Our Community Outreach Mission
WHC’s mission is to provide practical information and solutions to aspiring entrepreneurs so they can avoid trial and error, increase revenue, become profitable, access capital, add jobs and have a positive impact on their local economies.
Since 2006, WHC Founder Will Holmes has been dedicated to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs across the globe. WHC initiatives include:
WHC Entrepreneurship Mentoring– Established in 2006, WHC Founder Will Holmes started the free WHC Entrepreneurship Mentoring Program. Will Holmes provided free consultations to aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them refine their business ideas, define their customer and start selling products and services. Over two hundred business owners were assisted by Holmes at no charge.
Baltimore Professionals and Entrepreneurs Meetup Group– Established in 2011 and now with over 6000 members, the Baltimore Professionals and Entrepreneurs meetup is one of the largest business communities on the east coast. Focused on free networking and training events, BPE has hosted over 900 meetups bringing thousands of people together to share ideas and resources.
MoneyBaltimore Annual Business Conference– Established in 2013, MoneyBaltimore is a free 6-hour conference for aspiring entrepreneurs in Maryland. The conference connects entrepreenurs with the information, resources and contacts they need to grow, add jobs and impact their communities. Past partners include the City of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Bank of America, PNC Bank, Transunion and Wells Fargo.
StartUp Africa Women’s Business Conference in Kenya– Partnering with Startup Africa, WHC has been participating since 2018, serving as a mentor, keynote speaker, financial supporter and advisor. Founder Holmes believes it is important to connect to entrepreneurs across the globe to share ideas and resources and to expand our perspective.
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce– Founder Holmes served as the Chairman of the Board for the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce from 2019 to 2021. During his term, he doubled membership, mentored hundreds of business owners and connected thousands of entrepreneurs to key resources during the pandemic. Due to his outstanding service, Holmes was given the title of Chairman Emeritus at the end of his term.
Baltimore Economic Leadership League (BELL)– Founded by Will Holmes in 2021, BELL educates, advocates for and funds small, minority, rural and woman-owned businesses in Maryland that have been denied capital. BELL ensures the continued hiring of local workers and the development of stronger, safer, thriving communities. BELL is committed to connecting Members to capital, coaching and customers and to our community of Sponsors and Partners who contribute valuable business resources and support. WHC is a proud sponsor of BELL’s initiatives and Small Business Loan Fund.
BELL Revival Baltimore Entrepreneur Growth Program and Pitch Competition– Established in 2022, the annual BRB program gives chosen participants the guidance, tools and support to develop a customized growth plan and pitch deck. The program gives participants the information they need to grow revenue, hire within their community and have a positive impact on Baltimore. This program is offered at no charge to participants thanks to sponsors, the Revival Baltimore Hotel, the Baltimore Economic Leadership League (BELL) and Will Holmes Consulting. The program ends with a Pitch Presentation and Competition with a winner receiving a contract with the Revival Baltimore Hotel.
For our work in the community, WHC has been recognized by elected officials and national organizations including:
- The Governor of Maryland
- The Comptroller of Maryland
- The Maryland General Assembly
- The Baltimore City Council
- The Mayor’s Office of the City of Baltimore
- The Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce
- United States Senator Chris Van Hollen
- United States Senator Ben Cardin
- Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz
- The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
- The University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business
- The Greater Baltimore Leadership Association
- Baltimore Urban Alliance
- American Cancer Society
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Are you committed to supporting aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs? Let’s see how we can work together! Send us a message below.