Business Coaching

B2B Stories

FREE business event in CSRA

Now more than ever, ethics is a critical character trait. A New York City executive from a major financial institution is in town next Thursday to inspire business students and area professionals. The event is free. The Hull College of Business is putting together the Russell A. Blanchard Lecture Series in Ethics featuring Veronique Ferguson, Executive Director, Compliance, J.P. Morgan Chase (NYC). With more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of law, finance, and ethics, Ms. Ferguson currently leads Investment Banking Compliance for North America at J.P. Morgan. A trained attorney and

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B2B Stories

Your company is like your body. It needs regular check-ups.

Business owners learned the importance of performing a health check on their companies during a recent workshop sponsored by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce. “The Health of Your Business: What’s Working. What’s Stuck, and Why?” was presented by Danielle Folsom, founder of The Productive.  That is a local consulting firm helping businesses be more efficient through clarity, alignment, and strong people systems. Folsom believes, like humans, businesses also have a DNA specific to its operation and business sector.  “My theory is that every business has a face, a heart and bones,

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B2B Stories

Training future pilots and techs to take flight

Augusta native, Jamail Larkins, was just 14 years old when he made his record-breaking flight as the youngest pilot to solo flight a Cessna 172. Now, he’s helping to host an event next weekend to give interested CSRA STEM students a chance to use scholarship money to carve out a career pathway. This fast-growing job sector is also propelled by internship opportunities through a few local school systems. He and another local flight expert will be teaching the future generation at Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) next Saturday. His AviationStart company

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B2B Stories

Integrity, Courage, and Service: Business Essentials

Publisher’s Note: Do churches run like businesses? That’s a debate for another day. Today, Dr. Rick Franza shows us how principles we learn at church carry over to the business world. Earlier this month, my Augusta church held a day-long Men’s Conference, entitled “Dare to Be Different: Men of Courage, Integrity, and Service.” More than 150 other men attended the spiritually fulfilling day. We enjoyed fellowshipping and listening to three young pastors who had grown up in our church. They discussed how integrity, courage, and service are important attributes of how

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B2B Stories

Setting business owners up for success

There is a workshop next week, organized by experts who can point business owners to successful outcomes. This is the 12th year for the CEO Breakfast Workshop, sponsored by the Augusta office of the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The two-hour workshop will feature a panel of experts who can address the three topics for this year’s event. “We’re going to discuss the HR component, the financial component, and the risk assessment component,” Rebecca Mixson, Director for the Augusta office, explained for ABD. “We’re going to talk

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B2B Stories

Huge Sign CSRA Economy Is Improving

SCORE sets record on mentoring small businesses in a 16-county area of the CSRA. 30 Certified Mentors and Volunteers worked with over 355 Small Business Clients in 2025. The Chapter’s territory includes Aiken, Augusta, North Augusta, and a total of sixteen counties. Mentoring services have been provided for three phases of a Small Business’s journey. The Idea and How Do I Start Phase…The How Do I Grow My Business Phase…And finally, The Time Is Right to Sell and/or Retire Phase. As a Non-Profit, all Mentoring Services are free and confidential.

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B2B Stories

Busy year ahead for Accelerate Augusta

Augusta’s newest small business incubator is laying out an ambitious schedule for its first full year in operation. Executive Director Shaun Andrews told ABD they will be focusing on what he called the Three “Fs”: Foundation, funding, and the future for entrepreneurs. Accelerate Augusta, a partnership between Augusta Technical College and the Downtown Development Authority, officially opened in October 2025. It is in the former Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce building at 600 Broad Street. The microenterprise center was created to support entrepreneurs, start-ups, and help local small businesses develop

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B2B Stories

Jerry Maguire was right: Show Me the Money

One of the biggest hurdles facing any budding entrepreneur or small business owner is how to find the seed money to grow the idea. A national organization, which has a chapter in Aiken County, offered solutions to the dilemma in a recent online seminar titled “Finding Grants and Sponsorships: Locate Opportunities, Apply Confidently, Stand Out to Funders.” The online seminar was led by Cheryl Smith, CEO of Dewlyn Nonprofit Services (https://dewlyn.com/), who also provides services to small businesses. Her presentation included where to find grants and how to successfully apply.

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B2B Stories

CSRA Masterclass on best business practices

Read a good business book lately? 5 CSRA company leaders did the work for you! Here is what they found to help you with your day-to-day work. Panelists from five different types of business, Andrea Bowles, Blanchard & Calhoun Real Estate; Elisha Ford, ER at Sweetwater & Martintown; Greg Greenawalt, Gracious Hospitality Services; Isaac Kelly, Aiken Staffing Associates, and Cynthia Rhodes, Rhodes-Porter Group, presented “Moments That Move Us: Five Powerful Messages to Shape Business & Leadership.” Andrea Bowles introduced attendees to “The Energy Clock” by Molly Fletcher. Fletcher’s premise is

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B2B Stories

How to juggle 4 balls in the air without dropping one

When Samantha (Sam) Corujo needs quiet time, she’ll relax on the balcony of Summer House Realty, overlooking Augusta National. It’s a welcome retreat from her traditional real estate office downstairs and three other businesses she’s built. So, how does she juggle all four companies? For the highly energetic entrepreneur, it’s a combination of discipline, exercise, micro-bursting, and creating think time. ” I get up, I go to the gym early, and then I come home, and there’s that little sacred two-hour window of time where I can handle all my

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