Don't believe it

Loudoun Economic Development Newsletter February 2017

Hit or Myth?

1. "If you build it, they will come."

2. "Creating the product is the last step."

3. "How hard could it be?"

Have you ever made one of these statements to yourself? Believing startup myths can hinder your success. Let us help you get your business off to a good start. Details at LoudounSmallBiz.org.

Save the Dates

May 15-21 is Small Business Week in Loudoun! Business icons and experts will offer insight you can use right now to start or grow your business. You can also meet potential customers and investors at important networking events.

Download the Loudoun WBW app for news and inside tips. Available now for iOS and Android phones. Get more details at LoudounSBW.org.

Featured Events

1 Million Cups

Wednesday, February 8, 15 and 22 at 9 a.m.

Mason Enterprise Center -- Leesburg

Loudoun entrepreneurs present startup ideas to an audience of potential mentors, advisers and customers. More about 1 Million Cups here.

Success With Kickstarter

Saturday, February 11 at 2 p.m.

Rust Library -- Leesburg

Inventors and entrepreneurs have raised money for their startup s with crowdfunding platforms. Get insight on how to run a successful project from Henrik de Gyor. Details here .

Startup and Tech Professional Matchmaking Meetup

W ednesday, February 15 at 6 p.m.

Brickyard -- Ashburn

Hear from three Loudoun startups what they are working on and who they need to meet their goals.Talent-seekers and job-seekers encouraged to attend. More info here.

Capital Data Summit

Wednesday, February 15 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Ritz-Carlton -- Tysons

Connect with speakers from Hewlett Packard, Capital One, Freddie Mac, Google, IBM, the Washington Post, and more. Buy tickets online.

Forum for Rural Innovation

Friday, March 10 from 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Best Western -- Winchester

Want to get in on the miniature livestock craze by breeding tiny goats, pigs or horses? Need to add another income stream by allowing couples to hold weddings on your property? Find out all this and more. $45 includes locally sourced breakfast and lunch. Register online.

Loudoun Small Biz News

Insurance Solutions announced merger with Integrated Insurance Solutions and will continue operations in Ashburn, VA.
Loudoun small businesses are joining the new artisan trail ; come to the next "Lunch 'n Learn" February 8.
Space techies discussing drone startup ANRA, which was featured in Aviation Week magazine.
Roots 657 restaurateur is one of the master chefs awarded gold for the USA in the Bocuse d'Or culinary competition in France.
Four Loudoun firms recognized in SmartCEO's BestRun book. Congratulations to ABBTECH, Cynet Systems, Connected Services and Reston Limo!
In January we celebrated these new Loudoun businesses' grand openings: Club Pilates, the Sunoco at Dulles International Airport, Chesterbrook Academy in Aldie, and JK Moving Services.

Takeover Tuesday

We're looking for Loudoun businesses to feature on Instagram. If your company has photo-worthy things that happen throughout the day, and you know how to use social media, please email us at LoudounBiz@Loudoun.gov.

D o you raise exotic animals? Make unusual food products? Create custom art pieces? Sign up for a Takeover Tuesday today!

Let Us Help You

Vanessa Wagner is the department's small business and entrepreneurship manager. She can help you find resources to start or grow your business. That means introducing you to people who can help you write a business plan, find office space, analyze funding sources, navigate the permit process, or anything else outlined in our small business quick-start checklist. Contact Vanessa at 703-777-0585 or by email.