Chamber Update

Please give a warm welcome to our newest members and enjoy reading about all the businesses that make our community the best place to live!

Always Ice Cream Company LLC

www.alwaysicecreamcompany.com

Always Ice Cream Company was founded by brothers and the owners of Annapolis Ice Cream Company, Mark and Andy Cohen. The business has been voted Best of Annapolis since 2004 and Best of Central Maryland 2022 and 2023. After spending years serving up joy on Annapolis’ lively Main Street, the business has grown to seven locations, an ice cream truck, and now offers franchise opportunities.

The team meticulously crafts a harmonious blend of ultra-premium, homemade ice cream with more than 200 unique flavors. The ice cream is also served at Adam's Taphouse, Cafe Mezzanotte, Donnelly’s Dockside and more. The Cohens plan to open their Severna Park location in May. Stay tuned for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration!

Shifting Colors

www.shiftingcolors.com

Shifting Colors offers leadership development programs designed to equip individuals and organizations with the skills and confidence to lead effectively in today’s dynamic world. Whether you are seeking to foster a culture of innovation or guide your team through change, Shifting Colors provides the tools and insights needed for long-term success. The business tailors its programs to meet your organization’s specific needs and challenges using the latest in behavioral science for proven results.

Sarah's House

www.cc-md.org/programs/sarahs-house

Sarah’s House is a supportive housing program offering 24/7 emergency shelter and project-based supportive housing with an array of other services for families experiencing homelessness in Anne Arundel County. Serving up to 125 people daily, half of whom are children, Sarah’s House aspires to affect positive changes in families by providing a range of services and support. Sarah’s House offers critical services that help clients gain employment, increase their earning capacity, find stable housing and achieve long-term sustainability. Sarah’s House is one of four shelters in the United States supported by the U.S. Army.

Ada Portillo Agency

www.adaportillo.com

Ada Portillo (the person) is a brand specialist, lover of life, explorer, and seasoned creative with a background in advertising, interior design, business and graphic design. Ada Portillo (the business) is a full-service, bilingual creative agency with services ranging from logo design to copywriting, videography, photography and more. With a team of talented creatives working under the same brief, more can be achieved - and achieved better. The agency was founded on faith-based values and foundations. All work is meant to be creative, inspiring, helpful, uplifting, life-changing and unique.

Did you know that there are more than 60,000 businesses in Anne Arundel County? That is why there are six chambers of commerce to support them, help them grow and collaborate, keep them informed of legislation, and more. We work with the other chambers to create meaningful “multi-chamber” events where members of all the chambers can come together.

In February, we held a multi-chamber networking breakfast at the Bonefish Grill in Glen Burnie. It was a sold-out event. The next multi-chamber event will be hosted by our chamber and held at the newly renovated Severna Park Elks Lodge on April 3.

Our Successful Women in Business “First Cup Club” coffee was held at The Sheridan at Severna Park’s beautiful facility. We were treated to breakfast, tours and a fashion show by House of Design. More than 60 women joined us for this wonderful networking and “friend making” opportunity.

We were invited to participate in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony in February for the unveiling of a historic Rosenwald sign at the Wayman Good Hope African Methodist Episcopal Church in Severna Park. The Rosenwald School project built more than 5,000 schools, shops and teacher homes in the United States primarily for the education of African American children in the south during the early 20th century.

The project was the product of the partnership of Julius Rosenwald, a Jewish American clothier who became part-owner and president of Sears, Roebuck and Company and African American leader, educator and philanthropist Booker T. Washington, who was president of the Tuskegee Institute. This was followed by the viewing of a documentary known as “Jones,” based on an African American community where the Rosenwald School was located and where Jones Elementary School currently resides.

We celebrated the grand opening of The Shawn Martin Group of REAL Broker LLC. The team opened its business in the Mercado building in Severna Park and looks forward to working with you on your real estate needs.

Our last ribbon-cutting of February was in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Chesapeake Telephone Systems in Millersville. Founder and owner Jeff Nolte has been connecting businesses and the public sector across the Mid-Atlantic for four incredible decades. Jeff’s journey started in 1985, and today he is proud to offer comprehensive solutions that drive organizational success - from VoIP systems and cloud communications to secure infrastructure and 24/7 technical support.

Our Business Bites lunch was held at The Social in Severna Park, with the topic “Management Mastermind.” Our presenter was Susan Mahaffee, owner of People Rise LLC. It was a highly informative and interactive meeting focusing on human resource issues.