Rivers & Roads Celebrates Completion of META Pilot Program

Easton, MD – Rivers & Roads is proud to celebrate the successful completion of the Minority Entrepreneurship Training Accelerator (META) pilot program, a transformative initiative designed to empower minority entrepreneurs throughout the region. Developed by Rivers & Roads for the Upper Shore Community Development Partnership, the program was funded by Queen Anne’s County Economic and Tourism Development and hosted its inaugural cohort at the Kent Island branch of the Queen Anne’s County Public Library.

Over six months, META provided participants with a comprehensive curriculum, personalized coaching, and essential resources to build sustainable businesses. Rivers & Roads designed and implemented the program, crafting an impactful syllabus that addressed common challenges for new entrepreneurs. Topics included market research, business plan development, funding strategies, financial management, marketing, and sales.

“This program represents the best of what we do at Rivers & Roads—helping communities and entrepreneurs grow through innovative, hands-on support,” said Sam Shoge, Partner at Rivers & Roads and lead facilitator for META. “We were thrilled to see the growth of each participant and look forward to seeing their businesses thrive.”

Program Highlights:

• In-Person Cohort Sessions: Rivers & Roads led monthly two-hour workshops focused on actionable business skills and facilitated peer-to-peer learning to foster a sense of community among participants.
• Personalized Coaching: Each participant received one-on-one monthly coaching sessions to address specific challenges and develop tailored growth strategies.
• Collaborative Environment: The Kent Island library served as an accessible and supportive meeting space, encouraging collaboration and engagement.

Participant Successes:
The META pilot program supported five businesses across diverse industries, helping them clarify business models, develop strategic plans, and build key connections:

• DMW Soul Fitness significantly drove up attendance to its line dancing classes by refining its pricing strategy and marketing approach.
• Long Live Assisted Living advanced plans to establish an assisted living facility in Queen Anne’s County.
• Onyx Beauty Supply Salon Barbershop strengthened its business operations and enhanced its engagement with the local community.
• Tips & Toes Nail Studio developed a deeper understanding of financial management and marketing, enabling better outreach to target clients.
• Three Guys and a Girl Personal Chef and Catering redefined its target audience and increased revenue through focused branding and a clearer market niche.

META’s curriculum not only provided practical guidance but also created a space for entrepreneurs to share experiences, build confidence, and gain valuable connections to local resources, including financial institutions, legal advisors, and marketing professionals.

The success of this pilot program underscores Rivers & Roads’ commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic development throughout the region. As plans for future cohorts take shape, Rivers & Roads looks forward to continuing its work in empowering underserved entrepreneurs and building stronger communities.