Newsflash: Charleston is full of interesting people working to make our community thrive. We’ve been honored to interview a few of these folks, from BBQ Pitmaster Rodney Scott to Co-founder of Firefly Distillery Scott Newitt.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane and check out a few Q+A highlights.
Carrie Morey, Founder of Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
Q: What life advice or epiphany would you share with others that you’re thankful you learned?
A: I think that in order to truly be happy, you need to first and foremost, and maybe only, singularly figure out what your priority in life is. I’m a strong believer that there’s really only one. Once you figure that out, that’s kind of your guiding force and your beacon light for you to create the life that you want around that. For me, it was family. So, how do I be a very active parent, and create something on my own that would give me confidence and strength and fulfill my other dreams? I think if you figure out your priority + passion, then those are the keys to success.
John Zucker, Executive chef + owner of Cru Café
Q: What was your vision for the café?
A: Our tagline is “comfort served daily,” so the vision truly was to create a space that was similar to people having an experience they would at home. We’ve had people come in every week since day one and we built friendships with these people. That was my vision — I still talk to people that came in from day one.
Scott Newitt, Co-founder of Firefly Distillery
Q: What are Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka’s core values?
A: Southern, genuine, friendly, and easy. That’s what I want visitors to walk away with — and then hopefully they’ll come back.
Rodney Scott, Pitmaster of Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ
Q: What made you choose Charleston to open your first restaurant?
A: My first time cooking away from home was downtown Charleston on King Street, and we were so well received by the locals here that it felt like the city adopted me. So that’s all it took for me to say, “this is the place.” If not in Hemingway, I would be in Charleston. And the rest is history!
Gervis Hagerty, Local author of “In Polite Company”
Q: Tell us about the writing process.
A: For me, my process is kind of quick and dirty. I’ve got to get it on the page. I don’t allow myself to think, “Is this good enough?” because that’s not going to move me forward. And plenty of people are gonna like it, and plenty of people aren’t gonna like it, and I can’t worry about that. I get it all on the page, and then I let it sit. I let it get cold. So I can look at it with fresh eyes. And it’s way better. Way better later.
Melissa Vaughn Polutta, Co-owner of Trash Gurl
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
It’s so awesome seeing our trucks around town and even cooler when I read the sayings on the back door. They always give me a big laugh. I also love being the dispatcher.
Greg Sestero, Writer + producer
Q: What was it like working on The Room?
A: It was a truly insane, beautifully chaotic experience for me. Luckily, I was 24 and you’re definitely more receptive to madness at that age. Going to set back in 2002 — every day was a surprise. For starters, we were filming in the parking lot of an equipment rental shop. One day you’d show up and it was an entirely new crew, replaced actors. The shoot lasted for several months and we had so many unique personalities on set. Most of the cast and crew were in such different phases of life. It served up a fascinating blend of comedy, pathos, and believing in your vision against all odds.
Know someone else that we should interview? Give us the details.