Consumer Stories

Consumer Stories

Mondays with Rick: Hull joins other Georgia business schools

Editor’s Note: In the last year, AU’s Hull College of Business joined six other business schools in the University of Georgia system to offer a shared on-line MBA program. Dr. Richard Franza, Dean of Hull just returned from a conference at Georgia Southern with other deans at the WebMBA program. ((Photo by Angelia Huggins, Managing Director, photographing three award-winning WebMBA professors)) There were six students in the most recent semester from Hull in the WebMBA program and nearly 40 in the MBA classrooms. Dr. Franza is preparing to grow both

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Consumer Stories

Augusta business and political leaders tried to keep T’s Restaurant open

The Augusta Commission and the Augusta Economic Development Authority worked together to develop a plan to keep the iconic South Augusta restaurant open. Cal Wray – President of the AEDA, says he and Augusta commissioners met with Fulcher to discuss the possibility of securing a jobs creation grant of several hundred thousand dollars to cover the cost of reopening. “We need establishments on Mike Padgett and Doug Barnard because that’s our key industrial sector,” Wray states. “We were hoping to bring more establishments to that corridor and south Augusta.” Other

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Consumer Stories

Real Talk Real Estate: Best CSRA Communities

As the end of October approaches, I thought now would be a good time to talk about the value of a community with great amenities. I know there will always be some people who only want to live where there are no rules and no neighbors, however for the most part, people want to buy a home in a good area that will maintain or appreciate in value. Historically the “best” locations will typically be in a top rated school district near you. This seems to be a wise investment

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Closings

T’s Seafood Restaurant to close permanently after turning down grant

T’s Seafood Restaurant which suffered a devastating fire in September of 2020 will not be re-opening at their longtime location on Highway 56 in South Augusta. ABD has learned that Garrett Fulcher met with Richmond County Commissioners, the Augusta Economic Development Authority and other government entities. He originally agreed to accept a grant in the neighborhood of $250,000, and apparently had a change of heart. According to WGAC talk show host Austin Rhodes, Fulcher called him to let him know that it would not be possible financially to get everything

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B2B Stories

ABD fall expo to focus on shifting company culture

Patrick Reynolds knows all too well the pain of leading a toxic workplace. Reynolds – President and Chief Executive Officer of Cross Link Consulting, knew it was time to change his company’s culture a few years ago when it became increasingly challenging for him to go to work at the company he founded. “Our culture was in a place that was uncomfortable” he explains. “I was really hungering and thirsting for some tools, some low-hanging fruit, and some quick wins on how to shift the culture at Cross Link.” Reynolds

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Consumer Stories

Business Lunch Review: Meet you at The Back Porch

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Monday 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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Consumer Stories

Local business leaders discuss ways to encourage giving back

While many business professionals would love to volunteer, they often find it difficult to add even one more activity to their ever-growing to-do lists. Three local business leaders shared how their organizations promote volunteerism at an event called Faces of Community Philanthropy on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at the Enterprise Mill Events Center. The panel discussion was part of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Women in Business Program. The panelists for the event were: Marissa Smith, Senior Vice President and Market Executive for Bank of America Augusta-Aiken, Jason Cuevas,

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Consumer Stories

Chamber of Commerce to give away $5,000 for local shopping

Christmas is just around the corner, and customers of participating businesses throughout Aiken will have a chance to win some extra cash. The Aiken Chamber of Commerce is giving away a total of $5,000 to encourage people to shop local this holiday season. Nov.1 through Dec.13, customers who spend at least $25 at one of these 28 businesses, which include retailers, restaurants, and medical offices, will receive a red ticket and be entered in weekly drawings for chances to win cash prizes. On Dec.13, the grand prize drawing will be

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Consumer Stories

Mondays with Rick: Business Showcase is a great recruiting tool

Editor’s Note: We’ve all heard ad nauseum how hard it is to hire and retain good employees at our CSRA companies. What if there was a way to develop a relationship and recruit someone BEFORE you were ready to hire? Think of it like a pipeline. Think of having your company be part of the “Business Showcase” or “Business Connections” program at AU’s Hull College of Business.  They’ve had as many as 50-80 students participate depending if it is on campus or on-line. ABD: How does Hull’s Business Showcase/Connections programs

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Consumer Stories

CSRA company teaches local teens life-saving skills

Andrena Garnett wants her clients to be prepared to save a life because in an emergency, every second counts. Garnett – owner of Anerd 4 Life LLC, teaches the American Heart Association’s CPR, basic life support, and first aid certification courses. She will hold a teen training day on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 930 Stevens Creek Road in the ABD boardroom. “I want everyone to understand how important it is to be certified because you can save a life,” says the former Pre-K teacher

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