BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER TO FORM BREAKFAST CLUB FOR ENTREPRENEURS

(January 10, 2012 – Frederick, MD) – The Entrepreneur Council of Frederick County, in partnership with the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, will launch the Emerging Entrepreneur Breakfast Club in February. The new forum will allow local business owners to share ideas, solve common problems, and improve their operations.

The new Breakfast Club will meet on the third Tuesday of each month, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., beginning in February. Meetings will be held at the Frederick Chamber’s office at 8420-B Gas House Pike, Frederick. Space is limited to 15 participants. Interested business owners must apply by January 25, 2012, and will be notified of acceptance by the end of January.

During the program’s first year, participants must attend at least 10 of 12 monthly meetings, and must agree to keep information discussed at each meeting confidential. By encouraging open dialogue with a small group of professionals, the Entrepreneur Council hopes to develop strong bonds that will contribute to each participant’s business success.

Each meeting will be facilitated by Jim Merkel, Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch. In addition to nearly 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, including financial planning for small business owners, Jim is active within the local nonprofit community.

Participant applications are available online at entrepreneurcouncil.com and frederickchamber.org. For more information, contact Ric Adams, Chamber President and CEO, at 301.662.7851.

Frederick County Chamber of Commerce members include more than 950 organizations, representing over 35,000 local jobs in a wide variety of industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Service and Hospitality, Technology, Government, Nonprofit, and Education. Over 80% of members are small businesses with 20 or fewer employees. The Frederick Chamber is the first Chartered Chamber in the United States, and will celebrate its 100^th Anniversary on May 21, 2012. To learn more about the Chamber, call 301.662.4164 or visit frederickchamber.org.