The Eric Franklin Entrepreneurial Accelerator (EFEA) is a partnership between the Southern Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Eric Franklin, President and CEO of ERIMAX, Inc. The goal of the Accelerator is to build an entrepreneur platform for businesses in Southern Maryland to grow, thrive, and connect with other entrepreneur ecosystems across the country. 

Eric Franklin had his first taste of leadership during a summer job when at age 16, he was appointed supervisor to over 200 peer employees at his local amusement park. He has been on a mentoring roller coaster ride ever since.

 

Although Eric has held a multitude of distinguished positions over the years and is currently CEO/owner of several successful businesses that operate across the U.S., his core values are as basic to the soul as a peanut butter sandwich is to a hungry appetite.

2nd Year Mentoring

Chris Ripley Owner of Strategic Marketing Group has created curriculum for SBDC Class: Advertising and Promotion Title Marketing That Works will be his platforms. Chris has also worked with SCORE and has voluntarily provided excellent small business seminars about digital marketing throughout So MD.

Bill Hitte, Business Consultant, Business and Financial Specialist

Topic for Mentoring Monday: Buying a Business/Selling Your Business

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Bill has an extensive background in small business lending in Southern Maryland, having held key management positions in both large and small commercial banks for 20 years. He is knowledgeable about financing options, loan structures, SBA loan programs including 7(a) and 504, financial projections, business evaluations, marketing and management assistance. His “hands-on” management in a true small business - a community bank – provided major insights. Bill joined the SBDC in May 2000. He has utilized his experience and expertise to benefit entrepreneurs and small businesses in the region.

Kathy MacAdams, Business Consultant, 

Regional Import/Export Specialist 

Learn more about Importing and Exporting

Kathy MacAdams has been a Business Consultant with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) since December 2010. Kathy is also a certified Export Specialist for Southern Maryland Region and assists businesses in Importing and Exporting to enhance their businesses potential. Kathy also enjoys her part time work at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she has been employed as a Teaching Assistant for the last nine years in the Business Graduate Program. Currently, she teaches Strategic Management and Managing People and Groups in the Global Workplace.

Wynne Briscoe, Business Consultant, Entrepreneur

 Subject for the day: " Creative Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses"

Wynne is a native of St. Mary’s County, an entrepreneur since the age of 7 and a forward thinking business pioneer. She is a graduate of University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Minor in Business and Concentration in Business Law. Wynne has 30 years of entrepreneurship and business ownership experience to include retail, professional services, technology and manufacturing. Through 15 years of successfully consulting with entrepreneurs, businesses and non-profit organizations, she is known for her creativity and innovation in the development of new businesses by offering in-depth experience and assisting them from concept to profitability.