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. Learn more about us at www.baltimorecitychamber.org and connect with me on LinkedIn.
Here are 10 things you should know:
First, I hope you are doing well with all that is happening around us. If you are looking for answers, take a moment and register for this week’s timely webinar. This Thursday, 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.
Second, I want to highlight 5 amazing ladies who have supported my work in the community. I’d like to recognize Tonia McCoy at the SBA, Janice Walker-Emeogo at the Maryland Department of Labor, Yvette Clark at the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, Detra Miller at M&T Bank and Meshelle Howard, who now works for WMATA. These phenomenal women always help me and I truly appreciate them. They are awesome. I could not support you the way I do without their vast knowledge and business savvy. Check out some of their upcoming webinars listed in the Events section below.
Third, I want to highlight the work L.S. Caldwell and Associates is doing through the Minority Business Development Agency under the Department of Commerce. I have worked with their Executive Director, Gianna Hylton on a number of initiatives over the years and I am always impressed by their commitment to Baltimore businesses. Over the next few weeks, I will share info on their MBDA CARES Act program, designed to assist businesses affected by covid-19.
Fourth, I want to thank all those who donated to our Real Men Wear Pink fundraiser for cancer research. We reached our $2500 goal in 3 weeks and we are currently leading fundraising in Baltimore. If cancer has affected your family, I encourage you to check out our Real Men Wear Pink profile page at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/willholmes
Fifth, I am recruiting for the May 2021 Cohort for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. This is a free, 15 week growth program for business owners and business leaders. You can schedule a call with me or apply directly on the Goldman Sachs website. Don’t miss your opportunity to join a network of 9,000 businesses across the U.S. experiencing revenue growth with the strongest support system I’ve ever seen. If you know someone who would benefit, please share this message.
Sixth, the first Cohort of the Baltimore Means Business program is kicking off October 5th. I need panelists and mentors who have expertise in accounting, business law, marketing, procurement, e-commerce and government contracting. I am facilitating these free classes, but I want subject matter experts to share their perspectives with the 30 businesses who will be participating. If you are interested, email me to discuss how you can help. This program is also looking for sponsorship. If you can help keep this initiative free and you’d like to associate your brand with a very positive program, please email me to discuss that as well.
Seventh, I am having an Outdoor Holiday Party on October 22nd at 6pm in Baltimore. Why so early in the year? I hope to get it in before it becomes too cold to celebrate outside. Masks will be required. All safety precautions will be taken. Dress will be casual and it will be fun. So, save the date and I will share more details next week. I look forward to seeing you in person again.
Eighth, check out this week’s webinars. On Monday, Loyola University is having a Q&A for their Baltpreneurs Accelerator. Click here to register. On Tuesday, Baltimore Business Lending will host a webinar called “Understanding Financial Statements for Entrepreneurs.” Also on Tuesday, Alison Tavik, Director of Communications and Outreach for the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs, is hosting an online training called “State Procurement 101.” Click here to register. Additionally, this week, the SBA will host “Doing Business with the Navy” and “Preparing for the Lender.” More details and registration links are listed in our Events section below.
Ninth, if you are not yet a Member, take advantage of 2019 pricing with our Fall 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!
Tenth, we are looking for testimonials from Chamber Members for an upcoming video project that will be seen by thousands of members of the business community. If you’ve had a positive experience and you are willing to do a video testimonial, please email our Executive Director, William Honablew, Jr. Ideally, we are looking for a simple, 1- 2 minute selfie video, with the light facing you and good sound quality. Here’s a great example from Chamber Member, Tonya Moore of TLM Public Relations. Thank you for your kind words, Tonya! https://youtu.be/cu63jm1Sr_E
Keep reading for this week’s Opportunities and Events!
OPPORTUNITIES
SPECIAL OFFERS
Cyber Workforce Training
The SANS Cyber Workforce Academy- Maryland is a four-month accelerated cyber security training program open only to Maryland residents and provides job-seekers with advanced technical training, industry-recognized GIAC certifications and hands-on cyber defense and incident handling skills sought by Maryland employers. The academy is funded in part by funds received from EARN Maryland, a Grant program of the Maryland Department of Labor. The Academy will train Maryland residents, with a focus on U.S. Military veterans and women, over the next two years in highly sought-after cyber security skills to provide them a pathway into the cyber security workforce. EARN Maryland is a state program dedicated to the workforce needs of Maryland’s cyber security and IT industries. More information is available on our web site at https://www.sans.org/cybertalent/cyber-workforce-academy-maryland.
List your Business for Free
Check out www.MarylandIsOpen.com. You can list your business there for free and find local businesses to support.
Solutions for Auto Dealers
NOFA Business Consulting works with auto dealers (BHPH, Independent and Franchise auto dealers). We provide solutions to dealers experiencing difficulty with: overloaded workflows; managing assets (vehicles); financing customers with low credit scores and low income; reducing payments and delinquencies; and recovering assets. We have been able to help our clients address these issues with a single integrated solution. Our solution, Goldstar GPS can eliminate these concerns. Book a consultation here or call 301-338-6800.
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/
Curated Personal Connections
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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
9/21/20 at 1pm
Loyola University Entrepreneurship Program
Learn more about the Baltipreneur Accelerator program. Click here to register for the informational webinar.
9/22/20 at 10am
Use of Small Business Programs: Doing Business with the Department of The Navy
Description: This workshop will give attendees a better understanding of how to do business with the Department of The Navy – Naval Air Systems COMMAND (NAVAIR). NAVAIR’S Office of Small Business Programs is a valuable resource that enables the Best Solutions for the Warfighter. We are advocates for NAVAIR’s Strategic Priorities: Increase speed to the Fleet; Deliver Integrated & Interoperable Warfighting Capabilities; and Improve Affordability. Achieving these priorities requires the entrepreneurial skills of Small and Large Businesses. We strive to ensure that the creative talents of small business are nurtured and sustained in defense of freedom. Webinar Link.
9/22/20
State Procurement 101
This class is for small businesses that have little or no knowledge of the state procurement process. We’ll focus on common procurement terminology, examine how the state contracting arena operates, and provide resources to help you determine if pursuing work in the public sector would be beneficial to your company. This class is being presented by Alison Tavik, Director of Communications and Outreach for the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs. Click here to register.
9/22/20 at 2pm
Baltimore Business Lending Webinar
Baltimore Business Lending will be hosting a webinar “Understanding Financial Statements for Entrepreneurs” on Tuesday, September 22 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. Many entrepreneurs excel at producing their products or services but don’t know how to develop and analyze cash flow projections, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and other important documents. This webinar will help entrepreneurs learn best practices to understand their financial position and enable them to answer basic finance questions.
9/23/20 at 10am
Business Finance: Preparing For The Lender
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-finance-preparing-for-the-lender-tickets-121097460765
Applying for a small business loan can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Increase your chance for loan approval and reduce your worries by joining us for a virtual workshop explaining: what is credit anyway?; what are the 5 C’s of credit?; how loan decisions are made; the business plan and how to prepare a loan package
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.
9/29/20 at 10am
The SBA Open Doors To Surety Bonding for Small Businesses
Webinar link
This free webinar, presented by Jennifer C. Black, MBA, an Underwriting Marketing Specialist in the SBA’s Office of Surety Guarantees in Washington, D.C., is an easy-to-understand overview of the SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program covering:
• Contract Bonds: what they do and when they are required
• Pre-qualification and bonding capacity
• The surety’s underwriting focus
• The SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee Program: how it can help your small business, eligibility criteria, required documents, and the application process and fees
10/5/20
Access to CDFI Lending Webinar Series
CDFIs assist with small microloans up to $50,000 for under-served businesses with five or fewer employees and annual sales of less than $100,000. In this series you will have the opportunity to learn about: Lending options; What lenders look for; Preparing a successful loan package; How to prepare to meet with a lender; and Business finance consulting resources. Please visit Access to CDFI Lending Webinar Series to register for this event.
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.
10/1/20 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.
10/8/20 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!
10/22/20 at 6pm
Will Holmes Outdoor Holiday Party
Save the date! We will be celebrating all we have to be thankful for, despite 2020 being a crazy year. Details will follow.
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
Talk to you next week!
Sincerely,
Will HolmesChairman 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