I am beyond excited to introduce you to the 2nd woman in my Women In Entrepreneurship Series. I consider her somewhat of a mentor. She is always extremely helpful in offering her vast knowledge of business, blogging and web development. She has blessed me tremendously and I am so excited she accepted this feature. Everyone meet Arsha!

1. Introduction: Tell us a little about yourself!
My name is Arsha Jones and I’m a 35 year old web designer, entrepreneur, easy-going, married mother of 4 boys! I try to balance my time between them, extra-curricular activities, mommy and daddy time and just time to be me! I was born and raised in Washington, DC and I still work there during the week, but spend the rest of my time in the suburbs of MD with my family. I graduated from VCU (GO RAMS!) with a BFA in Illustration and Graphic Design.
2. What is the name of your business?
Capital City LLC. But we (my husband and I) manage websites under several online businesses.

Capital City Mumbo Sauce http://www.
We sell a popular local DC condiment called mumbo sauce. It was originally sold in the late 50’s-60’s by African American chicken wing restaurants in DC and in the 80’s the recipes were adopted by various Asian Food carry-outs around the city. Since then mumbo sauce has been a staple of the DC Metropolitan area and is not only sold by hole-in-the-wall eatery’s, but also many large name establishments.
In May 2011, I decided to try my hand at bottling and selling my own version – Original and Sweet Hot. Within two months of opening our online store we were featured on the front page of the nationally recognized Washington Post newspaper as well as featured on Fox 5 news, the BBC and various other media outlets. Our mumbo sauce is sold in online and several DC area locations. We are gearing up to market to local supermarkets in January 2013.
CapCityApps http://www.
My new venture CapCityApps is a mobile apps company which focuses on building iPhone and Android Apps for a niche group of mobile users. Essentially, we will be creating apps from the African American perspective – whether its’ fun, educational, historical, games, beauty, entertainment and of course a little ghetto (nothing disrespectful though)!
Our first project is an iPhone app called The Big Chop App. It’s a hair makeover app for women who are either [1] considering the big chop and want to get a preview on how they will look or, [2] just want to see how they look with a natural hairstyle (twists, twist outs, braids, head wraps, dreads, etc.). We have tons of additional features planned for our second release, however the first version will be out sometime in November.
CapitalCityLove http://www.
This is just a fun project for me. I love DC. But as much as I love DC, many people who are not from the area don’t know much about the local culture aside from the President and politics. This merchandising company will offer high quality apparel for the people of DC (including metro areas).
brand. build. sell. http://www.brandbuildsell.com
The blog is a resource guide for people who want to learn how to make a website without all the fluff. It was helpful for me to create this website especially when I did a significant amount of freelancing. I would often get asked the same questions from my clients about domains, hosting, marketing, SEO and making money online. I pulled together all of my resources in one place for them to get acquainted with building their first website.
I am hoping to incorporate some webinars and online courses in 2013.
4. How long have you been in business?
A little over a year for Capital City LLC and it’s been an amazing ride thus far. After being brought into spotlight for our mumbo sauce, we instantly had thousands of sales, followers and customers. So what started out as a fun project for my family and I, turned into a full fledged business venture!
5. When did you decide and what made you decide to go into business for yourself?
Years ago. I have always been a freelance designer even before I graduated college. I liked being in the background and actually still tend to shy away from the spotlight. However, it became too much too balance, especially when I wasn’t calling the shots. Many times, it was hard for me to follow other’s direction, when I knew something wasn’t being done correctly. So instead of trying to work for someone else decided I would try to create my own vision of what my ideal workplace/company would be like.
6. Are you in business full-time or part-time?
Both part-time. I work as a web designer part-time while working on my other projects. I have worked for 13 years as a full-time designer and recently decided to reduce my hours to part-time in order to have the freedom to pursue other opportunities.
7. What are the challenges in owning your own business?
Finding time to manage a growing business and a family of overactive boys!
8. What are the amazing factors in owning your own business?
I can do things my way. Of course I get my husbands opinion. We think completely different and it helps to have his ideas included. He often comes up with ideas or processes that I haven’t thought of. As the saying goes two heads are definitely better than one.
9. What advice would you give you women who are thinking about going into business for themselves?
Take your time. Coming up with an idea for a new business doesn’t come easy. Don’t rush it. Then when you are ready to start, do it right from the beginning. Don’t cut corners and if you need it, ask for help. Also don’t be afraid to reach out to people who have created similar businesses for themselves. I would have loved to have a mentor starting out!
10.Where can we find you? Please share your website URL, FB Fan Page, Twitter etc.
Capital City Mumbo Sauce
http://www.
CapCityApps
http://www.capitcityapps.com
https://www.facebook.com/
http://twitter.com/CapCityApps
http://thebigchopapp.com/
CapitalCityLove
http://www.capitalcitylove.com
https://www.facebook.com/
https://twitter.com//
brand. build. sell.
http://www.brandbuildsell.com
https://www.facebook.com/
https://twitter.com/
[note color=”#4fccc7″] HNIK Presents: Women In Entrepreneurship Series takes the time out to recognize fabulous women within their respected communities, who have started a business and are exploring the rewarding career of entrepreneurship.[/note]

Yaaaaay Arsha! Arsha has the absolute BEST advice and has helped me in more ways than she will ever know with migrating my site and re-vamping my blog! I can’t wait for the big chop app! I signed up for the updates!
Great feature Kim!
Isn’t she the best!? There are so many people that don’t offer advice and she is really a blessing. i cant wait for the app too because I dont want to exactly do a big chop, but I want to cut it shorter lol
What a great article and I can’t wait to get my hands on some of that mumbo sauce! I grew up in DC then moved to TN to finish college and that’s one of the first things I request when I get home. Now I can have some delivered to me! 😀
Thanks Alisha. I had never heard of Mumbo Sauce until I did this feature. I just ordered some and I am so excited to try some!
Wow! Arsha you are one busy lady! I’m inspired to step up I only have 2 kids u got 4 so I can’t blame them anymore LOL
I’m looking forward to be in the women entrepreneur hot seat 🙂
Keep up
Great feature of our girl Arsha! Wow, I need to take a nap after reading this. You are involved in so many things, but I know they are all very gratifying. I’d like to know more about how you maintain family life with four boys and a husband AND your businesses!
Arsha, I didn’t know you have all this greatness under your belt! Thanks for sharing guys 🙂
Go head Arsha! i had no idea you did such big things woman! I just put two and two together that you’re from DC. Good idea of banking on Mumbo Sauce I have to get my hand son some to taste this!! Go miss!
This was great! Arsha you are such a talented and well rounded person, always helpful and you seem like such a humbled individual! Thanks for sharing.
Arsha is the bomb.com and I don’t know how she does it all and still has time to be a good friend/BLMGirl! I need the secret to unlock that kind of organization and generosity! Great write up and feature, Kim!
Love to hear about sistas do big things!! Can’t wait to try some Mumbo Sauce — ordering some ASAP!! Keep pressin’ on!!
Thanks everyone and Kim! And a BIG shout out to the #BLM girls for being so supportive!