2023 MCE Palmer Gillis Entrepreneur of the Year Award Nominations Now Being Accepted
We are excited to be celebrating the 12th anniversary of the MCE Palmer Gillis Entrepreneur of the Year Award! Nominations are now being accepted.
The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, October 13th at 4:00 pm.
Click the links below for award information and nomination forms.
Sponsorships are available for the 12th Annual MCE Palmer Gillis Entrepreneur of the Year Banquet where our winners will be announced!
Save the Date: November 2nd, 2023
If you would like to be an event sponsor, table sponsor or have any questions, contact Dory Hayman, Marketing & Fundraising Manager at 410-546-1900 ext. 122 or via email to dhayman@marylandcapital.org
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Thank you to our 2022-2023 Sponsors…
Board Member Spotlight – Mike Cottingham
Since 2003, Mike Cottingham has been President of Rommel Chesapeake, Inc., formerly Rommel Holdings, Inc. in Salisbury, MD. Rommel Chesapeake operates hardware stores (one of the largest Ace dealers in the Mid-Atlantic region), along with restaurants. In this position, he manages commercial properties in MD, DE and VA. Mike also manages two Rommel Harley Davidson dealerships. Previously (1988-1997), he was the CFO and General Manager of the Marine Products Division of Orion Signal Products in Easton, MD, a national manufacturer of highway and railway flares and marine distress signals. In his career, he has also held financial positions at M&M/Mars, Del Monte and RJ Reynolds. Mike graduated from Western Maryland College, now McDaniel College, with a BA in Economics and Sociology, and from Duke University with a MBA. He was born and raised in Salisbury, MD, and resides in Trappe, MD.
A Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE) board member since 2018, Mike appreciates contributing to energizing our local economy by helping new entrepreneurs start and build their businesses. Mike said it best: “Here at MCE, we fill a void by helping people who are not quite ready for traditional lending and who don’t necessarily have a business background realize the dream of business ownership.” We thank Mike for his contributions to our mission throughout the years.
September Marketing Tip
Capturing Leads
While there isn’t an exact science to converting leads into customers, timing clearly plays a significant role. When a new visitor is browsing your website, maybe they are comparing prices, researching your company, signing up for your newsletter, checking your reviews, or the time is right and they are ready to engage. Click here to continue reading
** Courtesy of the D3 ID3AS Blog
MCE Welcomes New Team Member
Dory Hayman joined the Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE) team in August as Marketing and Fundraising Manager. Before MCE, Dory worked as marketing director for Rommel Holdings where she oversaw promotion and advertising efforts to drive sales and build brand awareness. Her extensive experience working in the print, digital and broadcast industries will also contribute to her work with MCE. She is passionate about cultivating community through creative strategy and will work closely with the team to support MCE’s marketing and communication efforts.
Dory studied creative arts and business at the University of Alabama and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Salisbury University.
Outside of work, Dory enjoys spending time with her husband and their two cats Cozy and Eddie. Community service, reading, outside activities and the performing arts are high on her list of interesting things to do.
Contact Dory at dhayman@marylandcapital.org for marketing and fundraising matters or just to say hello.
Meet Wyatt Harrison Owner of Plak That
Entrepreneur Wyatt Harrison, owner of Plak That in Ocean City, Maryland, embodies the mission of Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE): empowering businesses to grow, creating jobs, and generating wealth on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and across the state. MCE provides business and marketing counseling, one-to-one mentoring, free training, and business loans.
What started as an idea and a fun side hustle has turned into a successful full-time business. In 2012, Wyatt was working at a surf shop in Ocean City and was intrigued by a digitally printed wooden sign for a beverage company. Through research and experimentation with printing techniques, he created his method for printing photos on wooden boards.
Wyatt began his wall art business in his parents’ garage but quickly outgrew the space and, with a small initial business loan, moved to his own manufacturing and office space. That is where the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Maryland Capital Enterprises entered the picture. Through the SBDC, Wyatt received counseling, training, and development tools. The SBDC then suggested that he reach out to MCE for a small business loan. The MCE team worked with Wyatt to provide the funding that took his business to the next level.
Fast forward 11 years and thousands of plaks later, Wyatt’s business is now capable of much more than the original photos on wood. While the photos and online ordering are still a substantial part of the company, the bulk of the business has shifted to commercial signage, awards, and computer-controlled cutting. Wyatt plans to broaden his services and will be returning to MCE to apply for expansion funding.
When asked what he would advise anyone out there with the dream of starting their own business, he said, “You don’t have to have a business degree. Take your idea to the SBDC and MCE. Get out of your head and let them problem-solve with you. You’ll gain confidence and security with a practical plan for conservative cash flow. The mentorship, real-world advice, and business loans will take you from daydreaming about it to making it happen.”
Visit Wyatt’s website for unique art and signage: www.PlakThat.com
Let’s network!
Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours
Thursday, September 14, 2023
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Giveaways and a Fun Game!
