My name is James Maggard and I am a family man and entrepreneur. I love spending time with my family, we enjoy going on walks, exploring new areas and just being lazy from time to time. I am very pro small business and every chance I get I always shop, eat or promote local business such as the Ice Cream Station or Begley’s Butchers Block apart from gigantic franchises such as Culvers or Spinx. Now don’t get me wrong I love me a butter burger from Culvers or a chicken box from Spinx every now and then but small business is very important to me as it should be to everyone. The more money that gets circulated through small business is more money that gets circulated throughout our community so that means more financial stability for everyone! I am a very relaxed and peaceful person; I am also very approachable and will offer assistance to anyone in need.
Q: Tell us about yourself, including a little bit about where you grew up, your education, your family, interests, passions, and career?
I am from a small coal mining town in South Eastern Kentucky, a little town called Hazard where the entire county population is approximately 20,000 people. I graduated from a small high school with a class of 45 students, the entire student body was approximately 270 students. I have been happily married to my wonderful wife Jessica, we have 2 children together. My interests and hobbies include working on cars, yard work, working on projects for my customers and cooking! I am also a bourbon enthusiast. I own and operate a sheetrock and painting company here in the upstate called PatchMaster Drywall Repair. We offer a very unique list of services that aren’t limited to just drywall and painting we also do custom trim carpentry, cabinet painting and full service interior and exterior house painting. We have been in business sense September 2022 and it is booming. I am very passionate about everything that I do. Whether it be repairing/painting a customers home, servicing one of my vehicles or trying out a new dish for dinner I put the same amount of dedication and detail into everything I do no matter what it is. I am a bit of a perfectionist.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in The Golden Strip?
My family have lived in The Golden Strip going on one year now in September.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
People that know my say I am a open book so there is not a lot that is unknown about me. I would say one thing that is unknown about me to a majority of people is my undeniable fear of Cicadas! I would more than likely take getting chased by a pack of coyotes better than a cicada landing on me. I just can’t do it!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in The Golden Strip?
The most interesting person that I’ve met during my time here has to be my neighbor Chris, the guy is just all around genuine and can carry on a conversation forever.
Q: What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about The Golden Strip?
This is tough! I would have to say that is a tie between the Ice Cream Station and Begley’s Butchers Block. Those two businesses just have such a positive impact on our community and people love them.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about The Golden Strip?
In my opinion the best thing about this area is just the convenience of all the shops and the people. You don’t have to travel very far for anything and from what I can tell the good people in this area very far outweigh the bad.
Q: With so much growth in our area, there are always new places popping up. Tell us about the a “new to you” place that you recently tried.
I would have to say that Tequilas Mexican Restaurant has became my families new favorite Hispanic spot.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME or NEIGHBOR?
Peace, tranquility and security.
Q: If you had friends or family visiting you from out of town, what is the one place that you must take them to?
I would take them to walk around and enjoy downtown Simpsonville and enjoy a treat from the Ice Cream Station.
Q: If you had a free day with no plans, what would you do? Or where can we find you on the weekends?
With no plans it’s a hit or a miss if you will us home during the day. We enjoy being homebodies as much as we love going on drives an exploring.
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
I would thoroughly enjoy being in a picture along side Kevin Hart or Keanu Reeves.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Traveling and exploring are on my bucket list. I have enjoyed going across the country but I have dreams of traveling outside of the country one day.
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
Be at peace and enjoy yourself. Life is too short to worry about problems or be stressed out all the time.
Q: Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of The Golden Strip?
The Begley’s of Begley’s Butchers Block
