This month we launched the Greater Chicago Kiva Hub at the Women’s Business Development Center! As a Kiva Hub, we can further invest in the success of small businesses and economic inclusion in our community with Kiva’s 0% interest microloans ranging from $1k – $15k. Kiva is an international nonprofit, founded in 2005, with a mission to expand financial access to help underserved communities thrive. In this workshop, you will learn what makes a high-quality Kiva application, the expectations that […]

Join our June keynote with content strategy authority Margot Bloomstein to learn how marketers can move beyond buzzwords, and specifically how writers and designers can lead the way. RSVP HERE  

Behind the sobering stats of startup failure rates is the often unanswered question, “why?” Most startups fail not because they couldn’t build what they set out to build, but because they couldn’t find traction in their market. Based upon work with dozens of startups over 20 years, this workshop highlights 10 blind spots that destroy startups, offers case study examples, and reviews what an entrepreneur can do to avoid them. About the speaker: Jeff Berman has created foundation brand strategies […]

Register Here Your perceptions, biases and emotions about money can affect the financial decisions you make. Understanding the complex dynamics of your relationship with wealth and developing strategies for making objective decisions can help you manage your wealth more wisely.   Join us for an informative workshop where we will explore: • Your relationship with money • How emotions affect your money habits • Strategies for changing the way you think, feel, and act about money  

Patents and trademarks are the most important tools to protect your business. In this workshop you'll learn the basics of intellectual property including the differences between patents, trademarks, and copyrights, along with some best practices for protecting your intellectual property rights. Taught by Heather Harper of the Kent School of Law. REGISTER HERE

Appearing stiff, bored, and self-conscious on Zoom? Wondering where your mojo went? In this highly interactive session, bestselling author and teacher Sam Bennett will show you how to WOW the Zoom Rooms and bring your authentic self to the virtual world. We’ll access your natural creative energy so you can feel comfortable revealing your whole self. Sam will share some of the unusual tips and tricks that have made her a popular instructor on LinkedIn Learning and other platforms. This […]

Presented by Agostino Filippone, Chokshi Filippone Law, LLC Whether LLC, Corp, or another legal entity, when starting a business, organizing your company the right way can significantly limit risk. Augie Filippone, a Partner at Chokshi Filippone Law, LLC, will present on entity options, as well as provide information and material to help you navigate around common pitfalls faced by business-owners. Register for the 7/9 Webinar 

The biggest challenge for most startups today is transitioning from problem/solution fit to product/market fit. Most of us have the same struggles: we have solved a problem but it is difficult to scale that solution up to a larger market, and make repeatable and predictable processes along the way. This workshop will focus in on methodologies for finding your way from your MVP to getting to a scalable solution that can really grow. REGISTER HERE About the speaker: Greg Janes […]

Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) Staff from the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) will provide summary, timeline, and application information for the department's two biggest grant programs: the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) and the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF), each of which offer cash assistance to businesses looking to start or grow their operation. Register for the 7/14 Webinar

Digital Marketing and Social Media This introductory workshop addresses the basics of harnessing the power of digital, within the context of your organization’s marketing strategy. Digital marketing is an important part of your promotional mix, and social media platforms are valuable tools to use in your marketing communications strategy. In this workshop, we’ll cover: Using your website to build a foundation for communicating content Integrating digital marketing into your overall promotions Search Engine Optimization Which social media platforms are best […]

Content powers marketing and grabs the attention of customers, media and investors. Still, with constantly changing algorithms, endless content distribution platforms and limited time or personnel resources, business owners are often overwhelmed before they start. In this webinar, SCORE Mentor Jasmine Powers will show you five key ways to get control of your content marketing for attracting clients and positioning your brand. REGISTER HERE Attendees will learn how to: Create the best content formats for their communication style Choose tools […]

Radio and podcast personality, Guy Raz, has uncovered the amazing stories of trailblazing entrepreneurs across the globe who made their dreams a reality. Now, he’s joining LIVE@LIFT to dive into his debut book How I Built This: The Unexpected Paths to Success from the World’s Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs. During his conversation with Danielle Cohn, VP of Startup Engagement and the Head of LIFT Labs, he’ll share invaluable advice and inspiration from more than 200 of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs on how […]

Presented by Cheryl Hudson-Jackson SBDC Director from YWCA Metropolitan Chicago This presentation will cover the customer service basics that leads to customer service excellence. This dynamic exchange of tips and tools will include covering the in-person retail and telephone customer service practices that make a difference in retention, loyalty, and revenue for all parties (Business owner, employee, and customer). Register for the 7/16 Webinar

Presented by the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at the WBDC Due Diligence in International Business: What Information You Need to Know about International Partners and How to Find It. Doing business with a new international partner involves some risks. Selling to or buying from an unfamiliar foreign partner presents new challenges to navigate. In this webinar, we will identify the steps you can take to avoid or mitigate the risks. • How do you reduce that risk? • What kind of […]

Presented by Bill McNamara, Director, Illinois SBDC International Trade Center Companies have many options to grow. One viable choice is via selling your product or services internationally. In this webinar we will discover why it is good strategy for a business to export. We will explore why exporting can be good for your business and why now is a good time to begin. We will show that it is common for small and medium sized businesses to export. Finally, we […]

As borders are reopening, learn more about why Paris Region is Europe’s #1 Tech Hub and how easy it is for you to launch and scale your business there. Join us and our panelists to learn how to prepare for an expansion to France and how to navigate the Paris Region innovation ecosystem: Why is Paris Region a hot startup scene right now, How to set up in the market, How to secure partnerships, Cultural differences between the US and […]

This webinar, led by Professor Gretchen Winter of UIUC, will conduct a thorough examination of the Dos and Don'ts of responsible business practices and habits, either financial, social, moral, or otherwise. As an emerging startup, this class is a necessary and foundational resource to new companies looking to succeed externally and internally. Come ready for discussion and dissection of what you believe is "correct" and "incorrect" in the business world. REGISTER HERE

Presented by Edwin Romero (SEO Manager, Capgemini) Search Engine Optimization (SEO), or the process of improving search engine visibility, is a marketing channel that is often either overlooked or misunderstood by small business owners. In this webinar, we will review the significance of SEO for small business owners, how SEO can serve as a long term, cost efficient marketing channel and what fundamental best practices should be kept in mind when optimizing for SEO. Register for the 7/23 Webinar