#United States #Fairfax City #business support #George Mason

Fairfax City and George Mason University Collaborate on Business Support Pilot Program

In a significant effort to bolster the local economy, the Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED) in partnership with George Mason University's Costello College of Business, has successfully wrapped up its Fall 2025 pilot program aimed at providing essential consulting services to Fairfax City businesses. Through this initiative, Mason Consulting Group (MCG) students were able to offer no-cost, tailored strategies that not only benefited the businesses involved but also enriched the students' practical experience in consulting.

The program ran for eight weeks, pairing local businesses with multidisciplinary student teams. These teams engaged in structured professional development activities shaped by insights from FCED, MCG, and professors from the Costello College of Business. The entire process included advisor-led onboarding sessions, training workshops with industry experts, weekly client meetings, and regular site visits, allowing the students to refine their consulting recommendations based on expert feedback. The pilot concluded on November 20, culminating in presentations delivered to local business clients, FCED staff, and faculty from George Mason.

Two local enterprises, BE2 Pilates and Make My Day CPA, were selected from an applicant pool of 29 local businesses to participate in this inaugural cohort. Each team of students identified core challenges faced by participating businesses and devised targeted strategies to assist them.

Tailored Recommendations for Local Businesses

BE2 Pilates, a boutique fitness studio, highlighted its struggle with visibility and engagement among younger clients, particularly college students. To address this, the consulting team developed a range of recommendations including:

• - Student Pricing Discounts: Establishing an affordable pricing model aimed at attracting college students.
• - ClassPass Integration: Implementing a strategy that allows easy access through digital platforms to encourage new client acquisition.
• - Campus Outreach: Forming partnerships with university groups and offering promotional opportunities on campus.
• - Social Media Strategy: Crafting a growth-oriented content plan leveraging social media trends, influencer engagement, and community initiatives to attract new traffic.

Make My Day CPA, a firm specializing in tax, accounting, and payroll services, identified needs to enhance its competitive position in a transforming accounting landscape. Their recommendations included:

• - Competitive Analysis: Conducting an analysis of similar CPA firms in Northern Virginia to pinpoint unique selling propositions and market opportunities.
• - Client Education Improvements: Redesigning six educational e-books to improve clarity and branding, making them more user-friendly.
• - SEO and Web Optimization: Implementing strategies to improve online visibility and enhance digital engagement.

Positive Impact and Future Prospects

Both businesses reported highly positive experiences with the program, commending the professionalism and thoroughness of the student teams. Business owners emphasized the clarity and practical value of the recommendations, many of which they plan to implement to foster growth and scale their operations.

Ajay Vinzé, Dean of the Costello College of Business, expressed pride in the program’s success, stating, “This initiative has transformed into an experiential learning model that bridges the gap between local students and businesses.”

Meanwhile, Marie Spittell, Senior Assistant Director of Business Investment at FCED, voiced enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting, “The energy and professionalism brought by George Mason students are invaluable to our local enterprises.”

Looking ahead, both FCED and MCG are eager to renew the program for future semesters, aiming to expand their reach and assist a greater number of businesses in Fairfax City. Interested parties are encouraged to learn more about business support initiatives on FCED’s official website.

About Fairfax City Economic Development

Fairfax City Economic Development operates as a collaborative effort between the economic development department and the authority aimed at promoting business growth. The initiative focuses on attracting new businesses, fostering connections, and implementing innovative strategies to position Fairfax City as a prime location for businesses to thrive.

About George Mason University

As Virginia's largest public research university located near Washington D.C., George Mason University is known for its educational commitment, diverse student body, and innovative programs. It offers extensive support not only in business but across various disciplines, preparing students for their future careers.

For more information about this program and future opportunities, visit Fairfax City Economic Development.