ENTREPRENEURIAL & CREATIVE GROWTH

Start Peninsula helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through mentorship, networking and funding opportunities. The pitch competition, hosted by the city of Newport News, in partnership with the cities of Hampton, Williamsburg, Poquoson, and James City and York counties, has been held annually since 2012.

PITCH COMPETITION

$5K

$5,000 in seed funding

1-year memberships to the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce, the York County Chamber of Commerce, and the Retail Alliance

START PENINSULA PRIZE PACKAGE:

1-year spot at Growth University

20 hours of consulting from the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center

6-month membership to Launchpad

10 hours of project management assistance and consulting with the Crim Dell Small Business Network

"Economic development in our community goes beyond attracting something new — it often means growing and celebrating what we already have."

Bonilla Pet Studio

one of three winners in the 2021 Start Peninsula competition

Erin and Oswaldo Bonilla

Bonilla Pet Studio became a Launchpad member in 2021. They have a pet photography studio in Norfolk and wanted to open a second location in Williamsburg. They became a Launchpad member to benefit from mentorship opportunities and to get assistance with the process of scaling up and growing. They heard about Start Peninsula through Launchpad, competed in the September Start Peninsula Micro Pitch, earned a spot as a finalist, and then won the Championship Pitch Event in November 2021.

They celebrated the grand opening of their second location on Dec. 4, 2021.

What is attractive about current entrepreneurial growth in the City?

We were determined to open a studio because the demand was high. We talked to a lot of businesses, and they were all happy to be in the City and had been open for many years.

What tools are available to you within the City that you found unique or compelling for your business vision?

We have participated in many educational opportunities... also in Start Peninsula, initially in the micro pitch competition, and then as the first place winner in 2021. Erin was also a member of BNI and participated in William & Mary's LaunchPad program. She is now participating and volunteering her time with W&M's MBA students on one of their research programs.

BUSINESS FOCUS:

Families with pets. We capture the bond between families and their love for their fur babies.

FIND US ONLINE:

bonillapetstudio.com

EBonillaPhoto

What do you love about working and living in the greater Williamsburg area?

We absolutely love the City and love to call Williamsburg our new home. We feel that everyone was happy to have us, and our business is doing well due to the support of the local community and, of course, from our beloved customers.

Collaborative, Innovative Williamsburg Public Art Council Formed

In February 2021, Williamsburg City Council adopted an ordinance and resolution to create the Williamsburg Public Art Council (WPAC) with a purpose to:

● Celebrate the City’s past, present, and future with public art; ● Enhance the City’s identity and economic vitality by encouraging people to spend more time in the City engaged with public art; and ● Highlight and enhance the beauty and unique character of the City.

In 2021, the WPAC took inventory of existing public art in the City; developed an application process for public art on private property; created a list of potential public art locations of City property; and conducted a public input survey. The WPAC is currently overseeing the approval and installation of several new murals in Midtown Row.

Fraga Magna Rotabila (latin for Large Strawberry with Wheels) by Williamsburg artist Merrilee Cleveland was approved for placement in Bicentennial Park by the WPAC in August 2021. The sculpture was donated to the City by the Triangle Arts & Culture League and stands as a symbol of love, nurturing, and protection.

"The vibrant culture of our community is one of the many drivers supporting our economic development efforts. Public art has been a City Council priority for many years, and I am personally excited to see it now celebrated across the entire city footprint."

— BARBARA RAMSEY Williamsburg City Council

WPAC is made up of members of City Council, the Architectural Review Board, Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority, Tourism Development Grant Review Committee, and citizens. WPAC will highlight existing cultural assets and bring new art to the forefront to draw people living, working, and visiting in the community together.

Global Film Festival at William & Mary

In 2021, the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission distributed 25 grants totaling $157,000 to the following arts organizations for their continued events and programming efforts:

Accordion Renaissance An Occasion for the Arts Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble Flute Frenzy Global Film Festival at William & Mary Institute for Dance Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Open Door Concert Series Opera in Williamsburg Panglossian Productions StageLights Tidewater Classical Guitar Virginia Arts Festival Virginia Opera Virginia Regional Ballet Virginia Stage Company Virginia Symphony Orchestra WHRO Williamsburg Choral Guild Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center Williamsburg Music Club