The Talbot County Council awarded graduation certificates to eight participants of the Talbot Works Business Academy on Tuesday, November 12 at their regular meeting. The business owners recently completed an 8-week entrepreneurship course sponsored by the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
Graduates of the Academy’s second cohort include Stefanie DeFiglia, CRNP, Two Tree Integrative Health; Kiersten Mueller, Another Level Fitness; Edward Roberts, Sr., CUTZ by Eddie; Neoma Salvaje, Eleventh House Solutions; Kristi Shaw, Coastal Retreat Studios & Wellness; Kristin Tallent, Right Choice Plumbing & Rooter; Lisa Wilson, Beauty of Restoration Treatment Center; and Anijah Wilson, Libby’s Loving Hands.
The program was made possible by a grant from the Maryland Rural Economic Development Fund through the Mid-Shore Regional Council and developed by consulting firm WHC, a Baltimore-based consulting company that offers business capital, coaching, and operational solutions to emerging companies.
The eight-member cohort was required to meet the program’s guidelines for inclusion in the class, including demonstrating the ability to scale their operations, hire people, and have a positive impact on their community.
Class members were required to attend and participate in each class, meet with senior advisors specializing in law, accounting, human resources, and marketing, create cash flow projections, and give a final 15-minute PowerPoint presentation detailing their plans for business growth.
Anijah Wilson, owner of Libby’s Loving Hands, spoke to Council members about her dedication to finishing the program while she was also attending nursing school. “I was very exhausted,” she said. “But I must say, this program was very helpful, and I can’t believe that I made it.”
Wilson also shared how her business has grown from four to 45 employees and how much she learned from the Talbot Works Business Academy program.
“I’ve learned a lot about financials, marketing, loans, human resources, and more,” Wilson says. “I’m so excited to see what comes from this.”
“This program couldn’t have come at a better time for me,” said Stefanie DeFiglia while also addressing the Council. “My business had grown pretty slowly, organically through word of mouth, and that only works until it doesn’t. I found myself in a situation where I had hired senior staff and was really trying to figure out how to use them in the best way possible.”
At the graduation, Talbot County Director of Economic Development and Tourism Cassandra Vanhooser reflected on the inaugural program’s impact on the April 2024 graduates. She noted the successes of several of the business owners, including those who have expanded and hired new employees.
“This is what your investment is doing in this community,” Vanhooser told the Council in her closing remarks. “And this is why we asked you to fund this program.”
Vanhooser said each graduate also will receive a $2,000 grant to reinvest in their business, with the funding coming from an anonymous donor. All cohorts are required to report on their business growth over the coming years, including increased revenue and the number of jobs they’ve added.
Program facilitator Will Holmes also thanked the Talbot County Council, the Mid-Shore Regional Council, and the Economic Development team for their support in bringing the program to the County.
“The program is eight weeks long,” said Holmes. “We focus heavily on cash flow projections as a foundation of the program to ensure that people understand their numbers, so they can plan ahead on when to hire people, when to expand, and how much it will cost. It helps them understand how to access capital and how to build the team that they need so they can really grow and be successful,” he said.
A third cohort will begin in 2025 starting on Tuesday, February 4, with up to 15 candidates. Online applications are due by December 31.
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.
Photos from Graduation | Fall 2024 Cohort Talbot Works Business Academy
(Click on any photo to enlarge, with courtesy to Talbot County Government for providing some of these images)
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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