Hilton Head Monthly Voice Voice of the Lowcountry 
ENTREPRENEUR BILL WINANS BUILT HIS EMPIRE ONE OUTRAGEOUS PARTY AT A TIME.
We’ve all been there.
You want to throw an absolutely epic party for a few hundred of your closest friends that will include, but not be limited to: a live pirate ship, a complete sports bar fabricated onsite, go-kart races, Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatics and Hollywood-quality set pieces. And possibly a live-action samurai stunt show.
Photo: David Nelems, executive director of the Don Ryan Center for Innovation
Since its launch in May 2012, the Don Ryan Center for Innovation has been a leader in transforming our regional economic development
“Empowering innovators and accelerating innovation is our mission,” says David Nelems, the center’s executive director. “Creating primary jobs and a diverse economy is the true measure of success.” Indeed, every regional plan for the past decade has focused on primary jobs, diversity, knowledge and technology business formation.
Jack Morris (seated), David Leahey (left) and Ben Whiteside — the men behind Morris & Whiteside Auctions.
Morris & Whiteside Auctions’ annual Hilton Head Art Auction was more than a day late, but definitely not a dollar short.
Usually held in October, Hurricane Matthew forced partners Ben Whiteside, Jack Morris and David Leahy to postpone the 16th annual event until Nov. 5, but art collectors showed up as usual to take home some of the finest works from renowned artists from the Lowcountry and beyond.
Do you often think of South Carolina as an innovator in education? Most of us would answer that question with a resounding no.
According to EdWeek.Org, a national organization that ranks all 50 states (along with the District of Columbia), South Carolina schools come in as 43rd nationally, with a numeric score of 69.6. Compare that to Massachusetts, which ranked No. 1 with a score of 86.8, and Nevada, coming in dead last with a score of 65.2.
Upcoming anniversary bash and the launch of its first book, ‘Southern Coastal Living,’ starts a new chapter for the island’s famed design house.
Most companies celebrate their 30th anniversary with a party that looks back on their past success. But that’s not how J Banks Design Group plans to mark this milestone.
Join us for a spin with entrepreneur Trey Snow, who’s bringing a new ride to Old Town.
The rain had just tapered off in Old Town Bluffton as Will Moody greeted me by his pedicab in the Old Town Dispensary courtyard. The brief cloudburst, a remnant of Tropical Storm Julia’s crazed path around the Lowcountry, had scared off most of Old Town’s late-night scene. And yet the electric glow emanating from under the bike still drew curious onlookers. Dodging raindrops, a middle-aged bar patron peppered Moody with questions: how far he goes, how long he spends on the bike, what he charges.
Local entrepreneur introduces gelato brand to nationwide audience
Before her first and only trip to Italy in 2002, Ramona Fantini’s Sicilian friend told her that trying gelato would be life-changing. She was not wrong.
Robo-advisers are bringing financial advice to the masses by charging low management fees for customized asset allocation and automatic portfolio rebalancing.
More and more investors are turning to “robo-advisers” as a cheaper and more efficient alternative to traditional financial investment firms that require substantial investment sums and charge up to 1 percent to 2 percent annual portfolio management fees.
OKATIE COUPLE GIFTS DOG FENCING BUSINESS TO WOUNDED WARRIOR
You never know who you might meet in life. It could be someone who can change your life for the better overnight.
This happened to Chris Williams, a 42-year-old recently retired Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and three-time Purple Heart recipient. It didn’t happen during one of his seven deployments overseas in war zones. It happened here in the Lowcountry last fall when he met Mark Peterson.
MEET JOHN TOLLY, THE MAN BEHIND SUNNY DAZE CUSTOM SURFBOARDS
Like many small business owners, John Tolly started Sunny Daze Surfboards with a mix of knack, necessity and passion.
“Buying surfboards can be very expensive, so I forced myself to make my own equipment,” Tolly says. He made his first board in 1997, and opened Sunny Daze Surfboards in 2000. “It began as a hobby and a passion, and it is still my passion today.”
