The Best in Destin Awards were created because there are so many great things about the Destin area. Destin is fortunate to have so many great local businesses whose passion for their community is obvious, as each nominated business has left a positive impression on someone. This includes some of our clients and friends, so we’ll be voting for them to ensure they receive the recognition they deserve, will you join us?
Here’s who we’re voting for in the 2025 Best in Destin Awards:
Alaqua Animal Refuge
Avantgarde
Black Bear Bread Co.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation
Emerald Coast Title Services
Frances Roy Agency
Grand Boulevard
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation
Newman-Dailey Resort Properties
Rock Out Climbing Gym
Ruckel Properties
Saltwater Restaurants
SimpleHR
Step One Automotive Group
Click here to cast your votes for the 2025 Best in Destin Awards!
This week on the Hello Frances podcast, host Shantelle Dedicke shares insights on the impact of simple, intentional actions that help us reconnect and reset during difficult times. She explores ways to find balance in relationships, prioritize self-care, and return to the basics as a source of renewal. Tune in for an honest conversation that encourages listeners to embrace small, meaningful steps toward well-being, especially when life feels overwhelming.
Have questions or comments about this episode? We’d love to chat! Email he***@********oy.com.
This week on the Hello Frances podcast, host Shantelle Dedicke sits down with Laurie Hood, Founder and CEO of Alaqua Animal Refuge, to discuss the game-changing impact Alaqua has on the lives of animals and the community. They explore the recent relocation of animals ahead of Hurricane Milton and how the dedicated staff and volunteers create a safe, loving environment through daily feeding and enrichment. Laurie shares the incredible ripple effect of Alaqua’s mission, from saving animals to inspiring others to take action. Together, they discuss how supporting animal refuges like Alaqua can lead to meaningful change and why so many are drawn to this vital work.
Have questions or comments about this episode? We’d love to chat! Email he***@********oy.com.
How You Can Support Alaqua:
From local networking events to celebrations and festivals, we’ve gathered up a few of the most-anticipated events happening in the next few months so you can easily add them to your calendar!
October
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours
8th Annual Harvest Wine and Food Festival
Glock Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) Indoor League
Festival of the Arts: Arty Kick Off Party
29th Annual Festival of the Arts
Movie on the Beach: The Haunted Mansion
29th Annual Festival of the Arts
November
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Coffee
Luminescence: Catalyst by Candlelight
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Nothing But Networking
Glock Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) Indoor League
Château and Charcuterie with Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours
Hometown Holiday Parade and Celebration
Thanksending Bouldering Competition
December
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Coffee
Holiday Open House and Shop-About
Big Band Holiday Toast ‘n Jam feat Morgan James
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Party
This week on the Hello Frances podcast, host Shantelle Dedicke chats with Bill Leitner, the visionary behind Leitbox Storage Partners, about his journey into the self-storage industry. Bill discusses the game-changing strategies his team employs and how Leitbox sets itself apart from the competition. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts to hear how Leitbox is transforming the self-storage landscape, one project at a time!
Have questions or comments about this episode? We’d love to chat! Email he***@********oy.com.
We're revisiting one of our favorite episodes of the Hello Frances Podcast! On this episode, Shantelle is joined by guest Ellen May for a candid conversation about "Family First" workplace cultures and how it functions within Frances Roy. Together, they explore the fine line between fostering a family-oriented environment and when it can venture into "unfair" territory. Their discussion takes a few unexpected turns, offering an insider perspective on the origins of their friendship, the creation of their own "Moai," and the lasting bonds of mutual mentorship that transcend time and distance.
Have questions or comments about this episode? We’d love to chat! Email he***@********oy.com.
This week on the Hello Frances Podcast, Shantelle shares a deeply personal story about the profound impact of losing her grandfather, Roy. She opens up about feeling adrift in the wake of his passing and discusses her choice to stop struggling to return to the "normal" she once knew. Instead, she is embracing the reality that this significant loss has changed her. Join us for a heartfelt conversation on grief, healing, and navigating life’s most transformative moments.
Have questions or comments about this episode? We’d love to chat! Email he***@********oy.com.
At Frances Roy, we seek motivation and inspiration through books, movies, podcasts, music, magazines, blogs, and more. Creativity presents itself in many forms, and we harness that creativity through these exposures. By sharing our team RWLs with you, we hope to extend this inspiration and offer it as a platform for contagious creativity. As we present our RWLs, we ask you to share your RWLs with us. Where do you find creative inspiration?
Shantelle P. Dedicke, CMP | President, Chief Creative Officer
R: Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig
W: Getting Lost with Erin French on MAX and Presumed Innocent on AppleTV
L: Hallow App
Hillaree Somerville | Senior Director of Content and Marketing
R: Morning Brew newsletter
W: Alone (Season 11)
L: Diary of a CEO podcast
Janae Erickson | Art Director
R: Quicksilver by Callie Hart
W: Emily in Paris on Netflix
L: Audio Book - "Burnout" by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Jodie Warner | Research Coordinator
R: The Fallen Men Series
W: Football!
L: Law & Crime Podcast
Kayla Koger | Design & Content Coordinator
R: Nothing currently!
W: Bridgerton & The Challenge
L: Gals on the Go Podcast & Viall Files Podcast
Nicole Malley | Digital Media Specialist
R: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
W: Dark Matter on Apple TV
L: Sabrina Carpenter's new Album “Short n' Sweet”
Ryan Cobb | Web Developer
R: Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins
W: Psych
L: Pat McAfee Show
Jacie Chandler | Junior Copywriter
R: The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
W: Rookie on Hulu and Umbrella Academy on Netflix
L: OneRepublic’s “Artificial Paradise” and Ashton Irwin’s “BLOOD ON THE DRUMS”
This week on the Hello Frances Podcast, Shantelle opens up about a deeply personal topic: navigating the emotional and practical challenges of stepping away from your business to honor important family moments. Tune in for an honest conversation filled with valuable insights and heartfelt reflections.
Have questions or comments about this episode? We’d love to chat! Email he***@********oy.com.
This week on the Hello Frances Podcast, our host Shantelle Dedicke discusses the importance of knowing when to give advice and when to abstain, particularly when you don’t feel qualified. She shares her recent reflections on being more selective and deliberate with her guidance, explaining how advice can sometimes hinder others from finding their own way. Tune in to hear more about her insights on this delicate balance!
Have questions or comments about this episode? We’d love to chat! Email he***@********oy.com.
