Made In Baltimore chose these 12 businesses for its 2023 Home-Run Accelerator cohort

Just like a baseball coach scouting for talent, the Home-Run Accelerator (HRA) from Made In Baltimore (MIB) a program designed to help home-based entrepreneurs scale up, has carefully handpicked 12 businesses to join its five-month development program. 

“Made In Baltimore is excited to welcome the latest HRA cohort, which showcases some of the finest aspects of Baltimore’s small business community, and we anticipate providing them with the assistance they require to elevate their businesses,” said Andy Cook, the director of Made In Baltimore. “Concentrating on home-based businesses that aspire to scale is beneficial not just for entrepreneurs but also aids in tackling commercial and industrial vacancy issues in Baltimore.”

The accelerator kicks off with an eight-week master class curriculum taught by seasoned Made In Baltimore business owners and other local experts in the fields of business development and real estate. The curriculum is designed to provide participants with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in their respective industries.

In addition, program participants will be paired with peer mentors who already successfully scaled businesses out of their homes. These mentors will offer guidance and assistance to participants for three months following the completion of the master classes. With this personalized support, entrepreneurs in the HRA cohort are sure to make a splash and score a home run in the world of small business. According to a press release sent to Technical.ly six of HRA’s past graduates have moved into formerly vacant properties, bringing vitality back to some of Baltimore’s ne neighborhoods. 

The following entrepreneurs are set to receive expert guidance and support throughout the HRA program, allowing them to take their businesses to the next level and hit a home run in the small business ecosystem:

• Alphee Arts, a purveyor of handmade leather journals, is run by Stephanie Alphee — a self-proclaimed “crafty techie” who’s also a local educator.
  • “Joining the Made in Baltimore Network and being accepted into the Home Run Accelerator are my proudest moments with Alphee Arts to date and I am excited to see where this program will lead me,” she said. “What started as a pandemic project combining my love of arts and crafts with my work in digital fabrication education has evolved into a journey into creative entrepreneurship that I never thought was possible for myself until now. I am most looking forward to engaging one-on-one with the amazing mentors MIB put together for this program and learning from folks that were once in my shoes and are now running some of my favorite Baltimore businesses.” 
• Healing justice and Earth stewardship-centered Baltimore area maker Amoona sells wares like ceramics, bath soaks and even tea.
• According to its Instagram, AnkaraX was founded on a desire to connect identity with couture using ethnic wax print designs for textiles, apparel and accessories.
• Having already sold at places like The B&O and Cross Street farmers markets, The Boutique Life joins the HRA cohort offering custom-made accessories. Check out this cool Open Works-produced video featuring its founder Samantha Montgomery.
• Fair Winds Candle Company is a Black- and woman-owned home fragrance company.
• Sabrina Thompson and Girls In Space Club should be super familiar to Technical.ly readers and are also members of the latest HRA cohort, with an aim to combine fashion and STEM. Girls in Space is an alum of the SEW BROMO program, whose founder Stacy Stube is set to showcase her business at the JHU Social Innovation Lab Showcase on May 18.
• According to this Baltimore-area maker’s Facebook, Good + Plenty Naturals specializes in handmade body products like aluminum-free deodorant.
• Lobe’ Dangle is an haute couture leather accessory brand that specializes in leather earrings, cuffs and necklaces.
• A lil’ something featuring our furry friends with Mel’s Workshop. This cohort member specializes in creating unique and stylish knickknacks, from personalized coasters to conversation magnets.
• New Vintage by Sam, a member of the Made In Baltimore cohort, creates “healing hardwear” — jewelry designed to not only look beautiful but also promote healing and positivity. Each piece is handmade and infused with positive energy, making it a unique and meaningful addition to any collection.
• Sacred Ashes creates candles and oils that are both beautiful and functional.
• Sweet Smith’s bakery creates hand-crafted baked goods, from classic chocolate chip cookies to unique flavor combinations like lavender honey cake.