Latest news with #EOA
Business Journals
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
How EO Baltimore helped these Maryland entrepreneurs find success
Entrepreneurship is a journey paved by resilience, ingenuity, grit, hustle, and — if you are a member of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) — a supportive community. In Maryland, EO is a cornerstone for business owners, offering a network for learning and personal/professional growth. Today, we delve into the stories of four inspiring entrepreneurs who not only built successful businesses but also contribute significantly to Maryland's entrepreneurial landscape. Brian Taylor, CEO of Goldiata, a digital marketing agency in Baltimore, helps businesses, organizations, and schools increase reach and visibility using online marketing. Goldiata blossomed into a rapidly growing agency, with a massive goal of giving back by donating a quarter of a million dollars by 2028. expand Brian Taylor, CEO of Goldiata 'Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I met an EO member. They encouraged me to check out the EO Accelerator (EOA) program. At the time, I wasn't sure what that would mean for me. But as it turns out, that recommendation changed everything,' Taylor says. In EOA, Taylor didn't just learn how to run a business — he learned how to lead one. 'The operational components — cash flow, systems, and people management — were like puzzle pieces scattered on the table, and I didn't know how to fit them together. EOA gave me the tools to build that foundation. It was practical, actionable knowledge.' Goldiata reached $1 million in revenue within its first year in the EOA program. That success allowed Taylor to graduate to EO, and 'that opened up a world I could never have imagined,' he says. Taylor has also been recognized by the Maryland Small Business Association as a top Young Entrepreneur. Nick Modha is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Baltimore based Monkey in the Metal, a provider of premier solid wood and metal fabrication services. The company specializes in architectural millwork, custom furniture, signage, and artwork for multi-family residential, hospitality, retail, and restaurant spaces. Architects, interior designers, and national level general contractors rely on the company for typical decorative elements, as well as the unusual items. expand Nick Modha, founder, Monkey in the Metal Modha also joined EO through its Accelerator Program. 'EO changed everything for me. There's something powerful about being part of a community where everyone genuinely wants to improve — not just in business, but all aspects of life — and actually help each other along that journey. If you're an entrepreneur feeling isolated, this community is for you,' he says. Shannon Roberts is CEO of Brand Builders, an event marketing and staffing firm, specializing in the wine, spirits and cannabis industries. Roberts didn't plan to be an entrepreneur, but in her 2009 exit interview from Jagermeister, she explained the reason for her resignation: The company had not adopted a single suggestion she offered about streamlining/modernizing operations, so she started her own company and used those ideas as the foundation for her operational structure. expand Shannon Roberts, CEO, Brand Builders Brand Builders conducts live events, like store tastings and festivals, so when Covid canceled her entire event schedule, Roberts relied on her EO Community for advice and support. 'The EO network sprang into action, delivering an abundance of impactful and relevant content virtually. My forum basically prevented me from bankrupting myself, and because of EO, I was able rebuild the company,' she says. In 2020, Roberts took her love of entrepreneurism a step further and became an Entrepreneurial Operating System Implementer. 'The EOS work I do is truly rewarding and scratches my problem-solving itch while I help my clients' businesses become more manageable, more scalable, and more profitable,' she says. Jim Schaefer, founder and president of Schaefer Homes, a construction company that builds new homes in Maryland and Delaware. Since 2016, Schaefer Homes has created attractive, efficient, and attainable homes. Schaefer recalls a financial crisis in 2022, which led him to leveraging his waterman's license and selling crabs roadside in an effort to keep the company and his family afloat. expand Jim Schaefer, founder and president, Schaefer Homes 'Since joining EO in 2023, the impact has been transformative. My forum helped me realize that personal growth was key to my business success, showing me the only person holding me back was me. With peer support, I've achieved measurable growth: my revenue went from $2.5 million in 2022 to $7.9 million in 2023, with projections of $25 million for 2025. But the numbers tell only part of the story. The insights I've gained have stabilized my mental state, allowing me to tackle challenges with focus and resilience. The relationships I've built with other members continue to inspire and motivate me,' Schaefer says. To become a member of EO, you must own a business that's generating at least $1 million in annual revenue or join our Accelerator Program, which accepts entrepreneurs whose businesses range from $250,000 to $1 million in revenue and are looking to grow to a million within two to four years.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
EOA, LIHEAP to accept appointments for cooling program
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), operated by the Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA) for Savannah-Chatham County will take appointments for cooling assistance. Residents in low-income areas may apply for the program beginning Sunday, May 4. To make an appointment, potential applicants must call (912) 721-7910 starting at 7 pm, or go to the the EOA website by clicking here at 8 pm. Residents are advised that there a limited number of appointments. To qualify, a family's annual income must be in accordance with the Fiscal Year 2025 LIHEAP Eligibility Guidelines. Documents needed by applicants who qualify are as follows: Current Electric Bill Social Security Card for each member of the household. Picture ID (i.e., Driver's License, State Photo ID, even if the ID is expired etc.) Proof of Income for the last 30 days for each adult member of the household. Proof of income can include but is not limited to 2025 Social Security Award Letter, paycheck stubs, a letter granting public assistance, unemployment benefits for all applicable members of the household. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Ama Dablam Summits, First Everest Permits
The lead Sherpa team has finished fixing ropes to the summit of 6,812m Ama Dablam. Pasdawa Sherpa, Pasang Tenjing Sherpa, Arjun Karki Dholi, and Datuk Bhote, working for 8K Expeditions, reached the top of the beautiful and popular peak on the afternoon of April 2. Although the mountain is busiest from October to early December, it also sees action in spring. It is the only peak less than 8,000m in Nepal where local operators do not informally agree on the rope-fixing work. Instead, the task is officially assigned by the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOA). This year, the EOA assigned Ama Dablam, as well as Everest and Lhotse, to 8K Expeditions. In the meantime, many teams are already on their way to Everest Base Camp, which is already fully set up for their arrival. Nepal's Department of Tourism has not updated its list of climbing permits since March 21, but some international expedition leaders have already posted their stamped permits on social media. In group permits for 8,000m peaks, the designed expedition leader is always a foreigner, such as Waldemar Niklevicz of Brazil -- leader of one of 8K Expedition groups -- Ben Jones of the U.S. with Alpine Ascents, or Jigar Kishorkumar Asnani of India with Satori Adventures.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council approves downtown improvement grants -- with questions
The Bakersfield City Council approved two improvement grants Wednesday, even as some members questioned how the program is administered. There was only one regular action item on the council's agenda, but council members pulled seven items off the consent calendar, leading to lengthy debates. Items pulled from the consent agenda included applications for homeless housing grants, water and sewer rate increases and economic opportunity area grants. The council approved two EOA grants Wednesday, one to the Arts Council of Kern for $116,500 and another to Moo Creamery for $83,513. The grants are meant to help businesses open or expand in areas where city officials would like to see more development. The grant to the Arts Council of Kern will pay for the installation of a fire sprinkler system, fire alarm, water connection fees and permits and other related work. Meanwhile, Moo Creamery was awarded a grant to cover the costs associated with the purchase of equipment, materials and furnishings. Moo Creamery's grant was initially on the consent agenda but was pulled by Ward 2 Councilman Andrae Gonzales, who wanted to highlight the project. "Downtown Bakersfield continues to get better and better and better because of private investment from local business owners and property owners," Gonzales said. "I'm super excited that the city will be able to support this project in a very modest way with a grant agreement." But the cancellation of a third EOA grant raised questions for some council members. Ward 5 Councilman Larry Koman asked city staff to explain a cancellation of an EOA grant to the Bakersfield Sound Co., which was previously located at the 18th Street location where the Arts Council of Kern is currently housed. Last February, the council approved $49,000 for the Bakersfield Sound Co., but the company has since relocated to Rosedale Highway, outside the area eligible for EOA grants. According to the city, the terms of the grant require a business to remain in its location with the EOA for at least a year, and Bakersfield Sound Co. received $40,000 in rental reimbursement for December 2023 through September 2024. Koman asked if there was a way for the city to recoup the money allocated to Bakersfield Sound. City Attorney Virginia Gennaro said that would require legal action for breach of contract. "I think we should make an effort to collect the money that we have paid out. I think that we owe that to the other businesses," Koman said. "It seems awfully shortsighted that you come into a business and take a spot and you can't do this through a 12-month period of time." Gonzales defended the program, saying the EOAs target parts of the city with high costs many small businesses can't afford and the grants are needed to incentivize development. Most of the grantees, Gonzales said, have fulfilled the terms of their contracts. "I would argue that most of our applicants, when they get reimbursed, they actually fulfill their contract agreement," Gonzales said. "They actually did what they said they were gonna do." Ward 6 Councilman Zack Bashirtash said he supports helping small businesses but wanted to be a good steward of public money. "I get that, I support that 100%, but this is $40,000 of taxpayer money that is gone," Bashirtash said. "It's not an allowance. It's not your piggy bank or mine. It's the taxpayer money." Ward 1 Councilman Eric Arias asked Gennaro if the city had a legal obligation to try to recoup the grant funds. "I'd like to look at it and I'd like to reflect a little bit more," Gennaro said. "I think, frankly, that's why you have these discussions in the closed session with regard to potential initiation of litigation and not necessarily on the dais for the first time. So I appreciate the question. It's a valid one, and I need to get you an answer, all of you an answer. If we're gonna do that, I'd like to do it in the closed session." Koman also asked staff to explain the city's application with Community Action Partnership of Kern for $35 million to redevelop the former Ramkabir Motel at 901 Union Ave., which the city hopes to develop into supportive housing. The council also approved an application with CAPK to the state's Homekey+ housing program for $35 million. If awarded, the city plans to use the money to renovate the Ramkabir to create 30 housing units with a community kitchen, multipurpose room, two office spaces, guard office, storage, conference room and laundry facilities. The application included money for both renovation of the motel and support services, said Jennifer Byers, the city's economic and community development director. If the city is not awarded a Homekey+ grant, staff will look for other funding opportunities such as the anticipated Encampment Resolution Fund. According to city documents, all potentially eligible grant programs include points for projects that have completed the predevelopment plan. The City Council also approved $500,000 of state homelessness funding to CAPK for a predevelopment plan. In other business, at the council's 3:30 p.m. meeting, members gave city departments the authorization to automate their citation process using the same system already used by the Bakersfield Police Department for parking tickets. The authorization will allow multiple city departments to contract with Irvine-based Data Ticket to issue administrative and parking citations for minor violations of the municipal code and other regulations. Cost proposals for the program will be presented at a future meeting. Also, $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act money was approved for a financial assistance program for homelessness prevention and diversion services to the Open Door Network. The program includes services such as assistance in rental fees, security deposits, short and long-term rental assistance and flexible dollars for crisis intervention. The city also plans to use $4.5 million from a settlement with the Buena Vista Water and Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District last year for road improvement projects north of Panama Lane and west of Allen Road in Ward 5. All of the above actions were approved 5-0, with councilmembers Ken Weir and Manpreet Kaur absent.
