Are you considering starting a business in Illinois? Put yourself ahead of the curve by attending this workshop to gain the knowledge you need to assist with a successful launch. This workshop will address if business ownership is right for you, the transition from being an employee, volunteer, homemaker and/or independent contractor to business owner and more.
January 17: Build a Sustainable Business and Sharpen Your Competitive Edge Session 1: Assessing Your Business
This fast-paced, hands-on training will lead you through the process of assessing the internal strengths and weaknesses of your business to help you develop a strategy to differentiate your business from your competitors. This workshop is designed to provide you with tools and information that will help you build capacity and grow your business profits.
January 17: Take the Mystery out of Finance
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.
January 19: Identifying the Market Viability of Your Business Concept (Part of JumpStart Series)
How do you know if you have a viable idea that will thrive in the marketplace? How do you identify your business model and determine your target market? How do you do your own market research? Find answers to these questions and more by attending this session.
January 23: FastTrac Planning: Maximizing the Potential for Your Business (12 Week Program)
Whether starting your business or exploring expansion, FastTrac
Planning will take you where you want to go. You will leave this
12-week program with a vision for success and an in-depth action-oriented business plan to use for raising capital and steering business growth.
January 26: Webinar: Is Certification Right for You?
Learn about certification from one of our WBDC experts.
Local, state and federal certifications will be covered,
along with the private certification offered through the Women's Business Development Center.
January 26: Webinar: Joint Business Counseling: How to Write Winning Proposals
Joint Business Counseling Sessions are for established business owners seeking to grow their businesses through government and corporate contracting. Each session is held via interactive webinar and is limited to 5 persons so that each participant has ample time to apply this valuable information to their own business. If you are seeking assistance with how to write winning proposals, we hope you will try this new platform for interactive, strategic planning and learning in a small group format.
January 26: Reaching Your Market Strategically (Part of JumpStart Series)
Once you know who your target market and ideal clients are, you need to figure out how to reach them. You will learn how to distinguish between selling and marketing, identify features and benefits of your products/services, develop at least three strategies for marketing and more.
This workshop 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, recordkeeping, running a business out of your home, hiring employees or independent contractors, employment taxes, Employer Identification Number (EIN) and IRS small business resources.
