120 Maryland entrepreneurs gather after Lierman connection sparks Prosperity event

A single conversation with Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman helped inspire the Prosperity Small Business Event, which drew 120 entrepreneurs to Columbia on Sept. 29. Organizers say the turnout shows strong demand for state resources, capital access and business support networks.

Why it matters: - The event grew from an original plan for 60 people to 120 attendees, showing strong demand among Maryland entrepreneurs for access to resources and community support. - The gathering focused on the kinds of help small businesses say they need most: capital, technical assistance, professional networks and state connections. - Organizers launched a LinkedIn group after the event to keep the resource-sharing going for Maryland entrepreneurs and partners.

What happened: - The Prosperity Small Business Event took place Sept. 29 in Columbia, Maryland. - Christine Lee, founder and CEO of ACHIEVE Clinical Expertise, organized the event through OCA-DC and the Maryland Commission for Women. - Lee said the event was inspired by a meeting with Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, who listened and connected her with state resources. - Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee opened the program with remarks on entrepreneurship and Maryland’s diverse communities. - Comptroller Brooke Lierman delivered the keynote address and later joined Christine Lee for a conversation on connecting small businesses with resources.

The details: - The event drew 120 Maryland entrepreneurs, with 18 more people on the waiting list. - Speakers addressed access to capital, technical assistance and professional networks. - Additional speakers included Delegate Lily Qi; Ariana Kelley of the Maryland Commission for Women; Dr. Pam Love of Executive Alliance; Darshni Patel of the Howard County Economic Development Authority; and April Davis-Hurtt, representing TEDCO and The Bridge Program. - The organizers thanked Clove & Cardamom for hosting the event and welcoming attendees and community partners. - Lee said the experience with Lierman showed what genuine leadership looks like by opening doors for others. - Lierman said small businesses represent 99% of businesses in Maryland, employ nearly half of the state’s workforce, create jobs and help drive the economy. - Lierman said state support matters because small business success helps communities thrive. - ACHIEVE Clinical Expertise said the company supports community clinicians in connecting patients with clinical research opportunities.

Between the lines: - The event turned a one-on-one connection into a wider entrepreneurial network, which suggests state engagement can have spillover effects beyond a single meeting. - The strong turnout and waitlist point to pent-up demand for practical support, not just motivational programming. - The post-event LinkedIn group signals that organizers want the event to function as an ongoing pipeline for resources, not a one-day gathering. - Lee framed the event as part of ACHIEVE Clinical Expertise’s broader mission of building connections that strengthen communities.

What's next: - Organizers have launched the Prosperity Small Business LinkedIn Group for Maryland entrepreneurs and partners to share funding, capital access, business services and education resources. - The group is intended to extend the event’s networking and resource-sharing after the in-person program ends. - ACHIEVE Clinical Expertise says it will continue building clinician-centered infrastructure that connects community clinicians with nearby clinical trial sites. - More information is available in the company’s announcement and in the LinkedIn community group.

The bottom line: - One meaningful state connection helped spark a larger entrepreneurship event, and organizers are trying to turn that moment into a lasting support network for Maryland small businesses.