Mason SBDC Newsletter: December 2019

Issue 4: December 2019

Mason Small Business Development Center

Providing guidance that will turn your ideas into an enterprise

Mason SBDC Newsletter

December 2019

Season's Greetings

Winter is a great time for businesses to evaluate yearly performance and chart a course for the upcoming year. Assessing the financial health of the business requires setting aside some time to plan. In addition, reviewing the map of your client base to ensure expansion in the near future, end-of-the-year team meetings (including consultants), real estate planning, etc. are a few things worth considering as the year comes to a close.

This December, Mason Small Business Development Center is reflective and thankful for much!

The program achieved major milestones in 2019, a result of great partnerships, exemplary coordination and teamwork between friends and supporters of the program. Mason SBDC grew this year on several fronts. The program expanded services to the City of Manassas & Eastern Prince William County in January and July respectively. Furthermore the addition of new counselors, coordination team-members, training workshops, friends and clients have been major achievements for the program.

Our cup truly runs over!

With immense gratitude, the Mason Small Business Development Center wishes you all a Beautiful Holiday Season and looks forward to brighter & bigger things together in 2020!!

Client Showcase

BOARD & BRUSH

From the outside, it looks like a charming shop with an artsy feel. Once inside, there’s no mistaking this is a place for creativity to blossom, DIY confidence to take hold, and memories to be made. The Fairfax, Va., Board & Brush Creative Studio, located at 11215 Lee Highway, is celebrating its 2 ^nd anniversary in business, complete with a birthday celebration on Saturday, January 22nd from 6-9 pm.

There will door prizes, a free hand towel for each registered guest to make, cake and champagne to mark the special occasion. All guests must be registered to attend. For more information on the studio and to sign up for a workshop to create your own home décor piece register for of art, log on to: https://boardandbrush.com/fairfax/#Calendar-workshop

The Fairfax studio is the first of three (the others are in Ashburn and Fredericksburg) for wife-and-husband owners Raquel and Andy Gladieux, both service-disabled veterans who served in the Navy for a combined 36 years. The couple honed their DIY skills while ... click to continue reading

Our Team's Involvement

Timm Johnson leads first training workshop at Eastern Prince William County

The Mason Small Business Development Center held it's first training session in Eastern Prince William County on Sep. 25th, 2019 at the Dumfries Town Hall.

The workshop entitled - Local SEO and Social Media Marketing was presented by Program Director, Timm Johnson.

2019 Fairfax County Small Business Forum

Mason SBDC was represented by several team-members at the 2019 Fairfax County Small Business Forum .

The annual event is a great avenue for vendors to participate, network and learn from business experts. Local business support organizations, with county business representatives provide attendees and vendors with a forum to showcase their services/goods while being apprised of information related to selling to the county.

Reverse Trade Show

Senior Counselor, George Siragusa was a Mason SBDC exhibitor at the Reverse Trade show held on Oct 22nd at George Mason University's Science and Technology campus.

The event organized by the Prince William County, Prince William County Public Schools, Stafford County and Stafford County Public Schools highlights information for vendors seeking to do business with the counties and school systems.

Team attends Virginia SBDC's Professional Development Conference

The Mason SBDC team was a part of a 3-day Professional Development Conference held form Nov. 19-21 at Virginia Beach. Representatives from SBDCs throughout the state took part in the conference organized by the Virginia SBDC . Attendees from Mason SBDC leadership, counseling team and coordination team took part in the conference.

The event had breakout sessions on several topics among which Mason SBDC Program Director, Timm Johnson presented a session on cyber security threats and SBDC initiatives to support clients.

Commercial Real Estate Showcase

The Prince William Chamber of Commerce held it's Commercial Real Estate Showcase event - Prince William: Region of Opportunity - Where Business Can Grow. Representatives from our team included Mason SBDC Senior Counselor, Tiffany Hosey and Technology Coordinator, Toby R. at the event which was held at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Va.

CVPA students visit Mason SBDC to learn about entrepreneurship

A group of students from GMU's Center for Visual and Performing Arts visited the Mason SBDC on December 4th. The group from the 'Entrepreneurship for Artists' class were presented with an overview of the center's services by Program Director, Timm Johnson.

Business concepts such as establishing an entity, funding sources, grant writing and networking were addressed during the informative session.

The presentation covered program resources, services and support available to the business community. It also conveyed how Mason SBDC would be of support to their entrepreneurial endeavors within the creative industry.

Craft Beverage Business Strategy Workshop

Mason SBDC held its first Craft Beverage Business Strategy Workshop at the Bristow, Va. distillery, Murlarkey Distilled Spirits on Dec. 11th. The session was presented by Virginia SBDC International Trade Specialist, Chris Van Orden. Attendees included Craft Beverage business owners, leadership from Mason SBDC and its sponsors.