Entrepreneurs

B2B Stories

Local business owners to host entrepreneurship event for children

Ramiro Galvan started working on a farm when he was only 8 years old, and he and his family now own three restaurants and a host of food and beverage trucks, which is why he wants to inspire the next generation of business owners. Galvan and his sister, Patty, co-owners of Taqueria El Rey in Martinez, La Cocina Del Rey in Grovetown, and The Munchies Lab in downtown Augusta will host the first-ever Young Leaders Market on Thursday, July 20, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Evans Towne Center

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B2B Stories

Local vintage clothing, costume rental business owner to retire June 30

For the last 15 years, Caren Bricker, better known as Ooollee, has sold vintage clothing and offered costume rentals for local theater companies, Halloween parties, and other themed events. Having recently announced her retirement, her last day in business will be Friday, June 30. Ooollee owns Vintage Ooollee, located at 1121 Broad St. in downtown Augusta. She recently sold all her vintage clothing and is turning the costume business over to one of her former employees, Jessica Netzler, who plans to rebrand it as Ensemble Sewing & Costumes. “I’ve had

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B2B Stories

Local business owner creates edible works of art

Kim Holland thinks of herself as an artist, but instead of paint, her palette includes gourmet meats, cheeses, fruits, and crackers. Holland owns Van Goat Grazing Co., which specializes in creating and selling charcuterie boards, boxes, and grazing tables for weddings, parties, and other events. She currently creates her boards and boxes at OPP Kitchen, located on Furys Ferry Road in Martinez, but soon, Southern Willow Market, which is right around the corner from that business, will sell some of her items. Besides charcuterie, she also bakes miniature Bundt cakes

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B2B Stories

Shaping the future of entrepreneur ecosystems

Editor’s note: As the founder and president of the clubhou.se, Eric Parker is one of the leading advocates for entrepreneurs in the CSRA. Like many businesses, ABD follows his work with great interest because of its positive impact. Parker recently traveled to Washington, D.C., along with 80 other leaders in the field of entrepreneurial support. The ground is shifting for entrepreneur support in America. When Grace and I co-founded our nonprofit over a decade ago, entrepreneurship was in a steady 40-year decline in our country. However, the landscape has changed

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B2B Stories

Local boutique owner to retire, close CSRA store

After 12 years in business, Jeriann Benton is retiring and closing her women’s clothing shop in Augusta. Benton, owner of 3 Chicks Boutique, located at 343 Highland Ave. in Surrey Center, has announced the store will officially close its doors on Saturday, June 24. ABD reached out to her, and she shared a letter she sent to her customers. “This little store has been a wonderful place for me to spend my time and energy, serving you and our community,” Benton said in the letter. “Over the years, people have

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B2B Stories

Local baker to celebrate opening of second CSRA location

Last summer, Alice Garner’s dreams came true when she opened a bakery kiosk in the Augusta Mall, but about one year later, she’s preparing to open a second location in Columbia County. Garner owns Garner’s Sweet Dreams, LLC, which sells a variety of desserts, including cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and banana pudding. Garner, a U.S. Army veteran, established Garner’s Sweet Dreams as a home-based business in Aug. 2019. Her kiosk opened on July 24, 2022. “We’ve been doing great in the mall,” she said. Her new location will be at 280

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B2B Stories

Business hopes to give you ‘A Polished Finish’

A Polished Finish, a Loganville, GA.-based business that specializes in countertops recently opened a showroom here in Augusta. The Augusta showroom, located at 2907 Washington Road in Suite 710, opened in March and held a grand opening last month. Established in 2003, the business has worked with customers to provide custom, stone countertops for 20 years. Jenny Hartzog, office manager of A Polished Finish in Augusta, said that though business was initially slow at the new location, more people are learning about the company. “It was slow at first, but

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B2B Stories

New business is painting the way across the CSRA

From engineering in Houston to dabbling in real estate, Andrew Hughes has landed in Augusta with a paintbrush in his hand as the new owner of a Fresh Coat Painters franchise. In the beginning, he followed in his father’s footsteps working in Houston’s oil and gas industries. As an engineer, Hughes designed Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) that were used underwater. When Covid hit, much of that work dried up. He traveled north to Plant Vogtle in 2018 for an opportunity. “My family and I fell in love with Augusta and

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B2B Stories

Second annual festival draws support from CSRA businesses

If you are ready for a business break this weekend, here’s a great idea for a calming treat for the senses. King George Lavender Farm and Mercantile will host their annual Lavender Festival Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. In many ways, this event is tailor-made for business owners and employees who lead a hectic lifestyle. Located in Barnwell, SC on 115 acres, the family-owned farm features more than 8,000 lavender plants including three different varieties. George and Elinor Poole moved to the area in 2016 from New York.

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B2B Stories

Local entrepreneurs to offer luxurious camping experiences

Growing up in small Georgia towns, Jana Murphy and Paige Williams loved camping, which is what inspired them to launch their own glamping business in a local small town. On Sunday, June 11, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Murphy and Williams will celebrate the grand opening of Untamed Honey Glampsites at Soap Creek Marina and Resort located at 3000 Soap Creek Lodge Road in Lincolnton. Glamping means glamorous camping, which, unlike traditional camping, resembles sleeping in a luxury hotel room with all the conveniences of home, such as beds,

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