• E-Newsletter

If you are considering starting or growing a business in Fairfax County, then join us for three upcoming webinars that will cover all aspects of the entrepreneurial journey: “Funding for Virginia Startups and Growing Companies,” “Entrepreneurship 101,”and “Choosing a Business Space in Fairfax County.”

“Many facets are involved to opening a business: funding, legal, marketing—and finding the right location,” said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. “We are delighted to work with so many great partners to present these informative webinars on how to successfully launch and grow a company in Fairfax County.”

“Funding for Virginia Startups and Growing Companies” set for Feb. 23

Do you have a startup or growing company that is looking for funding and support to expand? The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, in partnership with the Northern Virginia Technology Council Digital Transformation Community, presents an insightful webinar at 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 23, on how to obtain funding for a startup or growing company in Virginia.

Click here to register for this free webinar.

Expert panelists will tell participants about grants available to tech companies to commercialize their products, grow their international sales and fund technical research and development. Information on free resources to Virginia companies to build a business will be provided.

With Sean Mallon, VP of commercialization, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation as moderator, the panel will include:

• Diane Hickey, program director, National Science Foundation;
• Ellen Meinhart, international trade manager, Northern Region, Virginia Economic Development Partnership; and,
• Alex Sanchez, national business investment manager, FCEDA; and,
• Jeanette Townsend, business development manager, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation.

A Q&A with the business experts will follow the panel presentation.

Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the FCEDA, and John Gustavo Blair, assistant director, National Business Investment at the FCEDA, will provide the opening remarks.

 

March 1 “E-101” to feature Chef Erinn Roth of Mrs. Jo’s Petite Eats

Aspiring entrepreneurs can get start-up tips from Erinn Roth, founder and owner of Mrs. Jo’s Petite Eats, at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority’s “Entrepreneurship 101: Starting a Business in Fairfax County” workshop on March 1 at 10 a.m.

Click here to register for this free virtual event.

Held every other month, Entrepreneurship 101, or “E-101,” features a panel of small business experts on how to start a business:

• Cindy Butler, director, Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia, Community Business Partnership;
• April Kellum, small and local business development associate, Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives
• Chris Ley, business services manager, Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; and,
• Nirav “Nick” Rajpara, economic development specialist, 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. 

In addition, the workshop features an “Entrepreneur Spotlight,” with a guest speaker who will discuss their entrepreneurial journey and share valuable tips for business success. This session’s guest speaker is Chef Erinn Roth, an Army veteran and founder and owner of Mrs. Jo’s Petite Eats, a soon-to-open business in the PenFed building in Tysons. Roth appeared on five episodes of the FOX show “Crime Scene Kitchen” in 2021. With Karen Smaw, director of the FCEDA’s Diversity Business Investment and Entrepreneurship Division, Roth will discuss her entrepreneurial journey and share valuable tips for business success.

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

E-101 is presented by the FCEDA in partnership with the Fairfax County government, the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, the Fairfax County-based Community Business Partnership and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“Choosing a Business Space in Fairfax County” webinar coming March 3

Are you thinking about opening a business in Fairfax County? Join us for a webinar focused on the important considerations for choosing the best space for a small business. Experts from Fairfax County government will discuss the zoning considerations, permit and inspections processes, and common pitfalls to avoid when choosing a space. (Hint: don’t forget about parking!)

Presented by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and Fairfax County Land Development Services, this interactive webinar will be held on Thursday, March 3 at 1:30 p.m.

Click here to register for this free event.

An “Overview of Land Development Services” will be provided by Jennifer Josiah, nonprofits and places of worship coordinator, project management team, Fairfax County Land Development Services. Josiah will moderate an “Ask the Experts” panel discussion featuring:

• Drew Hushour, deputy zoning administrator, Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development;
• Catherine Lunsford, assistant branch chief, Zoning Permits Branch, Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development;
• Jay Riat, building official and building division director, Fairfax County Land Development Services; and,
• Battalion Chief John Walser, Office of the Fire Marshal, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

Closing remarks will be given by Bill Hicks, director, Fairfax County Land Development Services.