Virginia Women in Business - Gubernatorial Candidate Responds

Heading into Labor Day weekend, it seemed appropriate to query the Virginia Gubernatorial candidates (Creigh Deeds (D) and Robert McDonnell (R)) about their views concerning Virginia women in business. In disclosure, "Gateway to Loudoun County" (this blog) is maintained by KME Internet Marketing, a woman-owned small business in Loudoun County, VA.

We asked: "What can be done to further encourage, support and maintain the rapid growth of women-owned businesses in this region's business tax districts, in a manner that also supports work-life balance for dual income families?"

For those who know us, this is a very central issue to both our company and family, and very central we believe to promoting the economic recovery of the region. It's also something we feel is owed to our daughters to promote (remember Mary Poppins?).

Note to the candidates - in terms of constituent marketing and communications (that is business, after all), we can only give out about a B-minus for both (notwithstanding the actual response). Mr. McDonnell's email generated a well-written, generic, instant response - though the subject line said he was "Out of Office". We've not yet heard back from him, but hope to, soon. Mr. Deeds' campaign didn't generate an autoresponse, but Jeremy Sturchio, Deeds Campaign Deputy Policy Director, did respond personally 12 hours later, with a polite message that we'd get an answer shortly.

Here, therefore, is Creigh Deed's response:

"I think women who work deserve every opportunity to pursue a fulfilling career on equal footing with their male peers. It starts with equal pay for equal work. In 2007, on average, women in Virginia working full-time, year-round earned only 77% of what men working full-time, year-round earned - one percentage point below the nationwide average of 78%. That is not acceptable.

My voting record in opposition to wage discrimination demonstrates my steadfast support for gender equity in the workplace, and as governor I will work to close the wage gap between women and men in Virginia.

I know that in these tough economic times many families need two incomes to make ends meet, but too often quality, affordable child care is not readily available. As a legislator I led the fight to raise health and safety standards for child care and my voting record shows consistent support for expanding and improving child care options. As governor I will continue to focus on child care as a key priority not only for families but also as an economic development tool that enables parents to pursue careers and raise their children at the same time.

In addition, I'll make it easier for anyone to work from home by finishing the last mile of broadband internet across the Commonwealth, and offering businesses a $1,200 tax credit per teleworking employee and a $500 tax credit for each employee working under a flextime agreement. Experts estimate that telecommuting combined with flextime will reduce auto emissions and could decrease rush hour traffic up to 20 percent.

Then, for all small businesses, I¹ll start with a simple idea to help business owners "create a job, get a tax credit." For every new employee a small business owner hires, I¹ll provide a state tax credit equal to the employer share of the federal payroll tax. I'll also provide tax credits for capital investment, extend the carry back period for net operating losses from two to five years, and streamline business regulations by putting all forms online and creating a single point of contact at the Department of Business Assistance for all small businesses.

And, finally, to encourage the growth of women-owned businesses in particular, I will direct my administration to increase the percentage of state contracts awarded to small, women- and minority-owned businesses (SWaM). Part of this initiative will involve increased outreach and ongoing communication so that state officials and SWaM business owners are aware of issues facing both the Commonwealth and SWaM business communities. As governor I will support SWaM-owned businesses because I know that one of the keys to job growth is creating a culture of entrepreneurship that encourages small business development."

Very thoughtful response, and we look forward to more details - along with feedback on this important issue from the McDonnell campaign (which we'll publish right away).

DC & Northern Virginia Moms for a Cure - Rock On!

Here's a fantastic way to contribute to a great cause, join "Moms for a Cure" Team here in Northern Virginia, and kick of the DC-area Mother's Day festivities with live entertainment, bar, and a charity gift boutique & silent auction.

From the Moms for a Cure website:

"Each year the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society launches its Man & Woman of the Year fundraising campaign, and our team leader, Ari Hausfeld Jones, is one of this year’s nominees. During this year’s campaign from April 2 -June 13, our team’s goal is to raise $100,000, which will go directly to the Society in support of its longstanding mission to find a cure for blood cancers and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. This campaign is being held in 41 major cities nationwide. The Man & Woman of the Year titles will be awarded to each male and female team with the highest fundraising totals in the 10 week period."

Donate Here to Moms for a Cure

Moms, Dads, families - everyone - let's really motivate and demonstrate the DC metropolitan region and Northern Virginia as the most energized, philanthropic and mommy-powered area in the nation, as we already know it is.

More great Moms for a Cure fundraising events are underway!

Modern Moms Night Out Draws the Crowds in Support of Research Foundation

I Am Modern Magazine, in partnership with the Medical Spa at Nova held its first annual Holiday Shopping Event on November 9th, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency in the Reston Town Center to help raise money for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

(Pictured above: Local celebrities and business leaders including
FOX 5 News Anchor Melanie Alnwick,
"I Am Modern" Founder Hulya Aksu, and
Internet Marketing/Social Media Expert Kelly McLaughlan, of
KME Internet Marketing.)
Pics by Michael Vonal Photography

Over 30 retailers including The Dandelion Patch, Posh Couture, Candy Beads Jewelry, PR at Partners and 800 attendees participated in the charitable Mom's Night Off (MNO) shopping event.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 1.3 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer annually, worldwide about 465,000 women will die from the disease. Research money is needed to help beat this deadly and insidious disease.

"In an economic downturn everyone suffers, everyone feels the pinch, including the charities" says Hulya Aksu, founder of I Am Modern Magazine.

"By holding these social functions, where the retailers can gain access to moms and moms can get out and socialize, we are making raising money for a charity a win-win for everyone involved."

Modern Moms are Finalists for Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards

Ashburn, VA, September 29, 2008 – I Am Modern Magazine for Moms, world’s first and only social media based publication, website and social club has been selected as a finalist for the Best Product of the Year in the Loudoun County VA Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Small Business of the Year Awards. Hulya Aksu, founder of the unique publication platform and organization, has been selected as a Finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year category.

I Am Modern Magazine is breaking new ground in the publishing industry by leveraging the latest trends in online social media and Web 2.0 initiatives. I Am Modern Magazine is one of very few hyperlocal information, style and entertainment publications available to women and moms in the Northern Virginia (NOVA), DC metro area that relies exclusively on reader and consumer-generated content and supplemented by social media contributions.

"Social Media" refers to the Internet tools and practices that revolve around collaborating, communicating and sharing information on the web, and the communities or sites that evolve to both foster this and repackage it as news. Engaging in the social media communities online is a very important part of a businesse's online Internet Marketing strategy - read more about DC metro and Northern Virginia Internet Marketing and Social Media at KME Internet Marketing.

I Am Modern Magazine is published in a Fairfax edition and Loudoun edition. Popular features include Northern Virginia private school reviews, Loudoun and Fairfax restaurant reviews (by Moms and Dads), and DC metro area Salon and Spa reviews.

“Moms are the primary decision-makers in their homes. They also tend to be avid magazine readers. Over 70% of moms turn to the Internet or magazines on a regular basis for information and entertainment, and most also want to remain actively connected to their offline communities and families. We are the only coordinated publication platform that caters to this profile, to these connected women and moms - in print, online and via monthly social club events. What could be better?” adds Hulya Aksu.

I Am Modern Magazine delivers to this highly-valued demographic while remaining environmentally responsible and locally active in women-centric philanthropic efforts. Through their omni-media approach, I Am Modern Magazine offers businesses and advertisers a unique, modern and very effective avenue to an engaged, responsive family consumer audience – DC metro and Northern Virginia women and moms. Advertisers have the options of appearing in print or online as part of their Washington DC and Northern Virginia Internet marketing and social media strategy.

Modern Mom Media Corporation is the publisher of I Am Modern Magazine for Moms and the owner of www.IAmModern.com. I Am Modern Magazine for Moms is an upscale lifestyle magazine that features a revolutionary approach to coordinated print and Internet publication featuring 100% reader generated local content with a high-quality national look and feel. I Am Modern Magazine is printed quarterly and strategically caters directly to mothers and women in the valuable DC metro and Northern Virginia market. The web site, www.IAmModern.com, is rapidly evolving with hundreds of new members joining weekly, and provides a dynamic social media portal for local mothers in Northern Virginia. Modern Mom Media Corporation is privately held and headquartered in Ashburn, VA. To advertise visit Modern Mom Magazine at http://www.iammodern.com/advertise-to-moms-the-power-of-the-purse.html

For interview requests, please contact Murat Aksu at 703.728.9009 or email at info@iammodern.com .

Economic downturn's effect on smaller Northern Virginia, Fairfax and Loudoun Businesses

After speaking recently with a Bank Branch Manager about the effects of the current economy's downturn on her business (she was actually experiencing a sharp uptick in new small, home-based business accounts), we decided to check in with some other Northern Virginia, Loudoun County and Fairfax businesses for their insight - as a bit of a barometer reflecting and perhaps forecasting many of our own family and business financial and spending decisions to come this Spring.

We asked:

1 - Is the economic downturn affecting your Northern Virginia Business?
2 - Do you see differences between Loudoun and Fairfax County, in terms of customer demand for your services?
3 - Do you see any differences in your customer's spending or participation habits, possibly between men and women?

(All quotes are edited for readability)

Khalid Umerani owns the local NOVA Insurance Group in Chantilly, VA, and provides Northern Virginia home insurance, auto insurance, life insurance and business insurance to residents of Chantilly, Ashburn, South Riding, Brambleton, Stone Ridge and other western Fairfax and eastern Loudoun clients. He responds:

"We see many more indicators of family financial stress, including late payments, cancellations, policy reinstatements or re-writes; insurance payments tend to be prioritize lower than critical bills such as mortgage or car payments. The scope of personal insurance coverage is suffering, as well, with some folks reducing or eliminating coverages, or increasing deductibles to lower monthly premiums. This sort of activity tends to increases a family's financial risk profile, and simply adds to the overall negative effects of the economy. On the other hand, life continues, the region is still growing, and the overall demand for flexible, reasonable insurance services in touch with local context is remaining fairly reliable".

Hulya Aksu is owner and publisher of the Modern Loudoun Mom Magazine in Northern Virginia's Loudoun County, Ashburn. Modern Loudoun Mom Magazine is the only "social media magazine" of its kind, offering user-generated website and printed content for modern women and Moms across a variety of topics, including Spa, restaurant and private school reviews, shopping and health information, family events and offline social meetups. She remarks:

"Yes, there has been a slow down in some industries around Northern Virginia. However, advertising is crucial for most businesses and we have remained consistent in our growth. Loudoun in particular is less established, as most businesses are young or new. Having a multi platform media outlet that has a tightly focused target market, such as Modern Mom, is a much needed resource here in Loudoun. Fairfax also lacks in a publications that hyper-locally cater to moms. Fairfax also has a geographical span that cannot be compared to LC. It is an older area with more established social unities. We are approaching both counties differently but are finding many similarities. Moms are moms everywhere. We have both men and women as clients and there are differences. Women tend to also be our readers, believe in a long term commitment and value the savings they receive. Men are more likely to try it once and wait and see. Even if it means they pay more. It is very interesting. Women commit, men try..."

Ingrid Myers, Realtor is one of Northern Virginia's most experienced and long-time Realtors, having offered real estate services in this area for over 20 years. She focuses in Prince William, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. She says:

"Obviously it's easy to point to the Real Estate industry's slowdown, and know that many realtors, mortgage bankers and all the other Northern Virginia Real Estate service providers are suffering loss of business and revenue. But, it's part of the natural contraction and expansion that affects the overall economy in regular cycles, albeit this time with higher highs and lower lows. Consistent provision of superior customer services, a long track record with a deep referral and partner base, and leverage of critical tools such as Internet Marketing and Social Media Optimization all will help seasoned professionals in this business."

Steve Baker is the owner of National Security Screens, a local provider of alarm screens, window and door security and other home security system services. He adds:

"Like other "nice-to-haves", new home security technology is one of the first services or purchases to be passed over in favor of core family expenses like gas, food, housing. It's like cable TV - many feel it's helpful and enjoyable, but can be done without. On the other hand, economic anxiety tends also to drive up the awareness of security exposure, especially with children - and we actually see some stabilization in sales after an initial downturn. It's a delicate psychological balance - financial vs. physical security. However, our alarm screens are also a means to achieve both security and environmental cost efficiencies - instead of keeping windows closed all the time with air conditioning turned up, especially overnight (fearing a security breach), windows can be left opened for natural cooling in confidence that an alarm will indicate intruders."

We also spoke with Paulo Trindade, of Grow Landscapes, a leading provider of Northern Virginia landscaping, garden design, patios and fencing services located in Falls Church. His feedback:

"The recent slowdown in the local housing market has affected the types of jobs we are doing. With so many homes on the market it is more important than ever to have great looking curb appeal. We are currently doing more front yard renovations just prior to homes being put on the market. Recently a long time client had us landscape her front yard including a more inviting walkway to the front door and all new perennial garden. Not only was the increase in the home's value estimated at ten percent, but the house sold in less than a week.

The homes in Fairfax tend to be older with more mature plantings already in place. We tend to be pulling out old landscaping or designing around large trees and structures already in place. The challenge in Loudoun tends to be the opposite. So many of the homes in Loudoun are new construction there tends to be very little in the way of existing plantings or structure. Often times in Loudoun the goal is to provide privacy from neighbors and create a more established feeling around the home. Both areas provide great opportunities to be creative and really design something that adds to the homeowner's quality of life and a more enjoyable space around their home.

You might expect women to be more interested in flowers and plants while men focus on things like grills and fire pits but this is not necessarily true. Northern Virginia has such a well educated population that we tend to have clients who are equally interested in all aspects of a project. I am very often impressed by how much thought and research clients have put in to a project before even calling us. It often makes for a very collaborative environment that is a pleasure to work in. Right now the group that really seems to be focusing on customizing their environment to their needs and tastes is the baby boom generation. There really seems to be an emphasis on creating spaces that function both as personal refuge and a place for enjoying family and friends."

Our last conversation was with Kirsten Santucci, representing Ashburn's House Doctors, offering handyman services, home repair, renovation and remodeling, residential additions and commercial maintenance services.

"We're definitely affected by the economic downturn, as the cause of this downturn is being attributed mostly to the burst of the housing bubble and we're in the home repairs and improvements industry. However, in business, it's important to take your cues from the market, and then be flexible and adjust your strategy based on those cues. Anything short of that can mean death to a small business. For example, with the sale of new homes having sharply declined, it makes sense to de-emphasize some of our marketing efforts on new homeowners and focus our strategy on other customer segments. Regarding men and women, I don't think it will come as a big surprise that in our experience, the majority of women are the decision-makers when it comes to home repairs or improvements."

Altogether, while the economy and consumer spending is still on a negative trend, well-positioned businesses with solid credentials, unique core offerings and a mixed portfolio of service offerings seem to be weathering the storm for right now.