Business Pitch Competition ⋆ Project Opportunity

Business Pitch Competition

Business Pitch Competition

2023 – Third Annual Business Pitch Competition

On November 9, 2023, Project Opportunity^SM conducted its Fourth Annual Business Pitch Competition for graduates of our program. You can read the full details in our press release here.

2022 – Third Annual Business Pitch Competition

On November 18, 2021 Project Opportunity^SM conducted its Second Annual Business Pitch Competition for graduates of our program. This year the competition grew to include three categories, with each category having a winner and follow-up winner. You can read the full details in our press release here.

Established Business Category

Samuel Acquah – CEO A.B. Consulting, LLC – $15,000.00 Award

Adrienne Somerville – CEO Somerville Consulting Group – $6,000.00 Award

Victoria Buggs – CEO Center for Health Education and Safety Specialists LLC – $2000.00 Award

Danielle Johnson – CEO The Platinum Gallery, LLC – $500.00 Award

Early Start Up Category

Lindsay Kinslow – CEO Optimal Business Solutions – $5000.00 Award

Mollie Nelson – CEO Wilde Lake Botanicals LLC – $2500.00 Award

2021 – Second Annual Business Pitch Competition

Congratulations to Broderick Neel-Feller, CEO of Jammin’ Together and First Place Winner in the Start Up category of the 2021 Project Opportunity<sup>SM</sup> Business Pitch Competition — Congratulations to Broderick Neel-Feller, CEO of Jammin’ Together and First Place Winner in the Start Up category of the 2021 Project Opportunity^SM Business Pitch Competition

Congratulations to Michael Wilson (Prince George’s Fall 2020 Class Graduate), CEO of MP fitness and Second Place Winner in the Start Up category of the 2021 Project Opportunity<sup>SM</sup> Business Pitch Competition — Congratulations to Michael Wilson (Prince George’s Fall 2020 Class Graduate), CEO of MP fitness and Second Place Winner in the Start Up category of the 2021 Project Opportunity^SM Business Pitch Competition

Congratulations to Toni Tomlin (Prince George’s Spring 2021 Class Graduate), CEO of Faith2Felicity and First Place Winner in the Established Business category of the 2021 Project Opportunity<sup>SM</sup> Business Pitch Competition — Congratulations to Toni Tomlin (Prince George’s Spring 2021 Class Graduate), CEO of Faith2Felicity and First Place Winner in the Established Business category of the 2021 Project Opportunity^SM Business Pitch Competition

Congratulations to Jesse Sieff (Howard County Spring 2021 Class Graduate), CEO of Sieff Studios and Second Place Winner in the Established Business category of the 2021 Project Opportunity<sup>SM</sup> Business Pitch Competition — Congratulations to Jesse Sieff (Howard County Spring 2021 Class Graduate), CEO of Sieff Studios and Second Place Winner in the Established Business category of the 2021 Project Opportunity^SM Business Pitch Competition

Congratulations to Patricia Watts (Prince George’s Spring 2021 Class Graduate), CEO of WeModelX and First Place Winner in the Non Profit category of the 2021 Project Opportunity<sup>SM</sup> Business Pitch Competition — Congratulations to Patricia Watts (Prince George’s Spring 2021 Class Graduate), CEO of WeModelX and First Place Winner in the Non Profit category of the 2021 Project Opportunity^SM Business Pitch Competition

Congratulations to Katie Kilby (Military Spouse Fall 2020 Class Graduate), CEO of Reveille Grounds and Second Place Winner in the Non Profit category of the 2021 Project Opportunity<sup>SM</sup> Business Pitch Competition — Congratulations to Katie Kilby (Military Spouse Fall 2020 Class Graduate), CEO of Reveille Grounds and Second Place Winner in the Non Profit category of the 2021 Project Opportunity^SM Business Pitch Competition

2021 – Inaugural Annual Business Pitch Competition

On January 20, 2021 Project Opportunity^SM conducted it’s initial Business Pitch Competition. We wanted to acknowledge our Facilitators, Business Pitch Coaches, Business Pitch Competition Judges, our participants, and our graduates.

It has been a great ten (10) years and we look forward to continued success and growth.

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Kristen Earp is a graduate of our Military Spouse Fall 2020 Class and one of four winners in our Initial Business Pitch Competition

Venessa Kadiri is a graduate of our Anne Arundel Spring 2019 Class and one of four winners in our Initial Business Pitch Competition

Adrienne Somerville is a graduate of our Southern Maryland Fall 2019 Class and one of four winners in our Initial Business Pitch Competition

Tiffany Daniel is a graduate of our Southern Maryland Fall 2017 Class and one of four winners in our Initial Business Pitch Competition

Program Testimonials

Over the years it has been my pleasure to not only support through letters but also as a participant at many of the graduations for Project Opportunity^SM under the direction of Retired Master Sergeant Joe Giordano. The Program offers a second step towards an “after action” career for those retiring from or expecting to retire from our military. I have seen first hand many of the graduates go on to very successful entrepreneurial endeavors. I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in starting their own business and learning from a very talented core of professionals to contact Project Opportunity,” said Secretary George Owings, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs.

Secretary George OwingsMaryland Department of Veteran Affairs

Project Opportunity^SM [PO] – The ultimate roadmap to planning your business. I had a catchy name. A good idea. A career with a Fortune 500 company. What I did not have was a plan to put it all together. 13 weeks later I had a plan and have never looked back. PO, like a roadmap guided me through everything from legal set up, to financial questions that I needed to ask myself. It gave me the opportunity to present my idea before successful business professionals and receive valuable feedback and insight. I was able to listen to others in the class discuss their ideas and learn from their experiences. I cannot count the number of times I have reviewed my initial PO plan just to confirm that I am on plan and on track. All this being said. The most impressive part of the Project was the enthusiasm and knowledge of the weekly guests who gave up their time to show their appreciation for a Vet. If you are seriously thinking of starting a business I cannot urge you enough the take this opportunity and make the most of it.

Chuck DavisOwner/Operator of KISS MY GLASS of USA
Chuck is a graduate of the Anne Arundel Glen Burnie 2014 Class

Author and encore to the entire Project Opportunity^SM leadership team led by Founder, Joe Giordano and Tiffany Davis our instructor and the entire staff. My name is Paul Vann, Founder of Wealth Building Academy, LLC based in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

After being informed of Project Opportunity^SM I wanted to be apart of something special because I was in the first class of veteran student in Prince George’s County and I wasn’t disappointed. What I enjoyed most about my experience in Project Opportunity^SM was the comprehensive curriculum that provided an A-Z perspective and insight on entrepreneurship to current business owners like myself and prospective small business owners who participated in this amazing program.

Not only did Joe Giordano offer this second to none entrepreneurship program, he also ensured that attendees received in depth instruction from experts in the following industries: banking, marketing, legal, commercial insurance, accounting, website development, the SBA and much, much more.

I also developed an elevator pitch for my business. In the end Project Opportunity^SM is a priceless program because I developed a business plan and financial plan for Wealth Building Academy, LLC that was reviewed and evaluated by local business experts and for this I’m grateful, thankful and my business is moving in the right direction because of this program. Thanks Joe and thanks Project Opportunity^SM, you rock!

Paul VannFounder, Wealth Building Academy, LLC
Paul is a graduate of the Prince George’s Spring 2019 Class

Project Opportunity^SM helped boost my confidence in being a business owner at a time when I was facing many challenges. Upon first thought, I wanted my initial brick and mortar business to be my exit strategy from my current employment. However, after going through the training I revised my business plan and realized that there was no way upon my first endeavor that was going to happen.

The course also helped with networking as I took great pleasure in hearing former graduates share their stories and I now realize how important it is to share my own.

I share this course every chance I get and also look for the day that I can be a sponsor to provide for a fellow Comrades scholarship.

Thank you Project Opportunity!

T. DanielCurves of Fort Washington
Tiffany is a Southern Maryland Fall 2017 Class graduate

As a “Solo Vetrepreneur” the Project Opportunity^SM workshop provided me with everything I needed to build a strong foundation to get my business started of right! The workshop provided everything from self-assessment tools, to comprehensive business planning, financing options, e-commerce and business networking strategies and much more! I highly recommend the Project Opportunity^SM workshop for any Veteran who has started, or is thinking about starting a business. It is well worth the investment!

Bryan Keith BurtonBKBurton VoiceOvers, LLC
Bryan is a Southern Maryland Spring 2016 Class graduate

Having had a 20-year radio broadcast career, I basically know the operation of commercial radio. what i didn’t know, however, was the business side of radio. enrolling, then subsequently graduating from PROJECT OPPORTUNITY in 2017, I , now , can speak with relative authority on business fundamentals. kudos to JOE GIORDANO and his staff.

AlvinAlvin is a Baltimore Fall 2017 Class Graduate

When I started Project Opportunity^SM, I could have been considered a serial entrepreneur. Project Opportunity^SM helped me to take a realistic snapshot of my skillset, resources, and passion. As a result, I ventured out from my partnerships to start my consulting business that marries my knack solving problems with helping people to achieve their dreams. One of my clients is well on her way to owning a personal transportation fleet and expanding her service options after utilizing my services. Also, having the ability to flex between income streams has afforded me the opportunity to gross over $32K in my first full year on business. Joe Giordano and the Project Opportunity^SM team has a program that promotes camaraderie and success.

Sharon L. Cummings, MBA, MS, MFAAlvin is a Columbia Fall 2013 Class Graduate