The Perfect in Walton County Awards celebrate the people, places, and activities in Walton County that are, well, perfect! A few of our clients and friends fall into this category, so we’ll be nominating them to ensure they receive the recognition they deserve, will you join us?
Here’s who we’re voting for in the 2025 Perfect in Walton County Awards:
Black Bear Bread Co.
Long before we represented Black Bear Bread Co., we were super fans of their breads, pastries, merchandise, and gorgeous cafes. Everything Black Bear produces is visually appealing and of the highest quality possible. Every item on their menu is made with care and attention to detail, from their artisanal sourdough to their delicious coffees and exquisite tartines. This is why we’re nominating them in the following categories:
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation is a powerhouse of charitable giving, supporting more than 18 local charities in their efforts to create positive change in the community. Through their events and fundraising efforts, they are able to unite the community around the important work of these charities and provide much-needed resources to support their missions. We are nominating two of their events for the Best Event category.
Grand Boulevard
At Grand Boulevard, you can find 100s of your favorite national brands, local boutiques, specialty shops, delicious dining, a wide range of services, national hotels, and professional offices, all in one location! We think it’s truly unmatched and this is why we are nominating Grand Boulevard in the following category:
Newman-Dailey Resort Properties
Specializing in resort rentals, sales, and management in Destin and South Walton, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties takes care of its guests from the moment of inspiration to the post-travel halo. Their property Hidden Dunes boasts a premier tennis facility that consistently ranks among the top in the region. That is why we are nominating them in the following categories:
Sinfonia Gulf Coast
Sinfonia Gulf Coast is committed to entertaining, educating, and inspiring the community through imaginative and innovative musical programming. Their one-of-a-kind events support their mission to enrich and expand the traditional orchestral experience through unique artistic disciplines and collaborations, enhancing Northwest Florida's cultural vitality. We are nominating two of their events for the Best Event category.
Estelle Studio & Gallery
Estelle, an artist deeply influenced by coastal themes from her New England roots, now calls Freeport, Florida home. Her studio, Estelle Studio and Gallery, is a vibrant 1,800-square-foot space where she exhibits and sells her lively artwork. Beyond showcasing her art, Estelle also teaches various art techniques, embodying her commitment to community through charitable contributions and local fundraisers. This is why we are nominating her studio for the following category:
Click here to cast your nominations for the 2025 Perfect in Walton County Awards!
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!
July
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours
Movies on the Beach: “The Lego Movie”
Fireworks Show on the Boardwalk
Fort Walton Beach Young Professionals Mixer
Lunch N Learn: Take Stock in Children hosted by Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation
Movies on the Beach: Paws of Fury: “The Legend of Hank”
Fireworks Show on the Boardwalk
August
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Coffee
Lunch N Learn: Be the Office Rockstar with AI hosted by Bit-Wizards
Movies on the Beach: “The Little Mermaid”
Fireworks Show on the Boardwalk
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Nothing But Networking
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours
Home Defense Fundamentals Class
September
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Coffee
Glock Sport Shooing Foundation (GSSF) Indoor League
Home Defense Fundamentals Class
4th Annual Burgers, Bourbon & Beer Festival
This week on the Hello Frances Podcast, our host Shantelle Dedicke is joined by Teresa Jones, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity of Walton County. Together, they delve into the pressing issue of affordable housing in our communities. Teresa shares her deep insights and experiences, discussing the challenges faced by families and individuals in securing affordable homes, and the impactful initiatives Habitat for Humanity undertakes to address these matters. Join them as they explore practical solutions, inspiring stories, and the importance of community-driven efforts in building a brighter future for all!
Have questions or comments about this episode? We’d love to chat! Email he***@********oy.com.
Connect with Habitat for Humanity of Walton County:
This week on the Hello Frances Podcast, our host Shantelle Dedicke is joined by Gini Dietrich, Founder of Spin Sucks, creator of the acclaimed PESO Model. They delve into the creation of the PESO Model, how this framework shapes effective public relations strategies, how it empowers agencies to demonstrate their impact to clients transparently, and so much more. Trust us, this is one episode you don’t want to miss!
Have questions or comments about this episode? We’d love to chat! Email he***@********oy.com.
Connect with Gini and learn more about Spin Sucks:
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: Rotary International Magazine, Architectural Digest
W: Dark Matter and Loot on AppleTV
L: Honestly? This audio "Brutha, ewwww"

Hillaree Somerville | Senior Director of Content and Marketing
R: Moms on Call (6-15 months old)
W: Summer House and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
L: A Bit of Optimism with Simon Sinek

Janae Erickson | Art Director
R: The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden
W: Brooklyn Nine-Nine
L: Two Pixels Off Podcast

Kelsey Doar | Marketing Manager
R: Whole Brain Child
W: Bridgerton
L: Mel Robbins Podcast

Jodie Warner | Research Coordinator
R: Yours To Catch by Harloe Rae
W: Ink Master
L: Flex2K on Sirius XM

Kayla Koger | Design & Content Coordinator
R: Nothing currently!
W: Bridgerton & The Challenge
L: Gals on the Go Podcast & Hot Mess Podcast

Nicole Malley | Digital Media Specialist
R: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
W: Below Deck Mediterranean
L: Diary of a CEO Podcast

Ryan Cobb | Web Developer
R: The Hunger Of The Gods by John Gwynne
W: Acolyte
L: Pat MCafee

Jacie Chandler | Junior Copywriter
R: Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards
W: 9-1-1 on Hulu and Bridgerton on Netflix
L: Fireworks & Rollerblades by Benson Boone and The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift

Ana Sharp | Graphic Designer
R: Parenting Books
W: Chasing Monsters on Prime Video
L: Chill Mix Playlist on Spotify

Riley Beaulieu | Executive Coordinator
R: I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee
W: Dead Boy Detectives, Hannah Alonso, Jarvis Johnson
L: You're Wrong About, Maintenance Phase, Chappell Roan, tripleS
This week on the Hello Frances Podcast, our host Shantelle Dedicke is joined by Heidi and Peyton from the Scout Guide 30A & Destin. They discuss the upcoming launch of the second volume of their Scout Guide, share insights on how they scout people and businesses, and highlight Frances Roy's involvement in the new edition. Tune in for an engaging conversation about community connections and the excitement surrounding the Scout Guide's latest release!
Have questions or comments about this episode? We’d love to chat! Email he***@********oy.com.
On this week’s episode of the Hello Frances podcast, our host Shantelle Dedicke is joined by past and present members of the Frances Roy team to discuss the profound influence of military family life on their creative passions. This episode also features a special guest, Mrs. Lee, an esteemed elementary school teacher who left an indelible mark on countless military children. 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 is joined by our Digital Media Specialist, Nicole Malley, to interview Kristy Campbell from Pink Pony Creative. Kristy explains how she began her design agency, how creatives can use AI in meaningful ways, and much more! Have questions or comments about this episode? We’d love to chat! Email he***@********oy.com.
Pink Pony Creative: https://www.pinkponycreative.com/about/
SKADI Cyber Defense was started with the idea that defense-in-depth should be accessible both through technology and by cost to all organizations regardless of size. With a desire to create affordable cyber defense for everyone, SKADI’s leadership team has a deep knowledge and understanding of the technical and business acumen to make SKADI a success, but they were missing a crucial piece of the puzzle - someone to convey to their target audience what SKADI can provide. Our team at Frances Roy Agency was the missing piece that fits perfectly in bringing this female-owned and operated service to the marketplace.
Although we do not have extensive experience in cyber security, we do know branding, communication, strategy, and marketing. Using our unique skills, we created the SKADI brand in a way that connects to those who will benefit from it most. We are excited to bring this untapped service to the market and to share that Shantelle has since joined the SKADI team as their Chief Marketing Officer.
No two tables are the same.
Saltwater Restaurant Group is one of the Gulf Coast's most beloved collections of dining destinations, from the laid-back energy of Al's Beach Club & Burger Bar and Rockin' Tacos Grill & Bar, to the coastal charm of Nick's Boathouse and The Boathouse Landing, to the iconic tables of The Crab Trap, Surf Hut, and Floyd's Shrimp House. Each restaurant has its own personality and a waterfront view. All of them are worth the trip.