Small Business

Are you tired of pouring money into social media, ads, or websites without seeing a real return on your investment? For many small business owners in the DMV area, marketing feels like an overwhelming guessing game of trial and error. It’s easy to get stuck making common mistakes that drain your budget while leaving you with empty pipelines. If you want to scale your business in today’s environment, you don't need heavy corporate theory—you need simple, consistent systems that drive real, measurable traffic. The Effective Management Association (EMA DC) invites you to a powerful, interactive workshop designed to take the guesswork out of your growth. Our community of local entrepreneurs and executives is coming together to learn how structured management principles, paired with real-world administrative technology, can bring predictability to your marketing. Following an overwhelming response to his previous presentation, marketing expert Hans Hillestad is returning by popular demand for an expanded, 2-hour live seminar. This is your opportunity to connect with fellow local business owners, share experiences, and walk away with an actionable strategy to command true control over your business growth. ### **What We Will Cover:** * **Consistent Marketing Outflow:** How to implement simple administrative habits to ensure your business is always promoting, no matter how busy you get. * **Small Budget Advertising:** The exact "do's and don'ts" of navigating paid ads, social media, and SEO without overspending. * **High-Conversion Follow-Up Systems:** Reliable structures to ensure the leads you generate actually turn into paying clients. * **Visibility That Works:** Practical ways to build local social media visibility that translates to real-world business traffic. ### **Who Should Join Us:** * Washington DC metro area small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to scale. * CEOs, executives, and managers wanting tighter operational control over their marketing pipelines. * Startup founders looking for proven, practical frameworks to establish their brand. * Any local professional eager to network, share wins, and collaborate with a sharp peer community. ### **Agenda Outline:** * **11:00 AM - 11:15 AM:** Community Networking & Refreshments (Arrive early to grab a drink, meet fellow DC business owners, and secure your seat! Please note: Attendees must arrive no later than 11:15 AM.) * **11:15 AM - 1:00 PM:** Main Presentation & Interactive Q&A with Hans Hillestad ### **How to Join:** Spaces are strictly limited to ensure a high-value, interactive experience for all attendees. Click **RSVP** today to save your spot and take the next step toward mastering your business expansion! ##

**Pitch your startup directly to leading venture capital investors and** **Join Primewise Founders Club's exclusive networking session where visionary entrepreneurs connect, collaborate and create magic together.** **Primewise Founders Club**, in collaboration with **a leading Venture Capital Firm**, presents an exclusive VC Connect Session – a high-impact opportunity for early-stage founders to pitch directly to active venture capital investors. This closed-door virtual event brings together selected founders and investors in a focused setting designed to foster meaningful connections, investor feedback, and potential funding opportunities across USA. If you’re building a scalable technology venture or an innovative business model, this is your chance to showcase your vision to leading investors and industry experts. Register Now: [https://thepfclub.com/neusa/] [Filling the form is a must. If you are looking to apply for investor connect, click "Raise Investment" on the "what are you hoping to gain from the event" and our team will reach out to you.] **What Makes This Special:** * Pitch directly to VC: Pitch your startup directly to VC and investors * Strategic partnerships: Collaborate with fellow founders on new ventures. * Scaling discussions: Exchange ideas on growth and market expansion. * Investment opportunities: Be the first to discover promising startups. * Expand your influence while contributing to the startup ecosystem. * A supportive community: Celebrate wins and overcome challenges together. **Networking event:** **Date**: 27th June, 2026 **Time**: 12:00 PM (EDT) **Format**: Online **VC event:** Invite-only access - details will be shared for shortlisted founders **Join Our Ecosystem:** 1\. Register for the event 2\. Join our LinkedIn community 3\. Get access to our exclusive WhatsApp group 4\. Connect with fellow members 5\. Start growing together\! Contact Us: Website: [[https://thepfclub.com/](https://thepfclub.com/)] Email: [[event@thepfclub.com](http://event@thepfclub.com/)] LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/primewise-founders-club/] To your entrepreneurial success, Primewise Founders Club Team

Styled after a 'pitch competition', this event is for entrepreneurs, and the entrepreneurial-curious. Learn about on-going initiatives from local area founders, and there will be ample time for networking. This event will bring together start-up founders and enthusiasts in the DMV area for an exciting opportunity to hear about a fellow founder, and give feedback on their pitch and product, and get to network around founders from the area. ## Details **Location:** 4200 Campbell Avenue Arlington, Virginia 22206 **Our Agenda:** 1\. Basic group introductions 2\. First "Pitch" Presentation \(\~10 minutes\) 3\. Community Q&A 4\. Second "Pitch" Presentation \(\~10 minutes\) 5\. Community Q&A 6\. Third "Pitch" Presentaton \(\~10 minutes\) 7\. Community Q&A 8\. Break out sessions & general networking **Speakers** Chelsea Acheampong (Nova Hospitality): Nova Hospitality is a consumer travel platform connecting conscious travelers directly with verified eco-lodges and community-run properties, redirecting tourism revenue back into local communities through transparent impact verification and direct booking Cameron Peltz (Caldarium): Caldarium is a health admin tech company building software solutions for medical practices, to automate prior authorization paperwork and detect errors in reimbursement claims, to ensure compliance and reduce their rate of rejection by Medicare and insurance payers, getting patients the medicine and surgeries they need more quickly and reliably, and doctor's offices paid for their properly documented procedures correctly the first time and therefore in consistent better financial health. Achinth Murali (Open Judgement Engineering): The Open Judgment Engine (OJE) is an open-source methodology and AI-assisted platform that captures the reasoning behind non-routine engineering decisions — when a judgment applies, when it doesn’t, what the expert does, why it works, and what failure it guards against — as structured, attributed artifacts called Judgment Primitives, embedded directly into the workflow gates where engineers already make those decisions. The goal is to make expert engineering judgment portable, searchable, and permanent — so that when a senior engineer retires, the reasoning behind their decisions doesn’t retire with them.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Join us for our monthly Pitch Labs meetup! This event will bring together start-up founders and enthusiasts in the DMV area for an exciting opportunity to hear about a fellow founder, and give feedback on their pitch and product, and get to network around founders from the area. Pitch Labs is a member of the [DMV Petri Dish Network](https://www.dmvpetridish.com/ "https://www.dmvpetridish.com/"). During the event, our volunteer team will be capturing photos and video footage for use in promotional materials and on social media. If you prefer not to appear in any photographs or recordings, please let us know in advance, and we will be happy to accommodate your request.

**Raise funds for your startup directly from leading venture capital investors and** **Join Primewise Founders Club's community where visionary entrepreneurs connect, collaborate and create magic together.** **Primewise Founders Club**, in collaboration with **a leading Venture Capital Firm**, presents an exclusive VC Connect Session – a high-impact opportunity for early-stage founders to pitch directly to active venture capital investors. This closed-door virtual event brings together selected founders and investors in a focused setting designed to foster meaningful connections, investor feedback, and potential funding opportunities across USA. If you’re building a scalable technology venture or an innovative business model, this is your chance to showcase your vision to leading investors and industry experts. Register Now: https://thepfclub.com/vc-connect-registration/ [Filling the form is a must] **What Makes This Special:** * Pitch directly to VC: Pitch your startup directly to VC and investors * Strategic partnerships: Collaborate with fellow founders on new ventures. * Scaling discussions: Exchange ideas on growth and market expansion. * Investment opportunities: Be the first to discover promising startups. * Expand your influence while contributing to the startup ecosystem. * A supportive community: Celebrate wins and overcome challenges together. **VC event:** Invite-only access - details will be shared for shortlisted founders **Date**: 27th June, 2026 **Time**: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM (EDT) **Format**: Online **Join Our Ecosystem:** 1\. Register for the event 2\. Join our LinkedIn community 3\. Get access to our exclusive WhatsApp group 4\. Connect with fellow members 5\. Start growing together\! Contact Us: Website: [[https://thepfclub.com/](https://thepfclub.com/)] Email: [[event@thepfclub.com](http://event@thepfclub.com/)] LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/primewise-founders-club/] To your entrepreneurial success, Primewise Founders Club Team

This is a relaxed but intentional Saturday hangout for young entrepreneurs. **Note:** Only 10 spots are available to RSVP on Meetup, but the event capacity is **40 people total**. If the event appears full, please join the waitlist - I will approve additional attendees until we reach the 40-person limit. We'll meet at MLK Library for donuts, conversations with other people who are building, and time to work on our businesses. **Come prepared to talk through a business challenge or something you'd like to improve.** During the meetup, you'll have the opportunity to: * Talk through a business blocker or something you're trying to improve * Get perspectives, ideas, and feedback from other entrepreneurs * Ask questions and brainstorm solutions together * Spend time actually working on your business Whether that's: * Fixing your landing page * Outlining your launch * Clarifying your pricing * Validating a business idea * Building your MVP * Improving your marketing * Or finally taking the next step on something you've been putting off The goal isn't just to leave with new ideas - it's to leave having made real progress. There's no pressure to pitch yourself or have everything figured out. Whether you're just getting started or already running a business, come to ask questions, help others, and build alongside people who are doing the same. **Bring:** * Your laptop * One thing you're ready to work on * An open mind I'll bring the donuts. 🍩 If you're looking for a community where entrepreneurs actually help each other solve problems and build together—not just network—this is for you.

**Want to help bring your city’s community together?** We’re looking for local hosts to organize small group lunches, evening drinks, mixers, movie get-togethers and curated experiences. **No experience necessary,** just a friendly attitude, some local knowledge, and a willingness to meet a few new people. After each event, we’ll send a short feedback form so we can improve and support you. The host will also be able to provide feedback so we can learn what worked and what didn't. **[Click here](https://form.questionscout.com/6926c9ab87a828a5c11a79fc)** to apply and get started: if you’re selected, we’ll reach out for a quick screening call.

This is a support & co-work sesh for anyone doing the scary thing of building something new (a business! substack! a pop-up shop! a website! whatever is your current calling!) on their own that want to connect, support each other, and provide compassionate accountability. This group is especially for folks seeking to imbue more life into this world and create change through their creative endeavours. We'll gather at a coffee shop, introduce ourselves and what we are working on, set small goals on what we need communal support on for the day and get co-working. Given the purpose of the group, we ask that the work you bring is related to the something you are building! We'll then get to chat about how that went for us, and celebrate our little or big progress.

Monthly working lunch for Columbus business owners. One specific topic, one to three actions you can run this week. You can be the best at what you do and still be invisible. If local buyers cannot find you, the phone does not ring. Marketing Monday Lunch + Learn is a monthly working lunch for Columbus business owners focused on building relationships, local networking, and local marketing. Every kind of local business welcome. No pitch round, no pressure, no upsell. **This month** Most local businesses pick one or two places to be visible and call it good. The result is inconsistent calls and a feeling that marketing is not working. We will walk through the three places every local business needs to show up, plus the fourth place most owners ignore that quietly produces the warmest leads. **What to expect** Doors open at noon. Order lunch and drinks at the cafe counter or bring your own. You get real conversation with other local owners and a focused marketing lesson. You leave knowing people and with one to three actions to run that week. The room is reserved through 1:30 PM. **Who this is for** Any local business owner who wants clearer marketing direction and real local relationships. Service businesses, retail, home services, professional services, online owners building local presence, anyone serious about being part of the Columbus business community. **Not the right fit if** You are here to pitch the room or recruit for an MLM. **Details** * Second Monday of every month * 12:00 to 1:30 PM * Good Cafe Easton, 4400 Easton Commons, Ste 150, Columbus, OH 43219 * Order lunch and drinks at the counter when you arrive * Free to attend, RSVP required, space is limited **About the host** Rita Suzanne is a local marketing strategist and the founder of Local Marketing Method. She runs Visibility is Profitability, the membership where local business owners build the system that keeps their phone ringing. Learn more at learnlocalmarketing.com. Register here: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989964540509?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1989964540509?aff=oddtdtcreator)

Join us for lunch and meet our very successful group. We are each others sales team...always looking for referrals for our members. If you are looking for new clients, let us help you out! Bring your business cards and brochures to share with us. We have a speaker each week so that we can learn about their business. Because we have only one member per business, we have many of the spots filled. However, we are specifically looking for an estate attorney, a handyman/electrician, and an event planner. We have referrals for you! All visitors are welcome. Any questions contact [pmarchio@farmersagent.com](mailto:pmarchio@farmersagent.com)

Join us for lunch and meet our very successful group. We are each others sales team...always looking for referrals for our members. If you are looking for new clients, let us help you out! Bring your business cards and brochures to share with us. We have a speaker each week so that we can learn about their business. Because we have only one member per business, we have many of the spots filled. However, we are specifically looking for an estate attorney, a handyman/electrician, and an event planner. We have referrals for you! All visitors are welcome. Any questions contact [pmarchio@farmersagent.com](mailto:pmarchio@farmersagent.com)

**[Official registration site --> https://luma.com/du41v0tg](https://luma.com/du41v0tg)** **[You must register and will receive an approval/confirmation](https://luma.com/du41v0tg).** We’re taking HustleBus from Columbus to **Black Tech Week in Cincinnati** for a high-signal, founder-only experience focused on community, collaboration, and momentum. ​ **Why Black Tech Week?** ​Black Tech Week is one of the best rooms in Ohio to meet builders, operators, investors, and ecosystem leaders. Expect meaningful connections, great energy, and programming that spotlights founders and what’s being built. ​ What’s included (thank you to our sponsors Huntington Bank, Burton D Morgan Foundation, and Lightship Foundation) * ​Founder-only HustleBus transportation (free) * ​**Black Tech Week ticket comped** for HustleBus participants (must register with code) * And much more! There are limited seats on the Hustle Bus, so if this sounds like something you want to get in on, register today * Learn more and Register here --> [https://luma.com/du41v0tg](https://luma.com/du41v0tg)

Come and grow your business by meeting these other business professionals. We can help you expand your customers.

🚀 **Go Fully Remote in 14 Days — Remote Ready — The fastest route to working from anywhere.** *A bootcamp built by people who have made the transition themselves* For professionals ready to build an income that is not tied to a single postcode, this bootcamp was designed to get you there faster than going it alone. With daily structured sessions over two weeks, you build a replicable system for earning remotely from wherever you want to be. **⚠️ Important:** Clicking rsvp does not complete your registration, so use the link below to register and secure your spot in the session — spaces are purposely limited so move fast, and only a completed sign-up confirms your attendance. ### [🔗 SIGN UP NOW](https://aiventurelab.org/product/RemoteReadyBootcamp?city=Columbus&groupurlname=club-of-bold-book-discussions-and-socials&startgmtdatetime=2026-06-27T22:00:00Z) --- **14-day outcomes:** - Practical frameworks for building income that follows you wherever you go - A step-by-step blueprint for replacing office income with remote income - The mindset and methods to sustain remote income long after the bootcamp ends - The tools and workflows that keep remote professionals productive globally Your office is optional — claim your seat and follow the plan that thousands have used before you, since small groups mean real results not just big presentations. 🗺️ *Choose your city. Keep your earnings.*

Evolve exists to connect women entrepreneurs connect with one another, serve one another, and help one another overcome challenges in marketing, sales, networking, and professional development. **[Add to Calendar](https://www.evolvewomensnetwork.com/columbus-oh.html)** **What to Expect:** \~ Welcome team to greet you, introduce you to others, and make sure you feel a part of the group from your very first meeting \~ Welcome & Introductions: 15 second introductions \~ 15 Minute Speaker Spotlight: Member speaker who shares a bit of her story, how she got to doing what she does, and a tangible tip she uses to gain success in her business. No hard selling...no expectations. Simply giving the group an opportunity to get to know her and her journey. \~ 20 Minute Break Out Sessions: Small groups is where we connect best. Extroverted and Introverted alike get the opportunity to share on a deeper level and learn from one another. \~ Take Aways: Hear what the other groups talked about and share resources to grow yourself and your business \~ Grow Time!: Do you need a specific connection to a person, company, or industry? Share it with us! We love to open our networks to one another and grow together! Guests are always welcome. Please contact Mentor Director Donna Schomer at Donna@EvolveWomensNetwork.com for more information. We'd love to meet you!