Editor’s note: Since this article’s publication, two of the 33 originally announced businesses (Pajama Mama and Kasi Made) have withdrawn from the program. A total of 31 businesses will participate in The Launchpad’s inaugural cohort. This article has been updated.
Thirty-one businesses have been selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of The Launchpad, a small business residency program at Baltimore Peninsula.
The Launchpad aims to give entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop their businesses with support from the Baltimore Peninsula Partnership and put their concepts into practice by temporarily taking over kiosks at Rye Street Park.
The program will launch May 4 during National Small Business Week.
“The inaugural cohort of The Launchpad represents the creativity, resilience and ambition that define Baltimore’s small business community and sets the tone for what this residency program can become,” said Chenire Carter, Chief Engagement Officer for Baltimore Peninsula Partnership, in a statement. “These entrepreneurs are building brands that reflect the culture and energy of this city, and we’re proud to provide a platform that offers the space to turn that momentum into long-term opportunity for their business beyond this program.”
Lasting 11 weeks in total, the program will have each entrepreneur operate a kiosk for a two-week residency.
The 31 cohort members include:
- Dandelions Flower Stand
- Snarky Dots
- Savvy Scents by Sherri
- Mola Creative Studio
- Fancy Free Hair Studio
- Beads by Reign
- Luvlotss High Fashion Brand
- Yammas Olive Oil
- The Creative Representation Empire
- Sew Slick
- Ashmo Jewelry
- Book & Bounty
- LDP Studios
- Embellish & Co
- SpiritualiTEAS
- Meet Haus
- The John Newman Honeybee Company
- The 11:22 Co.
- Cheryl’s Gems Cosmetics
- Get Stoned
- Wood and Water
- Harp Vision
- The Bead Box
- VVRE
- NSAA Creations
- X40 Designs
- Mimanova
- Odella Cards
- Maxicif
- Vision and Vibes
- Pbody Designs
“In 2024, I started leaning on my experience as a freelance editor, and as Book & Bounty began to form, it expressed how books and reading sprout a cornucopia of inspiration, knowledge and culture,” said Stephanie Henderson, Founder of Books & Bounty. “With this business, I wanted to amplify women writers, Black and Indigenous voices and the indie publishing ecosystem, while also giving a small nod to my own little world of bookish things like reading and writing clubs, open-air markets, stationery and gardening.”
The businesses that will operate kiosks in the first weeks of the program are Dandelions Flower Stand, Snarky Dots, Savvy Scents by Sherri, Mola Creative Studio and Fancy Free Hair Studio.
“A pop-up at Baltimore Peninsula allows us to introduce more people to our bouquets, our build-your-bouquet experience and floral workshops while learning how customers engage with the brand in a dedicated space,” said Danie Minor, Owner of Dandelions Flower Stand. “This will also help us grow awareness, deepen community connections, and refine what a future permanent retail and workshop space for Dandelions could look like.”
More than 80 businesses applied for the program, including 83% of applicants who were women-owned businesses and 71% who were Black-owned businesses.
In addition to retail space in the kiosks, entrepreneurs will get hands-on support with marketing, branding, operations and business development.
