Explore Micro-Enterprise at Feb. 25 Neighborhood Conference

Did you know building capacity in our neighborhoods includes contributing to the local economy in quiet, yet surprising ways?

It’s an idea worth exploring at the Prince William Neighborhood Conference, Sat., Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Development Services Building at the county’s Main Government Complex in Woodbridge (right on the Prince William Parkway near Hoadly Road).

Registration opens Jan. 25 at www.pwcgov.org/neighborhoodconference

This event offers skills-based sessions in three curriculum tracks, from helping HOA/COA leaders develop better skills to tips on conflict resolution and navigating relationships with renters and transitory neighbors.

But the big draw this year, at least for me, will be the session on the “Community Micro-Enterprising” movement that is growing in neighborhoods across the U.S.

The county’s new Neighborhood Coordinator, Evan Jones, gave me a sneak peek.

“The fact is, there are more opportunities than ever for Prince William neighbors to get support in starting and growing a ‘micro-business’ that can either support a family or an individual’s dreams with short-term income or could even turn into a new life’s work,” says Jones in the latest issue of Neighborhood News.  “Apple, Microsoft and even Starbucks all launched from garages or basements on quiet, tree-lined streets.” 

One great example is Deborah Legg, owner of Deda Notions, who makes handmade artisan soap out of a workshop in her Manassas home.  While Deb is a familiar face at the Farmer’s Market in Old Town Manassas or the Mayfield Winter Wonderland Craft Festival, she also sells her soaps, lip balms, lotions and laundry powder over the Internet (www.DedaNotions.com and www.dedanotions.etsy.com), and in several boutiques and shops across the country, including six locations in Virginia and Maryland.  She was featured in a video for the Virginia Get Your Business Online event at the Hylton Performing Arts Center last September to encourage other entrepreneurs to grow their businesses online.

Neighborhood News lists nine resources for local micro-enterprises, including United Virginia: 

http://unitedvirginia.org/drupal7/?q=enterprisevirginia

For more information (in Prince William, home occupation certificates do not allow any employees or customers and only a certain number of deliveries a day) and plenty of networking and interaction, Evan Jones encourages everyone to attend the neighborhood conference on Feb. 25.  The cost is $25 if you register by Feb. 21; $35 for late registration/walk-ins.

For more information, contact Evan Jones at ejones3@pwcgov.org or go to www.pwcgov.org/neighborhoods.  

The latest issue of Neighborhood News is available at: http://www.pwcgov.org/docLibrary/PDF/15460.pdf