We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joey De Mare. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joey below.

Joey, appreciate you joining us today. Your ability to build a team is often a key determinant of your success as a business owner and so we’d love to get a conversation going with successful entrepreneurs like yourself around what your recruiting process was like -especially early on. How did you build your team?

When it comes to hiring, I look for like-minded people—those who are eager to learn, but also those I can learn from. Some of the best leaders I’ve worked under were humble and hands-on. They didn’t just point in a direction—they walked alongside you, invested in your growth, and led by example. That left a lasting impact on me, and it’s something I carry forward in my own leadership.

For me, building a team isn’t just about skill—it’s about people. I value longevity and loyalty, and that starts with treating every person with respect. I believe in creating a culture where people feel safe to show up as themselves, with an open heart and open mind.

I’m also a strong advocate for mental health. I’ve faced my own challenges in that area, and I’ll never forget a time when a former boss set business aside to prioritize my well-being—it was life-changing. I aim to offer that same level of care and support to every person I bring onto the team.

At the end of the day, a great team often feels like family. When someone shares those values—respect, empathy, integrity—they’ll always have a place here.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

*“I moved to Charleston in 2010 to attend the College of Charleston on a scholarship to play for the men’s soccer team. At the time, my entire focus was on being a student-athlete with hopes of pursuing a professional soccer career after graduation. Unfortunately, a series of serious injuries forced me to pivot and reevaluate my path. It was a tough adjustment, but looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for where that shift led me.

My first job in the food industry was behind the raw bar at Pearlz on East Bay—one of the busiest in Charleston at the time. That experience sparked a new passion in me. I fell in love with the energy of the industry, the joy of hosting people, and creating unforgettable dining experiences. There was something special about making people happy through food, especially when it involved local, sustainable seafood. That’s when the idea of one day opening a raw bar of my own first started to form.

From there, I went on to manage a few well-known establishments in Charleston. It was a steep learning curve—especially at 24—but it gave me the foundation I needed. I became increasingly drawn to being a provider, and that interest evolved into a deep love for ocean farming. For five years, I managed the largest oyster farm in the Southeast. Working on the water and being a commercial fisherman just clicked for me—it suited my personality, and I felt genuinely fulfilled.

Eventually, I decided it was time to take a leap and start my own business. I launched De Mare Raw Bar while still working full-time. It was crazy, exhausting, and physically demanding, but I had a clear vision: to provide truly local seafood—oysters I harvested myself, wild-caught shrimp, and other sustainable products sourced with the help of hardworking colleagues who had long been overlooked in favor of imported goods.

Charleston is a destination for seafood lovers, and I felt strongly that we needed to champion local and American-sourced ingredients. Luckily, I didn’t have to “sell” the idea too hard—people embraced the concept and supported not just my business, but a broader shift. Chefs began replacing imported products with fresh, local catches, and it felt incredibly gratifying to be part of that change.

I kept the business mobile, doing pop-ups and private events. I loved taking over restaurant spaces, selling them out, and building excitement around menus that were completely built on same-day, boat-to-table ingredients. I didn’t take out loans—everything I earned went straight back into De Mare.

But it wasn’t easy. I was often a one-man show, working 16-hour days, and struggling to keep up. That led me to start selling seafood wholesale. It took off quickly. We launched our own brand of wild, single oysters called Bambinos, and started supplying other raw bars across Charleston.

Eventually, I expanded into New York City—a big risk, but one I believed in. I wanted to bring Charleston’s local seafood to NYC and also help top restaurants with menu consulting and fresh ordering, cutting out imports and connecting them directly with trusted local fishermen.

Looking back, I probably could have taken things slower—but every challenge taught me something. Now, I’m preparing to launch my wholesale distribution company, Market De Mare, serving the East Coast with Charleston and NYC as our two home bases. The mission remains the same: to champion local seafood, support our fishing communities, and deliver fresh, sustainable ingredients with integrity.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I was working as the Farm Manager in the ACE Basin, about and hour south of Charleston, near Edisto Island and any time I wasn’t working on the water for Lowcountry Oyster Co. I was in my boat on working solo harvesting as much as I could. I decided not to take out a loan and see what I could provide for myself, I didn’t like the thought of owing anything and it encouraged me to push myself.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My goal was to be authentic as possible. I didn’t spend on marketing I wanted to reach out to an audience that valued that valued similar ideals and visions by being as completely transparent as possible. I wanted to put a spotlight and emphasis on supporting local fisherman,

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @demarerawchs
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ2AcCldz1AI