Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Salty Islander: Chris Sehman



Chris Sehman is an avid entrepreneur, marketing madman, and dedicated philanthropist, suffering from military envy which is heavily medicated by giving away free pizza every Monday night. A life-long entrepreneur, Chris Sehman, moved to Northwest Florida, fell in love with the beaches, and opened his first bar Woody's Local Safe Sex Bar in Destin, in May of 1993. The local's establishment remained open through New Year's Eve of 2000. That year Chris launched Helen Back Cafe- and Okaloosa Island hasn't been the same since.

Now a local household name, the Helen Back brand and its award winning pizza, has expanded to include 5 locations along the Emerald Coast. Helen Back has developed a tremendous rapport with locals and the military community, and also serves as a tourist destination for our area's repeat vacationers. The Helen Back barge is a staple at Crab Island in the summertime. Chris' additional business ventures include Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Coffee Bar, Trifecta Consulting, Hardwear Clothing, Shoal River Lanes, and he is currently developing a new bar on the Destin Harbor.  

What is your connection to the island?
The island is my life. my businesses, and therefore livelihood, Helen Back Cafe and Whiskey Tango
Foxtrot are right on Amberjack Drive.  I live on the Island. I spend time in the Gulf. I eat here. My friends are here. If you're looking for me, you can probably find me on the Island.

What is your favorite thing to do on the island?
Spending time at my bar talking with people I've known for years, meeting new people. I especially love hosting the military groups that I've been able to get to know. It's been an honor to have had the likes of the Doolittle Raiders eat my pizza and take a shot with me.

What sound do you love?
thunder

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? 
invest 80% of it

Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?  
Phil mickelson

What do you want to be when you grow up? 
younger

What would you name the autobiography of your life? 
Life Behind Bars

What do you miss most about being a kid?
Oriole games on Thursday with dad

What was the first thing you bought with your own money? 
lawn mower

What is the best part of waking up?
Folgers in your cup

What gives you hope for humanity?
 the internet

What is your greatest accomplishment?
Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Civilian Humanitarian Award

What is your business goal this year?
cut debts in half

Where do you like to vacation? 

Outer Banks, NC

What is your mission? 

build a retirement for my daughters

Kindle or paperback book? 
wait for the movie

What was your favorite activity in gym class?
Dodgeball. Personally I think the parachutes were a lot of fun.

Which one fashion accessory do you like better than others? 
gold toe socks

What do you say when you talk in your sleep? 
XXX

If you could only watch on TV show for the next year, which would it be? 
daily show

If you couldn’t live in this town, where would you move? 
Vancouver

What was the last movie you went to? What did you think?
50 shades of grey, ...that me and the other four guys in theater were really awesome to agree to watch that crap.

What would you sing at Karaoke night? 
Whiskey Bar...the Doors

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be
?
bean soup

Aside from food, water, and shelter, what one thing could you not go a day without?  
shower

If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have?
flight

How many pillows do you sleep with?
start with 8...end with one

Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life? 
George burns

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
10min

Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous?
Ludacris

What do you do to keep fit?
watch p90X

What song would you say best sums you up? 
the hokie pokie

What is one thing you will never do again?
this questionnaire

If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
cell phone

If someone was to give you one gift, money is no object, what would you want to receive?
55' foot Viking w capt mate dock

Describe a time you got into trouble.
Well, what happened was....

What do you do when you first wake up in the morning?
go back to sleep

Can you keep secrets?
yes

What is one quality you admire most in others?
desire to learn