B2B Stories

Local entrepreneur starting over again with the same business

The adage is that you can’t go home again, but sometimes you can go back to a former business. Laura Boshell is proof of that. Boshell started her cleaning business in 2011 but eventually put it aside to focus on other priorities, such as raising her children. She recently relaunched the business and changed its primary service. Boshell originally launched Gleam Clean Services of Augusta, LLC as a side business to clean rental homes after tenants moved out and prepare homes to go on the market, but she said it

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B2B Stories

Branding expert begins 5th year in CSRA business

Good business owners find creative solutions to customers’ problems, according to Laura Morris. If Morris, owner and Creative Director of Design Aesthetic, LLC in Augusta, can’t find those solutions on her own, she connects her clients to people who can. Her company provides a variety of services to small businesses, including branding, marketing strategy, graphic design, and even interior design. “We focus on all the creative aspects of a business,” Morris said. She uses a variety of media to help businesses connect with potential customers. For example, she designs and

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B2B Stories

Destination Augusta CEO shares strategies for engaging Masters’ guests

When it comes to engaging Masters’ guests, sometimes the little things local businesses do can create memorable experiences for those guests, according to Bennish Brown. Brown, President, and CEO of Destination Augusta presented creative strategies businesses can use to attract out-of-town customers for tournament week at the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. Simple, cost-effective strategies businesses can implement include changing their signs to welcome guests to Augusta or providing unique Masters Week sales offers. “Take the golf theme to the next level, and have some fun,” he said. “Tap into

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Shawna Woodward

Free Access: Real Talk Real Estate: Housing market update and absorption rates

I am a firm believer in pricing homes based on the absorption rate. Essentially, the absorption rate tells how many months of available home supply we have. So why does the absorption rate matter on this market update? Everything is selling fast, and the absorption rate is what drives the market. Through the years, I have told sellers that we have to have the best price and value to close in 60 days. I have rarely met a seller who wanted or needed to sell a home and didn’t want

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B2B Stories

Local CVB leader to discuss tourism and destination marketing

Columbia County tourism has a major economic impact not only on the CSRA, but also on the state of Georgia, according to Shelly Blackburn. Blackburn, Executive Director of the Columbia County Convention and Visitors Bureau, will serve as a guest speaker at the next CSRA Home Connections Networking Breakfast on Wednesday, April 13 at 8:30 a.m. at the Snelling Conference Center, next to Edgar’s Grille at the corner of Washington and Furys Ferry roads. “Columbia County is growing and prospering, and Visit Columbia County plays a key role in that

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B2B Stories

Faith Friday: Developing through the negatives: Pandemic pivot produces profitable photography business

In her 40’s, Crystal Smith Miller found herself in the same position as many others amid a global crisis that crippled a nation for the past two years. The question she asked herself repeatedly before deciding to pivot from a previous career was, “What’s going to happen now?” Her answer: Pick up a camera and help others make unforgettable moments. “I started in May 2020 because I was afraid that I would be furloughed due to the pandemic,” she recalls. “I have never thought about doing photography in my entire

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B2B Stories

Golden Harvest awards building expansion contract, construction will start soon

Golden Harvest Food Bank took the first step toward expanding its building to better serve the community by awarding phase one of the building project to RD Brown. The first of a two-phase project will be a renovation that will add nearly 5,000 square feet of volunteer space, as well as a welcome area and much-needed conference, meeting, and office space. The expansion will allow Golden Harvest to increase its impact in its 25-county service area. Golden Harvest received a $3.7 million grant in December, which will cover 75 percent

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B2B Stories

The historic North Augusta building will become part of the new Gateway Development

North Augusta will be rolling out the red carpet for visitors by converting the old carpet building next to the city’s Municipal Building into a Gateway Development. Brett Brannon, President of Palmetto Peach Development Company, announced his plans to refurbish the former North Augusta Carpet & Wallpaper Shop, located at 210 Georgia Ave. at a news conference on Wednesday. The building is one of the first sights travelers from Augusta, via the 13th Street bridge, see of North Augusta. He said the 12,000-square-foot building, originally a skating rink, will be

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B2B Stories

Aiken Mall’s new lease on life

As brick-and-mortar retail faces an uncertain future, the plans for repurposing the Aiken Mall appears to be aligned with many other malls across the country which have reinvented themselves for a new lease on life. Southeastern Development has partnered in a public/private investment to the tune of $50 million involving 400,000 square feet of property to reinvent the mall space. “With the approval of the city of Aiken and the county, we are moving ahead with an eye to the future which includes an inclusive shopping, dining, and living experience,”

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Sno-Cap Drive-In

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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