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, March 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.
Empieza Un Pequeno Negocio
Fri, March 6, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
(WorkshopPresented in Spanish)
Presentado por el Northwest Side CDC(Northwest Side Community Development Corporation)
Venga aprender como abrir un negocio, los pasos quedebe de tener y no tomar. Habláramos sobre creando un plan de negocio, entiendosu mercado, y creando un plan de acción. También se hablara los pasos parasacar su licencia de negociante.
Small Business Center on the Road Expo
Sat, March 7, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Kennedy King College – Building U, 740 W. 63rd Street
The Small Business Center on the Road Expo brings business resources to the community for new and existing entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their business in the City of Chicago. This expo is free and open to the public. You can find more information or register expo at www.chismallbizexpo.com
Employee (HR) Handbooks & Workplace Policies
Wed, March 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
Open discussion concerning whether a business needs a handbook, written policies & procedures, and how to implement them.
Buying and Selling a Business: Find, Evaluate and Negotiate
Fri, March 13, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by LemaKhorshid, 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.
How to Open a Concession at O’Hare and Midway International Airports
Wed, March 18, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by City of ChicagoDepartment 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 and how to operate a business at the airport. This workshop will also provide an overview of the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program.
How to Obtain a Mobile Business License
Fri, March 20, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 11th Floor, Room 1103
Presented by City of Chicago Department of BusinessAffairs & Consumer Protection (BACP)
From Food Trucks to Peddlers to Mobile Merchants, not all businesses need a store front from which to operate and Chicago is proud to support many types of mobile businesses. Attend this workshop to learn how to obtain a Mobile Food or Retail License from the BACP, including operational conditions, required inspections and application processes. Licenses covered by this workshop will include Mobile Food Dispenser and Preparer (Food Trucks), Mobile Merchant, Mobile Prepared Food Vendor, Mobile Frozen Desserts Vendor, Produce Merchant, and Peddler.
What Kind of Funding is Right For You/Your Business
Wed, March 25, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. – 8th Floor, Room 805
Presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration
If you need access to capital to achieve your business goals, the SBA offers a variety of funding programs for all kinds of small business ventures. Learn what kind of funding is right for you!
What You Need to Know About Your Business & Taxes
Fri, March 27, 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
This workshop will answer important tax questions for your business including: 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?
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