Buzz Issue February 2019

Photo by Gary Kauffman

FEBRUARY 2019 • THE CSRA’S MONTHLY BUSINESS MAGAZINE

What will businesses face in the year ahead?

Pages 26-27

NEW INCENTIVE

DOWNTOWN OPPORTUNITY ZONES CREATE WIN-WIN FOR INVESTORS, CITY

By Gary Kauffman If the idea of not paying tax on a capital gain for seven years and then receiving a 15 percent tax discount on that gain sounds appealing to you, then Augusta has an opportunity for you in 2019.

Much of downtown Augusta has been labeled as an Opportunity Zone, a designation that comes from the tax reform package passed in December 2017. Each state is allowed to designate areas that are considered economically distressed. The goal is to give people an incentive to reinvest their capital gains, helping both the investors and the city.

“When you have a downtown like Au-

gusta that’s depressed, people don’t want to invest in it because their customers are in suburbia,” said Ryan Martin, sales associate for Meybohm Commercial Properties. “Opportunity Zones try to incentivize investments in those areas.”

While parts of downtown Augusta, particularly upper Broad Street, have recently been bustling with activity, there are still plenty of areas that could use a helping hand.

Part of Augusta’s Opportunity Zone extends from the Savannah River to Walton Way and from Lake Olmstead to 13th Street. Another section is more irregular, roughly from Telfair Street south between 15th Street and Fifth Street for

part of it and extending south into the Laney-Walker and Bethlehem districts.

The area from the river to Telfair Street, from 13th Street to Gordon Highway, is not included. The medical district is also not included.

How Opportunity Zones work

(The following is a basic idea of how Opportunity Zones can benefit investors. For specific details, consult tax and investment professionals.)

Before the tax reform bill, there were limited options to avoid paying taxes on capital gains. Investors sometimes rolled gains over into a like-kind 1031 Exchange, but that also limited options.

THE

For example, if you bought something for $100,000 and sold it for $1.1 million, you would have a capital gain of $1 million. You could defer paying the tax on the gain by rolling it over in a 1031 Exchange, but that had to be an exchange of a like character or nature: If you sold property, the investment had to be in property; if stocks, in stocks.

“It is limited,” Martin said. “An Opportunity Zone is similar to a 1031, but there is no limit in the exchange.”

That means that even if the $1 million gain came from selling collectibles, it could now be used to buy commercial See OPPORTUNITY on Page 2

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Opportunity Zones can benefit a city because at least half of the amount of an investment must be used to fix up the property being purchased, and, to see a profit, an investor must keep the property in great condition. Photo by Gary Kauffman

Continued from Page 1 property within an Opportunity Zone.

There is one significant difference, though: The tax will eventually come due. With a 1031 Exchange, the gains could be rolled over indefinitely without a tax payment.

Another difference is that a qualified intermediary does not have to be used for an Opportunity Zone investment.

With an Opportunity Zone investment, the tax on a capital gain of $1 million would eventually have to be paid (the rate varies depending on filing status, length of time the asset was held before selling, and taxable income). How much of that gain will be taxed depends on the length of the investment. If you used the $1 million to buy a building in the Opportunity Zone and owned the building for five years, the gain will be reduced by 10 percent, so only $900,000 would be taxed. Keep the property for seven years and it is reduced by 15 percent, so only $850,000 would be taxed.

Currently, the law reads that the tax has to be paid by Dec. 31, 2026, so to get the full 15 percent discount, someone would have to invest in 2019. There is a possibility that the law will be revised to take away the hard deadline and change it to seven years after the investment.

“That’s where it gets fuzzy,” Martin admitted.

There is one more incentive for investors, one that is designed to have them hold the property for 10 years. Although the tax on the initial investment has to be paid after seven years, if it is sold after 10 years, any gain on the amount invested in the Opportunity Zone will not be taxed (although other assets could be taxed).

Martin said an Opportunity Zone can

2 Buzz on Biz February 2019

benefit many investors, not just those with deep pockets.

“You don’t have to be ultra-rich, but the gains are exponentially better if you’re investing lots of money,” he said.

The money invested into the Opportunity Zone has to be through a Qualified Opportunity Fund, although those are relatively simple to set up.

How Opportunity Zones benefit the city

An Opportunity Zone benefits a city because at least half of the investment has to be used to fix up the property. So, if you paid $500,000 for a building, you’d have to spend at least $500,000 on improving it. Naturally, in order to realize a profit after 10 years, the investor has an incentive to keep the property in peak condition.

While Opportunity Zones are likely to attract investors, Martin said part of the goal is also to try to bring businesses back into that area. A business that sells its store in an outlying area can use the money realized from the sale to invest in a new store in the Opportunity Zone.

Martin believes that the trend among the Millennial generation of wanting to live in downtown areas makes this an ideal opportunity for Augusta and investors.

“There’s a lot of exciting stuff for downtown Augusta,” he said. “It’s driven by the medical district and cyber.”

Martin doesn’t see any disadvantages to Opportunity Zone investing, except for potential pushback concerning gentrification.

“When this type of thing happens, ‘gentrification’ becomes a naughty word,” he said. “But a rising tide raises all ships.

It’s a huge opportunity for the people who live in those areas.”

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FROM THE EDITOR

Build a ‘team’ of advisors from people you already know Friends and colleagues can serve as valuable members of your personal “team,” offering honest feedback and advice on business issues.

By Gary Kauffman Do you know who the smartest person in the world is? Neither do I, but I’m pretty sure it isn’t you. And it certainly isn’t me.

Yet sometimes we make business decisions as if we had been endowed with the mind of God. Our latest brainstorm will build a better mousetrap, reinvent the wheel and make sliced bread look like a pedestrian invention. Until it fails.

Face it — we all have limitations on our knowledge, creativity and experience.

We need someone to take an objective look and point out that our brainstorm is little more than a light drizzle. We need someone to say, “Great idea, but have you thought of this?”

That’s why business owners are wise to build a team of advisors. I’m not talking about increasing your payroll by adding a bunch of new employees. I’m referring to a “team” made up of people you already have around you — peers, friends and even your spouse. You won’t often, if ever, bring them all together in a boardroom, though.

Meeting with them will usually happen on a one-on-one basis, probably over a cup of coffee and a bagel away from the office. You might not even think of them

as “business” meetings. You’re just having a conversation with a friend — but the wisdom you can glean from these informal meetings is often priceless.

When I had my advertising/marketing business in Indiana, I would periodically meet with various people in similar but noncompeting lines of work — a sign maker, a printer — and a couple of clients who were astute businessmen. I not only bounced ideas off them, but discussed the various issues that come up in business, like how to deal with problem clients, how to delegate tasks and best accounting

practices (i.e., collecting from deadbeats).

I also often found myself on the other end. The people I met with bounced their ideas off me and discussed their own issues. Clients would ask me not only for marketing advice, but for general business advice. Even when I was the one dispensing the advice, I almost always left those meetings feeling encouraged and with a new vigor for my job. Sometimes, just knowing that other people are facing the same issues can lift a weight from your shoulders.

One of the advisors who is often easy to

Features Economy Continues Growth.......................4 The 2019 outlook for the economy in Georgia and Augusta remains strong.

Businessperson of the Month.................. 23 Mid-50s career change leads to sweet success for Bebette Smith.

Buzz Bits................................................... 6-7

Crystal Ball........................................... 26-27 Trends that will impact businesses in 2019

Thinking Small.............................................8 Could tiny homes be a solution for city’s future housing needs?

Openings, Closings............................. 12, 13 Upcoming Events................................ 14, 15

More than Soup........................................ 28 Organizations have high hopes for Empty Bowl’s 13th year.

When Help Can’t Wait............................... 29 Agency supplies basic needs of nursing home residents.

Columnists Mark Alison: Work environment, learning are crucial to success.......................................................................................................20 Samantha Barksdale: Shows to pull you out of your comfort zone............................................................................................................30 Ben Casella: A user-friendly dark brew for the winter months......................................................................................................30 Tony Creighton: If you’re thinking about pressure washing your home, don’t...................................................................................18 Ed Enoch: Words matter when it’s time to draw up legal documents...............................................................................................22 Christine Hall: Considering a purchase? Be aware of new tax law’s implications...........................................................................24

Russell Head: How the government shutdown is affecting employers.................................................................................................22 Susan O’Keefe: The magic word at Groucho’s Deli is delicious....................................................................................................31 Dagan Sharpe: As your confidence grows, so does your generosity................................................................................................18 Tammy Shepherd: Voters can keep Columbia County schools going strong...........................................................................16 Witt Wells: What lies in store for Augusta’s Eighth Street?.......25

overlook is your spouse. He or she knows you better than anyone else and can give you advice you won’t get from anyone else.

You might have to humble yourself a bit to take advice from a spouse, but you’ll almost always find it rewarding.

Many people in the area have started offering seminars to dole out advice or to provide networking opportunities.

Check with the local Chambers of Commerce to see what networking events are coming up. Don’t think of networking as only gaining new business — use them to glean new knowledge that can make you more productive in your business and hopefully make things a bit easier for you.

Seeking advice can be a humbling experience. It means admitting that you don’t know everything and that someone may have a better idea. But unless you really are the smartest person in the world, seeking the advice of others is one of the smartest things you can do.

In addition to serving as editor of Buzz on Biz, Gary Kauffman is a Christian life coach working from an office in Martinez. Contact him at 803.341.5830 or kauffman coaching@gmail.com or visit kauffmancoaching.com.

The Buzz on Biz mission is to act as an inspirational tool for those in the workplace and those who are entrepreneurs, and to provide useful, practical information to increase their companies’ bottom lines.

To order a 12-month subscription mailed to your home or office, please mail a check for $49 (includes sales tax) to cover postage to the address below.

Publisher Ashlee Duren, ashlee.duren@augustamagazine.com Editor in Chief Gary Kauffman Assistant Editor & Layout Amanda Holahan Multimedia Journalist Witt Wells, witt.wells@buzzon.biz Photography Witt Wells, Gary Kauffman Sales Manager Lisa Dorn, lisa.dorn@augustamagazine.com Sales and PR Leslie Whitney, leslie.whitney@augustamagazine.com, 706-823-3719 Ad Building Michael Rushbrook Distribution Ken Brown Opinions expressed by the writers are their own and their respective institutions. Neither Morris Media Network nor its agents or employees take any responsibility for the accuracy of submitted information, which is presented for informational purposes only.

For the latest news, visit us at buzzon.biz Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/buzz-on-biz Follow us on Twitter @BuzzonBiz 643 Broad Street, Augusta GA 30901

February 2019 Buzz on Biz

3

STILL GOING STRONG

ECONOMY TO SLOW SLIGHTLY IN ’19 BUT STILL ROBUST AND GROWING

By Gary Kauffman The pace may not be quite as fast as a year ago, but economic growth promises to be strong in 2019 in Augusta and the state of Georgia.

That is the prediction of Ben Ayers, dean of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. Ayers spoke on Jan. 10 in Augusta as part of the college’s annual economic outlook.

“The Georgia economy will continue to expand and grow faster than the national economy for the sixth straight year,” Ayers said.

In addition, he expects to see job growth in all of the state’s metro areas and in all industries.

While growth will continue to be strong, the headwinds opposing it — such as higher interest rates, tighter labor markets and trade tensions — will also intensify.

“The net result is a pace of economic growth in 2019 that will be good but not as good as in 2018,” he said.

The gross domestic product (GDP) of Georgia will drop slightly to 3 percent but will still remain higher than the nation’s projected 2.5 percent. Likewise, personal income growth in Georgia will drop slightly, from 5.4 percent in 2018 to 4.9 percent in 2019, still ahead of the nation’s 4.5 percent growth.

The fastest-growing industries in 2019 are expected to be construction, education and health services, leisure and hospitality, professional services, and mining and logging. Medium growth will be seen in manufacturing, financial services, retail, transportation and utilities. Information technology and government will have the slowest growth.

Augusta and Gainesville are expected to have the biggest job growth in the state, both pegged to push past 2 percent.

“The good news out of this is that none of Georgia’s major sectors will lose jobs in 2019,” Ayers said.

But one area that sounds like it would be good news could actually be a major anchor to economic growth in the coming months — unemployment. Georgia is expected to reach 3.7 percent unemployment in 2019, which Ayers said is beyond full employment.

“Low unemployment is a great problem to have,” Ayers said. “Georgia has an extra-tight labor market, which will slow growth in 2019. Increasingly, the scarce factor is talent rather than capital.”

Ayers expects the tight labor market to invest more in labor-saving practices and

4 Buzz on Biz February 2019

Ben Ayers, dean of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, spoke Jan. 10 in Augusta as part of the college’s annual economic outlook presentation.

He said that he expects Georgia’s economy to continue to grow in 2019.

Photo by Gary Kauffman

to push innovation and research and development.

On the positive side, he expects wage and salary increases that will especially benefit the lower-wage occupations that didn’t benefit as much from the 2018 wage growth.

Population growth will be important for job growth, and Ayers expects Georgia’s population to increase by 1.5 percent in 2019, twice that of the nation as a whole. That’s because Georgia continues to be attractive to employers — it was ranked the best state to do business in for the sixth straight year — and is a top state to move to for mid-career and top-career workers as well as retirees.

Richmond County is also in the top five in the state for both military personnel and for defense contractors.

Population growth also means increased housing needs. Because of limited older homes on the market, Ayers expects an increase in new home construction, which will boost construction by 9 percent. Prices also continue to increase, with homes in Georgia now priced 14 percent higher than they were before the recession. Augusta-area homes have not increased by that much but are still around 5 percent higher than pre-recession prices.

Ayers noted that federal tax cuts contributed significantly to increased spending and job growth in 2018, and he expects that to continue in 2019.

A trade war could represent both a headwind and a recession risk, he said, which could have a big impact on Georgia. The state ranks 11th in the U.S. in ex-

ports and is seventh in imports.

“More favorable trade could enhance prospects for our state,” he said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

Risks for a recession have increased slightly for 2019, but Ayers doesn’t expect that to happen, placing the risk for a recession at 25 to 30 percent.

“Absent a full-blown trade war, I believe the risk for a recession will stay relatively low,” he said. “There are many reasons to expect the state economy will outperform the nation as a whole.”

Robbie Bennett, executive director of the Development Authority of Columbia County, followed Ayers’ presentation with a similarly positive outlook for the Augusta area.

“Every industry in our region is in growth mode,” he said.

Manufacturing grew 2.3 percent in 2018 and is expected to continue to grow, while professional services have grown by 7 percent in the past two years. The health care industry has not grown in the same way, but new investments are expected to push growth in 2019.

Population in the Augusta region has also grown, increasing by 8.9 percent since 2010. Jobs have grown by 8.1 percent since October 2014. From 2008-17, per capita income has increased from about $35,000 to a little more than $44,000.

“A driving force in the market is our existing businesses reinvesting in our community,” Bennett said.

Fort Gordon’s growth has also been a key, creating a ripple effect that boosts the community’s economic growth.

But like Ayers, Bennett is concerned about the shortage of qualified labor for the region’s businesses. He pointed out, though, that adult education efforts could take care of some of that. There are about 153,000 people age 18-65 who are not in the labor force while there are nearly 22,000 job openings in the area. Some of the people not in the labor force are stay-at-home spouses, retirees and the disabled.

“But many, if given the training, have the ability to fill a job,” Bennett said.

More than training is needed, though, to fill the jobs.

“The No. 1 priority for 2019 is talent recruitment,” he said. “We have to make sure they fall in love with the area and stay here.”

Connecting businesses with the education community, from kindergarten to college, is also a key to developing talent locally to satisfy employment needs.

Continuing to develop the right types of buildings — especially Class A office space — and creating a favorable political climate will also continue to be priorities.

Foreign-direct investments are also creating opportunities in the area. Bennett said about 50 percent of the projects he’s working on involve foreign-direct investing.

Bennett closed by calling for increased cooperation from all areas of the Augusta region.

“This is not an individual issue, it’s a regional issue,” he said. “We need to find a way to work together, to bridge county lines and bridge state lines.”

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buzz bits New Boys & Girls Club site is coming to south Augusta Georgia’s “brunch bill” allowing restaurants to start serving alcohol with meals at 11 a.m. on Sundays has now gone into effect in Evans and Grovetown.

Brunch bill now includes Evans, Grovetown Richmond County restaurants started serving alcohol on Sunday mornings in November, thanks to the new “brunch bill” that passed throughout Georgia during the November general election.

Columbia County wasn’t far behind, and the new law has officially gone into effect in Evans and now Grovetown, in addition to Augusta.

The process was delayed for those areas because Columbia County had to pass a new ordinance amendment after the November referendum. Sunday brunchers in Columbia County will now order brunch at 11 a.m. instead of having to wait until 12:30 p.m. if the restaurant allows.

Some restaurants might not be making drastic changes, though, even if they do serve alcohol. Adam Ibarra, manager at Mexican restaurant El Kiosko, said the restaurant doesn’t open until 11:30 a.m. and doesn’t serve alcohol until noon. He said there are people in the community who don’t want alcohol being served in restaurants on Sunday, and so El Kiosko might not start serving alcohol in the morning on Sunday, even if it is now legal.

Some brunch destinations in Richmond County immediately took advantage of the new law and had been waiting for a change that would be more hospitable to Sunday customers. When the bill went into effect in November, Victoria Ibarra, general manager of downtown restaurant Fuse, said diners would often delay coming to the restaurant until 12:30 p.m. Tourists would sometimes show frustration that they couldn’t order a drink at brunch.

“Sunday mornings will go a lot smoother,” Ibarra said.

6 Buzz on Biz February 2019

Ground has been broken for a new Boys & Girls Club on Augusta’s south side.

The new 26,000-square-foot center — the J. Hebbard Boys & Girls Club — will be located on Wheeless Road. The club will have programs for high school students, a learning center, reading area, gym, art room, recreation/game area and a laundry.

The new center will serve dinners daily and lunch in the summer when school is not in session.

Construction is expected to take about eight months.

Work on the Interstate 20 bridge that spans the Savannah River will mean lane closures that are expected to run through at least the early part of February.

Work on I-20 bridge to cause traffic delays A sign of progress could cause some temporary headaches for drivers crossing the Savannah River.

The Interstate 20 bridge across the river is scheduled for widening, a three-year project expected to start in early 2020.

But before that can begin, the Georgia Department of Transportation is doing nightly prep work that will cause nightly lane closures.

The closures began on Jan. 22 and are expected to conclude Feb. 10. The lane closures also mean reduced speeds in the open lanes. Most of the work will be done between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Eventually, I-20 will be widened from the River Watch Parkway exit to West Martintown Road, including creating wider lanes and pull-off shoulders across the bridge. The estimated cost of the project is $72 million.

AU Health opens Adrenal Center Augusta University Health’s Adrenal Center celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 29, completing a collaboration between clinical care and research to provide multidisciplinary, comprehensive and timely care to patients with adrenal diseases.

The center provides complete care for patients with all aspects of adrenal disease.

The grand opening of the Adrenal Center represents a partnership between Augusta University Health, the Georgia General Assembly and the state of Georgia.

Adrenal diseases are uncommon conditions, and many centers don’t have specialized facilities to treat disorders associated with the adrenal gland, according to Dr. Carlos Isales, director of the Adrenal Center, chief of the division of endocrinology and professor of medicine at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.

The son of Curt Thompson, former senator for the 5th District of Georgia, was diagnosed with an adrenal gland tumor and was told that due to the rarity of the condition, the family would need to travel across the country for appropriate treatment.

“This opened my eyes,” Thompson said. “There simply was no place anywhere in the South for patients with these sorts of adrenal disorders to get treatment. I knew that had to change.”

Former Gov. Nathan Deal and the Georgia General Assembly also saw the need and supported the senator’s vision for an Adrenal Center at Augusta University, joining in efforts allocate funds to establish the center.

“It has become part of my mission to make sure that Georgians have state-of-the-art medical care available to them for these conditions,” Thompson said. “I’m proud to be part of this.”

Each patient at the Adrenal Center will also be automati-

cally enrolled as a research study patient in hopes of better understanding adrenal gland diseases and the best ways to treat them.

“The Augusta University Adrenal Center provides a multidisciplinary approach from diagnosis through treatment and even further through research for patients with adrenal gland tumors,” said Dr. Aaron Bolduc, surgical director at the Adrenal Center and assistant professor of surgery at the Medical College of Georgia. “This quality care is only possible because of the hard work between the state government officials and Augusta University to provide for this specific need for Georgia citizens.”

Dr. Wendy Bollag, research director at the Adrenal Center, hopes that the cutting-edge research happening at the center will lead to the next advances in medicine.

Isales said he is excited about the opportunity to help patients, through both clinical care and research, in both the Augusta area and the Southeast who suffer from adrenal gland disorders.

“I think that part of an academic medical center’s mission is to provide care for patients with rare conditions, and I think a specialized center provides a unique service that would otherwise be unavailable,” Isales said. “This is a big deal to patients with these conditions, because if the disease isn’t properly managed, there can be serious health consequences.

So, I think this center will be a great resource for those patients with one of these conditions.”

The multidisciplinary clinic is on the second floor of the Professional Building in the Digestive Health Center and will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of adrenal specialists from diverse disciplines including surgery, endocrinology, cardiology, radiology, pathology and research.

buzz bits about 6,800 guests. That was enough to rank Aiken County eighth among South Carolina counties for total host income. Charleston County ranked first with nearly $55 million.

Augusta University’s Georgia Cancer Center is working to become a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center.

Augusta health providers to work jointly on cancer services Two of Augusta’s health providers have agreed to work together in serving some cancer patients.

Augusta University Health and University Hospital have agreed to partner on some outpatient cancer services beginning June 1. The stated goal is to help AU’s Georgia Cancer Center gain national recognition.

Under the agreement, University Medical Oncology would co-manage facilities that provide outpatient services, infusion centers and pharmacy services. A joint management team from AU Health and University will oversee the new partnership.

Cancer diagnosis and surgery will remain separate entities. Physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners will also remain separate, meaning patients will likely notice few changes.

Georgia Cancer Center is continuing its quest to become a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center. The agreement will increase the number of patients under its care, which will help it meet NCI criteria. Currently, the closest NCI Cancer Centers to Augusta are at Emory University in Atlanta and at Medical University in Charleston, S.C.

Aiken among top counties for Airbnb Nearly 7,000 guests brought more than $1 million into Aiken County through Airbnb rentals in 2018, according to reports.

Estimates are that Airbnb hosts in the county earned $1.3 million from

Aiken wealth management office becomes Apollon Consolidated Planning of Aiken became Apollon Wealth Management at the first of the year, according to management advisor Kurt Mueller.

In a Facebook post, Mueller said the change was part of an effort to serve his clients better.

The Aiken office will remain at the Village at Woodside, 137 Old Market St., Suite 102. But there will now be a second office on Walton Way Extension in Augusta.

Apollon offers collaborative planning strategies to business owners, individuals with estate planning needs and retirees with a focus on income replacement and income distribution planning.

Governor has big plans for SC budget surplus South Carolina has an unexpected windfall of about $1 billion, and the governor has plans to use it to benefit the people in the state.

Gov. Henry McMaster has proposed using about $200 million of the surplus in a rebate to taxpayers. The remainder would be used to increase teacher salaries by 5 percent and to put a police officer in every school in the state.

Posey wins global award for service Posey Funeral Directors in North Augusta received global recognition recently from the National Funeral Directors Association.

Posey was one of 158 funeral homes from around the world receiving the 2018 Pursuit of Excellence Award. The

Environmental issues threaten coffee crops That morning stop for a cup of coffee on the way to work could get even pricier, if botanical researchers are correct.

According to the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London, 60 percent of the world’s coffee species found in the wild are in danger of extinction. Arabica, the world’s most popular commercial coffee, is

award recognizes those who adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards and provide unsurpassed service to families and communities.

Walker Posey is the current owner and director of Posey Funeral Directors, which began in 1879.

NFDA represents nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States in 39 countries.

National continues to expand It appears that Augusta National Golf Club is continuing to expand the land it owns along Washington Road.

According to a report in The Augusta Chronicle, an entity with ties to Augusta National recently purchased the Publix-anchored National Plaza shopping center on Washington Road. The club reportedly paid $21 million for the 14acre site. A year ago, it paid $20 million for the Washington Square shopping center anchored by Stein Mart.

The acquisition gives Augusta National most of the property on the south side of Washington Road from the golf course to Bertram Road, with the exception of a few properties.

already on the endangered species list.

The culprits, according to report, are climate change, deforestation, drought and plant diseases.

There are 124 types of wild coffee, and 75 of those are at risk of extinction. Fewer coffee crops would lead to a price increase — and a possible decrease in taste.

Free event promotes family health A new event is being launched to encourage and educate the Augusta community on living active and healthy lifestyles.

The Healthy Family Fair is a free community event aimed to encourage and educate people in the Augusta metro area on how to live healthy.

The family-oriented event will showcase wellness tests, interactive booths, health and wellness-focused businesses, and area fitness professionals.

Free health and wellness consultations will also be available, with on-site evaluations.

The fair will be held at Riverview Activities Center in North Augusta from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 9. Attendees can enjoy an interactive family experience, where children and parents can play, explore and learn about health and wellness-related activities and lessons from the experts, athletes and sports leaders in the community.

The Healthy Family Fair is hosted by Comfort Keepers, the North Augusta Lions and North Augusta Star.

February 2019 Buzz on Biz

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THINKING SMALL

COULD TINY HOMES BE A SOLUTION FOR CITY’S FUTURE HOUSING NEEDS?

By Witt Wells Two small houses on wheels popped up on the corner of 12th and Greene streets last month, and they’ve already garnered interest from passersby.

They’re known as tiny homes, which have become hugely popular over the last few years, largely because of cable TV shows like HGTV’s Tiny House Hunters.

They’re an affordable housing option that caters to the minimalist; life is simpler and more sustainable when your home life is contained in 300 square feet of real estate on wheels.

Allen Childs, an Augustan, was pretty oblivious to the tiny house movement until he went to Royston, Ga., in 2017 to meet with a colleague who owned a car dealership. On the lot of the dealership sat one small house. The dealer mentioned to Childs that the houses were being manufactured in Alabama by a company called Stone Canyon Cabins, which was looking for dealers. Childs didn’t think much of it until he sat down for dinner that night and told his wife what happened.

“My wife watches HGTV and Food Network,” Childs said. “She jumped up and said, ‘You’re the stupidest ‘blank-ety blank blank’ if you don’t jump on it,’” Childs said.

So he did. Now, nearly two years later, two 400-square-foot houses are sitting in downtown Augusta, and Childs is looking to sell them. The next move is to get the city to approve them and have them properly zoned and permitted. But that’s going to take time.

“We’ve run into some roadblocks from the city as far as getting them permitted,” Childs said. “A lot of municipalities are having a hard time figuring out what a tiny house really is.”

In Augusta, tiny houses are currently zoned as park model homes, which puts them in the same categories as RVs. This is the case across Georgia, where construction codes are regulated by the state Department of Community Affairs.

“Right now, they are not allowed to be set up in the state other than [at] a travel trailer park,” said Rob Sherman, director of the Augusta Planning and Development Department.

Sherman said the DCA has approved the concept of a tiny house, but for a tiny house to be in compliance with the DCA’s codes, it has to be inspected in factory by an independent DCA-approved inspector. That makes the building a DCA-approved modular unit, which would allow it to be built in a residential area.

Should the Augusta Commission seek

8 Buzz on Biz February 2019

Tiny houses are growing in popularity in cities across the nation. Allen Childs has two — 400 square feet each — that he’s looking to sell in Augusta, and envisions selling many more. Changes in regulations are needed before the homes can become a truly viable option in the area, but Childs says the small dwellings are a key part of the future of housing. Photo by Witt Wells

to approve that kind of development, a new ordinance would need to be passed to allow them in certain locations. Sherman said he’s unsure exactly what that ordinance would include.

“I know, for instance out in California or Seattle, they’re allowing people to put cottages in the backyard … that all make sense to me,” Sherman said. “But our codes don’t have that right now.”

Size is a roadblock, too. Childs’ 400-square-foot units are bigger than some of the 250-square-foot houses seen on TV, but the city of Augusta requires houses to be a minimum of 800 square feet to be approved for residential areas.

That rule would also have to be changed.

Until then, the houses will be limited to travel trailer parks.

Childs also wants to buck the perception that his houses are no different than mobile homes. They can function that way, but he sees far more potential for such affordable housing units that are continuing to grow in popularity across the country.

One young couple who came by to look at Childs’ houses was getting ready to move to Alabama. The husband is on track to become a doctor, and they are interested in living in a tiny home for a few years during his internship before buying a bigger house. Childs said the medical

community is one group he thinks could benefit from this housing option.

“Some governments have open arms and some are resistant,” Childs said.

“Whenever I talk to a planning and zoning (department), they all say the same thing: This is coming, and there’s nothing we can do to stop it.”

With downtown Augusta being revitalized and the real estate market becoming more competitive, Childs has hit resistance from locals and city officials who think an area zoned for tiny houses would look too much like a mobile home park in the middle of the city center. He thinks that’s a complete misperception of what he’s brought to the area.

“Those TV shows … a lot of those homes are portable homes,” Childs said. “The homes that I sell are not anything like that, they’re 22,000 pounds, 400-square-feet long downstairs. A lot of them have lofts, 100-square-foot. Double the size of what you see on TV.” Childs hadn’t been a tiny house dealer for long before he started to see some of the major needs that they could fill. On Oct. 10, a woman named Courtney Harris saw her home in Lynn Haven, Fla., destroyed by Hurricane Michael. The house was just one of many in the Panama City area to be wrecked by the storm, and contractors in the region are too busy to take

on new projects.

As the manager of a beachside highrise residential complex, Harris was more fortunate than most and had an immediate fallback for her husband and 8-yearold son. But it will take years for them to rebuild the home they lost, and Harris wanted a temporary living situation that felt like a home.

She started researching companies, connected with Childs and took a trip to see what he had to offer. Harris’ son was ecstatic.

“They’re so much more home-looking and sturdy than an RV or something,” Harris said. “We love to be outside, we’re right across from the bay. I’m not really worried so much about the lack of space.”

Harris and her family had their home delivered just in time for Christmas. The family might be spending a couple more Christmases there, too, while they and the rest of Panama City get back on their feet. It’s one of many situations where a new kind of home is the right fit.

“I’ve had so many different ideas brought to me over the last four months,” Childs said. “People are wanting to do housing communities, retirement communities, communities for the handicapped — there’s just a lot of different ideas floating around out there. It’s just making it work.”

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‘WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW’

SMALL BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE LETS BUSINESS OWNERS ASK QUESTIONS

By Gary Kauffman Small businesses can always use a little extra help, and the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce provided some on Jan. 16 with a Small Business Roundtable.

Kurt Mueller, wealth management adviser for Apollon Wealth Management, served as moderator for the event with panel experts Paul Wade, Seorotta Maddocks Evans, CPAs; Ed Enoch, EnochTarver Law; and Adam Williams, Cleveland Group CPAs, answering questions from a number of small business owners and representatives.

Mueller said the interaction with other businesses and experts is important for small businesses.

“If you find yourself the smartest person in the room, you’re probably in the wrong room,” Mueller said.

Here are some of the questions, and the answers the panel provided: When you’re shopping for a CPA, what are good questions to ask?

Wade: “A lot of the time when someone is looking to switch CPAs, I ask them why, and about 80 percent of the time I get the answer, ‘I don’t feel valuable.’ Most clients want their CPA to be more proactive, they want to know their status before the end of the year.”

Williams: “Trust your gut. A lot of people can file a tax return, whether they’re a CPA or not. Know the person you select has your best interest at heart.”

Enoch: “If you don’t talk to them, they can’t help you. Develop a rapport.”

Mueller: “There are two things here — personality is a big one, and second, what do you want? The companies that go from good to great are proactive.”

Do you offer consultation about business formation?

Enoch: “I’m happy to sit down with folks the first time and assess their needs.

I flat-fee most of these things because I’ve done them so many times. But we don’t answer the ‘how much will it cost’ question over the phone.”

Wade: “We don’t charge for the initial meeting. It’s the chance to ask questions.”

Williams: “(The initial meeting) is a way to get to know each other. You don’t know what you don’t know, but as you sit there, questions will come to mind.”

Mueller: “Most high-quality companies do an initial consultation (without charging). If they’re charging for that first meeting, that’s a red flag.”

10 Buzz on Biz February 2019

Wealth management advisor Kurt Mueller says that interaction with experts can be very important for small business owners.

What are the differences between different business entities?

Enoch: “The purpose of forming an entity, from a lawyer’s point of view, is liability protection. You want to separate your business from your personal assets.

The majority of entities we form is LLCs, because they have so much flexibility.”

Williams: “With an LLC, we sit down to determine how to tax it. If you’re the only person in the business, then it’s no different than a sole proprietorship. Then we decide if it’s a partnership or an S Corp. If it doesn’t save any money taxwise, then it may not make that much sense.”

Wade: “Prior to the new tax laws, it was pretty simple to start as an LLC. The new tax law’s pass-through provision is very different if it is an LLC or an S Corp. It becomes a more critical decision.”

Mueller: “In-depth fact-finding, that’s the key. Rather than a one-size-fits-all, you really have to dive deep and ask those questions.”

What are some of the pitfalls of putting a product on the market?

Enoch: “(Trademark of a business name) is the thing I run into the most frequently because of the prevalence of the internet. I do a lot more federal trade-

mark registration than I did 15 years ago.

The standard recommendation is that once you have a business, trademark it by registering it at the federal and state level.

The way to avoid any problems is to do research. I do a trademark office search, then I do a professional search and get back a detailed report of every place that has a name like that being used. Then it depends on how similar it is and if it’s in the same field. Trademarking is a long process.

“The biggest downfall is that people jump out with a product, they have a logo, they spend a lot of time getting the brand and then ultimately they can’t use it.”

How do you find someone to do the day-to-day bookkeeping who can be trusted?

Williams: “In the marketplace today, it’s hard to find trained, qualified people.

But once you pick that person, don’t just walk away. You still have to stay involved and spot check. As you find a potential person (to hire), call your CPA and ask if they would interview them. I could ask questions that you might not know to ask.”

Wade: “When people have had problems, it’s usually because they hired a per-

son and implicitly trusted them with no oversight. Some local CPA firms offer a CFO (chief financial officer) service.”

When you buy an insurance policy for your business, should you have an attorney review it?

Enoch: “Most attorneys are not going to be able to interpret it any better than you can. Make sure you’re using a commercial insurance broker. Too often, when people start a business, they just get the person who does the home policy, and they’re not experts (in business policies). You need to look at people who write commercial policies. They’re looking for business risk management coverage.”

Mueller: “Look for a commercial broker. There are insurance companies out there who specialize in specific businesses.”

What is the difference between a DBA (doing business as) and an LLC? Enoch: “A DBA is simply a trade name you can use. It creates a paper trail but provides no liability protection. If you have employees, you’ll want to form an entity (for protection). Remember, mayhem is your employee.”

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February 2019 Buzz on Biz

11

openings, closings and moves OPENINGS

The new Stone Roastery offers locally roasted coffee beans and specialty coffee drinks in North Augusta.

Stone Roastery A new coffee shop featuring locally roasted beans opened in North Augusta on Jan. 21.

Stone Roastery opened its doors at 502 Belvedere-Clearwater Road in a building that formerly housed Belvedere Cleaners. Owner Brad Stone revamped the interior of the building to give it a retro garage look, with exposed block walls, a cement floor and rustic wood counters. It features 10 tables and several outdoor-style metal sofa loungers.

Stone began roasting coffee beans at his North Augusta home in April 2018, and they soon became so popular that he decided to open a shop. In addition to pour-overs and lattes, Americanos and other specialty coffees, he sells bags of roasted beans. His own blends, developed with meticulous care, include Vintage Smooth, Sweetwater, Blonde, Brunette, Midnight Run and Jalopy.

A unique feature is an active coffee roaster in the corner that allows patrons to see how coffee beans are roasted.

Stone Roastery opens at 5:30 a.m.

Monday through Friday and 6:30 a.m.

Saturday and stays open into the evening. It is closed on Sunday.

BioLife Plasma Services BioLife Plasma Services has a new location at 270 Bobby Jones Expressway, Suite 164. The 13,000-square-foot facility officially opened in October, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in January.

It is one of six plasma centers in the area and BioLife’s first.

The center is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Donors must be at least 18 years old and weigh 110 pounds.

Blood plasma contains mostly water and dissolved proteins. During plasma

12 Buzz on Biz February 2019

Hotel’s opening adds to development’s offerings North Augusta’s long-awaited Crowne Plaza hotel at Riverside Village has officially opened its doors, giving both locals and tourists access to a high-quality center for hospitality, dining, entertainment and meeting space that is a first for the area.

The hotel boasts 180 rooms (112 king rooms, 65 queen rooms and three suites), around 17,500 square feet of meeting space, a convention center, ballroom, pool, a restaurant called Salt and Marrow Kitchen, the neighboring Salt and Marrow Parlor Bar, and a rooftop bar and terrace.

The hotel opened Jan. 14. It is at 1060 Center St., at the heart of Riverside Village.

Jeff Brower, the hotel’s general manager, said the vision behind the Crowne Plaza is to strive not only to provide excellent service and amenities to Augusta’s visitors, but to be a hub for the local community. The hotel employs 85 people.

“If you look at South Carolina as a whole, we’re almost a tech corridor,” Brower said. “We look forward to amplifying that messaging

of how great Augusta and North Augusta are.”

The hotel combines midcentury modern design with what Brower describes as a “Garden and Gun feel,” giving off a sort of Southern flare. A wide-open, minimalistic main lobby contains the sleek Salt and Marrow Parlor bar, which is sandwiched between the lobby and Salt and Marrow Kitchen. The restaurant features custom woodfired grills designed by Grillworks, and its menu is inspired by Augusta’s rich history on the Savannah River.

“You get free Wi-Fi and everything offered here,” Brower said of the hotel that “combines business and leisure.”

Add to that SRP Park, the new Ironwood Apartments, a soonto-be-completed Southbound Smokehouse-Sweetwater 420 collaboration, and incoming retail, and Riverside Village is suddenly well on its way to being the complete entertainment hub that was originally envisioned.

“It helps further define Augusta,” Brower said. “Augusta is in the process of changing.”

The 180-room Crowne Plaza hotel at River Village in North Augusta is officially open for business. The new facility employs 85 people.

donation, blood is extracted from the body, plasma is extracted from the blood, and then the blood is returned to the body.

Individuals can typically donate plasma twice a week.

Domino’s Pizza chain Domino’s will open a restaurant in downtown Augusta later this year, according to a report from The Augusta Chronicle.

The restaurant will be located at the

corner of Reynolds and 13th streets.

The building previously housed a Krispy Kreme and a lottery business. It was purchased by John Eckburg, local franchisee and owner of nine Domino’s locations.

The Domino’s location will have drive-through and walk-in options.

“We are excited about being a part of the growth and excitement downtown and excited to be so close to the Cyber Center and other downtown developments,” Eckburg stated in a release.

“This is a strategic location for us and will enable us to serve the downtown neighborhoods, the central business district and downtown North Augusta.”

CLOSINGS

Blue Sky Kitchen in downtown Augusta has closed its doors after 19 years.

Blue Sky Kitchen Blue Sky Kitchen has closed its doors, according to a report from The Augusta Chronicle.

The restaurant and bar was open for 19 years. Originally opened as a restaurant featuring Cuban, American and Korean cuisine, Blue Sky was later remodeled as a sports bar.

Owner Sae Shin, who also owns Soy Noodle House and Cafe 1102, bought the restaurant in 2011 and remodeled it to be a popular nightlife destination.

Blue Sky Kitchen closed after a New Year’s Eve celebration. Shin did not respond to an email from Buzz on Biz regarding Blue Sky’s closure and what will become of the restaurant.

The 2,500-square-foot restaurant is at 990 Broad St. Regions Bank The main branch of Regions Bank in Aiken, at 107 Chesterfield St. S., will close on April 19.

Plans are to have the main branch merge with the south Aiken branch at 1799 Whiskey Road, near Pine Log Road. The consolidation is being made because of the volume of traffic, new technology and the proximity to other businesses.

openings, closings and moves MOVES

Laziza Mediterranean Grille Popular local restaurant Laziza Mediterranean Grill has moved to a new location in Evans just a few doors down from its former digs.

Along with a brand new look and feel, the restaurant added a bar, fresh food market and gelato, along with some new additions to an authentic Mediterranean menu.

The restaurant is at 4272 Washington Road, Suite 8A, and is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Laziza is also making progress on its downtown location, which owner Nader Khatibi plans to open this spring. Khatib signed a lease on the 3,600-square-foot ground floor of 901 Broad St. almost a year ago. The restaurant lies beneath a nine-unit apartment complex currently being built on the top two floors. The building is owned

by Brian Haltermann.

Khatib has wanted to expand from the Evans location for a while, especially since there are no restaurants like Laziza downtown.

The downtown Laziza will have a cafe, bar and small market and will also function as the restaurant’s catering hub.

Ivey Homes Ivey Homes has a new home for its business headquarters.

The new 11,000-square-foot office building is at 672 Industrial Park Drive in Evans. It opened in January.

The new office building will house the Ivey Homes staff and a design studio that will allow customers to custom-design their new home from the flooring to the roof.

Five Guys Five Guys burgers plans to move from its Washington Road location near Kroger to the new Crane Creek shopping center on Walton Way Extension next to Interstate 20.

Five Guys has been on Washington Road for about 10 years. The move is expected to take place soon.

The new location is 2,400 square feet,

similar to its current location.

Five Guys joins several other new stores in Crane Creek, which is anchored by Sprouts Farmers Market.

Also opening there are Pinot’s Palette, Pita Mediterranean Street Food and Moon Nails & Spa. Sweet Charlie’s Ice Cream and Hollywood Feed also are located there.

The Crosby’s clothing store at 970 Broad St. is closing after nine decades in business. In its place will be a decor store featuring American-made goods.

ACQUISTIONS Sprint Food Stores

After 90 years, new shop will fill downtown store After 90 years of business, women’s apparel store Crosby’s Ladies Ready-to-Wear, at 970 Broad St., will close and make way for a new business whose owner, along with many others, has a special connection to Crosby’s.

Crosby’s will close March 1, and a new decor retailer called American Journeyman will take its place in the following months. Amanda Bryan, the new store’s founder and owner, still remembers trying on hats at Crosby’s years ago with her mother, who died in 2017. She’ll always remember the place fondly.

“It feels very meant to be, the Crosby’s location,” Bryan said.

Mina Hinkle, who has owned Crosby’s for nearly 30 years, will remain the owner of the building.

Hinkle said she decided to retire about eight months ago and thinks Bryan’s business has a greater chance to succeed than another clothing store would.

“I was hoping somebody can do the same business, but it’s impossible,” Hinkle said. “Right now, the clothing business is way down.”

Hinkle moved to Augusta from South Korea in 1985 with her husband, who was stationed at Fort Gordon. In 1991, she and her husband bought Crosby’s. It was the first business she owned.

“My 30s, 40s, 50s, all my life was in there,” Hinkle said. “And I had a lot of good customers. But I need to go ahead and retire.

“I feel kind of bad about it — a lot of customers are upset with me, they have memories with their mom or grandma — but I have to

do what I have to do.”

Memories with her mother gave Bryan a deep appreciation for the legacy of the store that she’s following and wants her store to continue to bring more life to an area that she’s excited to invest in.

“I’ve been an internal optimist about the revitalization of downtown,” Bryan said. “The downtown vibe fit the essence of a heritage item.”

American Journeyman will sell a variety of heritage decor products including pennants, socks, blankets, candles and more, with a focus on local and American craftsmanship. Everything in the store will be American-made, whether it’s from Buffalo, N.Y., or Calhoun, Ga. Oxford Pennant and Kentucky-based Southern Socks are a couple of the brands that will be found at the store.

Bryan plans to hold a soft opening in April, but she will officially take over the lease of the building on March 1.

It’s been less than two years since Bryan moved from the Washington, D.C., area to Augusta, where she was born and has deep family ties. She’s a seventh generation Army veteran and part of the Augusta chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She said her family bonds have become stronger since her mother’s passing, and that’s further confirmed for her that 970 Broad St. was the right place for American Journeyman.

“The Crosby’s transaction felt very divine,” Bryan said.

Sprint Food Stores has purchased 10 Greg’s Gas Plus stores across the CSRA.

Sprint Food Stores acquired 10 Greg’s Gas Plus locations at the end of January.

With the acquisition, Sprint increases its number of locations to 30 convenience stores in the CSRA. The locally owned Sprint convenience chain currently employs more than 250 employees and plans to keep all of the Greg’s Gas associates intact and employed under the new brand.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community and our loyal customers for supporting Greg’s Gas Plus the past 30 years,” said Greg Kendrick, owner of Greg’s Gas Plus. “We are certain Sprint will continue our tradition of supporting the community. I am thrilled our employees will get to become a part of the Sprint Family.”

“We are very excited to be starting the new year with such amazing growth,” said Andy Jones, president and CEO of Sprint. “These are great stores, which are that way because of the knowledgeable and friendly associates. Our team at Sprint is working to make the transition smooth and seamless not only for Greg’s associates, but also for his customers.”

Sprint Food Stores Inc. was founded in 1997 and is the largest locally owned convenience store company in Augusta.

Sprint is based in downtown Augusta.

Follow business and economic news across the CSRA at buzzon.biz.

February 2019 Buzz on Biz

13

upcoming business events Thursday, Jan. 31

Thursday, Feb. 21

Business After Hours, 5 p.m., Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce, 121 Richland Ave. E., Aiken. A networking event for local businesses. For more information, visit aikenchamber.net.

Friday, Feb. 1 Women in Business Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., no other information available at press time. For more information, visit northaugustachamber.org.

Tuesday, Feb. 5

AYP Supper Club, 5:30 p.m., Apizza di Napoli, 740 Silver Bluff Road, Aiken. A networking event for Aiken Young Professionals.

Hosted by Darius Chiles. For more information, visit aikenchamber.net.

Thursday, Feb. 7

14th annual Columbia County Chamber Banquet, 4:30 p.m. cocktail reception and business showcase, 6:30 p.m. dinner and awards, Columbia County Exhibition Center, 212 Partnership Drive, Grovetown. Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards will be presented. Business attire required. Registration is required.

For more information, visit columbiacountychamber.com.

Friday, Feb. 8

First Friday Means Business, 7:30 a.m., 117 Newberry St. NW, Aiken. Informative breakfast meeting with a keynote speaker.

For more information, visit aikenchamber.net.

14 Buzz on Biz February 2019

Monday, Feb. 11

Chamber After Hours, 5 p.m., Ivey Residential, 672 Industrial Park Drive, Suite 200, Evans.

A networking opportunity to meet and build relationships with other local businesses.

For more information, visit columbiacountychamber.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 12

Meet.Mingle.Mesh, 5:30 p.m., SharedSpace, 901 Greene St., Augusta. Meet new connections, mingle with business professionals and mesh together for success.

For more information, visit augustametrochamber.com.

Thursday, Feb. 14

Membership 101, 4 p.m., Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, 1000 Business Blvd., Evans. A membership orientation class for new members or for a refresher for current members.

Registration is required.

For more information, visit columbiacountychamber.com.

Ribbons cuttings scheduled Jan. 31: You Deserve a Break Today, at Columbia County Chamber office, 1000 Business Blvd., Evans, 1 p.m.

Jan. 31: Chuck’s Painting & Home Maintenance, at Columbia County Chamber office, 1000 Business Blvd., Evans, 4 p.m.

Jan. 31: Brownstone Mediation Services, 3114 Augusta Tech Drive, Augusta, 12 p.m.

Feb. 20: Cellular Connection – Verizon, 3120 Peach Orchard Road, Suite B, Augusta, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 19

Women in Business, 11:30 a.m., Legends Club, 2701 Washington Road, Augusta. Kim Beavers, registered dietitian and nutritionist, presents “Powered from the Inside: Maintaining a Balanced, Healthy Lifestyle.” She will share a focused and strategic approach to overcoming obstacles to a healthy lifestyle. Registration is required by Feb. 15. For more information, visit augustametrochamber.com.

Starting A Business, 5:30 p.m., Augusta SBDC Office, 2907 Professional Pkwy., Suite B, Augusta. This course covers important tools and resources a business owner needs to establish a solid foundation. Topics include marketing analysis, legal and insurance considerations, technology, bookkeeping and accounting and basic business plan preparations. For more information, visit georgiasbdc.org/augusta-office.

The Power of Progress, 111th annual Meeting, 6 p.m., Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center. Featuring the 2018 year in review, the 2019 forecast and passing of the gavel. Paul Bowers, president and CEO of Georgia Power, will be the presenter.

For more information, visit augustametrochamber.com.

Tuesday, Feb.26

GMNA: Life in North Augusta: A Minority Perspective, 7:30 a.m., North Augusta Municipal Building, 4th Floor, 100 Georgia Ave., North Augusta. The Rev. George Brightharp of G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary will present the main address. Registration is required. For more information, visit northaugustachamber.org.

Thursday, Feb. 28

Business After Hours, 5 p.m., Trinity on Laurens, 213 Laurens St. NW, Aiken. A networking event for local businesses. For more information, visit aikenchamber.net.

Catch the Buzz!

Get more on upcoming events and follow business and economic news across the CSRA at buzzon.biz.

Tuesday, March 12

Columbia County Career and College Expo, 5-8 p.m., Columbia County Exhibition Center, 212 Partnership Drive, Grovetown. The Columbia County Chamber Foundation’s Workforce and Education Initiative presents an event to bring together middle and high school students and parents, along with educators and businesspeople, to discuss future career options. The expo will host universities, technical colleges and trade organizations. For more information, visit columbiacountychamber.com.

AUGUSTA’S INNOVATION NEWS

THE

ACCELERATOR

ENTREPRENEURSHIP Flooring Pros Phuong Nguyen Co-Founder

At theClubhou.se theClubhou.se is at 100 Grace Hopper Lane, Suite 3700, in Augusta. Here are events coming in February: Feb. 6: 1 Million Cups Augusta features CryoCare and Synergetic Virtual Consulting this month. 8-9 a.m.

Feb. 13: Tech, Developer and Startup Community, join us for Beer & Bytes, our monthly networking event. This month, representatives from our community partners SRNL, SME CPAs, and ATDC will briefly speak on their services and the office hours they offer at theClubhou.se.

5:30-7 p.m.

Feb. 21: Join us for a Cloud Security at the next Cloud Meetup, and start becoming a Cloud Cybersecurity Guru.

6-8 p.m.

Feb. 22: Building a Blackberry Bramble is part of Growler Gardening with Augusta Locally Grown at theClubhou. se Community Garden on Telfair Street.

5-7 p.m.

Feb. 25: Robotics Galore is for the robotics enthusiasts! 6-8 p.m.

Feb. 26: Agile Augusta presents aspects of Agile Project Management.

6-7 p.m.

Other events • Entrepreneur members of theClubhou.se meet every Wednesday morning for Founders Circle, 9-10 a.m.

• Augusta Locally Grown’s downtown pickup location is at theClubhou.se every Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. ALG has launched its initiative Nourishment19 out of theClubhou.se. This includes a variety of agricultural endeavors, from harvesting to buying local produce, to educational movie nights and collaborative projects. Read more at its website, augustalocallygrown.org.

Phuong Nguyen is always looking for new partnerships and opportunities.

He likes being involved and building something-something worthwhile, be it a company or system. That inclination brought him to theClubhou.se.

His most recent venture is Flooring Pros, which specializes in selling and installing all kinds of flooring at affordable prices and quality service. It’s a pitch in which the aspect of quality and affordability is the foundation of the business.

Phuong learned from other businesses that, “credibility and trust go a long way. Customers trust you to do a good job, and we deliver. A failing company is one that does not listen to their customers.”

Founded just over a year ago with a friend with over ten years experience in flooring, Flooring Pros is set up at 246 Bobby Jones Expressway.

Phuong handles the backend of the business, focusing on marketing and sales. On the topic of going into business with a friend as his business partner, Phuong shared, “We’ve been friends for quite some time and I trust his knowledge in the business, his work ethic and his morals.”

Phuong grew up in Augusta. When asked what he was like in school, he said, “Typical Asian - My only focus was to

make good grades for fear of being disowned by my entire family lineage.” He attended Augusta University at first and originally considered being a Computer Science major. CS did not really excite him, so he switched to Information Management Systems and transferred to the University of Georgia.

After graduating in 2007, Phuong moved to Atlanta to join the corporate world as an IT Consultant. Jet-setting around the country to cover five states in different regions was fun and exciting. After a year or so though, it began to be a tiring endeavor. And then the 2008 financial crisis happened. This was an eye-opening moment for Phuong and he realized he wanted to have more control over his work. Entrepreneurship was the answer with an added bonus: “Providing a solution and a service to meet the needs of many helps me know that I’ve contributed to society in a positive way.”

Real estate investment provided Phuong and his sister their first venture together, and they became passionate about it. They began with single-family residences and then scaled to multi-family, and eventually into commercial property.

This has gotten him to where he is today, sharing that for his next venture, he wants to invest in an IT company, returning to his first passion in college.

Working out of theClubhou. se is part of that process. “It’s been a wonderful experience,” Phuong said. “It has connected

me to great people and brilliant entrepreneurs. We’ve shared and learned new ideas that have helped each other grow.”

Phuong’s best advice: “Treat people with respect and honesty. You don’t have to be the smartest person but you have to have grit and determination!” This rings true with theClubhou.se core values of Honor Your Commitments and Be Worty of Trust. We think Phuong accentuates the culture of theClubhou.se quite well.

WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER? VISIT www.theclubhou.se Would you like to schedule a tour?

STOP BY 100 Grace Hopper Lane Suite 3700 Augusta, Ga EMAIL heythere@theclubhou.se

February 2019 Buzz on Biz

15

ADVOCACY

Voters can keep Columbia County schools going strong

By Tammy Shepherd Driving workforce starts with education — vote yes on March 19!

In 2019, the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce will drive workforce, education, advocacy, business and leadership, all of which ultimately drives growth! You will see and hear the words “drive” or “driving” throughout the core of our mission and messaging.

Synonyms of drive are energy, determination, ambition and motivation, and, if you know me personally, you will understand all of these words describe the Columbia County Chamber and also me.

Two major Chamber initiatives are happening in March 2019 and both — Education and Workforce Development — are directly connected. These life-improving initiatives are all made possible by the continued support of the Education SPLOST referendum on March 19 and the Columbia County Career and College Expo, hosted by the Chamber’s Foundation, on March 12.

As everyone knows, the Columbia County School System is a major economic driver for our county. We are fortunate that it ranks in the top 10 percent of public school systems in Georgia and produces the 10th-highest SAT scores in the state, which ranks in the top 6 percent in all of Georgia.

The system boasts the second-highest graduation rate in Georgia among school systems with more than 1,000 students.

That figure is even more impressive when you consider that Columbia County has 28,099 students currently enrolled, averaging more than 500 new students a year.

The greater Augusta region’s major employers and Fort Gordon are expanding, which is also driving the growth. In fact, 65 percent of all military families live in Columbia County.

Columbia County has seen tremendous growth over the decades. I bet you didn’t know that Columbia County grew so much between 1978 and 1980 that Evans Junior High and Evans High School were on double sessions.

As an eighth- and ninth-grader, I went to junior high school from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. while the 10th-, 11th- and 12thgraders were in the same Evans school from 7 a.m. to noon. Luckily, by 10th grade, the new Evans High School was built on Cox Road.

The growth has continued, so now the question becomes, how do we help alleviate school overcrowding and support growth? The ESPLOST, which is 1 cent

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Columbia County’s schools rank in the top 10 percent of public school systems in Georgia. The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce will continue to be an advocate for the ties between the county’s schools and local workforce development.

Columbia County Career and College Expo Where: Columbia County Exhibition Center, 212 Partnership Drive, Grovetown When: 5 to 8 p.m. March 12 Details: Admission is free and the event is open to the public; middle and high school students and parents can register at the door Learn more: Go to www.columbiacountychamber.com/cce on a $1 sales tax, goes to capital improvements such as new schools or additions to schools to relieve overcrowding, new technology and buses. It cannot, however, be spent on operating costs.

The ESPLOST basically allows the Columbia County Board of Education to use these funds to build schools without a mortgage. Before ESPLOST, the Board of Education built 15 schools over 41 years. After ESPLOST was passed, 16 schools have been built in the last 19 years alone. These schools are paid for without carrying an extended mortgage into the future.

The current ESPLOST funds are committed to assigned projects, and due to the expected continued growth in Columbia County, it’s time to start the planning phase of future schools.

The Columbia County Chamber and Chamber PAC Board of Directors have voted to support the passage of the 202227 ESPLOST and will take great strides

to educate, advocate and promote the passage of the referendum on the March 19 ballot. Let me be clear – this is not a new sales tax, but a continuation of the sales tax we have been paying since 2000.

As you can see, a great educational system leads to great growth for our county and the greater Augusta region. This is where developing a future workforce comes into play.

When surveyed, the No. 1 concern of our business members continues to be finding a qualified current and future workforce. With the unemployment rate down to less than 3.5 percent in the greater Augusta region, finding a workforce can be extremely difficult. In addition, finding a workforce with the skill set needed to perform jobs is made more difficult because of the lack of students going into or being educated in trades and technology fields.

Employers now and in the future will have to help drive and cultivate this

workforce. Through the Chamber Foundation’s Workforce and Education committee, we are bridging the gap between what the educational sector is teaching and the needs of businesses. But we can’t do it alone!

Through the upcoming Columbia County Career and College Expo on March 12, we will show middle and high school students and parents the kinds of terrific career opportunities available in our own backyard, and lay out the pathway to these industries.

This event invites human resources managers to have an exhibition booth to show a list of careers and the education or skills needed for that type of work, along with the type of salary and benefits to expect with this type of employer.

As a matter of fact, invitations have been sent to 130 universities, technical colleges, trade organizations and other educational companies to show how their degrees and diplomas align with future career needs. This event promises to educate and highlight the best and brightest students, with plenty of terrific educational opportunities and future career possibilities!

chamber.com.

Tammy Shepherd is president of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and has worked at Disney World, Savannah Rapids Pavilion and Columbia County Magazine.

Email tammy@columbiacounty

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leslie.whitney@buzzon.biz 706.823.3719 PICK UP YOUR COPY TODAY • BUZZON.BIZ

PERSONAL GROWTH

INFRASTRUCTURE & LOGISTICS

If you’re thinking about pressure washing your home, don’t

By Tony Creighton

Understanding ourselves leads to a better understanding of others, and this understanding promotes generosity and gratitude and allows us to engage more deeply with the people around us.

As your confidence grows, so does your generosity

By Dagan Sharpe Did you know that the more confident a person is, the more generous, grateful and kind that person tends to be? It’s harboring insecurities that actually creates much of the disagreeable, self-focused and discontented demeanors we encounter and struggle with.

This was beneficial for me to understand because developing and teaching successful stewardship habits often begins with properly managing behaviors and emotions — for these propel our motives, and motives drive our behavior.

Understanding how confidence can impact our levels of kindness, generosity and gratitude flows directly to how we end up handling things like money, our careers and interactions with others.

Thankfully, as we develop our levels of generosity and gratitude, our level of confidence also rises, which ultimately allows us to better benefit others and even ourselves.

Confidence is obviously not

18 Buzz on Biz February 2019

Confidence comes from a place of grounding and being aware of our flaws, weaknesses, strengths and talents. the same thing as arrogance. Arrogance comes from a place of insecurity. It’s an outlook of being better than another, but this need for comparison comes from a place of judgment, perhaps because we feel judged and insecure.

So, comparing ourselves to others to somehow find ways to feel better about ourselves is a pretty shallow mindset to operate by.

Confidence comes from a place of grounding and being aware of our flaws, weaknesses, strengths and talents. For example, Aristotle once said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Even John Calvin alluded to the power of knowing oneself by declaring, “True wisdom comes from two things: knowledge of self and knowledge of God.” In fact, knowing our strengths, weaknesses, insecurities and temptations is a powerful catalyst in helping us better understand why we do what we do and how our behaviors, reactions and desires are triggered.

This understanding often leads us to a place of humility and even empathy for others. It allows us to engage at deeper levels with others, build stronger relations and make greater impact. It also promotes gratitude and generosity.

The better we understand our needs and the needs of others, the more it empowers us to be better distributors of kindness.

Dagan Sharpe is senior vice president of Queensborough National Bank & Trust and the author of Highways End and Full Disclosure. Email him at dagan.sharpe@qnbtrust.com.

Never pressure wash your home. This might sound like a strange statement coming from a power-washing company, but it is the truth.

The first thing people think of when they want their house cleaned is to have it pressure-washed, but the exterior surfaces of your home are not designed to withstand the extreme forces of high-pressure water being sprayed only inches away.

Paint can be stripped off, window screens can be shredded, vinyl siding can be damaged beyond repair, and double-pane windows can have their seals broken, causing fogging between the two layers of glass. Highpressure water can also be forced through your window and door seals, sending water inside your home to soak your furniture, carpet or hardwood floors.

Another problem with blasting at the dirt on your home by pressure washing is that you will force water in behind the vinyl siding or HardiPlank or into cracks in the mortar on brick homes. This infiltration can lead to mold problems within your walls that you might not even be aware of. High-pressure washing can also gouge and permanently damage brick surfaces, leaving unsightly divots in your home’s exterior.

Another false assumption out there is that bleach is the only cleaning solution needed to clean a house.

The truth is, bleach has no cleaning power on its own. It might kill mold, but it does nothing to break the bond the mold has on the sides of your home, nor does it do anything to remove pollution, dirt and other grime that is attacking your home. That is why so many do-it-yourselfers and companies that use only bleach as a cleaner resort to the use of high pressure to blast the dirt and grime from your home or property.

A professional pressure-washing company will safely clean homes with low pressure and a mixture of house-washing detergents and bleach, yielding superior results while remaining safely on the ground.

A low-pressure technique, more commonly known as a SoftWash, uses specially designed house-washing soaps, detergents and bleach, mixed with warm water that is applied and thoroughly rinsed with clean water at low pressure. This technique is designed to safely and thoroughly remove dirt, algae, mold and other organic growth from your home’s exterior.

Just remember, when it comes to the exterior of your home, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.

Tony Creighton is the owner/operator of ALLCLEAN™ Pressure Washing LLC and its subsidiary, Augusta PROCLEAN™ — committed to providing high-quality cleanings for the CSRA’s commercial properties and homes. Call 706.651.8089 or email allcleanaugusta@gmail. com.

ALL ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

VISITOR CENTER REBRANDED TO MILLENNIAL-FRIENDLY AUGUSTA & CO.

By Witt Wells The Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Broad Street visitor center won’t go by that name for much longer.

This spring, the CVB will reopen as Augusta & Company (Augusta & Co.), a rebranding that will involve new gathering and event spaces, expositions of local businesses and artists and a philosophy based on connecting locals and tourists to the community.

Bowen said the bureau plans for Augusta & Co. to have a soft launch in April and a grand opening in early May. The CVB moved from Enterprise Mill to Broad Street last year to create an experiential, pedestrian-friendly space accessible and visible to people looking for activities and connection to the local community.

The CVB moved into the building at 1010 Broad St. last summer.

After conducting thorough research An artist’s rendering shows off the look of the new Augusta & Co., a rebranding of the Augusta Convention and Visitor Bureau’s on how to successfully represent and Broad Street visitor center at 1010 Broad St. The CVB moved to Broad Street last summer. Photos contributed market the city to locals and tourists alike, the CVB realized that the Broad which Bowen said could best be deStreet storefront’s identity as a “visitor scribed as a “community hub,” will concenter” would not be an advantage go- tain a meeting and event space that will ing forward, especially when it comes to be available for booking, a rotating seMillennials. lection of local merchandise, samples of “It immediately makes them think of local beer and spirits, Augusta-branded their grandmothproducts, loer’s brochures,” cal art and a said Jennifer Bowsection that en, vice president tells Augusta’s of destination destory through velopment for the a collection of CVB. themes, such as That knowledge outdoor activiprompted the buties and history. reau to create a The center new name and a will also feature new philosophy. various local If the purpose artists and busiItems from local businesses, authors and artists will be on display and available for – Jennifer Bowen, vice of a typical visinesspeople who purchase at Augusta & Co.’s downtown space. A grand opening is set for early May. president of destination tor center is to will be availdevelopment for the tell tourists about able to share the city’s current alcohol ordinance the CVB’s larger vision and campaign the best places to their work and would not allow for Augusta & Co. to known as “Destination Blueprint” and Augusta CVB eat, drink, explore engage with let in anyone younger than 21, and it “All in Augusta,” which seek to make and learn about its visitors. A lo- would require the center to be closed the city an engaging tourist destination city, the purpose cal author, for on Sundays, which Bowen said is not an and a dynamic entertainment center for locals through long-term projects of Augusta & Co. example, might option.

She said the city’s Planning and De- such as extending Augusta Common will be to show people the best parts of have a book available for purchase. LoAugusta in that very building, and then cal brewers will be able share samples of velopment Department is looking to to the Savannah River, incorporating connect them directly with the activi- their latest brews and direct tourists to implement an “incidental alcohol ordi- historical and cultural golf car tours nance,” which would pave the way for downtown and launching an Internaties, artists and businesses those people local breweries. have an interest in.

“We’ll be choosing pieces from lo- Augusta & Co. to obtain a license to tional Soul Festival in honor of James “The name Augusta & Co. captures cal artists,” Bowen said. “There will be sell alcohol, given that its alcohol sales Brown and other musicians with Authe idea of bringing people together,” several rotations of art installations amount to 25 percent or less of the or- gusta roots.

“All of it is trying to accomplish the ganization’s total sales.

Bowen said. throughout the year.” same goal,” Bowen said.

The rebranding will be integrated into Once completed, Augusta & Co., One roadblock to those plans is that

“The name Augusta & Co. captures the idea of bringing people together.”

February 2019 Buzz on Biz

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BUSINESS BASICS

Work environment, learning are crucial to success

By Mark Alison This multipart series is for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Whether you are starting or have been in business for a few years, these insights and personal lessons may save you a load of money and regret.

I call it Blood and Guts, because that’s what it takes to be a business owner. You deserve a medal. What most people think is liberation from a 40-hour workweek is often an 80-hour or more workweek, and the reward is not always financial.

Having started multiple small businesses of my own and marketed/consulted with many others over the past 40-plus years, I have seen or personally experienced a lifetime of good and bad decisions. I hope these insights will be valuable to anyone who chooses to take the risk.

In the last installment we covered: • You can’t expense all purchases in one year.

• It’s not how much you sell it for; it’s how much you pay for it.

• Know the real value of a sale, but don’t bet on the come.

• Guard your integrity.

Here are some additional insights: Watch your mouth. We had a bustling ad agency full of spit and vinegar. Being on the sixth floor of an office building, I thought our young, seven-person office needed some live plants. I contracted with a “plant lady” to bring a variety of fresh green plants into the office and care for them weekly.

Marketing, like all business, has a certain corporate environment, but in an ad agency full of creative people, freedom of speech and thought is expected, even encouraged. So, there was a fair amount of “unfortunate” language — I would dare say fitful outbursts — virtually every week dealing with time crunches, missed deadlines and who was to blame.

About three months went by, and to my surprise the plant lady removed every single plant, not just the dead ones. I stopped her in the hall with a cart full of plants. She said, “My plants don’t like this environment. I can’t keep them healthy. I quit.”

There have been several documented articles dealing with this topic. I know it’s true because I saw it firsthand. We immediately put in place some new policies that put an end to the foul-mouthed environment that we originally thought was productive. If that kind of environment will do that to plants, imagine what

20 Buzz on Biz February 2019

If an environment made toxic by words or actions can kill a plant, imagine what it can do to the people who work in that same space.

Remember, stress is the opposite of flexibility. …

Being flexible begins between your ears. It is a mindset. it does to people.

Read, Read, Read. Find time to read some good business books. I have to admit that I found Good to Great to be far more than I could handle. I was a small business, not General Motors. Jim Collins is a fine author and that might be your thing, so give the flyleaf a look.

But here are some others that I strongly recommend: • The E-Myth. Michael Gerber nails it for me when he talks about a small businessperson’s approach to business.

Until they find help, they tend to “Load the wagon and then pull the wagon.” Of course, he is referring to the problem of winning and managing business. After reading Gerber, I found someone else to load and I pulled until I found another person to handle that as well. It’s not as hard as it sounds.

• Raving Fans. A short book by Ken Blanchard, author of the One Minute

Manager, and Sheldon Bowles. If your company has customers, this is ideal for you. I have recommended this to nonprofit groups, too, since they also have to keep donors.

• The Deming Management Method. A bit more sophisticated, but great if you are in manufacturing. Even if you aren’t in manufacturing, this book has value in showing you how to choose and value vendors. Primarily it deals with increasing quality while reducing costs. Sounds like an oxymoron, right? When we went through this with our staff, we actually cut the number of vendors we dealt with and still got competitive pricing to pass along to our customers. Author Edwards Deming is best known for helping Japan rise from the ashes of war to become a booming economy again.

Stay flexible. As a small businessperson, you will deal daily with suppliers, customers and employees. One change

from any of them can have repercussions amongst the other two. You can bet “change” is going to happen. Your job is to manage the fallout, and to do this you cannot be too rigid — unless you want an early heart attack. Heraclitus of Ephesus (535 B.C.–475 B.C.), a Greek philosopher, said, “Nothing is constant but change.”

Remember, stress is the opposite of flexibility. Stressed girders on a bridge will snap. Being flexible begins between your ears. It is a mindset. When you see flexibility as a choice in any situation, you can give yourself an out — and live to fight another day.

Watch for the next part of this series and share this with other entrepreneurial friends. Believe me, small business and entrepreneurs need all the help they can get.

Got any good stories yourself ? Shoot me an e-mail at mrkalison@yahoo.com.

Mark Alison, the Business Accelerator, is an independent marketing counselor. He can be reached at mark9226@me.com.

PRESENTS

SPONSORED BY:

Ten outstanding young professionals ages 25-35, who are already leaders in our business community and poised for even greater achievement 10 years from now, will be recognized at the Augusta Metro Chamber Member Economic Luncheon in June.

Online Applications Now Available!

Visit augustametrochamber.com/top10in10 Deadline to apply is Friday, March 15, 2019

February 2019 Buzz on Biz

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ON CAPITOL HILL

How the government shutdown is affecting employers

By Russell Head

The closure of some federal agencies during the partial goverment shutdown could have an impact on your business.

The partial government shutdown (still in effect at press time) has been in effect since Dec. 22, 2018, and is the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Unlike past shutdowns, the government is not completely closed. However, due to the prolonged nature of the shutdown, employers are starting to feel its effects.

Federal agencies that are unaffected by the shutdown

Due to the signing of a bill in September 2018 that funded federal agencies through Oct. 1, 2019, a handful of them, including the Department of Labor (DOL) and the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), remain open and fully staffed during the shutdown. This means that it’s business as usual for wage and hour compliance, as well as labor relations and workplace safety matters.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA, which is a part of the DOL, will remain open and fully staffed during the shutdown. As a result, employers need to follow all of their OSHA regulatory obligations, including the Feb. 1 deadline to post information on workplace injuries and illnesses.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and flood insurance: FEMA will remain open to provide disaster response services. However, many federal contractors that work with the agency have had their operations sus-

pended until the shutdown ends.

Additionally, Congress passed a measure to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) just before the shutdown began. And while FEMA initially ruled against the reauthorization, the agency quickly reversed course and is now offering both new NFIP policies and renewals.

Federal agencies that are affected by the shutdown

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): The EEOC is the office that’s responsible for eradicating discrimination in the workplace. The government shutdown has reduced the EEOC’s authority to receive, initiate and investigate charges of discrimination filed against employers. The government shutdown has reduced the EEOC’s regular

staff of more than 2,000 employees to just over 100.

While the office will continue to receive discrimination charges during the shutdown, it will not be able to begin or continue any investigations because of limited staff and resources. When the shutdown ends and the full staff returns, they will begin to dig through the cases that came in during their absence.

Department of Justice (DOJ): Since the DOJ was not covered under the minibus funding bill last year, it is affected by the partial government shutdown. DOJ lawyers are directly affected, as they have been furloughed during the shutdown, and any litigation that involves the federal government has been affected. And DOJ lawyers requested that their civil cases be stayed, with deadlines postponed for the duration of the shutdown.

The DOJ has been operating with a reserve source of money since the shutdown began. However, federal courts announced that their funds ran out on Jan. 18, at which point the Anti-Deficiency Act took effect and only employees who perform essential work will be retained.

Because each court gets to determine which of its workers are essential, each court will look different.

Immigration agencies and the State Department: Unlike past shutdowns, immigration-related agencies will generally stay open, lessening the effects employers will feel this time around. However, the State Department is affected by the shutdown, which, in turn, means that the E-Verify system is not available for employers.

Despite the E-Verify system being down, employers are still subject to Form I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification obligations. In an effort to minimize the burden on employers and employees, the three-day rule for creating E-Verify cases is suspended, and the period during which employees may resolve tentative nonconfirmations (TNCs) will be extended, regardless of how many days E-Verify is unavailable.

Russell T. Head is CEO of Head Capital Advisors, an Acrisure agency partner and Augusta’s largest employee benefits brokerage. He can be reached at 706.733.3459 or rthead@ headca.com.

LEGAL EASE

Words matter when it’s time to draw up legal documents

By Ed Enoch One of the first things you learn in law school is that words matter. Not just words, but punctuation, too! A missing or misplaced comma can change the whole meaning of a sentence. “Let’s eat, Grandma” becomes “Let’s eat Grandma.” Uh, no thanks.

In the law, words may take on very specific, technical meanings. In Georgia, for instance, an employee agreeing she will not “solicit” for business after leaving you is not the same as an employee agreeing not to “advertise” for business after leaving you.

These differences can be costly.

22 Buzz on Biz February 2019

When lawyers draw up documents, every word is there for a particular purpose.

Sometimes, these purposes are not readily apparent to a non-lawyer. Frequently, these are the parts of the document that make your eyes roll back in your head and make you start snoring. However, just because they are impenetrably dense does not mean you can ignore them. Do so at your own peril!

Some of the biggest messes I see are when people decide to bypass the lawyer and do things on their own. Frequently, this involves legal phrases the person really does not understand but saw in something they signed before. People write down words and sign them, intending to

create a contract.

When things go badly, a judge is going to have to decide what the parties intended. The judge, being a lawyer by training, is going to read the document and assume it expresses the intention of the parties.

Proceed with caution!

I do not know how many times I have heard, “This deal is so simple we can write it on the back of a napkin.” In fact, there are very few transactions that simple.

Instead, what this generally means is there are lots of variables and possibilities for disagreement that the parties have not considered.

The old saying is “penny wise and pound foolish.” To save a little money,

you can skip on having an attorney help draft your documents. If all goes well, you might get by with that.

However, if things go wrong and lawyers get involved — homemade documents end up being much more expensive than the documents drawn by professionals.

J. Edward “Ed” Enoch has practiced law in Augusta for more than 20 years, mostly focusing on helping business owners and companies to include formation, transition, business planning, contract writing, employment law and other areas of the law. Email jenoch@ enochlaw.com.

BUSINESSPERSON OF THE MONTH

MID-50s CAREER CHANGE LEADS TO SWEET SUCCESS

By Gary Kauffman Bebette Smith is a testament to the fact that you’re never too old to pursue a dream.

Smith was in her mid-50s, already in a second career, when she decided to become a chocolatier. Now, at 69, she will soon celebrate her 14th year of keeping Augusta’s taste buds happy with her many chocolate creations.

Smith, a native of Belgium but an Augustan for more than 40 years, owns La Bonbonniere chocolate shop in Furys Ferry Station at Furys Ferry Road and Riverwatch Parkway.

Bebette Smith, La Bonbonniere Other than eating it, chocolate had not been a big part of Smith’s plans for her life. She was a school teacher for two years in Belgium and 18 years in Augusta.

She then changed careers, becoming a fitness instructor in an assisted living facility, a job she enjoyed.

“It was a fun, fun job,” she said.

But then, during her annual trip to her homeland in 2004, she decided to buy chocolates from a local establishment and her career path changed.

As usual when in Belgium, she visited a chocolatier to buy chocolates for her friends in Augusta. The chocolatier’s wife mentioned that her husband was making chocolates in the basement of their store/ home and invited her to watch. Smith was fascinated by the process.

“Flying back, I was thinking, ‘Bebette, you’re 54 years old, maybe it’s time for a career change,’” she said. “I thought, ‘You’re from Belgium, so that makes sense, and you like chocolate, so that makes sense, too.’”

With the encouragement of her husband, Larry, she called the Belgian chocolatier and discovered that he had gone to school for four years to master his trade.

Smith didn’t want to wait that long, so when she found a three-day chocolate workshop for homemakers in Belgium, she went back to learn the basics.

“I guess I’m a big dreamer, because on the way back I was already saying I was going to have a store,” she said.

La Bonbonniere started in a 400-square-foot space across the parking lot from her current location. Success came at the price of many long days.

“I started with the basic home stuff, and

Bebette Smith fell in love with making chocolate after a trip to her native Belgium. She has been making and selling the sweet treats for 14 years. Photo by Gary Kauffman

I sometimes worked from 5 in the morning until 10 at night,” Smith recalled. “I don’t know how I stuck with it.”

But after three years she felt successful enough to move into her current location and buy better equipment. Now she makes a wide variety of chocolates — in many different shapes — for all occasions.

Her chocolate golf balls, for example, are popular during Masters Week and are featured at the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau on Broad Street.

While Smith’s creations have been popular in Augusta for more than a decade, she has also gained recognition on an international stage. Last year, she learned that chocolatiers from outside France could submit samples for judging at a Paris chocolate show. The best would be listed in the international section of The Guide for Chocolate Aficionados.

Smith flew to Paris in May 2018 to hand-deliver samples of four of her creations – red velvet, peanut butter, gingerbread and key lime. In October, she learned that she had earned a silver rating and is the only chocolatier from the Unit-

ed States listed in the guide. The judges wrote that Smith is “a great discovery in a country not known for its chocolate.”

“I was on my little cloud,” Smith said, after learning about her selection.

But she wants more than a silver rating, and she plans to enter the 2020 contest.

“I’m determined to prove a point; I want to go for the gold,” she said.

For the next few weeks, Smith and her assistant, Haley Newton, will be busy getting ready for the annual Valentine’s Day rush. While Christmas is busier over a four-week span, Valentine’s Day sales are crowded into a four-day period, thanks mainly to a lack of planning by men.

“There’s not even time to eat or answer the phone,” Smith said. “Every year I tell them to place their orders ahead of time.”

In her own words

What are you passionate about in your business?

“The creation. I love creating things, and it changes all the time with the holidays. After the hearts, it’ll be bunnies, then high heel shoes (for Mother’s Day).

I’ve always had a little bit of an artsy thing.

My grandfather was an artiste. I also love to see people really enjoy my chocolate and then come back. We have a Rolodex of the favorites of our regular customers.

It’s nice to make people happy. A doctor makes you healthy, I make you happy.”

What made you stick it out in the early years of your business?

“Maybe to prove a point. I didn’t want to lose. I’m a sore loser. I wanted to prove that when a woman wants to do something, she’ll do it.”

What would you say to someone considering a career change in their 50s?

“Go for it. Do it while you’re still physically and mentally able. It’s better to not have regrets. Imagine if I hadn’t done this, I’d still be teaching water aerobics to 90-year-olds.”

What have you learned about yourself by being in business?

“That I’m tight with my money. I’m a penny-pincher in business, but I can be generous with my family and employees.

For somebody who’d never been in business I learned a lot about finances. The first thing was to not spend the money you make. I never pay interest on a credit card. I only order stuff when I know I can pay it off, so I’ve never paid a cent of interest on a credit card. And when you have the money, don’t think you’re rich, because you never know when something will be broken.”

How do you unwind?

“We’re always in the air going somewhere. My husband is retired and I’m going to be 70 this year, so we’re going to do it while we can still enjoy it. Last year we went to China; in June we’re going to Italy and Greece; in September to Iceland and on Feb. 29, 2020, we’re going to South America. I can do it because I have great help.”

How do you give back?

“I give to Golden Harvest Food Bank, that’s one of my favorites, and we do the Art of Chocolate for Child Enrichment.

We give chocolate to churches, the Boy Scouts, the Blind Bowling League, a lot of charitable organizations, for fundraisers and silent auctions. It doesn’t seem like much, but when you give to 20 or more of those it can be significant.”

What does the future hold for you?

“I don’t have a deadline because I love it. My assistant says I don’t have time to die. I’m always thinking about this store and coming up with new designs. So, I’ll do it as long as my body is able, until I die in the chocolate. Oh, wouldn’t that be a wonderful death. But retire? Gosh, I would be so bored.”

February 2019 Buzz on Biz

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TAX MATTERS

Considering a purchase for business?

Be aware of new tax law’s implications

By Christine Hall The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed in December 2017, made tax law changes that will affect virtually every business in 2018 and the years ahead.

One provision that taxpayers should be aware of is that like-kind exchanges are now generally limited to exchanges of real property.

Here’s what you need to know: Effective Jan. 1, 2018, exchanges of personal or intangible property — such as machinery, equipment, vehicles, artwork, collectibles, patents and other intellectual property — generally do not qualify for nonrecognition of gain or loss as like-kind exchanges.

A common example of the impact of this change on businesses is trading a vehicle. Prior to Dec. 31, 2017, if a new vehicle was purchased, and in the process of that purchase an old vehicle was traded in, the gain or loss on the old vehicle was rolled into the basis of the new vehicle. Therefore, any potential gain or loss was deferred.

For example, let’s assume that your company is purchasing a new vehicle with a value of $50,000 and will trade in an old vehicle. The dealer agrees to give you $10,000 on the trade, so your company will need $40,000 in cash (plus taxes, title fees, etc.) to purchase the new vehicle. Let’s also assume that the old vehicle has been depreciated 100 percent and has a basis of $0 on your corporate books.

Before Dec. 31, 2017, you were able to simply record the value of the new vehicle for $40,000 and depreciate it accordingly, with no gain or loss consequence. Under the new law, you must recognize a gain

Like-kind exchange treatment now applies only to exchanges of real property that is held for use in a trade or business or investment. of $10,000 on the old vehicle, and then record the new vehicle in the amount of $50,000 and depreciate it accordingly.

In certain situations, these transactions will create a taxable event.

Like-kind exchange treatment now applies only to exchanges of real property that is held for use in a trade or business or investment. Real property, also called real estate, includes land and generally anything built on or attached to it. An exchange of real property held primarily for sale still does not qualify as a like-kind exchange.

A transition rule in the new law allows likekind treatment for some exchanges of personal or intangible property.

If the taxpayer disposed of the personal or intangible property on or before Dec. 31, 2017, or received replacement property on or before that date, the exchange may qualify for like-kind exchange treatment.

Properties are of like-kind if they’re of the same nature or character, even if they differ in grade or quality. Improved real property is generally of like-kind to unimproved real property.

As an example, an apartment building would generally be of like-kind to unimproved land.

However, real property in the United States is not of like-kind to real property outside the United States.

A like-kind exchange is reported on Form 8824, “Like-Kind Exchanges,” which a taxpayer must file with his or her tax return for the year the taxpayer transfers property as part of a likekind exchange.

This form helps a taxpayer figure the amount of gain deferred as a result of the like-kind exchange as well as the basis of the like-kind property received if cash or property that isn’t of like-kind is involved in the exchange.

In closing, if your company plans to upgrade vehicles, computers or other equipment in the near future, and part of that process will include trading in your old assets, you need to consider the possible tax ramifications prior to the purchase.

Christine Hall is a partner in Hall, Murphy & Associates PC, a full-service accounting firm. For a complimentary accounting, tax or business consultation, call 706.855.7733 or email cmh@hallmurphycpas.com.

Changes to the like-kind tax provision under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act mean that the full value of a purchase for your business, such as a new vehicle, could be treated differently.

24 Buzz on Biz February 2019

DOWNTOWN BUZZ

What lies in store for Augusta’s Eighth Street?

By Witt Wells

When Groucho’s Deli opened downtown in November, Cam Spears, owner of the Columbia-based sandwich shop, told me he thought the Augusta Common and Eighth Street would eventually become the center of downtown Augusta.

If that’s true, Augusta is a long way from it. But I’ve always thought Eighth Street had a lot of potential, and the pieces appear to be coming together for Eighth Street to be a sneaky-fun part of downtown.

Humanitree House and Le Chat Noir have been holding down the fort for quite a while now when it comes to food and culture on that short strip between Broad and Greene streets. But for the most part, the area remains pretty uneventful as Augustans’ downtown revitalization efforts remain focused on the upper end of Broad Street.

Fortunately, that has slowly started to change. Groucho’s has given people in that area (myself included) a solid lunch spot.

This was also the first week I noticed that construction on the soon-to-be 2nd City Distilling Co., an offshoot of Edgefield, S.C.-based Carolina Moon, is finally underway.

The distillery’s owners initially planned to open in early 2019, and they are reportedly still planning to open this spring.

That means Eighth Street will have downtown Augusta’s first and (for now) only small-batch distillery, and its spot on the Savannah River will make for a great atmosphere for visitors.

2nd City’s distilling process (mash room, distillation, bottling) will all happen under the roof of the 6,000-squarefoot building at 4 Eighth St., which used to be Cafe 209.

The distillery will also feature a tasting room, retail space and a wide selection of whiskey, vodka, gin and rum as opposed to just moonshine.

Overall, co-owner David Long said the

Humanitree House (above) and other businesses are popping up along Eighth Street downtown, but it will take more companies stepping up to bring the full-of-promise street to its full potential. Photo by Gary Kauffman

vibe will be similar to Carolina Moon but “with a little bit of polish on it.” No doubt there are plenty of Augustans who will be waiting to get in the doors when it opens this spring.

On the other side of Broad Street, at the corner of Eighth and Greene, a new coffee shop called The Foundry recently opened.

A venture of Augusta University’s Wesley Foundation, it’s primarily a resource and community hub for students and is currently only open on certain days. But The Foundry’s director, Nicole Muns, said the shop is also open

I’ve always thought Eighth Street had a lot of potential, and the pieces appear to be coming together for Eighth Street to be a sneaky-fun part of downtown.

to the public during certain hours.

There could still be plans for a bakery on Eighth Street as well, although there hasn’t been any progress made at the space since the owners of Athens-area bakery The Comerian bought it in 2017.

Uwe Happek, a German-born physics professor at the University of Georgia, baker and co-owner of The Comerian with his wife Angela, had planned to get the bakery underway at 314 Eighth St. as early as last spring. That hasn’t happened, and hopefully I’ll hear more about that sooner rather than later.

A renewed Eighth Street will hopefully spur further development on neighboring streets. Alison South put the final touches on its new offices at the corner of Seventh and Broad streets last summer, and part of the Aiken-based agency’s vision has been to lead the way in growing what some of the employees referred to as SoBro, or south Broad.

It was an intentionally bold investment into the rough-around-the-edges side of town, a move that summed up the agency’s desire to join the Miller Theater in

investing in the area’s economy.

“They’re part of a great group to keep that vital heartbeat going over there, but we wanted to be the nuance down here,” firm Branding President Ron Turner said last summer.

Around a quarter of downtown’s 1.5 million square feet of office space is still vacant, according to a July report from The Augusta Chronicle. The east end of Broad Street is more undeveloped than the west. It will take more companies like Alison South stepping up and investing in the area for spots like Eighth Street to reach their full potential sooner rather than later.

When it comes to the near future, I’m sure 2nd City will keep plenty of us occupied.

Witt Wells is a Memphisborn writer with a love for comedy, the written word and the outdoors. He lives in Augusta, where he reports on business news in the CSRA. Contact him at witt.wells@buzzon.biz.

February 2019 Buzz on Biz

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PEERING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL

A PEEK AT TRENDS THAT WILL IMPACT BUSINESSES IN 2019

By Gary Kauffman It’s a few weeks into 2019, but there’s still time to peer into the crystal ball to see what the year will hold for businesses. There are many articles on the internet with experts predicting how 2019 will play out in the business world, and you could read all of them — or you can let me boil them down to a few major trends.

DEALING WITH CUSTOMERS Payment choices: Customers want choices, not so much in the products themselves as in how they pay for those products.

Just when most businesses have finally adjusted to chip technology in credit cards, the growing trend for 2019 will be tap or wave payments. These payment options allow a customer to simply tap a credit card, or wave it in front of, a card reader. Options also exist to pay directly from a smartphone or even a smartwatch.

26 Buzz on Biz February 2019

Another growing trend is alternative payment options, like PayPal or other digital banking accounts, and even bitcoin, if that market rebounds.

Shipping convenience: Customers will become increasingly impatient for the products they order. According to one survey, 60 percent of online shoppers browse for products according to their shipping preferences, and some say they would spend more for a product if free shipping is available.

Personalization: Research shows that most consumers want to work with stores that offer a personalized experience that, again, offers choices. Many online companies now offer chatbots or automated assistants to help customers pinpoint exactly what they want.

Coupons or special offers through apps and social media also are popular, especially those that cater to a customer’s geographic area or personal preferences. An example of that might be a coffee shop that sends a coupon to a customer who prefers cold drinks and a different coupon to someone who prefers hot drinks.

New marketing strategies: Along with increased personalization, user reviews will continue to be the deciding factor for many consumers. That will make your online presence more important, and quick responses to negative reviews will be vital. Retweeting positive comments help spread the word and create brand loyalty.

Customers are also looking for more realistic ad campaigns, featuring pictures of the local store rather than a generic national campaign or stock photos. Apps that

offer rewards for various buying choices will continue to be popular with customers, which is also a win for the store because they create brand loyalty and repeat sales.

Don’t close the store: While customers like the convenience of online shopping at midnight, there is still a huge interest in going to brick-and-mortar stores. More than 85 percent of the nation’s retail sales still happen within a store, and brick-and-mortar stores are expected to account for 50 percent of all retail growth in 2019.

DEALING WITH EMPLOYEES Stay flexible: Ubiquitous access to the internet has created an atmosphere that allows people to stay connected wherever they are. Because of that, employees are increasingly able to perform part or all of their jobs from almost anywhere.

Case in point: I recently met a woman who works for a company in Indiana but lives in Hawaii. She makes one or two annual trips to company headquarters but

otherwise does all her work 4,000 miles and five time zones away.

While that might be an extreme case, an employee who does most of his or her work via laptop can often perform the task as easily from home or a coffee shop as in a corporate office. Research shows that flexibility often increases productivity and creates employee loyalty.

Tap into the gig economy: Many companies now prefer to hire independent contractors rather than permanent employees. These are often people on short-term contracts or working on a freelance basis for a specific job that needs to be performed within a specific time frame or on a sporadic basis, when it wouldn’t make sense to hire a permanent, full-time employee.

While an independent contractor may charge more than you’d pay in wages to a permanent employee, you save in the long run by not having to pay for benefits such as health insurance and employment taxes. Just keep in mind, though, that the IRS has specific rules about what you can or can’t do with an independent contractor, so consult your accountant about the best strategies for your company in the gig economy of 2019 and beyond.

Be socially responsible: Younger employees frequently want to work only for companies that are socially responsible. “Socially responsible” can mean a variety of things, from the types of products made, a green work environment and investing strategies. It also often includes creating volunteering opportunities for your employees to help local charitable organizations.

Some companies that make charitable contributions allow their employees to submit the names of their favorite local charities for consideration for funding.

Nanodegrees: These are especially important in the technology sector, where things change rapidly. It’s pos-

sible for a person’s four-year college training to be almost obsolete a year after graduation. Nanodegrees or certifications allow employees to learn new technologies, computer programs and online platforms that can be a boost both to an individual and to the company as a whole.

One company I know allowed employees to pursue individual certifications. As a result, the company landed a lucrative contract because an employee had obtained certification in the specific platform the client needed.

RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS Customer service: The internet has made virtually all products available to anyone with a computer or smartphone, often at a lower price than physical stores can offer. But one area few online merchants have truly mastered is customer service.

Given that customers still enjoy shopping in brickand-mortar stores and still prefer relationships, customer service is more important than ever in retail businesses — and in B2B businesses, as well. Like the tagline in the old sitcom Cheers, everyone wants to go where everybody knows your name.

While you might not be able to know every customer that intimately, a welcoming atmosphere and personal

attention can go a long way toward turning a casual shopper into a loyal customer.

Cybersecurity isn’t just for the big guys: With more and more technology becoming involved in running a business, the likelihood of a cyberattack increases. Small businesses are often more vulnerable simply because they don’t focus much on cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity is not only important for your personal and business protection, but also to protect your customers. With increasingly more information stored digitally, the threat of a security breach that could endanger your customers’ information becomes more real.

Augusta is becoming a hotspot for cybersecurity, and many local firms offer affordable protection packages for small businesses, so there’s no excuse to not be protected.

Alternative lending sources: Banks are no longer the only place where a small business can get a loan. Alternative lenders have triple the acceptance rate than banks.

Kabbage, an Atlanta-based online lending company, provides more than $10 million daily in small business loans. Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending is also growing as a popular way to fund startups.

The world is your oyster: An online presence means you can sell anywhere in the world. Georgia is already known for trade, thanks to an international airport hub and a major ocean port. Expand your horizons to see where you can tap into an international market.

In addition to serving as editor of Buzz on Biz, Gary Kauffman is a Christian life coach working from an office in Martinez. Contact him at 803.341.5830 or kauffmancoaching@gmail.com or visit kauffmancoaching.com.

February 2019 Buzz on Biz

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MORE THAN SOUP

ORGANIZATIONS HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR EMPTY BOWL’S 13TH YEAR

By Witt Wells In just a few weeks, one of the area’s biggest fundraisers focused on local hunger will bring together volunteers, the local restaurant community and hundreds of attendees for its 13th anniversary.

The annual Empty Bowl luncheon, which was originally inspired by a teacher’s trip to an Atlanta art conference more than 20 years ago, has become one of the largest and most collaborative fundraisers in Augusta.

It brings in thousands of dollars every year, and the funds are split between Augusta Jewish Community Center and Golden Harvest Food Bank, which feeds hungry families across the CSRA. Golden Harvest covers 14,000 square miles across 30 counties in Georgia and South Carolina and serves around 200,000 individuals every year.

In its first year, Empty Bowl netted between $1,500 and $3,000. Last year, the event raised around $28,000.

The event’s founder, Susan Steinberg, hopes to see that figure increase again this year.

“Hoping it runs really smoothly again, and that we increase our net profits,” Steinberg said. “We’ve got some great sponsors.”

Golden Harvest Food Bank, which partners with AJCC to organize the event, works directly with manufacturers and farmers and leverages donations from grocery stores and local businesses. Ann Snyder, director of marketing for Golden Harvest, said that each dollar donated to the organization results in three full meals for those in need.

“It’s a really cool way for a lot of dif-

Travis McNeal serves up soup during the Empty Bowl luncheon. This year’s fundraiser is set for Sunday, March 3, at the Legends Club in Augusta. File photo

ferent parts of our community to help with hunger,” Snyder said.

Local businesses, organizations like Master’s Table Soup Kitchen (a part-

ner of Golden Harvest), artists and even grocery store chains have made the fundraiser a successful collaborative effort for years.

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The participating restaurants alone will amount to between 50 and 60 this year, Snyder said, including everything from The Bee’s Knees to Chick-Fil-A (the full list hasn’t been made official yet). Sternberg said that figure could be close to 100 once restaurants participating in the silent auction are factored in.

Even politicians and local media personalities (some of them participate as “celebrity servers”) have a part to play.

Students paint ceramic bowls — a staple tradition of the event — that attendees can take home with them. Soups have become the signature dish of the event and are meant to create a soup kitchen-type environment to create awareness about local hunger.

Empty Bowl raises money for the AJCC and Golden Harvest through ticket sales, donations and proceeds from a silent auction that last year consisted of more than 200 items.

Vacations have been one of the most popular prizes in years past; last year’s auction included a brewery tour at Boston Beer Company; a visit to Chicago’s Wrigley Field; a cooking trip to Tuscany, Italy; a trip to Nashville, Tenn., for the Country Music Awards; and a Charleston, S.C., excursion.

Empty Bowl will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Legends Club. Tickets for adults cost $25 online and will cost $30 at the door on the day of the event. Tickets for children ages 2-10 will cost $10 online and $15 at the door.

Event details can be found at emptybowlcsra.org. Volunteer signups are open online.

things to do

when off work

WHEN HELP CAN’T WAIT: AGENCY SUPPLIES BASIC NEEDS OF NURSING HOME RESIDENTS

By Gary Kauffman It’s a need few people even realize exists: Nursing home residents unable to obtain simple items like shampoo, deodorant, socks and clothes. Most people don’t realize that supplying all of those basic necessities is the responsibility of the residents or their families.

Many residents, though, don’t have families, or their families are unable to help. That’s where When Help Can’t Wait steps in.

“We’re helping meet a need most people aren’t aware of,” said Brandi Underwood, executive director of the organization. “People assume those basic needs are being taken care of.”

For the past 12 years, When Help Can’t Wait has been providing these supplies to 32 nursing homes in a 14-county area.

It is the only organization dedicated to meeting that need.

“We’re the only agency of its kind,” said Helen McVicker, treasurer and founder of the organization. “Many agencies service those who stay at home, but no one else services the nursing homes.”

McVicker started When Help Can’t Wait after volunteering at a nursing home and discovering how often residents went without basic needs. Nursing homes are required only to provide a bed, meals, nursing care and a toothbrush and toothpaste.

“The nursing homes do all they can,” McVicker said. “I’m not saying they don’t do a good job.”

Many families in the Augusta area have experienced placing an elderly family member in a nursing home. But unlike the homeless or abandoned pets, the needs of the nursing home residents aren’t obvious to the general public, because they live behind secured walls for their own safety and protection.

The need is especially acute in the lowincome rural areas, McVicker said.

“We act like a surrogate family,” she said. “So many don’t have family, or if they do, their family can’t afford to help them.”

The top need is clothing. Some residents are practically confined to bed be-

How to help Donate clothing. Donated clothing is sorted for the needs of the residents and to be sold at the resale store at The Classy Closet at 3843 Martinez Blvd.

Buy clothes. Shoppers at The Classy Closet can often find seldom-worn designer-label items at a fraction of the retail price. The store’s proceeds provide funding for the cash needs of When Help Can’t Wait.

Brandi Underwood is the executive director of When Help Can’t Wait, an organization that provides items such as clothes and toiletries to nursing home residents. The organization relies on donations for its finances and supplies. Photo by Gary Kauffman

cause they lack clothing. Shirts and pants, shoes, slippers, sweaters and hats are all needed.

“They have no change of clothes unless we give it to them,” McVicker said. “They don’t have music, TV, clothing, toiletries.

They don’t have deodorant. And they never give them enough toothpaste.”

Sometimes personnel from the nursing homes come to When Help Can’t Wait with shopping lists for the residents, but When Help Can’t Wait also makes monthly visits to the nursing homes with clothes and jewelry that the residents can pick out themselves. All of the items are free.

But while When Help Can’t Wait was busy helping those in need, last fall it was the organization that needed help. A lack of cash flow nearly forced it to shut its doors.

When Help Can’t Wait has a modest operating budget of $75,000 to $85,000 per year. Nearly half of its funding comes from the sale of donated clothes, jewelry and home decor at a resale store called The Classy Closet at 3843 Martinez Blvd.

(McVicker shuns the term “thrift store,” because most of the items are designer brands, some arriving with the price tags still on them.) The organization also holds fundraisers in the spring and fall.

But it still relies on donations to fully fund its needs. Then last fall, some expected donations didn’t materialize, leaving the organization strapped for cash to pay the rent for its two storefronts.

McVicker paid two months of it from her personal funds, but when December came, When Help Can’t Wait had to give up one storefront and consolidate everything into one location.

But even keeping that open was doubtful for a few days.

Then the Columbia County Leadership Class of 2019 stepped in, helping with the move and designating When Help Can’t Wait as its chosen charity. The class started a GoFundMe page for the organization.

“They’ve already been extremely helpful,” McVicker said. “They’re working on a contingency plan for us.”

Several local companies have helped

Donate cash monthly. When Help Can’t Wait needs consistent monthly donations. Even small amounts help. To set up a monthly donation, call 706-6509467. with in-kind contributions, and people have always been generous in donating items for the nursing homes. But the need for a steady cash flow remains, and Underwood hopes to gain the interest of local community-minded small businesses or churches.

“We need consistent donors,” she said.

“Anything from $10 to $50 a month. It would be great to get that committed.”

Only two people at When Help Can’t Wait receive part-time pay; the rest of the staffing comes from about 30 volunteers.

The organization also recently reorganized the board of directors, and Underwood, who has been with the group for five years, took over as executive director as McVicker phases out of the front-line leadership.

“When Help Can’t Wait doesn’t need me to exist,” McVicker said. “But it can’t go away. The need is too great.”

Underwood agreed, citing the needs of the nursing home residents.

“We’re the only organization that helps them,” she said. “It’s very important that we stick around.”

February 2019 Buzz on Biz

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ARTS & LEISURE

Shows to pull you out of your comfort zone

By Samantha Barksdale They say all good things must come to an end. I don’t necessarily believe all good things end, but my extended vacation has.

Sigh.

It’s been a pretty fantastic six weeks, and I’ve watched an absurd amount of Netflix. Because I’ve had so much free time, I’ve watched a lot of shows that I would normally pass over. Sure, some were better than others, but it was fun getting out of my comfort zone. This month, I’m reviewing a few that stood out for one reason or another.

‘Schitt’s Creek’

If you’re a regular reader, you know I’m not big on sitcoms. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve scrolled past this show, and that was a mistake on my part.

With episodes around 20 minutes, it’s easy to fit a few laughs into your day.

Schitt’s Creek centers on the Rose family. Once extremely wealthy, misfortune has forced them to move to Schitt’s Creek, a small town unlike anyplace

The Rose family discovers what really matters after they lose their fortune in the hilarious sitcom Schitt’s Creek. Special photo

they’ve ever known. From mansion to motel, they struggle to come to terms with their new lives and look down on the locals.

During the course of four seasons (yes, I watched all four), the Rose family learns that personal relationships are more important than material things. While that might sound a little sappy, it doesn’t come across that way in the show. With veteran writ-

ers and actors including Eugene Levy, Chris Elliott and Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek teaches family lessons in a hilarious way.

‘Rake’

I’m not really sure how this Australian series turned up in my Netflix feed, but it was highly entertaining. The show centers around Cleaver Greene, a defense attorney with just a

few vices. Addicted to women, drinking, gambling and, at times, cocaine, he squanders his talent and strains every relationship he has. But he isn’t a bad guy.

I made it through two of the four seasons available and the show is very much like a soap opera. Everyone has issues, everyone is making mistakes, and just when you think people are getting their lives together, a stupid decision sends everything crashing down around them.

While Rake might sound a little depressing, it’s surprisingly upbeat. Sure, Cleaver Greene’s life is a mess, but he has a funny way of making the people around him better.

‘Baby Ballroom’

All right, this one is a little embarrassing. While I generally like to watch something intelligent, sometimes I just want to see what other people are into.

As the name implies, this show takes you into the lives of competitive ballroom dance for children.

As reality shows go, there isn’t anything wild and crazy about

Baby Ballroom. Starting as young as 7, the English children it follows are very much like kids here who play travel baseball.

They practice six days a week and compete on day 7. Their parents spend a great deal of time and money making it all happen. Also very much like travel baseball, some of the parents can be a little too invested in their children’s performance and seem hyper-focused on this one aspect of their lives.

To be honest, I really just wanted to watch dancing when I chose this series. Unfortunately, this show focuses more on interviews with kids. At the risk of sounding mean, I didn’t find any of it particularly interesting. But hey, at least I tried something new.

S amantha Barksdale, “Sam the Movie Chick,” is on a mission to find the best movies and TV shows for you to stream from Netflix.

She loves good flicks, good food and good friends. Her eclectic tastes are sure to give readers a wide range of viewing choices.

A user-friendly dark brew for the winter months Salted Caramel Imperial Moo-Hoo

By Ben Casella True to form, my camellias have bloomed during the first week of January. This can only mean one thing: We’re going to have a cold winter following our usual and customary warm spell right around the start of the new year.

Never you mind, however, because you now have guidance as to what to have in your mug as you winter the winter. A beer one could chew comes to mind, as does a beer with which one could lubricate an internal combustion engine. However, in the interests of being good diplomats for those who don’t have the beards, tweed hats or elbow-patched blazers necessary to chew beer, let’s go a

30 Buzz on Biz February 2019

bit more user-friendly with a darn good and stately brew from Terrapin.

You’ve likely had Moo-Hoo (the progenitor to this month’s brew) before. This dark beer from Athens, Georgia’s Terrapin Beer Company has, in my opinion, a most appropriate name in that it’s not really a high-cocoa bitter, but more of a milk chocolate ale.

It’s sweet, but not to the degree that it leaves one wanting to chug water after a sip or two. Think of Salted Caramel Imperial MooHoo as a slightly more talkative uncle to Moo-Hoo. I have difficulty placing the salted caramel, but it’s in there somewhere. What I appreciate most, however, are the more bitter aspects of this brew. If chocolate can be balanced,

Terrapin has done a fine job of it. The sweeter aspects from the original MooHoo translate sufficiently, but the bitter decay of the Imperial’s stronger body let the sipper know that this is a bit more refined, yet not snubbing at all to the senses.

At the time this column was written, there were a couple left at Summerville Ace, and I don’t know if or when Terrapin will brew this one again. Worth your while, though. Worth your while.

Ben Casella did grow what some would consider a beard over the holidays. He thought it looked cool and sophisticated.

Others thought it looked like something was wrong with him or just plain didn’t notice.

AT THE TABLE

The magic word at Groucho’s Deli is delicious

By Susan O’Keefe It’s a classic rags-to-riches story from the 1940s, complete with a Philadelphia orphan, a cigar and a legendary commitment to quality. Fast forward almost eight decades, and find Groucho’s Deli opening its doors on Broad Street in downtown Augusta.

While growing up in an orphanage, the founder of Groucho’s concocted a variety of recipes for potato salad, coleslaw and other deli mainstays. Specialty sandwich dressings were created, tweaked and have evolved into a vital part of the restaurant’s menu.

The dressings even have their own designated section on the menu and are sold by the pint for $5.99. Patrons request and rave about the dressings, using them at home as marinades.

With a party of five (and I do mean party, as it was one diner’s birthday), we braved a cold January day and eagerly stepped into the newly opened deli. The clean crispness of a freshly unwrapped space was a welcome scent. It mingled gingerly with the aroma of meats, cheeses and breads.

We were kindly instructed to find a table of choice, and within 60 seconds, we were warmly greeted. I recall the 60-second rule from my college days as a server: Always greet the guests within a minute.

Easy-to-read and brightly colored menus were already placed on each wrought-iron-style table. That’s one less step for the server and expedites the experience for the diner on a tight schedule.

Groucho’s motto is “fast, fresh, and original.”

As we perused the menu and debated between sandwiches or salads, BLTs or tuna, a new discussion arose. It centered around a trio of signature sandwiches.

The menu boasts Groucho’s specialties, such as the brown moose, the pink moose, and the white moose, aka roast beef, lean ham and turkey breast. (Wait … can ham be lean?) Each sandwich was served warm on a soft seeded roll with melted Provolone cheese. Fresh lettuce adds a bit of crispness. Groucho’s famous potato chips are a consistent side, along with a dill pickle spear. Each sandwich hovered around the $8 mark.

After our server delivered our drinks, she offered generous amounts of information to our barrage of questions. We were curious about the sauces, the substitutes, the healthy lifestyle options — and the pretzel-crusted salted caramel brownie,

Groucho’s Deli Rating is based on a scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best).

Food Price Location Networking Noise Level Groucho’s Deli is at 758 Broad St., the Johnson Building, in downtown Augusta. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Reach it at 706-945-1901 or get more online at www. grouchos.com/augusta.

Groucho’s Deli specializes in sandwiches, above, potato salad and other deli favorites. A popular item at my table was the Arcadian Chicken Pita, at left — sliced chicken breast lightly marinated in Italian dressing, served with feta cheese, chopped Greek olives, diced tomatoes and cucumbers. Photos by Susan O’Keefe

which was prominently displayed in the dessert case at the end of the counter and made our mouths water.

We placed our order, betting on which one would take top prize. My money was on the Fiesta Power Blend. This dish certainly lived up to its name. With a blend of superfoods including broccoli stalks, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, kale, radicchio and carrots, it had to be delicious. Peppers, black beans and tomatoes simply added more punch and produced an incredible dish. At only $2.99 for 8 ounces, this was a real deal.

My friend ordered the Arcadian Chicken Pita and enjoyed every last bite.

Served in a folded pita was sliced chicken

breast lightly marinated in Italian dressing, with feta cheese, chopped Greek olives, diced tomatoes and cucumbers. The rest of us sampled it and vowed to order it next time.

Representing the moose options were the White Moose and the Pink Moose.

Each made an appearance, and each received rave reviews. There was a unanimous decision that Formula “45” dressing pairs well with all moose options. Formula “45” is Groucho’s famous herb blend of spicy Russian and Thousand Island dressings.

From Groucho’s sub roll and famous “dippers,” such as the Apollo or International to the more traditional Reuben and Chicken Salad sandwiches, Groucho’s presents a strong array of fodder. The South Carolina-based franchise prides itself on only offering the tried-and-true.

For the veggie lovers, Italian Subs, Caprese, Baby Bella Melt or salads are all suitable options.

Groucho’s bills itself as a fast, downtown option for lunch, basically in and out in 30 minutes. From our experience, it was a nutritious, delicious lunch in less than half an hour. We relished our time

and allotted a full hour, so thankfully Groucho’s let us keep our seats.

As the noon hour approached, business picked up.

There was a quiet bustle as medical professionals, construction workers, a couple on a date, bankers and other diners made their way in and out of Groucho’s. Owner and operator Cam Spears thanked us for our business. Having grown up in the CSRA, Spears is certain to have a host of hungry supporters.

With seating for almost 100, it’s an ideal lunch spot for a group of eight or 10.

Table sizes vary, plus pulling a few tables together is a simple task. To-go orders are another option.

For on-the-job training or on-site eating, Groucho’s provides box lunches plus catering options, with sandwich trays, party platters, salads and sides.

One diner called the meal the best lunch he’d eaten in a long time. He even asked to return for his birthday. So, raise a glass to birthday wishes coming true.

(Groucho’s has been approved to sell beer and wine.) And raise a glass to Groucho’s.

In the friendly, comfortable atmosphere, it was easy to see why Groucho’s is a neighborhood deli in almost three dozen locations throughout the Carolinas. It’s nice to see that Georgia is finally on Groucho’s mind.

Susan O’Keefe has been reviewing restaurants for Buzz on Biz since August 2015. Her restaurant visits and reviews are done with a businessperson in mind.

February 2019 Buzz on Biz

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