Networking

B2B Stories

Three minutes to make a business connection

The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce borrowed a page from matchmaking services to introduce business leaders to local nonprofit organizations. “Mission in Minutes: Nonprofit Lightning Talks” mimicked speed dating, with more than a dozen South Carolina and Georgia nonprofit organizations given three minutes to pitch their program. The missions of some of the organizations participating are well known, such as the Salvation Army of Augusta and the North Augusta Rotary Club. However, others, like the Order of Saint Helena and Public Education Partners, had the opportunity to share their message.

Read More »
B2B Stories

About 60 CSRA vendors getting ready to exhibit at event

In just a few weeks, more than 400 visitors will shop at a local vendor fair chock-full of business booths. The 11th Annual Clearwater Vendor Fair is set for Saturday, November 7th from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. at the Heights Church on 4631 Jefferson Davis Highway (Highway 1). Booths range from $ 48 to $ 90 to rent. Ashlee Thompson is the owner of Relax & Renew Massage. “I’ve had the pleasure of participating in and sponsoring this event every year. It’s honestly one of those events I look

Read More »
B2B Stories

Meet you at the Summit: The climb will be worth it!

Registration is open for a small business summit designed to help owners navigate the day-to-day landmines they face. It will be on Oct. 9th. It is sponsored by the Augusta office of the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Rebecca Mixon, director of the Augusta office, told ABD this summit is to help business owners focus on themselves, additional success for their business, and increase revenue to hire additional employees. “We’re going to talk about resilience,” she said. “We’re going to talk about negotiations, wellness, and balance

Read More »
B2B Stories

Mixing Business with Pleasure

Networkers are used to spending time with others at Chamber ribbon cuttings and at various business workshops. How about a trip around the world for ten days with some Chamber members? There is an informational meeting set for Thursday, September 24th at 6:00 PM at the Columbia County Chamber offices behind Bank of America off of Ronald Reagan Drive. Collette Travel will be there to share details on a Chamber-sponsored trip to Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria!  The actual trip is in early November 2027. Here is some upfront pricing and

Read More »
B2B Stories

Waiting list only for popular CSRA networking event

You’d better “get in line” if you’d like to jump into a monthly conversation with other business leaders in the CSRA. The Small Business Roundtable is held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Unlike more formal events such as Women in Business and Good Morning North Augusta, the roundtable is an informal conversation among attendees. It is open to businesses in South Carolina and Georgia. “They’re easier to get information from businesses,” chamber president Terra Carroll told ABD. “A lot of times, you have the big workshops where you’ve

Read More »
B2B Stories

The proof is in the pitching

The executive director of Augusta’s microenterprise center can not only teach—he can do. By day, he helps budding entrepreneurs and small business owners. Sometimes, at night, he shows off his pitching skills. Shaun Andrews has led Accelerate Augusta since it opened in October 2025. The center, a partnership between Augusta Technical College and the Downtown Development Authority, is at 600 Broad Street. Andrews told ABD that a May 28 pitch competition sponsored by the SCORE Charlotte office was particularly timely. “On Friday (May 29), we had our networking event, which

Read More »
B2B Stories

Vote tonight on $11.5 million contracts to restore/expand area event venue

If Columbia County Commissioners agree with a committee recommendation, recovery work will begin on a favorite gathering spot. Commissioners vote tonight on two contracts recommended by members of the Management and Internal Services to begin repair work on the Savannah Rapids Pavilion.  The first contract is with Duckworth Development, LLC of Martinez. It is for a renovation of the facility off Stevens Creek Road. If approved, Facilities Director Steven Prather told ABD the county can schedule a pre-construction meeting with the contractor.  “We will decide on a notice proceed date,

Read More »
B2B Stories

Public play tees off at The Patch

Anticipation has been building, and the wait is now over. The redesigned Augusta Municipal Golf Course is open to the public for business. The Patch, as it is affectionately known, had a soft re-opening in mid-March. The first weeks, however, were for high school golf teams and other groups to experience the new facility, followed by private parties during Masters Week. The project had two parts. First, a major renovation of the 18-hole golf course. The second part was creating a nine-hole short course, designed by five-time Masters champion Tiger

Read More »
B2B Stories

Former TV News Anchor helps lead “She Got Game” event

While a mostly male crowd was at Augusta National this past weekend for the Masters, an all-female group of 70 took part in the 2nd Annual empowerment event, “She Got Game.” One of the women, Barclay Bishop (Lyles), shared lessons learned after her retirement from WJBF.  “Barclay sank the winning shot with her story on the pivot.  Being transparent and honest, she shared how she stepped away from a successful career in television to be a stay-at-home mom, allowing her to read her own script instead of someone else’s,” said

Read More »
B2B Stories

Business Summit promotes jobs, services, and knowledge

Your company can be a sponsor or vendor for a business summit after the tournament,  put on by one of the Chambers of Commerce in the CSRA. Sponsored by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, the goal is to showcase products and services and provide workshops on entrepreneurship and job interview skills. “Our focus this year is a lot on workforce development, so we’re trying to make sure that we’re meeting the needs of our Chamber members and providing opportunities for them to showcase their wares, which is part of

Read More »