Small Biz Focus

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Two years into the roaring 2020s, a new year means new resources. With 2022 marking a fresh start for what we hope will be a spectacular year, the team at BizLaunch is committed to making sure the small business community is ready to succeed.

Free of charge and easily accessible with an Arlington County library card, BizLaunch is excited to welcome DemographicsNow, IBISWorld and Statista to its database family. Each of these resources has been curated to assist businesses in these unprecedented times; from the shift in eCommerce rates to learning more about the post-pandemic consumer, business owners will have answers to all questions they have about today’s small business climate. With cutting edge statistics, real time research in your industry, and an abundance of market analysis, this powerful trio has Arlington’s small business community in mind.

DemographicsNow is a 25-year-old full-service spatial analytics firm designed with features such as sales forecasting, customer profiling, market analysis and much more. This concrete location-based data can offer insight that may be exactly what you’ve been seeking. With DemographicsNow, you’ll know the who, when, where, how and even which locations hold the highest level of consumer engagement. In turn, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of how to take advantage of where you are and turn it into where your customers can live, work, shop, and more.

IBISWorld, a staple database in the business world since 1971, offers in-house analysts that provide economic, demographic and market data. What does this mean? All of this combined helps businesses make informed decisions with all variables and factors considered. They have an assorted portfolio of products, providing clients with things such as: industry research, financial ratios, risk ratings and Business Environment Profiles, just to name a few. With a full suite of industry research and expert tools that are accessible globally, IBISWorld aids a diverse range of clientele: from commercial banks to academic institutions alike.

Only a little over a decade old, Statista has taken the industry research field by storm. With more than two million registered users, one million statistics, 31 million visits per month and 170 industries covered, Statista has mastered the art of consolidating data and making it palatable. Information like research and analysis (combined) and eCommerce are what makes Statista stand out from most databases.

It has even been cited in articles by some of the largest media companies of the world, including Forbes, the New York Times, and the Financial Times. Additionally, it works closely with academic institutions like Harvard and Yale University, further building credibility of this influential database

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This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

The AWE Women in Business Summit is back again in 2022, and BizLaunch is excited to support the program once again as the keynote sponsor.

The Summit is hosted by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce at Marymount University on February 4. This impactful half-day conference features panel discussions and presentations from experienced female leaders from across the region.

“Female entrepreneurs are starting businesses at record numbers, not only in Arlington but also across the country. We’re thrilled to be able to help women achieve their entrepreneurial dreams through this dynamic conference,” says Tara Palacios, Director of BizLaunch.

Designed for women entrepreneurs, executives and professionals of all levels, all genders and gender identities are welcome at the AWE Women in Business Summit.  The Summit will provide education, inspiration and connections to foster success, helping attendees achieve their personal and professional goals.

Exclusive for ARLnow readers, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is offering $20 off the prospective member registration. To take advantage of this special offer, use promo code AWENOW at checkout. To view the full agenda and speaker bios for the event, visit the Arlington Chamber’s website.

For more information about BizLaunch, visit www.bizlaunch.org. We look forward to seeing you on February 4, at the AWE Women in Business Summit.

Photos courtesy of Tara Palacios taken from the 2020 AWE Summit before COVID-19 restrictions and when the AWE and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce merger was announced.

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Now that we’re in 2022, many small business owners may be wondering what they can do to make their business more prosperous in the new year.

For our first Small Business Focus of 2022, we thought we’d have a Q&A with our BizLaunch Director, Tara Palacios who will share some tips from her 20+ years of experience in helping small businesses start, grow and scale.

1.) The last two years have been extremely challenging for many small businesses. What is one action item that you’d recommend that all business owners complete in 2022?

If there is anything the pandemic has taught us, it is to make sure you have your house in order. One action item is to make sure that you are ready to take an opportunity that presents itself. Do a business audit ensuring that the formation of your business is solid. This includes making sure you have your EIN and that it matches your legal name of your business with the SCC. If you’re using a trade name for your business, ensuring that is registered with the SCC. You want to ensure everything matches with various regulatory agencies.

Additionally, you will want to make sure that you are current on all your bills, including your tax obligations to compete for opportunities. Last year, many entrepreneurs faced challenges regarding their legal structure, and you cannot apply for a grant or other forms of capital if your legal name does not match with the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) or if you are not current on your financial obligations.

I would also recommend business owners check that their social security number or EIN has not been compromised, meaning someone else has not used your personal information. Individuals can pull a copy of their Social Security Statement and credit report to ensure everything matches their records. Maybe even consider getting a credit monitoring service as cybercrime continues to rise and small businesses are an easy target. The new year is a wonderful opportunity for businesses to audit these areas.

I think before the pandemic many businesses may not have been aware of certain regulatory requirements; however, at this stage of the game it’s imperative businesses have their house in order. Having your house in order will ensure you’re able to compete in 2022 whether that be for financial or business opportunities.

Finally, with so much disruption affecting businesses, I think conducting a SWOT analysis is helpful in analyzing future opportunities and threats and how businesses can combat those.

2.) If you could look into your crystal ball, what are some opportunities that small businesses can take advantage of in 2022?

I would say that in any type of crisis, there is always opportunity. There is always need, and there is always the ability to be able to build your business. Therefore, if I were to look into my crystal ball for 2022, I would say anything around making life easier for people whether through technology or superb customer service. If you can build innovation that makes things easier for people to navigate, that’s the way to go.

This is also the time to have your employees trained on customer service, ensuring your service to customers is on point. Having employees trained to provide top notch customer service is one way not only to differentiate your business, but also to retain talent.

3.) Finding and retaining talent continues to be a challenge for many small businesses. How can small businesses best compete for talent in 2022?

The biggest thing small businesses can do is create an atmosphere where employees can access professional development opportunities. Take advantage of the resources available through the Arlington Employment Center and the Workforce Investment Board. These services are free and provide training and recruitment services for employers.

Employees want to feel empowered and that they are making a difference in the work they are doing while also feeling challenged and growing. A job is not just a place to make money, but rather a lifestyle. People are doing jobs today because they feel an affinity for the work.

4.) What are some of your favorite small business resources?

My favorite small businesses resources are the online tools provided by the Arlington Public Library. You can access free business intelligence, market research and industry analysis. We’re also excited to be able to provide additional databases this year such as Statista, Demographics Now and IBIS World.

I also love Canva, which is an online graphic design tool that is very easy to use and gives businesses the ability to develop upscale marketing collateral and access licensed professional imagery.

However, I can’t forget BizLaunch’s ReLaunch program, a free resource where businesses can access consulting and website development services. That program is one I would take advantage of in 2022.

I think sometimes businesses think they must spend a lot of money on these resources; however, many are accessible for free in Arlington.

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This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

While Jolly Ole St. Nick gets all the credit for delivering gifts every holiday season, this year BizLaunch has pulled together its resources to bring together some awesome opportunities for small businesses this year and beyond.

Funding for BizLaunch’s ReLaunch program now extends into 2023. With a bit of help from our dear friend at the North Pole, we’re able to help small businesses launch their storefront online and provide high-level business counseling services through 2023.

ReLaunch is a free program for small businesses that started in 2021, with two components, ReVitalize and ReNew. Through ReVitalize, companies can access up to 10 hours of business consulting services. Through ReNew, companies can get support in enabling technology in their business. An example could include the development of a website/e-commerce solution or helping small companies implement business analytics into their current website.

Since the program began, we’ve been able to help 163 small businesses in Arlington and recently have completed 17 website/e-commerce projects. For our Small Business Focus, we thought we’d share with you some of the firms that have received a new website/e-commerce solution thanks to ReLaunch.

Island Jewelry

As with many small businesses, Island Jewelry wasn’t immune to the effects of COVID-19. Like many legacy businesses, Island Jewelry, located in the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, didn’t have a website to reach a wider audience and depended on foot traffic.

“However, finding ReLaunch was like finding light at the end of the tunnel. ReLaunch was perfect for my small business. I was thankful to be able to gain assistance with developing my website,” says Danitza Galindo, Owner Island Jewelry.

With the help of Nub8 and AWS, Island Jewelry now has a new, secure website that is easy to update. “In fact, on the first day of the launch of our website, I had my first online sale!” said Galindo. “I would like to acknowledge the experts and team of professionals that helped make my dreams come true to serve my online community. Helping me reach a broader audience of current and future clients.”

If you’re looking for eco-friendly gifts this holiday season for women, men and children, check out Island Jewelry’s beautifully designed online shop today. 

The Food Sherpa

Now is the time of year when many people put together their New Year Resolutions. If you or someone you know resolves to eat better, or maybe even get more fit, The Food Sherpa is for you.

Started in 2007 by Keith Steury, the Food Sherpa is your guide to great food. The Food Sherpa provides customized meal plans, cooking classes and special events for busy clients. Like many startups, Food Sherpa launched its website in 2007 and redesigned it in 2014, using it as a tool to onboard clients over the last 14 years.

“My old website was pretty content-heavy, and that my website had served as an integral part of the on-boarding process for new clients. For this reason, I was a little hesitant to launch this project”, said Keith Steury, owner of The Food Sherpa.

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This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Since its founding in 2010 by American Express, Small Business Saturday has encouraged thousands of shoppers from across the country to shop small and support local businesses.

With many small businesses still navigating through the challenges of COVID-19, now more than ever small businesses need your support this holiday shopping season. This year Small Business Saturday will take place on November 27, and shoppers from the DMV have a unique opportunity to discover local businesses by shopping small.

Since its founding in 2011, One More Page Books has consistently leveraged the marketing efforts surrounding Small Business Saturday. In fact, One More Page Books welcomed President Barack Obama along with his daughters, Sasha and Malia, on Small Business Saturday in 2012.

Thanks to One More Page Books, Arlington shoppers will have the opportunity to participate in a passport program encouraging shoppers to shop local this holiday season. Additionally, through the passport program, shoppers have the chance to win prizes and find deals, all while supporting our community’s vitality in keeping dollars local.

Small Business Saturday is THIS SATURDAY, friends! For every order placed online on Saturday (11/27), you’ll receive a Small Business Saturday EXCLUSIVE One More Page bookmark! These are available for online orders on Saturday only – so don’t miss out! pic.twitter.com/wSPmyGZ1I5

— One More Page Books (@justonemorepage) November 22, 2021

Interested shoppers can pick up a passport at any participating business, which can be found online. Many local businesses are running specials on Small Business Saturday.

To be eligible to win one of three Grand Prize baskets, shoppers need to collect at least five stamps from the participating businesses. Once completed, the completed passports can be returned to One More Page Books or left at the last participating business shoppers visit.

Winners of the baskets will be randomly drawn from all completed passports on November 28 at 3 p.m. at One More Page Books and notified via e-mail.

If you’re a small business owner wanting to capitalize on Small Business Saturday, American Express has developed customizable Small Business Saturday graphics. Furthermore, American Express has made it even easier to find local businesses near you to shop small through their Shop Small Map.

The BizLaunch team hopes you have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and hope you support our community by shopping small on Small Business Saturday on November 27.

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This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

CAKE Society Co., founded by Executive Director Colton Gibbons, provides access to health, dance, fitness and community in a group fitness setting.

Opened in March of this year, CAKE Society Co. is different from other fitness organizations. It is one of the only BIPOC (Black Indigenous Person of Color) and trans-led dance-oriented fitness organizations.

“I created Cake Society Co. to challenge the traditional toxic fitness culture which supports only one kind of body and vision,” Gibbons said. The word “cake” is an acronym and a pledge for the organization’s main pillars — Community, Activism, Kindness and Equity.

Like many Arlingtonians, Colton moved to Arlington for graduate school and fell in love with the community. “I love the passion and activism that the community offers,” Colton said. “I like that Arlington is intentionally working on a more inclusive and equitable future for all of its residents.”

In starting Cake Society, Colton wasn’t alone. Not only does he have a community of great leaders helping him launch his business, Colton also sought out help from BizLaunch, Arlington’s Small Business Assistance Center.

“I worked with Alex from BizLaunch to help guide me on local business permits and licenses that I needed,” Colton said. “Additionally, Alex helped me brainstorm new ideas and ways to support my organization.”

Recently Cake Society received its 501c3 designation from the Internal Revenue Service as a community-based not-for-profit. Cake Society currently is offering classes by Zoom and at local community spaces. Colton hopes to see a thriving dance-fitness studio fully staffed by exceptional individuals with those from historically underserved communities in leadership positions in five years.

In addition to building an inclusive fitness brand, Cake Society Co has released new efforts providing resource distribution to the trans and gender-expansive community. They also host mental health events and support groups both through Zoom and in person. If you’re interested in attending an event, check out Cake Society’s event page.

For more information about Cake Society Co. and to try out a Zumba class, visit www.cakesocietyco.org.

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

In our last Small Business Focus, we announced Arlington’s Small Business GRANT 2.0 and focused on eligibility. Now with applications underway through Oct. 20, we thought we’d use this opportunity to explain how small businesses can leverage GRANT 2.0 funds.

Similarly, to GRANT 1.0 released in 2020, funds from GRANT 2.0 can be used for the following:

• Retaining and/or supporting employees
• Restoring financial resiliency
• Increasing technology capacity
• Creating new marketing strategies
• Revising business plans

Many businesses awarded a GRANT last summer used the funds to pay rent and payroll expenses. However, some used their grant to revise business plans or to better leverage technology.

With the Arlington Small Business GRANT, @Community_ETC will keep creating and collaborating! The Educational Theatre Company will use the GRANT to continue to employ local artists and focus on new, creative initiatives to safely reach their community. #BizStrongArlVA pic.twitter.com/kWIaTiJQYI

— Arlington Econ Dev (@AEDBizInvest) July 2, 2020

For example, Educational Theatre Company used their grant to purchase a third Zoom line to offer simultaneous summer camps online. Another example is Compass Coffee, which used its grant to cover marketing expenses to expand its online sales.

Compass Coffee also used a portion of its funding to revise its business plan. It  purchased a machine to produce K-Cups and Nespresso pods to add to their product mix for customers stuck at home with cravings for their favorite local cup of coffee.

GRANT recipient @CompassCoffeeDC is grateful to have been able to continue serving take-out & ensure their customers still start their days with a fresh cup of coffee. They are using the GRANT to build their delivery service and expand their online store! #BizStrongArlVA pic.twitter.com/dutQXq8RJL

— Arlington Econ Dev (@AEDBizInvest) July 14, 2020

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For many small business owners, the past 18 months have been incredibly challenging. Small business owners have been juggling a lot — from ensuring the safety of customers and employees to adjusting business models to comply with social distancing measures.

It’s no doubt that these 18 months have been incredibly disruptive for many small businesses. BizLaunch is here to help with the Small Business GRANT 2.0 program.

The Small Business GRANT 2.0 will provide direct financial assistance to small businesses struggling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide a total of $2 million in immediate funds to businesses and nonprofits. The program focuses on industries most affected by the governor’s stay-at-home orders and those that have not previously received state or federal funding.

The GRANT 2.0 program will begin accepting online applications from eligible businesses on Oct. 6, 2021. Applications close on Oct. 20, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Eligible businesses include:

• Businesses or nonprofits in the following industry sectors:
  • Arts and entertainment
  • Child care
  • Hotel and accommodations
  • Personal services
  • Restaurants and food service (including food trucks)
  • Retail
• Businesses whose primary location is in Arlington County
• Businesses that operate from a physical brick-and-mortar building in a commercially zoned area
• Businesses with a current 2021 Arlington business license and that are current on their tax obligations
• Businesses whose staff is fully vaccinated or follow COVID-19 testing protocols will receive special consideration.

After the application period closes, 200 eligible businesses will be randomly selected and awarded a $10,000 grant. The grant can be used for salary and benefits and other business capital and operating expenses related to the impacts of COVID-19.

More information about the program can be found at www.arlingtongrant.com, and you can sign up for our newsletter to be notified when the program opens.

Regardless of GRANT 2.0 eligibility, Arlington businesses can access BizLaunch resources, including ReLaunch, consultations and our Marketing Toolkit. For more information about BizLaunch, visit www.bizlaunch.org.

Over the last 18 months, many small business owners have been asking themselves questions about how they can improve their business.

• How can I attract more clients?
• How can I attract new employees?
• How can I adjust my business plan taking COVID-19 into account?
• How do I build my business’s brand while increasing awareness?

If you’re a small business owner and have asked yourself similar questions and more, BizLaunch’s ReVitalize program may have the answers you need.

Launched back in March as a component of ReLaunch, ReVitalize is a free resource for small businesses where business owners can participate in coaching sessions provided by Revby, sharing their current challenges in growing or managing their small business. The sessions are centered on using strategy conversations to give business owners useful feedback.

Some of the outcomes achieved during these coaching sessions include:

• Recommendations on website improvements
• Support in integrating technology to improve business operations, including payment options, managing customer data and increasing sales
• Recommendations on new social media content with real-world examples for your business
• Support in building a business recovery plan for future crises
• Professional opinions on critical business topics.

Curious about the program? Hear Jennifer Jones, Creative Founder of Cosmopolitan Plated, share her experience in working with Revby and how she improved her messaging for her website.

Regardless of industry, any small business with less than 50 employees and a 2021 business license can apply and participate. Companies are selected on a rolling basis each month through a lottery. At the end of the sessions, business owners will leave with documents containing valuable insights and resources on topics discussed during the sessions.

For more information about the resources available through ReLaunch, visit www.relaunch.business and apply for ReVitalize today!

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Opening a new restaurant isn’t easy, but opening a restaurant in the middle of a pandemic takes real grit and perseverance.

With our Small Business Focus this week, we wanted to highlight one of Arlington’s newest culinary destinations, Los Chamacos, located at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Walter Reed Drive. Los Chamacos offers authentic Mexican dishes and an immersive dining experience where customers can experience Mexican culture. From the first step in, the music and the decoration offer a comfortable and welcoming environment.

Started by Benedicto Yanez and his wife, Jessica, Los Chamacos opened its doors on Jan. 17, 2021. Benedicto has been working in the food industry for 24 years, gaining knowledge throughout his years as a chef working in different Spanish, European and American restaurants.

Circumstances around the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic gave them the opportunity to open Los Chamacos to make a living and employ those in need of a job. Jessica felt nostalgia for her home country’s gastronomy, so they decided to open a Mexican restaurant offering authentic Mexican cuisine.

“We are different from Tex-Mex and regular burritos; we offer authenticity,” Benedicto said.

By offering 100% authentic Mexican food, Los Chamacos differentiates itself from other Mexican restaurants. With the food and the services, this restaurant has become what the customer looks for when wanting to experience the Mexican culture through food.

“We like to treat our customers the way they would like to be treated at home because we aim to recreate their household’s atmosphere,” Benedicto said.

Opening during the COVID -19 pandemic posed a unique challenge for Los Chamacos’ owners, as many customers avoided indoor dining. However, Los Chamacos continued to build its reputation in the community during this time by growing its social media presence, focusing on other marketing and publicity efforts, and utilizing available resources from BizLaunch.

“If we overcome the pandemic and all the constraints it brought, then we can overcome any obstacle that lies ahead,” Benedicto said. “Having faith in God kept us working toward our goal.”

As a complement to its food offerings, the restaurant’s bar is known for its non-alcoholic beverages — any drink on the menu is available in a non-alcoholic version. That’s right! Customers can enjoy a margarita, El Chamaco, La Chamaca or a cantarito with no alcohol. That means everyone can enjoy a tasty and cold drink.

As vaccination rates trend upward in Virginia and customers feel more comfortable dining at restaurants, Los Chamacos continues to take additional precautions to ensure the safety of customers and employees. The restaurant complies with social distancing and sanitation recommendations to ensure everyone feels comfortable during their visit.

Benedicto and Jessica are thankful for the help of their neighbors, friends, customers and BizLaunch in opening Los Chamacos. Each one of them participated in the success of the restaurant from the very beginning.

Next time you find yourself looking for a place to try delectable Mexican cuisine, visit Los Chamacos at 922 S. Walter Reed Drive. They can also be found on Facebook, Yelp, TikTok and Instagram.

This column is sponsored by BizLaunch, a division of Arlington Economic Development.

Because Arlington earned the title of Fittest City in the U.S. for the third year in a row last week, we thought we’d use this as an opportunity to highlight one of Arlington’s newest fitness brands, Method Fitness, which opened its doors earlier this year.

Aryan Siahpoushan, the founder of Method Fitness, moved to Arlington after college and began working for one of the Big Four consulting firms in the region.

“After about six months in, I realized it wasn’t for me,” Siahpoushan said. “In college, I majored in business because I wanted to be an entrepreneur; at the time, however, I didn’t know what my future business would be.”

Through much self-reflection and research, Siahpoushan realized he wanted to work in the fitness industry. After a year at the consulting firm, he left for a career change and began working at a gym in Ballston.

“Working there was an opportunity for me to obtain certifications, gain training experience and learn more about the industry in real-time,” he said.

Toward the end of 2019, Siahpoushan left to become an independent personal trainer for a local gym in Arlington.

“My intention was to open my own gym someday soon, so I became an independent personal trainer to gain experience managing and building clientele — without the overhead of my own space,” he said.

Then, COVID-19 came and forced gyms to close in March 2020.

“In many ways, COVID-19 accelerated the opening of Method Fitness,” Siahpoushan explained. “While during the lockdown I was still providing sessions, albeit virtually, but the volume at which I was training simply wasn’t the same as before. This afforded me the opportunity to truly focus on my business plan.”

In July 2020, he began looking for space to open his one-on-one fitness concept and secured a location at 3315 Langston Blvd (formerly Lee Highway) in December.

“I saw an opportunity within the industry that could thrive, especially given the ‘new normalʼ that COVID presented us — the concept of a one-on-one fitness space that provides clients an exclusive environment for just personal training, which differs from a big-box gym,” Siahpoushan said.

To help him with his business plan, Siahpoushan sought out the Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) through George Mason University. He began meeting with his counselor, Mark Julian, in July 2020.

“My counselor was instrumental in helping get Method Fitness off the ground, serving as a resource and sounding board for my idea,” Siahpoushan said. “Outside of friends and family, he was the only person I spoke to about my idea.”

With its consistent ranking as the Fittest City in the U.S., it makes sense that Arlington would be a desirable location for a fitness startup.

“People in Arlington prioritize their fitness,” Siahpoushan said. “When I come in before 6 a.m., I constantly see people along Langston Blvd run, bike and walk to start their day.”

Since opening earlier this year, Method Fitness has seen a positive response from the community, allowing Siahpoushan to bring on two additional trainers, Mateo Moore and Justin Fabella.

Method Fitness offers in-person and virtual one-on-one personal training sessions customized to meet clients’ needs for those looking to focus on their fitness goals. Check out their website to schedule your initial consultation and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.