Current Events

Being Business-savvy Makes Good Fashion Sense!

From June through October 2010, Fashionably Business on H. Street gives fashion entrepreneurs access to Free Workshops, Free Technical Assistance, Free Business Plan reviews, AND the opportunity to win cash prizes of at least $5,500

September 2010

Understanding Business Financials- 3 Part Series

Part III: Putting It All Together

Register: http://fashionbizfinancials.eventbrite.com
Date : September 8, 2010
Time: 6:30-8:00pm
Location: 961 H Street, NE, (Old Bank of America- corner of 10^th and H Street, NE)

Part III: Putting It All Together: You've developed your price lists, created your operating budget and even know how to explain the difference between assets and equity. Now what?  Attend the third part of our workshop and put everything together in a comprehensive financial plan complete with all four financial statements.

By the end of this workshop "series within a series", participants should have a basic understanding of business finances, be empowered to develop their own projections and be able to explain the projections to a small group of business people.

Fashionably Business Plan Competition and Writing a Winning Business Plan Information Session #2

Register: http://fashionbizplan2.eventbrite.com
Date : September 13, 2010
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Location: 961 H Street, NE, (Old Bank of America- corner of 10^th and H Street, NE)

Fashionably Business Plan Competition and Writing a Winning Business Plan Information Session #2: Learn tips and tricks for writing a business plan that is clear, concise, useful, and EASY to write.  Participants will also learn more about the first annual Fashionably Business- Business Plan Competition and be able to ask questions.

Legal Considerations for Fashion Startups

Register: COMING SOON

Date : September 27, 2010
Time: COMING SOON
Location: 961 H Street, NE, (Old Bank of America- corner of 10th and H Street, NE)

Legal Considerations for Fashion Startups: This workshop is perfect for fashion entrepreneurs who want to learn more about some of the legal issues to take into consideration when starting a business. The workshop will also have a representative from DCRA to provide some targeted insight into the corporate and licensing process for DC.

Do you have a question or do you need advice about a particular issue related to starting, growing or expanding your fashion business?  If so, come to Fashion Business Office Hours and speak with our business counselors. Office hours will take place from 2 - 6 pm Friday September 10^th and  September 24^th. Appointments are on a first come, first serve basis. Learn more and register : Fashion Business Registration

How healthy is your business? Find out during your scheduled business check-up. The goal of the business checkup is to help you, the fashion entrepreneur to implement strategies that will lead to greater business success. September 16^th, 30^th and October 5th. Learn more and register here.

Questions? This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us at 202.709.DCFF (202.709.3233)

“Fashionably Business”- Business Plan Competition

The Capstone of the Fashionably Business- H Street program is the inaugural launch of a business plan competition specifically for fashion-oriented businesses.  The purpose of the competition is to provide a source of needed micro funding for promising existing and emerging fashion businesses. In order to compete, the fashion business must:

• Be an existing DC-based fashion business or a newly established fashion business that will be registered in Washington, DC;
• Demonstrate financial need;
• Submit a complete business plan that clearly demonstrates a sustainable business model; and
• Demonstrate interest and commitment to helping expand DC’s fashion industry.

The Fashionably Business Plan Competition consists of two rounds: Round 1: Letter of Intent and submission of the Executive Summary and Round 2: Invitation to submit a full business plan and panel interview.  A total of $5,500 in cash and other prizes are available for the 1^st ($3,500), 2^nd ($1,500) and 3^rd place ($500) competition winners.

DOWNLOAD: Fashionably Business Plan Competition Info Sheet and Application

Key Dates:

• July 26th: Fashionably Business- Business Plan Competition- Info Session #1
• September 13th: Fashionably Business BPC- Info Session #2
• Friday, September 17th: Application and Intent to Apply Due ($40 processing fee, $20
  for GWFCC members)
• Thursday, September 23rd: Notification of advancement to 2nd Round
• September 10th and 24th from 2-6pm and October 5th, 2010: Business Plan Technical
  Assistance
• October 15th, 2010: Final Business Plans Due
• October 21st and/or 22nd: Contestant Interviews & presentations
• 4th week of October 2010: Winner Announced & Awards Ceremony

Entrants are encouraged to take advantage of the free workshops and technical assistance to assist them with writing a solid business plan and preparing for the competition.

Past Events

Press Conference with City Officials from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and the DC Council
Date: 5/09/2009
Time: 10:00am
Location: Spoiled and Rotten and Kids Spa, 1012 H Street NE, Washington, D.C.

Fashion Canvassing Project
Date: 5/09/2009
Time: 11:00am-5:00pm
Location: H Street Main Street, 961 H St. NE, Washington, D.C.

Description: This event will connect fashion entrepreneurs to the growing DC Fashion industy and provide resources for business development, job training, and job opportunties. The project has been supported by a grant from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.  If you're a designer, come get registered and learn about these opportunities.  If you want to volunteer to canvass the neighborhoods of DC and register businesses, please sign up here: http://fashioncanvass.eventbrite.com/

Fashion Census Focus Groups
Date: 5/12/2009; RSVP by May 11
Time: 11:00am-2:00pm and 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: MLK Library, 901 G St NW, eBIC A-Level Conference Room, Washington, D.C.

Description: In partnership with the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), GWFCC will be holding Fashion Census Focus Groups. The purpose of the focus groups is to obtain feedback and suggestions regarding GWFCC's draft Comprehensive Fashion Action Plan.

Registration: http://fashioncensus.eventbrite.com/

West Potomac Academy Fashion Design Department presents "Amore Couture" Runway Show
Date: 5/16/2009
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Springbank Theatre, 6500 Quander Road, Alexandria, VA, 22307

More Info: http://www.projectstitchstudio.com/#/amorecouturerunwayevent/4533340166

Fashionably Business at Hotel Helix
Date: 5/20/2009
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Hotel Helix, 1430 Rhode Island Ave, NW, Washington, D.C.

Description: Come and learn about business “in style.”  Join us as we mix, mingle, and learn about how to start a fashion business in DC.  The evening will start off with networking, and proceed into brief presentations by local experts, ending with additional networking in the Hotel Helix Lounge. Networking starts at 6:00pm, with the presentations starting at 6:30pm. Presenters include Natalie Cofield, Washington DC Economic Partnership, and Oriana Khatso, Owner, Terra Boutique.

Registration: http://fashionbizmay.eventbrite.com/

Sew Young, Sew Fly, Sew Out of This World
Date: 5/23/2009
Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Southeast Tennis and Learning Center, 701 Mississippi Ave, SE, Washington, D.C.

Description: Students from the Sew-n-Know program present at their annual fashion show.

Workshop: Business Check-Up
Date: 4/21/2009
Registration Page: http://fashionbizcheckup3.eventbrite.com/
Time: 6:00pm-8:30pm
Location: 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300- Rom 327, Washington, DC 20006
Member Cost: Free

Workshop: GWFCC Fashion Business Clinic
Date: Monday, 3/9/2009
Time: 6:00-9pm
Location: eBIC- MLK Library A-Level
Member Cost: Free
Non Member: There are a limited number of free seats available. Please register to ensure entry.
Workshop Description: GWFCC is partnering up with the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DC DSLBD) to conduct its first Fashion Business Clinic at the eBIC Center at MLK Library. The purpose of this clinic is to provide our members with access to professional business advice that is related to their fashion businesses.  Members will hear presentations (geared for fashion businesses) from legal, banking, and accounting professionals and then have the opportunity to meet with 2-3 business professionals for 15 minute one-on-one consultations.  Members are asked to bring their business issues and questions as well as their business cards because there will be time for networking.