Consumer Stories

New company to service InkBoy customers and new ones

The son of the deceased co-founder of InkBoy is going to take over the accounts as the 35-year-old company is closing down its store in West Augusta. As ABD first reported on Friday, InkBoy’s lease is expiring, and owners are closing the brick-and-mortar side of the business. The new company will be run by Ben Jordan’s son, Bryan, who worked for Ben and his co-founder, Tony Canell, for many years. Recently, a letter was sent out to InkBoy clients. “As we transition from InkBoy to Toner Tech Plus, I want

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B2B Stories

Extra fees could hinder development in one CSRA city

A $62 million budget vote is coming tonight in North Augusta, with property tax adjustments and fees for water getting discussed. (For more info, read more at the end of our story.) This is on the heels of new impact fees that took effect on Saturday, November 1. These fees impact developers and homeowners. Tiffany Heitzman (pictured above), Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association Greater Aiken-Augusta Region, told ABD she sees the potential for a negative effect on growth. These impact fees will be charged on new commercial, residential,

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B2B Stories

How travel internationally is helping Augusta Business

Dr. Mark Thompson, a faculty member at AU’s Hull College of Business, helped to oversee the 2026 travel itinerary for students out of the country. He explains where they are heading and what they may learn. “Augusta University has a variety of study abroad trips this next academic year, but the Hull College of Business has two trips planned in the spring term. One is for more senior-oriented business majors, where they’re interested in international business or entrepreneurship, and that trip is actually going to Italy. The second trip we

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B2B Stories

Business students study abroad

Dr. Mark Thompson and AU announced this week that he is transitioning into more of a full-time professor role, as Dr. Peter Basciano will serve as interim Dean at Hull. A few months back, Dr. Thompson shared this short video on how AU and Hull students are learning how other cultures do business outside of Augusta.

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Closings

Store closing after almost 35 years

A few years back, InkBoy lost one of its two founders due to a sudden illness. Around that time, Amazon and virtual-based printers started taking its toll on the local business. Now, their lease is up, and it’s time to close the brick-and-mortar side of the business. InkBoy is at 138 Davis Road and is liquidating its store of remaining copiers, printers, ink cartridges, and office supplies. InkBoy started the business behind Applebee’s in the Shartom Road plaza just off Washington Road. They moved in between the Martinez Walmart and Bi-Lo.

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B2B Stories

“Bad Asses” host National Summit in CSRA for the first time

On Tuesday, some of the leading experts on business start-ups and entrepreneurship will convene in downtown Augusta. The Startup Champions Network fall summit will get underway with an opening reception on November 4th and presentations beginning on November 5th. Between 150 and 200 are expected to attend the summit. Destination Augusta estimates an economic impact of nearly $167,000. This marks the first time Augusta has been selected to host the twice annual event. “If I’m allowed to say so, because we’re kind of badasses,” quipped Eric Parker, co-founder of Make

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B2B Stories

BizBitz: Comings and Goings

Concept HR Its client base was acquired by Paychex. They’ve had hundreds of mostly payroll clients from all over the United States. Concept HR closed its modest Warrenville, SC, offices several weeks ago. ABD understands that most all of its employees have transitioned to other CSRA companies. Concept HR provided helpful HR information for its clients and ABD readers. Their info stands the test of time and can be found HERE. Happy 20th Anniversary! Happy #20 to the husband-and-wife team of Eddie and Carole Kennedy at Great Deals on Furniture

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B2B Stories

Who can save my Social Security and yours!

I am rapidly approaching my “Full Retirement Age” (FRA) according to Social Security. While I plan on working a few more years at Augusta University, assuming my students, my bosses, and I all think I am still doing a good job, my retirement is not too far away, and Social Security is a key element of my retirement financial planning. Therefore, I have a vested interest in the long-term solvency and viability of Social Security benefits for “old age”/retirees. However, there is real concern about the future of such Social

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B2B Stories

Annual networking event wows attendees

Most every seat was filled for a business summit conference on Tuesday in Augusta. With the theme “The Power of You,” the conference brought together speakers presenting topics useful across all industries and career levels. “I’ve been very blessed to be able to travel around the country and do conferences and participate in conferences, and we just don’t really have anything like that here,” said Amy Richardson, President and CEO of Richardson Professional Solutions, who spearheaded the event. “Talking to other business owners, they may not have the means or

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B2B Stories

Using AI to sell your product or service

Patrick Reynolds sat in the front row at an AI sales workshop for a few reasons. He was trained as an engineer, isn’t a natural salesperson, and is the CEO of Cross Link Consulting. He tries to educate his IT and Cyber clients on the latest trends. “Using AI for some sales functions is helpful for non-salespeople. It takes away the pain of coming up with messaging, and it’s helpful to have prompts,” he said at yesterday afternoon’s AI workshop at the Augusta Area Business Summit in the First Baptist

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