LoudounPreneur: Are You Ready to Lease an Office?

Information for the Innovative, Enterprising and Brave

November 2013

People You Should Know: Ed Zigo

Having dedicated 30 years to Loudoun and Fairfax counties, Clarke-Hook President Ed Zigo is well known for both his commercial real estate expertise and his dedication to the community. Find out what he advises small to medium-sized businesses looking for commercial space.

7 Mistakes Startup Bloggers Make

Starting a blog might not be a fit for every business, but for those that make the decision, creating one can help drive traffic to your website, position you as a thought-leader in your industry, and help create a community of customers. If you do it right, a blog can also create higher rankings for your business in Google search results. Find out how.

Media Tips From an NFL Pro

A recent event for local public relations professionals featured Tony Wyllie, senior vice president and manager of public relations for the Washington Redskins. The event, which was cosponsored by the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development, offered key information small business owners should keep in mind when dealing with the media. Read Wyllie's best tips.

Be a Winner

This month we have another terrific prize: a certificate valid for a weekend wine tour, courtesy of Reston Limo. If you win, you get to pick your winery destination from those offered every Saturday and Sunday, and join other wine-lovers that have signed up for the tour that day. Come find out why Loudoun wineries rank first in Virginia! Valued at $78, this prize includes transportation to and from the group pickup location. Tasting fees and gratuities are additional.

To be entered to win, either join as a new LoudounPreneur subscriber, or just forward this edition of LoudounPreneur to another business or colleague, copying LoudounBiz@loudoun.gov on the email. New subscribers and anyone forwarding this email between now and November 12 will be eligible to win.

Congratulations to Jake Dean from Aloe Design. Dean was selected from more than 50 entrants as last month's winner of the Pelican iPad case from Dulles Case Center. Aloe Design creates high-quality 3D animation and motion graphics for entertainment, corporate and government needs, and their work has been featured in projects ranging from NASA podcasts to GEICO ads on the Superbowl jumbotron.

Read it and Reap

To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others by Daniel H. Pink

If you own a small business, you are in sales. You have the same goal as the traditional salesperson: to move others to take action that will benefit your business. Pink explores why some people are better at this task than others, and provides strategies you can use to convince investors to back your business or get customers to buy the product or idea you're selling. The Loudoun County Public Library has this book available in print and on CDs for easy learning while you commute or work out.

Up Skill: Entrepreneurial Events

Winning Marketing Strategies to Jump-Start Business and Maximize Return on Investment

This NVTC event will discuss better branding communications, sales and marketing materials, website and mobile strategy, performance through planning, and go-to-market strategies.

Date: November 14, 2013

Time: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Place: Sprint, 12524 Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston

Price: $45 to $85; register online

1 Million Cups

Join us for six-minute presentations from Loudoun business owners. Engage in peer mentoring by giving the presenter the benefit of your knowledge and experience in resolving business issues and making companies grow. If you'd like to be a presenter, fill out this application.

Date: November 13 and 20, 2013

Time: 9 to 10 a.m.

Place: Mason Enterprise Center, 202 Church St., Leesburg

Cost: Free, find out more online

8 Success Strategies for Leading High-Performing Companies
Become the leader you aspire to be. In this interactive seminar, Sharon Hadary and Laura Henderson draw on real-life insights to provide practical knowledge that all business owners can implement.
Date:     November 20, 2013
Time:     5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Place:    REMAX Premier, 44675 Cape Court, Suite 110 in Ashburn
Cost:      Free, register online

Loudoun Federal Contractors' Group Networking
Whether you are a federal contracting neophyte or veteran, this event can help you move forward on your contracting goals.

Date: November 26, 2013

Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Place: Mason Enterprise Center, 202 Church Street, Leesburg

Cost: Free, register online

Gut Check from a Guru

"Never lose sight of your long-term business goals!" - Jake Dean, Aloe Design