Venture Access Hosts Minority and Small Business Resource Fair

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On Thursday, February 16th, Venture Access INC., powered by the Harford County Chamber of Commerce and Harford County Office of Economic Development, hosted the Minority & Small Business Resource Fair in partnership with the Harford County Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation and Harford County
Caucus of African American Leaders. The event, sponsored by APG Federal Credit Union, was held at the APGFCU Arena at Harford Community College.

The event featured 32 business resource vendors, 5 educational breakout sessions, and a keynote address given by Ronald Fisher of Fisher Financial Services. A Dunkin Community Cruiser provided hot and iced coffee and gift cards to attendees. The event was supported by United Way of Central Maryland’s Neighborhood Grant – inspiring community connection and amplifying the efforts of local leaders to build upon, and support, their work at the neighborhood level.

Natalie Pixley, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Harford County Chamber of Commerce and lead coordinator of Venture Access, gave welcoming remarks. Debi Williams, Vice President of Business Banking at APG Federal Credit Union shared remarks and encouraged small business owners to lean into their community for growth and encouragement. Jim Thornton of the Harford County Caucus of African American leaders also shared grateful remarks for the business community’s dedication to small business equity.

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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 in attendance included: Next Level Insurance, Beacon Staffing Alternatives, Harford Transit LINK, Jarrettsville Federal Savings & Loan, Supporting Strategies, Connect Pay, BriteStar Business Solutions, AAG Insurance, MSI Integrative Healthcare, Susquehanna Workforce Network, Town of Bel Air, Venture Access Inc., Harford County
Office of Procurement, Truist, Office of Small & Minority Business Policy, SpotOn, Project Opportunity, Harford County Public Library, M&T Bank, Harford County Chamber of Commerce, APGFCU, Harford County Office of Economic Development, Harford County Caucus of African American Leaders, National Association for the, Advancement of Colored People, Point Breeze Credit Union, Sustainable Landscapes
ONE, Hill Tech Solutions, Harford Community College, Small Business Development, Center, Meridian Management Group, APGFCU Arena, and Baltimore Community Lending.

Attendees circulated through five informational sessions: Networking led by Dondre Lawson of Emerald Technical Solutions, Marketing led by Jessica Vallis of Harford Designs LLC, Business Law led by Kaitlin Correy of Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann, LLP, Business Funding, led by Bonnie Barressi of Harford County Office of Economic Development, and Business Expansion, led by Dr. Rochelin Herold of MSI Integrative Healthcare.

Ronald Fisher of Fisher Financial Services gave the keynote address. He shared that “There are three questions to ask yourself when starting or growing a business. Do you have what it takes? Do you know what to do? And are you willing to do it?” Ron drew on his own experience as a business owner to help attendees answer these questions for themselves and lean in to overcome their fears of entrepreneurship.

About Venture Access INC.: Venture Access INC is a non-profit, powered by the Harford County Chamber of Commerce and the Harford County Office of Economic Development dedicated to helping local entrepreneurs formulate, launch, and grow their small businesses.
For more information, please contact Natalie Pixley at [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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