Weekly Message From The Chair, February 8, 2021

Message #6- 2/8/21

Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members and Friends,

In this week’s message, you will find:

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60 DAYS OF GROWTH
Now is the time to renew or join! As low as $30 per month! Click here to learn more!
FEATURED EVENT
Our friends at Baltimore Young Professionals are hosting a conference on February 27th! Click here to learn more and register.
FEATURED EVENT
Our friends at Afro News are hosting the Black Business Matters Expo on February 18th. Click here to learn more and register.
Here are 10 things you should know:

First, I invite you to 60 DAYS OF GROWTH. From February 1st to March 30th, the Baltimore City Chamber will have a Membership Drive and Member Check-Ins. If you are a current Member, I encourage you to schedule a call with me to check-in and discuss the resources you need to grow in 2021. If you have been watching us grow, now is the time to join. Will you be a part of this new energy in Baltimore? To make it easier, you can join for as low as $30 per month. Click here to join.

Second, I am recruiting women and minority-owned businesses to work with me and 40 MBA students in a free growth program with Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. You will have an assigned team of MBAs to help with your marketing strategy, pricing model and growth plan. Only a few spots remain, so apply before 2/9/21. Click here to apply!

Third, the SBA has compiled the information you need to better understand all the new PPP and EIDL options. Click here to read the latest updates. Additionally, please talk to your tax professional regarding the tax ramifications of receiving a federal, state or local business grant or loan. The guidelines have changed over the last few months, so please make certain you are making an informed decision.

Also, please consider what you need to do to remain open after your grant award runs out. Do you have a sustainable business model? Will free retail space really give you more customers if prior, you were an e-commerce business? How will you cover the overhead associated with a brick and mortar location if the market need has shifted or was never there? That being said, click here for a long list of loan and grant assistance.

Fourth, this Thursday, 2/11 at 6pm is our Virtual Happy Hour! All are welcome to attend!!! Wear your logo and be ready to have fun. Click here to RSVP.

Fifth, Chamber Member, the Baltimore Minority Business Development Agency is hosting a long list of high-value events for business owners. We have added these webinars to our Events section below. I am thankful for their partnership in the Baltimore business community. Please make time to attend. Special thanks to Gianna Hylton, Gary Moore, Deidre Chamberlain and Nicole Robinson for their continued service.

Sixth, new Chamber Member, Hologram Financial Solutions is an outsourced accounting firm. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Hologram Financial Solutions LLC, and receive up to 15% off your first month’s bill by signing up by the end of February. Schedule a FREE consultation at https://hologramfinancial.com/contact-us or by calling them at 410-891-6218. Receive a $50 referral fee for referring a small business owner that closes a deal with them. Speak with CEO Nicholas Lowe for full details.

Seventh, we welcome the Morgan State University’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS) to the Chamber! MSU’s CCPS offers customized courses to meet the workforce development and/or training needs of Maryland employers. To learn how you can partner with MSU CCPS, please click here. Scroll to our Offers section for additional offers from CCPS.

Eighth, on 2/18, join the Chamber’s Women’s Leadership Initiative at 6:15pm for “The 5 Pillars of Building Your Fempire.” Speaker: Caterina Rando. Please RSVP at bccocwlc@gmail.com for login details. Special thanks to Co-Chairs, Dr. Rhonda Farrell and Brenda Kwateng for their service and leadership.

Ninth, Loyola University has invited me to participate on a panel in March as a part of their “Building a Better World Through Business” series. This annual event celebrates the ways that businesses create sustainable economic and social development in their communities. The 2021 event series will be held virtually throughout March. All events are free and open to Loyola students, faculty, staff, alumni, the Baltimore community, and friends of the University. Registration is required for all events.

Tenth, the Baltimore Means Business program is accepting applicants earning under $75k for their May 2021 cohort. The deadline to apply is April 12th! Apply at www.baltimoremeans.business. Or, schedule a call to learn about this free program before you apply.

Keep reading for this week’s OffersLoans and GrantsJobs and Events

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


OFFERS 

Workforce Development 
Morgan State University’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS) offers customized courses to meet the workforce development and/or training needs of Maryland employers. The benefits of partnering with MSU’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies are numerous: MSU is the premier public Urban University in the state of Maryland, MSU has a well-credentialed faculty; MSU offers services that are cost-effective and CCPS has nearly 60 years of experience offering non-credit, Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Hours (PDHs), professional development opportunities, customized workshops, and institutes for adult learners. To partner with us, please click here.

Career Training and Professional Development
Morgan State University is equipped to offer online learning convenient training solutions for businesses. Our catalog of over 300 online courses will allow you to provide training solutions to employees quickly and effectively as they learn on their own and in their preferred learning environment. Our six-week online courses are designed to teach individuals valuable skills that they can apply immediately on the job. Explore the full catalog here.

Teaming and Contracting Opportunities
SCB Management Consulting (SCB) is a certified WBE/MBE, WOSB and HUBZone company. SCB core services include Project and Program Management, Strategic Planning, Business Process Solutions (BPR / BPI), Change Management, Supply Chain Management, Risk Management consulting, and Professional Development Training. We specialize in System/ERP Implementation Management across various industries and the public sector. We are always looking for great teaming partners with public and private sector past performance. If you provide Auditing/CPA, Information Technology—Data Warehouse, Business Intelligence (BI), Cybersecurity, etc.,  Marketing, DEI or Professional Development Training, or other services to federal, state or local governments and looking for teaming opportunities, send me an email to set up time to discuss potential opportunities: scarter@scbmgmt.com.

$100 Beauty Package
Keisha Wade of Keep It Cute Creations is offering “The Natural Package” for $100. You receive a Treatment, Trim and Silk Press. Click here to contact Keisha to learn more.

Need a Massage? 
New Year, New You!!!! Chamber Member, Wellness Today Spa wants
members to start the new year right with these Ahhh-mazing Treatments!
Massage, Back Scrub, Meditation and Body Wrap all for $99 or try a
Steam and Massage for $69.

Holistic Wellness Session 
Start your year off right with a Holistic Wellness Session! When was the last time you sat down with someone who could actually support you and had a heart to heart about your health and wellness goals? During the month of January we are offering a $20 discount on a Holistic Wellness Consultation with Nina Love, Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, of The Love Dynasty. When you book your discounted session you will receive a complimentary biofeedback communication scan as well as healing aromatherapy touch session better known as Aromatouch. Book Now!

Save with Community Solar in Maryland

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.

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.

Proposal Writing Services
Procurement Committee Member, Thomas Moore, owner of Thought Progress LLC, has special rates for fellow Chamber Members. Additionally, Mr. Moore is offering Chamber Members the opportunity to receive a free proposal consultation. Thought Progress LLC specializes in proposal writing and is ready to advise your team on winning proposal strategies to give your company a competitive edge. Contact Thomas Moore at info@thoughtprogressllc.com.

LOANS AND GRANTS
PPP
If you don’t have an accounting system in place to prepare the documentation to apply for PPP, I recommend hiring a bookkeeper or accountant, or at minimum, using a free tool like www.waveapps.com. If you need assistance, email me and I will connect you to additional resources in the Chamber. If you don’t have a relationship with a financial institution, Karla Posada from LEDC can help. Her email is Kposada@ledcmetro.org. Also, Lendistry’s Tucker McNully can assist. His email is tucker.mcnulty@lendistry.com and you can click here to apply.

Latino Economic Development Center
As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), LEDC provides alternative micro loan options to start-ups and existing businesses that have difficulty obtaining credit from mainstream financial institutions. We offer loans ranging from $500 to $250,000 to qualified start-ups and existing businesses. Uses capital include: Vehicles & equipment; Renovation or business expansion; Working capital; Hiring additional personnel; Inventory; Bridge financing for government grants; Expansion to new locations; and Business acquisition. Our loan officers are trained to access each transaction beyond traditional credit underwriting guidelines. At LEDC, we believe in the unleashing power of economic fairness and access to opportunity to all. Learn more at https://www.ledcmetro.org/smallbusiness.

Baltimore Community Lending
Baltimore Community Lending provides loan capital to small real estate developers and small business owners in Baltimore City who have no relationship with or are unable to get a loan from a bank, and who are committed to developing underserved neighborhoods. They work with the government, foundations, financial institutions, community stakeholders, anchor institutions, and small business owners early in the planning process to provide small-to-mid size capital solutions leading to a more diverse and economically balanced Baltimore. Learn more about Baltimore Community Lending’s programs at https://bclending.org/.

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.

Click here for an additional list of Grants offered by various entities.

JOBS

Looking for Talent?
If you are looking for the right person with the right skill sets and experience, contact Chamber Member, Steve Braun of Search Consultants at sbraun@searchconsultants.org.

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.

EVENTS

2/11/21 1pm-2pm
MBDA and Allstate 

Presenter: Jonathan Rundlett. Topic: “Restaurant Insurance & Risk Management.“
Register: https://www.anymeeting.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=E050DF81814A3D

2/11/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber Virtual Happy Hour
Connect and meet with Chamber Members every 2nd Thursday! Wear your logo and share what you do! We have a toast every 15 minutes, so be ready to celebrate and network. Register at https://whc.as.me/2ndThursdays.

2/18/21
Women’s Leadership Committee Online Event

Join us February 18th 2021 @ 6:15 – 7:30 PM for “The 5 Pillars of Building Your Fempire.” Speaker: Caterina Rando. Please RSVP at bccocwlc@gmail.com for login details.

2/18/21
Afro Newspaper Black Business Matters Expo

Click here for details and registration.

2/18/21 Thursday 1pm-3pm
MBDA and Menke & Associates
.
Presenter: Phillip DeDominicis. Topic: “How An ESOP Can Provide Corporate And Shareholder Liquidity During The COVID-19 Era.”  Register: https://www.anymeeting.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=E050D68189473D

2/23/21 Tuesday 1pm-2pm
MBDA and DP Solutions

Presenter: Ben Schmerler. Topic: “Remote Working Transparency Controls.” Register: https://www.anymeeting.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=E050D680894D31

2/25/21 Thursday 1pm-2pm
MBDA and Obsidian Planning Solutions

Presenter: Todd Feldman. Topic: “Succession and Transition Planning: How To Identify And Avoid 6 Common Mistakes That Could Help Save Your Business And Your Family.” Register: https://www.anymeeting.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=E050D680894E3C

2/27/21
The Power of the Collective Economic Conference hosted by Baltimore Young Professionals

Click here for details and to register.

3/4/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber General Membership Meeting

This event is open to all! Learn about resources for your business and opportunities to help you in your career. Register at https://whc.as.me/1stThursdays.

3/11/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber Virtual Happy Hour
Connect and meet with Chamber Members every 2nd Thursday! Wear your logo and share what you do! We have a toast every 15 minutes, so be ready to celebrate and network. Register at https://whc.as.me/2ndThursdays.

3/18- 3/20/21
Chamber Member, Colette Colclough is hosting the 2021 Women’s Leadership Forum. The Women’s Leadership Forum is looking FORWARD to welcoming national White House correspondent and author, April Ryan. Join the conversation as we discuss 2021 and the future of women. Register for the virtual event at Forwardwlf.org.

3/18/21 at 6:30pm
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Open House 

Join us for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Open House at 6:30pm! Learn how this program has helped over 10,000 business owners nationwide add jobs and grow revenue. Click here to register! You can also schedule a one-on-one call to discuss how this program can help your business.

4/1/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber General Membership Meeting

This event is open to all! Learn about resources for your business and opportunities to help you in your career. Register at https://whc.as.me/1stThursdays.

4/8/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber Virtual Happy Hour
Connect and meet with Chamber Members every 2nd Thursday! Wear your logo and share what you do! We have a toast every 15 minutes, so be ready to celebrate and network. Register at https://whc.as.me/2ndThursdays.


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: http://www.anchor.fm/whcusa