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LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS

Xfinity brings high-speed, reliable internet to more than 2,300 rural homes in Clay

CLAY COUNTY —   Although it's hard to imagine a world without being online, an estimated 24 million Americans still lack access to the internet, according to the Network Installers . But …

Whitey's, Encore refresh their looks, menus

FLEMING ISLAND – What was old is now new again along Swimming Pen Creek. Whitey’s Fish Camp and Encore Fleming Island both recently refreshed their restaurants, menus and their futures with …

Business Spotlight: Glow Wellness and Rejuvenation
Michelle Smith creates wellness through aesthetics, skin care and weight loss.

Michelle Smith dedicated to a holistic treatment of mind, body

FLEMING ISLAND – After a successful career as a surgical assistant, Michelle Smith decided to branch out on a more holistic and natural approach to wellness. Glow Wellness and Rejuvenation was …

Salty Air Treats

Sweet treats, delicacies live boldly at pop-up dessert cart

FLEMING ISLAND  –  It's   small,  blue,  colorful and  filled with special treats. Can you guess   what it may be? Salty Air Treats i s   open every weekend …

Yoga Den franchisees Belinda Lynn-Bryant and Nate Bryant will open a new Middleburg location in November.

Yoga is more than exercise at the Yoga Den

MIDDLEBURG —   Yoga Den franchisee Belinda Lynn-Bryant plans to open a studio in Middleburg this fall, bringing a range of yoga classes to a community she said is growing. Lynn-Bryant and her …

The Bakery II thrives off of customer feedback.
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— Everything at the Bakery II is made with customers in mind.  That means it's baked with love, cooked to perfection and served to the …
In addition to a full array of beauty, cosmetic and luxury needs, Chad's Beauty Bar also accepts online reservations on his Facebook page.
ORANGE PARK – Chad Eagan was concerned when he broke away from the safety and financial security of working for an owner of one of the most successful salons. But deep down, he decided to invest in the only thing guaranteed to payoff – himself. He opened Chad’s Beauty Bar at 1801 Wells Road, and he quickly learned success travels well. “Anytime you make a change, it’s always scary,” he said in between a steady flow of regulars who also made the move with him. "But I knew it was the right move, and I knew it would work out. I just had faith and put one foot in front of the other, and it took off running.”
READ MORE ON THE SALON
FLEMING ISLAND  — Prioritizing baby safety is never a question at MoonBabies Children's Resale.  That means double- and triple-checking for safety recalls, and educating new and expecting …
FLEMING ISLAND  —   On U.S. Highway 17 lies Hive and Seek Boutique, where every corner tells a story. From vintage items imported straight from Ireland to art sourced from just across …
MIDDLEBURG - Photographer Tabitha Silver said one of her dreams is to pose a tiger in Sri Lanka. It's not ironic that the fierce cat is her spirit animal - representing strength and courage. …
FLEMING ISLAND – There was a distinct smell of wet paint inside Back Nine Golf as a worker put the finishing touches on some final projects. And while there is some final tweaking remaining on …
FLEMING ISLAND — Keith and Lisa Wheeler started their first small business in 2006. You might remember seeing them in their bright pink cupcake truck, Le Petite Cheri Cupcakery, or setting up …
ORANGE PARK –  After owning restaurants in the past, sisters Kell e y and Terry Callahan decided  that even with their children growing old enough to work and move out,  they had too …
ORANGE PARK - As a creativity connoisseur, Sarah Hamel has taught various art classes in her lifetime. But there has always been one that seemed to stick out. It was as she watched her campers revel …
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – There was a steady stream of boys with equipment bags entering and leaving Thursday afternoon through a door in the back corner of Cove Plaza. It’s easy to overlook D-BAT …
MIDDLEBURG — When a dancer steps on stage, there's always a sense of passion that rakes through their body. The lights are bright. The floor is polished. The room is full. Yet, their confidence is …
Winning at business

Report: 82% of new small businesses have insurance, but many SMBs remain at risk

ERGO NEXT reports that 82% of new small businesses have insurance, yet 73% remain underinsured, often due to cost, confusion, and compliance issues.
What tracked chief revenue officer moves tell us about the last 13 months
ZoomInfo reports significant volatility in chief revenue officer roles, with 47% of hires coming from external sources, reflecting a trend of rapid turnover and poaching.
ERGO NEXT reports that 50% of small business owners regret not understanding their insurance needs in their first year.
Entrepreneurship

More than 1 in 5 self-employed buyers who applied to multiple lenders reported an earlier turn-down

Griffin Funding reports 21.4% of self-employed buyers faced earlier mortgage application turn-downs, compared to 14.5% of wage-employed buyers, amid rising non-QM origination volume.

Wells Fargo reports couples can successfully run a business together by defining roles, creating long-term plans, maintaining communication, and separating work from personal life.
Brex reports that the cost of the Startup Starter Kit has risen to $4,417, reflecting a 14% increase, with AI tools becoming central to new companies’ spending.

Companies spend six figures on AI. A third of employees don't know what it costs

Zapier reports that companies are significantly investing in AI, with 52% spending over $100K monthly, yet a third of employees are unaware of these costs.
Get Ahead in Business
Your employees have caregiving responsibilities. Is your small business prepared?
Rocket Lawyer reports that small businesses must prepare for employees with caregiving responsibilities by establishing clear policies to avoid confusion and legal issues.
AudioEye reports that a single person can effectively manage a digital accessibility program by owning accountability and prioritization, while outsourcing specialized testing and fixes.
Sinch reports 88% of companies expect AI agents to handle customer interactions by year-end. 
From paychecks to pay transparency, survey shows why payroll is becoming a strategic trust function
Paylocity reports that payroll is evolving from a simple financial process to a strategic function, emphasizing transparency and communication in employee trust.
Intuit QuickBooks reports that payroll costs extend beyond salaries, factoring in software, taxes, and time management.
ERGO NEXT reports that Hispanic-owned businesses are growing 7.7% annually, nearly 17 times the national average, contributing significantly to the U.S. economy.
The most common business automation use cases in 2026, according to 20 million live workflows
Zapier reports the most common business automation tasks in 2026 focus on lead capture, notifications, and record management, covering 81.1% of workflows.
Ironclad reports on overcoming imposter syndrome in procurement, emphasizing the importance of confidence, vulnerability, and strong stakeholder relationships.
Clym reports thousands of businesses face lawsuits under California's 1967 privacy law, stemming from cookie banners not matching actual data tracking practices.