Each month the City of Chicago offers twice-weekly (Wed & Fri) FREE business education workshops presented by experts in private practice as well as representatives from various city departments. There are quite a few good ones this month — see the list below — and they’re all offered at City Hall (right downtown and near public transit). To register for any of them, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers
Wed, February 6, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the City of Chicago
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.

Create Your 2019 Social Media Plan
Fri, February 8, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Business Bragger
Set goals each quarter for 2019, determine which platforms are best for you to use your business, create a messaging concept and set KPIs to track your results.

New Food Code Workshop
Wed, February 13, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Gerrin Butler, City of Chicago Department of Public Health
This workshop will provide information for retail food establishments to prepare for the City of Chicago new food code requirements. These requirements are based on the latest science, conform to federal guidelines, state and local laws.

Get Capital for Your Small Business with Kiva and Accion
Fri, February 15, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Kiva and Accion
Hear from Kiva, a nonprofit that provides 0% interest loans of up to $10,000 to small business owners and entrepreneurs, and from Accion, a small business lender with loan ranges of up to $100,000 for small and existing businesses.

How to Open a Concession at O’Hare or Midway Airport
Wed, February 20, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Chicago Department of Aviation – Concessions Department
Are you interested in operating a restaurant or shop at O’Hare or Midway International Airport, but don’t know where to begin? Come and learn about the Request for Proposals (RFP) process, how to operate a business at the airport, and a summary of the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program.

What You Need to Know About Your Business & Taxes
Fri, February 22, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Ladder Up (LU)/Center for Economic Progress (CEP)
Topics include: 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?

Customer Service
Wed, February 27, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
One element of every successful business is Customer Service. It’s importance should never be underestimated. Nor should it be assumed employees understand it. This presentation by the Better Business Bureau uses the latest research to help businesses understand how customers themselves view customer service, and how a “better business” is defined by customers.

To register for a workshop, email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.

Also, in case you weren’t aware, BACP offers a Business Start-Up Certificate Program, designed to give business owners the essential elements in starting and growing a business. Attend nine workshops at BACP and learn the essentials of business planning, financing, marketing, legal issues, technology and more. Complete the program workshops within six months and earn your certificate, as well as get free advice on your business plan. You can register for the Business Start-Up Certificate Program at any BACP workshop. Learn about the full set of BACP offerings here.

And visit their Business Video Library here.

Source: City of Chicago :: Business Education Workshop Calendar