B2B Stories

Awards

Honoring large and small businesses in Augusta

From one of the smallest to one of the largest, the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce announced its Best in Business 2024 honorees. The annual tradition, held during the Chamber’s final Member Economic Luncheon, pays tribute to Augusta’s Entrepreneur and the Corporation of the Year. Laziza Mediterranean Grill was named Augusta’s Entrepreneur for 2024, and Georgia Power as the 2024 Corporation of the Year. In announcing Laziza owners, Nader (photo right) & Lisa Khatib as the entrepreneur winner, Jay Forrester, Division President of SouthState Bank, said the couple embodies the

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B2B Podcasting

After pre-mediation – do your homework!

There are some key takeaways after a pre-meditation session. At the top are two questions: What do you need? What are your goals? Neil and HR Consultant and Professional Mediator, TeKay Brown Taylor discuss the homework that can make your session successful. You can hear more on the topic this Saturday at 7:30 am on Classy 1230 AM radio.

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B2B Stories

Augusta’s overall economy in good shape, despite Hurricane Helene

The state of Metro Augusta’s economy is good. That was the overarching message at the annual economic briefing sponsored by Augusta University. Led by Dr. Mark Thompson, Dean of the Hull College of Business, and Dr. Simon Medcalfe, Professor with the Hull College of Business and an ABD contributor, the report is a year-end tradition. “It’s an opportunity to really bring the business community together with the academic community to provide insights on what’s going on in the local economy,” Thompson explained for ABD. “It’s networking but it’s also an

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Awards/Celebrations

Best in Business Winners

At the Augusta Metro Chamber’s annual Best in Business award celebration, Innovation and Growth Through Collaboration was the overarching theme, and both recipients have displayed not only the endurance it takes to succeed in business but also a strong commitment to our community and a positive impact on our local economy. Augusta’s Entrepreneur and Corporation of the Year awards were presented by South State Bank. Yesterday, at their final Member Economic Luncheon of the year, the Chamber honored Nader & Lisa Khatib of Laziza Mediterranean Grill as Augusta’s Entrepreneur for

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B2B Podcasting

Inside Look at a Mediation Session

Being enlightened, informed, and aware are a huge part of a mediation service from HR Consultant and Professional Mediator, TeKay Brown Taylor. Neil and TeKay discuss what it takes for a successful mediation. You can catch more of the discussion on Classy 1230 AM at 7:30 am this Saturday.

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B2B Stories

Record-breaking holiday spending expected

The just-wrapped-up five-day holiday shopping kickoff over Thanksgiving shows promise for the rest of the period. The National Retail Federation (NRF) reported an estimated 197 million shoppers participated in the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. That surpasses the prediction of 183.4 million shoppers. The full holiday shopping season is Nov. 1 through Dec. 31. The findings were in a survey conducted for NRF by Prosper Insights and Analytics. ABD joined a virtual briefing NRF and Prosper Insights organized for news reporters. “Thanksgiving is a single five-day shopping period

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B2B Stories

“Who Got the Truth…Is It You?”

One of my favorite podcasts these days is one called “Acquired.” I started listening to Acquired back in May of this year after reading an article about it in the Wall Street Journal entitled, “The Smartest People in the Room Are All Listening to the Same Podcast.” In each episode, Acquired’s co-hosts, Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, take you on a journey through the backstories of well-known companies and brands. The episodes are long (a nominal company deep-dive is 3 to 5 hours), but compelling and highly instructive on how

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B2B Stories

$3 million project building for the future

Construction on a project that will help young adults prepare for their future and contribute to the economy is underway on Merry Street in Augusta. Demolition has started on a building at a former Augusta park, clearing the way for a tiny homes community. It is for young people who are aging out of the foster care system with little or no ability to transition into society. Spearheading the project is Bridge Builders Communities, Inc. (BBC). Penny Wasden with First Citizens Bank is on BBC’s Board of Directors. She told

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B2B Podcasting

What is a pre-mediation session like?

This Saturday at 7:30 AM, learn the specifics of what mediation is and if you are a good fit. In today’s video preview, TeKay Brown Taylor explains what a consultation is like.

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B2B Stories

Local baker competing for national title

When ABD first introduced Joey Blackwell to our readers two years ago, he had just competed in a New York Bake Off against fellow macaron bakers. His concoction, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, won Best Color at the event. Now the owner of Mac Daddy Macarons is going for a national title in the Greatest Baker competition. “Someone on social media tagged me about the event and I signed up, not knowing where it might lead,” said Blackwell. It has led to the Aiken home baker being in the top 4 in

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