look for with each mattress that will affect how you sleep each night. 

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? Did you have a mentor? I’ve been fortunate to have many guiding forces in my life that I feel have led me to this venture. Probably none are more important than my grandfather and my father, both of whom started and ran businesses here in the Lowcountry. Being lucky enough to have that as an example growing up, there was never much hesitation.

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most?  I’m lucky to have a little part-time help so I can spend some time with my wife and girls, but yes, I wear all the hats. Working with customers and helping them find a better night’s sleep is certainly the most rewarding. 

What would you like to never do again if you didn’t have to? Unloading big, heavy king-size beds is certainly a hat I’d willingly give up.  

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working? Getting out on our boat with the wife and kids. There is something special about the waters of the Lowcountry. 

What is the best business advice you were ever given? Take care of the customer and do what you say you’re going to do; the rest will take care of itself. 

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to? We believe heavily in giving back to our community and have done so to groups that align closely with what we value most, our Lowcountry environment and our children. We proudly support the Outside Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, Island Recreation Center, and others. 

What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again? Nothing. All of my decisions have led me to exactly where I am right now and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

HENRY CRISS, The Fram Center, 1403 Main St., Hilton Head, (843) 755-6191

When you find a way to make good on an already rewarding service, you’re on the precipice of community-changing influence. That’s where Henry Criss and The Fraum Center find themselves amid a transformative journey into an integrated medical facility committed to impacting and changing lives in this community.

Established on Hilton Head Island in the early 1990s, The Fraum Center has a three-decade legacy as a premier clinic in the Southeast and is now entering “a new era of proactive health” under its new owner-operators, Criss and Dr. Heather Hinshelwood.

While Hinshelwood runs the medicine, Criss runs the business, and it’s a business for which his career to date has prepared him well, building on years of leading organizational change, healthcare management, and public policy work. Criss’ history of multi-sector management from a servant-leadership perspective sets the practice’s tone of being relationally centered. It also reaches an even more personal level with Criss and Hinshelwood, as they are not only partners in business, but in life.

“I’ve spent years as a student of human behavior and people-centered leadership. In business, you can manage money, equipment, logistics, schedules, etc., but you have to lead people and be passionate about relationships,” Criss said. “Without leadership, a team can suffer – and ultimately patients and quality of services will too. No matter your industry, it must be about the people and how you can make the greatest impact in their lives.”

Criss brings much to the new era of The Fraum Center by putting his multi-sector management skills to powerful use each day to manage, plan, strategize, execute, and solve problems. 

“You have to count the beans and put them in the right piles, because you can’t improve what you can’t measure,” Criss said. “More importantly, you must understand why what you are doing works. Without that, you can’t build on it and go farther. We’re looking to go farther, and to meet greater and growing needs for our patients and maximize their outcomes.”

Criss acknowledges that he and his partner work well together, each in a defined part of the business. 

“Knowing Dr. Hinshelwood is no stranger to the triage side of medicine and the fast-paced, high-level of activity necessary out front, I provide the complimentary side behind the scenes as the businessperson managing those demands and wrapping up the process successfully,” he said.

Criss is in the final stages of completing his MBA at the Citadel Graduate College, which will be another top achievement on his list without trumping the pride of raising his family alongside Dr. Hinshelwood. He also serves on the board of directors for the Hilton Head Island VanLandingham Rotary Club, is a graduate of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program (for which he also serves on the program’s board of regents) and has recently been selected to participate in Leadership South Carolina’s Class of 2025.

Criss’ determination to lead with purpose and lead to meet a purpose is already sending ripples of positive influence throughout his business and his personal life – to their staff, patients and the community – whether measuring by outcomes, outreach, or relational rewards that make risk worth the ride.

BOB ENGLER, Budget Blinds of Hilton Head, 11 Sheridan Park Circle, Bluffton, (843) 837-4060

What makes your business unique? Our personalized service and exceptional team make us unique. Every blind, shade, shutter, or automated solution is custom designed to fit the unique needs of each homeowner. Our team is truly a partner, from the initial consultation to the installation and beyond with our awesome warranties.  

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? Did you have a mentor?No one person. I have been fortunate to have several people that have been influential over the years at different times. 

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most? The part I have enjoyed most over the years has been meeting with customers to help them make the right decisions for their window coverings. I have also enjoyed building a great team and providing them opportunities to grow with our business.   

What would you like to never do again if you didn’t have to? This is a great question. We have changed and improved many things over the years but I don’t really have any regrets that I would never do again. 

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working? We love to travel, relax, and I play golf when I can. 

What is the best business advice you were ever given? Some of the best advice I received was when we started to hire more people, and that was to make sure that we had job descriptions, as well as policies and procedures in place, to set expectations. 

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to?  We have supported many organizations. The ones we have tried to support the most are junior sports and activities.  

What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again?  If I could do anything over again, I would have hired a team sooner.

KAMAL PATEL, Lotus Health, Mobile Concierge Care

What makes your business unique? Both medical businesses offer individualized, high-level care. Lotus Health is a membership-based primary care practice and Mobile Concierge is a concierge-level model, providing exemplary care without memberships, in the convenience of an individual’s home. 

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? Did you have a mentor? I grew up in a family business where everyone had a part. I credit both of my parents for giving me the foundation to have my own business(es). There are so many people that have provided support, encouragement, and advice along the way. They all know who they are and I would need a legal pad to list them all by name!

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most?  I’m a people person so I enjoy most providing direct care. I love getting to know my clients and giving them time to tell their story without feeling rushed. 

What would you like to never do again if you didn’t have to? If I never had to deal with the regulatory challenges of health insurance, I could do without that!

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working?  I love outdoor activities. This includes playing sports with my family, biking, swimming, boating, and, most recently, hiking. Doing these with my family is a great way for us to connect and make new memories. 

What is the best business advice you were ever given?  Work hard. Nothing can replace dedication and putting in the time. Luck only gets you so far. 

What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again? I would have entered the wellness space a lot sooner. Getting to the root cause of problems and truly preventing illness before it strikes is achievable. It’s encouraging to see how making changes to lifestyle can be so impactful to our health. 

From left to right: Steven Vega, Matthew Curry, Jim Babits, Christopher Curry, Nick Hesik

LOWCOUNTRY PAVER/CURRYCRETE, 535 Stiney Road, Hardeeville, (843) 784-7104

Some businesses are more than just an organizational chart and a ledger. Some businesses build their community while building on a family legacy. The men of the Curry family businesses are proof of that.

The patriarch of the Curry clan, and CEO of its respective business ventures including Lowcountry Paver, Lowcountry Turf, CurryCrete Ready Mix, Curry Disposal and American Roof Experts, Tom Curry has established himself as a leader in Lowcountry business. Since arriving in the area in 2003, buying into and eventually taking over Lowcountry Block, LLC, he has created a business empire on a foundation of honesty and integrity. 

But perhaps the career achievement he’s most proud of is seeing his sons pursue their own lofty ambitions. Matthew Curry and Christopher Curry both trained under their father as employees of Lowcountry Paver and are flourishing in their new roles. Matthew now operates a new arm of the growing family of businesses alongside the team at Lowcountry Paver, CurryCrete.Christopher is now managing the finances for all the Curry brands, on track to become CFO of the entire portfolio. 

“The most rewarding aspect of my job at CurryCrete is witnessing the tangible impact of our innovative products on the community and industry,” said Matthew. “Seeing our team’s hard work translate into high-quality, sustainable concrete solutions that shape infrastructure and improve lives brings me immense satisfaction.”

And that team operates in a way that makes each a member of the family and a key leader within all of the businesses.

Before coming to work for the Curry family seven years ago, Lowcountry Paver Vice President of Sales Steven Vega had been in sales following a career in education. His journey with Lowcountry Paver began because of a stirring president’s letter penned by Tom Curry. 

“After reading Tom’s President’s letter and learning how committed the company was to excellence, I knew I wanted to be a part of the team,” Vega said.

Lowcountry Paver Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Babits has seen the industry from the ground up, quite literally, starting back in 1984 on the jobsite and rising through the ranks. These decades of experience provided a foundation of hands-on knowledge for his naturally inquisitive mind to put to work. To him, the most rewarding part of the job is “being completely in charge of quality. In some facilities, it’s impossible to have eyes on everything that goes into production, but I’m able to be hands-on with everything here.”

After a lengthy career in the automotive industry, CurryCrete ReadyMix COO Nick Hesik’s life was changed during a chance encounter with Tom Curry. Afterwards, he knew he wanted to be a part of the team. Now, working alongside CEO Matthew Curry, Nick has been instrumental in transforming CurryCrete from a small startup idea into an unstoppable force in the local industry. And along the way, he became a part of the Curry family.

ANDREW AMBLER, N Hance, (843) 715-8420, nhance.com/lowcountry

What makes your business unique? We have found a niche market doing only kitchen and bathroom cabinet refinishing and refacing. With custom cabinet painting and/or refacing, you can get a dramatic transformation in approximately five days or less, guaranteed. Not only is the process quick, but it is a quality solution that is cost friendly. With more than 12 years of experience, we have mastered our craft, and are extremely proud of our work.

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? Did you have a mentor? I didn’t necessarily have a mentor, but my parents have played a huge role in my business success. They instilled an old-school mentality in me: Work hard, show up on time, treat people how you want to be treated, and give  100% to everything I do.  

Running a business generally required you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most? I have always enjoyed working with my hands. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the before and after, seeing happy customers, and working with my crew.  

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working? I love to spend time with my family. We enjoy driving up to the mountains as much as we can. My step-daughter is an awesome volleyball player and I am looking forward to some travel volleyball tournaments this fall. I really enjoy college football and Saturday Gamedays!

What is the best business advice you were ever given? The best advice I was ever given was from an old boss. He said, “If you are going to do something in construction, specialize in kitchens and bathrooms. The kitchen is the heart of any home, and if you’re looking to give your home a fresh new look, it’s the most important place to start.”

What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again?   I wouldn’t do anything different.  I am extremely grateful for my employees and customers I have had in the past 12 years.  It truly has been a pleasure owning and running a successful business in the Lowcountry.  I look forward to many more years of working with my crew and meeting new customers.  

HIGH TIDE RESTORATION, 22 Spanish Wells Rd., Hilton Head, (843) 682-2000, hightiderestoration.com

The true nightmare of a disaster in the home begins when you have to start calling all of the numerous professionals that are needed to help you get your home back to normal. Calls to insurance companies, contractors, plumbers, electricians, and inspectors can be overwhelming.  

Sometimes you just want to make one call to make it all go away. That’s what High Tide Restoration is for. Our team will see every aspect of the job through until your home is exactly the way it was before disaster struck. It’s a no-excuses, make-it-happen methodology that has helped homeowners rebuild after disasters including mold infestations and the ravages of hurricanes.   

“We are a full-service cleaning and restoration company offering 24/7 emergency services, fire, mold, smoke, and water restoration along with a multitude of cleaning services, including carpet, tile, and upholstery,” said Founder and CEO Ryan Moore. “Our team is the backbone of our company. I take a lot of pride in hearing compliments from homeowners about our team members and the professional jobs they do every day. In an economy where everyone has a hard time finding staff, we are fortunate to have team members that have been with us for more than a decade.”

This dream team of disaster recovery consists of (left to right) Vice President Chris Wells, Moore, General Manager Fabian Chambella, and Project Managers Connor O’Banion and Anthony Martucci. Serving the Lowcountry for more than 20 years, the men on this team have become leaders in this constantly evolving industry because they take pride and value their ongoing training, certifications, and licenses. Certifications, such as IICRC certified Master Textile Cleaner, Journeyman Water Restorer and Journeyman Fire & Smoke Restore, are an essential part of our business and required so that we can provide the very best service on every single job. 

Moore and his team pride themselves in customer service and professionalism, making sure each client is treated with respect. These high standards are the reason High Tide Restoration and Cleaning has become the gold standard of turnkey disaster remediation in the Lowcountry.

ALEX BROWN, Camp Hilton Head, Town of Hilton Head Island Councilman

As a fifth-generation native islander, Alex Brown’s roots on the island run as deep as Broad Creek at high tide. 

Professionally, many know Brown as the long-time vice-president of operations at Camp Hilton Head, who understands the unique business of the island. And as a member of Hilton Head Island’s Town Council representing Ward 1 since 2020, Brown is tasked with guiding residents through policy decisions to enhance our island community.

In a place where residents, businesses, and the town’s interests can sometimes find themselves on opposing sides of an issue, he offers a keen understanding of all three groups and a remarkable ability to find common ground and bring them together.

“This is a very intriguing and interesting time on the island as we see an increase in our visitors (who can work from anywhere) become island residents,” Brown said. “To maintain our quality of life and natural spaces – while remaining the best place to retire, raise a family, or visit, we need to work together.”

A key issue for Brown is the preservation of natural spaces. He spearheaded discussions for the Ward 1 neighborhood of Jonesville to preserve more than 12 acres and secure a $7.6 million investment in land preservation for the area, known to locals as “the horse stables.”

“Our beaches provide a beautiful place to play and relax, but we must ensure a diverse range of recreational opportunities for all ages, from children to seniors,” Brown said. “I am proud to have led many of our land purchases and park development projects to create more play opportunities in Ward 1. By effectively utilizing the real estate transfer fee with zero tax increase to our residents, we have preserved more than 26 acres in less than three years. This achievement is particularly significant on an island with limited land, and it is something our community can be proud of. Through community conversations and smart planning, we can ensure the needs of the community – both those who have been here for generations and those who are new to the island – are being met.” 

Another issue in which his business experience allows him to speak with authority is workforce housing. He sees it as a key driver not only for businesses, but also for residents and visitors who expect a certain level of service on the island. 

“Our residents and our visitors all expect excellent service on the island – in healthcare, hospitality, and retail, and that’s threatened when we don’t have a quality workforce,” Brown said. “In business, I’m a numbers guy. And the numbers don’t lie. It’s astonishing how much of our workforce has left the island due to lack of housing opportunities. For people to have a great quality of life, for us to have a holistic community, we know it’s best when folks live, work, and play in the same area.”

Bridging these issues requires a balanced understanding of the island community as a whole and a representation of all the people of Ward 1. 

“This is the perspective I bring,” Brown said, “as I live it every day.”

BRENDAN DOWNEY, KickFees, *843_ 505-1590, bdowney@kickfees.com, kickfees.com

When Brendan Downey first launched KickFees, he did so with a simple goal of revolutionizing credit card processing. Essentially, KickFees allowed small businesses across the Lowcountry and around the world to increase their profits by carrying over their processing fees to the customer. 

And just when you thought the revolution was won, Downey is about to do it again.

“We now have our own banking tools, so within the next few months we’ll have become a full-blown bank,” Downey said. 

Much in the same way that industries from ridesharing to healthcare have been forced to evolve with new technology, Downey looks to disrupt the credit card model. First, by offering small business instant funding from each credit card batch. 

“With instant funding, there’s no float. No holding time,” Downey said. “If you close your restaurant at 11:30 p.m. and close your batch of credit cards, at 11:32 p.m. that money is in your account.”

His billboards say that Downey is your business’ best friend. His business cards refer to him as “your credit card guy.” But he’s much more than that. While building his business into a massive lifeline for small businesses, Downey has also given back to the community, whether to First Tee – The Lowcountry, local cancer research, the Savannah Ghost Pirates, or to HHBA Baseball. 

MICHAEL E. FRAZIER, Gray’s Heating and Air Conditioning, (843) 689-3111, graysinc.com

What makes your business unique? We have been doing business on Hilton Head and Bluffton for 35 years and that itself is unique. We are a locally owned family business that prides itself on taking care of our staff and clients.  

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? I have been very fortunate to have some great people in my life who have made me the businessman I am today. I owe to my father first and foremost. He always stood for doing the right thing and being honest.Gray’s Heating and Air was set up by Tim Gray with hard work and honesty, along with taking care of staff and customers. When I first met with Cindy Gray, I knew this was the right fit and I will honor my father and Tim each day striving to be the best I can with the same values.

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most? That always will be a tough question for me as I have a passion for this business and truly love what I do. We are very fortunate to have an amazing team that will go the extra mile for each other and our clients. I am honored that Cindy has given me this opportunity – and the best is yet to come!

What would you like to never do again if you didn’t have to? For me this is easy. I would like to never let anyone down!

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working? I enjoy fishing our local waterways. Most importantly, family time. I am very proud of what I do and try to give to my family each day. Golf used to be something I loved to play but as we all know, things change, and sometimes you can’t do all the things you love. I am thankful for everything in my life and enjoy each day!

What is the best business advice you were ever given? “Make your vocabulary A-M, and P-Z. NO never gets in the way of what you can accomplish.”

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to? I try and give back and be involved within the community. I am honored to serve as vice chair of the Town of Bluffton Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. I am a proud Rotarian. I also sit on the board for the Herman Fuqua Memorial Scholarship Program. This event raises money for scholarships at Bluffton and May River High Schools. Gray’s Heating and Air Conditioning is the proud Title Sponsor for our annual Golf Tournament. We have given more than 30 scholarships and are growing each year.

What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again? Each day we are all on a journey and meant to be where we are. I am thankful for everything in my life and know I could have done things better when I was younger, but I am proud to be right where I am each day!

JAMES DISMOND, Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, (843) 706-2296

James Dismond’s journey to becoming CEO of Hospice Care of the Lowcountry is a testament to his profound dedication to serving others and making a positive impact on his community – a commitment well recognized by those who know him. 

Dismond’s path was shaped early on, after being adopted. The experience instilled in him a deep appreciation for the power of community in fostering love and acceptance, ultimately leading to his pursuit of a career that would allow him to pay it forward through nonprofit work.

Over the past decade, Dismond has had the privilege of serving in development roles for several nonprofits across the Southeast. When he was recruited to be the director of development for Hospice Care of the Lowcountry in 2020, he was deeply inspired by their mission. His perspective on end-of-life care shifted even more dramatically when his mother passed away in 2023 under hospice care. The compassionate services he and his family received fundamentally changed his approach.

Dismond’s personal connection to the care offered by Hospice Care of the Lowcountry allows him to remain committed to a relentless vision of providing accessible, quality care in chronic symptom management, end-of-life, and grief care.

Dismond’s community involvement goes beyond his profession. From volunteering with local charities, participating in fundraising events, and serving on boards of various organizations, including the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina Home Care & Hospice Association, he is dedicated to enhancing the lives of others and inspiring others to get involved in their communities. 

DR. GRANT EVANS & DR. WILLIAM DURRETT, NOVO Regenerative, 15 Moss Creek Village Ste 101, Hilton Head, (843) 836-5800

For those experiencing the chronic pain that comes from degenerative joint or tissue damage, options were generally scarce in years past. There was the temporary relief with the use of physical therapy, chiropractic care, and use of multiple steroidal based therapies. If these were ineffective, often the last resort would involve the drastic step of joint replacement and/or spinal surgery. Or there was the unthinkable possibility of just living with it.

But with the advent of regenerative medicine, particularly Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy (MSC), there is finally a long-term treatment option that has been proven to be highly effective at eliminating pain and discomfort associated with degenerative joint conditions.

“We’ve had amazing positive results,” said Dr. Grant Evans, co-founder of NOVO Regenerative with Dr. William Durrett. Evans, an experienced chiropractor, and Durrett, a board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain management physician, have combined their wealth of expertise and knowledge to form a pain center that does more than simply offer temporary relief.

“We’re really trying to increase the overall quality of life, while helping patients avoid some of the less-ideal alternatives,” Evans said. “With MSCs, it’s typically a one-time treatment involving an injection similar to a cortisone shot. We then follow up with patients a couple of weeks later to include MLS laser and/or other therapies to ensure a successful outcome.”

Durrett added, “And with success rates greater than 90% or higher, our unique blend of skills and advanced technology are helping more people than ever in living a higher quality, active life.”

PATRICK CARR & MICHAEL BENNETT, Carr Lega Group, 1 Corpus Christi Place, 113, Hilton Head, (843) 733-4493

Everyone at Carr Legal Group understands that knowing the law is just as important as knowing why the law exists. Pure and simple, the law exists to help the people. And that’s exactly what Carr Legal Group does.

“We try to give every case and every client a personalized approach and individual attention,” said Patrick Carr. “We don’t treat them like numbers on a spreadsheet, because that’s what the big TV lawyers do. They spend millions of dollars trying to increase market share, but I’m not sure the attention they give to clients is adequate.”

Working alongside Carr at Carr Legal Group, attorney Michael Bennett shares that dedication to giving every client the utmost.

“We’re here to make sure people who have been hurt through no fault of their own are not taken advantage of,” Bennett said. “And also to make sure their claims aren’t disrespected by the insurance carriers whose job it is to pay as little as possible.”

Born in Columbia, Bennett made Hilton Head Island his home in 2006. Leaving here to attend USC for his undergraduate (“and to get free football tickets,” he added with a laugh), he stayed on to attain his juris doctor in law from USC’s School of Law. 

Returning to be closer to family, and to practice in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, dram shop liability, and workers compensation, he quickly found that Carr Legal Group shared his dedication to clients.

“I always had a passion to learn and practice law, and to help make a difference in people’s lives,” Bennett said. “Patrick approached me to practice with him, and in my opinion he’s the best around.”

As a native South Carolinian, cum laude graduate of University of South Carolina Honors College, and Lowcountry resident for the past 15 years, Carr has lived his life among the people of the Palmetto State. Since leaving the insurance world behind to start representing the little guy, he has fought for the people. Now, he’s looking to his next chapter as he starts taking the fight back to the big guys. 

“What we’re currently facing, as an organization of trial lawyers, is this concept of tort reform,” Carr said. “When people say ‘tort reform,’ it’s almost a catchphrase. It sounds cool. But what they’re really saying is we want to help wrongdoers and take away rights that injury victims have. … You can impact public safety and community wellness by holding wrongdoers responsible, so they change their behavior. If you take that away, there’s no accountability.”

ANDREW CARRABBA, Color Splash Painting, (843) 415-9152, colorsplash-painting.com

What makes your business unique? Our business stands out because we’re revolutionizing the painting industry. Our slogan, “Drama-Free Painting. Period,” addresses a common pain point, but what truly sets us apart is our exceptional customer service and the positive culture we foster within the company. We consistently deliver exceptional value and aim to make every customer’s project journey as seamless as possible.

Who was instrumental in setting you on your path to business success? Did you have a mentor?  My father was an entrepreneur his entire life, and growing up in that environment was truly inspiring. He has been a mentor to me, along with my older brothers, who have built successful business in New York. Their guidance and example have been instrumental in shaping my entrepreneurial journey.

Running a business generally requires you to wear many hats. Is there a specific side of the business you enjoy most? Marketing and branding are, without a doubt, my favorite aspects of the business. I have a natural flair for creativity and find this side of the business to be the most enjoyable and engaging.

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working?  I cherish spending time with my wife and two kids. I also enjoy staying physically active and playing the cello and guitar.

What is the best business advice you were ever given?  The best advice I’ve received is a quote from entrepreneur Alex Hormozi: “I get happier about the harder it gets because I know no one else will follow. If you can shift from ‘this is hard’ to ‘no one else will be able to do this,’ it changes from ‘poor me’ to ‘poor everyone else who’s going to have to try.’”

Do you have any local charitable organizations you support or would like to give a shout-out to?  Heroes on Horseback is  doing incredible work, and I’d love to give them a shout-out for their dedication and impact. Their efforts are truly amazing!

What would you do differently if you had to do it all over again?  I wouldn’t change a thing. Every mistake and loss I’ve experienced has been a crucial part of my journey, shaping who I am today. I firmly believe that the more challenges God places in our path, the more opportunities we have to grow. Each obstacle we overcome brings us closer to our best selves. Without failures, we can’t truly evolve.

LUCAS BRINSA, Palmetto Upholstery, 106 Arrow Road, Hilton Head, (843) 785-4002

If you’re looking reupholster anything in your home or patio – or just want to see something really cool – head down to 106 Arrow Road, where the bright blue Palmetto Upholstery trucks rest between deliveries, and step inside. The whirlwind of activity inside is like nothing you’ve ever seen.

“We do a lot of walk-ins, and we love when people come by and see us,” said owner Lucas Brinsa. “We’re kind of half showroom, half workroom – you’ll see people back there sewing and cutting, you’ll hear the staple guns going, and see the sewing machines working.”

Brinsa knows how fascinating the process of reupholstering chairs and sofas can be, because he watched with the same fascination as his dad, Wolfgang, worked his magic as owner of Magnolia Upholstery on the island. Learning the trade from his father, Lucas went out on his own in 2004 and has seen Palmetto Upholstery grow by leaps and bounds ever since.

“It’s been fun to train people and to teach the trade,” Brinsa said. “We live by the three F’s here – foam, fabric, and furniture.”

He applies those three F’s in bringing beautiful furniture back to life, whether restoring a favorite sofa or aiding in renovations, such as the Harbour Town Clubhouse or Berkeley Hall Clubhouse.

“New foam padding in your furniture can really bring it back to life,” Brinsa said, adding that they also build custom kitchen banquets, cornice boards for windows, any size living room bench, and headboards for the bedroom. “We can help make that custom furniture fit you and your house.”

If you want to see how it’s done, or if your own furniture could use a little of Palmetto Upholstery’s magic, now you know where to go. You can even get an estimate by sending in a photo.