Entrepreneurs

B2B Stories

Locally owned pediatric urgent care celebrates first anniversary

Carlee Leopard, MSN, APRN, CPNP opened NiteOwl Pediatric Urgent Care one year ago, and it’s one of the first urgent care clinics specialized for children in South Carolina. According to a press release, NiteOwl’s vision for the clinic is to complement the pediatrician. Staffed by board-certified pediatric nurse practitioners, Nite Owl Pediatric Urgent Care treats children from newborns through age 21. They accept Georgia and South Carolina Medicaid plans, as well as most major private insurances. Leopard is also one of the first nurse practitioners in the state to open

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B2B Stories

CSRA coffee biz keeps pouring and growing

A coffee business first spotlighted in ABD in May 2022 as a pop-up coffee cart, then again in October when they opened a brick and mortar is growing again, this time with a drive-thru which opened on June 22. “It’s been a whirlwind to get to this point, but we are excited,” said Mallory Adkison. They have an app so you can order ahead of time and still get to work on time the next day. “It keeps traffic moving smoothly and the employees and customers seem to love the

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B2B Stories

Augusta native launches Stella’s Pawtique

Just in time for the dog days of summer, locally owned mobile dog grooming business, Stella’s Pawtique is making its way around the CSRA. Kristin Lee, owner of Stella’s Pawtique, wanted to share her passion for caring for animals by offering a unique experience in the world of dog grooming. Born and raised in Augusta, Lee has also been a registered nurse for over 10 years. “Being the owner of a dog who has a lot of social anxiety, I know the importance of needing one-on-one grooming care,” she said.

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B2B Stories

Creative couple collaborates for business success

She is an event coordinator and bakes custom cakes. He designs and builds wood and metal products. Together, Angela and Glen Dragano are a match made in Heaven. They run two separate businesses, but often work side by side to ensure the success of both. She met her future husband many years ago in Texas. Even though he moved to Aiken, they remained friends. Angela followed him in 2016 and got a job making cakes for MacK’s Deli on Laurens Street. A year later, she and Glen married and last

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B2B Stories

Owners of successful dog apparel business to launch storefront next weekend

If you throw birthday parties for your dogs, Nic and Bretta Farina have the supplies you need to let your four-legged family members have their cake and eat it too. For the last 11 years, the Farinas have owned Puddle Jumper Pups, which until now, has been a home-based, online business that creates and sells a variety of products, including leashes, collars, harnesses, and accessories. More than 150 retailers nationwide, including Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, which has locations in Augusta and Evans. “Our B2B business has really grown,” Bretta

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B2B Stories

New therapeutic massage and spa could take your stress away

Business owners are the ones who get in early and stay late, sometimes skipping lunch breaks, heading off to meetings, and never getting to the bottom of their inboxes. Sound familiar? The need for relaxation and stress relief is real. Maria Cardona understands that better than most. She worked in the medical field for 21 years, first as a CNA and then as a phlebotomist. During that time, she also had a side job as a massage therapist. “I finally decided to open my own business. My husband has been

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B2B Stories

Gourmet grocery and wine shop soon to open in CSRA

It’s been four years since Wine World closed in Aiken, but a store with something more is coming soon. Town Square Olive Oil & Wine is set to open in the next few weeks. The shop will offer olive oils, a variety of vinegar, wine, craft beers, and charcuterie boards. Owner, Tia Harville and her husband, Joey, are excited about the location, 509 Georgia Avenue in Aiken. “My husband’s family is from the area and the concept for the shop stems from his aunt’s Town Square Olive Oil business in

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B2B Stories

Local young professionals honored for professional, community service

As a local business owner, Patricia Galvan Fuentes enjoys giving back to the community. Galvan Fuentes, who co-owns three CSRA restaurants with her family: Taqueria El Rey, La Cocina Del Rey, and The Munchies Lab, has been selected by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Augusta Magazine as one of the 2023 Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch. The honorees were recognized at the Chamber’s Member Economic Luncheon last Thursday, July 29. ABD asked Galvan Fuentes about her plans for the next 10 years. “I hope to

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B2B Stories

A cool treat “pops” into town

Just in time for summer, Augusta Pop Company is serving up frozen treats that can keep Augustans cool during the heat wave. Owned by married couple, Nico and Courtney Bernal, the popsicle business was started nearly six months ago. They’ve positioned the mobile company to be an option for people wanting a cold, dairy-free dessert on the go. Courtney Bernal is a native of the CSRA and an alumna of Augusta University. She obtained her bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist degrees from the college. Nico Bernal, originally from Florida, moved to

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B2B Stories

Local business owners offer fun alternative to traditional painting

For many people, painting is a way to relax, hone their craft or express their creativity, but a new business opening today in North Augusta will allow both children and adults to create fun, unique paintings that require no artistic talent. Chris and Brandy Gunsolus own The Splatter Place located at 614 East Martintown Road, Suite C, across the street from Krystal and next door to Aishi Steak & Wings. The business gives customers the chance to throw ultraviolet blacklight reactive paint at a variety of canvases, including hats, T-shirts,

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