1 to 5 June 25, Lost Office Collaborative
Join fellow Greater Richmond business owners and teams for a powerful, hands-on half-day workshop built to help you rethink what’s possible.
Innovation isn’t just for the future—it’s for right now.
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About the Event
Innovation isn’t just for the future—it’s for right now.
Join fellow Greater Richmond business owners and teams for a powerful, hands-on half-day workshop built to help you rethink what’s possible. You’ll walk away with practical strategies and renewed energy to grow your business with lasting impact.
Innovation expert Andy Stefanovich will open the event with an inspiring keynote on breaking out of routine thinking and uncovering new opportunity—even in uncertain times. Then, local business leader Aaron Montgomery will guide you through interactive sessions packed with real-world examples, simple tools, and ideas you can apply immediately.
Together, we’ll explore how to:
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Rethink your business model for today’s challenges
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Leverage simple technology for big impact
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Make small, strategic shifts that add up to long-term growth
Hear from local entrepreneurs who’ve turned uncertainty into momentum—and gain the clarity and confidence to do the same.
Schedule
12:45–1:00 PM — Check-In & Registration
Arrive early, get settled, and meet fellow attendees before the program begins.
1:05 PM
Keynote: The Power of Bold Ideas, Andy Stefanovich
Discover how unexpected thinking and bold ideas can spark lasting innovation in small businesses—even during uncertain times.
1:55 PM
Workshop Module 1: Rethinking Business Models
Led by Aaron Montgomery
Explore real-world innovations that challenge the status quo. Participate in breakout sessions to identify new, practical ideas you can apply to your business right away.
2:40 PM
Live Case Study: Model Transformation - Baltik’s Bagels
Hear from Yero Rudzinskas, founder of Baltik’s Bagels, as he shares how he transformed the traditional bagel shop into a chef-driven, quick-service concept. Learn how this innovative model is blending culinary excellence with convenience and how you can apply similar strategies to your business.
3:10 PM
Workshop Module 2: Small Changes, Big Impact
Led by Aaron Montgomery
Learn how incremental innovation—small shifts in process, mindset, or tools—can add up to meaningful change. Includes collaborative group breakouts.
3:55 PM
Live Case Study: Innovation in Action - Campfire & Co.
Gain insights from Christie Thompson of Campfire & Co. as she explains how they’ve reimagined branding by integrating interior design to create immersive, cohesive brand experiences. Christie will share how this approach is creating lasting impacts for their clients and how you can infuse creativity into your own business to drive engagement.
4:10 PM
Happy Hour & Networking
Wrap up the day with drinks, conversation, and connections with fellow local business leaders and innovators.
5:00 PM — Program Concludes
Leave inspired, equipped, and ready to take the next step in your business journey.
About the event
A half-day, in-person workshop for independent business owners and their teams in the Greater Richmond region. Featuring a keynote from innovation expert Andy Stefanovich, hands-on sessions led by Aaron Montgomery, and real case studies from local businesses. You’ll explore practical ways to innovate, adapt, and grow—plus enjoy networking and happy hour with fellow business leaders.
Who should attend this event?
This workshop is designed for independent business owners and their teams in the Greater Richmond region. Whether you’re a founder, manager, or team member, you’ll gain practical tools and insights to help your business grow.
What will I walk away with?
You’ll leave with real-world strategies, tools, and inspiration to spark innovation in your business—plus new connections with fellow local leaders.
Do I need to be “innovative” to benefit from this?
Not at all. This event is for everyday businesses looking to make smart, impactful changes. You don’t need a tech background or big budget—just curiosity and an openness to rethink what’s possible.
What’s included in the event?
The event includes a keynote, two interactive workshop sessions, local business case studies, networking, and a closing happy hour. Light refreshments will be provided.
Is there a cost to attend?
It’s $95 for Premium and Basic InUnison members, and $145 for free members and the general community. Space is limited, and we expect to sell out, so we encourage you to register early.
Registration
The event is limited to 85 attendees. Last year we sold out! Reserve your spot today.
Community Ticket
$145
Premium & Basic InUnison Members
$95
Keynote Speakers
Andy Stefanovich
Andy Stefanovich is one of the most sought-after advisors to Fortune 500 companies, known for unlocking creativity and challenging outdated narratives. Called “a master of innovation” by Fast Company, Andy’s approach blends curiosity, energy, and human connection to create real bottom-line value. He’s a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and longtime champion of Richmond’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Expand Andy's Full Bio
Andy Stefanovich is recognized as one of today’s most effective business advisors. Fast Company praises his formula for inspiring innovation—curiosity, open-mindedness, energy, and risk-taking. Known as a strategic thinking partner and disruptive storyteller, Andy brings joy, human connection, and bottom-line impact to the companies he serves.
An entrepreneur at heart, Andy founded creative consultancy Play in 1990, later merging with Prophet in 2008, where he served as a senior partner. In 2013, he and a small team began advising executives and leadership teams directly.
Top organizations like Capital One, Disney, GE, and Hilton turn to Andy for help navigating complex challenges. He’s also a trusted advisor to private equity firms and continues to invest in mid-cap companies and funds that benefit from his insight.
A regular on the speaking circuit, Andy is known for his TEDx talks and his book Look at More, a global go-to for business innovation. Beyond corporate work, he invests in Richmond’s entrepreneurial and cultural communities, helping bring projects like TEDxRVA and the Richmond Portal to life.
Aaron Montgomery
Aaron is the Co-Founder of Henry, a proptech startup reshaping home ownership. He previously co-founded CarLotz, scaled it to a public exit, and served as Chief Strategy Officer at Mission Lane. With deep experience in strategy, innovation, and growth, Aaron helps businesses of all sizes modernize and find practical, scalable solutions.
Expand Aaron's Full Bio
Aaron Montgomery is the Co-Founder of Henry, a property technology platform redefining how homes are assessed, maintained, and managed. Prior to founding Henry, Aaron co-founded CarLotz, scaling it from startup to exit, and served as Chief Strategy Officer for fintech innovator Mission Lane. He began his career at McKinsey & Company and holds both a BA and MBA from Harvard University. Aaron is passionate about building practical solutions to everyday problems and modernizing traditional industries and approaches to unlock new value for consumers.
Local Business Spotlights
Christie Thompson, Campfire & Co.
Running a business often means choosing a lane: you’re either focused on your service or your space. But what if those two things could reinforce each other?
That’s the question Campfire & Co. asked—and the answer led to a completely new kind of creative agency. Over the last decade, they’ve quietly built a reputation for helping local businesses—from coffee shops to community centers—create spaces that look like their brand and feel like their mission.
In this session, founder Christie Thompson shares how Campfire blended branding and interior design—two disciplines that usually live in separate silos—and why that shift helped their clients build stronger, more cohesive experiences.
This is not a pitch—it’s a peek behind the curtain:
- What led Campfire to rethink what they offered and how they delivered it
- How listening closely to client needs shaped a new hybrid approach
- What they’ve learned from a decade of helping local businesses stand out in saturated markets
Yero Rudzinskas, Baltik's Bagels
Baltik’s Bagels might look like a classic bagel shop, but step inside and you’ll see a business built on intentional choices. Founder Yero Rudzinskas brings an unexpected background—as a Michelin-level chef, investment banker, and tech executive—to a fast-casual food concept that’s anything but ordinary.
He didn’t reinvent the wheel—he rethought the workflow. Kettle-boiled bagels. A chef-driven menu. A convenient drive-thru. An obsession with guest experience. All rooted in core values that any business can apply.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why starting small can be a strategic advantage
- How to stay high-quality and consistent, even when scaling
- How to define your values and use them as daily operating rules
Updates
Why Local Businesses Can Lead Innovation in Their Communities
Innovation isn’t just the domain of big corporations or tech startups — local independent businesses are uniquely positioned to lead innovation in their communities. With deep customer relationships, nimble operations, and a strong sense of place, local businesses can quickly adapt and create meaningful change.
Why Curiosity is Your Most Underrated Innovation Tool (and How to Cultivate It)
Innovation doesn’t...
Announcing this Year’s Local Business Case Studies
Innovation doesn’t have to mean launching a new app or overhauling your business. Sometimes, it’s about finding a better way to do what you already do. Whether you’re running a solo service business, managing a boutique shop, or leading a small team at a restaurant or studio—innovation starts with asking: What could work better for me and my customers?
Rethinking Your Business Model for Growth and Agility
In today’s fast-changing market, sticking rigidly to an old business model can leave you behind. Local independent businesses that rethink and adapt their business models gain the agility to meet customer needs, find new revenue streams, and compete more effectively.
Reframing What it Means to Innovate
Ahead of our InnovateLocal event, our President and CEO has put together some thoughts around innovation. Innovation doesn’t have to be a scary concept. It should be reframed as a concept that spurs creativity and creates new opportunity for our businesses.
Innovation Doesn’t Mean Reinventing the Wheel: 3 Quick Ways to Spot Ideas Already Working Around You
Too often, innovation...
Event Details
1 to 5 PM, June 25
Lost Office Collaborative
5000 Old Main St, Henrico, VA 23231