Ria Radio

Very few small business owners go into business because they want to do the "back office" work that all businesses must do to STAY in business. Enter the team from Office Accomplice to take over those tasks for you! We chat with Mallory Corlette about all of the services that her company can take off your plate and get you back to doing what you do best for your business. Then we visit with Dan Schramm, president of the Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association. The BNCA has a robust calendar of events and is "a forum for considering and advancing the interests of Brookland residents on issues affecting the Brookland Community." Tune in now to learn more!

Your business growth depends on more than your amazing products - you have to be able to tell the world about it! Channing Muller, Principal and Founder of DCM Communications, is all about making sure your business marketing plan is on point. She joins us to talk about some critical components of an effective marketing plan and how you can maximize your impact. Casey from Good Food Markets calls in with a market update, then we visit with Kaitlin Athmer about summer's free yoga on the Metropolitan Branch Trail. Listen now!

Because a robust commercial corridor can't happen without the intangible assets that art - in all its forms - can bring, we wanted to visit with someone that not only knows about the artistic community AND small business growth. Enter Morgan H. West. Morgan (http://www.acreativedc.com/) is the founder and director of the A Creative DC project. The project seeks to bring the DC's robust creative community to the world through social media and digital galleries. Of course we chat with Casey at Good Food Markets to find out about the new summer products rolling in. Tune in now for both interviews!

One of the businesses that took an early chance on RIA Main Street is alson one of the most popular spots to be in the summer! Sisters Charnita Walker and Angela Brock join us to talk about Rita's Water Ice. Not only do the Ward 5 natives give back to the community in the form of delicious custard and water ice, but through employeeing the youth of the neighborhood, they are mentoring young men and women to successful futures. Tune in to hear their inspiring story. Casey from Good Food Markets calls in, and we get the updates on summer produce starting to roll in.

Two of RIA Main Street's newest businesses join us on this episode. Brian Dombrowski started Benevolent Tech (www.benvolent.tech) to not only deliever quality website design, but to really work with small businesses and nonprofits to craft the marketing message they want to convey through their organization's web presence. Next, we chat with Mani Pahlevanpour of the brand new District Floor Depot (www.districtfloordepot.com). With a variety of beautiful wood flooring options and a dedication to quality and impeccable customer service, your home renovation just got a whole lot easier... and mroe beautiful. And as always, we check in with Casey from Good Food Markets to find out the lastest happenings in fresh food here on RIA Main Street!

This episode, we are joined by Dr. Laytrayal Simmons and Latoya Porterfield, Esq from ReIGNITE (http://www.reignitepsych.com/). The ReIGNITE team provides counseling, a 360 degree weight loss program, career coaching services, and psychological assessments. AND boxing classes!! Sounds like a winning combination for personal growth, right here in Ward 5. Then we chat with Casey from Good Food Markets - great locally-sourced spring produce is heading to the Market. Tune in now!

The Rhode Island Row Farmers Market (https://www.facebook.com/FoodworksRIR/) is all set to kick off on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. We're joined by Nick Staveley of Community Foodworks (http://www.community-foodworks.org/), the organization behind the market. Nick stops by to talk about what will be new at the market this year, including discounts and great new market vendors. Casey calls in with the Good Food Markets update (http://www.goodfoodmarkets.com/). Then we are joined by Derek Nelson, the CEO of The HIlltop Microfinance Initiative (http://hilltopmfi.org/en/home/). HMFI is a nonprofit that provides low interest micro loans of $500 - $10,000 to small businesses growing in the DC area. Derek talks about how HMFI works, and the many programs they have available to assist small businesses. Listen now for all the details!

John Mains from SB Works drops by to talk about some very special programming they have lined up for National Small Business Week, April 30 - May 6. Casey calls in with the Market Report from Good Food Markets, and then we have a fantastic chat with Ward 5 neighbor Leslie Green from Master PR Basics. Leslie has a great PR 101 webinar, plus now a new PR 101 ebook, chock full of great ways to help your business stand out from the crowd. Listen now, and share with all your favorite small business owners!

We're joined by Renee Hicks of www.Insperity.com to talk about HR solutions for small and growing businesses. Want to offer your employees a high level of benefits, but don't think your business has the financial capacity? Think again - Insperity just might be the solution you need. Plus, Casey calls in with the Market Report from Good Food Markets, and spring produce is here!

On this special episode, Kyle is joined by Cristina Amoruso and Lauren Adkins of the Dept. of Small & Local Business Development. Cristina and Lauren are the program managers for the DC Main Streets program, so of course we're talking about all things Main Street! Plus, Casey calls in for the market report from Good Food Markets.

The Dept. of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs is one of the many agencies that small businesses must work with through all stages of their business growth. From building and occupancy permits, to professional licensing, to corporate registration, DCRA is a large and sometimes complicated agency. Claudia Herrera joins us to talk about many of the resources available to help small businesses navigate the DCRA process, as well as some tips on how to stay in compliance and keep your business growing. Casey from Good Food Markets calls in with the Market Report - we can't wait for some of the new products!

William Bowie from the DC Office of Tax and Revenue joins us to talk about some very important steps and concerns for small businesses in the District. Your rights and responsibilities are the topic! Then we get an update from Catherine at The Bakers Lounge - good news! They are opening for lunch now! Casey from Good Food Markets gives us the market report, and it's all good news. Tune in now!

Stacey Brown of Chief Image Builder stops by to talk about the importance of your small business brand, and it goes far beyond just your business logo. Next, Tony Brunswick of Art Enables stops by to share some updates - in addition to all the great programming, the Art Enables building is getting a facelift! And of course, we hear from Casey at Good Food Markets for an update on the fresh foods headed your way.

We are once again joined by Tiffany Bridge of BaxBridge Digital. Today Tiffany is talking about the importance of digital "local mapping" of your business. This critical part of your web presence makes all the difference in how easy it is for your customers to find your location! Casey from Good Food Markets calls in with the market update, and of course, it's all delicious! Listen now for the full story.

There's a new place to shop on RIA Main Street! Tiana Michelle has grown her very successful online boutique to her first brick & mortar location: Material World Boutique, located at 2121 Rhode Island Ave NE. She's got everything from casual wear to ball gowns, and many one-of-a-kind styles. Then we visit with Casey from Good Food Markets for updates on the latest new and delicious products. Tune in for more!

Eric B. comes in to share his creative vision behind the vibrant and beautiful new mural located on the side of the building at 1613 Rhode Island Ave NE. The work was done as part of the DC Department of Public Works' effort to curb "tagging" vandalism. And Philip calls in to give a Good Food Markets update for all the new products coming in to the store. Tune in to listen to the full story.

Josh Brown joins us to talk about some innovative marketing technology to help you reach your customers in a very personalized and direct way. Tune in to the interview, then visit www.dpstrategiesgroup.com to learn even more. We're also joined by Philip at Good Food Markets for a great market update.

SEAS Community Partners founder Danita Doleman joins us to talk about mobile apps for your business! Tune in to find out how they can help your business grow. Of course we hear from Philip at Good Food Markets - new in-house brands of prepared foods are coming to the store! Then we visit with Tyann Hodges, creative genius behind the new Allure & More salon (2127 Rhode Island Ave NE). This is more than a simple salon - Tyann has a hair specialty that really makes her stand out in the industry. Tune in for the full story!

Derrick Colbert of the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) joins us to talk about the resources available to DC-area small businesses through the agency. From assistance in finding funding and incentives to training and education, DSLBD literally exists to support small and locally-owned businesses. Tune in for the conversation.

We start off the show with an update from Philip - new seasonal offerings at Good Food Market are here! Next - the DC Office of Planning has just launched efforts to amend the Comprehensive Plan for the District - something that the Home Rule Act requires. Director Eric D. Shaw joins us to talk about the Comprehensive Plan, and the "Plan DC" amendment process, as well as the innovative outreach the Office of Planning is doing in each Ward to get feedback from the community. Tune in to find out about the process, why you should be involved, and how you can find out more information. You can also visit www.plandc.dc.gov to take an online survey and to get updates.