Business owners representing 14 Talbot County businesses are strengthening their skills and preparing for future growth through the fourth cohort of the Talbot Works Business Academy, which launched January 27, 2026, and continues weekly via Zoom through March 17, 2026.
Cohort 4 participants include :
Jonathan Cook, Elevate Performance. LLC
Stephanie Doeler, All in the Mix Bakeshop
Dustin Good, C.J. Weisman Balancing LLC
Patricia King, Gluten Free Baking Girl
Elizabeth Kelly. Sanctuary Interiors LLC
Lashelle Lewis, Shelly’s Passionate Care
Sandra Maier, Roma Wedding Updos
Michael Meier, The Snuggery Inn & Suites, St. Michaels
Dylan Mathias, Mathias Marine LLC
Brian Naranjo, BUMI Therapy
Joshua Richardson, Richardson Marine Repair, Inc.
Kevin Rosenthal, Nightingale DPC LLC
Marguerite Spies, St. Michaels Winery
Van Topjian, The Market at Dover Station
The free, eight-week online entrepreneurial training program is designed to support the growth and success of small and minority businesses in Talbot County.
The Talbot Works Business Academy launched in early 2024 through a partnership with the Mid-Shore Regional Council. Cohorts 1 and 2 were funded by the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund, which received a grant from the Maryland Department of Commerce to support the Mid-Shore Regional Council. The Rural Maryland Council-administered Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund funded Cohort 3, and the Mid-Shore Regional Council is funding Cohort 4.
“Empowering small business owners with knowledge, mentorship, and resources helps create stronger companies and a stronger local economy,” said Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. “When entrepreneurs gain the tools and confidence to grow, they expand opportunities, create jobs, and help ensure Talbot County continues to thrive.”
The program meets each Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m., with graduation scheduled for March 17. Small business owners who have been in operation for at least two years and have revenue of less than $1.5 million are eligible to apply.
“Providing guidance and mentoring allows business owners to refine their operations, pursue new markets, and build long-term sustainability,” Vanhooser said. “Supporting small businesses through education and connection is an investment in the future vitality of our community.”
The program was developed by Will Holmes Consulting, a Baltimore-based business management and technology consulting firm that offers business capital, coaching, and operational solutions to emerging companies. It has been successfully implemented at Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and several other Maryland counties.
Session topics include building sustainable organizational infrastructure; leading people and planning for growth; marketing and selling to B2G, B2B, and B2C; and accounting, human resources, legal, taxes, and insurance. Additionally, participants prepare for capital and essential financial documentation.
To qualify, participants must own a business in Talbot County and be able to scale operations, hire employees, and make a positive impact on the community. Applicants selected for the cohort are invited to a brief Zoom interview.
To graduate from the program, participants must attend and participate in class, submit weekly homework assignments, meet with senior advisors in law, accounting, human resources, and marketing, present cash flow projections, and give a final 15-minute PowerPoint presentation.
Vanhooser said graduates can expect to leave with a firmer grasp of their finances, a budget that supports growth, and a clear plan to attract new clients and access capital.
About Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.
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