Business Services

Business Workshops

BACP Webinars

 BACP offers free business education workshops or webinars every Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning. Due to COVID-19, all programs are currently being offered as webinars. Topics include business licensing, operations, financial resources, marketing, and more. Programs are free and open to the public and taught by industry professionals, not-for-profit agencies, and government agencies.
 

August / September 2021 Calendar

BACP offers free business education workshops or webinars every Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning. Due to COVID-19, all programs are currently being offered as webinars. Topics include business licensing, operations, financial resources, marketing, and more. Programs are free and open to the public and taught by industry professionals, not-for-profit agencies, and government agencies.

Wednesday, 8/18 Webinar at 3:00 PM
Plan for a Successful Business
Presented by Score Chicago
A thoughtful and well-executed business plan is the first step for every potential entrepreneur. Businesses differ in value, marketing, production, operations, and financial objectives, and good planning increases the odds of success.This workshop covers the essential elements of business plan development.
Register for the 8/18 Webinar 


Thursday, 8/19 Webinar at 10:00 AM
Navigating Chicago’s New COVID-19 Masking Regulations
Presented by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
All individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, will be required to wear a mask as of Friday, August 20, 2021 while indoors in public settings. This webinar will provide business owners with an overview the new mask mandate requirements.
Register for the 8/19 Webinar


Friday, 8/20 Webinar at 9:30 AM
More Clients, Less Marketing: How to Create More Leads and Income by Doing LESS
Presented by Mary Cravets, SimplyGetClients.com
Client generation is the lifeblood of a service business. But with so many marketing options, how do you cut through the noise and find your best strategy for growth?
The good news is that by strategically doing LESS, your marketing can be MORE effective.
Referred to as “a coach approach to marketing,” Mary's engaging presentation quickly shows audiences how to get better results from their client-generation efforts while feeling more authentic and actually having fun!
In a no-hype environment, participants get immediately implementable tools, including:
The 6 key elements that keep you out of the feast-or-famine cycle of client generation
How to stop wasting time and money on marketing that doesn’t work so you can attract clients consistently and get your nights and weekends back
A client generation system that has a proven track record of helping both new and experienced business owners quickly generate more clients and increase their income by 50% or more.


Friday, 8/20 Webinar at 1:00 PM
Navigating Chicago’s New COVID-19 Masking Regulations
Presented by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
All individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, will be required to wear a mask as of Friday, August 20, 2021 while indoors in public settings. This webinar will provide business owners with an overview the new mask mandate requirements.
Register for the 8/20 Webinar


Wednesday, 8/25 Webinar at 3:00 PM
Emergency Grants and Loans for Small Businesses
Presented by Allies for Community Business
Allies for Community Business (formerly Accion Chicago) is the program administrator of the $250 million State of Illinois Back to Business (B2B) Grant Program. Join us to get detailed information about B2B eligibility and application requirements, as well as answers to your questions about the program. In addition, learn about A4CB small business loans between $500 and $100,000. A4CB will give an overview of what is required to apply for a small business loan which carries a 3% interest rate until the end of 2021.
Register for the 8/25 Webinar


Friday, 8/27 Webinar at 9:30 AM
Financial Statement Basics
Presented by Diane Chabes,CPA, MBA; Assistant Professor of Accounting at Rockford University’s Puri School of Business
How to get started reading, understanding and using the financial statements. What’s behind the numbers when you look at the balance sheet, income statement, statement of retained earnings and statement of cashflows for a company? This will be a brief overview of how to get information from those statements and why having competent accountants preparing them is important.
Register for the 8/27 Webinar


Wednesday, 9/1 Webinar at 3:00 PM

City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers 
Presented by the City of Chicago
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, Department of Public Health, and the Department of Buildings will provide insight on how operate a compliant business in the City of Chicago.  Topics covered will include how to prepare for inspections,  building permits and sign display requirements, food inspection overview and necessary certificates, and zoning review procedures.  Learn how to operate safely and avoid common setbacks.
Register for the 9/1 Webinar


Wednesday, 9/8 Webinar at 3:00 PM
How to Open a Concession at O'Hare and Midway International Airports
Presented by the Chicago Department of Aviation - Concessions Department and Unison Retail Management
Are you interested in operating a restaurant or retail 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 and how to operate a business at the airport. This workshop also provides an overview of the O'Hare, and Midway airport current Concessions programs; the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program; and the O'Hare 21 future expansion. Lastly, we will provide you with all the resources you will need to get started.


Friday, 9/17 Webinar at 9:30 AM
The Future of Marketing: Visual storytelling tips on how to grow your audience & clients with video.
Presented by Project & Events Manager at ESDC Jaime Garza
A clear message in visual storytelling attracts and captivates audiences. Using free online tools and social media, any business can attract, retain and bond with new and existing customers using video. Learn Youtube, Instagram and Facebook techniques, best practices and how to keep track of your numbers.
Register for the 9/17 Webinar


Wednesday, 9/22 Webinar at 3:00 PM
Everything You Need To Know About Business Insurance
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.
Register for 9/22 Webinar
Please email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org with any webinar questions.

All webinars are freeTo register for a webinar visit www.chicago.gov/businesseducation

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