Entrepreneurship : Innovation + Job News

With local deal sites proliferating on the Internet as the latest business trend, it's important to do something to set a new site apart. That's the thought behind Edgewater-based Citycents. Rather than simply provide users with valuable offers, Citycents is the first pay-to-play local auction model allowing people to bid on the offers and win them at a fraction of the discount price. 

"We saw all the Groupon clones that are popping up everywhere and we wanted to put a unique spin on it. We thought the auction model would give us an opportunity to attract customers that are willing to score deals for just a few cents," says Brian Salta, Citycents

The site, launched last Wednesday, offers users two ways to purchase its deals. They can opt for the traditional method purchasing a deal for the listed discount price, or the site gives them the opportunity to take part in auctions of its daily discount deals.To participate in the auctions, users purchase bids, for 70 cents each, in bundles. All auctions start at zero dollars and there's no reserve. Each bid increases the auction price by one penny regardless of the cost of the deal. Bidders who don't win the auction also have the option to purchase the  deal for the "By It Now" price, cashing in their used bids for a discount on the deal price. Citycents also offer a variety of daily deals, another factor designed to set it apart from other deal sites.

"It gives us the opportunity to feature more merchants. We're in the process of working with local merchants in Baltimore and D.C. to bring our users more exclusive deals," says Salta.

Through its unique auction platform, Citycents says it helps the everyday consumer gain access and awareness to exceptional local and nationwide brands with deals at up to 99% off. Citycents deals are available in Baltimore and Washington, DC metropolitan areas and feature offers from local restaurants to spa services and events, including nationwide deals covering major brands such as Apple, Sony, Gucci, Burberry, and more.

According to Salta, the site has plans to offer deals in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, but needs to garner more interest from consumers in those areas before they can launch in those locations.

Source: Brian Salta, Citycents
Writer: Walaika Haskins

It's time we started giving credit where its due in the Baltimore area.

That's the thought behind the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore's (EAGB) new "Pride of Baltimore" campaign that will honor five area leaders as "rock stars who make things happen in Greater Baltimore."

The campaign, announced at the organization's 2011 Annual Meeting, will highlight people from industry, education, community leaders, government, and other sectors who help make Baltimore City great and an area that can outperform competing markets economically. It will include profiles of area leaders in ads, marketing materials, and web content.

"Our role is to promote this region as a place in which to grow a business, invest, and bring jobs. We found the best way to do that is to get the people behind our positive testimonials to tell their stories and give it more of a community feel. If we can connect those leaders, together we can better address opportunities that come along," says Thomas Sadowski, EAGB president and CEO.

The initial five "rock stars" recognized by the EAGB are: Maryland State School Superintendent Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick; former Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith; Thomas Wilcox, President and CEO of the Baltimore Community Foundation; Brian Rogers and the T. Rowe Price Leadership Team; and Juxtopia Founder Jayfus Doswell. According to Sadowski, featured leaders are either nominated or are people the organization considers standouts.

"We're working on a new list of honorees that will come out in the next week or so. Obviously they're certain people who stand out, and we began with the list that we did because they're obvious or should be obvious to most. T. Rowe Price and their contribution to the business community. Nancy Grasmick and everything she's done for education with us being No. 1 in public education, that's significant. BCF is doing great things in the community not just from a social perspective, but what they're doing in the tech community to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. We'd heard Jayfus Doswell's story a couple of times now and felt like it was a good one. Here's a guy who's doing great things in business and to give back to the community. They're a lot of people like Jayfus who're doing great things for our community and we want to tell their story," Sadowski says.

The idea to celebrate the region's heroes came from a trip to Austin, Texas where Sadowski says they've invested a lot in highlighting these members of their community. "A lot of them were grown out of Dell and some of the other companies that have launched there. These firms have made great strides and are now giving back to the community. They're readily known in the business community and are serving as mentors. We have a lot of that going on in Baltimore, but we're a bigger market and a little bit more diverse given the federal government agencies in the area. We thought it was a great idea and figured let's do what we can to start introducing these champion leaders to one another," Sadowski says.

Source: Thomas Sadowski, Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore
Writer: Walaika Haskins

WebAdvantage.net, an Internet marketing and advertising agency based in Havre de Grace, has launched its new Social Media Roadmap product. The consulting service is designed to assist brand owners interested in creating effective social media strategies.

The Social Media Roadmap utilizes the organization's marketing goals to identify the best social media channels, tactics, and strategies for engaging the target audience, while providing built-in metrics for tracking, measuring, and analyzing the results. The service expands WebAdvantage.net's suite of Social Media Marketing services including Social Media Optimization and Blog Support used by Baltimore-area clients like K'NEX, Visit Baltimore, and Freedom Federal Credit Union.

"Our agency has been providing social media services to clients long before 'social media' was defined. Our new service addresses the growing market need for business guidance and best practices in creating and executing social media strategies," says Hollis Thomases, president of WebAdvantage.net.

Source: WebAdvantage.net
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Barb Clapp Advertising & Marketing has received the Greater Baltimore Committee's 2010 Bridging the Gap Award. The program acknowledges and pays tribute to minority-owned and women-owned firms for achievement and those who support minority business development. The agency topped the successful minority and women-owned firms category.

"It is a great honor to receive the 2010 Bridging the Gap Award," says Barb Clapp, the agency's president. "As a female business owner, I feel it is critical that we recognize the contributions of women in business. My company is powered by strong, smart women. The award proves that the mentoring of women brings great rewards."

Barb Clapp Advertising & Marketing is a full-service marketing agency, whose expertise spans advertising media planning and buying, brand development, public relations, event planning, web development, market research, marketing strategy and product launch, as well as creative development. BCAM is customer service driven and tailors individual programs to meet the needs of clients. Customers consist of local, regional and large national brands in sectors including automotive, hospitality, non-profit, healthcare, environment, education, and retail.

Source: Barb Clapp Advertising & Marketing
Writer: Walaika Haskins

There's a new player in the popular daily deals game. Maryland-based Chewpons joins sites including Groupon and LivingSocial to bring residents in Baltimore City and surrounding counties discounted offers on food and drink from area businesses. 

Consumers who register thier e-mail address and zip code will receive "Daily Discounted Deals" ranging between 50 and 90 percent off in their email inbox.The Chewpons for featured businesses will be available for a period of 24 to 72 hours. The deals will expire six months to one year from the date of purchase. Chewpons do not require a certain number of participants and will not include an added service charge. 

A portion of the proceeds for each Chewpon purchase will go to support the charity of choice of that day's featured business highlighted in the site's "Daily Deal Donation" box on the homepage. If a business does not have a desired charity, then they may choose to give the proceeds to The Maryland Food Bank, Chewpons' primary charitable recipient.

Chewpons also rewards referrals with their unique "Chewbucks" program, which rewards existing users with discounts for recommending new ones.

Source: Chewpons
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) will host the state's first Contract Connections, a federal industry day. The event, to be held on Monday, December 13 from 7:30 am to 4 pm at the Food and  Drug Administration building in Silver Spring, is an opportunity for Maryland businesses to connect with government agencies.

The event wiil feature National institutes of Health (NIH), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Social Security Administration, and other federal agencies, as well as the Naval Air Systems Command, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), and other military commands. Participating companies will be able to learn about contracting and subcontracting opportunities; and gain valuable insight into the procurement process. One-on-one "matchmaking" sessions will allow businesses to present their statements of capabilities to federal agencies.

"The federal facilities and military commands in our state are an important economic engine for Maryland," says DBED Secretary Christian S. Johansson. "Contract Connections is part of Governor Martin O'Malley's comprehensive effort to support and leverage the vast potential of these facilities and to connect Maryland companies with federal contracting opportunities to create jobs for Marylanders."

Maryland is home to more than 50 federal facilities which contribute an estimated $16 billion to the state's economy. For the year ending September 30, 2010, federal agencies contracted $34 billion with Maryland companies. In addition, Maryland's military installations have an economic impact of $36 billion and purchase nearly $7 billion in goods and services from Maryland companies.

To further assist businesses seeking work with government agencies, DBED recently launched a B2G website which includes a "how to" guide and other resources for businesses interested in applying for federal contracts.

Guest speakers at Contract Connections include Walter Havenstein, CEO of SAIC, who will deliver the keynote address, and Russell J. Abbott, FDA Deputy Commissioner, who will offer opening remarks.

Registration is $55 and includes breakfast, lunch and materials. For additional information, visit Contract Connections.

Source: Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development
Writer: Walaika Haskins

A partnership between the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Research Park Corporation will create a new incubator tailored to the specific challenge of developing technology to protect the nation from a growing range of cyber threats.

The Northrop Grumman Cync Program will build on bwtech@UMBC's successful business-incubation framework by offering a "scholarship program" for companies with the most promising cyber security ideas. Participants in the program will draw on UMBC's research expertise and Northrop Grumman resources to develop tools that will secure and protect the computer hardware, software, and networks vital to national defense.

The Cync Program will accept applications from high-potential, early-stage companies from across the country looking to commercialize and develop their technologies. The companies will collaborate in the Advantage Incubator at the bwtech@UMBC Research and Technology Park in Baltimore.

"Northrop Grumman is excited to partner with bwtech on this important initiative," said Chris Valentino, Northrop Grumman cybersecurity director and technical fellow. "This technology is even more important as our reliance on cybersecurity increases, and collaborating with both academia and small businesses brings a breadth of technological expertise that goes beyond what any one entity is able to supply."

Ellen Hemmerly, executive director of the UMBC Research Park Corporation, which operates the bwtech@UMBC Research and Technology Park, noted that the program is a perfect fit for a region with a strong information technology workforce and a growing array of businesses and governmental agencies working on cybersecurity.

"UMBC and Northrop Grumman share a culture of innovation," she said. "This program will build on UMBC's strength in information technology and its success nurturing new companies. Businesses started through this partnership will come from across the country, expanding the local business base and spurring economic growth in the region."

Applicants with the best ideas for technologies that will protect the country from cyber threats will be selected in a nation-wide search to join the Cync Program. Participating companies will be provided with office space, business support services and academic resources, including access to faculty and student employees.

Source: Univeristy of Maryland Baltimore County

An acclaimed comedian and mother of three will take young women from Park Heights on a journey through time to study their rich African and Native American ancestry and heritage. An attorney will work to protect low-income residents who have been victims of creditor abuse by providing training, assistance and co-counseling services to other attorneys who take on the victims' cases. A woman who learned to love skateboarding as an adult will mentor young Baltimore skateboarders and teach them leadership and self-advocacy skills, as they work to get a skate park built in the city. And a recent Johns Hopkins graduate will pair graduate psychology students with youth charged as adults to connect them with mental health, case management and rehabilitation help while they await trial.

These are just four of the seven people whom the Open Society Institute-Baltimore selected to be 2010 Baltimore Community Fellows, as the program celebrates its 13th year of supporting social entrepreneurs and innovators to achieve their dreams to improve the city.

Each of this year's fellows will receive $48,750 to work full-time for 18 months, implementing creative strategies to assist and revitalize underserved communities in Baltimore. This year's new class brings the total number of Baltimore Community Fellows to 117 � most of whom still are actively working in the city, continuing to bring their energy and ideas to effect social change.

"Our new Community Fellows are dynamic and committed social activists, each with an innovative vision for bringing opportunity and greater justice to Baltimore's neighborhoods so that all residents can participate fully in community life," says OSI-Baltimore Director Diana Morris. "With this 13th class, we are proud to add to our corps of talented Baltimore Community Fellows. Working across issues and neighborhoods, these Fellows are bringing hope, new approaches, resources and advocacy skills to residents throughout the city, mobilizing them to take action to meet their own needs and to revitalize Baltimore communities."

Source: Open Society Institute Baltimore
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Gold Crust Baking Company, a family-owned wholesale bakery specializing in breads and rolls, is relocating its operations from Alexandria, VA to Landover, MD, the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) announced last week. The 10 year-old company manufactures more than 20 million pounds of dough per year for hotels, restaurants, and catering companies in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The move will initially create up to 60 new jobs in Maryland, according to the company. Plans to expand the frozen product line will create another 50 new jobs over the next three to five years.

"We all face major choices that shape our business and the lives of our employees. Gold Crust Baking Company, Inc. seized this opportunity and the support of MEDCO that marks a decisive step in growing our bakery," says Nausika Lyubinsky, owner of Gold Crust Baking Co. "We are extremely excited to move into Maryland and start the next phase of our journey."

To assist Gold Crust with its relocation and improvements to its new building, MEDCO, a private corporation established by the State that issues bonds to finance development projects, is providing tax-exempt financing through the issuance of non-recourse revenue bonds, allowing the company to borrow money at a lower rate. The company will also be eligible for Job Creation Tax Credits through the State, and will receive benefits for being located in one of the State's Enterprise Zones.

Source: MEDCO
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Homeowners looking for a little professional advice about their remodeling projects can now turn to a new resource. Tidewater Remodeling & Construction has launched a new website it hopes will serve as an information portal for Baltimore County area homeowners and businesses. The site features articles on a wealth of remodeling topics from the basic to the advanced, with new articles added several days a week. The site will also offer users an online monthly newsletter of remodeling tips.

Future plans include educational guides on selecting a remodeling contractor and professional advice from experts in the field.

"Our main objective is to be the number one remodeling resource guide for assisting everyone in the Baltimore County area with their remodeling needs. The depth of knowledge and resources on the site is simple, concise, and offers every homeowner some information about their home," says Bob DeGraw, owner.

Source: Tidewater Remodeling & Construction
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore-based JoS. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. opened its 500th store last Friday in the Franklin Tower at 14th and I Streets in the East End of Washington, D.C.

The company, which first opened its doors in 1905, has opened over 200 stores in the past five years and says it expects to open another 100 to 175 stores in the future as part of its long-term plan to grow the chain to approximately 600 full-line stores and 50 to 75 factory stores in the United States. To date, JoS. A. Bank has opened 30 stores (25 full-line, 4 factory and 1 franchise) in fiscal year 2010 and expects to open approximately 36 stores for the entire year.

"We are pleased that the Company has been able to continue to grow the business through store openings," says R. Neal Black, CEO. "Achieving the 500 store level represents a significant milestone for the Company. Over the past 5 years, in addition to opening 200 new stores, the Company has increased net income every year, eliminated all of its debt, accumulated a cash and short-term investment position of approximately $190 million and created approximately 2,000 jobs in the United States," continued Mr. Black.

Source: JoS. A. Banks Clothiers
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Warschawski, a Baltimore-based full service branding, marketing, public relations, advertising, and interactive agency is stretching its reach with the acquisition of Boston-based marketing communications agency Louder Than Words (LTW). The purchase, which was effective November 1, will bring LTW president, Rich Polt, who served as vice president of Warschawski in the late 1990s, back to Baltimore as the firm's senior vice president.

Tricia McKenna, vice president of LTW, will remain in Boston to lead Warschawski's New England office, continuing to oversee and manage LTW accounts and ensure a successful transition for all clients to Warschawski.

"We have been fortunate to build a very strong name and reputation nationally for our integrated and brand centric marketing communications work. We were just named the "Small Agency of the Year" for the U.S. for the fourth time in five years. With that kind of momentum, we felt it was time to expand our geographic footprint and explore opportunities in another major market. The high caliber leadership at Louder Than Words, their specific experience and expertise, their client mix, and the Boston market all made tremendous strategic sense for us," says David Warschawski, founder and CEO.

The Boston market will provide a new geographic platform for growth, according to Warschawski. "We also are optimistic that the expertise that Louder Than Words brings to Warschawski in working with both hi-tech clients and socially responsible clients will be a boon to our current clients and of interest to perspective new clients."

"As Louder Than Words focused more on PR and marketing and did not previously offer in house creative services, this enables us to offer their clients creative services all under one roof (e.g. creative design, web development, interactive design). Since our creative services is based in Baltimore, Boston will work with our creative folks here to team on client assignments they are working on currently and for new clients we win in the Massachusetts area," he continues.

Due to the tremendous breadth and depth of clients handled by the Baltimore office, Warschawski says he expects some crossover between the type of work handled in both office. In some instances clients will benefit from having people in Baltimore and Boston work jointly on an account.

Source: David Warschawski, Warschawski
Writer: Walaika Haskins

For Owings Mills-based Medifast, Inc., a purveyor of prepackaged, portioned weightloss meal plans, , the third times the charm. The company took the top spot in Forbes Magazine's 2010 list of "America's 100 Best Small Companies." In 2008, Medifast earned its first mention on list as the 85th best small biz, rising to No. 16 on the list in 2009. Under Armour and Joseph A. Bank also made the list earning the No. 28 and No. 48 spots, respectively.

"We are extremely pleased to be recognized by Forbes for the third consecutive year, and being ranked as the top small company in America is an amazing honor and achievement," says Michael S. McDevitt, CEO of Medifast.

According to Forbes, the rankings are based on earnings growth, sales growth and return on equity in the past 12 months and over five years.

"We dropped companies with fuzzy accounting or looming legal troubles. We also compared the stock performance of each company with that of its peers. Shares of last year's list members outpaced the Russell by 10 percentage points," Forbes says, "Medifast is on a tear. Sales have marched north 41% a year over the past five years and earnings per share have increased 35% a year during the same period. The past 12 months have been even better, with sales increasing 69% and earnings jumping 120%."

The company made it to the top of the list churning out $218 million in annual sales, a 41 percent increase over the previous five years and earnings per share that have increased 35 percent a year during the same period.

Source: Medifast
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Oculis Labs, a cyber security firm based in Hunt Valley, MD, won the American Security Challenge Award for its Private Eye 3.0 software last week. The prestigious national contest offers security technology companies with market-ready products an opportunity to showcase them for an audience of government and corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists.

"It's an invitation only event with sponsors like Northrup Grumman and other big defense-related players. They chose us from among 150 applicants," says Bill Anderson, Oculis Labs CEO.

The company received a trophy to commemorate the win, however, the true prize is the chance to lure potential investors, partners and customers. According to Anderson, Oculis has received inquiries from a number of firms interested in possibly partnering with the company on future projects.

"What's nice about this one is it's the largest form of recognition we've gotten so far and it gets a lot of attention from potential government customers," Anderson says. "The event is all about bringing together companies with technologies useful for solving government security problems. It's one of those events that get us attention and its nice to get the recognition."

"The products we have look relevant and real, according to feedback from judges," he continues. "They want something they can use right now, not something that works only in someone's basement. They were also looking for something really powerful. There are many companies who are making different versions of the same thing. The judges were looking for companies solving problems that have been around for awhile, and that's what we're doing."

Source: Bill Anderson, Oculis Labs
Writer: Walaika Haskins