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B2B Stories

Young professionals join mentoring programs

Caroline Ashe (far right) enjoys helping young women better themselves both personally and professionally. Ashe – Sales and Marketing Director for Ivey Homes – serves as one of five mentors for Young Women on the Way – a program created by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce for professionals between the ages of 23 and 30. “For us business leaders, it’s great to have a connection with that generation,” she says. “It’s very worthy to give back.” Founded in 2015, the program is currently accepting applications for the Class of

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Josh Heath November 19, 2021 No Comments
B2B Stories

Chamber welcomes Retired Lt. Colonel to group

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Mark Douglass knows how to light up a room with “war stories” and a lifetime of lessons learned in just a short time taking his barbecue sauce to market. He thought he’d start with the original barbecue sauce. “There are four different flavors and the hot and spicy won’t overwhelm you. There is hickory, mesquite and the original.” He joked, “the people who make it love this. They are very happy we went from one to four. They make more money!” Columbia County Chamber President Russell Lahodney

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Neil Gordon November 19, 2021 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: How much does a buyer’s agent cost?

Purchasing a CSRA home is a huge life commitment. It can be a beneficial endeavor that brings wealth and happiness to you and your family. Conversely, one mistake in the buying process can be detrimental to you, your loved ones, and your wallet. Unfortunately, the horror stories about home purchases that went catastrophic are abundant. First off, please never purchase a home without having a qualified home inspector inspect the property. Too many times people forgo a home inspection (sometimes not knowing any better) and just weeks after moving in

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Braydon Woodward, Re/Max Reinvented November 19, 2021 No Comments
B2B Stories

Amazon regional director speaks about investing in employees

For Robert Packett, much of Amazon’s success is due to the hard work of its more than 1 million employees worldwide. While the company utilizes state-of-the-art technology, that doesn’t reduce the need for workers to fulfill customer orders and ship billions of packages each year. Packett – Amazon’s Southeastern Regional Director of Operations – was the keynote speaker at the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Luncheon Series on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at Savannah Rapids Pavilion. In this role, he oversees a team of more than 36,000 employees. “As we

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Josh Heath November 18, 2021 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local law firm to help needy families for the holidays

Many in the CSRA face significant financial burdens, and Christmas shopping only compounds those burdens, but a local law firm wants to help. Hawk Law Group is currently accepting applications for its second annual Hawk Helps program. The firm will select five families to help this holiday season. “Things are difficult enough for families experiencing difficult times, but it’s more difficult during the holidays,” says Reid Sanders, one of the firm’s partners. “We started Hawk Helps to bring some Christmas joy to local families who are struggling.” Hawk Law Group

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Josh Heath November 18, 2021 No Comments

Employment Cartoon

Thanks to our member Mike Frazier of Peak TCS who’s always taken an innovative approach to communicating with employers and employees as part of their staffing company. Here’s his take on working remotely in the CSRA!

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Neil Gordon November 18, 2021 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Olive Garden

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 the 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”.

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Wes Hennings November 18, 2021 No Comments
B2B Stories

Two businessmen purchase the Boy Scouts a $1.7 Million headquarters

After a unique sealed bidding process with a deadline that came and went several months ago— a creative, near $1.7 Million deal was struck by Sherman and Hemstreet Real Estate, the Augusta Jewish Community Center—the property owner and Georgia-Carolina Nature and Adventure Center, LLC—the private group that bought the 26 acre facility and blessed the Boy Scouts with a long-term charitable lease. It will be called the GCC Adventure Center. The two businessmen grew up in the scouting program and asked to remain anonymous. “We will lease it for $1

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Neil Gordon November 17, 2021 No Comments
B2B Stories

Military veteran launches line of bottled sauces and favorite recipes

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Mark Douglass has been serving his entire life. From 24 years in the U.S Army, to 16 years as a CSRA Real Estate agent and now founder of his home grown blend of four barbecue sauces. “During my travels around the world and throughout the U.S., I learned many secrets on barbecue sauces and recipes which I have kept with me for nearly 40 years,” writes Douglass on his www.warriorschoice.us website. He says he’s always toyed with bringing it to market and the pandemic gave Douglass time

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Neil Gordon November 17, 2021 No Comments
B2B Stories

Leftover commercial space available for lease in Augusta

Early next year, Chad Harpley will move his company to a new 14,000-square-foot facility in Augusta, and 2,500 square feet of that space is currently available for lease. Harpley – President and Chief Executive Officer of Premier Networx – is relocating his information technology and cybersecurity firm from its current address at 4332 Wheeler Road #105 to 116 Cooper Drive off Riverwatch Parkway next door to Elegant Bridals. He says the building, which is currently under construction, is scheduled to open Jan. 3. “It’s a state-of-the-art cybersecurity center,” Harpley states.

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Josh Heath November 17, 2021 No Comments
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