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Starting Your Business in Illinois
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.
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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
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...
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ChatGPT Made Simple for Business
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
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...
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Finance Workshop for Childcare Businesses
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...
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Essentials of Leveraging Your WBE Certification – Session 1
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.
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Road to Success Cohort | Fall 2026
Only for those who completed the R2S Bootcamp. FOR IL RESIDENTS ONLY. Road to Success is a six-session cohort, for which the Bootcamp is a prerequisite. Road to Success cohort guides pre-venture and emerging businesses towards success by going more in depth into areas crucial for business growth. The cohort covers essential business concepts such...
How to Start your Childcare Business: From Vision to Reality
How to Start your Childcare Business: From Vision to Reality
Are you ready to turn your passion for caring for children into a thriving business? Whether you're planning to open a home daycare or launch a childcare center, this one-hour webinar will guide you through the essential steps to get started with confidence. Session Overview Led by industry experts, this session will cover: Licensing and...
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WBE Onboarding
WBE Onboarding
Newly certified as a WBENC WBE, or wanting a refresher about how the WBDC and WBENC networks work? Join us for this free 45-minute webinar. Please note that this program is aimed at companies who are WBE certified, not those thinking about getting certified.
WBDC 40th Anniversary Celebration
WBDC 40th Anniversary Celebration
You're invited! For 40 years, the Women's Business Development Center has been the place where ideas became businesses, where founders became leaders, and where the Midwest's economy got stronger, one woman-owned business at a time. None of this would have been possible without you. That's why we want you to join us on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at...
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Building a Strong Financial Foundation for Childcare Business Growth
Building a Strong Financial Foundation for Childcare Business Growth
Ready to take your childcare business to the next level? Financial success starts with understanding the numbers behind your operations. This workshop will empower childcare providers with the knowledge and confidence needed to manage finances effectively, plan for growth, and increase long-term sustainability. Event Information Hybrid Event: In-Person: Chase Branch | 4730 W 79th Chicago IL 60652...
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Essentials of Leveraging Your WBE Certification – Session 2
Essentials of Leveraging Your WBE Certification – Session 2
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.
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Ask AI, Then Ask Your Customer
Ask AI, Then Ask Your Customer
Have a business idea or a new product or service you’d like to offer through your existing business? Before you invest significant time or money, find out what potential customers actually need and whether your idea appeals to them. In this practical Illinois SBDC at the WBDC webinar, you’ll learn how to: Describe who your...
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Elevate | Otoño 2026
Elevate | Otoño 2026
Nuestro Programa de Desarrollo Empresarial para Cuidado Infantil está diseñado específicamente para brindar apoyo a dueños de negocios de cuidado infantil, tanto en hogares como en centros. Los participantes del programa Elevate seguirán un proceso para aprender: Expandir su negocio: Desarrollarán estrategias para aumentar la clientela y expandir sus operaciones. Marketing efectivo: Obtendrán conocimientos sobre las mejores...
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Kiva Hour
Kiva Hour
Is Kiva a capital option for me and my business? Discover how you can leverage Kiva to fuel your dreams, whether you’re starting a business or growing an existing one. We’ll walk through the eligibility criteria, application requirements, and the various ways you can utilize Kiva. Plus, get inspired by success stories from entrepreneurs who...
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Capital Readiness 101
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,...
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From Doing It All to Driving Growth: Building a Business That Works Beyond You
From Doing It All to Driving Growth: Building a Business That Works Beyond You
Many business owners spend so much time doing the work that they have little capacity left to actually grow the business. This session helps entrepreneurs' step back from the day-to-day tasks and examine the core functions that drive their business, from administration and client management to operations, marketing, technology, and specialized expertise. Participants will learn...
Road to Success in Polish | Kurs na sukces
Road to Success in Polish | Kurs na sukces
Kurs na sukces. Zacznij swój biznes już dziś! Pierwszy w historii WBDC kurs przedsiębiorczości prowadzony w całości po polsku. Bezpłatny kurs online dla wszystkich, którzy chcą założyć własny biznes albo dopiero zaczynają. Cztery wieczory, konkretne kroki, zero kosztów. Czwartki, 29.10, 5.11, 12.11, 19.11.2026, 18:00-20:00 Prowadzony przez dr Kingę Kosmalę, dyrektorkę ds. przedsiębiorczości. Road to Success...
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