Message #9- 2/24/20
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members,
Summary: In this message, I highlight upcoming events, affordable health care options, services for returning citizens, free resources from the SBA, our new sponsorship opportunities, Goldman Sachs 10KSB and info you can use to make better business decisions. Please share this weekly message with 10 people who will benefit!
First, thank you for your support! The Chamber has grown 7.5% since January 1st! We are on track to have 10% growth by the middle of March! That’s amazing! How are we doing it? Members are saying that they love the new energy and our consistency in messaging, events and creating value. So, please keep up the continued support on social media, attendance at events and referral of new Members! Thank you so much for believing in the possibilities of your Chamber! It is because of you that we are growing!!! I’d also like to give Chamber Member, Allan Hirsh a huge thank you for inviting me on his show, AHA! Business Radio on CBS 1300AM. The show airs this Tuesday, February 25th at 6pm, EST.
Second, our 4th Wednesday Breakfast Networking event is this week at Miss Shirley’s in Roland Park! We will enjoy a delicious breakfast, address your business growth challenges and have speakers with valuable info for the business community. If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, please do so ASAP on our website, www.baltimorecitychamber.org.
Third, our Sponsorship Package has been approved. Click here to download it and read how we can warmly introduce your brand, product, service, initiative, event or message to the thousands of business owners, professionals, government agencies, banks and elected officials who attend our events and see our messaging each month. If it makes sense for you to be a sponsor, schedule a call with me or email our incredible Sponsorship Committee Chair, Steve Braun at sbraun@searchconsultants.org.
Fourth, each week, I plan to use this message to connect you with opportunities, invitations and information that you will hopefully find valuable. So, here you go:
OPPORTUNITIES
Affordable Concierge Doctors
This Wednesday, Chamber Member, Dr. Shawn Dhillon will speak at our 4th Wednesday Breakfast and Networking event at Miss Shirley’s in Roland Park. His service is called Anytime DRs. Dr. Shawn Dhillon, M.D., DAASEM, DNBPAS is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and a Specialist in Internal Medicine, Primary Care, Preventive Cardiovascular Care and Adult Medical Care. According to Dr. Dhillon, our health is our most valuable asset, but the current state of healthcare in this country has many patients neglecting their health due to busy schedules and long wait times at doctors. The current system focuses on “sick care,” not “healthcare,” leaving patients to seek care only when they are ill and have no other option. Dr. Dhillon wants to turn that around, and focus instead on AFFORDABLE preventative care and wellness plans, so his patients can live long and happy lives. Anytime DRs provides discounted concierge primary care amongst a host of other discounted and at cost healthcare and wellness services, asking one to “experience the difference and see the results.” Learn more at https://www.anytimedrs.com/
Before Hiring Returning Citizens…
Last week, I spoke with Chamber Member, Howard Levin. His company POEKnows provides screening services for landlords and employers and has successfully been in business since 1973. He is very passionate about ensuring that people have a second chance when they show that they have made life changes. Here is a quote from one of the people he helped, “People can change. People do change. I had a rough start, that’s true. I messed up. I have owned up. I have paid for my errors and I have changed. I have grown into a good, mature, decent and stable person who deserves another look, a chance, an opportunity. Please see me. Please… hear me. Please, let me tell you about who I was and who I am today. I am working with POEknows, a Baltimore investigative consumer reporting agency, to prepare an in-depth Individualized Assessment (IA), a critical dialogue, about my journey, from my past to today. I ask that, before you say ‘No’, consider my story and what others in our community say about me, today.” For more information about the value of the Individualized Assessment and the other services POEknows offers, visit https://poeknows.com/individualized-assessments/
Free Resources from the U.S. Small Business Administration
Last week, I had a great conversation with Stephen Umberger with the U.S. Small Business Administration office in Baltimore. He made me aware of new, free resources, funding opportunities and programs that are there to help any business person trying to grow. You can find all their services conveniently listed in their official resource download. Click here to download their PDF.
Free Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program
Applications are now open for the last cohort of 2020. Are you a Business Owner who has been in business at least 2 years? Do you have at least 2 employees? Is your revenue at least $100,000? Learn more about this free training program that has helped over 60% of its scholars increase revenue within 6 months of graduation at https://www.10ksbapply.com/Baltimore
Job Openings
Do you have an important job opening you are trying to fill? Chamber Member and Owner of Search Consultants, Steve Braun has decades of experience connecting great people to great careers. He meets with each candidate personally and ensures that they will be a good fit in their new role. Additionally, Steve is a tireless community servant with a vast, trusted network. He sits on various Boards and provides mentorship and advice to hundreds of professionals and business leaders in Baltimore. Email Steve at sbraun@searchconsultants.org to discuss how he can help you find the right person for your organization. Please tell him you saw this info in the Weekly Message from the Chamber.
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 
2/26/20 at 9am- 4th Wednesday Breakfast and Resources with the Chamber! Every 4th Wednesday, enjoy free admission and connections to resources, answers to business challenges and networking with lenders, agencies and other members at Miss Shirley’s in Roland Park. Miss Shirley’s is a Member of the Chamber and is the Venue Sponsor every 4th Wednesday morning. Please come out to this well-attended event! You can register for this event on our website: www.baltimorecitychamber.org
2/27/20 at 5pm- Baltimore Business Lending is hosting their signature event, Coffee With Capital! This event will occur on February 27 from 5pm to 7pm at the Forest Park branch of the Enoch Pratt Library (3023 Garrison Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21216). Baltimore small business owners and those interested in starting a small businesses will meet and chat with resource partners and learn about funding options. This event is free! Click here to RSVP.
3/5/20 at 6pm- General Body Meeting with an Access to Capital Panel! Every 1st Thursday, learn about what’s happening in the Chamber and in the business community and take advantage of a great opportunity to network with other Chamber Members. March’s featured expert panel will discuss Access to Capital! Plus, we will recognize outstanding service with our Chairman’s Awards and talk about our Sponsorship and committee opportunities in more detail. Special thanks to Chamber Member, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development for being the Venue Sponsor and hosting us at the beautiful, 36 South Charles Street building. After we talk business in the huge conference room, we will go to the lobby for catered food and more networking. If you would like to be the Food Sponsor and showcase your cuisine, contact Will Holmes or Steve Braun. This event is open to the public. Later this week, you can register for this event on our website: www.baltimorecitychamber.org
3/12/20 at Business After Dark Networking Event with the Baltimore City Chamber! Every 2nd Thursday, mingle with Chamber Members, business leaders and other professionals in the city. This month, we are meeting and networking at the very cool venue, QG! You can register for this event on our website: www.baltimorecitychamber.org
4/18/20 at 8am- MoneyBaltimore Global Business Conference! This year’s MoneyBaltimore conference will show attendees how to successfully do business in Baltimore, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Registration is now open! Choose from free general admission and affordable sponsorship options. This conference is in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. Click here to learn more information.
6/3/2020 at 9am- 2020 Baltimore City HUBZone Workshop! Learn about the SBA’s new HUBZone regulations, network with Federal Agency procurement representatives and gain knowledge on how you can use the HUBZone designation to your advantage when pursuing government contracts. Click here to RSVP and learn more.
INFORMATION
Real Estate and Investor Tools- Thinking about buying property in the City of Baltimore? Before you buy, check out this great tool with info on zoning, planned projects and other important information. Click here to learn more.
MDOT Certification– Ever consider doing business with the State of Maryland? If you have plans to grow, the certification process could open up new opportunities for new revenue. Click here to learn more.
Baltimore Demographics- Ever wonder where to find info on demographics in Baltimore? Click here to see this summary by the Census Bureau.
Maryland Wealth- Interested in seeing stats on Maryland’s wealth and its tax revenue for each city and county? Click here to view the report from the Department of Legislative Services Office of Policy Analysis.
Connect with City Leadership- Want to attend a Board of Estimates meeting or Baltimore City Council meeting to hear from our elected officials? Check out the schedule at: http://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/complete-calendar
U.S. Economy- Interested in how the U.S. economy is doing? Here is the most current information from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: https://www.bea.gov/news/glance
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
Web: http://www.baltimorecitychamber.org
Learn more about working with my consulting firm to grow your business.