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B2B Stories

Mondays with Rick: Tips on recruiting and retaining good employees

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about recruiting good employees and the importance of retaining them. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: It seems everyone these days is looking for employees. What’s going on? Rick: We’ve always had a good relationship with the local community, but we’ve never had so many businesses, both small and large, be as proactive with us because they’re so in need

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Gary Kauffman November 27, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Mental health treatment center opens in Evans

Many CSRA residents struggle with mental health problems, and it can take weeks or even months to see a psychiatrist. But waiting is no longer necessary, thanks to a new treatment center now open in Columbia County. High Focus Centers just opened a new location at 607 Ponder Place, near Tuscany Spa in Evans that currently offers adult mental health services, such as partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, according to its Executive Director, Marlea Bodie. High Focus treats patients with a variety of diagnoses, including depression, bipolar disorder, and

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Josh Heath November 27, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Successful holiday weekend for a two-in-one Aiken boutique

Maddie P Boutique and Kels & Faith Company got a jump start on Black Friday sales by opening at 7:00 pm on Thanksgiving. The strategy paid off. Way before the doors opened, a long line of shoppers was already waiting despite the chill and rain. The two boutiques share store space at 126 Pendleton Street. The partnership has worked well for both. They moved together from Warrenville to Aiken in March of this year. Jessica Gaskins, the owner of Maddie P’s, attracts customers from 17 to 70. Kelsey Cook’s Kels

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Mitzi Oxford November 27, 2022 No Comments
Awards/Celebrations

Local gourmet nut entrepreneurs celebrate 10 years in business

If you’re looking for corporate gifts for your clients this holiday season, Brian and Kam Kyzer probably have just the items you need. The Kyzers own Watanut, a gourmet nut business, located at 3309 Washington Road in Augusta, and a second store in Amelia Island, Fla. Brian Kyzer said the business, which sells nut mixes, Georgia pecans, and shortbread cookies, will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an open house on Thursday, Dec. 1, 5-9 p.m., at the Augusta store. The Kyzers host a large open house every year, but they

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Story and photos by Josh Heath November 24, 2022 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Economic value of your holiday gifts

“Father Christmas, give us the money Don’t mess around with those silly toys” The Kinks, Father Christmas At this time of gift giving, it is worth considering whether the exchange of presents is efficient. Well at least to an economist it is! Famously, if only in economic circles, Joel Waldfogel in 1993 suggested gift giving was inefficient because it destroyed about 10 percent to a third of the value of the gift. Think of the aunt or uncle that gave you that wonderful (read terrible) sweater last year. They bought

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Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Economics Professor November 24, 2022 No Comments
Shawna Woodward

Free Access: Real Talk Real Estate: Black Friday house deals and steals

Today is the day everyone will be hunting the best deals – so where can you save the most money when you are buying a home? Here are the three top places to get some really good deals at the lowest prices around! While these resources are available to the public, please know that I recommend you have a licensed realtor assist you in the event you want to pursue what you see listed. Generally, there is no fee for a buyer who is using a realtor when a home

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Shawna Woodward, Re/Max Reinvented Evans November 23, 2022 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local baker makes Greek desserts layered with love

Making baklava is a time-consuming process that involves buttering 60 layers of filo dough, but Thalia O’Gorman loves baking the Greek dessert. O’Gorman owns Thalia’s Baklava, which recently began leasing space in OPP Kitchen located at 359 Furys Ferry Road in Martinez. She sells seven flavors of the dessert, including traditional, chocolate, blueberry, and espresso. “It’s like apple pie; everybody who makes it has their own version of it,” said O’Gorman, a native of Connecticut. “And we all swear ours is the best.” She grew up in a Greek family

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Story and photos by Josh Heath November 23, 2022 No Comments
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