Faith

Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: A Cut Above: Businessman Uses Barber Chair as Pulpit to Community

You should run for mayor. Ever thought about being on the county commission? You would make a great civil servant. All are sentiments expressed over the years to a local businessman, John Milton. However, he has realized he arguably affects more change with a pair of clippers in one and shears in the other. That’s because every subject, social and political issue known to man is discussed, debated, discounted, lauded, applauded, rejected, and resolved on any given day at Jay’s Place Barber and Beauty Shop, 1927 Olive Road in Augusta.

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Augusta native turns pain into passion through pouring candles

The global coronavirus pandemic hit Quita Gibson doubly hard. She lost both of her grandmothers within two months, and depression sought to steal her spirit. She knew if she didn’t activate her faith quickly, she would not recover. Empowered by her elders’ lives and legacies, she became intentional about self-care and healing. However, it came in the form of something she would not only benefit from, but also for others: Candles. “I started Light of Grace Candle Company, LLC, in June 2021 as a way to remember my grannies,” the

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Business owners connect with the community through art, love, and faith

Since May 2014, Humanitree House Juice Joint & Art Gallery has been the premiere spot in Augusta for cold-pressed juice, smoothies, vegan food, original artwork/classes, and all-around vibes of positive energy. It is arguably the first cold-pressed juice bar and artistic venue in the City of Augusta, a must-see/must-visit downtown oasis at 305 8th Street. Humanitree, which was the title of a New York art series by Baruti Tucker, co-owner and master artist, connected art to nature and became the perfect name to describe the business’s connection to the community.

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: One local woman is making fairytales come true for all children

The phrase representation matters, the concept that people want to see and interact with others who look like them, takes on new meaning for Doriane Skales. Growing up as a little Black girl in Tucson, Ariz., she didn’t see Disney princesses with brown skin or kinky coils like hers. In fact, it wasn’t until 2009 when Disney’s The Princess and the Frog hit the big screen that the 33-year-old was able to gaze upon someone as if she was seeing herself in the mirror. After several decades, Princess Tiana suddenly

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: A miracle gave Simbia Thomas new sight on God’s mission for her career

Simbia Thomas was barely out of kindergarten when she realized the power of entrepreneurship. Having become a “shampoo girl,” someone who performs shampooing-only duties at a hair salon, alongside her aunt, a master cosmetologist, she was amazed at the amount of cash flow for providing a service women loved. She was 6 when she asked her aunt a question that would change the trajectory of her life, “How can I make that kind of money?” “I was making $5-$10 a head just shampooing!” recalls the native South Carolinian. “My aunt

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Full Speed Ahead in Faith: Young businessman tests his faith limits, one ride at a time

Bible stories on faith Tyrique Robinson heard about as a child, he admits, didn’t mean much. Now, as a 20-year-old father of one, businessman, and military veteran, he says his faith means everything.  After all, it is only by God’s grace that he has beaten negative statistics that often plague young, Black men. He wants to share his blessings with others through Dream Luxury Transportation & Limousine Service. “Our motto is ‘Making Dreams Come True,’” said the Augusta native. “Transportation is my skillset, and I already had a trucking company.

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Catching them before they fail keeps one tutor’s faith from falling

The excuse, “The dog ate my homework” will not fly with one local educator. After all, that may have been one reason some students find themselves under the tutelage of Heather Denson in the first place. At N.E.T. (No Excuses Today) Tutorial Service, she requires more because she sees the potential students don’t see in themselves. From her native hometown of Atlanta to Boston to New York to Augusta, she has seen the power of tutoring change lives and GPAs. “We provide tutoring for all subjects,” Denson said. “I tutor

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: Sweet tale of retirement to proprietorship gives local woman new outlook of purpose

The logo of one local business depicts a cheerful, apron-donned woman whose head is in the shape of an icing-drizzled Bundt cake. However, for Katrina Golden, baking homemade goodies from scratch is not only in her head but also in her heart. The 52-year-old retiree is now taking her heart’s desire to the masses through Lil Mama’s Sweets and Treats. “My husband and son operate the business with me and we also have a small staff,” Golden said. “We started this business after I retired from the Social Security Administration

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Consumer Stories

Local nonprofit to host 5K for a worthy cause

On Tuesday, in only two hours, the Augusta Dream Center provided food for 138 CSRA families, according to its Executive Director, Kellie Cardona. In about three weeks, with help from its corporate sponsors and the local community, the Center will host a race to help feed more families. The nonprofit will hold its third annual Run for Hope 5K on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 9 a.m. at its offices located at 3364 Peach Orchard Road in south Augusta, behind Stevens Creek Church. Corporate sponsors for the event include Cadence Bank,

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Consumer Stories

Faith Friday: From white collar to blue collar: Faith powers Larry Jones’ plumbing business

The year was 1985. A young Larry Jones was wearing a suit and tie daily to work as an account specialist at the Medical College of Georgia. He was also burning the midnight oil, as the adage goes, helping a friend’s father with his plumbing. He says those service calls to help others with their plumbing needs and repairs brought him more joy than the corporate world of crunching numbers. “I enjoyed it, and when there was an opening at MCG for a plumber, I applied and trained,” he said.

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