National Program to Connect Entrepreneurs Opens in Tysons

TYSONS, Va., Feb. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Red roses, beer samples and coffee were just the beginning of the treats for the standing-room-only crowd of the inaugural 1 Million Cups Fairfax County entrepreneur meeting this Valentine's Day.

1 Million Cups, a national initiative founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, is based on the notion that entrepreneurs can support each other through business challenges by engaging and educating each other. Nationwide there are 103 weekly meetings where entrepreneurs share their challenges and get feedback from peers. All meetings are volunteer led. 

Eric Zarkovich of Good River Beer was the first presenter for 1 Million Cups Fairfax County. After sharing samples of his beer he focused in on his current challenge. "Our brewery started in Denver, Colorado and is very successful," explained Eric. "Now we are trying to figure out how best to break in to the Northern Virginia market."

Founded by four avid outdoorsman, Good River Beer donates two percent of all sales to river conservation efforts. Suggestions from today's attendees included use of local radio ads and offers of introductions to local Potomac River conservation groups, marinas and river-based restaurants to build brand recognition.

"The offers of mutual introductions to local river communities was exactly what I needed," explained Eric after the meeting. "The radio and TV ideas were great too, and something I would have considered out of reach were it not for the feedback from other business owners who have done it."

For 1 Million Cups Fairfax County founding organizers Rod Loges, president and CEO of One Degree Capital, and Donnell Johns, president and CEO of Avision Worldwide Consulting Firm, the first meeting was a huge success.

Having started and successfully sold two tech companies prior to founding One Degree Capital, Rod immediately saw the value the 1 Million Cups model could bring to entrepreneurs. "As entrepreneurs it can be difficult to find others who relate to our challenges," explained Rod. "Often our families and friends try to be supportive, but in the end an entrepreneur can often feel like they are on an island. The 1 Million Cups Fairfax County community support can change that."

"As a leadership and management consultant, I know first-hand the positive impact that mentors can have on a business' success story," explained Donnell. "Engaging in positive dialogue like at 1 Million Cups Fairfax County is a great way for entrepreneurs to shape their business into what they always dreamed it could be."

The weekly meetings are currently hosted in the co-working space of Make Offices Tysons. Meetings are public and open to all entrepreneurs and innovators in the Fairfax area. "When Rod approached us about meeting space we immediately saw the value to our business community," explains Rachel Breslof Forte, Community Manager of Make Offices Tysons. "Make Offices is thrilled to open up our co-working space to support our local entrepreneurs in this manner."

For more information including directions, upcoming presenters, or to apply to present, visit www.1MCFairfaxCounty.com. 

About Kauffman Foundation

Established in 2012 by the Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups is a national effort to connect and engage entrepreneurs in support of each other on a local level. To learn more about the Kauffman Foundation visit www.kauffman.org.

About One Degree Capital

A founding organizer of 1 Million Cups Fairfax, One Degree Capital is a privately held fund headquartered in Tysons, Virginia. Established in 2010, One Degree has helped over 5,000 businesses secure millions in capital to grow their businesses. For more information contact One Degree Capital at 1.703.579.6868.

Media Contact:

Michelle Kuzma

1.703.579.6868

[email protected]

SOURCE One Degree Capital

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