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MEET THE TEAM

Learn about us, where we come from and what The Coastal Insider is all about. The Coastal Insider is a monthly publication all about what’s happening with events, businesses and residents in Myrtle Beach and surrounding Grand Strand areas in Horry County, SC.

The Coastal Insider shares stories about local businesses, culture, dining, events and entertainment in our surrounding coastal communities of South Carolina. Our purpose is to connect readers of the Grand Strand and tourists with our unique communities of the Myrtle Beach area.

Jim Parker

Jim Parker

Co-Founder

Megan Parker | The Coastal Insider | Team | About US

Megan Parker

Marketing Director 

Latoya Grayson | The Coastal Insider | Team | About US

Latoya Grayson

Public Relations

Rachel Ogg | The Coastal Insider | Team | About US

Rachel Ogg

Graphic Designer & Writer

Solly Edwards | The Coastal Insider | Team | About US

Solange Edwards

Web Designer & Analyst

Amy Owens from the Coastal Insider Team posing in front of a tree

Amy Owens

Social Media Coordinator

Madison Boermeester from the Coastal Insider posing in front of a tree.

Maddie Boermeester

Social Media Coordinator

Kailtyn Myallaked

Content Creator

Ashley Hennegan

Ashley Henneghan

Content Creator

Charlie smiles happily at the camera

Charlie Dog

Mascot

The Coastal Insider, request a meeting

Follow Us

L I G H T S /// cameras, and christmas magic

the great christmas light show in north myrtle beach at @nmbparksandrec is a full-on winter wonderland! with over 2 million lights, 500 displays, and all-new themed sections, this two-mile drive-through is pure holiday magic. 🚗🎶

can’t miss events:
🎅 meet santa and walk through santa’s village
🔥 roast marshmallows by the fire
🚂 hop on the santa express train
🎄 watch the rockin’ christmas tree light show

bring the family, pack the car, and make those holiday memories shine!

📍north myrtle beach, sc

@coastalinsider is your go-to guide for myrtle beach & charleston’s hidden gems! follow us for the best local eats, adventurous spots, and must-see attractions. 🌴🌊

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L I G H T S /// cameras, and christmas magic the great christmas light show in north myrtle beach at @nmbparksandrec is a full-on winter wonderland! with over 2 million lights, 500 displays, and all-new themed sections, this two-mile drive-through is pure holiday magic. 🚗🎶 can’t miss events: 🎅 meet santa and walk through santa’s village 🔥 roast marshmallows by the fire 🚂 hop on the santa express train 🎄 watch the rockin’ christmas tree light show bring the family, pack the car, and make those holiday memories shine! 📍north myrtle beach, sc @coastalinsider is your go-to guide for myrtle beach & charleston’s hidden gems! follow us for the best local eats, adventurous spots, and must-see attractions. 🌴🌊

C O C K T A I L S /// that sleigh

step into a holiday wonderland at the miracle pop-up bar inside @jemsocial in myrtle beach, sc! this christmas cocktail experience is decked out with twinkling lights, festive decor, and nostalgic holiday vibes that hit just right. 🎄🍸

🍹 must-try cocktails: jingle balls nog, christmapolitan, & snowball old-fashioned—served in cheeky, collectible mugs!
🎄 cozy holiday vibes + over-the-top festive decor
📸 perfect backdrop for holiday pics & making memories

whether you’re out for drinks with friends or embracing the holiday spirit solo, this is the spot for christmas magic & craft cocktails!

📍myrtle beach, sc
🎥 @kaitlyn.myallaked

@coastalinsider is your go-to guide for myrtle beach & charleston’s hidden gems! follow us for the best local eats, adventurous spots, and must-see attractions. 🌴🌊

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C O C K T A I L S /// that sleigh step into a holiday wonderland at the miracle pop-up bar inside @jemsocial in myrtle beach, sc! this christmas cocktail experience is decked out with twinkling lights, festive decor, and nostalgic holiday vibes that hit just right. 🎄🍸 🍹 must-try cocktails: jingle balls nog, christmapolitan, & snowball old-fashioned—served in cheeky, collectible mugs! 🎄 cozy holiday vibes + over-the-top festive decor 📸 perfect backdrop for holiday pics & making memories whether you’re out for drinks with friends or embracing the holiday spirit solo, this is the spot for christmas magic & craft cocktails! 📍myrtle beach, sc 🎥 @kaitlyn.myallaked @coastalinsider is your go-to guide for myrtle beach & charleston’s hidden gems! follow us for the best local eats, adventurous spots, and must-see attractions. 🌴🌊

H O L I D A Y /// cocktails with an island twist

skip the snow and sip into the season at the yuletide bar at @bigchillislandhouse! this rooftop holiday pop-up blends festive vibes with coastal breezes for the ultimate tropical christmas escape.🌴🎄

🍹 must-try cocktails: coco noel margarita & jingle juice
🌊 ocean views and twinkling palm trees
🎶 live djs & holiday-themed parties

whether you’re toasting with friends or soaking in the festive décor, this is the holiday hangout you didn’t know you needed.

📍north myrtle beach, sc
📸 @solly.ver

@coastalinsider is your go-to guide for myrtle beach & charleston’s hidden gems! follow us for the best local eats, adventurous spots, and must-see attractions. 🌴🌊

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H O L I D A Y /// cocktails with an island twist skip the snow and sip into the season at the yuletide bar at @bigchillislandhouse! this rooftop holiday pop-up blends festive vibes with coastal breezes for the ultimate tropical christmas escape.🌴🎄 🍹 must-try cocktails: coco noel margarita & jingle juice 🌊 ocean views and twinkling palm trees 🎶 live djs & holiday-themed parties whether you’re toasting with friends or soaking in the festive décor, this is the holiday hangout you didn’t know you needed. 📍north myrtle beach, sc 📸 @solly.ver @coastalinsider is your go-to guide for myrtle beach & charleston’s hidden gems! follow us for the best local eats, adventurous spots, and must-see attractions. 🌴🌊

H O L I D A Y /// fun near myrtle beach!

looking for a festive family outing? christmas at the outpost at @river.island.adventures is the perfect holiday escape!🎄✨ enjoy twinkling lights, cozy fires, and fun-filled activities like:

🎅🏼 intimate visits with santa
🎨 ornament decorating & holiday crafts
🔥 s’mores by the fire while watching christmas movies
🏆 games to win local gift certificates
📸 & don’t miss the beautiful holiday photo ops!

only 25 miles from myrtle beach!

📍longs, sc

@coastalinsider is your go-to guide for myrtle beach & charleston’s hidden gems! follow us for the best local eats, adventurous spots, and must-see attractions. 🌴🌊

ready to make a move to the area? @bhhscoastalrealestate is the perfect company to find your dream coastal home!

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H O L I D A Y /// fun near myrtle beach! looking for a festive family outing? christmas at the outpost at @river.island.adventures is the perfect holiday escape!🎄✨ enjoy twinkling lights, cozy fires, and fun-filled activities like: 🎅🏼 intimate visits with santa 🎨 ornament decorating & holiday crafts 🔥 s’mores by the fire while watching christmas movies 🏆 games to win local gift certificates 📸 & don’t miss the beautiful holiday photo ops! only 25 miles from myrtle beach! 📍longs, sc @coastalinsider is your go-to guide for myrtle beach & charleston’s hidden gems! follow us for the best local eats, adventurous spots, and must-see attractions. 🌴🌊 ready to make a move to the area? @bhhscoastalrealestate is the perfect company to find your dream coastal home!

Watch Us

© 2024 The Coastal Insider

Jim Parker

Jim Parker

President

Jim Parker was born in Camden, SC. He started at age 8 on his family’s 200 acre farm and the neighboring farm. He fed cows, chickens, pigs, baled hay, harvested corn up until he was 18. At age 12 he co-signed for a Ditch Witch to dig trenches in rural Camden and Bethune with his dad. At age 15 he was doing everything he was doing at age 8, plus working at the recycling center after school from 4PM-12AM, chopping wood in the wintertime for the family and community; and delivered the Camden Chronicle newspapers to businesses in the area. 

From 1978 to 1983, Jim served in the U.S. Air Force at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. In 1983 Jim entered the real estate industry in the Myrtle Beach area and in 1985 purchased the realty company he was working for turning it into the general brokerage division of Parker Realty, Inc. Jim started Commercial Landtec Corporation in 1988 and acquired John Jobson as a partner in 1993.
A few years later Jim and John founded Palm Shores Development Corporation and Coastal Lifestyle Homes, Ltd. which is currently operating today in the Waterford Oaks community in Garden City, SC. In 2001 both Jim and John formed Site Tech Systems, a company specializing in geographic information systems (GIS), information technology and customer service through the utilization of demographics, environmental studies, zoning information, traffic counts, aerial photography, etc. He currently is the broker-in-charge for Real Living Home Realty Group and the co-owner of The Coastal Insider.  He is someone who we all look up to and strive to be like on a daily basis. Real Living – Home Realty Group would not be what it is today without having him as the captain of our team. We can hear his laugh from a mile away and will always get a smile on our face from it. Working here and alongside Jim Parker, you can truly feel the love and family atmosphere he strives for. 

Megan Parker | The Coastal Insider | Team | About US

Megan Parker

Marketing Director

Megan Parker, Creative Director / Graphic Designer / Photographer is the daughter of Jim Parker, our co-owner of the Coastal Insider. Born in Myrtle Beach, she loves traveling, yoga and jet skiing on the waterway with her mom, Donna. She lives in Market Common with her stellar partner, Jonathon Jarabek. She spends most of her days hanging out with Charlie (of Charlie’s Corner) while working on Graphic Design, Art Direction and Photography for the Insider.

“I’m gaining a great deal of confidence from being in a well-structured and professional environment, where I receive positive reinforcement and mentoring throughout the many aspects of business, not only from my dad, but also from his business partner, John Jobson.” Megan studied photography at Winthrop University, has a degree from Coastal Carolina University, and has travelled extensively both domestically and internationally as a fashion and product photographer. Her vision is to serve Christ by “seek(ing) first His Kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

Latoya Grayson | The Coastal Insider | Team | About US

Latoya Grayson

Public Relations Director

Latoya Grayson, Marketing Director is from Andrews, South Carolina, aka, the home of Chubby Checker.  She is currently living in Socastee, Myrtle Beach.  Some of the other places she has called home are Jacksonville, Florida and our state capital Columbia, South Carolina.  Her most favorite activity is the “Family Visit.”  And she just adores her family. 

Words that inspire Latoya the most are: “This too shall pass”.  And another important saying in her life is: “Treat people the way you want to be treated”.  As she says these are, “Words I live by.”  She has a degree in Applied Science from HGTC.  Her most rewarding job has been working at the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and the Camera Surveillance Office (CSO).  At the present time she is Public Relations/Marketing Director for the Coastal Insider.  She says that, “People are my passion.”  Working for this organization allows her to pursue that passion and  to be, “the Best Person I can be.”

Rachel Ogg | The Coastal Insider | Team | About US

Rachel Ogg

Graphic Designer

Rachel is an award-winning designer who graduated from Winthrop University in 2018 with a degree in Graphic Design. In addition to excelling in their rigorous program, she was a member of several community service organizations and mentored underclassmen. Her senior year, Rachel also had an internship at a boutique design firm called Little Red Bird in Charlotte, where she would assist in various projects in both print and digital media. 

Since joining Real Living, Rachel has thrived and has proven herself as an integral part of the team. Rachel touches just about every piece of marketing from our company. She creates postcards, newsletters, booklets, social media graphics, The Coastal Insider and Coastal Home Insider, and just about anything else that you see. She works tirelessly to create beautiful pieces and has a passion for transforming abstract thoughts into tangible materials that will assist agents in getting their clients’ homes sold.

Solly Edwards | The Coastal Insider | Team | About US

Solange Edwards

Web Developer

Born and raised in the Algarve – Portugal. Living in the south of Portugal where there are a lot of tourists from all over Europe, she was exposed to languages right of the bat making her pursue her passion for languages. She did interpretations in the Local and Regional Courts of Portugal as well as working in her family based Translation Company which was all done online. As a street smart person, she acquired a lot of knowledge and abilities in web developing, web designing as well as Social Media Strategies. She can take a basic website look like the most modern and up to date website rich in SEO and keywords. She is a great team player and brings a great light into the Real Living Team.

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