EmPOWER Mentorship Program

The EmPOWER Mentorship Program is a facilitated mentoring model designed to help underrepresented business owners and allies in all stages of business generate ideas, identify blind spots, troubleshoot problems, and grow their networks in Frederick County.

The mentorship program takes participants through a step-by-step process of developing a comprehensive business plan. Business plan topics are set for each session and are led by Small Business Development Center representatives and local business leaders.

Program Objectives

Explore the importance of having a comprehensive business plan
Cover each section of the business plan in a cohesive and thorough manner
Outline an approach to writing a business plan
Provide guidance on how to approach writing a business plan
Discuss how investors and banks perceive business plans.

By the End of the Program, Participants Will

Have a better understanding of the importance of a business plan
Have completed an executive summary for their business
Have the structure for developing a comprehensive business plan

Time & Participation Commitment

The EmPOWER Mentorship Program is a six-week long program that takes place in person, once per week for 1.5-hour sessions.

Friday, January 30, 2026 - Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Friday, February 6, 2026 - Planning for Your Business
Friday, February 13, 2026 - Managing Your Business
Friday, February 20, 2026 - Marketing Your Business
Friday, February 27, 2026 - Growing Your Business
Friday, March 6, 2026 - Doing Business in Frederick County

Eligibility & Requirements

To participate in the FCOED EmPOWER Mentorship program, applicants must qualify in the following ways:

Businesses must be 51% underrepresented - For this program, "underrepresented" is defined as identity groups whose percentage of the business community is lower than that of the dominant identity subgroup. This program considers this to include business community members who are: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, Black or African American, Biracial, Hispanic, Latino, Middle Eastern, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, People of Color; People with Disabilities; those who identify as Intersexual, Gender-Fluid, Nonbinary, Transgender, or Women; and those who identify as Asexual, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Queer or Questioning.
Business must be based in Frederick County
Applicants must commit to attending all six in-person sessions unless an emergency or unforeseen circumstance arises.
Chosen applicants must pay the program $100 fee prior to the start of the program.

Applications are now open for the 2026 cohort.