It's become a familiar sight at the annual Capital Pride Parade and Festival, as well as most of the other major events this month: sponsors handing out the swag. For most businesses it's a great opportunity to advertise before a loyal customer base and make a statement about their company's values. In addition to the major corporate sponsors, many individual events have local community business sponsors who come out to mix business with pleasure and connect with their prime customer ...[Read]
America has been called a nation of entrepreneurs. From Ben Franklin, to Henry Ford, to Steve Jobs, the U.S. has long been known for its pioneering business spirit, with numerous business leaders who have a dream and work to bring it to reality. The Chamber's executive director, Mark Guenther, describes entrepreneurs as ''the most amazing people who are really extraordinary at two things. First is their all-out passion for their particular concept. The second is their moxie to risk it ...[Read]
The Capital Pride Parade still winds around Dupont Circle every June, but Realtor Ted Smith of Stages Premier Realtors Washington argues that the epicenter of the LGBT community is now Logan Circle. The housing markets at both Dupont and Logan are mature, however, and most new homebuyers are looking for the next hot neighborhood. Michael Fowler, a Realtor with Sotheby's International Realty, says pricing is the major factor in where people look, especially because you can find some community in ...[Read]
Earlier this year, when Chamber Executive Director Mark Guenther shared his excitement over plans for a networking event sponsored by the Central Intelligence Agency, he might as well have said, ''I think it might rain later.'' ''The CIA is LGBT-friendly and they are actively spreading the word through LGBT chambers of commerce,'' Guenther added when he realized the intelligence had gone right over my head. Even then, it struck me as odd. But over the course of the past few ...[Read]
It is time once again for the Capital Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce to honor those stars who have made a notable impact on LGBT business. Being held April 19 at the luxurious Mayflower Renaissance Hotel, a galaxy of stars from the LGBT business world will gather to be recognized for their contributions to the LGBT community. Many well-dressed members of the LGBT community will certainly recognize this year's Business Excellence Award winner. David Franco, founder of Universal ...[Read]
With the 2013 Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner around the corner, it's a perfect time to check in with last year's awardees. The 2012 volunteer of the year, June Crenshaw, continues to serve on the board of Walker-Whitman Health, where she has volunteered since the 1980s. But WWH is just one part of Crenshaw's year of contributions. She's also been co-chairing the board of the Rainbow Response Coalition, which deals with intimate-partner violence (IPV) ...[Read]
Now that the dust has settled on the 2012 election, the fiscal cliff and budget sequestration, the business of governing in President Obama's second term is underway. Where that business is of the ''small'' variety, the administration is touting its accomplishments and looking ahead. ''We got capital into the hands of small-business owners and entrepreneurs when they needed it most,'' said Emily Cain, press secretary for the Small Business Administration. ''SBA supported more than $106 billion in lending to more ...[Read]
Come if you're new to the area. Come if you're looking for business connections. Come to see old friends and make new ones. Come to discover how you can be a volunteer with an organization that fits you. And come even if you've been before, because the 5th Annual Mega Networking and Social Event has new opportunities. The event will be held on Wednesday, March 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Town Danceboutique, the city's largest gay nightclub. This ...[Read]
As Valentine's Day approaches, many gay couples are looking for something that will put a little extra ''wow'' into the season of romance and love. Just like their heterosexual counterparts, members of the Washington-area LGBT community are in search of the ultimate romantic experience, from intimate candlelit dinners to sexy underwear. Just how should a member of the LGBT community say ''I love you'' to that someone special? Flowers are frequently a good place to start. Stephen Robinson, proprietor of ...[Read]
One main benefit of a small business is that it is personal, which extends to the causes and charitable giving in which many business owners engage. In fact, one perk of being a business owner is the increased clout and financial impact you can bring to a cause. One important day that many businesses in the D.C. community support is the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), coming up Feb. 7. This is a model initiative that embraces all the ...[Read]