CBP (Springfield)
|
Jazmine Kionna makes strides
Women's Business Center client Jazmine Davis is the 25-year-old founder of Jazmine Kionna, a vegan high-heel shoe line, using new insole technology to achieve ultimate comfort. Her idea came after buying her first, very expensive, designer shoes that hurt so badly she could barely walk. In just one year, she learned the ins and outs (literally!) of how to make shoes, sourced materials, conducted customer discovery interviews, and developed the other things needed to start a business, Davis is finally ready to manufacture. She is unveiling the shoe collection with crowdfunding from her KickStarter campaign, followed by a full-scale launch.
Read more
|
Retail Disrupted at Retail Week 2018
From what it takes to prosper as a Main Street retail store to creating and delivering memorable (and ultimately, profitable) customer experiences, each of the five classes on disrupting retail was packed with powerful lessons for entrepreneurial success. Classes included advice about retailing, franchising, selling, thinking outside the box, and defining customer experience. Attendees raved about the classes and reported that they cannot wait to attend next year's event. Read more.
|
"Lean" class for military community
CBP began an intensive 6-week workshop to help members of the military community (all-era veterans, active-duty military, National Guard, Reservists, military spouses, and family members) learned to use lean methodologies. A cohort of 12 entrepreneurs conducted customer interviews and determined the appropriate business model to launch their respective businesses. The course concluded with the participants pitching their business idea, followed by a graduation ceremony. This program is another reason why CBP was selected as one of five nationwide winners of the US SBA Lean for Main Street Training Challenge. Read more.
|
Key CBP members honored
Juli Monroe, director of the Woman's Business Center, was named September's Employee of the Month by George Mason University in recognition of her tireless work with and advocacy for entrepreneurs.
|
 Cachet Prescott, director of the SBDC, was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Women in Business Initiative at Mason's School of Business. She will serve as an access point in developing top-preforming Mason students, a network of innovation and collaboration, a hub for lifelong learning, and a provider of business insight and support for women in the workplace.
|
 Charles McCaffrey, director of the Veterans Business Outreach Center, was invited to speak at the SBA's Annual VBOC Training Conference and at St. Joseph's University's Veteran Entrepreneurial Jumpstart program. He is recognized throughout the mid-Atlantic as the "go to" person for public policy related to veteran entrepreneurial training and support.
|
MEC-Fairfax
|
So You Want to Sell on Amazon
Wayne Lifshitz, successful inventor, entrepreneur, and e-commerce/Amazon seller, showed nearly 30 attendees how and why to set up shop on Amazon. He explained how to maximize profits. More specifically, he reviewed Amazon's seller plans, fees, and shipping options. He shared his understanding of the "Buy Box," as well as how to get positive reviews.
|
Generate Revenue & Leads with Social Media
The value of using social media to reach customers and drive repeat business and to develop new customers was discussed by Jennene Biggins, herself an entrepreneur with over 19 years of internet and social media experience. She looked at the five most popular -- Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram -- and described how each network works, what different target audiences they reach, and how to use them effectively for different uses.
|
MEC-Fauquier
|
MEC-Fauquier welcomes Commonwise Home Care
According to Chris Gay, managing partner of Commonwise Home Care, "We recently acquired office space at MEC in Warrenton because of the convenient location, amenities, and the unique opportunity to network with other small business owners." He added, "Commonwise provides companionship, personal care services, and care management support wherever our clients call home. We exist to provide the highest quality services . . . through the use of our proprietary, evidence-based selection methodology to ensure every Care Team member demonstrates the competencies necessary to provide exceptional care." www.commonwisecare.com
|
|
