Homegrown businesses are flourishing in Anne Arundel County, and the county?s community college wants to show off some of the success.
Anne Arundel Community College will host its first Best of Business Expo from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 on the second floor of the Career Center on the Arnold campus.
“Seven out of 10 small businesses begin with less than $1,000. When you look at that kind of figure, you can see that small business is a huge economic driver for our county, our state and our country,” said Linda Schulte, director of public relations and marketing for the community college.
The Best of Business Expo, sponsored by the college?s Entrepreneurial Studies Institute, focuses attention on small business success stories from AACC alumni, employees and students.
“You will see successful businesses selling the products and services that people want presented in a thoughtful way at a reasonable price,” she said. “This is our first one, so we hope to see a little bit of everything.”
Would-be entrepreneurs will be able to talk to successful business people and look into the ESI program, Schulte said.
The ESI offers beginning entrepreneurs lessons in financing, accounting, legal requirements and business plan writing as well as marketing and strategic planning.
“It?s all about getting people the right tools they need to succeed,” she said.
Small business has such a large impact in Anne Arundel County that the sector is considered a major player in the employment arena.
“Small businesses make up approximately 85 percent of employment opportunities in Anne Arundel County,” said Bob Burdon, president and chief executive officer of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce. “As such, small businesses are a large source of local employment for many residents who live in Anne Arundel County and want to work here, too.”
Additionally, he said, the sector reaches out beyond employment.
“Small business owners are also significantly involved in supporting local community initiatives, be it youth sports or any other kind of community based project,” Burdon said.
