News and Events in March

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 2011

Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month and March 8^th is International Women's Day. We at the WBDC have lots to celebrate-the amazing progress women have made politically and economically and, of course, our 25^th anniversary of serving over 65,000 women in the Chicago Metropolitan area. Women business owners have proven they have and will continue to change the face and character of business with the significant growth in numbers and size and impact of women entrepreneurs. So much more to do and "We Can Do It!" Click here to read more.

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The SBA is excited to announce that the regulations and guides for the revised 8(a) Business Development program have been finalized and posted on the Federal Register. Find more information on the SBA website

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Partner Events

March 10: Green Drinks-Business Edition
Specifically designed for those associated with or interested in sustainability-oriented enterprises, Green Drinks-Business Edition is a unique opportunity to entertain clients, connect with colleagues, and develop new relationships in a relaxed business setting.

March 12: Volunteerism - The New Way to Grow Your Business!
Research shows that professional involvement within local communities is a great way to generate new business opportunities. NAWBO is hosting a Day of Service to help interested parties get involved. Click here for more information.

March 15: Sustainable Business Fundamenta
ls - Frameworks Seminar

Incorporating sustainability principles into an enterprise is an inherently multifaceted undertaking. Many conceptual as well as tactical frameworks exist to assist businesses with the planning, implementation and benchmarking involved in this process. This workshop introduces and analyzes more than 20 approaches, with an emphasis on their content and applicability.

March 15, 2011 - Deadline to apply to the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards

The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards is an international business plan competition that recognizes five female entrepreneurs each year, one from each region: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America. Each Laureate receives coaching support for a full year, in addition to $20,000 in funding and an exclusive trophy designed by Cartier. To apply for the 2011 edition of the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards, click here

Greetings!

WBDC WORKSHOPS

March 2011

March 8: Take Me to Your Lender: Take the Mystery Out of Financing

Learn from a WBDC finance counselor the criteria lenders use when evaluating your business. Empower yourself and learn how to prepare a good financing package.

March 9: Starting a Business in Illinois (Part of JumpStart Series)Learn the pros and cons of self-employment, how to identify business opportunities, and how to make the transition from job holder to business owner.

March 10: Connection Points: Networking with Accountants, Attorneys, Mediators and Insurance

This exclusive networking event is for established women business owners in the following industries: law, accounting, mediating and insurance. This Connection Points event also includes a short panel presentation where experts from each discipline will advise on the impact divorce/death can have on a businesses assets. If you are in one of the industries mentioned above and would like to connect with other women-owned industry peers, we hope you will join us at this targeted, afterhours event.

March 11: Taxes! What to Do? IRS Small Business Tax Workshop

The Small Business Tax Workshop is for existing and startup business owners. It is designed to educate small business owners on their federal tax responsibilities. Discussions will include what you need to know about federal taxes as it relates to your business.

March 15: How to Do Business with the Government

This workshop focuses on determining if your business is at the right stage to pursue opportunities with government agencies, and how to market your business to them. Learn the steps to identify contract opportunities, including which websites to visit to find bid opportunities.

March 16: Market Research (Part of JumpStart Series)

What is market research and how do you use it to assess the potential of your business idea? How do you identify your business model and determine your target market? How do you do your own market research?

March 23: Marketing and Selling Strategies (Part of JumpStart Series)

This session addresses how to: distinguish between selling and marketing, identify benefits for building skills in both areas, identify key forms of media that will help market your business, develop at least 3 strategies for marketing, and more.

March 25: Business Licensing with the City of Chicago

Have you been wondering whether you need a business license to operate your business in Chicago? What kind and why? Where to get it? How long it takes and costs? In this workshop you will learn about the licensing process as well as general requirements for certain types of business licenses.

March 30: Financial Analysis I (Part of JumpStart Series)
Learn the importance of knowing and analyzing the sources of your business revenue. Learn how to project sales and what the impact of the target market's characteristics could be on cash flow and sales projections.

THE SBA'S WEBSITE HAS A NEW LOOK

Please click here to visit.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR CURRENT GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATE CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER FOR WORKSHOPS ONLINE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.WBDC.ORG OR CALL US AT (312) 853-3477 X. 0