Weekly Message From The Chair, May 10, 2021

Message #18- 5/10/21

Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members and Friends,

In this week’s message, you will find:

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Special thanks to Chamber Member, the Courtyard Baltimore Downtown McHenry Row for hosting us. Only 20 tickets remain at https://baltimorecitychamber.org/events. We are offering limited tickets to maintain safe social distancing. This event will sell out!
Here are 10 things you should know:

First, only 20 tickets remain for our SUMMER IN THE CITY Chamber Networking Event on 5/21/21 from 5pm to 8pm!!! We will be live, in-person, outside and masked-up! Enjoy free parking, an entrée, and 2 drinks included with your ticket price. Attire is relaxed and cool. Vendor tables and sponsorships are available. We have limited tickets to ensure safe social distancing. So hurry, tickets will sell out. Click here for more information.

Note: We will NOT have our normal 1st Thursday Monthly Meeting or 2nd Thursday Networking Event in May.

Second, the Women’s Leadership Initiative is having some fantastic events in May!

  • On May 12, 2021, join them at 6pm for the Monthly WLI Committee Meeting. RSVP here.
  • On May 20, 2021, at 6:15pm, attend the webinar “Get Known Everywhere, Using Publicity.” Our Speaker will be Ms. Jill Lublin. RSVP here. RSVP here.

Also, please check your inbox for the WLI Survey sent 4/23/21. In case you missed it, here is the link to give your opinion on WLI efforts.

Third, the Maryland Department of Commerce re-opened the Small Business Covid Relief Grant through May 15th. This is the grant program for businesses that do not collect sales or use taxes (such as hair salons and other personal or professional services companies). Here is the info and application portal: https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/small-business-covid-relief-grant-program.Fourth, the Maryland Minority Women Owned Business program provides loans administered by state video lottery terminal program fund managers. In Baltimore, the Meridian Management Group (MMG) is still accepting applications for this loan program that offers up to $50,000 at 0% interest in year 1 and 2% interest in years 2 through 5. Find the application here: https://mmgcapitalgroup.com/website/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Combined-App.pdf.

Fifth, here are some updates for Business Owners on the SBA Restaurant Relief Fund:

Sixth, I am representing the Chamber again this year and fundraising for the Real Men Wear Pink Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. I raise funds because I lost my Mom to cancer in 2007. Perhaps you will join me as the Chamber raises funds to fight this horrible disease. Click here to support!

Seventh, Chamber Member, Monica Brunson is hosting the B.I.G. Summit on May 20, 2021 through May 22, 2021. This event is for small business owners and healthcare and assisted living professionals. For more details, click here to contact Monica.

Eighth, do you need help applying for your local, state and federal certifications for your small business? The Chamber offers affordable services to help you apply for the certifications you need to compete for contracts. Contact Executive Director William Honablew, Jr. at info@baltimorecitychamber.org for full details and pricing.

Ninth, do you need help raising your credit score? I recommend downloading the Transunion and Experian apps and signing up on the Equifax website for their monitoring and instructional programs. These tools tell you what you need to do to raise your score. It may take a few months, but it’s worth the small investment. Without the buying power that comes with having good credit and access to capital, you are limited to the money that you have in your pocket. Usually that’s not enough to pay staff and cover expenses when your clients pay you late or when business is slow. Debt isn’t usually bad if you keep utilization low and use it to make more money. Take a look at the monitoring programs and judge for yourself.

Tenth, did you earn over $75k in 2019 or 2020? Business Owners are invited to apply for the next free Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses entrepreneur growth program at http://www.10ksbapply.com/baltimore. To learn how this program has helped thousands of businesses increase revenue, add jobs and impact local economies join me for the next Open House on May 20th. The application deadline is approaching and there won’t be another cohort until 2022.

We have listed some great opportunities below! Keep reading for this week’s Events and Offers

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.


EVENTS

5/10/21- 5/14/21
Job Fair

If you need new talent for your organization, contact the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development. They have qualified people looking for jobs right now! Register to attend the virtual job fair on May 10th, 12th and 14th. Contact HSGrads@oedworks.com or call 443-984-3014 for more information.

5/13/21 at 6pm 
Baltimore City Chamber Virtual Happy Hour
No 2nd Thursday event in May. We will network in person on May 21st.

5/20- 5/21/21
The B.I.G Summit
Chamber Member, Monica Brunson is hosting the B.I.G. Summit on May 20, 2021 through May 22, 2021. This event is for small business owners and healthcare and assisted living professionals. For more details, click here to contact Monica.

5/20/21
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Open House

Learn about the free program that has already helped over 10,000 businesses increase revenue, add jobs and positively impact their communities. Click here to register.

5/21/21
SUMMER IN THE CITY
Chamber Networking Event

Join us on 5/21/21 from 5pm to 8pm!!! We will be live, in-person, outside and masked-up! Enjoy free parking, an entrée, and 2 drinks as a part of your ticket price. Attire is relaxed and cool. Click here for tickets and vendor options. 

5/24-5/25/21
The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development is having a 2 day virtual construction and career fair on May 24th and 25th. Click here to register and learn more.

5/25/21
On May 25th, join Chamber Member EEA Meditation and Consulting for this highly anticipated training/ workshop as they identify mental health signs, symptoms, and trauma that individuals struggle with daily. This training/ workshop will provide an overview of common mental health diagnosis and stigmas related to each diagnosis. This engaging and interactive training will be facilitated by Dr. Patrick Crawford of Crawford Consulting & Mental Health Services. Click here to register.

6/1/21
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses 

Early Deadline for the next Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses cohort starting this Fall. If you’ve been in business more than 2 years, have 2 or more people in your company and your revenue is over $75k, you may qualify. Click here to apply.

6/3/21 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.

6/10/21 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.

 


OFFERS 

For MDOT Certified Businesses 
MDOT certified businesses should learn more about the new Business Development Reimbursement Program. The BDRP is a DBE supportive service, with the goal of increasing the number of State Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms serving as prime contractors and subcontractors on federally funded contracts. The objective is to assist MDOT Certified DBE firms in increasing their competency and business capacity. Questions? Contact Lisa RS Grant, CCA, Manager, Disadvantaged Minority Business Enterprise Programs, at 410-545-0317 or lgrant2@mdot.maryland.gov.

IT Services
Chamber Member, Wayne S. Stewart has an offer for state certified Minority Business Owners. Do you need help with your IT services? Wayne is offering 25% off  web design and development services to all state certified Minority Business Owners. This offer will expire Friday, May 30th. For more information please leave your contact information at this link https://sdagency.net/contact-us or e-mail Wayne at wstewart@sdagency.net.

American Cancer Society Fundraiser
Chamber Member, the American Cancer Society wants you to remember it takes more than brilliant scientists to push cutting-edge cancer research forward – it also requires different perspectives, and that comes from gender diversity in the lab. Join the American Cancer Society by supporting ResearcHERS: Women Fighting Cancer. Cancer Research Fundraising BY women FOR women. Our Virtual Kickoff will be on April 28, 2021 at 7pm. For additional information or an invite link, please visit www.acsresearchers.org/baltimoremd or contact Christine at Christine.Schifkovitz@cancer.org.

Life Insurance 
Chamber Member John Gourdin is available to answer your questions regarding life insurance. Remember, life insurance is something you have to own before you need it. Get a free quote and approval online in less than 20 minutes. NO sales pitches. NO physicals. You can be covered TODAY. Visit www.samdlife.com.

Having a Special Event?
Backyard Movie Theaters LLC is here to make your next event movie ready and memorable. You bring the crowd, and we’ll bring the big screen, HD projector, popcorn machine, lounge chairs, inflatable rooms, streaming access, and more. Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia. Give us a call (410-419-3229) and upgrade your event.

Meditation
Chamber Member, Kadampa Meditation Center-Maryland welcomes Members to a complimentary meditation and special offer. Baltimore’s only Buddhist Temple offers ancient wisdom and practical tools for taking on today’s challenges. Click here to learn more and register.

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.

Need Medical Insurance?
Chamber Member, George Faber can help you find suitable affordable medical coverage, critical illness, short term disability, dental and more!  Whether obtaining a health plan is your financial responsibility or you want to supplement an existing plan to protect your savings and family, send George a message at George.Faber@USHAdvisors.com or call (443) 474 4800. Immediate quotes provided! 

Fundraising Opportunity for Non-Profits
Does your nonprofit want to raise money AND promote cleaner air? CleanChoice Energy is seeking active 501(c)(3) organizations for the new Clean Electricity fundraising program. For each household that enrolls in 100% Clean Electricity through their campaign, CleanChoice will donate $50 to your organization. Email kathleen.wojtowicz@cleanchoiceenergy.com to learn more about this fundraising opportunity.


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
 Management and Tech Consulting: http://www.whcusa.com 
Check out my podcast: http://www.anchor.fm/whcusa