At first glance, The Village Cafe might seem like a coffee shop. However this coffee shop does more than serve up lattes and cold brew. The young people behind this storefront are using their energy and space to showcase local products from the DC area, encourage entrepreneurship, and create community workspaces.In this episode, we speak to its creative director, Mohammed Mangum, who tells us the cafe is “like an incubator to help smaller businesses, artists, and people gather their thoughts and ideas, and utilize our space to grow themselves.” What’s more, 60% of the businesses they showcase are owned by people of color, and 75% are woman-owned.Learn why mission drives metrics here, the ongoing role of mentors and advisors at the Village Cafe, and more!  

DC Storefront Podcast

EP 5: The Village Cafe is building collectives to support small businesses and creatives

This is a fantastic episode featuring Director Kristi Whitfield from DSLBD and Ms. Veronica Cooper, owner of Culture Coffee Too. (In case you're wondering, DSLBD is short for DC Department of Small and Local Business Development.) Ms. Cooper is a serial entrepreneur, an expert dress-maker, and certified barista. Ms. Whitfield was co-founder of Curbside Cupcakes and spent many years advocating for small businesses before becoming the director of DSLBD. Our conversation explores what it means to be a part of a community, what leadership looks like, and why it's important to diversify your business. These two dynamic businesswomen also discuss the power of letting go and having the right team working alongside of you. Lots of laughter and wisdom in this one, so make sure to sit back and enjoy. 

Building community, helping each other, and knowing when to let go

The Chocolate Moose is hard to define. Step inside its doors in downtown DC and you might find books, jewelry, humorous socks, cards… and of course, chocolate. In short, all things that will put a smile on your face. But you might not realize this store has been around for over 40 years. Here’s how the owner, Michele Cosby, keeps her customer base smiling--and coming back year after year.

DC’s Chocolate Moose Builds Relationships with Customers through Humor and Service

You can find Laughing Hyena Tattoos alongside a line of rowhouses in Columbia Heights. The owner, Isaac M. Colon Francia III, was very strategic about the location and shares how persistence and research helped him open his business. He also talks about his supportive network, art background, love for teaching, and the importance of being involved in your community. Give a listen to this creative entrepreneur to learn about what it takes to be a successful tattoo artist and business owner.

Laughing Hyena Tattoos is very serious about quality and customer education

Jared Fackrell opened Capitol Cider House in the Washington, DC after learning to make cider from books and online. He says as an entrepreneur, you just need to dive in and get started, follow your gut, and keep experimenting. Jared opened Capitol Cider House in the Petworth neighborhood in 2018. You might think cider runs in his veins, but like many entrepreneurs, he is a first-time business owner with a passion for unleashing the power of the apple.

A Cider House in the Nation’s Capital

Did you ever wonder about the story behind the stores in your community? Why are they there? Who works & shops there? How are they coping with the digital era?We have. We’re DC Storefront, and we’re a new podcast exploring the places that make a city into a community. We talk to small business owners in Washington, DC, about the struggles and triumphs they’ve faced - and what we can learn about dealing with rapid change.

DC Storefront Trailer

DC Storefront features stories from local storefront owners highlighting the enterprising spirit, resilience, and history of Washington DC’s diverse communities and exploring the places that make a city into a neighborhood. These stories by old and new storefront retail businesses in Washington, DC document and amplify the voices of these small, but vital actors in community resilience. By learning their stories, we learn more about ourselves and the rapidly changing place we call home.