2026 May/June - The Leading Ladies Issue

Tastemakers

The Savvy Women Behind Some of the City’s Most Stylish Boutiques

“THAT’S WHY I CHOOSE TO PRACTICE AT ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER.”

Dr. Areli Saucedo Baza - OB/GYN

SARAH LUM - POOLER, GA

During the second trimester of her pregnancy, Sarah began experiencing extreme fatigue and dizziness, affecting her ability to do her job or interact with her three year-old toddler. A visit with her OB/GYN, Dr. Saucedo Baza at St. Joseph’s/Candler, revealed dangerously low blood pressure. Dr. Saucedo Baza provided some dietary suggestions and referred Sarah to a St. Joseph’s/Candler cardiologist, who found no serious underlying issue. The team continued to closely monitor Sarah as her condition improved. However, at birth, respiratory complications required her newborn son to spend five days in the hospital’s NICU. Having this specialized nursery and a broad team that provides lifesaving care throughout the entire pregnancy are major reasons Dr. Saucedo Baza chooses to practice at St. Joseph’s/Candler.

102 ON THE COVER

From left, Dale Parker, Margaret Stanley, Morgan Hammock, and Erika Snayd, photographed at The Secret, inside 13 Secrets Maison.

82 STYLISH AND SAVVY

We celebrate the tastemakers behind some of our favorite shopping destinations.

Written by Mary Cornetta, Paula Magrini, Kathryn Drury Wagner, and Walinda P. West // Photography by Claire Barrett

102 THE WOMEN WHO HELPED SAVANNAH LEARN TO EAT

Through restaurants, our Asian community has been able to introduce their traditions to our shared city. Meet four local stalwarts who have expanded Savannah’s palate.

Written by Kiki Dy // Photography by John Alexander

TASTE

WELCOME TO OUR LEADING LADIES ISSUE! Women exhibit leadership in so many ways — as business owners, educators, mothers, entrepreneurs, partners, volunteers, healers, wives, sisters, musicians, authors, friends, and more. We lead this generation, and do our best to support the next generation as they grow and learn.

The Hostess City is dotted with businesses owned by women. In fact, I found a study done by CoworkingCafe that ranks Savannah second among the best small U.S. metro areas for women to start, grow, and scale a company. (No. 1 was Austin, Texas.) Savannah’s population growth, affordability, and expanding local economy make it a great place to be a female entrepreneur. The study reports that 24% of all businesses in Savannah are womenowned, and about 10% of the population is self-employed. So, way to go, Savannah!

In our feature story “Stylish & Savvy,” on page 82, we focus on some of our town’s retail leaders. They are truly tastemakers, as what is featured in their stores sets the tone for what we shop for.

Think on-trend looks at Morgan Rae, curated American-made clothing at Midge, chic housewares and clothing at Asher + Rye, dazzling cookbooks and culinary experiences at Coastal Table and Tales, renowned brands of men’s and ladies’ fashion at J. Parker Ltd., and supple, locally made accessories at Satchel. You’ve shopped in these places, so join us in recognizing the women leaders behind them.

We photographed this feature story at 13 Secrets Maison. Upstairs, the jewelry and watch gallery has a lovely private event space (it’s available for rental), and 13 Secrets was kind enough to let us use the space for our photo shoot. It was truly a pleasure to mingle with all these successful women, in such a lovely, lightfilled space.

For our home tour, were delighted to be invited inside the home of a Savannah grande dame, the ever-elegant Cora Bett Thomas. Her historic residence is a lively and stylish one, filled with friends, dogs, and colorful accessories. Interior designer India King shares some of the ways she incorporated Thomas’ collections of antiques and vintage scarves into a recent refresh of the decor. Read “At Home With a Local Legend,” on page 63.

If the warmer weather has you in the mood for a lighter wine, you’ll enjoy our story “Beyond Rosé,” on page 110. Local wine experts share that, while there is nothing wrong at all with rosé, there are plenty of other options, including lighter-bodied reds, some interesting Spanish whites, and even orange wine.

Lastly, writer Kiki Dy introduces us to “The Women Who Helped Savannah Learn to Eat,” on page 102. Many of our favorite Asian food spots — including Chiriya’s, The Tybee Bakery featuring Café Miss Korea, Narra Tree, and Klom Klom — are led by women who are navigating immigration, entrepreneurship, and identity while helping our city expand its palate. We are certainly better off, and better fed, with them in the community.

Kathryn Drury Wagner Editor-in-Chief

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New in 912

You gotta break some eggs to make a … restored streamliner diner. Bobbie’s Diner (1402 Habersham St.) has reopened after a year-long transformation. The circa 1952 stainless steel structure was originally acquired by the Savannah College of Art and Design in 1989 and transported down from Rhode Island. The diner’s latest makeover includes a new covered outdoor area that doubles seating capacity, a new kitchen, and freshened interiors. In addition to modern nods like a very photogenic avocado toast, you’ll find classics like Spam and eggs, burgers, a restored 1950s jukebox, and milkshakes.

Marsh & Co. (444 Johnny Mercer Blvd., Suite R) has become a go-to for cute women’s clothing and shoes, as well as home decor and gifts. Now, it has expanded to include a men’s collection. Look for men’s clothing, footwear, hats, belts, and other accessories like money clips. The boutique is also offering men’s bath and body products, such as Mixture Man Clarifying Shampoo.

The Victorian District’s Strange Bird is back in business (1220 Barnard St.) after a devastating fire forced its closure in 2025.

Iconic, inclusive, and always fabulous, Club One is relocating from 1 Jefferson St. to 301 Williamson St. (the former home of performance and event venue Elan). First opened in 1988, Club One has become known internationally, including for featuring the late Lady Chablis.

After renovation and restoration, Live Oak Public Library’s historic Carnegie Library (537 E. Henry St.) has reopened with a new name and focus. Now the Carnegie Library Heritage Center, it serves as a special collections library with exhibits, oral history recordings, and interactive displays that honor the library’s role empowering Black Savannahians during segregation and beyond. Opened

in 1914, the library was originally funded by Black Savannahians and the Carnegie Corp., which supported grants to help communities build libraries. Between 1883 and 1929, more than 2,500 Carnegie libraries were constructed.

May 22 and 24 mark the home opening weekend for Savannah Steel, a new professional women’s basketball team in the UPSHOT League. The team will play a 34-game regular season, with home games at Enmarket Arena.

In other sports news, Soccer Stars and Savannah United have announced a full-time partnership teaching soccer to kids ages 1 to 4. Don’t worry if that seems really young: The program teaches developmentally appropriate skills and focuses on teamwork and sportsmanship, all in a non-competitive environment.

Cigar lounge and retail shop The Sticks Society (4809 Augusta Road, Garden City) is a new gathering place for cigar enthusiasts. Look for a curated selection of premium cigars in a relaxed environment.

Chatham Academy has officially rebranded as The Royce School, unifying Chatham Academy and the former Royce Learning Center’s tutoring and summer programs. The school serves students with diverse learning needs, such as those with dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, anxietyrelated learning needs, and language-based or processing challenges.

Free People is moving into a new location at 320 Broughton St., continuing to round out and develop the area of Broughton closer to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. You’ll still find women’s clothing and accessories with a boho-leaning feel.

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Congrats to leading lady Shannon Phillips, who has assumed ownership of Abshire Public Relations (APR). Phillips first joined the firm as a creative director 10 years ago. APR founder Jennifer Abshire, who started the company 26 years ago, will continue on as senior strategist, and Susan Hancock will also remain a principal.

NaaN On Broughton moved a block over into a swankier new space at 6 E. Broughton St. It also has a refreshed menu, but as always, it features contemporary Indian cuisine from a variety of culinary traditions across India.

Laundry Bar is providing a new spin on “suds.” The bar, upstairs at The Laundry Diner, has a happy hour 4–7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Cocktails like the Spot Remover and Grass Stains are a fun nod to

the building’s original use as a laundry. Try a Laundry Pod; it’s a Jell-O shot with rum, coconut, and blue raspberry. (Kids, don’t try that at home.)

Beauty and skincare addicts rejoiced when Sephora opened its first Savannah standalone location at Twelve Oaks Shopping Center. Well, raise the mascara wands because the brand is opening a larger store at Tanger Outlets, slated for May.

Tempo by Hilton Savannah (220 E. Bryan St.) is now home to a street-level Australian-inspired café and coffee shop, Bluestone Lane. Look for dishes such as avocado smash toast with sheep’s milk feta and heirloom tomatoes on toasted multigrain, hearty breakfast options like the BL Burrito, and fresh lunch selections such as the truffle mushroom grilled cheese.

LEADING LIT LADIES

From postWorld War I New York to pandemic-era Savannah, from the quiet kitchens of Maine to the heat-soaked streets of Malaysia, “The Leg in Question” unravels the strange and darkly funny ways our flesh betrays us. A young woman insists her healthy leg must be removed. A physician faces ghosts of the living and the dead. A debutante circuit shields a gay man on the cusp of a terrifying new epidemic. In this collection of 15 stories, Savannah’s own K.W. Oxnard writes tales of medicine and mortality, yes, but also of the tender, reckless human spirit trying to make sense of it all.

Mary Kay Andrews, who always delivers when it comes to a fun beach read, has a new book just in time for summer.

“Road Trip” is partially set in Savannah, but Andrews also takes readers to the shores of Ireland.

After their mother’s death, estranged sisters Maeve and Therese inherit a mysterious painting that their family has passed down for generations. Hoping it could be the ticket out of their financial troubles, they embark on a road trip to Ireland to prove its authenticity. Along the way, they discover a long-buried crime and their family roots.

Riverfront Majesty

MAY 1

Brightside Child & Family Advocacy’s Savannah’s Got Talent takes over Victory North (2603 Whitaker St.) for an evening of performances from local community leaders, all raising money to support children in foster care and families in need. Now in its 18th year, the fundraiser features this year’s participants competing onstage while each works to raise $15,000 for Brightside Advocacy’s programs, including Savannah CASA, Bright House, and Brighter Futures.

Head to Tybee for Savannah College of Art and Design’s Sand Arts Festival, a beachside sculpture competition at the Tybee Pier & Pavilion (Tybrisa Street) where SCAD students and alumni go headto-head for prizes, bragging rights, and plenty of sandy creativity. Bring sunscreen, shades, and a picnic for a laid-back day of art, fun, and friendly competition.

MAY 2 & 16

Celebrate the Kentucky Derby with a gardener’s spin at Run for the Roses: Derby Day Dig at the Savannah

Botanical Gardens (1388 Eisenhower Drive). As the garden begins a new phase of revitalization, visitors are invited to stop by and take home fragrant rose bushes from the longtime collection — a rare chance to bring a piece of the garden’s history into your own backyard. Then on May 16, check out the Red, White, and Bloom Planter workshop running from 10 a.m. to noon. This hands-on planting party guides participants through building a patriotic porch planter from scratch.

MAY 6

Come aboard the UGA Aquarium’s research vessel, the R/V Sea Dawg, in Wassaw Sound. Running from 1 to 4 p.m.

at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium (30 Ocean Science Circle), the interactive outing lets participants work alongside marine educators to collect, sort, and identify local marine life while contributing data to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ marine inventory record. The Sea Dawg Trawl also includes a look at marine debris prevention through the aquarium’s Trawl to Trash initiative, with each participant making a recycled shrimp-net bag to take home.

MAY 14

Historic Savannah Foundation’s “The Seven Ladies” is a special exhibit at the Murray C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center (323 E. Broughton St.) celebrating the women whose efforts saved the Isaiah Davenport House and helped launch Savannah’s modern preservation movement. Highlighting each woman’s personal history and lasting impact, the exhibit offers a closer look at the visionaries behind one of the city’s most influential preservation stories. Opening night starts at 5:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

MAY 15

Expect plenty of playful chaos when the Tybee Beach Bum Parade returns to Tybee Island. Billed as the island’s biggest water fight, the beloved parade brings locals and visitors together in creative beach-bum attire for a lively celebration that shows off Tybee’s fun-loving, laid-back spirit.

MAY 16

Legendary musician Sting brings his unmistakable sound to Enmarket Arena (620 Stiles Ave.) for a night packed with timeless hits and masterful musicianship. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and former frontman for The Police is known for blending rock, pop, and reggae influences across a catalog that spans decades — from classics like “Every Breath You Take” and “Fields of Gold” to his acclaimed solo work.

MAY 21

Hear from a national voice in preservation when Historic Savannah Foundation hosts a lecture, “Revolving Funds and the National Preservation Partners Network.” The program offers a chance to hear Kim Trent, executive director of the National Preservation Partners Network, discuss preservation advocacy and the broader work being done to protect historic places and communities. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Murry C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center. (Free for HSF members; $15 for the general public.)

MAY 23

Lace up for the Susie’s Run Community Wellness 5K at Lake Mayer (1850 E. Montgomery Cross Road), a familyfriendly run/walk created to bring the community together through movement. Open to all ages and fitness levels, the event welcomes both runners and walkers for a two-lap course around the park beginning at 9 a.m.

SATURDAYS THROUGH MAY 30

Take in Savannah’s historic charm on select dates through May 30 with the Early Bird’s House and Urban Landscape Walk ,hosted by the Green-Meldrim House. Led by the GMH director, the tour explores the architecture, gardens, and personalities that shaped the city while highlighting how historic preservation has revitalized the surrounding area. The walk begins and ends at the GreenMeldrim House (14 W. Macon St.) on Madison Square and concludes with coffee

and treats on the porch overlooking the parterre garden.

MAY 30–JUNE 20

Celebrate freedom, culture, and community with the Savannah Juneteenth Fine Arts Festival. It kicks off May 30 with the Dreams Fulfilled Scholarship Gala, a black-tie evening at the Hyatt Regency Savannah (2 W. Bay St.) supporting student scholarships. The celebration continues throughout June with Lunch & Learn sessions highlighting history and culture, the Miss Savannah Juneteenth

DREAM IN PARADISE!

Scholarship Pageant on June 7, and a Jubilee Run on June 13. On June 19, starting at 5 p.m., the Jubilee Sky of Freedom Fireworks Show takes place at Daffin Park, with food trucks, live music, a battle of the bands, and vendors, in addition to the fireworks at nightfall. The Jubilee Pour of Libation on June 20 concludes the festivities. It is a ticketed culinary event for ages 25+, with featured chefs, wines and spirits, and live entertainment.

JUNE 6

Find your inner maker at the Davenport House Museum (323 E. Broughton St.) with Artisan Spotlight: Bead Embroidery Workshop with Fox & Fish. Led by Lauren Fox, owner of Fox & Fish and a resident artist at Dreamhouse Studio, this workshop is open to all skill levels. The class introduces the basics of bead embroidery while encouraging experimentation and play, and participants will leave with a small finished piece of their own. Along the way, Fox will also explore how this traditional art form continues to show up in contemporary craft and design.

JUNE 22–27

Savannah steps up to the plate when the Triple Crown Sports World Series comes to town, bringing players, coaches, families, and fans together for a fastpitch tournament at various locations. The event promises a packed schedule of games and camaraderie as teams from across the country gather in the Savannah Softball District to celebrate the sport.

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MAY 5: The Savannah Business Summit returns to the Savannah Convention Center (1 International Drive) for a day of networking, strategy, and skill building geared toward both business owners and career professionals. Doors open at 8:15 a.m. for networking, a gourmet coffee bar, and a red-carpet welcome before programming begins at 9 a.m. and runs through 3:30 p.m. This year’s summit features Jean Briese as the opening keynote speaker, with her highenergy lecture “Dream Big: 5 Superpowers Every Trailblazer Needs.” There are also breakout sessions and workshops, with focused tracks in finance, marketing, and human resources.

MAY 15: Fresh perspectives and future-focused conversation come together at TEDxSavannah 2026, held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fine Arts Auditorium on Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus (11935 Abercorn St.). Doors open at 8 a.m. for the event, which features a curated lineup of 14 local and regional speakers exploring the theme “Shaping the Future” along with performances between speaker blocks, a catered lunch, and a post-event meet and greet.

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BICENTENNIAL BEGINNINGS

Published in 1976 during Savannah’s celebration of our nation’s bicentennial, this Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Visitors Guide coincides with the founding of the Savannah Convention & Visitors Bureau — marking a pivotal moment when the chamber began to more deliberately promote Savannah as a destination for visitors and conventions.

The Detour That Built a Destination

When the completion of Interstate 95 in the 1970s forced Savannah to reinvent itself, one group took the lead and steered the city toward the healthy tourism economy we know today. Fifty years later, a new generation — most of them women — stewards the brand that saved the city.

Written by ALLISON ARBUTHNOT SANDERS // Images courtesy CITY OF SAVANNAH MUNICIPAL ARCHIVES

BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF I-95 THROUGH GEORGIA, all north and southbound traffic had to enter Savannah across the Talmadge Bridge and onto West Boundary Street, making the city a natural stopping point for travelers. Downtown was dotted with motels that were frequently filled with overnight visitors, and Broughton Street catered to them with a wealth of retail experiences.

Construction on the four-lane freeway began in 1965. By the time it was completed in the mid-1970s, travelers — who were passing through in everincreasing numbers thanks to the opening of Disney World in 1971 — could bypass Savannah entirely. The city felt their loss.

“Downtown was barely limping along,” says Ted Kleisner, a founding member of the Savannah Convention & Visitors Bureau, now called Visit Savannah. Kleisner came to Savannah in 1968 to reopen The DeSoto (downtown’s only real hotel at the time). “Broughton Street was all but closed,” he says. “Almost every house downtown was available, and the going price for a fourstory historic residence was $15,000. There were very few restaurants.”

Kleisner, along with Chamber of Commerce member Dick Estus, began to plot ways to get people back into the city. “The first strategy was to realize that we were no longer a visitor destination,”

SPREADING THE WORD

In the years since the creation of the Savannah Convention & Visitors Bureau (now Visit Savannah) and it’s original 1976 strategy of targeting conventions, several other cultural influences further placed Savannah on the map. A 1985 Southern Living article described Savannah as “a city of ageless grace,” and in 1989, National Geographic Traveler lauded the city’s “charming quirks.” Most significantly, however, was the 1994 publication of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” which cemented the city’s rebrand from industrial port town to eccentric tourist destination, a narrative quickly amplified in a 1995 Georgia Trend feature and strategically embraced by the Savannah CVB to draw a growing wave of curious visitors.

says Kleisner. “We were a convention destination, and we needed to focus our marketing on that.” They reached out to the International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus to recruit someone to lead the effort, and they found David Young in Hartford, Connecticut.

Young came to Savannah in 1976 to serve as the first chair of the Bureau.

It was a big change from Connecticut, he recalls. “I was in the car with my wife and young son coming over the Talmadge Bridge, and I was hit with the [paper plant] odor, which was absolutely overpowering,” says Young of his first impression of Savannah. “I thought to myself, ‘Oh my God, what have I done?’”

Nonetheless, Young got to work. “The Bureau needed funding, and there was no hotel tax at the time,” he says. “We sat down with the mayor and almost the entire city council, but first we had to go to the state to get it authorized.”

Following lobbying efforts, the tax was enacted to fund their efforts to market Savannah as a convention destination. But there was one problem: Savannah didn’t have a convention center.

“David brought in the right team to be the marketing geniuses to convince people to come to a place for a convention that really didn’t have a convention center,” says Kleisner with a laugh. However, they did have the Civic Center.

“The Civic Center was a multipurpose building, which some would say meant it was not good for anything,” says Young. “It was not ideal, but it was good for a lot of things. We just had to market to the right organizations that could appropriately use the space. And it worked.”

The conventions came, and with demand, the hotels followed. Where once The DeSoto stood alone in the company of motels, by 1980, it was in the company of a Hyatt and a Radisson, with Marriott not far behind. Downtown began to transform as retail shops and restaurants opened to cater to the new crowds. The Bureau began to market to tourists as well as conventions, employing Savannah’s beauty and history in marketing campaigns designed to pull travelers off I-95 — not just for a place to sleep but to experience Savannah itself in all of its Southern charm.

The rest, as they say, is history. In the years since, other cultural influences further placed Savannah on the map. Most significantly was the 1994 publication of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” aka “The Book,” which cemented the city’s rebrand from industrial port town to quirky, timeless destination.

“I’ve been with the Bureau — now Visit Savannah — for 27 years,” says Erica Backus, director of communications

AN UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTION DESTINATION

In the mid ‘70s, the Savannah Convention & Visitors Bureau (now Visit Savannah), marketed the newly built Civic Center — really just a “multipurpose building” — as a convention center. By 1980, The DeSoto Hilton, once the city’s sole hotel, was joined by Hyatt Regency Savannah, a Radisson, a Ramada Inn, and later a Marriott. Shopping and dining spots started popping up, too. This Savannah Civic Center brochure (circa 1972) touts the “magnificent” new Civic Center as well as the city’s other attractive features that made it “a far cry from the more traditional convention cities.”

and social inclusion. “When I first arrived in town, the big story was ‘The Book.’ Everybody wanted to meet the main character, which was the city of Savannah.”

“The Book was a huge driver,” agrees Angela Westerfield, chief marketing officer at Visit Savannah. “The Book showed that [Savannah] had this really fascinating personality. We weren’t just this sleepy, historic town. We had really unique characters.”

When the Savannah Convention Center broke ground in 2000, the Bureau once again pivoted their marketing, returning to the original 1976 strategy of targeting conventions — except this time, they went for the big ones. “That business was important because it really influenced the Sunday through Thursday stays,” explains Backus.

Once again, more hotels followed suit, the airport expanded, and the Bureau, which became Visit Savannah in 2010, again pivoted from targeting drive-by traffic to more affluent fly-in customers, an approach that remains strong today.

“We pride ourselves in going after the sophisticated traveler,” says Westerfield. “We’re not necessarily looking at massive volume play. We’re looking at bringing the right people to Savannah that will appreciate the art, the history, the culture, eat in our restaurants, go to our museums.”

For the last 20 years, Visit Savannah has been led by president and CEO Joe Marinelli and has evolved alongside the city it has served for half a century. Billboards and print ads have given way to large-scale media campaigns, web-based storytelling, and social media marketing. Today, 16 of the 18-person team are women.

“We’ve always had fantastic leadership,” says Backus. “It’s been [Marinelli’s] realization that women are the steady hand. We’re the folks who are pushing our goals and philosophies across the finish line. We’ve thrived in the diversity of women that have come to work in this organization.”

Marinelli couldn’t agree more. “I’m so proud of our marketing team,” he says. “They’re much smarter than I am, and

STRONG FEMALE VOICES

AT

THE

TOP Today, Visit Savannah is powered largely by women, who make up 16 of its 18 team members. This team works to attract visitors through strategic marketing campaigns, digital storytelling, media outreach, and brand partnerships — showcasing the city’s history, culture, cuisine, and charm to inspire travel and drive tourism. Shown here, from left: Angela Westerfield, chief marketing officer; Supriya Christopher, director of public relations; Pamela Knowles, director of brand and content strategy; Kimberly Webster Liebgott, director of marketing partnerships; and Erica Backus, director of communications and social inclusion.

I learn more from them every day than they’ll ever learn from me.”

At the 50th anniversary celebration, Marinelli also acknowledged the founding members of the Bureau who laid the foundation for Visit Savannah. The work that David Young and Tony Schoop, Marinelli’s predecessor, “did 50, 40, 30 years ago is what set us up for the success that we’re having today,” he said. “Now it’s our job to set up our successors.”

Savannah has grown from welcoming some 1.3 million annual visitors in 1977 to about 12.9 million in 2024, generating an estimated $4.1 billion in annual visitor spending and supporting more than 28,000 hospitality-related jobs in the region. Hotel/motel tax collections reached $56.8 million in 2024, helping to fund public services and infrastructure and significantly reducing the local tax burden for residents.

Perhaps the Bureau’s founding chair, David Young, says it best: “Savannah is a wonderful place, and it always has been. It’s changed — it’s changed for the better.”

Welcomes Our New Board Members

HOSPICE SAVANNAH FOUNDATION

SAVANNAH

PACE GEORGIA

Giving back is a sweet way of life here at River Street Sweets®. One of the causes close to our hearts is the Kids Cafe® Program, an initiative by Feeding America, the largest nonprofit working to end hunger in the United States. Each June, we celebrate National Pralines Day by donating a portion of all Praline sales. Thanks to the generosity of our guests, both through online and in-store purchases, as well as cash donations, we were able to present a check to Kids Cafe® in 2025 that provided over 110,000 meals!

“Conceptual Threads” highlights the artistry and innovation of local contemporary art quilters Ro Morrissey, Ron Hodge, Peg Weschke, and Jody Wigton. It celebrates the ways artists use fabric and thread to share ideas, emotions, and connections that go beyond what we see on the surface. This show welcomes you to experience quilts not only as works of art but also as conversations — between tradition and innovation, between artist and viewer, and between threads that tie us all together. The exhibit is on display May 14–July 26 at the Coastal Discovery Museum (70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island).

Sisters Joy Dunigan and Manda Faye Dunigan combine their photography and graphic design skills in the collaborative exhibition “Surface Bound,” which explores themes of time, life, and motion. The show will be on view May 8–June 5 at Location Gallery (251 Bull St.). Profits from the exhibition will be donated to Over the Moon Diaper Bank, which supports families in need of diapers and feminine hygiene products.

AmiciMusic presents “Cello Power,” on May 24, featuring cellist Alicia Ward in a program of expressive and romantic works by Grieg, Schumann, Debussy, and Cassadó. Making her Savannah debut, Ward will perform a lineup that ranges from lyrical to virtuosic. The concert will take place at the home of Maaja Roos (252 Wiley Bottom Road). Then, June 23–25, the organization presents “Claviopia,” bringing together violinist Irina Rostomashvili and clarinetist Antonello DiMatteo for a lively program of works by Peter Schickele, Paul Schoenfield, and Srul Irving Glick. Location on that latter one was still in the works at press time; visit the group’s website for details (amicimusic.org).

In her debut U.S. museum exhibition, “Into the Woods,” Eva Jospin brings her singular practice to the SCAD Museum of Art (601 Turner Blvd.) through June 7. From meticulously carved cardboard forests and architectural follies to richly embroidered landscapes and delicate renderings, Jospin’s work invites viewers into immersive, otherworldly spaces shaped by wonder, craftsmanship, and imagination. Drawing from fairy tales, ruins, and Renaissance influences, the exhibition reflects on both contemporary materials and our place in history. The exhibit is organized by SCAD Museum of Art chief curator Daniel S. Palmer and presented as part of SCAD deFINE ART 2026.

The Savannah African Art Museum (201 E. 37th St.) is launching two free video games, “AfroVerse” and “Gems of Africa,” designed to entertain while introducing players to African art and cultural heritage in new ways. Developed by SCAD interns Pragya Verma and Yeoul Shim, the games use narrative quests, riddles, and search-and-seek gameplay to connect digital learning with objects from the museum’s collection, including works from the Kingdom of Benin and the Bamileke people. Available through Fortnite and Meta Horizon, the projects reflect the museum’s broader mission to make African art and culture more accessible through storytelling, education, and community engagement.

“Georgia Wood-Fired Pottery” celebrates an ancient ceramic tradition and the Georgia potters who continue to keep it alive through time-honored techniques and a deep respect for the process. On view at Ology Gallery (415 Bonaventure Road) May 16–June 27, the exhibition highlights works shaped not only by the artists’ hand, but also by fire, ash, and chance, resulting in richly textured surfaces and natural variations unique to wood firing. Bringing together contemporary practitioners from across the state, the show honors a shared commitment to patience, craftsmanship, and community while showcasing the enduring beauty of wood-fired ceramics in the modern South. Opening and closing receptions will take place May 16 and June 27, respectively.

Welcome to the new executive director of the Savannah VOICE Festival and Milnes VOICE Programs, Torlef Borsting. He is an accomplished arts administrator and performer with extensive experience in opera leadership and community engagement. Borsting is also a previous Milnes VOICE Program participant. He performed in the 2023 and 2024 Savannah VOICE Festival concerts, including singing the roles of Sharpless in “Madama Butterfly” and the Major General in “The Pirates of Penzance.” He comes to Savannah from his previous role as development director for First Coast Opera in St. Augustine, Florida, where he oversaw donor relations, sponsorship initiatives, and strategic fundraising.

ARTS Southeast presents “King of Squares,” a solo exhibition celebrating the work of Savannah artist Preston Orr, on view in The Ellis Gallery at ARTS Southeast (2301 Bull St.) through June 13. Orr’s work is known for transforming unexpected and often overlooked materials — from toilet paper to found objects — into inventive, memorable pieces that reflect both experimentation and humor. Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Orr studied fine art at the College of Charleston before settling in Savannah, where he became part of a close-knit community of artists. Following his death in 2022, his artwork was entrusted to fellow artist and friend Mary Hartman. A panel discussion featuring local artists and friends of Orr will take place May 23.

Savannah Community Theatre presents “Come From Away,” the remarkable true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in Newfoundland on Sept. 11, 2001, and the small town of Gander that welcomed them with open arms. Playing May 28–31 at Tybee Post Theater (10 Van Horne Ave.), the musical features a dynamic ensemble cast and a moving score that captures how a moment of fear and uncertainty became an extraordinary story of kindness, generosity, and human connection.

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STYLE

BAZZAR Buzz

FASHION-FORWARD TASTEMAKERS, design enthusiasts, and collectors will be thrilled to visit Savannah College of Art and Design’s new boutique, BAZAAR by shopSCAD (318 E. Liberty St.).

An elevated, salon-style experience, it offers a collection of atelier-created ready-to-wear garments, accessories, bench-crafted jewelry, ceramics, and objets d’art, all done by SCAD students and alumni. For students, it’s real-life experience selling their work; for customers, it offers a way to gain access to the new design talent and work that in many cases you can’t find anywhere else, with limited-run and one-of-a-kind pieces.

The boutique (first reported by none other than Women’s Wear

Daily) debuts with offerings from students Ellie Warnke (BFA fashion), Jinseo Park (BFA fashion), Harris Barnes (BFA fashion), and Timo Krapf (MA jewelry). Alumni represented include fashion designer Christopher John Rogers — a 2016 graduate who is now based in New York City and in 2020 won the American Emerging Designer of the Year award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America — and Kate Barton (MA fashion, 2021), known for her highly sculptural designs, among others.

In addition to the revolving curation of distinctive pieces, BAZAAR will be the site of special events, designer appearances, and trunk shows. The store is open Monday and Tuesday by appointment only, 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday, and noon–5 p.m. Sunday.

— KATHRYN DRURY WAGNER

Make Mom Sparkle

From the heart of Savannah, these Mother’s Day picks shine bright. Discover timeless jewelry pieces and watches from local shops that will make meaningful gifts.

CORNETTA

Luxury

& Wellness

TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES FOR THE BODY AND MIND

Woodhouse Spa Savannah is a refined escape designed for deep relaxation and visible results. Enjoy therapeutic, relaxation-focused massages, advanced skincare services like HydraFacial®, and sculpting body treatments, along with wellness experiences such as infrared sauna sessions, wave tables, anti-gravity relaxation chairs, and fireside quiet rooms.

Tending to Savannah’s Roots

Trish Lawrence is preserving history and growing community at the Botanical Gardens.

Written by MARY CORNETTA // Photography by TIFFANY BRADLEY

TUCKED SOUTH OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT, right off the Truman Parkway, the Savannah Botanical Gardens feels like a well-kept secret — one that Trish Lawrence has been helping more locals discover. As vice president of programs and events, Lawrence plays a key role in shaping everything from community programming to preservation efforts, all while honoring the city’s deep-rooted gardening traditions.

Her connection to the earth began early. Growing up, Saturdays meant riding along with her father (who worked for a local florist) to deliver arrangements and ending their day at the greenhouse. Today, her love of horticulture is reflected not only in her job but also in her longstanding involvement with local garden clubs.

She currently serves as vice president of the Garden Club of Savannah’s executive board and is former president of the Ardsley Park-Chatham Crescent Garden Club. While in that role, she helped procure “The Garden Keeper,” the castiron fountain in Kavanaugh Park that honors Mary Robinson Myrick, founder of the Downtown Garden Club and the Ardsley Park-Chatham Crescent Garden Club.

Most recently, Lawrence has been instrumental in the revitalization of the historic Reinhard House, a circa-1840 farmhouse located on the grounds of the Savannah Botanical Gardens. One of the few remaining pre-Civil War farmhouses in Savannah, the structure stands as a rare example of early rural architecture and is now the headquarters of both the Savannah Area Council of Garden Clubs and the Savannah Botanical Gardens, as well as a space for special events.

With upcoming projects such as a StoryWalk (an interactive outdoor experience aimed at promoting literacy for children), a future sculpture garden, and ongoing enhancements to the grounds, Lawrence is helping to ensure the gardens remain both a community resource and a place of quiet beauty. We caught up with her to talk about her favorite local spots, her fondness for her Ardsley Park neighborhood, and how she spends a perfect day in Savannah.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT SAVANNAH’S GARDENING COMMUNITY?

Friendships formed through Savannah’s garden clubs add a whole other layer to what makes the community feel so special. They turn gardening from a solitary pastime into something social, supportive, and genuinely joyful. Savannah gardeners tend to treat plants like community currency — cuttings, seeds, extra seedlings, compost, even tools. Someone always has something to pass along.

WHERE IS YOUR GO-TO SPOT IN SAVANNAH TO BUY PLANTS OR GARDENING SUPPLIES?

Hester and Zipperer. Chris and Meredith Zipperer are so knowledgeable and are always willing to support the botanical gardens.

WHAT DO YOU ADORE MOST ABOUT LIVING IN ARDSLEY PARK?

The neighborhood has that lived-in beauty Savannah does so well: old oaks, front porches, and architecture with personality.

WHERE’S YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL SPOT TO MEET FRIENDS FOR LUNCH?

Ardsley Station is a real neighborhood gem. The team there is deeply rooted in the community and committed to giving back.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT SATURDAY IN SAVANNAH.

A perfect Saturday in Ardsley Park starts with the feeling that everything you love about Savannah is just close enough to shape the whole day. One of the best perks of Ardsley is how naturally it connects you to the rest of the city. A short, easy bike ride brings you straight into Forsyth Park . If it’s game day, you can simply walk over to Grayson Stadium — no parking stress, no traffic, just a neighborhood stroll that ends in one of the most joyful, chaotic, uniquely Savannah experiences. When the heat peaks or you want a change of scenery, Tybee Island is only a short drive away.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS ABOUT THE SAVANNAH BOTANICAL GARDENS YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW?

The Savannah Botanical Gardens is one of Savannah’s true hidden gems, located just minutes from the Historic District downtown. Its location along the Truman Park Trail makes it an ideal spot for a picnic, and its close proximity to Lake Mayer creates a perfect route for a 5K training run with a relaxing cooldown in the gardens. The gardens are

also available for special events and can comfortably accommodate up to 75 guests.

CAN YOU GIVE US A GLIMPSE INTO WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE GARDENS?

We’re fortunate to have eight member clubs, affiliate clubs, master gardeners, and a dedicated team of volunteers caring for the gardens. Thanks to their work, the parterre and summer gardens are receiving beautiful makeovers. Visitors will soon be able to enjoy a StoryWalk around the pond featuring Tilly the Turtle, and we’re currently fundraising for three exciting additions: a sculpture garden, a tea olive terrace, and an arboretum.

LUXURY PENTHOUSE RESIDENCES ON THE SAVANNAH RIVER

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New Adlers under construction from $1M+ with pre-sale incentives. Flintlock townhomes coming soon priced from $2.5M on the Savannah River.

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Summer Stunners

Savannah’s wellness and beauty experts are buzzing about treatments for an early-summer glow-up

Written by KATHRYN DRURY WAGNER

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT to the staples, like pedicures and spray tans, Savannah’s med spa community has a plethora of new ways to refresh your look before the dog days of summer. We asked around to see what is new in town to help us look — and feel — our best.

The Roots of Healthy Hair

There’s been a growing awareness that healthy hair begins with a happy scalp.

“Guests are becoming more educated and intentional about scalp care — much like skincare — and are seeking treatments that go beyond surface-level results,” says Sarah Metzger, spa manager at Woodhouse Spa Savannah – Eastern Wharf. Patrons can partake in a Waterfall Scalp Experience that is designed to restore scalp health while still being a deeply relaxing ritual.

Clients start with a personalized consultation with the therapist then transition into a treatment area: a tranquil, candlelit setting with aromatherapy. The treatment itself includes scalp brushing, the use of nourishing oils, detoxifying exfoliation, and gua sha massage.

The unique gua sha scalp combs “gently stimulate the scalp, promoting circulation and encouraging lymphatic drainage,” says Metzger. “This not only helps deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles but also relieves tension that can build up in the scalp and neck.”

A deep cleanse is followed by a hydrating mask, infused with steam for intense moisture and revitalization. Another beneficial feature, Metzger says, is the steady rinse, as the waterfall head-spa table is designed to allow a continuous, gentle flow of warm water to cascade over the scalp. That creates an almost meditative sensation and thoroughly cleanses the hair and scalp without tangling it.

While the Waterfall Scalp Experience can be enjoyed by anyone, it is especially supportive for guests dealing with dry, irritated, or stressed scalps, says Metzger. “It’s also wonderful for individuals experiencing thinning hair or buildup, as the treatment focuses on deep cleansing, hydration, and stimulating the scalp.”

Beyond the Scale

Karen Bouchard, PA-C, owner and founder of Savelevé (Savvy Skin) Medical Aesthetics, had lots of news to share. Big-picture view, the company is segueing into a rebrand with the name Savelevé, which Bouchard says reflects the continued evolution of the business and matches the name of her skincare line.

She also shared that her medical aesthetics business has started offering a medically guided weight-loss program.

“We want to treat the whole person, rather than ‘let’s go on a diet, let’s lose some weight, let’s cut some calories,’ because that is really not going to work for most people,” says Bouchard. “I myself struggled on and off with my weight, so I totally understand it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. But I do know that when you give people the right tools, they can be successful and keep the weight off for life.”

The program is overseen by family nurse practitioner Marissa Sasser. Clients are prescribed the dual-action GLP-1 medication Zepbound (tirzepatide), if appropriate, but also benefit from clinical oversight. With GLP-1s so widely available, “The reality is anybody can get a script online,” says Bouchard. “I wanted it to be much more than that, that we are treating the whole patient and setting people up for long-term success.”

Sasser notes that clients get the medication aspect but can also work with a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in food addiction and a registered dietitian who specializes in metabolic health.

Throughout the treatment, the goal is to ensure people are losing fat, not muscle or bone. Sasser uses a ShapeScale, which captures photorealistic 3D scans, providing regular insight into data points such as fat composition, muscle mass, water weight, and lean weight.

Bouchard notes that weight-loss support can also involve other treatments. For example, “Lots of people struggle with hair loss during rapid weight loss,” she says. “We offer several treatment options for this, from Xtressé Hair Support Gummies to NOUVADerm laser treatments and DE|RIVE plant-derived stem cell treatments for the scalp.”

A drop on the scale can also result in looser facial skin. “It’s

“There are all kinds of peptides with all kinds of purposes,” explains Savelevé’s Karen Bouchard. Her Estrové Cream is a topical peptide. “It has a combination of peptides, a plant-based estrogen, and hyaluronic acid,” she says. “The peptides help plump up the [skin] tissue.”

better to interfere earlier than to wait until you’ve lost all the weight,” Bouchard recommends. “We can use collagen-stimulating treatments, like Sculptra, which can be used for collagen production and volume replacement. Radiesse is a filler that also stimulates collagen, and then we have traditional fillers as well.”

Laser skin resurfacing, using Halo or NOUVADerm lasers, and topical peptide products can also stimulate collagen, helping skin look tighter and refreshed.

Simply losing weight may improve the look of skin, though, as it decreases inflammation, says Sasser. She adds that some patients find relief from joint pain, too.

The bottom line? “There are so many clinical trials being done with GLP-1s,” says Bouchard. “There are so many benefits we just don’t even know about yet.”

SMOOTH OPERATOR

Hotel Bardo Savannah was one of only 12 properties in the world to receive a Women’s Health Travel Award in the “Wellness-Forward Hotels” category. For those of us feeling a little puffy or congested from seasonal allergies, Hotel Bardo’s onsite spa, Saltgrass Spa, has the perfect offering. The Sculpt is a facial massage designed to target the deeper layers of the skin to tone, define, and detoxify. It features skincare products by CODAGE Paris and Margy’s Monte Carlo, plus microcurrent gua sha, red light therapy, and expert sculpting massage techniques. The circulation stimulation, release of facial tension, and encouragement of lymphatic drainage leave skin looking smoother and more contoured.

“We are constantly rede ning exceptional dentistry with the

“We are constantly rede ning exceptional dentistry with the latest

Truly state-of-the-art!”

Truly state-of-the-art!”

- Mark N. Dye, DMD

- Mark N. Dye, DMD

“We are constantly redefining exceptional dentistry with the

Truly state-of-the-art!”

- Mark N. Dye, DMD

At Home With a Local Legend

A grande dame of Savannah, Cora Bett Thomas epitomizes elegance in her ever-evolving historic row home.

Written by KATHRYN DRURY WAGNER

JONES STREET has been called “the prettiest street in America,” and while there are surely other contenders, it must be right up there. Daily, you can spot a fedora-clad guide leading a gaggle of tourists as they snap photos of the charming front doors and photogenic potted greenery. Who can blame the visitors? A kind of soft magic seems to waft down the brick-paved street.

Cora Bett Thomas, though, has lived and worked in the Historic District for long enough that she remembers when some of the houses in the area were derelict — when buildings had gaping holes instead of bay windows. By the time Thomas moved into her row home in the early 1980s, many of the homes across the street were doctor’s offices. “Now it’s nearly all residential,” she says, “but the beauty of downtown is it’s always been mixed use, with homes and shops and other businesses, and very walkable.”

After all these years, the neighborhood continues to delight her. “You will meet people,” she says, “and if you’re out walking your dog, everyone will know your dog’s name in two days. They’ll know your name within two weeks.”

Inside, touching the smooth wooden bannisters in the home, one gets a sense of how much time has passed and the number of people who have lived there in the 180 years since it was built.

The home originally had steps leading up to the front door. Thomas thinks a renovation that moved the front entrance to the ground floor and removed the steps and door took place in the 1950s, as it was already done by the time Joe Odom moved in. During that renovation, the space was repurposed as a living room nook, with a pass-through that gives a nice view down from the staircase.

Of the previous owners, the most notable is Joe Odom, a lawyer and musician who was one of the colorful figures depicted in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” When Thomas moved into the large home, it was a big transition; she was coming from a two-bedroom apartment with a new husband, her three stepchildren, two dogs, and two cats. There wasn’t a lot of furniture at first, but she gradually accumulated it from Odom and other sources.

Her home has always been a work in flux. Rugs get swapped out, art gets relocated, furniture gets reupholstered. A significant refresh was completed in 2023 by interior designer India King, who has known Thomas for three decades. “Cora Bett is a grande dame of the town,” says King. “She’s elegant and she is colorful. She’s like a lighting bolt. She has excellent taste and knows what she wants.”

King’s goal was to create a more cohesive look. “She had accumulated a lot, and it hadn’t been edited,” says King. The floors were also refinished and the walls painted. Prior to the refresh, the home had been quite neutral, with lots of whites and beiges. Thomas wanted to showcase several paintings by her friend, the painter Denise Regan, so King drew from the artwork to bring more color into the home. King used some of Thomas’ collection of Hermès and Ferragamo scarves as fabric to make vibrant throw pillows. (Don’t wince, fashion lovers; in France, she had discovered a way to do this without cutting the scarves.)

Thomas is a dog person, and she currently shares her space with Phoebe, a wicked-smart standard poodle, and Leon, a basset hound who has no problem claiming a couch as his personal throne.

“Her home is filled with action,” says King. “There are dogs coming and going, and she entertains a lot, so wear and tear is a factor.” She designed with this in mind, with details such as using leather on the front of a chair, saving a more decorative and delicate silk for the back.

Elevate your outdoor living with motorized screens and awnings that deliver shade, privacy, and year-round comfort.

The banister and stairs are original to the home, and a highperformance fabric stair runner helps protect the steps for future generations.

She also selected stair runners in a high-performance fabric. The living room features sofas by Interlude Home, chairs bought in France, and a coffee table custom-made in Palm Beach. Antiques, as well as lamps made using repurposed vintage architectural elements, are also part of the decor.

The home has many original features, such as the dental molding, though a long-ago renovation removed steps up to the front door and turned a front hallway into a pleasant nook in the living room. The front door is now down on the garden level, accessed by going down a few steps.

When asked about the antique painting of a stern-looking gentleman, Thomas notes the painting is one of a pair. “There’s a female that is as ugly as he is,” she says. “One time, I came home and they were on top of each mantel. They were Joe Odom’s, and he had brought them over. I said, ‘Joe, who are they?’ He said, ‘They can be anyone you want them to be. It’s very good art.’” Thomas’ late husband took glee at the time, creating a backstory for “great-great-great-granddad.” The matching woman? Ruby, according to the faux family lore. “And she was a hooker, but he really loved Ruby,” laughs Thomas.

Thomas loves the home’s porches overlooking a lush private courtyard and carriage house, we she now uses as a rental property. The main home is always evolving, as she and King are constantly tinkering with the home’s look. “We’re working on an entry rug in an antelope pattern, made of polypropylene,” says King. “And we’re talking about reupholstering the couches in a pink.”

“India is very good, but I have to see things to make sure I like it,” says Thomas. One example is upstairs in her bedroom, where Thomas determined the newly installed wallpaper wasn’t quite the right tone. King hired a decorative painter to do a whitewash and a tea wash over the wallpaper, and then Thomas loved it.

“Cora Bett is a grande dame of the town. She’s elegant and she is colorful. She’s like a lighting bolt. She has excellent taste and knows what she wants.”

— India King

Thomas is originally from a small town in North Carolina called Scotland Neck. She first came to Savannah in 1969, was selling real estate by 1974, and then, in 1994, started her own real estate company, Cora Bett Thomas Realty. It eventually had offices in Savannah and Beaufort, and in 2020, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Bay Street Realty Group acquired that business.

She kept her rental business, however, and today, Cora Bett Thomas Rentals and Management continues to work with vacation, long-term, and commercial properties. Demand is especially strong for three- to six-month rentals, notes Thomas. Her business is headquartered on the ground floor of her home, making her commute a pleasant one flight down.

After 50-plus years in real estate, does she ever think of retiring? “I retired for about three weeks,” she admits. “I don’t play bridge. I thought, ‘What am I going to do?’ I loved to visit friends, but I thought, ‘I’m going back to work.’ I love working. I love helping people, whether it’s commercial or residential. I love to introduce people to people. I just think this is a beautiful city, and it’s been a blessing to have anything to do with the changes here.”

DETAILS

Neighborhood: Historic District

Year built: 1845

Year purchased: 1984

Timeline of interior design: Ongoing

Number of bedrooms: 4

Number of bathrooms: 4

Square footage: 4,500

Interior designer: India King Designs

Builder/contractor: Eisenberg

Landscape design: Sprout

Hardscape design: Sprout

Kitchen design: Homeowner

Kitchen appliances: Electrolux refrigerator, KitchenAid range, Bosch dishwasher

Furniture: Peridot Antiques, Interlude Home, Lee Industries, Bennett

Paint: Eisenberg

Wallpaper: Chinois mural with hand painting by Kipling Collins, and Thibaut

Flooring: Original hardwood

Lighting: Antiques and custom from antique dealers, Visual Comfort floor and table lamps, Currey and Company chandelier, Arteriors

Accessories: Peridot Antiques, One Fish Two Fish, various antique dealers and markets. The suzani on the back of leather chairs is from the Paris Flea Market.

STYLISH

We celebrate the tastemakers behind some of Savannah’s favorite shopping destinations.

and SAVVY

DALE PARKER

J. Parker LTD.

AS THE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL COACH for Savannah Country Day School, Dale Parker led the team to 16 state playoffs and a state championship. She retired from teaching and coaching in 2015.

But she didn’t like to sit still, and she started going into the Broughton location of J. Parker LTD. a few days a week to work. Next thing she knew, she was working there full time.

J. Parker was started in 1972 by Parker’s husband, Jimmy, in the Medical Arts Shopping Center. That location, says Parker, is where the company’s tradition of serving local customers and building an experience for them began. “We’ve now served generations of families,” she says, “where the grandfather shopped with us, and then the son, and now he’s a father and is bringing his son in for his first suit, and we feel like, ‘Wow, we really are part of the community.’”

“

dress shirts, and dress trousers — more than ever before.”

J. Parker features classic and contemporary brands including Peter Millar, Smathers & Branson, Martin Dingman, Hickey Freeman, Barbour, Filson, and more.

She and Jimmy, who is retired, were both born and raised in Savannah.

We’ve now served generations of families, where the grandfather shopped with us, and then the son, and now he’s a father and is bringing his son in for his first suit, and we feel like, ‘Wow, we really are part of the community.”

In 2005, the business moved to Broughton Street. In 2018, it added a location in Twelve Oaks Shopping Center and then continued to expand, with shops at Plant Riverside; Bluffton, South Carolina (its first location in the Lowcountry); and then J. Parker Ladies (its first location dedicated to women’s clothing), which opened two years ago. The newest addition is a store dedicated to custom men’s clothing, also located in Twelve Oaks Shopping Center. About 80% of the business is men’s, reports Parker.

“People are dressing up again,” she observes. “We’re seeing a big upswing not just in custom but also in sport coats, suits,

“Our No. 1 value is the relationships we develop with our customers,” she says. “And we treat our employees like family. Some of them have been with us for years.” The team ranges from about 25 to 30 employees, growing during the busy holiday season.

The women’s clothing side of the business continues to expand. “Women want things that fit properly and make them feel confident,” says Parker. “A lot of the clothing we carry is timeless, but women are also looking for something more fashion-forward. We buy for men’s twice a year, and when we buy for women, we buy eight times a year.”

In-store events, such as mahjong, cocktail hours, and trunk shows, add to the fun and make shopping a social experience. Female customers also appreciate that the stores carry bags, jewelry, shoes, and hats, so they can get their whole outfit in one place, says Parker. She’s involved in everything from buying the merchandise to supporting employees.

Her background in basketball coaching has helped her tremendously as a business leader, she notes. “We had very successful teams, but if we hadn’t worked together, we wouldn’t have been successful,” Parker says. “It’s the same with retail.”

—KATHRYN DRURY WAGNER

ELIZABETH SEEGER

Satchel

HURRICANE KATRINA caused the unexpected change of plan that led Satchel owner and founder Elizabeth Seeger back to Savannah, where she had received a degree in fashion design from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2005. Originally from Covington, Louisiana, Seeger had gone to Los Angeles prepared to put her new degree to use. Yet she felt a strong pull to return to the South. The extensive destruction left in the wake of Katrina ruled out a return to her hometown, so she pivoted and opened Satchel on Broughton Street in 2006.

The thriving boutique is now celebrating its 20th anniversary. Seeger attributes her success to the collaborative, empathetic team she’s assembled. “We are a small team working in a close-knit environment, so it is essential that our personalities align well,” she explains. “We have intentionally cultivated a workplace culture that feels like family.”

The team consists of 13 employees across two locations. After the first decade in business, Seeger opened a space dedicated to the growing needs of the production team, about a mile from the storefront. “Broughton Street was our home for the first seven years before we relocated to Liberty Street,” Seeger notes. “We also operated a location at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport from 2019 to 2022.”

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Satchel has become a fashion staple in Savannah thanks to Seeger’s approach and signature inventory. “What sets us apart is that all of our products are made locally in Savannah,” she says. “We also specialize in custom work, allowing clients to modify existing designs or collaborate with us to create something entirely new.”

Many of Satchel’s new styles originate from these custom projects and are often named after the clients who inspired them.

We have crafted unique pieces from sentimental materials, including a leather jacket, military uniforms, bridal lace, and more, ranging from handbags to knife rolls, gun cases, and guitar straps.”

An intuitive business leader, Seeger grants her team a high level of autonomy. While she provides guidance and perspective when needed, she makes an effort to avoid micromanaging. By fostering flexibility and trust, Seeger believes she inspires growth and a stronger sense of ownership and investment in the business.

“We have crafted unique pieces from sentimental materials, including a leather jacket, military uniforms, bridal lace, and more, ranging from handbags to knife rolls, gun cases, and guitar straps,” Seeger says.

She adds that Satchel may appear to focus on handbags from the outside. In reality, the range of what her team can create is extensive.

What are the trends among Savannah shoppers? Smaller shoulder bags are especially popular, according to Seeger.

“Our sling style, the Solene, continues to sell out quickly,” she says. The newest design, the Tulip Tote, has received an enthusiastic response, she adds.

Seeger says she’s placing an emphasis on new designs, including fresh options in leathers and fabrics. “We will be unveiling a collection of beach bags for the summer and experimenting with a line of aprons and coordinating kitchen items,” she says. Quick to leverage the buzz around a popular coastal pastime, Satchel is also introducing mahjong bags in colorful prints. As always, the brand is aligned with the pulse of Savannah lifestyles.

—PAULA MAGRINI

MARGARET STANLEY

Midge

WHEN SHE NAMED HER Broughton Street boutique “Midge,” Margaret Stanley did not anticipate the response. “I did not expect to be a Barbie historian every day,” she laughs. “I just wanted the store to have a cool name with a meaning behind it.” But customers can’t help but chat about Midge, originally marketed by Mattel as Barbie’s more wholesome bestie. (And fun fact: Midge’s “real name” is Margaret.)

Like many of us, Stanley grew up playing with Barbies. “We had our Barbies and my mom’s all mixed together,” she says. “The ones that had been my mom’s had higher quality clothes, with tiny zippers and designated outfits like ‘Sorority Meeting’ and ‘Garden Party.’ I loved it.”

From that early exposure to wellmade fashions, Stanley went on to work at several shoe stores while attending college at Ole Miss, then worked her way up to being a store manager and buyer in Atlanta. There, she gained experience with clothing vendors and their representatives, and made lists of which lines she would one day carry in her own store. This year, she’s celebrating the 10th anniversary of that boutique, which exclusively carries made-in-America clothing for women.

an ethical standpoint, the U.S. has higher standards on labor laws and working conditions,” Stanley says. “My dad did a lot of environmental work when I was growing up, so we were very into recycling. I’m not a minimalist, but I’m looking for clothing that is going to last. There’s so much waste out there.”

When we first opened, I got a lot of comments about the amount of neutrals we carried, like ‘Oh, you need more color!’ I will carry color. But for me, it’s about the piece. It has to be the right shade. I want it to be elevated and classic.” “

“I pride myself on carrying the clothes that you’re going to live in,” says Stanley. “Your favorite pair of jeans, your favorite T-shirt.”

She focuses on U.S.-made clothing because the quality is better. “The softness of the fabrics, the dyes used. And from

At Midge, you’ll find timeless, wearable clothing with an emphasis on neutrals. “When we first opened, I got a lot of comments about the amount of neutrals we carried, like ‘Oh, you need more color!’” says Stanley. “I will carry color. But for me, it’s about the piece. It has to be the right shade. I want it to be elevated and classic.”

Looking ahead, Stanley is considering doing a Midge capsule line, “like a great trouser, a classic trench, a core line of classic closet staples that people are looking for,” she says. She’s also considering adding a rack of vintage clothing to the store.

Her team consists of four parttimers. “I’ve been lucky with really amazing employees,” she says. “SCAD is a great resource because you have students who really care about clothes, who are majoring in fashion, who want to look at the construction of things. I want their opinions. When they start with me as freshman and then go through to graduation, I call them my inner circle,” Stanley says. “One of my originals, I talked to her a lot last year because she opened her own store in Charlotte. She was like ‘Can I pick your brain?’ and I said, ‘Absolutely!’ It was a full-circle moment for me.”

—KATHRYN DRURY WAGNER

DAWN ANDERSON

Coastal Table and Tales

FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES, Dawn Anderson moved through the world accompanying her diplomat husband across continents where meals were rarely just meals. In embassies and private homes, she hosted and was hosted, taking in not only flavors but the culture within them, how dishes are shared, how stories are told, how hospitality means something more. When that chapter ended, the question of what came next felt less like reinvention and more like a continuation of what she had always done. This past November, she opened Coastal Table and Tales on Bull Street.

“As part of a diplomatic life, I’ve had the opportunity to engage deeply with different cultures and cuisines,” Anderson says. “The shop is an extension of that, sharing what I’ve learned through those experiences.”

Coastal Table and Tales occupies a space that is hard to categorize. It is, at once, a bookstore, a kitchen, and a cultural salon — an idea that would feel just as at home in Brooklyn, New York, or Paris as it does in Savannah. “We’re the only culinary bookstore in the state and region paired with a cooking workshop,” she says. “That combination allows people not just to read about food but to cook it, taste it, and understand the context behind it.”

but as working texts that are handled, marked, tested. In workshops — recent offerings included “The Gullah Geechee Table: Cooking, Culture, and Tradition with Gina Willis” and “Chocolate, Understood with Kaysee Hill” — participants move beyond just preparation toward interpretation.

“ ”

We’re the only culinary bookstore in the state and region paired with a cooking workshop. That combination allows people not just to read about food but to cook it, taste it, and understand the context behind it.

The premise is straightforward: a tightly curated selection of cookbooks, hands-on classes, and conversations designed to entice people to stay awhile. But the intent, Anderson says, runs deeper. Cookbooks are treated not as objects on a shelf

Anderson leads with attentiveness, listening to what people are cooking, what they feel is missing, what draws them back. Early signs of resonance are subtle but telling: guests who stay long after an event ends, conversations that stretch, repeat visits that feel less transactional than relational. “We’re building a business,” she says, “but we’re also building a community.”

The space itself reinforces that philosophy. Shelves are edited with precision, favoring depth over breadth; a Southern baking book might sit alongside a book on Asian cuisine or a memoir told through recipes. The artwork on the walls is pulled from Anderson’s personal collection, acquired during her travels, and the programming is kept small to ensure the “tales” don’t get lost in the “table.” If there is a defining idea, it is this: Food is a point of connection. Not everyone cooks, but almost everyone understands the language of gathering and of creating something together.

In an era of online recipes and fast-casual dining, Coastal Table and Tales is a sophisticated argument for being present. It isn’t just a place to buy a book; it’s a place to gain a worldview.

—WALINDA P. WEST

MORGAN HAMMOCK

Morgan Rae Boutique

WHEN SHE FIRST HAD THE IDEA to open Morgan Rae Boutique, Morgan Hammock wanted to make it an experience, or “a space where women feel seen, confident, and taken care of,” as she describes it. Since opening the boutique in October 2019, that vision has come to life inside its second-story space at 301 W. Broughton St., where what began as a small dream has grown into a standout in Savannah’s shopping scene, thanks in large part to Hammock’s focus on relationships over transactions.

“We go beyond just selling clothing; we build real connections,” she says, noting that customers often return not just to add to their wardrobe, but for the feeling of fellowship. The boutique’s loyal following reflects that both in-store and online, where a consistently growing community (now more than 22,000 strong on Instagram alone) keeps up with new arrivals and style inspiration. Hammock explains that their thoughtfully curated inventory includes a little something for everyone — at any stage of life and for every occasion they may attend — from daily wear (like a summery linen set) to special-event pieces (such as a sequined midi dress).

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in-store visit, with her genuine passion and attention to detail creating an atmosphere that simply can’t be reproduced by larger chain stores. She remains a strong advocate for shopping local. “It makes a real impact on the community and the women behind these businesses,” she says.

Aside from supporting her fellow business owners, Hammock also makes a point to pay it forward to those in need. “Giving back to our local community has always been a core priority and a true driving force behind everything we do,” she shares. Morgan Rae Boutique regularly donates to local school silent auctions and supports a range of Savannah sports teams, including her alma mater, St. Vincent’s Academy, through year-round sponsorships and contributions.

Giving back to our local community has always been a core priority and a true driving force behind everything we do.”

That same sense of personalization extends beyond clothing at Morgan Rae Boutique. In late 2024, Hammock introduced the boutique’s Charm Bar, an interactive experience that invites customers to design custom necklaces, bracelets, bag chains, keychains, and brooches. The concept has quickly become a favorite around town, with pop-up Charm Bar events hosted at local spots like The Grove and The Lost Square (atop The Alida), as well as private bookings for bachelorette parties, girls’ nights out, or birthdays.

In a retail landscape increasingly dominated by e-commerce, Morgan Rae Boutique offers something special: a human experience. Hammock has found a balance between the convenience of online shopping (she has a website and launched an app for the business during COVID) and the connection of an

The boutique also partners with organizations like the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Shelter From the Rain. Each October, Hammock hosts an annual Ladies Night event benefiting single mothers in need, an initiative that has raised more than $20,000 to date. “I always encourage our team to volunteer together,” she adds. “It not only strengthens our bond but also reinforces the importance of giving back to the community that gives so much to us.”

Looking ahead, Hammock is excited about what’s to come. From seasonal arrivals to successful pop-up events (such as a recent one she held at Pendant Terrace and Bar at the Drayton Hotel), she’s focused on continuing to bring people together and help them look and feel their best while keeping up with Savannah as it grows and changes. At its core, the boutique remains rooted in the same mission it started with: connection, care, and making women feel self-assured.

Her advice to shoppers reflects that ethos. “Look for pieces that make you feel confident, comfortable, and truly yourself,” she says, because those are the ones you’ll keep reaching for long after you leave the store. —MARY CORNETTA

ERIKA SNAYD

Asher + Rye

ERIKA SNAYD, co-owner and managing partner of lifestyle brand Asher + Rye, just celebrated the fifth anniversary of the company’s brick-and-mortar location on Whitaker Street. The brand includes a full-service interior design studio, a shop with clothing, home goods, and accessories, and a cafe. “We’ve grown, but it still feels very personal,” Snayd says.

She describes the process at Asher + Rye as collaborative, noting she trusts her team and places a high value on considerate, intentional productivity. Working alongside her husband, Joel, Snayd shares in decisionmaking and stays focused on details and tone — the way everything comes together. She says Joel has his own focus, steering creative aspects of the business. They complement each other with a simpatico balance.

Currently, Asher + Rye has a team of 26. “We’ve made a conscious decision to reduce the number of part-time employees and offer fulltime opportunities, which was a game changer,” says Snayd. It’s important to her that the company still feels like one unit.

The Asher + Rye shop offers pieces that are functional and well-made, but also thoughtful and enduring. The inventory includes items you use every day — the ones that age gracefully as they become a staple in your routine.

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“The shop and café keeps us grounded in daily life, while the studio continues to take on full-service projects both locally and beyond,” says Snayd. “That sense of connectedness and intimacy is something we’re intentional about maintaining.”

Snayd’s philosophy on leadership? “I think that’s knowing when to step in and when to give space. Sometimes I get it right, sometimes I don’t,” she says.

If it’s a dress for an event like the Telfair Ball, they don’t want to show up and see someone else wearing the same thing. There’s an appreciation for pieces that feel a little more considered, a little more unique. ”

Snayd says the café came in as an extension of the same concept. “We wanted a place to experience the lifestyle we’re trying to create, not just shop it,” she says. “It’s never been just about retail for us. It’s always been about creating a place where people want to return, again and again.”

She and Joel tap designers and makers they truly believe in, often sourcing from New York City and Europe, and keeping quantities limited so it still feels considered.

Among their treasured customers are the women of Savannah. Snayd notes they are discerning, and seek quality and longevity. If they’re investing in something, they want to know how it was made, how it will wear over time, and how it fits into their life. Individuality is important, too.

“If it’s a dress for an event like the Telfair Ball, they don’t want to show up and see someone else wearing the same thing,” Snayd says. “There’s an appreciation for pieces that feel a little more considered, a little more unique.”

Customers come in knowing they can find something thoughtful, Snayd says, whether that’s clothing, accessories, or something for the home.“They’ll grab a coffee, walk the shop, and it becomes less of an errand and more of a moment.”

“In a lot of ways, it feels like we’re just getting started. After five years, everything feels more aligned,” says Snayd. “We have a clearer point of view, and the business is moving in a way that feels completely natural.” —PAULA MAGRINI

This feature was shot in 13 Secrets Maison’s intimate event space, The Secret. Thank you to Jessica Crawford and the 13 Secrets team for their hospitality and hosting us at the beautifully restored 130-year-old mansion on Whitaker Street across from Forsyth Park.

TASTE

Amuse-Bouche

Foodies are delighted by the arrival of Chef Jacques Larson to Savannah and his latest restaurant, Lester’s.

Written by KATHRYN

WHEN THE DOUGLAS OPENED in the summer of 2025, the luxury boutique hotel garnered immediate acclaim. Charleston’s Obstinate Hospitality had bought the former Ballastone Inn at 14 E. Oglethorpe Ave. and given the 1853 mansion an impeccable and glamorous restoration. On the culinary side, there are guestsonly experiences, including a private bar, breakfasts, and evening receptions with charcuterie and canapés. Now, in a second phase, the hotel is expanding and has a restaurant slated to open in May.

The restaurant, called Lester’s, can be found next door at 18 E. Oglethorpe Ave., where the hotel will also have additional guest rooms. Lester’s is helmed by two-time James Beard Award nominee Chef Jacques Larson, the culinary director of Obstinate Hospitality.

The group also operates Wild Olive, a rustic Italian-inspired restaurant on Johns Island, and The Obstinate Daughter, an eclectic Southern restaurant influenced by French, Italian, and Spanish cuisines on Sullivan’s Island — both are part of Charleston’s metro region. Larson, who has lived in Charleston for 30 years, has become known as a champion of inventive Lowcountry cuisine, blending European flavors and traditions with Southern bonhomie.

ON SAVANNAH’S BOOMING FOOD SCENE

“There are a lot of similarities between Charleston and Savannah, but in many ways, it is also vastly different,” says Larson. He tracks the town’s food renaissance to The Grey and the national attention it has received. “Mashama [Bailey] really helped forge the path, delivering higher-caliber food and service experiences,” he says.

He notes that the Starland District is further adding a sense of stimulation and innovation within the local culinary community. “Kyle [Jacovino] at Lucia, the folks from Brochu’s, Late Air, Reid [Henninger] at Uncle June’s — he’s a Charleston transplant, too; this place is really happening,” says Larson. “For me, the litmus test isn’t high-end but even just a solid, affordable meal. I have faves and also try to seek out new places whenever I am down in Savannah.” He took one of his chefs from The Obstinate Daughter out to Late Air and Lucia, he says, “and I was telling him, ‘This is probably not only the best pizza in the Southeast but some of the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life.’ It’s exciting. It really is.”

INSIDE THE JEWEL-BOX SPACE

“Most concepts are dictated by the space they are in,” Larson says, whether it’s in cramped spots in New York City or more spacious rooms in Charleston. The space for Lester’s, in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District, is small, with only 35 seats inside, and there is no exhaust hood, which creates limits on cooking. (It will have a Vector oven and a salamander oven for cooking purposes, however, and can make use of the bigger kitchen in the hotel’s main space next door).

Larson is envisioning a tightly edited, wine-focused menu and an oyster bar. “In Charleston, the number of oyster farmers has

Lester’s will offer classic bistro fare and new interpretations thereof.

been skyrocketing; there are at least a dozen oyster farmers. I love working with the different oysters people are doing around the country, too,” he says.

The oyster bar portion of the restaurant will feature eight seats. But outside seating is more spacious, with another 60 to 65 seats, says Larson. He plans to start with daily dinner service then assess and potentially add lunch. Overall, the atmosphere will be personal and service oriented, he says.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

Larson was trained by a Parisian chef, and his great-grandmother came from Alsace. His resulting love for France means Lester’s will offer classic bistro fare and new interpretations thereof, with dishes such as salade niçoise, crêpes Suzette, and “a snail dish I’ve been obsessed with.” Then, of course, there will be the oysters, and

“there are variations with a raw bar and what you can source,” he says. “I plan on running a lot of crudos, which could appear on a tower but also be an à la carte item.”

Larson promises a well-focused menu. “I’d rather do 10 things perfectly instead of 20 things well,” he says. “We will start more of a concise menu and build on it.” At press time, Larson was still refining which dishes to feature, in part because he was also in the final stages of selecting his executive chef for the property. Collaborating on a menu, he notes, is an important stage in building a culinary team.

Larson plans to be in Savannah frequently and is considering buying a home here to make it easier to go back and forth and integrate into the community. “It’s exciting to be a part of a food scene that is blossoming,” he says. “It’s an exciting time to be in Savannah.”

We couldn’t agree more.

The Women Who Helped Savannah Learn To Eat

Through restaurants, our Asian community has been able to introduce their traditions to our shared city.

Written by KIKI DY // Photography by JOHN ALEXANDER

SAVANNAH HAS LONG ASKED more of its international restaurants. Here, food has had to do double duty. It has had to nourish, yes, but also translate, persuade, soften, convene. For minorities, community has had to be built and flavors served and shared with people who may not yet know what they’re tasting.

That work has often fallen to women.

Many of our city’s favorite outposts for a date night or family dinner out were built by women navigating immigration, entrepreneurship, and identity all at once. Their dining rooms harbor more than flavors. They hold memory, adaptation, and the quiet labor of making themselves visible in a city still learning how to tell their stories.

Here are four local stalwarts who have expanded our city’s palate.

GIVING THUNDERBOLT A JOLT OF FLAVOR: Chiriya Moore

One would not suspect Chiriya Moore, with her megawatt grin and revolving door of regulars who swing by her Thai-Hawaiian restaurant twice a week to get their fix of the crave-worthy food, has ever been unhappy. But when she arrived in Savannah in 1987, she felt alone.

There was no ready-made Thai community waiting for her in the Hostess City. Family became the first infrastructure instead. Over time, she helped move her sisters here. Nieces then joined the fold. Her son, trained in culinary school, helped sharpen her cooking techniques. “I was good before him,” she says with a laugh. “But now I’m better.”

That line says more than it seems to. Moore’s story is one of staying long enough in one place to watch a city learn. When she started out, diners often flattened Asian cuisines together into one fuzzy category. Thai food had to be distinguished again and again from some vague catchall idea of “Asian food.” “No, no, not Chinese,” she recalls telling customers. The point was not dismissal; it was specificity. It was asking Savannah to understand that each cuisine had its own grammar, balance, and logic.

The little things matter most now, she says: more tamarind, more shallot, a touch of lime, the tiny calibrations that make a dish sing instead of just sit there. She grows herbs, tinkers constantly, and still thinks in terms of improvement.

At one point she notes with characteristic candor, “I only have Asians come here for holidays because they can cook for themselves.” Her audience, especially early on, was often not a built-in co-ethnic community, but everyone else. That made the work doubly demanding. Moore was preserving something meaningful while also instilling culinary curiosity in her new home. In a city where Thai food once needed constant explanation, Moore helped turn that curiosity into appetite and appetite into admiration.

ENERGIZING A CITY: Jeeyun Lee

When Jeeyun Lee of The Tybee Bakery featuring Café Miss Korea first began selling bibimbap, she says, no one knew what it was.

Around 2010, after working for another local restaurateur, she started knocking on doors and delivering homemade food to nurses and doctors around outer Savannah’s medical campuses.

She had clocked how badly people were eating through their long shifts and began pitching her food in practical, bodily terms. “You guys need to eat better food,” she recalls telling them. Eat this and you will feel better. Eat this and you can make it through the day.

“One week, I started going house to house and asking, ‘Who wants bibimbap?’” she recalls, half laughing at the audacity of it now. Before Korean food had much footing here, before kimchi had enough local familiarity to move on name recognition alone, there was the repetitive labor of making, delivering, explaining, and coming back to do it again. By her count, it took 15 years for the work to grow into her current success.

Today, Lee is in high demand and high spirits, holding court at her Forsyth Farmers’ Market stall and hosting reservation-only group dinners (booked months in advance) at The Tybee Bakery. But what she describes is not simply a business arc; it is a social one. “My kimchi is not only my kimchi,” she says. “It’s our talking, our energy.” She has spent years meeting families, watching children grow up, and listening to stories of illness, recovery, and ordinary life.

The farmers’ market, in her telling, is not just a place to sell food. People are paying, she believes, for family time, happiness, and a different relationship to nourishment and to one another.

Lee also speaks plainly about what it meant to be an early arrival in the city’s Asian food scene. In those first years, being one of the only Asian women in certain public spaces heightened her sense of difference. But she describes the role as powerful, too. “As a woman, it’s great. I’m very proud,” she says. “I feel like I’m a good influencer to eating healthy.”

“Narra Tree is deeply tied to my journey as an immigrant building something that represents home while creating space for others to feel seen and connected. Food becomes both business and storytelling.”

—MAEBELLE ALOLONG

ANOTHER BRANCH ON THE TREE: Maebelle Alolong

Maebelle Alolong of Southside Filipino restaurant Narra Tree belongs to a younger generation of owners, and her language is sharper for it. “What surprised me most,” she says, “is how much you have to prove yourself before you’re even heard — not just as a woman but as a young Asian woman with a strong point of view.”

Alolong’s predecessors often had to absorb that reality without naming it so directly. Alolong is bold enough to note it, but she is also building on what came before. Her project is not only to run a restaurant but to build visibility. “I want people to see that we’re here,” she says, “and we’re part of Savannah’s story, not just existing in the background.”

At Narra Tree, that visibility is not hers alone. It is collective, carried by the women cooking beside her and by the memories and techniques they bring into the kitchen. Chef Julie de Vera, who moved to Savannah eight years ago, says the hardest part of the adjustment

was being away from family and friends. Still, the city gave her room “to grow into who I wanted to be.” On the menu, dishes like sisig and kare-kare feel most personal — foods tied to her father’s hometown, to celebration, to the kind of family table where, as she puts it, Filipinos “always find a reason to come together and share a meal.”

At the managerial helm, chef Psych Canonero (lovingly called “Mama” by Alolong and many others in appreciation for her deep care) describes a similar push and pull between rootedness and reinvention. In Savannah’s azaleas and live oak trees, she sees a city shaped by endurance — one that reminds her to stay grounded even in a foreign land. The dishes that bring her most fully back to herself, like kare-kare and bulalo, are not solitary foods but communal ones, meant for sharing, conversation, and deeper bonds. For her, cooking is not just about flavor. It is “an offering,” she says, “a way of serving with purpose and heart.”

Alolong and the team achieve their aspirations of Narra Tree serving as a mustering center where the sisig-curious can feel welcomed rather than intimidated and someone who grew up with Filipino food can feel seen. “Narra Tree is deeply tied to my journey as an immigrant building something that represents home while creating space for others to feel seen and connected,” says Alolong. “Food becomes both business and storytelling.”

THE CLIMB TO KLOM KLOM: Ann Healy

Walking through the red doors of PJ’s Thai is a formative food memory for many Savannahians. Now Ann Healy, along with her husband (the eponymous PJ), have expanded further with the smaller, more intimate Klom Klom.

When Healy came to the United States from Thailand in 2008, Savannah, she says, was “a completely new world.” The language

“Through food, we’ve been able to introduce our traditions, our stories, and our identity. Restaurants have become bridges between cultures.”

—ANN HEALY

was unfamiliar, the culture disorienting, and the community nearly invisible. Like many immigrant women before her, she turned to food as a first vocabulary. She shared meals, cooked for friends, and, over time, let those small moments accumulate into connection.

That instinct eventually became Klom Klom, a restaurant she describes as deeply personal. If PJ’s Thai was an essential opening chapter, Klom Klom is “more of my heart,” she says. It has given her room to tell a fuller story through home-style flavors and the regional influences she has come to love, especially those shaped by Isan cuisine (a distinctive style from northeastern Thailand).

“It wasn’t just about serving food,” she says. “It was about telling a story, creating a feeling, and giving people a real experience of Thai culture the way I know it.”

At Klom Klom, Healy spends time with each table, explaining the origins and nuances of dishes that don’t appear on other Savannah menus, like boat noodles and duck khao soi.

What has changed most, she says, is not just her own position but the landscape around her. “When I first arrived, it felt very small, almost quiet,” she says of Savannah’s Asian community. “Now, there’s a sense of pride.” Restaurants, she believes, helped make that shift possible, because food moves across barriers faster than biography can. “Through food, we’ve been able to introduce our traditions, our stories, and our identity,” she says. “Restaurants have become bridges between cultures.”

That bridge-building is made, as ever, of small things: a shared meal, a warm room, a menu that lowers somebody’s guard. Healy also points to the quiet support that exists among other women doing this work — check-ins, kind words, a piece of advice passed across the industry. “That support, even when it’s small, feels very powerful,” she says.

Beyond Rosé

Discover alternative warm-weather wines with help from some of our city’s beverage experts.

Written by MARY CORNETTA

WHEN TEMPERATURES RISE, you likely reach for your favorite bottle of rosé out of habit. The pretty pink wine has long been seen as the unofficial drink of summer, but according to Savannah’s top wine professionals, it’s not the only option you can uncork to cool down.

From coastal whites to chillable reds, warm-weather wines are defined less by color and more by how they feel: refreshing, balanced, and easy to drink in the Southern heat. “For warmer weather, you want something light bodied with great acidity and lower alcohol,” explains Bridget Michalski, managing partner and owner of Savannah Wine Cellar. “The last

thing you want is something heavy or high alcohol that makes you feel hotter.”

Libby Burk, general manager and wine director at Common Thread, agrees, pointing to the same characteristics. “Acidity is important because it creates a refreshing, mouthwatering feeling,” she says. “High-alcohol and fuller-bodied wines can cause quicker dehydration in the heat.”

Most rosés fit the criteria, which is why it’s a popular choice this time of year. However, if you’re looking for something different this season, the possibilities are broader — and more exciting — than you might think. “I personally love high-acid, mineral-driven white wines and chilled

reds in the warmer months,” says Burk. “I gravitate toward wines grown in coastal areas because they pair so well with our local food, so think albariño, Txakolina, and Sicilian wines.” Michalski sees that same trend: “The coastal influence on the grapes can create wines with freshness and salty minerality.”

Meanwhile, Husk sommelier and front-of-house manager Shannon LaDawn encourages drinkers to explore beyond traditional whites altogether by trying sparkling wines, pét-nats, or orange wines instead. She points to specific bottles that deliver both complexity and refreshment, such as Bonny Doon’s Le Cigare Orange.

“It has a lot of stone fruit, apricot, good acid, and just a touch of grippy tannin from the skin contact that makes the wine interesting and refreshing during the warm months,” she says. She suggests that Bodegas Parra Jimenez’s Gulp Hablo Orange “is awesome and super fun.”

What ties these recommendations together isn’t a single trait but rather a shared set of qualities: brightness, balance, and a sense of simplicity.

Perhaps the biggest departure from traditional summer drinking is the rise of chilled red wines, a category that all three experts passionately support. Referring to the tasting machines at Savannah Wine Cellar, Michalski explains that one of the eight is dedicated exclusively to chilled reds. “We call them chillable, killable reds,” she says. “These are lighter-bodied, crunchy reds and darker than a rosé but meant to be served chilled.”

Burk offers her own lineup of go-to red varieties, including trousseau, cabernet franc, gamay, and nerello mascalese. “These are all fantastic with a chill,” she says. LaDawn also highlights a few standout bottles, such as Gönc Winery’s blaufränkisch Sabotage. “It has plenty of blue and red fruit but has a light texture and is absolutely perfect to serve with lighter dishes on a hot day,” LaDawn says. She also highlights Podere Giardino’s Suoli Cataldi, a dry lambrusco: “It has a lot of deep fruit notes, but the bubbles break that texture up and make it very versatile for food.”

LaDawn suggests picking up anything with carbonic maceration, which gives red wine a fresh, fruity, low-tannin profile.

For Michalski, these wines aren’t simply a pleasant alternative to rosé; they’re an unexpected enhancement to your summer barbecue. “A chilled red is great with anything off the grill and doesn’t weigh down you or your palate,” she says.

Of course, warm-weather wines aren’t just about sipping; they’re also about pairing with the foods of the season. Michalski explains they’re versatile and can complement anything from seafood to barbecue, with Burk noting a few of her favorites: “Tybee Island Salt Bomb oysters, Lowcountry boil, fried chicken, grilled veggies — the list goes on!”

“I personally love high-acid, mineral-driven white wines and chilled reds in the warmer months.”

— Libby Burk

LaDawn agrees that fried chicken pairs well with all warm-weather wines and notes that calamari and tinned fish go well with high-acid coastal whites.

Beyond general styles, each wine pro points to lesser-known grape varieties that shine in warmer weather. “Chenin blanc, xarel-lo, and trousseau are some of my favorite grape varieties, yet they are wildly underrepresented on wine lists and in

retail shops,” says Burk.

LaDawn highlights a grape that perfectly captures summer’s easygoing appeal. “Hondarrabi zuri is the main grape variety in the Basque Txakolina wine from Spain, and it is delicious,” she says. “Bright acid, little fizz, lower alcohol, and lots of fruit character without being sweet.”

Even Michalski’s personal favorites reflect this same profile of freshness and

versatility. “I love a really crisp white with great acid,” she says. “I always have a chilled bottle of albariño ready. And for reds, a light, fresh gamay is my go-to.”

Note that serving temperature plays a crucial role in how these wines perform, especially in the heat. “One thing we often see is red wines being served too warm, even in colder months,” says Michalski. “Room temperature is generally too warm, even for full-bodied reds, as this makes the alcohol more pronounced.”

Her advice is to serve reds at 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. “If you don’t have a wine fridge, pop it in your refrigerator for 20 to 25 minutes to bring the temp down,” Michalski says. “The lighter the body for reds, the more chill it can have, so they are perfect to have in your fridge or pop in your cooler!”

While LaDawn acknowledges that warmer weather naturally causes wines

“I always have a chilled bottle of albariño ready. And for reds, a light, fresh gamay is my go-to.”

— Bridget Michalski

to heat up more quickly, she emphasizes that serving temperatures exist for a reason, and adjusting them too much can compromise the wine’s integrity. “I don’t personally feel that we need to change our serving temperatures for wines throughout the year,” she explains.

At the end of the day, warm-weather wine is less about playing by the rules and more about drinking what you enjoy. And though rosé isn’t the only libation you can pour when it heats up, even the experts

agree there’s still a place for it.

“I will always be a rosé girlie, and I refuse to believe that rosé is dead,” says LaDawn. “For the most part, rosés are a safe bet, especially in restaurants.” She suggests opting for dry rosés with low residual sugar to keep a headache at bay.

And, as Michalski puts it, summer wine should feel right for the moment, so no matter what you reach for this season, make it “something thirst quenching and refreshing.”

THANK YOU, SPONSORS

We appreciate these excellent community partners for sponsoring the 2026 YMCA Critz Tybee Run Fest, an annual event supporting the youth- and family-centered programming at the YMCA of Coastal Georgia. Proceeds from the Tybee Run Fest provide scholarships for swimming lessons, youth sports leagues, child care and summer day camps, ensuring that all Coastal Georgia families regardless of income or background have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

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2026 YMCA CRITZ TYBEE RUN FEST SPONSORS

TYBEE PIER

Savannah Coca-Cola, Sterling

Seacrest Prichard Inc.

LITTLE TYBEE

BankSouth, Creature Comforts, EGym, HERC Rentals, Hotel Tybee, The Long Drink, Modelo, Optim Orthopedics, Thomas & Hutton, Tybee Golf Carts, Tybee Lodging Group (Admiral’s Inn, Sandcastle Inn, Sea & Breeze, Atlantis Inn, and Dunes Inn), Tybee Vacation Rentals

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City of Tybee, Fleet Feet Savannah/Pooler, Hopping with Harkelroad Inflatables, Indoor Climate, Security Associates of Coastal Georgia

SANDPIPER

AOK Portables, Code of Return, Curbie/ Heritage Recycling, DeSoto Beach Vacation Properties, Live Oak Endodontist, Mauldin & Jenkins CPAs & Advisors, Pier 16, Savannah Stretch Zone, Tybee Market, Young Physical Therapy

BE WELL

Flipping the Script on WOMEN’S HEALTH

Written by ETHAN MATHEWS

For generations, women have had to go the extra mile to meet the health care system where it stood — navigating its many gaps through exhaustive self-advocacy, persistent questioning, and, sometimes, the use of alternative remedies to manage symptoms on their own. As patients and advocates have grown more outspoken about those experiences, meaningful changes are beginning to take shape. Here are four health care professionals who are helping lead that change in Savannah.

Raising the Bar

As millennials start to hit perimenopause, they are driving the demand for e ective, targeted treatments.

FOR MANY WOMEN, seeking care that takes their unique physiology seriously can feel like an exercise in self-advocacy, particularly when complex age-related changes like menopause are met with generic solutions for managing symptoms. As the first wave of millennials enters this transition — dubbed “millenopause” in online spaces — age-management specialists like those at Savannah Age Management Medicine are changing the narrative around what women should expect from care.

“What we’re noticing is that a lot of these women are taking this ‘Hell no! We won’t go!’ approach,” says Raechel Halbert, co-owner of Savannah Age Management Medicine. “That signals that there’s a real opportunity to say to women, ‘No, there are advocates in medicine who will listen to you and won’t just chalk your symptoms up to a phase in your life.’”

Night sweats, fatigue, and diet- and exercise-resistant weight gain — these sudden, unwelcome changes can make it feel like your body is sabotaging the years you worked hardest to feel strong and healthy. “A lot of women turn to supplements and self-medicating to get through this area of life,” Halbert says. “We understand that the downstream symptoms look like anxiety, brain fog, weight gain, and low libido. I could give you an individual prescription for each one of those things, but it’s not addressing the root cause.”

This functional or “root cause” medicine is what Savannah Age Management Medicine is all about, where their team works to map a personalized treatment plan for each client. “The backbone of our protocol is bioidentical hormones,” Halbert says. “What we’re interested in seeing is what was your hormone level like when you felt your best? And how close can we safely get you to that number?”

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) replaces hormones that decline with age by using compounds identical to those the body naturally produces. In evaluating women’s comfort today around hormone replacement treatment, Halbert points to a recent decision by the FDA to overhaul longstanding warning labels on menopausal hormone therapies, removing broad “black box” language that she and many clinicians say discouraged women from accessing effective treatment for years.

“We’re doing a lot of work to reeducate and unwind damage that has been done to a whole generation of women because they haven’t been allowed easy access to something that will protect them over time.”

—RAECHEL HALBERT

Beyond hormone therapy, Savannah Age Management Medicine supports women with other therapies tailored to the effects of hormonal change. These include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for hair thinning, skin rejuvenation, and sexual wellness; low-intensity shock wave therapy to boost circulation and aid tissue repair; and concierge medical weight-loss programs designed to counter hormone-driven metabolic changes. While they treat both men and women for a wide range of health issues, their focus on meeting patients where they are underscores a commitment to addressing the unique needs of women’s health.

“We’re doing a lot of work to reeducate and unwind damage that has been done to a whole generation of women because they haven’t been allowed easy access to something that will protect them over time,” she says.

“It doesn’t have to be something that you live through or put up with because you’ve reached a certain age,” Halbert says. “You deserve to be heard about what you’re experiencing, and you deserve to have somebody address it in a comprehensive fashion.”

It’s not a country thing or a city thing. It’s a Georgia Thing.

Want to feel more connected to the place you call home? GPB has stories from across our state that keep Georgians everywhere tuning in. Explore trusted news, high school sports, homegrown music and much more at gpb.org.

Supportive Screenings

A di erent approach helps make breast imaging feel less scary.

ROUTINE BREAST IMAGING has long been the foundation of preventive care for women ages 40 and up, and in recent years, greater public awareness and advances in early detection have helped improve the outlook for the estimated 320,000 U.S. women expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2026. Still, in some areas of health care, the assumption persists that because a service is necessary and potentially lifesaving, comfort and experience do not need to be priorities.

When Jessica Wilder, M.D., partnered with Coastal Imaging in 2022 to open The Center for Women’s Health, she was answering a longstanding call from women who wanted more from breast cancer screening than the standard clinical routine. Wilder, who was born, raised, and fellowship-trained in Savannah, says she saw no alternative at that time to the screenings provided by large hospital networks.

“It’s a very fast-paced environment, very sterile and cold,” says Wilder. “A lot of women who would go to these large places would feel like they were being herded through like cattle.”

Wilder and her team at The Center for Women’s Health have reimagined the screening processes so women feel supported and ready to face preventive care with confidence. “We needed to create an environment where patients actually feel like they’re being seen and heard and actually take the time to listen to them so they don’t feel like they’re just another number,” she says.

It starts with a space designed for comfort, with a spa-like atmosphere that feels nothing like a typical medical clinic. Staff interactions are grounded in empathy, reflecting an understanding of the fear many patients bring through the door. Comfortable robes are provided for imaging, which is performed on a stateof-the-art 3D mammography system designed to deliver clearer images and a more streamlined experience. Patients also get to speak with the radiologist — a rarity in most clinics.

“Most other places, the radiologist would not come in to talk to them, but for us, if the patient has any questions or they want to speak to the radiologist, I will always go in there, and I am happy to do that.”

—JESSICA WILDER, M.D.

waiting in the lobby to be called back in, and, of course, waiting for potentially life-changing results. Wilder says this is where unique offerings, like same-day biopsies, can make a real difference in reducing patients’ anxiety and stress.

“We try to go out of our way to talk to all the patients, even if the patient has something benign like a simple cyst,” Wilder says. “Most other places, the radiologist would not come in to talk to them, but for us, if the patient has any questions or they want to speak to the radiologist, I will always go in there, and I am happy to do that.”

One of the most common concerns around breast cancer screening is the fear of waiting — waiting before an appointment,

“That’s the biggest issue with our field — the level of anxiety,” Wilder says, adding that most other clinics do not have the time for same-day biopsies. “If a woman is worried she may have breast cancer, having to wait another week or two for a biopsy. That’s so much anxiety, and we try to mitigate that as best we can.”

One screening at a time, Wilder and her team are proving that necessity and care don’t have to be at odds. “Mammography is the only screening exam in the literature that has demonstrated a 40% reduction in breast cancer mortality over the past 40 years,” she says. “Early detection saves lives!”

Kusuma recognizes how easily certain symptoms can be dismissed and, after decades in internal medicine, has learned to push further and listen closely when patients come to her for answers. She often sees patients arriving for new appointments eager to “start fresh” or “dig deeper” after previous doctors were unable to provide answers.

“A patient came with a lot of complaints like tiredness, fatigue, and just feeling run-down. Most people would think it’s depression,” Kusuma says. “It’s a very young woman. You don’t think about heart disease, so it’s dismissed: ‘You’re still young, you’re active, you have kids.’ However, the patient does have a morbidity that’s causing her to be tired.”

Kusuma dug deeper. “I saw her EKG is a little abnormal — not like a common young, healthy female — so I did more testing and found that the patient has an enlarged heart, causing her to be fatigued,” she says.

Making Time To Listen

Giving women space to talk can improve health outcomes, reports Dr. Yulianty Kusuma.

THE PRESSURE to accurately describesymptoms to a primary care doctor in pursuit of meaningful next steps — especially given the cost, time, and physical toll of chasing the wrong lead — can be significant. A 2025 report from the nonprofit Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI) ranked the dismissal of patient, family, and caregiver concerns as the No. 1 threat to patient safety, warning that it can contribute to missed or delayed diagnoses.

When patients are given extra time and focused attention, they are far more likely to get timely, effective results. For others still searching for answers, the process can quickly become a cycle of referrals, unnecessary prescriptions, and worsening symptoms — a pattern that disproportionately affects women of color, certain age or weight ranges, and those with a history of mental health conditions.

As more patients push for better communication and accountability in health care, Kusuma notes one of the ways years of dismissal can sometimes leave a lasting mark. Patients may begin to question their own instincts — a pattern researchers describe as “health care-related self-silencing,” where repeated dismissal leads people to downplay or reinterpret symptoms before they even reach the exam room.

“Patients will tell us they’re waking up in the night, feeling anxious, or like they’re going to pass out,” Kusuma says. “But you have to think about: Is the anxiety causing the heart to race? Or is the heart racing making you more anxious?”

It’s this kind of careful questioning that is helping rebuild care expectations and improve outcomes for women.

“As clinicians,” says Kusuma, “we have to think of everything outside the box.”

Yulianty Kusuma, M.D., internist and owner of Internal Medicine of Savannah, believes providers have a responsibility to fully investigate patient concerns and points to a simple, effective solution.

“If you are not asking the questions, you do not have answers, and there is no connecting of the dots,” Kusuma says. “I think that comes down to the skill of the interviewer and also the time they are given.” For better care, she says, “The patient-doctor relationship has to be built.”

“If you are not asking the questions, you do not have answers, and there is no connecting of the dots. I think that comes down to the skill of the interviewer and also the time they are given.”

—YULI ANTY KUSUMA, M.D.

Moving Past Stigma

More mental health help is available than most women think.

PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS around mental health have expanded in recent years, but how open that conversation remains often depends on context. In practice, that inconsistency can make it difficult to identify where stigma still operates, and for many women, the simple act of wanting to feel better becomes complicated by the risk of not being taken seriously — or even being misdiagnosed.

“I hear a lot of my female patients complain about feeling dismissed or not heard when they have any past diagnosis in mental health,” says Zuleimye Valle Blas, M.D., a psychiatrist at Shrink Savannah. Valle Blas moved to Savannah from Puerto Rico in 2017 to complete her residency and stuck around, drawn by what she describes as “the people, the warmth, and the Southern charm.” Still in her first year at Shrink Savannah, her pragmatic approach to psychiatry makes her a fierce advocate in all areas of health.

Valle Blas points to a common, and not unfounded, fear among many women that a history of anxiety or depression will follow them into other clinical settings, where symptoms can be prematurely explained through that lens rather than assessed on their own terms. “We see a lot of depression, anxiety, OCD, and even substance use disorders that are untreated just because we don’t take enough time to do compassionate care and listen carefully to this population,” she says. “This affects the overall desire to get help or even get diagnosed. They don’t want to be labeled, and that takes us back to the stigma we know exists around mental health.”

“We see a lot of depression, anxiety, OCD, and even substance use disorders that are untreated just because we don’t take enough time to do compassionate care and listen carefully to this population.”

—ZULEIMYE VALLE BLAS, M.D.

For example, women might dismiss symptoms of depression as related to their menstrual cycle or think they’re not “tough enough.”

According to Valle Blas, it doesn’t need to be this way. Normalizing mental health care and addressing concerns early and thoughtfully can transform the patient experience. When providers take the time to listen, validate experiences, and apply evidencebased care, the cycle can be interrupted. “The same way that we would get prescription glasses to see better, why can’t we get help to feel better [when it comes to mental health]?” she says. “As long as it’s evidence-based medicine, I think we can accomplish a lot.”

“Early treatment makes a difference, and that’s one of the reasons I specialized in child and adolescent psychiatry,” Valle Blas says. “Including women’s health, menstrual cycles, and all this special education from a young age will help improve outcomes. If we can treat symptoms early, the quality of life is definitely going to be better.”

Particularly for young women, Valle Blas stresses the importance of addressing concerns early — not only to build a strong foundation for mental health and self-awareness, but also to develop the knowledge and confidence needed to advocate effectively for oneself across all areas of health care.

THE ART OF AGING WELL

In a City That Never Really Ages

THERE'S A QUESTION MORE PEOPLE ARE ASKING: not can I look better, but what is actually happening to my face, and can something be done about it without surgery?

The answer is yes! But it requires someone willing to look at the whole picture.

If you’ve lived in Savannah long enough, you know what this city does to skin. The summers are long, and they are serious. The kind of heat that radiates up off Broughton Street pavement in July, that follows you home from a weekend at Tybee Island, that turns a St. Patrick’s Day parade into a full contact sport with the sun. You earn your time here. And your skin keeps the record.

At Park Aesthetics, that’s the starting point. There’s not one concern addressed in isolation, not a single syringe as a standalone solution, but a comprehensive, layered understanding of how the face ages. Volume loss. Textural change. Cellular damage from years of Southern sun. Static lines etched into the skin at rest.

Dynamic lines that deepen with every expression. Skin quality that, without real care, quietly declines decade by decade. These aren’t separate problems. They’re a system. And treating them well means treating them together.

This is what separates Park from a provider who simply lls what bothers you today. The conversation here starts with the full picture: where your face is now, where it’s going, and what a thoughtful plan looks like over time. Patients leave with clarity, a strategy they can understand, and results that re ect it. “I loved making a facial blueprint plan and learning about new services that could help improve my skin,” says Maria, a recent patient. “Great work and very thorough information.”

For those who have wondered whether surgery is their only real option, Park makes a compelling case that it isn’t. Neuromodulators soften and prevent. Strategic ller restores architecture without erasing individuality. Lasers address what topicals can't: pigmentation, texture, laxity, and years of cumulative damage with results that compound over time. And because no two faces age the same way, no two treatment plans at Park look the same either. The goal is never a formula. It’s a t. Paired with medical-grade skincare, it’s the kind of approach that holds up, like a good house on Jones Street, built to last and only getting better with age.

What Park has built over three years is a practice where results are taken seriously, patients are educated rather than sold to, and satisfaction is the actual standard, not just the stated one. There are no treatments on the menu because they’re trending, and no protocols applied because they’re

Their attention to detail, high quality treatments, and personalized approach set them apart from other practices.

—Dana,long-term

patient

easy. Everything is chosen because it works, and because it’s right for that face, that patient, that stage of life. Dana, who has been a patient since the early days, puts it simply: “Their attention to detail, high quality treatments, and personalized approach set them apart from other practices.”

The faces walking out of Park don’t look operated on or overdone. They look rested. Like themselves, only better. The Savannah version of themselves, the one who's earned every summer and shows none of the damage.

If you’ve been on the fence about what's possible without going under the knife, Park is the place to nd out.

Women Business in

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Daniel Ravenel

Sotheby’s International Realty

WHAT MAKES US PROUD: Our pride extends beyond our deep roots in Savannah — it’s woven into the fabric of this remarkable city. As stewards of its rich history and charm, we enjoy welcoming new residents and sharing the unparalleled beauty of Savannah’s landscapes, architecture, and community. The city’s timeless appeal and warm hospitality fuel our passion for real estate.

OUR MISSION: To provide unmatched real estate service along the Lowcountry coast. True luxury is a level of service, not a price point. Our clients benefit from our commitment to high ethical and professional standards. We are proud to be a luxury brokerage firm, not only because we represent some of the finest homes in the area, but also because we treat each listing with the same elevated care.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Success in Savannah’s dynamic real estate market isn’t just about closing deals but building lasting relationships. By treating clients, colleagues, and partners with the same trust and sincerity that we ourselves value, we create a culture of collaboration that leads to shared success. In a city where connections matter, we are dedicated to fostering an environment of goodwill, ensuring

SAVANNAH: 300 Bull St., Suite 101 | 912.234.3323

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that every interaction strengthens both our business and the community we serve.

THE LOCAL WOMAN WE MOST

ADMIRE: The incredible women of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty, whose dedication extends beyond real estate to shaping and strengthening our community, continually inspire us. Beyond our team, we admire the many remarkable

women who define Savannah’s character entrepreneurs, educators, artists, and advocates who drive progress and innovation. Their contributions shape the city’s identity, making Savannah a dynamic place to live and work.

WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sotheby’s International Realty, a milestone that reflects decades of

excellence in luxury real estate. Our brokerage joined the brand in its 31st year, and we are proud to represent this global network here in Savannah and across the Lowcountry. We look forward to gathering with colleagues from around the world at the brand’s upcoming Global Networking Event to honor the legacy of Sotheby’s International Realty and the relationships that continue to shape our industry.

Coastal Care Partners

OUR MISSION: To help older adults age safely and with dignity while leading a team that provides families with clarity, guidance, and peace of mind during some of life’s most overwhelming transitions.

OUR MOTTO: Be proactive, not reactive.

OUR STORY: Ten years ago, my husband’s father was rushed to the hospital in Savannah. My husband and I quickly discovered how many gaps existed in traditional discharge and follow-up care. There was no

one overseeing the full plan. No one coordinating appointments. No one managing medications in a structured way. No one stepping back to say, here is what matters most right now, and here is how we move forward. Even with my nursing background, managing the details was difficult. The experience made one thing clear: if navigating aging care was challenging for a family with clinical knowledge, how overwhelming must it be for families without it? That realization became the foundation of Coastal Care Partners and what

we call the Aging Care Blueprint — an intentionally integrated model that combines nurse-led care management, in-home support, and medical oversight into one coordinated system.

WE BELIEVE: Most aging care crises are predictable. Falls, medication errors, repeated hospitalizations, caregiver burnout, and family conflict rarely come out of nowhere. They build quietly through missed information, poor communication, lack of follow-through, and no one holding the full picture.

SAVANNAH: 4 Skidaway Village Walk, Suite B | 912.598.6312 BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA: 30 William Pope Drive, Suite 101 | 843.962.6312 coastalcarepartners.com @coastalcarepartners

A LESSON WE’VE LEARNED: Waiting too long to put support in place often leads to unnecessary crises. The earlier families get help, the better the outcomes — for both the aging adult and the people who love them.

OUR JOB DESCRIPTIONS: Nurses, problem solvers, advocates, and leaders — all helping families navigate complex aging decisions while bringing calm and clarity to situations that often feel overwhelming.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS

IN SAVANNAH: Building genuine relationships and trust. People want to work with those who truly care, follow through, and consistently show up for their clients and community.

WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE US: A caregiver alone is not enough. Many home care agencies focus on filling shifts. But when a caregiver calls out, arrives late, or a schedule suddenly changes, families quickly discover that staffing is not the same as support. Home care requires coordination,

not just placement. At Coastal Care Partners, caregivers are backed by the largest and most structured support organization in our region. We have dedicated scheduling teams, administrative oversight, nurse leadership, and on-call support designed to ensure consistency and rapid response when changes occur. When a shift needs coverage, there is a system in place. When questions arise, there is someone accountable. When circumstances change, families are not left to manage it alone.

– Answers provided by Amy Pierce, RN, co-owner

OUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE: We’re a community bank specializing in helping our neighbors build for their future. With a full range of services, our clients have more than a place to store their money — they have a partner invested in their future. We’re equipped with the tools and services needed in a banking partner to help our clients reach their business goals, achieve growth, and obtain efficiency.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Relationships, which is why we take pride in being more than just a bank — we’re a partner.

WE LEAD BY: Doing things the right way. We understand our clients’ financial needs, and as a local bank we make the decision right here in our community. Our core values are to be ready, be responsive, and be respectful.

WE’RE MOST PROUD OF: Our long history of supporting our community through both our banking services and our commitment to community engagement. rom financial literacy programs to partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, and small businesses, BankSouth remains focused on enhancing the quality of life in our area.

WHAT’S NEXT: We are proud to have been selected as the on-site banking services partner for Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America. As part of this new partnership, BankSouth established an in-plant branch and installed multiple ATMs across the HMGMA campus, providing Hyundai’s team members with convenient access to banking services. his collaboration reflects both organi ations’ commitment to supporting employees, investing in local communities, and delivering exceptional service.

Altera Aesthetix

Savannah: 11550 Abercorn St. | 912.710.0274

Richmond Hill: 11258 Ford Ave., Suite 9 Statesboro: 1088 Bermuda Run

Pooler: Coming Soon! 1 Godley Station Blvd., C104 alteraaesthetix.com | @alteraaesthetix

WE LEAD BY: Showing others that it can be done — whether that’s opening a business for a busy working mom who never thought it was in the cards for her or by showing our patients what it means to have true confidence that makes a positive impact in the way you live your life day to day.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: Our fourth location will open this summer. Altera Aesthetix in Pooler will be opening in June with a familiar face leading the way. Emily Shuman is opening the new office and will be welcoming her current patients whom she has been seeing for the last six years as well as greeting many new faces.

WE’RE MOST PROUD OF: Our ability to build something bigger than ourselves. We started this mission wanting to improve the lives of our patients. Along the way, we have found so many other avenues of moving our mission forward, like building our team that gets to create the career for themselves that they never thought they would have.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY WE’D LOVE TO CHANGE: That aesthetic services and treatments are superficial, selfish, and taboo. lthough it may seem that way on the surface, we have seen our patients’ lives changed by feeling good in their own skin.

OUR SUPERPOWER: eeping a patient first focus. t influences every decision we make, and our team knows we’ll never sacrifice a safe outcome to save a buck.

WE’RE THANKFUL FOR: Our village: our staff, who stand out and carry our mission; our spouses, who share our goals and help us figure it all out and our family and friends, who support us as customers, who help shuffle kids to practice, and who create a safe space for us to just be in all our chaotic glory.

Park Aesthetics

A LESSON THAT SHAPED US: Learning to say no. It’s never easy, and for a long time, it didn’t come naturally. But we’ve realized that honesty is often the most helpful response, even when it means acknowledging that Park may not be the right fit for someone at least not yet. Embracing that has made us stronger, more focused, and better at what we do.

WE ARE STILL SURPRISED BY: The sense of community that formed organically around Park. As women began to see real, tangible results without surgery, trust grew. Now, clients come in not only for treatments but also eager to share their stories. That level

of confidence and connection continues to surprise us in the best way.

IF PARK DIDN’T EXIST, PEOPLE WOULD MISS: Access to this level of results without leaving Savannah. Many of our clients once traveled to cities like New York, Miami, and tlanta for these services. ow, they can find that same level of care here. In fact, some clients travel to Savannah for the experience itself, drawn by both the results and the city’s unique charm.

WE BRING TO SAVANNAH: A global perspective rooted in continuous education. We train internationally and bring the most

advanced techniques back to our clients. There’s something meaningful about learning from the best in the world and making that level of expertise accessible locally. Our clients shouldn’t have to travel to experience the highest standards in the industry.

WE BELIEVE: When you look better, you feel better. It’s a principle grounded in both science and daily experience. We see firsthand how renewed confidence can transform how someone carries herself, connects with others, and shows up in her life. Every service we offer is measured against that standard if it doesn’t inspire that level of confidence, it simply doesn’t belong at ark.

The Landings Real Estate Company

OUR MISSION: o help people feel confident in one of life’s biggest decisions. e guide buyers and sellers with clarity, honesty, and deep local knowledge, making sure they feel taken care of every step of the way.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: elationships. hey outlast transactions. his is a city where connections carry across neighborhoods, organi ations, and generations. ow you treat people matters, and your reputation follows you long after the closing. hat’s why relationships always come first, whether we’re welcoming new residents, assisting long time neighbors, or supporting causes that enrich Savannah.

e are committed to giving back by sponsoring and partnering with organi ations like the nited ay of the oastal mpire, nion ission, he andings andlovers, the iwanis lub of Skidaway, and many more

WE LEAD BY: istening first. very client, every situation, every home is different. e believe in steady guidance, clear communication, and creating an environment where people feel supported, respected, and confident in their decisions.

WE ARE: team of experienced ealtors who live and work in he andings and throughout Savannah. e don’t ust list and

sell homes here we are part of this vibrant community. e understand both the pace of island life and the broader coastal market, and that perspective shapes how we advise our clients.

WE CHOSE THE LANDINGS REAL ESTATE COMPANY BECAUSE: e believe in what this company stands for. very sale contributes to marketing that attracts new buyers to he andings, helping protect property values and strengthening the community. t’s not ust good business it’s a long term commitment to the place we all call home.

Dr. Susan Timna & Dr. Cori Palmer

EXPERT HEARING

912.777.8580

The Landings: 15 Lake St., Suite 160 Savannah: 6602 Waters Ave., Building B, Suite 102 bellarydesigns.com | ExpertHearingSavannah @experthearing_sav

OUR MISSION: To elevate and educate the community on all aspects of hearing, brain, and balance conditions. We strive to explain that hearing loss is a medical issue that can impact not only your communication and connections with family and friends, but also lead to earlier cognitive slow down. Our goal is to have each person we touch to be able to lead their best and most productive life.

WE ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Are not afraid to be heard, step up to new horizons, and have forward thinking to change our community for the better. We admire women who take risks, know their worth, and stand up to lead while having a caring heart in all they do.

OUR REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: To be good listeners so we can tackle the communication issues that each patient is facing and understand how those issues affect their lives. Every patient is unique and deserves a personalized approach. We are not only hearing care experts, but also therapists, advocates, and, most of all, their friends.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Provide over-the-top customer service. Make each person feel important and heard, and follow up to ensure each person has had their concerns addressed and resolved. That’s the motto we live by and strive for each and every day at our practice.

OUR PATIENTS CHOOSE US BECAUSE: We build strong, lasting relationships that are the foundation of excellent patient care. Everyone who visits Expert Hearing knows they’ll receive compassionate, high-quality care from our entire team. We’re dedicated to working tirelessly until we find the right solution and achieve the best possible outcomes. Our patients recognize the value in everything we do and appreciate the consistent follow-up that ensures lasting results and relationships.

Sebrell Smith

912.604.6852 | 8419 Ferguson Ave. sandflyflowershop.com | sebrellsmith.com @sandflyflowershop

MY MISSION: To spread happiness through flowers because everyone deserves something beautiful. here’s nothing else uite like them. lowers can celebrate and soothe the soul simultaneously, expressing everything you’re feeling without a single word. ltimately, they are a true expression of love, and everyone wants to feel loved.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: ead by example. ’ve been so fortunate to have incredible female mentors throughout my career. hese are the women who stand beside you, pour into you, and take real delight in watching you thrive. hey’ve played a real part in

shaping who am today, and ’m deeply grateful for each of them.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: ip ties cannot live without them , my year old cultivated contact list of the best friends in the industry to lean on, and my ama ing team of dedicated designers. ’m truly privileged to work alongside such passionate creatives every single day.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: s a constant work in progress Owning a small business means the ob description changes by the hour. ’m a wife to my incredibly supportive

husband, amon, and the proudest mom to the most remarkable daughter, c lister. eyond that, ’m a daughter, a sister, a business owner, an event planner, a designer, and, above all else, a good friend hope .

I’M THANKFUL FOR: very incredible woman in my life who leads by example and never stops caring or charging forward. heir example gives me hope, courage, and guidance, and am so fortunate to have them. omen supporting women there is simply nothing more powerful.

Chloe Binetti

WE ARE: A sustainable luxury resale boutique in Savannah’s Downtown Design District offering carefully curated pre-owned designer pieces that make luxury fashion accessible.

I’M MOST PROUD OF: Building a business that centers around community and creating space where women can connect, share resources, and feel seen. I’m proud of growing Madison & 5th into a place that supports women’s confidence, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, being involved in local charities, and mentoring emerging women entrepreneurs.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED: Don’t shrink to make others comfortable. Take the space you deserve, own your expertise, and let that steadiness uplift the people around you.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: Small-business owner, curator of quality designer pieces, community connector, mentor, and relentless problem-solver who celebrates beauty and sustainability.

WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT SAVANNAH: The generosity and warmth of its people. Savannah is a place where community support turns ideas into lasting impact.

I’m proud to be part of this remarkable community of women.

ADVICE FOR WOMEN STARTING OUT: Build a circle of support, trust your instincts, and invest time in creating spaces — for yourself and others — where growth is possible. Break barriers, show resilience, and uplift others as you climb, proving that strength comes from unity and shared success.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Building authentic connections. The city’s charm lies in its community, where genuine relationships and collaboration are at the heart of thriving businesses.

13 Secrets Fine Jewelry & Luxury Watches

912.484.0985 513 Whitaker St. 13secret.com @13secretssavannah

OUR MOTTO: A piece isn’t simply worn, it’s lived in, tailored to the wearer, made to be remembered, and crafted to spark whispered conversations. Some pieces are made to shine; ours are made to speak. Every visit leaves you with a story. Every piece hints at one — if you know where to look!

WE ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Show up fully as themselves confident, oyful, and unapologetic in their personal style. The woman who dresses for how she wants to feel, not for permission, and who understands that ewelry isn’t ust an accessory, but a reflection of her story, her milestones, and her self-expression.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Treating people like neighbors, not transactions. Authentic hospitality, showing up for the community, and building relationships and trust over time will always matter here.

WE’RE THANKFUL FOR : The trust our guests place in us during life’s most meaningful moments as well as the everyday ones worth celebrating. Being included in their stories and celebrations is something we never take for granted.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY WE’D LOVE TO CHANGE: hat ewelry shopping is intimidating or exclusive. The Maison is a home that we hope you feel welcomed into, ust like you’re family. e’re all about providing genuine hospitality while making you feel at ease and comfortable throughout your entire experience with us. e try to have something for everyone’s taste and budget.

Frederika Feketé

JAVA BURRITO COMPANY

912.298.5282 | 420 E. Broughton St. javaburrito.com

OUR MISSION: To provide a clean-food approach to a fast-casual experience. I am so proud that our concept can satisfy dietary requirements for everyone and be a community meeting place with a menu that truly offers something for everyone. Whether you are seed-oil-free, paleo, vegan, or just like knowing what is in your food, we love being the place that makes you feel good because of what you’re eating.

WE OFFER: A burrito bar, breakfast bar, and coffee drinks. Our fresh food eatery sources both organic and local food when in season, and our coffee bar sources locally roasted beans, local milk, and

organic cane-sugar syrups.

OUR PHILOSOPHY: To promote positive change within the sustainable farming initiatives, supporting farms and individuals with like standards. We believe in keeping our farmers close.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Black cold brew, egg tacos, and a big hug from my kids and husband.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: Mother to two beautiful children, tennis enthusiast, scratch golfer, and wife to my amazing business partner, Michael.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Savannah has so many incredible women-owned businesses. I was so impressed that around every corner was a woman behind a great concept. Go out and meet these women!

FAVORITE QUOTE: “Pressure is a privilege.”

– Billie Jean King

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY: Nothing worth having comes easy. You have to truly want it. Whatever that “it” is, goals take dedication, desire, and a little bit of luck to accomplish.

MY MANTRA: Two things can be true at once. Life and people are nuanced, and there’s duality to everything. Understanding that multiple things can be true at the same time helps me hold space for people, opportunities, and realities for all that they are. Mayor Van Johnson recently gave a presentation on the inclusive power of the word “and” instead of the polarity of the word “or” — there’s a lot of truth in that.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Demonstrate grace under pressure, particularly when engaging in disagreements. Facing challenges is key for mutual growth, and I deeply respect a woman who can navigate a

tense discussion with grace, confidence, and a focus on productive outcomes rather than elevated emotions.

I’M MOST PROUD OF: Creating a clinic where patients can set an exciting vision for their future selves. Somewhere in your 30s, thinking about the future you isn’t so fun anymore — you picture aging, decline, and discomfort. We’re helping to re-write that. You can feel better in your 60s than you did in your 40s. When people embrace that possibility, the work our clinic can do is really outstanding.

THE PLOT TWIST THAT SHAPED ME: After 12 years in Chicago and one month

of marriage, my husband and I decided to move and start working in business together. We worked remotely while traveling, and it was an enormous amount of change at once. The sudden shift in location, career, and marital status stretched me in ways I hadn’t experienced. I will always look back on that chapter of life fondly because it showed me how much I was capable of handling.

WHAT FILLS MY CUP: Working alongside people who are unified in their mission. Whether in a business strategy meeting or stuffing envelopes, get such a charge from people who are enthusiastically working together.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

WE ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Lead with authenticity and leverage their life experiences to elevate their businesses. Our agents represent all stages of life, from young entrepreneurs to accomplished professionals launching second careers. These diverse perspectives allow them to build meaningful connections with clients, understand their needs, and confidently navigate the complexities of both life and real estate.

WE ARE PROUD OF: Our team across five regional offices, comprised of a diverse group of both men and women, including more than 70 accomplished female agents whose experience spans from newly

licensed professionals to industry veterans with more than 40 years in real estate. The depth, leadership, and collaboration of these women play a significant role in our continued success, helping BHHS Bay Street Realty Group consistently achieve Elite Circle status — ranking among the Top 50 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerages worldwide for the past five years.

OUR OFFICE IS MADE UP OF: Corporate sales professionals, former teachers, small business owners, service industry professionals, mothers, interior designers, and former social workers. The women

of backgrounds and industries. These experiences bring unique and fresh perspectives to every interaction. This group has also formed genuine friendships, supporting one another, sharing challenges, and offering solutions based on past experiences. Where many real estate brokerages are competitive, ours is truly collaborative.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Integrity and relationships. Savannah is a close-knit community where reputation matters. By conducting business with honesty and delivering a high level of service, our agents earn trust and referrals.

Kimmy K. Powell

MY MISSION: To be the leader in luxury spa wellness and provide transformative experiences of wellbeing in your backyard.

MY MOTTO: To live by the four principles in “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” by Don Miguel Ruiz: Be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: One tends to overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in 10 years.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: Head cheerleader to a husband of 36 years, three sons, three beautiful daughters-in-law, and two amazing grandchildren. Family is everything to me.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Put themselves first and make sure they’re living a life of passion and purpose.

I’M PROUD OF: My ability to build a strong team of amazing individuals.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED: “Be nice to people on your way up, you may meet them on your way down.” — my father

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: My work family, my phone (for remote work!), and our amazing clients.

ON WRITING MY OWN BOOK: As a mentor, I often get asked the same questions, and so I decided to write “The Passion and Purpose Project” to help others gain insight and clarity to design the life they were meant to live. I’m so grateful that at 45, I moved to Charleston and started a new career. I want other women to find their passion and purpose and design the life of their dreams.

Chelsea Phillips Real Estate Group

OUR MISSION: To help people make smart, strategic decisions that also feel personal, because at the end of the day, you have to live with them. We specialize in historic homes and investment properties because we genuinely love the charm, but we care just as much about whether it actually makes sense on paper. We’re not here to sell you something pretty that becomes a problem later. We’re here to help you make a decision you will still feel good about five years from now.

WE ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Know exactly who they are and move accordingly. They are not waiting for permission or over-explaining themselves. They are building, deciding, and

figuring it out as they go. hey are confident but still kind, driven but still grounded. The kind of women who will absolutely win, but will also tell you how they did it if you ask.

WE’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: Not every deal is worth doing and not every client is the right fit. t is easy to say yes to everything and call it momentum. t is not. t is just chaos with good intentions. Real success comes from being selective, trusting your instincts, and knowing when to walk away.

THE SECRET ABOUT SAVANNAH: Savannah is not ust a market. t is a small town disguised as a city — and if you know, you know. Every

street has a story, every house has history, and your reputation will get around faster than you think. People who succeed here are the ones who show up consistently, know their stuff, and treat relationships like they matter.

WHY OUR CLIENTS CHOOSE US: We see what others miss or what they politely choose not to say — the potential, the risks, the longterm reality of what you are actually buying. We are honest (sometimes a little too honest), but we always have your best interests in mind. Our clients trust us because we care about the outcome, not just the transaction, and because we will tell you the truth even if it costs us the deal.

Liz Giddens

MY MISSION: To design cabinetry that feels as intentional as it is beautiful, where every inch is considered, and nothing is overlooked.

I SPECIALIZE IN: Bespoke cabinetry that brings structure, elegance, and effortless function to the heart of the home.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Give back to their community and support other local businesses.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Surrounding yourself with other business leaders who focus on the positive and find solutions.

I FOCUS ON: Value. With a foundation in both design and functionality, I specialize in rethinking underutilized spaces, maximizing value, improving flow, and creating cabinetry that truly works for the home.

MY LOCAL HERIONE: Malena Stone, who founded PACK (People of Action Caring for Kids) Savannah.

I’M PROUD OF: My daughters, Claire and Carlisle. They live their lives by faith and kindness, which is a true measure of success as a parent.

Morgan Rae Boutique

912.658.4259 | 301B W. Broughton St. (Upstairs) morganraeboutique.com @shopmorganrae

WE DID A GROUP PORTRAIT THIS YEAR

BECAUSE: Morgan Rae Boutique has never been just about one person. It’s about the women who walk through our doors every day. This group represents the heart of our boutique: different ages, backgrounds, professions, and life stages, all connected by a shared sense of confidence and community. These are women we’ve celebrated, supported, and grown alongside through milestones, everyday moments, and everything in between. his photo reflects the relationships we’ve built over the years and serves as a reminder that Morgan Rae is a place where every woman can see herself, feel included, and belong.

THE MORGAN RAE WOMAN IS: Everevolving. She might be a college student, a new mom, a public figure, or a grandmother. She values style, confidence, and feeling seen. We grow with her through every chapter of life. At Morgan Rae, the relationship doesn’t end at checkout; it’s just the beginning. We’re constantly thinking about our customers, checking in on the little things, and remembering the moments that matter. We wonder how the proposal went, if she got into her dream college, or how her Mom is doing with treatment. Genuine connections are special to us. It’s not just about styling outfits it’s about being there for our customers through every season of their lives.

WHEN WOMEN WALK INTO MORGAN RAE, WE HOPE THEY FEEL: Like they’ve found their place. We want every woman to feel seen, welcomed, and confident, whether she’s shopping for a once-in-a-lifetime event or simply refreshing her everyday style. It’s about more than what you wear; it’s about how you feel while you’re here and long after you leave. Our goal is to create an experience where women of all ages and stages of life feel comfortable, celebrated, and inspired.

– Answers provided by owner Morgan Hammock

912.352.0077 | 816 E 71st St., Savannah | 40volume.com 912.988.1235 | 405 US 80, Unit 101, Pooler | 40volume.com 912.349.1181 | 3307 Waters Ave. | av8barbers.com @40volumesalonandspa and @av8barbers

OUR MISSION: To enrich the lives of our team, our guests, and our community by cultivating growth, confidence, and meaningful connection through the art of beauty. We want every guest who walks through our doors to feel right at home — valued, understood, and cared for.

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: Clarity is everything. When expectations, communication, or goals aren’t clear, things get complicated fast. I’ve also learned that trying to do everything alone is unsustainable. The most meaningful progress happens when you trust your team, collaborate, and lean on the strengths and

perspectives of the people around you.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: This city runs on trust, reputation, and the connections you build over time. Networking and cultivating genuine relationships with other business owners has been invaluable — Savannah is full of generous, supportive entrepreneurs who share advice, encouragement, and inspiration.

I LEAD BY: Creating a supportive environment where our team feels empowered to grow, learn, and bring their creativity to this space every day. I believe great leadership means recognizing people’s

strengths and helping them develop into the best version of themselves.

I’M THANKFUL FOR: Our incredible team and the loyal clients who trust us with their hair—and their stories. I’m especially proud of our leadership team, who truly care about supporting one another, nurturing our staff, and delivering an exceptional experience for every guest.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Stop being afraid to ask for help and support. Some of my biggest successes have come from embracing and leaning on my team. —Answers provided by Michelle Rouzer

912.352.4600 | 205 W. Congress St. kilwins.com @kilwinssavannahellis

OUR MISSION: To craft premium confections and ice cream that bring joy and create lasting memories. “Sweet in Every Sense Since reflects ilwins’ ourney from a family bakery in Petoskey, Michigan, to nearly 200 locations nationwide. The legacy of our founders, on and aty ilwin, lives on through our time-honored recipes and the nostalgia that defines the ilwins experience. uests tell us they seek out ilwins because it feels like “coming home” to their own childhood. hose moments whether it’s a child showing off a blue tongue after trying our famous Blue Moon ice cream or receiving their first m a ilwins id sticker are what make what we do truly meaningful.

WE ARE PROUD OF: The paths that brought us to this country in search of new opportunities. ilwins, which brought us together, represents our values, a love of family, a respect for craftsmanship, and a commitment to making the world a little sweeter through simple, oyful experiences.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: From the beginning, the Savannah community welcomed us with open arms. Before our grand opening in February, locals invited us into their circles, introducing us to friends, neighbors, and family. That level of support has meant everything. We are committed to giving back by growing our

presence in the community and working with local schools and organizations.

THE KEY TO SUCCESS: Consistency in quality and service. We take pride in offering premium confections and ice cream paired with genuine hospitality. Our team members embody the spirit of both ilwins and Savannah. Many are lifelong locals who bring their own warmth and culture into the store each day. Ultimately, our greatest competition is ourselves — striving every day to uphold the highest standards in our products, our service, and the experience we create for every guest.

Emma Ferrell & Caroline Freeman

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: Many of our patients have been coming to the practice for decades, and now we get to see the next generation of their families. There’s something so special about caring for the grandchildren of families who have been part of the practice for years — and we don’t take that for granted. It allows us to truly know the people we care for beyond a single visit. As new owners, it’s meaningful to step into that history and build on it while continuing to deliver a high level of attention and consistency.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT EYE CARE THAT WE’D LOVE TO CHANGE: That an eye exam is only a quick glasses prescription check. Optometry is much more comprehensive. We provide full-scope medical eye care and offer a wide range of services, including diagnosing and managing conditions like glaucoma and dry eye, fitting specialty contact lenses, and treating binocular vision disorders like amblyopia (“lazy eye”), among many others. Our exams are thorough, and we take the time to explain what we’re seeing and why it matters.

Patients consistently notice and value that level of care.

WHAT MOTIVATES US: Our own children and families, who are at the center of everything we do. Being mothers to young children has shaped how we approach our work and the standard of care we provide. We care for our patients the way we would want our own families to be cared for. Balancing home life and practice ownership keeps us focused on what matters and pushes us to do things the right way, every time.

Sound View Wealth Advisors

WE ARE PROUD TO BE: Involved with Blood Cancer United. Our involvement with this organization is rooted in a deep belief that strong communities show up for one another. Blood cancer touches countless families, and supporting an organization dedicated to research, advocacy, and patient support felt like a meaningful way to serve. What began as backing an important cause has grown into something larger — bringing people together, raising significant funds, and creating events like our Blood Cancer nited ah ong enefit that blend philanthropy with connection.

OUR MISSION: Lead with integrity, serve with excellence, and think long-term. hilanthropy fits naturally within that framework. We believe wealth is not just about accumulation — it’s about stewardship. Success and service are not separate lanes; they move together. Sound advice starts close to home, and that includes investing in the community that supports us.

THE WOMEN IN THIS BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN: Especially impactful. There is something powerful about women supporting one another without competition and stepping

forward by sponsoring, volunteering, promoting events, and uplifting one another.

LEADERSHIP IS: Strong and strategic, yet relational. I lead by creating space — for collaboration, for ideas, and for both men and women to shine. You can be decisive and compassionate at the same time.

SUCCESS IS: Alignment. It’s when business, family, and values move in the same direction. If we can build strong businesses, strong families, and a stronger community at the same time, that’s real success.

SAVELEVÉ (Savvy Skin) Medical Aesthetics

OUR MISSION: To deliver natural, aesthetically pleasing, and corrective results with integrity, exceptional skill, and a personalized approach. We are committed to creating a joyful, creative, and compassionate environment where both patients and staff feel valued, supported, and empowered.

WE’RE MOST PROUD OF: Building a practice rooted in integrity, clinical excellence, and real relationships. We’ve created a space where patients feel seen, educated, and genuinely cared for — not rushed or sold to.

OUR CLIENTS LOVE: Our office culture and energy. We are fun, happy, and loving. We blend advanced medical aesthetics with an intentional, personalized approach and build comprehensive treatment plans that honor each patient’s natural beauty and long-term goals.

WHAT FIRST SPARKED MY INTEREST IN AESTHETICS: When I was a student in my clinical rotations, I spent time with a cosmetic dermatologist. I loved seeing the improvements made with aesthetic treatments and knew I would circle back to this somewhere in my career. After working in gastrointestinal surgery, I eventually came

back to plastic surgery, dermatology, and aesthetics. This transition allowed me to blend my love for science and medicine with my love for art. It is a joy to be able to help people feel confident in their own skin.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THE AESTHETICS INDUSTRY WE’D LOVE TO CHANGE: That treatments — especially fillers and neuromodulators are unsafe or lead to unnatural results. These well-studied medical treatments are used safely around the world in both therapeutic and aesthetic settings. The goal isn’t to change someone’s appearance, but to restore balance and enhance what’s already there.

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum

OUR MISSION: To share our amazing maritime collection and the William Scarbrough House and its gardens with everyone.

OUR MOTTO: “Fair winds and following seas!”

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Do an awesome job and keep their sense of humor ready at all times.

OUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE: So many great designers, thoughtful historians, and creative types working on new and fabulous projects — like carving topiary waves into our bushes in 2027!

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: Life is too short; enjoy the ride.

OUR REAL JOB DESCRIPTIONS: We do it all and have fun while we are at it.

MY LOCAL HEROINE: Former Savannah Morning News Executive Editor Rexanna Lester, one of our very best and most dedicated supporters.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Having an awesome team.

I LEAD BY: Getting in the trenches with them.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED:

My Columbia University graduate school professor told me 20 years ago: “A nonprofit is a business run it that way.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: We are such a small but scrappy group, making new and wild things happen at Ships of the Sea.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Visit Ships of the Sea and discover what a cultural hub we are!

– Answers provided by Executive Director Molly Carrott Taylor

Dale Parker

I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: My family and friends.

WHEN I’M NOT IN THE STORE: I’m usually on the pickleball court, on the boat, or at the beach. I also enjoy a nice dinner out with friends.

I’M THANKFUL FOR: Our incredibly loyal and supportive customers who are largely responsible for J Parker’s success for more than 50 years.

MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT SAVANNAH: Living on the coast and being on the boat or at the beach.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS: Providing great customer service, offering exceptional products, and treating your staff with respect. We spend a great deal of time at trade shows and markets buying unique items specifically for the Savannah and Bluffton markets.

I LEAD BY: Having a strong work ethic, showing respect to our customers and employees, and by serving our community. I enjoy serving on the boards of Visit Savannah, Savannah aterfront ssociation, and I am an active member of The Rotary lub of Savannah.

THE BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED: Comes from coaching basketball, the business that I truly know. You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.

THE SECRET SAUCE: Surround yourself with good people. great network of people you can trust and lean on in work and your personal life is invaluable.

Laura Carter

B STREET SALON

912.443.0043 | 418 E. Broughton St. bstreetsalon.net @bstreetsalon

OUR MOTTO: Live life to the fullest, and look your best doing it.

I’M PROUD THAT: B Street Salon has been a staple on Broughton Street for almost 30 years. I started my hair journey in 1992, joining B Street Salon as a stylist in 2000. Over the years I grew with the business — becoming a partner in 2012 and eventually the majority owner. I’ve helped guide the salon into a beloved boutique destination known for personalized, high-quality hair services and a warm, welcoming environment where clients feel like family.

B STREET SALON HAS: Enriched my life by allowing me to bring passion, drive, and leadership to Savannah’s downtown small-business community every day. Now, I’m a proud member of the Savannah Downtown Business Association (SDBA).

I BELIEVE IN: Creating an inclusive, supportive culture for both clients and our team while continuing to grow the business through innovation, creativity, and strong collaboration.

COMMITMENT TO LEARNING: I’m a lifelong learner and have traveled

to train with elite professionals in Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, and Berlin to stay on top of the latest techniques, styles, and trends.

RECOGNITION IN THE INDUSTRY: My work has been featured in more than 25 prestigious magazines, which has been an incredible honor and affirmation of my passion for hair artistry.

WHY COMMUNITY MATTERS: Through B Street Salon, I’m able to build lasting relationships with clients and contribute to the economic and cultural landscape of downtown Savannah.

Anne Pappas Interiors

OUR MISSION: We offer a full range of interior design services, tailored to each individual project.

OUR MOTTO: Great design exercises restraint.

I’M MOST PROUD OF: Creating an environment where creativity and professional growth are encouraged and valued. I’ve built an interior design firm that attracts some of Savannah’s brightest and most talented designers.

OUR CLIENTS CHOOSE US BECAUSE: Of our team’s approachable, down-to-earth

perspective and our straightforward approach to design. They value our professionalism, as well as the depth of education and collective experience we bring to each project. We pair creative, thoughtful design solutions with highly detail-oriented execution, ensuring a seamless and elevated result.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY: That hiring a designer is an added luxury rather than a meaningful investment. A thoughtful, experienced designer brings creativity and guidance, helping clients avoid costly missteps during renovations and construction.

Interior design is a layered and highly collaborative process that goes far beyond aesthetics, requiring an understanding of construction, technical systems, and materials. A designer is a trusted partner, bringing clarity, confidence, and cohesion to the design-build journey.

WHAT’S NEXT: We are continuing to invest in experiences that expand our perspective and bring global inspiration to our clients. We’ve also enjoyed expanding our project base throughout the Southeast, with work across eorgia, South arolina, lorida, and beyond.

provided by owner Anne Pappas

Dr. Stephanie Joy Sweeney & Dr. Rylie June Campbell

OUR MISSION: To develop healthy faces and beautiful smiles.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THE DENTAL INDUSTRY WE’D LOVE TO CHANGE: That we are simply dental mechanics. In reality, we are an integral part of your health care team. Traditionally, dentists treated cavities and extracted teeth, while orthodontists focused on straightening teeth. At Savannah Dental, we do all of that and so much more. Did you know your maxilla (upper jaw) guides the growth and development of your entire face? If you have a weak chin, early dental intervention could have helped prevent it. We’re not just

straightening teeth; we’re guiding skeletal growth, which naturally leads to a healthier, more aligned smile. Or, does sleep apnea run in your family? As specially trained airway dentists, we can help prevent or treat it. Did you also know that bacteria in your mouth can contribute to heart disease? We’re proud to be the kind of dentists who look beyond cavities. We consider your overall health and function to help you live your best life.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: Both of us are artists. Our understanding of color theory, golden proportions, and other artistic principles enhances not only our painting but also our work as cosmetic dentists. We

appreciate how subtle details can elevate a veneer case from “nice” to “wow — they have an amazing smile.” The best dental work should look naturally flawless.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Creating raving fans with every experience. Savannah still has a great deal of small-town charm, and word of mouth remains the most powerful form of marketing. We’re incredibly grateful for the awards our patients have helped us earn and for the referrals they continue to send our way. The greatest compliment is the number of extended families we have the privilege of caring for.

Tide and Branch Psychiatry

OUR MISSION: To provide compassionate psychiatric care to adolescents and adults. We honor each individual’s unique journey, using evidence-based treatment and meaningful therapeutic relationships to promote mental well-being and balance.

OUR MOTTO: “Changing the Tide of Mental Health”

WE ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Realize they don’t have to accept the status quo. You can take the reins and be the author of your own story. f you can’t find what you need, you can create it yourself.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Strong relationships. We prioritize building trusted connections with local doctors, therapists, and health care professionals so we can work collaboratively with the full treatment team and ensure our patients receive thoughtful, coordinated care.

WE’RE THANKFUL FOR: The incredible support from our local health care community. Therapists, primary care physicians, OB-GYNs, and pharmaceutical representatives have all helped spread the word about our new private practice, and their collaboration has meant the world to us.

OUR CLIENTS CHOOSE US BECAUSE: We take time to truly listen. One of the driving factors to open our own practice was to have the freedom to spend more time with our clients.

WHAT MOTIVATES US: The positive progress we see in our patients. We will be there to hold your hand in the trenches and also celebrate with you on the mountain tops.

WE HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Realize their strength, trust their potential, and prioritize their mental health.

912.233.1008 | 4 E. Liberty St. shopsatchel.com Satchel. @shopsatchel

WE ARE: A fusion of studio and retail shop where we craft beautiful custom handbags and leather goods. Our space is designed with an open floor plan that allows you to watch part of our production team at work while you shop for ready made goods. nd if you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for, our Satchelettes are always ready to help you create a custom bag. rom choosing your leather to selecting your hardware and lining, we love working with you to bring your dream bag to life. ho knows, we might even name a new design after you

TOOLS OF THE TRADE: A good relationship with and direct phone line to your banker, insurance agent, accountant and attorney. Also, business peers and mentors with whom you can openly share your experiences and ask for advice are invaluable.

I’M SO PROUD OF: elebrating years in business this year. his is a whole team effort. e are family.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE: ust because you can fit into it doesn’t mean it fits you. y mom told me this in high school in reference to clothes. ut it applies to every area of

life, including social circles, living situations, careers and even spirituality.

I’VE LEARNED FROM EXPERIENCE: on’t be afraid to ask questions. No one has all the answers. f they say they do, they’re faking it. e are all learning all of the time. Or at least we should be.

I LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: verything takes longer and costs more than you think. othing ever goes according to the plan, so accept that something unexpected will happen and give yourself a cushion if you can.

Nikki Petitt

SAVANNAH BLINDS SHUTTERS AND SHADES

912.224.0459 | 5500 White Bluff Road savannahblinds.com SavannahBlinds @savblinds

MY MISSION: To provide the best window treatment experience for our clients. We believe purchasing interior window coverings or exterior shade and storm solutions should be complete. We elevate the luxury products you select with service that matches the quality of your investment.

WE SPECIALIZE IN: Custom interior window treatments including blinds, shutters, shades, and draperies, and exterior solutions including awnings, storm shutters, and louvered roofs. We guide you through the design process, measure and install your project, and stay connected long after installation is complete. Our clients’

satisfaction matters to us for years to come.

WHAT KEEPS ME GOING: Positive feedback from our community. Last year was a year of tremendous growth, and we’re excited to continue expanding our product lines and locations. inning our fifth consecutive est of Savannah HOMES award is a true honor, and we are so grateful for our community’s continued support.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Community engagement. We attend as many local events as possible, and we’re active members of chambers from ffingham to ilton ead sland. e believe

that what you give to your community comes back to you.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: Thanks to our ama ing window treatment partners, had the opportunity to visit Amsterdam to learn about the history of window treatments. t was a special trip, full of training and insight, helping me to bring the latest trends and knowledge back to our clients.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Learn trades, embrace opportunities, and build strong, successful businesses.

Olga Seredyuk

THE WHITEFIELD CENTER

912.755.1907 | 106 E. 37th St. white eldcenter.or | white eldcenter@ mail.com @white eldcenter

MY MISSION: As executive director of he hitefield enter, am leading the organi ation through a new chapter of hospitality, growth, and community presence. he hitefield enter is where hristian ministries gather as they seek the welfare of the city through work that strengthens lives spiritually, relationally, and practically. often think of my role as that of ady of the ouse. eyond providing space for partners, my focus is to receive people well so that when someone walks through the door, they are not ust accommodated, but truly seen, heard, and supported.

I LEAD BY: rusting my creativity and the creativity of those around me. Savannah has an exceptional concentration of talent. en oy recogni ing and encouraging what is genuinely true, good, and beautiful.

LET’S CONNECT: welcome conversation with hristian business leaders who seek to live out their faith in their work and are open to exploring partnership with he hitefield enter. he center is known within the homas S uare neighborhood for playing a key role in renewal and progress. ’m interested in building on that thoughtfully.

I’M PROUD OF: y krainian heritage and the family values with which was raised. ospitality was modeled early and set a lasting standard. come from a people shaped by steadfast devotion to dignity and freedom.

WOMEN I RESPECT: Strive to live with the discipline described in roverbs women who pursue virtue, speak with wisdom, and teach with kindness, not for recognition but from conviction. omen who are resourceful, grounded in od, and create lasting legacy with what they’ve been given.

Pat Portera

BROAD STREET INTERIORS

912.417.4130 | 209 East Broad St. broadstreetinteriorssav.com @broadstreetinteriorssav

MY MISSION: To create beautiful spaces that make people feel happy, comfortable, and inspired, while building a business that brings joy to others and leaves the world prettier than before.

MY MOTTO: Life is meant to be lived fully. Work hard, stay curious, and enjoy the journey along the way.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Lead with passion, stay committed to their crafts, and build something meaningful through hard work, creativity, and perseverance.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Creativity,

strong relationships, and the incredible support of our team members at Broad Street Interiors — Joe Gallo, Emma New, Braye Gunter, Mara Birelle, and also the support of my husband, Joe Portera. Behind every successful businesswoman is a community that believes in them.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: Co-founder and senior interior designer. I wear many hats: creative visionary, problem solver, and project manager.

MY LOCAL HEROINE: Dr. Erika Morrow at ForSight Unique Eye Care & Eye Wear. Dr. Morrow gives back to the community,

approaches her work with so much passion, and truly cares about making a difference in people’s lives. She truly embodies compassion and leadership.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Savannah is a city built on community, and people value genuine connections and exceptional service. When you treat people well, word travels quickly here.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED: Respect, honesty, and kindness will always take you further than shortcuts.

NAWIC

OUR MISSION: To support women in the construction industry through professional development, business opportunities, community outreach and mentoring programs.

OUR THEME THIS YEAR: nfluence er

WE ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Forge their own way and bring others along with them.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: Our local chapter is one of 115 chapters across the United States. We are the face and the voice of women in construction. The National

Association of Women in Construction is an international nonprofit organi ation of more than 7,000 women in hundreds of chapters worldwide providing education, networking, legislative awareness, industry collaboration, community involvement, business and personal development and lifelong friendships.

WE HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Join us! All women working in construction are eligible for membership, including women builders in the trades, project management, marketing, administration and executive leadership. Women in related industries who

work in construction-related businesses, such as finance, legal and other complementary industries, are also welcome. Whether you want to embark on a new career, establish a networking base, make a difference in your community, continue your education or invest in great friendships, NAWIC offers a variety of opportunities.

OUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE: According to our NAWIC pledge, the agility of our hands, the ability of our mind and the integrity of our hearts.

OUR MISSION: We work as an extended part of our clients’ marketing teams to raise their profiles and communicate key messages to target audiences while offering a good ROI. LFPR is a full-service marketing agency offering media relations, issues and crisis management, graphic design, event management, website development, digital marketing, and social media services.

WE’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: Marketing isn’t optional if you want to grow. Your competitors are doing it. The key is to do it thoughtfully and consistently.

It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing the right things, in the right order, at the right time. With a clear plan, strong messaging, and steady execution, growth becomes far more predictable.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Don’t underestimate events and community presence. They create momentum and connections, generate word-of-mouth marketing, provide content for PR and social media, and populate important online databases to come up in searches. In Coastal Georgia, local visibility still matters. Showing up matters.

I’M SO PROUD THAT: LFPR celebrates 15 years in business this May.

MY ADVICE TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN ENTERING THIS FIELD:

hen first began serving oastal eorgia with LFPR, I brought with me a career that started with a history degree from the University of Bristol, continued through blue-chip London agencies, and included growing and selling my own marketing agency in London. What I’ve learned on both sides of the Atlantic: marketing isn’t about flashy trends or bu words. t’s about clarity, consistency, and community.

Rebekah McLeod

MARIGOLD PRESS BOOKS

912.349.9943 marigoldpressbooks.org @marigoldpressbooks

MY MISSION: To bring real stories into the light — memoirs that honor lived experiences, self-help that empowers change, and children’s books that shape young hearts. We believe stories can heal, guide, and transform across generations.

I HELP MY CLIENTS BY: Walking them through the publishing process step by step, whether their book is in idea form or their manuscript is near completion. We offer coaching, ghostwriting, editing, and full publishing packages. Together with a team of like-minded story lovers, our company has become a trusted source for a variety of

writers — from new authors growing their platform to seasoned authors looking for a better publishing experience. We stress communication, a team approach with our authors, and total transparency in our processes.

I’M PROUD OF: My new “Literary and Latte” event, The Savannah Book Crawl, which takes locals and tourists to the best cafes and independent bookstores downtown while hearing local authors read along the way.

WHAT I’M WORKING ON NOW: A guide to managing menopause by a board certified

OB/GYN, a coffee table cookbook by a popular local chef, and a memoir called The Brainstorm about a woman whose husband suffered a traumatic brain injury while her father was dealing with frontal-lobe dementia.

I’M THANKFUL FOR: My husband of 33 years who supports all of my dreams, our four children and three grandchildren who fill our lives with oy, and my ama ing team at Marigold Press who make beautiful books happen through their skills in ghostwriting, editing, design, and marketing.

The Nested Fig Home Savannah

TEENA VANVICK

912.201.1537 | 2428 Abercorn St. thenested homesa annah.com @thenested homesa annah

OUR MISSION: To help people create homes that feel welcoming, comfortable, and truly personal. We believe a home should reflect the people who live in it — their stories, their memories, and the pieces they have collected along the way. Through The Nested Fig Home, we hope to help others discover beautiful furnishings, art, and antiques that make their spaces feel layered, timeless, and uniquely their own.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: A mix of experience, creativity, and a love for beautiful objects. I rely on an eye for color, texture, and scale, along with

years spent studying textiles, antiques, lighting, and design. Just as important are curiosity and patience — taking the time to find pieces that feel special and that truly belong in the homes they will become a part of.

MY REAL JOB: Helping people see the potential in their spaces and guiding them to create rooms that feel both beautiful and comfortable. It’s part designer, part curator, and part storyteller, bringing together furniture, art, fabrics, and meaningful objects to create homes that feel collected rather than decorated.

I’M THANKFUL FOR: My family, who have always supported my creative interests and encouraged me to pursue what I love. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to work with wonderful clients and to help them create homes where memories will be made for years to come.

I’M PROUD OF: Building The Nested Fig Home into a place where people can come not only to shop, but also to be inspired. Creating a space that celebrates craftsmanship, beautiful design, and the art of living well is a very rewarding experience.

Ladies of Liberty

WE ARE: Your one-stop shop for all things luxury consignment. Locally owned and thoughtfully sourced, we are here to help you find that love at first sight” piece! — Georgia South, Labels

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: indness. e believe in giving every customer who walks through our door a true Savannah welcome. hey may walk in as a stranger, but we ensure they leave as a friend. — Laura Rice and Emily Grainger, Littles on Liberty

I LEAD BY: Building our company around the idea that when you invest in people — your agents, your clients, your community — the business will grow in a way that’s both sustainable and meaningful. — Stephanie Wilson-Evans, Corcoran Austin Hill Realty

THE SECRET TO GROWING YOUR BUSINESS: Stay involved with the community and be aware of what is going on so you can evolve and meet local demands. — Michelle Peth, Beettan; Alexia Ribiero, Glam Strands; and Ginger Fawcett, Be-Eterna

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: A good relationship with (and direct phone line to) your banker, insurance agent, accountant, and attorney. Also, business peers and mentors with whom you can openly share your experiences and ask for advice are invaluable. — Elizabeth Seeger, Satchel

WE OFFER: A retail source where you can gift items from our favorite artists and makers. ach item is chosen for quality ingredients, thoughtful practices, or made by hand by emerging artists and makers in the owcountry.

— Nikki Krecicki, Provisions

Michelle M. Peth

BEETTAN

912.429.4009 | 102 E. Liberty St., Suite 105 beettan.com

Beettan @ eettan o cial and eettan sa annah

MY MOTTOS: low with confidence, build something of your own, and never underestimate the power of a really good spray tan.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: et on themselves the ones building businesses, raising families, chasing ideas, and still showing up with kindness and humor. ntrepreneurship isn’t always glamorous, but women who keep going, lift others up, and create opportunities for the next woman in line are the ones who inspire me most.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: eettan spray machine, clean ingredient formulas made from sugar beet , a pink tent, and a lot of hustle. y real tools, however, are relationships, community, and creativity. he best marketing has always been word of mouth and helping other women build businesses with our system.

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY: rowth isn’t always comfortable. uilding a brand means learning through mistakes, pivots, and a lot of late nights. he hard lesson is that

not everyone will understand your vision, and that’s okay. f you believe in what you’re building, you keep going anyway.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: Officially, own a spray tan company. nofficially, ’m a problem solver, cheerleader, product developer, business coach, and sometimes a therapist for other entrepreneurs. unning a business means wearing a hundred hats, but helping women build their own income streams makes every one of them worth it.

Pam Shaw

GOLDIE LINKS SAVANNAH

704.512.1550 pam@goldielinkssav.com goldielinkssavannah @goldielinkssav

MY MOTTO: Life is short — buy the bling! More importantly, celebrate the moments.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Lead with confidence and kindness. he women who lift others as they climb, take bold risks, and aren’t afraid to reinvent themselves inspire me the most.

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: Growth requires courage. You can’t wait until you feel ready. ou build confidence by doing and by trusting that consistency and character will carry you further than perfection ever could.

MY LOCAL HEROINES: he Savannah women who support other women. his city thrives because of collaboration over competition, and I’m grateful to be part of a community that truly shows up for one another.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED: ou are your business. uild the kind of brand you would want to do business with.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: I launched my business later in life, and it’s become one of the most rewarding seasons. Reinvention is powerful. Even more unexpected, my two strongest business allies and greatest

champions are women nearly half my age. heir creativity, ambition, and support reminds me daily that mentorship and friendship can flow both ways. Surrounding yourself with driven, younger leaders keeps you inspired and proves collaboration has no age limit.

I’M THANKFUL FOR: My family, this beautiful city, and every client who says, “I love it!” the moment the spark is done.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Stop waiting for permission. Start the business. ake the call. ake the risk. our next chapter may be your best one.

Madeline Foran, Manager

Caroline Lewis, Director

Home Care; Beverly Solt, Clinical Manager Home Care; Ciara Knowles, Clinical Manager Home Care; Kimberly

and Intake;

Services; and Alyssa James, Manager Allied Therapies. Not shown: Ilyce Brinn, Vice President Risk Management, and Mindy

Hospice Savannah Inc.

OUR MISSION: To provide the right care in the right place at the right time for anyone in our area who needs help.

MOST PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED WHEN THEY LEARN: More than 80% of the care we provide is in the comfort of the patient’s own home. Most people are also surprised when they learn that most, if not all, of the cost of hospice is paid through their Medicare benefits, edicaid, private insurance, or through self-pay.

WE LEAD BY: Example and by demonstrating integrity, credibility, and a commitment to excellence in all that we do each day.

ONLY EXPERIENCE COULD TEACH US: That taking care of the terminally ill is an art form. Each patient is unique, and each patient has a different story.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE: he only nonprofit legacy hospice in this area. We have been serving our community and celebrating life together for more than 45 years.

OUR REAL JOB DESCRIPTIONS: Caregivers and advocates, not just for our own families, but for our community and the seriously ill patients whom we serve.

WE ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Demonstrate resilience, competence, and compassion while striving to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

OUR TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Innovation, collaboration, and empathy.

CLIENTS CHOOSE US BECAUSE: We have a reputation for providing exceptional care to patients and their families during their time of greatest need.

OUR MISSION: To offer honest and personalized hearing care that is ultimately life-changing.

OUR MOTTO: Life is built on conversations, and hearing well means living well.

WE’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY: Exceptional hearing care is as much about the service as it is about the technology in the hearing aids. When an audiologist takes the time to truly listen, educate, and tailor each solution, patients hear better and succeed long term. Technology is important, but real success with hearing

aids is more about tailoring the product to each individual patient’s unique listening needs. We don’t just program hearing aids to the results of the hearing test, we have learned that we also need to prepare the patient for the process and allow the brain time to re-engage with new sounds it hasn’t had the ability to fully process in years. f fit correctly, hearing aids can offer greater clarity, improved communication, and a more effortless and natural listening experience.

OUR REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: As audiologists, we treat hearing loss daily, but as wives of husbands with hearing

loss, we also understand firsthand the impact hearing loss has on everyday life and relationships. We both have personal perspectives that help us tailor solutions with empathy, insight, and what truly works in real life.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS HERE: Relationships and trust. We both live here and have raised our families here. We enjoy taking care of and visiting with our patients because they are our community and share many of our same interests. The best referral we can get is when a patient trusts us enough to tell a friend or family member to come see us.

MIDGE

912.790.9117 | 402 W. Broughton St. shopmidge.com @shopmidge

MY MOTTO: “Pray. Hustle. Repeat.” This was my first social media hashtag years ago. or me, it’s a reminder aith first always. hen work hard and be consistent.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: I still use handwritten agendas to start my day. couldn’t set the vibes in the shop without midge’s mixtape, our hour playlist, a customer favorite. also swear by my open to buy program it helps forecast inventory levels and merchandise needs, which is a huge support in financial planning.

I’M PROUD OF: Opening the shop in and celebrating a decade of being a small business. uilding a brand based on ethical production and merican made uality. stablishing a space where women of all ages can find pieces that complement them and their lifestyle. eing known for curated, go to closet staples like eans and tees that become the items you live in most.

ONE THING I REALLY LOVE: Seeing customers light up with nostalgia and fond memories inspired by our vintage decor and arbie memorabilia the shop is named

for her best friend, idge . t feels good to see your concept come to life and so many people en oying an experience you have created.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED: y mom says, e careful whose advice you take. o one is you with your vision and skill set, but everyone has an opinion. t’s important to stay true to yourself and trust what feels best for you.

J&S Accounting

912.508.7088 jsaccountingga.com janelaccounting jsaccountingga jsaccountingservicega

MY MISSION: To deliver bookkeeping with precision, consistency, and care, ensuring every client has clear, reliable financial records they can trust. believe when business owners truly understand their numbers, they gain confidence, make stronger decisions, and create businesses that support both their goals and their lives.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: Businesswoman by day, wife and mother by night, and someone deeply committed to serving clients, building meaningful relationships, and making a difference in my community. y work

extends beyond the numbers. help people feel supported, prepared, and confident in the future they are building.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Being present and invested in the community. Savannah is built on relationships, trust, and authenticity. People remember those who show up, follow through, and genuinely care. When you invest in others and support your community, it creates a foundation for lasting success.

I’M PROUD OF: he business built from the ground up, my beautiful family,

and the powerhouse team have the privilege of leading. heir support, dedication, and belief in our mission make everything possible and inspires me every day.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Recognize their value, trust their instincts, use their voices, and step confidently into leadership. here is space for women to build, lead, and make a real difference in business and in their communities.

– Answers provided by Janel Varnadoe

Emily McCarthy

EMILY M C CARTHY

912.495.5386 | 2237 E. Victory Drive emilymccarthy.com ShopEmilyMcCarthy @shopemilymccarthy

MY MISSION: To design clothing and experiences that help women feel seen, confident, and expressive while building a brand that invites beauty, creativity, and meaningful connections into everyday life.

MY MOTTO: ead with vision. uild with intention. elebrate often.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Ongoing sources of inspiration books, travel, and experiences , a strong leadership team deeply trust, and my instinct refined by experience and a lot of hard lessons .

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: ounder.

esigner. other. ife. entor. ommunity advocate. hilanthropic partner. ut truly am a steward of vision protecting the brand, nurturing the people inside it, and ensuring the culture reflects what we stand for.

I LEAD BY: ision first, standards always. y leadership style is feminine in that it values connection, communication, and emotional intelligence, but it is also decisive, strategic, and rooted in high expectations. believe in developing emerging leaders, not creating followers.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED: on’t build a business you can’t step away

from. mentor early in my ourney said this. t reminded me to build systems, not chaos. y team makes it possible to balance creativity and family.

I’M PROUD OF MY: esilience. e’ve navigated growth, change, supply chain challenges, team evolution, and expansion and we’re stronger, clearer, and more focused than ever.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: ake up space. sk for what they deserve. aunch the idea. oin the board. Sit at the table. uild something bold even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

Andrew Low House Museum

912.233.1828 | 329 Abercorn St. andrewlowhouse.com @andrewlowhouse

OUR MISSION: As a historic house museum, our mission is to inform and educate the public about our site’s history — sometimes joyful, sometimes painful, but always with lessons to be learned. History enriches our lives and our communities and opens up conversations about the past and its relation to the world we live in today.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Appreciate Savannah’s rich history and build business relationships that preserve our past, present, and future.

OUR SUPERPOWER: The Andrew Low House Museum.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: The museum has had only three owners since 1848, Andrew Low, Juliette Gordon Low, and, presently, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Georgia. We are one of three museums that make up the Juliette Gordon Low National Historic District of Savannah. We welcome more than 20,000 visitors each year.

WE’RE MOST PROUD OF: Strong women, such as Mosianna Milledge and Juliette Gordon Low, two multi-talented women who shaped the future of young women around the world.

WHAT OUR VISITORS HAVE BEEN SAYING:

“Beautiful house! Absolutely fabulous job at preserving everything. This house had a ton of history and period furniture and a lot of pieces from the family.”

“Fun history and great tour guides!”

– Google reviews

OUR FAVORITE QUOTE: “A girl should be two things: who and what she wants to be.”

— Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

Heather Murphy Real Estate Group

WE BELIEVE: This business is about more than real estate; it’s about guiding people through some of the most meaningful transitions of their lives.

OUR MISSION: To deliver that experience with clarity, discretion, and an unwavering level of care. Every detail matters, every client matters, and every home deserves to be represented with intention and respect for what it means to the people connected to it.

CLIENTS CHOOSE US BECAUSE: This business was built on consistency, discipline, and doing the work the right way every time. In the luxury and waterfront market,

experience matters. Our team brings a level of focus and precision that allows our clients to move forward with confidence. We anticipate, we prepare, and we execute managing every detail with purpose. What you see is a seamless experience. What sits behind it is years of hard work, strong relationships, and a commitment to always put the client first.

WHAT DRIVES US: Savannah and the surrounding coast hold a depth of history, character, and meaning that is rare. That’s not something we take lightly. We’re driven by a responsibility to represent these homes and the people behind them with integrity.

To listen carefully, to understand what matters most, and to ensure every decision reflects that understanding.

OUR SUPERPOWER: Luxury experience at every price point. We combine strategic marketing with real-time market insight to create demand and deliver results — while serving as expert problem solvers and real estate matchmakers.

ADVICE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION: Master your craft, lead with integrity, and build lasting relationships. How you show up and serve others will define your success.

Ti any Bradley

TIFFANY BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

7505 Waters Ave., Suite F2 tiffanybradleyphotography.com Tiffany Bradley Photography @tiffanybradleyphotography

MY MISSION: To celebrate motherhood, childhood, and family through timeless portraiture and a full-service experience that transforms life’s most meaningful seasons into heirloom artwork designed to be cherished in the home for generations.

WHAT FIRST SPARKED MY INTEREST IN PHOTOGRAPHY: I’ve always loved photography, but becoming a mother is what shaped my career. After my oldest son was born, I realized how quickly babies change in those first months and early years. Photographing my own family grew into a

passion for helping other mothers document their families and the moments they never want to forget.

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: The moments we think we’ll always have can change in an instant. Losing my father unexpectedly changed everything about the way I see life and reminded me how meaningful photographs become when memories are all we have left.

THE LEGACY I HOPE TO LEAVE: I hope the portraits I create become part of the homes

and stories of the families I photograph. Years from now, I want children and grandchildren to walk past those photographs on the wall or flip through an album and feel the love in them, remembering the moments and relationships that mattered most.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Lead with love and intention in their family and community. Whether they’re raising children at home, pursuing careers, or building businesses, the strength and dedication they bring to the people around them is something I truly respect.

OUR MISSION: To empower women to feel and look their absolute best through a comprehensive range of services. At our sanctuary, women can unwind, rejuvenate, and take a moment for themselves amidst their busy lives. It’s about more than beauty it’s about self care, confidence, and fostering a supportive community where women uplift one another on their journeys.

MY MOTTO: Do what makes you happy. You are essential. appiness and self fulfillment are vital for every woman. In a world that often prioritizes others, I encourage women to invest in themselves. Self care isn’t selfish — it’s essential. When women prioritize their

happiness, they radiate confidence and positivity, enriching their relationships and communities.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: Wife, small business owner, mother, student, and advocate for wellness. As a wife, I embrace partnership and mutual support. As a mother, I practice patience and unconditional love. As a business owner, I cultivate a welcoming, client-centered environment. As a nurse practitioner student (I graduate in July!), I continuously expand my knowledge to better serve those who entrust me with their care. As a wellness advocate, I champion holistic health and empowerment for women.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Pursue their dreams while balancing the demanding roles of motherhood, partnership, and caregiving. These women embody resilience, strength, and determination. They inspire me with their ability to harmonize personal aspirations with responsibilities, often leading by example and showing that it’s possible to chase dreams while nurturing and supporting those you love.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS: Putting od first and treating people with kindness, respect, honesty, and integrity. Networking is essential — building meaningful relationships fosters loyalty and creates a supportive community.

Great Oaks Bank

Pooler: 2100 Pooler Parkway | 912.450.6257

Richmond Hill: 42 Town Centre Drive | 912.445.6868 Savannah: 7426 Hodgson Memorial Drive | 912.298.6240 greatoaks.bank @greatoaksbank

OUR MISSION: To be the preferred partner in helping families, businesses, and our communities achieve financial success.

WE LEAD BY: Practicing what we preach and living by example. It is imperative to do what you say you are going to do and go out of your way to help others in need.

WE’RE THANKFUL FOR: A great team. As Great Oaks continues to grow, we are adding stellar team members who are committed to putting our customers and our communities first.

CLIENTS CHOOSE US BECAUSE OF: Our passion for community banking, assisting our customers, and supporting our communities. Your banker is whom you see in the office, whom you talk with on the phone, and who is out supporting the greater Savannah community. There are no 800 numbers, just real people assisting customers with their personal and business banking needs.

OUR CLIENTS HAVE BEEN GIVING US: 5-star Google reviews! People want to bank with people they know will take care of them.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY WE’D LOVE TO CHANGE: Banking isn’t boring. We get to help families grow, businesses start and flourish, and truly give back to our communities with our support and our time.

TELL US ABOUT THE WOMEN AT GREAT OAKS BANK: Play a vital role in shaping our culture of service, integrity, and community commitment. Their leadership style emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and genuine care for the people we serve, and they champion financial empowerment.

Nicole Mason

WE ARE: Savannah’s only wedding shop that specializes in not just gorgeous wedding dresses, but also has a team of wedding planning experts and floral designers. e love all things weddings and are here to help brides every step of the way from falling in love with the dress to planning every last detail of their weddings. e truly are a one stop shop for weddings.

I’M PROUD OF: y team. hey are truly the heart of Ivory & Beau and the greatest asset have as a small business owner. aving people who genuinely care — about our brides, our clients, and the quality of their work makes all the difference. heir

dedication and consistency have not only helped our business thrive, but have also given me the ability to be present with my children, which is something value deeply.

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: Construction and renovation require patience, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt. n September 2023, Ivory & Beau purchased its forever home at the corner of aters and ictory rive. hile the ourney to transform the space came with its share of challenges and unexpected turns, it ultimately resulted in something incredibly meaningful for our brand. t was a demanding process, but one that taught me resilience and the importance

of trusting the long term vision. very time we receive a star review that mentions the atmosphere at our shop, it truly reminds me how worth it all of our efforts were.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: I have a bit of an obsession with wallpaper. ctually, if you’ve visited Ivory & Beau, you’d probably guess it pretty uickly. e have bold, playful wallpaper throughout many of our spaces, and ’ve installed every bit of it myself. love sourcing unique, fun patterns — it’s truly become a creative outlet for me. y brother jokes that I take after our grandmother, who also loved wallpaper. lthough, don’t think she ever went quite as far as monkey prints!

Morgan York Smith

BELLARY & THE BROW BAR

912.312.0829 | 1018 Abercorn St bellarydesigns.com @bellarydesigns and @thebrowbarsav

OUR MISSION: Bellary is rooted in love, purpose, and giving back. Named after my three children; Beckham, Stella, and Harry, Bellary was created to honor the little hands and big hearts behind it all. With every jewelry purchase, we donate 15% to local nonprofits that benefit children. Our goal is not only to create meaningful pieces, but also to teach our children the joy and importance of giving back.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Authenticity. People want to feel a genuine connection to the businesses they support, and being real and approachable builds trust and lasting relationships.

I’M THANKFUL FOR: Our community, our family, and our friends who continue to support Bellary and The Brow Bar. Their support allows me to freely do what makes me happy. I get to be a present mom, an artist, a friend, and an active member of our community.

THE LEGACY I HOPE TO LEAVE: My greatest hope is to raise kind children who lead with love, compassion, and empathy, and that when I’m no longer here, they will continue to serve and pour into their community.

HOW WE CHOOSE NONPROFITS TO SUPPORT: By seeking out organizations that serve children and their families. It’s important to us that our children are able to connect with and better understand the lives of those around them. We’ve been honored to partner with wonderful organizations such as CURE Childhood Cancer, Extra Special People, Coastal Children’s Advocacy Center, Loop It Up, and more. We’re always open to learning about new nonprofits. ach month, we choose a new organi ation and find meaningful ways to support it.

OUR MISSION: To sell Savannah to the world. As award winning businesswomen, we are driven by a passion for showcasing Savannah’s timeless charm, its dynamic real estate landscape, and the exceptional investment opportunities found throughout the Coastal Empire.

OUR CORE VALUES: Competence, exclusivity, and passion. At Engel and Völkers, we are united by a singular vision: to connect people with extraordinary properties. Whether for personal or investment pursuits, we deliver every experience with expertise, discretion, and unwavering dedication.

OUR FLAGSHIP SERVICE: We specialize in residential real estate brokerage, proudly serving Savannah and its surrounding coastal communities. As part of Engel & Völkers, a globally recognized brand established in 1977 with more than 1,000 locations across countries, our bouti ue firm offers clients access to an expansive international network and a truly elevated level of service.

OUR DISTINCTIVE IDENTITY: Our advisors bring specialized expertise across a range of markets, from historic property sales achieving top-tier results to yachting and luxury coastal lifestyles. This depth of knowledge, paired with refined marketing

and global reach, delivers a level of service that is truly unmatched.

WE ARE PROUD: To be a powerhouse of accomplished advisors. Deeply rooted in the community, our team is actively engaged in local and state leadership, philanthropic initiatives, and organizations that help shape the future of Savannah. Our advisors include exceptional women leaders, including Donna Davis, President Elect of the Georgia Association of Realtors, and Jessica Kelly, co-owner and broker of Engel & Völkers Savannah, whose vision and leadership continue to elevate the standard of real estate in our market.

Corinne Thompson

DAISY BAKES

912.308.9410 | 501 Tattnall St. daisybakeskitchen.com @daisy_bakes_kitchen

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Truly show up for one another — the ones who uplift, share, encourage, and support each other in big and small ways. Whether it’s giving advice, a social media share, or a quick check-in, those actions matter. When women support women, incredible things happen.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: ’ve run five marathons (with Big Sur next), played Division I volleyball at George Washington University (and was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame), jumped out of an airplane twice despite being afraid of

heights, and moved to Savannah without ever visiting. I’ve always been someone willing to take risks.

I’M THANKFUL FOR: My husband, my tried-and-true taste tester, for always supporting my ideas and believing in me; my children, who cheer me on from afar; my parents, who were incredible role models; and my Savannah community, whose trust and support mean everything to me.

WHAT MOTIVATES ME: The feedback I get from my customers, friends, family,

and the community. There’s nothing better than repeat orders and hearing how much people love my bakes. When people suggest a storefront or Shark Tank, I have to laugh — but it’s incredibly encouraging.

MY SUPERPOWER IN BUSINESS: Authenticity. I take risks, learn from failure, and bake what I love, not what’s trending often inspired by uni ue flavor combinations and my own creativity. I stay in my own lane and never cut corners, always using the best ingredients I can find. hat combination is what makes my creations stand out.

Brittany Curry

INKY BRITTANY

912.844.2963 inkybrittany.com @inkybrittany

MY MOTTO: It’s not about art; it’s about communication.

MY MISSION: To use visual communication to help people, organizations, and businesses think and work together more effectively. Research consistently shows visuals strengthen understanding and retention, and I harness that insight to help improve communication and organizational processes.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: I’m often introduced as a graphic artist, but I’m really a professional listener who uses hand-drawn imagery and symbols to synthesize complex layers of information and make meaning. I’m

a modern scribe, documenting and recordkeeping the events shaping our culture.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Take the road less traveled and carve out their own creative paths.

I LEAD BY: Starting from a place of wanting to innovate and contribute rather than climb the ladder. Instead of asking what the community can do for my business, I frame the question: How can I use my skills to uplift and shine light on the good things happening in my community?

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Sending hand-written, personalized cards and thank you notes through physical mail. It’s a soft, unexpected touch that creates a deep sense of personalization and helps build relationships beyond something that is transactional.

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: There are no shortcuts to building a trusted business and brand. It’s an investment of time that many aren’t willing to make because of how long it could potentially take to see the fruits of their labor. You don’t plant and harvest on the same day.

Victory Plumbing

OUR CLIENTS CHOOSE TO DO BUSINESS WITH US BECAUSE: We really do care about the customer experience and making sure everything is right.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: The reinforcement. With a growing business and family, we have a lot going on and so many issues that pop up day to day. I’m basically the troubleshooter who tries to find a resolution or create a plan. love a good plan.

WE HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Enter the trades. Our daughter Madilynn spends her breaks apprenticing to be a

plumber. She also was accepted to the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program in engineering this year. It is wonderful to see her be such a strong, brilliant, and hard worker.

WE’RE THANKFUL FOR: Our amazing crew. I had a health emergency that took my husband, Kyle, and I out for most of 2025, and our employees kept everything running and supported us endlessly. I could not be more grateful for what amazing people they are.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: It all comes down to how

you treat people. s private e uity firms continue to acquire family-run companies, the personal relationships that once defined this industry are fading. e believe those relationships still matter. That’s why we treat every customer like a neighbor — because that’s what you are.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: I have my bachelor’s degree in fine art painting . I get to be creative in marketing and dressing up the vans you see around town, but I plan to get started on a new body of work this year and hopefully have a show up soon.

– Answers provided by Kelley Hagemes

Brianna Welch

SAVANNAH COUNTRY CLUB

912.897.1612 | 501 Wilmington Island Road thesavannahcountryclub.com @Savannah Country Club @savannahcountryclub

MY MISSION: To create a warm, familyoriented community where everyone feels welcomed, connected, and truly at home. I love being part of an environment where relationships can grow, traditions are celebrated, and meaningful moments turn into lasting memories through thoughtful experiences and genuine hospitality.

MY MOTTO: Elevating every occasion through connection, care, and attention to detail.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Lead with confidence and kindness and who lift up others along the way.

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: You can’t please everyone, but staying true to your values and giving your best always sets the right course.

OUR HISTORY: Savannah Country Club traces its origins to the early 1920s, when cotton broker enry . althour envisioned an elite coastal retreat on ilmington sland anchored by the eneral Oglethorpe otel. Central to that vision was a golf course designed by renowned architect Donald Ross, who considered it among his finest works. Over the decades, the course has remained a beloved destination, its enduring design continuing to draw generations of golfers.

WE OFFER: A modern, upscale approach to dining, events, and overall member experience. ith a renowned golf course, world class tennis and pickleball facilities, and exceptional amenities, Savannah Country Club has become a premier destination for golfers, rac uet enthusiasts, and families alike, ensuring its legacy for generations to come.

I’M MOST PROUD OF: The community we’ve built — one that honors our history while continuing to grow — and of playing a part in carrying forward the legacy of our 1927 Donald Ross golf course for future generations to enjoy.

Nora Fleming Lee, CEO

OUR MISSION: To provide educational experiences for the public through the preservation and presentation of the historic resources of coastal Georgia. Our six museums bring history and culture to life with engaging programs and events for all ages throughout the year.

WHAT MOTIVATES US: Our community. The families who attend our events, the students who visit our museums on field trips, and the supporters who invest in our mission inspire us every day. Their curiosity, enthusiasm, and generosity drive us to preserve and share the stories that make our region unique.

WHAT OUR GUESTS HAVE BEEN SAYING: The new STEAM Center at Savannah Children’s Museum is an exciting evolution of a space they have loved for years. From hands-on technology to the dazzling Mirror Maze, families appreciate the engaging, all-ages experiences that reflect oastal eritage Society’s commitment to education, exploration, and community connection.

I’M MOST PROUD OF: Our dedicated team. It takes many hands to support Savannah’s museums, deliver educational programs, and preserve irreplaceable historic artifacts. From passionate

volunteers to longtime staff members, every individual contributes essential talent, care, and commitment, working together to advance and sustain our mission.

WHAT’S NEXT: Come July, as the nation celebrates the U.S. Semiquincentennial, we will invite the public to a new exhibition at Savannah istory useum — “Loyalists & Liberty: Savannah in the American Revolution” will showcase 19 Revolutionary War cannons discovered in the Savannah River in 2021, immersive learning experiences, and powerful stories of the people who shaped merica’s fight for independence.

Savannah Magazine

912.652.0293 | 6602 Abercorn St., Suite 202 | savannahmagazine.com

Editorial: kathryn.wagner@savannahmagazine.com | Advertising: jane.townsend@savannahmagazine.com Publisher/Marketing/Circulation: anita.hagin@savannahmagazine.com @savannahmagazine

OUR MISSION: To celebrate the new and enduring voices of our city’s culture, commerce, and creative community.

OUR REAL JOBS: Curators of Savannah culture. Natives and newcomers on our team are all avid ambassadors of the unparalleled Savannah lifestyle. We’re also parents, relationship builders, philanthropists, intellects, advocates, bibliophiles, epicures, outdoor enthusiasts, fitness fanatics, artists, fashionis tas, gardeners, collectors, and explorers.

WE ARE PROUD OF: Being Savannah’s premier city magazine for 36 years. Collectively, we have more than 200 years

of experience in publishing, writing, editing, design, advertising, sales, and marketing. We publish six Savannah magazines, four HOMES issues, Southern Coastal Weddings and a variety of chamber publications annually.

OUR FAVORITE MOMENTS: When we hear from readers and partners who say someone pointed them out in a story or went to them after seeing their ad. When an article is shared on social media. When someone new to town wants a recommendation for a restaurant, doctor, or builder and requests our Best of Savannah lists. Long before social media, Savannah magazine was (and remains) the original local influencer.

WE LOVE TO: Collaborate with other local businesses. We had the privilege of teaming up with Leopold’s Ice Cream to create the best selling flavor Savannah Socialite (a chocolate, pecan and bourboninfused caramel concoction) in honor of our 25th anniversary. We’ve also worked with Savannah artists Bellamy Murphy, Juliana Lupacchino, and Brittany Curry to bring their beautiful artwork to items like totes, beach towels, and graphic timelines. We would love to team up with other local businesses to create something just as fun and unique.

WE BELIEVE IN: Buying local. Supporting area businesses is an investment in our community.

Southern Bene ts Consulting

912.372.3634 | 401 Mall Blvd., Suite 101B so thernbene tscons ltin .com @ o thern ene its ons ltin

OUR REAL JOB DESCRIPTIONS: Part advisor, part translator, part advocate. We take something complex and often frustrating, and make it clear, manageable, and tailored to real lives and real businesses. When issues come up — and they will — we’re the ones who step in and handle it.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THE HEALTH INSURANCE INDUSTRY WE’D LOVE TO CHANGE: That all brokers are essentially the same. In reality, the right brokerage doesn’t just sell a plan — we help you understand it, structure it correctly, and advocate for you when issues come up. That difference can impact both cost and coverage in a meaningful way.

OUR SUPERPOWERS: I have zero unread emails. — Katie Alba I can pivot on a dime without spilling my coffee. — Candace Lemonds My parallel parking skills are unmatched. — Jamie Wallace

Deborah Brown-Pullin

STAGING-BY DESIGN

912.373.6549 | Serving the Coastal Empire and surrounding communities, including Bluffton, South Carolina staging-bydesign.com @stagingbydesign1

MY MISSION: To help sellers and real estate agents showcase a home’s full potential. Every space I stage is designed to feel welcoming, intentional, and ready to connect with buyers.

I’M THANKFUL FOR: My family, friends, mentors, and the many Realtors and clients who have trusted me along the way. Staging-By Design is built on a commitment to exceptional customer service, and everyone's support and guidance has made this journey meaningful, rewarding, and full of purpose.

WHAT MOTIVATES ME: Helping people feel supported, seen, and confident during ma or transitions in their lives. fter years in retail, I learned how to listen deeply, understand what people need (sometimes before they can even express it), and show up with solutions that genuinely make a difference. By preparing a home for a sale, I ease stress, create opportunity, and help others succeed. Seeing the relief, oy, and confidence my work brings drives me every single day.

Bridget P. Michalski

SAVANNAH WINE CELLAR

912.355.9463 | 5500 Abercorn St. savannahwinecellar.com @savannahwinecellar

THE BEST PART ABOUT SAVANNAH’S FOOD AND BEVERAGE SCENE: It has evolved tremendously over the past decade yet remains close-knit and collaborative. As the city’s demographics have shifted, so has the wine industry — with more women stepping into leadership roles. That growth has been especially meaningful, and I’ve even helped create a local tasting group for women in the industry to connect, share knowledge, and support one another.

A LESSON FOR THE NEXT GENERATION: When you have a goal, keep moving forward. There will always be challenges and obstacles, but learning how to anticipate, plan for, and respond to them is invaluable.

I LEAD BY: Example. I would never ask my team to do something I haven’t done or wouldn’t do myself. I believe in using “we” instead of “I,” and I take full responsibility when mistakes or service issues arise.

Stephanie Ebers

LE MACARON FRENCH PASTRIES

912.712.5094 | 204 W. Broughton St. lemacaron-us.com/savannah @lemacaronsavannah

I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: My life partner, Reggie. We have been together for more than two decades. Both entrepreneurs individually, it wasn’t until later in our relationship that we went into business together. We created R&S Great Adventures LLC — and what an adventure it has been! We spent several years looking for the perfect project that complemented both of our strong suits. When we visited Le Macaron French Pastries in Winter Park, Florida, we fell in love with the brand. We now have four locations — three in Florida and one here in historic Savannah. e are proud to say we were the first merican owners ever awarded the Le Macaron franchise. I could never have taken that leap of faith with the franchise without Reggie by my side.

MY SUPERPOWER: Knowing how to make other people feel special. From planning elaborate get-togethers or pulling off small surprises for family, a friend or a staff member, it truly makes me happy making those around me happy. I love getting to know what makes people tick, then trying to find the most uni ue gift to make them know how loved and appreciated they are.

Amber Capps

THE LONG WEEKENDER MARKETING LLC

770.883.1771

@the_longweekender

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: My phone, my new drone (I'm so excited to start using it,) lens wipes, tripods, and an iPhone ring light.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Are consistently kind. Kindness in a world that can be so harsh is so refreshing.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Network and befriend everyone. Community support makes this city so special.

I LEAD BY: Being collaborative and working with others to promote this amazing city we live in.

I’M THANKFUL FOR: My village of family and friends who continue to cheer me on.

I’M PROUD OF: How my business has grown over the last year.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Be each other’s cheerleaders!

Holly Lang

PUBLIC GOODS GROUP

404.512.8808 | . a rel t. . . o prin eld p blic oods ro p.com

I BELIEVE: If the work matters, it deserves to be done well. We work with organizations that are trying to make a real difference, and we take that seriously. That means honest data, hard truths, and a commitment to finding what works, for the organi ation and for the people on the other end of their work. Good intentions are a starting point. Good information is how you get there.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: I paid for college by doing what I loved: writing, including two biographies of rappers and a guide to procrastinating without anyone noticing. All three have come in handy more than you'd think.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Stop making themselves smaller in rooms where they absolutely belong. Sit at the head of the table. Your perspective is the point, not the minutes you volunteered to take. And stop volunteering to take the minutes.

Julie Talbot, PT, DPT, PCS

SALT MARSH PEDIATRIC THERAPY

912.667.6443 | 109 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd. saltmarshpedstherapy.com

Salt Marsh Pediatric Therapy @saltmarshpedstherapy

OUR MISSION: To bring specialized pediatric intensive therapy to Savannah and the surrounding Lowcountry, providing children with mobility and movement disorders the care they need to reach their fullest potential. Through innovative, evidence-based therapies, we are dedicated to empowering children and their families with the support, resources, and expertise necessary to enhance mobility, independence, and quality of life.

OUR FAMILIES CHOOSE US FOR: Our personalized, hands-on approach and commitment to meaningful progress. We create individualized therapy plans that meet each child where they are, while supporting the whole family. Our focus on measurable outcomes, compassionate care, and lasting results builds trust and long-term relationships with the families we serve.

WHAT MOTIVATES US: The progress we see in every child we work with. atching children gain strength, confidence, and independence is what drives our work each day.

Dr. Erika Morrow MS, OD

FORSIGHT UNIQUE EYE CARE & EYE WEAR

912.483.6600 | 350 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. forsighteye.net @forsighteye

I’M PROUD TO: Offer the highest quality products and elite customer service. Your eyes deserve the best. Seeing well is essential for all aspects of life, and I believe that starts with a thorough eye exam and eye wear that provides the best vision and comfort.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: An exceptional team and unique eye wear. ForSight features a collection of eye wear that has grown over time, and each pair of specs can complement an outfit. Eyeglasses are my jewelry. I could not provide the best eye care without seeing and looking my best. Lastly, a clean and organized office is essential to my mental wellbeing.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Be genuine. My team and I would never grow our business if we looked at others as just an opportunity. We see everyone as a potential relationship a relationship that is beneficial to both parties, whether that’s mentally, physically or monetarily.

Rachel Polk Traub

WILEY’S CHAMPIONSHIP BBQ

912.201.3259 | 4700 U.S. 80 wileyschampionshipbbq.com wileyschampionshipbbq @wileysbbq

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Support each other and are loyal friends.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: A good pair of shoes.

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: Avoiding the hard conversations with staff members only causes bigger issues in the long run.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Be consistent and deliver great food and service.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED: “If they aren’t working with you, they are working against you.” — Jerry Polk, my Dad

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Be accepting of others — we all have our own little quirks.

Sherry Polk Davis

DAVIS PRODUCE

843.304.4889 | 7755 U.S. 80 E. davisproduce.com @davis_produce

MY MOTTO: “Home of the Killer Tomato.”

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Our giant peanut pot, my forklift, and a broom.

I’VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT: The weather really matters.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: Quality control perfectionist.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Having great relationships with your customers.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED: “Make time for your family and friends.” — Hezekiah Polk, founder, Polk Produce (circa 1948)

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: ’m terrified of heights, but love riding roller coasters.

Beth Fleming, MS, CCC-SLP, Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist

CHATTERBOX PEDIATRIC THERAPY & CHATTER BLOCKS LEARNING CENTER

Pooler: 110 Pipemakers Circle, Suite 115 | 912.988.1526 chatterboxpeds.com @chatterboxpeds and @chatterblockslearningctr

WHAT SETS US APART: Our commitment to ethical, wholechild care. We don’t just provide therapy — we build systems that support families long-term. Through collaborative clinical services and our sister company, Chatter Blocks Learning Center, we bridge medical, developmental, and educational support with integrity and innovation.

MY ADVICE TO OTHER WOMEN IN BUSINESS: Lead with conviction, not comparison. Build systems that support both mission and margin. Surround yourself with mentors, protect your culture fiercely, and don’t be afraid to evolve. rowth re uires courage, but when purpose drives you, resilience follows.

SUCCESS IS: Watching children gain independence, families feeling empowered, and our team growing professionally and personally. It’s building something that lasts — rooted in integrity, excellence, and faith — while proving that small businesses can lead with both heart and strategy.

Amy Green

SYMPHONA TECHNOLOGY

912.438.6262 | 118 Park of Commerce Drive, Suite 200 symphona.us/technology Symphona Technology @symphonatechnology @symphonatechnology

OUR CLIENTS CHOOSE US BECAUSE: We are a local partner who understands the Savannah business community. Our team builds real relationships, provides responsive support, and delivers reliable, secure technology solutions. With decades of experience, we help businesses simplify technology, stay protected, and grow with confidence.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY I’D LOVE TO CHANGE: he belief that technology is fine until it breaks. our technology partner should work with you to build a long term budget to replace outdated, insecure, or unsupported devices, and strengthen cybersecurity ensuring systems run smoothly.

THE LEGACY I HOPE TO LEAVE: Staying true to your authentic self, because integrity isn’t taught. ’ve worked with powerful people and felt the pull to conform. As a strong female voice, ’m raising three children to be confident in who they are, and want clients to see that same integrity in me.

Kristen Harkleroad

THE FANCY PHEASANT

229.563.5225 | 2 East Broad St. fancypheasantsav.com @thefancypheasantsav

WE ARE: A thoughtfully curated gift boutique specializing in custom and meaningful pieces for every occasion, with a focus on supporting local makers and creating a shopping experience that feels personal, thoughtful, and truly special.

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: Owner, buyer, merchandiser, and a girl who does it all... or at least tries to. f it needs fixing, planning, organizing, cleaning, planting, or painting, I’m on it. Most importantly, I’m a full-time Mama. Like any small business owner, I wear a lot of hats, but I truly love them all. I’m proud to show up every day and serve Savannah in a way that feels both personal and purposeful.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Community over competition. Supporting other local businesses, showing up for each other, and building real relationships are everything. Savannah has a way of rallying around people who genuinely care and that’s what makes it so special.

Christy Moore

THE LANDINGS COMPANY

336.263.5615 | 1 Landings Way North thelandings.com

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Relationships, reputation, and confidence. hen you know your value and show up that way, people notice.

I'M THANKFUL FOR: he relationships this business has given me, the trust of my clients, and the opportunity to make a real impact in he andings community every day.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Stop playing small, own their power, and go after exactly what they deserve without apology.

WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE ME: ecause deliver results, know he andings inside and out, and make the process seamless with ust the right amount of sass

SUCCESS IN THIS INDUSTRY COMES FROM: Collaboration, not competition.

Kimberly Miltiades

BHHS BAY STREET REALTY GROUP

912.355.4171 | 912.398.2906 | 2 Skidaway Walk Village, Suite A baystreetrealtygroup.com | kimberly@baystreetrealtygroup.com coastalsavannahrealestate @kmiltiades

MY MISSION: To combine local heritage with top-tier real estate expertise.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Deep roots. I haven't just studied this market; I’ve lived it. Having called many of Savannah’s diverse neighborhoods home over the years, provide my clients with firsthand knowledge of the variety of local lifestyles that you simply can’t find in a brochure. don’t ust show houses; I share the city I love.

I WENT INTO REAL ESTATE BECAUSE: It’s always been a part of my story. It started in the classroom, where I spent hours drafting floor plans and designing interiors, and grew into a deep appreciation for the unique architecture of my hometown. Transitioning into real estate was a natural evolution. It allows me to combine my design background with my love for Savannah and its people. I don’t just see houses; I see the potential in every layout and the lifestyle behind every front door.

Kim Watson

THE COLLECTIVE SAVANNAH

912.414.1859 | 903 E. 70th St. thecollectivesavannah.com @thecollectivesavannah

YOU’D NEVER GUESS THAT: On a whim at an auction I bought a baby Brown Swiss cow. I was living in an apartment and had to board it. I later sold the cow and bought a Louis Vuitton bag.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY I’D LOVE TO CHANGE: That it’s supposed to look like social media — perfect lighting, perfect bodies, perfect routines. That’s not real life. The reality is this industry is messy, busy, loud, and human. Not everyone should, could, or can look like what you see online, and that s okay. eal fitness is about showing up, effort, and community.

THE LEGACY I HOPE TO LEAVE: A community where people feel stronger in mind and body, more confident, and welcomed exactly as they are. f helped shift fitness away from perfection and toward fun, connection, effort, mobility, and real life, then I’ve done something meaningful and worthwhile.

Emma Christine Jones & Vivian Underwood

BITI BIBI bitibibi.com | hello@bitibibi.com @biti.bibi

BEHIND THE BRAND: Biti Bibi was born from a friendship and shared purpose to design a wardrobe of meaningful pieces. Each collection is a tapestry woven from memory, heritage, and the women who shaped us. We create future heirlooms that embody belonging, nostalgia, and connection.

ON CONSCIOUS CREATION AND INTENTION: We choose to create slowly with quality and longevity in mind. We believe clothes are more than disposable trends. sing natural fibers and small batch, home-based production, we hope to inspire a more intentional way of buying, wearing, and sharing clothing.

THE BITI BIBI WOMAN: Lives with intention and knows clothing is more than fabric. She invests in pieces rich with meaning and memory that reflect her individuality, and shares that passion with the women in her life. For her, we create heirloom garments designed to be cherished, lived in, and passed down from one remarkable woman to another.

Chelsea Nasso

MANE FOCUS HAIR SALON

912.689.0888 | 340 Eisenhower Drive, Suite 1306 manefocushairsalon.com @manefocushairsalon

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Relationships. This city thrives on connection, authenticity, and community. When you genuinely care about the people you serve and the team around you, it creates something special. We focus on delivering a luxury experience while maintaining a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued. When you lead with integrity and invest in your community, success naturally follows.

WHAT MOTIVATES ME: Seeing the confidence that transformation can bring — to both our clients and our stylists. The beauty industry has the power to change lives. When someone leaves the salon feeling confident, or when a stylist grows their skills and reali es their potential, it’s incredibly fulfilling.

THE LEGACY I HOPE TO LEAVE: Empowerment and education. I want Mane Focus to be known as a place where people feel supported while growing their careers.

Brittany Milward

BRITT’S FUNKY STITCH

brittsfunkystitch@gmail.com | 714 Mall Blvd., Suite 2 brittsfunkystitch.com | @brittsfunkystitch

MY MISSION: To create wearable expressions of my clients’ personalities, interests, and lives. Between gemstone necklaces, charms, and hand embroidery, there is something for everyone to connect with. The handmade nature of my designs ensures a custom style.

MY MOTTO: Let’s get funky!

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: Wife and mother of four. I was enormously blessed to stay home with my children for more than nine years. If you visit the studio in the afternoon, you’ll likely see them doing homework or building a fort in the fitting room.

I’M THANKFUL FOR: My family for supporting me and my customers for helping this small business grow beyond my dreams! It’s been a wild ride from a hobby Instagram account with 100 followers to a thriving LLC run through DMs to e-commerce to a new storefront and studio.

Suzanne Smallwood

SAVANNAH NEEDLEPOINT

912.663.3888 | 8413C Ferguson Ave. savannahneedlepoint.com | suzanne@savannahneedlepoint.com @savannahneedlepoint

MY MISSION: To inspire creativity, support every stitcher, and build a strong, welcoming needlepoint community in Savannah. We strive to offer thoughtfully curated canvases and threads for all skill levels and to create an environment where every customer feels welcomed, confident, and inspired. ltimately, we want each stitcher to feel excited to continue their needlepoint journey.

I AM THANKFUL FOR: The unwavering support and encouragement of my husband. He has done everything but needlepoint — and has even encouraged our sons to join in as well. I am also deeply grateful for my incredible friends who pour their time, talent, and knowledge into the store. Savannah Needlepoint is truly a team effort.

I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: Needlepoint (I take it everywhere — it brings me joy and calms me), customer relationships (I’ve built meaningful connections, made new friends, and witnessed creativity and inspiration), and Diet Coke.

Julia McGahee

JULIA MCGAHEE ART juliamcgaheeart.com @juliamcgaheeart

MY MISSION: To bring joy to others through creating meaningful, one-of-a-kind works of art in homes and businesses.

MY WORK: an be found on walls, stairs, and floors in the form of colorful murals as well as on painted keepsake bottles of champagne or liquor.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Be a genuine and kind person. You never know who in Savannah may be a prospective client, so treating everyone you meet with respect and kindness goes a long way.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: A paintbrush (of course!), headphones to listen to audiobooks while painting, and my phone and tripod to capture videos to showcase the process of painting a mural from start to finish.

Amanda Everard

EVERARD AUCTIONS & APPRAISALS

912.231.1376 | 2436 Waters Ave. everard.com @everardauctions

MY MISSION: o help people handle the sale of their fine art and antiques in a professional manner. Whether you are the executor of a large estate or are downsizing, I try to make the process as simple as possible and achieve the highest value for you through our online auction house with global reach.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Do a great job for people, because word of mouth goes a long way. Most of our business comes through client referrals.

I’M PROUD OF: My involvement with “Antiques Roadshow.” It is a great experience traveling to different cities throughout the country and appraising interesting objects. It also gives me access to a distinguished network of appraisers who are helpful throughout the year in my business.

Grace A. Turner & Gennie G. Long

MEYER & SAYERS, LLP

912.598.5151 | 500 Stephenson Ave. | meyersayers.com

OUR MISSION: To make planning for the future feel simple, approachable, and stress-free. We try to provide a welcoming and client-friendly approach to estate planning by helping clients navigate wills, trust, and legacy decisions without confusion. We work closely with our clients to design personalized estate strategies that protect assets, minimize stress for loved ones, and ensure their wishes are honored.

YOU’D NEVER GUESS: I ran a 52-mile ultramarathon and still have hopes to run another. — Grace A. Turner

I’M THANKFUL FOR: The opportunity to welcome Grace as a new attorney with our firm. She shares our firm s commitment to compassionate guidance, thoughtful planning, and exceptional client representation. She will enhance our ability to provide high-quality estate planning guidance to the individuals and families we serve. — Gennie G. Long

912.349.9978 | 400 W. River St. goldenhoursav.com goldenhoursav @goldenhour.sav

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Staying loyal to locals. ven in a high traffic tourist area, we’re sustained through our relationships with the people who live here. he recommendations that mean the most are when our local customer base tells their friends and family about olden our.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE WE’VE EVER RECEIVED: ire people who are better than you. e’re so proud of the team we’ve built and how these girls represent our brand. hey are multifaceted and endlessly talented. hey make us want to turn the clock back years and be as ama ing in our s as they are.

YOU'D NEVER GUESS THAT: e run olden our after bedtime. e have seven kids among us and all still work full time outside of the business. e like to say we have to s and to s. t’s a lot of work, and we are extremely proud that we’ve been able to build this company without sacrificing the careers we established before olden our.

Jenny Britt

LOW COUNTRY DYSLEXIA

516.413.7281 | 7730 Central Ave.

linktr.ee/lowcountry.dyslexia.specialist @lowcountry_dyslexiaspecialist

MY MOTTO: Some days you teach, some days you learn, and on the best days you laugh so hard you do both at once.

I BELIEVE: That laughter is an essential part of learning. While raising my children, our home was always filled with oy and silliness, and now I try to carry that spirit into my classroom. If you spend time with students, you'll quickly discover that if you aren’t laughing at least once a day, you might miss out on those unforgettable moments. hese oyful experiences help kids relax and build confidence, creating a positive environment for growth. hat oyful energy drives my mission to help children with dyslexia using the Orton illingham approach. ith more than years of experience in special education, m truly passionate about what I do. Whether it's in my private practice or at Savannah Country Day, my focus is all about helping students succeed, supporting families, and fostering confidence and happiness in every child.

Amanda Hurtig

DREAM RESERVE TRAVEL

912.712.6682 @AmandaPlansYourTrip | @DreamReserveTravel

MY REAL JOB DESCRIPTION: Travel expert, mind reader, problem solver, and stage manager. My clients trust me with their most precious resource — time — and the moments they've been dreaming about.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY I’D LOVE TO CHANGE: That using a travel advisor costs extra. It doesn't. Vendors assume the savvy traveler is already working with an advisor and builds that cost into their rates regardless. Book without one, and you're spending your precious time researching while paying for expertise and planning you're not receiving.

WHAT’S NEW: Dream Reserve Travel is my newest venture, a division I developed and recently launched under the umbrella of my home agency, If You Can Dream It Travel, which was built on theme park travel. My expertise and passion have always been in worldwide, experience driven trips, and ream eserve is finally the place for that.

Sarah McCarty

SD AESTHETICS

912.355.8821 | 815 E. 68th St. savannah.dental/sd-aesthetics @sarahk.aesthetics

MY MISSION: To deliver elevated, results-driven aesthetic experiences.

ONE MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THE AESTHETICS INDUSTRY I’D LOVE TO CHANGE: That it’s driven by vanity and perfection. It’s about supporting healthy skin, enhancing natural beauty, and helping people feel confident and comfortable in their own skin.

WHAT MOTIVATES ME: Each client’s unique story. Aesthetics isn’t one si e fits all it’s personal. eing part of someone’s ourney to feeling more confident and comfortable in their own skin is incredibly rewarding. or some clients, it s all about results they can see in their skin condition and concerns, for others it s about relaxation and restoring confidence.

MY FAVORITE PATIENTS: re my raving fans. m proud to have been nominated and even won some awards for best esthetician and best medical spa already.

Stephanie Kisgen

COASTAL STAGING & DESIGN CO.

912.856.6423 | coastalstagingco.com @coastalstagingdesign

OUR MISSION: We want you to love your home as much as we do.

WE’RE KNOWN FOR : Our elevated yet approachable aesthetic. We focus on design that drives results, seamlessly merging market strategy with thoughtful interiors.

WE BELIEVE: Every space — whether styled to sell or designed to stay — should feel both intentional and effortless, elevating how homes are experienced.

I HOPE MORE WOMEN WILL: Embrace their unique perspective as their greatest asset.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Work alongside your competition not against them. It’s a small city with plenty of work to go around, and we all approach it differently. It may even lead to an amazing collaboration.

Erica Herndon Timmons

STATE FARM AGENCY

912.354.6464 | 3228 Skidaway Road | ericaSF.com @myagenterica

MOST PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED WHEN THEY LEARN THAT: State Farm agents are small business owners, and each location is independently owned. We are backed with a national brand and financial strength, but, when it comes to our team, we are local and give back to the local community.

TYPICAL DAYS IN THE OFFICE: Don’t exist. No two are the same. I enjoy meeting with my customers to make sure that they are financially protected in the event of a claim. ou may think that’s my job, but most consumers do not know what their coverage limits are on their policies. e offer a wide variety of products and services to meet consumer’s needs auto, fire, life, health, and bank.

I AM THANKFUL FOR: Our customers and my team who allow me to do what I love every day. Helping people is my passion, and this profession allows me to do that.

Ismary De Castro, MD, FACE

SAVANNAH ENDOCRINOLOGY LLC

912.232.5900 | 107 Southern Blvd., Ste. 103 savannahendocrinology.com

MY MISSION: To expand access of endocrinology health care services throughout the Lowcountry, to improve health and well-being in our community, and to care for patients with long-term health conditions. Hormones play a critical role in defining our biology and affect our health throughout our life. My goal is to provide chronic disease management, slow down the progression of diseases, and help patients find ways to control their symptoms, allowing them to enjoy their lives. We empower our patients through education and demonstrating the importance of knowledge, nutrition, and exercise.

I LEAD BY: Vision and direction. My extensive knowledge in chemistry, medicine, research, and training in hormone interpretation allows me to distinguish human variation from disease.

MY TOOLS OF THE TRADE: Exercise, a balanced diet, and living with purpose and determination.

Lola DeWitt

LIVE OAK PUBLIC LIBRARY

912.652.3661 | 2002 Bull St. ith branches ser in hatham n ham and iberty co nties li eoa pl.or | e itt @li eoa pl.or @li eoa pl

MY MISSION: To lead Live Oak Public Library toward being nationally recognized for supporting literacy at all ages, being a welcoming and safe space for everyone, providing stellar programs and events, connecting people to services and information, and ensuring access to every story, so our community can learn, grow, and thrive.

MY LOCAL HEROINE: Shirley James. A fellow member of the Rotary Club of Savannah, I was struck by her impact — Harvardeducated, visionary educator, publisher of The Savannah Tribune, and civic champion who was instrumental in the Carnegie Library Heritage Center transformation. She leads with strength and grace, proving power and femininity can coexist.

I'M THANKFUL FOR: My administration staff. Their expertise, dedication, and insight have made everything we’ve accomplished over the past three years possible.

Dawn Kutchey & Kristen Patterson

THE MINT GREEN TAG SALE COMPANY

912.232.1039 | 3025 Bull St., Ste. 220 themintgreentagsalecompany.com @themintgreentagsalecompany

WE BELIEVE: That every family and their belongings should be treated with care, compassion, and respect. That taking the time to clean, organize and stage the items into shoppable, interesting, attractive displays can significantly increase the number of items sold out of each estate. That our client’s privacy and dignity should always be protected. That honesty, transparency, and open communication are important with both the clients who allow us to work in their homes, and the shoppers who trust us to provide an enjoyable, fairly priced shopping experience.

WE ADMIRE WOMEN WHO: Balance their personal and professional life seamlessly! This is something we strive to do and are always working to improve.

THE SECRET TO GOOD BUSINESS IN SAVANNAH: Good word of mouth and a strong work ethic.

2025 SAVANNAH AREA REALTORS

Annual Aw ds

DISTINGUISHED SALES SOCIETY AWARDS

STUDIOS

CONGRATULATIONS, FIRST-YEAR RECIPIENTS!

In March, members of the Savannah Area REALTORS® gathered to celebrate the Distinguished Sales Society recognizing REALTORS® who achieved $1 million or more in sales, completed at least eight transactions, and gave back through community service. The evening was an elegant, star-studded celebration of their success and dedication.

SpecialAw ds

REALTOR ® OF THE YEAR

PENNY RAFFERTY

CHARLES F. FULTON AWARD

SHARON MILLER

DON GOLDEN RISING STAR SCHOLARSHIP

ASHLEY NOELL

AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR

SAVANNAH AREA REALTORS ® PRESIDENT’S AWARD

JENNIFER SCROGGS

PHILIP M. HEIDT AWARD

ALAN ROBERDS

KONTER HALL OF FAME

CONTINUING MEMBERS 2025 40+ YEARS

who achieved $1 million or more in sales, completed at least eight transactions, and gave back through community service.

Michael

Helen A. Miltiades

Sue Anderson

Monica J. Cerrone

Kathrin Egner

Kathy Fairchild

Amy Gutting

5 YEARS

Laura Celaya

Kappy Chisholm

Cindy Presnell

Teresa Cowart

50 YEARS

GLENDA GANEM 45 YEARS

Robin

Maureen

Patricia Ewaldsen

Lee Ann Marsh

Melissa Stanford

Lana H. Sanders

Trey Swain

9 YEARS

Sharon Brookshire

Ricky Eilerman

Brooke Graham

Tari Hornick

Mertha Maddox

Brandy O’Neill

Milap Patel

Sarah Pounders

Michele

Cindy Knight

Michael O’Connor

Johnny Odom

Becki Patterson

Annie Rockwell

Beth Forkner

Kelly B. Johnson

Sharon

James Presnell

Jennifer Scroggs

Tara Robinson

Mark D. Jones

Lisa Ortiz

Amy Feith

Jimmy Grayson

Ruthie Lynah Whitlow

Jeanie L. Williams

8 YEARS

Donna K. Abbott

Jennifer Lee Crumpton

Butch Durrence

Steve Ellis

Lisa A. Harris

Tamika Y. Houston

Melissa Kobi

Beth Lynah Vickers

Leslie Clifton Shinn

Latashia S. Thomas

4 YEARS

Cassandra Scott Andrews

Kimberly Bousquet

Mary Beth

McInerney Joyce

John McPeters

Monica M. Williams

3 YEARS

Betty Brooks

Cynthia H. Parker

Jane Beare

Carmen Cribbs

Sheila Doney

Ste any Farmer

Anastasia Mamais

Christine

Scott Shippy

Helen Williams Johnson

Toni Hardigree

Brandy Jenkins

Linda Novack

Beth Quigley

Dena C. Rodewolt

Joseph Iannacone

Karen

Ruthie Seese

Rebecca

Jessica Kelly

Rodney Rawls

Sabriya

Mary Mosher

Cynthia C. Sinclair

Jenn Rabon

Jessica Arledge

Anny Montenegro

Kelli Weis

Marge Wester

Gena Wright

7 YEARS

Christine Estridge

Heather

Hammond Filgate

A. Joseph Marshall

Scott Starling

Michael J. Stubbs

6 YEARS

Daphne Baron

Farrell Click

Kelsie Glasco

Julie Hales

Carie Kuhn

Nicolette Leasa

Billi Jo R. Cape

Suzanne Curry

Amy Greene

Lorrie Gurganious

Julie Heyel

Aurelia Moss

Shannon Patrick

Lisa Snipes

Chelsie Taroli

Kaitlynn Thayer

2 YEARS

Bernard Cole

Brandon Fargo

Jodi Harstine

Jarlene Johnson

Linda Rojas

Melody Rodriguez

Jill Brooks

Marilyn McDonald

George Cohen

Wendy R. Reed

Virginia Carroll

Quintin Cowart

Susan Dailey

Kimberly Pelletier

Jill Sapp

Joe Shields

4 YEARS CONTINUING COMMERCIAL

Michael Steven Fischer

PLATINUM

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Art & Oysters

Photography by KAITLIN SELLS

Photography by ALEXANDER NEUMANN

FEB. 13 VISIT

SAVANNAH 50th Anniversary Party

FEB. 28

GRAY’S REEF OCEAN DISCOVERY CENTER

Earth is Blue Block Party

FEB. 11 THE MEDIATION CENTER OF THE COASTAL EMPIRE

Legacy of Peace Breakfast

Before Anyone Else, There Was Mom

Written by ANDREA GOTO

MY FIRST TOUCH, my first diaper change, my first meltdown. Mom’s been at the helm of every first, and through her, I came to know the world and what my place as a woman in it might look like.

And it looked amazing.

It looked like oversized gold Anne Klein earring and necklace sets, and leather pumps. Pencil skirts, trench coats, and blazers with built-in musculature. It smelled like Elizabeth Arden Red Door and Aqua Net. For Mom, presentation was everything.

We didn’t have a lot in the early years, but I wouldn’t know it until much later. Mom worked at a department store, styling ladies with larger pocketbooks but less panache. They’d request her by name — a trusted fashion maven even at the height of the commission era — because she’d be the first to tell women their bodies weren’t meant to hide behind a shapeless housedress. She encouraged her clients to cinch at the waist and heighten the hem — to embrace their beauty and power. In the dressing room, Mom would look her client up and down before pulling her belt one loop tighter and popping her collar. She’d step back again and assess her work. “Gorgeous,” she’d declare.

Dad labored as a shift worker at the paper mill and fell in love with Mom when she mistakenly wandered into a biker bar. Dad knew it was his good fortune that she agreed to marry him six months later. They bought a home, and for Mom’s birthday, he transformed a tiny room into a walk-in closet. Her clothes and shoes ran the length of the wall and touched the ceiling. A fulllength mirror and two bureaus finished off what would remain a room of her own for more than half a century.

But there was also the joy and burden of having a young family. The best months were round steak and fresh salads, but summerlong union strikes meant fried Spam paired with the homemade pickled green beans that Mom canned in the spring, just in case. I thought she was experimenting.

I thought we were rich.

Mom made our beds and our meals and sewed my sister and me matching dresses we proudly wore on holidays. In summer, we’d go camping on the beach. Mom drew paper dolls with a half-dozen outfits for us to cut out. When we took to the ocean to hurdle the waves, Mom — terrified of water — sat on the sand, her hair wrapped in a head scarf and her lean, bronzed body decked in a string bikini. Whenever I looked back in her direction, she was propped up at attention, waving her arm like a giant flag.

Mom was always quietly protecting. When I came home in tears after my teacher accused me of lying, she was out the door like a bolt.

“That teacher is so in trouble,” my sister whispered knowingly.

We knew the drill. She’d screech into the school parking

lot and clippety-clop her high heels across the linoleum floor to the principal’s office. We were never privy to what was said behind closed doors, though we know she wouldn’t yell, because Mom never yelled. When she returned home, she’d look at us triumphantly and simply say, “No one messes with my kids.”

The afternoon the neighborhood bully beat up my sister, Mom chased the unsuspecting kid down the street and forced her to join us for dinner. She gave her a coat and drove her home to a quiet, dark house. It didn’t make sense to us then. It makes sense to us now.

To me, Mom was perfect — the woman I wanted to be. It would be years before I started to understand that she, like all of us, was shaped by struggles she preferred to keep from us: the mother she could never please, the doting father whose work made him physically absent, the dreams of traveling the world deferred to marry the man her parents would never approve of.

There were years of fainting spells and ER visits that, looking back, would be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder today. Then there was the falling, the trouble swallowing, the seeing things that weren’t there — the Parkinson’s.

Mom, now 82, has moved into an assisted living facility. There are moments when she is unrecognizable to me, like when she curses at the caregivers trying to assist her. Aging and illness have taken parts of my mother, but not all of her.

She still gets up every morning to apply her makeup, curl her hair, and curate an outfit from a tiny wardrobe. Her husband of 53 years dresses her as she sits on the edge of the bed, his large hands fumbling to arrange the clothes on her shrunken, fragile frame. Then, he helps her to her feet so she can look in the mirror to assess.

She cinches her belt and pops her collar. Gorgeous.

LIFE-CHANGING LIFE-SAVING EDUCATION

GEORGIA NEEDS DENTISTS. SAVANNAH IS THE ANSWER

For over 50 years, Augusta University’s Dental College of Georgia (DCG) has been the state’s only dental school, training around 100 new dentists annually. But with Georgia among the top 10 states in population and growth, that number simply isn’t enough.

To help meet that need, DCG broke ground in April 2026 on its newest four-year campus in Savannah, Georgia. Far more than a regional extension, the Savannah campus represents a major expansion of the ability to educate the oral health professionals Georgia needs, and strengthens Savannah’s role as a leader in health care and innovation. The new campus is slated to welcome its first class in 2028.