1/3 No Workshop Due to Holiday
1/8 City Inspections – Ask Questions, Get Answers
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
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.
1/10 Business Licensing 101
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP)
Attendees will learn the 3 steps to obtain a business license and access free business resources to start or expand their business.
1/15 Accounting in Quickbooks
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Trak Patel, ARCC Consulting
Learn how to keep your financial recordkeeping books using QuickBooks. We will identify the differences between QuickBooks Online vs. QuickBooks Desktop and list the important features and benefits.
1/17 Credit and Your Business
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Annette Vega, CIBC Bank
This workshop will help the attendees understand the importance of credit, calculating their global cash flow, collateral and capitalization.
1/22 How To Really Start Your Own Business
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by Score Chicago
Do you have what it takes to start and run a successful business? If so, what first steps should you take? This workshop will help you assess your prospects, give you the initial direction you need, and inspire you to move forward to realize your dream. Workshop topics include myths, business opportunities, assessing your journey, organization, insurance, regulations, funding and cash management, business and marketing plan.
1/24 Facebook and Instagram Posts: Take Your Posts to the Next Level
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by Francisco Ramirez, Chimbly Consultants, LLC
Have you been posting for some time, but struggling to reach or engage your audience? Are you confused by how the algorithms decide whether or not to show your posts? Participants of this workshop will examine Facebook and Instagram posts and compare what makes a post rise to the top and what knocks a post off news feeds. Participants will leave with tools to take their posts to the next level.
1/29 Resources for Women Entrepreneurs, by Women Entrepreneurs
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) and Bossy Chicago
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 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle 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.
All workshops are free and are located in City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Chicago. To register for a workshop e-mail BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org or call 312.744.2086.