If you spend any time on 30A, you’ll see it everywhere—the signature blue sticker, the laid-back energy, the unmistakable sense that you’ve found something special. And behind it all is Gary John, CEO of the 30A brand, a man who fell in love with this stretch of Florida coastline and never looked back.
Gary first discovered 30A the way so many do—through social media. Living in California at the time, he kept seeing images of Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, and WaterColor pop up in his feed, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to see it for himself. “It just looked like such a unique place,” he tells us. “I hadn’t seen anything like it in the U.S.”
His first trip in the spring of 2019 was all it took. One visit turned into two, and by the time 2020 rolled around, he and his family knew they had to make the move. “We just couldn’t stop thinking about it,” he says. “So we sold our house and relocated here in December of 2020.”
Now at the helm of the 30A brand, Gary has made it his mission to capture the magic of this place and share it with the world. Through 30A.com, Beach Happy Magazine, and an ever-expanding line of lifestyle products—including beer, wine, and apparel—he’s helping others discover the charm of this beachside paradise. “30A isn’t just a place,” he says. “It’s a feeling, a way of life.”
That way of life centers around the beach. “People come here from all over to experience our coastline,” he says. “As a local, that’s what you do—you spend time on the beach with your friends and family. There’s nothing like it.”
But building a business around that coastal lifestyle hasn’t come without challenges. When Gary stepped into his role, he was inheriting a brand with a strong legacy, originally founded by Mike Ragsdale. “I didn’t start 30A,” Gary explains, “but I’ve come in to help it grow while staying true to its history.”
Growth, however, is the name of the game. Under Gary’s leadership, 30A is expanding the distribution of its beer and wine products nationwide, as well as developing Beach Happy, a lifestyle brand designed to bring the 30A ethos to beach lovers everywhere. “30A is hyper-local,” Gary says. “But Beach Happy is something that resonates with people no matter where they live.”
For entrepreneurs looking to follow in his footsteps, Gary offers simple advice: tenacity wins. “Most of the people here came with a dream and built something from scratch,” he says. “You have to keep at it and just not quit.”
And what does an ‘Every Day Should Feel This Good’ moment look like for him? It’s about community. “This is such a small town,” he says. “Everywhere you go, you run into someone you know. You have real conversations, real connections. That’s what makes this place special.”
A day spent on the beach, surrounded by friends, soaking in the energy of 30A? That’s what it’s all about. “Every day should feel this good,” Gary says with a smile. And in this little corner of paradise, it truly does.
