Chamber Insider Blog

Thank you to The Leesburg Junction for answering a few of our questions.
Congratulations on being named a finalist for Superior Service Business of the Year!
The 24th Annual Loudoun Small Business Awards will be on November 1, 2018 – Tickets/More Info Here

1.Tell us your story of how your company got to where it is today?

The Leesburg Junction started 4 years ago as I peeked into the empty, 3 story, former Parks & Recs building and thought “this is the perfect place for people to connect, collaborate and celebrate together.” I was pastoring a new church and we weren’t interested in a “church building” but did have a vision for a space that served the community in a variety of creative and strategic ways to help everyone in the community flourish.  A “junction” where people of all walks of life, ages, and cultures would intersect and impact each others lives, businesses and the community. Where dreams begin and are made a reality.

Jack O’Donnell, new to the area and representing the owner of the building returned my call and we met to view the space. I shared the vision with Jack, signed a lease for the 1st Floor and the Leesburg Junction began.  It started with just a couple small businesses as members and less than a handful of events each month.  About a year later later, Jack and I became partners and added the 2nd Floor to the Leesburg Junction and celebrated with an open house and ribbon cutting event to start sharing with the community this new  work and event space that supports entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits and our community.  In October of 2017 the Leesburg Junction expanded to the 3rd Floor and is now a growing diverse community of over 40 member organizations and hosts over 30 community and private events each month.  It’s become a popular event space known for it’s creativity, flexibility and affordability.  The 30+ events and meetings each month consist of strategic business meetings, team trainings; seminars; baby showers,  reunions, birthday parties, wedding receptions, concerts, community outreach events, support groups and more. Just about any event you can think of, the Leesburg Junction has served as the perfect spot for.

2. What would it mean to you and your company to win a Small Business Award?

 It would be huge for us because it would mean that we are truly making a difference in the lives of those in our community and beyond.  Our desire is to see everyone in our community flourishing.  To see people encouraged and equipped to live out their God-given dreams.  To win the “Superior Service” category would mean we’re doing what we feel called to do… to unselfishly serve the small businesses, nonprofits, community organizations and people of Loudoun County.  

3. If you weren’t running your own business/working at this business, what would you be doing?

Pastoring a church:)  This is my other hat that I currently wear so if I wasn’t leading the Leesburg Junction, I’d still be helping to lead the amazing community of people called Headway Church.  The Leesburg Junction actually flowed out of our church’s desire to serve our community… no strings attached.  To love others as we want and need to be loved…. and as we believe God has loved us. To seek to help others experience a full life.

4. What book are you reading right now? / What is your favorite book?  

Essentialism… “the Disciplined Pursuit of Less” by Greg Mckeown.  My favorite book is probably “The Search for Significance” by Robert S. McGee.

5. If you have 24-hours off, and your family was out of town, what would you do?  

Sleep in. Go get a big breakfast of bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes & coffee.  Go play a round of golf.  Listen to “Grant & Danny” on 106.7 in the car. Go see a movie with popcorn and soda. Go eat a dinner at a steakhouse.  Go see another movie. Come home and watch the Nats game while eating hard pretzels and then a bowl of cereal and then go to bed.

6. What is the smallest thing that has made the largest impact on your business? 

Do what I think makes sense, will work, and what I’m called to and not necessarily what everyone else is doing or says you need to do.  But at the same time listening to others, being coachable and open to learning from others.

7. What did you want to be when you grew up as a child?

Professional baseball or football player.

8. Who is the one person that has influenced you the most in your career?  

That’s a really hard question.  I would have to give you two… Mike Foster of People of the Second Chance and Mark Batterson who is the Pastor of National Community Church in Washington DC.

9. What is your favorite thing about running a business in Loudoun County? 

I get to meet lots of different people that are so diverse in their personality, experience, background, dreams, failures, weaknesses, strengths, etc.  I get to learn from them and at times be a part of helping them on their journey.

10. If you’re not in the office where can we find you?  

Probably at home or out at one of my children’s sports games.

11. What is your favorite weekend activity in Loudoun County? 

I don’t get to do much more these days than watch my children’s sports games, help chauffeur my children around, coach my son’s baseball team, and mow the lawn on the weekends.  I would have to say that my favorite weekend activity is getting together each Sunday morning with my family and our church community for Headway Church’s meetup.