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, September 4, 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.
Side Hustle Success
Fri, September 6, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Moderated by Kenya Merritt, Chicago Chief Small Business Officer
In this workshop you will hear from entrepreneurs who have turned their passion into a profit. This workshop is targeted for entrepreneurs looking to establish a business within the creative or arts sector. Our panelists will share their strategies on how they moved from side hustle to success.
Small Business Center on the Road Expo
2019-09-07
Harry S Truman College, 1145 W Wilson Ave – McKeon Lobby
The Small Business Center on the Road Expo is free and open to the public. It provides new and existing entrepreneurs resources to start or grow their business here in Chicago.
For more information and to register go to
www.chismallbizexpo.com
Social Media Workplace Policies & the Law
Wed, September 11, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Charles Krugel, a Management Side Labor, Employment and Human Resource Attorney
This is an open discussion with human resources lawyer Charles Krugel concerning: what courts and government regulators are saying about workplace social media policies, employee content & account ownership (who owns what); how a business can protect its social media image; what should a business do if an employee discusses something inappropriate; what businesses should do to control how & who uses its social media & related hardware or equipment; & what are the areas of liability for businesses and how to avoid or minimize liability.
Access to Capital and Avoiding Predatory Financing
Fri, September 13, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. La Salle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Geri Aglipay, The Small Business Majority
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.
Como Lanzar Su Negocio En Chicago
Wed, September 18, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presentado por ESDC – Economic Strategies Development Corporation
(Workshop will be presented in Spanish)
Exploramos los primeros pasos para empezar su negocio, incluyendo: primeros pasos, investigación de mercado, plan de negocio y recursos estatales gratis, ademas aprenda acerca del tipo de licencia que necesitará y los tipos de estructura legal que existen.
How To Be A “YouTuber” For Your Business, Video Marketing 101
Fri, September 20, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by JinJa Birkenbeuel, Founder, The Honest Field Guide Podcast and CEO, Birk Creative
This YouTube workshop is for small business owners with a working website who want to learn how to create custom content and also create YouTube ads for your business. Learn how to create a business YouTube channel, understand the anatomy of a YouTube channel, learn how to use tags, and best practices for shooting a basic video. You will also learn how to promote your video on YouTube and other channels.
Everything You Need To Know About Business Insurance
Wed, September 25, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Sandra Cavato Insurance Agency
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.
Buying and Selling a Business: Find, Evaluate and Negotiate
Fri, September 27, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Lema Khorshid, Fuksa Khorshid, LLC
Do you want to buy a business and don’t know where to start? In this step-by-step seminar learn how buying a business can be an alternative to starting up a new business. Also, learn how to effectively analyze new business opportunities and understand a business purchase contract so that you can quickly close the deal.
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