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X-WR-CALNAME:Women's Business Development Center
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Women's Business Development Center
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260602
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260603
DTSTAMP:20260916T084417
CREATED:20260507T181852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260518T212309Z
UID:36216-1780358400-1780444799@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp | Road to Success June 2026
DESCRIPTION:WBDC’s Road to Success four-week Bootcamp provides Illinois entrepreneurs with the essential tools to build and grow sustainable businesses. Our Road to Success Bootcamp is a prerequisite which lays the foundation for business setup and planning fundamentals. After completion of the bootcamp and all its assignments\, graduates are invited to join our Road to Success Cohort\, which builds on this foundation with in-depth exploration of marketing\, customer discovery\, and financial forecasting. \nCohort Curriculum\nWeek One: The Proper Mindset\, Approach\, & Preparation \n\nReadiness Assessment\nFive Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs\nFive Steps to Starting a Business\nBusiness Model Canvas\n\nWeek Two: Developing the Business Plan and Business Model Canvas \n\nCraft Your Business Pitch\nMarketing Strategy\nMarketing Process\nSWOT Analysis\n\nWeek Three: Capital Readiness for Start-Ups  \n\nCapital Readiness 101\nCapital Options\nKiva\n\nWeek Four: Legal Consult & Working Session  \n\nLegal Consult with Noeli Serna\nWorking session\n\nCohort Details\nWhen:  \nEvery Tuesday | 9:00 am-11:00 am\, CST \nJune 2 – June 23\, 2026 \nWhere:  \nVia Zoom meetings \nWho: \nIllinois Entrepreneurs \nQuestions?\nPlease reach out to: \nMinerva Calatayud | mcalatayud@WBDC.org  \nFrancisco Ramirez | francisco@horizonteconsult.com  \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/emerging-pre-venture-bootcamp-road-to-success-aurora/
CATEGORIES:Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Virtual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.wbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/R2S-Bootcamp.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260609T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260609T200000
DTSTAMP:20260916T084417
CREATED:20260519T224136Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T224705Z
UID:36350-1781029800-1781035200@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Starting a Business in Illinois - Get It Right from Day One
DESCRIPTION:Are you thinking about starting a business in Illinois but unsure where to begin? Join our Starting Your Business in Illinois webinar to gain clarity\, confidence\, and a solid foundation for success. \nIn this interactive workshop\, you will: \n\nComplete an initial startup assessment to identify your strengths and gaps\nLearn the five essential steps every new business must take\nUnderstand the legal and practical steps to properly register and launch your business in Illinois\nAvoid common startup mistakes that cost time and money\n\nWhether you’re just exploring an idea or ready to take action\, this webinar will help you move forward with confidence. \nIdeal for first‑time entrepreneurs and early‑stage business owners \nSt Charles Public Library Huntley Community Room \n \n 
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/starting-a-business-in-illinois-get-it-right-from-day-one/
LOCATION:St Charles Public Library\, 1S Sixth st\, St Charles\, IL\, 60174\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person/Classroom Workshop,Start-Up & Emerging Businesses
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260611T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260611T200000
DTSTAMP:20260916T084417
CREATED:20260519T224633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260519T225536Z
UID:36355-1781202600-1781208000@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Inicie Su Negocio en Illinois: Hágalo Bien Desde el Principio
DESCRIPTION:¿Está considerando iniciar un negocio en Illinois pero no sabe por dónde empezar? Acompáñenos en nuestro seminario web “Inicie Su Negocio en Illinois” y obtenga la información y confianza que necesita para dar sus primeros pasos correctamente. \nDurante este taller interactivo\, usted podrá: \n\nRealizar una evaluación inicial para identificar sus fortalezas y áreas de oportunidad como emprendedor\nConocer los cinco pasos básicos para iniciar un negocio con éxito\nAprender los requisitos legales y prácticos para establecer su negocio correctamente en Illinois\nEvitar errores comunes que pueden costar tiempo y dinero\n\nEste seminario es ideal para personas que están explorando una idea de negocio o que desean formalizar su emprendimiento de manera adecuada. \nDirigido a emprendedores principiantes y negocios en etapa inicial \nSt Charles Public Library Carnegie Community Room
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/inicie-su-negocio-en-illinois-hagalo-bien-desde-el-principio/
LOCATION:St Charles Public Library\, 1S Sixth st\, St Charles\, IL\, 60174\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person/Classroom Workshop,Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Talleres en Espanol
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260616T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260616T103000
DTSTAMP:20260916T084417
CREATED:20260603T193718Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T154750Z
UID:36572-1781600400-1781605800@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Smart Marketing: Leveraging AI for Small Business Marketing
DESCRIPTION:In this 1.5-hour workshop\, small business owners will explore how to leverage AI—especially tools like ChatGPT\, Gemini\, and CoPilot—to boost marketing effectiveness and productivity. You’ll start by understanding what AI is (and what it isn’t) and how the platforms we hear about fit into the broader picture of artificial intelligence. The session will unpack how AI works in simple\, practical terms\, followed by a discussion of key limitations to be aware of when using it. Participants will then learn five smart\, actionable ways to use AI for small business marketing—from crafting effective social posts to brainstorming ad ideas—and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you are new to AI or looking to refine your digital strategy\, this session will help you work smarter\, not just harder. \nSponsored By \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/smart-marketing-leveraging-ai-for-small-business-marketing/
CATEGORIES:Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Virtual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.wbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SMART-MARKETING-1.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260617T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260617T103000
DTSTAMP:20260916T084417
CREATED:20260511T233916Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260511T233916Z
UID:36229-1781685000-1781692200@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Workforce Solutions for Growing Businesses
DESCRIPTION:Join fellow local entrepreneurs\, business owners\, and workforce leaders for an interactive\, solutions‑focused summit designed to help you attract\, develop\, and retain talent in today’s evolving labor market. This 2‑hour summit brings together small businesses and key regional partners—including colleges\, chambers of commerce\, workforce agencies\, and business support organizations—to share real‑world strategies you can implement immediately. \nWhat You’ll Gain \n\nPractical hiring and retention strategies for today’s workforce\nInsights on upskilling your current employees\nGuidance on accessing and leveraging workforce funding\nA clearer understanding of Gen Z & emerging workforce expectations\nDirect connections to Fox Valley’s workforce ecosystem\nLeave with actionable tools\, fresh ideas\, and valuable local connections.\n\nWhy Attend? \n\nLearn from real businesses\, not theory\nGet connected to local support resources\nWalk away with strategies you can use right away\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/workforce-solutions-for-growing-businesses/
LOCATION:WBDC Aurora 43 W. Galena Blvd.\, Aurora\, IL
CATEGORIES:Established Businesses,In-Person/Classroom Workshop,Start-Up & Emerging Businesses
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.wbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WBDC-Aurora-Events.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260630T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260630T110000
DTSTAMP:20260916T084417
CREATED:20260528T174421Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260528T174421Z
UID:36435-1782810000-1782817200@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Smart Marketing: Leveraging AI for Small Businesses
DESCRIPTION:For IL residents only. In this 1.5-hour workshop\, small business owners will explore how to leverage AI—especially tools like ChatGPT\, Gemini\, and CoPilot—to boost marketing effectiveness and productivity. You’ll start by understanding what AI is (and what it isn’t) and how the platforms we hear about fit into the broader picture of artificial intelligence. \nThe session will unpack how AI works in simple\, practical terms\, followed by a discussion of key limitations to be aware of when using it. Participants will then learn five smart\, actionable ways to use AI for small business marketing—from crafting effective social posts to brainstorming ad ideas—and common pitfalls to avoid. \nWhether you are new to AI or looking to refine your digital strategy\, this session will help you work smarter\, not just harder. \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/smart-marketing-leveraging-ai-for-small-businesses/
CATEGORIES:Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Virtual
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