Entrepreneurs

B2B Stories

Young entrepreneur opens hair salon in the CSRA

How do you beat the summer heat? Let us count the ways, a dip in the pool, a relationship with A/C, or another way is opting for a shorter haircut. Summer cuts are cooler and fit the relaxed, carefree lifestyle of the season. At Summer Cuts in Aiken, Summer Engelberg is standing by with scissors in hand to give you a “new do.” “The seasons seem to run in my family. My sisters are named Autumn and Winter, but a customer gave me a sign that reads, ‘Summer cuts all

Read More »
B2B Stories

Hair today, gone tomorrow? A new wig boutique can help

Editor’s note: I’m a breast cancer survivor. The surgeries and chemotherapy were bad enough but, honestly, one of the worst parts of the experience was losing most of my hair. After all, a woman’s hair is her crowning glory. And yes, I sought out a wig. A full head of hair gives us confidence and makes us shine. Having a good hair day can boost our confidence, as well as our mood. But if you suffer hair loss, it can affect you physically and emotionally. “Your hair doesn’t define you,

Read More »
B2B Stories

Upscale restaurant serves made-from-scratch magic

He came from the land of “Leaf Peepers” aka Barrington, New Hampshire, and settled in the “Winter Colony” aka Aiken. The path to opening a restaurant was at the end of a long and winding road for Samuel O’Lone. “My degree is in theology. I worked for eight years at a food service company which taught me a lot about food, but not cooking, and then I worked in student housing in Athens, GA. My sisters were into riding and showing horses and they would come to Aiken during the

Read More »
B2B Stories

Entrepreneur creates a different kind of Amen Corner

Amen Corner at Augusta National sports one of the more challenging, but beautiful three holes in golf. With a stone bridge across Rae’s Creek, it provides iconic “beauty shots” during the Masters. Augusta National has trademarked the name, “Amen Corner.” That Amen Corner was born in 1958. Ethan Hammond wasn’t even a glimmer in his parents’ eyes back then. His business, Amen Corner Ponds, while a nod to his community, stems more from his church upbringing and honoring his faith, because to be successful in business and life, we all

Read More »
B2B Stories

Local sisters and business partners bounce into family entertainment company

You’ve probably witnessed children having the time of their lives on a bounce house, but it’s not every day you see their parents and grandparents bouncing with them. Molly Daley and Kelsye Butters want to change that. Local sisters, Daley and Butters, launched Elevate Evans | Luxury Bounce House Service in February. The mobile business provides bounce houses for not only birthday parties, but also more formal events, such as weddings. “We promote that we’re for all ages,” Daley said. “We would love to do retirement parties – we’re open

Read More »
B2B Stories

Mobile mechanic puts the brakes on high car repair costs

Austin Cravey understands many can’t afford to wait days or even weeks for costly car repairs, which is why he helps his customers save both time and money. About two months ago, Cravey launched Cravey’s Car Care, a local mobile mechanic business in Martinez that offers a variety of services, ranging from oil changes to engine rebuilds. “We also do light and heavy diesel work,” he said. “We work on foreign and domestic vehicles.” Cravey said some of his customers have already spent thousands of dollars at other repair shops,

Read More »
B2B Stories

Funding for new and existing small businesses

If you are an entrepreneur just starting a business or if you already have a small business, the City of Augusta Business Equity Fund (CABE Fund), administered by the Greater Augusta Black Chamber Foundation, may be able to help you. The GABC is hosting an orientation session this week. It provides funding for small businesses and social enterprises in the Greater Augusta Area that are seeking economic relief due to the lingering impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Specifically, this program assists small businesses with less than 10 employees by providing

Read More »
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

Read More »
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

Read More »
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

Read More »