The SmallBiz Quarterly
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Greetings District Business Community,
 
National Business Week is here! This is the week where the rest of the country gets to do what DSLBD does every day—celebrate small business! During this week, DSLBD will be engaging with hundreds of businesses across the District at events, summits and even award ceremonies. Below we’ve included a list of some great events planned this week. I would like to cordially invite you to all of it, especially the DSLBD Rooftop Series.
 
The months leading up to Small Business Week have been busy! DSLBD stays focused on ensuring that small businesses can access the competitive District marketplace and be on the front lines of District Government opportunities. Some recent highlights include:
 
  • Awarded $300,000 in Dream Grants to small businesses in Ward 7 & Ward 8;
  • Awarded $100,000 in Aspire Ecosystem grants;
  • Created a new relationship with MWAA that will result in Made in DC products being sold at DCA;
  • Initiated our DC Surety Bond Guarantee program which helps businesses increase their bonding capacity and therefore their ability to grow;
  • Held matchmaking events with Amazon Web Services, DC Treasury and several other primes looking to engage with DC businesses;
  • Logged thousands of technical assistance hours with business seeking to grow and thrive in the District;
  • Hosted over 120 District small and local businesses at DSLBD’s first Small Business Open House; and,
  • Hosted a Sports Betting information/networking session in partnership with DC Lottery.
 
These are just of the few of the ways DSLBD has been working for District small and local business community.
 
Last but not least, I am excited to announce that we have opened another round of Robust Retail Grants. We have set aside these grants to assist retail businesses as market realities change across the District. This year alone, DSLBD will be awarding more than $800,000 in Robust Retail Grants. I invite you to learn more about these grants and apply at: https://dslbd.dc.gov/node/1396036 .
 
I would like to thank the DSLBD staff for their commitment to assisting small businesses and ensuring that we continue to accomplish our agency goals. I look forward to continued feedback from small business owners and community leaders as we strive to create an environment of connectivity to local, federal, and global opportunities, and access to capital for DC businesses.
 
Sincerely,
Director Kristi Whitfield
MONDAY | MAY 6

DSLBD ROOFTOP SERIES: AMAZON WEB SERVICES MIXER
601 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, NW
MAY 6, 2019 / 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM

All DC Small Businesses are invited; however, we are targeting IT businesses, procurement professionals and decisions makers with IT-related needs.

TUESDAY | MAY 7

POWERUP DC 2019 – BIG IMPACT
RONALD REAGAN BUILDING & INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER
1300 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
MAY 7, 2019 / 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM

POWERUP DC 2019 is a powerful business opportunity that provides invaluable information and resources to business owners and nonprofit professionals who have an interest in starting, growing and flourishing their business. With a range of professional business seminars, workshops and relationship building networking sessions, POWERUP DC 2019 is designed specifically to support DC small business owners, entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders on their pathway to success.

WEDNESDAY | MAY 8

FIND YOUR FUTURE: CITYWIDE RESOURCE & EMPOWERMENT EXPO
ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS ARENA – CONGRESS HEIGHTS
1100 OAK DRIVE, SE
MAY 8, 2019 / 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

The DC Department of Human Services (DHS), DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), and DC Public Schools (DCPS) invite you to attend our upcoming resource and empowerment expo. Customers will be able to access DHS services and supports, DOES training and employment programs, and many supportive programs supporting a Fair Shot for you and your family. 

DSLBD ROOFTOP SERIES: M&T BANK MIXER
1805 7TH STREET, NW
MAY 8, 2019 / 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM

All DC Small Businesses are invited; however, we are targeting Construction businesses and Real Estate Developers, procurement professionals and decisions makers with construction-related needs.

FRIDAY | MAY 10

2019 SMALL BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT
WALTER E. WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
801 MOUNT VERNON PLACE, NW
MAY 10, 2019 / 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

The DC Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Small Business and Economic Development Summit is the Chamber’s annual event recognizing business accomplishments and connecting corporate and government buyers with Washington area business.

TUESDAY | MAY 14

DCRA’S BUILD IT IN DC EVENT
WALTER E. WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
801 MOUNT VERNON PLACE, NW
MAY 14, 2019 / 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Build It In DC is a conference hosted by DCRA to inspire, inform and connect government resources with business leaders, residents and entrepreneurs looking to conduct business in the District of Columbia. DCRA has re-envisioned the event to span multiple industries including real estate, restaurants, retail and more to showcase the changes taking place across the agency around Vision 2020; a technology driven initiative to improve efficiencies and processes led by Interim Agency Director, Earnest Chrappah. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn and network with a variety of stakeholders from the public and private sector including your company/organization. 

WEDNESDAY | MAY 15

THE DC RETAIL SUMMIT
THE LINE HOTEL DC
1770 EUCLID STREET, NW
MAY 7, 2019 / 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

The DC Retail Summit is a gathering of local retailers, entrepreneurs, and members of the small business community to discover ways we can build and grow DC’s retail economy.

THURSDAY | MAY 16

WARD 4 SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT
PEOPLES CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
4704 13th STREET, NW
MAY 16, 2019 / 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Councilmember Todd invites Ward 4 small business owners to the 2nd Annual Ward 4 Small Business Summit! We are excited to announce that giving the keynote presentation will be Director Kristi Whitfield of the Department of Small and Local Business Development. This event is designed to provide you with information, resources, and support to attract more business.
THE DC BUSINESS TOOLKIT
If you have not gotten the chance yet, check out the DC Business Toolkit. The DC Business Toolkit is an interactive online portal that centralizes the vast number of business assistance resources that are available citywide through DSLBD, sister agencies and service providers. This allows District businesses and residents exploring entrepreneurship to quickly find and use these tools to open, operate and grow their business in the District of Columbia.

Additionally, the DC Business Toolkit helps businesses promote themselves to prospective customers and make unique B2B connections with local vendors. Some examples of business assistance resources include: funding, classes, forms, regulatory guidance, coaching. 
APPLY FOR ROBUST RETAIL GRANTS
The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that we will be accepting applications for the Spring 2019 Robust Retail: Citywide grants on a rolling basis starting April 15, 2019 and closing June 15, 2019.

A robust retail sector is critical to maintaining the vibrancy of DC neighborhoods, but market realities are changing for retail businesses. Thus the Robust Retail grant(s) support existing DC-based retail businesses adapting their business model to meet changing customer demand. DSLBD encourages but does not require applicants to include Made in DC products as part of their concept for business model redesign.

DSLBD intends to award up to $10,000 per business for a total of 40 businesses from the $400,000 in available funding for spring/summer 2019. Funds must be fully expended with appropriate receipts and accounting by September 30, 2019.
RECENT DSLBD GRANT AWARDEE LIST
Lastly, DSLBD would like to congratulate and announce some recent grant awardees. Please see the below list:

Dream Grant Awardees

  1. BOWMAN VISUAL MEDIA
  2. Colemans Kitchen
  3. Carrots DC
  4. FIRE PREVENTION SIMMS HOOD CLEANERS LLC
  5. FP2 Barbershop
  6. Gym Jonez Global Fitness
  7. Helping Hands Cleaning Service, LLC
  8. I-M, LLC
  9. Janet & Jo.
  10. DC Sustainable Design Build (SDB)
  11. Madelynn's Bake Sale LLC
  12. Market 7
  13. Nailbed & Bar, LLC
  14. PINKE'S E.A.T.S LLC.
  15. Plum Good Limited Liability Company
  16. Salon on the Ave
  17. TCG Property Care
 
Northeasterly Grant Awardees
 
  1. GUERILLA ARTS INK LLC
  2. Penny Brew 
 
Living Wage Grant Awardee

  1. Think Local First
 
Grown in DC Grant Awardees

  1. Community Foodworks
  2. FRESHFARM
  3. Dreaming Out Loud
 
WeAspire Awardees

  1. Coming Home Collective
  2. Communities in Practice
  3. 20 degrees
DSLBD IN THE COMMUNITY
DSLBD testifying at the FY20 Budget Oversight Hearing.
Councilmember McDuffie and staffer engage with DSLBD at the FY20 Budget Oversight Hearing.
DSLBD Team at the GOOD Project Gala.
Director Whitfield introduces Mayor Muriel Bowser before she receives a GOOD Project Award.
DSLBD Certifications Program Manager Melissa Resil presenting before the Kuwaiti Delegation about the DSLBD certification process.
DSLBD met with Kuwaiti Delegation to talk about District practices and the CBE program.
DSLBD recognizes our great Administrative Professionals.
Director Whitfield meeting with young DC Makers.
DSLBD engaging with partners and businesses at DSLBD's Coverage & Capital Event.
Director Whitfield, SBA Area Director Earnest Knott, Jr. and DSLBD Business Opportunities Program Manager Michael Bing at DSLBD's Coverage & Capital Event
Patricia, DSLBD representative, engaging with businesses at DSLBD's Coverage & Capital Event.
Director Whitfield and Mayor's Office on Women's Policy and Initiatives Director Porter on the District Pink Tax Tour.
Director Whitfield and H Street Main Street leader and community advocate, Anwar, on the Pink Tax Tour.
Director Whitfield congratulates this year's class of Community Connection's Ward 8 Speedy Greens Program participants.
Director Whitfield encouraging a young, future entrepreneur at the CNHED Small Business Kickoff Event.
Director Whitfield and the District's small and local business community celebrate the start of National Small Business Week at the CNHED Kickoff Event.
DC DEPARTMENT OF SMALL & LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (DSLBD) | Website