Early childhood nutrition leader will join sister company Nestlé USA in Rosslyn
By Cara O’Donnell, Arlington Economic Development

Arlington County is thrilled to welcome Gerber Products Company, subsidiary of Nestlé U.S.A. to its community as a new leader in the business market. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam made the announcement this afternoon that Nestlé will invest an additional $5 million to relocate Gerber from New Jersey to join its corporate headquarters in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood. Gerber is expected to occupy 23,392 square feet of office space in Rosslyn’s 1812 North Moore address, creating a total of 150 new jobs.

By Karen Rosales, CEO, Arlington Community Federal Credit Union
 
The big night finally happened! Last Thursday, 16 students representing 13 newly-formed businesses from the Arlington Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) program were about to present their business pitches to me and seven other investors in Arlington's own version of a "Shark Tank" for young entrepreneurs. The students, all between the ages of 11-17, were pitching for their opportunity to receive real dollars that would aid in the start-up costs needed to launch their businesses.  

I was excited to hear their pitches! As we all mingled outside the auditorium in Marymount's new Ballston Center lobby, energy and excitement filled the air. Students expertly worked the room full of business people, parents and mentors. They passed business cards and fearlessly introduced themselves with impressively firm handshakes and sound bites from the formal presentations we were about to hear. Their confidence belied their years.  

By Jim Corcoran, Fitness Coach, Fitness Together Alexandria

Running a 5K is a great way to challenge yourself to stay fit and healthy! More so than the race itself, the culture of the race is very fun and inclusive. Preparing for your first race can seem daunting, but if you are consistent and determined, you will succeed. Here are 5 rules to live by while you prepare for your first one!

By Mary Little, Enterprise Knowledge

​Businesses compete over top talent and invest a lot into retaining them once they’re brought on board. While on work travel recently, I sat on a plane next to a Principal Consultant from a boutique firm, like Enterprise Knowledge (EK), the one I work for now, and he engaged me in a conversation about what he could do to keep his people from jumping ship. “We pay them very well,” he said, “but we can’t seem to keep them around for the long run.” According to the Herzberg's Hygiene Theory, compensation is important, but once that box has been checked, other factors are necessary to cultivate in a workplace in order to motivate employees and increase their job satisfaction. “We had zero percent attrition last year,” I responded, “and here’s why…”