Matrix COC School Supplies & Clothing Drive
School Supply Drive Help Us Set Students Up for Success!The Matrix C.O.C is collecting school supplies for students in need across Walton County, and we need YOUR help! Clothing – New or like-new tops & bottoms, plus NEW underwear, socks, and shoes Donations will support local students based on needs gathered from schools across the district.Drop-off Locations:• Triangle Chevrolet- DFS• CCB Community Bank- DFS• Paxton City Hall• Trustmark Bank- Freeport• To schedule a different location or time please
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast earns 4-star rating from CMS
MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Kretzer External Communications Specialist Phone: 850-832-0406 Email: Heather.Kretzer@ascension.orgAscension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast earns 4-star rating from CMSA 4-star rating underscores commitment to high-quality, compassionate care MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. –Today, Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast announced that it received a 4-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2025 Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings. These ratings, which assess
Newman-Dailey Resort Properties in Destin, Florida Earns Spot on the “Best Companies to Work For in Florida Trend Magazine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Newman-Dailey Resort Properties in Destin, Florida Earns Spot on the “Best Companies to Work For in Florida” in Florida Trend Magazine DESTIN, Fla. (August 6, 2025) — Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, a property management and real estate company in Destin, was recently named one of Florida’s Best Companies To Work For in Florida Trend magazine. The annual “Best Companies” list is featured in the August issue of Florida Trend magazine and honors employers in Florida that are making
All in Credit Union Donates School Supplies to Support Children in Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kelsi.Gulig@lifeviewgroup.org 850-503-8164 All in Credit Union Donates School Supplies to Support Children in Care DeFuniak Springs, Fla. (August 6, 2025) – Okaloosa and Walton County children in foster care will begin their school year ready to learn, thanks to a generous donation of school supplies from All in Credit Union to FamiliesFirst Network. The donation comes at a critical time, as many local families are facing financial challenges while preparing for the
Visual Branding Strategies Every Small Business Needs for Building Trust
Establishing trust with customers goes beyond offering quality products or services. The visual representation of a business, or its branding, plays a critical role in gaining customer confidence and loyalty. It's not just about picking the right colors or designing a logo; it's about creating a lasting impression that conveys reliability, professionalism, and authenticity. Here are several key tips on how small business owners can effectively build trust through visual branding. Consistency Across All
The Right Time to Train: When Staff Development Becomes a Strategic Priority
Every business hits a crossroads: keep pace with the same talent or build up the skills within. It's not always clear when to pour resources into staff development, but the wrong call can keep a team stagnant or send a budget spiraling. Training and education for employees can be transformative—if timed right and done with purpose. Before booking that online course or offsite seminar, the real work lies in reading the room, understanding the gaps, and choosing formats that actually stick. Growth Stalls
2025 All In Credit Union Youth Council
All In Youth Council Program is a virtual financial education program created by All In Credit Union to prepare the next generation to make wise financial decisions throughout their lifetime. Interactive monthly meetings are designed to teach students money management essentials and cover key financial topics like how to buy a first home, how to manage credit, how to purchase a vehicle and other fundamentals designed to maximize their financial success in life. Below are a few highlights of the
CHELCO member’s donation continues to impact local communities
For Immediate ReleaseChoctawhatchee Electric CooperativeP.O. Box 512DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435www.chelco.com Communications & Community Affairscommunications@chelco.com CHELCO member’s donation continues to impact local communitiesDeFuniak Springs (Aug. 4, 2025) –In its second year of distribution, The Drebing Fund—a charitable initiative established in memory of long-time CHELCO member Muriel “Midge” Drebing—continues to create meaningful change across
Fore Her Tees Up Registration and Calls for Sponsors in Support of their 13th Annual Golf Outing, Friday, September 26th at the Links Golf Club in Sandestin
For More Information: Ali Weil 334.328.1568 WeilHouse Creative ali@weilhousecreative.com For Immediate Release: August 1, 2025 Fore Her Tees Up Registration and Calls for Sponsors in Support of their 13th Annual Golf Outing, Friday, September 26th at the Links Golf Club in Sandestin SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL. (August 1, 2025) – Fore Her invites seasoned golfers and novices alike to dust off their clubs and swing for a cause at their annual Golf Outing now in its 13th year, set for Friday, September
United Way Emerald Coast Celebrates Achievements at Annual Meeting
Contact: Kelly Jasen President & CEO kelly@united-way.org 850.812.3382United Way Emerald Coast Celebrates Achievements at Annual MeetingFORT WALTON BEACH, FL – 7/29/2025United Way Emerald Coast (UWEC), a local non-profit dedicated to improving lives and building stronger communities, hosted its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, July 29th at The Place on Beal in Fort Walton Beach. The sold-out event presented by Eglin Federal Credit Union brought together more than 100 stakeholders including donors, volunteers,
SMARTBANK DESTIN WELCOMES PRIVATE BANKER LESLIE STRICKLIN
Media Contact: Kelley Fowler, Senior Vice President Marketing & Public Relations Director Kelley.fowler@smartbank.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 23, 2025 SMARTBANK DESTIN WELCOMES PRIVATE BANKER LESLIE STRICKLIN Destin, Fla. – SmartBank is pleased to announce the addition of Leslie Stricklin as Senior Vice President, Private Banker, based in Destin, Florida. With 19 years of experience in the financial services industry and expertise in private wealth management, sales, leadership, and risk
HCA Florida Healthcare Hosts Construction Ceremony for HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency
Contact: Liz Eulberg 850.228.6223 For Immediate Release July 16, 2025 HCA Florida Healthcare Hosts Construction Ceremony for HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency$19 Million Freestanding Emergency Room in DeFuniak Springs Slated to Open in Early 2026Niceville, Fla. – HCA Florida Healthcare has announced that it has begun construction on the new $19 million HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency as part of HCA Florida Healthcare’s continued expansion to serve the growing North Florida
How Small Business Owners Can Thrive Together
There’s a certain alchemy that happens when two small businesses decide to link arms. It’s not just about splitting costs or widening reach—it’s about building something better than either could do alone. But collaboration takes more than enthusiasm and handshakes; it demands alignment, clarity, and a touch of humility. Successful partnerships among small business owners are entirely within reach, but only if approached with the right mindset, tools, and communication. Shared Purpose Beats Shared
How Business Owners Can Choose the Right Pros to Drive Sales and Marketing
Growing a business is a messy, caffeinated grind that demands decisions faster than you can second-guess them. Among the trickiest calls? Figuring out which outside professionals to trust with your sales and marketing. You can have a great product, a passionate story, a killer team—but if the people guiding your outreach strategy don't get it, you’re toast. That’s why choosing the right external help is less about price or flash and more about fit, context, and traction. Trust Chemistry Over
Crafting a Clear Path to Achieve Your Business Goals
Embarking on a business venture demands more than just enthusiasm; it requires a strategic approach to defining clear objectives. As an entrepreneur, setting precise goals is essential for steering your business toward success. This involves understanding your market, crafting a compelling brand narrative, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards. By focusing on these critical areas, you lay a strong foundation for your business, positioning it for growth and sustainability.Defining
The CTA, BOI and FinCEN: What Does this Mean for Walton County, FL Businesses?
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. Read more for details on how this may impact your business in the future. 1. Determine if
Career Rut? Explore Proven Strategies for Finding a New Professional Path
Feeling stuck in your career can be a frustrating and disheartening experience, often leaving you questioning your direction and future prospects. This sense of stagnation can build up over time, making it difficult to envision a path forward. However, the decision to seek out a new career is the first step toward revitalizing your professional life. By focusing on self-assessment, exploring different industries, and taking intentional steps toward change, you can break free from the inertia and move
Adobe Acrobat: Revolutionizing the Way Small and Local Companies Do Business
Adobe Acrobat is a versatile software suite that offers a wide range of benefits for small and local businesses. From document management to collaboration and security features, Acrobat is an indispensable tool for organizations of all sizes for many reasons: Efficient Document Management: Acrobat provides robust document management capabilities, allowing businesses to create, edit, organize, and archive documents seamlessly. With features like merging, splitting, and indexing PDFs, businesses can
Manage a Successful Remote Team in 4 Steps
Nowadays, many people prefer remote work. There are a lot of benefits to allowing people to work from home, including more productivity and happiness for the workers. When building a remote team, however, you have to take extra effort to ensure the team stays effective. Here’s some advice for helping you find success with your remote team. 1. Pick Ideal Work for Remote Teams According to research, many remote workers have higher productivity and job satisfaction. When hiring a remote team, think
