5 Questions With Alexandria Chamber's Business Leader of the Year

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Wednesday are the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Awards, recognizing the business leaders in the area. One of the highlights will be honoring Bill Blackburn as Business Leader of the Year.

Originally from St. Louis, Blackburn is managing partner at at Home Grown Restaurant Group, managing Pork Barrel BBQ, Holy Cow, the sushi bar and Sweet Fire Donnas. Another restaurant, Whiskey Oyster, is coming soon in Carlyle.

He is a former president of the Del Ray Business Association and current board member of the Alexandria Small Business Development Center. Blackburn lives in Del Ray with his wife Megan, their two-year-old son and two dogs.

Ahead of the ceremony, Patch reached out to Blackburn to discuss what the award means and why he likes doing business in Alexandria.

1. Describe your role in these businesses.

My Title is Managing Partner. I am a hands on guy, and enjoy the day to day operations of the business. I do a little bit of everything, some days I'm a food runner, somedays a plumber, somedays an accountant….

2. How long have you been doing business in Alexandria?

I've worked with the Homegrown Restaurant Group since the Mango Mikes Days in 2001. We’ve been operating in Del Ray since 2011

3. What does the Business Leader of the Year award mean to you?

It's always nice to be recognized by your peers, they know how hard it is to run a business and its not often that you get a pat on the back. If you look at who has received this award over the past two decades its a pretty impressive list of well respected business owners. Its quite an honor to be listed with such a successful group.

4. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?

“Do what you say you're going to do."

5. What is your favorite part of working in this community?

I like living and working in the same neighborhood, you see a lot of business owners here in Del Ray that also live nearby, its one of the many reasons Del Ray is so special.

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Image courtesy of Bill Blackburn