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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Women's Business Development Center
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260505T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260505T113000
DTSTAMP:20260916T093205
CREATED:20260408T183604Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T183802Z
UID:35972-1777971600-1777980600@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:How to Write a Business Plan Workshop
DESCRIPTION:FOR ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ONLY. “How to Write a Business Plan\,” a virtual workshop designed specifically for pre-venture entrepreneurs. In this workshop\, current and future entrepreneurs learn how to turn your business ideas into a structured business plan that sets your venture up for success. Whether you are new to entrepreneurship or refining your concept\, this session will give you the tools and confidence to move forward. \n \nFunded (in part) through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  All opinions\, conclusions\, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/how-to-write-a-business-plan-workshop-4/
CATEGORIES:Start-Up & Emerging Businesses
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260512
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260513
DTSTAMP:20260916T093205
CREATED:20260423T181219Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T182342Z
UID:36093-1778544000-1778630399@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Road to Success Cohort | Spring 2026
DESCRIPTION:Only for those who completed the R2S Bootcamp. \nFOR IL RESIDENTS ONLY.  \nRoad to Success 2.0 is a six-session cohort\, for which the Bootcamp is a prerequisite. Road to Success cohort guides pre-venture and emerging businesses towards success by going more in depth into areas crucial for business growth. The cohort covers essential business concepts such as marketing & branding\, customer discovery\, goal setting\, pricing strategy\, as well as revenue forecasting. \nBootcamp alumni will be sent the registration link via email. \nQuestions?\nPlease reach out to: \nKinga Kosmala | kkosmala@wbdc.org \nAshlee Kingery | akingery@wbdc.org \n  \n\n \n\n\n\n\nFunded (in part) through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.  All opinions\, conclusions\, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/road-to-success-cohort-spring-2026/
CATEGORIES:Start-Up & Emerging Businesses
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260512T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260512T130000
DTSTAMP:20260916T093205
CREATED:20260504T221249Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T152124Z
UID:36186-1778587200-1778590800@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Starting Your Business in Illinois
DESCRIPTION:Are you considering starting a business in Illinois? During the workshop\, we will take an initial assessment to help you recognize your startup strengths\, introduce you to five basic startup steps\, and review the legal entities recommended for startups. \n \nPresented by the Illinois SBDC at the Women’s Business Development Center.
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/starting-your-business-in-illinois-66/
CATEGORIES:Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Starting Your Business in Illinois
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.wbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SBDC-WBDC-Events.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260513T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260513T130000
DTSTAMP:20260916T093205
CREATED:20260429T224835Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260506T153353Z
UID:36181-1778673600-1778677200@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Lunch & Learn: Bridging the Digital Divide with Be The Data Hero
DESCRIPTION:Pauline McKinney\, Founder of Be The Data Hero\, will offer a workshop that combines digital tools and data collecting practices. Pauline is a strategic problem solver with a reputation for finding the signals others miss. She founded Be The Data Hero after seeing the same pattern everywhere: smart leaders drowning in data but starving for insight. Her work restores signal\, reduces unnecessary effort\, and rebuilds decision authority so businesses can adapt and grow without burning out the people running them. \nTopics Include:  \n\nWhat is data?\nWhy is data important?\nWhat tools exist to collect data?\nHow do we choose those tools?\n\nJoin us for this 60-minute Lunch and Learn sponsored by AT&T!  \nQuestions? Contact Ashlee Kingery at akinery@wbdc.org.
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/lunch-learn-bridging-the-digital-divide-with-be-the-data-hero/
CATEGORIES:Established Businesses,Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.wbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Lunch-Learn-Bridging-the-Digital-Divide-with-Be-The-Data-Hero.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260520T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260520T130000
DTSTAMP:20260916T093205
CREATED:20260512T152100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T152100Z
UID:36231-1779278400-1779282000@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Adopting a Digital Mindset
DESCRIPTION:In this workshop you will learn what a digital mindset is and why it is essential for you and your small business to grow and stay competitive. We will discuss how to choose the right digital tools and solutions for your business needs\, how to measure performance and impact\, and how to foster a digital culture among your employees. You will also have practical tools and tips to help you implement your digital strategy and grow your business.
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/adopting-a-digital-mindset/
CATEGORIES:Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Virtual
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T130000
DTSTAMP:20260916T093205
CREATED:20260519T213435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260520T174136Z
UID:36345-1779883200-1779886800@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:The Growth Lab | Episode 2
DESCRIPTION:The Growth Lab is back — and Episode 2 is going to be one you don’t want to miss.\nAt The Growth Lab\, entrepreneurs bring their real business challenges to a panel of experienced advisors and subject matter experts. In each session\, one founder takes the spotlight\, sharing the questions keeping them up at night while our panel of advisors delivers strategic insight\, honest feedback\, and actionable guidance. \nEPISODE 2 — Join us live May 27 | 12PM\nMeet Our Founder: Marianna Swallow | Executive Coach\, Professional Speaker\, and Founder of Speak Easy Strategies \nMarianna Swallow has spent over 20 years helping more than 25\,000 professionals become clearer\, more confident communicators. As the founder of Speak Easy Strategies\, she coaches executives\, teams\, and individuals on public speaking and presentation skills. \nNow\, Marianna is pivoting. She’s transitioning from one-on-one coaching to speaking and workshop facilitation\, and like many entrepreneurs in the middle of a big shift\, her marketing has hit a hurdle. The tactics that worked for years have suddenly gone quiet. And the question every established business owner dreads: Is any of this even working? \nMarianna is bringing those questions to The Growth Lab\, and our panel of experienced advisors will dig in live. \nThis is not a webinar. This is not a workshop. This is real talk\, real challenges\, and real solutions – live. \nAdvisory Panel\nMaura Downs | Chief Program Officer\, WBDC \nKaren Goldner | Managing Director\, Established Business Program and Services\, WBDC \nAisha Ahrens | Managing Director\, Entrepreneurial Program and Services\, WBDC \nTogether\, they’ll dig into Marinna’s questions\, dive into her challenges\, and offer strategic guidance. \nWhat to Expect\n\nMeet the founder and hear her story\nWatch a live advisory panel tackle her real business challenges\nWalk away with insights you can apply to your own business\n\nYou can join us live as a webinar and be part of the experience in real time\, or catch the full episode on our YouTube channel after it airs. Either way\, you won’t want to miss it.
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/the-growth-lab-episode-2/
CATEGORIES:Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Virtual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.wbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Episode-2-Founder-Announcement.png
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