Cali Hlavac grew up in Nebraska and made the move south in 2014 to expand her wedding videography business. Hlavac is a serial entrepreneur with 15 years of experience in video production, which brought her to the Panhandle before her overall career became digital marketing and online branding. She works with businesses of all sizes to help them maximize their online presence and utilize their website/social media to its greatest potential. And has a huge passion for digital marketing and helping small businesses succeed.

“I currently host a local fishing TV show that airs nationally on Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network called South Walton Fishing Adventures, and I am lucky I get to spend so much time on the water. I am blessed to work with so many businesses through To Do in Destin and my marketing company, Sassy Tangerine Creative, and I wouldn’t change it for anything,” Hlavac said. 

Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do? How did you get into your industry?

My career started with a video production company focusing primarily on weddings, which led into working on marketing for various businesses, and now I handle social media and digital marketing for a variety of local businesses as well as run my travel website, To Do in Destin. I love that every day is different — New places to go, things to photograph, and people to meet. I got into what I do by other people noticing my skills and asking me to help them with their business. I’m not sure I would have realized my own strengths if not for others!

What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?

So many! I love Mimmos, Royal Palm Grille, Boshamps, Boathouse Oyster Bar, Cafe Destin, and the Palms Bistro to name a few.

From where are you originally, long have you lived or worked in our community and how did you end up here?

I am originally from Nebraska, moved here to expand my wedding videography business 8 years ago.

When you have free time, what are some of your places to go and things to do here locally? When guests visit, where are the first places you take them?

I love to fish, hang out on our beautiful beaches, and hang out at local restaurants. I also love to hit up local events and things happening around our area like baseball games, hockey, fishing rodeo and more.

What advice would you give to people?

That your life is only a few decisions away from being completely different. You don’t HAVE to stay in that job, that city, etc. Choose what you want and make the decisions to bring it to reality!

Who are some of your favorite local bands?

Heritage is one that I always enjoy hearing, and Chasin’ Jayme as well.

Is there anything you’d like to learn in the near future such as a skill, art hobby or sport?

I am in the process of learning fly fishing and know I have a ways to go until I figure that sport out.

What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?

My favorite thing is how much we have going on, for such a tiny little town. The number of residents local to Destin 12 months out of the year is incredibly small, yet we somehow have major events happening constantly and it’s one of the best parts about living here.

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

If I’m not still here, I’ll be in another beach town doing something similar. When you love what you do, there’s no reason to escape it!

(Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

I used to compete in speech competitions and have won awards at the State level — but even still, get nervous to speak in front of crowds.

Who inspires you to be better?

Those closest to me are always inspiring me to be better, and push me further than I would have been able to achieve on my own.

What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

Beautiful, Peaceful, Fun

 Is there anything you would like to add or like people to know about you or your business?

My businesses were all born out of a drive/passion to create something different in this world. All the things I do are very different but yet tie in together so seamlessly. I wouldn’t have it any other way.