The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism is launching its fourth cohort of the Talbot Works Business Academy beginning on January 27 and continuing weekly via Zoom through March 17. The free program is limited to 15 Talbot County business owner participants, with online applications due by January 2, 2026.
The 8-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.
“The Business Academy is about more than just classes—it’s about giving our local business owners the confidence, tools, and connections to thrive,” said Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. “When our small businesses succeed, our entire community grows stronger.”
The program begins on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, and meets via Zoom each Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m., with graduation scheduled for Tuesday, March 17. Small business owners who have been in operation for at least two years and have a revenue of less than $1.5 million are eligible to apply.
“Participants walk away with real, practical strategies they can apply immediately,” said Vanhooser. “You’ll learn how to grow sales, streamline operations, build a team, and prepare to access new opportunities. We’re looking for business owners who are ready to invest in their own success.”
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, as well as accounting, human resources, legal, taxes, and insurance. Additionally, participants will prepare for capital and essential financial documentation.
To qualify, participants must own a business in Talbot County and have the ability to scale their operations, hire people, and positively impact their community. Applicants who are selected for this cohort will be invited to a brief Zoom interview.
“I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on business courses, all of which told me what I had to do to run my business their way,” remarked Kiersten Mueller, owner of Another Level Fitness during her graduation ceremony as part of the second Academy cohort. “Never once did they say, ‘Here are the tools to run it the way you want to do it,’ and you have done that. That’s a beautiful thing. Thank you.”
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. “The Talbot County economy is built on the success of our small businesses,” she said. “If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, this program is for you.”
Applications by business owners can be made online at www.talbotworks.org.
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.
Business owners and managers are encouraged to receive the department’s Talbot Works newsletter and breaking business news by subscribing at www.talbotworks.org. The department can also be reached at 410-770-8058 or by visiting their office at 215 Bay Street, Easton, Md.
Mary Smith says
Much credit to Ms. Vanhooser and the Economic Development team for running Talbot Works and investing in local entrepreneurs. Programs like this genuinely help people build skills, confidence, and viable business plans.
The hard reality, though, is that many of these graduates have nowhere to go in Talbot County – especially in the unincorporated areas. County land-use regulations have systematically blocked business creation and expansion outside of towns, giving Talbot a reputation for being hostile to new and growing businesses. Cottage industries are capped so tightly on employees, trucks, and activity that growth is effectively prohibited.
If Talbot wants these efforts to translate into real jobs and tax base, it needs more commercial and industrial zoning that allows real businesses to start and expand. Plus more village zoning that permits modest commercial activity and clustered housing for workers and professionals. That approach can support entrepreneurship while still conserving the vast majority of farmland. Training entrepreneurs without providing places to operate is not an economic development strategy.