The Village Cafe is building collectives to support small businesses and creatives
DC Storefront Episode 5
Description: At first glance, The Village Cafe might seem like a coffee shop. However this coffee shop does more than serve up lattes and cold brew. The young people behind this storefront are using their energy and space to showcase local products from the DC area, encourage entrepreneurship, and create community workspaces.
In this episode, we speak to its creative director, Mohammed Mangum, who tells us the cafe is “like an incubator to help smaller businesses, artists, and people gather their thoughts and ideas, and utilize our space to grow themselves.” What’s more, 60% of the businesses they showcase are owned by people of color, and 75% are woman-owned.
Learn why mission drives metrics here, the ongoing role of mentors and advisors at the Village Cafe, and more!
Listen here:
Top Takeaways from this episode:
- Importance of mentorship
- Openness to new ideas; comfortable making changes
- Mission drives metrics
Here’s where you can connect with today’s guests:
- The Village Cafe is located near Union Market at 1272 5th Street Northeast, Washington, DC 20002
- Visit the Village Cafe website or follow them on Facebook, And Instagram
As an incubator, The Village Cafe supports many fellow small businesses and has received guidance and mentorship as well. Here are a few of the other businesses and programs mentioned in today’s episodes. Check them out!
- The Rough vintage resale
- Cureate (and check out their podcast, The Tidbit)
- Union Market
- Maketto
- Project Empowerment
- Summer Youth Employment
- Capitol Kettle Corn
- NativSol
- K&B Sodas
Ready to listen? Here’s where to find this episode on your favorite podcasting app:
Learn how to subscribe to DC Storefront.
Take a visual tour and meet the faces of the Village Cafe.
