Daniel was supposed to be a funeral director. "I started working at a funeral home at age 14. And I loved it," says the Greenville, South Carolina native. So why did he go into hair styling? "My dead people looked fabulous!" he says. "I knew I was born to do this instead."

While attending a conference in San Francisco, local attorney Dave became intrigued when a colleague began pouring his own custom wine. Later that week, after tasting Pinot Noir wines in Carmel, Dave was struck with a radical notion. Why not create a Pinot pipeline from California to the Carolinas? The idea soon ripened into Dave’s own line of wine appropriately called Calicaro, a mash up of CALIfornia and CAROlina. “We are making exceptional single vineyard designated handcrafted Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from some of the best vineyards in California. It is true micro-lot handmade wine, made literally one barrel at a time,” says the hands-on vintner. Find out more at calicaro.com.

What do you love about skirt! magazine?
“How 'bout that it rhymes with flirt? And dirt. Wine people love good dirt.”
 
How do you feel wearing a skirt? “The things I do to sell a little vino. It's gonna take years of therapy to get over this. Or just some good Calicaro wine.”

Michael, a recent transplant from Miami, writes for OutTraveler Magazine and loves Taco Bell—despite his good eating habits. His hobbies include photography, reading, writing, fitness, and…lots and lots of TRAVEL. As an Optometrist and OneSight clinic team volunteer, he journeys to developing countries delivering free eye care and recycled glasses. “After being here for a short time, I am noticing my patients are unaware of recycling their glasses to help those in need.” Michael writes. “Would skirt! be able to help spread the word?” Absolutely! To donate time, money, or eyeglasses to OneSight, go to onesight.org.


How do you feel wearing a skirt? I have a swagger and it allows me to swagger more and... it is quite probable...with even more confidence.

What do you love about skirt magazine? The opportunity skirt! has provided me to inform our community about donating money or used eyeglasses to help our world see better. 

 

Southern men love their football and Derek is no exception. He grew up playing football (started at age five) and even met and married his college sweetheart—a cheerleader, of course—while playing ball at North Greenville University. Today Derek is passing on his love of the sport as a football coach at Christ Church Episcopal School where he is inspired by “God and the kids I work with.” When he’s not tossing around the pigskin, Derek likes to cook, play with his dog Oscar, and spend time with his wife.
 

What do you love about reading skirt!? Its uniquely feminine attitude.

What do you like most about wearing a skirt? It shows off my legs so I can get some sun on them. I kind of like it—I think I could get used to it—but in my profession, it might not fly!

 “I’m not the healthiest guy on the planet, but there just comes a time when you grow up and stop eating cheeseburgers all the time,” laughs bachelor Jacob, who hails most recently from the West Coast. As proprietor of the Blueberry Frog in the trendy West End, this ex-bartender turned frozen yogurt guru seeks to convert others with his very secret (shhhh!) recipe for the scrumptious fat-free, no sugar added, organic treat.

Jacob and his bohemian-flavored hangout also attract soul-inspiring events such as the Pink Slip Party held last April (a networking  mixer for the newly unemployed), and a weekly gathering of local artisans who, between bites of yogurt and toppings, create crafts that benefit a third-world orphanage.

Are you a feminist? Of course! Woman can do whatever they want! It’s kind of a shame we’re still talking about that in 2009.

What do you love about skirt magazine? It's unique voice—unwavering, without pandering to the masses.

 How do you feel wearing a skirt? Glad that I didn't wear my mirror shoes.

These scissor-wielding and curling iron-totin’ father and son can do a number on you. Or on your hair, that is. Twenty-four years ago, Wilson’s on Washington opened as Greenville’s first “contemporary” salon. Wilson wanted to see a salon that was as current as any in NY or LA here in Greenville. And so it is. The salon is swanky, with mirrors everywhere in an open atmosphere. How do they like working together? “Seeing him every day is such a joy. I know time is valuable and short.” Jake admires his dad’s professional drive and sense of humor. “He’s got a terrific work ethic. He entertains his clients as he works and I can hear what he is saying. It just makes me laugh.” For himself, Jake sees a future as a SLED agent and a fireman. “How’s that for variety?”

What’s your favorite thing about reading skirt!? “It really covers a lot of hard working Upstate women that we should be aware of.” ~Wilson

What’s the best thing about wearing a skirt? “It was crazy. How often do you get to share such a creative experience with the world?” ~Wilson

­Though what happens in Vegas typically stays there, this time it moved to Greenville. Jon met his Greenville-native wife five years ago in Las Vegas while he was visiting from a San Francisco corporation and she was on vacation. He opened Fitness 19 on Woodruff Road to provide a place where people can afford to get fit. At $19 a month, it’s hard to beat. Jon’s primary concerns are maintaining a relationship with his clients and creating an inviting and clean workout facility. You’d never know that about 500 people come through the gym every day. It’s spectacularly clean. When he’s not running the business, he and his wife are planning a skydiving trip. But right now, he’s off to visit family on the West coast. First stop? His favorite sushi restaurant. Next time you’re in San Francisco, try Lacuni’s and tell them Jon sent you.

What’s your favorite thing about reading skirt!?
“I’m all about quality, and this is quality.”

What’s the best thing about wearing a skirt?
“I feel pretty sexy.”

And most of them are named Sally. “The girls are the workers, so I named them.” After a career in broadcasting, Kerry Owen bought an apple orchard. With no apples. So a friend gave him a beehive for pollination and a second career was born. Now, he takes 528 hives on road trips, seeking out Tulip Poplars, Sourwood trees, blackberries and vetch. He sells the honey at his Bee Well Honey and Natural Market in downtown Pickens. His love of the countryside is matched only by his soft spot for the science of beekeeping.