Podcasts about bizlaunch

It takes a lot of public/private partnerships to bring economic stability and growth to a community. Arlington strives to share these partnerships with small businesses that may not otherwise get access to big opportunities. For the second year, Arlington's BizLaunch team is working with Hyatt Crystal City on a Minority Vendor Showcase that takes a partnership to a new level. I'm Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development in Arlington, Virginia. The role of Economic Development is to retain and attract businesses where workers can live and thrive in a great community even when the work world is changing. We support (small) business through programs like BizLaunch and value the importance of placemaking and a sector devoted to creative economy and the arts. Today we're going to talk about a special partnership with Hyatt Crystal City and what it's like to bring your A game to an event.   To help me discuss this, I'd like to welcome Tiffany Hamilton, Co- Founder of Victor Wear. Did you know 85% of people with autism are unemployed or underemployed? People like our Co-Founder, Isaiah—a straight-A student, video game developer, swimmer, and competitive bowler—face challenges in the job market, despite their many abilities. That's why we launched Victor Wear, an award-winning activewear brand dedicated to inspiring resilience and empowering and employing the autism community. We aim to have our company primarily run by neurodivergent individuals to create jobs while changing the disability narrative and creating a more inclusive world. At the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, our commitment to the community, connection, and care is at the heart of everything we do. We strive to create meaningful opportunities and foster an environment where all individuals feel valued and supported. Building strong relationships and opening doors for our diverse neighbors is our passion, especially within our National Landing community. That is the spark and core to the Minority Vendor Showcase that we aim to host each year. Resources Victor Wear: https://victorwear.com/ Arlington Economic Development BizLaunch Division: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business General information about the Small Business Administration (SBA): https://www.sba.gov/ SBA resources locally: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance SCORE Counseling and other resources: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business/Small-Business-Programs/One-on-One-Counseling Small Business Saturday, November 30, 2024 The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

March is the month to celebrate Women's History. In business, 40% of new companies are started by women, employing 10 million workers and generating $1.8 trillion in revenue. That's a lot of economic impact to celebrate. I'm Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development in Arlington Virginia. The role of Economic Development is to retain and attract businesses where workers can live and thrive in a great community even when the work world is changing. We support (small) business through programs like BizLaunch and value the importance of placemaking and a sector devoted to creative economy and the arts. Today we're going to talk about the value and impact of women owned businesses on our economy. To help me discuss this I'd like to welcome Mary Wong, Founder and Principal Consultant of EvaluCcraft Global. Ms. Wong is the Founder and Principal Consultant of EvaluCraft Global, LLC, a data-driven and evidence-informed consulting firm that provides public and foreign policy analysis and evaluation services. Established in Arlington in January 2020 to meet an emerging need, EvaluCraft Global, LLC helps public and private sector organizations at all levels around the world engaged in public and international affairs to analyze, assess and evaluate associated policies and programs for effectiveness, impact, output and outcomes. Our core values are competence, transparency and accountability. Prior to launching EvaluCraft Global, Ms. Wong served 11 ½ years with the U.S. Department of State, most recently as Deputy Director in the Office of Management Policy and Resources in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs and prior to that as Deputy Director in the Office of the Fulbright Scholarship Board in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Before joining U.S. federal public service, Ms. Wong worked 8 ½ years on design and administration of international exchanges and training for the Institute of International Education in Washington, DC and in Hanoi, Vietnam. Ms. Wong has a Master of Public Policy degree in Program Evaluation from the George Washington University's Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Administration, a Master of Arts degree in International Development with a focus on Social and Economic Development from the University of Kentucky's Patterson School of Diplomacy & International Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations with a concentration in Political Economy from Drake University in Iowa. Ms. Wong is passionate about foreign policy relevance to the publics. When not working, Ms. Wong enjoys traveling and learning about the world with her husband and two children; cheering on her daughters in all their curricular and extracurricular pursuits, and contributing to community-building through the Bahá'í Faith and service projects. Resources: EvaluCraft Global  Arlington Economic Development BizLaunch Division: BizLaunch  Minority Vendor Fair Upcoming Minority Vendor Showcase at Hyatt Crystal City   General information about the Small Business Administration (SBA): https://www.sba.gov/ SBA resources locally: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance SCORE Counseling and other resources: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business/Small-Business-Programs/One-on-One-Counseling Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

It's February! It's all about love and the Annual Celebration of Black History Month. I love how the two go hand in hand. This is an extra special podcast because Tara Palacios is filling in this month to host and in addition we are collaborating this month with our partners with the National Landing BID. Black History Month is a vital time to honor the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black entrepreneurs who have shaped industries and paved the way for future generations. From trailblazers like Madam C.J. Walker to today's innovators in tech, finance, and beyond, their stories serve as powerful lessons in perseverance, creativity, and economic empowerment. As we celebrate Black excellence in entrepreneurship, we also recognize the ongoing challenges and the need for equitable opportunities. Join us as we highlight inspiring Black business leaders, share their journeys, and explore how we can foster a more inclusive and thriving entrepreneurial landscape. Hosting today is Tara Palacios, Director of BizLaunch at Arlington Economic Development in Arlington Virginia. Economic Development agencies throughout the US aim to build sustainable businesses and the role businesses play are vital to the health of our communities. We wholeheartedly support small business through BizLaunch and value the importance of placemaking as a sector devoted to creative economy and the arts. On today's show we are going to discuss black entrepreneurship and what it takes to innovate and create using food as a canvas…. To discuss this topic is the renowned Chef Rock Harper of Queen Mother's Kitchen located in National Landing in Arlington. Resources Queen Mother's Kitchen website: https://www.queenmothercooks.com/ National Landing BID: https://nationallanding.org/ Arlington Economic Development BizLaunch Division: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business General information about the Small Business Administration (SBA): https://www.sba.gov/ SBA resources locally: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance SCORE Counseling and other resources: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business/Small-Business-Programs/One-on-One-Counseling Small Business Saturday, November 30, 2024 The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

It's January! It's the month for renewal, resolutions and fresh starts. Whether you're looking for personal or professional changes, now's the time to put plans to work. In Arlington Economic Development, training and support go hand and hand throughout the year, but this January, there's more in store. I'm Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development in Arlington Virginia. The role of Economic Development is to retain and attract businesses where workers can live and thrive in a great community even when the work world is changing. We support (small) business through programs like BizLaunch and value the importance of placemaking and a sector devoted to creative economy and the arts. Today we're going to talk about what it takes to transform a small business. Alex Held is Small Business Manager at Arlington Economic Development. He is a solutions oriented thinker with six years of business development, sales and marketing, and consulting experience in dynamic organizations both nonprofit and for-profit, managing competing priorities in a goal driven setting. I am particularly skilled at uncovering clients' needs and finding solutions to achieve their objectives. Resources Arlington Economic Development BizLaunch Division: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business BizLaunch Transformational Challenge and Pitch Fest event: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/News-Resources/Events/BizLaunch-Transformational-Challenge-and-PitchFest Alex Held LinkedIn bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-held-cpm-747b6615/ The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

A quick online search of Cade Martin Photography will get you to a showcase of exceptional commercial work, video reels, sought after portraits and much more. But if you're trying to find out his secrets to business success – or even what he looks like! – you'll have to keep looking. I'm Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development in Arlington Virginia. The role of Economic Development is to retain and attract businesses where workers can live and thrive in a great community even when the work world is changing. We support (small) business through programs like BizLaunch and value the importance of placemaking and a sector devoted to creative economy and the arts. Today we're going to talk about art and business and the huge shifts in professional photography. Cade Martin's work is rooted in collaboration, flexibility, and sparks of creativity. Every image tells a story, whether in the spotlight of campaigns or in the moments in between. Cade lives in the Washington, DC area. He has worked with brands from Starbucks to Target, FDA to NPR, National Geographic to Sesame Street, bringing campaigns to life on budgets large or small. Resources View Cade Martin's work: https://www.cademartinphoto.com https://www.cademartin.com Arlington Economic Development BizLaunch Division: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business General information about the Small Business Administration (SBA): https://www.sba.gov/ SBA resources locally: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance SCORE Counseling and other resources: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business/Small-Business-Programs/One-on-One-Counseling Small Business Saturday, November 30, 2024 The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

A quick online search of Cade Martin Photography will get you to a showcase of exceptional commercial work, video reels, sought after portraits and much more. But if you're trying to find out his secrets to business success – or even what he looks like! – you'll have to keep looking. I'm Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development in Arlington Virginia. The role of Economic Development is to retain and attract businesses where workers can live and thrive in a great community even when the work world is changing. We support (small) business through programs like BizLaunch and value the importance of placemaking and a sector devoted to creative economy and the arts. Today we're going to talk about art and business and the huge shifts in professional photography. Cade Martin's work is rooted in collaboration, flexibility, and sparks of creativity. Every image tells a story, whether in the spotlight of campaigns or in the moments in between. Cade lives in the Washington, DC area. He has worked with brands from Starbucks to Target, FDA to NPR, National Geographic to Sesame Street, bringing campaigns to life on budgets large or small. Resources View Cade Martin's work: https://www.cademartinphoto.com https://www.cademartin.com Arlington Economic Development BizLaunch Division: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business General information about the Small Business Administration (SBA): https://www.sba.gov/ SBA resources locally: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance SCORE Counseling and other resources: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business/Small-Business-Programs/One-on-One-Counseling Small Business Saturday, November 30, 2024 The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

99.9% of businesses in the US are considered small businesses, employing over 61 million Americans, or nearly half of private sector employees. This makes small businesses a critical part of the business world and the communities they serve. I'm Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development in Arlington Virginia. The role of Economic Development is to retain and attract businesses where workers can live and thrive in a great community even when the work world is changing. We support (small) business through programs like BizLaunch and value the importance of placemaking and a sector devoted to creative economy and the arts. Today we're going to talk about small business/big economic impact. To help me discuss the role of small businesses, I'd like to welcome Larry G. Webb, District Director, Small Business Administration (SBA) Resources Arlington Economic Development BizLaunch Division: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business General information about the Small Business Administration (SBA): https://www.sba.gov/ SBA resources locally: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance SCORE Counseling and other resources: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business/Small-Business-Programs/One-on-One-Counseling Small Business Saturday, November 30, 2024 The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

99.9% of businesses in the US are considered small businesses, employing over 61 million Americans, or nearly half of private sector employees. This makes small businesses a critical part of the business world and the communities they serve. I'm Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development in Arlington Virginia. The role of Economic Development is to retain and attract businesses where workers can live and thrive in a great community even when the work world is changing. We support (small) business through programs like BizLaunch and value the importance of placemaking and a sector devoted to creative economy and the arts. Today we're going to talk about small business/big economic impact. To help me discuss the role of small businesses, I'd like to welcome Larry G. Webb, District Director, Small Business Administration (SBA) Resources Arlington Economic Development BizLaunch Division: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business General information about the Small Business Administration (SBA): https://www.sba.gov/ SBA resources locally: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance SCORE Counseling and other resources: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business/Small-Business-Programs/One-on-One-Counseling Small Business Saturday, November 30, 2024 The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

In this episode, host Susan Sirocco, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development, explores the vital role of innovation in fostering vibrant communities where people want to live and work. Joined by Natalia Micheletti, co-founder of the Pryze app, they discuss the importance of economic development in retaining and attracting businesses, even amid changing work environments. The conversation highlights various initiatives like BizLaunch, the significance of placemaking, and the creative economy and arts sector in enhancing community well-being. As Hispanic Heritage Month approaches, the episode also sets the stage for celebrating diverse businesses and events in Arlington, Virginia. Resources The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

In this episode, host Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development, explores the vital role of innovation in fostering vibrant communities where people want to live and work. Joined by Natalia Micheletti, co-founder of the Pryze app, they discuss the importance of economic development in retaining and attracting businesses, even amid changing work environments. The conversation highlights various initiatives like BizLaunch, the significance of placemaking, and the creative economy and arts sector in enhancing community well-being. As Hispanic Heritage Month approaches, the episode also sets the stage for celebrating diverse businesses and events in Arlington, Virginia. Resources Arlington Innovation Fund https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Locate-in-Arlington/Incentives-Services/Arlington-Innovation-Fund?_gl=1*xffokb*_ga*MTQ2NzYzMzM4MS4xNzA3NzU0MjEy*_ga_BSNCGMV709*MTcxODAyNDk3MC4yNi4xLjE3MTgwMjUyNzAuNjAuMC4xOTIwNzY5Mzc. Pryze App website: https://www.pryzeapp.com/ The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Today we're going to talk about the role of the arts in building a great community that people want to live and work in. Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy in BizLaunch at Arlington Economic Development talks with Alissa Maru, Associate Curator at Mason Exhibitions Arlington at George Mason University Also don't miss the 2024 Arlington ArtWalk on October 5. More information here. Resources Mason Exhibitions website: www.masonexhibitions.org AED Art Walk Announcement https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/News-Resources/Events/2024-Arlington-Art-Walk Art Walk Participants: ARC 3409 Art Studio artists Courtney Nguyen, Will Salha, Phil Linder, Bryn Wallace; Arlington Art Truck, Arlington Public Art, Arlington Public Library The Shop, Cody Gallery, Fred Schnider Gallery of Art, Mason Exhibitions, The Plaza at Mason Square, Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Arlington, Northside Social Arlington, WHINO BizLaunch, Arlington's resource for small businesses: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business/About-BizLaunch The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Today we're going to talk about the role of the arts in building a great community that people want to live and work in. Host Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy in BizLaunch at Arlington Economic Development talks with Alissa Maru, Associate Curator at Mason Exhibitions Arlington at George Mason University Resources Mason Exhibitions website: www.masonexhibitions.org AED Art Walk Announcement https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/News-Resources/Events/2024-Arlington-Art-Walk Art Walk Participants: ARC 3409 Art Studio artists Courtney Nguyen, Will Salha, Phil Linder, Bryn Wallace; Arlington Art Truck, Arlington Public Art, Arlington Public Library The Shop, Cody Gallery, Fred Schnider Gallery of Art, Mason Exhibitions, The Plaza at Mason Square, Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) Arlington, Northside Social Arlington, WHINO BizLaunch, Arlington's resource for small businesses: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business/About-BizLaunch The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

His LinkedIn profile reads "I keep peoples fingers on their hands." When it comes to niching down, Cole Williams has carved his out expertly. As a Risk Advisor with Insurance Associates, Inc., Cole focuses his agency on meat and food processors in Nebraska. He understands how to build a target market, how to become an expert in that niche, and how to grow while operating in that niche. Listen in to learn how you can carve out an expertise and build a network within it to ultimately scale your agency.Enjoy the episode!Episode Links:Ellerbrock-Norris: https://www.ellerbrock-norris.comEllerbrock-Norris Wealth Strategies: https://www.ellerbrock-norris-ws.comInsurance Associates: https://insuranceassociates.bizLAUNCH: https://getlaunch.io/Elliot Bassett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515Ryan Brott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-brott-cepa%C2%AE-77a278aCole Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-williams-42b91423This episode is sponsored by LAUNCH.In the world of insurance, independent agencies fight to survive. Brokers are forced to compete by blocking markets and bid for the lowest price. Worse yet, the industry is fragmented.Agencies find it difficult to collaborate across division on the same client. Millions of dollars in potential revenue are left on the table. And agency owners lie awake at night wondering how to scale.THAT'S WHERE LAUNCH COMES IN.Access the full-revenue potential in your existing book of business. See opportunities other agencies can't. Offer more value. Gain a competitive advantage in a commoditized market.Visit https://getlaunch.io/ to learn more.

If you ask Tara Palacios about her passion for small businesses and entrepreneurship, she may answer you, “Small business is my schtick.” With a background in marketing and PR in the private sector and a stint helping her father reinvent his own career, Tara followed her gut, moving to a role where she could use her honed skills to help businesses in the community grow. After joining Arlington County over twenty years ago and eventually founding the BizLaunch initiative, she's never looked back.Tara's interactions with her clients often start when they bring her a dream. The work then begins: molding that dream into a reality, assessing the sustainability of the business, moving the plan forward through tangible and calculated actions, making valuable connections, and working through the challenges that inevitably arise. Tara and her team lift up their clients with the tools, resources, and, maybe most important of all, support and encouragement, while entrepreneurs turn their dreams into viable businesses that support the Arlington community.Tara sees the entrepreneurs and small business owners she works with go through the highs and lows of starting a business, and she empowers them to be successful. Throughout the episode, Tara speaks to the importance of helping people get out of their own way, without judgment, allowing their ideas to grow. Tara talks about the ideal candidate and how crucial it is for people to be willing to receive feedback to make their dreams a reality. And the joy her clients feel when that ribbon is cut or the goal is achieved. Tara brings joy to every person she leads, every entrepreneur in the Arlington community and beyond she works with, and certainly brought joy to this episode of the podcast. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, & share! https://leadershipcoaching.cepl.gwu.edu/podcast/

When talking about business innovation, a lot of focus is placed on large enterprises, yet according to numbers from the Small Business Administration in January of 2023 99.9% - yes, 99.9% of companies, or roughly 33.2 million businesses are considered small businesses. Today we're going to talk about the valuable role that small businesses play, as well as how the places that small businesses are located in can help them back. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Tara Palacios, Director of BizLaunch at Arlington Economic Development, based in Arlington County, Virginia. RESOURCES The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other podcast, The Agile Brand with Greg Kihlström: https://www.theagilebrand.show The Innovation Economy podcast is brought to you by Arlington Economic Development: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. SYNOPSIS The focus of economic development, as discussed in the episode, is to make a meaningful difference in someone's life and assist them in building a sustainable business. The host emphasizes that the goal is not merely to fulfill a requirement, but to genuinely impact individuals and their families. The philosophy is centered around uplifting everyone and creating opportunities for individuals to establish businesses that can support themselves and others. To achieve this, the episode suggests thinking creatively and looking beyond the challenges posed by the pandemic. The host mentions that they are actively exploring new tools and approaches to support economic development. They highlight the importance of forging partnerships with the right organizations, including unconventional ones, to foster meaningful collaborations. An example of such a partnership mentioned in the episode is with Amazon and AWS. Additionally, the episode addresses the challenges faced by small businesses within the context of economic development. The host acknowledges that small businesses often become consumed by day-to-day operations and the constant pursuit of growth. However, they emphasize the significance of staying aware of the changes happening around them, such as redevelopment and new business opportunities. Property owners may choose to redevelop their properties, which can pose challenges for existing businesses. Therefore, economic development efforts should also focus on honoring legacy businesses and finding ways to support them during property development processes. Throughout the episode, the host and guest stress the importance of thinking outside the box and collaborating with diverse organizations for economic development. They emphasize that economic development is not limited to traditional methods, but also involves exploring new tools and approaches. They underscore the need to look beyond the pandemic and identify the lessons learned that can have a lasting impact on economic development. The guest shares their philosophy of making a positive difference in people's lives and helping them build sustainable businesses. They express their motivation to uplift everyone and create opportunities for success. The host agrees and emphasizes the importance of partnering with the right organizations, including new types of organizations, to achieve these goals. One specific example of a partnership mentioned in the episode is with Amazon and AWS. The guest highlights the benefits of this partnership and how it contributes to economic growth and stability. Overall, the episode emphasizes the necessity for economic development initiatives to think innovatively, collaborate with diverse organizations, and explore innovative approaches to create lasting impact and support sustainable businesses. Arlington Economic Development offers a range of resources and tools to support the growth and success of small businesses. One of the programs they have implemented is BizLaunch, which is led by Tara Palacios. BizLaunch aims to provide assistance to small businesses and help them navigate the challenges they face. This includes offering guidance on marketing, economic development, and community engagement. In addition to providing resources, Arlington Economic Development recognizes the importance of digital communication in reaching and supporting small businesses. They have observed a digital divide between older, established businesses and new startups when it comes to adapting to online platforms. While startups were able to pivot and adapt to the digital landscape, older businesses struggled to make the transition. To address this issue, Arlington Economic Development has implemented a program called relaunch. This program aims to bridge the digital divide by providing support and resources to help legacy businesses adapt to the online world. Overall, Arlington Economic Development is committed to fostering a thriving business community in Arlington, Virginia. They acknowledge the vital role that small businesses play in the local economy and understand that supporting these businesses is crucial for the overall economic development of the community. Through programs like BizLaunch and relaunch, they provide the necessary tools and resources to help small businesses thrive and succeed in an increasingly digital world.

Curiosity is hot in the business world, but what does it look like on the ground, and for small businesses, away from the glitz of Forbes and Inc.? Tara Palacios knows. Tara is founder and director of BizLaunch, Arlington's small business and entrepreneurial assistance network. She joins me to explore curiosity as a business tool -- especially as she and others discovered the power of a good and curious pivot in the face of the pandemic! Learn more about Arlington Economic Development's BizLaunch offerings: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Small-Business/Small-Business-Programs The business case for curiosity is strong. Check out the the research by Francesca Gino in Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2018/09/the-business-case-for-curiosity Tara loved the analogy of "seeing the mighty oak in the acorn" that I learned from my conversation with George Mason professor Tojo Thatchenkery about curiosity and appreciative intelligence: https://lynnborton.com/2020/05/27/appreciative-intelligence-with-tojo-thatchenkery/ Our theme music is by Sean Balick. “The Shoes They Wear” by Delray, via Blue Dot Sessions.

As a true urban center, Ballston has everything: food, drinks, retail, exercise, events, experiences… all within a few square blocks. But businesses of all industries and sizes face significant challenges - both daily and under special circumstances. Tara Palacios is the Director of BizLaunch, Arlington's Small Business and Entrepreneurial Assistance Network. She started the program in 2002 to help entrepreneurs grow and expand businesses in Arlington - and since its inception, the program has worked with over 50,000 business owners through sponsored workshops, seminars, and one-on-one counseling. What is the greatest challenge facing small businesses and entrepreneurs in our area? How did an aspiring journalist lead thousands of businesses to prosperity? What's on the horizon for Arlington's entrepreneurs?

EPISODE SEVENTEEN"The Sweet Smell of the Fairgrounds"written by Amanda La Pergola and Philip Cruise featuringZuri Washington as Delilah "Dee" Mallory, Docking Clerk, X.Z. DrachirEli Ganias as Hardyfox "H.F." Fornes, Steve the First, Steve, Steve from BizLaunch, Party SteveChris Lee as Chip Frinkel, Steve the Second, Tour Guide Steve, Steve the FinalAlyssa Simon as Lieutenant-Commander Frallen-Br'ar, Steve-OIvanna Cullinan as Commander Mindy ToriannaJohn Amir as John B, Steve in OperationsBerit Johnson as Althaar, Stevers, Sopon, Cpl. Ness, Steve from AdminDerrick Peterson as Xtopps, Steve-a-rinoAmanda La Pergola as Mrs. Frondrinax, Steve in Legal, Ayn RandBotwithHolly Pocket McCaffrey: Package Non-Recipient, Pudendari AttendantPhilip Cruise: Christopher WalkenBot, Cpl. Dormer, Steve from ShowcaineLex Friedman: Smarmy Computer, Steven, Dating Service DroneIan W. Hill: Announcer, Stevie, Jean-Claude, Kaiser WilhelmBot, Promo Drone, True Crime Comedian, Steve the PenultimateOlivia Baseman: Amber on the BridgeRolls Andre: George ForemanBot, Restaurant PromoLeila Okafor: Officer Crveno, Showcaine P.A.Anna Stefanic : Stella Reyes, Pitch Video, Zyloxides fru PeplinDavid Arthur Bachrach: Steve from Integration, Falling-in-Love Drone, Pharma SteveLinus Gelber: Steve from HR, StalinBot, Awesome SteveFred Backus: Steve from Tech Support, Big SteveClara Francesca : Offspring, Queen Westellernta of the Pudendari Berit is the supervising producer, showrunner, and script supervisorIan is the audio producer, sound designer, and technical supervisorThe writers’ room consists of Berit, Ian, John, Amanda, Chris, Philip, Lex, and LinusTheme and Interstitial Music composed and performed by Anna Stefanic Illustration by Dean HaspielLibrary Music and SFX licensed from Storyblocks WEB: www.geminicollisionworks.comTWITTER: @AlthaarTweeting ‏and @LifeWithAlthaarOptimized for best listening on earbuds or headphones. Entire Production © 2020 Gemini CollisionWorks Thank you for your attention; it is a pleasure working for you. A Gemini CollisionWorks Production EPISODE SCRIPT HERE!  

In this episode I interview the extremely thorough Andrew Patricio. He has a unique way of helping business owners run their businesses. This guy has a powerful story to share with some amazing value points. You don't want to miss this one. Be sure to check out his work on www.bizlaunch.com. Don't forget to follow the purposeful story journey on www.iamkobi.com and www.instagram.com/iamkobitalks.

One more week of reviews as we rack up some fire episodes for you. In the meantime...we're bringing back another one of our classic episodes with Andrew Patricio. This guy has an abundance of business experience! He has mentored thousands of businesses, international public speaker and international author. Andrew is a master of analyzing businesses and he is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to what it takes to run a successful business. Be sure to check out his work on www.bizlaunch.com. Don't forget to follow the purposeful story journey on www.iamkobi.com and www.instagram.com/iamkobitalks.

Tara Palacios of Arlington Economic Development joins us to talk about her role as BizLaunch Program Lead and how she helps prospective businesses owners become successful business owners. AED works with for-profit and nonprofit businesses of all sizes and Ms. Palacios worked for a decade with AED's nonprofit capacity building program and she encourages nonprofits to seek their services as well. The main problem she sees -- particularly with for-profit companies, but also with nonprofits -- is lack of planning at the beginning and inability to grow or scale. Avoid these and other common start-up problems with realistic goals and plans.  Tara Palacios is the Director of Arlington Economic Development’s award-winning BizLaunch program. Ms. Palacios launched the initiative in 2002 and has overseen the growth of the program which has seen over 40,000 small businesses launch and grow in Arlington, Virginia. BizLaunch, Arlington’s small business and entrepreneurial assistance network, offers over 40 workshops and seminars each year, as well as Counseling & Mentoring sessions for small businesses with the aim of helping entrepreneurs design their businesses plans, as well as to develop and grow their enterprises.

Born Leader Episode 3 BONUS - Tara Palacios, Arlington Economic DevelopmentIt’s All Arlington, Everybody Wants a Restaurant, and Plan Smart From the StartBorn Leader is a podcast founded on the belief that everyone is a born leader and there are many paths to discovering your own potential.  We explore leadership through interviews with and profiles about everyday people who demonstrate we’re all born leaders.  Hypatian Institute, Inc. Founder and CEO Gaea L. Honeycutt hosts Born Leader.In this bonus episode, we speak more with Tara Palacios, whose high energy and business acumen are the foundation for Arlington Economic Development’s unique BizLaunch program, the City’s small business and entrepreneurial assistance network, and one-stop-shop for information on starting or growing a business. One of the perks of launching a leadership institute with its own podcast is getting great material on leadership and development from our guests . . . so much that we can’t possibly squeeze it all into one episode.Tara and I had a lot of fun and a lot of conversation because that’s how it always is with her.  You can’t help but leave her presence re-energized, well informed and in a splendid mood.  So, there’s all this extra material that I didn’t want to leave on the cutting room floor that I’m sharing between episodes in this BONUS track.First, we go into little detour into history and regional trivia that I’m calling “It’s All Arlington”, in which we talk about the region and it’s contribution to post Civil War history.Then, a theme that dominated my conversation with Tara was picking the right business, which led to a conversation about the often risky restaurant industry.  I’m calling it “Everybody Wants a Restaurant”. Tara breaks down the reality of starting your own eating establishment. And, finally, we talked a bit more about the fact that most successful entrepreneurs Tara meets spend a great deal of time planning.  And, with Tara’s financial background, you know you can take the information “to the bank”. I’m calling this “Plan Smart From the Start”.I’d like to thank Tara Palacios for being such an outstanding guest, and the ever steadfast Therese Arkenberg for cranking out transcripts and making sure we’re taking care of business. Our upcoming episodes feature international investor and consultant Babak Hafezi of Hafezi Capital, Maestro Ulysses James of the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic, and Michel Zajur, Founder and CEO of the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.  If you want to learn more about Tara Palacios or other guests on the Born Leader podcast,or for a transcript, visit www.HypatianInstitute.com.  That’s H-Y-P-A-T-I-A-N institute dot com. Or follow us on Twitter @HypatianInst. Key words: leadership, business, community, arlington, women, glass ceiling, planning, strategy, transformation, collaboration, team-building, networking, dc, maryland, virginiaMENTIONED ON THE SHOWHypatian Institute - http://www.hypatianinstitute.comArlington Economic Development - http://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/

Born Leader  - Episode 3: Strategies for Growth, Transformation and ChangeLessons from Tara Palacios of Arlington Economic DevelopmentBorn Leader is a podcast founded on the belief that everyone is a born leader and there are many paths to discovering your own potential.  We explore leadership through interviews with and profiles about everyday people who demonstrate we’re all born leaders.  Hypatian Institute, Inc. Founder and CEO Gaea L. Honeycutt hosts Born Leader.In this third episode, we welcome Tara Palacios, whose high energy and business acumen are the foundation for Arlington Economic Development’s unique BizLaunch program, the City’s small business and entrepreneurial assistance network, and one-stop-shop for information on starting or growing a business.  Here sometimes unusual career prepared her to build and run BizLaunch, and she shares with us her advice about acting strategically and planning for success.  Her lessons from graduating in a tough job market, taking missteps on her first job, and becoming a valued collaborator resonate with anyone starting their own venture — whether business, nonprofit or public.We dive into how Tara Palacios strives to be the mentor she never had and strategies for leaving a toxic workplace, as well as getting some pointers on how to assess whether you should start a business.  Then, Tara outlines how Arlington Economic Development planned and laid the groundwork for the BizLaunch program and it’s partnerships, and how this preparation has served her well as the program has taken hold and grown. And, she talks about some of the leaders she admires, how she engages in continuous learning, and the Golden Rule in business and life.In the next episode of Born Leader, we’ll speak with investor Babak Hafezi, CEO of Hafezi Capital, who’s firm consults at the intersection of key operational functions — finance, human capital and strategic development. Special thanks to Therese Arkenberg who prepares our Born Leader transcripts and provides assistance on the business side of this venture.If you want to learn more about Tara Palacios or other guests on the Born Leader podcast,or for a transcript, visit www.HypatianInstitute.com.Key words: leadership, business, community, arlington, women, glass ceiling, planning, strategy, transformation, collaboration, team-building, networking, dc, maryland, virginiaMENTIONED ON THE SHOWHypatian Institute - http://www.hypatianinstitute.comArlington Economic Development - http://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - http://www.gwhcc.org/Washington Network Group - http://washingtonnetworkgroup.com/District Taco - http://districttaco.myshopify.com/Dali Lama - http://www.dalailama.com/Whoopi Goldberg - http://www.biography.com/people/whoopi-goldberg-9314384Think Food Group - http://www.thinkfoodgroup.com/Michelle Obama - https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/first-lady-michelle-obamaADVERTISERSTake Point Now - http://www.takepointnow.com/Hypatian Institute College Fellows Program - http://www.hypatianinstitute.com/college-fellows-application/Your Virtual Business Partner - http://www.yourvirtualbusinesspartner.com/Brazen Maven (TM) Marketing Communications - http://www.brazenmaven.com