Frederick Business Quarterly - Fall 2023 Issue

Mind Your Business

BREAKING GROUND

Building Connections between Business and Community FALL 2023

2 Frederick Business Quarterly

October-November 2023

BE UNSTOPPABLE.

GRADUATE DEGREES MADE FOR THE FUTURE Hood’s Graduate School offers 19 master’s degrees, two doctorates and 13 graduate certificate programs.

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Register at hood.edu/gradevents

October-November 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 3

FALL 2023 PUBLISHER Donna S. Elbert donna@pulsepublishing.net EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Melissa Howes-Vitek melissa@pulsepublishing.net

BUSINESS BRIEF

W

elcome to the inaugural edition of our new magazine Frederick Business Quarterly! Within these pages, you’ll find a dynamic mix of thought provoking articles, expert interviews, and content that explores the continuous growth in our area. Our mission is to be your trusted source for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of business, providing you with knowledge, strategies and stories that fuel success. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or budding visionary we look forward to sharing information and knowledge to spark ideas that fuel growth in your business.

Frederick Business Quarterly (FBQ) is a digital magazine that has a partner social and web platform. These digital options give you numerous advantages in today’s fastpaced, tech-savvy world. It provides unparalleled accessibility, allowing readers to access content anytime, anywhere, on a variety of devices.

FBQ caters to a diverse and dynamic audience, including professionals, entrepreneurs, executives, and forward-thinkers from various industries. Our magazine provides a platform for this diverse readership to connect, learn, and network, making it an essential resource for anyone with a stake in the world of business.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Gabby Mongeau gabby@pulsepublishing.net BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Ron Cramer ronald@pulsepublishing.net COPY EDITOR Molly Fellin Spence molly@pulsepublishing.net GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ana Lazo Eastep SALES SPECIALIST Michele Delgadillo michele@pulsepublishing.net CONTRIBUTORS­­­­ April Bartel Columbus Brooks Shuan Butcher Ron Cramer Amanda Rodriguez Valerie Turner DISTRIBUTION distribution@pulsepublishing.net

As we embark on this exciting journey with the launch of our new business magazine we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our readers and the organizations joining us. Your feedback and engagement are invaluable, and we look forward to your continued partnership in making this magazine a valuable resource for you.

Here’s to a future filled with knowledge, innovation and success!

Donna Elbert and the Staff of Pulse Publishing

12 S. Market Street, Suite 101 Frederick, MD 21701 p. 301-662-6050 | f. 301-662-5102 www.FrederickBusiness.com Frederick Business is a bimonthly publication of Pulse Publishing, LLC. Customer inquiries should be directed to Pulse Publishing, LLC. Manuscripts, drawings, photography, and other submissions must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The Frederick County Guide is not responsible for unsolicited material.

All contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part for any reason without prior consent of the publisher. Frederick Business makes every effort to ensure accuracy of its resource listings, but does not hold responsibility for incorrect or missing information.

We wish to thank our advertisers for their continued support! Many thanks to the countless Frederick County residents and employees who offered their time and insight to add to the content of this issue.

On the cover: Artist rendering of the Visitation Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel affiliated with Marriott.

The historic site now under reconstruction lies between E. Church St. and E. 2nd St. downtown. The main three-story building will hold a boutique hotel with 67 rooms, event space for up to 200 people, and a restaurant led by celebrity chef, Bryan Voltaggio.

4 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

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Fall 2023

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Frederick Business Quarterly 5

INDEX 26 32

38

46 56

10

16 60 32

F E AT U R E S

DIGGING IN

Hood College balances on a foundation of history, tradition, and high standards as it breaks new ground

Commercial projects and opportunities in Frederick County.

8

LEADERS WHO LEARN Top picks in print and podcasts

10

GIVE & TAKE

Passion Plus Purpose: Recycled electronics help create sense of community

38

OLD SCHOOL

16

MIND YOUR BUSINESS Social media marketing tips for your business

The pivotal role HR plays in shaping business success

46

IMPACT

56

STRATEGY & GROWTH Snarfies finds success making small batches and personal connections

60

WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The Value of Public Art

Self care strategies boost wellness in the workplace

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Fall 2023

JOIN TODAY AND REAP THE BENEFITS! Unlock a world of connections, programs and resources with membership to the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

Our members receive access to an extensive network and decades of experience to help them at any stage in their business.

Together with our partners and members, the Chamber works to create a culture of innovation and collaboration within the Frederick County business community!

Learn more about membership at: frederickchamber.org

INVEST

in the Arts

The following sponsorships are available: Sky Stage Art Center Artist Studios and Gallery Frederick Festival of the Arts Public Arts Initiative Let us be your cultural ambassador.

For more information contact:

Info@frederickartscouncil.org or www.frederickartscouncil.org

Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 7

LEADERS WHO LEARN...

Where do executives and small business owners alike turn to stay tuned into the latest trends and cultivate inspiration? We asked a few of our contributors for their top picks in print and podcasts.

PRO READS Culture Shock

Gallup is to the analytical and reports world as Obi-Wan Kenobi is to “Star Wars.” Gallup is the Jedi master, highly respected, skilled, with years of work in the field.

That is why when I saw the book, “Culture Shock,” by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter, providing Gallup’s solution to the biggest leadership issue of our time, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, I ordered it right away.

According to the publisher’s description, “the COVID-19 pandemic caused an awakening that shocked the world — a structural change in how and where people work and live. One thing we now know for certain: Nothing is going back to normal.”

Clifton and Harter lead the reader through the Gallup path, a well thought-out plan that aims to lead the reader to revenue growth, earnings and stock increases. If that doesn’t grab a business leader’s attention, I am not sure what will.

Thousands of large, medium and small businesses have used Gallup’s Dashboard Q12 employee engagement survey.

This authors posit that it is crucial to change these much-used employee survey questions following the pandemic.

As a leader, CEO or business owner, the stress of making sure you are doing the right things to increase productivity and see growth and profitability in your business rest squarely on your shoulders. Let’s face it, your employees are your face, the direct contact to your customers, to clients and to other businesses.

So how do you keep your employees engaged and productive?

In work environments that would allow a remote situation, should you force employees to come to the office? Do you create a blended work arrangement or a full-scale remote work situation?

If the work task requires the employee to come to work, how do you keep employees engaged?

Gallup answers these questions and more in “Culture Shock,” but the authors do even more. They also provide the reader with detailed reports, surveys and analysis on how they came to their conclusions.

If you and your company practice the philosophy of Strength Finder 2.0, you are in a great position for agilely moving into the future. The writers provide a CEO Playbook that will set you and your company’s leadership well into the future.

I found “Culture Shock” to be an engaging, easy read that spells out a great method to move into the future. I highly recommend it.

- by Ron Cramer

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istockphoto.com / PeopleImages

by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter

LEADERS WHO LEARN...

PRO READS Profit First:

Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine

by Mike Michalowicz I love, love, love systems! This book is fabulous! If you love systems as well, this book will speak to your need for organization (and even more importantly, organization of your money). This book is written for the newest to most seasoned entrepreneur. We do not need to have an accounting or business degree to understand the core principles. Mike provides the measures we need for success, assessing the current state of our business, and setting us up for a profitable future.

The premise is simple. Sales – Expenses = Profit is not a sustainable formula. We have been taught the wrong formula. Profit is not an afterthought. Who knew?

Mike explains the concept, lists the principles, and walks us through setting up Profit First for our businesses with follow through. There is even a chapter on advanced techniques. I have saved that chapter for my second go-round of the book.

I highly recommend reading this book to help your own business (or household for that matter), if you have some room for improvement in the profit department, want to understand your cash flow better, or you lack a bit of discipline with your spending habits.

An easy read that will leave you feeling that you have got this!

- by Valerie Turner, LMT/PTA

PRO podcasts Perhaps earbuds and a podcast fit into your learning style best. Contributor Columbus Brooks, President of CBrooks HR Consulting, offered us his top three favorites in the genre of professional podcasts.

Culture and Leadership Connections - Marie Gervais Leadership and Professional Development - Don Gatewood A Bit of Optimism - Simon Sinek

Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 9

GIVE & TAKE Passion Plus Purpose:

Recycled electronics and specialized training provides a variety of opportunities for the community.

by Erik Anderson

A

s a trained IT professional with autism, Eric Zimmerman was perfectly positioned to see the need for a company that would both help individuals with disabilities function in our digital ecosystem and solve a growing problem for local businesses: how to recycle old computers while maintaining data security.

For 15 years, his company, The Buddy Project, has collected old computers from

businesses, completely refurbished them, and provided them to members of the community who have traditionally had difficulty accessing digital technologies.

Computer recipients pay little or nothing, depending on their incomes.

“We work with different companies and they give us their electronics. In return, they get a tax write off, know their stuff is going to good use and their data is safe,” Zimmerman said. “We provide a certificate of data destruction, meaning we wipe the drive and that we’re liable for it.”

He said his own unique developmental pathway through childhood and early adulthood led him to create The Buddy Project.

“I have a disability. I have autism. I struggle with things myself. It’s just my passion to help people,” he said. “Over time, secondarily, I’ve kind of gotten a passion to see some of these computers be reused.”

Because of his autism, school was a challenge for him. He worked hard to develop strategies for succeeding in an academic system that he felt was not well-suited to his way of processing information. After eventually finding a gainful path for himself in IT training at the Frederick County Career and Technology Center, he became involved with an organization that provided one-on-one friendships to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Photos courtesy of The Buddy Project

“I loved what they did, but when I was there, I saw a lot of people with disabilities didn’t have access to technology,” he said. “I found that a lot of people who were disabled, what happened was, if they were young, they were sharing a computer with family, and if they were older, they would be in a group home, and they didn’t have access to computers.”

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Frederick Business Quarterly 11

Give & Take

“People with disabilities come in and get fine motor skills and something to put on their resume,” Zimmerman said. “They’re able to not only socialize, but learn how to work with their hands, and they’re able to say, ‘Hey, I worked at The Buddy Project.”

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Give & Take

Among other problems, lacking computer access made it

such as running occasional fundraisers. He eventually found

difficult for the organization’s clients to communicate with the

ways to sell even his worst stock for parts, which also ensures

staff’s college student volunteers, who primarily used email at

that none of the computers donated to his company will end up

the time. Zimmerman also saw a lot of older computers thrown

in a landfill.

away without being properly recycled, but it would be a few years

Still, his entire operation runs out of his parents’ house on

before he would come up with a workable business model for

less than $50,000 a year while providing an estimated average

helping these two problems solve each other.

of 300 computers per year to clients in need. He said if he could

He originally intended The Buddy Project to function with grant

find the funding, he would like for The Buddy Project to be able

money so he could concentrate on his core mission of serving the

to implement a curriculum he has devised to train elderly and/or

disabled population while addressing the problem of electronic

disabled individuals how to use computers.

waste, but he hasn’t been able to make those potential funding

But even with his limited budget, he has managed to provide

sources pan out. He started selling the refurbished computers to

skills training to some members of the disabled community. A

fund the business, but quickly found even devices priced as low

few of them help refurbish computers at The Buddy Project for a

as $100 or less were unaffordable to many people who needed

small stipend.

them, and he felt a need to expand his mission parameters.

“People with disabilities come in and get fine motor skills and

“I’ve seen a lot of these people; they didn’t fit my mold to

something to put on their resume,” Zimmerman said. “They’re able

get a computer because they’re not disabled, but they couldn’t

to not only socialize, but learn how to work with their hands, and

afford a computer,” he said. “So I decided to start working with

they’re able to say, ‘Hey, I worked at The Buddy Project.”

Inspired by his vision, several people who have worked with

With a such a small slice of his clientele (those who make

Zimmerman encouraged him to find ways to share his story, so be

more than $30,000/year) paying the low price for the company’s

began giving talks to various autism advocacy groups around the

products, he needed to get creative to keep his mission afloat,

country. He has also written three books about this experience.

Photos courtesy of The Buddy Project

low-income people as well to provide them with free computers.”

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Frederick Business Quarterly 13

Give & Take

Published in 2016, “Anything but Ordinary” tells the story of his childhood, focusing on his late autism diagnosis. “Dare to be Different,” published in 2017, “is just stories of different things that happened in my life and lessons learned.” And his third book, “Love, Racing and Autism,” published this year, tells the story of how he met his wife in South Africa while fulfilling his dream to do auto racing.

Erik Anderson is a frequent contributing features writer to the

For more information about the Buddy Project, visit their

Frederick News-Post and other local publications. He primarily

website at www.thebuddyproject.org. Eric Zimmerman’s

covers local history and theater. Email him at erikanderson07@

personal website is www.ericdzimmerman.com.

gmail.com.

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14 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

What was once a colonial rest stop on the National Road is now a great place to live and do business.

The Town of New Market keeps its historical charm as new relaxed, friendly dining venues, unique boutiques and a dynamic set of businesses take root alongside established antique shops. Stroll along our Main Street and see for yourself.

w w w. t o w n o f n e w m a r ke t . o r g Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 15

MIND YOUR

BUSINESS

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You already know you need to be using social media marketing for your business, now what?

by Amanda Rodriguez

S

till not sure that social media marketing should be a part of your business marketing plan?

I’m not going to do the standard, “let me

convince you with a ton of stats about social platforms and how important they can be for your

business growth and development” spiel.

It’s 2023 and I’m going to respect your grind as a business owner enough to expect that you’ve done some research on the topic.

Working with that logic, it’s safe to assume that, as a business owner, you’ve at the very least already considered using social media marketing for your business. You’ve done some background work, heard the pros and cons, and come to some sort of conclusion about whether social media marketing can help you reach your goals.

So, don’t count on me to beat that dead horse.

If by some unfortunate twist of fate you’re a business owner in 2023 who hasn’t yet considered using social media marketing for your business, I’m confident in saying that nothing I can share in a short magazine article you’re probably reading in your doctor’s office is going to convince you.

Let’s take a different tact and agree right now that you already know you need to be using social media marketing for your business.

You’ve heard about the 4.9 billion users across the world.

You’ve read the statistics about how many of those 4.9 billion users are using social channels for product discovery.

istockphoto.com/Visual Generation

You’ve seen the case studies about small local businesses that went from selling their wares across popups and farmer’s markets to finding their products splashed across major publications and sitting in the homes of A-list celebrities thanks to social media.

Fall 2023

Frederick Business 17

Mind Your Business

You’ve witnessed how other businesses have profited from

consistent content and growth strategy while also keeping up

their social handles and felt the pang of being left out of that party.

on the variety of algorithmic nuisances social media platforms The question then isn’t why, it’s how. And this is where the

today’s market.

majority of businesses who seek out

Instead, let’s talk about the challenges

someone such as myself find themselves.

that keep you from diving in.

It would take hours of work and

Maybe you’re strapped for time and

research, not to mention an entirely

budget because you’re a small business

reasonable, but arguably substantial fee

owner doing ALL THE THINGS.

to develop a strategy for your business

Maybe you, like so many other small

that you can pick up and run with (feel free

business owners, just don’t know where

to reach out though, if you’re interested).

or how to start.

But no worries, I’m not going to entirely

Maybe, with these obstacles in mind,

gatekeep all the good stuff.

you haven’t been able to make the ROI

My current client roster is an eclectic

work for you.

one. I have a client in the beauty space, one in

You are not alone. But, you probably

kitchen textiles, and one in the food industry.

already knew that, too.

I also work with a nonprofit organization and

You know the struggle you’re facing

in influencer campaign management.

to navigate the deceptively deep waters

In the past, I’ve had clients in realty,

of social media marketing is not unique. Countless businesses,

construction, medicine, reality TV, gaming, photography, tourism

particularly smaller ones working with a limited staff, have come

and restaurants. And while this list has little in common on the

to me voicing these same concerns – they know social media

surface, they all largely came to me having made many of the

marketing works, they believe it will work for them, they’ve

same mistakes.

maybe given it a try, but they haven’t been able to maintain a

I don’t want you to make them, too.

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inset: istockphoto.com/Alexandra Shargaeva

social media marketing can and does do for businesses in

of today present.

top: istockphoto.com/chrupka

Let’s agree that it’s not your lack of knowledge about what

Mind Your Business

“Let’s agree that it’s not your lack of knowledge about what social media marketing can and does do for businesses in today’s market. Instead, let’s talk about the challenges that keep you

istockphoto.com/sorbetto

from diving in.”

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Frederick Business Quarterly 19

Mind Your Business

MISTAKE ONE: Believing social media marketing is just nice to have.

We live in a digital age and if your brand or business isn’t at least getting your feet wet in the social space at this point, you’re going to be left behind.

Brands and businesses who aren’t taking advantage of the various ways social media can help them reach their customers, gain valuable insights, and grow their brand are clearly losing out on the opportunities social media marketing offers.

Social media marketing provides opportunities to inform and engage your audience in ways no other form of marketing can. It gives you a direct line to your consumers and them one to you. It allows you to build trust and community in a personal way that humanizes your brand and encourages loyalty. And, it allows you to do so on a large scale giving you the opportunity to increase your brand awareness dramatically without investing a large amount of budget to do so. And, for those who are all about the bottom lines, don’t even get me started on the audience insights and analytics social platforms provide that allow you to truly target your advertising efforts and refine your marketing

Just like social media marketing shouldn’t be left out of a comprehensive marketing strategy, it also shouldn’t be the only marketing strategy. A successful, comprehensive marketing strategy will include social media marketing among the various other marketing strategies designed to grow your business.

bottom: istockphoto.com/bortonia

inset: istockphoto.com/bortonia

strategies with data driven decisions.

PRO TIP

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Mind Your Business

MISTAKE TWO: Falling for the narrative that

social media marketing is easy and anyone can do it.

Not to scare you away, but social media marketing is no easier than any other element of your business. It requires expert research and knowledge, time, effort, commitment and budget if you want to see consistent, trackable success.

But, isn’t your business worth it?

Making an investment in your digital marketing, including your social media marketing strategy, will pay dividends to your business in the future. If you’re making an effort to invest in quality materials, spending time and dollars perfecting your manufacturing process, service offerings, and customer service techniques, stepping out of your comfort zone to develop business relationships, and creating business processes that allow you to increase efficiency and reduce costs, you do yourself a disservice if you don’t invest just as much time, money, and effort into your marketing efforts. And, as previously mentioned, that should include social media.

It’s not a job that can be done by your daughter who’s home from college for the summer and it shouldn’t be handed over to someone to do on top of the laundry list of other things they’re tasked with.

If you want your marketing to be as successful as every other facet of your business you

Hire help! But don’t feel pressure to overcommit.

Take your time finding a social media marketing team that truly fits your needs, understands your goals, and is willing to give you the tools to be successful.

istockphoto.com/Jcomp

inset: istockphoto.com/Nuthawut Somsuk

can’t take the “easy” way to getting it done. Because social media marketing isn’t easy.

PRO TIP

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Frederick Business Quarterly 21

Mind Your Business

MISTAKE THREE: Not being an engaged

participant.

Social media is about relationships. And we all know what it feels like to be in a onesided relationship.

I often talk to clients who don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera, who don’t want to share too much, who are unwilling to show the personal side of their business, and who aren’t interested in being a part of “trends” and other elements of social platforms.

It’s fine to think outside the box and create a strategy more aligned with your personal strengths and comfort, but it’s also time to change your mindset a little.

The days of creating graphic templates and stock-image-fueled content that you throw on your Instagram page to autoshare to your Facebook channel twice a week are gone. Today’s social media user is literally bombarded with content daily (hourly in fact) and you’ve got to put in the effort to stand out from the crowd.

One way of doing this is by being an authentic contributor to the platform with content that is meant to serve a purpose in a meaningful and attention-grabbing way.

And no, I’m not suggesting you have to dance your way into people’s feeds. (Although if that’s your jam, you do you!)

What I am suggesting is that you invest in your content creation process. Create social content that aligns with your brand and tells your story in an engaging, creative way. I’ve yet

PRO TIP If you’re struggling to get involved in the content creation process, think of your platform as a way to more deeply serve your

to meet a brand, product or service I found “too boring” for social media. There’s always a

customers. Think of your

way to bring your business to life on social channels.

social platforms as a value

The reality is that users are looking for more from the brands and businesses with whom they choose to interact. They want to know the people behind the brand, they want

add by creating content

to know how and why you do what you do, they want to feel a part of your community and

designed to educate and

know that their opinions and experiences truly matter to you.

I often think of social media as a great way of achieving your marketing goals

inform. Consider your social

while also providing high-level customer service. Not only does it allow you to address

media platforms not only

concerns quickly and easily when people reach out, but it also gives you a chance to serve your customers by keeping them informed, giving them insight into your values and

as a way to extend your

your products, and letting them know that you are just as invested in them enjoying their

bottom line and increase

Not one to leave you on a down note, let me end with something positive that is actually my favorite part about social media marketing: it’s never too late to jump in!

With a little commitment and enthusiasm and the right support and guidance, you and your business can get started today and truly experience the benefits social media marketing has to offer.

your customer base, but as a way to serve your most devoted clients and inspire continued loyalty.

istockphoto.com/filo

purchase experience as they are.

Amanda Rodriguez is the founder of Trendsetters Digital Marketing and has been a content creator and social media strategist since 2009. She lives in Frederick, Maryland with her husband, three sons, and two dog daughters.

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Fall 2023

^

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www.thelodgesatgettysburg.com Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 25

Mind Your Business

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Mind Your Business

The pivotal role HR plays in shaping the success of any business by Columbus C. Brooks

I

n the ever-evolving landscape of business, organizations face numerous challenges when it comes to managing their human capital effectively.

Whether a small startup or a large corporation, businesses must recognize the importance of

investing in human resources services.

HR services play a pivotal role in shaping the success and sustainability of any organization, providing invaluable expertise across various domains. Let us explore why HR services have become increasingly essential for businesses of any size.

Strategic Workforce Planning Businesses now operate in a highly competitive environment, where agility and adaptability are vital for survival especially after the COVID pandemic. HR services enable organizations to develop strategic workforce plans that align with their overall objectives.

By assessing present and future workforce needs, HR professionals can identify skill gaps and ensure the right talent is in place to drive success. This initiative-taking approach empowers businesses to anticipate growth, adapt to market changes, and stay ahead of emerging industry trends.

Talent Acquisition and Retention Attracting and retaining top talent is a persistent challenge faced by businesses of all sizes. HR services play a crucial role in talent acquisition by designing effective recruitment strategies and streamlining the hiring process. Additionally, HR professionals ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations, istockphoto.com/smartboy10

minimizing legal risks associated with recruitment. Once talented individuals are onboard, HR services focus on employee engagement and satisfaction initiatives, creating a positive work environment that fosters

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Frederick Business Quarterly 27

Mind Your Business

left: istockphoto.com/macgyverhh

top: istockphoto.com/Cecilie_Arcurs

Mind Your Business

loyalty and reduces turnover rates. People management must

culture of continuous improvement. Companies must examine

start immediately from the start of the recruitment process

their stance on diversity/equity/inclusion initiatives, mentor and

throughout the employee’s employment. Business leaders

mentee programs and career-pathing. With emerging technologies

should look at building a people-centric culture. This will add a

and evolving market demands, HR services play a pivotal role in

human element and create a sense of belonging.

upskilling the workforce to meet future challenges head-on.

Compliance and Risk Management

Performance Management

In an era of increased scrutiny and complex employment

Performance management is crucial for aligning individual

regulations, compliance and risk management have become

and team objectives with organizational goals. HR services

paramount for businesses. HR services provide invaluable

assist businesses in establishing fair and effective performance

expertise, ensuring organizations adhere to labor laws,

management systems. HR professionals guide goal setting,

regulations, and industry standards. By implementing robust

conduct performance evaluations and provide constructive

policies and procedures, HR professionals mitigate legal risks,

feedback. By implementing robust performance management

handle employee grievances and disciplinary actions, and ensure

processes, businesses can recognize high performers,

a safe and inclusive work environment. Compliance is not only a

address performance issues promptly and foster a culture of

legal obligation, but also a means to protect the organization’s

accountability and excellence.

reputation and maintain employee trust.

Employee Benefits and Wellbeing Training and Development

Businesses recognize the importance of employee well-

Businesses must prioritize employee development to thrive

being and the positive impact it has on productivity and

in a rapidly changing world. HR services identify skill gaps, design

organizational success. HR services help design and administer

training initiatives and facilitate learning opportunities for

competitive employee benefits packages, including health

employees. By investing in training and development, organizations

insurance, retirement plans and other rewards. Additionally, HR

enhance productivity, improve job satisfaction, and foster a

professionals promote employee wellbeing through wellness

Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 29

Mind Your Business

programs, employee assistance programs and initiatives that support work-life balance. By prioritizing employee wellbeing, businesses create a supportive work environment that enhances satisfaction, engagement and productivity.

Columbus C. Brooks, GCDF, has 20 years of experience in HR.

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, organizations

Brooks earned an MBA in Human Resource Management from

must cultivate a positive and inclusive organizational culture.

the University of Phoenix, Arizona. As president of CBrooks

HR services play a crucial role in shaping and maintaining this

HR Consulting, LLC, he provides services for small to midsize

culture, promoting values, ethics and a healthy work environment

organizations, including Harassment Prevention training,

aligned with the company’s mission and vision. Furthermore,

People Management, Employee Development, Performance

HR professionals assist in managing change and facilitating

Management, Employee Relations, HR Policy Development,

organizational transitions. By supporting employees during

Talent Management, DEI training, HR Audits and Executive

periods of growth or restructuring, businesses can ensure higher employee engagement, retention and successful change implementation.

Investing in HR services is beneficial for any business, regardless of size. HR professionals bring expertise in strategic workforce planning, talent acquisition and retention, compliance and risk management, training and development, performance management,

Coaching. Clients have included engineering, medical, nonprofit, government, tech, education and manufacturing companies.

He is a frequent speaker, as well as an adjunct instructor for Point Park University teaching HR strategy. He has been featured in articles and quoted in published books. He is the recipient of several HR awards, including Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2022, People Matter Award in 2021 and HR Leadership Award from Pittsburgh Business Times in 2010. Brooks is a member

employee benefits and wellbeing and organizational culture and

of the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association, and sat on the

change management. By leveraging these services, businesses can

board of the Homeless Children Education Fund for many years.

optimize their human capital, reduce risks and create a competitive

He believes, “all people want to know is that they matter, that

advantage in today’s dynamic business landscape.

they are valued and most importantly they are heard.”

30 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

istockphoto.com/jacoblund

Organizational Culture and Change Management

WHERE PASSION DRIVES PROGRESS FREDERICK COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TAKE OUR SURVEY! We’ve launched a Business Sentiment Survey to better understand the needs and aspirations of our local business community. Your insights are invaluable in shaping the future of Frederick County's economic landscape.

Deadline November 5, 2023 Fall 2023

Services: Business Expansion and Location Assistance Incentive/Funding Resources Permitting/Zoning Assistance Marketing/Public Relations Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging EmPOWER Program Business Networking and Industry Connections Demographic and Business Data

www.discoverfrederickmd.com Frederick Business Quarterly 31

DIGGING IN

Commercial projects and opportunities in one of Maryland’s leading counties

by April Bartel

32 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

S

tarting a business, or beginning a new chapter of one, is exciting. The process always seems to be charged with equal parts anxiety and exuberance. Research is one way to tip the scales in a positive direction. That includes making sure the endeavor winds up in the right

environment, both physically and figuratively.

Frederick is a top contender in the region for starting or growing a business. It is Maryland’s largest county by landmass and one of its fastest growing in jobs and economy. Even its county seat is the state’s second-largest city. There are five designated opportunity zones and two enterprise zones here, as well as easy access to five major highways, making it convenient to key markets along the eastern seaboard. The area is a growth leader for its skilled workforce, economic incentives, highly rated schools, desirable quality of life, and plentiful business support resources, including an acclaimed business incubator that is poised to double in the next few years. It’s also home to superlative restaurants, a vibrant arts community and dozens of wineries, breweries and distilleries.

For perspective, there are approximately 9,000 businesses in the county that employ 91,000 workers. Its leading industries are life science/technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture, not to mention tourism. The Fort Detrick campus in Frederick includes five Cabinet-level agencies and employs more than 10,000 people. This installation alone contributes more than $7 billion to Maryland’s economy. Its prominence, especially in the realm of biomedical and cancer research, supports a range of related businesses and service providers, including many small businesses and startups that work with its local technology transfer office.

Crafting the Ecosystem Photo courtesy of Frederick County Economic Development

There are a number of significant commercial and residential projects happening around the area. “Frederick County’s economic activity shows no sign of slowing down” writes Lara Fritts, CEcD, FM, the County’s Executive Director of Economic and Workforce Development, confirming that there are more than 100 economic development prospects in the pipeline. The office maintains a list of major development areas, easily accessed from its website, as well as demographic research and other options for assistance.

“Our staff continues to work collectively with other departments to ensure site readiness and redevelopment opportunities for businesses to locate to as well as to enhance

Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 33

the commercial tax base,” continues Fritts. “Most notably, we’ll be

being able to retain workers and have them live in this community,

working to facilitate life science labs, office space, entertainment,

are critical issues for businesses.” When it comes to filling that

and dining as well as affordable housing opportunities.”

bill he says, “We have both.”

Troy Bolyard is the County’s Senior Business Development

In a city known for unique historic spaces and livability, Griffin’s

Manager. He says healthy growth requires balance in order to

office helps business leaders find resources and connections,

build upon the great things Frederick County already has in place.

too. “We try really hard to highlight a wide variety of options for

“There needs to be more places to work… The other thing is

people.” He encourages business leaders to explore the city’s

that business attraction assists homeowners and individuals

website for information on GROW grants, site selection services,

within the county for their tax base.” The goal being to offset

historic preservation tax credits, and vacant commercial property

homeowners’ obligations to maintain infrastructure and facilities.

tax credits. “The city can deliver several million square feet of

Growing local businesses also spurs job opportunities which

commercial space on either new, greenfield land or gray fields,

allow residents to stay in their own community for work, a distinct

adaptive reuse and infill opportunities.”

benefit that contributes to quality of life. “If I don’t spend an hour in my car, I’m usually a much happier individual,” Bolyard says.

Saving hours in traffic means more time for building a life. “That’s family time. That’s community time. That’s volunteerism time.”

Breaking Ground Economic development leaders point to a host of businessfriendly features, including capital improvements to the

Richard Griffin, AICP, CEcD, Director of Economic Development

Frederick Municipal Airport and 118 acres to be developed as

at the City of Frederick, elaborates on the flip side of the equation.

Airport Park. In life sciences, the largest growing sector here,

“Workforce, being able to source workers, and quality of life,

the community recently welcomed international Kite Pharma, a

34 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

Photos courtesy of Frederick County Economic Development

Digging In

Digging In

Gilead Company, and Ellume in complement to industry giants

The community also remains focused on bringing a full-

like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Lonza, and AstraZeneca. Another

service, upscale hotel to downtown along Carroll Creek Park. It

notable addition in process, Quantum Loophole is hailed as a

will have about 215 rooms and 20,000 ft.² of meeting space.

“first-of-its-kind environmentally friendly data center campus

The project hit a few speed bumps over the last few years but

on 2,100 acres,” according to economic facts from the Maryland

continues to track forward. “It will be very exciting,” insists Griffin.

Photos courtesy of Frederick County Economic Development

Department of Commerce.

The Brickworks project by developer Greenberg Gibbons is a

Starting the overview in Frederick City, the Visitation

current topic of discussion among residents and community leaders.

Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel affiliated with Marriott, has a

This mixed-use plan incorporates up to 1,260 residential units and

smaller footprint. At just 3 acres, the historic site now under

130,000 ft.² of retail space on 64+ acres with 12% earmarked for

reconstruction lies between E. Church St. and E. 2nd St.

parks and open space. Proponents see the project as a modern

downtown. Once a convent and school, a developer purchased

gateway to a redesigned East Street corridor that “captures

the property in 2020. The main three-story building will hold a

Frederick’s spirit and vision,” according to the city’s web page.

boutique hotel with 67 rooms, event space for up to 200 people,

East Street improvements align with other plans for downtown,

and a restaurant led by celebrity chef, Bryan Voltaggio – a plus for

which are closely tracked by the Downtown Frederick Partnership.

business and tourism. The project includes new buildings with

Director Kara Norman says, “We are historic preservation-based

two- and three-bedroom luxury condos to support residential

economic development organization for downtown Frederick and we

growth, too, Visitation Frederick Condominiums. It is expected to

focus on enhancing, promoting and preserving downtown by ability,

complete in mid-2024.

livability, and diversity.” Initiatives on their radar include both hotels and the Brickworks project as well as improving the 7th St. fountain

Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 35

as a park space and reconstruction of the Church St. parking deck.

warehouse, and flex facilities. He says, “That makes it a very

There’s even a streetscape study available for review.

interesting location for companies.”

Norman also mentions a new ambassador program in

Elevate 270 is along the Route 85 corridor near the Westview

partnership with Block by Block, a specialized services company.

Promenade shopping complex. According to the Pinkard Group

The morning team focuses on cleaning and maintenance while

website, a real estate investment and development company,

the afternoon crew provides hospitality, directions, and a

the 11.8-acre opportunity zone site is highly visible, adjacent

warm welcome to visitors. They will even walk you to your car.

to Interstate 270, and will house a 140,000 ft.² Class A Life

Representatives can be recognized by their brightly colored

Science facility designed with a highly functional truck court,

shirts or you can call 240-805-3096 for assistance.

multiple storefront entrances, 22- foot clear height, and

Northeast to Gas House Pike, Trammel Crow has a master-

highway–facing signage.

planned four-facility warehouse development on 55 acres.

The Labs at Jefferson Technology Park is a 500,000 ft.²

According to Bolyard, “The first building is a 684,000 ft.² single-

development in the Ballenger Creek neighborhood geared to

story building with 36’ clear space that is already under roof

integrate research and biomanufacturing in Frederick, MD—the

and ready for tenants. Then there are three additional industrial

“northern anchor of ‘DNA Alley’ in the Bio-Health Capital Region.”

buildings in the design development phase.” Also in that area

Nearby Lincoln West at Jefferson Station is 227,678 ft.² of flex

is the 177-acre Riverside Research Park by Matan, home to

space built in 2022. It boasts 32-foot ceilings and abundant

Progress Labs. Bolyard continues, “the site plan is approved for

parking near the new Jefferson Place community development.

417,000 ft.² in one area. There is also a complex there that is

The list continues with areas of interest like Arcadia Business

built.” The combination translates to potentially delivering more

Park, Urbana Corporate Park, and the Golden Mile. The smallest

than a million square feet of concentrated life science, industrial,

startups have options, too. In addition to numerous co-working

36 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

Photos courtesy of Frederick County Economic Development

Digging In

Digging In

i Resources for local businesses: Frederick County Office of Economic Development, 301-600-1058 www.discoverfrederickmd.com The City of Frederick Economic Development Office 301-600-6360 www.businessinfrederick.com or www.cityoffrederickmd.gov Maryland Department of Commerce, 888-246-6736 www.open.maryland.gov TEDCO Maryland Technology Development Corporation, 800-305-5556 www.tedco.com The Downtown Frederick Partnership 301-698-8118 www.downtownfrederick.org Frederick County Workforce Development 301-600-2255 www.frederickworks.com/employers

spaces, Frederick’s science and technology business incubator, the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc., offers offices and wet labs, including shared equipment to jumpstart research; plus, a host of intensely founder-focused business development programs that surround emerging entrepreneurs with opportunities for coaching, capital building, and connections.

Norman offers some parting advice for anyone thinking of

Frederick County Chamber of Commerce 301-662-4164 www.frederickchamber.org Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. 301-695-2999 www.fitci.org Tourism Council of Frederick County 301-600-4047 www.visitfrederick.org

Photos courtesy of Frederick County Economic Development

starting or relocating a business. “The important thing is making a connection between the type of business you’re planning to open and the location. There are always trade-offs. Some locations are more affordable, but off the beaten path.” It all goes back to research.

To gauge which trade-offs are worthy she says, “Get involved. Get to know your neighbors. Talk with fellow business owners, particularly in the downtown Frederick community… I encourage people to get to know their neighbors. Learn from each other.”

Local economic development offices and business

April Bartel is a freelance writer with 25 years experience

organizations are always willing to help, too. Dig in to the

exploring topics ranging from business and tourism to great food

information you need to make an informed decision about a

and more. It’s the best job in the world because she gets to meet

business location with this list of contacts.

interesting people with a passion for what they do and learn new things every day, then share those stories.

Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 37

Photos courtesy of Hood College

38 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

After 130 years in the heart of Frederick, Hood College balances on a foundation of history, tradition, and high standards as it breaks new ground in postmillennial higher education and stays true to the community that has nurtured it from the start.

Old

School

By Chris Slattery

1893

was a groundbreaking year.

Grover Cleveland was the U.S. president, ice cream soda was declared the national drink, the first intercollegiate basketball

game was played, and the Mormon Temple was dedicated in Salt Lake City Utah. The NYSE crashed, the first gasoline-powered car debuted, Nabisco invented Cream of Wheat, and Katharine Lee Bates wrote “America the Beautiful” in Colorado, where, unlike most other American women, she presumably enjoyed the right to vote.

In Chicago the World’s Fair (known as the Columbian Exposition) got underway, celebrating half a century since Columbus made his voyage to the New World and introducing the Ferris Wheel to dizzy, delighted riders. And in Frederick, Maryland, an institute of higher learning opened its doors on East Church Street “for the promotion and advancement of women and the cultivation and diffusion of literature, science and art.”

Hood College, like ice cream sodas, Ferris Wheels, stock market crashes, and so many other 1893 institutions, is still deeply woven into the fabric of American life — at least here in Frederick. In some ways it’s even more relevant than it was back when the Potomac Synod of the Reformed Church of the United States—now the United Church of Christ—established the Woman’s College of Frederick, as Hood was then known.

“When women were being invited to be Hood College students in 1893, they were taught the basic skills, the building blocks of education,” says Andrea Chapdelaine, president of Hood College since 2014. “That has persisted through time.” Chapdelaine says that Hood, which has admitted men as well as women since 1971, remains rooted in its mission and traditions even as it breaks new educational ground offering graduate programs in bioinformatics, health informatics and cybersecurity.

“I’m passionate about the mission of higher education,” explains Chapdelaine, “and I know that a college degree, regardless of major, means we’re providing students with the basic skills of how to think creatively, how to write well, how to work in teams, and how to problem solve. Our students are going to be successful regardless of major — we know this.”

Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 39

Old School

“When a study of science is coupled with a study of art, history, and literature it becomes a lot more powerful, a lot more colorful, a lot more meaningful,” she says. “And when students go on to advanced study, or to myriad careers, they’re going to encounter problems that can’t be solved with a singular focus; situations where they’re going to have to lean on knowledge other than their major field.”

40 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

Old School They also know that a college education is an excellent investment, one that Chapdelaine says “returns well over a million dollars over the course of a person’s lifetime.” And while any degree has the potential to deliver those gains, at Hood there’s a secret sauce that helps students pursue their goals.

“It’s very important for students to be passionate about their major so that they’ll do well and be successful,” the president insists. “And we look for ways to help our students discover those interests and passions and pursue them; to surround and wrap around their curriculum with internship opportunities or research or even just shadowing opportunities for networking with alumni in various fields.

“That way our students can have confidence in their selection and take those experiences and leverage them into a great first job and, more importantly, into a career.”

For Provost Debbie Ricker, who came to Hood in 2016 and is now its chief academic officer, even the highest-tech majors aren’t complete without a generous dollop of good, oldfashioned liberal arts education on the side.

“We build a foundation across multiple disciplines,” Ricker explains. “We’ve got to stay true to our heritage and true to our mission, and part of Hood’s mission is a central focus on and passion for the liberal arts regardless of major.”

She admits that there may be a lot of biology students wondering why they’re compelled to study Shakespeare and Caravaggio when all they really want to do is dissect things and create little explosions in a lab. But the provost remembers her own education, and “how a study of the liberal arts really magnifies my passion for biology and the sciences.

“When a study of science is coupled with a study of art, history, and literature it becomes a lot more powerful, a lot more colorful, a lot more meaningful,” she says. “And when students go on to advanced study, or to myriad careers, they’re going to encounter problems that can’t be solved with a singular focus; situations where they’re going to have to lean on knowledge other than their major field.” They’re also going to have to partner with others, she adds, colleagues who may think like artists or Photos courtesy of Hood College

writers, not scientists.

“Being able to think about a problem through multiple lenses is the only way we’re going to find solutions,” she explains. “We empower students with the skills to solve distinct problems: social, political, scientific problems.” To do that, Hood has undertaken a massive revision of its general education program, which is known as the core curriculum.

Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 41

Old School “Talk about groundbreaking!” Ricker says, clearly enthused about the carefully formatted program that will launch in the fall of 2025. “There are elements of that core curriculum that I don’t think you’d find at many schools like Hood College.

“It includes, true to our mission, a service-learning requirement for all first-year students, which commits them to working with a community service organization. That’s a game changer.”

And yet community outreach has always been part of the Hood experience.

“I believe very strongly that institutions of higher learning are anchor institutions,” says President Chapdelaine. “We’re not going to pick up and move to wherever the labor is cheaper, we’re not going to go fully remote.

“There is a shared history between Frederick and Hood that has to be sustained and cultivated.”

The history moves forward every autumn as students arrive on campus, drawn by what Chapdelaine calls “a safe and welcoming area, with access to great amenities like Baker Park and downtown all within walking distance — your quintessential college town.”

It’s a town where Hood’s partnerships are strong, with retailers offering discounts to students and where the orientation swag bags include gift cards that Hood’s 300+ first years can use to get to know different businesses. That servicelearning requirement also brings students and the community together, in a way that Chapdelaine says adds even more depth to the Hood education.

“It stems from our mission,” she explains. “We are trying to teach our students to have lives of purpose, so, obviously, helping them understand the importance of not just being a great CEO but being a great CEO and giving back to your community and being a good citizen is really important. It’s built into the education; we’re not just contributing bright, welltrained minds—we’re contributing people who are committed to making a difference.”

And committed to reaching back to Hood once they’ve graduated. Chapdelaine notes that because it began as a traditional “Given the history of women’s entry into the workforce, having allies and support systems in place to lift up the people who come after you and to ‘leave the door open behind you’ is built into the ethos at Hood,’ she says. “Our alumni are incredibly positive about the Hood education, and they’re very willing to work with the current students and help them as they’ve been helped.”

42 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

Photos courtesy of Hood College

women’s college, Hood boasts an unusually robust alumni network.

Old School The alumni base and other donors, she says, support Hood students with scholarship funds and invite them into the work force, creating a dynamic network that keeps the 130-year-old institution at the cutting edge of the tech economy. And that tech economy is closer to Hood than ever, despite its location in rural Maryland’s bucolic heart. Ricker points out that just beyond Frederick, where Hood has strong connections with the NCI-run Frederick National Laboratory, Leidos, and other science-based companies, the DC tech corridor waits to employ graduates with the unique education found at Hood.

“This is one of Hood’s superpowers, leveraging our regional partnerships,” gushes Ricker. “We don’t just partner with regional employers and businesses; we invite them to the table — and that creates a pipeline to employment.”

Hood also provides a pipeline to education that even nonstudents can enjoy. President Chapdelaine says that at Hood, “We give our institution away, “People who work for the city, work for the county, work for the non-profits associated with United Way, receive scholarships to come to Hood both at the graduate and undergraduate level.

“We also look for ways to help other organizations,” she adds. “We work together with Frederick Health on supporting our nursing program, and we’ve established a 24-hour clinic for mental health services support.”

For Chapdelaine there’s a simple reason for Hood to work so closely with the community: together, she says, they’re stronger.

“I like to say, ‘So goes Frederick, so goes Hood; so goes Hood, so goes Frederick,’ she explains. “The cultural, economic, and social welfare of the community is part of our responsibility, and we’re doing everything we can to make Frederick a great place to

Photos courtesy of Hood College

live, to work, to learn, to play.”

Chris Slattery is an avid storyteller who covered the arts and entertainment for The Gazette and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County’s CultureSpotMC and now writes for a variety of corporations and publications while procrastinating over several unfinished works of fiction.

Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 43

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44 Frederick Business Quarterly

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Frederick Business 45

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46 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

Building Community The Value of Public Art

by Shuan Butcher

B

eing a public artist gives nationally renowned sculptor Toby Mendez a platform to tackle works in scales that he wouldn’t normally be able to do. It also provides him with a feeling of longevity.

“It is my hope that these pieces will last generations,”

Mendez said.

But public art often means so much more to the community than it does to the artist. If you walk around Downtown Frederick on any given day, at some point you will see residents and tourists alike taking photographs with the “Angels in the Architecture” series, gawking in awe at The Community Bridge, admiring the Lester Bowie mural, and enjoying a number of the other public art installations in the city.

“When we visit a place, most of our memories have to do with the art and architecture of that place,” Mendez said.

Think how iconic the Statue of Liberty is to New York City, the Eiffel Tower is to Paris and the Gateway Arch is to St. Louis.

There is a certain cultural cachet for communities that have high quality public art.

According to Mendez, public art makes our public settings more interesting and breaks up the monotony.

“Public art provides a place with something to see and, in and of itself, becomes a destination,” Mendez said. “It enriches our life without us even knowing it and becomes part of our experience.”

William Cochran, whose landmark public art creations include Angels in the Architecture, The Community Bridge, the Dreaming, and other pieces throughout Maryland and the country says that public art is for everybody.

“It has to hold an appeal and sense of engagement for all ages and backgrounds,” Cochran said. “Public art is available and accessible 24/7/365. You don’t have to dress a certain way or you don’t have to buy a ticket, it is always there.”

Economic Prosperity and Sustainability ASL Bike Rack / East Street, Frederick Chanel Bonheyo, Tiffany Farias, David Magnabasco

Fall 2023

For any community, public art can perform different roles and can provide a number of benefits to locals and visitors.

Frederick Business Quarterly 47

Photo courtesy of Visit Frederick

IMPACT: The Value of Public Art

Becky the Calf / N. Bentz Street, Frederick Adam Lubkin

48 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

IMPACT: The Value of Public Art

Cochran says that public art of high quality can help drive the economy of an area. He points to a study done by the Knight Foundation, in partnership with Gallop, that looked at determining what drives economic development.

“The largest one was community attachment,” Cochran said.

“If a community is attached to where they live, is it because of

“Public art provides a place with something to see and, in and of itself, becomes a destination,” Mendez said.

Photos courtesy of Visit Frederick

“It enriches our life without us even knowing it and becomes part of our experience.”

Community Bridge / Carroll Creek Park William Cochran

Fall 2023

good schools? Public safety? The top three were the opportunity for social engagement, a sense of tolerance, and the design quality of the public spaces.”

In Frederick, the internationally known “Community Bridge,” a trompe l’oeil mural conceived by Cochran in 1993 as an alternative to the original plan of using artificial stone cladding to adorn the bridge over Carroll Creek, was a catalyst for the redevelopment of Carroll Creek Linear Park.

“That project engaged thousands of residents in a creative process and approximately $350 million in additional investment and redevelopment,” Cochran said.

Jim McFarland, a professor of art and design at Hartford Community College since 1990 who also serves as a member of the Havre de Grace public art committee, highlights the example of Millennium Park in Chicago.

Frederick Business Quarterly 49

Photo courtesy of Art on Main, Brunswick

IMPACT: The Value of Public Art

50 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

IMPACT: The Value of Public Art “That area used to be a railyard, but now includes two large and iconic public art pieces (including Anish Kapoor’s “Cloud Gate”),” McFarland said. “The value of the properties around that space went up exponentially.”

There is plenty of evidence to demonstrate how public art can transform public spaces and increase visitation to a property.

Emily Blumenfeld, co-founder and partner at Via Partnership, a public art consulting firm that has facilitated numerous largescale art projects, believes that art can drive people to existing businesses and lead to increased foot traffic.

“It shows that it is an active place,” she said. “To know a community values public art can set that place apart.”

“When a community is excited to show off the amenities, then you have busy restaurants and vibrant businesses,” Cochran said.

“Public art is a strong magnet and showcases a sense of progress.”

Art not only generates excitement within a community, but establishes pride and ownership as well. Public art connects people, places, and the past.

Cultural Enrichment and Identity Art is not a stagnant image, sculpture, or work.

“Art is about thought and ideas,” McFarland said. “Art can expand our own knowledge or awareness. It can challenge our perceptions and expectations. Art opens us to engaging with things that we are not familiar with.”

Cochran believes high quality public art challenges the viewer.

“Artists are always questioning things, pushing the envelope, and breaking new ground,” Cochran said. “They can engage with the unique character of a place and reclaim the authentic story of the land and bring out aspects of local history that were not well understood or unknown. That builds a sense of pride and local residents realize the place where they live has a much deeper meaning than they realized.”

Art not only generates excitement within a community, but establishes pride and ownership as well. Public art connects people, places, and the past.

“It reflects the unique character, history, and values of the community,” Cochran said. “Public art can be synonymous with the identity of a city. Take the Statue of Liberty or the Gateway Arch, these symbolic representations of those communities creates a progressive vision of what it has always been and what it can be.

What is unique about public art is that it can contribute to placemaking efforts more than almost anything else because it is a very direct and personal engagement with the visitor, according to Cochran.

Art on Main / 101 S. Maple, Brunswick Parran Collery

Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 51

Photo courtesy of Visit Frederick

IMPACT: The Value of Public Art

52 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

IMPACT: The Value of Public Art

“Marylanders can travel the state and see public art. Art can be gathering places and also share stories and voices of people who have lived there and are living there now. What happened at a particular location can be interpreted through a piece of art.”

Public Engagement

Projects also create an opportunity for outside investment,

“Sometimes people almost accidentally discover your work,”

such as grants from the Maryland State Arts Council. In

Mendez said. “Public art allows individuals to see art outside that

2013, the Maryland legislature passed a bill that provided an

wouldn’t ordinarily be seen in a gallery setting.”

allocation for public art for new state building projects as a

“As public artists, we want people to step back and think about something they haven’t. Art should provoke thought and reflection. It should get us to ask questions.”

Mendez refers to most of his public art creations as monuments and memorials, works meant to celebrate whomever is being recognized.

“It can be educational and informative. My hope is the person seeing it is curious to learn more,” he said.

Percent for Art program.

This program has now been around 10 years in the state, but the concept nationally has been around since 1957, according to Liesel Fenner, public art coordinator for the Maryland State Arts Council.

“Other localities, including Montgomery County, have similar programs and there have been some in Frederick that have wanted to institute this effort,” Fenner said.

“Marylanders can travel the state and see public art. Art can

Mendez normally works on two or three installations per

be gathering places and also share stories and voices of people

year. This fall, he plans to dedicate the Clara Barton Memorial in

who have lived there and are living there now. What happened at

Hagerstown that will not only recognize her contribution to the

a particular location can be interpreted through a piece of art.”

aid she gave to soldiers during the time of the Civil War, but will also honor all those who provide immediate care.

Around the same time, a statue honoring internationally known fly fisherman Lefty Kreh, who was born in Frederick and died in 2018, will be dedicated at Culler Lake in Frederick’s Baker Park.

Why is important to invest in public art?

Mendez points out that when a check is written for a public art installation, the money goes to a lot more than just the artist.

“A commissioned piece will often employ contractors, engineers, foundry, landscapers, and dozens more,” he said.

Public art is as vital as green space, parks, and other recreational amenities.

“Public art contributes to a community’s cultural enrichment, placemaking, urban design, economic revitalization, and public engagement. There aren’t very many other elements that can accomplish all of these things. You get a lot of bang for the buck,” Cochran said. “The vision drives the funding, not the other way around.”

Cochran says that there are more than 300 “Percent for Art” programs across the country in which some percentage of the

Shuan Butcher is a nonprofit professional, writer, and event

project cost is placed on large-scale development projects in order

planner. He previously served as the executive director of the

to fund and install public art. The details vary from place to place.

Frederick Arts Council and has been a member of the City of

In addition, materials used in public art projects typically stand the test of time.

Frederick’s Public Art Commission and the Visit Frederick board of directors

“So it is an investment that will last decades or longer,” Mendez said.

John Hanson Statue / 100 W. Patrick, Frederick Toby Mendez Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 53

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54 Frederick Business Quarterly

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Frederick Business Quarterly 55

STRATEGY & GROWTH

56 Frederick Business Quarterly

Fall 2023

Snarfies finds success in the regional pet food market by focusing on small-batch treats and personal connections

by Molly Fellin Spence

A

fter many years of running businesses and start-ups for other people, Catherine Sprouse was hungry for a new challenge. She wanted to start her own business, and was looking for the right idea.

“I’ve always understood the mission or purpose

behind the work I do, and I believe in it — that inspires my best work,” Sprouse, 54, said. “It’s important to me to put my energy into something I really care deeply about, because I work seven days a week, and a lot of hours. My work is always first and foremost about caring for my family – and my pets are family.”

Sprouse, now the owner of a successful pet food company called Snarfies, based in Frederick, says the inspiration for her business came during a stressful time, as she learned to care for a beloved, very sick family dog, named Hershey.

Sprouse says Hershey was a smart, loyal and loving companion, who developed strange digestive issues, which were eventually diagnosed as an aggressive form of cancer. Hershey’s illness affected her appetite, and the family was desperate to get their 6-year-old beloved furry friend to eat.

They ended up making homemade food and treats to entice her, and according to Sprouse, “it made a huge difference.

“Her level of appetite and sheer enjoyment of eating food was so obviously improved when we added our freshly prepared food to her diet, I wondered if there wasn’t a good business idea in there.”

Sprouse got to work researching the pet food industry, which she says was “pretty terrible” at the time.

“It has been improving in recent years, but we’ve obviously still got a ways to go. Pet food is becoming less and less of a monopoly, so that helps, and it has definitely become more diversified, with different companies approaching the need to improve pet food quality in different ways,” she said. “This is a very good thing, for pets and their families. I feel fortunate to be a part of that.”

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STRATEGY & GROWTH

58 Frederick Business Quarterly

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STRATEGY & GROWTH Efforts started with choosing the right name for the business.

Sprouse said her team focused on important qualities and feelings

everything in-house in Frederick County. We make everything by hand, from start to finish.”

they wanted to associate with their products. They decided that

When developing a treat idea, Sprouse and her team focus

great taste was vital to getting pets to love the products and pet

on aroma, flavor, texture, and experience. Snarfies makes a wide

owners to purchase them again.

range of protein treats, in different sizes and textures to help

“We want it to taste and smell so great that they will ‘snarf’ it right up,” she said, “and that’s how our name came to be.”

Snarfies’ small staff makes every treat they sell by hand, in small batches, with fresh ingredients, in Frederick, and sells the treats directly to their customers on the Snarfies website and at farmers’ markets in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region.

pet owners find what works for them and their pet. They focus on educating their customers on the importance of feeding fresh and nutritious foods to their pets instead of foods that are overly processed or loaded with salt, sugar, or other chemicals.

“We all should be eating healthier – lowering our salt, sugar, and processed fat intake. As humans, we are sometimes four to five times the body weight of our pets – if processed foods with loads

“Instead of focusing our energies and

of salt, sugar, and processed fat is bad for us, imagine how much it

resources on Amazon or social media

and are trying to find ways to bring better food options forward.”

marketing, we focus more on getting to

needs a high-reward treat as an incentive, or a cat is missing a few

know people in a neighborhood or local

to eat, Snarfies works hard to find a solution for their customers.

community, one market at a time,” she

and personal relationship-building with Snarfies, connecting

said. “We are mindfully growing from the

brand-building.

ground up, one customer at a time.”

social media marketing, we focus more on getting to know people

affects our pets,” Sprouse said. “We think about this all the time, Whether a dog is trying to pass a Canine Good Citizen and teeth and needs a soft and nutritious tasty morsel to entice her Sprouse decided early on to focus on community-building with customers locally, rather than thinking about nationwide “Instead of focusing our energies and resources on Amazon or in a neighborhood or local community, one market at a time,” she said. “We are mindfully growing from the ground up, one customer at a time.”

Snarfies works to connect directly with customers every day,

“Our treats are high-value treats for most dogs and cats, and because of that we have a loyal following amongst D.C. and Virginia dog trainers,” she said.

Marketing the business has come naturally via word-of-mouth and social media sharing, Sprouse said.

“One of the best things about our job is when we get emails,

Sprouse said.

“That’s where the joy comes from. We get crazy-amazing feedback from customers whose pets appreciate what we do,” she said. “As we grow, I know we will find more and more people who want to join our team, because the work we do every day makes life better for people and pets we love.”

Instagram photos and videos, photos, and texts from customers who are having a great time sharing our treats with their pet,” she said. “Our team in the kitchen is always excited to see folks reaching out, it really makes our day to see so many people finding joy in and benefitting from the work we do.”

Snarfies also sources ingredients “as much as possible” from

the appearance of being local, but most products out there

Molly Fellin Spence is an accomplished writer and editor with more than two decades of experiences in the world of journalism.

She’s worked with a variety of print and digital publications in the Mid-Atlantic region creating and honing compelling content to engage readers. A native Pennsylvanian, she has called Frederick,

are manufactured and packaged elsewhere,” she said. “We do

Maryland, home since 2002.

local and regional farmers. Sprouse believes the local focus is what sets Snarfies apart from other pet food and treat companies.

“Many pet food and treat companies these days put on

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Frederick Business Quarterly 59

istockphoto.com/stray_cat

WORK/LIFE BALANCE

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Fall 2023

Self Care Strategies Can Boost Wellness in the Workplace

by Valerie Turner

Paying attention to taking care of yourself isn’t a new concept.

A regular self-care practice has been shown to lower stress levels and increase emotional and physical wellbeing.

A

s more adults are becoming more willing to practice self care, there is an opportunity for employers to make the most of the trend. Helping employees to manage their health and wellness can improve the workplace as a whole.

A large portion of our day is spent at work. The

average person will spend 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime, according to Jessica Pryce-Jones, author of “Happiness at Work: Maximizing Your Psychological Capital for Success.”

Self care shouldn’t be exclusive to your personal life. For selfcare to be beneficial, it requires building a routine throughout your day, including while you are at work.

Here are a several examples of what self-care at work could look like: • Participate in employer-sponsored wellness programs.

• Schedule walking meetings.

• Have lunch away from your desk.

• Add items to your desk that bring you joy, such as pictures and plants.

• Practice deep breathing.

- Exhale through the mouth to make a “whoosh” sound, then take the first inhale for a count of four through the nose.

Next, hold your breath for a count of seven. Finish by letting out a relaxing exhale for a count of eight. Repeat for three or more cycles or until you feel calmer and more centered.

This elongated breathing process is best for winding down at night and releasing anger, anxiety and tension.

• Meditate regularly.

- Research has shown that just five minutes of meditation a day is enough to help clear the mind, improve mood, boost brain function, reduce stress, slow down the aging process and support a healthy metabolism, according to a 2014

istockphoto.com/Tassii

study by Amy G. Lam at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

As you practice self care, try habit stacking. This is a method of behavior change that involves creating a list of small, manageable tasks that you can complete each day to help reach your goal. The Fall 2023

Frederick Business Quarterly 61

Work/Life Balance

best part of habit stacking is that it doesn’t require a huge time

Workers are seeing the results of putting off self care —

commitment – you can start small and gradually add on as you go.

burnout has become a growing problem, according to several

For employees to function at their best, they need to feel

surveys and reports.

prepared to do their best work. There are things all employers can

Self-care alone won’t solve burnout, but when it becomes a

do to help employees practice self care in the workplace, such as:

priority within the workplace, it can make a huge difference in

• Be flexible. Improve employee focus and energy by allowing

building happier, more sustainable workday routines for yourself

for short breaks throughout the workday.

or your employees.

• Offer services that boost employee mindfulness, such as emotional wellbeing coaching and other mental health support services.

• Practice gratitude and show appreciation for your employees.

• Provide opportunities for employees to socialize during and outside of work hours, by offering free cooking classes or • Implement a corporate wellness program that rewards

Valerie Turner is a licensed massage therapist with certification

employees for taking care of their physical and emotional

from Baltimore School of Massage. She also holds an Associate in

health.

Science degree in Physical Therapist Assistant from Penn State

• Offer classes such as yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi.

University. Turner has a passion for massage therapy, physical

Work is intertwined with our daily routines. Understanding

therapy, wellness in the workplace and functional wellness and

that we spend roughly a third of our lives at work, setting aside

she puts that to good use as a wellness blogger. She lives with

self care for “later” just doesn’t cut it anymore.

her husband in the Washington, D.C., area.

62 Frederick Business Quarterly

October-November 2023

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