As usual on awards night, the ballroom was packed with entrepreneurs, business representatives, local officials, and guests for this annual event. Here are the video and pics from the night. (Click to play or enlarge.)

Sheri, Rachel and Barbara	Rachel Pastirik at the Netdrafter Table
Sharon (Flintstone) and Rachel	Beverly (Your Newsy Notes) and Rachel
Rachel and Zach	Netdrafter’s Collection of Finalist Plaques

The Loudoun Chamber of commerce has announced the finalists for the annual Small Business of the Year Awards and Netdrafter is a finalist in the Technology category again! We were a finalist in 2007 and also in 2006. We are hoping that this is the year we win, but regardless, it is an honor to be recognized again as one of the finest technology firms in Loudoun.

Netdrafter was originally nominated for the award by one of our clients. Then, we were chosen as a finalist, from over 200 nominated businesses, by a panel of business leaders and industry experts. We’re one of 32 finalist companies with three other businesses in the Technology category. Winners will be announced at the Small Business Awards Gala dinner on November 5, 2009 at Lansdowne Resort. This “Academy Award” style night is a signature Chamber event where more than 500 top business and community leaders gather to salute the best of Loudoun’s small businesses.

Awards Submission Materials Accompanying Web Site

As a change from previous years, the public is now able to vote online for the category winners. Voting is possible until Wednesday, October 7, 2009 and is open to anyone worldwide.

“To be chosen as a finalist for Loudoun County’s premier business award is a tremendous honor. The competition for the Small Business Awards is incredibly fierce, with the most dynamic, innovative and successful companies in the region striving to earn the most prestigious recognition for business excellence in Loudoun County,” said Chamber President Tony Howard.

Netdrafter is part of 9,000 Loudoun businesses, over 200 award nominees, and 32 award finalists.

Loudoun Technology Finalist Award Presentation Video

In the spring of 2007, Netdrafter acquired a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification – under the Commonwealth of Virginia’s SWAM (Small, Woman and Minority Business) program. With the WBE, SWMB certification, Netdrafter made itself known to public and private procurement agents.

The company trademark was finalized in March 2007, and the corporate web site experienced a major marketing overhaul to better reach its target customer.

Reaching the 100th customer mark spawned to need for corporate expansion and development as Netdrafter moved its corporate location to a commercial space located in Sterling, Virginia.

Netdrafter Welcomes New Partners and Customers

In 2007, we had the privilege of welcoming the following companies to the Netdrafter family:

• All About Languages
• Berkeley Data Systems
• Broad Run High School Alumni Association
• DCMeeker Associates
• Fairfax Community Business Partnership
• Friends of Loudoun Mental Health
• GigaMedia Access Corporation
• Homestretch Incorporated
• Innerworks, LLC
• National Association of Women Business Owners – Nation’s Capital Chapter
• Pamela Jones, Inc. – Long and Foster
• PTI Communications
• Sagetopia, LLC
• Skating is My Life
• Your Busy Life

Thanks to the following consulting firms for helping us out this year:

• Beacon Accounting Group (Accounting)
• Exposure Media Consulting, LLC (Business Planning)
• Hamam Design (Graphic Design)
• Savar & Associates (Sales Training)
• Stokefire Consulting Group (Branding)
• The Essential Agreement, LLC (Contracts and Business Documents)
• The Executive Suites at CountrySide, Inc. (Office Space)

90% of all new projects come from customer referrals. Thanks to our current customers for keeping our business running strong and continuing to bring us additional projects as your online business needs grow.

Netdrafter in the Community

At Netdrafter, we believe in integrity – words and actions in sync. We don’t just say we are involved in the community; we are involved in the community. This is not a duty of the corporation but rather a sincere and earnest desire to be a part of our community. We value people. Our 2007 involvement included:

• Sponsoring web services for the Autism Help Network, Friends of Loudoun Mental Health, the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, Loudoun LeadShare, the Loudoun Small Business Development Center, the Broad Run High School Alumni Association, the National Association of Women Business Owners – Nation’s Capital Chapter, and the Virginia Association of Non-profit Organizations.

• Speaking for Radford University, the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia, the Loudoun Small Business Development Center, the Loudoun Home Based Business Council, and at the annual Women Entrepreneurs’ Expo.

• Donating time and services to The Arthritis Foundation, Soldiers’ Angels, and the Heritage High School Athletic program.

Thanks to everyone for another great year!
Rachel and the Netdrafter Team

We are looking forward to 2007 as we continue to grow and offer new services. Some of our newest services include: Search Engine Marketing, Email Marketing, Copywriting, and Speaking and Training. Look for official announcements of these services, as well as a Netdrafter Blog and enhanced web site in early 2007.

Local Company provides ‘Gas as a Gift’ this season

‘Tis the season to be giving and Rachel Pastirik, President of Netdrafter, LLC is playing Santa Claus this winter in a celebration to honor Netdrafter’s 100th project. Why? Because she cares about her community and she wants to give back. “My mother taught me that there is a right way to do things. Be thankful for what you have and help others. I want to help and to motivate others to do the same.” Read about ‘Gas as a Gift’

Netdrafter Welcomes New Customers

In 2006, we had the privilege of welcoming the following companies to the Netdrafter family:

• AMH Builders
• Impulse Design Group
• International Concierge and Errand Association
• John Lambert Associates
• Leadership Development and Analysis
• Lichtenstein Fishwick & Johnson
• MarketPlace REALTY
• Media Frenzy
• ON THE GO 4 U
• Pur-sue
• Shenandoah Wedding Professionals
• The Blue Sky Group
• The Edge Photography
• The Munroe Group
• Your Virtual Office

Thanks to all our customers, new and old, who continue to work with us, as their online marketing needs change and grow. We really appreciate the continued referrals that you bring in, as well as the additional projects we are able to help you implement.

Netdrafter Welcomes New Staff

Netdrafter welcomes Amber Brown as lead copywriter. Amber is an expert in writing and revising copy, so it accurately captures your company’s “voice.” She makes sure that your web site content is error free, easy to understand, and resonates with your target audience. Amber’s project management skills and ten years of experience, as a small business owner, help her deliver exceptional results for Netdrafter clients. Look for Amber’s work in the launch of our new blog, the re-launch of our web site, and on client web sites everywhere!

We were fortunate to have two additional Radford University students complete our Internship Program. The students participated in a semester-long Web Design program and Marketing program; hand crafted to prepare them for the competitive Northern Virginia business world. The students now have “on the job” experience and a professional portfolio to show potential employers. Thanks to Cameron and Nicole for a stellar job this semester!

As 2006 comes to a close, we’d like to thank our fabulous customers, business partners, friends, and associates for all of their kind support.

Best wishes for the holiday season,
Rachel and the Netdrafter Team

Netdrafter was one of the 23 finalists selected for the Loudoun Small Business of the Year Awards. Highly competitive, 185 nominees were selected for this annual event. Categories for consideration consisted of business experience, business philosophy, overcoming industry challenges, and community involvement.

For a young company, Netdrafter was up front and accounted for as it took its place among finalists only to be remembered as – a company that just keeps coming back. Motivated by challenge, Rachel Pastirik, President, of Netdrafter, LLC “loves the freedom” of owning a small business. Her inspiration comes from Frank Lloyd Wright who said, “Freedom is from within.” Rachel definitely strives to create the freedom within her company to expand, excel and “not pigeon hole Netdrafter into one industry.”

“I’m in charge of my own destiny, and I like that!” What’s next for Netdrafter? “I’d like to have larger office space, add more staff, and go after larger projects.” If anybody can do it, Rachel Pastirik most definitely can!

Pastirik at Netdrafter Display Table

Pastirik with Chamber President, Tony Howard

Netdrafter, part of: 10,634 Businesses, 185 Nominees, 23 Finalists

Development, innovation, and expansion, are key components that make up Netdrafter. Currently serving over 40 customers and providing front end design and back end programming solutions, Netdrafter has proven its desire to be taken seriously in the business world. Since 1998, Rachel Pastirik has consistently pursued her dreams of giving back to the community, developing a business, and constantly learning about the ever changing world of technology and the Internet.

She’s serious, she’s experienced, and she knows just how to make things better!

Rachel Pastirik, President, Netdrafter, LLC, is most definitely a bright, enthusiastic, business woman. Not only does she have time for her business, her customers, and her family, she also spends extra time as an assistant gymnastics coach, at Heritage High School.

Giving back to the community is a common theme in Rachel’s business and personal philosophy. As a guest speaker at Radford University, Rachel talks to students about their careers in the media and information technology field. She offers internship opportunities’ for students who desire to learn the industry – mentoring and teaching young professionals in the IT field.

What can you expect from so much creativity, commitment, and achievement? Excellence! The captain of the Netdrafter team of innovation is a leader, a mentor, community activist, and a very talented web developer. With its “sites” set on expansion into larger companies, Netdrafter is well on its way with Rachel Pastirik at the helm.

With a reputation as a “winner” Rachel Pastirik, President of Netdrafter definitely has your answer. Not only does she focus on her web design talents and capabilities, she is focused on the structure and integrity of her own business. “Winner” of the Business Plan Contest of 2005, sponsored by the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia, in Fairfax, Virginia, Rachel Pastirik is not only focused on your business, but she places high value on the management and organization of her own. Judges sought out clear and convincing answers about the purpose of her business, clarity as to her products and services, goals and methodologies toward success in her industry, and a solid foundation of knowledge about her market and her customers.

Netdrafter is well on its way to becoming a key player in the wide open, and highly competitive game of the web development industry. Not only does Rachel Pastirik understand the construction and organization of websites – she understands the basic fundamentals of good business. This young company has proven its capability over and over again.

Most noteworthy accomplishments for Netdrafter to date include the creation of 30 websites for her alma mater Radford University. Also, Netdrafter put its talented professionals to work on the redesign of the Blue Ridge Business Journal website. Currently supporting over 17 companies in Northern Virginia, Netdrafter is on the map of small companies that provide web design and web redesign.

With the reputation of Rachel Pastirik as a winner, any company hiring Netdrafter can expect nothing less than excellence and complete customer satisfaction. This is certainly a company to keep an eye on!

Look out world here she comes – trained, experienced, hard working and very, very talented. When asked “what motivated you to start your own company?” she replied from a home grown philosophy, “There is a way to do things…a right way, and a wrong way. People are getting ripped off out here and they pay too much money for bad sites.” She further added, “I like being my own boss, I can work one on one with the customer and make sure things are done right. I want to grow and learn, help my community, and give something to small and mid size businesses that they might not get otherwise”.

There you have it! Fresh out of college and already a conscientious, seasoned professional. Netdrafter – a new player in the website industry and already ahead of the game.