Two together are better than one

If Widelity and JMtel, two wireless telecommunications companies, hadn't been neighbors at MEC-Fairfax, they never would have banded together to take their shows on the road . . . to Barcelona!  They won STEP grants, managed by Virginia Economic Development Partnership to finance the trip to Spain, to exhibit at Mobile World Congress, the largest of its kind. The result?  They increased business relationships with existing clients, won new clients, recruited new staff to take advantage of new connected transportation opportunities, and had a blast.  Both companies said it was absolutely worth it, and neither would have done it on his own.

INF Robotics wins Mature Tech Innovator

Rudy the Robot led INF Robotics to win the Greater Washington Mature Tech Innovator of the Year, from the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.  Robotics guru Anthony Nunez, a recognized leader in robotics/AI, led the team that developed the technology for Rudy, a caregiver for seniors that takes advantage of IoT connectivity and infrastructure to provide enhanced and affordable digital health benefits.  http://www.novachamber.org/innovation-award-winners-2018-press-release.html 

MEC-Fairfax hosts Meet & Greet Your Neighbors

MEC-Fairfax welcomes Skoolar

Skoolar.com provides 21 million American college students with a free web app to build an online presence, which will enhance internship and career opportunities.  Skoolar connects students with other students, based on their school, major, class year, courses, and profile attributes.  While students engage with each other by asking questions, sharing experiences, showcasing their achievements, and providing feedback to others, they are also building a reputation score and profile to stand out with employers.  Skoolar chose MEC-Fairfax for its proximity to George Mason University, its staff, and its students, as well as for the benefits of flexible space, networking opportunities, and counseling services available at MEC.

MEC-Fauquier resident now a GMU student 

MEC-Fauquier resident Karen David found that office space, conference room, small business classes, and one-on-one support are only a few of the great advantages at the MEC-Fauquier. She said, "More important is the attentive presence, relationship, and support that Renee and the MEC-Fauquier continue to give me and my business, Live Life Well, LLC.  They are an asset for me, as a micro business owner. I can be heard, connected, and supported in my business. Since I have been accepted into the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University, I am continuing my journey to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. I see the MEC-Fauquier supporting not only my business at the present moment but also in the future." 

CBP judges at 2018 DECA conference 

Jessica Smith (Women's Business Center) and Maribel Feliciano (Veterans Business Outreach Center) served as judges for the 2018 International Collegiate Career Development Conference (ICDC), hosted by Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), an international student organization serving 225,000+ high school and college students in the US and abroad. Students take courses in business, marketing, management, entrepreneurship, finance, and hospitality. Smith and Feliciano judged the sales management and international market portions respectively. In both cases, students had to find innovation solutions to corporate problems.  Read more

Port City Brewing exports its beers

Port City Brewing needed research on labeling, regulations, customs, and market analyses for Canada, France, and Singapore and turned to Virginia SBDC's International Business Development program for help.  They got it, plus great exposure to federal and state agencies who work with international companies. Recently, Port City invited staff from the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship to attended a briefing and tour at the brewery. Others who helped along the way were included -- people from GMU, Virginia SBDCs, USEAC, VEDP, VDACS, the Virginia/DC District Export Council, CEO of America's SBDC "Tee" Rowe, Alexandria City Councilman John Chapman, and Anh Phan from Senator Mark Warner's office. Great beer was sampled by all.  Read more

Mason students win scholarships for work in international trade

Christopher Sampah and Michelle Melo are Market Research Associates for the Virginia SBDC International Business Development program. Each received scholarships from the Virginia International Business Council for their work and burgeoning expertise in international trade.  Michelle is pursuing her MAIS in Social Entrepreneurship, while Chris is getting his MS in statistics. Student employees in the International Business Development program, led by Aaron Miller (r), International Trade Manager for the Virginia SBDC,  took home three out of six scholarships awarded to students from universities across the Commonwealth. Not pictured is Sarah Sadowski.

PTAP client succeeds in male-dominated IT industry

With help from PTAP, Tonya Buckner started Buckner Management & Technology, Inc., a consulting firm providing cybersecurity, information technology,  infrastructure, information technology, integrated management, and supply-chain management solutions to the Department of Defense. Additional knowledge and skills gained from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program allowed BucknerMT to expand into other government agencies, as well as the commercial sector.  An Army veteran, Buckner says, "It is important to remember that there is competitive strength through diversity.  We need to continue to encourage women participation, urge leadership support, improve managerial relationships, and implement programs that hold companies accountable." Read more