Business

We’re Just Different by Melissa LaScaleia If Mozzarella’s is a restaurant known for being different, certainly the story of how this local, family owned eatery came into being falls under that moniker as well. About a year ago, Debi Perry and her partner Paul Striso visited Myrtle Beach on vacation from New Jersey. They fell in love with the locale, and two months later moved down to live a semi-retired life. “We just wanted a different life, an easier, more relaxed, more spiritual life,” Debi says. Paul’s plan was to work part time and play golf.     “But,” he says, “as usual, man plans and God laughs.”  Paul and Debi knew they wanted to run their own business— something that would draw upon Paul’s background in sales and marketing, and Debi’s management and organizational skills.  One day, driving up Highway 17, they stumbled upon a turn-key pizzeria for sale in the Market Common. Instead of calling, they went in and talked to the owner, and three hours later, decided to buy it.  Vinny runs Mozzarella’s kitchens and makes a multitude of varieties of hand-tossed traditional and Italian specialty pizzas. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “Life is all about new adventures,” Paul says. “So we jumped all-in.”  “Neither one of us ever owned a pizzeria before, but my son Vinny has been in the restaurant and pizzeria business for fifteen years,” Debi says. “He always wanted to run his own kitchen and I knew he was a great cook. He had no idea what we were up to, but after one phone call, he was sold. Vinny relocated from Florida to come help us open and run our new business, Mozzarella’s.” Mozzarella’s just opened its doors in the Market Common last month. The restaurant seats about forty people inside, and has a small outdoor patio space. The upbeat eatery serves traditional Italian and specialty pizzas, including Sicilian, pan and thin-crust pizzas, calzones, strombolis, wings, and hot and cold subs. Vinny makes Mozzarella’s marinara sauce, meatballs, and dough from a combination of family recipes and his own experience. “We buy quality, top-of-the-line ingredients and cheeses to make our menu items,” Debi says. “All of our recipes are our own. We’re part Italian, so we drew upon our heritage in forming our menu. It’s a very simple and basic family style menu. But what makes us different is that everything on our menu can be converted into a low-carb item.” Two years ago, Debi began to follow a ketogenic diet for health reasons. Ketogenics eliminates sugar, processed foods, wheat, grains, and flour from your diet, and provides guidelines for managing your proteins, fats and carbohydrates. “There are no nitrates or GMOs. It’s a clean, whole foods-based diet,” Debi says. “I traveled a lot for work and could never find clean food to eat other than salads and basic meats. I learned how to keto-ize everything, even Italian food. Paul and I eat this way all the time.   “With Mozzarella’s, we wanted to incorporate this way of cooking our food into the traditional pizzeria menu — and introduce this way of eating to others. People think it’s hard, but it’s really not.” Mozzarella’s wants to introduce a healthier way of eating to the community, so everything on their menu can be made low carb. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Their low-carb pizzas are crafted from Rella dough— a dough made entirely of almond flour and a blend of their high-quality cheeses.  They also make low-carb sandwiches, called Rellawiches. In place of traditional bread, they use dough made from blended cheese and eggs. They plan on offering other low-carb options in the future, like cauliflower crust and zucchini noodles. Debi’s daughter, Briana, is an Executive Pastry Chef who will be joining in on the family business. She and her husband, David Charles, will be relocating to the area later this month from New Jersey; the two are expecting their first child.  Mozzarella’s plan is to incorporate some of her pastry making talents; she’ll be making homemade cannoli cream, cheesecakes, Italian pastries, and some ketogenic desserts. Paul and Debi want to see additional Mozzarella’s all along the Grand Strand.  “That’s our company vision,” she says.  The two wanted to bring their family together and create a fun, eclectic vibe to host their guests.  “Paul came up with the idea that we offer our space up to local artists to create murals, paint the tables, and showcase art,” Debi says.  “Everything in the restaurant is for sale,” she adds, “including Vinny.” Mozzarella’s 1600 Farrow Parkway, Market Common, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Open M-Sa 11am-9pm 843-839-3999 Facebook @ Mozzarellas 5% off your bill if you mention their daily specials on Facebook, or this article. Same menu all day long. Take-out, delivery, dine-in, & catering. Stay tuned for their happy hour specials and local live musicians playing at select times.

Have A Nice Bank by Melissa LaScaleia CresCom Bank is the second largest community bank in the Carolinas. They operate in seven of the twenty-five fastest growing markets in the Southeastern United States; have sixty-two branch locations; and retain $3.9 billion in assets.  CresCom came into being in 2012, when the bank’s parent holding company, Carolina Financial Corporation, merged the names and logos of Crescent Bank in Myrtle Beach and Community First Bank in Charleston.  Now, CresCom Bank has eight locations on the Grand Strand. The Socastee branch, their newest location, was opened in response to requests from their customers, and is only one mile away from the Market Common. “We are a community bank with a commitment to offering personalized services. We focus on building lifelong relationships one customer at a time,” says Helen Peters, manager for the Socastee branch location.  “Most of the staff at this branch have been in banking for more than twenty years. We get a lot of compliments from our customers about how much they like coming to our office because we treat them like one of the family.”  Helen Peters, branch manager at the Socastee location. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Helen has had a career in banking for thirty-four years. She came on board with CresCom six years ago, and has been the Socastee branch manager for the past five.  “I’ve worked for both big-box and community banks but I’ve always liked the community bank better because we go out of our way to build those relationships with our customers,” she says. “We get to know them and their families, and treat them more like they are our family rather than just a number walking through the door.”  CresCom supports our armed forces, and is the only bank in the area that offers a special account for veterans.  Helen is involved with the local Grand Strand chapter of MOAA, a national nonprofit organization which gives back to veterans financially, as well as sponsoring college scholarships for the local high school students in ROTC.  She helps with their annual golf tournament to raise money to provide housing and service dogs for local veterans in need. The funds also support The Veteran Welcome Home Center, as well as the construction of a memorial in the Market Common.  “We are proud to support both our veterans and MOAA,” Helen says.  CresCom is a community bank that offers everything a corporate bank does as well as placing a value on creating lifelong relationships with each customer. They also place a premium on community service. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “As a bank,” she adds, “we offer everything under one roof to fit anyone’s needs— from personal banking, to business banking, to mortgages and investment services. We have drive-up ATMs at every location with an after-hours depository, and online and mobile banking available 24/7. We’re big enough to deliver anything that big corporate banks do, but small enough to care about our customers and the time we spend with them.”  CresCom takes relationship-building beyond their bank walls, supporting their team members to help out in the community, and working with them every step of the way to provide the resources they need to make a lasting difference.  “All of the branch managers get involved with the community in a number of different ways on things that we take to heart,” Helen adds.  For Helen, that’s a number of activities: the main one is helping the public schools in Horry County. She is a member of the Socastee High School Athletic Association board which assists with all the high school sports teams in any capacity, including fundraising.  And she is on the School Improvement Board for the elementary school. The board is comprised of teachers, business leaders, and parents, who all work with the school to make improvements in education.  Nikki Klapp, CresCom’s marketing director, says, “We recognize that our job is to help our community. The bank charges our team members to find what they’re passionate about, and Helen is passionate about helping the local schools.”  “I also do a lot with the American Cancer Society,” Helen says. “I’m involved with the Relay For Life fundraiser in the Market Common. It’s one of the causes that’s near and dear to my heart because cancer affects so many people every day. All of us know someone who has been or is affected by it.” CresCom Bank  4506 Socastee Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 M-Th 8:30am- 5pm; Fr 8:30am-6pm 843-429-2501 www.haveanicebank.com Facebook @ CresCom Bank

Customers Return… Because of Our Service by Melissa LaScaleia The Talotta family opened the doors of their retail establishment, Talotta Contract Interiors, in Myrtle Beach in May 1981.  Driven by a sprit of innovation and a heritage of quality services, Talotta is the Grand Strand’s leading provider of finished commercial and office interiors. “We offer the best quality office furnishings and customer service anywhere,” says Frank Talotta, the owner. “That’s our mission.”  Talotta Contract Interiors is a purveyor of new and used, commercial and home office furniture and ergonomic products. They carry desks, chairs, file cabinets, book cases, storage cabinets, panel systems, cubicles, and much more.  They specialize in project management; space planning; interior design; local and national installation; relocation services; reconfiguration; moving services; and leasing. In addition, they can custom-craft your home office space, providing all you need to work from home.  “I got on a truck when I was thirteen years old delivering office furniture,” Frank remembers of how he got started in this industry. “I’ve been doing this now for forty-six years.” Frank is originally from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. His father died when he was seven years old, and his mother remarried to a man who worked in the furniture business.  After graduating from Coastal Carolina University, Frank played professional baseball with the Houston Astros. At the end of his contract, he returned to Myrtle Beach to help with the family business, and became the owner soon thereafter, in 1985.  “I enjoy Myrtle Beach, I went to college here,” Frank says. “And I wanted to bring some of my experiences with office furniture I had had as a kid to the area. I hoped that I could make a difference by helping people— in providing a service they needed so they could be a success in their business doing what they do.”  “I’ve always had a passion for helping people,” he adds. “There’s no project too small or too large for us. Over the past thirty-eight years, I’ve seen Myrtle Beach grow by leaps and bounds, and it’s been nice to be a part of it.”  Talotta Contract Interiors started out with three employees. As time has passed, they have grown to a staff of twelve who have talents ranging from interior design and architecture, to space planning, installations, and sales.    “I take pride in the fact that we have great employees,” Frank says. “The best things we offer our clients, the reasons why they return to us again and again, are because of the quality of our designs and installations, and our top notch service. Our design and installation specialists are the best in the country; and delivering that with unparalleled service is our number one priority.”  Talotta’s professional in-house interior designers utilize computer aided design (CAD) and drafting technology which enables them to work directly on architectural plans to create your furniture layout in 3D so you can see what it will look like. Frank’s staff have talents that range from interior design and architecture to space planning, installations, and sales. Pictured above, a few of the members from the installation team. “It helps us take your initial vision from concept to completion,” Frank says. “The DWG architectural file enables us to bypass the visit to a building to take measurements— it’s already to scale. We have the technology and specialized software and work closely with our customers to give them visuals of all available layouts that cover all the bases of what can be done in that space.”  As professional space planners, they can incorporate your existing furniture into your new design if you choose, and will also include that furniture in the architectural plan. Or they can outfit you in everything you need.  “Our commitment to offering the best products and services available is backed by our many partnerships with quality furniture manufacturers such as Knoll and Office Source,” Frank says. “Together these sources provide furniture solutions to serve clients large and small, and at many price points.”  Whether you are purchasing a small office setup for your home, developing a growing business, or looking to furnish an entire building, those in Myrtle Beach know that they can expect the same skilled and committed installation team, professionalism, level of dedicated service, and support staff from Talotta Contract Interiors. “This is the kind of total company support that we offer the Myrtle Beach community now and in the future, as your business grows and evolves,” says Frank. “And that’s important because there isn’t a big corporate community here— it’s more a conglomeration of small businesses, like car dealerships, banks, law offices, and construction, plumbing, and medical companies. They know that they can rely on us, and that we have a really nice selection to create beautiful and functional office spaces.”  Part of their commitment to functionality is their focus on ergonomic products. Talotta is the area’s number one source for ergonomic seating and sit and stand products. “We have a huge variety of chairs here in our showroom— we carry passive and totally ergonomic seating, those with adjustable side arms, lumbar supports, and front forward pitch selectors,” Frank says. “We encourage people to come in and test drive our office chairs. We are referred by chiropractors, and are beloved by customers who have back issues.”  In this day and age, Talotta often suggests sit and stand tables that people can incorporate into their office unobtrusively, which raise and lower electronically or with a lever, so people can take a reprieve from sitting all day. They can explain any of the features of the products they carry, and how they relieve back and neck pain. Talotta Contract Interiors can customize support for those with more specific needs, and they’ll meet anybody’s price point. “Either we visit the customer, or they come to see us so we understand how they’re working,” Frank says. “It could be a simple fix. They could just need a different height keyboard and mouse, or something that we can remedy with a small adjustment.  “We are truly the ergonomic seating experts in Myrtle Beach. From watching a person work, looking at their chair, … Read more

Get Your Art Buzz On by Melissa LaScaleia Bailey Turner discovered Wine and Design when she was a sophomore at Coastal Carolina University. A graphic design major with a minor in studio art, she was looking for a job doing something she loved, and began working at one of Wine and Design’s franchise locations in Myrtle Beach. After graduation she moved to Chicago, and stayed in the same industry with a similar company.  When she returned South, the Wine and Design of her college years had moved to North Myrtle Beach. Seeing a huge market open in the heart of Myrtle Beach, she and her husband, Chris Wilkinson, decided to open their own location in the Market Common while they were still dating.  “We got business married before really getting married,” she laughs.  Wine and Design teaches step-by-step instructions for painting your own painting. Groups of friends or solos get to leave with a painting that they made that same night. The studio offers a selection of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase, but is also BYOB, and encourages people to bring what they want to eat or drink.  “People often bring cheese platters or fruit trays, they sometimes even cater,” Bailey says. “It’s really like a big party where you happen to learn how to paint. People who come in here expect to have a good time. It’s just a fun environment to be in.”    Husband and wife team Chris Wilkinson (left), and Bailey Turner (right). “We got business married before really getting married,” Bailey says. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Classes are held daily, and pre-registration is encouraged to give Bailey and her team of artists time to pre-trace the canvases. If somebody wants a totally blank canvas, they’ll provide that too.  They also offer a daily Pop-In & Paint class, for those with unpredictable schedules or spontaneous tendencies. During designated hours, anyone is welcome to come in and paint at their own leisure from a pre-traced or blank canvas, without any teaching guidance.  All of the artwork at Wine and Design is original— either created by an owner of a franchise or an employee of one. It’s all copyrighted— therefore, not something you’ll find reproduced anywhere outside the venue. There are new paintings to choose from all the time, and the artwork is kept in an online gallery database which all of the franchises have access to. Selected paintings are rarely offered twice— only brought back by client demand.  The paintings are picked several months in advance based on what Bailey thinks will be popular seasonally. You can view the selections on their website and pre-register for the painting you choose.  They have a range of other mediums you can select besides canvas: wine glasses, wine bottles, and pallet boards; and specialty classes like Paint Your Pet, as well as an Acrylic Pour class in which you liquidize paint and pour it on the canvas to make abstract designs. “The emphasis is on texture and color and less on form,” Bailey says in speaking of the latter class.  They are also offering classes and workshops under a new do-it-yourself division.  “I truly love my job,” says Bailey. “This is probably the dream job for any artist.” — Photo Meganpixels Parker “Under this category are classes like knitting chunky blankets, and creating stencils from a wood pallet to customize lettering or a design,” Bailey says. “These are more hands on physical activities.”  Wine and Design has two rooms— a larger for public gatherings, and another room in the back for private functions like birthday parties, bachelorette parties, kids parties, and baby showers. Anything that can be turned into a party can be a party here.  They also offer several kids camps over the summer as well as alternating Mommy & Me and kids painting classes on Saturday mornings. Check their calendar for all their latest offerings.  “We’re excited to be in our fourth year and still continuing to bring in new and fun elements to the industry,” says Chris.  With a degree in business and finance from Coastal Carolina, Chris handles the business side which also includes most of the marketing. Bailey works with the calendar, manages the artists, and handles inventory; they both handle customer interactions.  “I truly love my job,” she says. “It’s amazing being able to paint everyday. This is probably the dream job for any artist.  “Everyone who works here either has an art degree or is getting their art degree, so they’re all very qualified to teach. I try to teach a large number of classes because I enjoy it.”  The couple bring an element of fun to their business that’s infectious for their clientele, and continue to brainstorm new offerings to delight.” — Photo Meganpixels Parker In addition to the teaching, Bailey’s favorite thing about being co-owner of Wine and Design is seeing customers find and discover their creativity.  “98% of the people who come to us have never painted before, or haven’t since elementary school,” she says. “A lot of times they get discouraged and say, ‘I’ve never learned art,’ but they have so much talent. They’re usually a little hard on themselves, but at the end, they’re so proud of their work.”     Bailey and Chris have what’s called a Paint It Forward division, a charity division of their company, in which they donate a percentage of the class proceeds to a charitable cause. Often customers will approach them with a cause, and the two will host a class to support them.   “We especially love being in this community of Market Common,” Bailey says. “We couldn’t have chosen a better area when we decided where to go. We have a lot of support from people who live nearby. I want to bring them creativity. Art is important, especially for people with a 9-5 job, because creating helps you de-stress. And where else do you really get to do art in the community?  “We have a lot of customers who come to us multiple times per week and per month, and this is their therapy session. I think that’s a neat … Read more

Kitchens for Deaf Education with Conway Builders by Melissa LaScaleia Since its beginnings in 1997, Conway Builders of Myrtle Beach has taken pride in offering quality workmanship. The family owned and operated company specializes in kitchen and bath remodeling and all other interior house finishings.  Michael Sokolik, Jr. is vice president of the company and partner with his stepfather Victor Conway. Victor has been in this industry since the age of eight, when he would accompany his father and uncle on jobs. As an adult, he forged Conway Builders of Myrtle Beach with values based on stellar customer service and first-rate artistry.  Conway Builders are building contractors who go above and beyond in terms of the customer service and level of work that they offer.  Victor sums up their approach with a phrase he coined— ‘There’s the right way, the wrong way, and the Conway.’ With the Conway method, customers are taken care of, the right way, the first time.    “My stepfather would say, if you can see it, the customer can see it,” Michael says. “So we look with attention to detail to catch things and take care of any loose ends the first time. That way, we’re in the clear, and not giving them anything to go looking for.”    Another of their mottos is quality above quantity.  “We want each customer to receive the same excellent service as the person before them,” says Michael. “So if people want the job done yesterday, they have to wait their turn while we give our full attention to the project we’re currently working on. We won’t short-change or abandon a current customer just to secure a new one.”  “Our main goal is to make our customers happy,” Victor adds. “And that takes a lot of hard work and hands-on mentality to achieve. We’re a family business, so when you hire us, you’ll always have a member of the Conway family on the job.”     Michael Sokolik, Jr., co-owner of Conway builders. — Photo Meganpixels Parker In keeping with their commitment to full transparency, with Conway Builders, you never have to worry about being upcharged. They give their clients a list of products needed for the project and the locations where those items can be found, so that homeowners can select the style, price, and quality of the materials personally.  “We try to steer our clients towards using higher quality materials, because those will stand up over time,” Michael says. “If you use lesser quality products now, you’re going to pay to do a repair again sooner than you would otherwise. But anybody who can’t afford higher quality materials still receives the same level of workmanship from us.  “It makes sense to have the clients pick out the materials since they are the ones who have to live with the products. That way, there’s no question as to what they’re getting. They’ve seen it, touched it and they know all about it. And, if they choose to use another contractor, we’ve given them an organized form that makes it easier to have a complete breakdown of what they’re buying and for what purpose.”  Conway Builders takes the time to give a complete verbal overview of the labor process, so that customers can hear and understand what it takes to do the work, the skill and knowledge needed to execute the project in a timely manner, and a complete price with all the taxes included. They give accurate and detailed assessments that are clear, transparent, and up-front both about the cost and the time needed to complete the job.  “I’m always willing to sit and spend time with customers to understand what they want and answer any questions,” Michael says. “Because what I hear from a lot of people who end up choosing us, is that a lot of companies are just there to take measurements and write up an estimate, not answer questions.”  The team at Conway Builders takes continuing education courses within their profession, so they constantly stay up-to-date on the latest trends, available products and installation techniques, and code.  The company’s incredible attention to practically meeting and addressing customers’ needs earns them grateful and loyal clients as much as their industry and design knowledge.  “A lot of people go with our ideas because we know what we’re talking about,” Michael says. “People look at their bathroom or kitchen and say, ‘I want this or that.’  I’m able to create a design for them that is going to get them all the different characteristics of their varying ideas and make it into one final transformation that’s tangible, workable, and solid.” Michael’s daughter, Gracelyn (center) is both deaf and hard of hearing. She is the inspiration behind Conway Builder’s Kitchens for Deaf Education donation campaign. — Photo Meganpixels Parker This past August, Michael began a fundraising promotion to give back to the community called  Kitchens for Deaf Education.  Through this initiative, when customers order any size or brand kitchen cabinet set and installation through Conway Builders, the company will donate a portion of the proceeds to Horry County Schools to support deaf education.  The money will primarily be used to update the resources library— securing the acquisition of things like books, technology, and other learning tools specific to deaf and hard of hearing children. It will also be used to provide continuing education for interpreters within the Horry County school system.  “Another thing we’re doing with the money,” Michael says, “is hosting an awareness picnic for the deaf and hard of hearing students all over Horry County, and their friends from the hearing community.”    Michael’s youngest child, Gracelyn, was the inspiration for the promotion. She is deaf and hard of hearing, and is a part of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program at the local school where she just entered kindergarten.     A lot of deaf and hard of hearing people are able to wear hearing aids or get cochlear implants to help them hear, but the surgery is very expensive and requires much maintenance throughout … Read more

Known For Excellence, Trusted For Value by Melissa LaScaleia When a relative introduced Jim Bowdre to the funeral business at a young age, he found he enjoyed the profession, and decided to pursue his interest by attended embalming school.  In addition to receiving a degree in mortuary science, he also graduated from Virginia Tech on a full-ride academic scholarship, and earned his master’s degree in education from UVA.  Jim worked for Hillenbrand Industries, the world’s largest casket and hospital bed company for twenty-seven years as a territory manger, covering NC, SC and GA. He also taught continuing education in North and South Carolina for funeral directors.  In 2004, Jim took an early retirement, and moved with his wife, Carole, to Myrtle Beach. Then he met an altruistic gentleman, Greg Everett, who wanted to make funeral costs more affordable to people.  “The biggest thing that drives people away from a funeral home is the cost,” Jim says. “Greg is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. He was trying to come up with a business plan to offer premier service at an affordable price.”     With Jim’s help, Greg started the Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and Crematory in 2008. With his love of the funeral business, Jim worked for him after retirement, and ultimately purchased it from him in 2011, so Greg could manage his other businesses.  Today, Jim and Carole run the funeral home together with the help of Eddie Lennon and Bob Borning.  Eddie is originally from Long Island, NY, and moved to Myrtle Beach five years ago. He is the cremation specialist at the funeral home, and is currently apprenticing to be a funeral director.  Eddie became interested in the funeral business when he began meeting people in the industry through his work in a nursing home and then afterwards at the Myrtle Beach hospital. After meeting Jim through mutual connections, he decided to join the Myrtle Beach Funeral Home team.    “The environment here has a very homey feel to it,” Eddie says. “We look out for one another, we help one another. And we help the families get through this time— sometimes it’s with laughter, sometimes it’s just by being compassionate. We treat each other and the people who come in here as if they are our own family.”  Bob Borning is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He grew up in upstate New York, and lived on Cape Cod for thirty years where he managed a funeral home— the same one which buried most of the Kennedy family.  He also worked for an emergency response company, and spent three weeks assisting in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina hit, and almost four months in Haiti after the earthquake.  “We were charged with repatriating people from all over the world who were victims of the disaster,” he says.  Bob eventually moved to Myrtle Beach for the weather, the lifestyle, and a change, and worked for some years with another funeral home before relocating to Missouri. Then Jim called him and offered him a job.  “I had known Jim for over twenty years, and he gave me a call because he was looking for somebody to help him with his business,” Bob says. “I was literally packing my bags to come back here as we were on the phone discussing it.  “Jim and Carol are absolutely wonderful people to work with and for. They’ve made it possible to offer people in Horry and Georgetown counties and beyond, an affordable choice for cremation and burial.  “I meet families often, and I handle a lot of the embalming for Jim. I have a lot of experience doing it. We take pride in what we do here.”  Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and Crematory provides full funerals and cremations at a fraction of the cost of most funeral homes nation-wide.  “In keeping with the motives that inspired the start of this business, we offer premier services at affordable prices while still maintaining the highest level of ethical business practices,” Carole says.  “We offer everything any other funeral home does, but because we are a smaller facility— 7,000 square feet rather than 17,000 square feet, we have lower overhead, and so we are able to offer lower prices.”    Traditional funerals have shifted, and today, are more of a celebration and remembrance of a life. Above, keepsakes that can personalized for a family to remember their loved one. — Photo Meganpixels Parker The facility includes a large dining area, several arrangement offices, a non-denominational chapel which holds 115, a smaller chapel, a family room, and an onsite crematory with a family room attached. They also offer catering services.  “The market has shifted and traditional funerals have shifted,” Carole says. “The ceremony is changing now to be more a celebration of life. You need less space, and the popularity of cremations has grown tremendously. ”  Myrtle Beach Funeral Home and Crematory offers all traditional services for cremations and burials. They accommodate all wishes and all religious preferences.  Carole writes a lot of articles about the funeral industry and how families can navigate end-of-life issues together. One of the topics she tries to educate people about is that of the importance of pre-arrangement, the action of specifying wishes and planning your funeral while you are healthy. “Prearrangement is one of the greatest gifts that someone can give their family,” she says. “At the time of death, emotions and anxiety are escalated, often family members cannot think clearly, and cannot make decisions. With a prearrangement, it allows family members to follow the wishes of the deceased and relieves a lot of stress.”  Carole has a degree in business and psychology from Francis Marion University. She began her college career as a business major, but enjoyed psychology so much she ended up with a double major.  She has twenty years of hospice experience, counseling families who have lost loved ones and helping them navigate the end of the life process. She is a firm believer in the healing power of the grieving process.    “I enjoy helping the families who come to us,” Carole says. “Sometimes I sit and … Read more

We Do It All; We Get It Done by Melissa LaScaleia Jerribob’s Mail, Print, & Design Center originally began over thirty years ago, strictly as a shipping facility.  Jerri and Bob Bradford started the business in 1989, and over the years it evolved into a print and design center as well. After they retired in 2010, their daughter, Lisa, and her husband took it over.  Now it’s Lisa’s turn to retire, and she’s passed the baton to Rhonda Fussell, who purchased the business from her this past May.  “I was living in Charlotte, and wanted to move to Myrtle Beach,” Rhonda says in speaking about how she came to be the new owner. “I had a home here already.  “I had a real estate background, but I knew I’d need a stable business to feel secure with the move. So I was looking in the papers for businesses for sale in Myrtle Beach. There were a lot of restaurants and entertainment places, but then I saw the ad for this printing and shipping business.  “I didn’t know why, but I was drawn to it. Everybody I talked to about it thought I was out of my mind, so I dismissed it. But I couldn’t put it out of my mind, I kept going back to it. So finally I contacted them, and when Lisa and her husband met me, we all really hit it off. I just knew it was what I wanted.”  Rhonda has been an entrepreneur her entire life, and came from a family of entrepreneurs as well. Her mother was the first woman to ever go into the bathtub industry; her father was a builder.  “I grew up with people telling me, whatever you want to do, make it a reality; go into it 100%,” Rhonda says. “My parents pushed me to do things that I might not have ever done, or been too timid or scared to do— so nothing scares me. If I’m jumping into something, I’m jumping in.  “I never thought I would want to get into the printing and shipping business, but here I am. Everything I’ve ever done in my life, I’ve had to learn, and this is no different.”  “Everything I’ve ever done in my life, I’ve had to learn,” says Rhonda. “And this is no different.” — Photo Meganpixels Parker The transition has been an easy one for everyone.  “Lisa has been great,” Rhonda says. “She’s trained me on everything. I feel like we’re good friends, and I can always call her if I need anything. It was such a hard decision for them to make, whom to sell their family business to. They were looking for the right fit, to retain the sense of community they had created, and someone who would preserve what they had built.  “The employees have been here for a long time, and I think they were a little nervous at first. But we really have the best time. We truly enjoy each other. It’s just so much fun. And that’s the way work should be.”  Today at Jerribob’s, customers are first; the business itself, is a one-stop shop for everything shipping and printing.  “The two things I got when I took over this business,” Rhonda says, “are an incredible staff who can literally do anything, and incredible customers. Some of the customers have been coming here since the business started— and the customers to me are just everything.”  Jerribob’s offers the community an incredible array of services. They can print almost anything. They can design custom gift wrap with your face on it; they have shredding services; notary services; virtual mailboxes; and physical mailboxes for people who are moving or are bi-coastal with no permanent address.  They’ll receive your packages and faxes; sell a comprehensive array of office and shipping supplies, as well as a wide variety of unique gift items; and customize promotional items for companies.  “We have people who operate their entire business from this store,” Rhonda says. “They use our computers, do email— we even write letters for them that they need written up. “From your cell phone, you could email us any document and ask us to print it out. If you needed it scanned, faxed, overnighted, we could do that; if you need us to print up your business cards, your invoice forms, banners, posters or advertisements— we could do that. Just about anything you can name, we can do. We can even put your logo on Christmas wrapping paper, or put a photograph on stretch canvas for framing.  Rhonda has a fearless, can-do attitude, and a joyful personality that makes the regular work day fun for everyone— customers and clients. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We get a lot of golfers who come in with their golf clubs, asking us to ship them back for them. People are floored when they know everything we do here. We can probably do things your office can’t do. I am absolutely loving it here.”  Another thing Jerribob’s offers is their rewards program for children. During the school year, children who come to Jerribob’s with a 100% score on one of their tests will get a duck stamp on their hand, and receive a rubber duck as a present. Some children collect them.  “All of us employees make a big deal out of how great the kids are doing in school; the children get a real kick out of this place,” Rhonda says.  “People bring their pets in— the dogs know who we are, they automatically come behind the counter, looking for their treats.”  Rhonda wasn’t at Jerribob’s long before applying her entrepreneurial skills to create even more options to better serve her customers.  “I’m developing a service where customers can call, and I can come and pick up their items to ship,” she says. “We already offer pick-ups for most of the hotels and real estate companies in the area, where we pick up items a customer has left behind and package it up and ship it out to them. But we have a lot of elderly clients; oftentimes getting … Read more

Promote, Protect and Improve the Grand Strand by Melissa LaScaleia The Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce is over eighty years old. It is comprised of two parts— a Chamber of Commerce, and a Convention and Visitor’s Bureau— both of which offer a wellspring of resources to the community.  The chamber side helps support the local business community through educational classes, programs, affinity business programs, and networking events.  “These programs have been in place for the past ten years,” says Diana Greene. “But what we do and how we do it has changed dramatically.”  Diana has been working for the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce for the past nineteen years. As the chief of administration, she assists with a variety of branches within the chamber including: communications, information technology, human resources, the visitors centers, and emergency management.  Last year, the chamber offered ninety-three in-person classes through the chamber academy, their education program. Classes cover a wide range of topics on things like annuities, HR issues, marketing your business, and more. Chamber members have access to all classes for free.  “We also have a Grand Strand Young Professionals Program,” Diana says. “The goal is to help young people ages 21 to 40 to build connections in their industry, to support them as they’re growing in their career so they will stay in our community—and help to build it, to make it stronger.”  The program is currently in its 9th year, and has over 200 professionals involved.  Another valuable resource for small business owners is the chamber’s Advocacy Program, which offers assistance on legislative issues that would be beneficial or applicable to them.  “We’re always advocating for small businesses to help them as much as we can, to make it easier for them to succeed,” Diana says. “We have a staff member who does nothing but advocates for us both locally as well as nationally.” The chamber has an advocacy committee which is made up of chamber members. They establish the year’s goals for the organization and compile a list of things that they want to address, which is then approved by their board.  “Committee members tell us the ways in which we need to go out and advocate for them— we will go to Washington D.C. when required, hold receptions, events, and invite legislatives in at the state and national level,” she says. “We have lobbyists who help us as well. We work in collaboration with the Grand Strand Business Alliance in some matters. We all have the same end result— we want to help the Grand Strand.”  Diana also runs the Leadership Grand Strand Program, which is currently in its 40th year. This is an annual nine-month-long program which combines aspects of leadership training, community service, and community awareness.  “The program is not so much about developing your business as it is about developing yourself,” says Diana. “It makes you stronger and more capable— it broadens your perspective. You receive a lot of self improvement training, so that you have more to work with, to give back.”  The chamber utilizes digital marketing, television and social media, public relations specialists, as well as print media to reach the public with information about Myrtle Beach. — Photo Meganpixels Parker The program was created to connect people with the community, to inspire them to help their community organically.     “We all have talents and skills that we can use,” Diana says. “It’s about helping people recognize what they’re capable of doing, and getting them engaged to do it. We teach people how things work behind the scenes. How things run at a county level— how rezoning works in practice.  “It’s a great feeling to see the people who have gone through the program putting what they learned into practice. Ultimately, we help people build a personal brand for themselves through what they discover as being a part of this program.”  On the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau side of things, the chamber offers assistance to consumers and groups.  “It’s a constant evolution,” Diana says. “As marketing options change and consumer behaviors change, we change too. As a destination marketing organization, we have to stay current all the time.  “Today, there are many different demographics that we cover that extend beyond individuals and families: millennials; millennials with kids; weekend getaways; girlfriends getaways; multi-generational family vacations; grandkids and grandparents traveling together; couples; families; sports enthusiasts; younger generations; weddings; honeymoons; nature enthusiasts; empty-nesters; seniors; golfers; fishing and boating enthusiasts; and those looking for general water activities. We also do a lot of promotions of Myrtle Beach as an autism-friendly destination.  “There are a myriad of ways that we try to reach out to visitors and let them know about the things that would be of interest to them based on what their needs are. It is definitely not a cookie-cutter approach to service.”     The chamber has employees solely dedicated to assisting customers with any kind of group need— like meetings and conventions, sports teams, motor coach groups, and tours.  To reach their customers, the chamber employs a variety of techniques: everything from digital marketing, television and social media, to public relations and attending travel and trade shows. They also do some print advertising.  “We’re high-tech, but high-touch,” Diana says. “We run the gamut. We utilize highly sophisticated digital elements, but we also we have a very strong public relations element, where we’re always trying to tell a story about our area.”  The chamber has a lot of partnerships with major brands, and they do a lot of in-person promotions at festivals and sporting events where they can promote their brand— VisitMyrtleBeach.com. They also do initiatives with air service, especially non-stop flights to the Myrtle Beach International Airport, which has the most direct flights— arriving and departing— of any other location in South Carolina.  “We have a very strong team; we have a mobile visitor center which we send out to work at consumer events and sports games, and discuss with people who we are and what we’re all about in person,” Diana says.  “We have a ton … Read more

Servicing the Grand Strand Area Since 1984 by Melissa LaScaleia Ka-Nol Insurance Services is a family owned and operated full-service insurance agency in Myrtle Beach.  They were formed in 1984 to provide insurance services to individuals and businesses throughout the Grand Strand and the Pee Dee areas.  They offer full benefit plans—including group health insurance— to businesses, and represent the top insurance carriers that are available in South Carolina.  Their president and director of operations, Corbett Shoemaker, has specialized in the field of employee benefits and group insurance since 1970. Corbett and his late wife, Brenda, started in the insurance business in Johnson City, Tennessee, but vacationed often in Myrtle Beach with their two daughters. Their love for the beach made their decision to move here in 1984 an easy one, and the family has called the Myrtle Beach area home since that time.  Their youngest daughter, Stephanie Haynes, started working with them in 1993, and is now the vice president and office manager. She is involved in the day-to-day activities of the office and works very closely with servicing clients.  Stephanie’s husband, Chris Haynes, is from Sheffield, England, and has been working with the company since 2014. He manages Ka-Nol’s  life insurance and Medicare departments, as well as handling all of their social media accounts and the website. He is also involved in the day-to-day activities of the office.  Ka-Nol is passionate about the service they provide their clients.  “We are very hands-on,” says Corbett, “as in we will resolve a problem ourselves instead of asking a client to resolve it by calling the insurance carrier.”  The Ka-Nol family team has personally created the Coastal Chamber Plan, which offers dental, vision, life, and short term disability insurance to groups with as few as two employees, with great benefits and very low rates.  For seniors aged sixty-five and over, Ka-Nol can help navigate Medicare. They can help you decide if a Supplement or an Advantage plan is right for you. They can also help those sixty-four and younger determine if a Health Insurance Marketplace plan would work for them. Ka-Nol has personally created insurance plans to help their clients. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We have customers who have been with us for thirty years, ” Corbett says. “Once we write the policy, our work with the group or individual does not stop. We are there to assist if a question or problem arises. We find out what the solution is rather than placing that burden on the individual. We also sign up new employees on a monthly basis, and educate the employee and individual on the options that are available to them. It’s very important to us that we take care of both old and new customers alike.”  “With this being a family business,” says Chris, “the main goals that we pride ourselves on are our ethics and the value we place on our customers of Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas. We focus totally on what the customer wants and needs. We want to make sure that we can sleep well at night knowing that we’re doing the best we can for them.”  Several months ago, Corbett celebrated the beginning of his 50th year in the employee benefit business.  “Putting the people first, serving our clients, and working for individuals is what I’m passionate about,” he says.  “In this business, every day you meet different people from all walks of life,” Stephanie says. “For me, the most rewarding thing is to give someone an insurance policy they’ve never had before, so they can go get the testing and care they need.” “All of our services are free of charge to you, and we will work hard to get you the best possible benefits at the best price,” says Corbett. “We are very thankful to all of our clients for allowing us to serve them, and hope you will give us the opportunity to serve you, too.” Ka-Nol Insurance Services 4549 Highway 17 Bypass South Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 M-Th 9am-4pm; F 9am-1pm 843-293-5514 www.kanolmarketing.com Facebook @ Ka-Nol Insurance Services

Celebrating the Park’s Phase II Completion by Melissa LaScaleia Savannah’s Playground is an inclusive play park located in the Market Common that features equipment approved by the American Disabilities Act, so that children with physical disabilities who otherwise would not be able to participate in the traditional childhood activity of playing at a playground, safely can.  This is the project and vision of former Myrtle Beach mayor John Rhodes— to create a space that fosters barrier-free social interactions and friendships between children of all ages and capabilities.  “On December 27, 2013, I was stricken with a bleeding brain aneurysm,” John says. “I was at the Beach Ball Classic when it happened. At the time, I was with some people on the committee who were able to get me an ambulance and to the hospital and operated on, and they saved my life.  “My brother-in-law had died of the same thing, and I had other friends who had died of the same thing. I felt like I was kept alive for a reason, to do something different from what I had been doing previously.”  John had always been a supporter of the Miracle League Field, a field where special needs children play.  The second one ever built in this country was constructed and dedicated by the C.L. Benton family in Myrtle Beach.  One day, after he had recovered, John was at the field when he realized that these children needed a playground to play on— one that was open year-round, and would be accessible for all children, regardless of their abilities or not. He decided then and there to build one.  He wanted the playground to be in a great location, where the children would feel like they were a part of society and not tucked away, hidden.  John enlisted the aid of Tom Leath, former Myrtle Beach city manager to help him with his vision. “I told him if he could get me the property, that I would build it, and raise all the money personally,” he says.    Tom secured property in the Market Common, right in the thick of things. And John got to work.   Savannah’s Playground, in the heart of the Market Common, is a place where children with disabilities and those without, can play together. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “I looked everywhere to make sure I was getting the right equipment,” he says.   He eventually found a company called Landscape Structures in Minneapolis, Minnesota that sold what he wanted.     “I flew up there with the intention of spending a few hundred thousand dollars,” he says. “But as I went through the plant, I guess I got a bit carried away. When I came home, I told my wife that I had found all the equipment that I wanted. She said, ‘That’s great!’ And I said, ‘And they let me take out a personal loan for one million dollars to buy it.’ She just about had a heart attack. To reassure her, I said, ‘Don’t worry, the house is in your name.’”  Within eleven months, John raised the money he needed to pay off the loan and built the playground. He also received in-kind donations for things like dirt, construction, and fencing, which totaled about 1.5 million dollars.   “We had incredible financial support from this community,” he emphasizes.   Although there are too many to make this list close to complete, below are just some of the financial contributors, without whom, the construction of Savannah’s Playground wouldn’t have been possible:  the state; the county; the Myrtle Beach Redevelopment Authority, of whom Buddy Styers was a key player. The chairman of Horry County Council, Mark Lazarus, supported the project by donating his entire portion of allotted recreational money; Walmart; the Myrtle Beach Rotary Club; and the Chicora Sertoma Club.   “We received a lot of significant donations from families like the Brittain family, and the Jackson family of Ocean Lakes Family Campground,” John says. “There were a lot of in-kind donations for construction and building— AO Hardee and Sons made tremendous contributions, donating the dirt for the park. DDC Engineering donated countless hours to make sure the park was engineered correctly. We had a lot of individuals who gave $25, $50, and $100 dollars. Every dollar helped, and got us to where we are today.”   A playground like this makes a difference in the life of Savannah (above), as well as children and parents with disabilities. It means everyone can safely play together in a beautiful setting, in the heart of a vibrant community. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We committed to doing something that was the right thing to do,” he adds. “And because of that, we were successful.”   In building the park, John stipulated that his name could never be on it because it wasn’t built for personal recognition, or himself; it was built for the children.   John wanted to name the park Savannah’s Playground after Savannah Thompson, a young woman who has William’s Syndrome. Additionally, complications from a surgery when she was 4 years old resulted in brain trauma, leaving her with physical limitations.   “We’ve known Savannah and her family for many years now,” he says. “And Savanah was always one of the sweetest kids you’d ever meet. She’s a real promoter of  a can-do attitude. Her outlook on life was the inspiration for the building of the park— I thought it would be a place where she and her friends could play.”  John never envisioned the playground would be solely for the children in this area, but for children everywhere. And since opening, Savannah’s playground has delighted everyone who visits, young and old alike. “We have a lot of kids that come down with their families,” John says, “kids with special needs who would like to have a place to go other than the beach. But I had no idea that it would become so popular that kids of all sizes, ages, and abilities would want to come and play here.”   Two days … Read more

Robert E. Wilkins, Jr. Will Put You in a Reliable Car by Melissa LaScaleia Robert E. Wilkins, Jr. is the senior sales and leasing manager for East Coast Volkswagen and Honda of Myrtle Beach.  “I moved here four years ago from Fayetteville, North Carolina,” he says. “And I began working here after I moved. I earned certifications in sales of specialty cars, specifically Volkswagen. Now I’m Volkswagen Elite Sales Trained (VEST) certified, which means that I know the ins and outs of a Volkswagen, especially with the newer technology, because a lot has changed with cars over the years.”  Before working for East Coast Volkswagen and Honda, Robert worked in distribution for Food Lion in Fayetteville for thirteen years.  East Coast Volkswagen buys, sells, and leases used and new cars. All of the cars that they take in as trades undergo a 112 point safety inspection at their repair and service center before being turned back out to the sales lot for customers’ perusal.  Robert works with customers until he can find the car that is the right fit for them. “This isn’t just sales,” he says. “It’s consulting too.” — Photo Meganpixels Parker The dealership takes pride in its ability to secure financing for people who have been told no elsewhere. Those with subpar credit scores, who would elsewhere have to pay cash for a car, are able to get loans here. That means that people who aren’t able to buy a reliable car elsewhere have a chance of owning one if they shop here.    “Myrtle Beach has a high demographic of waiters and servers,” Robert says. “They generally have a hard time getting financed because their income isn’t consistent. But we are able to get them financing and into solid, dependable cars. It’s important to me that I’m able to provide a car for someone who otherwise would probably only be able to buy something that hasn’t been examined, and may or may not be reliable.”  Helping customers out is Robert’s passion for good reason. He knows what it’s like to be on the receiving end of a bad purchase.  “The first car I ever bought as a teenager was leaking transmission fluid a few days later. Over the next year, every time I drove it, I was scared it was going to break down on me. I was always putting money into it. I don’t want others to have the same experiences I had— starting out young, trying to get something that works. I want people to be able to depend on their car so they can enjoy life, and accomplish everything that their life demands. “I want to sell people cars that they can rely on,” Robert say, “and know that when they put the key in the ignition it’s going to start.” “People come in here all the time who have just purchased cars that are broken, and need another one. I want to sell people cars they can rely on— to know that when they put the key in the ignition, it’s going to start. It’s not just about selling someone a car and making money, it’s about providing a service to someone and being proud about what I do.”  Robert was voted sales agent of the year for 2018 by East Coast Volkswagen and Honda, and frequently wins their salesman of the month award. The awards celebrate the salesman who exemplifies a strong work ethic, stellar customer service, and consistency.  “I train and make sure I’m up to date on the latest technology, and help people troubleshoot their vehicles,” Robert says. “If I can’t sell you a car the same day you come in, I’ll work with you. This isn’t just sales, it’s consulting too. I work with a customer until I can get him or her into a vehicle that’s the right fit.”  The dealership is unique in that they keep all of their trade-ins. And they take in about a trade an hour. In addition to brand new Hondas and Volkswagens, they have between 300-400 used cars at any given time. It’s the largest selection of used cars in Myrtle Beach with prices starting at $999 and up. They recently expanded the service area and the parking lot to accommodate the growing number of trade-ins they receive.  So come on down to view their selection, and ask for Robert when you arrive for the best in service and reliability.  East Coast Volkswagen and Honda 8756-A Highway 17 Bypass South Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 Open M-F 8:30am-8pm; Sa 9am-6pm; last Sunday of every month 1-6pm 843-467-5500 www.ecvw.net Facebook@ East Coast Volkswagen of Myrtle Beach  

Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is Here by Melissa LaScaleia Jim Whitmore grew up in New Jersey and moved to South Carolina to attend The Citadel. He graduated in 1989, and since then, has lived all over the Carolinas, mostly in Charleston.  For twelve years he served in the United States Army as a helicopter pilot and officer, spending the majority of that time in the South Carolina Army National Guard.  Recently, Jim was approached by State Farm Insurance to represent them as an agent for the Horry and Georgetown County areas. He opened Jim Whitmore State Farm Agency in the Market Common this past May.  State Farm Insurance provides both insurance and financial services. They are the largest insurance company in the U.S., and ranked as the number one auto, home, and life insurance provider, as well as the largest insurer of small businesses.  “They have a strong and vibrant brand,” Jim says. “I was attracted to them because of it, and because of the positive personal experience I’ve had working with them for my own needs throughout my life.  “I was always impressed by the level and quality of service that they provide. They were always different. The bar is higher to become an agent. You have to go through a vigorous background check and interview process before you can begin training to become an agent.  “They were looking for someone with a lot of life and business experience to lead the new office. It was a perfect fit for me since I have over thirty years of experience as a management consultant, and am also a small business owner.” At a time when a lot of insurance companies are raising prices, State Farm has actually been lowering their rates in the past few years due to technology and process improvements that they have made.  State Farm processes the highest number of claims in the world— over 38,000 a day. Even with that scale of size, they still have a local focus and market presence with their agent focused model— another quality which really appealed to Jim.  Jim Whitmore recently opened State Farm Insurance Agency in the Market Common. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “They leverage the best of both worlds,” he says. “A local business center with a global brand and presence. The power of State Farm is that we offer multiple services— life, home, and auto insurance policies— and because of this, we can be competitive in the marketplace with price.”  State Farm also has their own bank, so they have competitive auto loan rates either for new or refinanced vehicles, and offer bank rates for credit cards. One of the big differentiators with State Farm is that when somebody finances or refinances a car, they do not need gap insurance because it’s written into their new policy automatically, saving both money, and several extra steps.  “We’re positioned well to help support the incredible growth happening in this area,” Jim says. “That’s why they decided to put a State Farm here. My favorite thing about what I do is helping people to manage their everyday life risk. And after completing an extensive nine month training program with State Farm, I was able to surround myself with a great team to back me up.”  Jim has seven licensed team members in life and health, auto, commercial, and business insurance working with him in the Market Common.  “We’re very customer focused,” he says. “I’m trying to replicate the success we created in my other business in my work with State Farm.”  That other business is Pee Dee Bicycles. Five years ago, Jim started it in the Market Common. He surrounded himself with people who knew the industry well, and created a team that could represent his company in the marketplace and become advocates for bicycles.  “Everybody who works there has to have an absolute passion for bicycles in some form,” he says. “Because when someone walks in the store, we try to understand what they’re looking for, and match them with the right bike for what they want to achieve. We’re not selling them something, we’re educating them through our knowledge and passion for the sport  If we’re selling anything, we’re selling a fitness lifestyle that is focused on cycling.  Jim Whitmore understands the importance of teamwork in entrepreneurship. State Farm is his second business in the Market Common, and with it he seeks to replicate the success of the first by maintaining passionate, hardworking and knowledgeable employees. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “When somebody buys a bike from us, it’s not a one-time purchase, we become their trusted partner for the life of the bike, and we’re there to support them. A good bike is going to last you 15-20 years; it’s an investment in your health and a fun lifestyle.”  Pee Dee Bicycle carries Trek bicycles exclusively, the number one performance brand of bicycle, and Electra, exclusively, the number one comfort beach cruiser brand.  “I aligned myself with two strong brands, Trek bicycles and State Farm,” he says. “And I’m proud to represent both of them, because of the strength of the brand, the quality of the products that they have, and strength of the products that they have in the marketplace.”  Today, Jim has about ten people working with him at Pee Dee Bicycles.  “Dana White, has done an awesome job leading our team and transforming the business to handle the tremendous growth that we have experienced in the last year,” Jim says. “We serve everyone from the avid road cyclist to hard core mountain bikers, to the couple that wants to causally ride the beautiful trails in the Market Common. We spend a lot of time understanding our customers, to match them with the perfect bike that will meet their needs.  “The focus has to be on education. If you buy something that’s not comfortable, it’s going to sit in your garage and rust, whereas a good bike is going to be much more fun. We want people to walk out excited, and we help get them on the path to get there. We see ourselves as being partners with our customers. It all … Read more

Care for Your Body, Receive the Gift of Health by Melissa LaScaleia The owner of Modern Cleansing Wellness, Beth Luke Good, was born in Orlando, Florida, but has called Myrtle Beach home since childhood.  Beth has been a massage therapist for twenty-three years, and is a member of the NBCHT and I-ACT. Her passion for wellness inspired her to open Modern Cleansing Wellness.  The business offers a variety of holistic healing therapies like massage therapy, electric lymphatic therapy, detox foot baths, ear candling, and colon hydrotherapy.  Beth is certified in the latter and retains instructor status to ensure that the procedure is administered safely.  Owner Beth Good. — Photo Meganpixels Parker She also offers the Quantron Resonance System, or QRS, which stimulates the body’s cells. For more information, visit  www.QRS.com.  Modern Cleansing Wellness is the only business in South Carolina at this time offering QRS technology.  They offer a multitude of classes on subjects like: headaches, sleep/calm, sinuses, immunity, joint pain, and digestion. They will also answer questions about any health concerns.    They also offer classes on doTerra Essential Oils—a well-known, high-quality brand of essential oils which are natural, effective and safe. According to the company, doTerra oils are 100%  pure, and can be used aromatically, topically and internally.  Modern Cleansing Wellness can be found on the first weekend of the month at The Indoor Market at Murrells Inlet Mall.  Modern Cleansing Wellness Beth Good, certified by doTerra as a Wellness Advocate #272861 325 Wellness Drive Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 By appointment 843-828-4665 www.moderncleansingwellness.com www.mydoterra.com/bbgood Visit their Facebook page for class schedules.