There's a new business coming to RIA Main Street! Parents of small children around the area have been eagerly anticipating the opening of Fun It Up, a new indoor play and event space for kids. Paul Winestock joins us in the studio to talk about how his inspiration for creating Fun It Up (spoiler alert: there was a granddaughter involved!), and his plans for making this the go-to space for birthday parties and more.

Very few small business owners go into business because they want to do the "back office" work that all businesses must do to STAY in business. Enter the team from Office Accomplice to take over those tasks for you! We chat with Mallory Corlette about all of the services that her company can take off your plate and get you back to doing what you do best for your business. Then we visit with Dan Schramm, president of the Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association. The BNCA has a robust calendar of events and is "a forum for considering and advancing the interests of Brookland residents on issues affecting the Brookland Community." Tune in now to learn more!

Your business growth depends on more than your amazing products - you have to be able to tell the world about it! Channing Muller, Principal and Founder of DCM Communications, is all about making sure your business marketing plan is on point. She joins us to talk about some critical components of an effective marketing plan and how you can maximize your impact. Casey from Good Food Markets calls in with a market update, then we visit with Kaitlin Athmer about summer's free yoga on the Metropolitan Branch Trail. Listen now!

Because a robust commercial corridor can't happen without the intangible assets that art - in all its forms - can bring, we wanted to visit with someone that not only knows about the artistic community AND small business growth. Enter Morgan H. West. Morgan (http://www.acreativedc.com/) is the founder and director of the A Creative DC project. The project seeks to bring the DC's robust creative community to the world through social media and digital galleries. Of course we chat with Casey at Good Food Markets to find out about the new summer products rolling in. Tune in now for both interviews!

One of the businesses that took an early chance on RIA Main Street is alson one of the most popular spots to be in the summer! Sisters Charnita Walker and Angela Brock join us to talk about Rita's Water Ice. Not only do the Ward 5 natives give back to the community in the form of delicious custard and water ice, but through employeeing the youth of the neighborhood, they are mentoring young men and women to successful futures. Tune in to hear their inspiring story. Casey from Good Food Markets calls in, and we get the updates on summer produce starting to roll in.

Two of RIA Main Street's newest businesses join us on this episode. Brian Dombrowski started Benevolent Tech (www.benvolent.tech) to not only deliever quality website design, but to really work with small businesses and nonprofits to craft the marketing message they want to convey through their organization's web presence. Next, we chat with Mani Pahlevanpour of the brand new District Floor Depot (www.districtfloordepot.com). With a variety of beautiful wood flooring options and a dedication to quality and impeccable customer service, your home renovation just got a whole lot easier... and mroe beautiful. And as always, we check in with Casey from Good Food Markets to find out the lastest happenings in fresh food here on RIA Main Street!

This episode, we are joined by Dr. Laytrayal Simmons and Latoya Porterfield, Esq from ReIGNITE (http://www.reignitepsych.com/). The ReIGNITE team provides counseling, a 360 degree weight loss program, career coaching services, and psychological assessments. AND boxing classes!! Sounds like a winning combination for personal growth, right here in Ward 5. Then we chat with Casey from Good Food Markets - great locally-sourced spring produce is heading to the Market. Tune in now!

The Rhode Island Row Farmers Market (https://www.facebook.com/FoodworksRIR/) is all set to kick off on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. We're joined by Nick Staveley of Community Foodworks (http://www.community-foodworks.org/), the organization behind the market. Nick stops by to talk about what will be new at the market this year, including discounts and great new market vendors. Casey calls in with the Good Food Markets update (http://www.goodfoodmarkets.com/). Then we are joined by Derek Nelson, the CEO of The HIlltop Microfinance Initiative (http://hilltopmfi.org/en/home/). HMFI is a nonprofit that provides low interest micro loans of $500 - $10,000 to small businesses growing in the DC area. Derek talks about how HMFI works, and the many programs they have available to assist small businesses. Listen now for all the details!

John Mains from SB Works drops by to talk about some very special programming they have lined up for National Small Business Week, April 30 - May 6. Casey calls in with the Market Report from Good Food Markets, and then we have a fantastic chat with Ward 5 neighbor Leslie Green from Master PR Basics. Leslie has a great PR 101 webinar, plus now a new PR 101 ebook, chock full of great ways to help your business stand out from the crowd. Listen now, and share with all your favorite small business owners!

We're joined by Renee Hicks of www.Insperity.com to talk about HR solutions for small and growing businesses. Want to offer your employees a high level of benefits, but don't think your business has the financial capacity? Think again - Insperity just might be the solution you need. Plus, Casey calls in with the Market Report from Good Food Markets, and spring produce is here!