Rockville, MD – The Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) is excited to celebrate the 5-year anniversary of MWBC Shop Local, a pioneering retail incubator program that has helped to support women entrepreneurs in Maryland’s Capital Region since 2019.

MWBC Shop Local provides women-owned businesses with the resources they need to thrive in a competitive retail market. The program offers a unique combination of one-on-one counseling, training, mentorship, peer-to-peer networking, financial assistance, retail management skill development, and special events like meet-the-maker sessions. Each cohort runs for six months, helping participants refine their business models and prepare for long-term success.

Over the past five years, MWBC Shop Local has achieved significant milestones:

  • Generated over $480,000 in sales for participants
  • 70% of program graduates successfully launch their own brick-and-mortar or online stores
  • Expanded into Howard County, with a third location set to open soon in the City of Bowie.

These achievements demonstrate the program’s impact on fostering sustainable business growth. With the program’s expansion, MWBC Shop Local will quadruple its capacity, increasing the number of entrepreneurs it supports from 12 to over 50 annually.

“As Mayor of Rockville, I am proud to see the impact MWBC Shop Local has had on our community over the past five years. This program not only empowers women entrepreneurs, but also strengthens the local economy by nurturing small businesses that are the backbone of our city,” said Monique Ashton, Mayor of the City of Rockville. “Through MWBC Shop Local, small business leaders get technical assistance, a physical store front opportunity, and a community of support. The expansion of this initiative reflects our shared commitment to fostering innovation, supporting local talent, and ensuring that Rockville continues to be a thriving hub for entrepreneurship.”

“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone and are proud of the tangible successes our entrepreneurs have achieved through MWBC Shop Local,” said Nancy Regelin, REDI Chair. “The expansion into new communities and the increase in support capacity reflect our commitment to fostering economic growth and empowering women in business across Maryland’s Capital Region.”

“Without the Maryland Women’s Business Center and the MWBC Shop Local retail incubator, Sha’s Creations would not be the success store it is today,” said Aisha Khadar, CEO/Founder of Sha’s Creations. “Now a million-dollar company, we have hired over 40 employees in the past five years. MWBC Shop Local provided the opportunity to start and grow my business.”

“At Arcay Chocolates, we are deeply grateful to the Maryland Women Business Center for the valuable assistance and support they provided when we first started our activities in the state,” said Anabella Arcay, Owner and Dario Berti, CEO of Arcay Chocolates. “Coming to a new country as immigrants, of which we are now proud citizens, was not an easy task, and MWBC stood by our side, serving as a beacon and fuel for our entrepreneurial empowerment. We were one of the pioneers of the wonderful Shop Local program in Rockville. Today, we have two iconic production centers in Washington and a robust online and corporate sales platform.”

Join in celebrating the 5-year anniversary on Friday, September 6, at 4:00 PM at 36D Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD 20850. The event will feature keynote speakers, introductions to the newest program participants, and insights into the future of MWBC Shop Local.

For more information about the event and to RSVP, please visit mwbcshoplocal.com/5years.

Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) is a signature program or Rockville Economic Development, Inc. MWBC works with women entrepreneurs and small businesses across Maryland’s Capital Region to help them to start, sustain, and grow their businesses. Through workshops, individual counseling, facilitated peer group support, special resources, and access to capital, MWBC annually helps more than 1,500 women gain the skills, connections, and confidence necessary to navigate entrepreneurship. Learn more at marylandwbc.org. 

MWBC Shop Local is a retail incubator program designed to support women entrepreneurs in Maryland’s Capital Region. By providing shared retail space, business training, and technical assistance, the program helps entrepreneurs test the viability of their products and services in a real-world environment. MWBC Shop Local is a program of MWBC, dedicated to empowering women through entrepreneurship. Learn more at mwbcshoplocal.com.

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI)  is a public-private partnership that helps businesses launch, locate, and expand in Rockville, Maryland. Committed to economic development, REDI is proactive in supporting existing industries and attracting new companies with the tools to get started in Rockville and resources and guidance for existing companies in the city. To learn more, visit: rockvilleredi.org.