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Shawna Woodward

Free Access: Real Talk Real Estate: I don’t know what I need to know

My daughter and her husband are planning on buying a home this coming year, so I asked for input on what would be a good topic that would benefit her now. I was looking for inspiration on what I could share to help other first-time buyers getting ready to take the leap. When she answered, she simply said, “I don’t know what I need to know to answer your question.” This simple answer made me think, buyers are charmed by the glamour of buying on HGTV and in videos. But

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Shawna Woodward, Re/Max Reinvented Evans December 15, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

A gift of sage advice to young entrepreneurs in the CSRA

This story started as a question for business leaders in the CSRA who have found success: What advice would you give your younger self? To some extent, this 411 is incorporated into the stories ABD offers every day – the “how to” of putting together a strategic plan, marketing your business or dealing with a possible recession. The interviews are with those who’ve walked the walk and the advice isn’t just for professionals looking to stay on their “A” game. Whether you are a seasoned business owner, an employee or

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Mitzi Oxford December 15, 2022 No Comments
Faith

Faith Friday: Thinking about Christmas

Part 1 The celebration of Christmas is unlike anything else. All of us are impacted by it. The birth of Jesus, God coming to earth as a baby, is the most incredible true story ever conceived. Mixed in with the celebration, we’re often wrapped up with gift buying, party planning, family events, concerts, and many other activities. It can be a crazy time of year for sure. That said, it’s easy to “major in the minors.” Too often, we miss the profound simplicity of the birth of a baby in

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Steve Swanson December 15, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local chef’s business takes flight at Augusta airport location

Lance Smith has owned a food service business for nearly three years, but on Monday, his new brick-and-mortar location took off at the Augusta Regional Airport. Smith owns Bearded Chef, which operates a local food truck that specializes in smash burgers and provides both catering and private chef services. He officially launched the business in January 2020. Smith’s airport restaurant, located in the baggage claim area, specializes in soul food, such as fried chicken, fried cornbread, and macaroni and cheese. “We rotate specialty items,” he said. “We bring in a

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Josh Heath December 15, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Small businesses increasingly pessimistic about economy, poll finds

Small businesses have an increasingly pessimistic outlook about the economy and where it’s heading, according to the Job Creators Network Foundation (JCNF)’s latest Small Business IQ poll. According to the poll, 72 percent rate the U.S. economy as either fair or poor, but among companies in the South, that percentage is 80 percent. Also, 55 percent say the direction of the economy is getting worse, with 64 percent in the South saying so. JCNF has been polling small businesses monthly since May 2021. In November, JCNF contacted 500 small businesses

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Gary Kauffman December 15, 2022 2 Comments
Consumer Stories

Local entrepreneur sells two companies, opens a new one!

Michael Hinson previously owned two CSRA businesses, and after selling those, he decided to use his interest in electronics to jump into the growing Bluetooth speaker business. In October, Hinson launched Big Dog Speakers, an online business that sells high-quality speakers that are much less expensive than those of his competitors. He said the waterproof, 40-watt speakers can reach a maximum volume of 105 decibels but still produce a clear, crisp sound. They can be connected to other devices, such as TVs and gaming systems, and used to charge cell

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Josh Heath December 14, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Long-time Augusta architects merge with Carolinas-based firm

Virgo Gambill Architects, a fixture in Augusta for nearly 40 years, has merged with McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, a firm with offices throughout the Carolinas and Georgia. The merger took place on Dec. 7. Virgo Gambill Architects, a collaboration of Steve Virgo and Joe Gambill, has served the Augusta, Evans, North Augusta, Aiken, and surrounding communities since 1984 in a wide range of areas ranging from healthcare to government and from churches to commercial. Notable works in the area include the Richmond County Municipal Building, True North Church, Augusta Regional

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Gary Kauffman December 14, 2022 No Comments
Darin Myers

Free Access: Financial reports every business needs

For the smooth running of a small business, no paperwork may be more essential than financial reports. These documents inform business owners and CEOs about the success or lack of success in past business activities, while also painting a fairly reliable picture of what lies ahead. Some business leaders believe that their finance staff is better equipped to handle these matters, so they opt for a hands-off approach. As Bob Haines, President at TAB Treasure Valley, Idaho, notes, this is not the best approach to managing financial resources within the

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Darin Myers December 14, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Augusta Mall Food Court

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 December 14, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Despite setbacks, couple skates to business success with seasonal business

For the past five years, people have flocked to Evans on Ice for family entertainment, but its owners, Mike and Christine Boerner have faced their share of obstacles in running the seasonal business. The Boerners opened the ice-skating rink, which was originally located in the Augusta Common, in 2017. At that time, it was called Augusta on Ice. After the first year, city officials told them they would have to pay a much larger amount to continue operating in that location, so the couple moved the skating attraction to Evans

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Josh Heath December 14, 2022 No Comments
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