Vacay the Southern C Way

The Southern C’s tagline “Connect, Collaborate, Create” simplifies what they do exceptionally well—bringing inspiring people together. As a three-time attendee and former Summit sponsor with my business, King Bean Coffee, I understand that this motto extends beyond Southern C’s workshops, retreats and annual Summit. Recently, on a family trip to St. Simons Island, I used my connections from the Southern C to plan and make the most out of my vacation.

Connect

If you’ve attended a Southern C event, then you know that the “Connect” part of the C’s motto is excitingly powerful. On vacation, I used the connections gained from past Summits and also sought recommendations for Southern C alumni-owned businesses in the area. I posted a thread on the “Alums of the Southern C” Facebook group. (If you’ve attended a Summit before, you’re privy to this group.) The recommendations swam in, giving me more power to connect more with fun and engaging creative entrepreneurs in  the area.

Collaborate

“Go to Dot & Army!” was the recommendation over and over on my Facebook thread. Alum Jennifer Zamudio’s colorful shop showcases the power of Southern C collaborations: Dot & Army is stocked with products from many Southern C alum-owned businesses. The Brunswick, GA storefront also offers a peek into Jennifer’s working studio in the back, where she crafts beautiful cloth napkins and linens. I purchased goods from alums Phickles Pickles, Grace Graffiti, and Tree House Macarons, along with signature Dot & Army napkins, of course. Jennifer was gracious enough to take a break from her workshop to chat with my family and me while we shopped. I enjoyed getting to know her and am already brainstorming on using Dot & Army napkins in a styled photo shoot with our coffee. Another Southern C-inspired collaboration in the works!

Create

I’m definitely more the “creative” part of the title Creative Entrepreneur. Even on vacation, I need my creative fix. Get Your Muse On, a painting studio on St. Simons owned by alum Cathie Parmelee was exactly what I needed. Cathie commented on my Facebook call-out and offered to host my family at her studio for a painting class, complimentary! How kind is that? With rainy weather, a couple of hours painting was the perfect respite. Cathie herself was as kind as her art is beautiful. The paintings we created in class are fun, cute and folksy—I hung them together on my back porch. And, we loved Cathie’s art so much we even purchased a painting of hers to take back to South Carolina. Alums gotta support alums!

We made the most of “Connect, Collaborate, Create” visiting also Bubba Garcia’s, Southern Soul BBQ, Two Friends, Petite Maison and 2017 Summit host, Sea Island. We missed a few (The Vine– I’m coming back for you!) but all the more reason to stop in next time we’re down that way. Our vacation in St. Simons was fun-filled and relaxing and connecting with former Southern C alums made it all the more special Because the Southern C attracts and brings together the best: the most inspiring, most creative, the most generous.