Locals we love

Editor's Note: Since this is the first issue of Charleston Scene, I decided to do something special and highlight the locals who are doing great things in the city - the people whose love of Charleston has made the Lowcountry a better place. To tell you the truth, I love everybody. No one was excluded on purpose. After reading these profiles, you’ll fall in love, too. Be sure to read the other profiles on the web site and see part two of the profiles next week in the printed edition. - Marcus Amaker

Jonah Jeter is on fire.

The co-founder and director of public relations for The Becket Agency (formerly known as Chain Breaking PR) established his business less than two years ago, and is already one of the best-known PR names in town.

Jeter takes a no-holds-barred approach when representing clients such as The Mellow Mushroom, Caviar & Bananas and Oberon Socks.

"Instead of just focusing on the chefs and food for restaurant clients," Jeter explained over drinks at The Upper Deck, "we promote everything from their space, philosophy, events and coverage."

Mellow Mushroom's "Presents from Punks" art show for example, gives customers a new way to experience the eatery.

"People then associate the restaurant with a cool place to see art, listen to music and eat pizza," he said.

Jeter attributes his success to tenacity and a bit of good luck.

The self-proclaimed "army brat" also traveled as an adult, landing in Washington, D.C., and South Beach, Fla., before relocating back to Charleston.

Jeter often arrived without a job, reasoning that, "If you have a safety net, you won't try as hard."

When asked about the future, Jeter excitedly chatted about promoting local DJ's and charities and taking an upcoming sailing class.

"Because at the end of the day," he said, "I just like doing fun things. And trying to make a difference."

For more information, visit www.thebecketagency.com

Cyrus Buffum

If you visit Cyrus Buffum at his Broad Street office, he might explain the goals of Charleston Waterkeeper or show you nifty charts of our waterways.

What you'll really notice is an intense passion permeating his work.

Buffum is a Cape Cod native, lured to the Lowcountry by the College of Charleston sailing team.

After graduating with a physics degree and love of social activism (he volunteered in Zimbabwe with The Elias Fund), Buffum searched for a career satisfying his diverse interests.

Buffum says it all came together in a "This is exactly what I want to do!" moment when reading "The Riverkeepers," a book about the Waterkeeper Alliance.

He realized that despite having "an incredible dependence on our water resources, Charleston didn't have one entity that watched over the integrity of that resource."

Within six months, Buffum's proposal to establish a local branch of the organization was unanimously approved, creating the only local, grassroots agency protecting the right to clean water.

One year later, Buffum is focused on growing his membership program, increasing partnerships with other organizations and facilitating awareness with events like the upcoming "Water Ball."

"I got into this for selfish reasons," Buffum said, referencing his love of water, science and activism. "But it just so happened to benefit a lot of other people as well."

Josef Kirk Myers II

Whether it's his standout, 6'3" stature, attention to style (think large hair, statement glasses and head-turning sneakers), or past penchant for spontaneous break dancing, you don't forget Josef Kirk Myers II.

Perhaps that's why the 23-year-old performer, media entrepreneur and Sony college music representative has already made a name for himself.

Sitting down for coffee, Myers explained his involvement in a variety of projects but focused mainly on a software development called Visualive.

"Visualive is a new way of sharing media, which allows anyone to send images, video or text from the Web to the world," he said.

It is in use at Fuel and will be incorporated in this year's Charleston Fashion Week.

Myers also is working on Freshlab.com, which allows musicians, designers and developers to share resources. While he's taken a step back from public dancing, expect video of more theatrical performances soon.

"I'd like to really simmer and create slowly," he said, instead of dance being a "sideshow or a novelty."

Citing inspiration from Michael Jackson and the philosophies of Bruce Lee, Myers says he's most interested in "enriching people's lives while entertaining them."

Before engaging in complete pop culture domination, however, he'll take a trip this summer to Tokyo.

We just hope to get this local talent back.

Kristin Walker

Kristin Walker is a woman inspired.

The bike and pedestrian enthusiast has taken time to find her passions, earning an MBA, working in Europe and New York and serving as a back-road tour guide in Italy -- all before choosing her dream job in Charleston's real estate market.

As a guide, Walker was influenced by the positive effects of biking and walking.

"I wanted to ... move the city in a more bike- and pedestrian-friendly direction. It makes people happy, confident and connected to their environments," she said.

Never one to abandon a dream, Walker began incorporating the idea into her real estate business with Pedal to Property bike tours.

Next, Charleston ladies were targeted with Cycle Chic, a critical mass ride for women.

"I wanted women to get that it's OK to ride your bike to a restaurant in your high heels and a dress," she said.

Her increased activism has led to Walker's recent selection to the board of Charleston Moves.

While some might call this a full plate, Walker is far from finished. During Bike Month in May, she is planning an event closing King Street to cars, and the launch of bikecharleston.org.

"Out of all this stuff, what defines me are livable community initiatives. It means experiencing your community in a way people haven't been doing and connecting."

To learn more about Walker's initiatives, check out: www.bikecharleston.org, http://charlestoncyclechic.com and http://p2pcharleston.com.

John E. Battles

John E. Battles isn't your average chocolatier.

He's made a local name for himself crafting confectionery creations with no formal culinary education.

Born to a "Southern lady who cooks a lot and a truck driver father," Battles got his first taste of the culinary life by spending time in his mother's kitchen while his father was away.

After relocating to Charleston in 2002, he fell into confections.

"I was already pretty heavily tattooed and ... realized that the food industry would hire you," he said.

Battles ended up landing, and loving a baking job at Normandy Farms, setting the tone for the rest of his career.

Before long, Battles moved to EVO to work in the kitchen by day and make his chocolates by night.

It was here that he grew his confectionery skill, discarding creations such as garlic confit in favor of chocolate, caramel and sea salt.

In 2008, Battles was generating enough noise to strike out on his own, moving into a private kitchen.

Sweet Teeth is sold in seven Charleston locations, with EVO alone averaging 200 chocolates and 10 candy bars sold each week.

While Battles says he still struggles with marketing, package design and order quantities, we have a feeling he won't have to worry about self-promotion for long.

For more information about Sweet Teeth confections, visit www.sweetteethcharleston.com.