Weekly Message From The Chair, November 16, 2020

Message #46- 11/16/20

Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members and Friends,

Summary: In this message, I feature a great video, highlight 10 things you should know, spotlight offers from Members, share lending and job opportunities and list business related events. If this message landed in your spam or promotions folder, please add us to your address book!

Featured Video:

Are you considering pursuing funding for your business? Check out this fantastic class on Accessing Capital. I was joined by expert panelists, Jim Peterson from M&T Bank, Janice Walker-Emeogo from the Department of Labor, Venture Capitalist McKeever Conwell, Kaetlyn Bernal from KIVA and Business Credit Expert, Kelly Swann. Contact me with any questions.
Here are 10 things you should know:

First, Restaurant Owners, there is a new grant program for you! Baltimore Development Corporation will manage a $6.5 million grant program for restaurants. Individual grants will be up to $50,000 and amounts will be based on your number of employees. Applications are being accepted now at www.baltimoretogether.com. Deadline is Nov 24th 2020!

Second, Chamber Member, Wayne S. Stewart is hosting a webinar on November 19th called “How to Double Your Leads on Your Website.” Click here to register. You can also contact Wayne for a website evaluation at wstewart@sdagency.net, 301-323-8369 or www.sdagency.net.

Third, join the Women’s Leadership Committee on November 19th 2020 at 6:30pm for an inspiring, informative, illuminating journey with two phenomenal Baltimore-based Women Founders as our Star Speakers. RSVP here: https://forms.gle/uCjagscagL1qkTZ78You will be sent the zoom link in response to your RSVP.

Fourth, check out the FREE 3 session webinar presented by the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) in partnership with KIVA Baltimore and M&T Bank, starting this November 17th, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. EST. The sessions will cover accounting, marketing and funding. Register at https://www.ledcmetro.org/baltimore_sb_resources_series.

Fifth, starting in early 2021, Chamber Member, Allan Hirsh will lead a free, online training program for Entrepreneurs. This program is in partnership with the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact Allan at allan@allanhirshadvisors.com.

Sixth, 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.

Seventh, join me on Tuesday, November 17th at 6pm for the online Open House for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Due to covid-19, we have reduced the revenue criteria to $75,000 for the next cohort starting in May 2021. So, if you have wanted to apply, now is the time. Register to learn how this free program has helped over 9,000 businesses increase revenue, add jobs and have a more positive impact on their communities. Click here to register for the Open House.

Eighth, you can use the following link to schedule a call with me to discuss renewing your membership or joining for the first time: https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber.

Ninth, have you ever wanted to learn how to invest in the Stock Market but were afraid that it’s too complicated, risky or only for “rich people?” Let Coach Mike help you. Coach Mike is an Investment Consultant who will clarify the common misconceptions and fears that hold most people back from taking the first step to investing. His courses are designed specifically for first time investors and use plain English until you’re familiar with the Wall Street lingo. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation with Coach Mike to get off the sidelines and get into the game!

Tenth, I am looking for business owners to work one-on-one with me in my Growth Coaching program. We will focus on your pricing, profitability, projections and your marketing strategy for 2021. Be advised, I will hold you accountable to your growth plan. Learn more at https://whcusa.com/coaching/.

Keep reading for this week’s Offers, Loans and Grants, Jobs 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 
 

Outdoor Event Space

If you are looking for a great venue to have an outdoor event, please contact Chamber Member, George Coromilas at the Courtyard McHenry Row. They have free parking, great food, delicious drinks and a beautiful patio space with a cool fire pit. Contact George at gcoromilas@shanercorp.com to discuss the possibilities.

Registry for Black-Owned Businesses
Chamber Member, Meredith Hurston at Buy Black Baltimore 365 is inviting all of metro-Baltimore’s Black-owned businesses to showcase their business by listing with their online directory and mobile app. Buy Black Baltimore 365 offers social media promotion, advertising, and a community newsletter for their members. To learn more about their offerings, please visit: https://www.buyblackbaltimore365.com/connect/

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.

AIM, PIVOT, ACCELERATE: Consulting services to gain clarity, enhance focus, and increase productivity. If you need to get Unstuck, Gain Clarity, Align for Impact and Value, Innovate and Examine Strategic Partnership opportunities, Sign Up for one of our consulting offerings now! Need more than an hour to help you achieve your break-through? Sign up to discuss longer term consulting options.

BREAKTHROUGH BUSINESS SERVICES: Coaching services to catalyze your aligned success and offer accountability to keep you succeeding in the long-term. Sign up for one of our VIP masterclasses to get you mastering your mindset, dialed into your brand, honing your ideal client niche, packaging for value and impact, and pricing for profit. Sign up for a Coaching consult to discuss 90-day, 6-month, and 12-month coaching packages.

SHIFT HAPPENS: Webinar series highlighting the “5 Ways to get Unstuck and Accelerate Your Business Performance”. Sign Up for this Breakthrough Webinar and Start Realizing the Benefits Today! These services and webinar are for you, if you are a business owner, entrepreneur or leader looking to dial-up your results quickly with a repeatable system that allows you to grow and excel daily! Not seeing exactly what you need? Don’t hesitate to reach out to ceo@gblinnovstratllc.com about additional services or designed-your-way packages!

LOANS AND GRANTSLatino 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.

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.
EVENTS

11/19/20
Webinar: How to Double Your Leads on Your Website

Chamber Member, Wayne S. Stewart is hosting a webinar on November 19th called “How to Double Your Leads on Your Website.” Click here to register. You can also contact Wayne for a website evaluation at wstewart@sdagency.net, 301-323-8369 or www.sdagency.net.

12/9/20
JA Inspire Virtual-

At the center of JA Inspire Virtual is a powerful, virtual career exploration event that will be measured in student engagement and impact. Students will begin their exploration with mostly abstract notions and will end up focused and activated, with real insights on what industries interest them, what specific jobs are like, and what education is required to do them successfully. For businesses, this is a chance to build your future workforce. JA seeks sponsorships to cover the cost of providing JA Inspire Virtual for thousands of students. Sponsors will fund student participation as well as help provide videos, photos, and career information for their company. After the initial live event, students will be able to access JA Inspire Virtual for three months as they continue their career planning. Please contact Mandy Snyder from Junior Achievement at msnyder@jamaryland.org or 410 75 3294 to learn more!

12/9/20 at 6pm 
Online Open House for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.
Register to learn about this free program that has helped over 9000 businesses increase revenue, add jobs and have a more positive impact on their communities. Click here to register.

January 7th 2021 at 6pm 
January General Membership Meeting
Registration coming soon…

January 14th 2021 at 6pm
January Virtual Happy Hour
Registration coming soon…

January 2021
6 Hour Business Bootcamp 

A focused day of business strategy, accounting and projections led by Will Holmes of WHC. Details coming soon.

February 2021
Afro Newspaper Black Business Matters Expo

Details coming soon…

March 2021
Chamber Member, Colette Colclough is hosting an event called 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.


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