The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism will be launching its third cohort of Talbot Works Business Academy this winter, with the free program limited to 15 participants and applications for the program due by December 31, 2024.
The Talbot Works Business Academy was launched in early 2024 with support from the Maryland Rural Economic Development Fund and is a free online business training program that helps Talbot County’s small and minority businesses succeed and grow.
“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, 2025, and meets via Zoom each Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. 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.
“Using timeless business principles, the Talbot Works Business Academy teaches participants how to increase revenue and sales, manage expenses, hire more people, create a sustainable business, and prepare to access capital,” says Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
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.
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.
“The 8-week Business Academy provided by Talbot County Economic Development was incredibly helpful and informative for me,” says Greg Harris, Academy graduate and owner/operator of Harris Event Security and Eagle Pressure Washing. “As a minority business owner, the program gave me valuable knowledge on financing, marketing strategies, managing employees, writing policies, and time management, in addition to legal expertise that many minority/small business owners lack.”
To graduate from the program, participants must attend and participate in each class; submit weekly homework assignments before the next class; meet with senior advisors each week; meet two times with each of their law, accounting, and human resources mentors; present cash flow projections; give a practice presentation; 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.
Applications by business owners can be made online here.
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.
About Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
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.
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