Weekly Message From The Chair, August 24, 2020

Message #34- 8/24/20

Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members and Friends,

Summary: In this message, I highlight: events and resources; funding opportunities; job opportunities; offers from Members and info you can use to make better business decisions. Please share this weekly message with 10 people who will benefit. Learn more about us at www.baltimorecitychamber.org and I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn

First, I want to invite you to this week’s 8/26/20 Virtual Open House for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. It’s free and designed to help businesses pivot, better connect with target customers and increase sales. Over 9,500 businesses have successfully completed the program and the majority of those graduates have increased revenue and added jobs in their communities. Please consider attending the virtual Open House this Thursday and applying at www.10ksbapply.com/Baltimore. The application deadline is September 15th, 2020 for the upcoming January 2021 Cohort.

Second, on September 1st, our Executive Director, William Honablew, Jr. is hosting “Growing Business Finances.” During this webinar, our virtual panel will discuss how to work with a financial services professional and identify best practices in financial management. The panel will feature organizations and individuals that provide bookkeeping, accounting, and financial services. After the panel, the virtual event attendees will have an opportunity to visit breakout rooms hosted by the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce for select member organizations. Register here. 

Third, the Chamber is excited to partner with FICO on the #ScoreABetterFuture program, which helps consumers improve their understanding of FICO scores. Join us August 27th for a free virtual community financial education event. Register at https://bit.ly/3gCtTlX.

Fourth, on September 24th, the Chamber is partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank for an Economic Update. This free webinar is important because this session will help you gain perspective on where the economy is going so you can make any needed allowances in your budgeting, hiring and expansion plans. Click here to register.

Fifth, if you are not yet a Member, take advantage of 2019 pricing with our Summer Membership Drive! Visit our website www.baltimorecitychamber.org and click “Membership/ Join The Chamber.” Pricing starts at $30!  We are on track to reach 400 Members and I want you to be a part of our growth and have access to all the resources we provide!

Sixth, if you are looking for safe, high-quality daycare options for your children near downtown, check out Higher Heights Educational Center. They have added new procedures and training for staff to ensure the continued safety of the children. Learn more at https://higherheightseducationalcenter.com/ or contact the owner, Rene via email or by phone at 443-739-2404.

Seventh, if you are interested in being on our new Women’s Leadership Committee or the new Young Professionals Committee, please attend the next General Membership Meeting on Thursday, September 3rd at 6pm. Click here to register. We will dedicate a portion of that meeting to new committees.

Additionally, Steve Braun has agreed to be Chair of our new Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Referral Committee. His connections in the business community will be valuable as we continue to partner with the Goldman Sachs program and identify qualified Chamber Members and local business owners who have a desire to grow. Thank you, Steve!

Eighth, Chamber Member, Salil Choudhary would like to invite you to his new group called “Aligning Stars.” Aligning Stars is an Elite Matchmaking & Event Planning Service where they hand pick potential matches for face-to-face meetups. If interested in learning more, upload your profile and book a session at www.AligningStars.life. You can also contact Salil & Meenu Choudhary at letschat@aligningstars.life for more details.

Ninth, Chamber Member, Johns Hopkins University has a series of webinars highlighting local entrepreneurs and resources. I recommend following their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JHConnects/ to stay updated.

Keep reading for this week’s Opportunities and Events! 


OPPORTUNITIES

SPECIAL OFFERS

Luxury Apartments
Greetings Baltimore City Chamber Members, we are excited to announce the arrival of Alta Brewers Hill, the newest apartment community in the Brewers Hill neighborhood of Canton, Baltimore. We offer 1, 2, and 3 bedroom luxury apartment homes and townhouses, along with a great location with premiere amenities, and garage parking. We are offering virtual, in-person, and self-guided tours and would love to schedule yours today.  For more information, visit us online at www.altabrewershill.com. We look forward to hosting a future Chamber event!! Thanks for the warm welcome!

Support for Foster Youth
Resiliently You Community Resource Center Inc is a 501c3 organization that helps former foster youth ages 21-25 heal from the residual effects of personal and family addiction through housing, mental health, and peer recovery. 
We are selling shirts in an effort to build our housing component of our program, entitled Mo’s House. Mo’s House is a housing unit that will be utilized to reduce homelessness in the foster care alumni population. Mo’s House will provide support for up to 18 months and has an emergency shelter service that can provide support for up to 90 days. To learn more about our organization, please visit www.resilientlyyou.org.

Marketing Help
With the current market disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, marketing plans need to be adapted to changes in consumer behavior and demand. 444 Ignite Consulting, a strategic marketing consultancy and services company, has relevant in-market data to better predict outcomes. Describe your consumer from the engagements with your brand to behaviors, attitudes, lifestyles, media use and preferences, information sources and every nuance that can guide in the creation of strategies and actionable tactics. For a free consultation and demonstration please contact Edward Ramsey at edward.ramsey@444ignite.com or go to our website at www.444ignite.com.

Solar Power
Subscribe to a Community Solar Farm in Baltimore County and save up to 10 percent on your energy costs. Chamber Members who subscribe will receive $150 for supporting clean energy in Maryland. Email Kathleen.Wojtowicz@cleanchoiceenergy.com for more information or to enroll today.

Temperature Checks
Pabst Enterprises is offering a stand alone Temperature Measurement and Face Recognition Terminal that provides a non-contact, high accuracy IR body temperature measurement. It detects if the individual is wearing a face mask and if they are not, the technology prompts them to do so. Contact William Pabst at 443-613-4377 or wpabst@pabstent.com to learn more.

Mobile and IoT solutions for Chamber Members 
Chamber Member, NOFA Business Consulting is a Mobile and IoT solutions provider committed to developing and implementing reliable, cost-effective solutions for businesses of all sizes, no matter the scope of the need. We are more than a service provider. We are your business partner. Schedule a free consultation at https://calendly.com/farhad-nofa. More information can be found by downloading our mobile app.

Chamber VIP Office Day Rental 
Need a safe place to meet with your clients? Come to BrickRose Exchange and use our back-office space, featuring a floor-to-ceiling whiteboard. You can book here: http://brickroseexchange.org/whiteboard-rental. Get some work done in a convenient, quiet, professional environment. Click here to contact Chamber Member, Bianca Jackson with questions.

Need Health Care?
Chamber Member, Dr. Shawn Dhillon offers concierge medical care for $99 per month. Have a dedicated physician for less than you would pay for medical insurance. Learn more at https://www.anytimedrs.com.

Need Medical Insurance?
Chamber Member, George Faber can help you find medical coverage. Send him a message at George.Faber@USHAdvisors.com.

Handgun Certifications for Chamber Members
Chamber Member, M4 Security is a security guard and investigation agency that provides high-quality training for handgun certification. A special discount is being offered to Chamber Members. Visit this page to learn more: http://www.m4security.us/baltimore-city-chamber-members.html

Accounting Services
Chamber Member, A Little Faith Accounting & Tax Services, LLC, a local accounting firm determined to provide unforgettable service to individuals and small businesses. They provide accounting, payroll and tax preparation services to small and mid sized businesses in and around the Baltimore Metro area and assist individuals and small businesses with other financial services, such as budgeting, loan applications, financial planning and other similar areas. Visit their website, www.alittlefaithaccounting.com, to find out more info and to sign up for their monthly newsletter. If you’d like to set up an initial consultation, call Mr. Jackson at 443-343-2484.

LOANS AND GRANTS

Baltimore Business Lending
Baltimore Business Lending’s mission is to ensure access to capital for small business creation in Baltimore City, which will, in turn, provide employment opportunities to strengthen the economy of the city and increase the availability of goods and services to Baltimore City neighborhoods. Learn more about their programs at https://baltimorebusinesslending.org/about-us.

Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority Fund
Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority Fund will provide emergency financial relief to businesses that have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis with low-interest rate, low-documentation loans. Loans range from $25k to $200k for eligible Maryland businesses. MSBDFA promotes the viability and expansion of businesses owned by economically and socially disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Meridian Management Group is handling the applications. Learn more at http://mmgcapitalgroup.com/covid-19-emergency-relief-loan-fund-guidelines/

KIVA Loans 
KIVA has funding options for businesses. Click here to learn more. 

Short term commercial loans not based on credit…
If you have submitted an invoice for services and you are waiting to be paid, or if you have a purchase order to fill, but need funding to get started, learn more about WHC’s programs that can help.

JOBS

Jobs at the Small Business Administration 
The SBA has a variety of temporary jobs to assist with the COVID-19 response. Click here to learn more.

Jobs in Baltimore
The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development has compiled job openings in the area. Click here to learn more.

Department of Labor
The Department of Labor has compiled some job opportunities. Click here to learn more.

If you are an active Baltimore City Chamber Member and you have a special offer for our Members, schedule a call with Will Holmes at https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber


INVITATIONS TO EVENTS

8/26/20 at 6pm
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Open House

Click here to register.

9/1/20
Growing Business Finances
During this webinar, the we will host a virtual panel discussion to help small businesses understand how to work with a financial services professional and identify best practices in financial management. The panel will feature reps from organizations that provide bookkeeping, accounting, and financial services. After the panel, the virtual event attendees will have an opportunity to visit breakout rooms hosted by the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce for select member organizations. Register here. 

9/3/20 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce General Membership Meeting 

Our monthly General Membership Meeting is open to all. We’ll give you an update on Chamber business, highlight Members, discuss resources and share solutions. And of course, we’ll network. Click here to register.

9/8/20
Free Webinar: Marketing Tips and Tricks in Today’s World”

Kevin Berrier from MDDC Ad Services will provide valuable, data-driven insights, tips and tricks on how to market to Consumers based on where they’re looking. This webinar will provide a report on the shifting trends of social, local and digital media, as well as how you can capture that audience with your brand to drive more sales based on their recent findings from their statewide COVID-19 Consumer Spending survey. All attendees will be entered to win a “Here’s My Card” marketing package valued at $1,495 that will reach over 1 million consumers in the state of Maryland. SIGN UP AT https://cutt.ly/Sd9PEGz.

9/10/20 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Virtual Happy Hour 

Join us for our monthly Virtual Happy Hour! This event is open to all. Wear your logo and be ready to toast, mingle and network. Click here to register!  

9/24/20 at 2pm
Federal Reserve Bank Webinar- Economic Update

The Baltimore City Chamber is teaming up with the Federal Reserve Bank on September 24th for a webinar at 2pm! Please join Tom Barkin, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, for a conversation on the economy, recent Fed actions, and prospects for recovery. The webinar will include time for questions and an opportunity for attendees to share their perspective on what is happening on the ground and within their respective industries. Click here to register.

10/10/20
Baltimore Children’s Business Fair

The Baltimore Children’s Business Fair is seeking sponsors, judges, speakers, and volunteers to help support their 4th Annual Baltimore Children’s Business Fair on October 10th and educational programming for the 2020-21 school year. The Baltimore Children’s Business Fair is a non-profit organization. Please contact Janear Garrus at janear@baltimorechildrensbusinessfair.org to learn more.

Apply for the January 2021 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Cohort!
Earn more that $100k? Applications are open for the free, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program! Click here to learn more and apply.


INFORMATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS

This list of resources is now on our Chamber Resources Page along with new tools, programs, podcasts and webinars.  


Talk to you next week!
Sincerely,

Will Holmes

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce
Schedule a call with me: https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber
Do business with me: http://www.whcusa.com 
Check out my podcast: https://anchor.fm/willholmes.biz