B2B Stories

New fireworks business to light up Augusta skies

Every New Year’s Eve and July 4, many people flock to fireworks shows or shoot them off at home. Brent Munnerlyn, a South Carolina fireworks entrepreneur, plans to capitalize on people’s fascination with these visual displays by bringing what he calls a new business concept to the CSRA. Munnerlyn, owner of Munnerlyn Pyrotechnics based in Lexington, will open the new store on River Watch Parkway and Claussen Road near I-20, according to Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate. Juli Means, Marketing Director for Jordan Trotter, said this store is not to

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Consumer Stories

Photographer’s show features the beautiful world she sees through her camera

Despite all the negativity in the world, Addie Strozier strives to capture the beauty that surrounds us, which is why she loves landscape photography. Strozier, owner of Addie Strozier Photography, will host her first art show this weekend. The show, “The World EYE See,” will be held in her studio gallery at 930 Stevens Creek Road in Augusta tomorrow, from 5-8 p.m., and Sunday, from 1-4 p.m. It is a free drop-in event. She chose the name based on not only her pursuit of beauty but also her focus on

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Shawna Woodward

Free Access: Real Talk Real Estate: Will CSRA trends in the volatile housing market?

So much is happening in this market since interest rate changes were initiated to cause a market correction in house and inflation. Personally, I feel like they are overcorrecting, but I am reminding myself, as I often do, that it is not my monkey and not my circus! But some life lessons are sure and constant, like being proactive and not reactive. We are seeing a reactive response where a proactive one would have been a much better idea. This applies to all aspects of business and life! Whether you

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Realtor accepts the challenge of a stronger seller’s market by activating stronger faith

Helping people create generational wealth through homeownership motivates realtor Tonya Tillman to get out of bed each day. The divorced mother of two knows what it’s like to have a house that does not actually feel like home after her family structure went from four to three. And when a career in the United States Air Force came to an end, she knew she had to make a way for her and her children to thrive. Real estate became the answer God provided. “After feeling like I was at the

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Employee Benefits

Free Access: Good health benefits help companies attract good employees

Tom Mastny went from a Major League pitcher to helping local businesses with their health care benefits with The Pennant Group. In part 3 of his interview with Neil Gordon, Tom tells us how we’re currently in an area with a strong competition that drives down costs and helps employers take control of the benefits they offer.

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Top Story

Columbia County home show will feature 80 local businesses

This weekend, Blane Bailey plans to connect 80 local businesses with thousands of CSRA residents at the first-ever CASA Home Show. Bailey, President and CEO of TranterGrey Media Group in Evans, is one of the coordinators of the show, which will be held on Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday, May 1, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Columbia County Exhibition Center located at 212 Partnership Drive in Grovetown. The show was named CASA because it’s the Spanish word for house. Vendors will include Advanced Air Technology, Yohe Plumbing,

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B2B Stories

Retired educator launches collaborative workspace in downtown Augusta

After retiring as a principal in Aiken County in June 2021, Natonia Tillman decided to launch a business that would provide space for other small business owners to work, network, and market their products and services. In February, Tillman opened that space, 10Twenty-Eight located at 1028 Broad St. She made the transition from education to business for various reasons, including the stress of being a school administrator and wanting more flexibility to spend time with her grandchild. Tillman also had experience hosting business events. But she makes a disclaimer about

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B2B Stories

Employees are seeking flexibility, work-life integration

How Americans work has changed drastically in the past few years and that has created a new term for both employers and employees – work-life integration. “‘Work-life balance’ is a dated term that is recognized by the older generations,” Melissa Furman, a leading Management Consultant and lecturer in the James M. Hull College of Business at Augusta University, said in a press release. “The younger generations are seeking ‘work-life integration’ and in some cases, view their jobs as ‘side hustles’ to support their career of life.” During the pandemic, many

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Food and Fun

Entrepreneur combines fun and sales experience to start video biz

Kevin Jay loves sampling restaurants and having a fun time in the CSRA. His new brand, Eat Play Explore Augusta, allows him to have his cake and eat it too. Jay uses his iPhone to record and edit videos for local hospitality businesses that want more exposure and content to use on social media. “I’ve traveled all over the country and see first-hand that small businesses don’t have a lot of money for advertising,” Jay said, himself a transplant to Martinez from Kansas City, Mo. Jay has spent 25 years

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Sunrise Grill

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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