The WBDC Turns 40. Explore 40 Years of Impact

Smart Marketing: Leveraging AI for Small Businesses

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. The...

The Growth Lab | Episode 3

The Growth Lab is back — and Episode 3 is going to be one you don’t want to miss. At 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...

Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp | Road to Success | Registration Deadline

FOR IL RESIDENTS ONLY. Road 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...

Starting Your Business In Illinois

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. Presented by the Illinois SBDC at the Women’s Business Development Center.