Outside PB: Connecting People to Exceptional Places | Mike Overton

Mike Overton, founder of Outside Brands, shares his remarkable journey from starting a windsurfing school in 1979 to building a multi-faceted outdoor recreation enterprise spanning South Carolina and Georgia. He reveals how a chance meeting with Hilton Head developer Charles Fraser taught him that success in the Lowcountry comes down to one word: tides.• Started with six windsurfers purchased using inheritance from his grandfather• Met visionary developer Charles Fraser who became a mentor and encouraged focus on tides• Founded Outside Brands with a mission to connect people to exceptional places, products, and experiences• Witnessed tourism marketing shift from "golf, tennis, beach" to "nature, history, culture"• Trains guides as interpretive naturalists who create meaningful connections, not just point out wildlife• Developed four distinct business divisions including recreation, retail, team development, and destination management• Created The Outside Foundation which gets every 7th grader in Beaufort County public schools out on the water• Built 30+ oyster reefs through recycling program that protects salt marshes from erosion• Emphasizes that wellness comes from finding purpose and connecting to it• Offers unique experiences like Gullah culture and cuisine tours on Daufuskie IslandTo learn more about The Outside Foundation or to volunteer with their environmental initiatives, visit outsidefoundation.org