B2B Stories

Local entrepreneur runs a successful business and stays humble

There are always risks involved in starting a business, but Patrick Wright took a major gamble by using his last paycheck from his former job to launch his local vehicle wrapping business. Wright, the owner of Humble Wraps located at 106 Cedar Lane in Martinez, opened the business on Feb. 14, and he’s happy he decided to pursue his dreams. Wright chose the business name to remind himself where he came from and to stay humble. Wrapping refers to covering a vehicle with a vinyl film, often with a different

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Consumer Stories

Local car dealership offers unique restaurant option

Sharon Caskey runs a restaurant that gives new meaning to “drive-in.” The restaurant, At Your Service Gourmet Cafe, is located inside the Jim Hudson Lexus dealership at 3410 Washington Road in Martinez. Caskey was selling cars for Jim Hudson Lexus when its General Manager, Bill Gibbs, told her they wanted to add a food concept to the new dealership and asked if she would be interested in running it. Caskey developed the concept and name, and the café opened in October 2018. If the concept sounds unusual, that’s because it

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Consumer Stories

Local Dunkin’ customers can go for the gold and help fight childhood cancer

Starting next week, Augusta area residents can help fight childhood cancer and earn a little “sweet gold” in return. Augusta area Dunkin’ customers can make a $2 donation to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation to support those battling childhood cancer. The promotion runs Sept. 14-28 in honor of September being National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In return for the donations, customers will receive a Gold Joy Donut – a donut ring featuring gold icing topped with a Munchkins donut hole treat. The gold icing pays homage to Childhood Cancer

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Shawna Woodward

Free Access: Real Talk Real Estate: Lots to love in the CSRA

I have to admit that I love football and I am so excited for this week. I am hoping that this is the year my team, the Atlanta Falcons, pulls together with our amazing coaching staff and the players to win big! The pre-season showed great promise for this season, so I am hoping for a win a Sunday’s game against the Saints. Football season reminds me of why so many people come back to Augusta if they have the chance. Over the years, I have found that a person’s

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch: Baldino’s

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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Consumer Stories

Augusta University named one of the top employers in Georgia

Many employers claim to be the best, but not every employer is chosen by Forbes for that distinction. The magazine has unveiled its annual list of America’s Best Employers by State, and for the fourth year in a row, Augusta University, which has 6,500 employees, has been included on that list. Augusta University Health has also been selected this year. Forbes and Statista, a market research company, created the list by surveying 70,000 American workers from 25 industries. The companies examined a variety of factors, including salaries, working conditions, growth

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Consumer Stories

New pub brings a taste of Ireland to Aiken

Ireland is a small country with a big personality. Spanning generations of cultural unrest – a result of famine, oppression, civil wars, and invasions – it is surprising that the Irish collectively claim a chirpy disposition. Marty Dubber and his business partner, James Anderson, have managed to bundle a menu and the cheerful atmosphere of an authentic Irish public house, named Jameson McDubby’s, almost 4,000 miles away from the Emerald Isle, and put it right in the heart of downtown Aiken at 126 Laurens Street. Dubber grew up in Georgia,

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Darin Myers

Free Access: Why is personal branding important?

Darin Myers is the local facilitator of The Alternative Board (TAB), a peer-to-peer advisory board designed to help company leaders maximize their opportunities and work through challenges. Darin recently retired after a 30-year career in the nuclear industry as the leader of Plant Vogtle I and II. He has proven success in strategic planning and alignment, employee development, organizational performance improvement, accountability, and coaching. Recently, he started a family business in Augusta focused on home health care, providing him the knowledge and experience surrounding small- to medium-sized business operators. These

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Consumer Stories

Texas-based salad restaurant company plans franchises in Augusta locations

A growing restaurant chain plans to expand by launching new franchise locations in Augusta, possibly as early as next year, according to Julie Davis. Davis, Vice President of franchise development for Salata Salad Kitchen, said the Houston-based company already has 10 locations throughout the Atlanta area. But based on market research and Augusta’s demographics, particularly population density and income, she said the city would be an ideal place to expand its brand. Salata is currently looking for franchisees who want to open locations in this area. “We’re looking to connect

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