The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism will launch its third cohort of the Talbot Works Business Academy this winter, with the free program limited to 15 participants and online applications due by December 31, 2024. The 8-week online entrepreneurial training program helps Talbot County’s small and minority businesses succeed and grow.
The Talbot Works Business Academy launched in early 2024 through a partnership with the Mid-Shore Regional Council. Cohorts 1 and 2 were funded by the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund through a grant from the Maryland Department of Commerce to the Mid-Shore Regional Council. The Rural Maryland Council-administered Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund is funding Cohort 3.
“The Business Academy emphasizes our commitment to the development of small businesses in our community,” said Talbot County Councilwoman Keasha Haythe. “This is also an investment by the Talbot County Council, the Mid-Shore Regional Council, and the State of Maryland that will help stimulate economic growth and stability for the future.”
The 8-week program begins on Tuesday, February 4, and meets via Zoom each Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. with graduation scheduled for Tuesday, March 25. Small business owners who have operated for at least two years and have a revenue of less than $1.5 million are eligible to apply.
“The Talbot Works Business Academy focuses on timeless business principles,” says Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. “Participants learn how to increase revenue and sales, manage their expenses, hire more people, create a sustainable business model, and prepare to access capital.”
The program was developed by business management and technology consulting firm Will Holmes Consulting, a Baltimore-based company that offers business capital, coaching, and operational solutions to emerging companies. It has been implemented successfully at Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, as well as Anne Arundel and Charles counties. Caroline and Dorchester also will offer the program in 2025.
Session topics include building sustainable organizational infrastructure; leading people and planning for growth; marketing and selling B2G, B2B, and B2C; accounting, human resources, legal, taxes, and insurance; and preparing for capital and essential financial documentation.
To qualify for the program, participants must own a business in Talbot County and have the ability to scale their operations, hire people, and have a positive impact on their community. Applicants who are selected for this cohort will be invited to a short interview via Zoom.
“I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on business courses, all of which told me what I had to do to run my business their way,” remarked Kiersten Mueller, owner of Another Level Fitness during her graduation ceremony as part of the second Academy cohort. “Never once did they say, ‘Here are the tools to run it the way you want to do it,’ and you have done that. That’s a beautiful thing. Thank you.”
To graduate from the program, participants must attend and participate in class; submit weekly homework assignments; meet with senior advisors in law, accounting, human resources, and marketing; present cash flow projections; and give a final 15-minute PowerPoint presentation.
Vanhooser says graduates can expect to have a better understanding of their financial reports, a budget for their growth, and a plan to pursue opportunities to attract new clients and access capital from lenders and investors. “The Talbot County economy is built on the success of our small businesses,” Vanhooser says. “We are looking for those business owners who are primed for growth and have a sincere desire to succeed.”
Applications by business owners can be made online at www.talbotworks.org.
The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.
Business owners and managers are encouraged to receive the department’s Talbot Works newsletter and breaking business news by subscribing at www.talbotworks.org. The department can also be reached at 410-770-8058 or by visiting their office at 215 Bay Street, Easton, Md.