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...

Woman and man smiling with crossed arms. Financial Wellness headline between them.

First Bank Recognized For Innovative Financial Wellness Program Recently, First Bank was recognized by CardRates.com with their Editor’s Choice award for the bank’s innovative approach to providing financial wellness and community support. Specifically highlighting the bank’s First@Work Program, the CardRates.com team writes, “First Bank’s efforts to deliver meaningful financial education resources to the communities it serves help fulfill its mission as a community bank. It also makes it stand out as an institution that is going the extra mile for its customers.” Check out the full article on the CardRates.com site. 1 min read

2024 Awards and Accolades 2024 Awards & Recognition – First Bank 2024 Best Employer – XL, Business NC Magazine 2024 Best Places to Work, Triad Business Journal Maggy Award – Best Financial Institution – Cary Branch, Cary Magazine 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Bank – Finalist – Dunn Branch, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Bank – Bronze – Lillington Branch, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Customer Service – Finalist – Lillington Branch, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank – Asheville North Branch, Best of WNC 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank – Asheville Downtown Branch, Mountain Xpress 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank – Asheville East Branch, Mountain Xpress 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank for Small Business – Asheville North Branch, Best of WNC 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank for Small Business – Asheville Downtown Branch, Best of WNC 2024 Best of WNC – Best Bank for Small Business – Asheville East Branch, Best of WNC 2023 Greenwich Awards in Small Business, Greenwich Awards in Small Business 2024 Awards & Recognition – First Bank Associates Power List 2024 – Richard Moore, Business NC Magazine Power List 2024 – Mike Mayer, Business NC Magazine 2024 C Suite Awards – Adam Currie, Triad Business Journal Cornerstone Award – Hugh Bingham, United Way of Moore County Best Teller – Frances Rouse, The Dillon Herald Volunteer of the Year – Dawn Morton, Asheboro/Randolph County Chamber of Commerce 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Teller – Silver – Ann Lyles, Dunn Daily Record 2024 Best of Harnett Co – Best Teller – Bronze – Mireya Cantor, Dunn Daily Record 2 min read

The First 80 Years of First Bank As we close 2015, we take a look back at the first 80 wonderful years in First Bank's history, from 1935 when we opened as the Bank of Montgomery in Troy, North Carolina to our expansion across three states. 1 min read

The downtown Asheville team is pictured here doing the location ribbon cutting.

How A Great Company Culture Helps Grow Your Business How Company Culture Helps Grow Your Business With Kim O'Quinn, Chief Culture Officer It's easy to think of having a strong company culture as a fun perk rather than a fundamental part of running a successful business. But what if we told you that investing deeply in your company culture could increase the value of your business by more than 200%? Making that investment, while it pays dividends, may be trickier than it seems. The HR management platform Dayforce found that while more than 80% of executives reported investing in company culture, less than half of workers agreed. Here's the thing: culture isn’t defined by a company's leaders. It's created by the choices employees make every day. It's the heartbeat of your business—the way people treat one another, the way they show up for customers, and the energy that fills your workplace. Your company culture affects your bottom line It's a mistake to think about company culture like a dessert after dinner. It's not just a feel-good extra that's only worth considering once the main course of day-to-day business is already tucked away. In fact, company culture is a direct driver of business performance. It affects your bottom line in some ways that are easy to measure—and some that aren't. When an employee feels valued and genuinely enjoys coming to work, they'll bring more energy, creativity, and care to their role. That translates into delighting customers, supporting teammates, and sharing innovative ideas. Enthusiastic employees are also more likely to stick around and grow with the company. At its core, culture is about shared values, beliefs, and behaviors. What makes it distinct is that it's lived every day… not just written in a handbook or hung up on a wall. - Kim O'Quinn Chief Culture Officer at First Bank At First Bank, we saw the difference firsthand when we rolled out our new mission statement in 2014. As a community-focused bank, we wanted to root ourselves in an authentic identity that reflected both our organizational goals and the day-to-day experience of our employees. That's how our Promise to Service Excellence was born. When our employees bought in, everything changed. Over the next few years, we saw higher engagement and measurable results—including more than a 200% increase in our stock price. Building your company culture isn’t an indulgence. It’s an investment that pays off. 5 min read