Frederick Factor

Show Summary

In our final episode of Season 12, we meet Audi Nadi, the owner of Frederick Social (which also happens to be host Ashleigh Kiggans’ favorite place in Frederick)! Ever since Frederick Social opened in December of 2021, it’s become a popular place to connect, socialize, network, and enjoy the wide variety of taps, nonalcoholic beverages, delicious food, and 5,000+ feet of space. The technology inside the taphouse provides a unique experience not found in regular bars or restaurants. Tune in to hear Audi’s story of starting her first business in Frederick and how Frederick Social has become a go-to location for everyone from nonprofits to business organizations to chess players to families and friends. 

Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:

• How Frederick became Audi and her family's forever home after residing in multiple states, including California, Colorado, New York, and others.
• The vision behind creating Frederick Social: Frederick's first self-pour taphouse and eatery
• The challenges they encountered while securing a space for their building amidst the pandemic. 
• How Frederick Social utilizes technology to curate a distinct and unparalleled experience, setting it apart from traditional restaurants and bars
• The incredible support available to new business owners in Frederick through various organizations, programs, individuals, and the community at large
• The many ways that Frederick Social creates a space for the community to connect
• What the "Charity Tap" is, and how it supports nonprofits
• Audi’s Frederick Factor

Guest Bio

For over 20+ years, Audi Nagi has been helping businesses to design and operate their spaces to be more sustainable by applying high-performance building standards to new construction and renovation spaces. Now she has applied her expertise in a new venture as the owner of downtown Frederick's first self-pour taphouse and eatery, successfully integrating technology and sustainability in an innovative taphouse and eatery.

Show Links:

Frederick Social: https://www.frederick-social.com/

50 Citizens Way 
Frederick, MD 21701

(240) 629-8525

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederick.social/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fredericksocialcafe

Maryland Business Women’s Center

https://marylandwbc.org/

Learn more about Platinum PR, the sponsors of Season Two of the Frederick Factor here: 

www.platinumpr.com

Interested in sponsoring a season of the Frederick Factor? Contact us at [email protected] 

About the Frederick Factor:

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at https://frederickfactor.com/.

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor

Show Summary

In this episode, we meet Hannah King, the owner of Squadstyle Work & Wellness, Frederick's first coworking space to prioritize personal development and make work-life balance accessible and convenient. With a semi-private gym, coworking space, wellness room, and outdoor area, Squadstyle invites remote workers, health enthusiasts, and personal trainers to explore their own definition of health and wellness. Originally from Germany, Hannah shares the inspiration behind starting Squadstyle -- from her wellness journey to coming up with the idea for a work and wellness space in Frederick. Through the rollercoaster of emotions of starting the business, Hannah shares how she’s received nothing but love and support from Frederick's businesses, friends, and the community. 

Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:

• Hannah’s journey from Germany to the US, starting as an au pair and later opening her own business
• Hannah’s experiences with American food and fad diets that ultimately led to her passion for creating a sustainable healthy lifestyle and helping others do the same
• How the environment of corporate gyms led to the inspiration behind a coworking space with a gym that encourages collaboration
• The obstacles Hannah faced when starting a business and how she and her husband took the leap to create the space themselves
• How Squadstyle’s coworking setup allows entrepreneurs and business owners to share resources and support one another 
• Why Hannah calls Frederick the best place you could live and have a business in
• Hannah’s Frederick Factor

Show Links:

Squadstyle Address:
11 Byte Ct. Suite C | Frederick, MD
Phone Number: 301.732.9290

Website: www.worknwellness.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squadstyle.cowork/

Email: [email protected]

Book a Tour: https://calendly.com/squadstyle/tour 

Get in touch with Hannah: [email protected]

Get in touch with Jimmy: [email protected]

Learn more about Platinum PR, the sponsors of Season Two of the Frederick Factor here: 

www.platinumpr.com

Interested in sponsoring a season of the Frederick Factor? Contact us at [email protected] 

About the Frederick Factor:

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at https://frederickfactor.com/.

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor

Show Summary

Have you ever met an enraged owner? Now you have! In this episode, you’ll hear from Crystal Williams-Palmer of Frederick’s Crash and Catharsis Rage Factory. Crystal created Frederick's first and only “rage room” to give people a safe, controlled environment to break items and let out stress, frustration, and rage! Tune in to hear how Crystal worked through the challenges she encountered while working to open the rage room and why she was determined to open it in Frederick. The many fans of this popular downtown Frederick spot can attest to the power of having a safe place to break things and experience catharsis and relief!

Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:

• How supporting a friend through a breakup during the pandemic sparked the idea to create a rage room in Frederick 
• The challenges Crystal faced when working on setting up her rage room and how Crystal became the “enraged owner”
• The helpful people and businesses that believed in Crystal’s vision along the way
• Frederick’s special way of connecting you to the right people at the right time in the right place
• How Crystal’s experiences working in Corporate America and the tow truck industry prepared her to have a woman-owned business
• Why Crystal knew that Frederick was the place she wanted to open her rage room
• Crystal’s Frederick Factor

Show Links:

Crash and Catharsis Rage Factory
Website: https://ccragefactory.com/
Location: 14 West Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701
Phone: 240-741-2847

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccragefactory/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCRageFactory
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crashcatharsisragefactory

Vintage MC
https://vintage-mc.com/

The Weinberg Center
https://weinbergcenter.org/

The Heartly House
https://www.heartlyhouse.org/

Frederick County Mental Health Association
https://fcmha.org/

Season 2 Episode 7: The Helping Factor with Tina Harper of Dream Free Art

https://frederickfactor.com/2023/04/12/the-helping-factor-with-tina-harper/

Learn more about Platinum PR, the sponsors of Season Two of the Frederick Factor here: 

www.platinumpr.com

Interested in sponsoring a season of the Frederick Factor? Contact us at [email protected] 

About the Frederick Factor:

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at https://frederickfactor.com/.

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor

Show Summary

Shana Knight, our guest in Episode 1 of Season 2 of the Frederick Factor, is back for her follow-up episode! As a guest in one of our most popular episodes, Shana is back to share her year-later update about her position as the Senior Business Development Manager for Diversity and Inclusion with the Frederick County Office of Economic Development. She shares many great resources for underrepresented businesses through the FCOED. Plus, she shares exciting updates about SOUL Street, which is a local collective of Black business owners and community members in Frederick County who have come together to empower the Black business community through events, outreach, advocacy, and education. 

Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:

• Shana’s updates one year since recording Episode 1 of Season 2 of the Frederick Factor
• How underrepresented businesses can get support through FCOED’s EmPOWER offerings, such as the Monthly Networking Events, the EmPOWER Mentorship Program, and the Virtual Mentorship Accelerator Program 
• What a one-on-one meeting with Shana at the FCOED is like, and what kind of support & guidance a small underrepresented business can get from it
• How the FCOED’s Underrepresented Business Directory offers an accessible way for businesses to get more visibility
• Shana reveals SOUL Street’s BIG news!
• How the SOUL Street Takeover Events became a solution for serving brick-and-mortar underrepresented businesses in a fun and engaging way
• Special SOUL Street events coming up in summer 2023!

Show Links:

• FCOED’s EmPOWER Program https://www.discoverfrederickmd.com/empower
• The EmPOWER Program’s Monthly Networking Events https://www.discoverfrederickmd.com/empower-networking
• The EmPOWER Mentorship Program https://www.discoverfrederickmd.com/mentorship
• The EmPOWER Small Business Accelerator Program
  https://www.discoverfrederickmd.com/empower-accelerator
• The FCOED’s Underrepresented Business Directory https://www.discoverfrederickmd.com/locations/sections/view/empower-businesses
• Season 2 Episode 1: The Opportunity Factor with Shana Knight of SOUL Street - Part 1 https://frederickfactor.com/2023/03/02/the-opportunity-factor-with-shana-knight-of-soul-street-part-1/
• Season 2 Episode 6: The Welcoming Factor with Jarad Bowens
  https://frederickfactor.com/2023/04/06/the-welcoming-factor-with-jarad-bowens/
• SOUL Street: https://mysoulstreet.com/
• SOUL Street TAKEOVER at TJay's Beer & Wine on June 16, 2023: https://www.facebook.com/events/920205052428407

About the Frederick Factor:

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at https://frederickfactor.com/.

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor

Show Summary

In this episode, we meet Wayne Dorsey, Founder & Chairman of The Safe Ride Foundation, Frederick County’s only non-profit organization working to stop drunk driving. Founded in 2015, they are best known as the creators of the popular “SOS Safe Ride” program, a Frederick-County exclusive mobile app and ride service that will transport you AND your vehicle home safely when you’ve had a few too many. With this program, they’ve prevented well over 15,000 DUI offenses in Frederick County. Listen to this episode and learn more about The Safe Ride Foundation’s programs to eradicate drunk driving and why they’re one of the country's successful safe ride programs. Plus, hear how Wayne incorporates sold-out stand-up comedy shows as a way to raise money for drunk driving awareness.

Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:

• Wayne’s inspiration behind starting The Safe Ride Foundation
• Wayne’s experience of growing his business at a very young age and as a minority and how he used that as a superpower
• How the organization helps stop drunk driving through their breathalyzer booth in downtown Frederick
• How the Safe Ride Foundation Angel Fund has provided more than $25,000 to families affected by drunk driving in Frederick County
• The secret about what makes their Safe Ride Program so successful while many safe ride programs around the country have not succeeded
• How the Steered Straight Program helps people who have gotten DUIs to become a part of the solution instead of part of the problem
• Why Frederick is a phenomenal place to start a nonprofit
• Wayne’s Frederick Factor

Show Links:

• Safe Ride Foundation: https://www.saferidefoundation.org/
• S.O.S. Safe Ride Program: https://www.sossaferide.org/
• S.O.S. Safe Ride Phone Number: 240-722-7422
  Address: 122 E Patrick St, Frederick MD, 21702
  Email: [email protected]
• Follow the S.O.S. Safe Ride Program:
  • On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sossaferide/
  • On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sossaferide
• Download the S.O.S. Safe Ride Program App:
  • On Apple
  • On Google Play
• Over the Limit Comedy Fest: https://overthelimitcomedyfest.com/
• Cellar Door in Frederick: https://www.cellardoorfrederick.com/
• Federated Charities: https://www.federatedcharities.org

Interested in sponsoring a season of the Frederick Factor? Contact us at [email protected] 

About the Frederick Factor:

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at https://frederickfactor.com/.

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor

Show Summary

In this episode, Tina Harper, the owner and CEO of Dream Free Art, shares her story of developing her unconventional business idea amid the pandemic with six kids at home. After initially facing doubters of her creative business idea, she participated in Frederick’s ShePitch contest, and soon, the community fell in love with the studio. Listen to Tina’s journey as a business owner and her experience living in Frederick. 

Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:

• How Tina, a mom of 6, got the idea to transition her business model amid the pandemic
• How Dream Free Art’s experiences are different than typical “Sip and Paint” events
• The story behind Dream Free Art’s Bob Ross-inspired “Happy Accidents” Class, their “Glow” events, and more
• Tina’s experience of participating in Frederick’s ShePitch
• How the community of Frederick has welcomed and supported Tina and her business
• Ways that Frederick County and the community can continue to support small businesses and underrepresented businesses
• Tina’s Frederick Factor 

Show Links:

• Dream Free Art: https://www.dreamfreeart.com/
• Follow Dream Free Art on:
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamfreeartstudio/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamfreeart
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/dreamfreeart
• Get in touch with Tina at: [email protected]
• Dream Free Art is located at: 5104 Pegasus Ct Suite B, Frederick, MD 21704
• Frederick County Chamber of Commerce:
  https://www.frederickchamber.org
• Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s SheWeek Event:
  https://www.frederickchamber.org/sheweek2023.html
• Maryland Women Business Center:
  https://marylandwbc.org/
• Frederick OED’s EmPOWER Program:
  https://www.discoverfrederickmd.com/empower

Learn more about Platinum PR, the sponsors of Season Two of the Frederick Factor, here: 

www.platinumpr.com

Interested in sponsoring a season of the Frederick Factor? Contact us at [email protected] 

About the Frederick Factor:

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at https://frederickfactor.com/.

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor

Show Summary

Jarad Bowens is a Frederick resident who’s only lived in Frederick for a few years but has already made a huge impact in the community. An active member of the Chamber of Commerce, he shares the story behind presenting the idea for the Business Equity Coalition to the Chamber with Shana Knight. Now as the chair of that committee, Jarad shares some ways it’s creating more diversity, equity, and inclusion for underrepresented businesses of all kinds in Frederick. Jarad also shares the story behind the creation of his business Benefactor Events and how it lives out its name of “benefactor.” 

Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:

• How Jarad first got involved with the Chamber of Commerce in Florida and how this has made all the difference in his business
• The inspiration behind “Benefactor Events” and their dedication to supporting the community with their services
• How Jarad found that the best way to make change in the community was to help businesses to grow and develop 
• Clarifying what DEI is and what it isn’t (Hint: it’s not about taking away seats at the table -- it’s about adding more)
• Why sometimes, to add more seats to the table, you’ve got to build a new table!
• Why “changing the world” isn’t the goal of the Business Equity Coalition -- inclusion, access, and representation is.
• Jarad’s Frederick Factor

Show Links:

• Benefactor Events: https://benefactorevents.com/
• Follow Benefactor Events on:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benefactoreventco
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benefactorevents/
• Business Equity Coalition for the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce:
  https://www.frederickchamber.org/business-equity-coalition.html
• Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Committee: https://www.frederickchamber.org/women-in-business.html
• SOUL Street: https://mysoulstreet.com/
• Alive @ Five: https://downtownfrederick.org/upcoming-events/aliveatfive/
• I Believe In Me, Inc.: https://www.ibelieveinme.com/
• AK’s Grafix and Photo: https://aksgrafix.com/
  
  

Learn more about Platinum PR, the sponsors of Season Two of the Frederick Factor, here: 

www.platinumpr.com

Interested in sponsoring a season of the Frederick Factor? Contact us at [email protected] 

About the Frederick Factor:

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at https://frederickfactor.com/.

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor

Show Summary

In this episode, Peter Brehm, a founding member and the current treasurer of the Frederick Center, shares what the Frederick Center is doing to support the LGBTQIA+ community and to create awareness and education for the Frederick community. Many challenging questions are tackled in this episode as Peter shares insight about the challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces, the progressive steps that are being taken to create greater inclusion, and how people can be better allies and a part of the solution. 

Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:

• How the Frederick Center originated from one high school student’s challenges and determination to find support for LGBTQIA+ youth
• The many programs the Frederick Center has created to support the LGBTQIA+ community’s needs
• How the LGBTQIA+ 101 program provides a way for organizations and their employees to get informed about the LGBTQIA+ community
• The story of the first Pride Fest in Frederick and its evolution to an event that gathers over 15,000 people
• The importance of allies advocating for LGBTQIA+ people
• Why the LGBTQIA+ is seeking affirmation in the community (versus just acceptance), and what that can look like

Show Links:

The Frederick Center: https://thefrederickcenter.org

Frederick Pride: https://thefrederickcenter.org/frederick-pride

Downtown Frederick Partnership: https://downtownfrederick.org/

Learn more about Policy 443: https://www.fcps.org/boe/policy-443

JoJo’s Restaurant and Tap House: https://jojosrestauranttaphouse.com/

Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ: https://erucc.org/

Learn more about Platinum PR, the sponsors of Season Two of the Frederick Factor, here: 

www.platinumpr.com

Interested in sponsoring a season of the Frederick Factor? Contact us at [email protected] 

About the Frederick Factor:

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at https://frederickfactor.com/.

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor

Show Summary

Kathryn Vicere has been active in the Frederick theater scene since childhood, debuting in The King and I with the Fredericktown Players. Moving from center stage to behind the scenes, she now plays pivotal roles in Frederick, including serving as the Maryland Ensemble Theatre (the MET) Managing Director from 2018 to 2022. In this episode, she shares the MET's work to create more inclusivity through storytelling, involve young people in the arts, and highlight the contributions of everyone in the community through theater shows. 

Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:

• How Kat’s lifelong career in the arts began as a child, determined to get Lucky Charms for breakfast
• How Kat’s journey as an actor started at five years old in Frederick
• How the MET brings theater to youth that otherwise might not experience it, and why this is so important to development
• How the MET’s shows contribute to educating the community on diversity, history, and creating more inclusivity 
• One specific metric the MET ensemble uses to decide on the season’s shows
• Kat’s Frederick Factor

Show Links:

• The MET (The Maryland Ensemble Theatre) in Frederick: https://marylandensemble.org/
• Youth Programs at the MET: https://marylandensemble.org/youth-programs/
• The Weinberg Center for the Arts, Frederick: https://weinbergcenter.org/
• The Fredericktowne Players: https://ftptheater.com/
• The AARCH (The African American Resources – Cultural and Heritage Society): https://aarchsociety.org/about-aarch/
• Learn more about All Saints Street on the Visit Frederick website: https://www.visitfrederick.org/things-to-do/tours/self-guided-tour/african-american-sites/
• William Cochran and the Community Bridge: https://www.visitfrederick.org/listing/%E2%80%9Ccommunity-bridge%E2%80%9D-mural/3064/

Learn more about Platinum PR, the sponsors of Season Two of the Frederick Factor, here: 

www.platinumpr.com

Interested in sponsoring a season of the Frederick Factor? Contact us at [email protected] 

About the Frederick Factor: 

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at  https://frederickfactor.com/. 

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor

About the Frederick Factor:

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at https://frederickfactor.com/.

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor

Show Summary

Chief of Police for the Frederick Police Department, Jason Lando, has worked fiercely to create initiatives that have strengthened relationships between police and the community. In this episode, we get to know Jason personally and learn about his background, his early dreams of becoming a police officer, his passion for supporting the community, the many initiatives that have helped build bridges in Frederick, and of course -- Jason’s Frederick Factor. 

Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:

• What made Jason decide to pursue a police chief opportunity after he was eligible for retirement -- and why he chose Frederick
• The importance of dialogue between law enforcement and the community to bring people together instead of dividing them
• Why he instills the necessity of relationship-building into each new class of officers 
• Jason’s experiences in Leadership Maryland, including participating in the powerful Justice Jobs program
• What the “Crisis Car” initiative is, and how it helps individuals in a mental health crisis
• How the Multi-Cultural Liaison Unit builds a bridge to help underrepresented communities feel safer to get the support of the police when they need it
• Jason’s Frederick Factor

Show Links:

• Leadership Maryland: https://www.leadershipmd.org/ 
• Leadership Frederick: https://www.frederickchamber.org/apply-for-lfc.html
• Leaders on Loan: https://www.frederickchamber.org/leaders-on-loan.html
• Frederick Factor Season 1: Episode 11: The Culture Factor with Elizabeth Chung of the Asian American Center of Frederick: https://frederickfactor.com/2021/12/22/the-culture-factor-with-elizabeth-chung/
  
  
  

Learn more about Platinum PR, the sponsors of Season Two of the Frederick Factor, here: www.platinumpr.com

Interested in sponsoring a season of the Frederick Factor? Contact us at [email protected] 

About the Frederick Factor: 

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at  https://frederickfactor.com/. 

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor

About the Frederick Factor:

The Frederick Factor Podcast highlights the stories of underrepresented business owners, professionals, and community leaders making an impact in Frederick, Maryland. You can visit our website at https://frederickfactor.com/.

Or, follow the Frederick Factor on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frederickfactor_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFrederickFactor