Featured Small Business: BizConnect, the "e-Harmony of the Business World"

Valentine's Day may be over, but that doesn't mean the end of romance. Why not give your business a little romance, and maybe even have a fling (or two)? No, we're not talking about inter-office dating; we're talking about meeting and building relationships with other businesses based on common interests. Kind of like dating, but less messy. And you can meet as many businesses as you want -- at the same time!

Washington, D.C. based BizConnect, the "e-Harmony of the business world," is looking to do just that for you. As the region's only B2B matchmaking service, their mission is to bring businesses together based on common interests, strategic partnerships, and business needs.

Here's how it works. Once you subscribe, you'll receive automated emails every time a match is made. You'll also have access to the subscriber database 24/7 to identify qualified leads.

Need to meet more buyers/sellers, find subcontractors, or recruit for your company? Problem solved. BizConnect will help you "increase your sales by providing qualified introductions, expand your resources, introduce you to potential venture partners, and promote new business relations."

But what's a romance without some dates? BizConnect can help with those too by hosting business development events throughout the year, bringing hundreds of subscribers and prospective subscribers together. You can even receive attendee rosters in advance so you know who's coming and target prospective clients or strategic partners prior to the event. It kind of takes the "blind" out of the "date," doesn't it?

For more information, contact Rick Weedon, VP, Business Development at rick@bizconnectonline.com or call 202-785-8005.

Couldn't make it to Mardi Gras this year? Be sure to attent BizConnect's Post Mardi Gras Make a BizConnection Event this Thursday, February 18, 5:30-8:30 PM at Washington's Hamilton Hotel. Get ready to "Network Your Networks!"

Featured Small Business: Alexandria Cupcake

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and I have some sweet news to share: Alexandria Cupcake opened its doors in Old Town last month, adding a 3rd cupcake bakery to the scene. They are located on King Street between Patrick and Henry Streets, just a few doors down from Hank's Oyster Bar.

This boutique bakery uses premium ingredients (Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, European sweet cream butter, Vahlrona & E. Guittard chocolate, organic eggs, fresh fruit) and bakes fresh from scratch every day.

Naturally, being the cupcake hound that I am, I had to test them out. My issue? Where to find sweets that don't focus on chocolate. Crazy as this sounds, I'm not a huge chocolate fiend. I prefer such flavors as coffee, berry, and especially peanut butter. Lucky for me, Old Town Cupcake offers a respectable collection of non-chocolate cupcakes, including Strawberry (strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream frosting), Raspberry Vanilla (vanilla cake infused with raspberry and topped with raspberry frosting), PB&J (vanilla cake layered in the middle with grape jelly and topped with peanut butter frosting), and -- their signature cupcake -- the intriguing Rosewater (rosewater cake with a rosewater glaze topped with a fresh raspberry).

Not to worry, chocoholics, they also offer plenty of chocolate options. In fact, the Mint Chocolate (chocolate cake with mint frosting) sounds like a fresh alternative to Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies and Andes Candies, which may tempt even me to try it. They even make a Vegan Chocolate and a Gluten-Free Chocolate version.

Should Georgetown Cupcake be worried? You decide. Visit Alexandria Cupcake at 1022 King Street any day except Monday (they're closed) and try them out. And check out their website, http://www.alexandriacupcake.com/.

Here's a treat for our readers: Mention Anne Logsdon's newsletter (or blog) and get a 4 pack of cupcakes for the price of 3! Use Valentine's Day as an excuse to bring home a box, or, just go to quell your own sweet tooth.

Enjoy!