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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Women's Business Development Center
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260701T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260701T130000
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UID:36701-1782907200-1782910800@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:The Growth Lab | Episode 3
DESCRIPTION:The Growth Lab is back — and Episode 3 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 3 — Join us live July 1 | 12PM\nMeet Our Founder: Jennifer Nowicki | Founder of Cultivate Taste Tea and former Top Shelf Retail participant \nJennifer Nowicki is the founder of Cultivate Taste Tea\, a premium loose-leaf tea company specializing in pure single-origin teas sourced from renowned tea-growing regions around the world. With more than 30 years in the tea industry and 35 years in gourmet and natural foods\, Jennifer is a Certified Tea Specialist through the Specialty Tea Institute in New York City and has represented the U.S. tea industry at international tea conferences in China. Through Cultivate Taste Tea\, she helps tea enthusiasts\, hospitality businesses\, retailers\, and corporate gifting clients discover exceptional teas defined by craftsmanship\, terroir\, and authenticity. \nJennifer’s challenge for our advisors is in identifying the highest-leverage revenue channels for a premium specialty product. She would like to make more sales and is currently not meeting her potential and market share. Jennifer currently doesn’t have much of a budget\, and believes capital is the solution she needs. However\, she is nervous about small business loans and would like to learn more about her options to overcome her fear of financing. \nJennifer 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\nKaren Goldner | Managing Director\, Established Business Program and Services\, WBDC \nEmma Westfall | Director\, Access to Capital Program and Services\, WBDC \nTogether\, they’ll dig into Jennifer’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-3/
CATEGORIES:Established Businesses,Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Virtual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.wbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Episode-3-Founder-Announcement.png
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260720
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260721
DTSTAMP:20260916T075610
CREATED:20260701T183418Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260707T193721Z
UID:36755-1784505600-1784591999@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp | Road to Success | Registration Deadline
DESCRIPTION:FOR IL RESIDENTS ONLY. \nRoad to Success Bootcamp is a 4-week bootcamp that covers introductory concepts necessary for emerging and pre-venture entrepreneurs. This bootcamp will include three business education workshops and one combined legal clinic and working session. Participants must complete all four sessions\, attend one advising session\, and complete a follow-up survey in order to be considered a graduate. Graduates are then invited to attend the Road to Success cohort.  \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\nRegistration Deadline:  \nJuly 20\, 2026 \nWhen:  \nEvery Tuesday | 9:00 am-11:00 am\, CST \nJuly 21\, 28 and August 4\, 11\, 2026 \nWhere:  \nVia Zoom meetings \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-3/
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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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260729T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260729T130000
DTSTAMP:20260916T075610
CREATED:20260728T051654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T051654Z
UID:36982-1785326400-1785330000@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-68/
CATEGORIES:Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Starting Your Business in Illinois,Virtual
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:20260730T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260730T133000
DTSTAMP:20260916T075610
CREATED:20260713T233545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260715T173510Z
UID:36825-1785412800-1785418200@www.wbdc.org
SUMMARY:Lunch & Learn: Bridging the Digital Divide with 10/10 Research
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a Lunch & Learn with Nicholena Patel\, founder of 10/10 Research\, as she explores how digital tools can help entrepreneurs gather meaningful market insights and make smarter business decisions. \n Drawing on her experience serving clients from global tech companies to local nonprofits\, Nicholena will introduce accessible research platforms and survey tools that simplify the market research process. Participants will also learn practical strategies for recognizing and reducing bias in data to ensure more reliable results.  \nWhether you’re validating a new idea or refining your business strategy\, this session will equip you with the tools and confidence to conduct effective\, data-driven research. \nFeatured Speaker | Nicholena Patel\, founder of 10/10 Research \nAfter a decade in research consultancy\, Nicholena founded 10/10 Research to address the research needs of the changing industrial climate and technological developments in the world today. Nicholena holds an M.A. in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago\, and a B.A. in Sociology from Temple University. She has had the privilege of working with clients ranging from Big Tech giants to small non-profits\, and believes research is a powerful tool for the betterment of all. She lives in Chicago with her family\, and enjoys watching Sci-fi and cooking in her free time. \n  \nSponsored by AT&T
URL:https://www.wbdc.org/en/event/lunch-learn-bridging-the-digital-divide-with-10-10-research/
CATEGORIES:Start-Up & Emerging Businesses,Virtual,Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.wbdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Bridging-the-Digital-Divide-with-1010-Research.png
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