Wake Up with Beth and Ruthie

#29 Andy Kemp - Founder & Sherry Lynette Young - Board Member SCNeedsHelp.org

Momentum Series: Moving Forward on the Grand Strand 💚🎙️🔥
We’re celebrating the people, stories and community leaders helping move Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand forward.
🎧 Andy Kemp - Founder & Sherry Lynette Young - Board MemberSCNeedsHelp.org and Smokeout at the Boathouse
In this episode of Wake Up with Beth & Ruthie, Andy and Sherry share the deeply personal stories behind Smokeout at the Boathouse and the #SCNeedsHelp movement (scneedshelp.org) and how simple moments of community can grow into something much bigger.
Andy reflects on the friendship that inspired the very first Smokeout gathering and how that moment of honoring a friend turned into a Grand Strand tradition that now brings people together each year for food, friendship and giving back.
Sherry shares how building community through connection has always been at the heart of her work and how collaboration across Myrtle Beach and Horry County can create real impact when people show up for one another.
Together, they talk about the power of relationships, the importance of giving back and how grassroots efforts can grow into movements that support communities across South Carolina.
From personal loss to community momentum, this episode highlights the power of people coming together to create something meaningful on the Grand Strand. 💚

#28 HalleyMay Executive Producer & Host – Grand Strand Today

Momentum Series: Moving Forward on the Grand Strand 💚🎥✨
We’re celebrating storytelling, creativity and the local voices bringing the stories of Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand to life every day.
🎧 HalleyMayExecutive Producer & Host – Grand Strand Today
Halley shares her journey from watching QVC with her grandparents as a child to producing and hosting a daily lifestyle television show that highlights the people, businesses and events shaping life along the South Carolina coast.
We talk about how her early love for crafting and creating — even making projects with her nieces — helped develop the production skills that led to her popular “How To with Halley” segments and her role as the Grand Strand’s go-to lifestyle storyteller.
From producing a daily show to finding the right balance between career and life, Halley also explains why lifestyle storytelling — focusing on positive community moments — resonates so strongly with audiences today.
We also explore how local media continues to spotlight Myrtle Beach businesses and nonprofits, what really happens behind the scenes of a daily television show and why authentic local voices still matter in today’s fast-moving media landscape.
From community stories to creative momentum, this episode highlights the power of local media and the people helping tell the story of the Grand Strand. 💚

#27 Olga Kazakova Founder & Owner – Design The Sign

Momentum Series: Moving Forward on the Grand Strand 💚🎨📈
We’re celebrating creativity, entrepreneurship and the momentum that comes from turning vision into reality across Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand.
🎧 Olga KazakovaFounder & Owner – Design The Sign
Olga shares her inspiring journey of arriving in the United States at just 19 years old with talent, determination and a dream — and building a creative company that now helps businesses across the Grand Strand bring their brands to life.
From storefront signs to full brand identity, Olga explains how thoughtful design and visual storytelling help businesses stand out in a fast-moving digital world. She also talks about the importance of building a strong creative team and maintaining craftsmanship while growing a successful company.
From entrepreneurial courage to creative momentum, this episode highlights how one woman’s vision helped shape the look of countless businesses across Myrtle Beach, Horry County and beyond. 💚

#26 Ellen Sycks Director of Philanthropy & Communications – Palmetto Literacy

Month of Love Series: Myrtle Beach Love Story Edition ❤️📚🐝
We’re celebrating the power of literacy, lifelong learning and community while spotlighting an organization helping adults across the Grand Strand gain the confidence and skills that open doors to new opportunities.
🎧 Ellen SycksDirector of Philanthropy & Communications – Palmetto Literacy
Ellen shares the mission behind Palmetto Literacy and how improving adult literacy strengthens families, supports workforce development and creates greater opportunity throughout Horry County and South Carolina.
We also explore the inspiration behind Myrtle Beach’s 2nd Annual Adult Spelling Bee, a high-energy community event that combines fun and friendly competition while raising support for life-changing education.
From reading confidence and career mobility to communication skills that shape both personal and professional growth, this episode highlights why literacy matters at every stage of life.
With community voices including:🎤 Ed Piotrowski – MC⚖️ Judges: Mark Kruea, Matt Pivarnik, Destiny Kennedy and author Caleb Wygal
Because when adults gain the ability to read, write and communicate with confidence, the entire community grows stronger. ❤️

#25 Ben Bounds Founder – Grand Strand Business & Bourbon

We’re celebrating connection, conversation and community while spotlighting the people creating spaces where Myrtle Beach comes together to talk, network and grow.
🎧 Ben BoundsFounder – Follywood ProductionsFounder – Grand Strand Business & Bourbon
Ben shares how a simple idea rooted in old-school happy hour networking turned into one of the Grand Strand’s most authentic gatherings for entrepreneurs, small business owners and community leaders.
We talk about the power of face-to-face conversation in a digital world, why showing up still matters in business and how meaningful relationships help strengthen the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand community.
From bourbon and business cards to real conversations and new opportunities, this episode highlights how connection, communication and community are still the most valuable currency. ❤️
 
 

#24 Joe and Liz LaBarbara Owners of Coin Galleries of Myrtle Beach

Month of Love Series: Myrtle Beach Love Story Edition ❤️🪙🌊
We’re celebrating a two time consecutive Readers Choice Award winner and spotlighting passion, partnership and precious metals at Coin Galleries of Myrtle Beach.
🎧 Joe LaBarbaraMaster Numismatist Owner
🎧 Liz LaBarbaraCo Owner
Joe shares his 40 year journey from Nurse Practitioner in New York to trusted coin expert along the Grand Strand, while Liz talks about retiring after 27 years in nursing to join the business full time and help create a boutique, female friendly environment built on trust, education and security.
From coins and collectibles to gold, silver, jewelry and inherited treasures, this episode blends business, love and community with a true Myrtle Beach story at its heart. ❤️

#23 Rob Clemons Owner and Master Home Builder, Carolina Bays Homes

Month of Love Series: Home & Community Edition ❤️🏡
We’re spotlighting the 46th Annual Spring Home Show at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center hosted by the Horry Georgetown Home Builders Association and how it’s shaping growth across the Grand Strand.
🎧 Rob ClemonsOwner and Master Home Builder, Carolina Bays Homes
We cover 2026 construction trends, what homeowners and investors need to know, and what’s next for development in Myrtle Beach and surrounding communities.
If you care about home, growth and community impact this Month of Love episode is for you. ❤️

#22 Chef “JK” Jerrett King Head Chef & Co-Owner – O.A.K. Prime

💘 FEBRUARY THEME: MONTH OF LOVE 💘
👨‍🍳 Chef “JK” Jerrett KingHead Chef & Co-Owner – O.A.K. Prime
Home to the first Michelin-recommended restaurant along the Grand Strand, Chef JK joins us for an inspiring and mouthwatering conversation.
He shares:🏀 Walking away from his dream of professional basketball🦪 How his big brother and Don of Dirty Don’s Oyster Bar & Grill helped shape his path🔥 Going from self-taught cook to Head Chef & Co-Owner❤️ What Valentine’s Day means inside one of Myrtle Beach’s most romantic dining rooms
Planning a Valentine’s dinner or special date night in Myrtle Beach? This episode is foodie gold.

#21 Adam Emrick Administrator City of Conway and Hillary Howard Executive Director of Conway Downtown Alive

💘 FEBRUARY THEME: MONTH OF LOVE 💘
Looking for the best Valentine’s date ideas in Myrtle Beach & Conway, SC? This week we’re spotlighting big things happening in Conway — from future growth to feel-good community moments.
🎧 Adam EmrickAdministrator, City of Conway
🎧 Hillary HowardExecutive Director, Conway Downtown Alive
We’re talking:🏖️ Future Conway development (including a possible BEACH concept 👀)🏨 Hotel and business growth🎄 Creating “Hallmark movie” holiday magic year-round🎶 The inaugural Downtown Conway PorchFest📅 Sunday, February 15 | 12–6 PM
If you’ve been wondering what’s next for Conway, SC — this is the episode to catch.
 
 
 

#20 Jess Wnuk Executive Director Grand Strand Humane Society and Tom McDonald Director of Operations Duke Dining Group

Month of Love Series: Community Impact Edition ❤️🐾🍕
We’re highlighting local business supporting local charity and previewing the ❤️ 15th Annual Lunch of Love ❤️ — where every slice served helps save community animals across the Grand Strand. Jess Wnuk joins us alongside Tom McDonald and Ron Ronda to share how this powerful partnership continues to support homeless dogs and cats through the lifesaving work of Grand Strand Humane Society.
🎧 Jess WnukExecutive Director, Grand Strand Humane Society
🎧 Tom McDonaldDirector of Operations, Duke Dining Group
🎧 Ron RondaDirector of Business Development, Duke Dining Group
Whether you’re passionate about giving back, supporting local restaurants or helping animals find their forever homes, this Month of Love episode has you covered. 🐶🐱❤️