Owning Your Path to Success

Are you interested in learning about owning and scaling a franchise? Dennis and Nicole Drake of D2 Ventures LLC will walk you through their proven strategy for transitioning from a corporate career to a successful multi-brand franchise owner.

Discover how they launched their first venture and scaled it into a diverse portfolio, all while sharing key insights on operations, diversification, and sustainable growth. This session will include a presentation and a Q&A session.

Featured Local Experts: Dennis & Nicole Drake: Co-Owners of D2 Ventures LLC

Join us for an intimate workshop that gives you direct access to experts who can answer your questions. *Space is limited. Exclusive to Chamber Members Only.

About the Speakers:

Dennis and Nicole Drake are the Co-Owners of D2 Ventures LLC, a family-owned business specializing in multi-unit, multi-brand franchise operations in Northern Virginia. While their professional backgrounds started in different fields, they found a shared passion for entrepreneurship and franchising.

Together, the Drakes launched their first Tropical Smoothie Café in 2013. They have since grown to four open locations with a fifth in development. They are also the first to bring Another Broken Egg Café—a southern-inspired breakfast, brunch, and lunch concept—to Northern Virginia, with the first of three locations currently in development.

In addition to food and beverage, D2 Ventures is exploring opportunities with emerging health and wellness brands to diversify their portfolio. The Drakes are also developing a podcast called “Love & Business,” which will explore the challenges and triumphs of balancing a relationship and entrepreneurship.

Nicole Drake is an accomplished aerospace engineer with degrees from North Carolina A&T State University and the University of Maryland, College Park. She built her career with organizations like the Department of Defense, NASA, and JPL before transitioning into business ownership.

Dennis Drake is a U.S. Navy veteran, ordained minister, and author. He has a background in senior management and executive consulting, supporting the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. He holds a B.S. in Public Administration from Roger Williams University.