Thought Leaders

Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: Discovering the best home-buying app for you!

Editor’s note: In today’s world, there are apps for everything, including home buying. ABD thought it is timely to revisit those options in the Best of Real Talk Real Estate. When you consider making a change, you’ll go straight to the internet to begin researching options. Real estate search apps have taken first place in every aspect of the home buying, renting, and selling process. In an effort to help you make an informed decision, I’ve decided to share my realtor’s perspective on a few of the most popular options.

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Women in Business

Women in Business: Alicia Fitts

Name: Alicia Fitts Title: AVP, Business Development and Community Relations for Peach State Federal Credit Union Start Date: January 2013 Phone:  678.889.4328 Website:  https://www.peachstatefcu.org/ Today’s Woman to Know is a self-proclaimed, “employed-preneur” who has spent the last ten years in the finance and HR industry. As an Augusta native, Alicia Fitts has worked her way up through the financial ranks from teller to loan officer to HR manager and then found her passion in business development. Serving as both the Assistant Vice President of Business Development and Community Relations for Peach

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Women in Business

Women to Know: Tiffany Faulk

Name: Tiffany Faulk Company/Title: Business Consultant, Best Office Solutions Start Date: March 2017 Phone: 706-437-9771 Web: www.bestofficesolutions.com For nearly 20 years, Tiffany Faulk was the face of Jefferson County High School as the front office administrative assistant. “I was the one who everything fell on,” Faulk told Augusta Business Daily.  “I was the ‘go to’ with the parents, the children, the staff. And I did love my job.” But in her heart, she knew she wanted more. “Sandi (Shields from Best Office Solutions) would come weekly to visit because we

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Women in Business

Women to Know: Terra Carroll

Name: Terra Carroll Title: President/CEO, North Augusta Chamber of Commerce Start Date: August 2012 Phone: 803-279-2323 Website:  https://www.northaugustachamber.org/ As the President and CEO of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, Terra Carroll is the face of the organization. When you call the Chamber office, most likely she answers the phone. When a business opens with a ribbon cutting, Terra is there. For the Small Business Roundtables to help local entrepreneurs build their businesses and for all of the other Chamber events, she is there. Like the Academy Award-winning movie, Terra Carroll

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Women in Business

Women In Business: Shnita Wiley

Name: Shnita Wiley Title: Owner, Blessed Hands Wellness Spa Start Date: August 2021 Phone: 706-399-9624 Website:  Blessed Hands Wellness Spa The blessed hands of Shnita Wiley have been focused on caring for those around her since she was a child. Wiley was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and raised in the small town of Aliceville. Healthcare has always been her passion. All successful businesspeople draw their strength and success from a few role models along the way. For Wiley, it was her mother, Priscilla Fountain. “She has been very supportive of my

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Women in Business

Women to Know: Cheryl LaRonde

Name: Cheryl LaRonde Title: Owner, Serenity Wellness- Evans Start Date: April 2021 Phone: (706) 726-0000 Website:  https://www.serenitywellness-evans.net/ Address: 4490 Washington Rd # 6, Evans, GA 30809 Professionals need to relax and focus on their wellness. Owner, Cheryl LaRonde, has been poised to help them do just that since April of 2021. With over 85, Five-star Google reviews, LaRonde really knows how to make clients feel detoxed and refreshed. “Wellness involves feeling good in all aspects, in mind, body as well as spirit,” LaRonde explains. Specializing in hydrocolonic foot detox, v-steam/a-steam, and

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Shawna Woodward

Real Talk Real Estate: Renting Out Your Home for the Masters: A Lucrative Opportunity for Property Owners

Every April, the city of Augusta, Georgia, transforms into a hub of excitement and prestige as it plays host to one of the most prestigious events in the golfing world: the Masters Tournament. With thousands of visitors flocking to Augusta to witness the iconic tournament, local homeowners have a unique opportunity to capitalize on the influx of guests by renting out their personal homes. If you’ve ever considered renting out your home for the Masters Golf Tournament, here is what you need to know. Renting out your home during the

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Darin Myers

Coach Darin: Your employees may be your biggest security risk

Social engineering is a hacking approach in which cybercriminals exploit human nature, psychology, curiosity, and ignorance to manipulate unsuspecting individuals into clicking on something harmful. Once the trap is set and a user opens a document embedded with malicious code or maybe enters login credentials to the company bank account, the damage is almost impossible to stop. A virus spreads through the network. A financial account is emptied. Your entire organization comes to a screeching halt due to ransomware. No matter how the cyberthreat manifests, it is always very-very bad

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Shawna Woodward

Best of Real Talk Real Estate: The Resurrection of Jones Creek Subdivision

Editor’s note: With all eyes on Augusta this week and visitors pouring in from across the country, we thought it would be a good time to refocus on a neighborhood that’s a good fit for someone who loves golf and might be ready for moving day. Jones Creek’s disputes related to the drainage situation at the community golf course created an epic saga that ended with what seemed the end of an era. This prestigious golf community was a well-known jewel located in Evans, GA. Situated very close to the

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Cyber Security

Is data in the cloud safer?

Just as caddies discuss putts and club selection with their pro, employees should be aware that cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, not just management and IT. Patrick Reynolds has more in today’s P.U.T.T.

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