Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1466725
48 maconmagazine.com | APRIL/MAY 2022 T he pandemic caused much upheaval in all aspects of industry in 2020 and 2021. Truth be told, moving into 2022 some businesses are still feeling lasting effects. COVID-19 left more than human carnage in its wake; the death toll of broken businesses is high. Against seemingly high odds, some entrepreneurs unlocked a secret formula for success during this dark period and took their trade to the next level of success. AMBITIOUS GRAPHICS Ambitious Graphics launched in May 2016 as a graphic design and T-shirt shop with Wayne Woodard and Andreau Adside at the helm. "We started out of Wayne's two- room apartment, then moved to the back of my dad's church before we got our space," Adside said. Woodard described their services by saying they, "Specialize in graphic design but love making T-shirts — that's the sweet spot. We're a one-stop shop for anyone who wants to specialize in something." Currently located on Poplar Street, the shop has plans to move to Third Street in the near future due to its continued growth, which Woodard attributed to the pandemic: "People were able to stay home and work on their dreams." Along with logo designs, signs and pressing T-shirts, the business offers two clothing lines, "For the Love of Macon" and "478," which retail in the shop alongside Woodard's clothing lines, "Comfort for Suckers" and "American Hustle." During the pandemic, Woodard said retail portion of the business took a hit because people weren't shopping in the store. Luckily, the printing portion of the business more than compensated for this loss. The owners of Ambitious Graphics seek to help their customers realize their dreams and lift up their community. "We try to help small businesses as much as we can — branding and rebranding — and doing little events to help our community and give them a platform," Woodard said. Adside said what makes them special is that they "really care about our customers and we want them to come back." SUCCESS THROUGH STRUGGLE THESE BUSINESSES CORNERED THE MARKET DURING THE PANDEMIC BY KRISTEN SOLES MCCRACKIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA WHITLEY This is the second in a series of articles about businesses that launched or thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the first story at maconmagazine.com.