COLUMBIA, MD (April 21, 2009) – Howard County recognized three outstanding business leaders and awarded two entrepreneurial scholarships today at its 15th Annual Committee for Business and Economic Diversity (CBED) Awards Program and Breakfast Gala held at Ten Oaks Ballroom.

“Congratulations to all the 2009 award winners and nominees.  Individuals and businesses like those being honored here this morning continue to position Howard County as a local and regional economic leader,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.  “Howard County benefits both culturally and economically from the strength of its diverse population and continues to be a leader in providing the resources to ensure all citizens reach their fullest potential for business success.”

As the nation prepares to celebrate Small Business Week, May 17-19, 2009, the CBED Awards Program hosted by the Howard County Economic Development Authority honored:

Business Achievement - Shara Patty Darden, Studio Inspire

Founded in 2008 by Shara Patty Darden, President and Owner, Columbia-based Studio Inspire provides a place for adults who enjoy dance and movement to follow their passion. Making fitness fun and inspiring a community priority for health and wellness, Darden and her exceptional team of instructors offer a variety of fun fitness and dance classes in the genres of Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip-Hop, Tap, and Latin Fiesta-style. With a customer base of 150 people, primarily women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds, Studio Inspire’s ten instructors teach 35 classes per week. During its inaugural year, Studio Inspire created several strategic alliances with other small and local business groups including: Apothekeri Herbs & Wellness, Mary Kay, Olga Kosnyreva, and the Howard County Poetry and Literary Society’s “A Literary Gathering of Women.”

Individual Achievement - Stanley Crump, Ellicott City Fitness and Karate

Stanley Crump, owner of Ellicott City Fitness and Karate is able to balance the unbridled entrepreneurial spirit with the rigors of his very successful day job in medical sales and the demands of a large family. Beginning with his early days teaching karate in the Parks and Recreation Department, Crump has embraced Howard County and its various opportunities to build a successful career, thriving business and community stewardship. As a three-time heavyweight champion of the world, Crump is an internationally recognized expert in the Uechi Ryu form of Karate. In 2007, he began Ellicott City Fitness and Karate with ten students and has grown the school to include 85 ethnically-diverse students.

Business Diversity Achievement - The Kane Company

John M. Kane, President and CEO of The Kane Company and subsidiary, Office Movers, has grown The Kane Company to be the largest commercial moving company in the nation. Entering the Kane Company at an entry level, Kane worked his way up in the organization by learning and achieving at every step. Passionate about giving every employee the same opportunity, employees at all levels are given the tools, training and time to expand their skills, gain experience and apply for internal positions. The company’s diverse workforce of about 1,500 employees is a broad representation of age, gender, ethnicity and religion. The Kane Company partners with and contracts to small, women and minority-owned businesses. The Kane Company has given back to the community in countless ways—from giving each employee one paid “volunteer day” each year to donating to causes such as the prevention of breast cancer, relief for Hurricane Katrina Victims, and local food drives.

Howard County General Hospital Rising Business Star Scholarship

Matthew E. Erlandson, Wilde Lake High School

Founder of Matt’s Lawn Care, a lawn care and landscape business started in 2006, Matthew Erlandson has the entrepreneurial spirit needed to suceed as a business owner. Diagnosed with dyslexia in third grade, Erlandson has worked very hard to overcome the challenges imposed by the disability. Starting with a residential lawn mower, Erlandson’s business soon earned enough money to buy a durable commercial grade walk-behind mower, a landscape trailer, commercial lawn tractor, and a used Ford F-250 truck. Erlandson’s new equipment allowed him to expand his area of operations. Ten customers have signed on with annual service agreements and others use onetime services, such as mulch application or leaf removal. Erlandson plans to expand his business into a firmly established full-service landscape company.

Earl H. Saunders Entrepreneurial Scholarship

Vir Mirchandani, River Hill High School

With a passion for the art of magic, the ability to stun audiences with the sleight of hand, and an interest in entrepreneurship, Vir Michandani fused his interests by starting a magic business. Advertising his business by posting flyers around the community and performing for family and friends, Michandani gained both skill and publicity and was soon performing at birthday parties and business sponsored cultural shows. The profits from these events were used to purchase new magic props and equipment. In addition to the magic business, Michandani also manages a Subway^TM restaurant in Columbia where his daily managerial duties range from calculating payroll to running daily sales forecasts. Enrolled in a college level class at Howard Community College, Michandani developed and invented a micro-processing chip that could be placed in devices ranging from cell-phones to credit cards. He and his team ran it through the technology transfer cycle, developed the Intellectual Property rights, created a brand name, and are selling it to credit card vendors.
 
Businesses owned by minorities, women and individuals with disabilities constitute a vital and thriving segment of Howard County's economy. Through the Committee for Business and Economic Diversity (CBED), the Business Resource Center, and in conjunction with its economic development partners, the Economic Development Authority recognizes, encourages and promotes economic diversity and equal business opportunity for minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. For more information about the Howard County Committee for Business and Economic Diversity, please visit http://www.hceda.org/CBTD/cbed.aspx.

Howard County Economic Development Authority is a public-private partnership whose primary goal is to promote economic growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses, attracting corporate/regional headquarters and maintaining programs aimed at the needs of businesses owned by minorities, women and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about the Authority, please visit www.hceda.org.

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