Weekly Messages From The Chair, July 12, 2021

Message #31- 7/12/21

Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members and Friends,

In this week’s message, you will find:

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Here are 10 things you should know:

First, have you purchased your tickets for our Summer in the City networking event on 7/23/21??? We have 20 tickets remaining and a few vendor table opportunities. You can expect music, networking on the patio, food, drinks and free parking at the McHenry Row Marriott. Don’t miss out! Click here to register. Remember, we won’t have any events in August, so please take advantage of this opportunity to meet some new people. If you’d like to join the Events Committee and attend for free, contact me.

Second, on September 9th at 6pm, I have the honor of hosting an online discussion with the Mayor of Baltimore Brandon Scott. Would you like to ask the Mayor a few questions? Click here to register!

Third, we are raising money to fight breast cancer! If you would like to support the Chamber’s efforts in the Real Men Wear Pink Campaign, please click here to make a $25 donation and list your company’s name. Fourth, have you heard about Project Restore? Through Project Restore, the Department of Housing and Community Development will offer rental grants and sales tax relief rebates to help offset startup costs and incentivize commercial investment in vacant spaces. Businesses that begin new or expanded operations in spaces that have not been generating sales tax receipts for the past six months or more will be eligible for the program. Small businesses of 50 or fewer employees will be eligible for additional benefits. Click here to learn more.

Fifth, if you are looking for ways to increase revenue without spending money on marketing, I recommend this free download from Chamber Member Allan Hirsh at www.ahaonlinelearning.com.

Sixth, we will have two great events in September, both with a focus on marketing and sales. On 9/2, after our General Membership Meeting, we’ll have a panel of experts sharing practical techniques for growing your customer base. On 9/23, our Women’s Leadership Committee will host a speaker who will share tips for maximizing your digital marketing strategy. Save the dates!

Seventh, the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development is hosting an event called Open For Business with a focus on the hospitality industry. Click here to learn more.

Eighth, Chamber Member Offit Kurman is growing fast! The firm just added 3 new Principals and 6 new Counsel. Click here to learn more.

Ninth, Powered by Zeret (PBZ) was founded by Terrez Thompson, a former Coca-Cola supplier diversity executive. Thompson started a nonprofit to support women entrepreneurs of color. Grants will be in the range of $500-$5,000. Click here to learn more.

Tenth, join Chamber Member Nina Love of Healthy & Wealthy and Master Financial Planner, James Laster for an awesome evening of education, networking, building, health, and wealth at their Holistic Wealth Building for Business Owners event. Learn how to find money and tax credits for your business; successfully retire from your business while your business continues to pay you; use business expenses to supplement your retirement; live longer and stronger with more energy; cover yourself and key employees for long term wealth, and much more! Each participant will receive access to the Financial GPS tool, a Holistic Wellness Assessment and Bio Feedback Scan, an Employee Retention Credit Audit and access to free workplace wellness resources. Click here to register.

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

7/22/21
ASQ Innovation Next Gen Leader Spark Session 

Click here to learn more and register. Contact Dr. Rhonda Farrell with questions.

7/23/21 | 5pm to 8pm
July Summer In The City
McHenry Row Marriott. Free parking. Food and drinks included with ticket. Register here.

8/17/21
ASQ Innovation Next Gen Leader Spark Session 

Click here to learn more and register. Contact Dr. Rhonda Farrell with questions.

9/2/21
General Membership Meeting and Marketing Panel

After our General Membership Meeting, we will have a panel of marketing gurus share innovative techniques for improving client conversion. Click here to register.

9/9/21 at 6pm 
Baltimore 2022 and Beyond with Mayor Brandon Scott
Online event. Register here.

9/16/21 at 6:15pm 
Women’s Leadership Committee Event
“Unleashing the Power of Purpose to Drive Your Life and Work”. Speaker: Ms. Luciana Paulise. RSVP here.

9/21/21
ASQ Innovation Next Gen Leader Mentoring Session 

Click here to learn more and register. Contact Dr. Rhonda Farrell with questions.

9/23/21
Women’s Leadership Committee Workshop on Marketing

Save the date!

9/30/21
Women’s Leadership Committee Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser

Save the date!

10/1/21
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is accepting applicants for the next cohort!  You must be in business for 2 years and have at least 2 people (including you) on your team. Apply for this free program at www.10ksbapply.com/baltimore.

12/9/21
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party 

Save the date! 


OFFERS 

Bookkeeping and Accounting 
Chamber Member Adaptive Business Solutions is known for providing knowledgeable advice, insightful analysis, systemization, and strategic planning services through exceptional and comprehensive bookkeeping services, supported by top-notch coaching and education. These services provide clarity and foresight for their clients in managing their business. As a Chamber Member you can receive a 20% discount for 6 months in your bookkeeping services. Ready to sign up? Contact Adaptive at https://calendly.com/adaptivecon/30min?month=2021-06.

Real Estate Investment
Chamber Member Leann Blanchard, President of Zirkamax connects investors, developers, and buyers and sellers of property. She has some great ways to help you make passive income this year, so please contact her at leeannblanchard@zirkamax.com. Plus, she wants to start some small networking meetings in Baltimore, so please contact her if that interests you as well.

Employee Retention Tax Credits
Has your business been impacted by COVID 19? Were you shutdown or partially shutdown? Did your revenue drop when COVID hit? If you answered yes to any of the questions above book your session and find out how we can get you up to $5k for each employee from the IRS! Not a loan…Nothing to pay back!!! Book an appointment with Nina Love to learn more about Employee Retention Tax Credits.

Coaching
Chamber Member Dr. Rhonda Farrell, CEO of Global Innovation Strategies is fielding a new program called “The Millionaire Mindset”. Break through your Money Blockages, Own your Inner Business Archetype, and Hone your Super Niche population. She’ll get you into action, generating income, and nailing your business outcomes! Schedule a FREE consult with Dr. Rhonda today or take action now and start your program tomorrow! https://www.gblinnovstratllc.com/thrive

American Red Cross
Though it has been 140 years since Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, the need to alleviate human suffering hasn’t changed. Volunteers continue to come together in innovative ways to serve and give hope during life’s emergencies. Volunteers continue to bring their talent and compassion to help build stronger and more resilient communities. Learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer at www.redcross.org/volunteer.

Need Help with Certifications? 
Do you need help applying for your local, state and federal certifications for your small business? The Baltimore City 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.

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.

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