Weekly Messages From The Chair, October 18, 2021

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First, join us for our in-person networking event hosted by the Women’s Leadership Committee this Thursday from 6pm to 9pm at the Guilford Hall Brewery located at 1611 Guilford Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202. Admission is free. Please RSVP with Committee Chair Brenda Kwateng at women@bccoc.org.

Second, as you know, my term is ending as Chairman of the Board in December. What will I be doing in 2022? Well, I am opening a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that will lend money to small, rural, woman-owned and minority businesses. I will share more details over the next few weeks. But, if you are serious about learning how you can be a part, email me now. I am in the process of forming committees, selecting funding partners and hiring staff. By the way, are we connected on LinkedIn?

Third, Chamber Member Nadine Hailey will host the 2nd Annual Business Bootcamp from October 18th through 22nd. The 5-Day Bootcamp includes training on how to use effective email marketing, Canva for beginners and pros, getting organized with Trello and Google Workspace. Chamber Members receive $20 off using code: Chamber20. To register, visit Five Winning Tips and Tools for Businesses Registration | Eventbrite.

Fourth, Baltimore is one of the top U.S. cities for women entrepreneurs. ATHENAPowerLink® Baltimore is a year-long program to develop women entrepreneurs and business owners. Offered at no cost, the program provides participants invaluable tools for success—guidance, support, and advice from business experts who offer direction and perspective. Join us for an upcoming info session to learn how our unique program can support your business venture.
Where: StarTUp @ the Armory – 307 Washington Avenue, Towson
When: Wednesday, October 27 | Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
RSVP Click Here! | For any questions, please reach out to athena@towson.edu

Fifth, Chamber Member Dr. Rhonda Farrell announces that she has been featured as a special guest on the Data Security and Privacy Podcast, hosted by Ms. Rebecca Herold, the Privacy Professor. Listen to the 02 OCT 2021 episode here as we discuss best practices in cybersecurity and privacy across the SDLC, the President’s Executive Order 14028 on “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity”, and NIST’s Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF). Additionally, Rhonda recently spoke on Marcia Macomber’s Morning show, KSVY in Northern California, on the power of entrepreneurs to drive increased value and success through re-alignment to their strategic North Star. Listen to her session here (~21:00 minutes in). For more information visit www.cstgia.org and www.gblinnovstratllc.com.

Sixth, the Baltimore Public Market Corporation and Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street have partnered to bring a 6-month temporary leasing/Pop-Up opportunity for new businesses interested in vacant vendor stalls inside the Avenue Market. Interested businesses will be able to take advantage of affordable rental space provided by the Baltimore Public Market’s Corporation. Business development assistance will be provided by the Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street, offering participating businesses assistance in marketing, branding, financial management and organizational capacity. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis at avenuemarketbaltimore.com. For any questions or concerns, please contact Nakeisha Turner with Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street at info@pa-mainstreet.com.

Seventh, coming this October 23, 2021, Ahava Hherouth Productions LLC will be hosting their annual Fashion Show “Ahava’s Kings and Queens of Royalty Fashion Show”. Dress code is Semi-Formal (Royal purple, gold and black) and will be held from 7-12 midnight located at a private venue. For more information please email Christina Williams at ahavaproductionllc@gmail.com.

Eighth, business owners are invited to take this special small business survey from the Federal Reserve. Click here to take the survey. Your answers will help drive policies and programs to assist small business owners. The portal closes soon, so please take a minute and answer these questions today!!!

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, our next major Chamber event will be our Holiday Party on 12/9/21. I am leading the planning of the party. If you’d like to help make my last event as Chair a huge success, email me to join the Holiday Party Committee.

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

10/18 to 10/22/21
Business Bootcamp
Chamber Member Nadine Hailey will host the 2nd Annual Business Bootcamp from October 18th through 22nd. The 5-Day Bootcamp includes training on how to use effective email marketing, Canva for beginners and pros, getting organized with Trello and Google Workspace. Chamber Members receive $20 off using code: Chamber20. To register, visit Five Winning Tips and Tools for Businesses Registration | Eventbrite.

10/23/21
Fashion Show
Coming this October 23, 2021, Ahava Hherouth Productions LLC will be hosting their annual Fashion Show “Ahava’s Kings and Queens of Royalty Fashion Show”. Dress code is Semi-Formal (Royal purple, gold and black) and will be held from 7-12 midnight located at a private venue. For more information please email Christina Williams at ahavaproductionllc@gmail.com.

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 Holiday Party 
Location: Guilford Hall Brewery. 6pm to 9pm.
Let’s celebrate our successes and welcome the new Chair! Save the date! Registration info coming soon!

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OFFERS 

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 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.

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.

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