AACC Entrepreneurial Studies Institute

09/05/2026

Meet Artensie Flowers of Beyond 45 Jewels!

“Life is too short to be unsure, unfulfilled. Live your next phase of life doing exactly what you want to do.”
-Artensie, studied coaching and entrepreneurship

Read more at aacc.edu/newsroom/featured-stories/story-library/2026-stories/artensie-flowers-june-2026.

Find her coaching services at beyond45jewels.com.
AACC Entrepreneurial Studies Institute

09/03/2026

So excited to have Ephesians Coffee on campus. Hannah worked on this business idea in her Introduction to Entrepreneurship course. Now Hannah and Haley have their beautiful coffee trailer and sell coffee on campus. Visit them on Mondays and Thursdays 8 am to 1 pm by the CALT Building.

09/02/2026

E-Club was at the welcome week event today sharing fun Friends-themed giveaways. Thanks to E-Club President Rave Bandong and E-Club Advisor Hannah Gribbin for the creative display and giveaways. Thanks to Nakiera Bea for helping staff the table. We'll share the fall meeting dates soon!

08/29/2026

AACC classes may start Monday, August 31, but our Ratcliffe Scholars kicked off the semester early at our mini conference on August 21. About 30 Scholars and alumni came together to learn, brainstorm, and network. The Ratcliffe Scholars Program, funded by The Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation, supports students who want to start businesses with scholarship funds and opportunities to participate in competitions providing seed funds and additional learning experiences.

AACC's Entrepreneurial Studies Institute engages students in these opportunities with the support of community organizations such as SCORE Mentors and Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation. Community volunteers and business owners lend their expertise by serving as speakers, coaches, and mentors. Thank you to Monica Alvarado and Bread and Butter Kitchen for working with us to provide delicious meals and for serving as a guest speaker. Thank you to Aiyana Glover, the Laptop Coach, Chris Taylor of SCORE, and Abbi Ludwig of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce for sharing their expertise with our attendees.

The next application deadline to become a Ratcliffe Scholar is October 12th. www.aacc.edu/esi

08/21/2026

It was a great day for connecting with Ratcliffe Scholars and alumni. Our kickoff to the fall semester half day conference featured speakers, headshots, and delicious food from Bread and Butter Kitchen.

We are excited for networking, competitions, pop up shops, events, and additional learning experiences.

05/02/2026

SpringFest is starting now as our student vendors finish setting up for a fun day connecting with the community. Pop by the Health and Life Sciences Building patio to support our student entrepreneurs. We are here Saturday, May 2 10:30-4:30 on the Arnold campus.

04/30/2026

Congratulations to AACC's $100,000 Business Pitch Competition award winners! Our students did an amazing job pitching their businesses on Tuesday.

$25,000 Julie McVearry, M Café Luxe LLC
$15,000 Nehemiah Robison, Trident Detailing and Christmas Light Installation
$8,000 Daze Creamer-Ellecamp, Aspen’s Alternatives
$7,500 Kenneth Thomas, Jr., Obsessive Custom Detailing OCD, LLC
$6,500 Evan Smith, GoThrift
$5,000 Brey'n Loving, Scribe Media House
$5,000 April Mills, Bamboo Baby LLC
$3,000 Genevieve Laskey, Live Your Mission Consulting

The $1,000 Student Business Showcase Award: Victorine Enyogai with Confection Studio

Congratulations to all of our students!

04/29/2026

Check out Spring Fest this Saturday, May 2nd! SpringFest will have a variety of vendors, activities, music, and food! SpringFest will run from 10:30am to 4:30pm on the HLSB patio with the clothing swap running from 12 to 2 in HLSB 170. This will be a super fun event and we hope to see you on Saturday!
Featuring vendors: Martina Martine Woodshop

04/28/2026

Meet Nehemiah Robison, founder of Trident Detailing and Christmas Light Installation. Nehemiah is one of eight finalists in AACC's $100,000 Business Pitch Competition.

Trident Detailing & Christmas Light Installation is a mobile-only
auto detailing and professional holiday lighting business serving Annapolis, Arnold, and Cape St. Claire, Maryland.

Cheer Nehemiah on at AACC's $100,000 Business Pitch Competition on Tuesday, April 28th from 4:00-6:30 p.m. in AACC's Health and Life Sciences Building (HLSB) 100 or on Zoom. Register: https://bit.ly/AACCBusinessPitch2026

04/28/2026

Meet Julie, founder of M Café Luxe, and one of our eight finalists for AACC's $100,000 Business Pitch Competition. M Cafe Luxe, LLC is a premier mobile fusion café based in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The business bridges the gap between high-end specialty coffee shops and health-conscious functional nutrition. By pairing food truck speed with boutique cafe quality, M Cafe Luxe provides an "upscale-on-the-go" experience. The menu replaces traditional, unhealthy vending with fresh, functional energy drinks, Vietnamese-French inspired street bites, and protein-rich fuel.

Cheer Julie on at AACC's $100,000 Business Pitch Competition on Tuesday, April 28th from 4:00-6:30 p.m. in AACC's Health and Life Sciences Building (HLSB) 100 or on Zoom. Register: https://bit.ly/AACCBusinessPitch2026