Brian Henrys’ life has been a journey of push and pull, ebb and flow. Growing up in southern Louisiana’s Cajun country and later moving to bustling Atlanta, he now resides in the “Hammock Coast,” a place he helped nickname. Henrys journey started when he and his wife, Sassy, were lured to a tiny rustic inn on the ocean. What started as a leap of faith has turned into a lifelong legacy. They now own a thriving beachside bed and breakfast, one of the most famous pimento cheese companies in the U.S. (Palmetto Cheese), and hold a mayoral seat with political clout.

The story starts with Brian and Sassy, two people born with a little something extra that made them want to better the world around them. That sauce is more secret and steeped in mystery than whatever makes that famous cheese sing so well (my mouth waters thinking about it).

Brian Henry is a man with a deep connection to the ocean, a connection that is not just metaphorical but is embedded in his lifestyle. From the day he was born in southern Louisiana, he was surrounded by the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico, and the rhythms of the ocean became a part of his life. As he grew older, his love for the ocean intensified, and he spent more and more time fishing, surfing, and exploring the waters of the Gulf.

Later, Henry relocated to Atlanta and spent several years living in a fast-paced city. However, he missed the ocean and longed for the slower pace of life he had grown up with. That’s when he and Sassy received a call from a tiny rustic inn on the ocean, luring them in with the promise of something more and less at once.

They left Atlanta and traveled to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, to take over the Seaview Inn. The inn had no air conditioning, television, or a perfect ambiance. It was all slamming screen doors, rocking chairs, and good Southern food. The innkeepers and the guests enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the ocean, and Henry knew that he had found his new home.

As the delightful recalling of his path to becoming mayor of Pawleys Island progressed, Henry realized that everything began at that little inn. After the Seaview was sailing smooth seas, and their two small children were attending school, the Henrys found themselves looking for their next opportunity to grow.

One day, Brian Henry asked Sassy, “What are you passionate about?” She answered, “I’m passionate about my cheese.” Sassy Henry, who revolutionized the Southern classic pimento cheese with flavors of cayenne pepper, draws from a traditional Georgian holiday cheese and whole shreds of textured cheddar.

Brian and Sassy Henry teamed up to market the Pawleys Island vacationer’s favorite, now on shelves in 9,500 stores in 40 states. Palmetto Cheese has become one of the most famous pimento cheese companies in the U.S. Sassy’s signature pimento cheese became nationally adored. The Henrys created a thriving business from their passion.

About a decade after the commercial birth of the South’s favorite cheese, Brian Henry felt “a pull, not a push” to become mayor. A respected town business owner and family man who was known to care about the island’s future, he decided to run for the seat at the urging of other townspeople who hoped to keep Pawleys Island the wonderful hideaway it is. He won.

“I was never interested in politics,” he remembered, “I’ve always been involved. If you care about something better, you can’t just sit on the sidelines and watch. You have to get in there.”

Brian Henrys dedication to Pawleys Island and his love for the ocean drove his decision to run for mayor. He felt preserving the island’s natural beauty and preventing over-development was essential. Under his leadership, the island has thrived, and he has been instrumental in founding organizations that can keep big-box stores and over-development out of Pawleys Island.

Henry now speaks with pride about the amazing Fourth of July celebration that is “true Americans” and about founding organizations that can keep big-box stores and over-development out of Pawleys Island. “The goal for the island is to maintain,” Henry offered. “Like the bumper sticker on my truck says, ‘love it and leave it alone.”

Henry is a man who is deeply committed to his community, and his dedication to Pawleys Island has not gone unnoticed. In addition to his mayoral duties, he and Sassy are successful business owners. They own a thriving beachside bed and breakfast. They are expanding their small Pawleys Island business, Get Carried Away Southern Market, into Mount Pleasant, where they hope to establish a flagship store for a future franchise.

The business currently focuses on scrumptious Southern catering and take-out made easy. The Henrys aren’t sure what the future holds for this venture, but once again, they are doing it together under a sky, not a ceiling.

Reflecting on all the accomplishments, Brian Henry recounted with a nostalgic tone, “Seaview was the genesis. This all happened because we bought that Inn 20 years ago.” Perhaps the inn embodies the soul of Pawleys Island itself, a soul of humility, simplicity, and staying power powered by the force of all the Atlantic.

Pawleys Island is an unspoiled oasis along a pristine coastline. Its natural beauty is unmatched, and it is a place where time seems to stand still. Brian Henry and Sassy have been instrumental in preserving the island’s unique character and preventing over-development.

Their dedication to their community and their love for the ocean has been the driving forces behind their success. They have built a thriving business, founded organizations to protect the island, and Brian has served as a successful mayor. The Henrys have made a lifelong legacy, and their story inspires all those who long to make a difference in their community.