Small Business of the Month | | |
Mia Bailey
Founder and CEO
So Respond
Small Business Spotlight
This month, Women of Prince George’s is pleased to spotlight Mia Bailey, Founder & CEO of So Respond, a consultancy that supports nonprofit, foundation, and corporate leaders committed to social responsibility and creating meaningful impact.
Mia relaunched So Respond in January 2025 after nearly two decades in the federal workforce. Her transition into entrepreneurship represents a new chapter—one that allows her to bring years of professional experience into work centered on helping organizations think strategically, engage the people who matter to their mission, and strengthen their ability to carry that mission forward.
Through So Respond, Mia works with social-impact leaders in three primary areas: Strategic Planning, including Vision & Strategy Sessions; Facilitation & Stakeholder Engagement; and Capacity-Building & Training.
Together, these services are designed to help organizations create greater clarity around where they are going, bring important voices into the conversation, and develop the internal strength needed to move their work forward. For leaders and organizations committed to social responsibility, this type of support can create the space needed to step away from day-to-day demands and focus more intentionally on vision, strategy, engagement, and long-term capacity.
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As a newer entrepreneur, Mia is also intentional about surrounding herself with people who understand the realities of building a business. One of the things she hopes to gain through her engagement with Women of Prince George’s is access to the knowledge and mentorship of seasoned women business owners who have already experienced the challenges and rewards of building, maintaining, and growing successful companies.
That desire to learn from others reflects something Mia also values about doing business in Prince George’s County: community. She describes the County as a unique and nurturing environment for entrepreneurs, particularly Black entrepreneurs, because business owners are surrounded by people who have taken risks, built successful enterprises, and developed the mindset needed to keep moving forward.
For an entrepreneur still establishing and growing a business, being able to see those examples matters. Mia believes that community, support, and access to resources are crucial to entrepreneurial success. Prince George’s County, in her view, provides an environment where entrepreneurs can find not only resources, but also encouragement in seeing other business owners pursuing their goals and succeeding.
Looking ahead, Mia’s focus is clear: she wants to continue building a successful consultancy that allows her to work alongside social-impact leaders who are committed to making the world a better place for all. As So Respond continues to grow, its work remains centered on helping mission-driven organizations strengthen the strategies, conversations, and organizational capacity that support the impact they hope to create.
Mia’s journey also reflects an important part of entrepreneurship—the willingness to take experience gained in one chapter of a career and use it to build something new. As she continues developing So Respond, she is doing so with a commitment to meaningful work, continued learning, strong community, and connection with other entrepreneurs who understand what it takes to grow.
We look forward to following Mia Bailey and So Respond as the business continues its journey within the Prince George’s County entrepreneurial community.
Business Contact
Mia Bailey
Founder and CEO
So Respond
Website:www.sorespond.com
Email:info@sorespond.com
| | Entrepreneur Tip of the Month | |
Focus Area
Reflection & Expansion
| |  | Key Tips: Before moving into your next growth phase, take time to reflect on how far your business has come. Review what worked, what fell short, and which efforts produced the strongest results. Celebrate your wins—both big and small—then use those insights to identify where you want to improve, invest, or expand next. Growth becomes more intentional when it is built on the lessons and progress you have already made. | | | Hope you had a great summer!!! | | If you know the location of these photos, then you know- awesome energy and vibe! |
| Business Dilemma Scenario | | |
A Business Dilemma: Scenario for Group Exercise
Every month, we present a realistic workplace challenge. After reading it aloud, have participants discuss:
- What’s the core issue?
- What are the possible actions?
- What are the risks and consequences?
- What would they do and why?
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The High Performer With a Bad Attitude
One employee consistently produces excellent results but frequently speaks disrespectfully to coworkers, dismisses their ideas, and creates tension during meetings. Leadership is hesitant to intervene because the employee brings in significant revenue.
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💬 Discussion Prompt: Should performance ever outweigh behavior when evaluating an employee? What message does inaction send to the rest of the team?
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🧠 Suggested Answer to Business Dilemma Scenario
Answer: Address the behavior promptly and privately. Clearly explain that strong performance does not excuse conduct that harms the team. Establish specific behavioral expectations, document the conversation, and provide a timeline for improvement. Continued misconduct should result in appropriate consequences.
| | | | | A New Approach to WPG Educational Modules | | |
This fall, Women of Prince George’s is expanding how we deliver educational and professional development opportunities to our community.
During September, October, and November, rather than producing each Educational Module ourselves, WPG will highlight and connect our supporters with select educational and training events offered by our trusted partners. This approach allows us to broaden the experience and give our community access to an even greater variety of industry leaders, business resources, professional development, supplier diversity and procurement information, and relationship-building opportunities that can help move your business forward.
It is another way for WPG to extend the value of our network—by connecting you not only with what we create, but also with the expertise, programs, and opportunities available throughout our broader business community.
How It Will Work
Our participating partners will provide WPG with information about their upcoming events, including event flyers and live links for registration and/or additional information. WPG will then post those opportunities on our Events page, making it easy for you to review what is available and register directly for the programs that are most relevant to you.
Throughout September, October, and November:
- Visit the WPG Events page to see current partner educational and training opportunities.
- Review the event flyers and details to find programs that match your business or professional interests.
- Use the live registration or information links provided by each partner event to learn more or RSVP directly with the organization. They will be able to answer your questions directly.
Your Fall Learning Hub
Make the WPG Events page one of your regular stops this fall. New partner opportunities will be shared there as we receive them.
September • October • November Educational & Training Events
WPG Events: https://womenofpg.com/events/
Connect. Learn. Discover new opportunities—and take advantage of the strength of the WPG partner network.
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WPG Mission Statement
The Women of Prince George’s leverages a strategic roster of business relationships across the Washington, D.C. area to build mutually beneficial connections between key businesses and local women. The organization connects professional women and entrepreneurs with neighboring markets while providing exposure for businesses serving the Prince George’s County community. Through mentorship, education, workshops, and professional guidance, The Women of Prince George’s strives to educate women, strengthen families and communities, and elevate economic opportunity and leadership on a global scale.
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