City of Chicago: Free Business Education Workshops.
The City of Chicago, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, (BACP) offers FREE business workshops every Wednesday and Friday at City Hall
Located at 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 805 unless indicated otherwise. You can register for a workshop by emailing BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or by calling 312.744.2086. ALWAYS call first to confirm. Workshops subject to change and cancellation. I have attended several of these workshops and they are all excellent. I would advise arriving early because the workshops fill up.
1/29 Resources for Women Entrepreneurs, by Women Entrepreneurs 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Are you a business owner tired of trying to search through all the resources that might benefit your business growth? There’s a lot of support out there for women-owned businesses, but it can be hard to find the right resources and community for your business. Join Bossy Chicago and the Women’s Business Development Center as they discuss the vast ecosystem of support services for women entrepreneurs. Participants will leave with a plan of action to start and grow their women-owned business.
1/31 Access to Capital and Avoiding Predatory Financing 9:30-11:00 a.m. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Learn about how to navigate safe financing options in Chicago to start and grow your business. Understand how to avoid predatory small business funding and where to go for free assistance. An overview of crowdfunding will also be provided.
2/5 City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
To operate a successful business in Chicago you need to know what it takes to maintain compliance. Officials from several City departments will provide insight on how to operate safely, stay compliant, help prepare for inspections and highlight the do’s and don’ts of operating a business.
2/7 Construction Project Management 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Working with design and construction professionals to make your business dream a reality takes smart planning and organization. Learn the best practices for establishing your schedule and budget, hiring the right professionals and dealing with unforeseen challenges to ensure your project is completed on-time and on-budget.
2/12 NO WORKSHOP DUE TO HOLIDAY
2/14 Speak Up and Speak Out: Public Speaking Training for Small Business Owners 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
You have started or plan to start your own business. You know you have something special to offer but does the rest of the world? Whether it’s giving an elevator pitch, hiring staff, giving a community lecture, talking to a loan officer, or speaking at a National Conference knowing the basics of public speaking will enhance your ability to confidently speak up and speak out. Your speaker Michele Williams has been adjunct faculty at Columbia College for over 32 years and is a public speaking consultant. She has helped over 1,000 people become more confident public speakers. Topics include: choosing topics, types of speeches, organizing the speech, dealing with fear, relaxation, non verbal communication, relating to the audience, use of language and creating new opportunities.
2/19 How to Obtain a Sidewalk Café Permit 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Come learn about the Sidewalk Café Permit Application process by attending this informative workshop. We will explain the application process, inform you of all the requirements, and help you get prepared to submit an application. The entire application process may take up to 30 days and the 2020 Sidewalk Cafés Season begins on March 1st.
2/21 Choosing the Right Legal Entity: A Small Business Entity Workshop 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.– 11th Floor, Room 1103
As an entrepreneur starting a new business, you will be faced with many important decisions; one of the first and most important decisions will be selecting the right legal structure for your business. The legal entity you choose will impact many critical aspects of your business, such as your ability to raise capital, how your company will be managed, its tax treatment, liability protection for managers and more. At “Choosing the Right Legal Entity: A Small Business Entity Workshop”, CLC equitable development and small business attorney, Akele Parnell, will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various business structures including the Sole Proprietorship, C-Corp, S-Corp, LLC, Benefit Corporation, Cooperative Association and more.
2/26 What You Need to Know About Your Business & Taxes 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
This workshop will answer important tax questions for your business including: Are you required to file a tax return? Is your worker an independent contractor or an employee? What will the IRS request during an audit? Are you required to make estimated tax payments? What resources does the IRS have for small business owners?
2/28 Digital Mindset for Growth 101 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Learn how to change your mindset from analog to digital by translating your entrepreneurial dreams into online action for your brand and your business. We will give guidance on how to create goal-based strategies for your business that will help it become more “discoverable’ and recognized online so you can connect with customers. We will touch on creative branding, social media, YouTube and content strategies. Come ready with your mobile phone to work and learn!
When
Weekly on Wednesday @ 3:00 pm-4:30 pm (starting January 8, 2020)
What
City of Chicago: Free Business Education Workshops
Where
Cost
When
Weekly on Friday @ 9:30 am-11:00 am (starting January 10, 2020)
What
City of Chicago: Free Business Education Workshops
Where
Cost
FREE
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