Episode Summary – Get ‘N Your Business Podcast, Episode 76
Host Alison Shores sits down with Alise Pate from the St. Marys Salvation Army to talk about Angel Tree season in Camden County—and all the ways this local team is quietly meeting needs all year long. Alise explains how the Angel Tree and Senior Tree programs work, from how children and seniors are referred, to where shoppers can find tags, to easy online options for giving through Walmart. She shares why unwrapped gifts and wrapping supplies matter, how distribution day is organized, and how every donation—whether a $5 stocking stuffer or a full wish list—helps make Christmas personal and joyful for local families.

Full Show Notes

https://camdenchamber.com/getnyour-bis/stmarys-salvation-army

⏱ Chapter Markers 0:00 – Intro & Sponsor Shout-Outs

0:40 – Meet Guest: Alise Pate from Salvation Army St. Marys

1:30 – What Is Angel Tree & Who It Serves in Camden County

2:45 – Angel Tree & Senior Tree Referrals (Kids & Seniors in Need)

3:40 – Walmart & Belk Angel Tree Tag Locations

4:45 – Online Angel Tree Shopping via Walmart (Zip Code 31558)

6:00 – Real Angel Stories & Why the Wish Lists Matter

7:20 – How to Donate Money Directly to Angel Tree

8:20 – Distribution Day Details & Why Gifts Must Be Unwrapped

9:30 – Senior Tree: Simple Requests, Big Impact

10:30 – Bell Ringing Season & RegisterToRing.com

12:00 – How Organizations Can Take a Full Day of Bell Ringing

13:10 – Thrift Store, Donation Center & “Secret” 99¢ Days

14:30 – Store Hours, Donations & Drop-In Volunteers

16:00 – Pathway of Hope: Breaking Generational Poverty

18:00 – Life Skills, Budgeting & Moving Families Out of Survival Mode

19:40 – Rent & Utility Assistance – Growing Local Need

21:10 – How Store Sales, Kettles & Events Fund Local Services

22:30 – Ways YOU Can Help: Shop, Volunteer, Ring, Donate

24:00 – Final Thank-Yous & Camden County Shout-Out 💙

Alise Pate

Service Center Coordinator

[email protected]

912-882-2200

912-5400734

1909 Osborne RD St. Marys GA 31558,US

Guest: Kaitlyn Sizemore, Southern Saint Boutique
Theme: All things Pink Friday — shop small first!

Episode Summary

Host Alison Shores welcomes Kaitlyn Sizemore of Southern Saint Boutique for a pink-themed chat about the nationwide Pink Friday movement—held the Friday before Black Friday to encourage the community to shop small first. Kaitlyn shares how Southern Saint grew from online pop-ups to a beloved downtown boutique, highlights their wide size range, weekly new arrivals, skincare and haircare picks, and their adorable Little Saints kids’ collection.
They preview Southern Saint’s Pink Friday party on November 21, 4–8 PM, featuring layered freebies, giveaways, and 32 brand-new doorbuster styles ordered just for the night. The celebration extends beyond one shop: Alison and Kaitlyn spotlight the spirit of collaboration across local boutiques (not competition), give shoutouts to Boutique Elar, Hello Mary, Ink & Ivy, Salt Cloth, and The Curated Closet, and remind listeners Southern Saint also has a mini-setup inside Bloom Bar in Kingsland. Alison closes by recognizing Kaitlyn as this year’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award winner and thanking the Chamber’s Chairman Circle sponsors.

Full Show notes

https://camdenchamber.com/getnyour-bis/southern-saint-boutique

Chapters

0:00– Meet Alison & Kaitlyn 💗 0:15– Southern Saint’s story 🌱 0:55– What’s in the boutique 🛍️ 1:35– Little Saints kids line 👶 2:05– Why Pink Friday matters 🎀 2:30– Event details + free gifts 🎁 2:55– 32 new doorbusters 👗 3:20– Sassy Sodas + vendors 🥤 3:40– Shoutout to local boutiques 🤝 4:10– Shop small this season ❤️ 4:30– Award spotlight 🏆 4:45– Final Pink Friday invite 📅

Southern Saint Boutique

Kaitlyn Sizemore

southernsaintboutique.com

708 Osborne Street Suite 102 St. Marys GA

[email protected]

In this episode of the Get ’N Your Business Podcast, host Alison Shores from the Camden County Chamber of Commerce packs the studio with community champions to spotlight the impact of one powerhouse entrepreneur: Dan Black. Dan—owner of Wee Pub, Avant Catering, co-owner of Firefly Taco Cantina, and formerly Angel’s Cafe—joins Alison alongside Candace Pullum from the City of St. Marys DDA/Main Street and Jaime Foddrell from Sysco to share how collaboration, hospitality, and hometown pride are reshaping Camden County’s food and event scene.

Together, they walk through Dan’s “bartender to bar owner” journey, the evolution of Wee Pub, the elevated dining and vibe at Firefly, the growth of Avant Catering and Amelia Events, and the intentional way these businesses invest back into the community—from jobs for local youth to marquee events like Taste of Camden, Cinco de Mayo 5K, weddings, and downtown experiences in St. Marys. The conversation highlights how strong partnerships between small businesses, suppliers, and city leadership are creating a thriving, welcoming destination that locals are proud to call home.

Full Show Notes

https://camdenchamber.com/getnyour-bis/mcgarveys-wee-pub-south

⏱️ Chapter Markers

0:00 – Welcome & Chairman’s Circle sponsor shoutout

0:56 – Full house intro: Dan, Candace & Jaime in studio 2:00 – Bartender-to-bar-owner: The Wee Pub origin story

3:59 – Surviving highs, lows & growth at Wee Pub

5:21 – New lease, new menu, new POS: Wee Pub’s next 5 years

6:15 – Sysco & Dan: tickets, trust & a true partnership

8:02 – Candace on Dan’s role with DDA & community leadership

9:07 – Creating the catering ordinance & helping other businesses

10:16 – Taste of Camden

11:18 – Introducing Firefly Taco Cantina: concept, vibe & team

13:39 – Building strong teams & why great hospitality is rare

15:48 – Avant Catering: top-tier weddings, events & service

18:19 – Amelia Events: rentals, design & growth from the garage up

20:03 – Santa Maria venue: weddings, stays & a game changer for St. Marys

23:43 – Alive After Five & downtown momentum in St. Marys

26:21 – Angels Café memories & the pivot to sustainable growth

29:01 – Jaime on community, support & why Dan’s impact matters

31:03 – Dan on Camden County, his team, Rosanna & being “all in”

33:06 – Closing thoughts & subscribe reminder

Contact Information

McGarvey's Wee Pub

Dan Black

[email protected]

(912) 467-4763

In this episode, Alison welcomes Ashley Jones, Camden County “implant” (by marriage 😄) and owner of Glam & Glow Beauty and Body Services, to talk about building a beauty business that’s rooted in care, education, and comfort. Ashley explains how she started with makeup, but because so many clients kept asking about skin, she went back to school to specialize in skincare and body waxing. Now she offers custom facials, relaxing facials, body waxing (including underarms and Brazilian), and skincare consultations — all in a private, welcoming suite on Hwy 40 in St. Marys.

Ashley breaks down her philosophy that skincare is 80/20 — she’s only 20% of the journey, and the other 80% is what clients do at home. That’s why she spends so much time educating people about exfoliation, ingrown hairs, product ingredients like hyaluronic acid, and choosing products meant for their skin — not just what’s trending on TikTok.

Full Show Notes

https://camdenchamber.com/getnyour-bis/glam-glow-bbs

🎧 Clickable Chapter Markers

01:19– Meet today’s guest: Ashley Jones, Glam & Glow Beauty & Body Services

01:36– “I’m an implant!” Ashley’s Camden County story

02:18– From makeup artist to skincare & waxing pro

03:02– Why clients kept asking about skin

03:35– What Glam & Glow offers now (custom facials, relaxing facials, waxing)

04:16– The 80/20 rule of skincare: you do most of the work

04:57– Relaxing vs corrective facials

05:30– Underarm waxing?! Alison’s first experience

06:15– Why waxing lasts longer than shaving

07:00– Ingrown hairs and why exfoliation matters

07:42– Physical vs chemical exfoliation (and why military folks get ingrowns)

08:25– Ingredient talk: hyaluronic acid made simple

09:10– Ashley’s #1 skincare advice: consistency

09:45– Don’t use products made for someone else’s skin

10:25– Introducing Ashley’s skincare coloring book

11:05– What’s inside “Alphabets of Beauty”

11:37– Where to buy it (in the shop + on Amazon)

12:05– Creating an intimate, safe space for beauty services

12:45– Location: 4499 Hwy 40 E, Suite B (don’t miss the turn!)

13:20– Booking + why she’s appointment only

13:55– Q&A / rapid fire with Ashley 14:35– Her favorite Camden County restaurants

15:10– Fun fact: Ashley was in the 2006 Miss Okefenokee pageant 16:05– How to contact Glam & Glow (text is best)

16:35– Final shoutouts + thanks for supporting local businesses

17:10– Episode close

Purchase Book: https://shorturl.at/O4uMp

Contact Information

Glam and Glow Beauty and Body Services

Ashley Jones

[email protected]

www.glamandglowbbs.com

(912) 223-5893

Alison sits down with Nick Reed and Dean Skinner of Herc Rentals (formerly Tri-Lane) to unpack how the company has evolved from a traditional equipment renter into a full-scale solutions provider serving commercial, industrial, government, and residential needs.

👇 Watch by Chapter:
0:00 Welcome + Sponsor Shoutouts
0:45 Meet Nick & Dean from Herc Rentals
1:25 From Tri-Lane to Herc: What’s New
3:00 Equipment & Services Overview
6:00 Emergency Response & Hurricane Readiness
8:30 Safety Culture: The 3 Pillars
10:45 Training, Certifications & Community Focus
13:00 Film Industry Gear & Behind-the-Scenes Work
15:00 Used Equipment Sales & How to Connect
16:30 Rapid Fire Q&A + Wrap-Up

Full Show Notes

https://camdenchamber.com/getnyour-bis/herc-rentals

Alison sits down with Kendell and Heather from Serene Clean Residential Services to talk origin stories, service offerings, and why a meticulous eye turns cleaning into care. Kendell shares how Serene Clean began seven years ago as a flexible way to support her two young kids—then grew into an official business (2+ years and counting) built on reliability, customization, and a love for clients, especially seniors who benefit from regular help and companionship. Heather recalls reconnecting at a downtown “white lighting” event and joining the team, bringing the same detail-driven mindset. Together, they cover everything from move-ins/move-outs and post-construction “home detailing” to weekly/bi-weekly maintenance, a la carte add-ons (laundry, linens, patios, windows), and non-toxic, allergy-aware products—tailored to each home, kids, and fur babies.

Full show notes

https://camdenchamber.com/getnyour-bis/serene-clean

Chapters

0:00– Intro & Sponsors

0:27– Meet Kendell & Heather

1:17– How Serene Clean Began

2:54– Caring for Elderly Clients

3:26– Services Offered

3:39– Post-Construction Cleaning

4:16– Heather Joins the Team

5:38– Custom Packages & Add-Ons

6:45– Non-Toxic, Pet-Safe Products

7:27—How to Contact Serene Clean

9:13– Rapid Fire Q&A

11:16– Final Thoughts & Outro

Serene Clean Residential Cleaning Services

facebook.com/serenecleanga
[email protected]

912-674-3732

Alison Shores sits down with Greg and Michelle from Toys for Tots Camden/Charlton to unpack how the local campaign truly works—and how the whole community can get involved. Instead of pre-packed toy bags, their team runs a full “shopping mall” experience where registered parents choose age- and gender-appropriate gifts with the help of a volunteer shopper. The conversation covers why cash donations are crucial for serving teens, the many volunteer roles needed before and during the big event, and how the campaign remains community-owned—housed at Restoration Church but powered by partners and volunteers across Camden and Charlton Counties. They share key deadlines (registration closes Nov 1; toy collection through Dec 12; distribution on Dec 13), emphasize that 98% of funds go directly to toys (with ~2% covering essentials like volunteer meals, tables, and shirts), and celebrate five years of growth—now serving 6,000 children and expanding to Charlton. Listeners get clear next steps to donate, host a toy box, volunteer, or register for assistance.

Full Show notes

https://camdenchamber.com/getnyour-bis/toys-for-tots-camden

🎄 Toys for Tots Camden/Charlton | Get ’N Your Business Podcast

00:00– Intro & Sponsor Shoutouts 00:40– Meet Greg & Michelle from Toys for Tots Camden/Charlton

01:10– What Is Toys for Tots?

02:00– Why Cash Donations Matter – Helping Older Kids Too

03:00– Turning the Toy Drive into a “Shopping Mall” Experience

04:40– How the Parent Shopping Experience Works

06:00– Volunteer Roles & How You Can Help

07:10– Fundraisers, Partnerships & Community Support

08:15– Where Donations Go – 98% Directly to Toys

09:10– How to Register for Assistance 10:00– Expanding to Charlton County & Serving 6,000 Kids

10:45– Community-Owned, Not Church-Owned

11:40– How to Host a Toy Box & Use the Website/App

12:50– Important Dates: Registration, Toy Drop, Distribution 13:30– Top Gift Ideas for Teens

14:30– Final Thoughts – How You Can Make Christmas Brighter

15:00– Closing Remarks & Thank You

Alison sits down with husband-and-wife team Greg and Molly Cook to talk about building a trustworthy, relationship-first painting and light construction business after moving to Camden County “by happenstance.” Greg shares how a summer job he once hated turned into a 25-year career and, in 2018, the launch of Cook’s Painting & Construction—now serving customers across Camden and beyond.

They walk through what they actually do (interior/exterior painting, drywall/ceiling repair, pressure washing, wood-rot fixes, plus vetted referrals for larger construction needs) and why their approach stands out: show up when you say you will, help customers make smart, cost-sensible decisions, and finish on time—even during hurricane season. Alison adds a personal testimonial about her parents’ storm repairs to underscore the team’s responsiveness and honesty.

Chapters

0:00 – Intro & sponsors

0:41 – Meet Greg & Molly Cook

1:31 – Greg’s 25 years in painting & construction

2:26 – Starting Cook’s Painting & Construction

3:45 – Helping Alison’s parents after storm damage

5:00 – The Cook’s champagne thank-you gift 🍾

6:01 – Service area & what sets them apart

7:21 – Rapid fire Q&A (favorites, routines, dogs)

9:17 – Closing & how to connect

Full Show Notes

https://camdenchamber.com/getnyour-bis/cooks-painting-construction

Cook's Painting and Construction

904-321-7562

cookspaintingandconstruction.com

[email protected]

Tim Echols: 🎙️ Get ‘N Your Business Podcast — Bonus Episode

Guest: Tim Echols, Georgia Public Service Commissioner (District 2)
Host: Alison Shores, Camden County Chamber of Commerce

Episode Overview

In this special bonus episode, Alison Shores welcomes Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols to the studio for an eye-opening conversation about the true cost of energy, why rates rise, and how Georgia ensures grid reliability.

Commissioner Echols explains what the PSC actually does, why Georgians can’t choose their utility provider, and how electricity rates are set through a “cost pie” of infrastructure, fuel, storm recovery, and regulations. He also dives into solar energy payback, battery backup advantages, EMC oversight, hydrogen trucks, and Georgia’s role as a clean-tech leader.

Beyond energy, Echols discusses his advocacy against human trafficking, earning him the nickname “The Batman Commissioner.”

Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or community leader, this episode will give you valuable insight into how Georgia’s energy decisions affect your family, your business, and your future.

Key Topics Covered

What the Georgia Public Service Commission regulates (and doesn’t)

Why utility territories exist & how they impact customers

The real math behind power bills and rate freezes

Why is reliability prioritized over cheaper costs

Summer vs. winter rates explained

Rooftop solar: costs, savings, and realistic payback

The role of home batteries during storm outages

How global events like the Ukraine war affect Georgia’s gas prices

EMC oversight: financing & pole-attachment rates

Hydrogen trucking, Plug Power, and Georgia’s clean-energy leadership

Local zoning decisions and the potential for data centers in Camden

Commissioner Echols’ fight against human trafficking

Resources & Links

Learn more about Commissioner Tim Echols: timEchols.com

Camden County Chamber of Commerce: camdenchamber.com

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Catch every episode of the Get ‘N Your Business Podcast for conversations with business leaders, innovators, and community builders across Camden County.

👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to support local voices and stay connected!

Full Show Notes :

https://camdenchamber.com/getnyour-bis/georgia-power-rates-explained

In Episode 68 of the Get ’N Your Business Podcast, host Alison Shores sits down with Leslie McNeill (Sheila’s daughter) and Keith Post (Executive Director, St. Marys Submarine Museum) to celebrate the life and legacy of Senator Sheila McNeill and introduce the Sheila McNeill Legacy Scholarship Fund. Through personal stories—from Sheila’s Hallmark store supporting deployed sailors to her barrier-breaking role as the first woman to serve as National President of the Navy League—listeners get a vivid picture of a leader who blended grit, grace, and relentless community service. Keith and Leslie share how Sheila championed the submarine force, helped retain the Coast Guard MSST in St. Marys, and drove projects like the waterfront “bankcraft” display and the Submarine Museum’s founding. They also honor her partnership with her husband, Arley, and the inspiration behind her book, What Are You Doing Here? (available here). The episode closes with how the new scholarship supports U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen with real-world expenses, and exactly how the community can pitch in.

Show Notes

https://camdenchamber.com/getnyour-bis/sheila-mcneill-scholarship-fund

How to give: Donate via the show notes or call 912-729-5840 for directions to contribute.