Thu, April 25, 2024

Entrepreneurs

B2B Stories

Businessperson of the Month: Dynamic Duo

Best Office Solutions owners, Robin Baxley and Sandi Shields embody the saying, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” “We can’t do it without teamwork,” Baxley said. “We can’t do it without each and every person who works here. That’s why, when we succeed, we reward everyone from the people making the sales to the delivery drivers and the ladies answering the phones.” Shields added that no one at Best Office Solutions will ever say “That’s not my job.” “Robin and I will jump in and clean the bathrooms. I’m cleaning the

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B2B Stories

CSRA entrepreneur pops up a snack success

Hot or room temperature, popcorn is a favorite snack, both at the movies and at home. More than 17 billion quarts are consumed by Americans every year and the global market is expected to reach almost $4 Billion this year. Dionte Wilder has your cravings covered with WePop Popcorn. His North Augusta business ships his snack throughout the CSRA, across the country, and to military bases around the world. As a retired veteran, Wilder has a special place in his heart for making sure soldiers can taste his treat. “I was

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B2B Stories

Familiar face opens new place downtown

In 2015, Marty Koger was looking for something to do with a former gas station he owned in Evans. “The store had been closed for two years, and my daughter suggested I check out growler stores in Atlanta,” he recalled. “I saw that they are interesting places selling interesting beer. You could go in and chat and learn about new and interesting beers. That was attractive to me.” He really loved that there was no template for stores and he could design it any way he wanted. “I came up

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B2B Stories

Business Person of the Month: Dr. Aaron Washington and Maria

Entrepreneurs consider many factors when choosing a franchise. Dr. Aaron Washington and his wife, Maria, wanted to open a business that would make an impact in the community. “We wanted something we could scale and be impactful as far as providing jobs, but also providing a great service to the community that’s not the same as everyone is used to seeing,” Aaron said. He has a Ph.D. in chemistry and was an adjunct professor at USC Aiken when they opened Tutor Doctor of Evans. Maria, a former medical operations director,

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B2B Stories

CSRA “Fitrepreneur” adds 4th location

Former Evans Fitness co-founder, Mike Montarbo reached his “stretch goal” of four locations in a short period of time. Jordan Trotter Commercial Real Estate represented his brand, InMotion Wellness Studio, and found a unique spot in the Summerville area of Augusta. The newest studio is now open at 1411 Monte Sano Avenue. “Our motto says it all -Power of Process. Our goal is to help people of all ages and walks of life. We work with teens with sports injuries, people suffering from autoimmune diseases and cancer, and aging clients

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B2B Stories

Small businesses thriving in the CSRA

The struggle is real for small businesses, but many first-year additions to the CSRA are building a unique, successful footprint with bells and whistles, paint, prep meals, and sit-down dinners. ABD has interviewed many start-up businesses in the past year and 2024 looks to be a banner year for some of them. We are spotlighting four small businesses, including their challenges and tips for success that have gotten them this far. The Wildemount, located at 200 Park Avenue SW in Aiken, will celebrate its first anniversary on January 17. “Learning

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B2B Stories

Learning how to navigate the landscape of government contracts

Businesses can often find it difficult to find and bid on lucrative government contracts, but there’s a nationwide network of experts ready to help. Augusta is home to an office of the Georgia Tech APEX Accelerator, one of 300 local offices for a program previously called the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. Nationwide, there are more than 90 APEX Accelerators. “APEX Accelerator provides technical assistance and procurement advice to businesses,” explained Dave Hepner, the counselor in the Augusta office. “We have a great deal of clients that are just beginning, and

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B2B Stories

Pickup meal market opens in the CSRA

The tree-lined street is quaint, filled with houses built in the 1930’s and 40’s. The neighborhood has been repurposed and now, businesses line the streets of West Avenue in North Augusta, including a realtor’s office, a staffing agency, a hair salon, and a boutique. They support each other, including their newest neighbor, West Avenue Market. “From opening in late October until now, our customers have been great. They love the concept of coming in and picking up a freshly cooked meal and the convenience of taking it home and popping

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B2B Stories

New shop will capture the spirit of Aiken

Like many visitors, Sarah Dodge and her husband came for the horses but fell in love with the community. Four years ago, after visiting friends in the Winter Colony, the dressage horse trainer and her farrier husband packed up their bags in Colorado and moved to Aiken. When she went looking for Aiken-themed products at the request of friends and family, she couldn’t find them. Her entrepreneurial skills took over and in a few weeks, she will open True Aiken. “I’ve always thought about opening a shop and I thought

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