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Lessons Learned

A different perspective of the Masters

Working at Augusta National during the Masters Tournament is a unique and unforgettable experience. As a staff member at the main golf shop and bag check stand, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the excitement and energy of one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world. The main golf shop at Augusta National is a bustling hub of activity during the tournament, with thousands of patrons passing through every day. My primary role was to assist patrons with their purchases and provide exceptional customer service. This involved

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Kevin Jay, Guest Columnist May 11, 2023 No Comments
B2B Stories

The 411 on the CSRA labor market

Most local businesses have experienced employee shortages. Why are they continuing and what is the solution if any solution exists? Those were the million-dollar questions and the focus of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s member economic luncheon. It came as no surprise when guest speaker, Dr. Melinda Pitts, Research Center Director from the Center for Human Capital Studies at the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as being responsible for the upheaval in America’s economy. Even with the end of the public health emergency on

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Dana Lynn McIntyre May 11, 2023 No Comments
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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Josh Heath May 11, 2023 No Comments
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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Mike Petchenik May 11, 2023 No Comments
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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Shawna Woodward, Re/Max Reinvented Evans May 11, 2023 No Comments
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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Josh Heath May 10, 2023 No Comments
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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Darin Myers May 10, 2023 No Comments
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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Wes Hennings May 10, 2023 No Comments
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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Neil Gordon May 10, 2023 No Comments
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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Dana Lynn McIntyre May 10, 2023 No Comments
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