The Virginia SBDC Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, George Mason University-Mason Enterprise, and local host institutions. Full disclosures regarding federal funding are available at https://www.virginiasbdc.org/funding-sources/. The Virginia SBDC is nationally accredited by America’s SBDC. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. | | Quarterly Newsletter - September, 2025 | |
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September, like in our natural world, ushers in a new season—of learning and change.
Our region is navigating an evolving business landscape, and we're constantly learning and adapting, to be of better service and support. Mason SBDC has been busy doing we do best—collaborating and leading the next set of business owners into the path of successful entrepreneurship—through trainings, special programs, knowledge sharing, advice and connecting resources.
From the beginning of this year, Mason SBDC has trained over 1800 attendees on a range of topics taught by our experts through webinars and in-person training events. Mason SBDC services have played a role in helping businesses raise over $24M in capital and create 154 jobs in addition to helping start 18 new businesses this year. Our services are provided at no-cost thanks to the generous sponsorship and support provided by federal and local partners.
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Shared this Issue:
- Client Showcase
- Center Highlights
- Upcoming Trainings & Client Testimonial
| | | Le Bledo’s Digital Makeover | | | | |
Rising & Thriving: How Mason SBDC THRIVE Fueled Le Bledo’s Digital Makeover
By Jonathan Morse, July 2025
Springfield, VA — For over eight years, Thai Huynh has helmed Le Bledo Eatery, delighting Springfield’s diverse community with homemade Vietnamese pastries, robust coffee, and a fusion twist—like the special Cheese Steak Banh Mi that bridges tradition and modern taste. Still, Huynh dreamed bigger: to turn in-store success into a digital showcase—one that would let online seekers easily find, engage, and order from Le Bledo.
Read full article here
| | | Fall Regional Series back for the 2nd year (Prince William County & Town of Herndon) | | |
After last year's success, the Start SMART Small Business Series exclusively for Prince William County is back and ready to begin this Fall. Weekly classes will be presented by Mason SBDC Counselors and Prince William County business experts. Participants receive in-person instruction, advice, and resources over 12 weeks. The goal is to equip them with information and tools to launch and run a business in Prince William County.
Similarly, in keeping with the success and demand from last year, The Town of Herndon will kick off the 3-part Financial Management Series on Oct 1st, of this year with Mason SBDC Director and financial expert, Timm Johnson leading the instructional sessions.
| | | Website optimization workshop - Town of Herndon | | | |  | Mason SBDC's Town of Herndon location held an in-person workshop on website optimization July 24, 2025. The 2-hour workshop led by Mason SBDC Digital Marketing SME, Hussain Shah and facilitated by Dir. for Regional Partnerships, was attended by 20 participants from in and around the Town of Herndon. Following the 1.5 hours of instruction, a select few attendees received a live reading of their website which gave them an insider perspective on their websites. | | | Accelerate Breakfast Series - Pitch Event | | |
On July 10, 2025 Mason SBDC's George Siragusa attended the Accelerate Breakfast Series Pitch event held at the Carahsoft Center, in Reston VA. 5 companies, coached by the Mason SBDC team presented their capabilities to an audience of investors and regional business leaders at the event. One of the 5 presenters, Rory Borgan, CEO of Torev Motors (coached by Senior Business Counselor, George Siragusa) won the People's Choice Award at the sold-out event.
The Accelerate breakfast series brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from the DMV region in an effort to support high potential startups.
| | | Virginia SBDC network at America's SBDC Annual Training Event. | | |
America's SBDC recently held its 46th Annual Training Event from Sept. 2nd-4th in Orlando, Florida. The event hosted 1200 attendees, representing state networks from around the country, with 220 speakers and 208 workshops on topics such as AI, Marketing, Finance, Cybersecurity, Websites, and more.
6 members from the Virginia SBDC network presented, led, or participated in special interest groups at this year's training event. Vijay Vaswani (Mason SBDC Director for Regional Partnerships) co-presented the session 'The Next-Gen Collective: Redefining Leadership Together' with Matthew Jackson (Director, SBDCNet) and Katie Heppner (North Central SBDC at Central Lakes College).
Other noteworthy sessions with representation from the Virginia SBDC network included,
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Aaron Miller, (Virginia SBDC International Business Program) - host - International Interest Section Meeting;
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Jody Keenan, (Virginia SBDC) - SBDC Accreditation session,
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Heather Fay, (Greater Roanoke & NRV SBDC) - co-host- The Training Interest Group,
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Barry Henderson, (Shenandoah Valley SBDC) & Cara Glasheen (Capital Region SBDC) participated in the Capital Access Interest Group at the event.
The Annual Training event brings together over a thousand SBDC professionals and sponsors and exhibitors for learning, networking, and engagement. More - https://nationaltraining.americassbdc.org/
| | Upcoming Trainings (No cost to attend; Registration Required) | | |
Sep 2025
Mapping the Entrepreneurial Road Ahead
Sep 25, 2025; 10 AM - Sign up
October 2025
Financial Management Series
Oct 1,8, & 15 - In-Person
(Herndon only) - Sign up
Government Contracting 101
Oct 1, 2025; 10 AM - Sign up
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Oct 2025 (Cont.)
Preparing your Pitch
Oct 9, 2025; 10 AM - Sign up
Start a Business
Oct 15, 2025; 10 AM - Sign up
Financing Your Small Business
Oct 22, 2025; 10 AM - Sign up
Marketing 101
Oct 29, 2025; 10 AM - Sign up
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Nov 2025
Building Your Value Proposition Design (VPD)
Nov 4; 2025; 10 AM - Sign up
Building Your Business Dashboard Metrics
Nov 13, 2025; 10 AM - Sign up
more workshops
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I just wanted to take a moment on behalf of the EZducate team to sincerely thank you for your time, support, and the valuable advice you’ve shared with us. Your guidance has given us much-needed clarity and direction, and we truly appreciate the thoughtful way you approach every challenge.
It’s clear you care deeply about helping startups grow, and it means a lot to have your support on this journey.
-Karima Askour, Chief Executive Officer, EZducate - www.ezducate.ai
| | Mason SBDC is grateful to the support provided by our local sponsors and partners below. | | | | |
