B2B Stories

Local agency reports tremendous business growth last year

Natonia Tillman loves owning and operating a downtown business because it’s not too far from other parts of the city, such as South Augusta. Tillman owns 10Twenty-Eight, a business center and networking lounge located at 1028 Broad St., which was one of 47 businesses that opened in downtown Augusta last year. Those openings contributed to more than $93 million in private investments in that area. “It puts us in an area that’s centrally located,” she said. “It’s also an area where there’s a lot of foot traffic, because people are

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Expo Preview

Expo Preview: Azalea Investments

Company: Azalea Investments 699 Broad Street www.azaleaoutdoor.com Contact: President Derek May Phone: 706.823.3302 As a former professional table tennis player, Derek May knows a thing or two about winning. May, a former national collegiate champion from Augusta College and U.S. national team member, is the current over 50 national table tennis champion. In his day job as president of Augusta’s Azalea Investments, he draws from that competitive spirit to harness success in the business world. “I like to compete,” said May. “In sports, you learn discipline.” May’s ascent at Azalea began

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: Why we give

Editor’s note: As we salute all our ABD readers who are working moms this Mother’s Day weekend, it seemed appropriate to share again Shawna Woodward’s story about her company’s commitment to giving, especially to the Children’s Miracle Network. As the Editor for ABD, I can appreciate what Shawna went through with Braydon’s traumatic diagnosis. I almost lost my own son at five years old from bacterial meningitis. He would lose both feet from that terrible disease, but Shawna and I are both lucky. We still have our boys and are

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B2B Stories

Entrepreneurial training program helps establish new CSRA businesses

When Benjamin Ross established a counseling business with his wife, Vivian, they had no employees and saw clients in a small office on Wrightsboro Road, but they now have 10 staff members and a larger office on Central Avenue. The couple owns and operates Elephant in the Room Counseling Services, LLC. Benjamin attributes much of their success to his completion of a business training opportunity offered through a partnership between the Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce and Bank of America. Last year, he graduated from the Intensive Entrepreneurship Training

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Darin Myers

Coach Darin: When is it time to fire an employee?

Terminating an employee is never fun. Even for the most polished and seasoned business owner, the process of letting someone go is almost universally stressful, unpleasant, and emotionally challenging. Nobody wants to be the bearer of bad news or the person that squashes someone’s career goals, but as the leader of your organization, it is imperative that you lean on objectivity to guide you in the firing process. Telltales of an Unsustainable Employee While no two situations are identical, there are common signs that a worker just might not be

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Ironwood Tavern

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 Podcasting

Expo Preview: Beman Real Estate- Blanchard & Calhoun

Company: Beman Real Estate- Blanchard and Calhoun Contact: Davis Beman Phone: 706-538-4800 Website: Beman Real Estate Address: Blanchard & Calhoun Commercial Real Estate, 237 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA Neil Gordon discusses what lies ahead in investment, management, and brokerage with ABD Expo partner, Beman Real Estate- Blanchard & Calhoun  

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B2B Stories

Air show infuses $ and excitement in the CSRA

Sleek, fast, and red, white, and blue. The Thunderbirds have landed in Augusta. The team arrived in Augusta on Monday to practice its aerial acrobatics and map out logistics, prior to the air show at Augusta Regional Airport this weekend. Although the focus will be on fun, watching skilled pilots do what should be impossible, the event is expected to have an important economic benefit, bringing attention to the airport and tourism dollars to Augusta. “We hope that this infuses the economy a little bit with some dollars, both from

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B2B Stories

Large events to provide a $1 million+ boost for local tourism

Destination Augusta, a non-profit corporation that promotes tourism in the Augusta River Region, expects events this month to generate a total estimated economic impact of at least $1.4 million for the area. This weekend, more than 25,000 people are expected to attend the Augusta Air Show at the Augusta Regional Airport, and Destination Augusta estimates 1,000 of those attendees will spend money at local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses, generating an estimated economic impact of more than $172,000. “The meetings and groups segment of our travel market is a key

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Consumer Stories

Major Downtown Development News

The numbers are in from 2022 and the Augusta DDA says 47 more businesses opened in downtown Augusta vs. closed, while 11 additional businesses expanded their footprint in the Broad Street corridor. The DDA says it all resulted in $93.2 million in private investment within the commercial sector. Housing wise, the DDA is partnering with investors, developers, and commercial entities to increase the options available to workforces. The DDA says in 2022, 234 new units became available in downtown Augusta, and 176 more broke ground. This trend is moving forward

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