2025 Shore and Soar Competition Winners

Maryland Capital Enterprises and Somerville Consulting Group Celebrate Winners of the

2025 Shore & Soar Pitch Competition

SALISBURY, MD — September 11, 2025 — Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE), in partnership with Somerville Consulting Group, proudly announced the winners of the inaugural Shore & Soar Pitch Competition – Eastern Shore Finale, held September 10, 2025, at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

The competition highlighted innovative Maryland entrepreneurs who are building businesses with strong growth potential. Winners received cash prizes to support their ventures:

  • 1st Place ($10,000): Kayla Thompson-Riviere, HEARD for Life – A health advocacy and consulting business dedicated to breaking the cycle of chronic illness and medical confusion. HEARD for Life provides clarity, strategic health plans, and patient advocacy to ensure clients receive the care and attention they deserve.
  • 2nd Place ($6,000): Annette Johnson, AJ LEADS, LLC – A boutique consulting firm specializing in the design of strategies and action plans, leadership development solutions, and accountability systems for small businesses and nonprofits.
  • 3rd Place ($4,000): Savannah Winston, VanTech Business Solutions (VTBS) – A project management consulting firm dedicated to enhancing performance and operational efficiency for businesses and individuals by applying best practices in project and portfolio management.
  • Stay tuned for the Baltimore Competition Winners and Details!

“We are proud to celebrate the vision, courage, and drive of these business leaders,” said Maurice Ames, Executive Director of Maryland Capital Enterprises. “This competition demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels economic growth.”

MCE and Somerville Consulting Group extend their gratitude to the evaluation panel who lent their expertise to this year’s competition: Heather Brooks, Competition Manager at the Dave & Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship at Salisbury University; Scott Hines, Director of the SBDC of the Eastern Shore; and David Engelhardt, Vice President and Business Development Officer at Hebron Savings Bank. Their thoughtful insights and dedication were invaluable in selecting the winners.

Somerville Consulting Group partnered with MCE to co-host the competition. The firm provides executive coaching, leadership development, and organizational strategy solutions to help businesses, nonprofits, and individuals maximize their potential and achieve sustainable success.

Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE) empowers individuals, particularly those from underserved communities, to achieve economic independence through entrepreneurship. MCE provides access to capital, training, and business assistance across Maryland, helping small businesses grow, create jobs, and strengthen local communities.

“Somerville Consulting Group is honored to stand alongside MCE in uplifting entrepreneurs,” said Adrienne Somerville, Founder and CEO of Somerville Consulting Group. “These winners represent the creativity, resilience, and leadership that make Maryland’s business community thrive.”

The Shore & Soar Pitch Competition awarded $10,000, 6,000, and $4,000 prizes for first, second, and third place winners, respectively, in both Baltimore and the Eastern Shore regions, with an additional $2,000 award in Baltimore. Funding support was provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the State of Maryland.

Pictured L–R: Annette Johnson, Adrienne Somerville (Somerville Consulting Group), Savannah Winston, and Kayla Thompson-Riviere.

For more information about Maryland Capital Enterprises and its programs, visit www.marylandcapital.org.