Microenterprise Center Coming To Augusta For Small Business Owners
If you are a native to Augusta or the surrounding cities, plus you have a small business, you are in for a treat. A microenterprise center to support local entrepreneurs has made its way to the city.
Augusta is now home to a shared space location for entrepreneurs, small business start-ups, innovators, and existing business owners. The project is called Accelerate Augusta, a partnership formed by Augusta Tech and Augusta’s Downtown Development Authority.
This announcement made way at the end of December of last year. The initiative was made possible with funding of $2.3 million secured by Raphael Warnock back in 2022.
Accelerate Augusta is located in the newly renovated I.M. Pei Building, the former home of the Augusta Metro Chamber at 600 Broad Street. Renovations kicked off at the start of this year.
The purpose of Accelerate Augusta is to be a hub for entrepreneurs and small business owners. It will be a space that provides resources and guidance for their business all in one central location.
What will the microenterprise center include?
Participants that are a part of the program, will have access to several resources.
- Temporary Workspaces
- Meeting Rooms
- A Commercial Kitchen
- Technology Equipment
- Retails Place
And the opportunities and resources don’t stop there – business owners and entrepreneurs will have a chance to develop pitches, refine business models, and conduct market research.
Participants will even have the opportunity to interact and connect with local venture capitalists. You will gain advice from facilitators of the program on all things business. That includes proposals, business ethics, grant writing, and more.
When it comes to any business and wanting it to grow, networking is always a huge factor. Whether that is networking with customers to grow in that space or networking with business owners alike and seeing how you can expand from there.
Accelerate Augusta’s classrooms and offices are expected to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025.
9 Office Behaviors You Should Definitely Skip
Oversharing Too Much Personal Information
At the office, it’s usually best to leave your personal problems at the door. Sharing too much about your personal life can make your coworkers uncomfortable, and it might affect your professional image. We all have our ups and downs, but oversharing personal issues, like that big breakup or crazy weekend, can make your coworkers feel a bit awkward. Imagine you’re in the middle of a team meeting discussing a project, and someone suddenly launches into the intricacies of their dating life. But, when it’s an emergency, like someone in the family falling sick or a personal health issue, don’t hesitate to let the right people know.
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Unspoken Office Food Rules
In the realm of office etiquette, there are some unspoken rules regarding food. First, it’s just common sense not to talk with your mouth full. Secondly, it’s a clear no-no to help yourself to someone else’s food from the office fridge. Lastly, be mindful of what you heat in the microwave. Strong-smelling dishes like onion and anchovy pizza can be a bit overwhelming for everyone else. Don’t forget about popcorn in the microwave. Burnt popcorn smell isn’t pleasant for anyone. So, keep an eye on it while it’s popping.
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Personal Grooming
While it’s great to stay fresh and clean at work, you’d typically want to steer clear of doing your personal grooming stuff in the office. That means no nail clipping, nail polishing, nose-picking, or any other grooming rituals that might make your coworkers cringe. Save that stuff for your personal time.
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Unnecessary Noise
In a cramped office with thin walls and no private doors to shut, you should be considerate of the shared space. It’s a good idea to keep personal calls and loud chit-chat to a minimum, especially in open workspaces. Nobody wants their concentration derailed, right? And speaking of noise, save the rock concert-level music and the crazy loud social media videos for after hours.
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Messy Workspace
Maintaining a tidy workspace is a must. You wouldn’t want to become known as the person with the messy cubicle that has an odd odor, right? Whether you have a desk all to yourself or not, keeping it clean and organized can do wonders for your daily productivity and overall work experience.
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Poor Hygiene
Showing up to work with poor hygiene is a no-go. For starters, it’s all about keeping things professional and respecting your colleagues. Nobody wants to sit next to a coworker with funky smells, right? Feeling fresh and clean can boost your mood and your work game. If you ever need a quick hygiene fix, no shame in stepping away to use some deodorant or give your teeth a brush in the bathroom.
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Personal Space & Boundaries
Whether you’re in an open office or a cubicle doesn’t matter. Respecting personal space is a must. Being considerate of your colleagues’ belongings and giving them room to breathe is key. It ensures a productive and respectful office atmosphere where everyone can focus without feeling crowded or uncomfortable.
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Overdoing It With Foul Language
While a slip of a swear word might happen to the best of us in the office, you can’t predict what language might rub a coworker or boss the wrong way. To keep the peace, it’s a good plan to steer clear of strong language in your office chats and messages. And when it comes to those work emails, stick to pro-speak. It’s just safer and smoother that way.
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Leaving It How You Found It
Leave things as you found them. For instance, if you happen to use up the last sheet of copy paper, it’s a common courtesy to make sure it gets replaced. This small act of consideration contributes to a cooperative atmosphere and ensures that the office operates seamlessly. It’s a simple yet effective way to demonstrate respect for your colleagues and the workplace as a whole.
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