WHC is a DBE, SBE, MBE Certified firm serving government agencies, financial institutions, universities & thousands of growing companies across the globe.
The Chamber Masquerade is December 9th from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets go on sale this week!
Here are 10 things you should know:
First, save the date! Our Chamber Masquerade holiday party is December 9th 2021 at 6pm and you are invited! We will celebrate in an indoor/ outdoor venue with delicious food and drink and great music. Registration details will follow. Meanwhile, mark your calendars. Elegant attire, please. Sponsorship opportunities and vendor tables will be available.
Second, we have our November General Membership meeting this Thursday at 6pm. We are in the process of choosing our next Chair and planning our holiday party, so please attend so you can stay updated. Please click here to RSVP.
Fifth, via Zoom, I also interviewed Sheree Jones, CEO of Legacy Team Associates. Click here to watch the video. We discussed how her company helps business owners with their lending needs and serves as the premier resource partner for small businesses and real estate investors to create legacies for their families. Sign up for a FREE 30 – minute consultation at: www.yourlegacy.team. Or, send Ms. Jones an email at shereejones@yourlegacy.team.
Sixth, our friend Jan Walker-Emeogo from the Department of Labor has shared some business resources:
Funding For Women, Minority, and LGBTQ+ Business Owners
The NBA and LegalZoom have teamed up to help underserved small business owners with $6 million in grants. This is a multi-year partnership, with the grant opportunity as the first official initiative. They’ll be made available twice per year for the next three years. Mentorship and job training are also available. The companies say the grants will specifically serve women, minorities, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses. Applications are due by November 23. Learn more here.
Funding for Women of Color Business Owners
Hello Alice in collaboration with Project Entrepreneur has launched “Democratizing the Friends & Family Round for Female Founders of Color”. Eligible female founders of color can apply. Thirty recipients will each receive a $25,000 grant plus access to virtual coaching and skill-building opportunities. Applications close November 10, 2021, at 6 p.m. ET. Learn more here.
Opportunity For Undergraduate/Graduate Students Interested in Food Systems
Cultivate Tomorrow is the first cellular and acellular agriculture focused hackathon. This event will allow students to network with companies, investors, academic institutions, and students all working towards the same goal of creating a sustainable future. The hackathon is sponsored by Merck, Ginkgo Bioworks, TurtleTree Labs, and has over 20 mentors from start-ups across the US. The event will take place in a hybrid (virtual and in-person) format on February 12, 2022. Applications are open until November 1st, 2021. There is also a chance to win a $2000 cash prize! Learn more here.
For Product Managers (or Non-Profits Who Need Help with Product Management)
The Product League is hosting an online event on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 12pm ET. At this event, Product Managers from all around the world, help and consult Not for Profit organizations, with their Product Management challenges, for free. The event will also feature a product-changing talk with Adam Stevens, VP Product and co-founder at Luna. Apply as either a Product Manager (if you have services to share) or a Non-Profit (if you need help). Learn more here.
General Resources For Business Owners (Note: some of these sites also include links to grants.)
Hello Alice Black-Owned Business Resource Center – click here.
Hello Alice Hispanic/Latino-Owned Business Resource Center – click here.
Hello Alice Military Connected Business Resource Center – click here.
Virtual Webinar: Renegotiating Your Lease & Brief Panel Q&A – Bilingual 11/3/2021 @ 10:00 am
Leasing commercial space is one of the most important decisions that a business owner will make. Commercial real estate expert Meredith Mears will demystify the complex and confusing and offer practical tips for achieving win-win outcomes. BUT WAIT: THERE’S MORE! Maryland-based small businesses will also have the opportunity to sign up for a NO-COST consultation with Meredith. Click hereto register.
Seventh, Chamber Member Erika Evans is hosting a series of events called “Manage Your Bag: A Holistic Financial Wellness Brunch & Learn”. These events will occur in November and December and they are designed to help you: uncover financial beliefs and behaviors that are getting in your way; establish holistic financial and business wellness practices; build a workable budget that matches your personal and business goals and feel secure managing your finances immediately and in the future. Click here to learn more.
Eighth, Chamber Member Wilson-Nell is committed to sustainability, social equity, health, community investment and affordability. As sustainability strategists and developers, environmental equity is an integral part of their mission to serve historically underrepresented communities. To learn more, visit https://issuu.com/wilsonnell/docs/wilson-nell_/1.
Ninth, Chamber Member Glass Soldier is asking for your help! On Veterans Day, November 11, 2021 Glass Soldier is asking people across the country to come together to Wear Teal to honor victims and survivors of sexual assault in the military. They NEED volunteers to make calls, send emails, and stop by organizations to ask them for their support. Also, they’re asking organizations to sign the #ShareTheData Pledge, make a donation to the initiative, and rock their Wear Teal Swag on Veterans Day 2021. Learn more here: GlassSoldier.Org/Wear-Teal
Tenth, Lee Home Investments is a minority woman owned business that offers Life Insurance, Tax-free retirement options and Debt Solutions for individuals and businesses. They also offer private money for residential fix/ flips and merchant payment processing for businesses. Combine all of your financial services under one umbrella and save time. Call 800-497-7994 today!
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 or contact us at info@baltimorecitychamber.org.
EVENTS
11/4/21
General Membership Meeting
We will update you on resources for your business. Click here to RSVP.
12/2/21
General Membership Meeting
We will introduce the Chamber to the new Chair! Click here to RSVP.
12/9/21
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Masquerade Holiday Party
Location: Guilford Hall Brewery. 6pm to 9pm. Our Chamber Masquerade holiday party is December 9th 2021 at 6pm and you are invited! We will party in an indoor/ outdoor venue with delicious food and drink and great music. Registration details will follow. Meanwhile, mark your calendars.
OFFERS
Invest in a Local Commercial Kitchen
Launching its investment crowdfunding campaign today is B’More Made With Pride– the only woman-owned and only Black-owned commercial kitchen in Baltimore, and the only kitchen with an attached café. The business is seeking capital to expand its footprint so it can add 10 more food enterprises. Learn more about this and other exciting local investment opportunities on the Exchange’s site. Imagine the impact if MD residents all shifted a small percent of their investment dollars from Wall Street to Main Street!
Invest in a Local Baltimore Businesses
The Maryland Neighborhood Exchange provides free technical assistance to any locally-owned business in Maryland interested in grassroots investment crowdfunding, a new approach to business financing that enables businesses to get the capital they need directly from their customers/community. Since its start in Dec. 2019, 48 local businesses featured on the Exchange achieved (or surpassed) their investment crowdfunding goals, raising over $3.3 million from nearly 6,500 small investors. Be a part of this growing local movement by investing in a stellar local business currently seeking capital and by connecting the local businesses you know and love to the Exchange.
Coffee Lovers
Sunday Morning Coffee is launching! Think about the aroma of fresh roasted coffee beans; the beautiful dark pour into your favorite cup as you watch the steam dance into the heavens. This is Sunday Morning Coffee! We offer the most luxurious dark roast, full bodied medium roast, and robust light roast coffees from the highest quality farmers from around the globe. When you indulge in a Sunday Morning Coffee, you experience the authentic culture of our coffees. We roast your coffee beans the day you place your order! We take this extra step because we are committed to the quintessential experience of Sunday Morning Coffee every day, in every cup. You can find us and place your orders online at: www.sundaymorningroast.com. Give us a call at: (866AMCOFFEE) 866-262-6333.
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration is offering Question and Answer sessions and webinars during the week to help you grow your business. Visit the Baltimore SBA website for full details and links to register. https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/md/baltimore
Goodwill
Chamber Member Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake (GIC) is proud of their long history devoted to soft skills development for our community members who need it most. In order to ensure the success of these programs, Goodwill depends on partnerships in the business community and organizations that are committed to providing opportunities in various growing industries including healthcare, IT, Cybersecurity, Culinary, Retail Management and more. Employer partners who extend information sessions, internship opportunities and job offers allow our clients to seamlessly bridge into their new career field. Connect with Ray Crawford at rcrawford@goodwillches.org to learn more about partnership opportunities.
Strategic IT
Chamber Member Restyn offers a new flavor of IT. We work for your success using IT (information technology) as the vehicle. Maybe you’re concerned about ransomware or cybersecurity threats, perhaps you want to consolidate services or use an ERP (enterprise resource planning), or maybe you just want a provider you feel you can trust, who will help you to understand what technology you are using so you feel comfortable making decisions. We are a platform-agnostic IT services provider, so we will fit products to your business rather than the other way around. If any of those ideas resonate with you, send an email to murray.carson@restyn.com to set up a free consultation!
Website Improvement
Chamber Member Victoria Dials of DialsWeb, a behavioral and market research-driven web design agency, is offering its free “The Ultimate Guide to Keyword Research for SEO Beginners”. Using non-technical language and real-world examples, it provides step-by-step instructions for strategy, planning and conducting keyword research. Download the guide at dialsweb.com
Oncology Massage
Chamber Member Oncology Spa, located at 1546 Eastern Blvd., Essex, MD is a welcoming space that provides massage and facial services to cancer patients, survivors and the general public. We are pleased to announce that Oncology Spa and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive. Please join this lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today! Schedule your appointment by visiting redcrossblood.org and enter oncologyspabycpc, or contact Latia Parker at 410-696-3900.
Coaching & Consulting
Chamber Member Dr. Rhonda Farrell, CEO of Global Innovation Strategies is fielding a new Millionaire Mindset program called “You 2.0“. Break through your Money Mindset blocks, more strongly align your Brand, and Hone your Super Niche focus. Additionally, she offers many other service packages to 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
Launch a Vending Machine Business
Chamber Member Giants Vending Solutions has launched an e-book called “The G Print: A Guide For Launching Your Vending Machine Business.” This digital blueprint will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to launch and maintain a profitable vending machine business. The e-book can be purchased here: https://sowl.co/buafp8
Commercial Loans
Chamber Member Meridian Management Group. MMG was tasked with lending $12.5 million in COVID-19 Relief Loan Funds to businesses in the region. And they did it in 10 months!!! MMG tries to say YES to small businesses who need funding. If you need funding, contact Tim Smoot at tim.smoot@mmgcapitalgroup.com.
Employee Tax Credit
If a penny saved is a penny earned, what if you are saving $100 bills? How much FREE money could your business use to bring on qualified employees? The Maryland Employment Network can show you how to find qualified employees and potentially earn more than $12K in tax credits for each new hire! Contact Deborah Zipkin Temple at the The Maryland Employment Network. Phone: 443-499-6882 | Email: dtemple@ticket2workmd.org.
Savings on Energy Bill
As a member of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, you’re invited to enroll in Constellation’s Energy Shift Challenge* where you can earn prizes and compete against other Marylanders to see who can save the most energy! The Energy Shift Challenge is a game that rewards Constellation customers who shift their energy use from peak hours to off-peak hours. Those who enroll and use less than 23 percent of their energy usage during peak hours, on average, per month, receive points that can be redeemed in our Rewards Store for prizes like smart home devices, fitness products and more. There are no penalties for using your energy normally, but you could be a winner if you use it wisely. Click here to learn more.
Bookkeeping and Accounting
Chamber MemberAdaptive 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
