An energetic, serial, and creative entrepreneur is only one way to describe Alabama native Dave King. Trained in the arts, Dave had a successful career as a cybersecurity expert in the financial services industry before relocating to Florida’s Emerald Coast with his family.
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Dave grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and obtained a computer science degree, eventually moving to New York City. He built a successful career in cybersecurity risk management in the proceeding decades, retiring in his early forties. After a near-death experience, Dave turned his focus to developing a creative-inspired space in the heart of Rosemary Beach, FL, for events and artistic pursuits. The result is SOWAL House.
A Place for 30a Creatives
“I firmly believe that the 30a contains world-class creatives that rival their counterparts in New York, Atlanta, and other creatives centers, and that’s a bold statement,” King explained. “The reason is simple. Just look outside. We have beautiful beaches, great restaurants, and wonderful scenery. Why wouldn’t creatives congregate here? We don’t have skyscrapers or office parks, so people have to work at home.”
Merrick Marabella & Will Summers of Horse Bourbon with OneSouthernMedia’s Paul Stanley and SOWAL House owner Dave King before recording a Southern Americana episode. (SOWAL House/2021)
SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, Florida contains several original pieces of art and offers a variety of sitting areas for functions and meetings. (OneSouthernMedia/2022)
A few months after relocating to 30a, Dave began inquiring about places where creatives hung out. “Like you and everyone else, I started asking myself and others, ‘Where do the cool kids hang out?’ Other than a few coffee shops, there wasn’t one place where other creatives gathered.”
A series of circumstances fell into place, eventually leading to SOWAL House. However, one occurrence became the primary motivating factor. Dave’s major health scare occurred a short four months after his retirement. In short, Dave experienced a panic attack. Thankfully, he quickly recovered physically and, more importantly, emotionally and creatively.
Determining a venture to engage in was the next step. While watching a movie with his young son, Peter, Dave paused the action and asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up. “When I asked Peter that question, I told myself that I would learn whatever occupation he named,” said Dave. “If he wanted to be an astronaut, I would find some way to train at NASA for at least one year.”
SOWAL House Beginnings
A YouTuber was Peter’s response. With a budget of $1,000, Dave began researching how to build a successful YouTube channel. Having expertise in cybersecurity, he started producing videos on consumer privacy with a goal of 1,000 subscribers in 12 months. Dave’s channel had over 900 subscribers and hit the magic four-digit number a month later within a year.
Dave’s one-year venture gave him the confidence to pursue a larger goal. With a substantial budget, Dave and his wife agreed that he needed to pursue his new dream. Teaming with his good friend and local 30a realtor, Blake Jones, the successful duo started looking for space for event rentals and creative endeavors. Dave and Blake found space above Restaurant Paradis through some fortuitous events on the Southside of Rosemary Beach town square. The space’s creative energy, formally home to Ohana Institute, a private school, seemed perfect.
To fully appreciate SOWAL House, you have to experience the gorgeous interior personally. First and foremost, it’s an event rental space. However, rentals are capped at four per month so as not to overburden a bustling community. Filled with original art, a nice bar area, ample sitting and performing space, an audio/podcast studio, and a small meeting room, the opportunity for creative endeavors is limitless.
How to Experience SOWAL House
SOWAL House also offers a limited membership program for successful 30a entrepreneurs and business owners. Each month members can attend special events to network and engage with one another. Additionally, SOWAL House gives people across the economic spectrum a chance to experience various special events, including SOWAL House Sessions.
There are four ways to access SOWAL House:
- Rent It: SOWAL House is available for executive retreats, small private parties, receptions, etc. (Capacity is 30 with a maximum of four rentals per month)
- Attend a Fundraiser: SOWAL House donates its space to deserving local non-profits who occasionally hosts fundraisers and receptions.
- Scan It: Local artists, creative entrepreneurs, and service industry workers along 30a with keyholder cards randomly receive an invitation via text. If they respond within a specified period, they have access to the event, usually held on a weekday evening. And here’s the kicker, the evening’s performance or artist isn’t revealed until the guests arrive. Restaurant workers may be sitting next to retired millionaires, while a creative artist may be conversing with a retail worker and an accountant. “The goal of SOWAL House is to bring all types of people together, not just wealthy individuals or artists.”
- Become a Member: The Club at SOWAL House is an exclusive membership program, capped at 40 members, connecting and entertaining local business leaders and influencers in the South Walton area.
Listen to the entire episode as Dave details his vision for attracting regional, national, and international creatives to the 30a area and his vision for SOWAL House.