REVIVAL BALTIMORE and the BALTIMORE ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP LEAGUE have partnered to create the 2022 BELL REVIVAL BUSINESS (BRB) program.
Chosen participants will receive the guidance, tools and support to develop a customized growth plan and pitch deck. Our goal is to give you the information you need to grow your revenue, hire within your community and have a positive impact on Baltimore.
This program is offered at no charge to participants thanks to our sponsors, the Revival Baltimore hotel, the Baltimore Economic Leadership League (BELL) and Will Holmes Consulting.
The program ends with a PITCH COMPETITION with the winner receiving a contract with the REVIVAL Baltimore hotel.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE AND REQUIREMENTS:
The 6-week program starts May 16th 2022 and consists of six convenient online Monday evening sessions ending with a graduation ceremony on June 13th 2022. The classes aim to introduce practical information necessary for running the day-to-day operations of a growing business on such topics such as pricing model, profit margins, monthly expenses and revenue, sales goals and more.
Each interactive learning session lets participants hear from and interact with peer entrepreneurs, the facilitator, who shares realistic information on business management as well as a panel of experienced subject matter experts with various perspectives and backgrounds.
The class will be led by Will Holmes, business consultant, Founder of WHC, Chairman Emeritus of the Board for the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce and Founder of the Baltimore Economic Leadership League. Read Will’s bio here.
To apply, business owners must:
- Be located in Maryland
- Currently offer products and services
- Be in good standing with the State of Maryland
- Last year’s revenue was under $100,000
- Be in business at least 1 year
To graduate from the program participants must:
- Log-in on-time and attend all class sessions
- Submit all homework on time
- Commit to growing their business in Baltimore and hire within their communities
- Be prepared to win contracts with local and national customers
- Give their final pitch during the final session
The classes will be on Mondays at 6pm. Businesses accepted into the program will receive more details from program managers.
Description of each week’s topics:
WEEK ONE: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATION’S INFRASTRUCTURE
For the first half of this three hour session, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with market research, infrastructure, technology, planning and coordination of people and processes. The second half of the class will feature a panel of 3 successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice.
WEEK TWO: LEADING PEOPLE AND PLANNING FOR GROWTH
The class begin with an interactive discussion on how to assess the needs of the market, identifying organizational goals and creating win/ win situations with team members to ensure success. We will also discuss basic project management and allocation of time, people and resources. During the second half of the class, we will be joined by a panel of 3 successful business leaders who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice.
WEEK THREE: MARKETING AND SELLING- BUSINESS TO CONSUMER, BUSINESS TO BUSINESS AND BUSINESS TO GOVERNMENT
For the first half of this session, the facilitator will lead an interactive discussion on the participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with effective market research, business development, proposal writing, and relationship building. During the second half, we will be joined by a panel of representatives from government procurement offices and local anchor institutions who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice.
WEEK FOUR: ESSENTIALS OF ACCOUNTING, HUMAN RESOURCES AND TAXES
This session focuses on better compliance and internal controls. We will examine best practices in Human Resources, Accounting, Contracts, Taxes and Insurance. During the second half, we will be joined by a panel consisting of a HR consultant, accountant, attorney and a financial advisor. They will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice.
WEEK FIVE: PREPARING FOR CAPITAL AND PITCH PRACTICE
This three hour session begins with an interactive discussion on the Participants’ greatest challenges and how to address them with accessing capital from various sources and preparing the financial documentation and narratives necessary to attract funding. During the second half, we will be joined by a panel of lenders, investors and accountants who will share their experiences, take questions and offer advice. This session is followed by a final practice session for pitches.
WEEK SIX: PITCH AND GRADUATION
This three hour session begins with pitches by each of the participants. Judges will grade each presentation and offer advice. This session is followed by a graduation ceremony and participants will receive their certificates of completion. Additionally, one winner will receive a contract with Revival Hotel to supply services or merchandise.
