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Project OpportunitySM – 2021 Business Pitch Competition

SALISBURY, Md., December 13, 2021 – On November 18, 2021 Project OpportunitySM conducted its Second Annual Business Pitch Competition for graduates of our program. We are pleased to announce the winners of the competition:

Start Up Category:

  • Broderick Neel-Feller, Founder Jammin’ Together and Baltimore Fall 2020 Class Graduate – $2500.00 Award
  • Michael Wilson, Founder/CEOL MP Fitness and Prince George’s Fall 2020 Class Graduate – $1500.00 Award

Established Business Category:

  • Toni Tomlin, DOE Faith to Felicity LLC and Prince George’s Spring 2021 Class Graduate – $10.000.00 Award
  • Jesse Sieff, Founder Sieff Studios and Howard County Spring 2021 Class Graduate – $5000.00 Award

Non Profit Category

  • Patricia Wells, COE WeModel USA NWECalre, Inc. and Prince George’s Spring 2021 Class Graduate – $4000.00 Award
  • Katie Kilby, Founder Reveille Grounds and Military Spouse Spring 2020 Class Graduate – $2000.00 Award

We would like to acknowledge and thank the Business Pitch Competition Judges:

  • Carlene Cassidy – CEO Philip and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation.
  • Ryan Del Gallo – Business Consultant, Maryland Small Business Development Center, Northern Region.
  • Tim Wilson – Manager, TEDCO Builder Fund.
  • Tiffany Davis – Owner, Washington Accounting Services, Inc., and Project OpportunitySM Facilitator for Southern Maryland and Prince George’s County.
  • Joel C. Bakal, Chief Financial office, H&M Wagner and Sons Foodservice 

Project OpportunitySM has formed an Educational Partnership with Pitch Creator to provide the Pitch Creator Foundation Course to program graduates to assist them in preparing for the Project OpportunitySM Annual Business Pitch Competition.  Business pitch participants were provided the Pitch Creator Foundation Course at no charge along with eight (8) hours of individual coaching/mentoring by our facilitators.  Special thanks to our Business Pitch Coaches:

  • Brenda Dilts, Owner Next Step LLC and Senior Project OpportunitySM Facilitator for Anne Arundel and Howard Counties.
  • Patricia Newby, President Strategic Business Partnership and Project OpportunitySM Precentor for classes in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, and Howard Counties.
  • Warline Bryant, Chief Executive Officer, BHL Group, LLC. and Project OpportunitySM Facilitator for Harford County

Funding for the Business Pitch Competition was provided by the  Philip E and Carol R Ratcliffe Foundation. The Ratcliffe Foundation is based in Annapolis Maryland and operates as a charitable organization designed to encourage and reward entrepreneurship, create jobs and expand economic opportunities.

To learn more, visit the Ratcliffe Foundation at https://www.ratcliffefoundation.com/

Veteran-Owned Small Business Program & Resources offered by Project Opportunity

Hosted by the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs

When: November 5th, 2021 at 10:00 AM.

Where: Zoom

Guest: Joe Giordano, Founder of Project Opportunity

ATTENTION VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS!

Veterans and military spouses have access to free training, coaching and support in pursuit of owning and operating a successful small business.

Project Opportunity is a free entrepreneurship training program designed solely for veterans (Active Duty, Guard/Reserve Personnel, and Veterans) who want to start their own business or expand their current small business. Program graduates are in various stages of their business ventures, ranging from finalizing their business plan to actual launch and earning income. They have successfully conducted this program for over 250 veterans all of which are currently pursuing their dream of owning a small business. Military spouses are welcome, too!

What you need to know:

  • This is a quick overview; we promise to keep it under 1 hour.
  • There is no cost to attend; advance registration is required.
  • This session will be recorded; by registering, you are consenting to be recorded.
  • Upon receiving a registration confirmation, you will be given a unique link to join the event.
Register NOW!

Project OpportunitySM and Chow Corp Form Entrepreneurial Partnership

SALISBURY, Md., April 1, 2021 – Project OpportunitySM, an entrepreneurship training program for active-duty military, reserve personnel, and veterans who reside or are stationed in Maryland, announced today that it has formed an Entrepreneurial Partnership with Chow Corp. (“Chow”) to provide vocational and business formation / planning education to participants in Chow’s Food Truck Fellowship.

“Project OpportunitySM is excited to begin working with Chow Corp. to afford those veterans and military spouses enrolled in their program business plan preparation and business planning tools and resources said Joe Giordano, Retired US Army Master Sergeant and Founder of Project Opportunity”.

“Chow partnered with Project OpportunitySM because it is the perfect capstone for our Food Truck Fellowship. Chow is rethinking vocational training. Our Fellows are on a track to become business owners in the culinary industry. With Project Opportunity’s help, it is only a matter of time before a Chow Fellow becomes a James Beard Award winner,” said Jordan Foley, Founder and CEO of Chow and active-duty Navy Officer.

Chow has partnered with Project OpportunitySM, a free entrepreneurship training program designed for veterans, active duty, reserve personnel, and military spouses who want to start their own business or expand their current small business. Chow’s Fellows will concurrently and after completion of the Food Truck Training Program enroll in Project Opportunity. Chow offers the vocational culinary experience and Project OpportunitySM provides the business skills. This partnership is a major step in preparing Chow’s Fellows for successful business ownership in the culinary industry!

About Project Opportunity

Project OpportunitySM is a free entrepreneurship training program for active military and veterans who want to start their own businesses. The ten-week (30 hour) intensive course is designed to prepare veterans to research and complete a business plan. Founded on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 2010, Project OpportunitySM has since expanded to Annapolis, Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, Prince George’s County and Southern Maryland. Contributions from county economic development authorities, local banks, fraternal organizations and private foundations help ensure that the classes are free to veteran participants. To learn more, visit www.project-opportunity.com.

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Project OpportunitySM – 2020 Business Pitch Competition

SALISBURY, Md., February 1, 2021 – On January 21, 2021 Project OpportunitySM conducted its initial Business Pitch Competition for graduates of our program.  We are pleased to announce the winners of the competition:

  • Adrienne Sommerville, CEO Talent and Technical Solutions Corporation and Southern Maryland Fall 2019 Class Graduate – $8000.00 Award
  • Kristen Earp, Owner Kristen Earp, LLC, and Military Spouse Fall 2020 Class Graduate – $5500.00 Award
  • Vanessa Kadiri, Owner Kleanliness Services, LLC and Anne Arundel Spring 2019 Class Graduate – $5000.00 Award
  • Tiffany Daniel, Founder CTLDom Group, Inc. and Southern Maryland Fall 2017 Class Graduate – $1500.00 Award

We would like to acknowledge and thank the Business Pitch Competition Judges:

  • Carlene Cassidy – CEO Philip and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation.
  • Candace Pruett – Business Consultant, Maryland Small Business Development Center, Corridor Region.
  • Wynne Briscoe – Regional Director, Maryland Small Business Development Center, Southern Region.
  • Tim Wilson – Manager, TEDCO Builder Fund.
  • Tiffany Davis – Owner, Washington Accounting Services, Inc., and Project OpportunitySM Facilitator for Southern Maryland and Prince George’s County.

Project OpportunitySM has formed an Educational Partnership with Pitch Creator to provide the Pitch Creator Foundation Course to program graduates to assist them in preparing for the Project OpportunitySM Annual Business Pitch Competition.  Business pitch participants were provided the Pitch Creator Foundation Course at no charge along with three (3) hours of individual coaching/mentoring by our facilitators.  Special thanks to our Business Pitch Coaches:

  • Brenda Dilts, Owner Next Step LLC and Senior Project OpportunitySM Facilitator for Anne Arundel and Howard Counties.
  • Patricia Newby, President Strategic Business Partnership and Project OpportunitySM Precentor for classes in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, and Howard Counties.

Funding for the Business Pitch Competition was provided by the  Philip E and Carol R Ratcliffe Foundation. The Ratcliffe Foundation is based in Annapolis Maryland and operates as a charitable organization designed to encourage and reward entrepreneurship, create jobs and expand economic opportunities.

To learn more, visit the Ratcliffe Foundation at https://www.ratcliffefoundation.com/