Launching a small business is no easy task. But for many local small businesses and startups, free resources and support are within reach.
In Arlington County, approximately 8,000 businesses a year get their start with the help of Arlington Economic Development鈥檚 .
Tara Palacios, who started the organization more than 20 years ago, likes to describe BizLaunch as the keeper of dreams.
鈥淎 lot of entrepreneurs come to us the very first time 鈥� they may not have talked to their family or their significant others 鈥� and they come to us with their dreams,鈥� Palacios, BizLaunch director, told 草莓传媒 during our Small Business September 2024. 鈥淎nd we help them through the process of how to start and grow their businesses.鈥�
Today鈥檚 small business entrepreneurs
BizLauch continues to evolve too, she said, to help the entrepreneurs that seek out help. Women and minorities are starting small businesses at a faster clip, both locally and nationally.
鈥淚f you look at women in general, they鈥檙e starting businesses at 114%. The federal government is starting to really put a lot of resources to that number,鈥� Palacios said.
Historically, access to funding and other resources has been challenging for women and minorities looking to launch their own businesses.
鈥淚f you look at women of color who are Black and are starting businesses, they鈥檙e growing at a tremendous clip,鈥� she said, adding, 鈥淲e see that as an opportunity to be able to help them and build wealth and sustainability for our community.鈥�
As example of the types of programs BizLaunch has been targeting at minority business owners, Palacios pointed to a minority vendor fair with the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City it held to provide these entrepreneurs introductions to potential partners.
鈥淥ur goal was to bring together 65 black-owned businesses and to have them open up an opportunity to be able to vend to other large corporations such as Hyatt, Walmart and Target,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e had 65 vendors that presented themselves for a daylong conference, and each one of them got contracts,鈥� Palacios said.
To capitalize on that momentum, BizLaunch will be hosting several programs throughout the coming year aimed at helping entrepreneurs compete for business. Here are a couple happening soon:
- , on Oct. 5
- Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 through Oct. 15
To learn about all events and training opportunities, visit .
Keeping up in a changing business environment
Not all entrepreneurs are young nor are all small businesses new, Palacios said. BizLaunch also provides support and services to legacy business owners with decades of operating experience. They often need help with pivoting and learning new skills to stay competitive, she said.
Now, although many were able to adapt and survive during the COVID-19 pandemic, more of these businesses are reaching out now because they realize their target market has changed, Palacios said. 鈥淧eople aren鈥檛 shopping the way they used to.鈥�
鈥淢any businesses were successful based on their brick-and-mortar, and people visiting them. Now, you鈥檝e got to have an online presence,鈥� she said. That wasn鈥檛 something temporary to survive the pandemic.
BizLaunch works with many older adults and long-term business owners to get them familiar with evolving their online presences and maintaining social media platforms.
鈥淚t has also been an opportunity for us,鈥� she said.
What to ask yourself before launching a business
For people who want to start a small business, Palacios has advice: Remain flexible, self-aware and self-reflective.
鈥淵ou have to be a bit coachable. You have to be able to self-reflect and say, 鈥業 have this weakness. Maybe I need to look at a venture capitalist. Or maybe I need to look to bring advisers on to help guide me through this,鈥� 鈥� she offered as examples.
If you can target a weakness, 鈥測ou can alter it quickly before you lose any money or you go down the wrong path,鈥� Palacios said.
Entrepreneurship is a dream for many, and no one has to navigate it alone.
鈥淚 would encourage people to reach out to their economic development office or their Chamber of Commerce. Being in the DMV, there are so many resources for small businesses and people that have an idea,鈥� she said.
To make your dream become a reality, 鈥渕ap it out, write it down, do a strategic plan, understand your competition, understand the marketing of it all in social media,鈥� Palacios said. Ideally, she added, if someone can do that before launch, the business will be a step ahead of any problems that crop up.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e already thought about it, and you can begin your journey of success. But reach out, and don鈥檛 do it alone.鈥�
To discover more insights for entrepreneurs, startups and SMBs shared during 草莓传媒鈥檚 Small Business September, click here.
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