The Metropolitan Business League

Congratulations to our October Member of the Month, Yuriko Ota, Owner & Founder of !

💚BUILDING TEAMS THAT BEND, NOT BREAK

Women, this conversation is for us.

Strong teams aren’t teams that never face pressure. They’re teams that know how to bend without breaking.

In business and leadership, change is inevitable. Personalities differ. Communication gets difficult. Expectations shift. Pressure rises. And sometimes the greatest challenge isn’t the work—it’s learning how to continue working together when things get hard.

That’s why this conversation at UNSHAKEN: Women Who Mean Business Summit 2026 is so important.

Join us for a day designed to strengthen, connect, and empower women who mean business.

Friday, October 16, 2026
9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Jewish Community Center (JCC)

Featuring panelists Allyson England Drake, Holly Byrd Miller, Hope Swinter, and Grace Washington.

UNSHAKEN — Your Voice. Your Power. Your Time.

🎟️ Get your tickets: bit.ly/WWMBS2026
and https://postly.click/TloE

💚We’re excited to celebrate DauvCo and this incredible milestone as they officially opened the doors to their new Chesterfield office with a ribbon cutting!
For the past five years, DauvCo has been making an impact across the Richmond region by strengthening leaders, elevating teams, advancing organizational transformation, and contributing to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
What started within the Gather coworking community has now grown into a dedicated space that will allow DauvCo to deepen its impact and continue serving the leaders and organizations that make our community stronger.
As a proud MBL member, we’re thrilled to celebrate your growth and success!
👏 Congratulations, DauvCo! We’re excited to see all that this next chapter holds.

💚💰 READY TO BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH?
Join us for our next Quarterly Recharge: Generational Wealth Workshop on Wednesday, September 30, from 6:00–8:00 PM at the MBL Rooftop!
Topics We’ll Discuss:
Generational Wealth – Building a foundation that can last beyond you
Diversify Your Capital – Understanding different ways to grow and leverage your capital
Commercial Capital – Exploring funding and financial tools to support business growth
Educational Resources & Financial Tools – Resources designed to support your wealth-building journey
📍 MBL Office Rooftop
1717 E. Cary Street | Richmond, VA 23223
FREE for MBL Members | $10 for Non-Members (Light refreshments will be served)
👉 Register today at https://postly.click/Hec

💚 MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY | START STRONG. BUILD SMART.

A great business begins with more than a great idea. It requires vision, preparation, discipline, relationships, and action.

If you’re thinking about starting a business, here are 7 important steps to help you build a strong foundation.

Remember: Starting a business takes courage. Building a sustainable business takes strategy.

At The Metropolitan Business League, we believe entrepreneurs grow stronger when they have access to capital, resources, relationships, education, and procurement opportunities.

Your idea may be the beginning.
Your preparation is what helps turn that idea into a business.

💚☕ CONNECTION WEDNESDAY

Coffee. Connections. Encourage.

Sometimes one conversation can open a door.
One introduction can create an opportunity.
And one word of encouragement can help an entrepreneur keep going.

Today, we’re challenging our MBL community to connect with intention.

💚 Tag an entrepreneur, business owner, mentor, or community partner who has encouraged YOU-and tell us why!

Then take it one step further: grab a cup of coffee, make a new connection, send an introduction, or simply reach out and say, “Keep going. I see what you’re building.”

Because when our business community connects, we all grow stronger.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲?

Congratulations to our new Member of the Month, Mark Kronenthal, J.D., Attorney, Bailiwick Strategies and President, Shared Solar - Community Solar Circle. 🎉

💚YOUR BUSINESS DOESN’T HAVE TO GROW ALONE. 💚

Building a business takes more than a great idea. It takes access, information, relationships, resources, and the right people in your corner.

That’s where the Metropolitan Business League comes in.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your business, gain access to capital, expand your network, learn from other entrepreneurs, or discover new opportunities, MBL is committed to helping businesses move from potential to progress.

This week, ask yourself:

What is the ONE thing your business needs to get to the next level?

More customers?
Access to capital?
Better marketing?
Business education?
Stronger connections?

Drop your answer in the comments. Your next connection or resource could be closer than you think.

Connect. Learn. Grow.