The Fairfax Girl Team 
Most people think that Northern Virginia is populated exclusively by federal employees bearing badges and credentials. Those types here here, for sure, but plenty of neighbors work to make the community just a bit better, whether that’s through food, fashion, beauty, or art. This month, we’re featuring several locals who are making things right here in Northern Virginia. Read on for more Northern Virginia locals to watch.
Abhishek Kishore | Giggles + You
Abhishek Kishore is a Northern Virginia dad and tech industry veteran. He’s also the founder of Stobbi, a thoughtfully designed wooden step stool that helps young children participate more independently in everyday routines like handwashing, brushing teeth, helping in the kitchen, and potty access. He was inspired by the idea that a child’s environment shapes how they see the world. “Today, many children’s products are made quickly, from plastic, and designed for short-term use. I wanted to create something different, something warm, beautiful, and lasting,” he said. Stobbi is currently in a Kickstarter campaign.
Alexandra Schmeling moved to Northern Virginia in the summer of 2018 for a teaching job, drawn by the good mix of proximity to a city and small-town charm. She is a Yale art major who originally concentrated in photography, later obtaining a master’s in education. She transitioned to being a full-time artist just after Thanksgiving 2023. Although she had been juggling her art business with a full-time job, a layoff prompted her to lean into art full-time, taking advantage of the busy holiday season. She finds the local community supportive, especially because people in the area “love their pets”. She also enjoys teaching art classes, such as 2-hour “paint your pet” watercolor workshops, which allows her to connect with new people and share her art.
The bulk of Alexandra’s art business centers on custom pet portraits, a venture that began during COVID-19 when she organized a successful fundraiser for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, which saw 50 donation slots fill up within hours. This initial success led her to develop close, ongoing relationships with local rescues, including creating holiday cards and t-shirt designs for them. Beyond pet portraits, she uses watercolor and markers for other offerings, such as prints of DC scenes and monuments, family portraits, fashion illustrations, and live drawing events for retail shoppers. For her personal projects, she focuses on watercolor paintings of French cities and the countryside, inspired by an artist’s residency she attended in the Champagne region. Her art is sold through local shops that support makers, including Shop Made in DC, Shop Made in VA, and Made in ALX.
See more: This Alexandria Boutique is a Destination for Perfume Lovers Nationwide
Anna Reeves is the owner and founder of Tiny Chefs, a business based in Alexandria. What started as a hobby 18 years ago has since turned into a career, teaching children to cook. Tiny Chefs provides everything students need to succeed, including curriculum, teachers, ingredients, and equipment.
Anna’s journey began as a kindergarten teacher at a private school in Maryland. Tiny Chefs was born out of combining her two passions: working with children and cooking. What started as a small operation has since expanded to Arlington, Fairfax, and Montgomery counties. Tiny Chefs now serves around 3,000 children during its summer cooking programs. Throughout the rest of the year, Tiny Chefs has classes, workshops, birthday parties, and more at its Alexandria kitchen and other locations.
Audrey is a native of the Philippines and she founded Frost & Flourish by skillfully balancing her culinary passion with family life. Growing up in her grandmother’s kitchen and influenced by Duff Goldman’s “Ace of Cakes,” Audrey moved to the US to enroll in the pastry program at the former Art Institute of Washington. She honed her skills at Liberty Restaurant Group, Eventide, and also played a key role in launching a bakery in North Beach, MD. She transitioned to luxury hotels and catering and uncovered her talent for creating chocolate showpieces and wedding cakes. Audrey trained under the guidance of world-renowned Maggie Austin and at L’ecole Valrhona in Brooklyn, NY. Audry said that she loves “The impact of adding on memories when their celebration cakes are delivered. It’s truly a highlight of our day whenever we see the kids/parents’ reaction to their birthday cake, the couple’s reaction when they see their wedding cake.”
Jared Barker launched his business, Big Boy Biscuits, in December 2024, driven by a desire to fill the area’s need for high-quality biscuits and clean comfort food. Jared specializes in “big, delicious biscuit sandwiches” and other American comfort foods. The biscuits are based on a family recipe that he refined, and the kitchen is in Lorton, Virginia.
Big Boy Biscuits got started at local farmers markets, starting with a first pop-up event in December 2024, then becoming a regular at the Mount Vernon, Lubber Run and Westover Farmers markets. The most popular menu item is the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, which he dubbed “the standard”. Jared emphasizes a commitment to “clean, comfort food” by using simple ingredients and working with local producers. He sources key ingredients like buttermilk, eggs, and jam from a cooperative of Amish farms in southern Pennsylvania, and aims to work with as many local meat producers as possible. Beyond market sales, Big Boy Biscuits offers full-service catering, including everything from small bites to boxed lunches and buffet-style breakfast options.
Jared’s favorite item is biscuits and gravy, which highlights his serious culinary background, including attending culinary school and being classically trained as a saucier. He is currently expanding the menu to include items like barbecue and other non-breakfast sandwiches, such as the just-launched smashburger.
Jia Zheng is the owner of Simple Jia Style, a body-positive business dedicated to helping clients discover their timeless personal style. “It’s really about finding your signature way of dressing for who you are,” says Jia.
Jia’s journey to creating Simple Jia Style was personal. “I grew up struggling with finding my personal style, figuring out what to wear so that I could feel good.” Her journey led her to study body shapes, color matching, and personal essence over six years of research and development.
Having trained with stylists like Kate Taylor and Laura Messiah, as well as the Global Style Academy, Jia offers a thorough process to help clients find their unique style that reflects both their body shape and essence, what she describes as”your natural energy that you want to convey.”
Read more: Northern Virginia’s Irish Pubs
Samira Brow Counture was founded by sisters Samira and Elena, along with family friend Lisa, all of whom have backgrounds in beauty. Samira, the owner, specializes in permanent makeup, while Elena focuses on permanent jewelry and charm bars. Lisa curates high-end designer resale items and has extensive experience in makeup and fashion.
The boutique aims to build women’s confidence through beauty and style. They host workshops and events that emphasize personal growth, community, and empowerment. Samira Brow Counture has earned recognition as a Best of Northern Virginia Makeup Artist and has been featured in DC Modern Luxury.
Lisa’s career spans 25 years in makeup artistry, having worked for high-end brands like MAC, Cartier, and Black Jack. Her passion for fashion was reignited after leaving Black Jack, drawing inspiration from her childhood love of fashion magazines.
Alexandra Schmeling of Alexandra Schmeling Fine Art
Anna Reeves of Tiny Chefs | 6100 Franciona Road, Suite D, Alexandria
Image credit: Branded by Jo
Audrey Angeles of Frost + Flourish | 1700 N. Moore Street, Arlington
Image credit: Tim Matthews Photography
Jared Barker, Big Boy Biscuits
Jia Zheng, Simply Jia Style
Samira, Lisa, and Elena of Samira Brow Couture | 46400 Benedict Drive, Ste 209, Sterling
