The WBDC Turns 40. Explore 40 Years of Impact

Capital Readiness 101

Is your business positioned to weather financial challenges, adapt to changing market conditions and take advantage of expansion opportunities? External capital may be a necessary tool. But what should every business owner know about preparing for accessing capital? This session is a must for any business owner hoping to acquire external capital such as grants,...

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.

Smart Marketing Leveraging: AI for Small Business Marketing

FOR ILLINOIS 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...

Essentials of Leveraging Your WBE Certification – Session 1

This interactive 2-part series is designed for WBEs who want to make sure they are using their WBENC WBE Certification to the fullest. Session 2 is How to Develop an Impactful Capability Statement. The one-page capability statement is a critical tool in articulating your value to potential customers.