Financial/Investing

Editor’s Note: The CSRA is littered with driven people who have turned a “hobby” or “passion” into a business, especially when there is a need. This week, Arissa Kirk of Healthy Hangout and Amber Connor of Sinless Sweets are opening their own storefronts in Evans after seeing the health effects of their products on friends, family, customers and themselves. They have inspiration in Bethany Roley of Fierce Fitness and Vibe Yoga and Fitness—who turned her passion into a successful pair of businesses. At age 45, she is still going strong

A Georgia bank with many ties to Richmond and Columbia County, recently received the best possible rating in a federal government report. Queensborough National Bank, which has more than 25 branches throughout the state, was rated “Outstanding” by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in its Community Reinvestment Act report for the period of Jan. 1, 2018, to Dec. 31, 2020. This rating was based on the bank’s practice of “meeting the credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound

I think Darin is talking to me with his latest article. I am in the camp of those who were going to stop procrastinating, but I put it off! If I don’t multi-task with a phone in one hand, a person in front of me and my computer up—it’s a slow day. Yes, I need to better take care of myself too. I haven’t played tennis with the guys at Petersburg Racquet Club in many months! Uggh. I better start reading. Enjoy—this maybe aimed at you, too! Even the most

Recently, longtime Augustan Jeff Annis sold his decades old Advanced Services for Pest Control Company to one of the big, regional players in their space. His mom started the company and although a couple of his children worked in the business, there was not a succession plan for family to “step in”. What will the Weinbergers and the Busbys and the Mulherins and so many other excellent, legacy companies in the CSRA do when the time is right to sell? Local business coach Darin Myers says looking outside the family

Several construction workers are clearing debris and working on the inside and the drive-thru of a familiar bank location at 375 Furys Ferry Road in Martinez. Pinnacle Bank, which is headquartered in Elberton, Georgia is opening its first branch in Metro Augusta in the coming months. Originally, the location was a First Bank of Georgia branch, which became a State Bank & Trust, which was then sold to Cadence Bank. Cadence Bank closed the Furys Ferry Road location, but still has other branches in the CSRA. Elberton is in the

No business wants to get a bad review for its products or services. However, since it’s impossible to please all customers all the time, the likelihood of encountering dissatisfied customer reviews online is high. But businesses that respond adroitly, with a professional tone and determination to succeed, can weather these negative reviews and even win over other potential customers. The key is learning how to respond in ways that acknowledge a customer’s issues and demonstrate to everyone online that you take customer concerns seriously. Here are five tips on handling

There’s a lot of change happening at the CSRA’s largest, local CPA firm. It might ruffle an average leader. In 2022, SME CPA’s will celebrate its’ 70th anniversary. Wouldn’t there be pressure to show value and celebrate with 4,000 faithful clients? Not the case. SME’s new managing director will delegate to his capable marketing director, and his team of partners will discuss and execute a plan—much like ones they do for clients. So how does this former E-Z GO engineer top an honor given to SME for the 3rd consecutive

A few weeks ago, I suggested a few succession planning options that senior business owners could consider as they are approaching their retirement age. One of those options was having a professional manager or CEO run your business. Giving your throne and position to a professional CEO could be challenging, especially for business owners who have founded their firm since its inception and have a deep emotional attachment with their business. My own research suggests that businesses run by founder CEOs tend to perform better than professional CEOs. These findings

All businesses claim to value their employees and to be committed to a culture that recognizes and rewards employee achievements. But success in this effort may be elusive, particularly if employers only half-heartedly embrace an “employee-centric” culture. By contrast, businesses that actively pursue this goal often find that they retain valued workers longer and that their recruiting efforts for new hires benefit from a culture of employee recognition. Here are ways you can build your own culture of recognition and demonstrate how much you appreciate the efforts of your team

This photo was taken at the ABD Business Expo, which was held at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center on May 27. Pictured from left are Hollis Bush, senior director of programs and services for ForcesUnited, Faith Edmondson, ABD publisher Neil Gordon, and Ashley Ashe. Gateway Grant Services helps nonprofits like ForcesUnited receive funding. (Photo taken from Faith Edmondson’s LinkedIn profile) Faith Edmondson and Ashley Ashe primarily help nonprofits receive funding through grant writing and virtual fundraising, but they have now branched out to help small businesses succeed. Edmondson and