The District Chronicles

Issue date: 11/16/08 Section: Business

Media Credit: Kenny Tracy/District Chronicles

Gloria Spottswood is a firm believer in using business as a means of serving the community.  After years of working in area hotels, she noticed that members of the community who were on tight budgets had difficulty throwing events at those venues.

"A place like the Ritz-Carlton or the Marriott are expecting at least about $10,000 for a wedding reception," she explained. "I knew that a certain sector of the population is intimidated by these places and their financial expectations. I wanted them to be able to have the nice event they had dreamed of, while staying within a budget."

As the owner of KASH4, an Alexandria, Va, catering and event planning company, Spottswood has managed to combine quelling the needs of the community, with the desire to leave a legacy for her family.

KASH4, which stands for the names of Spottswood's four children, specializes in many aspects of event planning, from booking speakers to napkin folding, with all services administered by Spottswood.

Spottswood, however, has had her work cut out for her.  Having always possessed "an entrepreneurial spirit," Spottswood knew that she wasn't going to spend her whole life working for someone else.  

"Even as a child I disliked the thought of only taking orders," Spottswood said.  "I knew that one day I would be my own boss."

After more than 30 years in the food service and hospitality industries, Spottswood is now in complete control of her career.  Since starting her business in 2005, she has planned various events ranging from small wedding receptions to an exclusive party for a former Maryland congressman.

In addition to event planning services, KASH4 is also in the business of helping other smaller businesses. When she's not putting on parties of her own, Spottswood offers food service consulting and equipment rental to smaller catering outfits.

"I like to help other businesses to streamline some of their processes to make sure they, too, are moving forward," she explained.

Her entrepreneurial advice to others is all about capital. "More than anything else, save a lot of money," she said. "You have to be prepared for the following month after starting to sustain your business as well as your household, and being prepared financially can take a lot of time."

She also urges potential business owners to go out and get the experience necessary to understand the ins and outs of their particular field.  She deems this especially important in food service. "So many people believe it's as simple as putting a hamburger on a plate," Spottswood warned.

Though Spottswood is experiencing success with her business, it did not come easily.  It cost her about $11,000 to start her business, and she has since resigned as a board member of the West Edmonton Business Association and quit her full-time job as director of sales and catering at the Days Inn in Washington, D.C., to focus on KASH4.

"Sometimes I think, 'what have I done?' but not even once have I thought about quitting," she revealed.  "I've gone too far to turn back now."

Address: 85 S Bragg St. Suite 200A. Alexandria, VA. 22312
Phone: (703)658-5274

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