Maryland Small Business Development Center

Congratulations to Eric M. (Marshall), newly appointed Program Director of the Maryland Business Opportunity Center (MBOC). With over 20 years of military service and a strong commitment to supporting veterans, Marshall has made significant contributions to the entrepreneurial community. Read the full press release here: https://buff.ly/4cywJFk

Congratulations to Maryland SBDC Clients Greg and Christie Coster, MARYLAND SMALL BUSINESS WEEK AWARDS PROGRAM INC 2024 "Small Business Person of the Year" awardees. "One by one, the tasks on the "to do" list were checked off. 6 months later, our dream was a reality; we owned the business. 1.5 years later, we opened a SECOND coffee shop. None of this would have been achieved if not for Candace and the Anne Arundel County Small Business Development Center.” Read about their journey from aspiring entrepreneurs to multi-location coffee shop owners in our June SBDC Small Business Success newsletter: https://buff.ly/3xnWQQi

During Hagerstown Start-Up Week, eight incubator members received the Spark! Award as the first entrepreneurs to graduate from the HCC Incubator Program. #StartupWeek #Entrepreneurship #HCCIncubator #SBDC

The Maryland #SBDC Virtual Women's Business Conference: "Elevate & Excel: Women Entrepreneurs' Guide to Small Business Success" is right around the corner. Have you registered yet? Join us on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, for a morning full of invaluable business insights, resources, and networking. Learn about leveraging SBDC services, mastering pitching and funding, refining marketing strategies, and much more. Featuring Keynote Speaker Rochelle Hemingway, CEO and Founder of SLAY To Success, LLC. Attendance is free, but registration is required. Reserve your space today! https://lnkd.in/eTzfkwPq

Today marks the conclusion of our Virtual #SBDC Spring Retreat, a two-day session dedicated to collaborative professional development. We wish to thank this morning's guest speakers: Dr. Dean Chang, Chief Innovation Officer, University of Maryland, for his insightful contributions (and sharing some great music with us). Vanessa Isabel Santiago, JD, MPA, U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, for her updates on Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for businesses affected by the Key Bridge Collapse. Small businesses seeking assistance are encouraged to connect with the Maryland SBDC here: https://lnkd.in/esgnFwP

We're excited to announce our upcoming Speed Lending Event, hosted by the Maryland Small Business Development Center—Western Region. It is scheduled for May 21st, 9 – 10:30 a.m., during Hagerstown Startup Week at Hagerstown Community College. This event presents a unique opportunity for small businesses seeking funding for startup, recovery, or growth to connect with top lenders across the state of Maryland. 

Maryland SBDC Announces New Deputy Director Maryland SBDC is proud to announce the appointment of its new Deputy Director, Sandy Mehalko, D.M. Formally Interim Deputy Director, Melhalko has an extensive background in small business ownership and management. She earned her MBA from Frostburg and further solidified her academic prowess by obtaining a Doctorate in Management from the University of Maryland University College. Sandy Melhalko brings a wealth of knowledge and a commitment set to her new role. Her appointment is a testament to her leadership, business expertise, and commitment to fostering the growth and success of small businesses in Maryland. Read more: https://conta.cc/47GwmGS

Exciting developments are on the horizon for Southern Maryland! The Maryland Business Opportunity Center (MBOC) and Maryland Small Business Development Center, Southern Region are launching a new 2024 SBDC BIRE (Business Improvement, Retention and Expansion) Program for Lexington Park, MD. This no-cost business assistance initiative, funded by MBOC, supports economic improvement in Main Street and Downtown Commercial Districts. Created by SBDC Consultant Garrett Glover, the BIRE Program offers hands-on business consultation services to enhance economic rejuvenation and sustain commercial and cultural districts. Click the link to read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/eJG_geed

This #GivingTuesday, let's come together to support a cause that truly makes a difference – fostering entrepreneurship and empowering Maryland businesses to thrive! Maryland SBDC has helped more than 26,000 entrepreneurs, turning their dreams of starting a business into reality. Maryland SBDC is a statewide, nationally accredited program that provides high-quality, one-on-one consulting, top-notch training, and resources to empower new and existing businesses. By supporting local businesses, we contribute to the overall prosperity and well-being of our state's economic health. Donate + Spread the Word! Your financial contribution, no matter the amount, will help us continue to empower Maryland's current and future entrepreneurs. Visit https://lnkd.in/eQVT97dJ to donate and together, we can build a stronger, more resilient business community.

Cheers to another enriching experience at the Maryland SBDC Fall Staff Retreat in Solomons, MD! Our Professional Development Team and Southern region team, led by Regional Director Wynne Briscoe, went above and beyond to make it memorable. From partner panels to site visits at iconic places like Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Association and local businesses No Thyme to Cook and Shepherd's Old Field Market, we're committed to continuous improvement. Special thanks to esteemed guests Dean Chang, Michael Collins, Ellen Flowers-Fields, and Leslie Taylor, as well as our many program partners and panelists for sharing insights. Check out our November SmallBiz Success Newsletter for Retreat highlights: https://conta.cc/3ugKDLt] #SBDC #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth