SALISBURY, Md., November 22, 2023 – On November 9, 2023, Project Opportunity^SM conducted its Fourth Annual Business Pitch Competition for graduates of our program.  We are pleased to announce the winners of the competition:

Early Start-Up Category:

• Marlene Hamlin – CEO Integrity Notary Services, LLC – $4,000.00 Award
• Molli Maberry – CEO MKM Collective LLC – $2,000.00 Award

Established Business Category:

• Joyce Martin – COO Photogenesys LLC – $10,000.00 Award
• Ebony Taylor – CEO Taylor’D Solutions LLC – $6,000.00 Award
• Mark Davis – CEO WARCycle LLC – $5,000.00 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.
• Joel C. Bakal, Chief Financial Officer, H&M Wagner and Sons Foodservice
• Ulric Donowa, Loan Office Baltimore Community Lending
• Barbara Quaye, Business Development Director Inclusive Ventures Program, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation

Project Opportunity^SM 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 Opportunity^SM 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 Opportunity^SM Facilitator for Anne Arundel and Howard Counties.
• Patricia Newby, President Strategic Business Partnership and Project Opportunity^SM Precentor for classes in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, and Howard Counties.
• Warline Bryant, Chief Executive Officer, BHL Group, LLC. and Project Opportunity^SM Facilitator for Harford County
• Elizabeth Doubleday, President Doubleday Concepts, LLC and Project Opportunity^SM Presenter 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.

The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation sponsored the lunch and social networking hour for our event this year.

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