Ward 8 Entrepreneurship: Not "sexy" but still important
Small Biz Entrepreneurs at at Sidehustle Saturday event at The HIVE 2.0 |
To be fair, I am probably more than a bit biased. I run The HIVE + The HIVE 2.0 small business incubators in Ward 8 for a nonprofit organization. While our incubators may not have all the bells and whistles (and hype) of some of our counterparts, nor be the recipients of a lot of government funding we do provide a much needed services for entrepreneurs east of the river. (Please note: While The HIVEs do receive small grants to provide small business technical assistance our membership fees have to cover our rent and overhead). We don't just service our tenants but anyone in need of small business technical assistance --- all of our events are free and open to the public.
Hugs to Capital One Bank for sponsoring our coworking lab at HIVE 2.0! |
Despite this being "Chocolate City" (for the moment), there is a real and true divide in D.C.'s entrepreneurship and small business development sector. I know because I experience it all the time during the course of business. Often I am The Only in these small business and economic development meetings of DC's "shotcallers" and elite. I'm The Only Black, the Only Woman and most definitely the Only East of the River presence in the room. I jokingly say I should rent myself out as a professional double minority... I would make a killing at press events and panel discussions. :)
Showing our Southeast Love after Sidehustle Saturday |
Me (center) with two of our Creative Economy Residents Catherine (left) and Jess (right) of Live UnChained |
"Branding your business" workshop co-hosted by WACIF at The HIVE 2.0 |
So if you are reading this and you would like to join our team as either a member, a volunteer, or a partner organization please let us know. We want you, even if you aren't deemed "sexy" right now. ;)
In the meantime, check out some of our upcoming events. As always our events are free and open to the public -- that's just how we roll -- even if we won't make the cover of Forbes because of it. ;)
Upcoming HIVE 2.0 events
BRANDING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS (Part 2 of 3)
Tues, April 23rd | 6:30pm - 8:30pm
CROWDFUNDING WORKSHOP (Part 2 of 4)
Tues, April 24th | 6:30pm - 8:30pm
CROWDFUNDING WORKSHOP (Part 3 of 4)
Tues, April 30th | 6:30pm - 8:30pm
BUZZED: A CREATIVE CO-WORKING HAPPY HOUR
@ HONFLEUR GALLERY
Wed, May 1st | 6:30pm - 8:30pm
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