WBDC TOP 12
May 26 to June 8 


YOUR growth is our business.


Victoria Elena Nones, CEO and Owner of SIT
Janice Lopez, Director of WBDC and Victoria Elena Nones, CEO and Owner of SIT


#1


WBDC Inspired Women: Victoria Elena Nones


In the fourth segment of Advisor TV's WBDC Inspired Women, Victoria Elena Nones, CEO and Owner of SIT, an innovative dog boutique in Chicago, shares her experience with WBDC and recent challenges of opening a new storefront. 


Nones credits the WBDC's Latina Entrepreneurial Accelerated Development Program (LEAD), a three day intensive leadership training seminar, for giving her the tools and support to help scale up her business. 


Click here to watch more WBDC Inspired Women segments. 
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
#2


Take Advantage of Early Bird Savings at this year's Expo
 
On June 18, the 18th Annual Early Childhood Education Entrepreneurship Expo (ECE3) will offer industry specific-business guidance and resources through inspiring sessions, dynamic workshops, and a robust exhibition hall. 


Attendees will earn 4 Gateways to Opportunity Registry-Verified credits and uncover new ways to grow their business.


Date: June 18, 2016
Time: 8 am to 4 pm 
Location: UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 
Cost: $30 for the first 250 registered participants, $40 after 250 registrants, $75 limited on-site registrants 


Prices include the full-day of programming, entrance to the Exhibit Hall, breakfast and lunch. Partial registration is not available. 


Association discount offered to members.

 
Click here for more information and to register.



If you are interested in becoming an exhibitor, click here.
 #3


 The WBDC St. Louis Fireside Chat and Networking Reception


In honor of our 30th Anniversary, the Women's Business Development Center invites you to a Fireside Chat and Networking Reception in St. Louis, Missouri.


The Chat will feature several extraordinary women business owners who will share the secrets behind their dynamic, high growth businesses and how they plan to take their businesses to the next level.


Immediately following the Chat, meet business owners and corporate representatives from Ameren, Express Scripts, Monsanto, Bosch and Lomb during the Networking and Corporate Connections Reception. 


Moderated by: 
Patricia Miller, Publisher and Market President, St. Louis Business Journal


Participants: 
Laurna Godwin, Co-Founder Vector Communications
Tracy E. Hart, President Tarlton Corporation 
Carmen Jacob, CEO and Founder, NextGen Information Services


Date: June 6, 2016
Time: 3:30 to 7 pm 
Location: Ameren Corporate Headquarters, 1901 Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis, MO 


Click here to register. 
WBDC WORKSHOPS
#4



Webinar Hiring & Retaining Top Performers


High employee turnover can cost business owners time, money and productivity. In this webinar, learn tips on hiring and retaining talented employees to maintain a strong work force. 


Date: June 6, 2016
Time: 11 am to 12 pm   
Location: Online
Cost: Free 
 
Click here for more information and to register. 
#5



Webinar GrowthWheel�: Make Your Operations More Profitable


When your business grows, it's time to adapt and become more efficient while
operating on a larger scale. This webinar will cover tips and tools to efficiently support your business growth.


Date: June 7, 2016
Time: 12 to 1 pm  
Location: Online
Cost: $10
 
Click here for more information and to register. 
#6



Certification: Your Path to New Business Opportunities
 
Looking for a way to promote your company to major corporations and government agencies? Discover how to certify your business as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). 


Date: June 8, 2016
Time: 12 to 1:30 pm 
Location: Robert J. Multipurpose Center, 3200 Wayne Street, Kansas City, MO
Cost: No charge
 
Click here for more information and to register. 
#7


Webwise Small Business Workshop 


WBDC supporter, Illinois SBDC Network is partnering with Webwise to offer a highly interactive workshop designed to teach small business owners actionable methods to help keep up with customers' online behaviors. 


Web.com Director of Marketing Justin Leedy will cover topics such as Website Design, Social Media, Email Marketing and E-Commerce. Bank of America will also be on hand to discuss how technology can make your money work smarter.  


Date: June 9, 2016
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Location: Hilton Orrington/Evanston, 1710 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, IL 
Cost: No charge


Click here for more information and to register. 
#8



Business Leadership Essentials 101


This interactive workshop, will examine the essential skill sets of an effective leader. Learn the difference between leading and managing your business vs. working on your business.


Date: June 9, 2016
Time: 6 to 8 pm 
Location: WBC Aurora @ WBDC, 43 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL
Cost: $10
 
Click here for more information and to register. 
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITTIES


#9


Latina Entrepreneurial Accelerated Development Program
LEAD


Be part of a three-day intensive retreat and develop peer-to-peer connections, business planning and mentoring skills focused on four key elements - leadership, mentoring, volunteerism and strategic business planning. 


Participation is limited to 25 Latina business owners headquartered in Illinois who have at least two employees and have been in operation for two years or more. 


Date: June 22 to June 24, 2016
Time: 9 am to 5 pm  
Location: Wintrust Financial Corporation, 9700 W. Higgins Rd., Rosemont, IL  

Cost: $200
 
 Click here for more information.

#10



Plan for Profit: A Guided Process for Developing Your Business 


Plan for Profit spring session will take place on June 9. Occurring twice a year at WBDC headquarters, the program sharpens and strengthens your skills with this hands-on business development training course. 


By the end of the training series, you will have created and refined your business strategy and goals.


This is a selective application process based on business feasibility. 



Prerequisite: Starting a Business in IL and Business Business Financials 101 Online On-Demand Webinar


Date: June 9 through August 4, 2016 (14 sessions)
Time: 6 to 9 pm    
Location: WBDC, 8 S. Michigan Ave., 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 
Cost: $200
 
Click here for more information and to register. 

#11



EILEEN FISHER Women-Owned Business Grant 


In 2004, Women's clothing company, Eileen Fisher launched the EILEEN FISHER Women-Owned Business Grant Program. The grant supports innovative, women-owned companies that are beyond the start-up phase and ready to expand their business and their potential for positive social and environmental impact.


Eileen Fisher awards $120,000 in grants for up to 10 recipients (minimum grant $12,000) on an annual basis. Additionally, recipients are invited to New York City in the spring for two days of learning and celebration with the Eileen Fisher community. 


Online applications will be accepted until June 2, 2016. 


Click here to learn more about program requirements. 
#12


Chicago Botanic Garden
Request for Proposal


Chicago Botanic Garden invites WBDC clients to submit a proposal for catering for the annual Harvest Ball on September 17. The proposal should include passed hors d'oeuvres for cocktail hour and a three-course dinner. The event draws approximately 350 attendees. 


Click here for the requirements and a brief timeline.



Application Deadline: June 13, 2016
Location: McGinley Pavilion at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, IL 


Women's Business Development Center | 8 South Michigan Avenue | 4th Floor | Chicago | IL | 60603