Sun, May 03, 2026

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Newsletter Sign up
Show Support
Menu
Consumer Stories

Bus donation pays dividends down the road

Recently, the Gerald Jones Auto Group and the Garden City Gospel Mission held a pretty unique event. Though it’s not unique for a successful business to write a check for $5000 to help, it is unique when free transportation is involved. The auto group donated a bus to provide reliable transportation for men in the mission’s residential recovery program. The uses include helping connect them with employment, services, and daily support.   Thanks to Virginia Atkins of Gerald Jones Auto Group for providing THIS video on board with the leaders of

Read More »
Neil Gordon April 10, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Putt-Ing on an event for a good cause

Lovers of miniature golf this week will find a course awaiting them at Putt Putt in Martinez. Putt Putt owners will give back in about a month to make a difference for those who want to be seen. For 65 years, Easterseals of East Georgia has empowered individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment to build confidence, gain skills, and achieve independence.  Easter Seals is partnering with Putt Putt and area companies to be part of that mission.  at our upcoming fundraiser: May 19, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 PM Putt-Putt Fun

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre April 9, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Topgolf brings in top names after 1st round of Masters

Country music star Rodney Atkins will be “watching you” if you come to Topgolf tonight for his concert. You can also yuk it up with a golfing legend tonight and Friday night. Band members from Sister Hazel were scheduled to perform last night, and Black Dog tomorrow night. While much attention is focused on Washington Road, golf patrons visiting Augusta have a chance to test their own skills just down the road. Topgolf is a straight, one-mile shot down Alexander Drive from Washington Road. Tucked at the end of the

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre and Neil Gordon April 9, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Masters of the “House”: Learning from the Front and the Back at Augusta National

The 90th edition of the Masters officially begins this morning when honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson hit their ceremonial tee shots, immediately followed by the start of tournament play. As I discussed in last week’s column, the best companies and sports teams focus on continuous improvement, and no organization epitomizes that more than the Masters and Augusta National. This time of the year, I typically write at least one column on the Masters/Augusta National because there is so much that businesses can learn from the Masters

Read More »
Dr. Rick Franza, Professor, AU Hull College of Business April 9, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Supporting families and children is good for business

Business leaders learned that community involvement and awareness of struggling families and children are important to their bottom line. Good Morning North Augusta, the monthly breakfast presented by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, turned the light on “Strong Families, Strong Community: Prevention Starts with Us.” The panel discussion recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month. Andrea Bowles, Sales Manager at Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate and chair of the Board of Directors, told ABD that for businesses and the community to thrive, it is essential that families thrive. “As simple as

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre April 8, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Family business keeps on trucking with special anniversary

The Matthews family is getting ready to throw a 35th Anniversary party to thank customers, vendors, and staff. They say they’ll keep on moving for many years to come. Shown in photo from left to right: Austin Matthews, Aaron Matthews, Tanya Matthews, Bob Matthews, Alan Matthews Patriarch Bob Matthews founded Matthews Motors in 1991 as a mobile repair operation. Matthews Motors is now a family-owned commercial truck sales dealership and service provider for fleet operators across the Southeast.  Bob’s sons, Aaron Matthews and Austin Matthews, are now leading the company

Read More »
Neil Gordon April 8, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

“Bad Birdie” success inspired by Masters tournament

A few years ago, this week, Jason Richardson walked the Augusta National course and took pride in seeing how many patrons wore his Bad Birdie-branded shirts and hats. “Going to the Masters was like Disneyland for adults,” said the company owner headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. His most recent collection, “Amateursland,” is a nod to the theme park, amateur golfers, and The Masters.  Mr. Peach, The Gnome, Pimento C. Sandwich, Folding Chair, and Dr. Azalea are some of the iconic characters placed on his apparel, based on the famed tournament.  Bad

Read More »
Neil Gordon April 7, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Startup summer is underway in Aiken

Events designed to spur entrepreneurship and business start-ups in Augusta and Aiken have begun. A series of workshops through Venture Lab Aiken are part of Startup Summer.  Make Startups, based in theClubhou.se at the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center (GCITC), joined with the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, Western SC, South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), and Magnate Angel Group. The first Founders Friday workshop was titled Ideas Are Flimsy. Scalable Businesses Are Engineered. “The workshop is really centered around the idea that most founders come to me and they say,

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre April 7, 2026 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Unique reasons why some golfers get a Green Jacket

Over the last 10 Masters tournaments, the winner has been victorious either by one shot (3 times) or through a playoff (twice), indicating that victory often hinges on the smallest of margins. Professional golfers, therefore, spend many hours on skill development, decision-making, and mental resilience. However, external factors, such as weather, can introduce an element of luck into golf competitions. Sometimes golfers benefit from a calm day going out early, sometimes the afternoon weather is more agreeable to low scores. Justin Ehrlich, a co-author of mine on other research, and

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor April 7, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Days of golf, evenings of exploration

Day one of practice rounds is underway at the Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC). When practice rounds and tournament days conclude each evening, area tourism and business leaders want visitors to explore activities off the golf course. Destination Augusta created a new set of tools to showcase the Garden City. It began with a refresh of its Visit Augusta website. “We updated our content and are getting it on the forefront of our homepage so it’s easily accessible to people who are Googling for answers,” Karen Lee Davis of Destination

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre April 6, 2026 No Comments
Load More