RiseUp Fall 2026 | Application Deadline
The Women’s Business Development Center is proud to present RiseUp, a childcare business cohort tailored exclusively for childcare entrepreneurs. This dynamic program offers comprehensive training on key business topics and personalized one-on-one advising. Join our Upcoming Fall Cohort! We provide business development counseling, workshops and classes, and access to capital through loan packaging and microloans...
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...
ChatGPT Made Simple for Business
ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ONLY: Want to get more out of ChatGPT for your business? Join the Illinois SBDC at the WBDC and Renee DelGiudice for a practical, easy to follow workshop designed to make ChatGPT simple and useful. You'll learn how to keep your work organized, ask better questions, and use ChatGPT for everyday business tasks....
Finance Workshop for Childcare Businesses
In this workshop, childcare business owners will learn how to prepare and interpret financial statements, create effective budgets, and establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to make informed business decisions. Register today to learn how to calculate your break-even point, develop a pricing strategy that reflects the true cost of care, and increase the profitability and...