Upcoming events.
Managing Stress and Maximizing Flow as a Female Entrepreneur
Are you ready to take control of stress and unlock your peak performance in 2025?
Join us as Dr. Andreea Vanacker, entrepreneur, international speaker, and author, shares insights into managing stress effectively and finding your flow—a state where productivity, creativity, and motivation thrive. With over a decade of research in neuroscience and positive psychology under her belt, Dr. Vanacker will equip you with tools to manage stress as a business owner, unblock barriers, and consistently access flow.
Presented by Dell for Startups
Capital Readiness 101: Preparing Your Business to Acquire External Capital
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, lines of credit, business credit cards and/or term loans. Attendees will gain foundational knowledge for navigating the capital landscape successfully.
Join Associate Director Emma Westfall for this insightful session. Click here to register.
Presented by Women's Business Development Center 9WBDC)
Entity Selection and Formation
Presented by the Donald Pritzker Entrepreneurship Law Center, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
The purpose of this workshop will be to help founders understand various factors to consider when deciding what type of entity to form. We will focus on corporations and limited liability companies and explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Presented by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
Smarter 401(k) Moves to Strengthen Your Bottom Line
Join us on January 27th from 2:00-3:00pm for an online seminar on navigating the world of 401(k) plans as a business owner, moderated by Daliah Saper. The discussion will feature “Forensic 401(k) Consultant”, Paul Sippil. Paul is a registered investment advisor that has specialized in providing advice to small and mid-sized business owners and employees regarding their 401(k) and profit-sharing plans for the past 15 years. He helps evaluate plans in the areas of cost, service, technology, and participant education, which is especially valuable because many service providers are not sufficiently transparent and very few financial advisors have specific and deep expertise in the retirement plan industry.
Presented by Saper Law
Access to Capital Direct Lending Program Information Session
Securing capital may be an important step in fueling your business’ growth. The Access to Capital team is holding an information session on the Direct Lending Program, an alternative capital option for good businesses and owners with less-than-perfect credit history. Join us for an informational webinar to learn more about the Direct Lending Program, borrower eligibility and other requirements.
Presented by Women's Business Development Center (WBDC)
Register now!
Starting a Food Business
Follow your dreams of starting a food business with our help. Join Natalie Shmulik of The Hatchery and Cheryl Balough of Balough Law Offices to go through a food business checklist and make sure you structure your business correctly from the start. This class covers required licensing, certification, financing, and branding.
This event is free for residents of the West Side communities. Click here for more information and to register.
How to Scale Up: How I Sold It
What do founders in music and media tech need to know about making a successful exit? Find out from experienced startup founders how to design your exit strategy, when to seek acquisition, and what to do next.
Presented by Music Tectonics
Entrepreneurship Essentials: Understanding IP, Patents, and Trademarks
ENTREPRENEURSHIP ESSENTIALS (E2): UNDERSTANDING IP, PATENTS, AND TRADEMARKS WITH KATE BEREZUTSKAYA
Join the Polsky Center and intellectual property attorney Kate Berezutskaya for an informative session about intellectual property assets and the value that they may provide for your company and investors.
This workshop will focus mainly on two how-to topics: First, how to address which of many different intellectual property types may be the most beneficial for your company. Second, how to protect your business and increase its value for investors by strategically utilizing patents, trademarks, copyright, and trade secrets.
Virtual / Online Event.
Click here to register.
Market Sizing and Competitor Mapping + Financial Modeling Basics
Discover how to elevate your business strategy with our dynamic workshop, "Market Sizing and Competitor Mapping + Financial Modeling Basics." to deepen your market insights and financial planning skills. We'll guide you through essential techniques for accurately sizing your market and mapping your competitor segments, enabling you to effectively target and serve your audience. You'll also gain valuable knowledge on competitive analysis to position your business strategically.
In addition, the workshop covers the fundamentals of financial modeling, including constructing and interpreting key financial statements and performing scenario planning. Whether you're building a new venture or refining your current business strategy, this hands-on session will provide you with practical tools and actionable insights to drive informed decisions and enhance your business planning. Join us to master these critical skills and take your business to the next level!
mHUB
1623 W. Fulton St
Chicago, IL
Click here to register
Empower Hour: The Silver Room and Silver Room Design Lab
In honor and recognition of Black History Month, celebrated in February, this month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Chief Small Business Officer Lotika Pai chatting with Eric Williams, Owner of The Silver Room and Silver Room Design Lab.
Founded in 1997 in Wicker Park, The Silver Room is currently located in Chicago’s historic Hyde Park neighborhood and intersects art, community, and culture. The showroom experience curates unique goods and events. Recently, the Chicago institution expanded its footprint with the grand opening of Silver Room Design Lab located at 900 N. Michigan Ave. This new space focuses on limited edition items from Chicago artists and designers while inviting exploration of store art installations. The candid conversation will cover the start and growth of the business, relationship building, and customer attraction. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
Presented by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
The Marketing Toolbox for Music Tech Companies
Does your marketing toolbox need an upgrade in order to reach your next customers?
Find out how tools like influencer marketing, public relations, crowdfunding, and pay-per-click ads work together for music & technology companies. Learn from the experts how to update your marketing strategy to make sales and convert customers into superfans.
Presented by Music Tectonics
AI + IQ
Kick off 2025 with us on February 26th as we convene top experts at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence. Listen, learn and network to discover the latest in AI:
– Top AI trends for 2025
– How this evolving technology can advance you today
– What’s next: How AI will shape our lives in ways once unimaginable
Presented by Chicago Innovation
In Person: Independent Film Club
Join us for our very own Independent Film Club! A recurring event for those passionate about filmmaking and film appreciation.
This is a dedicated space for filmmakers and film lovers to share their stories and dive deep into discussions about every aspect of film, from the creative journey to the final narrative. Let’s gather and enjoy our favorite medium together!
Presented by Creator Collective
Empower Hour: Chicago Teahouse
This month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Chief Small Business Officer Lotika Pai chatting with Agnieszka Rapaz, Owner of Chicago Teahouse.
From their location in the heart of the Historic Gold Coast of Chicago, Chicago Teahouse shares the passion of organic and fair-trade tea production. The woman-owned business is led by Certified Tea Sommelier, Agnieszka Rapacz, who focuses on curating teas for every occasion. The store carries over 200 products including black, green, oolong, white, rooibush, herbal and fruit, and ranging in price from just a few cents per cup all the way up the rarest teas grown exclusively for us by some of the world’s finest estates. To help educate customers, the store offers a variety of tea workshops and classes.
The candid conversation will cover the start and growth of the business, product selection and customer experience. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
Presented by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Demystifying the Loan Process: Helping You Make Real Financial Progress
Whether you need additional cash flow to cover overhead expenses, or you’re looking to expand your product offering, you may need capital to support your business growth. If you’re new to the process, applying for a loan can be overwhelming. We are here to demystify the lending process and help you make real financial progress.
Featured Speaker
Vachon Harper-Young, VP, Senior Regional Manager of BMO Bank’s Zero Barriers to Business program.
Presented by Women’s Business Development Center
The MLC Presents: Q&A for Self-Administered Songwriters
Are you an independent (also known as self-administered) songwriter with questions about The MLC and your digital mechanical royalties? Join us for an interactive webinar where team members from The MLC will provide answers to all your questions about Membership, The MLC Portal, and the tools and resources available to help you properly register your songs with The MLC to ensure you’re collecting all of your royalties.
Presented by The Mechanical Licensing Collective
SBA Loans for Small Businesses
Hear from the Subject Matter Experts about how to get access to capital to build your small businesses. SBA approved over 1.3 billion dollars in financing to businesses in Illinois. Learn how to get your share and grow your business.
Presented by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Shopify Landing Page Teardown to Improve Conversions
Join us for an in-depth teardown of Joyful Co.’s landing page to identify key areas for improvement. Learn actionable strategies to optimize your website, boost engagement, and increase conversions. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting, this session will provide valuable insights to enhance your online presence and drive better results.
Want an audit for your site? Submit a landing page or product page when you register.
Presented by FoodBevy
State of the Arts & Culture Sector
As we move into a new year, the Illinois arts and culture sector faces significant challenges and opportunities. Join us for a virtual State of the Arts and Culture Sector event, hosted by Arts Alliance Illinois, to discuss the most pressing issues impacting the arts community.
This is an important opportunity for arts leaders, organizations, and advocates to come together, share insights, and prepare for the upcoming state legislative session. There will be a Q&A with Arts Alliance leadership, including Executive Director Claire Rice.
WHO KNEW The Smartest People In The Room - Joey Carvello and Jellybean Benitez
Happy New Year! And welcome to our 6th year of presenting amazing pairings of highly accomplished music industry executives/personalities swapping stories and wisdom from their careers.
As I write this, I have been reading about the legacy of President Jimmy Carter, who passed away last weekend. What a coincidence and what karma as one of the themes of this week's episode involves the history of disco, which was in full bloom during the Carter years. Just wait until you hear the stories from these two guys who were in the middle of it all!
Joey Carvello is a legendary radio promo and A&R executive who became one of the most popular and successful club DJ's in Boston during the disco era. He has just published a memoir entitled "The Boston Hustle - the Hairspray, the Cologne, the Disco & the Betrayal". And as the title infers, the guy who wrote the book is one of the most colorful and interesting characters you will ever meet.
Jellybean Benitez is a musician, songwriter, DJ, remixer, and music producer. He has produced and remixed artists such as Madonna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and the Pointer Sisters. He was later the executive producer of Studio 54 Radio.
Please join us for what will be the best hour of your week. The stories and wisdom these guys will share are the perfect way to launch SPITR 2025!
Presented by WHO KNEW
Overcoming Your Artistic Flaws with Writer-Turned-Licensed Psychologist, Phil Stark
Join us as we speak with writer (South Park, That ‘70s Show, Dude, Where’s My Car) turned psychologist, Phil Stark, to dive into your artistic flaws including procrastination and impatience and learn how to overcome them. *This event was rescheduled from October.
Some things you will learn in this webinar:
The cause of procrastination and how to push past it
The key to managing impatience
How to face and overcome changes and struggles in your writing career
How to create good writing habits
Presented by International Screenwriters’ Association
The Big Reveal: The State of Live Kickoff Rally
Thank you for joining NIVA in supporting The State of Live—the first national economic research study of the independent live entertainment sector. This groundbreaking project will quantify the economic contributions of independent venues, promoters, performing arts centers, and festivals while addressing the challenges threatening their sustainability.
Presented by NIVA
ISA Presents: TV Writing on Demand with Neil Landau
Join award-winning screenwriter, producer, and author Neil Landau as talks with ISA's Creative Executive, Shayna Weber, about the ins and outs of writing for TV in "an on demand world." He will cover everything from how to make your TV pilot the most marketable to how the global TV landscape has changed and where it's going.
Neil’s former students have catapulted to success as writer/producers and showrunners, including Steven Canals (Pose), Francesca Sloane (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Justin Hillian (The Chi), Kiley Donovan (Grey’s Anatomy), Davita Scarlett (The Good Fight), Noga Landau (Nancy Drew), Gaia Violo (Star Trek: Starfleet Academy), Boey Yeon Kim (Star Trek Discovery), Marion Dayre (Echo, Better Call Saul), Yvonne Hana Yi (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Shoshana Sachi (Dead Boy Detectives), and many more.
This is Deezer
Deezer is the world’s second largest independent music streaming platform. Find out why Deezer should be part of your international campaign strategy and how our tools can help grow your audience around the world. At Deezer, we Live the Music!
Storefront Ready for 2025?
Presented by Sarah Wilson, Uptown United & Uptown Chamber of Commerce Considering taking your business from home to a storefront? Join us and learn how to determine if you're ready for brick and mortar, what you need before signing a lease, and how to avoid common pitfalls as best you can. To get credit, you must be registered for the program prior to attending this webinar. Learn more at
Applying Strategy Frameworks for Business
Applying Strategy Frameworks for Business Development Workshop:
Equip participants with practical strategy frameworks for business growth.
Develop a deep understanding of customer needs and market trends.
Create actionable business plans and growth strategies.
Enhance decision-making skills and problem-solving abilities.
Key Topics:
The importance of strategic thinking for business success.
Understanding different strategy frameworks (e.g., SWOT analysis, Porter's Five Forces)
Introduce participants to the ABCD strategy framework
How to Build Your Personal Brand on a Budget
In today’s competitive market, a strong personal brand can set you apart and help drive your business forward. By learning to leverage self-promotion and establish a brand foundation, you'll see the real impact of personal branding on business growth.
Join our expert presenter, Ramon Ray, as we cover the elements of personal branding and how to build an authentic, effective brand that resonates with your audience. By the end of this session, you’ll be equipped with actionable steps to elevate your personal brand without breaking the bank.
Access to Capital Direct Lending Program Information Session
Securing capital may be an important step in fueling your business’ growth. The Access to Capital team is holding an information session on the Direct Lending Program, an alternative capital option for good businesses and owners with less-than-perfect credit history. Join us for an informational webinar to learn more about the Direct Lending Program, borrower eligibility and other requirements. Register now!
Legal Clinic: Copyright Registration Workshop
Are you creating original work as a visual artist, writer, theatre worker, musician or sound designer, video game designer, graphic designer, or other creative? Copyrighting your work can help you protect your creations. Lawyers for the Creative Arts and Irwin IP are hosting a free Copyright Registration Workshop in-person on Monday, November 25 in Chicago to help you register your work!
Learn about copyright, what is protected, and how to register your creations with the U.S. Copyright Office. After the presentations, attorneys will be available to guide you through registering copyrights on one or more of your works. Be aware that not everything is copyrightable.
If you would like to take advantage of this assistance, please make sure to bring:
a laptop (Irwin IP will provide Wi-Fi),
a digital copy of the work,
name of author(s) of the work, their nationality/domicile, and years of birth/death,
name and address of the copyright claimant,
any copyright transfer information if the author is not the copyright owner,
year of creation of the work,
date of first publication (if published),
whether the work has preexisting material,
whether the work was previously registered, and
credit card/debit card or bank account information for payment of the filing fee.
The program is free, but registration is required.
AI for Productivity in the Music Business
AI is not the creative one, you are! Reprtoir is convinced that the brighter days of AI revolve around productivity and automation rather than creation. We all want AI to do the tedious part of the job. And as is the workspace for record labels and music publishers to streamline their business, this is exactly what Reprtoir does for music professionals.
In this exclusive webinar with the Music Business Association, you’ll learn on how to get AI to work for you. And since we’re proud of working alongside the best music companies, we’ll have one of our clients with us to show you how they use Reprtoir. Sign up and stay tuned to learn who’ll join us during the webinar!
Beginner's Guide to Product Management
Product management is the ultimate craft of shaping ideas into reality, and it's hotter than a freshly brewed cup of coffee. It's all about bringing together technology, creativity, and business savvy to create products that make waves in the market.
In this free, 2-hour class, get hands-on experience with the fundamentals of Product Management and understand what you need to become a Product Manager yourself!
We will touch on key tools and techniques for testing, designing and improving products. Step into the world of product management and explore how product managers use leadership and versatility to launch products that people love.
Bonus: there will be time at the end for live Q&A with the instructor.
We’ll see you in class.
Takeaways
You’ll leave this class with:
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Basic knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of a product manager
Hands-on practice with hypothesizing, identifying and validating risks and assumptions for a product or feature idea.
Confidence to continue practicing your product management skills
Preparation
This is an entry level class, so no prior knowledge is necessary.
We’ll send a Zoom link to your email the day of class.
Note: your mic and camera will be off for the duration of the class.
A recording will be shared via email after you fill out the in-class survey.
Ways to Finance Your Business
Ways to Finance Your Business Presented by Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and CIBC Bank USA
Whether you are a business owner or thinking about starting one; this webinar will teach the basics about bank financing. You will receive information about loans, lines of credit and other available resources that can help you on your entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, you will learn about the BACP Entrepreneur Certificate Program as a resource that makes you eligible to apply for CIBC Bank USA’s Entrepreneur Loan.
How to Quickly Win Over Your Readers with Max Timm
Join Max Timm, the ISA's Director of Education and Producer/Consultant, as he dives into the importance of that first page, the essentials needed in your 1st Act, and what to do in order to keep your readers hooked. He will discuss:
What to do and not to do with your 1st act
Tips for features and TV series
How to keep readers engaged, even those with short attention spans
An Online, Lunch Hour Event: Publicity Essentials for Independent Films (RSVP by Nov 19th)
On November 20th at 12pm CST, IFA Chicago will host one of our partners, Bright Iris Film Co., in a lunch hour online webinar.
Publicist and strategist, Lisa Trifone, will talk us through independent film publicity - what it is, when it’s appropriate, and how it can benefit Chicago filmmakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions halfway through, and the final 10 minutes of the webinar will introduce the online course. All who attended will receive a free Press Kit Essentials downloadable resource.
Publicity Essentials for Independent Films is a self-directed, on-demand, three-module course that covers PR foundations and terms, essential promotional materials, and goal setting and strategy.
Our one hour webinar is free to attend and only available to IFA Chicago members (who will receive a 20% discount on the course, should they choose to purchase additional modules).
Please register no later than November 19th!
Mastering Cash Flow Management - Uncover Hidden Business Profits
Cash flow management is the lifeblood of a growing business, but it can be a significant challenge for entrepreneurs. Join our expert presenter, Jennifer Dawn, to learn how to master your cash flow.
Join our webinar to discover how to efficiently streamline overhead, strategically manage debt and ensure you're paying yourself what you're truly worth.
In this webinar, you'll learn:
How to trim expenses without sacrificing quality
How to optimize the cost of goods sold to increase profit margins
How to manage liabilities, freeing up cash and accelerating financial health
How to optimize your COGS
Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your money management, this session will equip you with the skills to grow, invest, and succeed in today's competitive landscape.
Live attendees will receive the slide deck and a link to this webinar recording.
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Banking on Success: Seeking Opportunities as a Business Owner
Join us for an exclusive networking event at Citi Bank’s Fox Valley Branch.
This invitation-only event is designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities fa
ed by small business owners in a forum for entrepreneurs to connect, share insights, and explore strategies for growth and success.
Engaging Discussions lead by Maria Rodriguez, VP Banking at Citi, Minerva Calatayud, WBDC Director of Entrepreneurial Programs and Josh Gutstein, WBDC Managing Director of Access to Capital
Breakfast Provided
This event is specifically for businesses that are at least 1 year old and have less than $1 million in annual revenue.
Music Bloom South Loop
Music Bloom is a professional development music series.
About the event: The Music Bloom is a professional development neighborhood music series with panel discussions, workshops, performances and networking.
About the venue: Overflow Coffee is a space to prosper—to foster hope, creativity, and community. A space where belonging is felt from the first greeting to the last sip.
Overflow Coffee is home to the former Vee Jay & Brunswick Record labels housing some of Chicago's prominent music figures from Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler, The Chi Lites, The Beatles, Gladys Knight and the list goes on. Over the past several years Overflow After Dark Productions (OAD) has put together countless community events paying homage and even highlighting and inviting back the artists to the space that came through the various label. Their space has become an all age inclusive safe space community hub for artists, creatives, music lovers, entrepreneurs etc. OAD is bridging the generational gap between emerging and seasoned artists and have worked hard to preserve the legacy and history that put Chicago soul on the map.
Time:
6:30 pm - 9 pm
Moderator: Liv Roskos
Workshop with Calid Bowen
Artist: Jae Via
Managing a Virtual or Hybrid Work Force
Presented by Presented by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Chicago member Diane Yetter, President -YETTER Tax & Sales Tax Institute Today many businesses operate in either a fully virtual or hybrid world. Is this a good thing for employees and employers? Come learn how to manage a virtual workforce – from how to successfully recruit remote workers, how to on-board them so they feel part of the team as well as how to provide feedback. We will also cover what should be incorporated into your work culture, environment and policies to create the type of business that is successful for all. Learn from a long-time business owner who has had at least one virtual employee for over 25 years and who went fully virtual in 2010 (yes long before we all had to!). She will share pros and cons of a virtual workforce as well as tips and ideas on how to set up your virtual workforce for success. To get credit, you must be registered for the program prior to attending this webinar. Learn more at Chicago.gov/BACPCertificate
Storytelling for Impact
Workshop: Storytelling for Impact
Empower entrepreneurs and founders to craft compelling narratives that resonate with their target audience.
Develop effective storytelling techniques for various platforms (e.g., presentations, pitch decks, social media).
Enhance participants' ability to communicate their value proposition and mission.
Key Topics:
The power of storytelling in business.
Identifying your unique story and brand narrative.
Crafting compelling messages and elevator pitches.
Utilizing storytelling techniques for effective presentations.
Storytelling for social media and digital marketing.
This workshop is led by Adrian Segura, the Founder and Principal of The Luminary Collective.
A2IM Indiescussion: Soundcloud School
The goal of “SoundCloud School” is to redefine SoundCloud’s image beyond just a Digital Streaming Partner (DSP) by providing an educational program designed to help music creators and industry stakeholders understand and utilize the full potential of SoundCloud. This program aims to educate at scale, covering basic to advanced topics, ensuring users can effectively engage with SoundCloud’s tools and community, whether or not they are releasing music.
The MLC Presents: Q&A for Self-Administered Songwriters
Are you a self-administered songwriter (also known as independent songwriter) with questions about The MLC and your digital audio mechanical royalties? We invite you to join MLC staffers for this interactive webinar to get answers to any questions you have about MLC Membership, The MLC Portal and all of the tools and resources available to help self-administered songwriters register their musical works data with The MLC and get the mechanical royalties they are owed.
Data Analytics Bootcamp Info Session
About This Info Session
Are you curious about General Assembly’s upcoming Data Analytics Bootcamp? Whether you’re looking to cross over into a role that requires you to know data analysis, level up in your existing role, or you’re curious about data, join us and figure out if this bootcamp is a fit for you.
During the upcoming information session you will:
Meet the GA team and potential classmates
Get an overview of the curriculum and course objectives
Meet the instructor, hear about his/her professional experience
Discover the perks of being a student at GA