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Consumer Stories

California CEO stops in Aiken for bike palooza

Don DiCostanzo is the CEO and co-founder and travels on the tour bus with other executives. Next stops include trips to Pedego stores in Lake Oconee, Atlanta and St.Simons Island. (Photo by Josh Heath) Ronney Hughes retired from the U.S. Army after serving his country for more than 20 years. Like many veterans, Hughes, 64, struggled to stay physically active and having rotator cuff surgery made exercise even more of a challenge. That all changed when he and his wife, Pauline, heard about Pedego electric bikes, which have an integrated

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Josh Heath April 20, 2021 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Church led restaurateur to open business in Augusta

The restaurant is located at one of the busiest intersections of Washington Road at Stevens Creek Road near I-20 and adjacent to the Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. (photo by Neil Gordon) Magda Faltaous has commuted back and forth every Sunday for three years from his home in Columbia, S.C. to attend church on Furys Ferry Road in Columbia County. “If business is good, I may move here,” he says. He is in the middle of about a $100,000 investment in the old Denny’s Restaurant building on Washington Road in between

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Neil Gordon April 16, 2021 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Some birdies and bogeys with the 2021 Masters home rental market

The owner of Champion Rentals tells ABD that business was way off for the 2021 Masters. Some homeowners made out well with their rental this Masters. Others were left staying in town without extra money normally used for vacations. Numerous players, media outlets, and companies rent homes in Augusta each year, but the number of visitors coming to town for this year’s tournament is substantially different than it has been in previous years. Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, the Augusta National Golf Club has limited the number of patrons allowed

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Josh Heath April 5, 2021 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Never too late to change your business model

I was not looking for a new way of practicing medicine, but sometimes circumstances give you what you need and not what you want. After 32 years in a traditional OB/Gyn group practice, I was frustrated, unsure of my future, and wanted to stay engaged with patients for as long as possible. Like many physicians, I was smothered in paperwork, strangled by regulations, and simply spending most of my time putting out fires. I had great partners, a healthy work environment, and a good income, yet after 30 years on

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Dr. Ron Eaker, MD, FACOG, ABOM | Women’s Health of Augusta March 29, 2021 No Comments
B2B Stories

Military veteran has new business mission in life

Frank Berry and his 23 year-old daughter, Ajia, operate the Franny’s Farmacy store in Evans. (Photo: Melissa Gordon) A retired military veteran has found purpose as he navigates medical and emotional challenges after his time serving America at home and overseas. Now, Franklin Berry (he prefers “Frank”), the newest franchisee for the Franny’s Farmacy brand, wants to use his store to share the benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) with anyone curious about the health benefits of the cannabis plant. “CBD helps me on a personal level,” Berry said. “I live with

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Chase Wright March 25, 2021 No Comments
B2B Stories

Evans law partner gives back to future business leaders

Adam Nelson is a partner in the Columbia County law firm of Fleming and Nelson.  Adam Nelson of Columbia County firm Fleming and Nelson plotted his career path in front of the family TV watching re-runs of the Perry Mason show in the 1990s. “I was always interested in government and politics,” said the attorney who turns 38 this week. Nelson focuses his practice on duties as chief counsel for the cities of his hometown of Harlem— plus Lincolnton, Washington, and Greensboro. In 1998, a Harlem High School guidance counselor circulated

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Neil Gordon March 23, 2021 No Comments
Consumer Stories

Workforce Study causes debate in CSRA business community

160 business leaders packed into a Columbia County Chamber meeting to hear the results of a tri-county workforce study. (Photo by Neil Gordon) Business leaders agree there is a serious and complicated workforce issue in the CSRA—and they have different views on how to solve it. Gary Gibson of Gary’s Hamburgers says the government is de-incentivizing out of work employees; Patrick Reynolds of Cross Link Consulting says workforce training needs tweaking; and Robbie Bennett of the Columbia County Economic Development Authority points to many factors in a newly released study,

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Neil Gordon March 22, 2021 No Comments
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