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POTOMAC, Md., Sept. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Four local, women-owned businesses were awarded cash prizes by the Maryland Women’s Business Center in their StartRight! Business Plan Competition for Women Entrepreneurs. The winners were announced during the 18^th annual Power Conference, one of the largest women’s business development events in Montgomery County.  Shulman Rogers’ attorney Nancy Regelin is one of the co-chairs of the Power Conference, and Shulman Rogers serves as a founding sponsor of both the conference and the business plan competition.

“I’m privileged to connect women-owned businesses throughout Maryland with resources to help elevate their companies even further.  This year marked my first time as a volunteer judge for StartRight!, and I was impressed with the immense talent. I can’t wait to see what’s next for the winners,” Regelin, Vice Chair of Shulman Rogers’ Real Estate Department and Land Use Practice Group, said.

The grand prizewinner, PYT Funds, Inc., gives students and families a financing alternative to help pay for higher education costs.  Owned by Stacie Whisonant, the organization’s online platform helps college-bound students who may otherwise face rejection for private loans the opportunity to gain creditworthiness through alternative factors, using social and professional data to generate a predictive lending score.  Shulman Rogers’ President Don Rogers presented the grand prize award during the Power Conference Keynote Luncheon.

Shulman Rogers’ client Like Neighbors, LLC was also among the winners of the 2017 StartRight! competition.  Like Neighbors, founded by Judy O’Connor, allows friends and families to coordinate meal delivery and other support services for loved ones in tough times.  Currently running in the Washington D.C. area, the woman-owned business anticipates expansion to additional cities in the near future.  Like Neighbors placed second runner up among this year’s winners. 

StartRight! is organized through the Maryland Women’s Business Center and Rockville Economic Development, Inc. The competition is supported through sponsor funding that awards cash and in-kind prizes totaling over $13,000. Regelin serves on the Advisory Board for the Maryland Women’s Business Center.