Mason Enterprise Center Newsletter
July 2016 Newsletter 
 



















Spotlight  MEC-Fauquier

Ignite Fauquier fires up businesses
MEC-Fauquier was instrumental in creating "Ignite Fauquier," designed to help companies "fire up their business." On the first Wednesday of every month, a business or organization will present a challenge they are facing. Attendees then brainstorm ways to address the challenge. Ignite Fauquier launched on Wednesday, July 6, from 9:00 am to 10 am, at the Warrenton Visitor's Center (33 N. Calhoun St.). Everyone can benefit from the ideas exchanged and the connections made. 
New medical center for veterans announced at MEC-Fauquier  
Speaking to an overflowing room of attendees at MEC-Fauquier, Miles Friedman, Fauquier County's Director of Economic Development, announced Governor Terry McAuliffe's approval of a new medical treatment center for veterans. The long-awaited center will be located at Vint Hill and will be named the Puller Center, in honor of an entire family of veterans. 

Sean Mallon, Mason's new AVP, visits MEC-Fauquier 
Sean Mallon (third from the right), the new Associate Vice President for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at George Mason University, was welcomed at MEC-Fauquier where he met and interacted with MEC clients, members of the advisory board, and representatives from the County Board of Supervisors. Also present were Miles Friedman, Fauquier County's Director of Economic Development, and Heather Stinson, Warrenton's Economic Development Manager.

MEC-Fairfax

"Meet the Coaches" at MEC-Fairfax
GMU-trained leadership and executive coaches came to MEC-Fairfax on June 23 to discuss how to unlock the hidden potential in your business and personal life.  LTG (Retired) Michael Rochelle talked about emotional intelligence (EQ) and unlocking potential followed by a world café, a speed-dating-style format to introduce participants to three executive coaches.  The MEC partnership with Mason-trained coaches was initiated to bring leadership development resources to emerging business owners affiliated with MEC and the City of Fairfax.  Read More...  
General Assembly offers courses at MEC-Fairfax 
MEC-Fairfax will serve as the Northern Virginia pilot location for courses offered by General Assembly (GA), a global educational company.  The courses teach in-demand skills across data, design, business, and technology.  These courses are designed to close the skills gap through best-in-class instruction and connect job seekers with companies needing talent with relevant skills. This summer, GA will be offering Introduction to SQL (July 11th) and Web Development-Let's Break it Down (July 19th) at MEC-Fairfax. Both classes are free.   

CPB Springfield
CPB Springfield welcomes new staff 
There are new faces at the Women's Business Center! Juli Monroe joined as a Program Manager, and Jessica Smith is the new Business Counselor. Both are eager to help new clients. Juli (pictured right) has worked as a social media and networking coach and will share her marketing expertise with WBC clients.She is the published author of The Enthusiastic Networker, which was recently featured on Lifehacker as one of the Best Business Books to read in 2016.  Read more... 
Retail Week at CBP (Springfield) 
The SBDC at CBP hosted its 5th Annual Northern Virginia Retail Week providing education and networking opportunities for retail business owner -- whether virtual, home-based, mobile or brick-and-mortar establishments. This year, over 150 attendees participated in 5 workshops including:  

Commercial Leasing & Site Selection and Negotiation

Food as a Business, including a session on Costing and Menu Creation

The Business Behind the Arts

Digital Marketing and Search Engine Optimization for retailers

From Prototype to Manufacturing

 Read More..  


MEC-Leesburg 

Innovation Solutions' student challenge expands statewide 
Innovative Solutions Consortium, a MEC-Leesburg member, is challenging the students of Virginia to pitch creative solutions for tough challenges facing education today. This program is an expansion of a local program for Loudoun County students and businesses held in 2015. "This is another level of education for students -- it's about them coming up with solutions that impact the world they live in," said Ken Spedden, founder of Innovative Solutions Consortium. The top student projects will be presented at a one day program and may be prototyped or brought to market.  http://loudounnow.com/2016/06/21/student-solutions-challenge-expands-statewide/   
Makpar at MEC-Leesburg secures HUBZone certification
Makpar Corporation, a woman-owned small business and MEC-Leesburg member, announced that it has secured the US Small Business Administration certification as a HUBZone business. Seema Khan, President and CEO of Makpar Corporation said, "This certification provides an attractive opportunity for partnership with large prime contractors who are looking for capable and reliable small businesses who can deliver what they promise."  This program stimulates economic development and creates jobs by providing contract preference to small HUBZone certified businesses. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sba-designates-makpar-corporation-hubzone-certified-company-khan  

MEC New Clients 

GloMo
MEC-Fauquier
GloMo is a northern Virginia wireless communications innovator with the slogan "innovative products for a global mobile world."   COO Tom Neff said, "We began in 2013 to find solutions to communications problems experienced by missionaries overseas.  We've since initiated a research project to develop a low-cost flat satellite antenna with no moving parts that can be used on the move."   
Neff decided on MEC-Fauquier because it provides a business address and meeting space in downtown Warrenton, close to home.  Neff said, "It's affiliated with a prestigious university, and the price was quite reasonable -- all of which seem to be very conducive to effectively growing our company on a budget.  We're looking forward to a fruitful relationship with the MEC and plan to utilize all of their resources."   Read more...