| BALTIMORE ECONOMIC |
MISSION: BELL educates, advocates for and funds small, minority, rural and woman-owned businesses in Maryland that have been denied capital. BELL ensures the continued hiring of local workers and the development of stronger, safer, thriving communities. What is BELL? BELL is a non-profit (501c3) organization that is committed to providing business owners the training and support they need to access capital, increase revenue, add jobs and have a positive impact on the Maryland economy. BELL serves the entire Maryland business community, not just Baltimore. BELL raises money for our Small Business Fund through event ticket sales, sponsorships and donations. Click here to apply for a micro loan from our Small Business Fund. Click here to become a Member. Click here to become a Sponsor. |
Why Join THE BELL COMMUNITY?Your participation as a Member or Sponsor grows the BELL Small Business Loan Fund that lends to small, woman-owned and minority businesses. Additionally, your support creates training programs that guide the smart growth of local companies. BELL serves all of the state of Maryland. Learn more about Membership and Sponsorship. |
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| BELL is so thankful to our largest financial supporters, TRUIST and the Maryland Aviation Administration. Their sponsorship and membership has provided support for business owners across Maryland and their leadership has inspired others to step up and help BELL in its mission. If you would like to support small, minority, rural and woman-owed businesses in Maryland, click here to learn more about Sponsorship. |
| Click here to download the 2022 BELL MASQUERADE & AWARDS GALA presentation with live links to resources, sponsors, special offers. Thank you for your support! And thank you to TRUIST for pledging $30,000 in 2023! |
| BELL AWARDS $10,000 to INNERLIGHT HOLISTIC HEALING Congratulations to Dr. Haneefa of Innerlight Holistic Healing for winning our 2022 BELL REVIVAL BALTIMORE Pitch Competition. We are so proud of Dr. Haneefa and her commitment to wellness. Click here to learn more about her and her mission. |
BELL FUNDS DEEPLY ROOTED DINING BELL is proud to support Amanda and Chef Joe as they open their new restaurant, Rooted Rotisserie in Hollins Market in Baltimore, Maryland. Rooted Rotisserie is scheduled to open in December 2022. |
BELL OFFERS AWARD-WINNING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO MARYLAND ENTREPRENEURS SEEKING FUNDING |
AWARD-WINNING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE We partner with our Founder's management consulting firm, WHC to provide Maryland Business Owners with the best entrepreneurship training program in the region. Our curriculum was written by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs and is taught by entrepreneurs. There is no theory presented. We only provide practical information and solutions to common growth and access to capital challenges. BELL Members can access the curriculum at no charge through our scheduled cohorts or through self-paced learning via our video library of classes. WHC has been contracted to deliver this award-winning curriculum for Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Morgan State University, Anne Arundel County and Charles County. Parts of this curriculum have been taught at various times in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Maryland Governor's Office, Maryland Small Business Development Center, the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce and many other organizations across the region. As a fundraising initiative, BELL will partner with interested organizations to provide cohorts and training for target populations. If you are interested in contracting BELL or WHC to lead your technical assistance initiative, please click here to learn more. | Topic: Preparing Your Business to Access Capital Founder Will Holmes explains the key aspects of how to prepare to engage a lender or investor for funding. Will explains these concepts in simple terms so that any entrepreneur on any level can understand and apply this practical information. The topics covered are: Understanding Your Value Proposition; Knowing Your Customer and Industry; Growth Strategy; Repayment of the Loan; Building a Relationship with Funders; and Essential Documentation. To view more videos, click here to join BELL. |
Events
| NEWSCheck out the latest news, resources, events and opportunities for Members and for the business community:
| Featured SPONSOR:
Thank you Dr. Johnetta Thurston of JDA Management and Consulting for being a Gold Sponsor! www.getjda.com |
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BELL Executive Director, Rennard Brown
Click here to learn more about Rennard Brown. | BELL Founder, Will Holmes
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Our Executive Director Rennard Brown brings over 25 years of operations leadership, program and project management, and consulting in the financial services industry to BELL. His plan for streamlined, efficient and agile operations will keep costs low - helping to keep interest rates even lower for our borrowers. Brown is passionate about helping entrepreneurs connect to the resources they need to create jobs and build a greater Maryland economy. 
Our Founder Will Holmes is Chairman Emeritus of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce and Founder of the award-winning management & technology consulting firm, WHC. Holmes has a vision for serving under-resourced small businesses in our region, connecting them to affordable loans and hosting fun and informative business events that help connect and grow our local entrepreneur ecosystem.