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B2B Stories

Young entrepreneur headlines Black Business Summit

The Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce (GABCC) is holding its 4th Annual Black Business Summit today. The annual event draws attention to the contributions of black- and minority-owned businesses during Black Business Month (BBM), founded in 2004 by John William Templeton, a historian, and Frederick E. Jordan, Sr., a civil engineer. The summit will include vendors and opportunities for networking and panel discussions. Ronic West, founder of GABCC, told ABD attendees will learn about what it takes to be an entrepreneur. “Hearing from some elected officials, because we have

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Dana Lynn McIntyre August 21, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

The Business of Art

A degree in business and logistics and a career in marketing led Kate Gary Loyd down an unexpected path. Her story is one that should resonate with any business owner. After growing up in Augusta, she earned her degree at Georgia Southern University and ended up staying in the area for 20 years. She moved back to Augusta to be near family. Five years ago, Kate started sketching and then painting part-time outside of her job with a local marketing agency. “I sketched some 2” x 3” pictures of local

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Mitzi Oxford August 19, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Breaking ground on CSRA’s small business future

It’s a $2.3 million project that Augusta Technical College (ATC) and the city’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) predict will be a cornerstone for small business development in Downtown Augusta. A ceremony to kick off Accelerate Augusta was held yesterday to bring the region’s newest small business incubator and microenterprise to fruition. Dirt was shoveled, but this is really a renovation project led by longtime CSRA contractors, McKnight Construction. Housed in the former headquarters for Augusta Metro Chamber in the I. M. Pei Building located at 600 Broad Street, the center

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Mitzi Oxford August 13, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Economic growth and business development accelerate tomorrow

Construction begins tomorrow for what is hoped to be a cornerstone for small business development in Downtown Augusta. The groundbreaking will bring the region’s newest small business incubator and microenterprise called Accelerate Augusta. Housed in the former headquarters for Augusta Metro Chamber in the renovated I. M. Pei Building located at 600 Broad Street, the center will offer essential resources, mentorship, and opportunities for growth. With a partnership between Augusta Technical College (ATC) and Augusta’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA), funding for the $2.3 million project was allocated through congressional funding.

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Mitzi Oxford August 11, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

CSRA business owner going for gold in Paris

The eyes of the world are on Paris as athletes from around the globe are competing in the 2024 Olympics. Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky have already won an unprecedented number of gold medals, but an Aikenite will soon be giving her all to represent the CSRA and the USA. When the lights dim on August 11 after the Olympics closing ceremony, the spotlight will turn to the Paralympics which begins August 28 through September 8. That is when you can cheer for Ellen Geddes. She grew up in Aiken’s

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Mitzi Oxford August 4, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Former Pro Football player to open new CSRA restaurant

After growing up in Huger, SC near Mt. Pleasant, Fernando Washington played professional football for the Frankfurt Galaxy, the World League of America in Germany for two years. It was one of two original NFL Europe teams. He was a defensive end who moved to Aiken two years ago and has transitioned to a business owner and chef. It might seem like an unusual fit, but preparation and cooking come as naturally to Washington as sacking the quarterback. “I grew up in a large family of good cooks starting with

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Mitzi Oxford July 22, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

CSRA restaurant offers a Biblical meal

It’s not the Last Supper, but The Wildemount is offering a full-fledged Biblical meal on Monday, June 17 at 6:00 pm. Wildemount owner, Samuel O’Lone worked for eight years in the food service business, but his degree is in theology, which brings us to his latest offering. “I get random ideas about unique offerings for our restaurant. The Bible is about people and people have to eat, so we explored a menu which honors a biblical theme,” explained O’Lone. In the restaurant business or any business for that matter, it’s

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Mitzi Oxford June 12, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

Art shop move makes way for intimate apparel boutique

When Art on Broad moved a few doors down, Ashley Gardner opened shop in their former location at 1028 Broad Street in Augusta on May 25th. Her new venture, Serpent & Sage features lingerie, underwear, and other items. In the 18th century, women’s undergarments were referred to as “unmentionables.” A partially clothed woman was seen as more erotic than a nude woman. Between the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and Victoria’s Secret fashion show, not to mention successful movie franchises like Fifty Shades of Grey, the description now seems de

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Mitzi Oxford June 10, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

New business serves up tasty way to beat the heat

The first day of summer is still about three weeks away, but with temperatures starting to hit 90 degrees in the CSRA, the opening of The Classic Cone ice cream shop is perfect timing. When Carrie Srnka moved from New York to Aiken in 2016, she knew she would eventually open a soft-serve ice cream business. It took a while because she also owns Wellness Deserved, which offers PEMF, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for Humans, Horses, and Pets. For more information, click here. Another delay came when Srnka was looking

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Mitzi Oxford May 28, 2024 No Comments
B2B Stories

A taste of Miami opens in the CSRA

Aiken is now home to an establishment that offers Latin jazz, flamenco performances, tasty dishes, cocktails, and premium cigars. Rhumba Rum and Cigar Lounge opened at 321 Richland West in Aiken, the former location of Antique Emporium which closed last year. Rhumba held a soft opening in April and a grand opening on May 9. Born in Cuba, Rhumba owner, Elier Alberto lived in Miami for 22 years working in nightclubs that served up Latin cuisine, Latin jazz, and fine cigars. Miami is known for its thriving nightlife and sandy

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Mitzi Oxford May 20, 2024 No Comments
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