Consumer Stories

Local businesses help nonprofit collect school supplies for CSRA students

Each year, the Augusta GreenJackets partner with a local non-profit organization to collect school supplies for less fortunate students throughout the CSRA. Next Sunday, July 23, the baseball club is asking fans to donate supplies for United Way of the CSRA’s annual Stuff the Bus campaign at its game against the Fredericksburg Nationals, which will begin at 1:35 p.m. “We probably collect a few hundred different supplies for them,” said the club’s Director of Marketing, Catie Jagodzinski. “It’s just a great program to be a part of, and we’re happy

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Faith

Best of Faith Friday: Marriage Makers/Marriage Breakers

I had the privilege of visiting with Dave and Ashley Willis a couple of days ago. They live in the CSRA but are a vital part of a marriage ministry called XO based in Dallas Texas. They are authors and host a podcast called “The Naked Marriage” (which has had 1.1 million downloads just since the first of the year). They also speak to thousands of couples in person at marriage events across the country. Here is the first part of our conversation. Come back for part two next week!

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B2B Podcasting

Bob Bigger: What changes have businesses faced post-pandemic?

Have you thought of a contingency plan? We’re looking back at the economic panel discussion from ABD’s Conference and Expo in May. Bob Bigger, Manager of SRP Commercial Lending, speaks about the importance of looking for opportunities, having flexibility, and being prepared for when times are hard.

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B2B Stories

Owners of successful dog apparel business to launch storefront next weekend

If you throw birthday parties for your dogs, Nic and Bretta Farina have the supplies you need to let your four-legged family members have their cake and eat it too. For the last 11 years, the Farinas have owned Puddle Jumper Pups, which until now, has been a home-based, online business that creates and sells a variety of products, including leashes, collars, harnesses, and accessories. More than 150 retailers nationwide, including Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, which has locations in Augusta and Evans. “Our B2B business has really grown,” Bretta

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: “Unraveling the Housing Market: Is Change on the Horizon?”

There’s been a recent shortage in the number of home sales, and you might be wondering why that is. What does this mean for the future? I saw some interesting things happening in our local MLS this week. For all those real estate newbies out there, MLS stands for multiple listing service, the website licensed real estate agents use to share home details with other agents. What I saw ignited a faint wonder, is the market starting to shift? My position has been pretty stout on the current sellers’ market

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B2B Stories

A look inside Harlem’s DG Market

The newly opened DG Market at 180 East Milledgeville Road in Harlem, GA. is bringing nearby residents the opportunity to access fresh produce and meats, among other common household items. The location in Harlem is one of over 2,000 DG Markets in the country and the store’s opening has contributed to area employment. “The DG Market provides a one-stop shopping opportunity,” said a statement shared by Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate. “Shoppers have access to home accessories, wellness options, cleaning supplies, home goods, and more. The DG Market also offers

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Business Coaching

Coach Darin: Leverage AI to grow your business

Artificial intelligence. What once felt wildly futuristic has suddenly become mainstream and is growing more ubiquitous by the minute. You are likely already interacting with AI, even if you are not completely aware of it. When your text message autocorrects itself or when you apply facial recognition to log into applications on your smartphone. When you enhance that selfie with a little photo editing before you post it to social media. When your music streaming service recommends a new song it thinks you might like. When you interact with a

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B2B Stories

Initiative to help local business owners address problems with homeless population

For 20 years, Diane Tribble owned a successful hair salon in Augusta, but about a month ago, she made the difficult decision to close her business, thanks to mounting problems with the city’s homeless population. On Tuesday, Tribble, former owner of Diane & Co. located at 3128 Washington Road, was one of many local business owners who spoke about her experiences at a town hall discussion on homelessness led by Richmond County Sheriff, Richard Roundtree, who unveiled a new initiative called the Property Owner Response Team. The initiative, which has

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Consumer Stories

Best of Business Lunch Review: Oliviana’s

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday, he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review.” Food

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: The best places to live

U.S. News and World Report recently announced the best places to live for 2023-2024. According to their list, Green Bay, Wis. is the best, followed by Huntsville Ala., and Raleigh & Durham, N.C. Augusta, GA. made the list at #74. Other Georgia places included Savannah at #37 and Atlanta (#64). In South Carolina, Myrtle Beach (#18), Greenville (#31), Spartanburg (#43), Charleston, (#53), and Columbia (#92) made the top 100. Two colleagues and I have just published a paper measuring whether these kinds of rankings matter to people when deciding where

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