Produced by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce

Connection
Chamber
Business OppOrtunity COmmunity Heritage
RA. The volume and revenue has increased since 2002 at an average of 35 percent, according Baumgardners nomination form. The award was particularly poignant since Baumgardner and her Comfort Keepers organization are celebrating the 10th anniversary of her local business. But Baumgardner said she knows, as last years recipient pointed out in her introductory remarks, the pride of being a small-business owner is not in the money. Its in a job well done and representing your community well. Its in 12- to 16-hour days, seven days a week, and not having the luxury to hang a closed sign in the window when you feel like playing golf, said Rachel Franklin, last years Small Business Person of the Year award recipient. Franklin is co-owner of the Sno-Cap Drive-In and Carolina Oaks Bed and Breakfast. I was just blessed, Baumgardner said. I just cant tell you how I felt. You do work hard and dont think youre going to get recognized. Above all, its not my business; its Gods business. I started out to serve him. The nomination for Baumgardners award noted, Janet understands the heart and the passion needed to do her job as a franchise owner of an inhome care company. In addition, the nomination references her caring nature, her compassion and empathy for the clients of Comfort Keepers, and her efforts to make hers a business of excellent service. The nomination further commented, Janet is a good example of why small business owners make North Augusta a prosperous and a great place to live and raise a family. In her 10 years, Baumgardner has expanded her business, making it the top office in the Southeast region in 2003. In addition, her Comfort Keepers franchise has moved from two rooms at 709 West Ave. to six offices and finally to her purchase of a historic home at 511 West Ave. Her business moved into the new location in February 2006. Not only were Baumgardners business achievements recognized, but her community

OctOber 2012

The Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce advocates for the business community and provides opportunities for business engagements and growth.

Our missiOn

Janet Baumgardner is Small Business Person of the Year

by HALey HUGHeS hhughes@aikenstandard.com Janet Baumgardner, local owner of Comfort Keepers, is the Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerces 2012 Small Business Person of the Year. Baumgardner was recognized by the chamber, fellow business owners, her employees and others in the community on Thursday at the conclusion of the North Augusta Small Business Expo at the North Augusta Community Center. Amidst applause, she wiped away tears as she made her way through the exhibitor booths to the stage to accept a plaque from Terra Carroll, North Augusta chamber president. It takes a team, a family behind you to do what you have to do, Baumgardner said. Comfort Keepers, an inhome health care provider, began in 2002 with one client and one employee Baumgardner. The business has expanded over the years and now has 28 full-time employees serving hundreds of seniors in the CS-

BOard Of direCtOrs
EXECuTIVE COMMITTEE
Michelle Bennett Chair Serotta Maddocks Evans & Co. CPAs Jon Dawkins Chair-Elect Chick-fil-a Paul Brewer Past Chair WFXG-TV Rodney Ingle Treasurer Southern Bank & Trust

See Baumgardner, page 2

DIRECTORS
Bernard Kitchens Bridgestone Firestone Bill Hixon Hixon Realty & Ins. Co. Rechelle Dallas The Star Hap Greenway Allstate Insurance Co. Susan Everitt Goodwill Industries Brett Turner Rhodes Financial Michelle Jones Ga-Lina Physical Therapy Patricia Allen Savannah River Remediation, LLC Nyles Ellefson ADSI Kevin Toole First Citizens Don Goggans Austin Industrial

The North Augusta Chamber of Commerces Business Expo was held on Thursday, September 13th at the North Augusta Community Center. The event was held from 4-6pm with the Small Business Person of the Year award being presented at 6pm, with the Business After Hors that followed. Over 50 vendors were represented with our Presenting Sponsor being SRP Federal Credit Union. Our Signature Sponsors were Comcast, Aiken Standard, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, Fox 54, The Star, NHC, talk radio 1380, University Health Care Systems and Georgia Health Sciences University. Our Gold Sponsors

North Augusta Chamber of Commerces Busines Expo

were A.B.Beverage, Security Federal Bank, Coca-Cola, and AT&T, Center for Primary Care and Serotta Maddocks, Evans, CPA. A BIG THANK YOU to our Ambassadors for their hard work and dedication to the Event. Mrs. Terra Carroll, President of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce welcomed the participants and the public to the 2012 Business Expo. Mrs. Carroll introduced Brett Turner, An Ambassador and Board member as our MC for the evening. Brett introduced out Sponsors and recognized our Table-Top Vendors. There were door prizes given out and with the Network Game, 2 $50.00

bills were awarded to the lucky person whose sheet was drawn!!! The FBLA students from North Augusta High School worked the Business Expo. Those attending were: Hannah Reese, Joey Baldwin, Paul Liner, Rachel Branum, Autumn Freeman, Hannah Williams, Alaina Miller and Hyuri McDowell and Daniel Pipper. Als Family Resturant was our caterer for the Business Expo. We were supplied with an aray of finger foods that were a hit with everyone. Coca-Cola and A.B. Beverage suppl;ied our refreshments. See more photosfrom the Business Expo on page 4.

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Todd Glover City of North Augusta Ray Fleming Aiken Co. School Board Will Williams Economic Development Partnership

COntaCt infOrmatiOn
406 West Avenue PO Box 6246 North Augusta, S.C. 29861 VOICE: 803.279.2323 FAX: 803.279.0003 E-MAIL/WEBSITE: northaugustachamber.org

Judy@northaugustachamber.org Suzanne@northaugustachamber.org

Page 2 October 2012

north augusta Chamber of Commerce

Our A.M. Connection started back on August 22, 2012. Our Speaker/Sponsor for this Event was Dena Thomas of Advanced Services. Dena spoke to our group on Being a Great Place to Work Makes Work more Fun. The Invocation and pledge was given by Brett Turner of Rhodes Financial.

A.M. Connection
Michelle Bennett introduced the head table which included the new Chamber President, Terra Carroll. Alia Naffouj presented the quarterly awards to the Ft. Gordon attendee. FBLA students were introduced, Hanna Reese, she placed 10th in the Nation in FBLA Community Service and Henry Shuford.

Baumgardner...from page 1
and civic involvements were, as well. She volunteers at the Yellow Jessamine Festival and the Jack-o-lantern Jubilee. She sits on the board for the North Augusta Noon Lions Club, and she and her Comfort Keepers team kicked off the Stop Senior Hunger initiative in February, which worked in conjunction with Golden Harvest Food Bank to collect thousands of pounds of food. Baumgardner and Comfort Keepers were the founding sponsor of the North Augusta Senior Health Expo, and she sponsored the Educational Conference for Alzheimers Caregivers of Aiken County. Carroll said its important for the chamber to recognize small-business owners like Baumgardner because in cities across the United States, 85 percent of businesses are small businesses, meaning they have 50 or fewer employees. These businesses last within their home communities from generation to generation. Small-business owners like Baumgardner put their heart and soul into what they do, Carroll said.

Als Family Restaurant catered our Breakfast. Sponsor recognition and Speaker introductions were given by Michelle Bennett, Chair of the North Augusta Chamber Board. Door prizes were given out; the next A.M.Connection will be on September 26th at 7:15am.

WFXG FOX 54 Announces New Marketing Director

WFXG, the Raycom-owned FOX Broadcasting affiliate serving the Augusta/Aiken market, is pleased to announce the appointment of Shannon Hodges Powell to the role of Marketing Director. We are excited to have an experienced professional like Shannon onboard and know that she will make significant contributions to our team at FOX 54, commented Barry Barth, WFXG FOX 54, Vice President and General Manager. In her role, Shannon will be responsible for growing the WFXG FOX 54 Brand, provide marketing assistance for sales projects, and initiating community outreach efforts. She will also oversee promotion and commercial production. Shannon is a creative professional with proven experience in marketing, advertising, public relations, media relations, sales, event planning and execution. Most recently, Shannon was employed at WRDW-TV, also, as Marketing Director. There, she was responsible for a wide variety of activities including coordinating the marketing process both on-air and within the community, as well creative services, advertising support, station branding, interactive/social marketing, and all station events and promotions. The Atlanta, Georgia native began her TV broadcasting career with WXIA in technical production, moving to creative services producer for WSBTV, where she worked with the Atlanta Falcons for three preseasons before joining Georgia Public Broadcasting. I am very excited to join such an experienced and professional team, Shannon will join WFXG Fox54 after Labor

Day. About WFXG Fox 54 .... Raycom, an employee-owned company, is one of the nations largest broadcasters and owns and/or provides services for 48 television stations in 36 markets and 18 states. Raycom stations cover 12.6% of U.S. television households and employ nearly 3,500 individuals in full and part-time positions. In addition to television stations, Raycom owns Raycom Sports (a marketing, production and events management and distribution company in Charlotte, NC) and TupeloHoney Productions (a Sports and Entertainment Production company based in New York), as well as Broadview Media (a post production/digital signage company based in Montgomery). For more information contact; Barry Barth at 706-6506202 or bbarth@wfxg.com.

The Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce is pleased to invite you to the 2012 North Augusta Women in Business Series

Thursday, October 11, 2012

11:30a Networking 12:00p Luncheon and Program

Women are well known for their ability to multi-task. Learn simple ways to increase your efficiency and take your skills to the next level.

FROM MULTI-TASKER TO EFFICIENCY EXPERT

Presented By: Dena Thomas, Advanced Services
Member Individual Ticket Member Table (seats 8) $20 $25 $150 Non-Member Individual Ticket(s)

North Augusta Community Center 495 Brookside Avenue North Augusta, SC

# tickets ___________

# tables ____________ # tickets ___________

Table Top Sponsor $100 # table-tops_______ (includes: 8ft skirted table, 1 luncheon ticket, and recognition from podium)

Attendee Name(s): _______________________________________________________________________________ Organization: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ________________________ Email: ________________________________________________________ Fax form to: 803-279-0003 or Mail form to: P. O. Box 6246 North Augusta, SC 29861

Deadline for Reservations is OCTOBER 8th, 2012

The Women in Business Series is proudly presented by:

Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce 406 West Avenue North Augusta, SC 29841

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North Augusta Chamber of Commerce

October 2012 Page 3

A BIG THANK YOU to Bushs Flower Shop, located at 111W. Pine Grove Avenue in North Augusta for providing us with Roses for a Good Neighbor Day. Everyone who visited the Chamber was encouraged to take one!!! Thank you Larry Anderson.

Thank you

Artist of the Month September: Fred Jennings

Fred Jennings is our Artist for September. Fred started painting around 1995, he enjoys painting in Primarily in Acrylics and some Oils. Fred retired from SRP in 1989 and started painting because it is a lot of fun. He has resided in North Augusta since 1955 and is basically a self taught artist. Fred belongs to the North Augusta Artist Guild which plays a very important part for the artists in North Augusta which are first class. Fred stopped painting about 8 years ago and has just started back because he enjoys painting, it is a great hobby that can be done in any kind of weather. Come visit Fred Jennings artwork now thru September 28th at the North Augusta Chamber.

New Members
Penny N. Carter Wasden First Class Motorz, LLC The Handy Hardware Store Pizza Central

Renewing Members
State Farm Insurance & Financial Services-Chad Stalvey Advanced Services United States Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon Sno-Cap Drive-In Edge Salon and Spa The Kinder Kids Academy

EVENTS
AM Connection, 7:15am, North Augusta Community Center, Golden Harvest Ribbon Cutting, 11:45am, Pizza central, Georgia Ave, old Bucks Pizza Ambassadors Meeting , 8am, Chamber Office

Upcoming
September 26

September 27

October 3

Artist of the Month - October: Karen-Denise Montgomery

Karen-Denise Montgomery grew up in rural south Alabama where all of her entertainment involved the Chattahoochee River. She graduated from the University of Montevallo with an academic scholarship with a BFA in fine art in 1989. She met her husband in Nashville, Tn, but moved to North Augusta to be closer to family. She is currently the retail manager for Cracker Barrel and will be rekindling her painting skills in her free time. Karen-Denise is an avid reader, runner and cycler and uses our Greenway frequently. The North Augusta Artists Guild has been an amazing group and she couldnt thank them enough for their hospitality and support. She can be reached at 803-221-5610.

Ribbon Cutting, Belk, Grand Reopening 9:30am Women in Business Luncheon 11:30am, North Augusta Community Center, Dena Thomas, Advanced Services, Speaker Kinder Kids, Justice for Kids Gals, Woodside Plantation 5-7, Palmetto Terrace, State of the Region River Club Golf Tournament AM Connection, Ray Fleming, NA Services Network, Speaker 7:15am, North Augusta Community Center

October 10 October 11

October 13

October 18 October 22 October 24

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North Augusta Chamber of Commerce

to the Chamber, Suzanne Fletcher, membership coordinator. The North Augusta ChamBut the three women ber of Commerce Business worked together and provided Expo last Thursday once yet another Business Expo again provided a chance for that showed off the goods and area businesses to network services of more than 50 local with one another and, this businesses. And, as usual, the year, with the Chambers new public was invited to learn president, Terra Carroll. more about the businesses Only on the job in North in the North Augusta comAugusta for about a month, munity and to take home with Allen was able to step into the them freebies that should Chambers premier event of remind them of those busithe year knowing that much nesses for some time to come. of the planning and organizWhaley, as the Chamber ing was already in place undirector of membership for der the direction of the direc- almost seven years, has been tor of member services, Judy responsible for the Business Whaley, and the assistance Expo. of another relative newcomer She said, This years expo

By Phyllis Britt editor@northaugustastar.com

Local businesses shine at expo

seemed to be an unusual event as we had more public attend our 51 vendors who set up. Whaley reported about 250 visitors in all to the expo. She also praised the food, provided by Als Family Restaurant and, after last years rains on expo day, was happy that the weather was good. Some of the vendors were first-timers, with the majority being our loyal and faithful members, Whaley said. Allen had encouraged members of the business community to come, whether they had a booth or not. And among those first-timers was SpyderByte Designs, a rising web design and social media company started by Fox Creek High School graduate Chris Zietlow. He and cohort Ryan Wagner were sharing what they can provide to various folks, pointing out they did Sno-Caps website, for example. There were door prizes throughout the afternoon, as folks moved from table to table, sampling cookies and candy along the way, collecting everything from pens to computer pouches and signing up for the prizes. The event culminated at 6 p.m. with the announcement of Janet Baumgardner as the 2012 Small Business Person of the Year during a Business-After-Hours reception. As she prepared to name this years winner, last years Small Business Person of the Year, Rachel Franklin, took the opportunity to talk a little about what it means to be a small business. A small-business owner is entirely responsible for that business, she declared. If the doors arent open, money doesnt come in. She pointed out the only way an owner of a small business can take a break from the typical 12- to 16-hour days at work is if she or he can hire trustworthy staff members. She indicated that the typical small business has an entire fam-

ily behind the vision of the one who took the lead. Franklin also noted that small businesses are often the ones who provide the impression visitors to a town take away with them. She thanked the Chamber for reinstituting the Small Business Person award, which had not been given for many years until about 12 years ago. As is usual, the Chamber ambassadors stepped up to set up the North Augusta Community Center for the Business Expo, and helping out in any way they could were volunteers from the North Augusta High School FBLA.

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