Business Spotlight: Blarney Stoneworks, Aberdeen, NC

Across The Carolinas 4 min read

Expert insights by: Stacy Donathan (VP, Branch Manager)

Nestled in the charming town of Aberdeen, NC, Blarney Stoneworks is a business that’s been deeply rooted in the local community since 2003. Owned by husband and wife duo Michelle and Jeff Rudisill, Blarney Stoneworks is a custom fabricator of natural and engineered stone products. They template, fabricate, and install granite, marble and quartz countertops for both commercial and residential properties in Moore and surrounding counties.

Want to learn more?

Connect with First Bank Blarney Stoneworks Website

Community and craftmanship

At First Bank, we strive to build a community where businesses and individuals alike can thrive. We’re proud to be the bank of choice for cornerstone businesses who share our mission, like Blarney Stoneworks.

Blarney Stoneworks doesn’t just work in the community, they are part of it. Their involvement in local projects and their support for community have made them more than just a provider of high-quality granite, marble, and quartz installations. They value each of their client relationships and understand that every project is as unique as the natural stone they procure.

Whether it’s a sleek new kitchen countertop, a posh bathroom vanity, or a custom outdoor entertainment area, the Blarney Stoneworks team cultivates relationships and ensures the integrity of their work by handling all facets of each project from start to finish. We admire their team’s commitment to making their community a better place, one installation at a time.

Supporting local dreams

When husband and wife duo Michelle and Jeff Rudisill purchased Blarney Stoneworks from Michelle’s family, they wanted every element of their business to reflect their ‘shop local’ mindset, including their bank.

“We wanted a bank that did business the same way as us. We asked our local friends and fellow business owners, and a common thread quickly emerged – to go see our friends at the Southern Pines branch of First Bank. Stacy Donathan quickly became our trusted go to for everything. She has been invaluable in navigating the many needs of our commercial and personal financing needs. They not only helped us secure financing for our business building but now multiple equipment purchases”

– Jeff Rudisill, co-owner, Blarney Stoneworks

Similar to how Michelle and Jeff serve each client with individualized service, Stacy Donathan, First Bank VP and Branch Manager of our Southern Pines branch explains that “Learning the nuances of each business client is paramount to their success. It’s incredible what a custom package of financial products can do for a small business. It has been a joy to watch the Blarney Stoneworks business grow and to be a trusted partner for them each step of the way.”

Empowering growth

We’re proud to offer custom financing solutions to help our neighbors pursue their goals and dreams. Navigating financial decisions as a business owner can be difficult, and that’s why we take a holistic approach to each client. Here are a few First Bank products that we have customized to fit the needs of Blarney Stoneworks to help grow their business:

Business Loans: We offer customized loans for every stage of business, no matter the size. To start this process, take the time to meet with your banker and share as much information as possible about your goals and what you’re looking to achieve.
Business Elite Checking: First Bank recently upgraded our most popular business checking account to offer perks for business owners and their employees – like access to 24/7 telehealth. Your First Bank business expert can walk you through all of the different checking accounts we offer and the benefits they include.
Remote Deposit Capture: This service allows you to make deposits from your office, or any remote site, directly into your First Bank account. It also enables you to upload multiple checks as a single deposit, saving you valuable time and trips to the bank. RDC is one of many treasury services that we offer to keep your business running smoothly.

Join us in celebrating local businesses like Blarney Stoneworks who are committed to making their community a better place to live. As Blarney Stoneworks continues to grow and innovate, First Bank will be there every step of the way, providing financial support and services they need to achieve their dreams.

Discover how First Bank can support your business’s journey to financial independence and prosperity. Visit us today in one of our local branches across North and South Carolina.

Want to learn more?

Connect with First Bank Blarney Stoneworks Website

Expert insights by:

Stacy Donathan, VP, Branch Manager

First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

Southern Supreme Fruitcakes & More – Garage Startup to Global Distributer "I don't like Fruitcake" Not a fan of fruitcake? Neither was Berta Lou Scott until she perfected her version in the 1980s. Her Southern Supreme Fruitcakes have been converting fruitcake foes to fans ever since. Visit the Southern Supreme Fruitcake Online Store A Sweet Success Story Berta Lou Scott’s fruitcake started as Christmas gifts for her friends, family, and clients in their hometown of Bear Creek, NC. Mrs. Scott’s baked goods were always sought after throughout the holidays, but her fruitcake especially garnered attention for its ability to change the minds of those who claim to not like fruitcake. As demand for her fruitcakes increased Mrs. Scott’s late husband, Hoyt Scott, took out a small business loan to increase their production capacity. The Scott family tells their First Bank story like this: “It all started around 1989 when our father/father-in-law “Hoyt Scott” wanted to take out a small business loan. At that time Mr. Jimmie Garner was who we went to see. The story that Hoyt liked to tell was, “I didn’t know who the bigger fool was: the man who wanted to borrow the money to start a Fruitcake business or the man who would loan him the money.” That is what started our relationship with First Bank.” As it turns out they weren’t fools after all. Jimmie Garner went on to become the CEO of First Bank and Hoyt Scott (along with his family) grew Southern Supreme Fruitcakes from their garage to a 40,000 square foot manufacturing, distribution and retail operation where they attract thousands of tourists each year and ship their products globally. Play Not your typical Fruitcake Two big differences set Berta Lou Scott’s fruitcake apart from the rest. Her recipe favors nuts over candied fruit, and her method of slow baking and stirring the dough as it bakes keeps the cakes from becoming dry. In fact, Southern Supreme Fruitcakes will stay fresh and moist without refrigeration for 6 months to a year. This unique baking method has posed a unique set of challenges that the Scott Family has overcome with hard work and ingenuity – something that is on display throughout their manufacturing facility. Thousands of guests tour their kitchen yearly to get a first-hand view of the one-of-a-kind operation which involves a rotating oven that allows trays of dough to move from baking to hand-stirring every 15 minutes until complete. Teams of seasonal workers begin fruitcake production in August and at the height of the Christmas ordering season, they will slowly bake and stir over 3,000 pounds of fruitcake per day. Watch this video to see their kitchen in action > 4 min read

First Bank and Northern Moore Family Resource Center – “Dream It. Do It.” First Bank has partnered with Northern Moore Family Resource Center (NMFRC) for the final quarter of its "Dream It. Do It." contest. 1 min read

Farmer with wooden box full of ripe vegetables

Cool Crops for Chilly Days: How to Plant a Fall Garden, Part 2 To get the inside dirt on gardening goodness, we talked to Julie Thompson-Adolf, who is a master gardener, South Carolina resident, and owner of Garden Delights. Below, in part 2 of this series, she shares some additional tips and tricks to stay green all winter long. Planning and Planting for Spring Vegetables aren’t the only plants to consider for your fall garden. “Fall is for planting, and it is a particularly good time to plant trees and shrubs,” says North Carolina gardener, Helen Yoest, author of Gardening with Confidence and Plants with Benefits. “This autumn, I’m adding 5 more highbush blueberries for my Raleigh garden, along with another fig tree.” Have a smaller space? With newer, dwarf varieties available, fruit trees and bushes can grow in containers on a balcony or patio, perfect for land-challenged homeowners. Along with fruits and vegetables, fall is an ideal time to add to the herb garden. “It’s also garlic planting time in my area,” says Yoest. “I plant starter bulbs in whisky-barrel containers.” Yoest also recommends buying garlic bulbs for planting purposes, as store bought garlic is typically treated with a growth inhibitor, preventing the bulbs from sprouting. Rebecca McKinney, Executive Director of the South Carolina Organization for Organic Living, agrees that fall is the perfect time for alliums. “Perennial alliums are my favorite vegetables,” she says. “I especially love perennial leeks and Egyptian walking onions. Although they take a little more effort than true perennials, if you manage the planting and spacing of the bulbuls, you’ll always have a steady supply.” Immediate Garden Gratification While planting garlic and leeks requires patience until harvesting next summer, you can enjoy almost immediate gratification by creating a beautiful, edible container filled with quickly maturing crops. Use the container design principle of “thriller, spiller, and filler.” Rainbow Swiss chard or Tuscan kale provides an eye-catching, tasty “thriller”—plant it in the center of the container. Add a variety of lettuces around the chard or kale as the “filler.” Lettuce is available in many beautiful colors and textures, such as the heirloom ‘Forellenschluss,’ with its red speckles on bright green leaves. ‘Tom Thumb’ peas serve as a “spiller,” with their dwarf vines, pretty blooms, and crisp pods. To add 4 min read

Business Spotlight: White Dogwood Farm & Stables First Bank client White Dogwood Farm & Stables is a full service breeding and boarding facility started by Elizabeth and Chris White. The Whites truly love horses and their boarding facility offers top notch care, quality feed/hay and daily turnout. 3 min read