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Opportunities Forum
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Greetings!
The SBAC continues to move forward at blazing speed
and we are thrilled that so many of our members are doing business together. With their approval, we will be identifying some of the business relationships
our clients have formed in an upcoming newsletter.
Rest assured, we are also aggressively moving forward
on our SBAC health insurance pool and have negotiated fantastic
discounts for our members on office supplies and other services. Here is
your SBAC update:
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SBAC's Next Happy Hour At Shelle Jewelers
 Please join us at Shelle Jewelers on September 30th from 6-8pm for
our next SBAC Happy Hour. Enjoy great food and margaritas from Las Palmas
Mexican Restaurant, steak sandwiches from Sullivan's, a wine tasting from WineStyles of Northbrook and other complimentary refreshments.
 With nearly 140 businesses in the SBAC, our Happy Hours
have consistently proven to be fantastic venues to meet a variety of business
owners and other professionals. Indeed, over 100 guests were
introduced to one another and talked about how they could work
together at our August Happy Hour.
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Health Insurance
 We are convinced the time
has come to stand together, create an insurance pool and assert our collective
bargaining power to negotiate better health insurance rates for our
members. There is power in numbers. We can control our own
destiny and bring down our insurance rates together.
Jonah Weiss and Arthur J. Gallagher Co. are
aggressively moving the SBAC insurance pool forward. Every business in the SBAC has received a short census, the first step
in creating our insurance pool. We fully understand businesses,
and individuals, will only participate in the pool if we can save them
money on health insurance. The goal of this program will be to
provide our members with quality insurance at reduced, affordable
rates.
Jonah Weiss, representatives from Arthur J Gallagher and
other SBAC members with expertise in health insurance will be holding a Health Insurance Forum
at 12:00pm on October 16th at the SBAC's Northfield offices. We will talk about the SBAC insurance pool at
that time. Please note this forum was originally scheduled for October 9th
at 10:00am. We apologize for any inconvenience. To RSVP ahead of time contact Blanca Campos at Blanca@SBACIL.org or at (847) 990-7909. |
New Office Sharing Program Roll Out
 We understand the strength of the SBAC is directly
proportional to the strength of our members. Hence, we are looking to
provide you with every possible advantage. Our SBAC Office Sharing Program is designed to do just that. The following businesses have opened
their conference rooms and offices to their fellow SBAC
members: - Op2mize, LLC - Des Plaines, IL
- Associated Bank - Gurnee, IL
- Associated Bank - Libertyville, IL
- Associated Bank - Mundelein, IL
- Associated Bank - Grayslake, IL
To see the complete listings go to: http://www.smallbusinessadvocacycouncil.org/office-space-listings
Members can contact Blanca Campos at blanca@sbacil.org or (847)990-7909 to
schedule time at one of these offices. Please note that you will need to provide 24 hours notice at most locations. |
Announcements
Lending and Venture Capital Forum We would like to thank the fantastic
presenters, and the approximately forty professionals, who attended
our Lending and Venture Capital Forum last week. With access to
credit still difficult to find, our presenters talked about alternative
avenues to obtain financing for starting or expanding a business. Our
members also learned about a slew of tax credits for small businesses in
Illinois. This forum will be available to our members on our website
by the end of this week.
Keep the Beat Wellness Discount Are you looking to lose weight, get in shape or feel better? Do you need help making those necessary lifestyle modifications? Keep the Beat Wellness is the place for you. Keep the Beat Wellness, an SBAC member, is a small wellness/fitness center that caters to those who are looking for that personal touch. Their staff are healthcare professionals who have 25 plus years of experience in cardiac and pulmonary rehab. They have many different options to meet your needs, whether you like to exercise on your own (personal training) or with a group. Mention this newsletter when you call and ask for Stuart to receive your first week free. Call (847) 559-1992 333 or stop by at Skokie Blvd. Suite 106 Northbrook.
"...And The Clients Went Wild!"
 The SBAC would like to announce the release of "...And The Clients Went Wild!" by Maribeth Kuzmeski. Maribeth is a member of the SBAC and released this work as a fun and valuable read filled with marketing case studies of successful small, midsized and big businesses. Consider it your marketing toolbox for viral strategies, new media and traditional tactics that are truly growing businesses today. Inside you'll find 5 key principles for cultivating passionate clients and advocates whose word-of-mouth will drive your growth to exponential levels. To learn more go to: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470601760?ie=UTF8&tag=redzonemarket-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0470601760.
The 2010 edition of Arnstein & Lehr Chicago Partner and SBAC Member Jason Tremblay's handbook, Employment Law Toolkit, is now available. The handbook is a comprehensive resource highlighting the significant employment and labor issues facing Illinois employers.
Among other topics, the Toolkit discusses protecting a company's assets and trade secrets, employee handbook provisions, proper hiring, discipline and termination of employees, properly investigating and resolving complaints of harassment and discrimination, as well as most of the major laws affecting employers and employees in today's work environment.
It provides practical and cost-effective advice on avoiding employment and labor-related liability and complying with state and federal laws facing both employers and employees.
To request a complimentary copy of this third edition, please contact Mr. Tremblay at ejtremblay@arnstein.com or feel free to call him at (312) 876-6676.
Evening With Best-Selling Author Dr. Tom Deans
 On the evening of Thursday, October 28th, we invite you to come spend an evening with best-selling author and award-winning speaker, Dr. Tom Deans. Tom is the author of "Every Family's Business" - the best-selling family business book of all time!
Tom's practical, proactive approach to transitioning business wealth resonates with owners of family and non-family businesses alike. He brings a refreshing and unique perspective to the conversation of business succession and wealth transfer.
The gathering will take place at The Rosewood Restaurant in Rosemont, IL. We will gather at 6:00pm and Dr. Deans' presentation will begin at 6:30pm. You will receive a complimentary copy of "Every Family's Business". There will be an opportunity to visit with Tom at the conclusion of his formal presentation.
To RSVP contact Patty Osomo at posomo@wpcbs.com or at (847) 965-4424 ext. 334 by October 20th.
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New Small Business Advocacy Blog
 The new Small Business Advocacy Blog is growing quickly with new readers discovering its value daily. If you have not yet read the new Blog follow it
now by going to Small Business Advocacy Blog!
This valuable resource for small business owners includes recent articles such
as: To learn more about the Small Business Advocacy
Blog or learn how you can become a contributing writer contact Eric Quintanilla
at Eric@SBACIL.org. |
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All the best,
Elliot Richardson
Small Business Advocacy Council |
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