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Join Us at the African Small Business Expo
Expo Slated for Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. at Harry S. Truman College  

 

The African Small Business Expo, sponsored by the City of Chicago, Western Union, Truman College and the Continental Africa Chamber of Commerce, is set for Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harry S. Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago.

The expo is a free event open to all individuals. It offers entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to meet with more than 30 exhibitors and obtain resources on financing, licensing process, tax laws, connecting with local chambers of commerce and much more.

  

The aim of the expo is to promote entrepreneurship, leadership and job creation. It will provide resources to help firms succeed and create jobs. The event is FREE and open to all Chicago residents.  

 

More information about our Small Business Expo can be found HERE.


CONFIRMED EXHIBITORS

The Adelante Movement Tour is Coming to Chicago on Oct. 12   

 

The Adelante Movement Tour, which encourages Latina women to start and grow their presence in the business community, is heading to Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 12.

 

The tour will be held at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N. State St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature presentations from Nely Galan, founder of the Adelante Movement, Sandra Cisneros, an acclaimed author and Chicago native, and Nell Merlino, founder and president of Count Me In For Women's Economic Independence. The day also includes lunch and opportunities for autographs and photos.

 

If you would like to attend, the Adelante Movement Tour is free, and registration is recommended and can be found here.

10,000 Small Businesses Initiative Accepting Applications   

 

   

   
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative provides access to business education, financial capital and support services for local small business owners to create jobs and economic opportunities. The Initiative is currently taking applications for the January 2014 program.

The program is available to small business owners who have been in business for at least two years, have at least four employees and have revenues between $150,000 and $4 million per year. Individuals accepted into the program will receive education in human resources, accounting, marketing and negotiation, as well as have opportunities for personal advising sessions, expert clinics and accounting workshops. The application deadline is Oct. 21.

To learn more about the program, 10,000 Small Businesses is hosting an alumni panel on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Harold Washington College, 30 E. Lake St., Room 1115.
 
To attend the session, please email 10ksb@ccc.edu or call (312) 553-5855.
New Funding, Open/Closed SBIF Districts  

 

Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) grants are one of the many benefits Chicago businesses have available to them. The SBIF program uses Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues to assist small business owners repair or remodel facilities of businesses, or on behalf of tenants. Several SBIF districts are now accepting applications for the grant program.

 

The SBIF program can cover up to half the cost of remodeling work on infrastructure, with a maximum grant amount of $150,000. Additionally, the grant can be re-applied for and does not need to be repaid. To apply, the business must reside in an applicable SBIF district, and an application needs to be submitted. 

 

Districts Accepting Applications
for October
Upcoming SBIF District Openings
for November
  • 79th Street Corridor
  • Addison South
  • Goose Island
  • Ogden/ Pulaski
  • North Branch North
  • River West
  • Western Avenue South 
  • 95th/ Stony Island
  • Avondale
  • Belmont/ Cicero
  • Cicero/ Archer
  • Greater Southwest East
  • Greater Southwest West
  • Division/ Homan

Solution Station Offers Expert Business Counseling at City Hall
Advisers Available Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
 

Need help? Let an expert help you solve common business problems at no cost to you. Visit the Small Business Solution Station on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and get free business counseling, legal assistance, or financial and loan assistance from our trusted non-profit partner agencies.  

 

The partner agencies are SCORE Chicago on Tuesday, The Law Project on Wednesday, Accion or the Women's Business Development Center on Thursday, and the IRS on the last Friday of the month. 

 

"The benefits of seeing a SCORE business mentor is to determine the reality of the business plan and the execution of the plan," said Jack Halpin, of SCORE Chicago. "We provide specific direction as to creating and launching a business plan." 

 

The Solution Station is available from 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., and it is located at City Hall's Small Business Center, Room 800. Make an appointment by calling 312.744.2086.  

 

SCORE provides:

  • Free business advice
  • Assistance developing a business plan
  • Small business counseling

The Law Project provides:

  • Legal services for your business
  • Real estate, including commercial leases, renting, buying and selling
  • Corporate structuring and tax issues
  • Personnel issues

The Women's Business Development Center or Accion Chicago provide:

  • Small business micro-loans
  • Alternative financial assistance for your business

The IRS provides:

  • Small business consultations with the IRS
  • Tax information for small businesses
  Make an appointment by calling 312.744.2086 or email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org.

Create an Inclusive Workforce

 

As October is Disability Employment Awareness Month, employers are encouraged to foster an inclusive workplace culture through hiring individuals with disabilities, training employees on disability awareness, as well as developing a process to provide reasonable accommodations.

Click the link below for more information:www.cityofchicago.org/humanrelations.

more information about the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, go to www.cityofchicago.org/humanrelations.

Business Education Workshops for October

BACP offers Business Education Workshops every Wednesday and Friday. Workshops vary each month and are conducted by City Officials, experts and partner business organizations. All workshops are free, open to the public and held at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, in Room 805.   
 

10/9    Office Space Options for Your New or Growing Business

3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Presented by Roger Koeppen, Chicago Tenant Advisors

 

In this workshop you will be introduced to the various office space options available for your business - virtual, co-working, executive office space, traditional lease and condo or ownership. Attendees will learn about getting started on a virtual program with a small budget, getting market experts to help provide realistic budget figures as your business grows, and renting long-term business space. It also will cover the process for finding space, capital required, nuances pertaining to lease documents.

 

10/11    C corp, S corp, LLC - Which is Right for My Business?

9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Presented by The Law Project

 

Many entrepreneurs operate on a shoestring budget and obtaining legal advice is often unaffordable. To help, this workshop will discuss the legal aspects of starting a small business with a focus on choosing the correct corporate entity.

 

10/16    What You Need to Know About Business Insurance

3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Presented by Sandra Cavoto, Farmers Insurance          

 

Starting a new business can be difficult, and being covered by insurance when the unexpected happens is essential to being successful. There is enough to worry about with the business, and it is the insurance company's responsibility to worry about your liability, losses, worker's compensation, and more. This workshop is designed to show you the ins and outs of commercial insurance, and everything that is included to help you understand what you need for your business.

 

10/18    QuickBooks Best Practices: Managing your Business

9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Presented by the Maribel Del Real, Del Real Tax Group

 

Not the quickest with Quickbooks? Pick up the pace by attending this workshop and learn how this accounting software can help build your business. Maribel Del Real, a certified QuickBooks Pro advisor, will teach you tricks and show you how to maximize your sales efforts through proper bookkeeping. You'll be a small business accounting whiz in no time.

 

10/23    How to Obtain a Mobile Food Dispenser/Preparer License

3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) 

 

Are you interested in operating a food truck in the City of Chicago? Then come and learn how you may obtain a Mobile Food Dispenser (MFD) or Mobile Food Preparer (MFP) business license. We will be discussing the MFD/MFP licensing process including inspections, the application, mobile food vehicle, and operational requirements, as well as the optional pre-application Mobile Food Vehicle Assessment.

 

10/25    Understanding the 8(a) Certification Program

9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Presented by the Illinois District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration

 

This workshop will provide information on SBA's 8(a) certification program and which businesses are qualified to become 8(a). Learn what eligibility requirements are and how to apply. A brief overview of SBA's Hub Zone certification program will be provided as well. Additional information on other services provided by the SBA will be covered if time permits.

 

10/30    How to Become Certified

2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services (DPS)

 

This workshop will provide information on which businesses are qualified to become certified as a Minority/Woman Owned Business Enterprise. Learn what documents are required, where to go for help, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

             

Doing Business with the City of Chicago

3:15 to 4:30 p.m.

 

This information is designed to outline the role and responsibility of the Department of Procurement Services, and how the City's purchasing process works. This workshop is ideal for companies looking to do business with the City of Chicago.

   

The October schedule can be viewed on the Workshop Calendar.
  
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