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August 10, 2022

Mitigating Risks in Contracts and Agreements

Enter to win a free social media consultation with Jasmine Garcia-Freeland for your business.

Deaf-Led Businesses That Can Support Your Business

You don't have t do it all on your own! Here's a list of Deaf-owned businesses that can help you manage your business operations.

Free Consultations for One Deaf or Hard of Hearing Entrepreneur Each Month

Enter to win a free social media consultation with Jasmine Garcia-Freeland for your business.

Resources for LGBTQIA+ Owned Businesses

We’ve gathered some resources and communities for LGBTQ+ business owners that may be helpful in your entrepreneurial efforts.

CSD Social Venture Fund Invests in Heritage Brewing Company

CSD SVF partners with Lochiel Brewing, a Scottish Heritage brewery based in Mesa, Arizona Lochiel (lock-eel) Brewing is a Deaf-owned heritage brewery whose flagship beer is made from a 300-year-old Scottish family recipe. Founder Ian Cameron is an internationally recognized, award-winning brewer and CSD Social Venture Fund’s newest partner. Heritage, Family, and Quality Beer Heritage […]

Deaf Entrepreneurs: Stories that Change Perception

Watch Chris and Rosa Lee's SXSW presentation to learn more about the impact Deaf success stories can have.

Common Business Terms in ASL

Business jargon relies a lot on acronyms and abbreviations. We’re building a list of these terms in ASL. Below are several definitions connected to business metrics, contracts, and operations. This list will continue to grow, so if you have any terms you’d like added or clarified contact us today and we will put together an explanation. BCP Business Continuity Plan […]

Resources for AAPI-Owned Businesses

Networking, funding, and educational opportunities are invaluable when it comes to getting your business off the ground or taking it to the next level. We’ve gathered some resources for AAPI business owners that may be helpful in your entrepreneurial efforts.

Hotsy Totsy Haus Featured on the Today Show

Hotsy Totsy Haus Included in Oscars 2022 Swag Bag

Resources for Women-Owned Businesses

Find a list of resources for women-owned businesses.

Two CSD Social Venture Fund Leaders are Presenting at SXSW 2022

Chris Soukup and Rosa Lee Timm’s SXSW presentation will explore the value of designing inclusive and equitable opportunities for entrepreneurs in Deaf communities. Communication Service for the Deaf is thrilled to announce that our CEO Chris Soukup, and CMO and Division President of the CSD Social Venture Fund, Rosa Lee Timm are presenting at SXSW […]

Pinterest Elevates Campaign Features Hotsy Totsy Haus

February 4, 2022

Resources for Black-Owned Businesses

Over the past two years more and more VC's and investors have created dedicated resources for Black entrepreneurs to help grow their businesses. We've compiled a few of these opportunities below.

January 22, 2022

DeafTax Partners with ACCOINTING.com

DeafTax partners with ACCOINTING.com to make cryptocurrency more accessible. On January 22nd, DeafTax announced a collaboration with ACCOINTING.com, a service that allows crypto investors of all experience levels to track their portfolios and report their own crypto taxes. Interest in cryptocurrency has grown significantly over the past decade and this trend is expected to continue. By 2028, the […]

December 29, 2021

Small Business Person of the Year

National Small Business Week Awards Are you the next Small Business Person of the Year? We think so! For more than 50 years, the Small Business Association (SBA) has celebrated the achievements and contributions of entrepreneurs through National Small Business Week (NSBW). One way they do this is with the annual NSBW Awards, which are […]

December 17, 2021

CSD Social Venture Fund Invests in All-Natural Dog Treat Company

CSD SVF Partners with 4Legz All Natural Dog Treats to Provide Healthy Options for Pets Everywhere 4Legz All Natural Dog Treats is a Deaf-led business known for its allergy-friendly ingredients and for becoming the first line of dog treats to receive 100% non-GMO recognition. The healthy pet brand, founded by Deaf entrepreneur Cynthia Murray, offers […]

December 6, 2021

CSD Social Venture Fund Invests in Luxury Self-Care Business

CSD SVF Partners with Hotsy Totsy Haus to Make Luxury Even More Accessible Hotsy Totsy Haus is an online retailer known for providing “unapologetically extra” bath and body products. The luxury shop, founded by Christi Leonardi, offers an inventory of handmade, sustainably sourced bath bombs, scrubs, oils, and body butters that are paraben, phthalate, and cruelty-free. […]

November 19, 2021

17 Funding Opportunities for Historically Marginalized Entrepreneurs

Find 17 investment firms that have prioritized underrepresented entrepreneurs in their investment process that may be of interest to you.

November 15, 2021

National Entrepreneur's Day

Share Your Startup Story! November 16th was National Entrepreneur’s Day – a day to celebrate all of you risk-takers – your passion, your successes, your failures, your pasts, and your futures! We took the week to celebrate and inspire Deaf Entrepreneurs by reflecting on where it all began – your start! YOU put the ‘start’ […]

November 11, 2021

Sunday Business Spotlights

Let’s Grow the Deaf Ecosystem Is your business looking for more exposure? Are you just starting out and need to get your business in front of more people to raise awareness? Maybe you’re hosting an upcoming event, sale, or promotion. Or maybe your company is being recognized for its innovation! Whatever the case, we want […]

November 11, 2021

Open a Business Bank Account

Please note that terminology, laws and regulations often vary based on several factors, including industry, location, and more. It’s important you check your local guidelines before taking action. If you have questions, please contact us. What is a FEIN? To make managing your business’ finances easier it’s a smart idea to set up a business bank […]

November 4, 2021

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday In 2019, Americans spent nearly $20 billion on Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is the perfect occasion to engage your current customers and it’s also a great opportunity to attract new ones. In fact, in 2017 nearly half of consumers who participated in Small Business Saturday bought from a shop they’ve […]

November 3, 2021

Find Out What You Need to Know Before Starting Your Business

Startup 101: What to Know Before You Begin Starting a business is risky. It requires a lot of time, energy, and capital. It’s important to take your time, do your research, and map out what you want to achieve. Having a complete understanding of what starting a business requires – before you begin – is […]

November 1, 2021

Online Communities for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Entrepreneurs

Online Communities for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs trying to grow their businesses need spaces to promote their products, resources to learn best practices, and a strong community of people with shared experiences. Knowing this, Deaf entrepreneurs have established different online groups to meet each of these needs, creating more opportunities to support the Deaf […]

October 11, 2021

Secure Your Business' Name

Please note that terminology, laws and regulations often vary based on several factors, including industry, location, and more. It’s important you check your local guidelines before taking action. If you have questions, please contact us. Every business needs a name – something that accurately represents what you have to offer to the world. Properly registering your […]

October 11, 2021

Identifying Your Business' Legal Structure

Please note that terminology, laws and regulations often vary based on several factors, including industry, location, and more. It’s important you check your local guidelines before taking action. If you have questions, please contact us. According to a survey conducted by the NSBA, 1 in 4 startups don’t receive the funding they need to get off the ground. […]

October 11, 2021

Investigate Types of Insurance

Please note that terminology, laws and regulations often vary based on several factors, including industry, location, and more. It’s important you check your local guidelines before taking action. If you have questions, please contact us. Having the appropriate insurance policies can make or break a business. According to a study conducted by Marshall and Swift/Boeckh, 75% of […]

September 25, 2021

Introducing SVF's New Division President 2022

Rosa Lee is one of the few BIPOC disabled women holding a leadership position in the venture fund industry and in the marketing industry. Communication Service for the Deaf is proud to announce that our Chief Marketing Officer, and longtime leader in the Deaf community, Rosa Lee Timm is the new Division President for CSD’s Social Venture […]

August 20, 2021

Explore Startup Funding Options

Please note that terminology, laws and regulations often vary based on several factors, including industry, location, and more. It’s important you check your local guidelines before taking action. If you have questions, please contact us. Funding sources and stages vary based on many factors, the information outlined below should only be used as a starting point for […]

Spotlight on Deaf Success: National Deaf Therapy

Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic Deaf people have long had difficulty accessing mental healthcare, due in large part to a lack of ASL-fluent and culturally-responsive therapists. But while the World Health Organization notes that COVID-19 has been a major disruptor in mental health services worldwide, National Deaf Therapy has been working hard to fill the […]

Deaf-owned tax firm helps the hard of hearing handle their finances

Denver 7 recently shared a piece about how our partner DeafTax is making tax prep accessible to deaf communities. Learn more about one of their client’s experiences working with DeafTax’s Associate Tax Preparer Jason Gunderson in their video.

What Does it Mean to Scale your Business?

What Does it Mean to Scale your Business? Did you know that in the business world there’s a difference between “growth” and “scale”? While people sometimes use the words interchangeably, there are a few big distinctions. Knowing what makes these processes distinct can be the key to updating your business plan for maximum success. Want […]

So You Want to Start a Business

Before you begin, you need to have a plan. Starting a business is risky. It requires a lot of time, energy, and capital. It’s important to take your time, do your research, and map out what you want to achieve. With a good business plan, you have guidance, direction, and an opportunity to secure investments. But don’t […]

February 24, 2021

Fired Up: How Great Pizza and Great Partnerships Fuel Deaf Success

Mozzeria, the all deaf-owned and operated Neapolitan Pizzeria, has been serving up great pizza and a unique dining experience in San Francisco’s Mission District for nearly a decade. The arrival of the popular restaurant in the historic Atlas district of Washington DC in fall of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic underscores just how successful Mozzeria […]

February 17, 2021

The Upside: Deaf Resilience Fuels Deaf Success

Between shut-downs, stay-at-home orders, and stock market crashes, it’s easy to feel like our worlds, and our economy, are shrinking. But what about businesses that defy the odds and continue to scale, even in the middle of a pandemic? DeafTax, the only Deaf-owned tax preparation firm in the US, is doing just that. The business recently launched […]

January 31, 2021

TEDxCollegePark: Leadership Lessons from a Deaf CEO

Around the Table Pizza and community for a more equal future. An equal future is one where your hearing abilities don’t affect your access to opportunities, where your gender or gender identity does not limit your professional growth, or where the color your skin does not determine how you are treated. At TEDxCollegePark, Mozzeria CEO Ryan […]

December 17, 2020

Pitch Deck 101

Thinking about applying to be a CSD Social Venture Fund partner? One of the requirements for your application is a pitch deck. Whether you’re not sure how to get started on a pitch deck, or just want to do a little polishing, we’ve got your back! Read on for tips on how to make the most of your deck. What is it? A pitch deck provides visual […]

August 31, 2020

Mozzeria to Open in Washington, D.C.

It’s true, H Street in Washington D.C. is getting a new Mozzeria! This will mark the second ASL-centric business on H Street in Washington, D.C., joining the Starbucks Signing Store that opened to great fanfare last fall. Mozzeria and other deaf-owned eateries have shown that putting deaf customers front and center can lead to success. Not only are these […]

August 14, 2020

Mozzeria D.C. Announces Soft Opening

CSD Social Venture Fund's investment partner Mozzeria has officially announced the opening of their second location. The Washington D.C. storefront, located near Gallaudet University, will open its doors to carry-out service on Friday, September 4th, 2020. Mozzeria was founded with the goal of increasing employment opportunities for the Deaf community. As such, the Neapolitan Pizza restaurant is staffed […]

CSD SVF Announces Partnership with Hands On Travel

HOT off the press! We are honored to announce our newest partner, the Italy-based company, Hands on Travel (HOT). Terry Giansanti, entrepreneur and founder of HOT, saw a need for accessible travel options and he made it happen! What Does HOT Offer? HOT provides deaf-centric tours in more than 60 countries world-wide. They create customized experiences and tailored […]

December 30, 2019

Q&A Bus Door Films Director of Photography & CoFounder Ruan Du Plessis

CSD SVF’s Interview with Ruan Du Plessis CSD Social Venture Fund recently had a chance to sit down with Bus Door Films Director of Photography & CoFounder Ruan Du Plessis for a quick Q&A. Watch and read below to see what he had to say! How was the launch of Bus Door Films? When we launched the […]

October 16, 2019

The Mighty covers SVF’s partner National Deaf Therapy

National Deaf Therapy Recognized by The Mighty Recently, National Deaf Therapy was featured for making mental health treatment more accessible in an article by The Mighty. The article covers founders, Amanda Sortwell Crane and Megan Erasmus, experience and reasoning for starting their business, as well as the mental health landscape within the deaf community.

Q&A with National Deaf Therapy Founder & COO

CSD SVF Sits Down With Amanda Sortwell Crane CSD Social Venture Fund got a chance to sit down with National Deaf Therapy COO & CoFounder Amanda Crane for a quick Q&A. Question 1 – What does NDT do? My name is Amanda Sortwell and I am 1 of the co-founders of National Deaf Therapy, NDT. NDT is […]

CSD names Bus Door Films as its fifth investment partner

Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) announced today that Bus Door Films is the next business partner of its CSD Social Venture Fund. Deaf-owned Bus Door Films is an early-stage creative production and filmmaking business focused on providing quality video services for both deaf and hearing clients, and increasing deaf artists and creators behind the camera. Bradley […]

CSD names National Deaf Therapy as its fourth investment partner

Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) announced today that women-owned National Deaf Therapy (NDT) is the next business partner of its CSD Social Venture Fund. NDT is a national web-based mental health platform fully dedicated to servicing the deaf, deaf and blind, deaf and disabled and hard-of-hearing communities with a nationwide network of deaf therapists. The CSD Social Venture […]

January 11, 2018

CSD + DeafTax Partnership Press Release

Communication Service for the Deaf Names DeafTax.com as Its Second Social Venture Fund Partner Communication Service for the Deaf and DeafTax.com to Make Tax Preparation More Accessible for the Deaf Community Nationwide http://www.prweb.com/releases/2018/01/prweb15077434.htm NEW YORK (PRWEB) JANUARY 11, 2018 Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) has selected DeafTax.com as its second business partner for the CSD […]

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