Entrepreneurs Panel Discussion

After graduating from UMBC, Spencer took a job at HSBC as a mortgage loan professional. After two years with HSBC, Spencer partnered with two colleagues to launch a used car business in Washington DC. After 6 years of growing the business he sold his interest in the dealership to pursue new ventures. In late 2012, in an effort to impress a girlfriend, Spencer came up with a plan to have a personal chef prepare a meal in his home. Days of back

and forth with various chefs left a bad taste in his mouth and ultimately forced him to give up on the idea. After discussing his frustrations with a friend, they decided to launch a service called PlateDate. PlateDate streamlines the process of hiring a personal chef; bringing the restaurant experience into the home. Platedate currently has over 40 active chefs and operates in 4 major cities. PlateDate has been featured on Chopped, Fox News, Black Enterprise, Baltimore Sun, and the Wall Street Journal. Spencer believes that the ability to control one’s emotions (mainly fear) and willingness to make mistakes are essential steps to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Tom is a technologist, entrepreneur and philanthropist that has worked in various industries of all shapes and sizes since he graduated from UMBC. He has worked with the US Army, ADP, Loyola University, Department of the

Treasury, AARP, US Bancorp, as well as many small businesses and startups, with roles ranging from web developer, to project manager, to consultant, to chief technology officer. Out of all these great experiences and

roles, Tom is most passionate about helping others. In 2008 some friends and family helped to start We Are Kenya, a local non-profit of mostly volunteers who help extremely underserved children in the slum of Soweto, in East Africa - specifically, Nairobi, Kenya. This was born out of a desire to see children who literally lived on the street have opportunities for education, 3 square meals, and a roof over their heads. It has grown from humble

beginnings of just a few students to now include housing, feeding and educating approximately 200 primary schoolchildren. Tom and his wife travel regularly to Kenya, fundraise locally, organize teams to travel abroad,

coordinate well-drilling and building projects, and overall just try to humbly give of their time and talents to help better these children’s lives. Tom hopes to eventually be able to move in the next 3-5 years to full-time non-profit

consulting, and possibly even move to Kenya full-time to better serve the people and causes there.

Samantha is the owner and operator of Leaps Ahead Learning Center, a childcare center serving Arbutus and the surrounding areas. She graduated with a degree in psychology and an emphasis on child development and

education. During her time at UMBC, she worked for a childcare center in the area and was disappointed in how it was managed. Looking to change the way childcare centers are operated, she opened an in-home daycare in 2013.

After noticing a greater need for childcare in the area, she opened Leaps Ahead Learning Center in December 2015. In its first 9 months, the center has grown from an enrollment of 8 children to 54 children. UMBC provided

Samantha with a foundation of early childhood education, child development and communication skills that help her successfully run the center everyday. Samantha runs all facets of the company including payroll, hiring, enrollment,

substituting, inquiries and correspondence, and maintaining inventory and supplies. She supervises a staff of 12 employees and is hiring more every few months as the business grows. Samantha is also a member of the ABPA and has lived in Arbutus her entire life. Being an entrepreneur has taught her to think quickly, find solutions and manage a company that people are proud to work for. Samantha enjoys working together with her teachers and making sure they feel invested in the company

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