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. Registration required at BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312-744-2086. ALWAYS call first to confirm.
8/9 Market Research: Who will buy your Product/Service and how do you know?
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 121 N. La Salle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)
If your answer is everyone, or you are fuzzy on details, you need to research your market. Come to this workshop to learn if there really is a market for your business idea/product/service. Is it feasible and can it be profitable? Learn strategies to tackle these and other questions!
8/11 Access to Capital: Helping Your Business Grow
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. La Salle St – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Fifth Third Bank
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. La Salle St – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Fifth Third Bank
In order for businesses to grow capital is often needed but sometimes it isn’t always easy to come by. In this workshop you will learn about traditional and non-traditional credit sources as well as how to best prepare for when your company needs it most.
8/16 How To Obtain A Shared Kitchen Operator, Supplemental, Or User Business License
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 121 N. La Salle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Are you interested in operating or using a licensed commercial kitchen in the City of Chicago? Then come and learn how you may obtain the Shared Kitchen Operator, Supplemental or User Business License. We will be discussing the licensing process including the application requirements, CDPH inspections, and operational duties. Register now if you are interested in the licenses for businesses that service the commissary needs of the mobile food industry in Chicago.
8/18 Trademarks, Patents, Trade Secrets, and Copyrights: Recognizing and Protecting Your Company’s Assets
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. La Salle St – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Patrick J. Smith, Partner, registered patent attorney at Greer, Burns & Crain, Ltd.
Learn the differences between copyrights, trademarks, patents and trade secrets. Knowing the differences will allow you to take the right steps to protect your company’s intellectual property assets.
8/23 Credit Card Processing: Contracts, Pricing, Fees, Systems, and Growth
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 121 N. La Salle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Horizon Payments
Many businesses pay little attention to their credit card processing or fees until they have a problem. And when they have a problem they often find their processor support lacking and confusing and don’t know where to turn. Come learn everything you need to know from setting your processing up and saving on fees to understanding contracts and using your processing to grow your business. Questions and current processing statements are also welcome if you have specific issues.
8/25 Building Your Business: A Brick and Mortar Guide
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. La Salle St – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Chyanne Husar, husARchitecture
From finding a storefront to opening day, the building process can be confusing, overwhelming, and a major component of your start up costs. Learn about organizing a project team that will meet your building needs and save you time and money. We will identify many common pitfalls and how you can avoid them to get your business off the ground.
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. La Salle St – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Chyanne Husar, husARchitecture
From finding a storefront to opening day, the building process can be confusing, overwhelming, and a major component of your start up costs. Learn about organizing a project team that will meet your building needs and save you time and money. We will identify many common pitfalls and how you can avoid them to get your business off the ground.
8/30 Employee Classification Issues-Independent Contractor (1099) or Employee (W2), Salaried or Hourly Compensation
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 121 N. La Salle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Charles Krugel, a Management Side Labor, Employment and Human Resource Attorney
Presented by Charles Krugel, a Management Side Labor, Employment and Human Resource Attorney
Over the past few years, there’s been a great deal of debate concerning how businesses should use independent contractors (IRS 1099 workers) & employees (W2s), & how businesses should compensate employees as either hourly or salaried. Now there’s greater concern because of an uptick in litigation over wage & hour issues, increased enforcement action by the government & worry over the confusion of changes in the law. Attorney Charles Krugel will be available to discuss these issues with you in a roundtable open discussion format.
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