B2B Stories

B2B Stories

Follow-Up: Sale of Advanced Services to Top 100 pest control operator

ABD first told you yesterday that a deal was struck and Advanced Services for Pest Control was sold to Turner Pest Control, a company with service to 14 cities in Florida and one in Coastal Georgia. Today, we are learning more about the transaction from the leaders of both companies. “The vision and values of Turner Pest Control align with ours, and their sharp focus on their employees and customers was extremely attractive to us,” said Dena Thomas, the president of Advanced Services. “When the opportunity to join forces with

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B2B Stories

Two CSRA millennial companies like the sound of being in the podcast biz together

The millennials at Augusta Podcast built this studio inside of the Alison South creative hub and it is available for rent. (photo by Alison South) The millennial leaders of Alison South Marketing are continuing to grow their array of services— by partnering with a pair of twenty-somethings, who pioneered the off-the-cuff podcast, “DropTheDis” in June 2019—an ongoing, audio love letter to their beloved city of Augusta. Together, they will make high-quality audio and video production available to the public in a new downtown Augusta studio, adjacent to Alison South’s offices

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B2B Stories

Young professionals share words of wisdom for Augusta youth

The 2021 Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch were honored by Augusta Magazine, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, and about 300 members of the local business community at a luncheon at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center. (Photo by Neil Gordon) Millennials are often stereotyped as lazy, unmotivated, and unreliable. But there are many young professionals in the CSRA who continue to shatter these stereotypes. Since 2009, Augusta Magazine and the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce have recognized the outstanding achievements of local professionals by selecting

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B2B Stories

Discount tool and hardware store agrees to store #3 in the CSRA

The former Bi-Lo grocery store at 4460 Columbia Road will be sub-divided into several spaces with Harbor Freight committing to be the first retailer. JH Cleveland Construction cleared out the inside of the store to make way for new opportunities. (photo by Neil Gordon) If remodelers of the closed Bi-Lo in Columbia County need some tools or accessories for a new build-out—they can turn no further than the first official tenant—Harbor Freight, which will expand from its current stores at 3435 Wrightsboro Road in Augusta and 2270 Whiskey Road in

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B2B Stories

Local food franchisee experiences “smooth” growth

Reginald Foster and his wife, Zenna, currently own five stores in Georgia and North Carolina, including Augusta, Evans, and Fort Bragg. He will soon open two new locations in Grovetown and a second store on Fort Bragg. (Photo taken from franchisetimes.com) For many business owners, owning seven stores would probably sound like a daunting task, but for Reginald Foster, it’s much less challenging than his previous job. Foster – franchise owner for the Tropical Smoothie Cafe and an Army veteran who served 25 years – and his wife, Zenna, currently

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B2B Stories

Aiken Chamber “Buy Local” event brings out a crowd

David Jameson, long-time President of the Aiken Chamber of Commerce is photographed at the event here with United Way of Aiken Sharon Rodgers during the sold-out event. (Photo provided by Aiken Chamber of Commerce) David Jameson, president of the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, was enthusiastic about the turnout for the group’s “Buy Local” expo at the Exhibit Hall at the Western Carolina State Fair Grounds last Thursday, June 17. But then, does anybody remember when David wasn’t enthusiastic about having a good day in Aiken? A few days before the

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B2B Stories

Augusta real estate brokers to redevelop historic Florida property

Summer House Real Estate brokers James and Jenny Schaffer have a flair for making people feel “at home”. Their boutique, three-story office on the 2600 block of Washington Road is part real estate office and part venue for the community. The Schaffers are also huge proponents of preserving the environment as evidenced by their gifts to the Water Mission Project. Jenny Schaffer, who also brokers an office in Fernandina Beach spoke to the hometown newspaper and told a reporter she has been interested in this property for many years and

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B2B Stories

Springtime Water brand growing nationally in midst of droughts

Southern Beverage CEO David Byrd in his Appling conference room with a few of his popular friends. (Photo by Neil Gordon) David Byrd is proud of the fact that CSRA TPS stores sell his bottled Springtime water for just $.59. Byrd likes that his family-owned Southern Beverage bottling company is a little fish swimming in a big water pond—populated by Nestle’s Deerpark, Coca-Cola’s Dasani, and Fiji Water amongst others. Why is Springtime water at a lower price point? “We don’t run million-dollar Super Bowl ads,” said Byrd from his humble

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B2B Stories

Local company that helps nonprofits raise money adds business coaching services

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

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B2B Stories

“Gone fishing” and other retirement options for older CSRA business owners

Dinesh Hasija, Ph.D. (photo courtesy of AU Hull College of Business) Like many U.S. cities, Augusta is experiencing an aging population. This trend impacts local businesses in several ways, from hiring a qualified workforce to business owners’ succession planning. This article will focus on how business owners can successfully navigate their succession planning. Retirement can be an emotional stage for business owners who have built a socio-economic wealth throughout their time. However, when business owners are planning their retirement, the majority of focus is on economic wealth, and less on

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