Hilton Head Business

LOCAL CULTURE GETS A BOOST

Heritage tourism in the Lowcountry is gaining ground, with a new alliance of Lowcountry leaders, pledges of financial support from Beaufort County and the Town of Hilton Head Island, and partnership with the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.

ORIGINAL EXPERIENCES DRIVE BOTH ECONOMIES

On my first visit to Rovinj, a lovely seaside town on the Croatian coast, a three-hour ferry ride across the bay from Venice, I fell in love with the setting: A compact and well-preserved old town, a wonderful harbor walk lined with restaurants, and a fabulous large park where five-star hotels overlook the Adriatic Sea — plus miles and miles of bikeable public nature preserves along the blue ocean, which entices swimmers to jump in the clear water.

THE GREAT FRAME UP HONORS ART

Golf memorabilia, a custom mirror to anchor a room, or a watercolor painting of a gorgeous Lowcountry sunset over the marsh: All will get expert treatment by caring professionals at The Great Frame Up in Bluffton.

In fact, clients’ artwork never has to leave the store, because owners Adam and Pam Meister have invested in advanced technology and state-of-the art machinery for framing, scanning and printing. Their commercial Cruse scanner is recognized as the premier in the industry, and the Bluffton store is home to South Carolina’s only one — there are only 25 in the country. 

MAHIEU LEADS RESORT RENTALS INTO THE FUTURE

Gerard Mahieu got where he is today by thinking outside the box. As the president of Resort Rentals of Hilton Head Island, he’s always known that his customers want the best bang for their vacation buck — but these days, the deals they think they’re getting on the internet from his competitors aren’t always so hot. Mahieu, who honed his business skills at a leading advertising agency in Paris, knows that many websites’ claims of outrageous bargains on rental accommodations are hogwash—but what could he do to fight back?

BUILDING COMMUNITY WOULD BOOST LOWCOUNTRY ECONOMY

When most people think about economics, they think of money, stocks, bonds, banking. It’s easy to forget that at its most basic level, economics really boils down to a study of human behavior.

Charisma, strategy and vision are hallmarks of history’s great leaders, but a newer trait, “emotional intelligence,” has found its way into the workplace. People today have a great sense of independence and a need for empowerment. This means leaders must exercise authority and management skills while also encouraging participation and empowerment.

THE NEXT GENERATION TAKES THE REINS AT COASTAL RESTAURANTS AND BARS GROUP

Depending on how you look at it, the Carolina Restaurants and Bars (CRAB) Group traces its roots back to 2015 or 1973. Why the broad range? Allow us to explain.

The more recent date marks the moment that the Reilley and the Kenneweg families, both renowned for the way they shaped Hilton Head Island’s restaurant scene, made their long-standing partnership official by gathering all of their resources under the banner of the CRAB Group.

When I put pen to paper — and yes, I still write this column the old-fashioned way each month — I try to inform our readers about timely issues in the world of economics. In each column, I attempt to explain how economic behaviors might impact southern Beaufort County. This month, I want to attack a broader topic that has recently captured the attention of the national media: business ethics.  Specifically, I want to examine some ethical principles and moral or ethical dilemmas that present themselves in a business environment.

HOW HARGRAY KEEPS THE HERITAGE WIRED

Since the first Heritage golf tournament in 1969, a lot has changed. Clubheads got bigger, pants got quieter and the ban on anchored putting has kept thousands of PGA Tour professionals from looking like giant goofballs on national TV. And as drives got longer, crowds got bigger.