From operating a pet shop out of his garage to cutting deals with his neighbors as a young boy, Kris Hart grew up possessing a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He may not deal in salamanders and snakes anymore, but Hart’s entrepreneurial spirit remains as keen as ever, which is evident in his latest business undertaking as the owner of FoBoGro.

An early interest in politics drew Hart to Washington, DC to serve as a page in the U.S. House of Representatives while still a junior in high school. Two years later, the Pennsylvania native left his hometown to pursue a degree at the School of Business at The George Washington University (GW).

While at GW, Hart became heavily involved in local politics, rising to become the youngest Finance Director of the College Republican National Committee in 2001. In 2003, Hart set his sights on the GW Student Association, becoming the organization’s youngest president in its history.

In 2005, his senior year at GW, Hart opened Relaxed, a tanning salon in DC’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood, with the help of a business partner and a few investors. Two years later, he expanded the business and rechristened it Relaxed Spa & Tans, a one-stop spa and tanning salon, conveniently located just a few doors down from his future business venture, FoBoGro.

A long time patron of the original Foggy Bottom Grocery which was a local fixture for over 50 years, Hart is thrilled about rebuilding the store while keeping its original façade intact, and making the establishment a true community institution.

Kris’s favorite menu item/product in the store is the Springfield Sub. {close}

A graduate of the School of Business at The George Washington University, Devlin Keating is the Chief Operating Office of FoBoGro. In this position, Keating handles a myriad of responsibilities, including inventory, employee hiring and training, and marketing initiatives.

Keating grew up in Cazenovia, a small town located near Syracuse, New York. He came to DC to experience college life in a big city, and met Kris Hart and Daniel Blake, his fraternity brothers at GW and now business partners in FoBoGro. To Keating, DC has the feel of his small Upstate New York town in important ways—it is replete with interesting people, its neighborhoods thrive on an atmosphere of community, and it is a city that can feel like home even to newcomers.

Upon his graduation in 2006, Keating served as a senior account manager at On Sale Promos, a promotional and corporate gift company. During his three-year tenure, Keating hired and trained staff, brought in over 30 new accounts and worked with several high-level businesses, including Verizon, Boston Beer Company (which brews Samuel Adams beers) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The experience gave Keating an in-depth understanding of how business practices shape the quality of the product and service they offer.

In 2007, Keating co-authored a case study providing an in-depth examination of food services on university campuses, which was published in the International Journal of Educational Management. The study uncovered the challenges university officials face in trying to provide high-quality services, while simultaneously tackling issues related to labor, local competition and budgetary constraints among others.

While he’s not working behind the counter, Keating enjoys scuba diving, cooking and traveling to exotic destinations in the Middle East and Central America.

Devlin’s favorite menu item/product in the store is the Cazenovia Sub. {close}

California native Daniel Blake left the sunny beaches of his home state for Washington, DC in the fall of 2007, to pursue his interest in politics and international affairs. Two years later, Blake, now a junior at The George Washington University, is busy drawing up business plans as the Chief Business Development Officer at FoBoGro, while working towards his bachelor’s degree in International Politics from the Elliot School of International Affairs.

Blake’s strong managerial and business skills are apparent in his position as President of his fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa. In this role, Blake is responsible for chairing weekly board meetings, creating new positions and managing the fraternity’s annual budget of $30,000.

Numerous research internships and part-time positions working in local restaurants have armed Blake with crucial analytical and time-management skills. He has a strong sense of social responsibility, as evidenced by his summer spent volunteering in a program for homeless children, where he led hikes, games and cooking classes for the kids. Blake also spent a month living in the small town of Tambor in Costa Rica, where he helped build a communal kitchen for the town and worked on various community projects.

An avid sportsman, Blake played varsity level soccer for his high school in Oakland, CA and is also a keen football and basketball player.

Dan’s favorite menu item/product in the store is the Oakland Sandwich. {close}

From operating neighborhood lemonade stands to selling the most little league fundraiser tickets to hosting yard sale after yard sale, Seth grew up with entrepreneurship running through his veins. He left his hometown of Wellesley, MA to attend The George Washington University (GW) with an open mind towards his professional path.

Seth embraced everything about GW and living in Washington, DC. The University's motto of "something happens here" certainly lived up to the hype, as he delved into internship after internship and became extremely active with the admissions office and GW's award winning orientation program. He realized that "selling' and "relationship-building" were his strengths whether it was selling the school to potential students or raising money for the school from alumni.

Seth interned at the Department of Education and realized his passion for education and public policy. While at GW, Seth realized that there were not a lot of late-night food options that had a University flare. Seth graduated from the GW's School of Business in 2001. He received his master's in Higher Education and Public Administration from Harvard University and worked at Boston University and Boston's Jewish Federation before returning to DC to revamp GW's fundraising efforts.

Although Seth has recently returned to the Boston-area, he is excited to be rebuilding Foggy Bottom Grocery to meet the needs of students and local residents, while keeping the historical flavor and turning it into a local institution.

Seth’s favorite menu item/product in the store is the Luther Rice Sandwich....and not just because he reinvigorated GW’s annual giving Society named after Luther Rice. If there was no Luther, there'd be no George! {close}

Growing up in Lincoln, NE, Chris was heavily involved in local politics working for local campaigns, the Nebraska State Legislature and Nebraska State Bar Association. Given his passion for politics, The George Washington University was a natural fit and he left Nebraska for the Elliott School of International Affairs, eager to see the world and experience the nation’s Capitol.

While attending GW, Chris became one of the youngest registered federal lobbyists representing municipalities, education clients and non-profits. In his fours year of working with government officials, Chris recognized the importance of small business development in building local economies and creating job growth. He committed himself to entrepreneurship and public service.

Several years after graduation, Chris returned to GW to rebuild the Luther Rice Society. Having loved his GW experience, he knew the great potential GW had to connect its leading alumni to improve the university community’s employment opportunities as well as increase the level of philanthropy flowing back to GW. While helping build GW’s life-long and world-wide community, he recognized the need for a one-stop-shop on campus dedicated to the student experience. Together, with one of his best friends from undergrad, Kris Hart, he began work to create FoboGro.

Today, Chris attends the law school at GW, works full time in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, assists non-profits receive appropriation funding on a pro-bono basis and helps oversee the development of FoboGro. Chris hopes that FoBoGro is just the beginning and that together this group can expand the business and continue to improve the student experience at GW.

Chris’s favorite menu item/product in the store is the Luther Rice Sandwich. {close}