06/30/2025
📢Exciting News, South County “SoCo”!📣
I’m proud to officially announce the kickoff event for the Southern Anne Arundel Young Professionals Network (SAAYPN) - a brand-new group I’ve launched in partnership with Julia Howes, CEO of the Southern Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce, and Anne Arundel Community College!
Our mission is simple:
“Supporting the next generation of business leaders in Southern Maryland by establishing a Young Professionals Network to foster collaboration, mentorship, and growth.”
đź“…WHEN & WHERE
đź—“Tuesday, July 9th, 2025
đź•–7:00 PM
đź“ŤSkipper's Pier Dock Bar Rooftop
(Big thanks to my friends David & Jess Rosage for hosting our first event!)
ℹ️ WHAT TO EXPECT
• A casual, welcoming space to connect with small business owners, entrepreneurs, students, real estate agents, creatives, and professionals in any industry
• Lightning-round ice breakers - get ready to introduce yourself with a quick 30-second elevator pitch!
• Order food and drinks at the dock bar
• Beautiful waterfront views and good vibes
• Rotating venue format: Each future meetup will be held at a different local bar, restaurant, or café to help support and spotlight the amazing small businesses throughout South County “SoCo”
📇BRING BUSINESS CARDS!
Don’t forget your business cards! We’ll have a check-in bowl where you can drop a business card in & a sign-in sheet to jot down your name, business, and contact info. This helps us keep track of attendance and know which businesses and professionals were at the event.
đź’ˇWHY I STARTED THIS
After a friend told me about a networking group in his county, I looked into Anne Arundel County - and realized we didn’t have anything like that around here so I saw an opportunity. As part of an honors project for one of my honors courses at AACC, I reached out to our local Chamber of Commerce to see if they’d be open to collaborating. They were all in - and now it’s grown into an official network! I’ll also be completing an internship course through AACC at the chamber this upcoming fall semester!
This group is for anyone looking to grow personally and professionally - entrepreneurs, business owners, students, creatives, tradespeople, freelancers, real estate agents, etc. If you’re looking to connect, this is the place for you!
đź“ŁCALL TO ACTION
👉🏼Tag any local entrepreneurs, professionals, or small business owners you know in the comments - and tag their business pages too!
👍🏼Like, follow, and share both our page and this event to help us spread the word.
🙇🏻‍♂️Interested in donating, hosting, or sponsoring a future event? DM me or comment below!
đź”—RSVP & STAY IN THE LOOP
🎟Tickets are free! Register to attend the kickoff event on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southern-aa-young-professionals-networking-meetup-tickets-1419079096779
đź“…RSVP to attend the kickoff event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/153GDPwH4NU
đź‘ĄLike & Follow the Southern Anne Arundel Young Professionals Network (SAAYPN) page:
Southern AA Young Professionals Networking Meetup
đź‘ĄLike & Follow the Southern Anne Arundel Young Professionals Network (SAAYPN) Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/756948210190867
Let’s grow something meaningful together while supporting the amazing businesses that make South County “SoCo” & the surrounding areas special. I can’t wait to see you all on July 9th at Skipper’s Pier - and don’t forget those business cards!
Respectfully,
Kenneth “Kenny” Thomas
Co-Founder - Southern Anne Arundel Young Professionals Network (SAAYPN)
Founder, Owner, & Operator - Obsessive Custom Detailing (OCD), LLC
