Finance + Legal Services

Business of the future

How technology is fixing the staffing shortage Article by Josh Foster | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images It has now been four years since the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the landscape for small business owners, leaving a lasting impact that continues to be felt today. Despite some signs of softening the effects of the pandemic, particularly in terms of staffing challenges and inflation, persist with no immediate resolution in sight. In response to these ongoing challenges...

March 2024

Education

Live, Work, Play

Investments Impacting the Emerald Coast Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images When planning the investment issue, we here at Destin City Lifestyle turned to an expert with one question: What does the economic future of Destin look like in the coming years?  Enter Steven Franco, a well-established entrepreneur and commercial realtor with a wealth of knowledge in city economic planning. Steven is the Managing Partner of Rodos Realty Partners and Rodos...

March 2024

Finance + Legal Services

The Right Time to Build

Local developer creates opportunity in Freeport Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images Matt Lozecki knows the full meaning of being in the right place at the right time. In 2013, Matt and his brother Jay bought All Clear Restoration and Remediation. At the time, All Clear was a small local water damage company, however, shortly after acquiring the company, Matt and his team expanded it to a restoration company that now travels to disaster-struck areas...

March 2024

Finance + Legal Services

How Should Investors Think About Risk?

Local Financial Advisor Bennett Stein discusses risk in investments Article by Bennett Stein | Photography by Eliana Kinneman, Main Character Photography If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times. Everyone 'knows' investors need to park their funds in low-risk funds and investments, or at least take risk into account. But what does risk in investing really entail?  When people mention low-risk investments, a commonly offered example is United States Treasuries. People point out...

March 2024

Home + Design

2024 Home Renovation Trends

Meet the Experts of Renovation Flooring & Elite Cabinet Designs Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images Bronwyn Landis, Cabinet Specialist   DCL: Where are you from and what brought you to the Destin area?   Bronwyn: I am from here! My family and I moved here when I was 8 after my dad was stationed at Eglin Air Force Base. My husband and I moved to Santa Rosa Beach in 2012.  DCL: What got you into the home design/flooring industry?    Bronwyn: I...

February 2024

Arts + Culture

Velia's Life

Meet Local Realtor and Artist Velia Lala Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Shanna Magnuson with Davista Photography Who said success comes from sticking to one career? Certainly not local Realtor, Artist and Philanthropist Velia Lala. Life would be boring if there wasn’t a little flair, and where Velia is concerned, that means more color, more travel, more design, more living and more surrounding herself with good people.   “I want to go anywhere I’ve never gone and do everything...

February 2024

Home + Design

Zhuzh Your Windows

Trendy window covers from Made in the Shade Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images Donna Godwin didn’t know her house was missing something, not until she and her husband installed custom window coverings to their house in St. Andrews. That’s when everything changed for Donna. Just the slight act of optimizing the light and privacy by using trendy shutters, shades and blinds made her house feel like home.  “I just loved it so much, they changed the...

February 2024

Home + Design

Hometown HVAC

Jeff Bowen of JefCo shares his humble beginning and HVAC tips for homeowners Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images Behind every reputable company are hardworking founders, and Jeff Bowen, and his wife Connie of JefCo Air Conditioning and Refrigeration fit the bill. An Air Force veteran, Jeff branched into the civilian world in 1988, and along with his wife Connie founded JefCo in 1995 right in the heart of Destin.   “I went into the Air Force in 1982...

February 2024

Real Estate

Become A Sharkpreneur™

Get to know your business value with Gerard Perillo Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Robert Young, Forever Young Images and Kristie Bulach with Dolce Vita Photography Ever heard of a Sharkpreneur™? Gerard Perillo of Shark Team EXP in Destin has just trademarked the term following his recent Amazon book launch of the same name; Sharkpreneur: Bite-sized Strategies For Selling Your Business with The Shark Team.   “My book is a roadmap for business owners to prepare their businesses...

January 2024

Life + Culture

Inspiring Generations

Bobby Wagner & Bekah Manley talk love and future ambitions Article by Savannah Vasquez | Photography by Shanna Magnuson with Davista Photography Everyone in Destin has heard of Bobby Wagner, as the youngest Mayor to serve the city, he created quite a stir with his renewed energy and fresh eyes in a city that is relatively young itself. But to Bobby and his fiancé Bekah Manley, the city position just took what they were already doing and amplified it to the next level.  Bobby wants to use his...

January 2024