Harford Chamber and Partners Host Minority and Small Business Resource Fair

The event featured 38 business resource vendors, 2 educational breakout sessions, and a keynote address given by Tiffanee Blackwell of Tiffanee & Co. Bakery. Secretary Walter Simmons, Maryland Department of Economic and Social Mobility, also addressed attendees and shared his dedication to supporting local and minority-owned businesses. The Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs led a workshop for attendees to become Small Business or Veteran-Owned Business certified, opening up new opportunities for local businesses to work with the state of Maryland. Thank you to the event sponsors: Point Breeze Credit Union, Image360 Harford, Paul Applegate, Display Local Media, Harford Bank, and Nancy Stuckey Merritt.

Attendees included local small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Attendees visited with vendors, building their resource network and gaining personal awareness of the business resources available in Harford County and the surrounding areas. Vendors that offer small business support included: Harford County Chamber of Commerce, Harford County Department of Economic Development, Harford County Caucus of African American Leaders, Baltimore Community Lending, BayVanguard Bank, Beacon Staffing Alternatives, BeenThere Consulting Services, Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland, Devoted Homecare Services, Freedom Federal Credit Union, Ganvir Law, GBJ Education Services, Har-co Credit Union, Harco Sign Co, Harford Transit LINK, Harford County NAACP, Harford County Public Library, Jarrettsville Federal, Kerry Paradis Photography, Maryland Auto Insurance, Maryland Capital Enterprises, Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility, Maryland Insurance Administration, Maryland Christian Chamber of Commerce, Project Opportunity, Real Accounting Solutions, Senior Placements by Patty, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Susquehanna Workforce Network, Town of Bel Air, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Attendees listened to 2 informational sessions, gaining key insights into growing their business in Harford County: Entrepreneurial Issues, Insights, and Resources, led by Raj Goeli of Harford County Department of Economic Development and State Resources for Small, Minority, and Women Owned Businesses, led by Danielle Davis of Maryland’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs. Special remarks were made by Walter Simmons, Secretary of Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility.

Tiffanee Blackwell, Owner of Tiffanee & Co. Bakery gave the Keynote Presentation, sharing her entrepreneurial journey and experience moving her business to Harford County. Tiffanee began baking as a child and ran Tiffanee’s as a home bakery for several years before launching a storefront in 2014 and being featured on Cake Wars in
2015. Tiffanee & Co. Bakery moved to Harford County this year. Tiffanee encouraged attendees to surround themselves with a community that supports their goals and dreams, to serve as motivation when faced with challenges.

If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or new business owner looking for resources in Harford County, please contact the Harford Chamber at www.harfordchamber.org. View pictures from the event here. Thank you to MidAtlantic Photographic for capturing these great photos of the event.

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About the Harford County Chamber of Commerce: The Harford County Chamber of Commerce has continually worked as the recognized voice of business in Harford County since 1976. The Harford Chamber is the premier business advocate in the county, helping members connect and thrive to create a vibrant economy across all sectors.
For more information or to join the Chamber, please contact Natalie Pixley at
natalie@harfordchamber.org