Hilton Head Business

Mike Ritterbeck started taking photographs at sporting events several years ago during his son’s high school soccer match.

“I’m one of those parents that has a tendency to yell in the stands,” Ritterbeck said. “My wife told me I needed to find something else to do during the games.”

The professional photographer grabbed his camera and headed to the sideline. Rather than just snapping photos of his own son, Ritterbeck followed the action, taking high-quality shots of all players on the field. It didn’t take long for parents to start heckling the former referee heckler for the images he took of their children.

Did you know?

1. Employers must notify all employees that the new Health Care Exchanges are opening Oct. 1, 2013.

If you are an employer, it is required that you give each of your employees a notice that the new Health Care Exchange will be opening October 1, 2013. The Department of Labor has prepared a model notice for employers to deliver to each employee.

STEVE TANGER AWARDED ORDER OF THE PALMETTO

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley presented Steve Tanger with the Order of the Palmetto on Aug. 19, the highest civilian honor the state can give.

“This award is in recognition of his extraordinary work and dedication to the citizens of our state,” Haley proclaimed.

Tanger Factory Outlets owns and operates five shopping centers in South Carolina: two locally, two in Myrtle Beach and one in Charleston. The centers have created an estimated 6,000 jobs and approximately $246 million in retail sales tax to the state.

Children need nutrition to concentrate, learn, and participate in school activities. A growling stomach is a real distraction. Healthy school lunches are another way to show your children that you love and support them and that you are thinking of them during the day.

Aging facility crowded and in need of facelift

“The rec center was built with ATAX money. But there are so many demands on that money that I’m not sure how we could justify that today as a tourism component. “

The Island Recreation center was once a jewel of Hilton Head.

But that jewel has long been tarnished.

Now, however, the center may get long-needed and long-awaited updates.

NOT ONLY DO FARMERS MARKETS GIVE LOCAL GROWERS A PLACE TO SELLTHEIR HARVEST, THEY ALSO SERVE AS AN INCUBATOR FOR SMALL BUSINESSES WITH BARGAIN-BASEMENT START-UPCOSTS

At Bluffton, rent is $15 per market for farmers, $25 for specialty food vendors. At Port Royal, it’s just $20.

Vendors get immediate focus groups for their products as they hand out samples and watch people’s facial expressions and jot down initial comments.

With more than 120 farmers markets in South Carolina, the state Department of Agriculture created the S.C. Specialty Food Association and S.C. Farmers Market Association. They offer education, tips and networking to help makers and managers make a go of it.

A TASTY COMBO OF COMMUNITY AND COMMERCE

SUSAN BRANT NEVER IMAGINED BEING A FARMER. “It was something my husband always wanted to do,” said Brant, a retired nurse. “I didn’t like to get my hands dirty. I do now,” she said, laughing from her perch atop a cooler at the Port Royal Farmers Market while overseeing her grandchildren tending to customers.

When her husband, Don, proposed they start Brant Family Farm in Varnville three years ago after he retired as a chemical engineer at Exxon, Susan said, “‘I want it to be all natural.’ He said, ‘Are you sure? It‘s a lot of work.’ I think I’m doing it to atone for those years working for Exxon.”

For many Lowcountry companies, business is family

For example, daughters of two local business owners chose to study international affairs in college, likely putting them on trajectories that would lead far from Hilton Head Island or Bluffton. One son started his own business apart from his mother’s jewelry store. The other tried working in child care.

But after a few years, that next generation realized there are immeasurable benefits to the family livelihood: understanding bosses, dedicated and loyal co-workers and the chance to preserve and build on their parents’ lifelong endeavors. Thanks to that next generation, our community can count on another generation of successful local businesses.

Jiva Yoga Center has opened a new studio on the north end of the island at 55 Mathews Drive. The center is celebrating with free yoga classes all day on Wednesday, June 12.