City of Chicago: Free Business Education Workshops

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.

12/21 Everything You Need To Know About Business Insurance 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. 11^th Floor, Room 1103

In this session, attendees will learn the coverages needed for their business. We’ll discuss the right questions to ask your insurance professional and how to protect yourself and your business against lawsuits.

12/26 NO WORKSHOP DUE TO HOLIDAY

12/28 NO WORKSHOP DUE TO HOLIDAY

1/2 NO WORKSHOP DUE TO HOLIDAY

1/4 NO WORKSHOP DUE TO HOLIDAY

1/9 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.

1/11 Roadmap to Business Financing 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

In order for businesses to start or grow, financing is often needed. Attend this workshop and you will obtain the pathway to financial success including traditional and non traditional credit sources and how to best prepare for when your company needs capital most.

1/16 Business Growth Strategies 101 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Are you trying to determine how to grow your business and what area to target for growth? Do you need connections, capital, or additional capacity for your business? Come to the Women’s Business Development Center’s Business Growth Strategies 101 class to begin to identify what part of your business you need to grow, and gain tools that will help fuel your success. Topics that will be covered include finding your target customer, how to prepare for the first time you meet with a banker, and where to begin if you’re thinking about contracting with the government. This workshop will be most meaningful to businesses that have been in business for at least one year.

1/18 Rock Your Profile 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Attend this workshop and discuss the ins, outs, tips, and tricks of creating a stellar LinkedIn profile. During this workshop, we will discuss the major profile components, best practices for creating a stellar page, and some behind the scenes advice on navigating the platform. Please come prepared with your profile already created and any questions you have on the platform!

1/23 How to Obtain the new Pop-Up User or Pop-Up Host Business License 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) and Department of Public Health (CDPH) – Food Protection

The City’s new Pop-Up User and Pop-Up Host business licenses are now available for short-term general retail, or food, sales entrepreneurs and owners of commercial spaces respectively. Learn about the unique features which allow the User to “pop-up” around the City during the license term, the license application and food protection requirements and process, as well as the benefit provided to existing Shared Kitchen Users and Retail Food license holders. Be ready to become one of the first to obtain these innovative licenses.

1/25 How to Write a Business Plan – What you need to know! 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Learn how to create a comprehensive business plan. It’s easier than you think when you understand all the components that get included. You’ll receive a complete list of what to include to demystify the process. Writing a solid business plan is your roadmap to business success.

1/30 Nuts and Bolts of Creating a Charitable Organization 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Attend this workshop to learn about the legal steps to becoming a charitable organization, the differences between a for profit and a nonprofit and provide an overview of the legal process of creating a not for profit corporation, developing a board of directors, explain bylaws, and obtaining recognition of 501c3 income tax exemption for the organization