One of the newest businesses on the RIA Main Street corridor is Bandura Design. This all-woman design firm, founded by Jennifer Farris, opened in July of 2020. They specialize in commercial design for hotels, apartments, and other hospitality venues. Listen now to hear how this fantastic firm is already making an impact by helping their business neighbors.

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156 - Bandura Design

Our good friend, Darryl Maxwell of the DC Bar Pro Bono Center joins us once again to talk all things related to small business legal guidance. As restrictions are lifted post-pandemic, many of the challenges that small businesses have faced, as well as many of the opportunities for assistance (PPP loans, eviction moratoriums) are coming to an end. What to small businesses need to know from a legal framework? Darryl and his Pro Bono team have the answers! 

155 - DC Bar Pro Bono Center - Darryl Maxwell

Some of the best advocates for small businesses are the micro bloggers of social media. Their news and reviews reach audiences in a way that even the best advertising strategies can miss. And many times, the authors behind the handles have the opportunity for invaluable insights into the trends and news about DC-area dining, and our guest, @eat_dc, is no exception. Tune in to hear his thoughts on the challenges that the DC dining scene face, as well as some of the outstanding successes we have seen arise from the pandemic.

154 - @eat_dc

As DC reopens for business, we are not only welcoming the businesses that we have known and loved, but also new businesses that have been busily working to join the ever-growing list of great hangouts in neighborhoods all across the District. Today we&apos;re visiting with one of the newest on the block: Jesse Rauch from metrobar, located in the new Bryant Street development at 640 Rhode Island Ave NE. Jesse and his team have created an amazing metro-themed (yes, as in WMATA-esque) space, complete with beverages from local distilleries and breweries. Not only does the drink menu reflect the talented crafters of the region, but there will soon be a fully retrofitted metro train car serving as indoor seating and bar space! Listen now to learn more about metrobardc.com

153 - Metrobar

The pandemic has shaken up so many small business sectors, and the food service industry has definitely taken a big hit. In a year of so many restaurants closing, we&apos;re excited to talk with Sarah Frimpong of Wellfound Foods. Frim and her team are bringing "Smart Fridges" full of healthy fresh foods to campuses, airports, hospitals, and more. How do you keep a vending machine stocked with high quality, delicious, fresh foods? Listen now to learn all about Wellfound Foods!

152 - Wellfound Foods

economic effects of the pandemic, there are some additional options for sales that they may not be aware of! Both the local DC government and the Federal government regularly hire small businesses as contractors, and in far more business categories than you might imagine. Sheila Edmondson from the DC Procurement and Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) joins us, along with Cristina Amoruso, from the Department of Small and Local Business Development, to talk about the ways PTAC helps small businesses prepare to do business with the government. Tune in now to see how YOUR business can benefit! https://dslbd.dc.gov/service/dc-procurement-technical-assistance-center

151 - DC Procurement and Technical Assistance Center

For the last few years, we&apos;ve been eagerly watching the construction going on at the new Bryant Street Development. We&apos;re excited to welcome Matt Bailey of MRP Realty to talk about the progress of the project, as well as some of the exciting new businesses and amenities they are bringing to the area. Listen now!

150 - Bryant Street Development

Small businesses seem to always face challenges with cash flow, and this past year has seen entrepreneurs constantly searching for ways to keep their businesses afloat. At the same time, community members have been searching for ways to support their favorite locally-owned small business. Enter The SMBX! Now small businesses can apply to release SEC-approved bonds directly to general public, allowing businesses to raise capital while allowing community members to invest in a business that is meaningful to them. Benjamin Stein of The SMBX talks us through the details of how investements of as little as $10 can make raise funds for a business, provide a return to investors, and make a positive impact on the entire community.

149 - The SMBX

Once again, District leadership is stepping up to help strengthen the DC economy during this pandemic year. The DC Local Equity, Access, and Preservation Fund (DC LEAF) is open now, with $3.185 Million in funds available across 3 different programs. Stephanie Thomas, Director of Great Streets and Retail at the office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, joins us to talk about the grants. Listen now for details, and visit dmped.dc.gov to apply. But hurry - the grant deadline is March 15, 2021!

148 - DC LEAF Funds

When Covid-19 led to the shut down of businesses around the world, one of the most severely impacted industries was restaurants. Food delivery quickly became the norm here in DC, but just as quickly, we realized that the traditional food delivery service via a 3rd party app, such as Uber Eats or GrubHub, was no the only game in town to access food from our favorite dining spots. Enter DC To-GoGo, offering affordable delivery rates to restaurants, and paying their drivers a living wage. Adam Fry, co-founder of DC To-GoGo joins us to talk about the newest food delivery app in town. Listen now!

147 - DC To-GoGo

In honor of Black History Month, we are excited to visit with Corey Griffin, President and CEO of Global Government and Industry Partners, LLC, and the Board Chair of the Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has a mission to "...promote black business growth in the District of Columbia through the facilitation of business opportunities and education," and they bring together an impressive network to make it happen. Tune in to hear Corey&apos;s take on the biggest challenges facing the Black business community in DC right now, as well as the opportunities the GWBCC is pulling together to educate, inspire, and promote entrepreneurship among Black business owners. 

146 - Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce

As the COVID 19 pandemic continues to impact the economy, small businesses are among the hardest hit. The District of Columbia has implemented many programs to assist small businesses in DC, and the latest rounds of grants to help keep them afloat are out now. We&apos;re joined by Department of Small and Local Business Development Director Kristi Whitfield, and the Great Streets program director at the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development, Stephanie Thomas. We&apos;ll be discussing the Robust Retail Grant and the Bridge Fund Grants. Listen know to learn how your business can take advantage of some much-needed funding.

145 - DC Robust Retail Grant & Bridge Fund Grants

Coronavirus, or COVID 19, is here and already creating economic challenges. We&apos;re facing some uncharted territory in the small business world, but some strategic planning and some "outside the box" thinking may make all the difference for your business. Kyle visits with Sara Gibson of 20 Degrees about how to create some basic resiliency for your customers, employees, and cash flow. We&apos;ll also talk about some of the resources available to you at this moment in time, and some ways that you can maximize any slow times your business might be currently experiencing. Listen now, and subscribe for more updates.

144 - Coronavirus Resiliency Planning for Businesses

Spring is just around the corner, and it couldn't be a better time to introduce one of the newest businesses on RIA Main Street! Olde City Garden is gearing up for their spring opening on Saturday, March 14th, at 9 a.m., and we visit with owner Pat Patterson, general manager Jeremy Gabriel, and business operations manager Tom Henry about their plans. If you ever visited their old location in Shaw, you know what a wonderful resource this will be for our community. In addition to meeting just about any gardening need you might have, they will have classes, special events, and fun activities for gardeners of all ages. We also chat with Stephanie Liotta-Atkinson of MidCity Development about some exciting art programming and more, all at the shared location of Olde City Garden. Listen now!

143 - Olde City Garden & MidCity Development

Sure, DC is full of beer breweries and distilleries, but we&apos;re also becoming known for cider! We visit with Will from Supreme Core Cider, and wow does it sound delicious. The cidery and tasting room is located just off Bladensburg Road on T St NE. Tune in now for details on their special recipes and more!

142 - Supreme Core Cider

Each week, Rhode Island Avenue Radio hosts Michelle Yancey and Kyle Todd sit down to visit with area business owners, city leaders, small business training experts, and the visionaries that help our local commercial corridors grow and thrive. Tune in to learn about Rhode Island Avenue NE Main Street’s new businesses; learn about some of the not-so-secret business gems of the community; and get behind-the-scenes stories about innovative business ideas happening right here in our neighborhood.

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