VALDOSTA, GA – The Chamber Ambassadors honored The Pool Store as Leading Business for the week of October 23.
The Pool Store has grown over the years from two employees to thirty employees since joining the Chamber in 1985.

The Pool Store doesn’t just offer customers above-ground or in-ground pools, their store also sales furniture to complement the new pool area, PlayNation Play Systems for kids, spas, and poolside grills. The Pool Store also assists customers in making their pools environmentally friendly by using less energy.

They have experienced, trained pool technicians to help customers with services such as weekly pool cleanings and pool or spa maintenance.

The Pool Store works to bring awareness to pool safety and enjoyment to all Lowndes County and City of Valdosta residents and will be launching a National Pool Safety campaign in 2018.

According to Amy and Daren Stecz, owners of The Pool Store, “The Chamber’s influence in our community brings a very positive view of Valdosta/Lowndes County and its businesses.”
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For more information about The Pool Store, call (229) 247-6440 or visit them at 3363 North Valdosta Road in Valdosta. 

VALDOSTA, GA – The Chamber Ambassadors honored ­­­­ Steeda Autosports as this week's Leading Business of the Week.
 
For 30 years, Steeda Autosports has been one of the only performance aftermarket companies that designs, engineers and manufactures their own parts in house. Everything made by the company is done right here in Valdosta.
 
Steeda Autosports is looking to expand their welding and CNC departments in the future. “We are on the cutting edge of the performance aftermarket; constantly developing new products that keep our customers in the winner’s circle,” Scott Boda, plant manager of Steeda Autosports, said.
 
On Oct. 21 Steeda Autosports will be hosting their annual Pony War’s, a drag race and car show event, at South Georgia Motorsports Park.
 
Steeda Autosports is located at 2019 Steeda Way in Valdosta or can be contacted by calling
 229-249-8151.

​VALDOSTA, GA – The Chamber Ambassadors honored Express Employment Professionals as this week’s Leading Business.

Express Employment Professionals is one of the top staffing companies in the United States and Canada and their goal is to help people find jobs and provide workforce solutions to businesses.

The company recognizing the difficulty to get jobs and dedicates their time to help hardworking people and businesses succeed by bringing together talent and opportunity that both can benefit from.

As part of a national franchise, Express Employment Professionals has a goal of finding work for one million people annually across the United States, Canada, and South Africa. “Our staff is honored to be part of this great endeavor and we work hard every day to help Express reach the one million goal,” said Tripp and Jenny Templeton, owners of Express Employment Professionals.

Express Employment Professionals offers a wide range of positions to their clients such as professional, commercial, and administrative positions.

“At the end of the day, it is about getting people back into the workforce, which equates to helping people provide food, clothing, and shelter for themselves and their family,” said Templeton. “And, that leads to a stronger community.”
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For more informationabout Express Employment Professionals, call (229) 293-0030 or visit them at 1712 Gornto Road in Valdosta.

​VALDOSTA, GA – The Chamber Ambassadors recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Living Bridges Ministry.
 
Living Bridges Ministry is comprised of several churches in the area whose main goal is to serve those in need in the Valdosta community through different community service projects.
 
Living Bridges Ministry is always looking for volunteers to help them in serving and supporting the community. They are welcoming youth and adult volunteers interested in helping run programs, such as 2018 Kids’ Connection, a summer Vacation Bible School on Saturdays.
 
They also welcome donations like paper plates, computer paper, gently used clothing, groceries, and water bottles.
 
For more information about Living Bridges Ministry, call 229-234-7427 or visit their website, www.livingbridgesministry.org. 

VALDOSTA, GA – The Chamber Ambassadors honored Cook’s Pest Control as Leading Business for the week of October 2, 2017.

Cook’s Pest Control is a family owned business that provides a superior service experience to their customers and a safe and rewarding workplace for their employees.

Since opening in 2014, Cook’s Pest Control has expanded from three employees to eleven employees on staff. Every additional employee means that someone can support a family in the local community. The vision for Cook’s Pest Control is to continue to expand in the near future, opening offices in Florida, Mississippi, and other parts of Georgia over the next few years.

To find more information about Cook’s Pest Control call 229-244-4687 or visit their office at 823 Gil Harbin Industrial Boulevard in Valdosta.

The Leading Business of the Week program is designed to recognize members who have partnered with the Chamber for at least five years.  The 2017 Leading Business of the Week program is proudly sponsored by Ashley’s Business Solutions. 
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For more information, visit www.ValdostaChamber.com/Leading-Business-of-the-Week. 

Hang Out Yoga, LLC held a ribbon cutting with the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber on Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the area’s first and only aerial yoga studio. 

Aerial yoga uses anti-gravity flow to deliver a full body workout that enhances flexibility and strength, builds confidence, increases lymphatic circulation, releases fear, and relieves stress. Students use a hammock or sling to assist with poses and stretches. 

According to Hang Out Yoga owner and instructor Erika Bennett, the hammock is a prop like a strap or block, intended to assist alignment, deepen awareness and provide the immediate benefit of spinal decompression. With the weight of the body partially or fully supported along with the help of gravity, students can explore and create space in their bodies as intended in traditional Yoga practice. “Without the compression of the joints and spine, students can achieve proper posture and alignment through relaxation rather than effort, therefore finding a more balanced and unencumbered expression of each pose,” said Bennett.

Hang Out Yoga offers hour-long classes seven days a week. Classes can host up to nine students; private and group sessions are available. The studio is conveniently located inside Christy Howell Medical Aesthetics at 3308 Country Club Road in North Valdosta.

Bennett says she was inspired to bring aerial yoga to Valdosta after participating in classes in Tampa, Florida. “I’ve always been very active, and immediately recognized the benefits aerial yoga offers the body. I wanted South Georgia residents to be able to enjoy the fun, functional exercise.” There are some restrictions for participating which are listed on the website, but most anyone can participate. Beginners are welcome. 

Bennett says aside from the exercise benefits, her main goal is to ensure clients have an enjoyable experience and leave with a renewed sense of self-value.

Bennett thanked the Chamber for being a valuable resource for her business startup. “Betty Morgan with the SEEDS Business Resource Center made sure the process was smooth and enjoyable. I am thrilled to be part of this team and this community!” 

For more information on aerial yoga, class schedules or booking visit hangoutyoga.com.