RIA Radio

RIA Radio

Each 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.

Episodes

November 30, 2021 46 mins

When DC Brau opened its doors in 2009, it became the first brewery to operate in DC since 1956. Owners Brandon Skall, Jeff Hancock, and Mari Rodela join us to talk about the growth of DC Brau, the challenges they faced during the pandemic, and the next steps they are looking at with their bond offering through The SMBX. Listen now to hear their entire story, plus a virtual beer tasting or two. 

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We've chatted with folks from The SMBX before, so by now you know about about investing in your local businesses via bonds. Today, Annie Eser of The SMBX joins us to talk about the partnership between the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and The SMBX to broaden the scope of the bond program. Bottom line: small business owners interested in raising funds through this program will have access to more resources ...

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June 22, 2021 28 mins

One of the newest businesses on the RIA Main Street corridor is Bandura Design. This all-woman design firm, founded by Jennifer Farris, opened in July of 2020. They specialize in commercial design for hotels, apartments, and other hospitality venues. Listen now to hear how this fantastic firm is already making an impact by helping their business neighbors.

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Our good friend, Darryl Maxwell of the DC Bar Pro Bono Center joins us once again to talk all things related to small business legal guidance. As restrictions are lifted post-pandemic, many of the challenges that small businesses have faced, as well as many of the opportunities for assistance (PPP loans, eviction moratoriums) are coming to an end. What to small businesses need to know from a legal framework? Darryl and his Pro Bono...

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June 1, 2021 40 mins

Some of the best advocates for small businesses are the micro bloggers of social media. Their news and reviews reach audiences in a way that even the best advertising strategies can miss. And many times, the authors behind the handles have the opportunity for invaluable insights into the trends and news about DC-area dining, and our guest, @eat_dc, is no exception. Tune in to hear his thoughts on the challenges that the DC dining s...

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May 25, 2021 16 mins

As DC reopens for business, we are not only welcoming the businesses that we have known and loved, but also new businesses that have been busily working to join the ever-growing list of great hangouts in neighborhoods all across the District. Today we're visiting with one of the newest on the block: Jesse Rauch from metrobar, located in the new Bryant Street development at 640 Rhode Island Ave NE. Jesse and his team have creat...

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May 11, 2021 24 mins

The pandemic has shaken up so many small business sectors, and the food service industry has definitely taken a big hit. In a year of so many restaurants closing, we're excited to talk with Sarah Frimpong of Wellfound Foods. Frim and her team are bringing "Smart Fridges" full of healthy fresh foods to campuses, airports, hospitals, and more. How do you keep a vending machine stocked with high quality, delicious, fres...

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economic effects of the pandemic, there are some additional options for sales that they may not be aware of! Both the local DC government and the Federal government regularly hire small businesses as contractors, and in far more business categories than you might imagine. Sheila Edmondson from the DC Procurement and Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) joins us, along with Cristina Amoruso, from the Department of Small and Local Busi...

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March 22, 2021 32 mins

For the last few years, we've been eagerly watching the construction going on at the new Bryant Street Development. We're excited to welcome Matt Bailey of MRP Realty to talk about the progress of the project, as well as some of the exciting new businesses and amenities they are bringing to the area. Listen now!

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March 15, 2021 39 mins

Small businesses seem to always face challenges with cash flow, and this past year has seen entrepreneurs constantly searching for ways to keep their businesses afloat. At the same time, community members have been searching for ways to support their favorite locally-owned small business. Enter The SMBX! Now small businesses can apply to release SEC-approved bonds directly to general public, allowing businesses to raise capital whi...

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March 8, 2021 44 mins

Once again, District leadership is stepping up to help strengthen the DC economy during this pandemic year. The DC Local Equity, Access, and Preservation Fund (DC LEAF) is open now, with $3.185 Million in funds available across 3 different programs. Stephanie Thomas, Director of Great Streets and Retail at the office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, joins us to talk about the grants. Listen now for details...

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March 2, 2021 30 mins

When Covid-19 led to the shut down of businesses around the world, one of the most severely impacted industries was restaurants. Food delivery quickly became the norm here in DC, but just as quickly, we realized that the traditional food delivery service via a 3rd party app, such as Uber Eats or GrubHub, was no the only game in town to access food from our favorite dining spots. Enter DC To-GoGo, offering affordable delivery rates ...

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In honor of Black History Month, we are excited to visit with Corey Griffin, President and CEO of Global Government and Industry Partners, LLC, and the Board Chair of the Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has a mission to "...promote black business growth in the District of Columbia through the facilitation of business opportunities and education," and they bring together an impressive network to m...

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As the COVID 19 pandemic continues to impact the economy, small businesses are among the hardest hit. The District of Columbia has implemented many programs to assist small businesses in DC, and the latest rounds of grants to help keep them afloat are out now. We're joined by Department of Small and Local Business Development Director Kristi Whitfield, and the Great Streets program director at the Office of the Deputy Mayor fo...

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Coronavirus, or COVID 19, is here and already creating economic challenges. We're facing some uncharted territory in the small business world, but some strategic planning and some "outside the box" thinking may make all the difference for your business. Kyle visits with Sara Gibson of 20 Degrees about how to create some basic resiliency for your customers, employees, and cash flow. We'll also talk about some of ...

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Spring is just around the corner, and it couldn't be a better time to introduce one of the newest businesses on RIA Main Street! Olde City Garden is gearing up for their spring opening on Saturday, March 14th, at 9 a.m., and we visit with owner Pat Patterson, general manager Jeremy Gabriel, and business operations manager Tom Henry about their plans. If you ever visited their old location in Shaw, you know what a wonderful res...

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March 3, 2020 23 mins


Sure, DC is full of beer breweries and distilleries, but we're also becoming known for cider! We visit with Will from Supreme Core Cider, and wow does it sound delicious. The cidery and tasting room is located just off Bladensburg Road on T St NE. Tune in now for details on their special recipes and more!

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We're joined by Dionne Baux, Director of Urban Programs for the National Main Street program. Dionne talks about some of the challenges facing urban Main Street programs, from the unique challenges of doing business in a large city, to the ways our Main Street programs can help our businesses navigate a more complex regulatory environment while still growing and thriving. Tune in for this and more from Dionne!

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February 4, 2020 27 mins

The 2020 Census is just around the corner, and the DC Office of Planning has rolled out a robust program to help everyone prepare to participate in this federally required program. Many people have questions about the nature of the census, and there is a substantial amount of incorrect information floating around. To counter that misinformation, we visit with Office of Planning's Director Andrew Trueblood, and Melissa Bird, th...

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December 17, 2019 29 mins

Like any major metropolitan area, DC faces challenges in housing access for some of its most vulnerable citizens. Organizations like Pathways to Housing DC not only work to assist in placement, but also to deliver a variety of significant services before, during, and after placement. Executive Director Christy Respress and Donor Relations Officer Lina Permut stop by to talk about the programs they offer, including Housing First Tea...

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