Office supplier named 2018 'Augusta Entrepreneur'

It sounded like a recipe for failure: Leaving a stable job during the recession to start an office-supply business in a market dominated by big-box retailers and e-commerce giants.

But Garnett L. Johnson was no failure. And on Thursday his against-the-odds success story was recognized by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce as the owner of Augusta Office Solutions was presented the 2018 Augusta's Entrepreneur award.

The business-to-business office-supply firm has experienced double-digit sales growth since he left a position with a big-box office-supply company in 2010. Johnson said he did it "for no other reason to provide a better life for my family."

"I have to give thanks to my Lord and Savior who guides my path every day and who makes the impossible possible and blesses me in all ways imaginable," he said during his acceptance speech at the chamber's Member Economic Luncheon.

Johnson's firm handles business accounts in mid-tier markets such as Augusta, which he says are "underserved" by larger retailers and distributors. He said his company invested heavily in information technology and built strong partnerships with wholesalers to be price-competitive with national chains and Amazon.

"The Office Depots and the Staples do well in cities like Atlanta and Charlotte, but they kind of drop the ball in Augusta, Macon and Columbus," he said. "We could always out-service them, but we just needed to be competitive in pricing, so that was our strategy from the beginning."

While his Augusta Office Solutions focuses on regional business, Johnson's other venture, Integrated Supply Solutions, a certified minority-owned business, provides next-day delivery of more than 25,000 business products to customers nationwide. Johnson's 13-employee company leases space at a Damascus Road office building, but he is developing a 20,000-square-foot office and showroom at the corner of 11th and Telfair streets in downtown Augusta.

"Downtown is where we want to be," said Johnson, an Augusta University graduate who grew up in east Augusta. "It ties in well because we do a lot of business in the medical community. It ties in well with the cyber district."

Johnson serves on the boards of the American Heart Association, CSRA Heart Ball and the Augusta Metro Chamber. The Augusta's Entrepreneur award has been sponsored for several years by South State Bank to honor business owners who have established a record of financial success and community service.

"Our consideration takes into account not just the numbers, but how this individual's success tells the story of seeing obstacles as opportunity, and recognizing the power of community," said Robert Osborne, South State Bank executive vice president.

Johnson thanked his wife, Toni, for her support during the lean years.

"She's been with me though this journey since day one," he said. "Though the bad times and the good times."

DECADE OF WINNERS

Previous recipients of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce's Augusta Entrepreneur award include:

2017 – Lane Keen, Keen Signs & Graphics

2016 – Ellefson Family, Ellefson Transportation Group

2015 – Barry Bryant, Barney’s Pharmacy

2014 – Charles Johnson, EDTS

2013 – Randall W. Hatcher, MAU Workforce Solutions

2012 – Kevin Wade, Intellisystems

2011 – Steven Kendrick, Kendrick Paint & Body

2010 – Angela Swarts, Spherion

2009 – Audrey Snuggs, Sloane Wiggins, Cudos

2008 – Rick Allen, R. W. Allen, LLC

Source: Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce