E-Newsletter

Ono Brewery owners get spotlight at Sept. 14 entrepreneurship workshop

Aspiring entrepreneurs can get start-up tips from Scott and Cyndi Hoffman, the founders/owners of Ono Brewing Company in Chantilly, during Fairfax County Economic Development Authority’s next  Entrepreneurship 101 virtual workshop  on Tuesday, September 14.

Held every other month, Entrepreneurship 101, or “E-101,” is a virtual workshop that features a panel of small business experts on how to start a business. The expert presenters will be Cindy Butler, Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia, Community Business Partnership; Meagan Kiefer, Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives; Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; and Nirav “Nick” Rajpara, U.S. Small Business Administration – Washington, D.C., District Office.

Participants receive step-by-step information that covers registering a business, permitting requirements, business feasibility and business plan basics, business certifications, financing options and government resources.

Scott and Cyndi Hoffman are the founders and owners of Ono Brewing Company. (Photo courtesy of Ono Brewing Company)

In addition, the workshop features an “Entrepreneur Spotlight,” with guest speakers who will discuss their entrepreneurial journey and share valuable tips for business success. This session’s guest speakers will be Scott and Cyndi Hoffman, the founders/owners of Ono Brewing Company. Ono Brewing Company is a family-owned and operated brewery in Chantilly with a unique tropical tasting room, self-serve beer wall and full-time BBQ vendor, Odd BBQ, serving daily in the tasting room.

“Starting a business together has been one of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding things we have ever done,” said Cyndi Hoffman. “We look forward to sharing our journey into entrepreneurship with others in the community.”

Ono Brewing Company has a self-serve tap room. (Photo courtesy of Ono Brewing Company)

Prior to opening Ono Brewing Company in 2017, Scott spent 20 years as an engineer and program manager. With a focus on innovation and excellence, and a passion for brewing beer, Scott used his engineering skills to open the area’s first brewery with a self-serve taproom.

“The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority thanks Scott and Cyndi Hoffman for joining us to talk about their entrepreneurial journey,” said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the FCEDA. “The steps they took will be of great interest to our attendees, who look to success stories for inspiration and motivation. We are fortunate to have self-starters like the Hoffmans in our business community.”

To register for the September 14 E101 workshop, please  click here.

Presented by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, the Community Business Partnership (CBP) and the U.S. Small Business Administration, the webinar provides an overview of business start-up fundamentals.

All participants who attend the entire webinar will receive a virtual “notebook” of business resource information. Networking opportunities will be provided during the event.


Webinar on digital infrastructure in Fairfax County set for Sept. 16

Join us for “Power of Innovation: The Digital Infrastructure Evolution in Fairfax County,” an insightful webinar event on Thursday, September 16, that explores how our strong digital infrastructure is powering innovation in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia. Presented by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, this is a vitally important conversation, as businesses depend on a robust digital environment for critical operations and customer outreach.

Take a deep dive with us and hear from industry experts on how the region has created one of the strongest digital infrastructure networks in the world that benefits Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and is one reason why Fairfax County is home to 8,700 technology companies.

With opening remarks to be delivered by Victor Hoskins, president and CEO, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, speakers will include:

  • Adam Noll, co-founder, Chief Commercial Officer, Tenebris
  • Gerardo Bonilla, head of sales, North America, Telxius
  • Brouk Eshetu, assistant general manager, Mid Atlantic, Coresite
  • Nilesh Shroff, executive director – GTS, Verizon Consumer Group

A networking session will be held following the presentations. Click here for more information and registration.


Hiring opportunity: Veteran & Military Family Career Day

Companies seeking to hire talent are invited to apply for participation at the Veteran & Military Family Career Day on November 4 at 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET.  Sponsored by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Fort Belvoir, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, this event will be held at the National Museum of the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir.

Interview veterans and military family members, whose diverse experiences help our companies, non-profits and agencies thrive, at this in-person and virtual career fair. If your company is interested in participating please click here.