We Are Business

With Phase One in place, the Chamber is back in the office for the first time in 8 weeks to film this episode! As if that’s not enough good news for the week, the team announces more good news: the 540 Party Bus are hosting wine and brewery tours and kindhearted locals organize a flash mob to cheer up a local lady. Tune in as Rita Allen of City Vino joins them as the business spotlight for the week. City Vino is a small-batch wine company in downtown Fredericksburg. She shares her story, her passion for wine, and even where champagne came from! Considered an essential business under COVID-19, they offer gift cards, delivery service, curbside pickup, and have made their online presence easy to navigate. 

The podcast ends with recommendations from the team: small businesses can let the chamber know what their new hours are under Phase One so they can publicize it, salons are open for appointments, and small businesses can easily install sneeze guards for added safety as they open up. As always, the Chamber is here to provide resources and support to businesses!

"Good News Fredericksburg" episodes will be available on Apple and Spotify weekly on Wednesday and Friday. Episodes are also recorded LIVE, Tuesday and Thursday on the Chamber’s Facebook page.

City Vino
https://www.city-vino.com/

In episode six, tune in to hear more good news that supports the Fredericksburg community! The Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center is celebrating their 10th year anniversary, the Rover Bus is driving through neighborhoods to deliver free books to kids, and the Chamber is providing resources to assist businesses as they begin to safely open up in Phase One. Then, Pifer Brothers, Matthew and Michael, of the Pifer Bros. BBQ Company, join Kyle, Anna and Tabitha to share the secret sauce of their new business, including their unique start-up story, passion for pouring into younger people, and delicious barbecue. As they navigate COVID-19 along with other new small businesses, the Chamber partners with the REC to come beside them and sponsor the next meal they provide for the community. The Chamber team wraps up this sixth episode of the Good News Fredericksburg series with some helpful recommendations for the rest of the week!

"Good News Fredericksburg" episodes will be available on Apple and Spotify weekly on Wednesday and Friday. Episodes are also recorded LIVE, Tuesday and Thursday on the Chamber’s Facebook page.

Pifer Bros BBQ
https://www.piferbrosbbq.com/
Facebook: piferbrosbbq
Instagram: piferbrosbbq

In the fifth episode, Kyle, Anna and Tabitha continue to spotlight good news in the area: RPI Group is named “Best Workplace” for 2020, Creative2 announces they will match donations on a GoFundMe page they started for the Thurman Brisben Center, a homeless shelter struggling during COVID-19; and Virginia Partners Bank and Atlantic Union join to provide $1.75 billion in P.P.P. loans to small businesses. 

As the business spotlight of this week, Jessica Jones joins the team to chat about her growing homemade toffee business, Cocoa Muerto. A former military wife who finds joy in the kitchen, Jessica’s passion for making homemade toffee began with making it for relatives during the holidays. She shares her story, her future plans, and how the pandemic is affecting her business. Partnered with the REC, the Chamber made a donation to Jessica to help support her growing business during COVID-19. As always, the Chamber team offers valuable tips for spreading positivity during this pandemic. 

"Good News Fredericksburg" episodes will be available on Apple and Spotify weekly on Wednesday and Friday. Episodes are also recorded LIVE, Tuesday and Thursday on the Chamber’s Facebook page.

Cocoa Muerto
https://www.cocoamuerto.com/
Instagram: cocoamuerto
Facebook: cocoamuerto

The COVID-19 pandemic continues, but that hasn’t stopped the good news in Fredericksburg! 

In the fourth episode of this series, Kyle, Anna and Tabitha share how Serta Mattress in Fredericksburg donates more than 10,000 hospital beds to areas affected by COVID-19 in New York, GCubed receives Top Honor from VA Chamber of Commerce as the fastest-growing small business in Virginia, and FastSigns artistically covers the LOVE sign in downtown Fredericksburg with nurses, doctors, police, and other essential employees. 

The Chamber continues to find ways to support small businesses. Partnered with REC, they spotlight and support the “Popcorn Bag” this week. Join them as they speak with the owner, Jim: from his prior military service, how he started his business, his newest popcorn flavor, to how COVID-19 is affecting him and his family. In the end, Kyle, Anna and Tabitha share what they are doing to find joy during quarantine. 

"Good News Fredericksburg" episodes will be available on Apple and Spotify weekly on Wednesday and Friday. Episodes are also recorded LIVE, Tuesday and Thursday on the Chamber’s Facebook page. 

In this third episode of “Good News Fredericksburg,” Kyle, Anna and Tabitha share more good news in the Fredericksburg region: LifePoint Church donating over 7,000 masks, Rappahannock United Way supporting people struggling financially through COVID-19 with their A.L.I.C.E. program, and the Governor of Virginia announcing his plan to reopen the state starting with phase one on May 15. 

Then, join them as they speak with the amazing owner of the Icing Baking Company, Camile, who has an inspiring passion for baking and serving her community. She shares her unique story on this episode, which tells how she began when she was in high school working as a cashier and learning to decorate cakes to where she is now--an important part of the Fredericksburg community and a successful small business owner. In response to her recent need for a new mixer, the Chamber partnered with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative to make a donation towards the goal of purchasing the 30 quart mixer. 

"Good News Fredericksburg" episodes will be available on Apple and Spotify weekly on Wednesday and Friday. Episodes are also recorded LIVE, Tuesday and Thursday on the Chamber’s Facebook page. 

In the second episode of “Good News Fredericksburg,” Kyle, Anna and Tabitha share more good news in the Fredericksburg region: small businesses making face masks, Malawi’s Pizza’s mission to feed the frontline and provide resources to graduating seniors, and local farmers working hard to provide enough meat for the community during COVID-19. 

Then tune in to hear Jennifer as she tells the story of Stevenson Ridge, a prominent wedding venue in the area. She shares family stories, what they are doing now under COVID-19 restrictions, and what they hope to do in the future.

As the Chamber will in every episode of this special podcast, tune in to hear the Chamber and Rappahannock Electric Cooperative make their second donation to Stevenson Ridge. 

"Good News Fredericksburg" episodes will be available on Apple and Spotify weekly on Wednesday and Friday. Episodes are also recorded LIVE, Tuesday and Thursday on the Chamber’s Facebook page. 

Join us on the inaugural episode of the special series called “Good News Fredericksburg.”

Join Kyle, Anna and Tabitha as they kick off the podcast by sharing good news happening in the region: the Central Rappahannock Regional Library partners with other businesses to produce P.P.E. for LifeCare Medical Transports, the Fredericksburg Nationals adapt to COVID-19 by hosting their opening day online, and local restaurant, Juan More Taco, donates over 1,516 elderly meals and 455 hospital boxes. 

Then, tune in as they end the podcast with a phone call to Christy, owner of Massage Therapy of Fredericksburg. While her doors are closed, she shares the story of how she started her business and how she and her team are coping and preparing to best serve their people when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. To top off the good news, Kristy of Massage Therapy was the first small business to be given a donation, in the Chamber’s partnership with the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. 

"Good News Fredericksburg" episodes will be available on Apple and Spotify, Wednesday and Friday. You can even watch the episodes being recorded LIVE on Tuesday and Thursday over on the Chamber Facebook page.

This series would not be possible without our sponsor Rappahannock Electric Cooperative!

Share Good News Here

Join Kyle, Anna, and Tabitha as they introduce the very first episode of this podcast! During the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope this podcast will be a platform to reach our members, share helpful resources, and continue to tell member's stories. We are so excited to launch this!

Join us as we learn from Barbara, a member of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, who gives us four steps towards better brain health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barbara speaks to the uncertainty of the times, addressing the biological, social, psychological, and spiritual aspects of wholeness and mental/emotional hygiene. 

Barbara instructs us that everyone has a different brain type, so it is important to know how to manage our mental diet and recognize the need to step away, limit news, social media and stressors during this time. She acknowledges that self-compassion during this unprecedented, roller-coaster experience is essential and practicing things like meditation, affirmations, and getting enough sunlight will help us. 

The FXBG Chamber of Commerce seeks to provide resources for the local business community. Stay tuned for more episodes coming soon!