Page 5 - AACC 2108 Impact Report

“The partnership between the Ratcliffe Foundation and AACC is preparing men and women for business success and creating significant opportunities for the launch of small businesses in our community.”
Ratcliffe Student Spotlights
FantaSEA
Aquariums
In 2003, Dalton Leonard worked on set with stars Wayden King
and Bret Raymer of “Tanked.” In his final days in this role, Daltron recalls that Wayden, the owner
of the world’s largest acrylic tank manufacturing company, shook his hand and said “Dalton, if you’re going to get into business do it,
do it now!” Dalton turned down offers from two other colleges and enrolled at AACC in the Business & Entrepreneur program. Today he is the owner of FantaSEA Aquariums, a leading aquarium design, installation and maintenance company based out of Annapolis.
Elated Harmonies
Massage
All it took was an idea and some perseverance for Elated Harmonies Massage mobile studio to come
to life. Shanice Ruffin, Business Manager and Creative Strategist, was enrolled in a course at
AACC when she heard about the Business Pitch Competition. Thanks to the funding from the Ratcliffe Foundation, Elated Harmonies has gone from a 10
x 10 canopy tent to a mobile massage studio bus complete with two reflexology suites and two seated chair suites.
Annapolis
Ascent
Nick Kiraly knew he wanted to start his own business when
he began selling erasers to classmates in grade school. Now he is the owner of Annapolis Ascent, a company that uses drones to photograph luxury real estate throughout Anne Arundel County. Meeting two professors from AACC’s Entrepreneurial Studies Institute helped solidify his choice to enroll at AACC. “Looking back now I must admit that it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
2018 Impact Report 5