THE COMMERCE CONNECTION - ENTREPRENEURS SHOWCASE: POWERED BY THE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH - Venture Access
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J A N 2 0 2 1 | I S S U E 3
THE COMMERCE POWERED BY THE
CONNECTION Brought to you by Venture Access, Harford County's
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
dedicated entrepreneurial entity supporting entrepreneurs
in their quest to successfully formulate, launch and grow
profitable companies.
ENTREPRENEURS
SHOWCASE:
The World Is Your Oyster-
Page 2
Welcome back to the third issue of The Commerce Connection,
brought to you by Venture Access. Happy New Year- Happy 2021 to all
of our dedicated readers. We look forward to celebrating
entrepreneurship in Harford County throughout the year and building a
vibrant entrepreneurial community. In this issue you will find information
about valuable upcoming educational trainings, exciting events and
happenings, and our Entrepreneurial Showcase that is, shall we say, the
pearl of the oyster!
Written by Heather Murphy
J A N 2 0 2 1 | I S S U E 3
THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER
As many readers can attest to, the event
industry is certainly one that has suffered
tremendously over the past year. The
Written by Heather Murphy addition of some local restrictions
compounded that impact, with 35% of
Don't we all wonder what happens after Shark Tank? In January raw oyster sales affected by the
2020, Dan Worrell not only walked away as a contestant of Harford Baltimore City closures alone. For a small
County's Shark Tank pitch competition, but a grand prize winner of team with limited time and resources,
$1,000 to kickstart his business venture. As the owner of Shell & Barrell, Dan had to carefully consider any new
he operates his service-based business by providing an array of opportunity that arose.
experiences that are sure to liven up any social scene, such as oyster
procurement and shucking. After Shark Tank, the event contracts came Even before Shark Tank, Dan had aimed
flying in, even including a four-day oyster shucking event at the U.S. to grow organically. He aimed to
Naval Academy and the North American Seafood Festival in Boston, MA. minimize the amount of debt they took on
and supplemented earnings by
In true entrepreneurial spirit, Dan quickly adjusted when the pandemic bartending on the side. He knew he had
shut down the event industry. He began working with an oyster farmer in to create proof of concept, for which the
Assateague Island to grow his own oysters and create a brand, but alas, pandemic surely tested. Even through
the process was complicated by Hurricane Isaias. He jumped to help the many twists, turns, and adjustments Dan
farmer with clean up after the hurricane, and while visiting had picked was able to realize a significant amount
up oysters to bring back to sell to local restaurants. What began as a of revenue that he is confident proves the
spur of the moment decision, turned into a new business offering. Dan concept. "By God we've done it,-seeing
completed the licensing requirements and created the Salt Buoy that we've come out of this above water,
Oyster brand, which he has sold to restaurants like Mama's On the I know that we can continue to scale this
Half-Shell. In addition to oyster procurement, Dan also offered his business to be a worthwhile money
expert shucking services which have been featured at breweries like maker," Dan commented.
Burley Oak Brewing Company and Falling Branch Brewery here in
Harford County. Dan attributes the growth and success of
the business to his growing team, two of
which are friends from his hometown,
Havre de Grace, who both play very
important roles in the business. John
Jensen, better known as the Chief
Financial Oysterer, handles the
bookkeeping while Matt Cambre, better
known as the Chief Operating Oysterer,
works in business development.
Most recently, Dan teamed up with the
Oyster Recovery Partnership to set a
World Record shucking 3,000 oysters in
one day, with all oyster donated to a
local homeless shelter. He also was
featured in the December issue of
Chesapeake Bay Magazine. To learn
more about this social and
environmentally sustainable business visit
the Shell & Barell website and Facebook!
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ENTREPRENEURIAL NEWS & EVENTS
An Option For Your Business Venture-
Franchising! 1/21/21 from 10am-12pm
During these uncertain times, Franchising could be
an option if you are thinking of starting a business!
This is a detailed franchise ownership workshop
from the business experts at FranNet. Designed just
for you to answer all those initial questions on
business and franchising basics! Presented by
Harford County Chamber member, Richard Bock of
FranNet! REGISTER HERE BY 4PM TODAY!
Better Workplaces Challenge Cup
That’s right, ParagonLabs, powered by SHRM, is on the hunt for
entrepreneurs, start-ups, and solutions that will reinvent how we do
work. This exciting search, the Better Workplaces Challenge Cup, is open
to all and now accepting applications. Are you an innovator, or know
someone who is? Do you know of a tech solution that could improve how
we do our work? We are enthusiastic about discovering the most
pioneering solutions for reinventing the workplace—through technology.
Marketing 101 1/25/21 from 10:30-11:30am
Hosted by America's Small Business Development Center.
How can you get the most bang for your marketing dollar?
What forms of marketing should you consider? How much
of your budget should be allocated for marketing? These
and much more will be discussed by Lennart Elmlund, who
has 40 years of experience in sales and marketing both as
a consultant in his own company, LGE Designs
International Corporation, as well as employed by small
businesses in the capacity of Sales and Marketing
Manager. REGISTER HERE!
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FREE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
PROGRAM FOR VETERANS-
ORIENTATION INFORMATION
Project Opportunity is a free entrepreneurship training program designed solely for veterans
(Active Duty, Guard/Reserve Personnel, and Veterans) who want to start their own business or
expand their current small business.
Want to know more? Join us for one of two Project Opportunity Harford County Spring 2021
Orientation Sessions! REGISTER HERE! Orientation will be held at SURVICE Engineering at 4695
Millennium Drive, Belcamp, MD 21017. Attendance at an Orientation Session is a vital step in our
application process. If you are interested, but unable to attend orientation you must email
Program Director Joe Giordano at joe.giordano@project-opportunity.com
Session One- February 17th from 4:30-6:00pm
Session Two- February 17th from 6:30-8:00 pm
VIRTUAL ROCKET PITCH + POWER
NETWORKING
“Rocket Pitch + Power Networking” by CONNECTpreneur
features 2 virtual networking sessions and a Rocket Pitch
segment with exciting early stage companies. For more
details about the organization and what to expect at the
event visit HERE!
PREMIER BALTIPRENEURS ECOSYSTEM
NIGHT HOSTED BY LOYOLA UNIVERSITY
Wednesday, January 27th from 6:30-7:30 Loyola is hosting its
first Ecosystem Night with the Baltipreneurs, a virtual event
sponsored by MBIA and TEDCO and featuring entrepreneur
Andrew Suggs of LiveChair as keynote speaker. First 50 RSVPs
will have access to video Q&A (others can submit questions via
chat). Click here for more information and registration!
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