Hagerstown entrepreneurs explore growth prospects with business start-ups

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) — Hundreds of entrepreneurs gathered at Hagerstown Community College to launch or grow their enterprises.

Starting a small business can be a scary experience but in Hagerstown, there is a support group to help budding entrepreneurs take the plunge.

Ryan Sulcheck, founder and CEO of Araza Natural Purees attended the community college’s workshop to get feedback from peers.

“We’re all entrepreneurs in the sense that we’re growing together,” Sulcheck said. “So we rely on each other, the ups and downs of life in entrepreneurship.”

Carolyne Crosby won top honors at Monday’s gathering for her successful restaurant launch at the popular Black Rock Golf Course, just outside of Hagerstown.

“It’s been a great experience as a small business owner,” Crosby said. “Just transitioning from the pandemic through, I’d say, the whole process.”

Rhett Eklund says he feels he needs some mentoring for his dental center’s expansion plans.

“You know the old saying,” Eklund said. “What got you here won’t get you there and I’m responsible to have our company just to be in the best place for them to grow.”

The gathering of experts and others like Rhett can be a great source of sound business practices, advice and inspiration.

“I know there are a lot of great minds here,” Eklund said. “I just can’t wait to tap into some of them.”