Season: Tranquility and Traffic

Living near the coast has many benefits. According to a study of more than 1.3 million participants by the journal of Environmental Health Perspectives, residing close to a large body of water reports an overall reduction in mortality by 12 to 17 percent. Additional studies show that being near the ocean, staring out at the waters, can alter the frequency of brain waves, causing a relaxing effect on the senses when watching the ebb and flow of the ocean’s swell.

In short, being near the water, in both the short and long term, can improve overall quality of life, so it is no wonder that our beaches are always crowded. Many locals complain about “season,” having to share paradise with transients. Many local residents even view these out-of-town guests as a necessary evil—tourists help their favorite businesses flourish, while causing traffic delays, creating longer wait times at their favorite restaurants, and overcrowding the beaches. 

However, all business owners seem to share a sense of pride for every patron or customer entering their businesses, regardless of where they call home. In this closing bell, we share some highlights from Q&A’s with some of this issue’s proprietors and CEOs.

Being a local in a tourist-driven economy can be frustrating. How do you keep your regulars happy during season?  We’re incredibly grateful to be part of a destination that welcomes visitors from all over—but we never forget the community that built us. We offer exclusive local perks, prioritize community-centered offerings, and maintain strong relationships with regular guests through personalized service and familiarity, sometimes making them locals once they realize how much they love the area. It’s about making sure our locals feel seen, even when the resort is bustling.
—Sara Becnel, President Sandestin Investments and Managing Partner of The Agency Northwest Florida Beaches

We make a big effort while designing our business models, especially with the restaurants in Fort Walton, to create something that can be enjoyed by our locals. Our pricing in most cases reflects a better value, which is attractive to our day-in-day-out customers. And we are fortunate that the density year-round in Fort Walton allows us to do that. I understand that if we were in other markets, that may not actually be the case. In terms of the marina business, most people recognize that our opportunity to pay the bills comes during peak summer season, so there isn’t much we can do to keep pricing down—this is literally all about supply and demand. During our shoulder seasons, we are able to offer a much more affordable rate or even boat club options that make boats very affordable for our local customers year-round.—Bobby Nabors, Managing partner of Beach Weekend Vacation Rentals, Wood Foot Beer Co.

My husband and I discovered 30A and Rosemary Beach over 20 years ago. I do not believe you need to balance commitment to community while welcoming guests who travel to Rosemary. I feel equally committed to making sure we exceed expectations of all guests while sharing our community. —Cheryl Moodie, founder of The All Seasons Collection 30A in Rosemary Beach

In our three decades of operation, we have been pleased to take reservations of both our local customers and visitors for both lunch and dinner. This has proved to be a welcome accommodation for locals and often a pleasant surprise to visitors calling for wait times.
—Tom Rice, Owner, Magnolia Grill, local historian  

→ If you had any tips for new small businesses, what would it be? 
Stay true to your brand, build genuine relationships, and be consistent. It’s easy to get swept up chasing trends—but what sets you apart is your authenticity and connection to your audience. Invest in your team, stay agile, and never underestimate the power of genuine hospitality.
—Sara Becnel, President Sandestin Investments and Managing Partner of The Agency Northwest Florida Beaches

Don’t be afraid to pivot and pivot fast, then grind! This is the only thing we have on big corporate competitors. They can’t do that!
—Bobby Nabors, Managing partner of Beach Weekend Vacation Rentals, Wood Foot Beer Co.

Advice to anyone starting their own small business: Stay focused, think big, work hard, and never compromise your standards. —Cheryl Moodie, founder of The All Seasons Collection 30A in Rosemary Beach

The best advice I was ever given was from my late father-in-law. Having served in WWII and in 1953 building one of the first motor lodges in our community, he repeatedly beat the drum with the advice of, “If you don’t own the dirt, you don’t own anything.” After leasing property for a restaurant, most typically the costly infrastructure becomes property of the landlord. Many of my friends have gone this route and have not been able to weather the oil spills, hurricanes, and pandemics. Better to start small on your own dirt, so in good times and bad, you have a reason to stay. —Tom Rice, Owner, Magnolia Grill, local historian