The Home Depot  hosted the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) students in grades six to 12 on October 22, 2019 for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a thriving retail business.
 
Peter Layne, Store Manager shared tips about breaking into the industry, how to overcome challenges, and what skills it takes to keep business growing.
 
“I’m happy to do whatever I can to help young entrepreneurs develop their leadership skills and help guide them toward the path to success,” said Peter Layne. “Our company is so excited to have these talented young entrepreneurs visit with us. YEA! provides a terrific opportunity for the young people in our community.”
 
The Home Depot offers tours to YEA! students as part of their mission to help educate youth in the community.  Peter gave valuable insight to the students as to how The Home Depot was founded. In 1978, two entrepreneurs, Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank, envisioned a superstore that would have an immense variety of merchandise with competitive prices and unbeatable customer service. With hard work and determination, they opened the first two Home Depot stores in Atlanta in 1979. Now with over 2,200 stores, their mission remains the same; to offer competitive pricing and unbeatable customer service, which sets them apart from their competition.
 
In addition to lessons inside the classroom, YEA! introduces students to all types of businesses through field trips as well as a variety of executive leaders through guest lectures and business mentorship. 
 
By engaging in this hands-on approach to learning through field trips such as this, students gain a real-world understanding of the dedication it takes to be a business owner.
 
YEA! is a 26-week program that teaches students how to launch and run their own, real businesses. By the end of class, students will be the CEOs of their legally formed businesses or social movements. For more information, visit yeausa.org.
 

The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce and Renasant Bank presented IDP Properties with the October Small Business of the Month Award.
 
Owned and founded by current president Rhett J. Holmes, IDP is a full-service real estate development firm that invests in and redevelops communities. They specialize in development, acquisitions, property management, construction management, and consulting.
 
“IDP is a business founded on three principles: integrity, diversity, and purpose. It’s the reason we all come to work every day and why our business continues to grow.” Holmes, said. “We believe our purpose is to strengthen communities and leave a lasting positive impact.”
 
While planning many types of developments, IDP’s primary aim is to provide affordable housing to many families, seniors, and singles so that they may have an opportunity to live in a modern, clean, and quality built apartment.
 
IDP operates mainly in the southeast, developing in states such as Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana, but they have made a substantial commitment to their home base of Valdosta.
 
IDP believes in community involvement and aims to gives back both monetarily and with their time to the community. Quarterly, the IDP team participates in some form of community service.
 
“Most recently, we have opened Freedom Heights Apartments in Valdosta, located off Bemis Road. This apartment community offers affordable one, two, and three-bedroom units along with many amenities. Also, we have developed The Ashley House, an affordable senior community in downtown Valdosta.” Holmes said.
 
IDP is mainly dedicated to The Ashley House. They hosted on a cookie decorating party for the seniors at The Ashley House. They had musical entertainment, snacks, and all the supplies the seniors needed to decorate sugar cookies.
 
“The residents had a wonderful time and were so proud of their creations. Many of these residents don’t have families, and this was a wonderful way we were able to give back and provide them with holiday cheer.” Holmes added.
 
They also provide financial support for several Valdosta charities, including Habitat for Humanity, the FCA Spring Banquet, the Boys and Girls Club, the Coleman Talley Food Drive, and the VSU Foundation.
 
As for plans for their developments in Valdosta, IDP has recently purchased the former Bank of America building on S. Patterson Street in downtown Valdosta. They plan to repurpose the building to create something the entire community can utilize.
 
They are also building another senior community complex to be named “The Ashbury.” Like the rest of their Valdosta properties, it will be a certified green building to align with their mission of being an environmentally conscious company.
 
For more information, visit IDP Properties at 123 N Patterson St or give them a call at (229) 219-6760.

The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors honored the South Georgia Vein Centers as the Leading Business of the Week for September 23, 2019.
 
South Georgia Vein Centers is a clinic dedicated to treating patients afflicted with varicose; a condition causes the veins in one's legs to become enlarged and contorted. They also specialize in treating telangiectasia, better known as spider veins, which are smaller, damaged veins that show up on the surface of the skin.
 
Dr. Greg Martin, a general surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Phlebology, runs SGVC.
 
Jerry Kozuch, the promotional liaison for SGVC, says the issues they treat are more common than one would think.
 
"We have helped over 10,000 local patients with laser spider vein and varicose therapy," she said.
 
SGVC not only helps patients with serious medical issues, but they also help make them feel better by offering cosmetic services such as Botox injection, Juvederm injections and laser hair removal.
 
"I love working and seeing new people. Dr. Martin allows me to be flexible and be out in the community, and it is amazing seeing people look and feel better. It feels good to educate and serve Valdosta." Kozuch said.
 
SGVC is a proud member of the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, citing the promotional efforts the Chamber has done to expand their customer base.
 
"The Valdosta Chamber is an invaluable asset to our business and the community in general. Every business should join today." Kozuch said.
 
For more information, visit South Georgia Vein Centers at 3338 Country Club Road, Suite M or call at 229-259-9666.