Beth Hester

Portsmouth

Managing Editor at CoVa BIZ

Independent Writer & Photographer Independent Writer & Photographer at Freelance

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Articles

Our Efforts Must Be Unstoppable

1 week ago | covabizmag.com | Beth Hester

2 by Beth HesterCoVaBIZ: Can you share a bit about your personal and professional background and what led you to your role at Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless? Sparks-Washington: I’ve been fortunate enough to have had at least five careers to date. Not jobs—careers. My formal postgraduate education and training is as a Podiatrist. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology/Pre-Med from Hampton University. It was Hampton Institute at the time.
What We’re Reading Now

2 months ago | covabizmag.com | Beth Hester

3 Designing Brand Identity 6th edition By Alina Wheeler & Rob Meyerson WileyNow in its 6th iteration, this is the updated, go-to source for brand identity goodness. This visually stunning volume is equal parts eye candy for design nerds, a comprehensive guide to the world of marketing and branding fundamentals for students, and an influential source of inspiration for experienced professionals.
Reflections on a Landmark Career

2 months ago | covabizmag.com | Beth Hester

2 Louis Haddad has spent the past 40 years with Armada Hoffler, shaping the industry and contributing to the region’s growth. We caught up with him recently, and asked him to reflect upon his career, the real estate industry, and what comes next. CoVaBIZ: When you began your career with Armada Hoffler back in 1985, you were a construction superintendent. What in your background prepared you for that job, and what did you most enjoy about it?
From Academia to Venture Capital

Mar 3, 2025 | covabizmag.com | Beth Hester

4 A Conversation With Charles Corprew, Ph.D.by Beth HesterCharles Corprew, Ph.D. is an entrepreneur ecosystem builder, angel investor, podcaster and educator. He’s currently Chief of Staff and Senior Venture Partner at 757 Collab. He’s also CEO and Founder of What’s Your Revolution? Consulting, and host of the What’s Your Revolution? podcast. CoVaBIZ: Welcome back to Coastal Virginia. Would you share a bit about your journey toward becoming a Senior Venture Partner at 757 Collab?
Business Books to Inspire, Inform and Challenge

Feb 28, 2025 | covabizmag.com | Beth Hester

5 by Beth HesterFeel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal Celedon BooksIf you’ve been on YouTube for 30 seconds, you’re probably familiar with Ali Abdaal, the affable doctor- turned-entrepreneur who, as a hobbyist health and productivity connoisseur, turned his avocation into a hugely successful vocation with over 6 million subscribers worldwide. He also mentors would-be YouTubers via online videos and articles and through his YouTube Academy.
Impact Makers | CoVaBiz Magazine

Jan 1, 2025 | covabizmag.com | Beth Hester

2 Leadership takes many forms, but when it comes to making a lasting impact, it’s the blend of vision and heart that sets the most extraordinary leaders apart. In this feature, Impact Makers: Women Leading with Vision & Heart, we celebrate the achievements of women who are shaping the business, creative, and entrepreneurial landscape in our region. This feature celebrates their achievements and explores the intentional ways they lead, rise to challenges and envision the future.
A Sense of Place

Nov 1, 2024 | covabizmag.com | Beth Hester

5 We’re experiencing an epidemic of loneliness in our country,” said Retail Alliance event speaker Matthew Wagner. He’s chief innovation officer at the National Main Street Center, Inc., and was one of the presenters at Retail Alliance’s 2ND Annual Virginia Retail Matters event on September 19, hosted at the scenic Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg.
Introducing Our 2024 NextGen Honorees

Aug 27, 2024 | covabizmag.com | Beth Hester

17 Each year, CoVaBiz Magazine asks our business community to nominate young professionals who are leading the way and making a difference in Coastal Virginia. As always, the honorees selected this year came from an impressive pool of nominations and were chosen for demonstrated excellence in their professional endeavors, and for the significant contributions they’ve made to the broader community.
Dough Boy's: Resilience is Our Hallmark

Jul 2, 2024 | covabizmag.com | Beth Hester

80 The "secret sauce" behind Dough Boy’s Pizza's success after 35 years and counting in VB CoVaBIZ: First, congratulations on your 35th anniversary. You opened your first location back in 1989, and now you have multiple locations. To what do you attribute your longevity? Is there a secret sauce that has made Dough Boy›s a regional mainstay over the decades? George Kotarides: One of the Dough Boy’s restaurants recently sold after operating 25 years at that location.
“Resilience is Our Hallmark”

Jul 1, 2024 | covabizmag.com | Beth Hester

5 CoVaBIZ: First, congratulations on your 35th anniversary. You opened your first location back in 1989, and now you have multiple locations. To what do you attribute your longevity? Is there a secret sauce that has made Dough Boy›s a regional mainstay over the decades? George Kotarides: One of the Dough Boy’s restaurants recently sold after operating 25 years at that location. It was simply time to downsize, and the right person came along. I wish them the best in their venture.