RIA Radio
162 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsEach 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.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
112 - Ward 5 Community Happy Hour
August 07, 2018 04:00 - 52 minutes - 24 MBEconomic development is always about more than just giving out grants and education to businesses in a community. It's also about creating a climate where community members and community businesses grow together. Our very own Michelle Yancey, with her BFF Andi Fleming host a monthly happy hour at rotating locations throughout the Greater Ward 5 community. Learn how they got started, as well as some of the great stories that have come out of the happy hours. We also check in with Casey from Go...
111 - District Bridges Main Street
July 31, 2018 04:00 - 43 minutes - 20 MBDC is full of exciting and diverse neighborhoods, and the Main Street program is an integral part of the success of these communities. Today we visit with Brianne Dornbush, the Executive Director of District Bridges. Her organization manages two adjacent Main Street programs - Columbia Heights/Mt. Pleasant, and Lower Georgia Avenue. We discuss the unique assets of these neighborhoods, and the programs and incentives that Brianne's team is working on to help the small business owners on their ...
110 - 21st Century Marketing
July 17, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 36 MBJenny Crittenden is the Executive Director for the Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust and the Cook Foundation in Gloucester, VA. She was a speaker at the 2017 Main Street Now conference, and we just had to have her join us to talk about 21st Century Marketing. Listen now to get your business marketing on point and maximize the wide breadth of style and resources available in the digital age to lock in sales 24/7!
109 - Stover & Associates and Tastemakers/Captain Cookie
July 03, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 28.6 MBWe've had several of their members in to chat with us, and now it's time to visit with the founder of Tastemakers! Kirk Francis has not only expanded on the food incubator concept to create an amazing (and delicious!) food "mall" right here in the neighborhood, but he walks the walk as the guy behind Captain Cookie. We check in with Casey from Good Food Markets, and then we visit with Jon Stover of Stover & Associates for a wide-ranging chat about market research to grow your business.
108 - Brian T. Kenner, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
June 12, 2018 04:00 - 46 minutes - 21.4 MBIt takes a strong public/private partnership to grow a city into a vibrant economy. The District of Columbia is a perfect example of solid, multi-agency economic development teamwork. Deputy Mayor Brian T. Kenner joins us to talk about the role his office plays in supporting the economic growth of DC, from housing and small business support, to strategies for luring industry giants like Amazon to our city. Listen now!
107 - Coalition for Smarter Growth
May 29, 2018 04:00 - 38 minutes - 17.8 MBThere is an adage in economic development: "Roofs Before Retail." Meaning, of course, that savvy entrepreneurs will choose to locate in communities that not only want their retail services, but also contain the right mix of residential density and spending power. And as we are all aware, creating affordable housing in DC is always a challenge. In this episode, we visit with Cheryl Cort, the policy director for the Coalition for Smarter Growth. Cheryl addresses the need to create compact, walk...
106 - Bri's Brookland Creamery
May 22, 2018 04:00 - 27 minutes - 12.6 MBSummer is just around the corner, which means ice cream season! We're excited to visit with Brookland resident and entrepreneur Brianna McCullough about Brookland Creamery. She makes ice cream the old-fashioned way, and the results are amazing. Listen now to hear about how she got started, and for how to get your hands on some of her fantastic ice cream.
105 - DHCD & M&T Bank
May 01, 2018 04:00 - 52 minutes - 24.1 MBWe're back! In honor of National Small Business Week, we visit with Lamont Lee, Supervisory Program Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development's (DHCD) Small Business Technical Assistance program (SBTA). Lamont talks about the role of DHCD in helping small businesses grow and thrive in the District. Next: Access to external financing is critical to business success, but when is the optimal time to start thinking about it, and what are the steps you need to take to get it?...
104 - Brookland Dog Walking & Bluebird Sky Yoga
April 03, 2018 04:00 - 49 minutes - 22.8 MBAll you need to do is take a look around the neighborhood to see how much RIA Main Street neighbors love their dogs! But sometimes you need help with that extra walk during the day, or an alternative to boarding your beloved pooch while you are on vacation. Enter Mark McInerney and Leah Gage from Brookland Dog Walking (https://www.brooklanddogwalking.com/)! They take all the worries out of providing the best care for your dog for those times when you need an extra set of hands to help out. N...
103 - Women-owned Business in DC
March 13, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 39.8 MBIn this special episode, we visit with DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield, Liz Anderson-Cadogan of Cadogan & Associates, and Elisse Scott of Pearl Fine Teas. While we visit with Liz and Elisse about their businesses, we also chat about the state of women-owned businesses in the District. Director Whitfield joins the discussion to talk about the resources available through the Department of Small and Local Business Development. Of course, we check in with Casey from Good Food Markets, and hear ab...
102 - DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson
March 06, 2018 05:00 - 38 minutes - 17.7 MBThis week, we are honored to be joined by DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson. Chairman Mendelson joins us to talk about the state of small business in DC, and the role of government in supporting a healthy economy. He's recently introduced legislation to split off a new agency from DCRA and create the Department of Buildings to streamline and improve all matters related to building permitting and inspections. Subscribe and listen now!
101 - Artist Charles Bergen
February 20, 2018 05:00 - 38 minutes - 17.8 MBHave you noticed? The historic emergency call boxes on RIA Main Street are getting facelifts! Neighbor and artist Charles Bergen recently won a grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to restore the 6 fire and police call boxes along the corridor. After working with a DC-based historian, Charles has created designs for each box that will capture important history moments relative to the geographic location of each box. Check out our website (http://www.riamainstreet.org) for t...
100 - Brookland Bridge & Lord of the Pies
February 13, 2018 05:00 - 55 minutes - 25.7 MBIt's our 100th episode! We are celebrating by interviewing some fantastic guests, and also by giving away presents! We start off the episode with #DeNews from neighbor Aaron DeNu. What RIA Main Street history lesson would be complete without a mention of Bo Diddley? That's right... he lived right here in the neighborhood! Then we chat with Shani, the neighborhood blogger behind Brookland Bridge. Shani does an amazing job of rounding up the news and updates that folks throughout Ward 5 look fo...
99 - Capital Candy Jar
February 06, 2018 05:00 - 30 minutes - 14 MBThere's nothing more gratifying that watching a creative business vision come to life... Except perhaps to watch that same business grow and thrive! In this episode, we visit with David Burton, owner and creative visionary behind Capital Candy Jar - http://www.thecapitalcandyjar.com/ . Dave has recently grown from working out of Union Kitchen to his very own brick and mortar location at 201 15th St. NE. Listen now to hear Dave talk about his delicious confections - and more importantly, where...
Show #98 - WACIF & Resilient DC
January 23, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 29.8 MBStephanie Thomas is the new Director of Programs and Small Business Services at the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF), and she stops by to chat about some of the new programs that they are rolling out to help support and grow small businesses in DC. As always, we check in with Casey from Good Food Markets - they are celebrating their 3 year anniversary of being on RIA Main Street! Then we are joined by Kevin Bush, DC's Chief Resiliency Officer. Kevin visits with us about this ...
97 - BYO Cocktail & Fitness Snob
January 16, 2018 05:00 - 29 minutes - 13.6 MBNeighbor Aaron DeNu kicks us off with another segment of #DeNew - this time about some of the interesting topography of Langdon Park. Next, we are joined by Shayla Hamlin and Amanda Sussex, the creative minds behind the delicious pre-made BYO Cocktails, mixed right here in Ward 5 at Mess Hall. Then one of the newest businesses to join the corridor stops by: Owner Kim Moore of Fitness Snob talks about her vision for boutique fitness on RIA Main Street.
96 - Councilmember Brandon Todd
December 19, 2017 05:00 - 33 minutes - 15.3 MBRestaurants, movie theaters, nightclubs, and other entertainment venues constitute what could be deemed the "after hours" industry. Despite being a critical part of a thriving economy, many of these entrepreneurs face unique challenges in wading through the regulatory network of business licensing within the District of Columbia. Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd joins us to talk about his proposed legislation to create a special office to assist these businesses. We also chat with Casey from...
95 - Councilmember David Grosso
December 12, 2017 05:00 - 31 minutes - 14.6 MBWe start off with another episode of #DeNews from neighbor Aaron DeNu. Then we welcome At-Large Councilmember and neighborhood resident, David Grosso to the show. Councilmember Grosso talks about his work around education and community growth, and how that impacts workforce development. Visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/RIARadio )to watch a video of the interview!
94 - Holiday Marketing for Small Businesses
December 05, 2017 05:00 - 50 minutes - 23.1 MBAaron DeNu starts off the episode with #DeNews; then we chat with Casey from Good Food Markets. Kyle and Michelle talk about marketing tips for small businesses to make the most of the holiday shopping season. Spoiler alert: It's never too early, OR too late to start. Tune in to learn how your business can benefit from all of the tools available to make your cash register ring.
93 - Holiday Events Announcements
November 21, 2017 05:00 - 14 minutes - 6.64 MBNo guests this week because there's so much news to share! It's the Holiday Season, and special events are happening everywhere. Take a listen and get your calendar planning in order!
92 - Business Contest - National Cherry Blossom Festival
November 14, 2017 05:00 - 33 minutes - 15.5 MBWe're only starting to feel fall & winter, but the team from the National Cherry Blossom Festival is already in planning mode for the spring! Krystle Fleetwood and Nicole Wright join us to talk about a decorating contest for businesses throughout DC, to celebrate the festival. Tune in for more information!
91 - Chef Jonathan Bardzik
October 24, 2017 04:00 - 47 minutes - 22 MB#DeNews starts us off with the history of Queens Chapel - the first Catholic church in DC. Casey from Good Food Markets (http://goodfoodmarkets.com) fills us in on the the new fall offerings in the prepared food case, with great seasonal flavors like butternut risotto. Then to keep on with the good eating theme, we're joined by Ward 5 neighbor Jonathan Bardzik (http://www.jonathanbardzik.com). Jonathan is the author of 3 published cookbooks, he is a storyteller supreme, and regularly cooks an...
90 - SB Works Small Business Challenge Grant & Medstar Washington Hospital
October 17, 2017 04:00 - 41 minutes - 19.1 MBWe're back! We start off the episode with #DeNews from neighbor and historian Aaron Denu. The topic: music legend and Ward 5 resident Pearl Bailey! Then we visit with Jasmine Childs and Patricia Coulthurst from Medstar Washington Hospital Center's Cancer Institute (https://www.medstarwashington.org). The Institute has embarked on awareness campaign in Ward 5 to raise awareness of colorectal cancer, including prevention screening and education. Next, we visit with Casey from Good Food Markets ...
89 - DC State Fair
September 19, 2017 04:00 - 28 minutes - 12.9 MBIt's that time again! The DC Stage Fair is back, and organizer Kish Rusek stops by the studio to talk about the events, the contests, and all the fun for the day (https://dcstatefair.org/). We also catch up with Casey from Good Food Markets for all the latest news and produce. (http://www.goodfoodmarkets.com/)
88 - DC Bar & Latino Economic Development Center
September 12, 2017 04:00 - 48 minutes - 22.3 MB#DeNews kicks us off with a story about Philip Reid - a slave that worked on the Statue of Freedom that adorns the top of the Capitol Building. Then we welcome Marla Bilonik, Executive Director of the Latino Economic Development Center (http://www.ledcmetro.org), and Darryl Maxwell, of the DC Bar Pro Bono Legal Program (http://www.dcbar.org/for-the-public/help-for-small-businesses/) for small businesses. Together, these organizations provide a wealth of services for small business owners in a...
87 - Dance Place & Seniors Food Delivery from Good Food Markets
September 05, 2017 04:00 - 38 minutes - 17.6 MBWe start off the hour with #DeNews - and it's kind of a spooky story! Next, Amanda Blythe from Dance Place visits with us about this amazing community institution. Last but not least, we're joined by Philip Sambol from Good Food Markets, and he fills us in on their Senior Delivery Program. Tune in now for all the details.
86 - Victory Dance Creative & "DeNews"
August 29, 2017 04:00 - 38 minutes - 17.5 MBWe're testing out a new segment for RIA Radio: DeNews! Community member and historian Aaron DeNu gives 3-minute snippets of history that happened right here in Ward 5. He also performs DeNews at Open Mic Night at The Public Option on Thursday evenings! Casey from Good Food Markets calls in to talk about the new things happening at the market - think fall flavors! Then we chat with Anthony Dihle, the creative mind behind Victory Dance Creative. Based in Edgewood, Anthony creates a variety of g...
85 - Great Streets Grants & New Columbia Solar
August 22, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 28.9 MBToday's episode is all about ways to improve your building! We start off the show talking with Sybongile Cook of the DC Great Streets program. Great Streets grants are being accepted until September 8, so if you have repairs, renovations, or other major purchases you need to grow your business, tune in to find out how you can apply for grants of up to $50,000. Then we talk with Mike Healy of New Columbia Solar - a DC-based solar energy company. If the up-front costs have been keeping you from...
84 - Monroe Street Farmers Market
August 15, 2017 04:00 - 37 minutes - 17.4 MBAccess to fresh produce has been increasing in Ward 5, thanks in large part to the growth of Farmers Markets throughout the District, and of course, from social justice-minded entrepreneurs like the team at Good Food Markets. We visit with Casey from Good Food Markets to talk about their many healthy options, including a delivery program for area seniors. Then we chat with Nick Stavely of Community Foodworks, to learn more about the Monroe Street Farmers Market. Listen now to find out what's ...
83 - Small Business Trash Compactor Grants & The OCASE Foundation
August 08, 2017 04:00 - 56 minutes - 25.9 MBRodent control is a challenge in any city, and DC is no exception. The DC Department of Health, Department of Public Works, and the Department of Small and Local Business Development have teamed up to offer grants for the purchase or lease of trash compactors for all sizes of businesses. Steve Glaude, the Director of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development, and Gerard Brown from the Department of Health stop by to talk about the grant opportunity and with details on how t...
82 - DC Office of Human Rights
August 01, 2017 04:00 - 34 minutes - 15.9 MBThe District of Columbia is one of the most progressive cities in the country for many reasons, and chief among those reasons are the policies around insuring the civil rights of some of our most vulnerable populations. Monica Palacio, Director of the DC Office of Human Rights, joins us to talk about DC's rules on non-discrimination in hiring and housing, as well as many of the tools and resources available to business owners to assist them in creating safe and welcoming environments in the w...
81 - City First Bank & DC Dept. of Motor Vehicles
July 25, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 36.3 MBAccess to capital is always an important part of realizing your entrepreneurial dream. We are joined by Edward Tuvin, Senior Vice President of the Commercial Banking Group, and Charlene Davis, Vice President of Branch Management, both from DC's own City First Bank. They'll be talking about small business banking, as well as City First's involvement in community development projects throughout the DC region. Casey from Good Food Markets checks in with the latest news in summer produce. Then we...
80 - Seabury Resources
July 18, 2017 04:00 - 46 minutes - 21.3 MBSeabury Resources CEO Deborah Royster joins us to talk about the many services their organization provides to seniors throughout the area. From aging in place services to a variety of beautiful assisted living facilities, Seabury works to help keep our elders active and engaged in the community.
79 - Fun It Up
July 11, 2017 04:00 - 24 minutes - 11.3 MBThere's a new business coming to RIA Main Street! Parents of small children around the area have been eagerly anticipating the opening of Fun It Up, a new indoor play and event space for kids. Paul Winestock joins us in the studio to talk about how his inspiration for creating Fun It Up (spoiler alert: there was a granddaughter involved!), and his plans for making this the go-to space for birthday parties and more.
78 - Office Accomplice & Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association
June 27, 2017 04:00 - 56 minutes - 26.1 MBVery 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 ...
77 - DCM Communications & Yoga on the MBT
June 20, 2017 04:00 - 49 minutes - 22.8 MBYour 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 Metropo...
76 - Morgan West - A Creative DC
June 13, 2017 04:00 - 42 minutes - 19.5 MBBecause 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 ...
75 - RITA'S
June 06, 2017 04:00 - 44 minutes - 20.6 MBOne 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 Market...
74 - Benevolent Tech & District Floor Depot
May 30, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 30.7 MBTwo 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 ...
73 - ReIGNITE
May 16, 2017 04:00 - 26 minutes - 12.3 MBThis 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!
72 - Rhode Island Row Farmers Market + Hilltop Microfinance Initiative
May 09, 2017 04:00 - 51 minutes - 23.4 MBThe 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 ...
71 - SB Works + Master PR Basics
April 25, 2017 04:00 - 49 minutes - 22.8 MBJohn 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 busines...
70 - Insperity
April 18, 2017 04:00 - 42 minutes - 19.7 MBWe'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!
69- Dept. of Small & Local Business Development
April 11, 2017 04:00 - 43 minutes - 20.1 MBOn 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.
68 - Dept. of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
April 04, 2017 04:00 - 29 minutes - 13.4 MBThe 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...
67 - DC Office of Tax & Revenue and The Bakers Lounge
March 28, 2017 04:00 - 43 minutes - 20.2 MBWilliam 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!
66 - Chief Image Builder and Art Enables
March 21, 2017 04:00 - 46 minutes - 21.3 MBStacey 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.
65 - BaxBridge Digital
March 14, 2017 04:00 - 40 minutes - 18.5 MBWe 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.
64 - Material World Boutique
February 28, 2017 05:00 - 18 minutes - 8.43 MBThere'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!
63 - Eric B. - Mural Artist
February 21, 2017 05:00 - 30 minutes - 14 MBEric 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.