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Consumer Stories
Consumer Stories

Local real estate agent launches home organization business

If your pantry is full of outdated food, and you have clothes in your closet you haven’t worn in several years, Melissa Starrette can help. Starrette, a realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Executive Partners, has officially launched a new business called Busy Bee Home Organizing, which specializes in decluttering and organizing pantries, closets, and garages. “The first battle is getting started,” she said. “The other is keeping it up with everyone’s busy schedules.” Starrette offers a free consultation to get to know her clients and assess their

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Josh Heath February 1, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Chili’s Grill and Bar

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday, he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”.

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Wes Hennings February 1, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Hair salon for children and their parents to open in Evans

The CSRA is home to many hair salons and barbershops, but few specialize in children’s haircuts. A new salon coming to Evans will be designed with kids in mind. Pigtails & Crewcuts: Haircuts for Kids will be located at 4357 Washington Road, Suite C, near Kroger in the Evans Crossing Shopping Center. That suite was formerly occupied by COUNTRY Financial. According to the company’s website, Pigtails & Crewcuts offers a variety of services, including first haircuts, braids, and even cuts for moms and dads. The company has locations in 23

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Josh Heath January 30, 2023 No Comments
Housing/Construction Industry

North Augusta woman lands first federal construction job

Some CSRA businesses are dominated by women, like education, childcare and employment services, nursing, and social services. Construction is not one of the industries where you typically find women in charge. Don’t tell that to Debra Pearson. She started G & P Construction in 2015 and can wear all the hats in day-to-day operations, from operating heavy equipment to demolition. “It’s not easy for a woman in this business. I’ll be honest it’s been a struggle. Many jobs already have a contractor and it’s usually a man. Even though I’ve been

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Mitzi Oxford January 30, 2023 No Comments
Closings

Food prep entrepreneur announces closing of her Martinez business

After six years, Onnie Sanford is closing her food preparation business, but her shared kitchen space isn’t going anywhere. On Wednesday, Sanford, owner of OPP Kitchen located at 359 Furys Ferry Road in Martinez, announced in a Facebook video that she has decided to close Paleo Num Yums, which offers a variety of healthy, high-protein/low-carb meals. She has accepted a job offer from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Sanford said this weekend will be customers’ last chance to pre-order meals, and Tuesday will be Paleo’s last pick-up day. She’s currently

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Josh Heath January 26, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

CSRA companies help Paceline raise $1 Million for local cancer research

Last night at the Georgia Cancer Center, a major milestone was met. Since Paceline’s inception in 2018, more than $1 million and 100% of donations by Augusta area companies and citizens have gone to the GCC for innovative cancer research. There are many, many more miles to go with future PaceDays, Paceline’s signature annual Fall Event, which saw more than 400 people ride bikes, raise money, and raise awareness in 2022. KAMO is one of the area’s leaders in providing healthy and clean workspaces in the CSRA. The company has

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Neil Gordon January 26, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Carolina Ale House

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday, he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”.

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Wes Hennings January 25, 2023 1 Comment
Consumer Stories

CSRA business leaders perform on stage to support domestic violence nonprofit

Cliff Jennings never performed on stage with Mark Wahlberg, but for one night only, the local business leader will be a member of Marky Mark and the Movement Bunch to raise funds for a CSRA non-profit organization. Jennings, Branch Manager of Movement Mortgage in Augusta, is participating in the sixth annual Fake It to Make It lip sync challenge, a fundraiser for SafeHomes of Augusta, which serves domestic violence victims and their children. The event, which will feature seven teams, will be held Friday at the Columbia County Performing Arts

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Josh Heath January 24, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Local sportscaster, advertiser supports Paine College Athletics

Charles McNeil moved to Augusta in the early 1990’s when he accepted a job as a sports reporter for News Channel 6. Nearly 30 years later, he’s working with his wife’s advertising business to help teams at Augusta’s HBCU, Paine College. McNeil and his wife, Zina, owner of Advertising Solutions, have partnered with the Georgia Soul Pro (men’s) Basketball team, which is comprised of former star players from CSRA high schools and colleges, to sell sponsorships that will benefit Paine College Athletics. He’s also working with the Black College Sports

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Josh Heath January 24, 2023 No Comments
Consumer Stories

From high-level US security to pet security

It’s been an interesting journey for Lisa Benefiel. She served 25 years in government intelligence with the National Security Agency. Now, she provides security for pets. “I enjoyed my work with the NSA but in the past few years, I realized one thing that made my soul happy was taking care of my animals,” Benefiel explained. She was three years short of full retirement when she and her husband decided to move from Tampa to Aiken. “With no income at that point, I figured if I needed to go back

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Mitzi Oxford January 24, 2023 No Comments
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