A host of nearly every kind of entrepreneur will gather at the Columbia County Exhibition Center on Sunday, Jan. 29, for the second annual CSRA Small Business Awards Gala.
The CSRA Small Business Awards annually presents honors to Augusta area professionals and businesses, most of them minority-owned.
The awards are independently organized and coordinated by Jamie Barbie, owner of the Sassy Nails Studio in Augusta, who created the SBAs in 2021 to publicly acknowledge the successes of unsung business-owners throughout the area.
“I saw that a lot of us tend to get overlooked when it comes to being recognized for our accomplishments within our businesses,” said Barbie. “I decided to do something that will honor us and put all of us on a bigger platform.”
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The annual celebration also provides a means for these businesses to network, Barbie said. The awards a community effort, as the public are encouraged through social media marketing and word of mouth to nominate and vote for local professionals through an online survey.
Like last year, the gala, a ticketed event, will host local vendors, such as The Mae Boutique Luxury Jewelry & Accessories and Beverly’s Body Butter.
The initial gala last year was held at the Shelly Jones Legacy Center in Hephzibah, and, was sold out days before the evening festivities. This year, the expected turnout expanded along with the recognized categories, as the red-carpet event will be at the Columbia County Exhibition Center, and has itself sold out for the year.
Eligibility for the awards is not limited to conventional businesses—restauranteurs, accountants or lawyers (though plenty of them are recognized as well) but also includes local artists and entertainers.
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This year’s awards include more than 90 categories, ranging from Contractor, Landscaping Company and Hairstylist of the Year; to Best Band, Gospel Talent and Comedian of the Year.
“I didn’t want to leave anyone out,” said Barbie.
The 2nd Annual CSRA Small Business Awards will be at the Exhibition Center at 212 Partnership Dr. in Grovetown, Sunday at 6 p.m. For more information about the SBAs, visit https://www.facebook.com/SBAawardsGala.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
